Orange County NC Website
Article 6: Development Stand <br /> Section 6.21: Flood Regulations <br /> (i) For parking of vehicles, <br /> (ii) Building access, or <br /> (iii) Limited storage of maintenance equipment used in connection <br /> with the premises. <br /> (b) Such spaces shall be constructed entirely of flood resistant materials <br /> below the regulatory flood protection level in the AE zone and meet the <br /> following criteria: <br /> (i) Shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood <br /> forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of <br /> floodwaters. To meet this requirement, the foundation must <br /> either be certified by a North Carolina licensed Professional <br /> Engineer or Architect or meet the following minimum design <br /> criteria: <br /> a. Provide a minimum of two openings on different sides of <br /> each enclosed area subject to flooding: <br /> b. The total net area of all openings must be at least one <br /> square inch for each square foot of enclosed area <br /> subject to flooding <br /> c. If a building has more than one enclosed area, each <br /> area must have openings on exterior walls to allow <br /> floodwaters to directly enter and exit; <br /> d. The bottom of all required openings shall be no higher <br /> • than one foot above the adjacent grade; <br /> e. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, or <br /> other opening coverings or devices provided they permit <br /> the automatic flow of floodwaters in both directions; and <br /> • f. Foundation enclosures made of flexible vinyl or sheet <br /> metal skirting are not considered enclosures for <br /> regulatory and flood insurance rating purposes, and <br /> therefore, do not require openings. Masonry or wood <br /> underpinning, regardless of structural status, is <br /> considered an enclosure and requires hydrostatic <br /> openings as outlined above to comply with this <br /> Ordinance. <br /> (ii) The enclosed areas shall be used solely for parking of vehicles, <br /> building access, or storage. <br /> (iii) Access to the enclosed area shall be the minimum necessary to <br /> allow for parking of vehicles (garage door) or limited storage of <br /> maintenance equipment used in connection with the premises <br /> (standard exterior door) or entry to the living area (stairway or <br /> elevator). <br /> (iv) The interior portion of such enclosed area shall not be partitioned <br /> or finished into separate rooms. <br /> Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 6-153 <br />