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HomeMy WebLinkAbout93-5 - Amending Chapter 15.50 of the Newport Beach Municipal Code Pertaining to Flood Damage PreventionORDINANCE NO. 93 -5 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH AMENDING CHAPTER 15.50 OF THE NEWPORT BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION. The City Council of the City of Newport Beach does hereby ordain that Chapter 15.50 of the Newport Beach Municipal Code is amended to read as follows: • Sections: 15.50.010 15.50.020 15.50.030 15.50.040 15.50.050 15.50.060 15.50.070 15.50.080 15.50.090 15.50.100 • 15.50.110 15.50.120 15.50.130 15.15.140 15.50.150 15.50.160 15.50.170 15.50.180 15.50.190 15.50.200 15.50.210 15.50.220 15.50.230 is15.50.240 15.50.250 15.50.260 15.50.270 Statutory Authorization. Findings of Fact. Statement of Purpose. Methods of Reducing Flood Losses. Definitions. Lands to Which This Chapter Applies. Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard. Compliance. Abrogation and Greater Restrictions. Interpretation. Warning and Disclaimer of Liability. Severability. Establishment of Development Permit. Designation of the Flood Plain Administrator. Permit Review and Remedial Action. Use of Other Base Flood Data. Documentation of Flood Plain Development. Alteration of Watercourses. Map Determinations. Appeals and Variance Procedure. Conditions for Variances. Standards of Construction. Standards for Utilities. Standards for Subdivisions. Coastal High Hazard Areas. Mudslide Prone Areas. Flood- Related Erosion -Prone Areas. 1 15.50.010 Statutory Authorization. The Legislature of the State of California has in Government Code Sections 65302, 65560 and 65800 conferred upon local government units authority to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of its citizenry. Therefore, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach does ordain as set out in this chapter. • 15.50.020 Findings of Fact. (1) The flood hazard areas of the City of Newport Beach are subject to periodic inundation which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare. (2) These flood losses are caused by uses that are inadequately elevated, floodproofed, or protected from flood damage. The cumulative effect of obstructions in areas of special flood hazards which increase flood heights and velocities also contribute to the flood loss. 15.50.030 Statement of Purpose. It is the purpose of this Chapter to promote • the public health, safety and general welfare, and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed: (1) To protect human life and health; (2) To minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects; (3) To minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding which is generally undertaken at the expense of the general public; (4) To minimize prolonged business interruptions; (5) To minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges located in areas of special flood hazard; (6) To help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and •development of areas of special flood hazard so as to minimize future blight areas caused by flood damage; (7) To ensure that potential buyers are notified that property is in an area of special flood hazard; and 1 (8) To ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions. 15.50.040 Methods of Reducing Flood Losses. In order to accomplish its purpose, this Chapter includes methods and provisions to: (1) Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety, and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which result in damaging increases in erosion or flood heights or velocities; (2) Requiring that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction; (3) Controlling the alteration of natural f1oodplain, stream channels, and natural protective barriers, which help accommodate or channel flood waters; (4) Control filling, grading, dredging, and other development which may increase flood damage; and, (5) Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert flood waters or which may increase flood hazards in other areas. • 15.50.050 Definitions. Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this ordinance shall be interpreted so as to give them the meaning they have in common usage and to give this ordinance its most reasonable application. "Appeal" means a request for a review of the Floodplain Administrator's interpretation of any provision of this chapter. "Area of shallow flooding" means a designated AO or AH Zone on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). The base flood depths range from one to three feet; a clearly defined channel does not exist; the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate; and velocity flow may be evident. Such flooding is • characterized by ponding or sheet flow. "Area of special flood - related erosion hazard" is the land within a community which is most likely to be subject to severe flood - related erosion losses. The area may be designated as Zone E on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). 3 "Area of special flood hazard" - See "Special flood hazard area." "Area of special mudslide (i.e., mudflow) hazard" is the area subject to severe mudslides (i.e., mudflows). The area is designated as Zone M on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). • "Base flood" means a flood which has a one percent change of being equalled or exceeded in any given Year (also called the "100 -year flood "). Base flood is the term used throughout this ordinance. "Basement" means any area of the building having its floor subgrade - i.e., below ground level on all sides. 