Chapter 405 Flood Damage Prevention

Cross Reference — As to requirement of paid taxes prior to any application for rezoning or other development related activities, §135.030.

Section 405.010 Statutory Authorization And Title.

[Ord. No. 25-0406, 12-4-2025[1]]

The Legislature of the State of Missouri has in Section 64.090, RSMo., delegated the responsibility to local governmental units to adopt floodplain management regulations designed to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the public. Therefore, pursuant to the Revised Statutes of the State of Missouri and the Home Rule Charter of Jefferson County, Missouri, the Jefferson County, Missouri, Council hereby adopts this Chapter to be known as the "Jefferson County, Missouri, Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance."

[1]

Editor's Note: Former Chapter 405, containing Sections 405.010 through 405.090, was repealed by Ord. No. 25-0406, 12-4-2025. Prior history includes: Ord. No. 10-0221; Ord. No. 19-0289; Ord. No. 22-0116; and Ord. No. 25-0339.

Section 405.020 Findings Of Fact And Purposes.

[Ord. No. 25-0406, 12-4-2025]

Flood Losses Resulting From Periodic Inundation. The special flood hazard areas of Jefferson County, Missouri, are subject to inundation which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base; all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.

General Causes Of The Flood Losses. These flood losses are caused by:

The cumulative effect of development in any delineated floodplain causing increases in flood heights and velocities; and

The occupancy of flood hazard areas by uses vulnerable to floods, hazardous to others, inadequately elevated, or otherwise unprotected from flood damages.

Methods Used To Analyze Flood Hazards. The Flood Insurance Study (FIS) that is the basis of this Chapter uses a standard engineering method of analyzing flood hazards, which consist of a series of interrelated steps.

Selection of a base flood that is based upon engineering calculations, which permit a consideration of such flood factors as its expected frequency of occurrence, the area inundated, and the depth of inundation. The base flood selected for this Chapter is representative of large floods, which are characteristic of what can be expected to occur on the particular streams subject to this Chapter. The base flood is the flood that is estimated to have a one percent (1%) chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year as delineated on the Federal Insurance Administrator's FIS, and illustrative materials Jefferson County dated October 2, 2025, as amended, and any future revisions thereto.

Calculation of water surface profiles are based on a standard hydraulic engineering analysis of the capacity of the stream channel and overbank areas to convey the regulatory flood.

Computation of a flood way required to convey this flood without increasing flood heights more than one (1) foot at any point.

Delineation of floodway encroachment lines within which no development is permitted that would cause any increase in flood height.

Delineation of flood fringe, i.e., that area outside the floodway encroachment lines, but still subject to inundation by the base flood.

Section 405.030 Statement Of Purpose.

[Ord. No. 25-0406, 12-4-2025]

It is the purpose of this Chapter to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of the public; to minimize those losses described in Section 405.020(A); to establish or maintain the Jefferson County's eligibility for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as defined in 44 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 59.22(a)(3); and to meet the requirements of 44 CFR § 60.3(d) by applying the provisions of this Chapter to:

Restrict or prohibit uses that are dangerous to health, safety, or property in times of flooding or cause undue increases in flood heights or velocities;

Require uses vulnerable to floods, including public facilities that serve such uses, be provided with flood protection at the time of initial construction; and

Protect individuals from buying lands that are unsuited for the intended development purposes due to the flood hazard.

Section 405.040 General Provisions.

[Ord. No. 25-0406, 12-4-2025]

Lands To Which Chapter Applies. This Chapter shall apply to all lands within the jurisdiction of Jefferson County, Missouri, identified as numbered and unnumbered A Zones, AE, AO, and AH Zones, on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panel numbers 29099CIND1C and 29099CIND2C dated October 2, 2025, as amended, and any future revisions thereto. In all areas covered by this Chapter, no development shall be permitted except through the issuance of a floodplain development permit, granted by the Director or its duly designated representative under such safeguards and restrictions as the Director or the designated representative may reasonably impose for the promotion and maintenance of the general welfare, health of the inhabitants of Jefferson County and as specifically noted in Section 405.060.

Compliance. No development located within the special flood hazard areas of the County shall be located, extended, converted, or structurally altered without full compliance with the terms of this Chapter and other applicable regulations.

Abrogation And Greater Restrictions. It is not intended by this Chapter to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this Chapter imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this Chapter shall prevail. All other ordinances inconsistent with this Chapter are hereby repealed to the extent of the inconsistency only.

Interpretation. In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this Chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements, shall be liberally construed in favor of the governing body, and shall not be deemed a limitation or repeal of any other powers granted by Missouri Statutes.

Warning And Disclaimer Of Liability. The degree of flood protection required by this Chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on engineering and scientific methods of study. Larger floods may occur on rare occasions, or the flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes, such as ice jams and bridge openings restricted by debris. This Chapter does not imply that areas outside the floodway and flood fringe or land uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damage. This Chapter shall not create a liability on the part of Jefferson County, Missouri, any officer or employee thereof, for any flood damages that may result from reliance on this Chapter, or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.

Severability. If any Section, clause, provision, or portion of this Chapter is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, the remainder of this Chapter shall not be affected thereby.

Section 405.050 Administration.

[Ord. No. 25-0406, 12-4-2025]

Floodplain Development Permit. A floodplain development permit shall be required for all proposed construction or other development, including the placement of manufactured homes, in the areas described in Section 405.040(A). No person, firm, corporation, or unit of government subject to the jurisdiction of Jefferson County, Missouri, shall initiate any development or substantial improvement or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a separate floodplain development permit for each structure or other development.

Designation Of Floodplain Administrator. The Director of the Jefferson County Department of County Services and Code Enforcement Division or his/her designee (hereinafter the "Director") is hereby appointed to administer and implement the provisions of this Chapter.

