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*State law reference—Floodplain management ordinances, Minn. Stats. 103F.121.
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ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL
Sec. 113-1. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Accessory use or structure means a use or structure on the same lot with, and of a nature customarily incidental and subordinate to, the principal use or structure.
Basement means any area of a structure, including crawl spaces, having its floor or base subgrade (below ground level) on all four sides, regardless of the depth of excavation below ground level.
Flood fringe means that portion of the floodplain outside of the floodway.
Floodplain means the channel or beds proper and the areas adjoining a wetland, lake or watercourse that have been or hereafter may be covered by the regional flood. Floodplain areas within the city shall encompass all areas designated as zone A, zone AE, zone AO, or zone AH on the flood insurance rate map adopted in section 113-3(a).
Floodway means the bed of a wetland or lake and the channel of a watercourse and those portions of the adjoining floodplain that are reasonably required to carry or store the regional flood discharge and are below the ordinary high-water line (OHW).
Lowest floor means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area including basements and crawl spaces.
Manufactured home means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which 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 the term "recreational vehicle."
Obstruction means any dam, wall, wharf, embankment, levee, dike, pile, abutment, projection, excavation, dredged spoil, channel modification, culvert, building, wire, fence, stockpile, refuse, fill, structure, stockpile of sand or gravel or other material, or matter in, along, across, or projecting into any channel, watercourse, lake bed, or regulatory floodplain which may impede, retard, or change the direction of flow, either in itself or by catching or collecting debris carried by floodwater.
Recreational vehicle means a vehicle that is built on a single chassis, is 400 square feet or less when measured at the largest projection, is designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck, and is designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use. For the purposes of this chapter, the term "recreational vehicle" shall be synonymous with the term travel trailer/travel vehicle.
Regional flood means a flood which is representative of large floods known to have occurred generally in the state and reasonably characteristic of what can be expected to occur on an average frequency in magnitude of the 100-year recurrence interval. Regional flood is synonymous with the term "base flood" used on the flood insurance rate map.
Regulatory flood protection elevation means an elevation no lower than one foot above the elevation of the regional flood plus any increases in flood elevation caused by encroachments on the floodplain that result from designation of a floodway. The regulatory flood protection elevation (in feet) for the following lakes is:
(1) Lake Minnetonka, 933.0 feet;
(2) Dutch Lake, 942.0 feet;
(3) Lake Langdon, 937.0 feet.
Structure means anything constructed or erected on the ground or attached to the ground or on-site utilities, including, but not limited to, buildings, factories, sheds, detached garages, cabins, manufactured homes, travel trailers/vehicles not meeting the exemption criteria specified in section 113-56(1) and other similar items.
Substantial damage means damage of any origin sustained by a structure where 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.
Substantial improvement means within any consecutive 365-day period, any reconstruction, rehabilitation (including normal maintenance and repair), repair after damage, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the start of construction of the improvement. The term "substantial improvement" includes structures that have incurred substantial damage, regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term "substantial improvement" does not, however, include either:
(1) Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions.
(2) Any alteration of an historic structure; provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as an historic structure. For the purpose of this chapter, the term "historic structure" shall be as defined in CFR 59.1.
(Code 1987, § 300.16, subd. 2d; Ord. No. 06-2004, 7-25-2004)
Sec. 113-2. Statutory authorization, findings of fact and purpose.
(a) Statutory authorization. The legislature of the state has, in the Floodplain Management Law (Minn. Stats. § 103F.101 et seq.) and Minn. Stats. ch. 462 delegated the authority to local governmental units to adopt regulations designed to minimize flood losses. Minn. Stats. ch. 103F further stipulates that communities subject to recurrent flooding must participate and maintain eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program. Therefore the city does ordain the provisions as provided in this chapter.
(b) Statement of purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to maintain the city's eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program and to minimize potential losses due to periodic flooding including loss of life, loss of 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.
(c) Warning of disclaimer of liability. This chapter does not imply that areas outside of the floodplain district or land uses permitted within such districts will be free from flooding and 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 decisions lawfully made thereunder.
(d) National Flood Insurance Program compliance. This chapter is adopted to comply with the rules and regulations of the National Flood Insurance Program codified as 44 CFR 59—78, as amended, so as to maintain the city's eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program.
(Code 1987, § 300.16, subd. 1; Ord. No. 06-2004, 7-25-2004)
Sec. 113-3. Adoption of flood insurance study and rate maps; application of chapter; interpretation.
(a) The Flood Insurance Study, Volumes 1 and 2, Hennepin County, Minnesota, All jurisdictions and the flood insurance rate map panels numbered 27053C 0283 E, 27053C 0284 E, 27053C 0287 E, 27053C 0291 E, and 27053C 0292 E for the City of Mound, dated September 2, 2004, as developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, are hereby adopted by reference as the official floodplain zoning district map and made a part of this chapter.
