§ 3-4. Residential structures.

(a) Elevation.

(1) Every new or substantially improved residential structure, including a manufactured home, must have its lowest floor elevated to at least the flood-protection elevation.

(2) The elevation of the lowest floor and the lowest elevation of machinery serving the structure must be certified on an elevation certificate after the lowest floor and machinery are in place.

(3) Every new or substantially improved residential structure must meet the requirements of § 3-14 {"Enclosures below lowest floor or flood-protection elevation"} of this subtitle.

(b) Placement.

Every proposed structure must be placed on the lot so as to avoid location in the floodplain as much as possible.

(c) Basements.

Basements are not permitted in new structures and substantial improvement of existing structures (including repair of substantial damage).

(d) Enclosures below flood-protection elevation.

Enclosures below the flood-protection elevation shall be:

(1) used solely for parking of vehicles, limited storage and building access;

(2) constructed using flood damage-resistant materials; and

(3) provided with flood openings that meet the criteria listed under § 1-3(a) {"Definitions: Floodproofing"} of this Division I.

(e) Expansions in tidal and nontidal floodplains.

Any horizontal expansion that increases the footprint and that is less than substantial must also have the lowest floor elevated to at least the flood-protection elevation.