These regulations, in combination with the flood provisions
of the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), N.J.A.C. 5:23 (hereinafter
"Uniform Construction Code"), consisting of the Building Code, Residential
Code, Rehabilitation Subcode, and related codes, and the New Jersey
Flood Hazard Area Control Act (hereinafter "FHACA"), N.J.A.C. 7:13,
shall be known as the "Floodplain Management Regulations" of the Village
of Ridgewood (hereinafter "these regulations").
These regulations, in combination with the flood provisions
of the Uniform Construction Code and FHACA, shall apply to all proposed
development in flood hazard areas established in Section 102 of these
regulations.
The purposes and objectives of these regulations are to promote
the public health, safety and general welfare and to minimize public
and private losses due to flood conditions in specific flood hazard
areas through the establishment of comprehensive regulations for management
of flood hazard areas, designed to:
A. Protect human life and health.
B. Prevent unnecessary disruption of commerce, access, and public service
during times of flooding.
C. Manage the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels and
shorelines.
D. Manage filling, grading, dredging and other development which may
increase flood damage or erosion potential.
E. Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers which will
divert floodwater or increase flood hazards.
F. Contribute to improved construction techniques in the floodplain.
G. Minimize damage to public and private facilities and utilities.
H. Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and
development of flood hazard areas.
I. Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding.
J. Ensure that property owners, occupants, and potential owners are
aware of property located in flood hazard areas.
K. Minimize the need for future expenditure of public funds for flood
control projects and response to and recovery from flood events.
L. Meet the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program for
community participation set forth in Title 44 Code of Federal Regulations,
Section 59.22.
Pursuant to the requirement established in N.J.A.C. 5:23, the
Uniform Construction Code, that the Village Council of the Village
of Ridgewood administer and enforce the state building codes, the
Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood does hereby acknowledge
that the Uniform Construction Code contains certain provisions that
apply to the design and construction of buildings and structures in
flood hazard areas. Therefore, these regulations are intended to be
administered and enforced in conjunction with the Uniform Construction
Code.
Improvements defined as ordinary building maintenance and minor work projects by the Uniform Construction Code including nonstructural replacement-in-kind of existing windows, doors, cabinets, plumbing fixtures, decks, walls, partitions, new flooring materials (including carpeting), roofing, etc., shall be evaluated by the Floodplain Administrator through the floodplain development permit process to ensure compliance with the substantial damage and substantial improvement §
154-26 of this chapter. Improvements, including work to finish a basement or create a habitable living area below the base flood elevation is not permissible. Any work being performed below the base flood elevation or in basements shall be evaluated by the Floodplain Administrator for compliance with §
154-26 of this chapter.
The degree of flood protection required by these regulations
is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific
and engineering considerations. Larger floods can and will occur.
Flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes. Enforcement
of these regulations does not imply that land outside the special
flood hazard areas, or that uses permitted within such flood hazard
areas, will be free from flooding or flood damage.
The provisions of these regulations shall not be deemed to nullify
any provisions of local, state, or federal law.
These regulations supersede any ordinance in effect in flood
hazard areas. However, these regulations are not intended to repeal
or abrogate any existing ordinances including land development regulations,
subdivision regulations, zoning ordinances, stormwater management
regulations, or building codes. In the event of a conflict between
these regulations and any other ordinance, code, or regulation, the
more restrictive shall govern.