As used in this ordinance, the following words
are intended to include and be defined as follows:
HOUSEBARGE
Any vessel or craft used or designed to be used on the water
surface and to provide residential accommodations with sleeping and
toilet facilities, whose volume coefficient is greater than two thousand
five hundred (2,500) cubic feet. Volume coefficient is the ratio of
the habitable space of a vessel measured in cubic feet to the draft
of a vessel measured in feet of depth. Habitable space is any enclosed
area used or designed to be used for a person to sleep, sit or eat.
MARINA
Upland property which is used as a dock or mooring base for
more than one (1) vessel or craft not owned by the marina owner or
his family.
The storage or use of housebarges is prohibited.
The lawful use of housebarges existing on August
21, 1984, may continue, subject to the following conditions and specifications:
A. Within six (6) months of the enactment of this ordinance,
all housebarges shall be permanently connected to an upland septic
system which complies with all laws and regulations for septic systems.
B. Within six (6) months of the enactment of this ordinance, all housebarges shall obtain a special permit for housebarges from the Department of Environmental Control/Bay Management, which permit shall be granted only upon compliance with Subsection
A.
C. The special permit for housebarges may be revoked
by the Commissioner of Environmental Control upon a showing that the
permanent connection for a septic system is not connected.
D. As of August 21, 1989, all special permits for housebarges
and all existing uses of housebarges shall terminate.
E. Any existing use which has been destroyed or damaged
by fire, explosion or act of God to the extent of sixty percent (60%)
or more of its fair market value shall be considered to be destroyed.
Where more than forty percent (40%) of the fair market value remains,
any existing use having a special permit for housebarges may be restored
to the same existing use as it existed before such damage.
This ordinance shall not apply to commercial
manufacturers of housebarges until overnight use of a housebarge commences.
An offense against any of the provisions of
this chapter shall be a violation and shall be punishable as follows:
for each conviction, a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.).
This ordinance shall be effective immediately.