(A) Intent. This is an overlay district placed over any zoning district within a designated flood area. It is the purpose of this section to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare and to minimize losses due to flood hazards by applying the provisions of this section to:
(1) Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety, or property in times of flooding or cause undue increases in flood heights or velocities;
(2) Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including public facilities that serve such uses, be provided with flood protection at the time of initial construction;
(3) Protect individuals from buying lands that are unsuited for intended purposes because of flood hazard; and
(4) Assure that eligibility is maintained for property owners in the community to purchase flood insurance in the National Flood Insurance Program.
(B) General provisions.
(1) Lands to which section applies. This section shall apply to all lands within the jurisdiction of the city identified on the flood insurance rate map (FIRM) as numbered and unnumbered A Zones (including AE, AO, and AH Zones) and within the Zoning Districts FW and FF established in division (D) below or by a floodplain study prepared by FEMA and the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission. In all areas covered by this section, no development shall be permitted except upon the issuance of a floodplain permit to develop under such safeguards and restrictions as the city may reasonably impose for the promotion and maintenance of the general welfare, health of the inhabitants of the community, and where specifically noted in divisions (E), (F), and (G) below.
(2) The Zoning Administrator. The Mayor and City Council shall designate a person as the Zoning Administrator under this section.
(3) Rules for interpretation of district boundaries. The boundaries of the Floodway and Flood Fringe Overlay Districts shall be determined by scaling distances on the official zoning map or on the flood insurance rate map or floodway map or on the floodplain study, prepared by FEMA and the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission. Where interpretation is needed to the exact location of the boundaries of the districts as shown on the official zoning map, as for example, where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions, the Zoning Administrator shall make the necessary interpretation. In such cases where the interpretation is contested, the Board of Adjustment will resolve the dispute. The regulatory flood elevation for the point in question shall be the governing factor in locating the district boundary on the land. The person contesting the location of the district boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to present their case to the Board of Adjustment and to submit their own technical evidence, if they so desire.
(4) Compliance. Within the identified special flood hazard areas of this community, no development shall be located, extended, converted, or structurally altered without full compliance with the terms of this section and other applicable regulations.
(5) Abrogation and greater restrictions. It is not intended by this section to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existent easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this section imposes greater restrictions, the provision of this section shall prevail. All other ordinances inconsistent with this section are hereby repealed to the extent of the inconsistency only.
(6) Interpretation. In the interpretation and application, the provisions of this section shall be held to be minimum requirements and 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.
(7) Warning and disclaimer of liability. The degree of flood protection required by this section 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 height may be increased by humanmade or natural causes, such as ice jams and bridge openings restricted by debris. This section does not imply that areas outside Floodway and Flood Fringe District boundaries or land uses permitted within such districts will be free from flooding or flood damage. This section shall not create liability on the part of the city or any officer or employee thereof for any flood damages that may result from reliance on this section or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
(8) Severability. If any section, clause, provision or portion of this section is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this section shall not be affected thereby.
(9) Appeal. Where a request for a permit to develop or a variance is denied by the Zoning Administrator, the applicant may apply for such permit or variance directly to the Board of Adjustment.
(C) Development permit.
(1) Permit required. No person, firm, or corporation shall initiate any floodplain development or substantial improvement or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a separate permit for development as required in these regulations.
(2) Administration. The Zoning Administrator shall administer and implement the provisions of this section. Duties of the Zoning Administrator shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) Review all development permit applications to assure that sites are reasonably safe from flooding and that the permit requirements of this chapter have been satisfied;
(b) Review applications for proposed development to assure that all necessary permits have been obtained from those federal, state, or local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required;
(c) Notify adjacent communities and the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
(d) Assure that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse so that the flood carrying capacity is not diminished;
(e) Verify, record, and maintain record of the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new or substantially improved structures in special flood hazard areas;
(f) Verify, record, and maintain record of the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) to which new or substantially improved structures have been flood proofed; and
(g) When flood proofing is utilized for a particular structure, the Zoning Administrator shall be presented with a certification from a registered professional engineer or architect.
