Ventnor City, NJ Terminology

A nonbasement building:

(a)

Built, in the case of a building in an area of special flood hazard, to have the top of the elevated floor or, in the case of a building in a coastal high-hazard area, to have the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member of the elevated floor, elevated above the base flood elevation plus freeboard by means of piling, columns (posts and piers), or shear walls parallel to the flow of the water; and

(b)

Adequately anchored so as not to impair the structural integrity of the building during a flood 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.

EXISTING MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION

In areas of coastal high hazard, "elevated building" also includes a building otherwise meeting the definition of "elevated building" even though the lower area is enclosed by means of breakaway walls.

ENCLOSURE

A nonhabitable, unfinished or flood-resistant space below the base flood elevation (BFE) usable solely for the parking of vehicles, storage and building access to the first floor. Such space shall not be partitioned into multiple rooms or used for human habitation. The storage permitted in an enclosure shall be limited to that which is incidental and accessory to the principal use of the structure. Storage should be limited to such items as lawn and garden equipment, beach chairs and bicycles, which either have a low damage potential or can be easily moved to the elevated portion of the building if there is a flood.

EROSION

The process of gradual wearing away of land masses.

EXISTING CONSTRUCTION

For the purposes of determining insurance rates, structures for which the "start of construction" commenced before the effective date of the FIRM or before January 1, 1975.

A manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for serving 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.

FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM)

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.

FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY (FIS)

The official report in which the Federal Insurance Administration has provided flood profiles, as well as the Flood Insurance Rate Map(s) 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:

The overflow of inland or tidal waters; and/or

FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS

The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.

FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT

The operation of an overall program of corrective and preventative measures for reducing flood damage, including, but not limited to, emergency preparedness plans, requirements for zoning, subdivision or building, and special-purpose floodplain management regulations.

Zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, health regulations, special-purpose ordinances (such as a floodplain ordinance, grading ordinance and erosion control ordinance) and other applications of police power. The term describes such state or local regulations, in any combination thereof, which provide standards for the purpose of flood damage prevention and reduction.

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 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 0.2 foot.

FREEBOARD

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 wave action, bridge openings, and the hydrological effect of urbanization of the watershed.

HIGHER REGULATORY STANDARD

Any floodplain management regulations adopted by the state or local community which are more restrictive than the criteria set forth in the NFIP regulations.

HIGHEST ADJACENT GRADE

The highest natural elevation of the ground surface, prior to construction, next to the proposed or existing walls of a structure.

HISTORIC STRUCTURE

Any structure that is:

Listed individually on the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of the Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register;

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;

INCREASED COST OF COMPLIANCE (ICC)

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

(4)

Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified either:

(a)

By an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior; or

(b)

Directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs.

The coverage by a standard flood insurance policy under the NFIP that provides for the payment of a claim for the cost to comply with the City of Ventnor City floodplain management laws or ordinances after a direct physical loss by flood; the City of Ventnor City declares the structure to be "substantially" or "repetitively" flood damaged. ICC coverage is provided for in every standard NFIP flood policy and will help pay for the cost to floodproof, relocate, elevate, or demolish the structure.

LATERAL ADDITION

Improvements that increase the square footage of a structure. Commonly, this includes the structural attachment of a bedroom, den, recreational room, enclosed porch, or other type of addition to an existing structure. If the addition is a "substantial improvement," then the existing home and addition need to be elevated. If the addition is being constructed in conjunction with improvements to the existing structure and the sum of the renovations is equal to a "substantial improvement," then the addition and existing home need to be elevated. If the common wall is demolished as part of the project, then the entire structure must be elevated pursuant to Article V of this chapter. If only a doorway is knocked through and only minimal finishing is done, then only the addition has to be elevated pursuant to Article V of this chapter.

[Amended 12-27-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-43]

LOWEST FLOOR

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 of 44 CFR 60.3.

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 attached to the required utilities. The term "manufactured home" does not include a recreational vehicle.

MANUFACTURED HOME PARK or MANUFACTURED HOME SUBDIVISION

A parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.

MAP

The Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM) or the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for a community issued by the Agency.

MARKET VALUE

Pertains to the structure in question, not the land, landscaping or detached accessory structures on the property. The market value of a structure reflects its original quality, subsequent improvements, physical age of the building components and current condition.

