§ 23-609. DEFINITIONS

a. Scope.  Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this Division, have the meanings shown in this section.

b. Terms defined in the Florida Building Code. Where terms are not defined in this Division and are defined in the Florida Building Code, such terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in that code.

c. Terms not defined. Where terms are not defined in this Division or the Florida Building Code, such terms shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies.

d. Definitions. 

Alteration of a watercourse. A dam, impoundment, channel relocation, change in channel alignment, channelization, or change in cross-sectional area of the channel or the channel capacity, or any other form of modification which may alter, impede, retard or change the direction and/or velocity of the riverine flow of water during conditions of the base flood. 

Appeal.  A request for a review of the Floodplain Administrator’s interpretation of any provision of this Division.

ASCE 24.  A standard titled Flood Resistant Design and Construction that is referenced by the Florida Building Code.  ASCE 24 is developed and published by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, VA.

Base flood.  A flood having a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. [Also defined in FBC, B, Section 202.] The base flood is commonly referred to as the "100-year flood" or the “1-percent-annual chance flood.”

Base flood elevation. The elevation of the base flood, including wave height, relative to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD), North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) or other datum specified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).  [Also defined in FBC, B, Section 202.]

Basement.  The portion of a building having its floor subgrade (below ground level) on all sides.  [Also defined in FBC, B, Section 202; see “Basement (for flood loads)”.] 

Design flood. The flood associated with the greater of the following two areas:  [Also defined in FBC, B, Section 202.]

(1)   Area with a floodplain subject to a 1-percent or greater chance of flooding in any year; or

(2)   Area designated as a flood hazard area on the community’s flood hazard map, or otherwise legally designated. 

Design flood elevation.  The elevation of the “design flood,” including wave height, relative to the datum specified on the community’s legally designated flood hazard map.  In areas designated as Zone AO, the design flood elevation shall be the elevation of the highest existing grade of the building’s perimeter plus the depth number (in feet) specified on the flood hazard map.  In areas designated as Zone AO where the depth number is not specified on the map, the depth number shall be taken as being equal to 2 feet.  [Also defined in FBC, B, Section 202.] 

Development.  Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to, buildings or other structures, tanks, temporary structures, temporary or permanent storage of equipment or materials, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavations, drilling operations or any other land disturbing activities. 

Encroachment.  The placement of fill, excavation, buildings, permanent structures or other development into a flood hazard area which may impede or alter the flow capacity of riverine flood hazard areas. 

Existing building and existing structure. Any buildings and structures for which the “start of construction” commenced before March 16, 1988. [Also defined in FBC, B, Section 202.] 

Existing 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 before March 16, 1988. 

Expansion to an existing manufactured home park or 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, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads).

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The federal agency that, in addition to carrying out other functions, administers the National Flood Insur­ance Program.

Flood or flooding.  A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land from:  [Also defined in FBC, B, Section 202.]

(1)   The overflow of inland or tidal waters.

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

Flood damage-resistant materials. Any construction material capable of withstanding direct and prolonged contact with floodwaters without sustaining any damage that requires more than cosmetic repair.  [Also defined in FBC, B, Section 202.] 

Flood hazard area.  The greater of the following two areas:  [Also defined in FBC, B, Section 202.]

(1)   The area within a floodplain subject to a 1-percent or greater chance of flooding in any year.

(2)   The area designated as a flood hazard area on the community’s flood hazard map, or otherwise legally designated. 

Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).  The official map of the community on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency has delineated both special flood hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.  [Also defined in FBC, B, Section 202.]

Flood Insurance Study (FIS).  The official report provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that contains the Flood Insurance Rate Map, the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (if applicable), the water surface elevations of the base flood, and supporting technical data. [Also defined in FBC, B, Section 202.] 

Floodplain Administrator.  The office or position designated and charged with the administration and enforcement of this Division (may be referred to as the Floodplain Manager). 

Floodplain development permit or approval.  An official document or certificate issued by the community, or other evidence of approval or concurrence, which authorizes performance of specific development activities that are located in flood hazard areas and that are determined to be compliant with this Division.  

Floodway.  The channel of a river or other riverine 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 (1) foot. [Also defined in FBC, B, Section 202.]

Floodway encroachment analysis.  An engineering analysis of the impact that a proposed encroachment into a floodway is expected to have on the floodway boundaries and base flood elevations; the evaluation shall be prepared by a qualified Florida licensed engineer using standard engineering methods and models.  

Florida Building Code.  The family of codes adopted by the Florida Building Commission, including:  Florida Building Code, Building; Florida Building Code, Residential; Florida Building Code, Existing Building; Florida Building Code, Mechanical; Florida Building Code, Plumbing; Florida Building Code, Fuel Gas. 

Functionally dependent use.  A use which cannot perform its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water, including only docking facilities, port facilities that are necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, and ship building and ship repair facilities; the term does not include long-term storage or related manufacturing facilities. 

Highest adjacent grade.   The highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls or foundation of a structure. 

Historic structure.  Any structure that is determined eligible for the exception to the flood hazard area requirements of the Florida Building Code, Existing Building, Chapter 12 Historic Buildings. 

