15.05.340 Standards for areas of shallow flooding (AO/AH Zones).
Located within the special flood hazard area established in PMC 15.05.310 are areas designated as shallow flooding. These areas have special flood hazards associated with base flood depths of one (1') to three feet (3') where a clearly defined channel does not exist and where the path of flooding is unpredictable and where velocity flow may be evident. Such flooding is characterized by ponding or sheet flow; therefore, the following provisions apply:
A. Residential Construction. All new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures must have the lowest floor (including basement), electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities (including ductwork) elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least one foot (1') above the depth number specified in feet on the flood insurance rate map (at least three feet (3') if no depth number is specified). Upon completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor, including basement, shall be certified by a registered Colorado professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor. Such certification shall be submitted to the Floodplain Administrator.
B. Nonresidential Construction. With the exception of critical facilities, outlined in PMC 15.05.380, all new construction and substantial improvements of nonresidential structures must have the lowest floor (including basement), electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities (including ductwork) elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least one foot (1') above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM (at least three feet (3') if no depth number is specified), or together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be designed so that the structure is watertight to at least one foot (1') above the base flood level with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads of effects of buoyancy. Within Zones AH or AO, adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes are required to guide flood waters around and away from proposed structures. A registered Colorado professional engineer or architect shall submit a certification to the Floodplain Administrator that the standards of this section, as stated in PMC 15.05.240, are satisfied. (Ord. 711 §1 (Exh. A), 2017)