This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of the Township of Franklin.
[Amended 2-4-1988 by Ord. No. 88-2; 6-11-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-06; 9-24-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-06A]
A. 
The areas of special flood hazard for the Township of Franklin, Community No. 340507, are identified and defined on the following documents prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency:
(1) 
A scientific and engineering report "Flood Insurance Study, Hunterdon County, New Jersey (All Jurisdictions)," dated September 25, 2009.
(2) 
Flood Insurance Rate Map for Hunterdon County, New Jersey (All Jurisdictions), as shown on index and panel numbers 34019C0118F, 34019C0227F, 34019C0229F, 34019C0230F, 34019C0231F, 34019C0235F, 34019C0236F, 34019C0238F, 34019C0240F, 34019C0242F, 34019C0245F, whose effective date is September 25, 2009.
B. 
The above documents are hereby adopted and declared to be a part of this chapter. The Flood Insurance Study and maps are on file at the Municipal Building, 202 Sidney Road, Pittstown, New Jersey 08867.
No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted or altered without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations. Violation of the provisions of this chapter by failure to comply with any of its requirements, including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with conditions, shall constitute a misdemeanor. Any person who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to the penalties set forth in Chapter 1, Article I, General Penalty, for each violation, and, in addition, shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Township of Franklin from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.
This chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate or impair any existing easements, covenants or deed restrictions. However, where this chapter and any other ordinance, easement, covenant or deed restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.
In the interpretation and application of this chapter, all provisions shall be:
A. 
Considered as minimum requirements.
B. 
Liberally construed in favor of the governing body.
C. 
Deemed neither to limit nor repeal any other powers granted under state statutes.
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 area of special flood hazards or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the Township of Franklin, any officer or employee thereof or the Federal Insurance Administration for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made hereunder.