Ord 22-2012 4/17/2012 ORDINANCE NO. 22-2012
Ordinance Amending Sections 54-92 through 54-94 Of The Code Of
Ordinances Of The City Of Wichita Falls To Modify The City's Flood
Damage Prevention Provisions, Providing A Penalty Not To Exceed
$2,000 Per Violation, And Providing For Codification
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, THAT:
1. Sections 54-92 through 54-94
Sections 54-92 through 54-94 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wichita
Falls are amended to read as follows:
Sec. 54-92. - Specific standards.
In all areas of special flood hazards where base flood elevation data has been provided
as set forth in section 54-31, subsection 54-62(8), or subsection 54-93(d), the following
are required:
(1) Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any
residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated one foot
or more above the base flood elevation. A registered professional engineer, architect or
land surveyor shall submit a certification to the floodplain administrator that the standard
of this subsection, as proposed in section 54-62, is satisfied.
(2) Nonresidential construction. New construction and substantial improvements of any
commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall either have the lowest floor,
including basement, elevated one foot or more above the base flood elevation or,
together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be designed so that below the hose
flood elevation floodproofed to at least one foot above the base flood elevation so that
below the floodproofed elevation the structure is watertight with walls substantially
impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the
capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy. A
registered professional engineer or architect shall develop and/or review structural
design, specifications, and plans for the construction, and shall certify that the design
and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice as
outlined in this subsection. A record of such certification, which includes the specific
elevation, in relation to mean sea level, to which such structures are floodproofed, shall
be maintained by the floodplain administrator.
(3) Enclosures. New construction and substantial improvements, with fully enclosed
areas below the lowest floor that are usable solely for parking of vehicles, building
access or storage in an area other than a basement and which are subject to flooding,
shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by
allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters. Designs for meeting this requirement must
either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed
the following minimum criteria:
a. A minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square
inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided.
b. The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade.
c. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings
or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
(4) Manufactured homes. Standards for manufactured homes shall be as follows:
a. Require that all manufactured homes to be placed within zone A on a
community's flood insurance rate map shall be installed using methods and
practices which minimize flood damage. For the purpose of this subsection,
manufactured homes must be elevated and anchored to resist flotation, collapse
or lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include but are not limited to use
of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors. This is in addition to applicable
state and local anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
b. Require that manufactured homes that are placed or substantially improved
within zones Al-30, AH and AE on the community's flood insurance rate map on
sites (i) outside of a manufactured home park or subdivision, (ii) in a new
manufactured home park or subdivision, (iii) in an expansion to an existing
manufactured home park or subdivision, or (iv) in an existing manufactured home
park or subdivision on which a manufactured home has incurred substantial
damage as a result of a flood be elevated on a permanent foundation such that
the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated one foot or above the base
flood elevation and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation
system to resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement.
c. Require that manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved on
sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision within zones Al-30,
AH and AE on the community's flood insurance rate map that are not subject to
this subsection be elevated so that either:
1. The lowest floor of the manufactured home is one foot or more above
the base flood elevation; or
2. The manufactured home chassis is supported by reinforced piers or
other foundation elements of at least equivalent strength that are no less
than 36 inches in height above grade and shall be securely anchored to
an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse and
lateral movement.
(5) Recreational vehicles. Require that recreational vehicles placed on sites within
zones Al-30, AH and AE on the community's flood insurance rate map shall either (i) be
on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days; (ii) be fully licensed and ready for
highway use; or (iii) meet the permit requirements of subsection 54-64(a) and the
elevation and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes in subsection (4) of this
section. A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking
system, is attached to the site only by quick-disconnect-type utilities and security
devices, and has no permanently attached additions.
