12-1-3: DEFINITIONS:

Unless specifically defined in this section, words or phrases used in this chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them the meanings they have in common usage and to give this chapter its most reasonable application.

BASE FLOOD: The flood having a one percent (1%) chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.

DEVELOPMENT: Any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate, including, but not limited to, buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations located within the area of special flood hazard.

FLOOD OR FLOODING: A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from:

   A.   The overflow of waters; and/or

   B.   The unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff of surface waters from any source.

MOBILE HOME: A structure that is transportable in one or more sections built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required facilities. The term "mobile home" does not include recreational vehicles or travel trailers.

STRUCTURE: A walled and roofed building or mobile home that is principally aboveground.

SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT: A. Any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the market value of the structure either:

      1.   Before the improvement or repair is started; or

      2.   If the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damages 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.

   B.   The term "substantial improvement" does not, however, include:

      1.   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

      2.   Any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a state inventory of historic places. (1988 Code § 7.36.030)