Source: https://www.ecode360.com/32585072
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 02:52:06+00:00

Document:
§ 7-315.5 Abrogation and greater restrictions.
§ 7-315.7 Warning and disclaimer of liability.
§ 7-315.8 Identification of floodplain areas.
§ 7-315.9 Description of floodplain areas.
§ 7-315.10 Changes in identification of area.
§ 7-315.12 Designation of Floodplain Administrator.
§ 7-315.13 Duties of Floodplain Administrator.
§ 7-315.15 Review by County Conservation District.
§ 7-315.16 Review of application by others.
§ 7-315.19 Start of construction.
§ 7-315.24 Design and construction standards.
§ 7-315.25 Development which may endanger human life.
§ 7-315.26 Special requirements for subdivisions.
§ 7-315.28 Application requirements for special exceptions.
§ 7-315.29 Existing structures in identified floodplain areas.
Floodplain management — see Pennsylvania Flood Plain Management Act of 1978, 32 P.S. § 679.101 et. seq.
Construction floodproofing — see City of Harrisburg Building Code.
Subdivision floodplain provisions — see Chapter 7-509 in Subdivision and Land Development Code.
Editor's Note: Editor's Note: See 32 P.S. § 679.101 et seq.
This chapter shall apply to all lands shown on the City of Harrisburg Floodplain Map which is adopted as part of the City of Harrisburg Zoning Code, as further described under Section 7-315.8, Identification of Floodplain Areas, referred to otherwise as the "Floodplain Overlay District." The Floodplain Overlay District overlays the underlying zoning districts, and this chapter supplements the regulations found elsewhere in the Zoning Code applicable to the underlying districts. It shall be unlawful for any persons, partnership, business, or corporation to undertake, or cause to be undertaken, any construction or development anywhere in the City of Harrisburg unless a zoning permit has been obtained from the Zoning Officer/Floodplain Administrator.
Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after April 26, 1977 (date on which City's first floodplain management ordinance was adopted), and includes any subsequent improvements thereto. Any construction started after April 26, 1977, and before August 2, 2012, is subject to the ordinance in effect at the time the permit was issued, provided the start of construction was within 180 days of permit issuance.
A special approval which is required for hospitals, when such development is located in all, or a designated portion of a floodplain.
An area in the floodplain subject to a one-percent-or-greater chance of flooding in any given year. It is shown on the FIRM as Zone A, AO, A1-30, AE, A99, or AH.
Work on the proposed construction or development shall begin within 180 days after the date of issuance and shall be completed within 12 months after the date of issuance of the permit or the permit shall expire unless a time extension is granted, in writing, by the Floodplain Administrator. The actual start of construction 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 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.
Time extensions shall be granted only if a written request is submitted by the applicant, which sets forth sufficient and reasonable cause for the Floodplain Administrator to approve such a request.
A walled and roofed building, including a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally aboveground, as well as a manufactured home.
The division or redivision of a lot, tract, or parcel of land by any means into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land including changes in existing lot lines for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of lease, partition by the court for distribution to heirs, or devisees, transfer of ownership or building or lot development; provided, however, that the subdivision by lease of land for agricultural purposes into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new street or easement of access or any residential dwelling, shall be exempted.
Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure before the "start of construction" of the improvement. This term includes structures which have incurred "substantial damage" or "repetitive loss" regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include 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.
Historic structures undergoing repair or rehabilitation that would constitute a substantial improvement as defined in this chapter must comply with all chapter requirements that do not preclude the structure's continued designation as an historic structure. Documentation that a specific chapter requirement will cause removal of the structure from the National Register of Historic Places or the State Inventory of Historic places must be obtained from the Secretary of the Interior or the State Historic Preservation Officer. Any exemption from chapter requirements will be the minimum necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the structure.
The use of any structure or land shall hereafter not be changed and no structure shall be located, extended, converted, or structurally altered without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations, including state and federal requirements, which would apply to uses within the jurisdiction of this chapter.