(3) Application for permit. To obtain a floodplain development permit, the applicant shall first file an application in writing on a form furnished for that purpose. Every such application shall:
(a) Identify and describe development to be covered by the floodplain development permit;
(b) Describe the land on which the proposed development is to be done by lot, block, tract, and house and street address, or similar description that will readily identify and definitely locate the proposed building or development;
(c) Indicate the use or occupancy for which the proposed development is intended;
(d) Be accompanied by plans and specifications for proposed construction;
(e) Be signed by the permittee or his or her authorized agent who may be required to submit evidence to indicate such authority; and
(f) Give such other information as reasonably may be required by the Zoning Administrator.
(D) Establishment of zoning districts. Along watercourses where a floodway has been established, the mapped floodplain areas are hereby divided into the two following districts: Floodway Overlay District (FW) and Flood Fringe Overlay District (FF), as identified as the 100-year flood outline or floodway, on the floodplain map(s). Within these districts, all uses not meeting the standards of this section and those standards of the underlying zoning district shall be prohibited.
(E) Standards for floodplain development.
(1) No permit for development shall be granted for new construction, substantial improvements, and other development(s), including the placement of manufactured homes within all numbered and unnumbered A zones including AE, AO, and AH zones, or the 100-year floodplain, unless the conditions of this section are satisfied.
(2) All areas identified as unnumbered A zones on the FIRM are subject to inundation of the base flood; however, the water surface elevation was not provided. The unnumbered A zones shall be subject to all development provisions of the Flood Fringe Overlay District. If flood insurance study data is not available, the community shall utilize any base flood elevation or floodway data currently available from federal, state, and other sources.
(3) Within a floodway, no development or substantial improvement may be permitted unless the applicant has demonstrated that the proposed development or substantial improvement, when combined with all other existing and reasonably anticipated developments or substantial improvements, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any location.
(4) All utility and sanitary facilities shall be elevated or flood proofed up to the regulatory flood protection elevation.
(5) Storage of material and equipment:
(a) The storage or processing of materials that are in time of flooding buoyant, flammable, explosive, or could be in injurious to human, animal, or plant life is prohibited.
(b) Storage of other material or equipment may be allowed if not subject to major damage by floods and firmly anchored to prevent flotation or if readily removable from the area within the time available after flood warning.
(6) Subdivision proposals and other proposed new development, including manufactured home parks or subdivisions, shall be required to assure that all such proposals are consistent with the need to minimize flood damage; all public utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems are located, elevated, and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage, that adequate drainage is provided so as to reduce exposure to flood hazards; and proposals for development (including proposals for manufactured home parks and subdivision) of five acres or 50 lots, whichever is lesser include within such proposals the base flood elevations.
(F) FF Flood Fringe Overlay District, including AO and AH Zones.
(1) Permitted uses. Any use permitted in the Floodway Overlay District shall be permitted in the Flood Fringe Overlay District. No use shall be permitted in the District unless the standards for floodplain development are met.
(2) Standards for the Flood Fringe Overlay District. The following standards shall be met:
(a) Require new construction or substantial improvements of residential structures to have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above one-foot above the base flood elevation;
(b) Require new construction or substantial improvements of non-residential structures to have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above one-foot above the base flood elevation or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, to be flood proofed so that below that level the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy. A registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the standards of this subsection are satisfied. Such certification shall be provided to the Zoning Administrator as set forth in division (C)(2) above;
(c) Require for all new construction and substantial improvements that fully-enclosed areas below the lowest floor that are usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage in an area other than a basement, and which are subject to flooding shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria: a minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided. The bottom of all openings shall be not higher than one foot above grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters;
(d) Within AH zones, adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes shall be required in order to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.
(e) Manufactured homes:
1. All manufactured homes shall be anchored to resist floatation, collapse, or lateral movement. Manufactured homes must be anchored in accordance with local building codes or FEMA guidelines. In the event that over-the-top frame ties to ground anchors are used, the following specific requirements (or their equivalent) shall be met:
a. Over-the-top ties be provided at each of the four corners of the manufactured home, with two additional ties per side at intermediate locations and manufactured homes less than 50 feet long requiring one additional tie per side;
b. Frame ties be provided at each corner of the home with five additional ties per side at intermediate points and manufactured homes less than 60 feet long requiring four additional ties per side;
c. All components of the anchoring system be capable of carrying a force of 4,800 pounds; and
d. Any additions to the manufactured home are similarly anchored.
