Discussion and Review of Tiffin Municipal Code Revisions – Preparation for Setting the Public Hearing — Tiffin City Code - DRAFT

CHAPTER 160 FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT 160.01 Definitions 160.06 Variance Procedures 160.02 Statutory Authority, Findings of Fact, and Purpose 160.07 Nonconforming Uses 160.03 General Provisions 160.08 Penalties for Violation 160.04 Administration 160.09 Amendments 160.05 Floodplain Management Standards 160.01 DEFINITIONS. Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them the meaning they have in common usage and to give this chapter its most reasonable application. 1. “Appurtenant structure” means a structure which is on the same parcel of the property as the principal structure to be insured and the use of which is incidental to the use of the principal structure. 2. “Base flood” means the flood having one (1) percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year (also commonly referred to as the “100-year flood”). 3. “Base Flood Elevation” (BFE) means the elevation floodwaters would reach at a particular site during the occurrence of a base flood event. 4. “Basement” means any enclosed area of a building which has its floor or lowest level below ground level (subgrade) on all sides. Also see “lowest floor.” 5. “Board of Appeals” means the Council of the City. 6. “Development” means any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation, drilling operations or storage of equipment or materials. “Development” does not include minor projects or routine maintenance of existing buildings and facilities, as defined in this section. It also does not include gardening, plowing, and similar practices that do not involve filling or grading. 7. “Enclosed area below lowest floor” means the floor of the lowest enclosed area in a building when all the following criteria are met: A. The enclosed area is designed to flood to equalize hydrostatic pressure during flood events with walls or openings that satisfy the provisions of 160.05(1)(D)(1) of this chapter; and B. The enclosed area is unfinished (not carpeted, drywalled, etc.) and used solely for low damage potential uses such as building access, parking, or storage; and C. Machinery and service facilities (e.g., hot water heater, furnace, electrical service) contained in the enclosed area are located at least one (1) foot above the Base Flood Elevation; and D. The enclosed area is not a basement, as defined in this section. 8. “Existing construction” means any structure for which the start of construction commenced before the effective date of the first floodplain management regulations adopted by the community. CODE OF ORDINANCES, TIFFIN, IOWA - 1403 -