18.48.080 Residential construction.
The following standards and provisions shall apply to residential construction within the special flood hazard area:
(1) New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to a minimum of one foot above the base flood elevation.
(2) 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 be either certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or must 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, or other coverings or devices; provided, that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
(d) If a building has more than one enclosed area below the lowest floor, each area shall be equipped with adequate flood openings. (Ord. 2027 § 1, 2018)