Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them the meanings they have in common usage and to give this chapter its most reasonable application.
Accessory structure. A structure, which is located on the same parcel of property as the principal structure and the use of which is incidental to the use of the principal structure. Garages, carports and storage sheds are common urban “accessory structures.” Pole barns, hay sheds and the like qualify as “accessory structures” on farms, and may or may not be located on the same parcel as the farm dwelling or shop building.
Addition (to an existing building). An extension or increase in the floor area or height of a building or structure.
Alteration of a watercourse. A dam, impoundment, channel relocation, change in channel alignment, channelization, or change in cross-sectional area of the channel or the channel capacity, or any other form of modification which may alter, impede, retard or change the direction and/or velocity of the riverine flow of water during conditions of the base flood.
Appeal. A request for a review of the Local Floodplain Administrator’s interpretation of any provision of this chapter.
Area of shallow flooding. A designated AO or VO Zone on a community’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) with base flood depths from one to three feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist, where the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate, and where velocity flow may be evident.
Area of special flood hazard. See definition of special flood hazard area (SFHA).
Base flood. The flood having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
Base flood elevation (BFE). A determination as published in the Flood Insurance Study of the water surface elevations of the base flood.
Basement. Any area of the building having its floor subgrade (below ground level) on all sides.
Building. See definition of structure.
Chemical storage facility. A building, portion of a building, or exterior area adjacent to a building used for the storage of any chemical or chemically reactive products.
Design flood. See definition of regulatory flood protection elevation.
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, excavating, or drilling operations or storage of equipment or materials.
Development activity. Any activity defined as development which will necessitate a floodplain development permit. This includes buildings, structures, and non-structural items, including (but not limited to) fill, bulkheads, piers, pools, docks, landings, ramps, and erosion control/stabilization measures.
Digital flood insurance rate map (DFIRM). The digital official map of a community, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), on which both the special flood hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community are delineated.
Disposal. Defined as in G.S. 130A-290(a)(6).
Elevated building. A non-basement building, which has its reference level raised above the ground by means of pilings, columns (posts and piers), or shear walls parallel to the flow of water.
Encroachment. The advance or infringement of uses, fill, excavation, buildings, permanent structures or development into a floodplain, which may impede or alter the flow capacity of a floodplain.
Existing building and existing structure. Any building and/or structure for which the "start of construction" commenced before June 8, 1978.
Existing manufactured home park or subdivision. A manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed before June 8, 1978.
Flood or flooding. A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from:
(1) The overflow of inland or tidal waters; and
(2) The unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff of surface waters from any source.
Flood boundary and floodway map (FBFM). An official map of a community, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, on which the Special flood hazard areas and the floodways are delineated. This official map is a supplement to and shall be used in conjunction with the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
Floodplain development permit. Any type of permit including grading, building, or any other development permit that is required in conformance with the provisions of this chapter prior to the commencement of any development activity.
Flood hazard boundary map (FHBM). An official map of a community, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where the boundaries of the special flood hazard have been defined as Zone A.
Flood insurance. The insurance coverage provided under the National Flood Insurance Program.
Flood insurance rate map (FIRM). An official map of a community, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on which both the special flood hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community are delineated.
Flood insurance study (FIS). An examination, evaluation, and determination of flood hazard areas, corresponding water surface elevations (if appropriate), flood insurance risk zones, and other flood data in a community issued by FEMA. The Flood Insurance Study report includes Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps (FBFMs), if published.
Floodplain or flood prone area. Any land area susceptible to being inundated by water from any source.
Floodplain administrator. The individual appointed to administer and enforce the floodplain management regulations.
Floodplain management. The operation of an overall program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damage and preserving and enhancing, where possible, natural resources in the floodplain, including but not limited to emergency preparedness plans, flood control works, floodplain management regulations and open space plans.
Floodplain management regulations. This chapter and other zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, health regulations, special purpose ordinances, and other applications of police power which control development in flood prone areas. This term describes federal, state or local regulations in any combination thereof, which provide standards for preventing and reducing flood loss and damage.
