CITY OF RICH HILL, MISSOURI
BILL NO. 743 ORDINANCE NO. 1738
AN ORDINANCE SETTING FORTH THE FLOOD PLAIN REGULATIONS OF THE CITY OF RICH HILL
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF RICH HILL, MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS:
FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE
Pursuant to 44 CFR § 60.3 (b)
ARTICLE 1 STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF FACT, AND PURPOSES
SECTION A. STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION
The Legislature of the State of Missouri has in RSMo 79.110 delegated the responsibility to local governmental units to adopt floodplain management regulations designed to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the public. Therefore, the Board of Alderman of the City of Rich Hill, Missouri, ordains as follows:
SECTION B. FINDINGS OF FACT
1. Flood Losses Resulting from Periodic Inundation
The special flood hazard areas of Rich Hill, Missouri, are subject to inundation which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base; all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.
2. General Causes of the Flood Losses
These flood losses are caused by (1) the cumulative effect of development in any delineated floodplain causing increases in flood heights and velocities; and (2) the occupancy of flood hazard areas by uses vulnerable to floods, hazardous to others, inadequately elevated, or otherwise unprotected from flood damages.
SECTION C. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
It is the purpose of this ordinance to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare to the public; to minimize those losses described in Article 1, Section B (1); to establish or maintain the community’s eligibility for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as defined in 44 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 59.22(a) (3); and to meet the requirements of 44 CFR § 60.3(b) by applying the provisions of this ordinance to:
1. Restrict or prohibit uses that are dangerous to health, safety, or property in times of flooding or cause undue increases in flood heights or velocities;
2. Require uses vulnerable to floods, including public facilities that serve such uses, be provided with flood protection at the time of initial construction; and
3. Protect individuals from buying lands that are unsuited for the intended development purposes due to the flood hazard.
ARTICLE 2 GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION A. LANDS TO WHICH ORDINANCE APPLIES
This ordinance shall apply to all lands within the jurisdiction of the City of Rich Hill, Missouri, identified as unnumbered A zones, on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panel number 29013C0450C, dated May 3, 2010, as amended, and any future revisions thereto. In all areas covered by this ordinance, no development shall be permitted except through the issuance of a floodplain development permit, granted by the Board of Alderman or its duly designated representative under such safeguards and restrictions as the Board of Alderman or the designated representative may reasonably impose for the promotion and maintenance of the general welfare, health of the inhabitants of the community, and as specifically noted in Article 4.
SECTION B. COMPLIANCE
No development located within the special flood hazard areas of this community shall be located, extended, converted, or structurally altered without full compliance with the terms of this ordinance and other applicable regulations.
SECTION C. ABROGATION AND GREATER RESTRICTIONS
It is not intended by this ordinance to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this ordinance imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this ordinance shall prevail. All other ordinances inconsistent with this ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of the inconsistency only.
SECTION D. INTERPRETATION
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this ordinance shall be held to be minimum requirements, 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 Missouri statutes.
SECTION E. WARNING AND DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
The degree of flood protection required by this ordinance is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on engineering and scientific methods of study. Larger floods may occur on rare occasions or the flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes, such as ice jams and bridge openings restricted by debris. This ordinance does not imply that areas outside the floodway and flood fringe or land uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damage. This ordinance shall not create a liability on the part of the City of Rich Hill, any officer or employee thereof, for any flood damages that may result from reliance on this ordinance, or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
SECTION F. SEVERABILITY
If any section, clause, provision, or portion of this ordinance is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, the remainder of this ordinance shall not be affected thereby.
ARTICLE 3 ADMINISTRATION
SECTION A. FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
A floodplain development permit shall be required for all proposed construction or other development, including the placement of manufactured homes, in the areas described in Article 2, Section A. No person, firm, corporation, or unit of government shall initiate any development or substantial-improvement or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a separate floodplain development permit for each structure or other development.
SECTION B. DESIGNATION OF FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATOR
The Mayor or designee is hereby appointed to administer and implement the provisions of this ordinance.
SECTION C. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATOR
Duties of the floodplain administrator shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Review of all applications for floodplain development permits to assure that sites are reasonably safe from flooding and that the floodplain development permit requirements of this ordinance have been satisfied;
2. Review of all applications for floodplain development permits for proposed development to assure that all necessary permits have been obtained from Federal, State, or local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required by Federal, State, or local law;
3. Review all subdivision proposals and other proposed new development, including manufactured home parks or subdivisions, to determine whether such proposals will be reasonably safe from flooding;
4. Issue floodplain development permits for all approved applications;
5. Notify adjacent communities and the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (MoSEMA) prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA);
6. Assure that the flood carrying capacity is not diminished and shall be maintained within the altered or relocated portion of any watercourse.