'Breakaway walls' are any type of walls, whether solid or lattice, and whether constructed of concrete, masonry, wood, metal, plastic or any other suitable building material which is not part of the structural support of the building and which is designed to break away under abnormally high tides or wave action without causing any damage to the structural integrity of the building on which • they are used or any buildings to which they might be carried by flood waters. A breakaway wall shall have a safe design loading resistance of not less than ten and no more than twenty pounds per square foot. Use of breakaway walls must be certified by a registered engineer or architect and shall meet the following conditions: 1. breakaway wall collapse shall result from a water load less than that which would occur during the base flood, and 2. the elevated portion of the building shall not incur any structural damage due to the effects of wind and water loads acting simultaneously in the event of the base flood. • "Building" - see "Structure". "Coastal high hazard area" means an area of special flood hazard extending from offshore to the inland limit of a primary frontal dune along an open coast and 4 any other area subject to high velocity wave action from storms or seismic sources. It is an area subject to high velocity waters, including coastal and tidal inundation or tsunamis. The area is designated on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) as Zone V1430, VE, or V. •"Development" means any man -made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment or materials. "Existing manufactured home park or subdivision" means a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed before the effective date of the floodplain management regulations adopted by a community. "Expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision" means the • preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads). "Flood, flooding, or flood water" means: 1. a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow of inland or tidal waters; the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; and /or mudslides, and • 2. the condition resulting from flood - related erosion. "Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM)" means the official map on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency or Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and the floodway. 5 "Flood Hazard Boundary Map" means the official map on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency or Federal Insurance Administration has delineated the areas of flood hazards. "Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)" means the official map on which the Federal •Emergency Management Agency or Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and the risk premium zones applicable to the community. "Flood Insurance Study" means the official report provided by the Federal Insurance Administration that includes flood profiles, the Flood Insurance Rate Map, the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map, and the water surface elevation of the base flood. "Floodplain or flood -prone area" means any land area susceptible to being inundated by water from any source - see "Flooding ". "Floodplain Administrator" is the individual appointed to administer and enforce the floodplain management regulations. "Floodplain management" means the operation of an overall program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damage and preserving and enhancing, where possible, natural resources in the floodplain, including but not limited to emergency preparedness plans, flood control works, floodplain management regulations, and open space plans. "Floodplain management regulations" means this ordinance and other zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, health regulations, special purpose ordinances (such as grading and erosion control) and other application of police power which control development in flood -prone areas. This term describes federal, state or local regulations in any combination thereof which • provide standards for preventing and reducing flood loss and damage. "Floodproofing" means any combination of structural and nonstructural additions, changes, or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood damage to 6 real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary facilities, structures, and their contents. "Floodway" means the channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without •cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot. Also referred to as "Regulatory Floodway ". Fraud and victimization" as related to Section 15.50.210, Variances, of this Chapter, means that the variance granted must not cause fraud on or victimization of the public. In examining this requirement, the City of Newport Beach will consider the fact that every newly constructed building adds to government responsibilities and remains a part of the community for fifty to one - hundred years. Buildings that are permitted to be constructed below the base flood elevation are subject during all those years to increased risk of damage from floods, while future owners of the property and the community as a whole are subject to all the costs, inconvenience, danger, and suffering that those increased flood damages bring. In addition, future owners may purchase the • property, unaware that it is subject to potential flood damage, and can be insured only at very high flood insurance rates. "Functionally dependent use" means a use which cannot perform its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water. The term includes only docking facilities, port facilities that are necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, and ship building and ship repair facilities, and does not include long -term storage or related manufacturing facilities. "Governing body" is the local governing unit, i.e. county or municipality, that is empowered to adopt and implement regulations to provide for the public health, • safety and general welfare of its citizenry. "Hardship" as related to Section 15.50.210, Variances, of this ordinance means the exceptional hardship that would result from a failure to grant the requested variance. The City of Newport Beach requires that the variance be exceptional, 7 unusual, and peculiar to the property involved. Mere economic or financial hardship alone is not exceptional. Inconvenience, aesthetic considerations, physical handicaps, personal preferences, or the disapproval of one's neighbors likewise cannot, as a rule, qualify as an exceptional hardship. All of these problems can be resolved through other means without granting a variance, even •if the alternative is more expensive, or requires the property owner to build elsewhere or put the parcel to a different use than originally intended. "Highest adjacent grade" means the highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure. "Historic structure" means any structure that is 1. listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register; • 2. certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historical significance of a registered historic district or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district; 3. individually listed on a state inventory of historic places in with historic preservation programs which have been approved by the Secretary of Interior; or 4. individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified either by an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the • Interior or directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states with approved programs. "Lowest floor" means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area, including basement. An unfinished or flood resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking N of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement area (see "Basement") is not considered a building's lowest floor, provided that such enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of the applicable non - elevation design requirements of this chapter. (Note: This definition allows garages serving one or two dwelling units to be built at grade. •Below grade garages serving one or two dwelling units are not allowed as they are considered to be basements.) "Manufactured home" means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when attached to the required utilities. The term "manufactured home" does not include a "recreational vehicle ". "Manufactured home park or subdivision" means a parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale. "Mean sea level" means, for purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program, the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929 or other datum, to which base • flood elevations shown on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map are referenced. "Mudslide" (i.e., mudflow) describes a condition where there is a river, flow or inundation of liquid mud down a hillside, usually as a result of a dual condition of loss of brush cover and the subsequent accumulation of water on the ground, preceded by a period of unusually heavy or sustained rain. "Mudslide (i.e., mudflow) prone area" means an area with land surfaces and slopes of unconsolidated material where the history, geology, and climate indicate a potential for mudflow. "New construction" for floodplain management purposes, means structures for which •the "start of construction" commenced on or after the effective date of floodplain management regulations adopted by this community, and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures. "New manufactured home park or subdivision" means a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed on or after the effective • date of floodplain management regulations adopted by this community. "Obstruction" includes, but is not limited to, any dam, wall, wharf, embankment, levee, dike, pile, abutment, protection, excavation, channelization, bridge, conduit, culvert, building, wire, fence, rock, gravel, refuse, fill, structure, vegetation or other material in, along, across or projecting into any watercourse which may alter, impede, retard or change the direction and /or velocity of the flow of water, or due to its location, its propensity to snare or collect debris carried by the flow of water, or its likelihood of being carried downstream. "One- hundred -year flood" or "100 -year flood" - see "base flood ". "Primary frontal dune" means a continuous or nearly continuous mound or ridge of sand with relatively steep seaward and landward slopes immediately landward and adjacent to the beach and subject to erosion and overtopping from high tides and waves during major coastal storms. The inland limit of the primary frontal dune occurs at the point where there is a distinct change from a relatively mild slope. "Principal structure" means a structure used for the principal use of the property as distinguished from an accessory use. "Public safety and nuisance" as related to Section 15.50.210, Variances, of this ordinance means that the granting of a variance must not result in anything which is injurious to safety or health of an entire community or neighborhood, or any .considerable number of persons, or unlawfully obstructs the free passage or use, in the customary manner, of any navigable lake, or river, bay, stream, canal, or basin. IU1 "Recreational vehicle" means a vehicle which is 1. built on a single chassis; 2. 400 square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal 0 projection; 3. designed to be self - propelled or permanently towable by a light -duty truck; and 4. designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use. "Regulatory floodway" means the channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot. • "Sand dunes" mean naturally occurring accumulations of sand in ridges or mounds landward of the beach. "Sheet flow area" - see "Area of shallow flooding ". "Special flood hazard area (SFHA) means an area having special flood, mudslide (i.e., mudflow), or flood - related erosion hazards, and shown on an FHBM or FIRM as Zone A, A0, Al -A30, AE, A99, AH, E, M, V1420, VE or V. "Start of construction" includes substantial improvement and other proposed new development and means the date the building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, •placement, or other improvement was within 180 days from the date of the permit. The actual start means either the first placement of permanent construction of a structure on a site, such as the pouring of slab or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns, or any work beyond the stage of excavation; or the placement of a manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent 11 construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading, and filling; nor does it include the installation of streets and /or walkways; nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings, piers, or foundations or the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main structure. For a substantial improvement, the actual • start of construction means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of a building, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the building. "Structure" means a walled and roofed building that is principally above ground; this includes a gas or liquid storage tank or a manufactured home. "Substantial damage° means damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred. • "Substantial improvement" means any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other proposed new development of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the "start of construction" of the improvement. This term includes structures which have incurred "substantial damage ", regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include either 1. any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions, or • 2. any alteration of a "historic structure ", provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a "historic structure ". 