It is not intended by this chapter to repeal, abrogate, or impair the other chapters of the Zoning Code. However, where this chapter imposes greater restrictions, provisions of this chapter shall prevail. All other provisions of the Zoning Code, not inconsistent herewith, shall remain in full force and effect. This chapter supersedes any other conflicting provisions which may be in effect in identified floodplain areas. However, any other Zoning Code provisions shall remain in full force and effect to the extent that those provisions are more restrictive. If there is any conflict between any of the provisions of this chapter, the more restrictive shall apply.
The degree of flood protection required by this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on engineering and scientific methods of study. Larger floods may occur or flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes, such as ice jams and bridge openings restricted by debris. This chapter does not imply that areas outside any identified floodplain areas, or that land uses permitted or land uses permitted within the Floodplain Overlay Zoning District will be free from flooding or flood damage. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the City or any officer or employee thereof for any flood damage that results from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision made thereunder.
The identified floodplain areas shall be any areas of the City of Harrisburg, classified as special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) in the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) dated August 2, 2012, and issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the most recent revision thereof, including all digital data developed as part of the Flood Insurance Study.
The above-referenced FIS and FIRMs, and any subsequent revisions and amendments are hereby adopted by the City of Harrisburg and declared to be part of this Zoning Code. Furthermore, any future regulations developed by FEMA and required for compliance with federal and/or state legislation are hereby adopted by the City of Harrisburg and declared to be part of this Zoning Code.
Description. The Floodway Area is the area identified in the FIS which represents the channel of a watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation by more than one foot at any point. This term shall also include floodway areas which have been identified in other available studies or sources of information for those special floodplain areas where no floodway has been identified in the FIS.
Special requirements. Any encroachment that would cause any increase in flood heights shall be prohibited. No new construction or development shall be allowed, unless a permit is obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection Regional Office.
Description. The Special Floodplain Area is the area identified as Zones AE and A1-30 in the FIS which is subject to inundation by the one-percent-annual-chance flood event determined by detailed methods and where base flood elevations (BFEs) are shown.
Special requirements. No new construction or development shall be located within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse, unless a permit is obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection Regional Office.
In Special Floodplain Areas without a designated floodway, no new development shall be permitted unless it can be demonstrated that the cumulative effect of all past and projected development will not increase the BFE by more than one foot.
Description. The Approximate Floodplain Area is the area identified as Zone A in the FIS which is subject to inundation by the one-percent-annual-chance flood event determined using approximate methodologies. Because detailed hydraulic analyses have not been performed, no BFEs or flood depths are shown.
In lieu of the above, the City of Harrisburg may require the applicant to determine the elevation with hydrologic and hydraulic engineering techniques. Hydrologic and hydraulic analyses shall be undertaken only by professional engineers or others of demonstrated qualifications, who shall certify that the technical methods used correctly reflect currently accepted technical concepts. Studies, analyses, computations, etc., shall be submitted in sufficient detail to allow a thorough technical review by the City of Harrisburg.
Description. The Shallow Flooding Area is identified as Zones AO and AH in the FIS. These areas are subject to inundation by one-percent-annual-chance shallow flooding where average depths are between one foot and three feet.
Special requirements. Drainage paths must be established to guide floodwaters around and away from structures on slopes.
The identified floodplain area may be revised or modified by the City Council where studies or information provided by a qualified agency or person documents the need for such revision. However, prior to any such change, approval must be obtained from the FEMA. Additionally, as soon as practicable, but not later than six months after the date such information becomes available, a community shall notify FEMA of the changes by submitting technical or scientific data.
The boundaries of the Floodplain Overlay Zoning District shall be determined by the City of Harrisburg Floodplain Map and any additional floodplain areas identified in § 7-315.8, which is part of the Official Zoning Map. Should a dispute concerning any identified floodplain boundary arise, an initial determination shall be made by the Floodplain Administrator. Any applicant may appeal the decision or determination of the Floodplain Administrator to the Zoning Hearing Board. The burden of proof shall be on the applicant.
The Zoning Officer shall administer and enforce this chapter in the same manner as any other provision of this Zoning Code. All permits and approvals under this chapter are issued on the condition that the activities comply with the plans and applications that were submitted. For purposes of this chapter, the Zoning Officer is referred to herein as the Floodplain Administrator.