7. Where base flood elevation from other sources is utilized within unnumbered A zones:
a. Verify and maintain a record of the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new or substantially improved structures;
b. Verify and maintain a record of the actual elevation (in relation to mean sea level) that the new or substantially improved non-residential structures have been floodproofed;
c. When floodproofing techniques are utilized for a particular non-residential structure, the floodplain administrator shall require certification from a Missouri registered professional engineer or architect.
SECTION D. APPLICATION FOR FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
To obtain a floodplain development permit, the applicant shall first file an application in writing on a form furnished for that purpose. Every floodplain development permit application shall:
- Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by lot, block and tract, house and street address, or similar description that will readily identify and specifically locate the proposed structure or work;
2. Identify and describe the work to be covered by the floodplain development permit;
3. Indicate the use or occupancy for which the proposed work is intended;
4. Indicate the fair market value of the structure and the fair market value of the improvement;
5. Identify the existing base flood elevation and the elevation of the proposed development;
6. Give such other information as reasonably may be required by the floodplain administrator;
7. Be accompanied by plans and specifications for proposed construction; and
8. Be signed by the permittee or his authorized agent who may be required to submit evidence to indicate such authority.
ARTICLE 4 PROVISIONS FOR FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION
SECTION A. GENERAL STANDARDS
1. No permit for floodplain development shall be granted for new construction, substantial-improvements, and other improvements, including the placement of manufactured homes, within any numbered and unnumbered A zones and AE zones, unless the conditions of this section are satisfied.
2. All areas identified as unnumbered A zones on the FIRM are subject to inundation of the one percent annual chance (aka 100-year) flood; however, the base flood elevation is not provided. Development within unnumbered A zones is subject to all provisions of this ordinance. If Flood Insurance Study data is not available, the community shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation or floodway data currently available from Federal, State, or other sources.
3. All new construction, subdivision proposals, substantial-improvements, prefabricated structures, placement of manufactured homes, and other developments shall require:
a. Design or adequate anchorage to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy;
b. Construction with materials resistant to flood damage;
c. Utilization of methods and practices that minimize flood damages;
d. All electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air-conditioning equipment, and other service facilities be designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding;
e. New or replacement water supply systems and/or sanitary sewage systems be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the systems and discharges from the systems into flood waters, and on-site waste disposal systems be located so as to avoid impairment or contamination; and
f. Subdivision proposals and other proposed new development, including manufactured home parks or subdivisions, located within special flood hazard areas are required to assure that:
(1) All such proposals are consistent with the need to minimize flood damage;
(2) All public utilities and facilities, such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems are located and constructed to minimize or eliminate flood damage;
(3) Adequate drainage is provided so as to reduce exposure to flood hazards; and
(4) All proposals for development, including proposals for manufactured home parks and subdivisions, greater than fifty (50) lots or five (5) acres, whichever is lesser, include within such proposals base flood elevation data.
4. Storage, material, and equipment
a. The storage or processing of materials within the special flood hazard area that are in time of flooding buoyant, flammable, explosive, or could be injurious to human, animal, or plant life is prohibited.
b. Storage of other material or equipment may be allowed if not subject to major damage by floods, if firmly anchored to prevent flotation, or if readily removable from the area within the time available after a flood warning.
SECTION B. SPECIFIC STANDARDS
1. In all areas identified as numbered and unnumbered A zones and AE zones, where base flood elevation data have been provided, as set forth in Article 4, Section A(2), the following provisions are required:
a. Residential Construction
New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structures, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to one (1) foot above base flood elevation. The elevation of the lowest floor shall be certified by a Missouri licensed land surveyor, engineer, or architect.
b. Non‑Residential Construction
New construction or substantial-improvement of any commercial, industrial, or other non‑residential structures, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to one (1) foot above the base flood elevation or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be floodproofed so that below the base flood elevation the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water and with structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of buoyancy. A Missouri registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the standards of this subsection are satisfied. Such certification shall be provided to the floodplain administrator as set forth in Article 3, Section C (7) (a), (b), (c).