2. Require that all manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved within special flood hazard areas on the community’s FIRM on sites:
a. Outside of manufactured home park or subdivision;
b. In a new manufactured home park or subdivision;
c. In a subdivision to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision; or
d. In an existing manufactured home park or subdivision on which a manufactured home has incurred “substantial damage” as the result of a flood, be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is at or above one-foot above the base flood elevation; and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system in accordance with the provisions of division (F)(2)(e)1.a. above.
3. Require that manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved on sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision within special flood hazard areas on the community’s FIRM that are not subject to the provisions of division (F)(2)(e)1.b. above be elevated so that either:
a. The lowest floor of the manufactured home is at or above one-foot above the base flood elevation; or
b. The manufactured home chassis is supported by reinforced piers or other foundation elements of at least equivalent strength that are no less than 36 inches in height above grade; and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system in accordance with the provisions of division (F)(2)(e)1.a. above.
(f) Recreational vehicles placed on sites within the special flood hazard areas on the community’s official map shall either be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days; be fully licensed and ready for highway use; or meet the permit requirements and the elevation and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes of this section. A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick-disconnect type utilities and security devices, and has no permanently attached additions.
(g) Located within the areas of special flood hazard established in § 153.005 of this chapter are areas designated as AO Zones. These areas have special flood hazards associated with base flood depths of one to three feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist and where the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate; therefore, the following provisions apply within AO Zones:
1. All new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as one-foot above the depth number specified in feet on the community’s FIRM (at least two feet if no depth number is specified).
2. All new construction and substantial improvements of non-residential structures shall:
a. Have the lowest floor elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as one-foot above the depth number specified in feet on the community’s FIRM (at least two feet if no depth number is specified); or
b. Together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be completely flood proofed to or above that level so that any space below that level is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads of buoyancy. Such certification shall be provided to the official as set forth in division (C)(2) above.
3. Adequate drainage paths mound structures on slopes shall be required in order to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.
(3) Minimum standards governing location of obstructions and substantial improvements in the floodplains for the base flood. The following minimum standards shall apply when an obstruction is to be located or substantially improved within the floodplain of a base flood. In the event of a conflict between the following minimum standards and those in the standards for floodplain development section.
(a) Appurtenant structures used exclusively for storage of motor vehicles, and storage of other items readily removable in the event of a flood warning may have their lowest floor below one foot above the base flood elevation, provided the structure is capable of withstanding hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces caused by the base flood, and provided that no utilities are installed in the structure except elevated or flood proofed electrical fixtures.
(b) If the structure is converted to another use, it must be brought into full compliance with the minimum standards governing such use.
(G) FW Floodway Overlay District.
(1) Permitted uses. Only uses having a low flood damage potential and not obstructing flood flows shall be permitted within the Floodway District to the extent that they are not prohibited by any other ordinance. The following are recommended uses for the Floodway District:
(a) Agricultural uses, such as general farming, pasture, nurseries, and forestry;
(b) Residential uses, such as lawns, gardens, parking, and play areas;
(c) Non-residential areas, such as loading areas, parking, and airport landing strips; and
(d) Public and private recreational use, such as golf courses, archery ranges, picnic grounds, parks, wildlife, and nature preserves.
(2) Standards for the Floodway Overlay District. New structures for human habitation are prohibited. All encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development must be prohibited unless certification by a registered professional engineer or architect is provided demonstrating that the development shall not result in any increase in water surface elevations along the floodway profile during occurrence of the base flood discharge. These uses are subject to the standards in divisions (E) and (F) above. In Zone A unnumbered, obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any flood elevation and floodway data available through federal, state, and other sources, or from base flood elevations included in development proposals, in meeting the standards of this section.
(H) General provisions of the Floodplain FF and FW Overlay Districts.
(1) Variance procedures.
(a) The Board of Adjustment, as herein established by the city, shall hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from the requirements of this section.
(b) The Board of Adjustment shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged that there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the Zoning Administrator in the enforcement or administration of this section.
(c) Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Board of Adjustment may appeal such decision to the District Court as provided in Neb. RS 19-912.
