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Portsmouth, Virginia, Code of Ordinances: PART 11--CODE -Chapter 14.1 FLOOD PROTECTION b. Al! new construction and substantial improvements of non-residential structures shall: 1 j have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the flood depth specified on the FIRM, above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM. !f no flood depth number is specified, the lowest floor,. including basement, shall be elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade; or Z} together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities be completely flood-proofed to the specified flood level so that any space below that level is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy, c. Adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes shall be provided to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures. (5j The following provisions shall apply for the Coastal A Zone (Limits of Moderate Wave Actlon}. Buildings and structures wi#hin this zone shall comply with V zone standards with the lowest supporting member elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus 3.0 feet of freeboard, and must comply with the provisions in paragraph b 2 in this section {14.1-11) {provisions for zones AE or AN) and paragraphs a and d in this section (14.1-11j. {6) The following provisions shall apply for the VE or V Zones (Coastal High Hazard areas}. a. All new construction and substantial improvements in Zones V and VE N if no base flood elevation is available} shall be elevated on pilings or columns so that: i j The bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the lowest floor (including all HVAC and duct work but excluding the pilings or columns) is elevated above the base flood level by at least 3 feet; and 2) The pile or column foundation and structure attached thereto is anchored to resist Flotation, collapse, and lateral movement due to the effects of wind and water loads acting simultaneously on all building components. Wind and water loading values shalE each have a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year (one-percent annual chance). A registered professional engineer or architect shall devebp or review the structural design, specifications, and plans for the construction, and shall certify that the design and methods of construction to be used are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting the provisions of Section 14.1-11(b)(6)(a}{2) of this code. c. The Floodplain Administrator shall obtain the elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the lowest floor (including all HVAC and duct work, but excluding pilings and columns) of all new and substantially improved structures in Zones V and VE. The Flaodplain Management Administrator shall maintain a record of all such information. 15