The Floodplain Administrator shall issue a zoning permit only after it has been determined that the proposed work to be undertaken will be in conformance with the requirements of this and all other applicable codes and ordinances.
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 750.1 et seq. , 32 P.S. § 693.1 et seq. and 35 P.S. § 691.1 et seq., respectively.
In the discharge of duties, the Floodplain Administrator shall have the authority to enter any building, structure, premises or development in the identified floodplain area, upon presentation of proper credentials, at any reasonable hour to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
In the event the Floodplain Administrator discovers that the work does not comply with the permit application or any applicable laws and ordinances, or that there has been a false statement or misrepresentation by any applicant, the Floodplain Administrator shall revoke the permit.
The Floodplain Administrator is the official responsible for submitting an annual report to the FEMA concerning the community participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.
The responsibilities and duties of this position can be delegated from the person identified as Floodplain Administrator. However, the ultimate responsibility lies with the person/position identified in this chapter as the floodplain administrator/manager.
The Floodplain Administrator shall consider the requirements of the 34 Pa. Code and the 2009 IBC and the 2009 IRC or latest revisions thereof.
A zoning permit shall be required before any construction or development is undertaken within any Floodplain Area.
Brief description of proposed work and estimated cost, including a breakout of flood-related cost and the market value of the building before the flood damage occurred where appropriate.
The location of all existing streets, drives, and other accessways; and the location of any existing bodies of water or watercourses, identified floodplain areas, and, if available, information pertaining to the floodway, and the flow of water including direction and velocities.
The amount, location and purpose of any materials or substances referred to in §§ 7-315.24F and 7-315.25 which are intended to be used, produced, stored or otherwise maintained on site.
A description of the safeguards incorporated into the design of the proposed structure to prevent leaks or spills of the dangerous materials or substances listed in § 7-315.25 during a base flood.
Applications for permits shall be submitted contemporaneously with the application for building permits and are subject to a combined fee payable to the City of Harrisburg, based upon the estimated cost of the proposed construction as set forth in § 8-101.4 of the Codified Ordinances.
A copy of all applications for any proposed construction or development in any identified floodplain area to be considered for approval by the Floodplain Administrator shall be submitted to the Dauphin County Conservation District, if applicable, for review and comment prior to the issuance of any zoning permit. The recommendations of the Dauphin County Conservation District, if applicable, shall be included in the staff report for the Harrisburg Planning Commission and forwarded to the Floodplain Administrator for a decision.
A copy of all plans and applications for any proposed construction or development in any identified floodplain area to be considered for approval may be submitted by the Floodplain Administrator to any other appropriate City officials, agencies and/or other individuals for review and comment.
After the issuance of a zoning permit by the Floodplain Administrator, no changes of any kind shall be made to the application, permit or any of the plans, specifications or other documents submitted with the application without the written consent or approval of the Floodplain Administrator. Requests for any such change shall be in writing, and shall be submitted by the applicant to the Floodplain Administrator for consideration.
In addition to the permit, the Codes Administrator, or his designee, shall issue a placard which shall be displayed on the premises during the time construction is in progress. This placard shall show the number of the permit, the date of its issuance and be signed by the Codes Administrator or his designee.
Include that the failure to comply with the notice within the time specified, unless extended by an appeal to the municipal Zoning Hearing Board, constitutes a violation, with sanctions clearly described.
If a variance is requested, the provisions of Chapter 7-323 shall apply. The Zoning Hearing Board shall review variance applications following review and comment from the Harrisburg Planning Commission.
No variance shall be granted for any activity prohibited by § 7-315.27A.
No variance shall be granted for any construction, development, use or activity within any Floodway Area that would cause any increase in BFE.
No variance shall be granted for any construction, development, or activity within any Special Floodplain Area that would, together with all other existing and anticipated development, increase the BFE more than one foot at any point.
Except for a possible modification of the regulatory flood elevation requirement involved, no variance shall be granted for any of the other requirements pertaining specifically to § 7-315.25, Development which may endanger human life.
In granting any variance, the Zoning Hearing Board shall attach whatever reasonable conditions and safeguards it considers necessary in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, and to achieve the objectives of this chapter.
