Unless specifically defined below, words and phrases used in this chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them the same meaning as they have at common law and to give this chapter its most reasonable application. For the purpose of administering and enforcing this chapter, the terms or words used herein shall be interpreted as follows: Words used in the present tense include the future. Words used in the singular number include the plural, and words in the plural number include the singular. The word "may" is permissive. The word "shall" is mandatory and not discretionary. All distances, unless otherwise specified, shall be measured horizontally.
A ZONESThose areas shown on a municipality's Official Floodplain Zoning Map (see the term defined below in this §
275-2) which would be inundated by the base flood or regional flood as defined herein. These areas may be numbered as AO, A1 to A30, A99 or be unnumbered A Zones. The A Zones may or may not be reflective of flood profiles, depending on the availability of data for a given area.
A strip of vegetated land that allows safe pedestrian access to the shore through the vegetative buffer zone.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE OR USEA facility, structure, building or use which is accessory or incidental to the principal use of a property, structure or building, either attached or detached. An accessory structure shall not be used for human habitation. Accessory structures for floodplain zoning are not attached to the principal structure and are assessed for substantial improvement/substantial damage separately. (Also see "structure.")
ADMINISTRATIVE PERMITA County permit issued by the Washington County Planning and Parks Department staff to ensure compliance with this chapter for the shoreland, wetland and floodplain projects that contains specific conditions of approval.
ADMINISTRATORThere shall be an Administrative Officer, who shall be the primary enforcement officer under this chapter. The County Planning and Parks Department Administrator established under Chapter
179, Planning and Parks, §
179-6 of the Code of Washington County shall be the Administrative Officer under this chapter. The additional staff enumerated under §
179-6 shall be assigned responsibilities to administer the provisions of this chapter.
High flood risk. Base flood elevations have been determined. Flood insurance is mandatory and local floodplain development codes apply. These properties have a 1% annual chance of shallow flooding, usually in the form of a pond, with an average depth of one to three feet. See also "area of shallow flooding."
ALTERATIONAn enhancement, upgrading or substantial change or modification other than an addition or repair to a dwelling or to electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and other systems within a structure.
AO ZONESee "area of shallow flooding."
ARBORACEOUSWooded, covered with growing trees and woody brush.
AREA OF SHALLOW FLOODINGA designated AO, AH, AR/AH, or VO Zone on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) with a 1% or greater annual chance of flooding to an average depth of one to three feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist, where the path of flooding is unpredictable, and where flood velocity may be evident. Such flooding is characterized by ponding or sheet flow.
BACKLOT DEVELOPMENTA real estate development that often incorporates narrow portions of riparian frontage shared by all backlot (subdivision or condominium lots that do not abut the water) owners. This type of development, also called "keyhole" or "pyramid" development, results in offshore lots accessing a water body via a narrow tract of land. Developers can deed an undivided interest in lots abutting the water. All lot owners within the backlot development become riparian owners.
BASE FLOODA Federal Emergency Management Agency term used to describe flood having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year (also see "regional flood"), as published by FEMA as a part of an FIS and depicted on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
BASEMENTAny enclosed area of a building having its floor subgrade, i.e., below ground level, on all sides.
BOATHOUSEAny permanent structure designed and used solely for the purpose of protecting or storing boats, watercraft and related equipment for noncommercial purposes.
BUILDING (STRUCTURE) SETBACK LINEThe distance from the OHWM as determined by the required setback or setback averaging allowed. For the purpose of determining if an existing lot meets the minimum lot width requirements, this will be the area of the lot occupied by the existing principal structure.
BULKHEAD LINEA geographic line along a reach of navigable water that has been adopted by a municipal ordinance and approved by the Department pursuant to §
30.11, Wis. Stats., and which allows limited filling between this bulkhead line and the original ordinary highwater mark, except where such filling is prohibited by the floodway provisions of this chapter.
Any parcel of land which is designed, maintained, intended or used for the purpose of providing sites for nonpermanent overnight use by four or more camping units, or which is advertised or represented as a camping area.
CAMPING UNITAny portable device, including a tent, no more than 400 square feet in area, used as a temporary shelter, including, but not limited to, a camping trailer, motor home, bus, van, pickup truck, or tent that is fully licensed, if required, and ready for highway use.
