§ 51-1. Purpose; findings; objectives.

1. The purposes of this chapter are to protect human life and health, to minimize property damage, to encourage appropriate construction practices to minimize future damage, to protect individuals from unwittingly buying land subject to flood hazards and to protect the water supply, sanitary sewage disposal and natural drainage. The prevention of unwise development in areas subject to flooding will reduce financial burdens to the Town of Berlin and the state and will prevent future displacement and suffering of its residents. This protection is achieved through the review of all activities proposed within identified floodplains and by the issuance of permits for those activities that comply with the objectives of this chapter.
2. Floodplains are an important asset to the Town of Berlin. They perform vital natural functions such as temporary storage of floodwaters, moderation of peak flood flows, maintenance of water quality, groundwater recharge, prevention of erosion, habitat for diverse natural wildlife populations, recreational opportunities and aesthetic quality. These functions are best served if floodplains are kept in their natural state. Wherever possible, the natural characteristics of floodplains and their associated wetlands and water bodies should be preserved and enhanced.
3. This chapter provides a unified, comprehensive approach to floodplain management which addresses these natural floodplain functions and the federal and state programs concerned with floodplain management. These programs are the National Flood Insurance Program (44 CFR 59-79); the state’s Waterway Construction Permit Program for nontidal floodplains; the state’s Tidal and Nontidal Wetlands Permit Programs; the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ Sections 10 and 404 Permit Programs; and the state’s Coastal Zone Management Program. Decisions to alter floodplains, especially floodways and stream channels, should be the result of careful planning processes which evaluate resource conditions and human needs.

§ 51-2. Abrogation and greater restrictions.

This chapter supersedes any ordinance in effect in flood-prone areas. However, any other ordinance shall remain in full force to the extent that its provisions are more restrictive.

§ 51-3. Applicability.

Any person or entity proposing to do any development within the floodplain zone regulated by this chapter must first obtain a permit for that development from the code enforcement officer and must comply with all provisions of this chapter.

§ 51-4. Warning and disclaimer of liability.

The degree of flood protection provided by this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on engineering experience and scientific methods of study. Floods of greater magnitude may occur or flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes. This chapter does not imply that flooding will not occur outside of the delineated floodplain zone or that permitted development and land uses within the floodplain will be free of flooding and associated flood damage. This chapter does not create liability on the part of the Town of Berlin, any officer or employee thereof for any damage which may result from reliance on this chapter.

§ 51-5. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

ACCESSORY STRUCTURE — A detached structure on the same parcel of property as the principal structure, the use of which is incidental to the principal structure, e.g., a shed or detached garage.

BASE FLOOD — The one-hundred-year-frequency flood event as indicated in the Flood Insurance Study, as amended, the elevation of which is used for regulatory purposes in this chapter.

BASEMENT — An enclosed area which is below grade on all four sides.

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY OR USE — A permit to legally occupy or use a building for the intended purpose.

DEVELOPMENT — Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings and other structures, dredging, fill, grading, paving, clearing, excavation, dumping, extraction, or storage of equipment or materials. "Development" includes subdivision of land.

ELEVATION CERTIFICATE — A form supplied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to certify as-built elevations of structures above mean sea level (NGVD).

FLOOD — The general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow of inland or tidal waters, or rapid unusual accumulation of runoff from any source.

FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM) — The map which depicts the minimum special flood hazard area to be regulated by this chapter (unless a Floodway Map is available).

FLOODPLAIN — That land typically adjacent to a body of water with ground surface elevations that are inundated by the base flood.

FLOODPROOFING — Any combination of structural or nonstructural changes which reduce or eliminate flood damage to improved property.

FLOODPROOFING CERTIFICATE — A form supplied by FEMA to certify that a building has been designed and constructed to be structurally dry-floodproofed to the Flood Protection Elevation.

FLOOD-PROTECTION ELEVATION (FPE) — The elevation of the base flood plus one foot freeboard.

FLOODWAY — The channel and adjacent land area required to discharge the waters of the one-hundred-year flood of a watercourse without increasing the water surface elevations more than a specified height.