12 "V zone" - see "Coastal high hazard area ". "Variance" means a grant of relief from the requirements of this ordinance which permits construction in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited by this chapter. • "Water surface elevation" means the height, in relation to the national Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929, (or other datum, where specified) of floods of various magnitudes and frequencies in the floodplains of coastal or rivering areas. "Watercourse" means a lake, river, creek, stream, wash, arroyo, channel or other topographic feature on or over which waters flow at least periodically. Watercourse includes specifically designated areas in which substantial flood damage may occur. 15.50.060 Lands to Which This Chapter Applies. This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of the city of Newport • Beach. 15.50.070 Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard. The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Insurance Administration of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the "Flood Insurance Study Orange County and Incorporated Areas ", dated February 1992, with an accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Map and flood boundary and floodway maps dated February 1992 are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this Chapter. This Flood Insurance Study is on file at 3300 Newport Boulevard, Newport Beach, California (92659 - 1768). This Flood Insurance Study is the minimum area of applicability of this Chapter and may be supplemented by studies for other areas which allow implementation of this Chapter and which are recommended to the City •Council by the Floodplain Administrator. Notwithstanding the building pad elevations established by the Flood Insurance Rate Maps, the minimum required first floor finished floor elevation for the interior living areas of all new structures shall be at least 6.27 Mean Sea Level consistent with the Public Works Department standard for bulkhead elevation. 13 15.50.080 Compliance. No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted, or altered without full compliance with the terms of this Chapter and other applicable regulations. Violations of the provisions of this Chapter by failure to comply with any of its requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with ®conditions) shall constitute a misdemeanor. Nothing herein shall prevent the City Council from taking such lawful actin as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation. 15.50.090 Abrogation and Greater Restrictions. This Chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this Chapter and another ordinance, easement, covenant, or deed restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail. 15.50.100 Interpretation. In the interpretation and application of this Chapter, all provisions shall be: • (1) Considered as minimum requirements; (2) Liberally construed in favor of the governing body; and, (3) Deemed neither to limit nor repeal any other powers granted under state statutes. 15.50.110 Warning and Disclaimer of Liability. The degree of flood protection required by this Chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is a based on scientific and engineering considerations. Larger floods can and will occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by man -made or natural causes. This Chapter does not imply that land outside the areas of special flood hazards or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages. This Chapter shall not create liability on the of the City of Newport Beach, any officer or employee thereof, or the ®part Federal Insurance Administration, Federal Emergency management Agency for any flood damages that result from reliance on this Chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder. 14 15.50.120 Severability. This Chapter and the various parts thereof are hereby declared to be severable. Should any section of this Chapter be declared by the courts to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the Chapter as a whole, or any portion thereof other than the section so declared to be unconstitutional or invalid. • 15.50.130 Establishment of Development Permit. A Development Permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazards established in Section 15.50.070. Application for a Development Permit shall be made on forms furnished by the City Manager or his designated representative and may include but not be limited to: plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the nature, location, dimensions, and elevations of the area in question; existing or proposed structures, fill, storage of materials, drainage facilities; and the location of the foregoing. Specifically, the following information is required: (1) Proposed elevation, as determined by a licensed land surveyor or registered civil engineer, of the lowest floor (including basement) of all isstructures; in Zone AO or V0, elevation of highest adjacent grade and proposed elevation of lowest floor of all structures; (2) Proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level to which any structure will be floodproofed; (3) All appropriate certifications listed in Section 15.50.180 of this Chapter; (4) Description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed development; • (5) Plans for any walls to be used to enclose space below the base flood level; and 15 (6) Provide certification that all necessary permits have been obtained from federal, state, and local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required. NOTE: It is developer's responsibility to obtain these approvals. • 15.50.140 Designation of the Flood Plain Administrator. The City Manager or his designated representative is hereby appointed to administer and implement and enforce this Chapter by granting or denying development permit applications in accordance with its provisions. 