That the granting of the variance will neither result in an unacceptable or prohibited increase in flood heights, additional threats to public safety, or extraordinary public expense, nor create nuisances, cause fraud on, or victimize the public, or conflict with any other applicable state or local ordinances and regulations.
A complete record of all variance requests and related actions shall be maintained by the City of Harrisburg. In addition, a report of all variances granted during the year shall be included in the annual report to the FEMA.
Any person aggrieved by any action or decision of the Floodplain Administrator concerning the administration of the provisions of the chapter may appeal the decision to the Zoning Hearing Board within 30 days after the decision, determination, or action of the Floodplain Administrator.
Upon receipt of such appeal, the Zoning Hearing Board shall set a time and place, within not less than 10 or more than 30 days, for the purpose of considering an appeal. Notice of the time and place at which the appeal will be considered shall be given to all parties.
Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Zoning Hearing Board may file a land use appeal with the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas.
The following general provisions for elevation and floodproofing shall be apply to all new construction and substantial improvements within the Floodplain Overlay District. Any new construction, development, uses or activities allowed within any identified floodplain area shall be undertaken in strict compliance with the provisions contained in this chapter and any other applicable codes, ordinances and regulations.
FEMA and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development shall be notified prior to any alteration or relocation of any watercourse.
Property owners must submit technical or scientific data to FEMA for a letter of map revision (LOMR) within six months of the completion of any new construction, development, or other activity resulting in changes in the base flood elevation.
Any new construction, development, uses or activities allowed within any identified floodplain area shall be undertaken in strict compliance with the provisions contained in this chapter and any other applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations.
Elevation and floodproofing requirements for residential structures.
In AE, A1-30, and AH Zones any new construction or substantial improvement of a residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation.
In A Zones, where there are no base flood elevations specified on the FIRM, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation in accordance with § 7-315.9C(2).
The design and construction standards and specifications contained in the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) and in the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) or the most recent revisions thereof and ASCE 24 and 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 to 405, as amended) shall be utilized.
Elevation and floodproofing requirements for nonresidential structures.
In A Zones, where no base flood elevations are specified on the FIRM, any new construction or substantial improvement shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated or completely floodproofed up to, or above, the regulatory flood elevation in accordance with § 7-315.9C(2) of this chapter.
Any nonresidential structure, or part thereof, made watertight below the regulatory flood elevation shall be floodproofed in accordance with the WI or W2 space classification standards contained in the publication entitled "Flood-Proofing Regulations" published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (June 1972, as amended March 1992) or with some other equivalent standard. All plans and specifications for such floodproofing shall be accompanied by a statement certified by a registered professional engineer or architect which states that the proposed design and methods of construction are in conformance with the above-referenced standards.
The design and construction standards and specifications contained in the 2009 International Business Code (IBC) and in the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) or the most recent revisions thereof and ASCE 24 and 34 Pa. Code (Chapters 401 to 405, as amended) shall be utilized.
Storage. All materials that are buoyant, flammable, explosive, or, in times of flooding, could be injurious to human, animal, or plant life, and are not listed in § 7-315-25, Development which may endanger human life, shall be stored at or above the regulatory flood elevation and/or floodproofed to the maximum extent possible.
International Residential Building Code (IRC) 2009 or the latest edition thereof: Secs. R104, R105, R109, R323, Appendix AE101, Appendix E and Appendix J.
Within any Floodway Area, any structure of the kind described in Subsection A above shall be prohibited.
Any such structure, or part thereof, that will be built below the regulatory flood elevation shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the standards for completely dry floodproofing contained in the publication "Flood-Proofing Regulations" (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, June 1972 as amended March 1992), or with some other equivalent watertight standard.
Within any floodplain area, any new or substantially improved structure of the kind described in Subsection A, above, shall be prohibited within the area measured 50 feet landward from the top-of-bank of any watercourse.
All subdivision and land development proposals containing at least 50 lots or at least five acres, whichever is the lesser, in flood hazard areas where base flood elevation data are not available, shall be supported by hydrologic and hydraulic engineering analyses that determine base flood elevations and floodway information. The analyses shall be prepared by a licensed professional engineer in a format required by FEMA for a conditional letter of map revision or letter of map revision. Submittal requirements and processing fees shall be the responsibility of the applicant.