FLOODWAY FRINGE — That portion of the floodplain outside the floodway.

FLOODWAY MAP — The map which depicts floodways and special flood hazard areas to be regulated by this chapter.

FREEBOARD — An increment of elevation added to the base flood elevation to provide a factor of safety for uncertainties in calculations, wave actions, subsidence or other unpredictable effects.

HISTORIC STRUCTURE — A structure listed individually on the National Register of Historic Places, the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties or a local inventory of historic places certified by the Maryland Historic Trust or the Secretary of the Interior, or preliminarily determined as meeting the requirements for such listing by the Maryland Historic Trust or the Secretary of the Interior, or determined as contributing to the historic significance of a historic district registered with the Secretary of the Interior.

LOWEST FLOOR — The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area, including basement. An unfinished enclosure constructed of flood-resistant materials used solely for the parking of vehicles, storage or building access in an area other than a basement is not the "lowest floor," as long as it is supplied with water-equalizing vents.

MANUFACTURED HOME — A transportable structure which is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities.

NEW CONSTRUCTION — A structure for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of the adoption of a Floodplain Management Ordinance, and includes any subsequent improvements.

NGVD — National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 elevation reference points set by the National Geodetic Survey based on mean sea level.

ONE-HUNDRED-YEAR-FREQUENCY FLOOD — The base flood, having one chance in 100 (one-percent chance) of being equaled or exceeded in any year.

PERMANENT CONSTRUCTION — Any structure occupying a site for more than 180 days per year.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLE — A vehicle built on a single chassis which is 400 square feet or less at the longest horizontal projection, self-propelled or towable and designed primarily for temporary living while traveling or camping.

START OF CONSTRUCTION — The date of issue of the building permit for any development, including new construction and substantial improvements, provided that the actual start of the construction or improvement was within 180 days of permit issuance. The actual "start of construction" is the placement of slab or footings, piles, columns or actual placement of a manufactured home. For substantial improvement, the "start of construction" is the first alteration of any structural part of the building.

STRUCTURE — A walled and roofed building, including but not limited to manufactured homes, gas and liquid storage tanks, garages, barns and sheds.

SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE — Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.

SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT — Any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure (less land value) either before the improvement or repair is started or, if the structure has incurred substantial damage and been restored, before the damage occurred. "Substantial improvement" occurs when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor or other structural part of the building commences. The minimum repairs needed to correct previously identified violations of local health, safety or sanitary codes, and alterations to historic structures which do not preclude their continued designation as historic structures, are not considered "substantial improvements."

TEMPORARY STRUCTURE — Any structure completely removed within 180 days from issuance of the permit.

VARIANCE — The grant of relief from a term or terms of this chapter.

WETLAND — Any land which is considered a private wetland or state wetland pursuant to Title 9, Wetlands and Riparian Rights, of the Natural Resources Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland; or which is defined as wetland under the procedures described in the Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands by the Federal Interagency Committee for Wetland Delineation, 1989, as amended.

§ 51-6. Permit required.

A permit is required for all development in any Floodplain Zone. It shall be granted only after all necessary permit applications are submitted to federal or state agencies. A permit issued by the code enforcement officer under this chapter is not valid until all necessary permits for development are obtained. Receipt of federal or state permits does not exempt development from the provisions of this chapter.

§ 51-7. Application.

