It is the policy of the State, as set forth in the Land Use
Article, Title 4, of the Annotated Code of Maryland, that the orderly
development and use of land and structures requires comprehensive
regulation through the implementation of planning and zoning control
and that planning and zoning controls shall be implemented by local
government in order to, among other purposes, secure the public safety,
promote health and general welfare, and promote the conservation of
natural resources.
It is the purpose of these regulations to promote the public
health, safety and general welfare and to:
A. Protect human life, health and welfare;
B. Encourage the utilization of appropriate construction practices in
order to prevent or minimize flood damage in the future;
C. Minimize flooding of water supply and sanitary sewage disposal systems;
D. Maintain natural drainage;
E. Reduce financial burdens imposed on the City, its governmental units
and its residents, by discouraging unwise design and construction
of development in areas subject to flooding;
F. Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding
and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;
G. Minimize prolonged business interruptions;
H. Minimize damage to public facilities and other utilities, such as
water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets
and bridges;
I. Reinforce that those who build in and occupy special flood hazard
areas should assume responsibility for their actions;
J. Minimize the impact of development on adjacent properties within
and near flood-prone areas;
K. Provide that the flood storage and conveyance functions of floodplains
are maintained;
L. Minimize the impact of development on the natural and beneficial
functions of floodplains;
M. Prevent floodplain uses that are either hazardous or environmentally
incompatible; and
N. Meet community participation requirements of the National Flood Insurance
Program as set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 44
CFR 59.22.
These regulations shall apply to all special flood hazard areas within the jurisdiction of the City and identified in §
83-6.
In the interpretation and application of these regulations,
all provisions shall be:
A. Considered as minimum requirements;
B. Liberally construed in favor of the City; and
C. Deemed neither to limit nor repeal any other powers granted under
state statutes. Where a provision of these regulations may be in conflict
with a state or federal law, such state or federal law shall take
precedence.
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,
and flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes.
These regulations do not imply that land outside of the special flood
hazard areas or uses that are permitted within such areas will be
free from flooding or flood damage.