CHAPTER 2

DEFINITIONS

SECTION:

12-2-1:		Definitions !2R!

12-2-1:		DEFINITIONS:

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

!DEF! APPEAL: A request for a review of the building inspector's interpretation of any provisions of this title or a request for a variance.

AREA OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD: The land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one percent (1%) or greater chance of flooding in any given year.

BASE FLOOD: The flood having a one percent (1%) chance of being equalled or exceeded in any given year.

DEVELOPMENT: Any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate, including, but not limited to, buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations located within the area of special flood hazard.

EXISTING MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR MANUFACTURED HOME SUBDIVISION: A manufactured home park 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, either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads, and the construction of streets) are completed before the effective date hereof.

EXPANSION TO EXISTING MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR MANUFACTURED HOME SUBDIVISION: 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, either final site grading or pouring of concrete pads, or the construction of streets).

FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM): The official map 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 that includes flood profiles, the flood boundary floodway map and the water surface elevation of the base flood.

FLOOD OR FLOODING: A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from:

A. The overflow of inland or tidal waters; and/or

B. The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.
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 one foot (1').

LOWEST FLOOR: 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 nonelevation design requirements of this title.

MANUFACTURED HOME: A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities. For floodplain management purposes, the term "manufactured home" also includes park trailers, travel trailers and other similar vehicles placed on a site for greater than one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days. For insurance purposes, the term "manufactured home" does not include park trailers, travel trailers and other similar vehicles.

MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR MANUFACTURED HOME SUBDIVISION: A parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two (2) or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.

NEW CONSTRUCTION: Structures for which the "start of construction" commenced on or after the effective date hereof.

START OF CONSTRUCTION: Includes substantial improvement, and means the date the building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, placement or other improvement was within one hundred eighty (180) days of the permit date. The "actual start" means the first placement of permanent construction of a structure on a site, such as the pouring of slab or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns, or any work beyond the stage of 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 the 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.

STRUCTURE: A walled and roofed building or manufactured home that is principally aboveground.

SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT: A. Any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the market value of the structure either:

   1. Before the improvement or repair is started; or

   2. If the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred.

B. For the purpose of this definition, "substantial improvement" is considered to occur 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.

C. The term does not, however, include either:

   1. Any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions; or

   2. Any alteration of a 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 title which permits construction in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited by this title. (Ord. 3-9-89, 3-9-1989; amd. Res. 3-9-89, 3-9-1989) !DEFEND!