Correctional or community correctional facilities, including jails and prisons.
The commencement of construction, enlargement, or expansion of any hospital within the Floodway Area, Special Floodplain Area, Approximate Floodplain Area, or Shallow Flooding Area shall be prohibited unless a special exception is approved by the Harrisburg Planning Commission and the Zoning Hearing Board.
Within three working days following receipt of the application, a complete copy of the application and all accompanying documentation shall be forwarded to the County Planning Commission by registered or certified mail for its review and recommendations. Copies of the application shall also be forwarded to the City Planning Commission and City Engineer for review and comment.
If an application is received that is incomplete, the City shall notify the applicant in writing, stating in what respect the application is deficient.
If the City decides to disapprove an application, it shall notify the applicant, in writing, of the reasons for the disapproval.
If the City approves an application, it shall file written notification, together with the application and all pertinent information, with the Department of Community and Economic Development, by registered or certified mail, within five working days after the date of approval.
Before issuing the special exception, the City shall allow the Department of Community and Economic Development 30 days, after receipt of the notification by the Department, to review the application and decision made by the City.
If the City does not receive any communication from the Department of Community and Economic Development during the thirty-day review period, it may issue a special exception to the applicant.
If the Department of Community and Economic Development should decide to disapprove an application, it shall notify the City and the applicant, in writing, of the reasons for the disapproval, and the City shall not issue the special exception.
In addition to the requirements of § 7-315.23 of this chapter, the following minimum requirements shall also apply to any proposed development requiring a special exception. If there is any conflict between any of the following requirements and those in § 7-315.23 of this chapter or in any other code, ordinance, or regulation, the more restrictive provision shall apply.
All hydrologic and hydraulic analyses shall be undertaken only by professional engineers or others of demonstrated qualifications, who shall certify that the technical methods used correctly reflect currently accepted technical concepts. Studies, analyses, computations, etc., shall be submitted in sufficient detail to allow a thorough technical review by the City and the Department of Community and Economic Development.
No expansion or enlargement of an existing structure shall be allowed within any floodplain area that would cause any increase in the elevation of the base flood elevation.
The above activity shall also address the requirements of the 34 Pa. Code, as amended, and the 2009 IBC and the 2009 IRC.
No agent or, if none, no owner shall sell property or any interest therein, unless such agent owner, as applicable, first delivers to the purchaser or transferee the certificate described in §§ 8-305 and 8-307 of the Codified Ordinances. Such certificate shall be delivered a minimum of 10 days prior to the execution of any agreement of sale or not less than 10 days prior to the transfer of title in the event that no agreement of sale is utilized. An agent's or owner's failure to deliver said certificate in the required time frame shall be deemed a breach of that agent's or owner's duty of disclosure to the purchaser or transferee. Such a breach shall render the agreement of sale or other such land contract voidable.
The purchaser or transferee shall execute a receipt for the certificate, as furnished by the City, and such receipt shall be delivered by the agent or, if none, the owner to the Codes Administrator as evidence of compliance with the provisions of this section. The certificate described in this section in no way implies evidence of compliance with any requirements other than this section.
No agent shall aid any owner in the sale or transfer of property unless the agent first complies with the requirements of this § 7-315.30.
Any person who fails to comply with any or all of the requirements or provisions of this chapter or who fails or refuses to comply with any notice, order of direction of the Floodplain Administrator or any other authorized employee of the City of Harrisburg shall be guilty of a summary offense and, upon conviction, shall pay a fine to the City of Harrisburg of not less than $25 nor more than $500 plus costs of prosecution. In addition to the above penalties all other actions are hereby reserved including an action in equity for the proper enforcement of this chapter. The imposition of a fine or penalty for any violation of, or noncompliance with, this chapter shall not excuse the violation or noncompliance or permit it to continue and all such persons shall be required to correct or remedy such violations and noncompliance within a reasonable time. Any development initiated or any structure or building constructed, reconstructed, enlarged, altered, or relocated, in noncompliance with this chapter may be declared by the Floodplain Administrator to be a public nuisance and abatable as such.

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