Duties And Responsibilities Of Director. Duties of the Director, shall include, but not be limited to:

Review of all applications for floodplain development permits to assure that sites are reasonably safe from flooding and that the floodplain development permit requirements of this Chapter have been satisfied;

Review of all applications for floodplain development permits for proposed development to assure that all necessary permits have been obtained from Federal, State, or local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required by Federal, State, or local law;

Review all subdivision proposals and other proposed new development, including manufactured home parks or subdivisions, to determine whether such proposals will be reasonably safe from flooding;

Issue floodplain development permits for all approved applications;

Notify adjacent communities and the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (MoSEMA) prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA);

Assure that the flood carrying capacity is not diminished and shall be maintained within the altered or relocated portion of any watercourse;

Verify and maintain a record of the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the lowest floor, including basement, of all new or substantially-improved structures within a special flood hazard area;

Verify and maintain a record of the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) that the new or substantially-improved non-residential structures within a special flood hazard area have been flood proofed;

When floodproofing techniques are utilized for a particular non-residential structure, the Floodplain Administrator shall require certification from a Missouri registered professional engineer or architect;

10.

Review of all variance requests and assume responsibility to grant or deny a variance request in accordance with Section 405.070.

Application For Floodplain Development Permit. To obtain a floodplain development permit, the applicant shall first file an application through the County's permit application system furnished for that purpose. Every floodplain development permit application shall:

Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by lot, block and tract, house and street address, or similar description that will readily identify and specifically locate the proposed structure or work;

Identify and describe the work to be covered by the floodplain development permit;

Indicate the use or occupancy for which the proposed work is intended;

Indicate the fair market value of the structure and the fair market value of the improvement;

Specify whether development is located in designated special flood hazard area;

Identify the existing base flood elevation and the elevation of the proposed development;

Give such other information as reasonably may be required by the Director;

Be accompanied by plans and specifications for proposed construction, including a site plan for the subject property;

Be signed by the permittee or his/her authorized agent who may be required to submit evidence to indicate such authority;

10.

Be signed by a professional engineer or surveyor licensed in the State of Missouri; and

11.

Be accompanied by any required local, State and Federal permits.

Section 405.060 Provisions For Flood Hazard Reduction.

[Ord. No. 25-0406, 12-4-2025]

General Standards.

No permit for floodplain development shall be granted for new construction, substantial improvements, and other improvements, including the placement of manufactured homes, within any numbered or unnumbered A Zones, AE, AO, and AH Zones, unless the conditions of this Section are satisfied.

All areas identified as unnumbered A Zones on the FIRM are subject to inundation of the one percent (1%) annual chance (aka 100-year) flood; however, the base flood elevation is not provided. Development within unnumbered A Zones is subject to all provisions of this Chapter. If Flood Insurance Study data is not available, the County shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation or floodway data currently available from Federal, State, or other sources.

Until a floodway is designated, no new construction, substantial improvements, or other development, including fill, shall be permitted within any unnumbered or numbered A Zones, or AE Zones on the Jefferson County's FIRM, unless it is determined by an engineering flood study or an engineering certification based on reliable data acceptable to the Director that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other existing and anticipated development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one (1) foot at any point within the County.

All new construction, subdivision proposals, substantial improvements, prefabricated structures, placement of manufactured homes, and other developments shall require:

Design or adequate anchorage to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy;

Construction with materials resistant to flood damage;

Utilization of methods and practices that minimize flood damages;

All electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air-conditioning equipment, and other service facilities be designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding;

New or replacement water supply systems and/or sanitary sewage systems be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharges from the systems into flood waters, and on-site waste disposal systems be located so as to avoid impairment or contamination; and

Subdivision proposals and other proposed new development, including manufactured home parks or subdivisions, located within special flood hazard areas are required to assure that:

(1)

All such proposals are consistent with the need to minimize flood damage;

(2)

All public utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems are located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage;

(3)

Adequate drainage is provided so as to reduce exposure to flood hazards; and

(4)

All proposals for development, including proposals for manufactured home parks and subdivisions, include within such proposals base flood elevation data including elevations for the lowest floor of a proposed structure and elevation of land after proposed fill for all lots affected by the special flood hazard area.

(5)

Proposed development that alters the floodplain shall require an engineering study to determine the floodway. Documentation of the changes as determined by the engineering study to the floodplain/floodway boundaries shall be submitted to FEMA as the appropriate LOMC prior to this signing of the record plat or prior to final release of a guarantee agreement for the development; and

(6)

Floodplain development permits shall be required on all development, including structures in an altered floodplain/floodway, until FEMA has approved a LOMR-F removing the development/structure from the floodplain/floodway.

Storage, Material, And Equipment.

The storage or processing of materials within the special flood hazard area that are in time of flooding buoyant, flammable, explosive, or could be injurious to human, animal, or plant life is prohibited.

Storage of other material or equipment may be allowed if not subject to major damage by floods, if firmly anchored to prevent flotation, or if readily removable from the area within the time available after a flood warning.

Accessory Structures. Structures used solely for parking and limited storage purposes, not attached to any other structure on the site, of limited investment value, and not larger than four hundred (400) square feet, may be constructed at-grade and wet-floodproofed; provided, there is no human habitation or occupancy of the structure; the structure is of single-wall design; the accessory structure meets the following floodplain management requirements; and a floodplain development permit has been issued. Wet-floodproofing is only allowed for small low-cost structures.

Agricultural Structures. Structures used solely for agricultural purposes in connection with the production, harvesting, storage, drying, or raising of agricultural commodities, including the raising of livestock, may be constructed at-grade and wet-floodproofed; provided, there is no human habitation or occupancy of the structure; the structure is of single-wall design; there is no permanent retail, wholesale, or manufacturing use included in the structure; the structure meets the following floodplain management requirements; and a floodplain development permit has been issued.

Critical Facilities.

