Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this Chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them the meaning they have in common usage and to give this Chapter its most reasonable application.
APPEAL: A request for a review of the City's interpretation of any provision of this Chapter or a request for a variance.
AREA OF SHALLOW FLOODING: A designated AO or AH Zone on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). The base flood depths range from one foot (1') to three feet (3'); a clearly defined channel does not exist; the path of the 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 a one percent (1%) or greater chance of flooding in any given year.
BASE FLOOD: The flood having a one percent (1%) chance of being equalled or exceeded in any given year.
DEVELOPMENT: Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, 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 (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two (2) 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 hereof.
EXPANSION TO AN 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 pads, or the construction of streets).
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP: The official map on which the Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.
FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY: The official report provided by the Federal Insurance Administration that includes flood profiles, the Flood Boundary-Floodway Map, and the water surface elevation of the base flood.
FLOOD or FLOODING: A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from:
(A) The overflow of inland or tidal waters; and/or
(B) The unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff surface waters from any source.
FLOODWAY: The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot (1').
HABITABLE FLOOR: Any floor usable for living purposes, which includes working, sleeping, eating, cooking or recreation, or a combination thereof. A floor used only for storage purposes is not a "habitable floor".
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 vehicles or travel trailers.
NEW CONSTRUCTION: Structures for which the "start of construction" commenced on or after the effective date hereof.
NEW MOBILE HOME PARK or MOBILE HOME SUBDIVISION: A parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two (2) 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 hereof.
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 on the 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 (other than a mobile home) 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 home parks or mobile home subdivisions, "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 completed.
STRUCTURE: A walled and roofed building or mobile home that is principally above ground.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT: Any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the market value of a structure either:
(A) Before the improvement or 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.
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 alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a State Inventory of Historic Places.
VARIANCE: A grant of relief from the requirements of this Chapter which permits construction in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited by this Chapter. (Ord. 174, 11-4-80)