BILL NO

BILL NO. 0279 ORDINANCE NO. 04-13

AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ALL PRIOR LEGISLATIVE ACTS WHICH CONTAIN REGULATIONS FOR BUILDING IN SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREAS, AND ADOPTING A NEW FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE.

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WHEREAS, the National Flood Insurance Program has established new minimum requirements which must be met by all participants in that program; and

WHEREAS, the City of Clarkson Valley is a participating community in that program and is authorized by law to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizens; and

WHEREAS, the City of Clarkson Valley has in the past complied by appropriate legislative acts with the minimum requirements set forth by the National Flood Insurance Program as modified from time to time.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY, ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1: The Municipal Code, City of Clarkson Valley, Missouri, in Title IV: Land Use is hereby repealing Chapter 415: Flood Damage Prevention and adding a new Chapter 415: Floodplain Management.

SECTION 2: A new Chapter 415: Floodplain Management will be added to Title IV: Land Use and shall be adopted which will read as follows:

CHAPTER 415: FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT

ARTICLE I. STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF FACT, AND PURPOSES

SECTION 415.010: STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION

The Legislature of the State of Missouri has in Chapter 89.020 RSMO delegated the responsibility to local governmental units to adopt floodplain management regulations designed to protect the health, safety, and general welfare. Therefore, the Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley ordains as follows:

SECTION 415.020: FINDINGS OF FACT

A. Flood Losses Resulting from Periodic Inundation

The special flood hazard areas of Clarkson Valley, Missouri are subject to inundation which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base; all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.

B. General Causes of the Flood Losses

These flood losses are caused by (1) the cumulative effect of development in any delineated floodplain causing increases in flood heights and velocities; and (2) the occupancy of flood hazard areas by uses vulnerable to floods, hazardous to others, inadequately elevated, or otherwise unprotected from flood damages.

C. Methods Used To Analyze Flood Hazards

The Flood Insurance Study (FIS) that is the basis of this ordinance uses a standard engineering method of analyzing flood hazards which consist of a series of interrelated steps.

1. Selection of a base flood that is based upon engineering calculations which permit a consideration of such flood factors as its expected frequency of occurrence, the area inundated, and the depth of inundation. The base flood selected for this ordinance is representative of large floods which are characteristic of what can be expected to occur on the particular streams subject to this ordinance. It is in the general order of a flood which could be expected to have a one percent chance of occurrence in any one year as delineated on the Federal Insurance Administrator's FIS, and illustrative materials dated August 2000 as amended, and any future revisions thereto.

2. Calculation of water surface profiles is based on a standard hydraulic engineering analysis of the capacity of the stream channel and overbank areas to convey the regulatory flood.

3. Computation of a floodway required to convey this flood without increasing flood heights more than one (1) foot at any point.

4. Delineation of floodway encroachment lines within which no development is permitted that would cause any increase in flood height.

5. Delineation of flood fringe, i.e., that area outside the floodway encroachment lines, but still subject to inundation by the base flood.

SECTION 415.030: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

It is the purpose of this ordinance to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare; to minimize those losses described in Article I, Section 415.020 A; to establish or maintain the community's eligibility for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as defined in 44 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 59.22(a)(3); and to meet the requirements of 44 CFR 60.3(d) by applying the provisions of this ordinance to:

A. Restrict or prohibit uses that are dangerous to health, safety, or property in times of flooding or cause undue increases in flood heights or velocities;

B. Require uses vulnerable to floods, including public facilities that serve such uses, be provided with flood protection at the time of initial construction; and

C. Protect individuals from buying lands that are unsuited for the intended development purposes due to the flood hazard.

ARTICLE II. GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 415.040: LANDS TO WHICH ORDINANCE APPLIES

This ordinance shall apply to all lands within the jurisdiction of the Clarkson Valley identified as numbered and unnumbered A zones and AE zones, on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM) dated August 2000 as amended, and any future revisions thereto. In all areas covered by this ordinance, no development shall be permitted except through the issuance of a floodplain development permit, granted by the City of Clarkson Valley or its duly designated representative under such safeguards and restrictions as the City of Clarkson Valley or the designated representative may reasonably impose for the promotion and maintenance of the general welfare, health of the inhabitants of the community, and as specifically noted in Article 4.