Letter of Map Change (LOMC).  An official determination issued by FEMA that amends or revises an effective Flood Insurance Rate Map or Flood Insurance Study.  Letters of Map Change include:

Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA):  An amendment based on technical data showing that a property was incorrectly included in a designated special flood hazard area.  A LOMA amends the current effective Flood Insurance Rate Map and establishes that a specific property, portion of a property, or structure is not located in a special flood hazard area.

Letter of Map Revision (LOMR):  A revision based on technical data that may show changes to flood zones, flood elevations, special flood hazard area boundaries and floodway delineations, and other planimetric features. 

Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F):  A determination that a structure or parcel of land has been elevated by fill above the base flood elevation and is, therefore, no longer located within the special flood hazard area.  In order to qualify for this determination, the fill must have been permitted and placed in accordance with the community’s floodplain management regulations.

Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR):  A formal review and comment as to whether a proposed flood protection project or other project complies with the minimum NFIP requirements for such projects with respect to delineation of special flood hazard areas.  A CLOMR does not revise the effective Flood Insurance Rate Map or Flood Insurance Study; upon submission and approval of certified as-built documentation, a Letter of Map Revision may be issued by FEMA to revise the effective FIRM. 

Light-duty truck. As defined in 40 C.F.R. 86.082-2, any motor vehicle rated at 8,500 pounds Gross Vehicular Weight Rating or less which has a vehicular curb weight of 6,000 pounds or less and which has a basic vehicle frontal area of 45 square feet or less, which is:

(1)   Designed primarily for purposes of transportation of property or is a derivation of such a vehicle, or

(2)   Designed primarily for transportation of persons and has a capacity of more than 12 persons; or

(3)   Available with special features enabling off-street or off-highway operation and use. 

Lowest floor. The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area of a building or structure, including basement, but excluding any unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, other than a basement, usable solely for vehicle parking, building access or limited storage provided that such enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of the non-elevation requirements of the Florida Building Code or ASCE 24.  [Also defined in FBC, B, Section 202.] 

Manufactured home.  A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is eight (8) feet or more in width and greater than four hundred (400) square feet, and which is built on a permanent, integral 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" or “park trailer.”  [Also defined in 15C-1.0101, F.A.C.]

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

Market value. The price at which a property will change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither party being under compulsion to buy or sell and both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts.  As used in this Division, the term refers to the market value of buildings and structures, excluding the land and other improvements on the parcel.  Market value may be established by a qualified independent appraiser, Actual Cash Value (replacement cost depreciated for age and quality of construction), or tax assessment value adjusted to approximate market value by a factor provided by the Property Appraiser.

New construction. For the purposes of administration of this Division and the flood resistant construction requirements of the Florida Building Code, structures for which the “start of construction” commenced on or after March 16, 1988 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 March 16, 1988. 

Park trailer.  A transportable unit which has a body width not exceeding fourteen (14) feet and which is built on a single chassis and is designed to provide seasonal or temporary living quarters when connected to utilities necessary for operation of installed fixtures and appliances.  [Defined in section 320.01, F.S.] 

Recreational vehicle. A vehicle, including a park trailer, which is: [see in section 320.01, F.S.)

(1)   Built on a single chassis;

(2)   Four hundred (400) square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection;

(3)   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.

Special flood hazard area. An area in the floodplain subject to a 1 percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year.  Special flood hazard areas are shown on FIRMs as Zone A, AO, A1-A30, AE, A99, AH, V1-V30, VE or V.  [Also defined in FBC, B Section 202.]

Start of construction. The date of issuance of permits for new construction and substantial improvements, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, placement, or other improvement is within 180 days of the date of the issuance.  The actual start of construction means either the first placement of permanent construction of a building (including a manufactured home) on a site, such as the pouring of slab or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns. 

       Permanent construction does not include land preparation (such as clearing, grading, or filling), the installation of streets or walkways, excavation for a basement, footings, piers, or foundations, the erection of temporary forms or the installation of accessory buildings such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main buildings.   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.  [Also defined in FBC, B Section 202.]

Substantial damage. Damage of any origin sustained by a building or structure whereby the cost of restoring the building or structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the building or structure before the damage occurred.  [Also defined in FBC, B Section 202.]

Substantial improvement. Any repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a building or structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the building or structure before the improvement or repair is started.  If the structure has incurred "substantial damage," any repairs are considered substantial improvement regardless of the actual repair work performed.  The term does not, however, include either:  [Also defined in FBC, B, Section 202.]

(1)   Any project for improvement of a building required to correct existing health, sanitary, or safety code violations identified by the building official and that are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions.

(2)   Any alteration of a historic structure provided the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a historic structure.  

Variance. A grant of relief from the requirements of this Division, or the flood resistant construction requirements of the Florida Building Code, which permits construction in a manner that would not otherwise be permitted by this Division or the Florida Building Code.

Watercourse. A river, creek, stream, channel or other topographic feature in, on, through, or over which water flows at least periodically.  

(Ord. No. 2016-19, § 2, 10-18-16)