SECTION XIII
FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT REGULATIONS
I. FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT
The Flood Plan District is herein established as an overlay district. The underlying permitted uses are allowed provided that they meet the following additional requirements as well as those of the Massachusetts State Building Code dealing with construction in flood plains. The Flood Plain District includes all special flood hazard areas designated as Zone A, A1-30 on the Holden Flood Insurance Rate Maps, (FIRM), and the Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps, dated July 2, 1981, on file with the Town Clerk, Planning Board and Building Inspector. These maps as well as the accompanying Holden Flood Insurance Study are incorporated herein by reference.
II. DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
The following requirements shall apply within the Flood Plain District:
A. With Zone A, where the base flood elevation is not provided on the FIRM, any applicant for a building permit under the State Building Code shall obtain any existing base flood elevation data and any other available data shall be reviewed by the Building Inspector to determine if any structure being erected, altered or improved complies with the elevation or floodproofing requirements, as appropriate, of the State Building Code.
B. In the floodway, designated on the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map, the following provisions shall apply:
1. All encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements to existing structures, and other development are prohibited unless certification by a registered professional engineer is provided by the owner of the land affected or his agent, or by any applicant for a building permit under the State Building Code, stating that such encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the l00-year flood.
2. Any encroachment meeting the above standards shall comply with the flood plain requirements of the State Building Code.
3. Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and air-conditioning equipment 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.
4. For all new construction and substantial improvements fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are subject to flooding shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters.
Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or must meet or exceed the following minimum criteria: A minimum of two (2) openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided. The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
| 