Flood prone area. See definition of floodplain.
Floodproofing. Any combination of structural and nonstructural additions, changes or adjustments to structures, which reduce or eliminate risk of flood damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitation facilities, or structures with their contents.
Flood-resistant material. Any building product [material, component or system] capable of withstanding direct and prolonged contact (minimum 72 hours) with floodwaters without sustaining damage that requires more than low-cost cosmetic repair. Any material that is watersoluble or is not resistant to alkali or acid in water, including normal adhesives for above-grade use, is not flood-resistant. Pressure-treated lumber or naturally decay-resistant lumbers are acceptable flooring materials. Sheet-type flooring coverings that restrict evaporation from below and materials that are impervious, but dimensionally unstable are not acceptable. Materials that absorb or retain water excessively after submergence are not flood-resistant. Please refer to Technical Bulletin 2, Flood Damage-Resistant Materials Requirements, and available from the FEMA. Class 4 and 5 materials, referenced therein, are acceptable flood-resistant materials.
Floodway. The channel of a river or other watercourse including the area above a bridge or culvert when applicable, 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.
Floodway encroachment analysis. An engineering analysis of the impact that a proposed encroachment into a floodway or non-encroachment area is expected to have on the floodway boundaries and flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge. The evaluation shall be prepared by a qualified North Carolina licensed engineer using standard engineering methods and models.
Flood zone. A geographical area shown on a Flood Hazard Boundary Map or Flood Insurance Rate Map that reflects the severity or type of flooding in the area.
Floor. See definition of lowest floor.
Freeboard. The additional amount of height added to the base flood elevation (BFE) to account for uncertainties in the determination of flood elevations. See also definition of regulatory flood protection elevation.
Functionally dependent facility. A facility which cannot be used for its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water, such as a docking or port facility necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, shipbuilding, or ship repair. The term does not include long-term storage, manufacture, sales or service facilities.
Hazardous waste management facility. A facility for the collection, storage, processing, treatment, recycling, recovery or disposal of hazardous waste as defined in G.S. Chapter 130A, Article 9.
Highest adjacent grade (HAG). The highest natural elevation of the ground surface, prior to construction, next to the proposed walls of a structure.
Historic structure. Any structure that is:
(1) Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the United States Department of Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register;
(2) Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of Interior as contributing to the historical significance of a registered historic district or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district;
(3) Individually listed on a state inventory of historic places; or
(4) Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified either by an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of Interior, or directly by the Secretary of Interior in states without approved programs.
Letter of map change (LOMC). An official determination issued by FEMA that amends or revises an effective Flood Insurance Rate Map or Flood Insurance Study. Letters of Map Change include:
(1) Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA): An official amendment, by letter, to an effective National Flood Insurance Program map. A LOMA is based on technical data showing that a property had been inadvertently mapped as being in the floodplain, but is actually on natural high ground above the base flood elevation. A LOMA amends the current effective Flood Insurance Rate Map and establishes that a specific property, portion of a property, or structure is not located in a special flood hazard area;
(2) Letter of Map Revision (LOMR): A revision based on technical data that may show changes to flood zones, flood elevations, special flood hazard area boundaries and floodway delineations, and other planimetric features;
(3) Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F): A determination that a structure or parcel of land has been elevated by fill above the BFE and is, therefore, no longer located within the special flood hazard area. In order to qualify for this determination, the fill must have been permitted and placed in accordance with the community's floodplain management regulations;
(4) Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR): A formal review and comment as to whether a proposed project complies with the minimum NFIP requirements for such projects with respect to delineation of special flood hazard areas. A CLOMR does not revise the effective Flood Insurance Rate Map or Flood Insurance Study; upon submission and approval of certified asbuilt documentation, a Letter of Map Revision may be issued by FEMA to revise the effective FIRM.
Light duty truck. Any motor vehicle rated at 8,500 pounds gross vehicular weight rating or less which has a vehicular curb weight of 6,000 pounds or less and which has a basic vehicle frontal area of 45 square feet or less as defined in 40 CFR 86.082-2 and is:
(l) Designed primarily for purposes of transportation of property or is a derivation of such a vehicle, or
(2) Designed primarily for transportation of persons and has a capacity of more than 12 persons; or
(3) Available with special features enabling off-street or off-highway operation and use.
