The below definitions are added to the definitions contained in the 2021 International Residential Code.
ACCESSORY BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES AND USES. A subordinate building or a portion of the main building, the use of which is incidental to, or customarily found in connection with, and (except as otherwise provided in this chapter) located on the same lot as the use of the main building or principal use of the land. Included but not limited to: detached buildings, decks, driveways, patios, and swimming pools.
ACCESSORY USE. A use which is incidental to, or customarily found in connection with, (except as otherwise provided in Chapter 152) on the same lot as the main use of the premises. When ACCESSORY is used in the text, it shall have the same meaning as ACCESSORY USE.
BASE FLOOD. A flood having a 1% probability of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. BASE FLOOD is also known as the 100-YEAR FLOOD.
BASE FLOOD ELEVATION (BFE). The elevation in relation to the mean sea level (National Geodetic Survey Vertical Datum of 1988) of the crest of the base flood. The BASE FLOOD ELEVATION at any location is as determined via the procedures set forth in Table R301.2(1) herein.
BUILDING INTEGRATED SOLAR SYSTEM. A solar energy system that is an integral part of a principal or accessory building, rather than a separate mechanical device, replacing or substituting for an architectural or structural component of the building. Building integrated systems include, but are not limited to, photovoltaic or hot water solar energy systems that are contained within roofing materials, windows, skylights, and awnings.
DRAINAGE FACILITY. Public storm sewers, quasi-public drain tiles, storm water detention areas and the like.
FEMA. Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FLOOD. A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow, the unusual and rapid accumulation, or the runoff of surface waters from any source.
FLOOD FRINGE. That portion of the floodplain outside of the regulatory floodway.
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP. A map prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that depicts the floodplain or Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) within a community. This map includes insurance rate zones and may or may not depict floodways and show base flood elevations.
FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY. An examination, evaluation and determination of flood hazards and, if appropriate, corresponding water surface elevations as prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FLOODPLAIN. Synonymous with Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Those lands within the jurisdiction of the Village of Mahomet that are subject to inundation by the base flood. The floodplains of the County of Champaign and the Village of Mahomet are generally identified on the countywide Flood Insurance Rate Map of Champaign County prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and dated October 2, 2013. FLOODPLAIN also includes those areas of known flooding as identified by the community that are not necessarily shown on the published Flood Insurance Rate Map of Champaign County.
FLOODPROOFING. Any combination of structural or nonstructural additions, changes or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood damage to real estate, property, and their contents.
FLOOD PROTECTION ELEVATION (FPE). The elevation of the base flood plus one foot of freeboard above the base flood elevation at any given location in the floodplain.
FLOODWAY. That portion of the floodplain required to store and convey the base flood. The floodway for the floodplains of the Sangamon River shall be as delineated on the Countywide Flood Insurance Rate Map of Champaign County prepared by FEMA and dated October 2, 2013. The floodways for each of the remaining floodplains within the Village of Mahomet and Champaign County shall be determined according to the best data available from federal, state or other sources.
IDNR/OWR. Illinois Department of Natural Resources/Office of Water Resources.
MISCELLANEOUS WATER. Water generated from systems independent of the water or waste water systems of the structure.
NFIP. National Flood Insurance Program.
OFF-GRID SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM. A photovoltaic solar energy system in which the circuits energized by the solar energy system are not electronically connected in any way to electric circuits that are served by an electric utility company.
PASSIVE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM. A solar energy system that captures solar light or heat without transforming it to another form of energy or transferring the energy via a heat exchanger.
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM. A solar energy system that converts solar energy directly into electricity.
QUASI-PUBLIC DRAIN TILE. A tile installed for the benefit of multiple properties routing sump pump water, roof drain water, and other miscellaneous water to a storm water drainage facility. The tile is maintained by an entity other than the village.
REPETITIVE LOSS. Flood related damages 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 exceed 25% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
RIVERINE SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA. Any Special Flood Hazard Area subject to overbank flooding from a river, creek, stream, ditch or any other identified major channel with an upstream drainage area larger than one square mile in area. This term does not include areas subject to flooding from lakes (except public bodies of water), ponding areas, areas of sheet flow, or other areas not subject to overbank flooding.
ROOF MOUNT. A solar energy system mounted on a rack that is fastened to or ballasted on a structure roof. Roof-mount systems are accessory to the principal use.
ROOF PITCH. The final exterior slope of a roof calculated by the rise over the run, typically but not exclusively expressed in twelfths such as 3/12, 9/12, 12/12.
SOLAR ACCESS. Unobstructed access to direct sunlight on a lot or building through the entire year, including access across adjacent parcel air rights, for the purpose of capturing direct sunlight to operate a solar energy system.
SOLAR CARPORT. A solar energy system of any size that is installed on a carport structure that is accessory to a parking area, and which may include electric vehicle supply equipment or energy storage facilities.
SOLAR ENERGY. Radiant energy received from the sun that can be collected in the form of heat or light by a solar collector.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM. A device, array of devices, or structural design feature, the purpose of which is to provide for generation or storage of electricity from sunlight, or the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for space heating or cooling, daylight for interior lighting, or water heating.
SOLAR HOT AIR SYSTEM. (Also referred to as SOLAR AIR HEAT or SOLAR FURNACE). A solar energy system that includes a solar collector to provide direct supplemental space heating by heating and re-circulating conditioned building air. The most efficient performance includes a solar collector to preheat air or supplement building space heating, typically using a vertically mounted collector on a south-facing wall.
SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEM. A system that includes a solar collector and a heat exchanger that heats or preheats water for building heating systems or other hot water needs, including residential domestic hot water and hot water for commercial purposes.
SOLAR MOUNTING DEVICES. Racking, frames, or other devices that allow the mounting of a solar collector onto a roof surface.
SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA (SFHA). See FLOODPLAIN definition.
SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cumulate percentage of damage subsequent to the adoption of this chapter equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred regardless of actual repair work performed. Volunteer labor and materials must be included in this determination. The term includes REPETITIVE LOSS BUILDINGS.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT. Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or improvement of a structure subsequent to 1987, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure before the improvement or repair is started or increases the floor area by more than 20%. 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. This term includes structures which have incurred repetitive loss or substantial damage, regardless of the actual repair work done. The term does not, however, include 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 any alterations of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Illinois Register of Historic Places, or any other historical significance determination by federal, state, or local historic preservation program approved by the U.S. Department of Interior, provided the improvement will not preclude the continued designation as a historic building or structure.
(Ord. 19-12-15, passed 12-17-2019; Ord. 23-03-03, passed 3-28-2023; Ord. 24-11-01, passed 11-26-2024)
Editor’s note: