Section 321.34. Construction in coastal floodplains.

 

(1)   General. All dwellings constructed in coastal floodplains shall be designed by a registered architect or engineer and shall meet the requirements of this section and s. SPS 321.33 .

(2)   Elevation. All dwellings constructed in a coastal floodplain shall be elevated so the lowest portion of all structural members supporting the lowest floor, with the exception of mat or raft foundations, pilings, piling caps, columns, grade beams and bracing, is located at or above the base flood elevation.

(3)   Enclosures below base flood elevation. Enclosures below the base flood elevation in a coastal floodplain may not be used for human occupancy and shall be free of all obstructions, except for non-loadbearing walls and partitions. Non-loadbearing walls and partitions below base flood elevation shall be constructed to break away without causing any structural damage to the elevated portion of the dwelling or foundation system due to the effect of wind loads and water loads acting simultaneously.

(4)   Foundations. All dwellings located in a coastal floodplain shall be supported and anchored on pilings or columns. The piling or column shall have adequate soil penetration to resist combined water and wind loads at the base flood elevation. Piling or column design shall consider the effect of scour of soil strata. Mat or raft foundations to support columns may not be used where soil under the mat or raft is subject to scour or other erosion from wave flow conditions.

Emerg. cr. eff. 5-8-96; cr. Register, February, 1997, No. 494 , eff. 3-1-97; correction in (1) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7. , Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672 .