Portland City Code ch. 14

Citation: Portland City Code ch. 14
Parent Document: Portland City Code ch. 14
Jurisdiction: Portland (municipal)
Original Source: https://www.portlandmaine.gov/asset/ae8cabd1-66eb-4a1c-9224-92bbca5e792f ↗

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or other watercourse and the adjacent ii. The bottom of all openings shall
land areas to a distance of 1/2 the width of be no higher than one foot above
the flood plain as measured from the the lowest grade.
normal high-water mark to the upland limit iii. Openings may be equipped with
of the flood plain. Encroachments, screens, louvers, valves, or other
including fill, new construction, substantial coverings or devices provided
improvement, and other development shall that they permit the entry and
not be permitted unless a technical exit of flood waters automatically
evaluation certified by a registered without any external influence or
professional engineer is provided meeting control such as human
the requirements of (2) above. intervention, including the use of
L. Enclosed areas below the lowest floor. New electrical and other non-
construction or substantial improvement of automatic mechanical means.
any structure in Zones A1-30, AE, AO, AH, and A 3. The enclosed area shall not be used for
that meets the development standards of human habitation.
Subsection 12.4.5, including the elevation 4. The enclosed areas are usable solely for
requirements of Subsection 12.4.5(F), (G), or building access, parking vehicles, or storing
(H) and is elevated on posts, columns, piers, of articles and equipment used for
piles, “stilts,” or crawl spaces may be enclosed maintenance of the building.
below the base flood elevation requirements M. Bridges. New construction or substantial
provided all the following criteria are met or improvement of any bridge in Zones A1-30, AE,
exceeded: AO, AH, A, V1-30, and VE shall be designed such
1. Enclosed areas are not basements. that:
2. Enclosed areas shall be designed to 1. When possible, the lowest horizontal
automatically equalize hydrostatic flood member (excluding the pilings, or
forces on exterior walls by allowing for the columns) is elevated to at least two feet
entry and exit of flood water. Designs for above the base flood elevation.
meeting this requirement must either: 2. A registered professional engineer shall
a. Be engineered and certified by a certify that:
registered professional engineer or a. The structural design and methods of
architect, or construction shall meet the elevation
b. Meet or exceed the following requirements of this section and the
minimum criteria: floodway standards of Subsection
i. A minimum of two openings 12.4.5(K).
having a total net area of not less b. The foundation and superstructure
than one square inch for every attached thereto is anchored to resist
square foot of the enclosed area. flotation, collapse, and lateral
movement due to the effects of wind CITY OF PORTLAND LAND USE CODE | 12-9 FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT

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