§ 8:3. Requirements in event of flood hazard.

(a)

Before a building permit is issued, the building official shall determine whether or not the proposed building site is reasonably safe from flooding; and if a flood hazard exists, shall notify the permit applicant that any proposed new construction or substantial improvement should:

(b)

Be designed (or modified) and anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure;

(c)

Use construction materials and utility equipment that are resistant to flood damage; and

(d)

Use construction methods and practices that will minimize flood damage.

(e)

Elevation requirements for permits. No building permit for any new construction or substantial improvements of existing construction shall be issued until the building official has determined, on the basis of any base flood elevation data available, that:

(1)

All new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above the base flood level; and

(2)

All new construction and substantial improvements of nonresidential structures have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to flood-proofed to or above the base flood level.

(3)

Basis for establishing the areas of special flood hazard. The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a scientific and engineering report entitled, "The Flood Insurance Study for East Baton Rouge Parish, Baton Rouge & Vicinity," dated November 15, 1985, which accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Boundary- Floodway Maps and any revisions thereto are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 13362, § 1, 8-24-05; Ord. No. 13863, § 1, 1-10-07; Ord. No. 14403, § 1, 4-23-08; Ord. No. 14496, § 1, 9-24-08; Ord. No. 15238, § 1, 1-11-12)