15.50.150 Permit Review and Remedial Action. The Flood Plain Administrator shall: (1) Review all development permits to determine that the permit requirements of this Chapter have been satisfied. (2) Review the developer's certification that all other required state • and federal permits have been obtained. (3) Review all development permits to determine that the proposed development does not adversely affect the carrying capacity of areas where base flood elevations have been determined but a floodway has not been designated. For purposes of this ordinance, "adversely affect" means that the cumulative effect of the proposed development when combined with all other existing and anticipated development will increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point. (4) Review all development permits in the coastal high hazard area of the area of special flood hazard to determine if the proposed development isalters sand dunes so as to increase potential flood damage. (5) Review all development permits to determine whether proposed building sites will be reasonably safe from flooding. 16 (6) Take action to remedy violations of this chapter. 15.50.160 Use of Other Base flood Data. When base flood elevation data has not been provided in accordance with Section 15.50.070, Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard, the Flood Plain Administrator or his •designated representative shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation data available from a federal, state or other source, in order to administer Sections 15.50.220 through 15.50.270. 15.50.170 Documentation of Flood Plain Development. The Flood Plain Administrator shall obtain and maintain for public inspection and make available as needed: (1) The certification required in Section 15.50.220(c)(1); (2) The certification required in Section 15.50.220(C)(2) (elevation or floodproofing of nonresidential structures); • (3) The certified elevation required in Section 15.50.240(2) (Subdivision standards); 15.50.180 Alteration of Watercourses. The Flood Plain Administrator shall: (1) Notify adjacent communities and the Department of Water Resources of the State of California prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration, Federal Emergency management Agency. (2) Assure that the flood carrying capacity within the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse is maintained. • 15.50.190 Map Determinations. The Flood Plain Administrator shall make interpretations where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the area of special flood hazards (for example, where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions). The person contesting 17 the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpretation as provided in Section 15.50.200. 15.50.200 Appeals and Variance Procedure. • (1) The Planning Commission shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the Flood Plain Administrator or his designated representative, in the enforcement or administration of this Chapter. (2) The Planning Commission shall review and decide requests for variances. In ruling on such applications, the Planning Commission shall consider all technical evaluations, all relevant factors, standards specified in other sections of this Chapter, and: (a) the danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others; • (b) the danger to life and property due to flooding or erosion damage; (c) the susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owner and future owners of the property; (d) the importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the community; (e) the necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable; • (f) the availability of alternative locations, for the proposed use which are not subject to flooding or erosion damage; (g) the compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development; W (h) the relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive plan and flood plain management program of that area; (i) the safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles; • (J) the expected heights, velocity duration, rate of rise and sediment transport of the flood waters and the effects of wave action, if applicable, expected at the site; and (k) the costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions, including maintenance and repair of public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electric, water systems, and streets and bridges. (3) Generally, variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of one -half acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures • constructed below the base flood level, providing all items in Section 15.50.200(2) have been fully considered. As lot size increases beyond one -half acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases. (4) Upon consideration of the factors of Section 15.50.200(2) and the purposes of this chapter, the Planning Commission may attach conditions to the granting of variances as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this Chapter. (5) Those aggrieved by the decision of the Planning Commission, may appeal such decision to the City Council as provided in Title 20 of the • Newport Beach Municipal Code. (6) The Flood Plain Administrator shall maintain the records of all appeal actions and report any variances to the Federal Insurance Administration in the biennial report. 