1. Applications for a building permit shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
1. The name, address and phone number of the applicant (owner or agent of owner).
2. The name, address and phone number of the owner, if different.
3. The name, address and phone number of the contractor.
4. A legal description of the site location.
5. The proposed uses for the site.
6. The type, dimensions and estimated cost of the development proposed.
7. The site characteristics and improvements.
8. Other information deemed appropriate by the local permitting official.
2. All permit applications must have a site plan drawn to scale which shows:
1. The dimensions of the site.
2. The size and location of the existing and proposed structures or alterations.
3. Setbacks.
4. The elevation contours in mean sea level (NGVD).
5. The delineation of the one-hundred-year-flood elevation and boundary.
6. The proposed elevation of the lowest floor and method of elevation, if applicable.
3. The code enforcement officer may require plans for tree maintenance, stormwater management, revegetation, establishment of vegetated buffers and final grading as part of the permit application process.
4. All applicants shall agree, in writing, to provide an elevation certificate completed by a registered professional engineer or surveyor to certify the as-built lowest floor of a structure which must be elevated to or above the flood-protection elevation. An elevation certificate must be submitted before a certificate of occupancy or use may be issued. Work undertaken prior to submission of the certification is at the applicant’s risk. For enclosed areas below the flood-protection elevation, a nonconversion agreement may be required, in addition to an agreement to install water-equalizing vents as specified in § 51-19B of this chapter.
5. If an improvement to an existing structure is proposed, adequate information on the cost of the improvement and the market value of the structure before the improvement must be supplied to the code enforcement officer to allow a determination of substantial improvement. The code enforcement officer may use tax assessment records to determine substantial improvement. In floodway areas, permits shall be tracked by property location to determine if the cumulative value of improvements constitutes substantial improvements of a structure.

§ 51-8. Subdivison proposals.

1. In addition to the information required § 51-7, an applicant for subdivision in the nontidal floodplain zone shall submit a plan to demonstrate that a building site for each lot is outside of the one-hundred-year floodplain. The code enforcement officer shall assure that a plan for the perpetual protection of the floodplain areas in their natural state a required under § 51-17E.
2. Plans for maintenance of forest cover, flood-protection setbacks, revegetation, accommodation of stormwater runoff, prevention of erosion and other plans required by the code enforcement officer must be submitted with subdivision proposals. The plans shall be evaluated as a whole to achieve maximum preservation of the natural and beneficial floodplain functions, desirable resources and characteristics of each site. The plan for utility ingress, stormwater drainage structures, road access and other rights-of-way shall be evaluated in light of the site characteristics.

§ 51-9. Issuance of permit.

1. Consideration.
1. Prior to issuance of a permit, the code enforcement officer shall determine the location of the project relative to floodways and floodplains and shall note on the permit the proper elevation to which the lowest floor of proposed structures must be elevated. In approximate floodplains where an elevation is not available, the applicant shall be required to obtain such elevation. The applicant must agree to secure all other required permits, an elevation certificate, floodproofing certificate, engineering analysis or other required verifications deemed appropriate by the code enforcement officer.
2. Permits shall be granted by the code enforcement officer only after determining that the proposed development will be in complete conformance with the requirements of this chapter and all other applicable local codes and ordinances. All other necessary permits or approvals must be applied for or granted. Permits are valid only after all other necessary permits are granted.
2. Dam safety. Caution should be exercised when approving development downstream of existing or proposed dams. The condition of the dam, as well as the design criteria, hazard class and the danger reach, should be investigated to avoid increasing potential hazards. Dams must meet design criteria based on the potential impacts downstream of the dam. Downstream development within the dam break flood wave shall be denied unless the dam meets the design standards for a high-hazard dam.
3. After issuance and during construction.
1. After issuance of a permit, no changes of any kind shall be made to the application, permit or any of the plans, specifications or other documents submitted with the applications without the written approval of the code enforcement officer. A copy of the permit or other verification must be displayed at the construction site during construction activity.
2. Work on the permitted activity shall begin within 180 days of the issuance of the permit, or the permit shall expire, unless a written extension is granted by the code enforcement officer. Work shall be completed within one year of the date of the permit unless a greater time is specified in the permit or a written extension is granted.
3. During construction, the code enforcement officer or an authorized representative shall inspect the site to determine that the work is in compliance with the permit. Any work found to be noncompliant must be corrected before any additional work is undertaken.
4. Record of permits. A record of all floodplain permits shall be maintained and be available upon request by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or its authorized agent (Water Resources Administration) during periodic assessments of the Town of Berlin’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. All documents needed to support any permit action, such as elevation certificates, map amendments or revisions and variance actions, shall be available for review during these assessments.

