(a) Lands to which this chapter applies. This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the City as identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency referenced in Section 1127.03(b), including any additional areas of special flood hazard annexed by the City.
(b) Basis for establishing the areas of special flood hazard. The areas of special flood hazard have been identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a scientific and engineering report entitled "Flood Insurance Study for the City of Springfield, Ohio." This study, with accompanying Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps and/or Flood Insurance Rate Maps dated December 3, 1987, and, for areas annexed by the City, the "Flood Insurance Study for Clark County, Ohio (Unincorporated areas)," with accompanying Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps and/or Flood Insurance Rate Maps dated July 2, 1987. These studies and maps, and any revisions thereto, are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter. The Flood Insurance Study is on file at the Community Development Department, 76 East High Street, Springfield, Ohio.
(c) Compliance. No structure or land shall hereafter be located, erected, constructed, reconstructed, repaired, extended, converted, enlarged or altered without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and all other applicable regulations which apply to uses within the jurisdiction of this chapter, unless specifically exempted from filing for a development permit as stated in Section 1127.04(b).
(d) Abrogation and greater restrictions. This chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this chapter and another chapter, easement, covenant, or deed restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.
(e) Interpretation. In the interpretation and application of this chapter, all provisions shall be:
(1) Considered as minimum requirements;
(2) Liberally construed in favor of the governing body to accomplish the regulation's intended purpose; and,
(3) Deemed neither to limit nor repeal any other powers granted under state statutes. Where a provision of this chapter is in conflict with a state law, such state law shall take precedence over the chapter.
(f) Warning and disclaimer of liability. The degree of flood protection required by this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering considerations. Larger floods can and will occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by man made or natural causes. This chapter does not imply that land outside the areas of special flood hazard or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damage. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the City, any officer or employee thereof, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for any flood damage that results from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.