All new or substantially-improved critical non-residential facilities, including, but not limited to, governmental buildings, Police stations, fire stations, hospitals, orphanages, penal institutions, communication centers, water and sewer pumping stations, water and sewer treatment facilities, transportation maintenance facilities, places of public assembly, emergency aviation facilities, and schools shall be elevated above the 500-year flood level or together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be floodproofed so that below the 500-year flood level the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy. A registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the standards of this Subsection are satisfied. Such certification shall be provided to the Director as set forth in Section 405.050(C)(9).

All critical facilities shall have access routes that are above the elevation of the 500-year flood.

No critical facilities shall be constructed in any designated floodway.

Hazardous Materials.

All hazardous material storage and handling sites shall be located out of the special flood hazard area and above the 500-year flood elevation. Refer to Section 405.100 for the definition of a "Hazardous Material."

10.

Non-Conforming Use. A structure, or the use of a structure or premises that was lawful before the passage or amendment of the Chapter, but which is not in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter, may be continued subject to the following conditions:

If such structure, use, or utility service is discontinued for six (6) consecutive months, any future use of the building shall conform to this Chapter.

If any non-conforming use or structure is destroyed by any means, including flood, it shall not be reconstructed if the cost is more than fifty percent (50%) of the pre-damaged market value of the structure. This includes structures covered by flood insurance. The costs to repair must be calculated for full repair to before-damage condition, even if the owner elects to do less. This limitation does not include the cost of any alteration to comply with existing State or local health, sanitary, building, safety codes, regulations or the cost of any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the State Inventory of Historic Places, or local inventory of historic places upon determination.

When it is proposed for a non-conforming structure to be remodeled, renovated, rehabilitated, added to or in any way improved, the total cost of the proposed modifications must be evaluated for substantial improvement. If the total costs of improvement are fifty percent (50%) or more of the building value, the building must come into compliance with this Chapter. Total costs include all structural elements, all interior finishing elements, all utility and service equipment, demolition of storm-damaged building components, labor and costs associated with moving or altering undamaged building components, built-in appliances, hardware, in addition to profit and overhead.

Building value is the market value of the structure only. Land and exterior improvements, such as swimming pools, pool enclosures, accessory structures, landscaping, paving, fencing, etc., must be excluded.

The construction costs to be calculated for both substantial damage and substantial improvement include both the structural and finish or labor and materials. This includes lighting fixtures, built-in appliances, interior moldings, paneling, tiling, wall-to-wall carpet over subflooring, built-in cabinets, etc. The cost to demolish undamaged building components must be established and included. Overhead and profit are also to be included, but not the cost of permits.

If the FIRMs are revised and the flood elevations increase, the fifty-percent rule will apply to structures built before the adoption of the revised FIRMs. All additions to such structures must be elevated above the new BFE, whether or not they are substantial improvements.

In any 5-year period, the total costs of all separate permits for the same structure are considered a single improvement and repair project. This period runs from the date of issuance of the certificate of occupancy/certificate of completion, not from the date the building permit was issued. Should the total costs amount to fifty percent (50%) or more of the building value, the building shall be brought into compliance as if it were new construction.

The total cost of the proposed modifications must be obtained by at least two (2) general contractors and submitted to the Code Enforcement Division for review. Where required, due to the nature and complexity of the work and County ordinance, licensed subcontractor bids shall be used in cost evaluation estimates. The bids must be highly detailed, professionally prepared and legible to include all work proposed. Donated or owner-provided labor shall be assigned a fair market value cost and included in the calculation of the construction costs.

11.

Fill Standards. The following standards apply to all fill activities in special flood hazard areas:

Fill sites, upon which structures will be constructed or placed, must be compacted to ninety-five percent (95%) of the maximum density obtainable with the Standard Proctor Test method or an acceptable equivalent method;

Fill slopes shall not be steeper than one (1) foot vertical to three (3) feet horizontal;

Adequate protection against erosion and scour is provided for fill slopes. When expected velocities during the occurrence of the base flood are greater than five (5) feet per second armoring with stone or rock protection shall be provided. When expected velocities during the base flood are five (5) feet per second or less protection shall be provided by covering them with vegetative cover;

Fill shall be composed of clean granular or earthen material.

Specific Standards.

In all areas identified as numbered and unnumbered A Zones, AE, and AH Zones, where base flood elevation data have been provided, as set forth in Section 405.060(A)(2), the following provisions are required:

Residential Construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structures, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to three (3) feet above base flood elevation. The elevation of the lowest floor shall be certified by a Missouri licensed land surveyor, engineer, or architect.

Non-Residential Construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial, or other non-residential structures, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to three (3) feet above the base flood elevation or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be floodproofed so that below the base flood elevation the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy. A Missouri registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the standards of this Subsection are satisfied. Such certification shall be provided to the Director as set forth in Section 405.050(C)(7), (8), and (9).

Enclosures Below Lowest Floor. Require, for all new construction and substantial improvements that fully enclosed areas below lowest floor used solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage in an area other than a basement and that are subject to flooding shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of flood waters. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a Missouri registered professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:

(1)

A minimum of two (2) openings having a total net area of not less than one (1) square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided; and

(2)

The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one (1) foot above grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of flood waters.

Manufactured Homes. All manufactured homes to be placed within the SFHA on Jefferson County's FIRM shall be required to be installed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage. For the purposes of this requirement, manufactured homes must be elevated and anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement. Methods of anchoring, may include, but are not limited to, use of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors. One (1) of the following two (2) instances applies for the placement of manufactured homes:

Require manufactured homes that are placed or substantially-improved within the SFHA on Jefferson County's FIRM at any of the following sites:

Outside of manufactured home park or subdivision;

In a new manufactured home park or subdivision;

In an expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision; or

In an existing manufactured home park or subdivision on which a manufactured home has incurred substantial damage as the result of a flood, be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated to three (3) feet above the base flood elevation and be securely attached to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement. The elevation of the lowest floor shall be certified by a Missouri licensed land surveyor, engineer, or architect.

