Alameda Municipal Code § 20-10 Buildings and Structures

Applications for new buildings and structures and substantial improvements within the scope of the Building Standards Code that are proposed in flood hazard areas shall comply with the applicable requirements of the Building Standards Code, or the base flood elevation plus one (1) foot, whichever provides greater flood protection. Buildings and structures which are part of a new subdivision shall be constructed to the grades and finish floor elevations shown in the approved tentative map, or the applicable requirements of the Building Standards Code, or the base flood elevation plus one (1) foot, whichever provides greater flood protection.

Mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems, including plumbing fixtures related to or supporting a building and structure in a flood hazard area, shall be elevated to the applicable requirements of the Building Standards Code or the base flood elevation plus one (1) foot, whichever provides greater flood protection.

(Ord. No. 3370 N.S., § 2, 5-21-2024)

Property owners constructing new or substantially improved structures with a finish floor elevation more than four (4) feet above the lowest adjacent grade shall enter into a non-conversion agreement with the City acknowledging and agreeing to and shall ensure, that the following conditions of the building shall be maintained in perpetuity:

A. The enclosed area below the lowest floor of the building shall be used solely for parking of vehicles as allowed by the Zoning Code, limited storage, or access to the building, and shall never be used for human habitation.

B. All interior walls, ceilings, and floors in the building below the base flood elevation plus one (1) foot shall be unfinished and constructed of flood-resistant materials.

C. All mechanical, electrical, or plumbing devices that service the building shall not be installed below the base flood elevation plus one (1) foot.

D. The openings in the walls of the enclosed area below the lowest floor of the building shall not be blocked, obstructed, or otherwise altered to reduce the size of the openings or restrict the automatic entry and exit of floodwater.

E. Any construction in, on, or around the building that differs from the type, scope, or manner of construction authorized under the approved building permit, this Agreement, or applicable sections of the Alameda Municipal Code or State law shall constitute a violation of this agree ment.

(Ord. No. 3370 N.S., § 2, 5-21-2024)

Detached garages and accessory storage structures used only for parking or storage are permitted below the base flood elevation provided the garages and accessory storage structures:

A. Are one (1) story and not larger than six hundred (600) square feet in area when located in special flood hazard areas.

B. Are anchored to resist flotation, collapse or lateral movement resulting from flood loads.

C. Have flood openings in accordance with the Building Standards Code.

D. Have flood damage-resistant materials used below the base flood elevation plus one (1) foot.

E. Have mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems, including plumbing fixtures, elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus one (1) foot.

(Ord. No. 3370 N.S., § 2, 5-21-2024)

Utility and miscellaneous Group U includes buildings that are accessory in character and miscellaneous structures not classified in any specific occupancy in the Building Standards Code, including, but not limited to, agricultural buildings, aircraft hangars (accessory to a one- or two-family residence), barns, carports, fences more than six (6) feet (1829 mm) high, grain silos (accessory to a residential occupancy), greenhouses, livestock shelters, private garages, retaining walls, sheds, stables, and towers. In addition to the Building Standards Code requirements for fire and life safety, the following shall apply to utility and miscellaneous Group U buildings and structures in flood hazard areas:

A. New construction and substantial improvement of such buildings and structures shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement resulting from flood loads, including the effects of buoyancy, during conditions of the design flood.

B. New construction and substantial improvement of such buildings and structures, when fully enclosed by walls, shall be elevated such that the lowest floor, including basement, is elevated to or above the design flood elevation in accordance with ASCE 24 or shall be dry floodproofed in accordance with ASCE 24.

C. Unless dry floodproofed, fully enclosed areas below the design flood elevation shall be constructed in accordance with ASCE 24 and limited to parking, storage, and building access.

D. When fully enclosed by walls, flood openings shall be installed in accordance with ASCE 24.

E. Flood damage-resistant materials shall be used below the design flood elevation.

F. Mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems, including plumbing fixtures, shall be located or installed in accordance with ASCE 24.

(Ord. No. 3370 N.S., § 2, 5-21-2024)