A. In accordance with A.R.S. § 48-3609(I), unless expressly provided otherwise, this and any regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter do not affect:
1. Existing legal uses of property or the right to continuation of such legal use. However, if a nonconforming use of land or a building or structure is discontinued for 12 months, or destroyed to the extent of 50% of its value as determined by a competent appraiser, any further use shall comply with this article and regulations of the town;
2. Reasonable repair or alteration of property for the purposes for which the property was legally used on July 9, 1974, or any regulations affecting such property takes effect, except that any alteration, addition or repair to a nonconforming building or structure which would result in increasing its flood damage potential by 50% or more shall be either floodproofed or elevated to or above the regulatory flood elevation;
3. Reasonable repair of structures constructed with the written authorization required by A.R.S. § 48-3613; and
4. Facilities constructed or installed pursuant to a certificate of environmental compatibility issued pursuant to A.R.S. title 40, chapter 2, article 6.2.
B. Before the following types of construction authorized by A.R.S. § 48-3613(B) begin, the responsible person must submit plans for the construction to the floodplain board for review and comment pursuant to A.R.S. § 48-3613(C):
1. The construction of bridges, culverts, dikes and other structures necessary to the construction of public highways, roads and streets intersecting or crossing a watercourse;
2. The construction of storage dams for watering livestock or wildlife, structures on banks of a watercourse to prevent erosion of or damage to adjoining land if the structure will not divert, retard or obstruct the natural channel of the watercourse or dams for the conservation of floodwaters as permitted by A.R.S. title 45, chapter 6;
3. Construction of tailing dams and waste disposal areas for use in connection with mining and metallurgical operations. This paragraph does not exempt those sand and gravel operations that will divert, retard or obstruct the flow of waters in any watercourse from complying with and acquiring authorization from the floodplain board pursuant to regulations adopted by the floodplain board under this chapter;
4. Other construction upon determination by the floodplain board that written authorization is unnecessary;
5. Any flood control district, county, city, town or other political subdivision from exercising powers granted to it under A.R.S. title 48, chapter 21, article 1;
6. The construction of streams, waterways, lakes and other auxiliary facilities in conjunction with development of public parks and recreation facilities by a public agency or political subdivision; and
7. The construction and erection of poles, towers, foundations, support structures, guy wires and other infrastructure related to power transmission as constructed by any utility whether a public service corporation or a political subdivision. Buildings, stations, and other similar structures however must comply with standards set forth in this code for non-residential structures.
C. In accordance with A.R.S. § 48-3613(D), in addition to other penalties or remedies otherwise provided by law, this state, a political subdivision or a person who may be damaged or has been damaged as a result of the unauthorized diversion, retardation or obstruction of a watercourse has the right to commence, maintain and prosecute any appropriate action or pursue any remedy to enjoin, abate or otherwise prevent any person from violating or continuing to violate this section or regulations adopted pursuant to A.R.S. § 48-3613. If a person is found to be in violation of this section, the court shall require the violator to either comply with this section if authorized by the floodplain board or remove the obstruction and restore the watercourse to its original state. The court may also award such monetary damages as are appropriate to the injured parties resulting from the violation including reasonable costs and attorney fees.
Ordinance 2022.006 amended Section 17-15-4