The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface
waters from any source.
FLOOD HAZARD BOUNDARY MAP (FHBM)
An official map of a community, issued by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, where the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazard have been
defined but no water surface elevation is provided.
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM)
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.
FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY
The official report provided by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency. the report contains flood profiles as well as the Flood Boundary -
Floodway Map and the water surface elevations of the base flood.
FLOODPROOFING
Any combination of structural and nonstructural additions, changes
or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood damage to real
estate or improved real property, water and sanitary facilities, structures
and their contents.
FLOODWAY
The same meaning as "regulatory floodway."
FLOOR
The top surface of an enclosed area in a building, including basement,
i.e., the top of a slab in concrete slab construction or the top of wood flooring
in wood frame construction.
FUNCTIONALLY DEPENDENT USE
A use which cannot perform its intended purpose unless it is located
or carried out in close proximity to water, such as a docking or port facility
necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, shipbuilding
and ship repair. The term does not include long-term storage, manufacture,
sales or service facilities.
HIGHEST ADJACENT GRADE
The highest natural elevation of the ground surface, prior to construction,
next to the proposed walls of a structure.
LOWEST FLOOR
The lowest level, including basement or cellar, of the lowest enclosed
area. An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure usable solely for the parking
of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement is
not considered a building's "lowest floor," provided that such enclosure
is not built so as to render the structure in violation of the applicable
nonelevation design requirements of this chapter.
MANUFACTURED HOME
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. The term also includes
park trailers, travel trailers and similar transportable structures placed
on a site for 180 consecutive days or longer and intended to be improved property.
MEAN SEA LEVEL
For purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program, the National
Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929 or other data to which base flood elevations
shown on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map are referenced.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after
the effective date of this chapter.
REGULATORY FLOODWAY
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 a designated height, as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a Flood Insurance Study or by other agencies as provided in §
98-13A(2) of this chapter.
SAND DUNES
Naturally occurring accumulations of sand in ridges or mounds landward
of the beach.
START OF CONSTRUCTION
The initiation, excluding planning and design, of any phase of a
project or physical alteration of the property, and shall include land preparation,
such as clearing, grading and filling; installation of streets and/or walkways;
excavation for a basement, footings, piers or foundations; or the erection
of temporary forms. It also includes the placement and/or installation on
the property of accessory buildings (garages, sheds), storage trailers and
building materials. For manufactured homes, the "actual start" means affixing
of the manufactured home to its permanent site.
STRUCTURE
A walled and roofed building, a manufactured home or a gas- or liquid-storage
tank that is principally above ground.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT
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 commence 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:
(a)
Any project for the improvement of a structure to comply with existing
state or local building, fire, health, sanitary or safety code specifications
which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
(b)
Any alteration of a structure or contributing structure listed on the
National Register of Historic Places or a State Inventory of Historic Places.
VARIANCE
A grant of relief from the requirements of this chapter, which permits
construction or use in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited by this
chapter.