§ 51-10. Conditioned permits for accessory structures and garages.

1. A conditioned permit may be issued at the discretion of the code enforcement officer when the three-hundred-square-foot exemption is exceeded for accessory structures up to a total size of 600 square feet. In order to qualify, the structure’s use must be incidental to the primary structure, and it can be used only for limited storage and parking of vehicles. The provisions of § 51-19E must be met.
2. A conditioned permit is subject to the applicant’s completion of a nonconversion agreement stating that the use of the accessory structure may not change from that permitted. A statement of the greater flood risk and possibly higher flood insurance premiums must be included. In addition, a recordation on the deed or memorandum of land restriction must be made as described in § 51-20B, stating that the permitted structure may not be used for human habitation without first complying with the construction requirements of this chapter and must be equipped with the proper water-equalizing vents.

§ 51-11. Fees.

A fee may be charged at the time of application.

§ 51-12. Violations and penalties.

1. A person who does not comply with a permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor. Alternatively or in addition, he may be guilty of a civil infraction, and a fine may be imposed, but this does not excuse the violation. Each day that a violation continues is a separate offense. The violation must be corrected prior to any further work progressing on the project.
2. The Federal Insurance Administrator and the Water Resources Administration must be notified by the local permitting official within 30 days after issuance of the citation of any violation which requires a fine or court ppearance. New or renewal federal flood insurance may be denied any structure remaining in violation of this chapter. The violation may also violate state law, may be sbject to separate action and may incur a separate penalty.

§ 51-13. Identification of flood zones.

The regulatory floodplain shall be those areas of the Town of Berlin which are subject to the one-hundred-year flood, delineated on the most recent revision of the Town of Berlin’s Floodway Maps and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and described in the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Floodway Maps and the FIS, if available for the community, must be used. Areas along nontidal streams that do not have FEMA delineations as described above are subject to regulation by this chapter and the state.

§ 51-14. Nontidal floodplain zones.

1. The Town of Berlin may have these nontidal floodplain zones:
1. Floodway-Fringe: that part of the floodplain outside of the floodway.
2. Floodway: reserved to carry the waters of the one-hundred-year flood.
2. Nontidal floodplains may have detailed engineering study data, profiles and water surface elevations or may have approximate delineations only.

§ 51-15. Floodplain boundaries.

1. Floodplain zone determination. The code enforcement officer will determine the floodplain zone in which the development activity is proposed by using the floodway maps and FIS if available or, if not, by using the FIRM. Without prior approval from FEMA, the Town of Berlin shall use no other data to enforce floodplain management regulation. Where map boundaries and elevations disagree, elevations prevail, with no approval from FEMA required.
2. Approximate floodplain determination. For development proposed in the approximate floodplain (no water surface elevations or floodway data provided), the applicant must use the best available information to determine the elevation of the one-hundred-year flood and the extent of the floodway and must delineate these on the site plan submitted for approval. For new subdivisions, the applicant must have the one-hundred-year-flood elevations certified by a registered professional engineer based on hydrologic and hydraulic analyses which include a floodway analysis. For individual lot development, if no data are available, the point-on-the-boundary method may be used. In this method, the distance is scaled from a reference point at the site to the edge of the one-hundred-year-floodplain boundary indicated on the FIRM. An elevation of the one-hundred-year flood is determined at that point by survey.
3. Unmapped streams. In cases in which development is proposed in the vicinity of unmapped streams which have no delineated one-hundred-year floodplain, the fifty-foot flood-protection setback from the banks of the stream described in § 51-17D may be used. State permits may be required, and applicants are advised to seek a determination from the state.

§ 51-16. Development regulations.

In order to prevent excessive flood damage and to allow for the protection of the natural and beneficial floodplain functions, the following provisions shall apply to all development, new construction and substantial improvements to existing structures in all floodplain zones. If a structure is in more than one zone, the more stringent provisions shall apply to the entire structure. The specific requirements contained in § 51-19 also apply to development in §§ 51-16, 51-17 and 51-18. Any approved development shall comply with all other zoning, environmental, water quality and sanitary regulations, as well as applicable state and federal requirements.