SECTION 415.050: FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATORS

The Mayor and Planning and Zoning Chairman are hereby designated as the Floodplain Administrators under this ordinance.

SECTION 415.060: COMPLIANCE

No development located within the special flood hazard areas of this community shall be located, extended, converted, or structurally altered without full compliance with the terms of this ordinance and other applicable regulations.

SECTION 415.070: ABROGATION AND GREATER RESTRICTIONS

It is not intended by this ordinance to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this ordinance imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this ordinance shall prevail. All other ordinances inconsistent with this ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of the inconsistency only.

SECTION 415.080: INTERPRETATION

In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this ordinance shall be held to be minimum requirements, shall be liberally construed in favor of the governing body, and shall not be deemed a limitation or repeal of any other powers granted by State statutes.

SECTION 415.090: WARNING AND DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

The degree of flood protection required by this ordinance is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on engineering and scientific methods of study. Larger floods may occur on rare occasions or the flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes, such as ice jams and bridge openings restricted by debris. This ordinance does not imply that areas outside the floodway and flood fringe or land uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damage. This ordinance shall not create a liability on the part of Clarkson Valley, any officer or employee thereof, for any flood damages that may result from reliance on this ordinance or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.

SECTION 415.100: SEVERABILITY

If any section, clause, provision, or portion of this ordinance is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, the remainder of this ordinance shall not be affected thereby.

ARTICLE III. ADMINISTRATION

SECTION 415.110: FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT PERMIT

A floodplain development permit shall be required for all proposed construction or other development, including the placement of manufactured homes, in the areas described in Section 415.040. No person, firm, corporation, or unit of government shall initiate any development or substantial-improvement or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a separate floodplain development permit for each structure or other development.

SECTION 415.120: DESIGNATION OF FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATORS

The Mayor and Chairman of Planning and Zoning of Clarkson Valley are hereby appointed to administer and implement the provisions of this ordinance.

SECTION 415.130: DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATORS

Duties of the floodplain administrators shall include, but not be limited to:

A. Review of all applications for floodplain development permits to assure that sites are reasonably safe from flooding and that the floodplain development permit requirements of this ordinance have been satisfied;

B. Review of all applications for floodplain development permits for proposed development to assure that all necessary permits have been obtained from Federal, State, or local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required by Federal, State, or local law;

C. Review all subdivision proposals and other proposed new development, including manufactured home parks or subdivisions, to determine whether such proposals will be reasonably safe from flooding;

D. Issue floodplain development permits for all approved applications;

E. Notify adjacent communities and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA);

F. Assure that the flood carrying capacity is not diminished and shall be maintained within the altered or relocated portion of any watercourse.

G. Verify and maintain a record of the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the lowest floor, including basement, of all new or substantially improved structures;

H. Verify and maintain a record of the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) that the new or substantially improved non-residential structures have been floodproofed;

I. When floodproofing techniques are utilized for a particular non-residential structure, the floodplain administrators shall require certification from a registered professional engineer or architect.

SECTION 415.140: APPLICATION FOR FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT PERMIT

To obtain a floodplain development permit, the applicant shall first file an application in writing on a form furnished for that purpose. Every floodplain development permit application shall:

A. Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by lot, block and tract, house and street address, or similar description that will readily identify and specifically locate the proposed structure or work;

B. Identify and describe the work to be covered by the floodplain development permit;

C. Indicate the use or occupancy for which the proposed work is intended;

D. Indicate the assessed value of the structure and the fair market value of the improvement;

E. Specify whether development is located in designated flood fringe or floodway;

F. Identify the existing base flood elevation and the elevation of the proposed development;

G. Give such other information as reasonably may be required by the floodplain administrators;

H. Be accompanied by plans and specifications for proposed construction; and

I. Be signed by the permittee or his authorized agent who may be required to submit evidence to indicate such authority.

ARTICLE IV. PROVISIONS FOR FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION

SECTION 415.150: GENERAL STANDARDS

A. No permit for floodplain development shall be granted for new construction, substantial-improvements, and other improvements, including the placement of manufactured homes, within any numbered or unnumbered A zones and AE zones, unless the conditions of this section are satisfied.