CANOPYTrees whose crowns form the topmost layer of a woodland.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCEA certification issued by the Administrator stating that the use of land or a structure, the elevation of fill or the first floor of a structure is in compliance with all of the provisions of this chapter.
CHANNELA natural or artificial watercourse with definite bed and banks to confine and conduct normal flow of water.
CONDITIONAL USEA use which is permitted by this chapter, provided that certain conditions specified in the chapter are met and that a County permit is granted by the Land Use and Planning Committee.
CONTIGUOUS DRY-LAND ACCESSA vehicular access route which is above the regional flood elevation and which connects land located in the floodplain to land which is outside the floodplain, such as a road with its surface above regional flood elevation and wide enough for wheeled rescue and relief vehicles.
COUNTY ZONING AGENCYThe Washington County Planning and Parks Department designated by the County Board to act in all matters pertaining to County planning and zoning.
CRAWLWAY or CRAWL SPACEA shallow, unfinished enclosed area below the first floor or under the roof of a building, generally less than five feet in height, for access to plumbing and electrical utilities.
DECKAn unenclosed exterior structure that has no roof or sides, but has a permanent floor which allows the infiltration of precipitation.
DEPARTMENTThe Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
DEVELOPMENTAny artificial change to improved or unimproved real estate, including, but not limited to, the construction of buildings, structures or accessory structures; the construction of additions or substantial alterations to structures or accessory structures; the repair of any damaged structure or the improvement or renovation of any structure, regardless of percentage of damage or improvement; the placement of buildings or structures; subdivision layout and site preparation; the placement of mobile homes; mining, ditching, lagooning, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations and the deposition or extraction of earthen materials or equipment; and the installation, repair or removal of private or public sewerage disposal systems or water supply facilities.
DRAINAGE SYSTEMOne or more artificial ditches, tile drains or similar devices which collect surface runoff or groundwater and convey it to a point of discharge.
DRY-LAND ACCESSA vehicular access route which is above the regional flood elevation and which connects land located in the floodplain to land outside the floodplain, such as a road with its surface above regional flood elevation and wide enough for wheeled rescue and relief vehicles.
ENCROACHMENTAny fill, structure, equipment, use or development in the floodway.
EXISTING PATTERN OF DEVELOPMENTThe presence of a principal structure within 250 feet of a proposed principal structure in both directions along the shoreline.
FLOOD FREQUENCYThe probability of a flood occurrence which is determined from statistical analyses. The frequency of a particular flood event is usually expressed as occurring, on the average, once in a specified number of years or as a percent chance of occurring in any given year.
FLOOD HAZARD BOUNDARY MAPA map prepared for the County by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, designating approximate flood hazard areas. Flood hazard areas are designated as unnumbered A Zones and do not contain floodway lines or regional flood elevations. Said map forms the basis for both the regulatory and insurance aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program until superseded by a Flood Insurance Study and a Flood Insurance Rate Map.
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM)A map of a community on which the Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the 100-year floodplain and the risk premium zones applicable to the community. This map can only be amended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FLOOD INSURANCE STUDYA technical engineering examination, evaluation and determination of the County flood hazard areas. It provides maps designating those areas affected by the regional flood and provides both flood insurance rate zones and regional flood elevations as well as floodway lines. The flood hazard areas are designated as numbered A Zones. Flood insurance study maps form the basis for both the regulatory and the insurance aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program.
FLOOD or FLOODINGA general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas caused by one of the following conditions: the overflow or rise of inland waters;, the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; or a sudden increase 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 a seiche, or by some unusual event.
FLOOD PROFILEA graph or a longitudinal profile line showing the relationship of the water surface elevation of a flood event to locations of land surface elevations along a stream or river.
FLOOD STORAGEThose floodplain areas where storage of floodwaters has been taken into account during analysis in reducing the regional flood discharge.
FLOODFRINGEThat portion of the floodplain outside of the floodway which is covered by floodwaters during the regional flood; it is generally associated with standing water rather than rapidly flowing water.
FLOODPLAINThe land which has been or may be hereafter covered by floodwater during the regional flood. The floodplain includes the floodway and the floodfringe as those terms are defined in Ch.
NR 116, Wis. Adm. Code.
A natural geologic land formation within the floodplain that is surrounded, but not covered, by floodwater during the regional flood.
FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENTPolicy and procedures to ensure wise use of floodplains, including mapping and engineering, mitigation, education, and administration and enforcement of floodplain regulations.
FLOODPROOFINGAny combination of structural and nonstructural additions, changes or adjustments which reduce or eliminate flood damage to unimproved or improved real estate, water and sanitary facilities, structures and their contents in compliance with the standards listed in the Wisconsin Administrative Code for the purpose of reducing or eliminating flood damage.
FLOODWAYThe channel of a river or stream and those portions of the floodplain adjoining the channel required to carry and discharge the floodwater or flood flows associated with the regional flood.
FLOODWAY ENCROACHMENT LINESRepresent the limits of obstruction to flood flows. These lines are designated on both sides of, and generally parallel to, the channel of a river or stream. They are established by assuming that the area landward (outside of the encroachment lines) will ultimately be developed in such a way that it will not convey flood flows, but the development will not cause an increase to regional flood elevations upstream. It is assumed that any development riverward of these lines will cause an obstruction and will require a detailed analysis (single degree of hydraulic encroachment) to determine its effect on the regional flood elevations upstream.
FOOTPRINT - STRUCTURESThe land area covered by a structure at ground level measured on a horizontal plane. The footprint of a residence or building includes the horizontal plane bounded by the furthest exterior wall and eave, if present, projected to natural grade. For structures without walls (decks, stairways, patios, carports): a single horizontal plane bounded by the furthest portion of the structure projected to natural grade. For the purposes of replacing or reconstructing a nonconforming building with walls, the footprint shall not be expanded by enclosing the area that is located within the horizontal plane from the exterior wall to the eaves projected to natural grade. This constitutes a lateral expansion under NR 115, Wis. Adm. Code, and would need to follow NR 115.05(1)(g)5, Wis. Adm. Code.
FREEBOARDA safety factor expressed in terms of a specified number of feet above a calculated flood level. Freeboard compensates for any factors that cause flood heights greater than those calculated, including ice jams, debris accumulation, wave action, obstruction of bridge openings and floodways, the effects of watershed urbanization, loss of flood storage areas due to development and aggregation of the river or stream bed.
GROUND COVERPlants that grow from a few inches to two to three feet tall and cover a significant area of soil in order to help prevent soil loss and provide a ground layer of habitat for wildlife.
HEARING NOTICEPublication or posting meeting the requirements of Ch.
985, Wis. Stats. A Class 2 notice is required at a minimum for all zoning ordinance and map amendments; published twice, once each week consecutively, the last publication at least a week (seven days) before the hearing.
Plants with flexible green stems with few to no woody parts; typically includes annuals, perennials, or biennials.
HIGH FLOOD DAMAGE POTENTIALDamage that could result from flooding, including any danger to human life or public health or the potential for any significant economic loss to a structure or its contents.
HIGHEST ADJACENT GRADEThe highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.
HISTORIC STRUCTUREAny structure that is either:
A. Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places 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.
HYDRAULIC REACHThat portion of the river or stream extending from one significant change in the hydraulic character of the river or stream to the next significant change. These changes are usually associated with breaks in the slope of the water surface profile and may be caused by bridges, dams, expansion and contraction of the water flow, and changes in stream bed slope or vegetation.
HYDROLOGIC REACHA designated length of river, stream or lake where the storage of floodwaters therein has been taken into account to reduce the regulatory flood discharge. Major man-made or natural changes in the river character, limits of political jurisdiction, or a change in the flood routing technique used to determine the storage and translation of a flood wave through the area of interest may be used to define the end of a hydrologic reach (e.g., a dam may be considered a major man-made change in the river character or a change from channel routing to reservoir routing may be considered a major change in the flood-routing technique).
ICE FISHING SHANTYAny structure used for the purpose of ice fishing; temporary structure that must comply with required setback distances when not on the ice.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACEAny artificial or natural area which does not allow the entrance or passage of water or sediment into the ground surface. Impervious surface excludes frozen soil but includes buildings, structures, concrete or asphalt surfaces, gravel or traffic bond surfaces, decks with no space in between the decking, bricks or pavers with no spacing between, which are placed on traffic bond, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots and streets, unless specifically designed, constructed and maintained to be pervious. Roadways as defined in §
340.01(54), Wis. Stats., or sidewalks as defined in §
340.01(58), Wis. Stats., are not to be calculated as impervious surfaces.
