Sec. 70-32. Standards for areas if shallow flooding.
Located within the SFHA established in section 70-6 of this Code, are areas designated as shallow flooding. These areas have special flood hazards associated with base flood depths of one to three feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist and where the path of flooding is unpredictable and where velocity flow may be evident. Such flooding is characterized by ponding or sheet flow; therefore, the following provisions apply:
(1) Residential construction. All new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures must have the lowest floor (including basement or crawl space), electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities (including ductwork), elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least two foot above the depth number specified in feet on the City's FIRM (at least three feet above existing grade if no depth number is specified). Upon completion of the structure, the elevation of the lowest floor, including basement or crawl space, shall be certified by a licensed Colorado Professional Engineer, architect, or land surveyor. Such certification shall be submitted to the floodplain administrator, prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
Within zones AO and AH as designated on the City's FIRM, adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes to guide floodwater around and away from new and substantially improved structures shall be required.
(2) Nonresidential construction. With the exception of critical facilities outlined in section 70-37 of this Code, all new construction and substantial improvements of non-residential structures, must have the lowest floor (including basement or crawl space), electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities (including ductwork), elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least one foot above the depth number specified in feet on the City's FIRM (at least three feet above the existing grade if no depth number is specified), or together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be designed so the structure is watertight to at least one foot above the base flood level with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy. A licensed Colorado Professional Engineer or architect shall submit a certification to the floodplain administrator that the standards of this section are satisfied prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
Within zones AH or AO, adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes are required to guide flood waters around and away from new and substantially improved structures.