For the purpose of this article the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BREAKAWAY WALL or FRANGIBLE WALL. A partition independent of supporting structural members that will withstand design wind forces, but will fail under hydrostatic, wave, and runup forces associated with the design storm surge. Under such conditions, the wall shall fail in a manner such that it breaks up into components that will minimize the potential for damage to life or adjacent property.
CONSTRUCTION. Any work or activity which is likely to have a material physical effect on existing coastal conditions or natural shore and inlet preservation.
MAJOR STRUCTURE. Residential buildings; commercial, institutional, industrial and other construction having the potential for substantial impact on coastal zones.
MINOR STRUCTURE. Pile-supported, elevated dune and beach walkover structures; beach access ramps and walkways; stairways; pile-supported elevated viewing platforms, gazebos, and boardwalks; lifeguard support stands; public and private bathhouses; sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, shuffleboard courts, tennis courts, handball courts, racquetball courts, and other uncovered paved areas; earth retaining walls; sand fences, privacy fences, ornamental walls, ornamental garden structures, aviaries, and other ornamental construction. It shall be a characteristic of minor structures that they are considered to be expendable under design, wind, wave, and storm forces.
NONHABITABLE MAJOR STRUCTURE. Swimming pools; parking garages; pipelines; piers; canals, lakes, ditches, drainage structures, and other
water retention structures; water and sewage treatment plants; electrical power plants, transmission and distribution lines, transformer pads, vaults, and substations; roads, bridges, streets, and highways; underground storage tanks; communications buildings and towers; flagpoles and signs over 15 feet in height.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT.
(1) Any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds a cumulative total of 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.
(2) 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 the alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure. The term does not, however, include either 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 alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the State Inventory of Historic Places.
(Ord. 86-3, passed 2-25-86; Am. Ord. 87-04, passed 3-10-87; Am. Ord. 2017-05, adopted 12-20-17)