1. Watercourses. In all floodplain zones, any development which proposes to alter a watercourse must obtain a variance. All conditions for encroachment in the floodway must be met, and adverse impacts to aquatic resources must be minimized. Adjacent communities and property owners, FEMA and the Maryland Water Resources Administration must be notified by the applicant before any modification may occur to watercourses. Any activity falling within the one-hundred-year nontidal floodplain may require a waterway construction permit from the Water Resources Administration.
2. Wetlands. Encroachment by development into wetlands is not allowed without state and federal permits. It is state and federal policy that disturbance of wetlands shall be avoided. The applicant must demonstrate that no alternatives exist and that the encroachment is the minimum necessary. Mitigation may be required by the appropriate regulatory authorities.
3. Sediment and stormwater management. Any land disturbance permitted in the floodplain must have a stormwater management and sediment and erosion control plan as required by state and local regulations. The plan must include design of land contours that will not increase surface water runoff onto neighboring properties. Ground cover must be established immediately after disturbance, and a plan for permanent plantings, including trees, should provide for adequate vegetative cover within the flood-protection setback from watercourses to prevent erosion.

§ 51-17. Floodway-Fringe Zone.

The following regulations shall govern the Floodway-Fringe Zone:

1. General provisions. Development may not occur in the floodplain where alternative locations exist due to the inherent hazards and risks involved. Before a permit is issued, the applicant shall demonstrate that new structures cannot be located out of the floodplain and that encroachments onto the floodplain are minimized.
2. Elevation requirements for new and substantially improved structures. All new or substantially improved residential and nonresidential structures, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor elevated to or above the flood-protection elevation. Basements are not permitted. Horizontal expansions which increase the footprint and that are less than substantial shall also have the lowest floor elevated to or above the flood-protection elevation. The elevation of the lowest floor shall be certified by a registered surveyor or professional engineer on the elevation certificate, after the lowest floor is in place. Enclosures below the flood-protection elevation must be constructed with water-equalizing vents to meet the specifications of § 51-19B.
3. Fill.
1. The placement of more than 600 cubic yards of fill per parcel/lot in the floodplain is prohibited except by variance. Elevating buildings by other methods must be considered unless 600 cubic yards or less of fill are required. An applicant shall demonstrate that fill is the only alternative to raising the building to at least the flood-protection elevation and that the amount of fill used will not affect the flood storage capacity or increase flooding onto neighboring properties.
2. In the event that buildings on adjacent properties are known or determined to be subject to flooding under current conditions, the code enforcement officer may require submission of hydrologic and hydraulic analyses to adequately demonstrate the effects of the proposed fill. The conditions described in § 51-19H must be met whenever fill is used.
4. Flood-protection setback requirement.
1. A minimum one-hundred-foot flood-protection setback shall be maintained from the edge of the banks of any watercourse delineated as having a floodplain on the floodway map or FIRM, except where the setback may extend beyond the floodplain. To prevent erosion, natural vegetation shall be maintained in this area. Where natural vegetation does not exist along the watercourse and conditions for replanting are suitable, high priority shall be given to planting trees in the setback area to stabilize banks and to enhance aquatic resources.
2. A minimum fifty-foot flood-protection setback shall be maintained from the top of the bank of any stream which has no designated floodplain. Natural vegetation shall be maintained and, if needed, trees planted.
3. The code enforcement officer may consider a variance if the applicant demonstrates that it is impossible to allow any development without encroachment into the flood protection setback area. The variance shall be the minimum necessary and shall be made only after due consideration is given to varying other siting standards, such as side, front and back lot line setbacks. Necessary public works and temporary construction may be exempted from this section.
5. Subdivisions.
1. To achieve long-term flood damage avoidance and protection of the natural and beneficial floodplain functions, creation of any new flood-prone building sites shall not be permitted in any new subdivisions, regardless of size, number of lots and location.
2. Within new subdivisions, the floodplain areas and their natural vegetation shall be preserved and dedicated to natural buffer areas, open space, recreation and similar compatible uses by deed restriction, restrictive covenants or donation to a land trust. At a minimum, the area preserved shall include the flood-protection setback area and, to the greatest extent possible, other floodplain areas. Steep slopes and forested areas adjacent to watercourses shall also be given high priority for preservation.
3. In new subdivisions in nontidal floodplains, each lot platted must have a suitable building site outside the floodplain. Consideration must be given to clustering development out of the floodplain. The flood-protection setback requirement of Subsection D above shall be met. An access road at or above the elevation of the one-hundred-year flood shall be provided.

§ 51-18. Floodway Zone.

The following regulations shall govern the Floodway Zone:

1. General provisions.
1. Floodways shall be preserved to carry the discharge of the one-hundred-year flood. Floodways present increased risks to human life and property because of their relatively faster and deeper flowing waters. Fill shall not be permitted. New buildings shall not be permitted. New development shall not be permitted in the floodway where alternatives exist elsewhere or if any increase in water surface elevations will result from the one-hundred-year flood.
2. Any development in the floodway which may result in any increase in water surface elevations or change to the floodway must be submitted to FEMA for a conditional letter of map revision. Hydrologic and hydraulic analyses based on existing floodway models and performed in accordance with standard engineering practices and certified by a registered professional engineer must be submitted. Failure to receive this letter shall be grounds for denial of the permit.
3. An alternative analysis must be prepared for any development in the floodway before a permit may be issued. The provisions of § 51-17 above, as well as this section, apply to floodways.
2. Alternative analysis requirement. Before a permit may be issued, an applicant shall submit an alternative analysis which demonstrates that:
1. No reasonable alternatives exist outside the floodway;
2. Encroachment in the floodway is the minimum necessary;
3. The development will withstand the one-hundred-year flood without significant damage; and
4. The development will not increase downstream or upstream flooding or erosion. 
3. Existing structures. Existing structures in the floodway shall be substantially improved only by variance and if they can be brought into conformance with this chapter without increasing the footprint. Minor additions (less than substantial) must be elevated to the flood-protection elevation on pilings or columns. In the event of substantial damage, the applicant shall submit an alternative analysis to determine if the structure can be relocated to a less hazardous site. Where replacement structures cannot be relocated, they shall be limited to the footprint of the previous structure and must comply with the elevation requirements of § 51-17B of this hapter. Permits for incremental improvements shall be tracked by the local permitting official, and if cumulative improvements constitute substantial improvement, no further permits may be issued unless the structure conforms to the provisions of this chapter.
4. Maintenance of natural channel. The natural watercourse shall be maintained for protection of aquatic resources. A variance is required for the alteration of watercourses. Any variance issued must assure that the conditions for encroachment in the floodway are met, adverse impacts to aquatic resources are minimized and the public good outweighs the adverse impacts. The provisions of § 51-16 pertaining to altering a watercourse must be met.
5. Obstructions. Structures or fill which may impede, retard or change the direction of the flow of floodwaters or any materials that may be carried downstream to cause damage shall not be placed in the floodway. Fences, except two-wire fences, shall not be placed in the floodway.

§ 51-19. Specific requirements.

In addition to the requirements outlined in §§ 51-16, 51-17 and 51-18, the following specific requirements must be applied:

1. Placement of buildings and materials. In general, buildings and accessory structures should be located entirely out of the floodplain, out of the flood-protection setback or on land that is least susceptible to flooding. All structures permitted in the floodplain shall be oriented so as to offer the least resistance to the flow of floodwaters. Materials which are buoyant, flammable, explosive or hazardous to health or which, at times of flooding, may be injurious to human, animal or plant life shall not be stored below the flood-protection elevation.
2. Enclosures below lowest floor.
1. Buildings which have been elevated and have fully enclosed areas below the flood-protection elevation (other than basements), as well as garages and accessory structures which are not elevated (Subsection F) shall be constructed with water-equalizing vents which meet or exceed the following standards:
1. A minimum of two openings on different walls 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.
2. (b) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade.
3. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves or other coverings or devices, provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters to equalize hydrostatic forces on the walls.
2. Fully enclosed areas below the flood-protection elevation shall be used solely for the parking of vehicles, access to the building or storage. If such areas are enclosed, a nonconversion agreement, as described in § 51-10, must be signed by the applicant.
3. Manufactured homes and manufactured home parks.
1. New manufactured homes and manufactured home parks are prohibited in the floodway. In the floodway fringe, all new, replacement or substantially improved manufactured homes, whether in a manufactured home park or not, shall comply with § 51-17B of this chapter.
2. Methods of anchoring shall include use of over-the-top and frame ties to ground anchors. Pilings or columns shall be used to maintain the storage capacity of the floodplain. Concrete block support pilings must be reinforced by placing reinforcing bars inside and extending them into the footing, filling the hollows with cement and using mortar to cement the blocks together. FEMA Publication 85, Manufactured Home Installation in Flood Hazard Areas, should be consulted for specific recommendations.
3. Manufactured homes repaired or replaced because of substantial damage due to flooding or other causes must fully comply with § 51-17B.
4. Owners of manufactured home parks or subdivisions that are partially or fully within the floodplain must file an evacuation plan with the local emergency management agency. A flood-free access road shall be provided in all new manufactured home parks and subdivisions.
4. Anchoring. All structures shall be firmly anchored in accordance with acceptable engineering practices to prevent flotation, collapse and lateral movement during flooding. All air ducts, large pipes and storage tanks located below the flood-protection elevation shall be firmly anchored to resist flotation.
5. Utilities.
1. Electric. All electric utilities to the building side of the meter, both interior and exterior to the building, are regulated by this chapter. Distribution panel boxes must be at least two feet above the flood-protection elevation. All outlets and electrical installations, such as heat pumps, air conditioners, water heaters, furnaces, generators and distribution systems, must be installed at or above the flood-protection elevation.
2. Plumbing. Toilets, sinks, showers, water heaters, pressure tanks, furnaces and other permanent plumbing installations must be installed at or above the flood-protection elevation.
3. Gas. Gas meters, distribution lines and gas appliances must be installed at or above the flood-protection elevation.
4. Water supply and sanitary facilities. Water supply distribution and sanitary disposal collection systems must be designed to minimize or eliminate the infiltration of floodwaters into the systems or discharges from the systems into floodwaters and shall be located and constructed so as to minimize or eliminate flood damage. On-site sewage disposal systems shall meet these same standards.
6. Accessory structures and garages.
1. Where feasible, accessory structures and garages should be located out of the floodplain or elevated to or above the flood-protection elevation. When these measures are not feasible, the following apply:
1. The floor of the structure must be at or above grade;
2. The structures must be located, oriented and constructed so as to minimize flood damage; and
3. The structure must be firmly anchored to prevent flotation.
2. Attached garages. A garage attached to the main structure shall be elevated to the greatest extent possible but may be permitted as an exemption to the strict elevation requirement if it is used solely for the parking of vehicles, storage or building access and is no more than 600 square feet in area. Attached garages must meet the venting requirements of Subsection B above, have all interior walls, ceilings and floors below the flood-protection elevation unfinished and have no machinery or electric devices or appliances located below the flood-protection elevation. A nonconversion agreement, as described in § 51-10, must be signed by the property owner, stating that the garage may never be used for human habitation without first becoming fully compliant with this chapter.
3. Detached garages and accessory structures.
1. An accessory structure or detached garage may be permitted as an exemption from the elevation requirement if it is less than 300 quare feet, is used solely for the parking of vehicles and limited storage, meets the venting requirements of Subsection B above, has all interior wall, ceiling and floor elements below the flood-protection elevation unfinished and has no machinery, electric devices or appliances located below the flood-protection elevation. A nonconversion agreement must be signed by the property owner.
2. An accessory structure or a detached garage between 300 square feet and 600 square feet may be permitted below the flood-protection elevation only by a conditioned permit described in § 51-10.
3. An accessory structure or garage larger than 600 square feet in area must be elevated properly or be able to meet all applicable requirements under the variance procedure in § 51-20A of this chapter.
7. Recreational vehicles.
1. Recreational vehicles located within the floodplain may be exempted from the elevation and anchoring requirements, provided that they are:
1. Located on the site less than 180 consecutive days per year;
2. Fully licensed and ready for highway use; and
3. Properly permitted.
2. A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels and jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick disconnect-type utilities and securing devices and has no permanently attached additions. If it cannot meet all of these criteria, the recreational vehicle must be considered a manufactured home and is subject to the elevation and construction standards of this chapter.
8. Fill.
1. Fill is discouraged because storage capacity is removed from floodplains. Other methods of elevating structures should be considered first and fill used only if other methods are not feasible. Fill may not be placed in the floodway. Fill may not be placed in nontidal wetlands without the required state and federal permits.
2. Fill must consist of soil and rock materials only. Dredged material may be used as fill only upon certification of suitability by a registered professional geotechnical engineer. Landfills, rubble fills, dumps and sanitary fills are not permitted in the floodplain.
3. Fill used to support structures must be compacted to 95% of the maximum density obtainable by the Standard Protector Test (ASTM Standard D-698), and its suitability to support structures certified by a registered professional engineer. Fill slopes shall be no greater than two horizontal to one vertical. Flatter slopes may be required where velocities may result in erosion.
4. The use of fill shall not increase flooding or cause drainage problems on neighboring properties.

