177.03   GENERAL PROVISIONS.
1.   Lands to Which Ordinance Apply. The provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to all lands within the jurisdiction of the City of Altoona shown on the Official Floodplain Zoning Map as being within the boundaries of the Floodway, Floodway Fringe, General Floodplain and Shallow Flooding (Overlay) Districts, as established in Section 177.05.
2.   Establishment of Official Floodplain Zoning Map. The Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Polk County and Incorporated Areas, City of Altoona, Panels 19153C0210F, 220F, 230F, 0240F, 0245F, 0380F, 0385F dated February 1st, 2019, which were prepared as part of the Flood Insurance Study for Polk County, is (are) hereby adopted by reference and declared to be the Official Floodplain Zoning Map. The flood profiles and all explanatory material contained with the Flood Insurance Study are also declared to be a part of this ordinance.
3.   Rules for Interpretation of District Boundaries. The boundaries of the zoning district areas shall be determined by scaling distances on the Official Floodplain Zoning Map. When an interpretation is needed as to the exact location of a boundary, the City Engineer shall make the necessary interpretation. The Board of Adjustment shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged that there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the City Engineer in the enforcement or administration of this Ordinance.
4.   Compliance. No structure or land shall hereafter be used and no structure shall be located, extended, converted or structurally altered without full compliance with the terms of this Ordinance and other applicable regulations which apply to uses within the jurisdiction of this Ordinance.
5.   Abrogation and Greater Restrictions. It is not intended by this Ordinance to repeal, abrogate or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this Ordinance imposes greater restrictions, the provision of this Ordinance shall prevail. All other ordinances inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of the inconsistency only.
6.   Interpretation. In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this Ordinance shall be held to be minimum requirements and shall be liberally construed in favor of the governing body and shall not be deemed a limitation or repeal of any other powers granted by State statutes.
7.   Warning and Disclaimer of Liability. The standards required by this Ordinance are considered reasonable for regulatory purposes. This Ordinance does not imply that areas outside the designated Floodplain (Overlay) District areas will be free from flooding or flood damages. This Ordinance shall not create liability on the part of the City of Altoona or any officer or employee thereof for any flood damages that result from reliance on this Ordinance or any administrative decision lawfully made there under.
8.   Severability. If any section, clause, provision or portion of this Ordinance is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Ordinance shall not be affected thereby.