(6) Accessory structures. Accessory structures may be built below one foot above the
base flood elevation provided that such structures satisfy the following standards in
unnumbered and numbered A zones:
a. Structure is low valued and represents a minimal investment.
b. Structure shall be small in size, not to exceed 600 square feet.
c. Structure shall be unfinished on the interior.
d. Structure can be used only for parking and limited storage.
e. Structure shall not be used for human habitation (including work, sleeping,
living, cooking, or restroom areas).
f. Service facilities such as electrical and heating equipment must be elevated to
one foot above the BFE or floodproofed.
g. Structure is constructed and placed on building site so as to offer the minimum
resistance to the flow of floodwaters.
h. Structure is designed to have low flood damage potential i.e. constructed with
flood resistance materials.
i. Structure is firmly anchored to prevent floatation, collapse, and lateral
movement.
j. Floodway requirements must be met in the construction of the structure.
k. Openings to relieve hydrostatic pressure during a flood shall be provided
below one foot above the BFE.
Sec. 54-93. - Subdivision proposals.
(a) All subdivision proposals, including manufactured home parks and subdivisions,
shall be consistent with sections 54-28, 54-29 and 54-36
(b) All proposals for the development of subdivisions, including manufactured home
parks and subdivisions, shall meet development permit requirements of section 54-
64 and this division.
(c) Base flood elevation data shall be generated for subdivision proposals and other
proposed development, including manufactured home parks and subdivisions, which is
greater than 50 lots or five acres, whichever is lesser, if not otherwise provided pursuant
to section 54-31 or subsection 54-62(8).
(d) All subdivision proposals, including manufactured home parks and subdivisions,
shall have adequate drainage provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards.
(e) All subdivision proposals, including manufactured home parks and subdivisions,
shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems
located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage.
Sec. 54-94. - Areas of shallow flooding (AO/AH zones).
Located within the areas of special flood hazard established in section 54-31 are areas
designated as shallow flooding. These areas have special flood hazards associated with
base flood depths of one to three feet 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 apply-
(1) All new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures
shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated above the highest
adjacent grade at least one foot above the depth number specified in feet on the
community's flood insurance rate map (at least two feet if no depth number is
specified).
(2) All new construction and substantial improvements of nonresidential
structures shall:
a. Have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated above the highest
adjacent grade at least one foot above the depth number specified in feet
on the community's flood insurance rate map (at least two feet if no depth
number is specified); or
b. Together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be designed so
that below the hose floodTea er floodproofed to at least one foot above the
base flood elevation so that below the floodproofed elevation the structure
is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water
and with structural components having the capability of resisting
hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads or effects of buoyancy.
(3) A registered professional engineer or architect shall submit a certification to
the floodplain administrator that the standards of this section, as proposed
in section 54-64, are satisfied.
(4) Require within zones AH or AO adequate drainage paths around structures
on slopes, to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.
2. Penalty
This ordinance regulates fire safety and public health and sanitation, and shall be
punishable by a penalty of up to $2,000 per violation and as provided by Section 1-14 of
the Wichita Falls Code of Ordinances.
3. Codification
The sections of this ordinance that specify they amend or add to the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Wichita Falls are intended to be parts of said Code, and said
sections of this ordinance may be renumbered or relettered to accomplish such
intention.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 17th day of April, 2012.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Affidavit of Publication
THE STATE OF TEXAS #278940
COUNTY OF WICHITA
ORDINANCE On this 24th day of April 2012 A D...
NO.22-2012
Ordinance Amending personally appeared before me, the undersigned authority
Sections 54-92
through 54-94 Of The Kathy Salan, Sales Assistant for the Times Publishing
Code Of Ordinances
Of The City Of Wichi. Company of Wichita Falls, publishers of the Wichita Falls
to Falls To Modify
The City's Flood Damage Prevention Times/Record News, a newspaper published at Wichita Falls in
Provisions, Providing A Penalty Not To Ex-
Wichita County, Texas, and upon being duly sworn by me, on
ceed $And0 Per Providing
oath states that the attached advertisement is a true and
Viola-
tion, And Providing
For Codification correct copy of advertising published in One (1) issues hereof
on the following date:
April 22, 2012
A�dZ4 le la,,�
Sales Assistant for Times lishing Company,of Wichita Falls
Subscribed and sworn to before me this the day and year first above written:
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