B. All areas identified as unnumbered A zones on the FIRM are subject to inundation of the 100-year flood; however, the base flood elevation is not provided. Development within unnumbered A zones is subject to all provisions of this ordinance. If Flood Insurance Study data is not available, the community shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation or floodway data currently available from Federal, State, or other sources.

C. Until a floodway is designated, no new construction, substantial improvements, or other development, including fill, shall be permitted within any numbered A zone or AE zone on the FIRM, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other existing and anticipated development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the community.

D. All new construction, subdivision proposals, substantial-improvements, prefabricated structures, placement of manufactured homes, and other developments shall require:

1. Design or adequate anchorage to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy;

2. Construction with materials resistant to flood damage;

3. Utilization of methods and practices that minimize flood damages;

4. All electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air-conditioning equipment, and other service facilities be designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding;

5. New or replacement water supply systems and/or sanitary sewage systems be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharges from the systems into flood waters, and on-site waste disposal systems be located so as to avoid impairment or contamination; and

6. Subdivision proposals and other proposed new development, including manufactured home parks or subdivisions, located within special flood hazard areas are required to assure that:

(a) All such proposals are consistent with the need to minimize flood damage;

(b) All public utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems are located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage;

(d) All proposals for development, including proposals for manufactured home parks and subdivisions, of five (5) acres or fifty (50) lots, whichever is lesser, include within such proposals base flood elevation data.

E. Storage, material, and equipment

1. The storage or processing of materials within the special flood hazard area that are in time of flooding buoyant, flammable, explosive, or could be injurious to human, animal, or plant life is prohibited.

2. Storage of other material or equipment may be allowed if not subject to major damage by floods, if firmly anchored to prevent flotation, or if readily removable from the area within the time available after a flood warning.

F. Accessory Structures

Structures used solely for parking and limited storage purposes, not attached to any other structure on the site, of limited investment value, and not larger than 400 square feet, may be constructed at-grade and wet-floodproofed provided there is no human habitation or occupancy of the structure; the structure is of single-wall design; a variance has been granted from the standard floodplain management requirements of this ordinance; and a floodplain development permit has been issued.

G. Cumulative Improvement

A structure may be improved (remodeled or enlarged) without conforming to current requirements for elevation so long as the cumulative value of all work done within the last five calendar years does not exceed 50 percent of the structure's current market value. If the cumulative value of the improvement exceeds 50 percent of the structure's current market value, the structure must be brought into compliance with Article IV, Section 415.160 A which requires elevation of residential structures to or above the base flood elevation or the elevation/floodproofing of non-residential structures to or above the base flood elevation.

SECTION 415.160: SPECIFIC STANDARDS

A. In all areas identified as numbered and unnumbered A zones and AE zones, where base flood elevation data have been provided, as set forth in Article IV, Section 415.140 B, the following provisions are required:

1. Residential Construction

New construction or substantial-improvement of any residential structures, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to one foot above the base flood elevation.

2. Non‑Residential Construction

New construction or substantial-improvement of any commercial, industrial, or other non‑residential structures, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to one foot above the base flood elevation or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be floodproofed so that below the base flood elevation the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy. A registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the standards of this subsection are satisfied. Such certification shall be provided to the Floodplain Administrators as set forth in Section 415.130 I.

3. Require, for all new construction and substantial-improvements, that fully enclosed areas below lowest floor used solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage in an area other than a basement and that are subject to flooding shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of floodwaters. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:

(a) A minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided; and

(b) The bottom of all opening shall be no higher than one foot above grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.

SECTION 415.165: MANUFACTURED HOMES

A. All manufactured homes to be placed within all unnumbered and numbered A zones and AE zones, on the community's FIRM shall be required to be installed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage. For the purposes of this requirement, manufactured homes must be elevated and anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not limited to, use of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors.

B. Require manufactured homes that are placed or substantially improved within unnumbered or numbered A zones and AE zones, on the community's FIRM on sites:

1. outside of manufactured home park or subdivision;

2. in a new manufactured home park or subdivision;

3. in an expansion to and existing manufactured home park or subdivision; or

4. in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision on which a manufactured home has incurred substantial-damage as the result of a flood,

be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated to or one foot above the base flood elevation and be securely attached to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.