Require that manufactured homes to be placed or substantially-improved on sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision within the SFHA on Jefferson County's FIRM, that are not subject to the provisions of Section 405.060(C)(1) of this Chapter, be elevated so that either:

The lowest floor of the manufactured home is at three (3) feet above the base flood level; or

The manufactured home chassis is supported by reinforced piers or other foundation elements of at least equivalent strength that are no less than thirty-six (36) inches in height above grade and be securely attached to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.

Areas Of Shallow Flooding (AO and AH Zones). Located within the areas of special flood hazard as described in Section 405.040(A) are areas designated as AO Zones. These areas have special flood hazards associated with base flood depths of one (1) to three (3) feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist and where the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate. The following provisions apply:

AO Zones.

All new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet on the County's FIRM [at least two (2) fleet plus three (3) feet of freeboard if no depth number is specified].

All new construction and substantial improvements of any commercial, industrial, or other non-residential structures, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet on the County's FIRM [at least two (2) feet plus three (3) feet of freeboard if no depth number is specified] or together with attendant utilities and sanitary facilities be completely floodproofed to that so that the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy.

Adequate drainage paths shall be required around structures on slopes, in order to guide flood waters around and away from proposed structures.

AH Zones.

The specific standards for all areas of special flood hazard where base flood elevation has been provided shall be required as set forth in Section 405.060(B).

Adequate drainage paths shall be required around structures on slopes, in order to guide flood waters around and away from proposed structures.

Floodway. Located within areas of special flood hazard established in Section 405.040(A) are areas designated as floodways. Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of flood waters that carry debris and potential projectiles, the following provisions shall apply:

Jefferson County shall adopt a regulatory floodway based on the principle that the area chosen for the regulatory floodway must be designed to carry the waters of the base flood without increasing the water surface elevation of that flood more than one (1) foot at any point.

Jefferson County shall prohibit any encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial-improvements, and other development within the adopted regulatory floodway unless it has been determined through hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in accordance with standard engineering practice that the proposed encroachment would not result in any increase in flood levels within the County during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.

In addition, for projects that require the realignment, relocation or modification to the stream bed or stream channel of the floodway, other than those related to public infrastructure improvements, a geomorphological study is required to be conducted by a professional who is qualified in accordance with standards adopted by the Director to address the issue involved. The geomorphological study, shall include, where appropriate:

Conceptual designs for relocating the stream to its new location.

Evaluation of the geologic and geomorphologic factors that might cause the relocated stream to meander unexpectedly or move back to its current location.

Evaluation of existing soils and potential for erosion or sedimentation with the new stream cross section.

Armoring techniques (other than concrete or rip-rap) necessary to limit future stream migration to the confines of the relocated corridor.

Determination of appropriate sinuosity for the relocated stream as well as appropriate pool and riffle section geometry.

Evaluation of impacts of the project on the upstream and downstream existing stream sections for whatever distance impacts may be experienced.

Determining the appropriate stream channel cross section for both low-flow and flood-flow conditions.

Maximum amount of anticipated stream movement in fifty (50) years.

Recommendations for appropriate vegetative plantings to be required.

Any other impacts of the project and recommendations for requirements that will mitigate the effect on the environment of the affected floodplain.

Estimated maintenance requirements for the project for a 50-year period.

If Section 405.060(E)(2) is satisfied, all new construction and substantial improvements shall comply with all applicable flood hazard reduction provisions of Section 405.060.

In unnumbered A Zones, the County shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation or floodway data currently available from Federal, State, or other sources as set forth in Section 405.060(A)(2).

Recreational Vehicles.

All recreational vehicles placed on sites within the SFHA on Jefferson County's FIRM either:

Must be on the site for fewer than one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days and be fully licensed and ready for highway use; or

Must meet the permitting, elevating and the anchoring requirements for manufactured homes of this Chapter.

A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick-disconnect-type utilities and security devices and has no permanently attached additions.

Section 405.070 Floodplain Management Variance Procedures.

[Ord. No. 25-0406, 12-4-2025]

Establishment Of Appeal Board. The Board of Building Appeals, as established by Jefferson County shall hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from the floodplain management requirements of this Chapter.

Responsibility Of Appeal Board. Where an application for a floodplain development permit or request for a variance from the floodplain management regulations is denied by the Director, the applicant may apply directly to the Board of Building Appeals. The Board of Building Appeals shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged that there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the Director in the enforcement or administration of this Chapter.

Further Appeals. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Board of Building Appeals may appeal such decision to the Circuit Court within thirty (30) days after the decision is issued.

Floodplain Management Variance Criteria. In passing upon such applications for variances, the appeal board shall consider all technical data and evaluations, all relevant factors, standards specified in other Sections of this Chapter, and the following criteria:

Danger to life and property due to flood damage;

Danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others;

Susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owner;

Importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the County;

Necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable;

Availability of alternative locations, not subject to flood damage, for the proposed use;

Compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development;

Relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive plan and floodplain management program for that area;

Safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles;

10.

Expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise and sediment transport of the flood waters, if applicable, expected at the site; and

11.

Costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions, including maintenance and repair of public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems; streets; and bridges.

Conditions For Approving Floodplain Management Variances.

Generally, variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of one-half (1/2) acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level, providing Subsections (E)(2) through (6), below, have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the one-half (1/2) acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.

Variances may be issued for the reconstruction, rehabilitation or restoration of structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the State Inventory of Historic Places, or local inventory of historic places upon determination; provided, the proposed activity will not preclude the structure's continued historic designation and the variance is the minimum necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the structure.