A calculated upward rise in the regional flood elevation, greater than 0.00 foot, based on a comparison of existing conditions and proposed conditions which is directly attributable to development in the floodplain, but not attributable to manipulation of mathematical variables such as roughness factors, expansion and contraction coefficients and discharge.
JOINT BOUNDARY or INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT AREAAn agreement created and approved pursuant to provisions outlined in Chapter
66 of the Wisconsin Statutes or any intergovernmental agreement approved by the governing boards of the respective municipalities where such agreement contains provisions on the subject of land use and contains significant environmental protections for any water body within the scope of the land subject to the agreement.
Any nonstructural use made of unimproved or improved real estate. (Also see "development.")
LOWEST ADJACENT GRADEElevation of the lowest ground surface that touches any of the exterior walls of a building.
LOWEST FLOORThe lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement).
MAINTENANCEThe act or process of ordinary upkeep and repairs, including redecorating, refinishing, nonstructural repairs, or the replacement of existing fixtures, systems or equipment with equivalent fixtures, systems or structures.
MANUFACTURED HOMEA structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis and is designed to be used with or without a permanent foundation when connected to required utilities. For the purpose of this chapter, it does not include mobile recreational vehicles or travel trailers.
MINOR STRUCTURESOne or more structures totaling 200 square feet or less that are allowed within 35 feet to 74.99 feet from the OHWM. The structures must have no sides, open sides or screened sides and may include a roof.
MITIGATIONThe balancing of measures that are designed, implemented and function to restore natural functions and values that are otherwise lost through development and human activities. Mitigation includes, but is not limited to, the installation of vegetative buffers or removal of nonconforming structures and selected stormwater measures to preserve and enhance water quality and aesthetics. Mitigation applies to the property as a whole and not just to the portion of the frontage that might be in front of the unit impacted.
MOBILE RECREATIONAL VEHICLEA vehicle which is built on a single chassis, 400 square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection, designed to be self-propelled, carried or permanently towable by a licensed, light-duty vehicle, is licensed for highway use if registration is required and is designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling, but as a temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel or seasonal use. Manufactured homes that are towed or carried onto a parcel of land, but do not remain capable of being towed or carried, including park model homes, do not fall within the definition of "mobile recreational vehicle."
MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION, EXISTINGA parcel of land, divided into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale, on which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots is completed before the effective date of this chapter. At a minimum, this would include the installation of utilities, the construction of streets and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads.
MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOME PARK, EXPANSION TO EXISTINGThe preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed. This includes installation of utilities, construction of streets and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads.
MODEL, CORRECTED EFFECTIVEA hydraulic engineering model that corrects any errors that occur in the duplicate effective model, adds any additional cross sections to the duplicate effective model, or incorporates more detailed topographic information than that used in the current effective model.
MODEL, EFFECTIVEThe hydraulic engineering model that was used to produce the current effective Flood Insurance Study.
MODEL, EXISTING (PREPROJECT)A modification of the duplicate effective model or corrected effective model to reflect any man-made modifications that have occurred within the floodplain since the date of the effective model but prior to the construction of the project for which the revision is being requested. If no modification has occurred since the date of the effective model, then this model would be identical to the corrected effective model or duplicate effective model.
MODEL, REVISED (POST-PROJECT)A modification of the existing or preproject conditions model, duplicate effective model or corrected effective model to reflect revised or post-project conditions.
NAVIGABLE WATERSLake Superior, Lake Michigan, all natural inland lakes within Wisconsin and all streams, ponds, sloughs, flowages and other waters within the territorial limits of this state, including the Wisconsin portion of boundary waters which are navigable under the laws of this state. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has declared navigable bodies of water those that have a bed differentiated from adjacent uplands and levels or flow sufficient to support navigation by a recreational craft of the shallowest draft on an annually recurring basis [Muench v. Public Service Committee, 261 Wis. 492 (1952) and DeGayner Co., Inc. v. Dept. of Natural Resources, 70 Wis. 2d 936 (1975)]. For example, a stream which is navigable by a skiff or canoe during normal spring high-water is navigable in fact under the laws of this state, though it may be dry during other seasons. For lands adjacent to farm draining ditches, see §
275-3A(4) of this chapter.