Lowest adjacent grade (LAG). The elevation of the ground, sidewalk, patio slab immediately next to the building, or deck support, after completion of the building.
Lowest floor. Subfloor, top of slab or grade of the lowest enclosed area (including basement). An unfinished or flood resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement area is not considered a building’s “lowest floor,” provided that such an enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of the applicable non-elevation design requirements of this chapter.
Manufactured home. A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities. The term “manufactured home” does not include a recreational vehicle.
Manufactured home park (MHP) or subdivision. A parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.
Market value. The building value, excluding the land (as agreed to between a willing buyer and seller), as established by what the local real estate market will bear. “Market value” can be established by independent certified appraisal, replacement cost depreciated by age of building (actual cash value) or adjusted assessed values.
New construction. Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of the original version of this chapter and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures.
Nonconforming building or use. Any legally existing building or use which fails to comply with the current provisions of this chapter.
Non-conversion agreement. A document stating that the owner will not convert or alter what has been constructed and approved. Violation of the agreement is considered a violation of the ordinance and, therefore, subject to the same enforcement procedures and penalties. The agreement must be filed with the recorded deed for the property. The agreement must show the clerk's or recorder's stamps and/or notations that the filing has been completed.
Non-encroachment area. 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 as designated in the Flood Insurance Study report.
Obstruction. Includes but is not limited to any dam, wall, wharf, embankment, levee, dike, pile, abutment, protection, excavation, channelization, bridge, conduit, culvert, building, wire, fence, rock, gravel, refuse, fill, structure, vegetation or other material in, along, across or projecting into any watercourse which may alter, impede, retard or change the direction and/or velocity of the flow of water, or due to its location, its propensity to snare or collect debris carried by the flow of water, or its likelihood of being carried downstream.
Post-firm. Construction or other development, which started on or after January 1, 1975, or on or after the effective date of the initial Flood Insurance Rate Map for the area, whichever is later.
Pre-firm. Construction or other development, which started before January 1, 1975 or before the effective date of the initial Flood Insurance Rate Map for the area, whichever is later.
Principally above ground. At least 51% of the actual cash value of the structure is above ground.
Public safety and/or nuisance. Anything which is injurious to the safety or health of an entire community or neighborhood, or any considerable number of persons, or unlawfully obstructs the free passage or use, in the customary manner, of any navigable lake, or river, bay, stream, canal or basin.
Recreational vehicle (RV). A vehicle, which is:
(1) Built on a single chassis;
(2) Four hundred square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection;
(3) Designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck; and
(4) Designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as a temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel or seasonal use.
(5) Is fully licensed and ready for highway use.
Reference level. The portion of a structure or other development that must be compared to the regulatory flood protection elevation to determine regulatory compliance of the building. Within special flood hazard areas designated as Zones A1-A30, AE, A, A99, AO or AH, the reference level is the top of the lowest floor or lowest attendant utility (including ductwork), whichever is lower.
Regulatory flood protection elevation. The elevation to which all structures and other development located within the special flood hazard areas must be elevated or floodproofed, if nonresidential.
(1) In “Special Flood Hazard Areas” where base flood elevations (BFEs) have been determined, this elevation shall be at least the BFE plus two (2) feet for all structures and other development.
(2) In “Special Flood Hazard Areas” where no BFE has been established, this elevation shall be at least two (2) feet above the highest adjacent grade.
Remedy a violation. To bring the structure or other development into compliance with state or local floodplain management regulations, or, if this is not possible, to reduce the impacts of its noncompliance. Ways that impact may be reduced include protecting the structure or other affected development from flood damages, implementing the enforcement provisions of this chapter or otherwise deterring future similar violations, or reducing federal financial exposure with regard to the structure or other development.
