For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
APPEAL. A request for a review of the Director of Building and Safety Inspections interpretation of any provisions of this article or a request for a variance.
AREA OF SHALLOW FLOODING. A designated VO zone on the flood insurance rate map (FIRM). The base flood depths range from one to three feet; a clearly defined channel does not exist; the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate; and velocity flow may be evident.
AREA OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD. The land in the flood plain within a community subject to 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year.
BASE FLOOD. The flood having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
DEVELOPMENT. Any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations located within the area of special flood hazard.
EXISTING MOBILE HOME PARK or MOBILE HOME SUBDIVISION. A parcel of land (or contiguous parcels of land) divided into two or more mobile home lots for rent or sale for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lot on which the mobile home is to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads, and the construction of streets) is completed before the effective date of this article.
EXPANSION TO EXISTING MOBILE HOME PARK or MOBILE HOME SUBDIVISION. The preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the mobile homes are to be affixed (including the installation of utilities, either final site grading or pouring of concrete or the construction of streets).
FLOOD or FLOODING. A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land area from:
(1) The overflow of inland or tidal waters; and/or
(2) The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM). The official map on which the Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the areas of special flood hazard and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.
FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY. The official report provided in which the Federal Insurance Administration has provided flood profiles, as well as the flood insurance rate maps and the water surface elevation of the base flood.
HABITABLE FLOOR. Any floor usable for living purposes, which include working, sleeping, eating, cooking or recreation, or a combination thereof. A floor used only for storage purposes is not a HABITABLE FLOOR.
NEW CONSTRUCTION. Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of this article.
NEW MOBILE HOME PARK or MOBILE HOME SUBDIVISION. A parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two or more mobile home lots for rent or sale for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lot (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads, and the construction of streets) is completed on or after the effective date of this article.
MOBILE HOME. A structure that is transportable in one or more sections, built on a permanent chassis, and designed to be used with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities. It does not include recreational or travel trailers.
START OF CONSTRUCTION. The first placement of permanent construction of a structure (other than a mobile home) on a site, such as the pouring of slabs or footings or any work beyond the stage of excavation. Permanent construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading and filling, nor does it include the installation of streets and/or walkways; nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings, piers or foundations or the erection of temporary forms, nor does it include the installation of property of accessory buildings, such as garages, or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not as part of the main structure. For a structure without a basement or poured footings, the START OF CONSTRUCTION includes the first permanent framing or assembly of the structure or any part thereof on its piling or foundation. For mobile homes not within a mobile home park or mobile home subdivision, START OF CONSTRUCTION means the affixing of the mobile home to its permanent site. For mobile homes within mobile home parks or mobile home subdivision, START OF CONSTRUCTION is the date on which the construction of facilities for servicing the site on which the mobile home is to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the construction of streets, either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads), and installation of utilities is complete.
STRUCTURE. A walled and roofed building, a mobile home or a gas or liquid storage tank, that is principally above ground.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT.
(1) Any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure either:
a. Before the improvement means any repair is started; or
b. If the structure has been damaged and is being restored before the damage occurred. For the purposes of this definition “substantial improvement” is considered to occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor or other structural part of the building commences, whether or not the alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure.
(2) The term does not, however, include either:
a. Any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing State or local health, sanitary or safety code specifications which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
b. Any alterations of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a State Inventory of Historic Places.
VARIANCES. A grant of relief from the requirements of this article which permits construction in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited by this article.
(Ord. 2787, passed 12-22-1980; Ord. 2789, passed 2-23-1981)