c. Enclosures Below Lowest Floor
Require, for all new construction and substantial-improvements that fully enclosed areas below lowest floor used solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage in an area other than a basement and that are subject to flooding shall be designed to automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on exterior walls by allowing for the entry and exit of flood waters. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a Missouri registered professional engineer or architect or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:
(1) A minimum of two (2) openings having a total net area of not less than one (1) square inch for every square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided; and
(2) The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one (1) foot above grade. Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, valves, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
2. In all areas of special flood hazard, once floodway data is obtained, as set forth in Article 4, Section A(2), the following provisions are required:
- The designated floodway shall be based on the standard that the area chosen for the floodway must be designed to carry the waters of the base flood, without increasing the water surface elevation more than one (1) foot at any point; and
b. The community shall prohibit any encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial-improvements, and other development within the designated regulatory floodway unless it has been demonstrated through hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in accordance with standard engineering practice that the proposed encroachment would not result in any increase in flood levels within the community during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
SECTION C. MANUFACTURED HOMES
1. All manufactured homes to be placed within all numbered and unnumbered A zones and AE zones, on the community’s FIRM shall be required to be installed using methods and practices that minimize flood damage. For the purposes of this requirement, manufactured homes must be elevated and anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not limited to, use of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors.
2. Require manufactured homes that are placed or substantially improved within numbered and unnumbered A zones and AE zones, on the community’s FIRM on sites:
a. Outside of manufactured home park or subdivision;
b. In a new manufactured home park or subdivision;
c. In an expansion to and existing manufactured home park or subdivision; or
d. In an existing manufactured home park or subdivision on which a manufactured home has incurred substantial-damage as the result of a flood, be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated to one (1) foot above the base flood elevation and be securely attached to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement. The elevation of the lowest floor shall be certified by a Missouri licensed land surveyor, engineer, or architect.
3. Require that manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved on sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision within all numbered and unnumbered A zones and AE zones, on the community’s FIRM, that are not subject to the provisions of Article 4, Section C(2) of this ordinance, be elevated so that either:
a. the lowest floor of the manufactured home is at one (1) foot above the base flood level; or
b. the manufactured home chassis is supported by reinforced piers or other foundation elements of at least equivalent strength that are no less than thirty-six (36) inches in height above grade, plus one (1) foot of freeboard, and be securely attached to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.
SECTION D. RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
1. Require that recreational vehicles placed on sites within all numbered and unnumbered A zones and AE zones on the community’s FIRM either:
- Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days,
- Be fully licensed and ready for highway use*; or
- Meet the permitting, elevation, and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes of this ordinance.
*A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick-disconnect type utilities and security devices and has no permanently attached additions.
ARTICLE 5 FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT VARIANCE PROCEDURES
SECTION A. ESTABLISHMENT OF APPEAL BOARD
The Board of Alderman as established by the City of Rich Hill shall hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from the floodplain management requirements of this ordinance.
SECTION B. RESPONSIBILITY OF APPEAL BOARD
Where an application for a floodplain development permit or request for a variance from the floodplain management regulations is denied by the floodplain administrator, the applicant may apply for such floodplain development permit or variance directly to the appeal board, as defined in Article 5, Section A.
The appeal board shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged that there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the floodplain administrator in the enforcement or administration of this ordinance.
SECTION C. FURTHER APPEALS
Any person aggrieved by the decision of the appeal board or any taxpayer may appeal such decision to Circuit Court of Bates County as provided in 89.110 RSMo.
SECTION D. FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT VARIANCE CRITERIA
In passing upon such applications for variances, the appeal board shall consider all technical data and evaluations, all relevant factors, standards specified in other sections of this ordinance, and the following criteria:
1. Danger to life and property due to flood damage;
2. Danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the injury of others;
3. Susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owner;
4. Importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the community;
5. Necessity to the facility of a waterfront location, where applicable;
6. Availability of alternative locations, not subject to flood damage, for the proposed use;
7. Compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development;
8. Relationship of the proposed use to the comprehensive plan and floodplain management program for that area;
9. Safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles;
10. Expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise and sediment transport of the flood waters, if applicable, expected at the site; and,
11. Costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions, including maintenance and repair of public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems; streets; and bridges.
SECTION E. CONDITIONS FOR APPROVING FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT VARIANCES
1. Generally, variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of one-half acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level, providing items 2 through 6 below have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the one-half acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.
