§ 160.03 General Provisions

1. Lands to Which Ordinance Apply. The provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to all lands and development which have significant flood hazards. The Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Johnson County and Incorporated Areas, City of Tiffin, Panels 19103C0154F, 19103C0158F, 19103C0159F, 19103C0160F, 19103C0166F, and 19103C0167F, dated December 26, 2025, which were prepared as part of the Johnson County Flood Insurance Study, shall be used to identify such flood hazard areas and all areas shown thereon to be within the boundaries of the base flood shall be considered as having significant flood hazards. The Johnson County Flood Insurance Study is hereby adopted by reference and is made a part of this ordinance for the purpose of administering floodplain management regulations.

2. Rules for Interpretation of Flood Hazard Boundaries. The boundaries of the Special Flood Hazard areas shall be determined by scaling distances on the official Flood Insurance Rate Map. Where uncertainty exists with respect to the precise location of the base flood boundary, the location shall be determined on the basis of the base flood elevation at the particular site in question. When an interpretation is needed as to the exact location of a boundary, the Administrator shall make the necessary interpretation. The Council shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged that there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the Administrator in the enforcement or administration of this chapter.

3. Compliance. No structure or land shall hereafter be used and no structure shall be located, extended, converted, or structurally altered without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations which apply to uses within the jurisdiction of this chapter.

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 All other ordinances inconsistent with this chapter are hereby repealed to the extent of the inconsistency only.

5. Interpretation. In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements and 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.

6. Warning and Disclaimer of Liability. The standards required by this chapter are considered reasonable for regulatory purposes. This chapter does not imply that areas outside the designated special flood hazard areas will be free from flooding or flood damages. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the City or any officer or employee thereof for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.

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