C. Require that manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved on sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision within all unnumbered and numbered A zones and AE zones, on the community's FIRM, that are not subject to the provisions of Article IV, Section 415.165 B of this ordinance, be elevated so that either:

a. the lowest floor of the manufactured home is at or one foot above the base flood level; or

b. the manufactured home chassis is supported by reinforced piers or other foundation elements of at least equivalent strength that are no less than thirty-six (36) inches in height above grade and be securely attached to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.

SECTION 415.170: FLOODWAY

Located within areas of special flood hazard established in Section 415.010 are areas designated as floodways. Since the floodway is an extremely hazardous area due to the velocity of flood waters that carry debris and potential projectiles, the following provisions shall apply:

A. The community shall select and adopt a regulatory floodway based on the principle that the area chosen for the regulatory floodway must be designed to carry the waters of the base flood without increasing the water surface elevation of that flood more than one foot at any point.

B. The community shall prohibit any encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial- improvements, and other development within the adopted regulatory floodway unless it has been demonstrated through hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in accordance with standard engineering practice that the proposed encroachment would not result in any increase in flood levels within the community during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.

C. If Section 415.170 B is satisfied, all new construction and substantial-improvements shall comply with all applicable flood hazard reduction provisions of Article IV.

4. In unnumbered A zones, the community shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation or floodway data currently available from Federal, State, or other sources as set forth in Section 415.150 B.

SECTION 415.180: RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

A. Require that recreational vehicles placed on sites within all unnumbered and numbered A zones and AE zones on the community's FIRM either:

a. Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days, or

b. Be fully licensed and ready for highway use*; or

c. Meet the permitting, elevation, and the anchoring requirements for manufactured homes of this ordinance.

*A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick-disconnect type utilities and security devices, and has no permanently attached additions.

ARTICLE V. FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT VARIANCE PROCEDURES

SECTION 415.190: ESTABLISHMENT OF APPEAL BOARD

The Board of Adjustment as established by Clarkson Valley shall hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from the floodplain management requirements of this ordinance.

SECTION 415.200: RESPONSIBILITY OF APPEAL BOARD

Where an application for a floodplain development permit or request for a variance from the floodplain management regulations is denied by the floodplain administrators, the applicant may apply for such floodplain development permit or variance directly to the Appeal Board, as defined in Section 415.190.

The Board of Adjustment shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged that there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the floodplain administrators in the enforcement or administration of this ordinance.

SECTION 415.210: FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT VARIANCE CRITERIA

In passing upon such applications for variances, the Board of Adjustment shall consider all technical data and evaluations, all relevant factors, standards specified in other sections of this ordinance, and the following criteria:

A. The danger to life and property due to flood damage;

B. The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others;

C. The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owner;

D. The importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the community;

E. The necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable;

F. The availability of alternative locations, not subject to flood damage, for the proposed use;

G. The compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development;

H. The relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive plan and floodplain management program for that area;

I. The safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles;

J. The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise and sediment transport of the flood waters, if applicable, expected at the site; and,

K. The costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions, including maintenance and repair of public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems; streets; and bridges.

SECTION 415.220: CONDITIONS FOR APPROVING FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT VARIANCES

A. Generally, variances may be issued for new construction and substantial-improvements to be erected on a lot of one-half acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level, providing items B through F below have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the one-half acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.

B. Variances may be issued for the reconstruction, rehabilitation, or restoration of structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the State Inventory of Historic Places, or local inventory of historic places upon determination provided the proposed activity will not preclude the structure's continued historic designation.

C. Variances shall not be issued within any designated floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result.

D. Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief.

E. Variances shall only be issued upon (a) a showing of good and sufficient cause, (b) a determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant, and (c) a determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.

F. A community shall notify the applicant in writing over the signature of a community official that (1) the issuance of a variance to construct a structure below base flood level will result in increased premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as high as $25.00 for $100.00 of insurance coverage and (2) such construction below the base flood level increases risks to life and property. Such notification shall be maintained with the record of all variance actions as required by this ordinance.

