(A) The purpose of this chapter is to secure the public safety, promote health and general welfare, minimize property damage, encourage appropriate construction practices to minimize future damage, and to protect water supply, sanitary sewage disposal, and natural drainage. The Maryland General Assembly, in Md. Code, Land Use Article, Title 4, has established as policy of the state that the orderly development and use of land and structures requires comprehensive regulation through the implementation of planning and zoning control, and that planning and zoning controls shall be implemented by local government in order to, among other purposes, secure the public safety, promote health and general welfare, and promote the conservation of natural resources.
(B) These regulations are not intended to repeal or abrogate any existing regulations and ordinances, including subdivision regulations, zoning ordinances, building codes, or any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. In the event of a conflict between these regulations and any other ordinance, the more restrictive shall govern.
(C) Floodplains are an important asset to the community. They perform vital natural functions such as temporary storage of flood waters, moderation of peak flood flows, maintenance of water quality, prevention of erosion, provision of habitat for diverse natural wildlife populations, and improved aesthetics. These functions are best served if all floodplains are kept in their natural state. The natural characteristics of floodplains and their associated wetlands and water bodies should be preserved and enhanced.
(D) This chapter provides a unified, comprehensive approach to floodplain management, which addresses the following: natural floodplain functions, the federal and state programs concerned with floodplain management, and correction of existing deficiencies in the program.
(E) Should any section or provision of these regulations be declared by the courts to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the regulations as a whole, or any part thereof, other than the part so declared to be unconstitutional or invalid.
(2004 Code, § 114-1) (Ord. 04-04, passed 4-5-2004; Ord. 2014-10, passed 10-30-2014; Ord. 2015-07, passed 9-3-2015)