Variances shall not be issued within any designated floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result.

Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief.

Variances shall only be issued upon:

A showing of good and sufficient cause;

A determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant; and

A determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.

Jefferson County shall notify the applicant, in writing, over the signature of the Director that:

The issuance of a variance to construct a structure below base flood level will result in increased premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as high as twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for one hundred dollars ($100.00) of insurance coverage; and

Such construction below the base flood level increases risks to life and property. Such notification shall be maintained with the record of all variance actions as required by this Chapter.

Jefferson County shall maintain a record of all variance actions, including justification for their issuance.

Variances may be issued by community for new construction and substantial improvements and for other development necessary for the conduct of a functionally dependent use provided that the criteria of Subsections (E)(1) through (5) of this Section are met, and the structure or other development is protected by methods that minimize flood damages during the base flood and create no additional threats to public safety.

Conditions For Approving Variances For Accessory Structures. A variance is required for any accessory structure if the structure is wet-floodproofed and if the lowest floor is build at grade below the BFE. Any variance granted for an accessory structure shall be decided individually based on a case-by-case analysis of the building's unique circumstances. Variances for accessory structures shall meet the following conditions as well as those criteria and conditions set forth in Section 405.070(D) and (E) of this Chapter. In order to minimize flood damages during the one percent (1%) annual chance flood event, also referred to as the 100-year flood and the threat to public health and safety, the following conditions shall be required for any variance issued for accessory structures that are constructed at-grade and wet-floodproofed;

Use of the accessory structures must be solely for parking and limited storage purposes in any special flood hazard area as identified on the County's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).

For any new or substantially-damaged accessory structures, the exterior and interior building components and elements (i.e., foundation, wall framing, exterior and interior finishes, flooring, etc.) below the base flood elevation, must be built with flood-resistant materials in accordance with Section 405.060(A)(4)(b) of this Chapter.

The accessory structures must be adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure in accordance with Section 405.060(A)(4)(a) of this Chapter. All of the building's structural components must be capable of resisting specific flood-related forces including hydrostatic, buoyancy, and hydrodynamic and debris impact forces.

Any mechanical, electrical, or other utility equipment must be located above the base flood elevation or floodproofed so that they are contained within a watertight, floodproofed enclosure that is capable of resisting damage during flood conditions in accordance with Section 405.060(A)(4)(d) of this Chapter.

The accessory structures must meet all NFIP opening requirements. The NFIP requires that enclosure or foundation walls, subject to the one percent (1%) annual chance flood event, also referred to as the 100-year flood, contain openings that will permit the automatic entry and exit of flood waters in accordance with Section 405.060(B)(1)(c) of this Chapter.

The accessory structures must comply with the floodplain management floodway encroachment provisions of Section 405.060(D)(2) of this Chapter. No variances may be issued for accessory structures within any designated floodway, if any increase in flood levels would result during the 100-year flood.

Equipment, machinery, or other contents must be protected from any flood damage.

No disaster relief assistance under any program administered by any Federal agency shall be paid for any repair or restoration costs of the accessory structures.

Wet-floodproofing construction techniques must be reviewed and approved by the County and a registered professional engineer or architect prior to the issuance of any floodplain development permit for construction. Cost for any required professional certification to be paid by the developer.

Conditions For Approving Variances For Agricultural Structures. A variance is required for any agricultural structure if the structure is wet-floodproofed and if the lowest floor is build at grade below the BFE. Any variance granted for an agricultural structure shall be decided individually based on a case-by-case analysis of the building's unique circumstances. Variances for agricultural structures shall meet the following conditions as well as those criteria and conditions set forth in Section 405.070(D) and (E) of this Chapter. In order to minimize flood damages during the 100-year flood and the threat to public health and safety, the following conditions shall be included for any variance issued for agricultural structures that are constructed at-grade and wet-floodproofed:

All proposed agricultural structures shall demonstrate that no other alternate location outside of the special flood hazard area exists for the agricultural structure. Residential structures, such as farmhouses, cannot be considered agricultural structures.

Use of the structures must be limited to agricultural purposes in any special flood hazard area only as identified on the County's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).

For any new or substantially-damaged agricultural structures, the exterior and interior building components and elements (i.e., foundation, wall framing, exterior and interior finishes, flooring, etc.) below the base flood elevation, must be built with flood-resistant materials in accordance with Section 405.060(A)(4)(b) of this Chapter.

The agricultural structures must be adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structures in accordance with Section 405.060(A)(4)(a) of this Chapter. All of the building's structural components must be capable of resisting specific flood-related forces including hydrostatic, buoyancy, and hydrodynamic and debris impact forces.

Any mechanical, electrical, or other utility equipment must be located three (3) feet above the base flood elevation, or floodproofed so that they are contained within a watertight, floodproofed enclosure that is capable of resisting damage during flood conditions in accordance with Section 405.060(A)(4)(d) of this Chapter. The elevation shall be certified by a licensed land surveyor or professional engineer.

The agricultural structures must meet all National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) opening requirements. The NFIP requires that enclosure or foundation walls, subject to the one percent (1%) annual chance flood event, also referred to as the 100-year flood, contain openings that will permit the automatic entry and exit of flood waters in accordance with Section 405.060(B)(1)(c) of this Chapter.

The agricultural structures must comply with the floodplain management floodway encroachment provisions of Section 405.060(D)(2) of this Chapter. No variances may be issued for agricultural structures within any designated flood way, if any increase in flood levels would result during the one percent (1%) annual chance flood event, also referred to as the 100-year flood.

Major equipment, machinery, or other contents must be protected from any flood damage.

No disaster relief assistance under any program administered by any Federal agency shall be paid for any repair or restoration costs of the agricultural structures.

10.

