(A) Any combination of repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or improvement of a building or structure if the cumulative cost of the entire project equals or exceeds 50%, unless a higher standard option is selected below, of the market value of the structure only (not of the structure and land value combined) before the improvement or repair is started, then the work shall be considered as substantial improvement. If the structure has sustained substantial damage, any repairs are considered SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS regardless of the actual repair work performed. For substantial damage, refer to § 151.52 of this chapter.
(B) The term does not, however, include either:
(1) Any project for improvement of a building required to correct existing health, sanitary or safety code violations identified by the Building Official and that are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
(2) Any alteration of a historic structure provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure’s continued designation as a historic structure.
(Ord. 2020-12-1, passed 12-14-2020)