(b) This chapter shall apply to all lands designated as floodplains within the jurisdiction of the city. Floodplain areas within the city shall encompass all areas designated as zone A, zone AE, zone AO, or zone AH as shown on the flood insurance rate map adopted in subsection (a) of this section.
(c) The boundaries of the floodplain district shall be determined by scaling distances on the official floodplain zoning district map. Where interpretation is needed as to the exact location of the boundaries of the floodplain district, the city shall make the necessary interpretation based on the ground elevations that existed on the site at the time the city adopted its initial floodplain ordinance and the regional (100-year) flood profile, if available. If 100-year flood elevations are not available, the city shall:
(1) Require a floodplain evaluation consistent with section 113-53(c) to determine a 100-year flood elevation for the site; or
(2) Base its decision on available hydraulic/hydrologic or site elevation survey data which demonstrates the likelihood the site is within or outside of the floodplain.
(Code 1987, § 300.16, subds. 2a—2c; Ord. No. 06-2004, 7-25-2004)
Sec. 113-4. Penalties for violation.
A violation of the provisions of this chapter or failure to comply with any of its requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with grants of variance) shall constitute a misdemeanor.
(1) In responding to a suspected chapter violation, the planning staff and the city may utilize the full array of enforcement actions available to it including, but not limited to, prosecution and fines, injunctions, after-the-fact permits, orders for corrective measures or a request to the National Flood Insurance Program for denial of flood insurance availability to the guilty party. The city must act in good faith to enforce these official controls and to correct violations of this chapter to the extent possible so as not to jeopardize its eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program.
(2) When a violation of this chapter is either discovered by or brought to the attention of the planning staff, the planning staff shall immediately investigate the situation and document the nature and extent of the violation of the official control. As soon as is reasonably possible, this information will be submitted to the appropriate Department of Natural Resources and Federal Emergency Management Agency regional office along with the city's plan of action to correct the violation to the degree possible.
(3) The planning staff shall notify the suspected party of the requirements of this chapter and all other official controls and the nature and extent of the suspected violation of these controls. If the structure and/or use is under construction or development, the planning staff may order the construction or development immediately halted until a proper permit or approval is granted by the city. If the construction or development is already completed, then the planning staff may either:
a. Issue an order identifying the corrective actions that must be made within a specified time period to bring the use or structure into compliance with the official controls; or
b. Notify the responsible party to apply for an after-the-fact permit/development approval within a specified period of time not to exceed 30 days.
(4) If the responsible party does not appropriately respond to the planning staff within the specified period of time, each additional day that lapses shall constitute an additional violation of this chapter and shall be prosecuted accordingly. The planning staff shall also upon the lapse of the specified response period notify the landowner to restore the land to the condition that existed prior to the violation of this chapter.
(Code 1987, § 300.16, subd. 10; Ord. No. 06-2004, 7-25-2004)
Sec. 113-5. Conflict with preexisting zoning regulations and general compliance.
(a) The floodplain district as overlay zoning district. The floodplain zoning district shall be considered an overlay zoning district to all existing land use regulations. The uses permitted in sections 113-53 and 113-54 shall be permitted only if not prohibited by an established, underlying zoning district. The requirements of this chapter shall apply in addition to other legally established regulations of the city and where this chapter imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this chapter shall apply.
(b) Compliance. No new structure or land shall hereafter be used and no structure shall be constructed, located, extended, converted, repaired, maintained, 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. Within the floodway and flood fringe, all uses not listed as permitted uses in section 113-53 shall be prohibited. In addition, a caution is provided here that:
(1) New manufactured homes, replacement manufactured homes and certain recreational vehicles are subject to the general provisions of this chapter and specifically sections 113-53 and 113-56;
(2) Modifications, repair and maintenance, additions, structural alterations or repair after damage to existing nonconforming structures and nonconforming uses of structures or land are regulated by the general provisions of this chapter and specifically section 113-31; and
(3) As-built elevations for elevated structures must be certified by elevation surveys as stated in section 113-29.
(Code 1987, § 300.16, subd. 3; Ord. No. 06-2004, 7-25-2004)
Secs. 113-6—113-28. Reserved.
ARTICLE II. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
Sec. 113-29. Administration.
(a) Permit required. A permit issued by the building official shall be secured prior to the erection, addition, modification, rehabilitation (including normal maintenance and repair), or alteration of any building or structure or portion thereof; prior to the use or change of use of a building, structure, or land; prior to the construction of a dam, fence, or on-site septic system, prior to the change or extension of a nonconforming use, prior to the repair of a structure that has been damaged by flood, fire, tornado, or any other source, and prior to the placement of fill, excavation of materials or the storage of materials or equipment within the floodplain.