SECTION 415.230: CONDITIONS FOR APPROVING VARIANCES FOR ACCESSORY STRUCTURES

Any variance granted for an accessory structure shall be decided individually based on a case-by-case analysis of the building's unique circumstances. Variances granted shall meet the following conditions as well as those criteria and conditions set forth in Sections 415.210 and 415.220 of this ordinance.

In order to minimize flood damages during the 100-year flood and the threat to public health and safety, the following conditions shall be included for any variance issued for accessory structures that are constructed at-grade and wet-floodproofed.

A. Use of the accessory structures must be solely for parking and limited storage purposes in zone A only as identified on the community's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).

B. For any new or substantially damaged accessory structures, the exterior and interior building components and elements (i.e., foundation, wall framing, exterior and interior finishes, flooring, etc.) below the base flood elevation, must be built with flood-resistant materials in accordance with Section 415.150 D2 of this ordinance.

C. The accessory structures must be adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure in accordance with Article IV, Section 415.150 D1 of this ordinance. All of the building's structural components must be capable of resisting specific flood-related forces including hydrostatic, buoyancy, and hydrodynamic and debris impact forces.

D. Any mechanical, electrical, or other utility equipment must be located above the base flood elevation or floodproofed so that they are contained within a watertight, floodproofed enclosure that is capable of resisting damage during flood conditions in accordance with Section 415.150 D4 of this ordinance.

E. The accessory structures must meet all National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) opening requirements. The NFIP requires that enclosure or foundation walls, subject to the 100-year flood, contain openings that will permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters in accordance with Section 415.160 A3 of this ordinance.

F. The accessory structures must comply with the floodplain management floodway encroachment provisions of this ordinance. No variances may be issued for accessory structures within any designated floodway, if any increase in flood levels would result during the 100-year flood.

G. Equipment, machinery, or other contents must be protected from any flood damage.

H. No disaster relief assistance under any program administered by any Federal agency shall be paid for any repair or restoration costs of the accessory structures.

I. A community shall notify the applicant in writing over the signature of a community official that (1) the issuance of a variance to construct a structure below base flood level will result in increased premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as high as $25.00 for $100.00 of insurance coverage and (2) such construction below the base flood level increases risks to life and property. Such notification shall be maintained with the record of all variance actions as required by this ordinance.

J. Wet-floodproofing construction techniques must be reviewed and approved by the community and registered professional engineer or architect prior to the issuance of any floodplain development permit for construction.

ARTICLE VI. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION

Violation of the provisions of this ordinance or failure to comply with any of its requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with granting of variances) shall constitute a misdemeanor. Any person who violates this ordinance or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $1,000.00, and in addition, shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the police of contract or other appropriate authority from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.

ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS

The regulations, restrictions, and boundaries set forth in this ordinance may from time to time be amended, supplemented, changed, or appealed to reflect any and all changes in the National Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, provided, however, that no such action may be taken until after a public hearing in relation thereto, at which parties of interest and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard. Notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation. At least 20 days shall elapse between the date of this publication and the public hearing. A copy of such amendments will be provided to the Region VII office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The regulations of this ordinance are in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations.

ARTICLE VIII. DEFINITIONS

Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this ordinance shall be interpreted so as to give them the same meaning they have in common usage and to give this ordinance its most reasonable application.

"100-year Flood" see "base flood."

"Accessory Structure" means the same as "appurtenant structure."

"Actuarial Rates" see "risk premium rates."

"Administrator" means the Federal Insurance Administrator.

"Agency" means the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

"Appeal" means a request for review of the Floodplain Administrators' interpretation of any provision of this ordinance or a request for a variance.

"Appurtenant Structure" means a structure that is on the same parcel of property as the principle structure to be insured and the use of which is incidental to the use of the principal structure.

"Area of Special Flood Hazard" is the land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year.

"Base Flood" means the flood having a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.

"Basement" means any area of the structure having its floor subgrade (below ground level) on all sides.

"Building" see "structure."

"Chief Executive Officer" or "Chief Elected Official" means the official of the community who is charged with the authority to implement and administer laws, ordinances, and regulations for that community.

"Community" means any State or area or political subdivision thereof, which has authority to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations for the areas within its jurisdiction.

