Revise and replace section R322 General as follows:
Buildings and structures constructed in whole or in part in flood hazard areas and coastal dunes, and substantial improvement and restoration of substantial damage of buildings and structures in those areas shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions contained in this section. Buildings and structures located in more than one flood hazard area and coastal dunes shall comply with the most restrictive provisions. Buildings and structures located in whole or in part in identified floodways shall be designed and constructed in accordance with ASCE 24 as modified in this code. See section R105.3.1.1 for substantial improvements and damage and see section R309 for garage requirements. Flood hazard areas include the following:
1. AO zones, where shallow flooding exists without waves;4. V zones, where high velocity wave action exists and wave heights are greater than or equal to three feet. The construction documents shall include documentation that is prepared and sealed by a registered design professional that the design and methods of construction to be used meet the applicable criteria of this section.
Revise and replace section R322.1.1 as follows:
R322.1.1Base Flood Elevation, Flood Maps, Delineations and Definitions. For base flood elevation and mapping resources see the following: 1. Flood hazard areas and base flood elevations are identified on a community's current effective Flood Insurance Rate Map ("FIRM") or Flood Hazard Boundary Map ("FHBM"), whichever is applicable, and further defined in the current effective Flood Insurance Study ("FIS") where applicable.2. Floodways are delineated on a community's current effective FIRM or Flood Boundary & Floodway Map, whichever is applicable, and further defined in the current effective FIS.3. If a community has received a preliminary FIRM and FIS from FEMA, and has been issued a Letter of Final Determination ("LFD") from FEMA, the community shall use the preliminary FIRM and FIS to determine applicable flood zones, base flood elevations and floodways as of the date of the LFD.4. Coastal wetlands resource areas are defined on the "Map of Coastal Wetland Resources for Building Officials."Revise section R322.1.1 Alternative provisions to read - "Reserved".
Revise and replace section as follows:
R322.1.4Establishing the Design Flood Elevation. The design flood elevation in Massachusetts shall be as follows:1. For AO Zones, the design flood elevation shall be the elevation of the highest adjacent grade plus the flood depth specified on the FIRM plus two feet or the elevation of the highest adjacent grade plus four feet if no flood depth is specified. See section R322.2 for requirements.2. For A Zones, the design flood elevation shall be the base flood elevation plus two feet. See section R322.2 for requirements.3. For V Zones and coastal A zones, the design flood elevation shall be the base flood elevation plus three feet. See section R322.3 for requirement4. For coastal dunes, see section R322.5 for requirements.Revise and replace section R322.1.5 Lowest Floor as follows:
R322.1.5Lowest Floor and Basement. The lowest floor shall be the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area, including basement, and excluding any unfinished flood-resistant enclosure that is useable solely for vehicle parking, building access or limited storage provided that such enclosure is not built so as to render the building or structure in violation of this section. A basement is the portion of a building, including crawl spaces, having its floor below exterior grade on all sides. This definition of "basement" is limited in application to the provisions of section R322.Revise and replace section R322.1.6 as follows:
R322.1.6Protection of Mechanical, Plumbing and Electrical Systems. Electrical systems, equipment and components; heating, ventilating, air conditioning; plumbing appliances and plumbing fixtures; duct systems; and other service equipment shall be located at or above the elevation required in section R322.2, R322.3 or R322.4. If replaced as part of a substantial improvement, electrical systems, equipment and components; heating, ventilating, air conditioning and plumbing appliances and plumbing fixtures; duct systems; and other service equipment shall meet the requirements of this section. Systems, fixtures, and equipment and components shall not be mounted on or penetrate through walls intended to break away under flood loads. EXCEPTION: Locating electrical systems, equipment and components; heating, ventilating, air conditioning; plumbing appliances and plumbing fixtures; duct systems; and other service equipment? only within flood hazard areas including A and AO Zones is permitted below the elevation required in section R322.2 provided that they are designed and installed to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components and to resist hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and stresses, including the effects of buoyancy, during the occurrence of flooding to the design flood elevation in accordance with ASCE 24. Electrical wiring systems are permitted to be located below the required elevation provided that they conform to the provisions of the electrical part of 780 CMR 51.00: Massachusetts Residential Code for wet locations.
Revise and replace section R322.1.9 as follows:
R322.1.9Manufactured Homes. The bottom of the frame of new and replacement manufactured homes on foundations that conform to the requirements of section R322.2 or R322.3 and R322.4, as applicable, shall be elevated to or above the elevations specified in section R322.2 (flood hazard areas including AO and A Zones) or R322.3 in coastal high-hazard areas (V Zones) and coastal A zones and R322.4 in coastal dunes. The anchor and tie-down requirements of the applicable state or federal requirements shall apply. The foundation and anchorage of manufactured homes to be located in identified floodways shall be designed and constructed in accordance with ASCE 24.780 CMR, ch. 51, ch. 3, R322, R322.1
Amended by Mass Register Issue 1532, eff. 10/11/2024.