For floodplain management purposes, "new construction" means structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of floodplain zoning regulations adopted by the County and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTUREAn existing lawful structure which is not in conformity with the dimensional or structural requirements of this chapter for the area of the district which it occupies (e.g., an existing residential structure in the Floodfringe District is a conforming use; however, if the first floor is lower than the flood protection elevation, the structure is nonconforming).
NONCONFORMING USEAn existing lawful use or accessory use of a structure which is not in conformity with the provisions of this chapter for the area of the district which it occupies.
NONFLOOD DISASTERA fire or an ice storm, tornado, windstorm, mudslide or other destructive act of nature, but excludes a flood.
NUISANCEAny use or structure causing significant harm, injury or impairment to the general health, safety or welfare of the public.
OBSTRUCTION TO FLOWAny development which blocks the conveyance of floodwaters such that this development alone or together with any future similar development will cause an increase in regional flood height.
OFFICIAL FLOODPLAIN ZONING MAPThat map, adopted and made part of this chapter, as described in §
275-14C, which has been approved by the Department and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Those uses having a relatively low flood damage potential and not involving structures.
ORDINARY HIGH-WATER MARK (OHWM)The point on the bank or shore up to which the presence and action of surface water is so continuous as to leave a distinctive mark, such as by erosion, destruction or prevention of terrestrial vegetation, predominance of aquatic vegetation or other easily recognized characteristics.
PERSONAn individual, or group of individuals, corporation, partnership, association, municipality or state agency.
PREVIOUSLY DEVELOPED LANDAny land, parcel or lot that meets the definition of "development" (see term defined above in this section) as of the date of enactment of this chapter.
PRINCIPAL STRUCTUREThe main or primary building on a lot that is used for a residence, place of business, or other recreational purposes.
PRIVATE ON-SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMA sewage treatment and disposal system serving one structure with a septic tank and soil absorption field located on the same parcel as the structure. It also means an alternative sewage system approved by the Department of Safety and Professional Services, including a substitute for the septic tank or soil absorption field, a holding tank, a system serving more than one structure or a system located on a different parcel than the structure.
PUBLIC PURPOSE FACILITYAny structure or improvement required by a governmental unit or agency in the interest of the health, safety, or welfare of the public as a condition to granting a permit or approval to the petitioner. Public purpose facilities may include, but are not limited to, roads, sidewalks, utilities, pollution-control facilities and railroads.
PUBLIC UTILITIESThose utilities installed for the benefit of the general public using underground or overhead transmission lines, such as electric, telephone and telegraph, and distribution and collection systems, such as water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer.
REASONABLY SAFE FROM FLOODINGBase floodwaters will not inundate the land or damage structures to be removed from the floodplain and any subsurface waters related to the base flood will not damage existing or proposed buildings.
RECONSTRUCTIONTo construct again or to establish or assemble again involving structural components.
REGIONAL FLOODA flood determined to be representative of large floods known to have generally occurred in Wisconsin. A regional flood is a flood with a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year, and if depicted on the FIRM, the regional flood elevation is equivalent to the base flood elevation. This means that during a typical 30-year mortgage period, the regional flood has a 26% chance of occurrence.
RIPRAPThe placement of various-size rocks or natural materials along the shoreline to prevent erosion. Riprap requires the installation of erosion-control fabric placed on the exposed soil below the rocks.
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OF VEGETATIONNormally accepted horticultural practices that do not result in the loss of any layer of existing vegetation and do not require earth disturbance.
SHORELAND SETBACK AREAThe area in a shoreland that is within a certain distance of the ordinary high-water mark in which the construction or placement of buildings or structures has been limited or prohibited by this chapter. Except as more specifically defined in this chapter, the area is described as "75 feet from the ordinary high-water mark."
SHORELAND-WETLAND DISTRICTThe zoning district, created as a part of this chapter, comprised of shorelands that are designated as wetlands on the Wisconsin DNR wetland inventory maps which have been adopted and made a part of this chapter.
SHORELANDSLands within the following distances from the ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) of navigable waters: 1,000 feet from a lake, pond or flowage; and 300 feet from a river or stream or to the landward side of the floodplain, whichever distance is greater.
