Unless specifically defined below, words and 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.
(a) "Accessory structure" means a structure on the same lot with, and of a nature customarily incidental and subordinate to, the principal structure.
(b) "Appeal" means a request for a review of the Building Inspector's interpretation of any provision of this chapter.
(c) "Area of special flood hazard" means the land in the flood plain within a community subject to a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year.
(d) "Base flood" means the flood having a one percent chance of being equalled or exceeded in any given year. The base flood also has an average frequency of occurrence of once in 100 years and therefore may also be referred to as the 100-year flood.
(e) "Development" means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including, but not limited to, buildings or other structures, and mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavating or drilling operations located within the area of special flood hazard.
(f) “Flood” and “flooding” mean 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/or
(2) The unusual and rapid accumulation of run-off of surface waters from any source.
(g) "Floodway" means the channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that shall be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one-half foot at any point.
(h) "Lowest floor" means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including the 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.
(i) "New construction" means structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of this chapter.
(j) "Structure" means a walled and roofed building that is principally above ground.
(k) "Substantial improvement" is defined as follows:
(1) Any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty percent of the fair 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, floor, 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 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, or with respect to which a variance has been granted under Section 1345.03(e).
(l) “Variance” means 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. 1992-101. Passed 1-14-92.)
(Ord. 1992-101. Passed 1-14-92.)