MATERIALS

Substances inclusive of household, commercial, institutional, or industrial equipment and supplies and hazardous materials defined pursuant to § 137-3 that, in times of flooding, could become buoyant or be transported and pose obstructions to flows of water or drainage. This definition shall not be inclusive of municipal solid waste, vegetative waste, or recyclable materials stored in approved trash containers or activities otherwise described in Chapter 132 of the Code of the City of Ventnor City or materials attached to a structure defined pursuant to § 126-5.

MEAN SEA LEVEL

For the purpose of the report Flood Insurance Study (FIS City of Ventnor City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, dated March 15, 1983) and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM for the City of Ventnor City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, Panel 0001B, dated September 15, 1983), the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929, to which base flood elevations shown are referenced in regard to the average height of the sea for all stages of the tide. For the purpose of the Advisory Flood Hazard Maps, the North America Vertical Datum (NAVD) 1988 is the reference to which base flood elevations shown are referenced in regard to the average height of the sea for all stages of the tide.

MODERATE FLOOD HAZARD AREA

Lands of moderate flood hazard that are located between the limits of the 100-year and 500-year floods. These areas are marked on effective or preliminary flood maps as B or shaded X zones.

NEW CONSTRUCTION

Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of a floodplain regulation adopted by a community and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures.

NEW MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION

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 on or after the effective date of the floodplain management regulations adopted by the municipality.

OUTDOOR STORAGE

The holding of product or materials for any length of time when not in use outside of a structure defined pursuant by § 126-5. This definition shall not be inclusive of the storage of municipal solid waste, vegetative waste, or recyclable materials stored in approved trash containers or activities otherwise described in Chapter 132 of the ordinances of the City of Ventnor City.

PARTICIPATING COMMUNITY

Also known as an "eligible community," means a community in which FEMA has authorized the sale of flood insurance.

PRELIMINARY FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM)

The draft version of the FIRM released for public comment before finalization and adoption.

PRELIMINARY REGULATORY MAP

The official map that will supersede the Advisory Flood Hazard Map and shall be the basis of delineation of the areas of flood hazard applicable to the City of Ventnor City.

PRIMARY FRONTAL DUNE

A continuous or nearly continuous mound or ridge of sand with relatively steep seaward and landward slopes immediately landward and adjacent to the beach and subject to erosion and overtopping from high tides and waves from coastal storms. The inland limit of the primary frontal dune occurs at the point where there is a distinct change from the relatively steep slope to a relatively mild slope.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLE

A vehicle which is:

Built on a single chassis;

Four hundred square feet or less when measured at the longest horizontal projections;

Designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light-duty truck; and

(4)

Designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.

REPETITIVE LOSS

Four or more paid flood losses of more than $1,000 each; or

Two paid flood loses within a ten-year period that, in the aggregate, equal or exceed the current value of the insured property; or

Three or more paid losses that, in the aggregate, equal or exceed the current value of the insured property.

SAND DUNES

Naturally occurring or man-made accumulations of sand in ridges or mounds landward of the beach.

SEVERE REPETITIVE LOSS

Any residential property that is covered under an NFIP flood insurance policy and:

(a)

That has at least four NFIP claim payments (building payments and contents) over $5,000 each, and the cumulative amount of such claims payments exceeds $20,000; or

(b)

For which at least two separate payments (building payments only) have been made, with the cumulative amount of the building portion of such claims exceeding the fair market value of the building.

For both Subsection (1)(a) and (b) of this definition, above, at least two of the referenced claims have occurred within any ten-year period, and they must be greater than 10 days apart.

START OF CONSTRUCTION

For other than new construction or substantial improvements under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (P.L. No. 97-348)[1]; includes substantial improvements and means the date the building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, 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 pilings, 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 excavation for a basement, footings or 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. For a substantial improvement, the "actual start of construction" means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of a building, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the building.

STRUCTURE

A walled and roofed building, a manufactured home, or a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally aboveground.

SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE

Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its condition before damage would equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred. "Substantial damage" also means flood-related damages sustained by a structure on two separate occasions during a year period for which the cost of repairs at the time of each such flood event, on the average, equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure before the damages occurred.

SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT

Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, during a year period, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure before the start of construction of the improvement. This term includes structures which have incurred substantial damage, regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include either:

Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health, sanitary or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local code enforcement officer and which are the minimum necessary to ensure safe living conditions; or