2. Variances may be issued for the repair or rehabilitation of structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the State Inventory of Historic Places, or local inventory of historic places upon determination provided the proposed activity will not preclude the structure’s continued historic designation and the variance is the minimum necessary to preserve the historic character and design of the structure.
3. Variances shall not be issued within any designated floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result.
4. Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief.
5. Variances shall only be issued upon: (a) a showing of good and sufficient cause, (b) a determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant, and (c) a determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.
6. A community shall notify the applicant in writing over the signature of a community official that (a) the issuance of a variance to construct a structure below base flood level will result in increased premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as high as $25.00 for $100.00 of insurance coverage and (b) such construction below the base flood level increases risks to life and property. Such notification shall be maintained with the record of all variance actions as required by this ordinance.
7. A community shall maintain a record of all variance actions, including justification for their issuance.
8. Variances may be issued by a community for new construction and substantial improvements and for other development necessary for the conduct of a functionally dependent use provided that the criteria of items 1 through 5 of this section are met, and the structure or other development is protected by methods that minimize flood damages during the base flood and create no additional threats to public safety.
ARTICLE 6 PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION
1. Violation of the provisions of this ordinance or failure to comply with any of its requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with granting of variances) shall constitute a misdemeanor. Any person, firm, corporation, or other entity that violates this ordinance or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $250.00, and in addition, shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.
2. A structure or other development without a floodplain development permit or other evidence of compliance is presumed to be in violation until such documentation is provided.
3. The imposition of such fines or penalties for any violation for non-compliance with this ordinance shall not excuse the violation or noncompliance or allow it to continue. All such violations or noncompliant actions shall be remedied within an established and reasonable time.
4. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the City of Rich Hill or other appropriate authority from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.
ARTICLE 7 AMENDMENTS
The regulations, restrictions, and boundaries set forth in this ordinance may from time to time be amended, supplemented, changed, or appealed to reflect any and all changes in the National Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, provided, however, that no such action may be taken until after a public hearing in relation thereto, at which parties of interest and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard. Notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Rich Hill. At least twenty (20) days shall elapse between the date of this publication and the public hearing. A copy of such amendments will be provided to the Region VII office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The regulations of this ordinance are in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations.
ARTICLE 8 DEFINITIONS
Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this ordinance shall be interpreted so as to give them the same meaning they have in common usage and to give this ordinance its most reasonable application.
“100-year Flood” see “base flood.”
“Accessory Structure” means the same as “appurtenant structure.”
“Actuarial Rates” see “risk premium rates.”
“Administrator” means the Federal Insurance Administrator.
“Agency” means the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“Agricultural Commodities” means agricultural products and livestock.
“Agricultural Structure” means any structure used exclusively in connection with the production, harvesting, storage, drying, or raising of agricultural commodities.
“Appeal” means a request for review of the floodplain administrator’s interpretation of any provision of this ordinance or a request for a variance.
“Appurtenant Structure” means a structure that is on the same parcel of property as the principle structure to be insured and the use of which is incidental to the use of the principal structure.
“Area of Special Flood Hazard” is the land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year.
“Base Flood” means the flood having a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
“Base Flood Elevation” means the elevation of the surface of the water during a one percent annual chance flood event.
“Basement” means any area of the structure having its floor subgrade (below ground level) on all sides.
“Building” see “structure.”
“Chief Executive Officer” or “Chief Elected Official” means the official of the community who is charged with the authority to implement and administer laws, ordinances, and regulations for that community.
“Community” means any State or area or political subdivision thereof, which has authority to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations for the areas within its jurisdiction.
“Development” means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, levees, levee systems, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations, or storage of equipment or materials.
“Elevated Building” means for insurance purposes, a non-basement building which has its lowest elevated floor raised above ground level by foundation walls, shear walls, posts, piers, pilings, or columns.
“Eligible Community” or “Participating Community” means a community for which the Administrator has authorized the sale of flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
“Existing Construction” means for the purposes of determining rates, structures for which the “start of construction” commenced before the effective date of the FIRM or before January 1, 1975, for FIRMs effective before that date. “Existing construction” may also be referred to as “existing structures.”
“Existing Manufactured Home Park or Subdivision” means 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 the effective date of the floodplain management regulations adopted by a community.
“Expansion to an Existing Manufactured Home Park or Subdivision” means 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).