(d) In passing upon such applications, the Board of Adjustment shall consider all technical evaluation, all relevant factors, and standards specified in this section:
1. The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others;
2. The danger to life and property due to flooding or erosion damage;
3. The susceptibility of proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owner;
4. The importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the community;
5. The necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable;
6. The availability of alternative locations, not subject to flooding or erosion damage, for the proposed use;
7. The compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development;
8. The relationship of the proposed use to the Comprehensive Plan and floodplain management program for that area;
9. The safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles;
10. The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise, and sediment transport of the flood waters and the effects of wave action, if applicable, expected at the site; and
11. The costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions, including maintenance and repair of public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems, and streets and bridges.
(2) Conditions for variances.
(a) Generally, variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of one-half acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level, providing divisions (H)(2)(b) through (H)(2)(e) below have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the one-half acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.
(b) Variances may be issued for the repair or rehabilitation of historic structures upon a determination that the proposed repair or rehabilitation will not preclude the structure’s continued designation as a historic structure and the variance is the minimum necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the structure.
(c) Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief.
(d) Variances shall only be issued upon a showing of good and sufficient cause; a determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant; and a determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.
(e) Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given a written notice that the cost of flood insurance will be commensurate with the increased risk resulting from the reduced lowest floor elevation.
(3) Nonconforming use.
(a) A structure or the use of a structure or premises which was lawful before the passage or amendment of the ordinance, but which is not in conformity with the provisions of this chapter may be continued subject to the following conditions:
1. If such use is discontinued for 12 consecutive months, any future use of the building premises shall conform to this chapter. The Utility Department shall notify the Zoning Administrator in writing of instances of nonconforming uses where utility services have been discontinued for a period of 12 months.
2. Uses or adjuncts thereof that are or become nuisances shall not be entitled to continue as nonconforming uses.
(b) If any nonconforming use or structure is destroyed by any means, including flood, it shall not be reconstructed if the cost is more than 50% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred except that if it is reconstructed in conformity with the provisions of this section. This limitation does not include the cost of any alteration to comply with existing state or local health, sanitary, building, or safety codes or regulations, or the cost of any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a State Inventory of Historic Places.
(4) Abrogation and greater restrictions. It is not intended by this section to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existent easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this section imposes greater restrictions, the provision of this section shall prevail. All other ordinances inconsistent with this section are hereby repealed to the extent of the inconsistency only.
(5) Interpretation. In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this section shall be held to be minimum requirements and 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.
(6) Warning and disclaimer of liability. The degree of flood protection required by this section 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 height may be increased by humanmade or natural causes, such as ice jams and bridge openings restricted by debris. This section does not imply that areas outside floodplain district boundaries or land uses permitted within such districts will be free from flooding or flood damage. This section shall not create liability on the part of city or any officer or employee thereof for any flood damages that may result from reliance on this section or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
(7) Separability. If a court of competent jurisdiction adjudges any section, clause, provision, or portion of this section unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this section shall not be affected thereby.
(8) Conflicting ordinances. This section shall take precedence over conflicting ordinances or parts of ordinances. The governing body of the city may, from time to time, amend this section to reflect any and all changes in the National Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, being 42 U.S.C. §§ 4001 et seq. The regulations of this section are in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program Regulations as published in C.F.R. Title 44 and the 1983 Nebraska Floodplain Management laws found in Article 10, Chapter 31 at Neb. RS 31-1001 to 31-1023.
(9) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
100-YEAR FLOOD. The condition of flooding having 1% chance of annual occurrence and is referred to as flood fringe.
APPEAL. A request for a review of the Zoning Administrator interpretation of any provision of this section or a request for a variance.
APPURTENANT STRUCTURE. A structure on the same parcel of property as the principal structure, the use of which is incidental to the use of the principal structure.
AREA OF SHALLOW FLOODING. A designated AO or AH zone on a community’s flood insurance rate map (FIRM) with a 1% or greater annual chance of flooding to an average depth of one to three feet where a clearly defined channel is unpredictable, and where velocity flow may be evident. Such flooding is characterized by pending or sheet flow.
BASE FLOOD. The flood having 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
BASEMENT. Any area of the building having its floor subgrade (below ground level) on all sides.
DEVELOPMENT. Any humanmade 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, or storage of equipment or materials.