"Development" means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, levees, levee systems, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations, or storage of equipment or materials.

"Elevated Building" means for insurance purposes, a non-basement building which has its lowest elevated floor raised above ground level by foundation walls, shear walls, posts, piers, pilings, or columns.

"Eligible Community" or "Participating Community" means a community for which the Administrator has authorized the sale of flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

"Existing Construction" means for the purposes of determining rates, structures for which the "start of construction" commenced before the effective date of the FIRM or before January 1, 1975, for FIRMs effective before that date. "existing construction" may also be referred to as "existing structures."

"Existing Manufactured Home Park or Subdivision" means a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed before the effective date of the floodplain management regulations adopted by a community.

"Expansion to an Existing Manufactured Home Park or Subdivision" means the preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads).

"Flood" or "Flooding" means a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from (1) the overflow of inland and/or (2) the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.

"Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM)" means an official map of a community on which the Administrator has delineated both special flood hazard areas and the designated regulatory floodway.

"Flood Elevation Determination" means a determination by the Administrator of the water surface elevations of the base flood, that is, the flood level that has a one percent or greater chance of occurrence in any given year.

"Flood Elevation Study" means an examination, evaluation and determination of flood hazards.

"Flood Fringe" means the area outside the floodway encroachment lines, but still subject to inundation by the regulatory flood.

"Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM)" means an official map of a community, issued by the Administrator, where the boundaries of the flood areas having special flood hazards have been designated as (unnumbered or numbered) A zones.

"Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)" means an official map of a community, on which the Administrator has delineated both the special flood hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.

"Flood Insurance Study (FIS)" means an examination, evaluation and determination of flood hazards and, if appropriate, corresponding water surface elevations.

"Floodplain" or "Flood-prone Area" means any land area susceptible to being inundated by water from any source (see "flooding").

"Floodplain Management" means the operation of an overall program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damage, including but not limited to emergency preparedness plans, flood control works, and floodplain management regulations.

"Floodplain Management Regulations" means zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, health regulations, special purpose ordinances (such as floodplain and grading ordinances) and other applications of police power. The term describes such state or local regulations, in any combination thereof, that provide standards for the purpose of flood damage prevention and reduction.

"Floodproofing" means any combination of structural and nonstructural additions, changes, or adjustments to structures that reduce or eliminate flood damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary facilities, or structures and their contents.

"Floodway" or "Regulatory Floodway" means 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 one foot.

"Floodway Encroachment Lines" means the lines marking the limits of floodways on Federal, State and local floodplain maps.

"Freeboard" means a factor of safety usually expressed in feet above a flood level for purposes of floodplain management. "Freeboard" tends to compensate for the many unknown factors that could contribute to flood heights greater than the height calculated for a selected size flood and floodway conditions, such as bridge openings and the hydrological effect of urbanization of the watershed.

"Functionally Dependent Use" means a use that cannot perform its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water. This term includes only docking facilities and facilities that are necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, but does not include long-term storage or related manufacturing facilities.

"Highest Adjacent Grade" means the highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.

"Historic Structure" means any structure that is (a) listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register; (b) 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; (c) 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 (d) individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified either (1) by an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior or (2) directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs.

"Lowest Floor" means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area, including basement. An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage, in an area other than a basement area, 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 floodproofing design requirements of this ordinance.

"Manufactured Home" means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, that is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when attached to the required utilities. The term "manufactured home" does not include a "recreational vehicle."

"Manufactured Home Park or Subdivision" means a parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.

"Map" means the Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM), Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), or the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM) for a community issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

"Market Value" or "Fair Market Value" means an estimate of what is fair, economic, just and equitable value under normal local market conditions.

"Mean Sea Level" means, for purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929 or other datum, to which base flood elevations shown on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) are referenced.

"New Construction" means, for the purposes of determining insurance rates, structures for which the "start of construction" commenced on or after the effective date of an initial FIRM or after December 31, 1974, whichever is later, and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures. For floodplain management purposes, "new construction" means structures for which the "start of construction" commenced on or after the effective date of the floodplain management regulations adopted by a community and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures.

"New Manufactured Home Park or Subdivision" means a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lot on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the p