(a) Words used in the present tense include the future tense; and the singular includes the plural, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary.
(b) The term "shall" is always mandatory and not discretionary; the word "may" is permissive.
(c) Any word or term not interpreted or defined in this chapter shall be used with a meaning of common or standard utilization, so as to give these rules and regulations their most reasonable application.
(d) "Development area" means any contiguous (abutting) area owned by one person or operated as one development unit and used or being developed for nonfarm commercial, industrial, residential or other nonfarm purposes upon which earth-disturbing activities are planned or underway.
(e) "Drainage area" means:
(1) The contributing area to a single drainage basin, expressed in acres, square miles, or other unit or area. Also called catchment area, watershed and river basin; or
(2) The area served by a drainage system receiving storm and surface water or by a watercourse.
(f) "Earth-disturbing activity" means any grading, excavating, filling or other alteration of the earth's surface where natural or man-made ground cover is destroyed and which may result in increased rate and/or volume of runoff and/or contribute to erosion and sediment pollution.
(g) "Flood" means a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas.
(h) "Persons" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, agency, unincorporated association, municipal corporation, except the City of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, county or state agency, the federal government, or any combination thereof.
(i) "Post-development" means the state of condition of the earth's surface after development has occurred. Other terms are developed, future and after development.
(j) "Pre-development" means that state of condition of the earth's surface averaged over the last five years prior to development. Other terms are developed, present and before development.
(k) "Storm drainage system" means the surface and subsurface system for the removal of water from the land, including both the natural elements of streams, gullies, ravines, marshes, swales, and ponds whether of an intermittent or continuous nature and man-made elements which include conduits and appurtenant features, culverts, ditches, channels, storage facilities, streets and the storm sewer system.
(l) "Stormwater management facilities" means the drainage system and control facilities necessary to meet the runoff criteria of these regulations.
(Ord. 122-9. Passed 2-21-94.)