Ord 16-2022 Amend Ord Chapter 54 Floods 05/17/2022 Ordinance No. 16-2022
Ordinance amending Chapter 54, Floods, Division Ill Flood Hazard
Reduction Standards, Sections 54-92 through 54-94 as provided
herein to meet Community Rating System (CRS) Class 8
requirements and providing codification
WHEREAS, the City of Wichita Falls participates in the Community Rating System
(CRS) and currently maintains a Class 8 rating; and,
WHEREAS, in order to maintain the Class 8 rating, the City of Wichita Falls is
required to regulate construction within the floodplain to a higher standard; and,
WHEREAS, this ordinance is further intended to preserve the City's participation
in the Community Rating System (CRS).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, THAT:
1. Sections 54-92 through 54-94 amended with the following, and shall, read
as follows:
Sec. 54-92. Specific standards.
In all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation data has been provided as
set forth in section 54-31, 54-62(8), or 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 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 A1-30, AH and AE on the community's flood insurance rate map on sites:
1. Outside of a manufactured home park or subdivision;
2. In a new manufactured home park or subdivision;
3. In an expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision; or
4. 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 A1-30, 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; e-r and
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. Recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones A1-30,
AH and AE on the community's flood insurance rate map shall either:
a. Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days;
b. Be fully licensed and ready for highway use; or
c. Meet the permit requirements of section 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. The structure is low valued and represents a minimal investment.
b. The structure shall be small in size, not to exceed 600 square feet.
c. The structure shall be unfinished on the interior.
d. The structure can be used only for parking and limited storage.
e. The 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. The structure is constructed and placed on building site so as to offer the minimum
resistance to the flow of floodwaters.
h. The structure is designed to have low flood damage potential, i.e., constructed with
flood resistance materials.
i. The 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.
(7) Machinery and equipment. All electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air
conditioning, ductwork, and other equipment is located, elevated, or protected one foot
or more 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 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 predominant or
typical surrounding adjacent grade at least one foot above the depth number specified
in feet on the community's flood insurance rate map (at least two three 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 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 Zone AH or AO adequate drainage paths around structures on
slopes, to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.
2. Codification
The sections of this ordinance that specify they amend the Code of Ordinances
of the City of Wichita Falls are intended to be parts of said Code.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 17th day of May, 2022.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
LAy �
City Clerk