19 15.50.210 Conditions for Variances. (1) Variances may be issued for the reconstruction, rehabilitation or restoration of structures listed in the National Register of Historic Places or the State Inventory of Historic Places, without regard to the • procedures set forth in the remainder of this section. (2) Variances shall not be issued within any designated floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result. (3) Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief. (4) Variances shall only be issued upon: (i) a showing of good and sufficient cause; (ii) a determination that failure to grant the variance would result • in exceptional hardship to the applicant; and (iii) a determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on, or victimization of, the public, or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances. (5) Variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements and for other development necessary for the conduct of a functionally dependent use provided that the structure or other development is protected by methods that minimize flood damages during the • base flood and create no additional threats to public safety. (6) Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written notice that the structure will be permitted to be built with a lowest floor elevation below the regulatory flood elevation and that the cost of 20 • flood insurance will be commensurate with the increased risk resulting from the reduced lowest flood elevation. A copy of the notice shall be recorded by the Floodplain Board in the office of the Orange County Recorder and shall be recorded in a manner so that it appears in chain of title of the affected parcel of land. 15.50.220 Standards of Construction. In all areas of special flood hazards the following standards are required: A. Anchoring 1. All new construction and substantial improvements shall be adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy. B. Construction materials and methods. All new construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed 1. with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage; 2. using methods and practices that minimize flood damage; 3. with electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities that are designed and /or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding; and if 4. within Zones AH or A0, so that there are adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes to guide flood waters around and away from proposed structures. 21 C. Elevation and floodproofing_ (See Section 15.50.050 for definitions of "new construction ", "substantial damage" and "substantial improvement ".) 1. Residential construction: • Residential construction, new or substantial improvement, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, a. in an AD zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified b. in an A zone, elevated to or above the base flood elevation, as determined by the City of Newport Beach. c. in all other Zones, elevated to or above the base flood elevation. [6.27' MSL (min) 15.50.070] • All new one and two dwelling unit construction and substantial improvements with fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor (excluding basements) that are usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage, 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 floodwater. Designs for meeting this requirement must exceed the following minimum criteria: a. be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect to comply with a local floodproofing standard • approved by the Federal Insurance Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, or b. have a minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of 22 enclosed area subject to flooding. The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwater. . • Upon the completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor including basement shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor, and verified by the community building inspector to be properly elevated. Such certification or verification shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrator. 2. Nonresidential construction: Nonresidential construction shall either be elevated to conform with Section C.1 or together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities • a. be floodproofed below the elevation recommended under Section C.1 so that the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water; b. have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and c. be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the standards of this section are satisfied. Such certification shall be submitted to the Flood Plain Administrator. • 3. Manufactured homes. 23 • • • a. 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 located (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 on a site upon which a manufactured home has incurred "substantial damage" as the result of a flood, shall be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated to or above the base flood elevation and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation collapse and lateral movement. b. All manufactured homes that are placed or substantially improved on sites located within Zones V1 -30, V, and VE on the community's Flood Insurance Rate Map will meet the requirements of Paragraph 3a and Section 15.50.250. C. All manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved on sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision within Zones Al -30, AH, AE, V1 -30, V, and VE on the community's Flood Insurance Rate Map that are not subject to the provisions of paragraph 3a will be elevated so that either the (i) lowest floor of the manufactured home is at or above the base flood elevation, or (ii) manufactured home chassis is supported by reinforced piers or other foundation elements of at least equivalent 24 strength that are not less than 36 inches in height above grade and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement. • 4. Recreational vehicles. a. All recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones Al- 30, AH, and AE on the community's Flood Insurance Rate Map will either: (i) be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days, (ii) be fully licensed and ready for highway use -- 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, or • (iii) meet the permit requirements of Section 15.50.130 of this ordinance. b. Recreation vehicles placed on sites within Zones V1 -30, V, and VE on the community's Flood Insurance Rate Map shall meet the requirements of Paragraph 4(a) and Section 15.50.250. 15.50.230 Standards for Utilities. (1) All new and replacement electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities shall be • designed and /or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding. 25 (2) New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharge from the systems into flood waters. (3) On -site waste disposal systems shall be located to avoid impairment • to them or contamination from them during flooding. 