Conditions For Approving Variances For Temporary Use. A variance may be issued for temporary uses that are not otherwise in compliance with this Chapter. Temporary uses, may include, but are not limited to, development, parking or storage of recreational vehicles, temporary construction offices, temporary business facilities or other structures. Temporary use shall be removed upon the expiration of the 180-day permit period and site shall be returned to a predevelopment state. Failure to comply with the 180-day permit period and failure to return the site to a predevelopment state shall constitute a violation of this Chapter pursuant to Section 405.080. Variances granted shall meet the following conditions as well as those criteria and conditions set forth in Section 405.070(D) and (E) of this Chapter.

A temporary use may be considered for location within the one percent (1%) annual chance of flood event, also referred to as the 100-year floodplain, only when all of the following criteria are met:

The temporary use is unique to the land to be developed and cannot be located outside of the floodplain nor meet the NFIP design standards;

Denial of the variance will create an undue hardship on the property owner.

Once all of the above conditions are met, an application for a variance must be made to the Director. The Director shall consider all applications for variances for a temporary use based on the following criteria:

The placement of any temporary use within the SFHA as shown on the County's adopted FEMA/NFIP Map shall require an approved floodplain development permit. The floodplain development permit shall be valid for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days.

Applications, for a temporary use to be located in the SFHA, shall conform to the decision of the Director and/or the appeal process prior to any action on the variance request.

An emergency plan for the removal of the temporary use that includes specific removal criteria and time frames from the agency or firm responsible for providing the manpower, equipment and the relocation and disconnection of all utilities shall be required as part of the floodplain development permit application for the placement of any temporary use.

On or before the expiration of the end of the 180-day permit period, the temporary use shall be removed from the site. All utilities, including water, sewer, communication and electrical services, shall be disconnected.

To ensure the continuous mobility of the temporary structure for the duration of the permit, the temporary structure shall retain its wheels and tires, licenses and towing appurtenance on the structures at all times.

Under emergency flooding conditions, the temporary use shall be removed immediately and as specified in the emergency removal plan.

Location of any temporary use within the regulatory floodway requires the provision of a no-rise certificate by a registered professional engineer or evidence the use will have no impact off premises.

Violation for non-compliance with any of the stated conditions of the floodplain development permit during the term thereof shall make the permit subject to revocation. Issuance of permit revocation notice shall be made to the landowner and/or the occupant of the land.

Any deviation from the approved site plan shall be deemed a violation of the floodplain development permit approval, and the uses allowed shall automatically be revoked. The subsequent use of the land shall be as it was prior to the temporary use approval. In the event of any violation, all permitted temporary uses shall be deemed a violation of this Chapter and shall be illegal, non-conforming uses and shall be summarily removed.

Section 405.080 Penalties For Violation.

[Ord. No. 25-0406, 12-4-2025]

Violation of the provisions of this Chapter or failure to comply with any of its requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with granting of variances) shall constitute a misdemeanor. Any person, firm, corporation, or other entity that violates this Chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both, and in addition, shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense. Violations shall be prosecuted in the Jefferson County Municipal Court by the Jefferson County Prosecutor. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the County from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.

A structure or other development without a floodplain development permit or other evidence of compliance is presumed to be in violation until such documentation is provided.

The imposition of such fines or penalties for any violation for non-compliance with this Chapter shall not excuse the violation or non-compliance or allow it to continue. All such violations or non-compliant actions shall be remedied within an established and reasonable time.

Section 405.090 Amendments.

[Ord. No. 25-0406, 12-4-2025]

The regulations, restrictions, and boundaries set forth in this Chapter may from time to time be amended, supplemented, changed, or appealed to reflect any and all changes in the National Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973; provided, however, that no such action may be taken until after a public hearing in relation thereto, at which parties of interest and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard. Notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County. At least twenty (20) days shall elapse between the date of this publication and the public hearing. A copy of such amendments will be provided to the Region VII office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The regulations of this Chapter are in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations.

Section 405.100 Definitions.

[Ord. No. 25-0406, 12-4-2025]

Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this Chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them the same meaning they have in common usage and to give this Chapter its most reasonable application.

100-YEAR FLOOD

See "base flood."

ACCESSORY STRUCTURE

Means the same as "appurtenant structure."

ACTUARIAL RATES

See "risk premium rates."

ADMINISTRATOR

Means the Federal Insurance Administrator.

AGENCY

Means the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES

Means agricultural products and livestock.

AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURE

Means any structure used exclusively in connection with the production, harvesting, storage, drying, or raising of agricultural commodities.

APPEAL

Means a request for review of the Director's interpretation of any provision of this Chapter or a request for a variance.

APPURTENANT STRUCTURE

Means a structure that is on the same parcel of property as the principal structure to be insured and the use of which is incidental to the use of the principal structure.

AREA OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD

Is the land in the floodplain within Jefferson County subject to a one percent (1%) or greater chance of flooding in any given year.

BASE FLOOD

Means the flood having a one percent (1%) chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.

BASE FLOOD ELEVATION (BFE)

Means the elevation of the surface of the water during a one percent (1%) annual chance flood event.

BASEMENT

Means any area of the structure having its floor subgrade (below ground level) on all sides.

BUILDING

See "structure."

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER or CHIEF ELECTED OFFICIAL

Means the official of the community who is charged with the authority to implement and administer laws, ordinances, and regulations for that community.

COMMUNITY

Means any State or area or political subdivision thereof, which has authority to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations for the areas within its jurisdiction.

DEVELOPMENT

Means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, levees, levee systems, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations, or storage of equipment or materials.

ELEVATED BUILDING

Means for insurance purposes, a non-basement building which has its lowest elevated floor raised above ground level by foundation walls, shear walls, posts, piers, pilings, or columns.

