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09/26/2005 33 <br />6. Elevated Buildings. New construction or substantial improvements of elevated buildings that <br />include fully enclosed azeas that are below the regulatory, flood protection elevation shall not <br />be designed to be used for human habitation, but shall be designated to be used only for <br />pm•kirzg of vehicles, building access, or limited storage of nzairztenarzce eguiprrzent used irz <br />connection with the premises, be consh•ucted entirely of jlood resistant materials below the <br />regulatory flood protection level in A, AO, and AE, zones and meet the following design <br />cr°iter•ia , <br />s <br />a. Measures ,for complying udth this reguirernent shall be designed to automatically <br />equalize hydrostatic flood forces orz exterior walls by allowing,for the entry and exit of <br />floodwaters. To meet this requirement, the foundation must either be certified by a North <br />Carolina licensed Professional Engineer or Architect or meet the following minimum <br />design criteria: <br />i. Provide a minimum of two openings on different sides of each enclosed area subject <br />to flooding; <br />ii. The total net area of all openings must be at least one (1) square inch for' each square <br />foot of enclosed area subject to flooding; <br />iii, If a building has more than one enclosed area, each area must have openings on <br />exterior walls to allow. floodwaters to directly enter and exit; <br />(~) iv. The bottom of all r°eguired openings shall be no highez° thmz one (1) foot above the <br />adjacent grade; <br />v. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, or other opening coverings or <br />devices provided they permit the automatic flow of floodwaters in both directions; <br />and <br />vi. Foundation enclosures made of flexible vinyl or sheet metal skirting are riot <br />considered enclosures,for regulatory mzd flood insurance rating pwposes, and <br />therefore, do not require openings.. Masonry or wood underpinning, regardless of <br />sh•uctural status, is considered an enclosure and requires hydrostatic openings as <br />outlined above to comply with this Ordinance. <br />b, The enclosed areas shall be used solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or <br />storage. Access to the enclosed area shall be the minimum necessazy to allow for <br />parking of vehicles (garage door) or limited storage of maintenance equipment used in <br />connection with the premises (standard exterior door) or entry to the living azea (stairway <br />or elevator), The interior portion of such enclosed area shall not be partitioned or <br />finished into separate rooms, .• (6) <br />