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 enforcement officer's interpretation
of any provision of this chapter or a request for a variance.
A designated AQ or VO Zone of the Flood Insurance Rate Map
(FIRM). The base flood depths range from one foot to three feet; a
clearly defined channel does not exist; the path of flooding is unpredictable
and indeterminate; and velocity flow may be evident.
The land in the floodplain within a community subject to
a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year.
The flood having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded
in any given year.
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate,
including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining,
dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations
located within the area of special flood hazard.
A parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two
or more mobile home lots for rent or sale for which the construction
of facilities for servicing the lot on which the mobile home is to
be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities,
either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads, and the
construction of streets) is completed before the effective date of
this chapter.
The preparation of additional sites by the construction of
facilities for servicing the lots on which the mobile homes are to
be affixed (including the installation of utilities, either final
site grading or pouring of concrete pads, or the construction of streets).
The official map on which the Federal Insurance Administration
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 Insurance Administration
that includes flood profiles, the Flood Boundary-Floodway Map, and
the water surface elevation of the base flood.
A general and temporary condition of partial or complete
inundation of normally dry land areas from:
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 foot.
Any floor usable for living purposes, which includes working,
sleeping, eating, cooking or recreation, or a combination thereof.
A floor used only for storage purposes is not a "habitable floor."
A structure that is transportable in one or more sections,
built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used with or without
a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities. It
does not include recreational vehicles or travel trailers.
Structures for which the "start of construction" commenced
on or after the effective date of this chapter.
A parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two
or more mobile home lots for rent or sale for which the construction
of facilities for servicing the lot (including, at a minimum, the
installation of utilities, either final site grading or the pouring
of concrete pads, and the construction of streets) is completed on
or after the effective date of this chapter.
The first placement of permanent construction of a structure
(other than a mobile home) on a site, such as the pouring of slabs
or footings or any work beyond the stage of excavation. Permanent
construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing,
grading and filling; nor does it include the installation of streets
and/or walkways; nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings,
piers or foundations or the erection of temporary forms; nor does
it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings,
such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not as
part of the main structure. For a structure (other than a mobile home)
without a basement or poured footings, the "start of construction"
includes the first permanent framing or assembly of the structure
or any part thereof on its piling or foundation. For mobile homes
not within a mobile home park or mobile home subdivision, "start of
construction" means the affixing of the mobile home to its permanent
site. For mobile homes within mobile home parks or mobile home subdivisions,
"start of construction" is the date on which the construction of facilities
for servicing the site on which the mobile home is to be affixed (including,
at a minimum, the construction of streets, either final site grading
or the pouring of concrete pads, and installation of utilities) is
completed.
A walled and roofed building or mobile home that is principally
above ground.
Any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure, the
cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure
either: 1) before the improvement or repair is started; or 2) if the
structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage
occurred. For the purposes of this definition "substantial improvement"
is considered to occur 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 term does not, however, include either:
Any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing
state or local health, sanitary or safety code specifications which
are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
Any alteration of a 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 in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited
by this chapter.
