This article shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of the City of Hudson.
The areas of special flood hazard are identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a scientific and engineering report entitled "Flood Insurance Study of the City of Hudson, of Columbia County, New York," dated September 29, 1989, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps, is hereby adopted and declared to be a part of this chapter. The Flood Insurance Study and FIRM are on file at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson, New York.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
A. 
This article is adopted in response to revisions to the National Flood Insurance Program effective October 1, 1986, and shall supersede all previous laws adopted for the purpose of establishing and maintaining eligibility for flood insurance.
B. 
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements, adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety and welfare. Whenever the requirements of this chapter are at variance with the requirements of any other lawfully adopted rules, regulations or ordinances, the most restrictive, or that imposing the highest standards, shall govern.
No structure shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted or altered and no land shall be excavated or filled without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and any other applicable regulations. Any infraction of the provisions of this chapter by failure to comply with any of its requirements, including infractions of conditions and safeguards established in connection with conditions of the permit, shall constitute a violation. Any person who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined no more than $250 or imprisoned for not more than 15 days, or both. Each day of noncompliance shall be considered a separate offense. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the City of Hudson from taking such other lawful action as necessary to prevent or remedy an infraction. Any structure found not compliant with the requirements of this chapter for which the developer and/or owner has not applied for and received an approved variance under Article VI will be declared noncompliant and notification sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The degree of flood protection required by this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering considerations. Larger floods can and will occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes. This article does not imply that land outside the areas of special flood hazard or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages. This article shall not create liability on the part of the City of Hudson, any officer or employee thereof or the Federal Emergency Management Agency for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.