This manual will help individuals, communities, states, and others create sustainable, disaster-resistant communities. Describes the best practices in hazard identification, planning, siting, design, and construction that can be used in coastal residential construction. Coastal areas offer significant natural resources and continue to draw an increasing population for recreation, working, and living. These areas can also pose significant natural hazards from winds, flooding, earthquakes, and tsunamis. This manual describes the best practices in residential construction in coastal areas that can be used to help create sustainable and livable coastal communities. Illustrated.

With full color photographs and illustrations, The 2011 Coastal Construction Manual, Fourth Edition (FEMA P-55), is a two-volume publication that provides a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, designing, constructing, and maintaining homes in the coastal environment. The primary audience for this book (Volume II) is the design professional who is familiar with building codes and standards and has a basic understanding of engineering principles. Volume II is not a standalone reference for designing homes in the coastal environment. The designer should have access to and be familiar with the building codes and standards that are discussed in Volume II and listed in the reference section at the end of each chapter. The designer should also have access to the building codes and standards that have been adopted by the local jurisdiction if they di er from the standards and codes that are cited in Volume II. If the local jurisdiction having authority has not adopted a building code, the most recent code should be used. Engineering judgment is sometimes necessary, but designers should not make decisions that will result in a design that does not meet locally adopted building codes.