15.08.110 Elevation – Nonresidential structures.
A. New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall either have the lowest floor, including the basement, elevated to or above the level of the base flood elevation; or together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities shall:
1. Be floodproofed so that below the base flood level the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water;
2. Have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy; and
3. Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting provisions of this subsection based on their development or review of the structural design, specifications and plans. Such certification shall be provided to the official as set forth in BMC 15.08.050.
B. Applicants floodproofing nonresidential buildings shall be notified that flood insurance premiums will be based on rates that are one (1) foot below the floodproofed level (e.g., a building floodproofed to the base flood level will be rated as one (1) foot below the base flood level).
C. Nonresidential structures that are elevated, but not floodproofed, must meet the same standards for space below the lowest floor as described in BMC 15.08.100. [Ord. 10-15 § 2.]