Unless specifically defined below, words or
phrases used in this chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them
the meanings they have in common usage and to give this chapter its
most reasonable application:
A request for a review of the Planning Board's interpretation
of any provision of this chapter or a request for a variance.
A designated AO Zone on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
The base flood depths range from one to three feet; a clearly defined
channel does not exist; the path of flooding is unpredictable and
indeterminate; and velocity flow may be evident.
The land in the floodplain within a community subject to
a one-percent-or-greater chance of flooding in any given year (referred
to as a one-hundred-year flood). For flood insurance purposes, the
FIRM shall control.
The flood having a one-percent chance of being equaled or
exceeded in any given year.
Any area of the building having its floor subgrade (below
ground level) on all sides.
A wall that is not part of the structural support of the
building and is intended through its design and construction to collapse
under specific lateral loading forces without causing damage to the
elevated portion of the building or supporting foundation system.
Any man-made 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.
A nonbasement building which is built, in the case of a building
in the area of special flood hazard, to have the elevated floor or
shear walls parallel to the flow of the water and which is adequately
anchored so as not to impair the structural integrity of the building
during a flood of up to the magnitude of the base flood. In an area
of special flood hazard, "elevated building" also includes a building
elevated by means of fill or solid foundation perimeter walls with
openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movement of floodwaters.
The official map on which the Federal Insurance Administration
has delineated both the areas of floodway and the one-hundred-year
and five-hundred-year flood boundaries.
A general and temporary condition of partial or complete
inundation of normally dry land areas or the increase in water elevation
of wet or seasonally wet areas from the overflow of inland water and/or
the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from
any source.
That portion of the flood hazard area not designated as the
floodway.
The official map on which the Federal Insurance Administration
has delineated both the areas of special flood hazard and the risk-premium
zones applicable to the community.
The official report provided in which the Federal Insurance
Administration (FIA) has provided flood profiles, as well as the Flood
Boundary and Floodway Map and the water surface elevation of the base
flood.
The channel of a river, stream 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 0.2 foot.
The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area, including basement.
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 to render the structure in violation of
other applicable nonelevation design requirements.
Structures for which the start of construction commenced
on or after the effective date of this chapter.
For other than new construction or substantial improvements
under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (P.L. 97-348), includes substantial
improvement and means the date the building permit was issued, provided
that the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, placement
or other improvement was within 180 days of the permit date. The "actual
start" means either the first placement of permanent construction
of a structure on a site, such as the pouring of a slab or footings,
the installation of piles, the construction of columns or any work
beyond the stage of excavation. 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 excavation for a basement, footings, piers or foundations
or the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include buildings,
such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part
of the main structure.
A walled and roofed building, or a gas or liquid storage
tank, that is principally above ground.
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 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.
The term does not, however, include either 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 any alteration of a structure listed on
the National Register of Historic Places or a State Inventory of Historic
Places.
A grant of relief from the requirements of this chapter which
permits construction in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited
by this chapter.
