The land in the floodplain within a community subject to a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year. The area may be designated as Zone A, AO, AH, A1-30, AE, A99, V1-30, VE, or V.

Means an area to accommodate utilities, laundry facilities or mechanicals which are otherwise typically located within a basement area.

The flood having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.

The area subject to high-velocity waters, including but not limited to hurricane wave wash. The area is designated on a FIRM as Zone V1-30, VE, VO or V.

Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to building or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment or materials. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59].

Floodplain District.

Any commercial or municipal structure or residential dwelling that currently exists, or existed prior to the catastrophic event, at the time a request is made to elevate.

Administers the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA provides a nationwide flood hazard area mapping study program for communities as well as regulatory standards for development in the flood hazard areas.

An official map of a community on which FEMA has delineated both the areas of special flood hazard and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.

An examination, evaluation, and determination of flood hazards and, if appropriate, corresponding water surface elevations or an examination, evaluation and determination of flood-related erosion hazards.

The channel of the river, creek 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 a designated height. [Base Code, Chapter 2, Section 202].

A use which cannot perform its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water. The term includes only docking facilities, port facilities that are necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, and ship building and ship repair facilities, but does not include long-term storage or related manufacturing facilities. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59; also Referenced Standard ASCE 24-14].

The highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59].

Means the 1% FEMA base flood elevation plus up to an additional three feet.

Any structure that is:

The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement or cellar). 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 nonelevation design requirements of state and local regulations.

A program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Means any elevation to which a structure is raised, or is to be raised, that is equal to or higher than the applicable FEMA base flood elevation; provided, however, that in no case shall the new and appropriate elevation exceed the highest applicable flood elevation standard.

Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of the first floodplain management code, regulation, ordinance, or standard adopted by the authority having jurisdiction, including any subsequent improvements to such structures. New construction includes work determined to be substantial improvement. [Referenced Standard ASCE 24-14]

A vehicle which is:

See "floodway."

The land area subject to flood hazards and shown on a Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard map as Zone A, AE, A99, AR, AO, AH, V, VO, or VE. [Base Code, Chapter 2, Section 202].

The date of issuance for new construction and substantial improvements to existing structures, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, placement or other improvement is within 180 days after the date of issuance. The actual start of construction means the first placement of permanent construction of a building (including a manufactured home) on a site, such as the pouring of a slab or footings, installation of pilings or construction of columns. Permanent construction does not include land preparation (such as clearing, excavation, 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 building. 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. [Base Code, Chapter 2, Section 202].

A structure, 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. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59].

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% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.

Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, 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.

When work to repair or replace a foundation results in the repair or replacement of a portion of the foundation with a perimeter along the base of the foundation that equals or exceeds 50% of the perimeter of the base of the foundation measured in linear feet, or repair or replacement of 50% of the piles, columns or piers of a pile, column or pier-supported foundation, the Building Official shall determine it to be substantial repair of a foundation. Applications determined by the Building Official to constitute substantial repair of a foundation shall require all existing portions of the entire building or structure to meet the requirements of 780 CMR. [As amended by MA in 9th Edition BC]

A grant of relief by a community from the terms of a floodplain management regulation. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59].

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 in § 60.3(b)(5), (c)(4), (c)(10), (d)(3), (e)(2), (e)(4), or (e)(5) is presumed to be in violation until such time as that documentation is provided. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59].