(b) State and federal permits. Prior to granting a permit or processing an application for a variance, the building official shall determine that the applicant has obtained all necessary state and federal permits.
(c) Certification of lowest floor elevations. The applicant shall be required to submit certification by a registered professional engineer, registered architect, or registered land surveyor that the finished fill and building elevations were accomplished in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. The building official shall maintain a record of the elevation of the lowest floor (including basement) for all new structures and alterations or additions to existing structures in the floodplain district.
(d) Notifications for watercourse alterations. The planning staff shall notify, in riverine situations, adjacent communities and the commissioner of the department of natural resources prior to the city authorizing any alteration or relocation of a watercourse. If the applicant has applied for a permit to work in the beds of public waters pursuant to Minn. Stats. ch. 103G, this shall suffice as adequate notice to the commissioner of natural resources. A copy of said notification shall also be submitted to the Chicago Regional Office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
(e) Notification to FEMA of changes in 100-year flood elevation. Notification to FEMA when physical changes increase or decrease the 100-year flood elevation. As soon as is practicable, but not later than six months after the date such supporting information becomes available, the planning staff shall notify the Chicago Regional Office of FEMA of the changes by submitting a copy of said technical or scientific data.
(Code 1987, § 300.16, subd. 7; Ord. No. 06-2004, 7-25-2004)
Sec. 113-30. Variances.
(a) Defined. The term "variance" means a modification of a specific permitted development standard required in an official control including this chapter to allow an alternative development standard not stated as acceptable in the official control, but only as applied to a particular property for the purpose of alleviating a hardship, practical difficulty or unique circumstance as defined and elaborated upon in the city's respective planning and zoning enabling legislation and this chapter.
(b) Conditions for granting. The board of adjustment may authorize upon appeal in specific cases such relief or variance from the terms of this chapter as will not be contrary to the public interest and only for those circumstances such as hardship, practical difficulties or circumstances unique to the property under consideration, as provided for in the respective enabling legislation for planning and zoning for cities or counties as appropriate. In the granting of such variance, the board of adjustment shall clearly identify in writing the specific conditions that existed consistent with the criteria specified in this chapter, any other zoning regulations of the city, and the criteria specified in the respective enabling legislation which justified the granting of the variance. The following additional variance criteria of the Federal Emergency Management Agency must be satisfied:
(1) Variances shall not be issued by the city within any designated regulatory floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result.
(2) Variances shall only be issued by the city 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.
(3) Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief.
(c) Determination by board of adjustment. Variances from the provisions of this chapter may be authorized where the board of adjustment has determined the variance will not be contrary to the public interest and the spirit and intent of this chapter. No variance shall allow in any district a use prohibited in that district or permit a lower degree of flood protection then the regulatory flood protection elevation. Variances may be used to modify permissible methods of flood protection.
(d) Submission of copy of application to commissioner of natural resources. The board of adjustment shall submit by mail to the commissioner of natural resources a copy of the application for proposed variance sufficiently in advance so that the commissioner will receive at least ten days notice of the hearing. A copy of all decisions granting a variance shall be forwarded by mail to the commissioner of natural resources within ten days of such action.
(e) Appeals. Appeals from any decision of the board of adjustment may be made, and as specified in the city's official controls and also state statutes.
(f) Flood insurance notice and recordkeeping. The planning staff shall notify the applicant for a variance that:
(1) The issuance of a variance to construct a structure below the 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
(2) Such construction below the 100-year or regional flood level increases risks to life and property. Such notification shall be maintained with a record of all variance actions. The city shall maintain a record of all variance actions, including justification for their issuance, and report such variances issued in its annual or biennial report submitted to the administrator of the National Flood Insurance Program.
(Code 1987, § 300.16, subd. 8; Ord. No. 06-2004, 7-25-2004)
Sec. 113-31. Nonconformities.
A structure or the use of a structure or premises which was lawful before the passage or amendment of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived but which is not in conformity with the provisions of this chapter may be continued subject to the following conditions. Historic structures, as defined in section 113-1, shall be subject to the following provisions:
(1) No such use shall be expanded, changed, enlarged, or altered in a way which increases its nonconformity.
(2) A structural alteration within the inside dimensions of a nonconforming use or structure is permissible provided it utilizes flood resistant materials so as not to result in increasing the flood damage potential of that use or structure. A structural addition to a structure must be elevated to the regulatory flood protection elevation.
(3) The cost of all structural alterations or additions both inside and outside of a structure to any nonconforming structure over the life of the structure shall not exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure unless the conditions of this section are satisfied. The cost of all structural alterations and additions constructed since the adoption of the city's initial floodplain controls must be calculated into today's current cost which will include all costs such as construction materials and a reasonable cost placed on all manpower or labor. If the current cost of all previous and proposed alterations and additions exceeds 50 percent of the current market value of the structure, then the structure must meet the standards of section 113-53 for new structures.
