Chapter 26 - City of Punta Gorda

(j) Elevated Buildings. New construction or substantial improvement of elevated
buildings that includes fully enclosed areas formed by foundation and other
exterior walls below the base flood elevation shall be designed to preclude
finished living space and designed to allow for the entry and exit of floodwaters
to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls. Designs for
complying with this requirement must either be certified by a professional
engineer or architect or meet the following criteria.
(1) Provide 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.
(2) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade.
(3) Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other
coverings or devices provided they permit the automatic flow of
floodwaters in both directions.
(4) Electrical, plumbing, and other utility connections are prohibited below
the base flood elevation.
(5) The interior portion of such fully enclosed area shall not be partitioned or
finished into separate rooms.
{Ord. No. 1487-07, 2, 06-06-07}
Section 14.11. Limits of Encroachment into Flood Hazard Areas
The area of encroachment may not include more than 50 percent of the area of
the floodway fringe on the lot where it is located. The area of encroachment may not
extend toward the stream channel more than one-half the distance between the outer
edge of the floodway fringe and the outer edge of the floodway at any point, unless a
certified engineering study demonstrates that any encroachments result in no more
than a one-half foot rise in flood elevation. Measurement of the 50 percent area and
one-half distance of encroachment are calculated from each outside edge of the
floodway fringe. A clear and fill building permit must be obtained prior to work
commencing.
(a) Building Construction and Fill. Such building and any accessory building, any
loading or storage area, and any basement area placed on an approved fill area
shall be at least 3 inches above the elevation of the nearest outer boundary of
the floodway fringe. Said fill shall extend at least fifteen feet beyond any
building constructed on it, but shall not encroach into the floodway or floodway
fringe except as provided in this Section. Fill shall be compacted and provided
with permanent cover.
(b) Columns. Any buildings are placed by methods approved by the Zoning Official
on approved pilings or other columns, with the lowest floor elevation at least 3
inches above the one hundred-year flood elevation.
(c) Flood-proofing. Any portion of a nonresidential building, including basement,
attendant utility and sanitary facilities not elevated as provided in Section 14.11,
shall be flood-proofed to the required elevation. The building shall be designed
so that below the elevation of 3 inches above the one hundred-year flood the
structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of
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