For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
A request for a review of the inspector’s interpretation of any provision of this article or a request for a variance.
A designated AO zone on a community’s flood insurance rate map (FIRM) with base flood depths from one to three feet. This condition occurs 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 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year. These areas are designated on flood insurance rate maps as zone A areas.
The flood having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
Any manmade 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.
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 article (ordinance adopted March 6, 1978).
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).
An official map of a community, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where the areas within the boundaries of special flood hazard have been designated as zone A.
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, and the water surface elevation of the base flood, as well as the flood hazard boundary/floodway map.
A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.
The channel of a 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 for storage purposes only is not a habitable floor.
Either the city manager or whoever shall be, from time to time, designated by the city council to inspect properties to determine compliance with this article.
The average height of the sea for all stages of the tide as established in the area by agencies of the U.S. government.
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. It does not include recreational vehicles or travel trailers, but does include homes which have been affixed to a permanent foundation if the structure was originally constructed as a chassis-supported portable structure.
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 on or after the effective date of this article (ordinance adopted March 6, 1978).
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 by compliance with tiedown regulations. 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 grading or the pouring of concrete pads, and installation of utilities) is completed.
A walled and roofed building that is principally above ground, as well as a mobile home.
Any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure either before the improvement or repair is started, or, 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 to a person from the requirements of this article when specific enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship. A variance, therefore, permits construction or development in a manner otherwise prohibited by this article.
(2002 Code, sec. 151.01)