“Flood” or “Flooding” means a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from: (1) the overflow of inland waters; (2) the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; and (3) the collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or other body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels or suddenly caused by an unusually high water level in a natural body of water, accompanied by a severe storm, or by an unanticipated force of nature, such as flash flood, or by some similarly unusual and unforeseeable event which results in flooding as defined above in item (1).
“Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM)” means an official map of a community on which the Administrator has delineated both special flood hazard areas and the designated regulatory floodway.
“Flood Hazard Map” means the document adopted by the governing body showing the limits of: (1) the floodplain; (2) the floodway; (3) streets; (4) stream channel; and (5) other geographic features.
“Flood Elevation Determination” means a determination by the Administrator of the water surface elevations of the base flood, that is, the flood level that has a one percent or greater chance of occurrence in any given year.
“Flood Elevation Study” means an examination, evaluation and determination of flood hazards.
“Flood Fringe” means the area outside the floodway encroachment lines, but still subject to inundation by the regulatory flood.
“Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM)” means an official map of a community, issued by the Administrator, where the boundaries of the flood areas having special flood hazards have been designated as (unnumbered or numbered) A zones.
“Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)” means an official map of a community, on which the Administrator has delineated both the special flood hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.
“Flood Insurance Study (FIS)” means an examination, evaluation and determination of flood hazards and, if appropriate, corresponding water surface elevations.
“Floodplain” or “Flood-prone Area” means any land area susceptible to being inundated by water from any source (see “flooding”).
“Floodplain Management” means the operation of an overall program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damage, including but not limited to emergency preparedness plans, flood control works, and floodplain management regulations.
“Floodplain Management Regulations” means zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, health regulations, special purpose ordinances (such as floodplain and grading ordinances) and other applications of police power. The term describes such state or local regulations, in any combination thereof that provide standards for the purpose of flood damage prevention and reduction.
“Floodproofing” means any combination of structural and nonstructural additions, changes, or adjustments to structures that reduce or eliminate flood damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary facilities, or structures and their contents.
“Floodway” or “Regulatory Floodway” means 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 one foot.
“Floodway Encroachment Lines” means the lines marking the limits of floodways on Federal, State and local floodplain maps.
“Freeboard” means 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 bridge openings and the hydrological effect of urbanization of the watershed.
“Functionally Dependent Use” means a use that cannot perform its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water. This term includes only docking facilities and facilities that are necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, but does not include long-term storage or related manufacturing facilities.
“Highest Adjacent Grade” means the highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.
“Historic Structure” means any structure that is (a) listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register; (b) 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; (c) 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 (d) individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified either (1) by an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior or (2) directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs.
“Lowest Floor” means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area, including basement. An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage, in an area other than a basement area, is not considered a building’s lowest floor, provided that such enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of the applicable floodproofing design requirements of this ordinance.
“Manufactured Home” means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, that 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 Subdivision” means a parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.
“Map” means the Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM), Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), or the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM) for a community issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“Market Value” or “Fair Market Value” means an estimate of what is fair, economic, just and equitable value under normal local market conditions.
“Mean Sea Level” means, for purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929 or other datum, to which base flood elevations shown on a community’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) are referenced.
“New Construction” means, for the purposes of determining insurance rates, structures for which the “start of construction” commenced on or after the effective date of an initial FIRM or after December 31, 1974, whichever is later, and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures. For floodplain management purposes, “new construction” means structures for which the “start of construction” commenced on or after the effective date of the floodplain management regulations adopted by a community and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures.
“New Manufactured Home Park or Subdivision” means a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lot 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 floodplain management regulations adopted by the community.
“(NFIP)” means the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
“Numbered A Zone” means a special flood hazard area where the Flood Insurance Rate Map shows the Base Flood Elevation.
“One percent annual chance flood” see “base flood.”
“Participating Community” also known as an “eligible community,” means a community in which the Administrator has authorized the sale of flood insurance.
“Person” includes any individual or group of individuals, corporation, partnership, association, or any other entity, including Federal, State, and local governments and agencies.
“Permit” means a signed document from a designated community official authorizing development in a floodplain, including all necessary supporting documentation such as: (1) the site plan; (2) an elevation certificate; and (3) any other necessary or applicable approvals or authorizations from local, state or federal authorities.
“Principally Above Ground” means that at least 51 percent of the actual cash value of the structure, less land value, is above ground.
“Reasonably Safe From Flooding” means base flood waters will not inundate the land or damage structures to be removed from the SFHA and that any subsurface waters related to the base flood will not damage existing or proposed buildings.