§ 51-20. Variances.

1. Reasons for granting. The Appeal Board shall hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from the requirements of this chapter. Conditions may be attached to the variance action, and variance actions must be consistent with sound floodplain management. Variances may not be issued except as specified below, nor shall variances be issued for any encroachment in floodways if any increase in the one-hundred-year flood levels will result.
1. Variances shall only be issued upon:
1. A showing of good and sufficient cause;
2. A determination that failure to grant a variance would result in exceptional hardship (other than economic) to the applicant; and
3. A determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety or extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud or victimization of the public or conflict with existing local and state laws or ordinances.
2. The variance action shall be the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief. In considering a variance action, comments from the State Coordinating Office of the Water Resources Administration must be taken into account and maintained with the permit file.
2. Conditions.
1. Variances may not be granted for the following:
1. Placement of fill or any development in the floodway if any increase in flood levels would result; or
2. New buildings in the floodway.
2. For any variance issued, a letter shall be sent to the applicant indicating the terms and conditions of the variance, the increased risk to life and property in granting the variance and the increased premium rates for National Flood Insurance coverage. The applicant shall be specified in writing of the requirement for recordation of these conditions on the deed or memorandum of land restriction prior to obtaining a permit and of the need to secure all necessary permits as conditions for granting a variance. The memorandum is described in §§ 3-102 and 3-103 of the Real Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
3. The code enforcement officer shall maintain a record of all variance actions and the justification for their issuance, as well as all correspondence. This record must be submitted as part of the biennial report to FEMA and be available for periodic review. The number of variance actions should be kept to a minimum.
3. Functionally dependent uses.
1. Variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements for the conduct of a functionally dependent use. A functionally dependent use cannot perform its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water. It includes only docking facilities, port facilities that are necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers and ship-building and ship-repair facilities, but does not include long-term storage or related manufacturing facilities. The variance may be issued only upon sufficient proof of the functional dependence. The provisions of Subsection A and B above must be met, and the structure must be protected by methods that minimize flood damage up to the flood-protection elevation and must create no additional threats to public safety. This may require methods of wet floodproofing, which allow the structure to flood without significant damage. Methods of floodproofing must not require human intervention.

§ 51-21. Effective date; amendments.

This chapter is hereby enacted and shall become effective May 4, 1992. This chapter shall be amended as required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 44 Code of Federal Regulations. All subsequent amendments to this chapter are subject to approval of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

1. Editor’s Note: This ordinance also superseded former Ch. 51, Floodplain Management, adopted 6-13-1988 by Ord. No. 88-3.