Located within the areas of special flood hazard established in Section 13.12-1.040 or subsection 13.12-1.020(J) are areas designated as coastal high hazard areas. These areas have special flood hazards associated with wave wash. The following provisions shall apply within such areas:

A. All buildings or structures shall be located landward of the first line of stable natural vegetation and comply with all applicable Department of Heath and Environmental Control (DHEC) Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) setback requirements.

B. All buildings or structures shall be elevated so that the bottom of the lowest supporting horizontal member (excluding pilings or columns) is located no lower than one foot above the base flood elevation level, with all space below the lowest supporting member open so as not to impede the flow of water. Open lattice work or decorative screening may be permitted for aesthetic purposes only and must be designed to wash away in the event of abnormal wave action and in accordance with subsection 13.12-4.070(H).

C. All buildings or structures shall be securely anchored on pilings or columns, extending vertically below a grade of sufficient depth and the zone of potential scour, and securely anchored to the subsoil strata.

D. All pilings and columns and the attached structures shall be anchored to resist flotation, collapse, lateral movement and scour due to the effect of wind and water loads acting simultaneously on all building components.

E. A registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the design, specifications and plans for construction are in compliance with the provisions contained in subsections 13.12-4.070(D), (F), and (H) of this chapter.

F. There shall be no fill used as structural support. Non-compacted fill may be used around the perimeter of a building for landscaping/aesthetic purposes provided the fill will wash out from storm surge, thereby rendering the building free of obstruction prior to generating excessive loading forces, ramping effects, or wave deflection. Only beach compatible sand may be used. The local administrator shall approve design plans for landscaping/aesthetic fill only after the applicant has provided an analysis by an engineer, architect, and/or soil scientist which demonstrates that the following factors have been fully considered:

1. Particle composition of fill material does not have a tendency for excessive natural compaction:

2. Volume and distribution of fill will not cause wave deflection to adjacent properties; and,

3. Slope of fill will not cause wave run-up or ramping.

G. There shall be no alteration of sand dunes which would increase potential flood damage.

H. Prior to construction, plans for any structures that will have lattice work or decorative screening must be submitted to the local administrator for approval.

I. Lattice work or decorative screening shall be allowed below the base flood elevation provided they are not part of the structural support of the building and are designed so as to breakaway, under abnormally high tides or wave action, without damage to the structural integrity of the building on which they are to be used and provided the following design specifications are met:

1. No solid walls shall be allowed.

2. Breakaway wall material shall consist of wood or mesh screening only.

3. Design safe loading resistance of each breakaway wall shall be not less than ten nor more than twenty (20) pounds per square foot; or

4. If more than twenty (20) pounds per square foot, a registered profession engineer or architect shall certify that the design wall collapse would result from a water load less than that which would occur during the base flood event, and the elevated portion of the building and supporting foundation system shall not be subject to collapse, displacement, or other structural damage due to the effects of wind and water loads acting simultaneously on all building components (structural and non-structural). The water loading values used shall be those associated with the base flood. The wind loading values used shall be those required by the International Building Code.

5. Breakaway wall material shall be constructed with flood resistant materials.

J. If aesthetic lattice work or screening is utilized, such enclosed space shall not be designed to be used for human habitation, but shall be designed to be used only for parking of vehicles, building access, or limited storage of maintenance equipment used in connection with the premises.

1. Only flood resistant materials shall be used below the required flood elevation specified in subsection 13.12-4.070(B).

2. One wet location switch and/or outlet connected to a ground fault interrupt breaker may be installed below the required lowest floor elevation specified in subsection 13.12-4.070(C).

3. The total area of an enclosed space shall not exceed two hundred ninety-nine (299) square feet per building.

K. Any alteration, repair, reconstruction or improvement to a structure shall not enclose the space below the lowest floor except with lattice work or decorative screening, as provided for in subsections 13.12-4.070(H) and (I).

L. No manufactured homes shall be permitted except in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision. A replacement manufactured home may be placed on a lot in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision provided the anchoring and elevation standards of subsection 13.12-4.020(C).

M. Recreational vehicles shall be permitted in coastal high hazard areas provided that they meet the recreational vehicle criteria of subsection 13.12-4.020(D) and the temporary structure provisions of subsection 13.12-4.020(F).

N. Temporary structures are permitted in accordance with subsection 13.12-4.020(F).

O. Accessory structures, below the required lowest floor elevation specified in subsection 13.12-4.070(B), are prohibited.

P. Parking areas should be located on a stable grade under or landward of a structure. Any parking surface shall consist of gravel or ROC aggregate.

Q. Electrical, ventilation, plumbing, heating and air conditioning equipment (including ductwork), and other service facilities shall be designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding. This requirement does not preclude the installation of outdoor faucets for shower heads, sinks, hoses, etc., as long as cut off devices and back flow devices are installed to prevent contamination to the service components and thereby minimize any flood damages to the building. (Ord. 01-O-06 § 1(part), 2001)