For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply. In the event of conflict between any provision of this chapter and another provision of any other chapter of this Building Code, or any other provision of the Codified Ordinances, or Federal and State laws adopted by reference therein, the specific shall control over the general and the more restrictive shall govern over the less restrictive.
(a) "Accessory structure" means a structure on the same lot with, and of a nature customarily incidental and subordinate to, the principal structure.
(b) "Area of special flood hazard" means the land in the flood plain within a community subject to a one percent (1%) or greater chance of flooding in any given year.
(c) "Base flood" means the flood having a one percent (1%) chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
(d) "Development" means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including, but not limited to, buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavating or drilling operations located within the area of special flood hazard.
(e) "Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)" means the agency with the overall responsibility for administering the National Flood Insurance Program.
(f) "Flood" or "flooding" means a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from:
(1) The overflow of inland or tidal waters; and/or
(2) The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.
(g) "Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)" means an official map on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency has delineated the areas of special flood hazard.
(h) "Flood Insurance Study" means the official report in which the Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided flood profiles and the water surface elevations of the base flood.
(i) "Flood way" means the channel of a 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 one (1) foot.
(j) "Lowest floor" means 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.
(k) "New construction" means structures for which the "start of construction" commenced on or after the effective date of this section.
(l) "Start of construction" means the date the building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, placement or other improvement was within 180 days of the permit date. The actual start means either the first placement of permanent construction of a structure on the 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. 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.
(m) "Structure" , for purposes of this chapter, means a walled and roofed building, or gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground.
(n) "Substantial improvement" means 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 damage 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. The term does not, however, include either:
(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, or which is designated a City of Streetsboro Landmark.
(Ord. 1999-02. Passed 1-11-99.)