ELIGIBLE COMMUNITY or PARTICIPATING COMMUNITY

Means a community for which the Administrator has authorized the sale of flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

EXISTING CONSTRUCTION

Means for the purposes of determining rates, structures for which the "start of construction" commenced before the effective date of the FIRM or before January 1, 1975, for FIRMs effective before that date. "Existing construction" may also be referred to as "existing structures."

EXISTING MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION

Means a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed before the effective date of the floodplain management regulations adopted by a community.

EXPANSION TO AN EXISTING MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION

Means the preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads).

FLOOD or FLOODING

Means a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from:

The overflow of inland waters;

The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; and

The collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or other body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels or suddenly caused by an unusually high water level in a natural body of water, accompanied by a severe storm, or by an unanticipated force of nature, such as flash flood, or by some similarly unusual and unforeseeable event which results in flooding as defined above in Subsection (1) of this definition.

FLOOD BOUNDARY AND FLOODWAY MAP (FBFM)

Means an official map of a community on which the Administrator has delineated both special flood hazard areas and the designated regulatory floodway.

FLOOD HAZARD MAP

Means the document adopted by the governing body showing the limits of:

The floodplain;

The floodway;

Streets;

Stream channel; and

Other geographic features.

FLOOD ELEVATION DETERMINATION

Means a determination by the Administrator of the water surface elevations of the base flood, that is, the flood level that has a one percent (1%) or greater chance of occurrence in any given year.

FLOOD ELEVATION STUDY

Means an examination, evaluation and determination of flood hazards.

FLOOD FRINGE

Means the area outside the floodway encroachment lines, but still subject to inundation by the regulatory flood.

FLOOD HAZARD BOUNDARY MAP (FHBM)

Means an official map of a community, issued by the Administrator, where the boundaries of the flood areas having special flood hazards have been designated as (unnumbered or numbered) A Zones.

FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM)

Means an official map of a community, on which the Administrator has delineated both the special flood hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.

FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY (FIS)

Means an examination, evaluation and determination of flood hazards and, if appropriate, corresponding water surface elevations.

FLOODPLAIN or FLOOD-PRONE AREA

Means any land area susceptible to being inundated by water from any source (see ''flooding'').

FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT

Means the operation of an overall program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damage, including but not limited to emergency preparedness plans, flood control works, and floodplain management regulations.

FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS

Means zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, health regulations, special purpose ordinances (such as floodplain and grading ordinances) and other applications of Police power. The term describes such State or local regulations, in any combination thereof that provide standards for the purpose of flood damage prevention and reduction.

FLOODPROOFING

Means any combination of structural and non-structural additions, changes, or adjustments to structures that reduce or eliminate flood damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary facilities, or structures and their contents.

FLOODWAY or REGULATORY FLOODWAY

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.

FLOODWAY ENCROACHMENT LINES

Means the lines marking the limits of floodways on Federal, State and local floodplain maps.

FREEBOARD

Means a factor of safety usually expressed in feet above a flood level for purposes of floodplain management. "Freeboard" tends to compensate for the many unknown factors that could contribute to flood heights greater than the height calculated for a selected size flood and floodway conditions, such as bridge openings and the hydrological effect of urbanization of the watershed. Jefferson County's freeboard is three (3) feet for residential structures and non-residential structures above the BFE.

FUNCTIONALLY DEPENDENT USE

Means a use that cannot perform its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water. This term includes only docking facilities and facilities that are necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers but does not include long-term storage or related manufacturing facilities.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Means substances or materials, which because of their chemical, physical, or biological nature, pose a potential risk to life, health, or property if they are released. A "release" may occur by spilling, leaking, emitting toxic vapors, or any other process that enables the material to escape its container, enter the environment, and create a potential hazard. Hazards are classified in many different ways. The following introduces several common terms:

Explosive substances release pressure, gas, and heat suddenly when they are subjected to shock, heat, or high pressure. Fourth of July celebrations use many types of explosive substances that require careful storage and handling to avoid injury.

Flammable and combustible substances are easy to ignite. Paint thinners, charcoal lighter fluid, and silver polish are all highly flammable. Oxidizers, which will lend oxygen readily to support a fire, and reactive materials, which are unstable and may react violently if mishandled, pose related hazards.

Poisons (or toxic materials) can cause injury or death when they enter the bodies of living things. Such substances can be classified by chemical nature (for example, heavy metals and cyanides) or by toxic action (such as irritants, which inflame living tissue, and corrosives, which destroy or irreversibly change it). One (1) special group of poisons includes etiological (biological) agents. These are live microorganisms, or toxins produced by these microorganisms, that are capable of producing a disease.

Radioactive materials are a category of hazardous materials that release harmful radiation. They are not addressed specifically in this course.

These categories are not mutually exclusive. For example, acids and bases are listed as corrosive materials but can also act as poisons.

HIGHEST ADJACENT GRADE

Means the highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.

HISTORIC STRUCTURE

Means any structure that is

Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register;

Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historical significance of a Registered Historic District or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a Registered Historic District;

Individually listed on a State Inventory of Historic Places in States with Historic Preservation Programs which have been approved by the Secretary of the Interior; or

Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with Historic Preservation Programs that have been certified either:

By an approved State program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior; or

Directly by the Secretary of the Interior in States without approved programs.

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; provided that, such enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of the applicable floodproofing design requirements of this Chapter.

MANUFACTURED HOME

Means a structure, transportable in one (1) or more sections, that is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when attached to the required utilities. The term "manufactured home" does not include a "recreational vehicle."

MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION

Means a parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two (2) or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.

MAP

Means the Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM), Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), or the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM) for a community issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

MARKET VALUE or FAIR MARKET VALUE

Means an estimate of what is fair, economic, just and equitable value under normal local market conditions.

MEAN SEA LEVEL

Means, for purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929 or other datum, to which base flood elevations shown on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) are referenced.