EXISTING CONSTRUCTION. For the purpose of determining rates, structures for which the START OF CONSTRUCTION commenced before the effective date of the FIRM or before January 1, 1975, for FIRM’s effective before that date. EXISTING CONSTRUCTION may also be referred to as an “existing structure”.
EXISTING MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION. A manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is complete before the effective date of the floodplain management regulations adopted by a community,
EXPANSION OF EXISTING MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION. The preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed before the effective date of these floodplain management regulations.
FLOOD or FLOODING. A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow of inland or tidal water, or the usual and rapid accumulation of run-off of surface waters from any source.
FLOOD FRINGE. The area of the floodplain, outside of the floodway, that on the average is likely to be flooded once every 100 years (such as, that has a 1% chance of flood occurrence in any one year).
FLOOD MAP. Floodplain study prepared by the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission.
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM). An official map of a community, on which the Administrator has delineated both the special flood hazards areas and the risk premium applicable to the community.
FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY. The official report provided by he Federal Emergency Management Agency. The report contains flood profiles, as well as the flood boundary floodway map and the water surface elevation of the base flood.
FLOOD PROOFING. A combination of structural and non-structural additions, changes or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary facilities, structures, and their contents.
FLOODPLAIN. Any land area susceptible to being inundated by water from any source (see definition of FLOODING).
FLOODWAY or REGULATORY FLOODWAY. The channel of the river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than a designated height.
FREEBOARD. A factor of safety usually expressed in feet above a flood level for purposes of floodplain management. FREEBOARD tends to compensate for the many unknown factors that could contribute to flood heights greater than the height calculated for a selected size flood and floodway conditions, such as wave action, clogged bridge openings, and the hydrological effect of urbanization of the watershed.
HIGHEST ADJACENT GRADE. The highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.
HISTORIC STRUCTURE. Any structure that is listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register; certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historical significance of a registered historic district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district; individually listed on a state inventory of historic places in states with historic preservation programs which have been approved by the Secretary of the Interior; or individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified either by an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior; or directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs.
LOWEST FLOOR. The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement). An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage, in an area other than a basement area, is not considered a building’s LOWEST FLOOR, provided that such enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of the applicable non-elevation design requirements of this section.
MANUFACTURED HOME. A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when attached to the required utilities. MANUFACTURED HOME does not include a “recreational vehicle”.
MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION. A parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.
NEW CONSTRUCTION. For floodplain management purposes, structures for which the START OF CONSTRUCTION commenced on or after the effective date of the floodplain management regulation adopted by a community and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures.
NEW MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION. A manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed on or after the effective date of floodplain management regulations adopted by a community.
OVERLAY DISTRICT. A district in which additional requirements act in conjunction with the underlying zoning district(s). The original zoning district designation does not change.
PRINCIPALLY ABOVE GROUND. At least 51% of the actual cash value of the structure is above ground.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. A vehicle which is built on a single chassis; 400 square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection; designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light-duty truck; and designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.
REGULATORY FLOOD ELEVATION. The water surface elevation of the 100-year flood.
SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA. The land in the floodplain within a community subject to 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year.
START OF CONSTRUCTION. For other than new construction or substantial improvements under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, being 16 U.S.C. §§ 3501 et seq., includes substantial improvement, and means the date the building permit was issued, provided the actual START OF CONSTRUCTION, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, placement, or other improvement was within 180 days of the permit date. The actual start means the first placement of permanent construction of a structure on a site, such as the pouring of slab or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns, or any work beyond the stage of excavation; or the placement of a manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading, and filling; nor does it include the installation of streets and/or walkways; nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings, piers, or foundations or the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main structure. For a substantial improvement, the actual START OF CONSTRUCTION means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of a building, whether or not the alteration affects the external dimensions of the building.
STRUCTURE. A walled and roofed building that is principally above ground, as well as a manufactured home, and a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground.
SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT. Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure before START OF CONSTRUCTION of the improvement. This includes structures that have incurred SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include either any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions; or any alteration of a HISTORIC STRUCTURE, provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure’s continued designation as a HISTORIC STRUCTURE.
VARIANCE. A grant of relief to a person from the terms of a floodplain management ordinance.
VIOLATION. The failure of a structure or other development to be fully compliant with the community’s floodplain management regulations.
(Ord. 667, passed 12-3-2014) Penalty, see § 153.999