Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in
this chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them the meaning they
have in common usage and to give this chapter its most reasonable
application.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A request for a review of the local administrator's
interpretation of any provision of this chapter or a request for a
variance.
A designated AO or VO Zone on a community's Flood Insurance
Rate Map (FIRM) with base flood depths from one to three feet where
a clearly defined channel does not exist, where the path of flooding
is unpredictable and indeterminate, and where velocity flow may be
evident.
The land in the floodplain within a community subject to
a one-percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. This
area may be designated as Zone A, AE, AH, AO, A1-99, V, VO, VE, or
V1-30. It is also commonly referred to as the "base floodplain" or
"one-hundred-year floodplain."
The flood having a one-percent chance of being equaled or
exceeded in any given year.
That portion of a building having its floor subgrade (below
ground level) on all sides.
A wall that is not part of the structural support of the
building and is intended through its design and construction to collapse
under specific lateral loading forces without causing damage to the
elevated portion of the building or the supporting foundation system.
Any structure built for support, shelter, or enclosure for
occupancy or storage.
Has the same meaning as "basement."
The area subject to high-velocity waters, including, but
not limited to, hurricane wave wash. The area is designated on a FIRM
as Zone V1-30, VE, VO or V.
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate,
including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining,
dredging, filling, paving, excavation or drilling operations located
within the area of special flood hazard.
A non-basement building built to have the lowest floor elevated
above the ground level by means of fill, solid foundation perimeter
walls, pilings, columns (posts and piers), or shear walls.
An Official Map of the community published by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency as part of a riverine community's
Flood Insurance Study. The FBFM delineates a regulatory floodway along
watercourses studied in detail in the Flood Insurance Study.
An Official Map of a community, issued by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, where the boundaries of the areas of special flood
hazard have been defined but no water surface elevation data is provided.
An 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.
The official report provided by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency. The report contains flood profiles, as well as the Flood Boundary
Floodway Map and the water surface elevations of the base flood.
A general and temporary condition of partial or complete
inundation of normally dry land areas from:
Any combination of structural and nonstructural additions,
changes, or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood
damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary
facilities, structures and their contents.
Has the same meaning as "regulatory floodway."
The top surface of an enclosed area in a building (including
basement), i.e., top of slab in concrete slab construction or top
of wood flooring in wood frame construction.
A use which cannot perform its intended purpose unless it
is located or carried out in close proximity to water, such as a docking
or port facility necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo
or passengers, shipbuilding, and ship repair. The term does not include
long-term storage, manufacture, sales or service facilities.
The highest natural elevation of the ground surface, prior
to construction, next to the proposed walls of a structure.
Lowest level including basement or cellar of the lowest enclosed
area. An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable solely for
parking of vehicles, buildings access, or storage in an area other
than a basement or cellar 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 nonelevation design requirements
of this chapter.
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.
For purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program, 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 are referenced.
Has the same meaning as "manufactured home."
As corrected in 1929 is a vertical control used as a reference
for establishing elevations within the floodplain.
Structures for which the "start of construction" commenced
on or after the effective date of this chapter.
Has the same meaning as "base flood."
That at least 51% of the actual cash value of the structure,
excluding land value, is above the ground.
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 a designated height as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a Flood Insurance Study or by other agencies as provided in § 153-13B of this chapter.
Naturally occurring accumulations of sand in ridges or mounds
landward of the beach.
The initiation, excluding planning and design, of any phase
of a project, physical alteration of the property, and shall include
land preparation, such as clearing, grading, and filling; installation
of streets and/or walkways; excavation for a basement, footings, piers,
or foundations or the erection of temporary forms. It also includes
the placement and/or installation on the property of accessory buildings
(garages, sheds), storage trailers, and building materials.
A walled and roofed building, a manufactured home, or a gas
or liquid storage tank, that is principally above the ground.
Any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a structure, the
cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure,
excluding land values, either:
For the purposes of this definition "substantial improvement"
is considered to commence 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 terms does not, however, include either:
Any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing
state or local building, fire, health, sanitary, or safety code specifications
which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
Any alteration of a structure or contributing structure listed
on the National Register of Historic Places or a State Inventory of
Historic Places.
A grant of relief from the requirements of this chapter which
permits construction or use in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited
by this chapter.