Repetitive loss structure. Any insurable building for which two or more claims of more than $ 1,000 were paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) within any rolling ten-year period, since 1978. A RL property may or may not be currently insured by the NFIP.
Retrofitting. Measures, such as floodproofing, elevation, construction of small levees, and other modifications, taken on an existing building or its yard to protect it from flood damage.
Riverine. Relating to, formed by, or resembling a river (including tributaries), stream, brook and the like.
Salvage yard. Property used for the storage, collection and/or recycling of any type of equipment whatsoever, whether industrial or noncommercial, and including but not limited to vehicles, appliances and related machinery.
Special flood hazard area (SFHA). The land in the floodplain subject to a 1% or greater chance of being flooded in any given year as determined in section 9-6-3(B) of this chapter.
Solid waste disposal facility. Any facility involved in the disposal of solid waste, as defined in G.S. 130A-290(a)(35).
Solid waste disposal site. Defined as in G.S. 130A-290(a)(36).
Start of construction. Includes substantial improvements, and the date the building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, placement, or other improvement was within 180 days of the permit date. The actual start means either the first placement of permanent construction of a structure (including a manufactured home) on a site, such as the pouring of slabs or footings, installation of piles, construction of columns, or any work beyond the stage of excavation or the placement of a manufactured home on a foundation. 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 part of the main structure. For a substantial improvement, the actual “start of construction” means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor or other structural part of the building, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the building.
Structure. For floodplain management purposes, a walled and roofed building, a manufactured home, or a gas or liquid storage tank, or that is principally above ground.
Substantial damage. Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure during any one-year period to its before damaged condition would equal or exceed 49% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred. See definition of substantial improvement. “Substantial damage” also means flood-related damage sustained by a structure on two separate occasions during a ten-year period for which the cost of repairs at the time of each such flood event, on the average, equals or exceeds 25% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
Substantial improvement. Any combination of repairs, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or other improvement of a structure, taking place during any one-year period whereby the cost of which equals or exceeds 49% of the market value of the structure before the start of construction of the improvement. This term includes structures which have incurred substantial damage, regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include either:
(1) Any project of improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health, sanitary or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
(2) Any alteration of a historic structure, provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure’s continued designation as a historic structure.
Technical bulletin and technical fact sheet. A FEMA publication that provides guidance concerning the building performance standards of the NFIP, which are contained in Title 44 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations at Section 60.3. The bulletins and fact sheets are intended for use primarily by State and local officials responsible for interpreting and enforcing NFIP regulations and by members of the development community, such as design professionals and builders. New bulletins, as well as updates of existing bulletins, are issued periodically as needed. The bulletins do not create regulations; rather they provide specific guidance for complying with the minimum requirements of existing NFIP regulations. It should be noted that technical bulletins and technical fact sheets provide guidance on the minimum requirements of the NFIP regulations. State or community requirements that exceed those of the NFIP take precedence. Design professionals should contact the community officials to determine whether more restrictive State or local regulations apply to the building or site in question. All applicable standards of the State or local building code must also be met for any building in a flood hazard area.
Temperature controlled. Having the temperature regulated by a heating and/or cooling system, built-in or appliance.
Variance. A grant of relief from the requirement of this chapter that permits construction in a manner otherwise prohibited by this chapter where specific enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship.
Violation. The failure of a structure or other development to be fully compliant with the community’s floodplain management regulations. A structure or other development without the elevation certificate, other certifications or other evidence of compliance required in sections 9-6-4 and 9-6-5 is presumed to be in violation until such time as the documentation is provided.
Watercourse. A lake, river, creek, stream, wash, channel or other topographic feature on or over which waters flow at least periodically. “Watercourse” includes specifically designated areas in which substantial flood damage may occur.
Water surface elevation (WSE). The height, in relation to NAVD 1988, of floods of various magnitudes and frequencies in the floodplains of coastal or riverine areas.
(Ord. No. 03-123, passed 12-15-2003; Ord. No. 14-031, passed 5-8-2014; Ord. No. 20-022, passed 5-18-2020; Ord. No. 22-056, passed 6-9-2022)