For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AREA OF SHALLOW FLOODING. A designated AO 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. The land in the floodplain within a community subject to a 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 human-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.
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; or
(2) The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.
FLOOD HAZARD AREA. Land which on the basis of available floodplain information is subject
to a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given area.
FLOOD HAZARD BOUNDARY MAP (FHBM). An official map of a community, issued by the Federal Insurance Administration, where the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazards have been designated as Zone A.
FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY. The official report provided by the Federal Insurance Administration. The report contains flood profiles, as well as the flood hazard boundary-floodway map and the water surface elevation of the base flood.
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM). An official map of a community, on which the Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.
FLOODPLAIN. Any land area susceptible to being inundated by water from any source (see definition of FLOOD).
FLOODWAY. The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas designated in the flood insurance study which must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood.
HARMFUL INCREASE. An unnaturally high stage on a river, stream, or lake which causes, or may cause damage to property, threat to life, personal injury, or damage to land or water resources.
MOBILE 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. 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 of this chapter.
STRUCTURE. A walled and roofed building that is principally above ground, gas, or liquid storage facility, as well as a mobile home.
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 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, flood, or other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure.
(2) The term does not, however, include either:
(a) Any project of 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.
(1984 Code, § 6-06-020) (Ord. 145, passed 11-20-1984)