SHRUB LAYERWoody bushes and tree saplings that are three feet to 12 feet tall.
SILVICULTUREThe science and art of cultivating (i.e., growing and tending) forest crops, based on a knowledge of silvics.
START OF CONSTRUCTIONThe date the building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, placement, or other improvement was within 180 days of the permit date. For floodplain zoning purposes, "the actual start" means either the first placement of permanent construction on a site, such as the pouring of slab or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns, or any work beyond initial excavation, or the placement of a manufactured home on a foundation. "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 part of the main structure. For an alteration, "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.
STORAGE CAPACITY OF A FLOODPLAINThe volume of space above an area of floodplain land that can be occupied by floodwater of a given stage at a given time, regardless of whether the water is moving.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENTAny measures taken to permanently reduce or minimize the negative impacts of stormwater runoff quantity and quality from land development activities. An "approved" stormwater management plan means approved by the Washington County Land and Water Conservation Division, or town or other government agency having such authority to grant approval.
STRUCTURAL COMPONENTSAny supporting member of a building or structure, including but not limited to the foundation, walls, floor systems, ceilings, roofs, decks and appendages.
STRUCTUREA principal structure or any accessory structure which is a man-made object with form, shape and utility, either permanently or temporarily attached to, placed upon or set into the ground, stream bed or lake bed, which includes, but is not limited to, such objects as roofed and walled structures, garages, sheds, boathouses, sidewalks, walkways, patios, decks, ice fishing shanties, gas or liquid storage tanks, bridges, dams, culverts, retaining walls, porches or fire pits.
SUBDIVISIONHas the meaning given in Chapter
257, Land Divisions, of the Code of Washington County and §
236.02(12), Wis. Stats.
Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its predamaged condition would equal or exceed 50% of the equalized assessed value of the structure before the damage occurred.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTAny repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or improvement of a building or structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the equalized assessed value of the structure before the improvement or repair is started. If the structure has sustained substantial damage, any repairs are considered substantial improvement regardless of the work performed. The term does not, however, include either any project for the improvement of a building required to correct existing health, sanitary or safety code violations identified by the Building Official and that are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions; or any alteration of an historic structure, provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as an historic structure.
TRAM/LIFTA motorized, box-like container or carrier that travels on a rail.
UNNECESSARY HARDSHIPThe inability to conform to the provisions of this chapter due to special conditions which were not self-created, affecting a particular property, that would unreasonably prevent the owner from using the property for a permitted purpose or would render conformity with such restrictions unnecessarily burdensome.
UTILITIESAny public or private water supply, waste collection or disposal system, including, but not limited to, private and public wells and their attendant facilities, private on-site wastewater treatment systems and public sewage collection systems.
VARIANCEAn authorization granted by the County Board of Adjustment to construct, alter or use a structure in a manner that deviates from the dimensional standards of this chapter. A variance may not permit the use of a property that would otherwise be prohibited by this chapter or allow construction not protected to the flood protection elevation.
VIOLATIONThe failure of a structure or other development or land activity to be fully compliant with this chapter. A structure or other development without required permits, lowest floor elevation documentation, floodproofing certificates or required floodway encroachment calculations is presumed to be in violation until such time as that documentation is provided.
WATER SURFACE PROFILEA graphic representation showing the elevation of the water surface of a watercourse for each position along a reach of river, stream or lake at a certain flood flow. A water surface profile of the regional flood is used in regulating floodplain areas.
WATERSHEDThe entire region or area contributing runoff or surface water to a particular watercourse or body of water.
WELLAn excavation opening in the ground made by digging, boring, drilling, driving or other methods to obtain groundwater regardless of its intended use.
WETLAND ALTERATIONAny construction, filling, flooding, draining, dredging, ditching, tiling, excavating, temporary water level stabilization measures or dike and dam construction in a wetland area.
WETLANDSThose areas where water is at, near or above the land surface long enough to be capable of supporting aquatic or hydrophytic vegetation and which have soils indicative of wet conditions.
ZONING PERMITA County permit issued by the Washington County Planning and Parks Department staff to ensure compliance with this chapter for shoreland, wetland and floodplain projects that contains specific conditions of approval.