For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADDITION (TO AN EXISTING BUILDING). Any walled and roofed expansion to the perimeter of a building in which the addition is connected by a common load-bearing wall other than a fire wall. Any walled and roofed addition which is connected by a fire wall or is separated by independent perimeter load-bearing walls is new construction.
APPEAL. A request from a review of the local administrator’s interpretation of any provisions of this chapter or a request for a variance.
AREA OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD. The land in the floodplain within a community subject to a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year.
BASE FLOOD. The flood having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
BASEMENT. The lowest level or story which has its floor subgrade on all sides.
BUILDING. Any structure built for support, shelter or enclosure for any occupancy or storage.
DEVELOPMENT. Any human-made 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.
ELEVATED BUILDING. A non-basement building built to have the lowest floor elevated above the ground level by means to fill, solid foundation perimeter walls, pilings, columns (posts and piers), shear walls or breakaway walls.
FLOOD or FLOODING. 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
(2) The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.
FLOOD HAZARD BOUNDARY MAP (FHBM). The official map issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency where the areas of special flood hazard have been designated as Zone A.
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM). The Official Map of a community on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency has delineated both the areas of special flood hazard and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.
FLOOR. The top surface of an enclosed area in a building (including basement), such as top of slab in concrete slab construction or top of wood flooring in wood frame construction. The term does not include the floor of a garage used solely for parking vehicles.
FUNCTIONALLY DEPENDENT FACILITY. The facility which cannot be used for its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water, such as docking or port facility necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, shipbuilding, ship repair or seafood processing facilities. The term does not include long-term storage, manufacture, sales or service facilities.
HIGHEST ADJACENT GRADE. The highest natural elevation of the ground surface, prior to construction, next to the proposed walls of the structure.
LOWEST FLOOD. 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 chapter.
MANUFACTURED HOMES. A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities. The term also includes park trailers, travel trailers and similar transportable structures placed on a site for 180 consecutive days or longer and intended to be improved property.
MEAN SEA LEVEL. The average height of the sea for all stages of the tide. It is used as a reference for establishing various elevations within the floodplain. For purposes of this chapter, the term is synonymous with NATIONAL GEODETIC VERTICAL DATUM (NGVD).
NATIONAL GEODETIC VERTICAL DATUM (NGVD). As corrected in 1929, a vertical control used as a reference for establishing varying elevations within the floodplain.
NEW CONSTRUCTION. Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of this chapter.
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 or improvement was within 180 days of the permit date. The ACTUAL START means the first placement of permanent construction of a structure (including a manufactured home) on a site such as the pouring of slabs or footings, installation of piles, construction of columns or any work beyond the stage of excavation or the placement of 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.
STRUCTURE. A walled and roofed building that is principally above ground, a manufactured home, a gas or liquid storage tank or other human-made facilities or infrastructures.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT. The cost of any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure, either before the improvement or repair is started or before the damage occurred, if the structure has been damaged and is being restored. 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 inspections 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.
VARIANCE. A grant of relief to a person from the requirements of this chapter which permits construction in a manner otherwise prohibited by this chapter where specific enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship.
(Prior Code, § 151.05) (Ord. passed 1-8-1987)