NEW CONSTRUCTION

Means, for the purposes of determining insurance rates, structures for which the "start of construction" commenced on or after the effective date of an initial FIRM or after December 31, 1974, whichever is later, and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures. For floodplain management purposes, "new construction" means structures for which the "start of construction" commenced on or after the effective date of the floodplain management regulations adopted by a community and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures.

NEW MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION

Means a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lot on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed on or after the effective date of floodplain management regulations adopted by the community.

(NFIP)

Means the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

NUMBERED A ZONE

Means a special flood hazard area where the Flood Insurance Rate Map shows the base flood elevation.

ONE PERCENT (1%) ANNUAL CHANCE FLOOD

See "base flood."

PARTICIPATING COMMUNITY

Also known as an "eligible community," means a community in which the Administrator has authorized the sale of flood insurance.

PERSON

Includes any individual or group of individuals, corporation, partnership, association, or any other entity, including Federal, State, and local governments and agencies.

PERMIT

Means a signed document from a designated community official authorizing development in a floodplain, including all necessary supporting documentation such as:

The site plan;

An elevation certificate; and

Any other necessary or applicable approvals or authorizations from local, State or Federal authorities.

PRINCIPALLY ABOVE GROUND

Means that at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the actual cash value of the structure, less land value, is above ground.

REASONABLY SAFE FROM FLOODING

Means base flood waters will not inundate the land or damage structures to be removed from the SFHA and that any subsurface waters related to the base flood will not damage existing or proposed buildings.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLE

Means a vehicle which is:

Built on a single chassis;

Four hundred (400) square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projections;

Designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light-duty truck; and

Designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.

REMEDY A VIOLATION

Means to bring the structure or other development into compliance with Federal, State, or local floodplain management regulations; or, if this is not possible, to reduce the impacts of its non-compliance.

REPETITIVE LOSS

Means flood-related damages sustained by a structure on two (2) separate occasions during a 10-year period for which the cost of repairs at the time of each such flood event, equals or exceeds twenty-five percent (25%) of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.

RISK PREMIUM RATES

Means those rates established by the Administrator pursuant to individual community studies and investigations which are undertaken to provide flood insurance in accordance with Section 1307 of the National Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and the accepted actuarial principles. "Risk premium rates" include provisions for operating costs and allowances.

SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA

See "area of special flood hazard."

SPECIAL HAZARD AREA

Means an area having special flood hazards and shown on an FHBM, FIRM or FBFM as Zones (unnumbered or numbered) A and AE.

START OF CONSTRUCTION

Includes substantial improvements, and means the date the building permit was issued; provided, the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition placement, or other improvements were within one hundred eighty (180) days of the permit date. The actual start means either the first placement of permanent construction of a structure on a site, such as the pouring of slabs or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns, any work beyond the stage of excavation, or the placement of a manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading and filling, the installation of streets and/or walkways, excavation for a basement, footings, piers, foundations, the erection of temporary forms, nor installation on the property of accessory structures, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main structure. For a substantial improvement, the actual start of construction means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of a building, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the building.

STATE COORDINATING AGENCY

Means that agency of the State Government, or other office designated by the Governor of the State or by State Statute at the request of the Administrator to assist in the implementation of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in that State.

STRUCTURE

Means, for floodplain management purposes, a walled and roofed building, including a gas or liquid storage tank, that is principally above ground, as well as a manufactured home. "Structure" for insurance purposes, means a walled and roofed building, other than a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground and affixed to a permanent site, as well as a manufactured home on a permanent foundation. For the latter purpose, the term includes a building while in the course of construction, alteration or repair, but does not include building materials or supplies intended for use in such construction, alteration or repair, unless such materials or supplies are within an enclosed building on the premises.

SUBDIVISION

Means a division of a lot, tract, or parcel of land into more than two (2) lots, tracts, or other divisions of land.

SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE

Means damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before damaged condition would equal or exceed fifty percent (50%) of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred. The term includes "repetitive loss" buildings (see definition).

For the purposes of this definition, "repair" is considered to occur when the first repair or reconstruction of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the building commences.

The term does not apply to:

Any project for improvement of a building required to comply with existing health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the Code Enforcement Official and which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions; or

Any alteration of a "historic structure" provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a "historic structure."

Any improvement to a building.

SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT

Means any combination of reconstruction, alteration, or improvement to a building, taking place for a 10-year period, in which the cumulative percentage of improvement equals or exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the current market value of the building. For the purposes of this definition, an improvement occurs 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 building. This term includes structures, which have incurred "repetitive loss" or "substantial damage," regardless of the actual repair work done.

The term does not apply to:

Any alteration of a "historic structure" provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a "historic structure."

SUBSTANTIALLY-IMPROVED EXISTING MANUFACTURED HOME PARKS OR SUBDIVISIONS

Is where the repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation or improvement of the streets, utilities and pads equals or exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the value of the streets, utilities and pads before the repair, reconstruction or improvement commenced.

TEMPORARY STRUCTURE

Means a structure permitted in a district for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days and is required to be removed upon the expiration of the permit period. Temporary structures may include recreational vehicles, temporary construction offices, or temporary business facilities used until permanent facilities can be constructed, but at no time shall it include manufactured homes used as residences.

UNNUMBERED A ZONE

Means a special flood hazard area shown on either a flood hazard boundary map or flood insurance rate map where the base flood elevation is not determined.

VARIANCE

Means a grant of relief by the community from the terms of a floodplain management regulation. Flood insurance requirements remain in place for any varied use or structure and cannot be varied by the community.

VIOLATION

Means the failure of a structure or other development to be fully compliant with the community's floodplain management regulations. A structure or other development without the elevation certificate, other certifications, or other evidence of compliance required by this Chapter is presumed to be in violation until such time as that documentation is provided.

WATER SURFACE ELEVATION

Means the height, in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929 (or other datum where specified) of floods of various magnitudes and frequencies in the floodplain.