“Recreational Vehicle” means a vehicle which is (a) built on a single chassis; (b) 400 square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projections; (c) designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light- duty truck; and (d) designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.
“Remedy A Violation” means to bring the structure or other development into compliance with Federal, State, or local floodplain management regulations; or, if this is not possible, to reduce the impacts of its noncompliance.
“Repetitive Loss” means flood-related damages sustained by a structure on two separate occasions during a 10-year period for which the cost of repairs at the time of each such flood event, equals or exceeds twenty-five percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
“Risk Premium Rates” means those rates established by the Administrator pursuant to individual community studies and investigations which are undertaken to provide flood insurance in accordance with Section 1307 of the National Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and the accepted actuarial principles. “Risk premium rates” include provisions for operating costs and allowances.
“Special Flood Hazard Area” see “area of special flood hazard.”
“Special Hazard Area” means an area having special flood hazards and shown on an FHBM, FIRM or FBFM as zones (unnumbered or numbered) A and AE.
“Start of Construction” 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 improvements were 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 slabs or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns, 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, the installation of streets and/or walkways, excavation for a basement, footings, piers, foundations, the erection of temporary forms, nor installation on the property of accessory structures, 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.
“State Coordinating Agency” means that agency of the state government, or other office designated by the governor of the state or by state statute at the request of the Administrator to assist in the implementation of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in that state.
“Structure” means, for floodplain management purposes, a walled and roofed building, including a gas or liquid storage tank, that is principally above ground, as well as a manufactured home.“Structure”for insurance purposes, means a walled and roofed building, other than a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground and affixed to a permanent site, as well as a manufactured home on a permanent foundation. For the latter purpose, the term includes a building while in the course of construction, alteration or repair, but does not include building materials or supplies intended for use in such construction, alteration or repair, unless such materials or supplies are within an enclosed building on the premises.
“Substantial-Damage” means damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred. The term includes Repetitive Loss buildings (see definition).
For the purposes of this definition, “repair” is considered to occur when the first repair or reconstruction of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the building commences.
The term does not apply to:
- Any project for improvement of a building required to comply with existing health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the Code Enforcement Official and which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions, or
- Any alteration of a “historic structure” provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure’s continued designation as a “historic structure.”
“Substantial Improvement” means any combination of reconstruction, alteration, or improvement to a building, taking place for a 10-year period, in which the cumulative percentage of improvement equals or exceeds fifty percent of the current market value of the building. For the purposes of this definition, an improvement occurs 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 building. This term includes structures, which have incurred “repetitive loss” or “substantial damage”, regardless of the actual repair work done.
The term does not apply to:
- Any project for improvement of a building required to comply with existing health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the Code Enforcement Official and which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions, or
- Any alteration of a “historic structure” provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure’s continued designation as a “historic structure.”
“Substantially improved existing manufactured home parks or subdivisions” is where the repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation or improvement of the streets, utilities and pads equals or exceeds 50 percent of the value of the streets, utilities and pads before the repair, reconstruction or improvement commenced.
“Unnumbered A Zone” means a special flood hazard area shown on either a flood hazard boundary map or flood insurance rate map where the base flood elevation is not determined.
“Variance” means a grant of relief by the community from the terms of a floodplain management regulation. Flood insurance requirements remain in place for any varied use or structure and cannot be varied by the community.
“Violation” means the failure of a structure or other development to be fully compliant with the community’s floodplain management regulations. A structure or other development without the elevation certificate, other certifications, or other evidence of compliance required by this ordinance is presumed to be in violation until such time as that documentation is provided.
“Water Surface Elevation” means the height, in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929 (or other datum where specified) of floods of various magnitudes and frequencies in the floodplain.
Section Three: This ordinance shall be in full force and become effective upon passage by the Board of Aldermen and approval by the Mayor.
READ TWO TIMES, PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF RICH HILL, MISSOURI, THIS 9TH DAY OF JUNE, 2021.
__________________________
Nathan Kassner, President of the Board
Attest:
______________________________
Amber Barker
Assistant City Clerk
Alderpersons Voting in Favor: Bonham, Thompson, Kassner
Alderpersons Voting Against:
CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION
This Floodplain Management Ordinance for the community of Rich Hill, Missouri.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED by the Governing Body of Rich Hill, Missouri.
This 9th of June, 2021.
__________________________
Nathan Kassner, President of the Board
Attest:
______________________________
Amber Barker
Assistant City Clerk