15.50.240 Standards for Subdivisions. (1) All preliminary subdivision proposals shall identify the flood hazard area and elevation of the base flood. (2) All final subdivision plans will provide the elevation of proposed structure(s) and pad(s). If the site is filled above the base flood, the final pad elevation shall be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor and provided to the Floodplain Administrator. (3) All subdivision proposals shall be consistent with the need to • minimize flood damage. (4) All subdivision proposals shall have public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electric and water systems located and constructed to minimize flood damage. (5) All subdivisions shall provide adequate drainage to reduce exposure to flood hazards. 15.50.250 Coastal High Hazard Areas. Within coastal high hazard areas as established under Section 15.50.070 the following standards shall apply. • A. All new construction and substantial improvement shall be elevated on adequately anchored pilings or columns and securely anchored to such pilings or columns so that the lowest horizontal portion of the structural members of the lowest floor (excluding the pilings or columns) is elevated to or above the base flood level. The pile or column foundation and Fkd structure attached thereto is anchored to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement due to the effects of wind and water loads acting simultaneously on all building components. Water loading values used shall be those associated with the base flood. Wind loading values used shall be those required by The Uniform Building Code. • B. All new construction and other development shall be located on the landward side of the reach of mean high tide. C. All new construction and substantial improvement shall have the space below the lowest floor free of obstructions or constructed with breakaway walls as defined in Section 15.50.050 of this ordinance. Such enclosed space shall not be used for human habitation and will be usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage. D. Fill shall not be used for structural support of buildings. E. Man -made alteration of sand dunes which would increase potential flood • damage is prohibited. F. The Floodplain Administrator shall obtain and maintain the following records. 1. Certification by a registered engineer or land surveyor that a proposed structure complies with Section 15.50.250A. 2. The elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the bottom of the lowest structural member of the lowest floor (excluding pilings or columns) of all new and substantially improved structures, and whether such structures contain a basement. • 15.50.260 Mudslide Prone Areas. 27 A. The Floodplain Administrator shall review permits for proposed construction of other development to determine if it is proposed within a mudslide area. B. Permits shall be reviewed to determine that the proposed site and • improvement will be reasonably safe from mudslide hazards. Factors to be considered in making this determination include but are not limited to the 1. type and quality of soils, 2. evidence of ground water or surface water problems, 3. depth and quality of any fill, 4. overall slope of the site, and 5. weight that any proposed development will impose on the slope. • C. Within areas which may have mudslide hazards, the Floodplain Administrator shall require that; 1. a site investigation and further review be made by persons qualified in geology and soils engineering; 2. the proposed grading, excavation, new construction, and substantial improvement be adequately designed and protected against mudslide damages; 3. the proposed grading, excavations, new construction, and substantial improvement not aggravate the existing hazard by • creating either on-site or off-site disturbances; and 4. drainage, planting, watering, and maintenance not endanger slope stability. 15.50.270 Flood- related Erosion -Prone Areas. A. The Floodplain Administrator shall require permits for proposed construction and other development within all flood - related erosion -prone areas as known to the community. • B. Permit applications shall be reviewed to determine whether the proposed site alterations and improvements will be reasonably safe from flood - related erosion and will not cause flood - related erosion hazards or otherwise aggravate the existing hazard. C. If a proposed improvement is found to be in the path of flood - related erosion or would increase the erosion hazard, such improvement shall be relocated or adequate protective measures shall be taken to avoid aggravating the existing erosion hazard. D. Within Zone E on the Flood Insurance Rate Map, a setback is required for all new development from the ocean, lake, bay, riverfront or other • body of water to create a safety buffer consisting of a natural vegetative or contour strip. This buffer shall be designated according to the flood - related erosion hazard and erosion rate, in relation to the anticipated "useful life" of structures, and depending upon the geologic, hydrologic, topographic, and climatic characteristics of the land. The buffer may be used for suitable open space purposes, such as for agricultural, forestry, outdoor recreation and wildlife habitat areas, and for other activities using temporary and portable structures only. SECTION 2: That if any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason, held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining •portions of this ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this ordinance, and each section, subsection, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional. 29 SECTION 3: The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk Shall attest to the passage of this ordinance. The City Clerk shall cause the same to be published once in the official newspaper of the City, and it shall be effective thirty (30) days after its adoption. •SECTION 4: This ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the city of Newport Beach, held on thel2th day of April 1993, and adopted on the26th day of April , 1993, by the following vote, to wit: AYES, COUNCILMEMBERS BEDGES, SANSONE, WATT, TURNER, HART, COX, DEBAY NOES, COUNCILMEMBERS NONE ABSENT COUNCILMEMBERS NONE MAYOR • ATTEST: v i s-e c � CITY CLERK • 30 C