§ 14.28.200. Residential construction.

(a)

New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation. Any structure or improvement in an area of special flood hazard located within one hundred feet of the floodway, or one hundred (100) feet of the ordinary high water mark of the stream if no floodway has been established, shall be elevated using zero-rise methods such as piers, posts, columns or other methodology unless it can be demonstrated that nonzero-rise construction methods will not impede the movement of floodwater or displace a significant volume of water.

(b)

Fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are subject to flooding are prohibited, or 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 must meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:

(1)

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;

(2)

The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade;

(3)

Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.

(Ord. 2078 (part), 1998; Ord. 1494 § 2, 1991; Ord. 1240 § 1(3), 1989; Ord. 1119 § 1 (part), 1987; Ord. 907 § 4.2-1, 1983)