(a) Lands to which chapter applies. This article shall apply to all lands within the city identified as numbered and unnumbered A Zones, AE, AO and AH Zones, on the Index Map dated June 18, 1980 of the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) as amended and any future revisions thereto. In all areas covered by this chapter, no development shall be permitted except through the issuance of a floodplain development permit, granted by the City Commission, or its duly designated representative under such safeguards and restrictions as the City Commission or the designated representative may reasonably impose for the promotion and maintenance of the general welfare, health of the inhabitants of the community, and as specifically noted in § 16-404.
(b) Compliance. No development located within the special flood hazard areas of this community shall be located, extended, converted or structurally altered without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations.
(c) Abrogation and greater restrictions. It is not intended by this article to repeal, abrogate or impair any existing easements, covenants or deed restrictions. However, where this article imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this article shall prevail. All other articles inconsistent with this article are hereby repealed to the extent of the inconsistency only.
(d) Interpretation. In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this article shall be held to be minimum requirements, shall be liberally construed in favor of the governing body, and shall not be deemed a limitation or repeal of any other powers granted by state statutes.
(e) Warning and disclaimer of liability. The degree of flood protection required by this article is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on engineering and scientific methods of study. Larger floods may occur on rare occasions or the flood heights may be increased by human-made or natural causes, such as ice jams and bridge openings restricted by debris. This chapter does not imply that areas outside the floodway and flood fringe or land uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damage. This chapter shall not create a liability on the part of, any officer or employee thereof, for any flood damages that may result from reliance on this article or any administrative decision lawfully made there under.
(Ord. 1977, passed 6-12-2014)