(4) If any nonconforming use of a structure or land or nonconforming structure is substantially damaged, as defined by section 113-1, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter. The building official may issue a permit for reconstruction if the use is located outside the floodway and, upon reconstruction, is adequately elevated on fill in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
(5) If a substantial improvement occurs, as defined in section 113-1, from any combination of a building addition to the outside dimensions of the existing building or a rehabilitation, reconstruction, alteration, or other improvement to the inside dimensions of an existing nonconforming building, then the building addition (as required by subsection (2) of this section) and the existing nonconforming building must meet the requirements of section 113-53 for new structures, depending upon whether the structure is in the floodway or flood fringe, respectively.
(Code 1987, § 300.16, subd. 9; Ord. No. 06-2004, 7-25-2004)
Sec. 113-32. Amendments.
All amendments to this chapter, including revisions to the official floodplain zoning district map, shall be submitted to and approved by the commissioner of natural resources prior to adoption. The floodplain designation on the official floodplain zoning district map shall not be removed unless the area is filled to an elevation at or above the regulatory flood protection elevation and is contiguous to lands outside of the floodplain. Changes in the official zoning map must meet the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) technical conditions and criteria and must receive prior FEMA approval before adoption. The commissioner of natural resources must be given ten days' written notice of all hearings to consider an amendment to the ordinance from which this chapter is derived and said notice shall include a draft of the ordinance amendment or technical study under consideration.
(Code 1987, § 300.16, subd. 11; Ord. No. 06-2004, 7-25-2004)
State law reference—Adoption of floodplain management ordinances, Minn. Stats. § 103F.121, subd. 2.
Secs. 113-33—113-52. Reserved.
ARTICLE III. STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS
Sec. 113-53. Permitted uses, standards, and floodplain evaluation criteria.
(a) Permitted uses in the floodplain district. The following uses of land are permitted uses in the floodplain district:
(1) Any use of land which does not involve a structure, a fence, an addition to the outside dimensions to an existing structure (including a fence) or an obstruction to flood flows such as fill, excavation, or storage of materials or equipment.
(2) Any use of land involving the construction of new structures, a fence, the placement or replacement of manufactured homes, the addition to the outside dimensions of an existing structure (including a fence) or obstructions such as fill or storage of materials or equipment, provided these activities are located in the flood fringe portion of the floodplain. These uses shall be subject to the development standards in subsection (b) of this section and the floodplain evaluation criteria in subsection (c) of this section for determining floodway and flood fringe boundaries.
(3) Recreational vehicles are regulated by section 113-56.
(b) Standards.
(1) Fill shall be properly compacted and the slopes shall be properly protected by the use of riprap, vegetative cover or other acceptable method. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established criteria for removing the special flood hazard area designation for certain structures properly elevated on fill above the 100-year flood elevation, FEMA's requirements incorporate specific fill compaction and side slope protection standards for multistructure or multilot developments. These standards should be investigated prior to the initiation of site preparation if a change of special flood hazard area designation will be requested.
(2) The standards for storage of materials and equipment is as follows:
a. The storage or processing of materials that are, in time of flooding, flammable, explosive, or potentially injurious to human, animal, or plant life is prohibited.
b. Storage of other materials or equipment may be allowed if readily removable from the area within the time available after a flood warning or if placed on fill to the regulatory flood protection elevation.
(3) No use shall be permitted which will adversely affect the capacity of the channels or floodways of any tributary to the main stream, or of any drainage ditch, or any other drainage facility or system.
(4) All structures, including accessory structures, additions to existing structures and manufactured homes, shall be constructed so that the lowest floor, including basement, is at or above the regulatory flood protection elevation. A finished fill elevation must be provided on at least one side of the structure, no lower than one foot below the regulatory flood protection elevation and shall extend at such elevation at least 15 feet beyond the limits of the structure constructed thereon. Activities such as the construction of structures and placement of fill within the flood fringe shall result in a no net decrease in 100-year flood storage.
(5) Commercial and manufacturing uses. Accessory land uses, such as yards, railroad tracks, and parking lots may be at elevations lower than the regulatory flood protection elevation. However, a permit for such facilities to be used by the employees or the general public shall not be granted in the absence of a flood warning system that provides adequate time for evacuation if the area would be inundated to a depth and velocity such that when multiplying the depth (in feet) times velocity (in feet per second) the product number exceeds four upon occurrence of the regional flood.
(6) All manufactured homes must be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system that resists flotation, collapse and lateral movement. Methods of anchoring may include, but are not to be limited to, use of over-the-top or frame ties to ground anchors. This requirement is in addition to applicable state or local anchoring requirements for resisting wind forces.
(c) Floodplain evaluation.
(1) Upon receipt of an application for a permit for a use or other approval within the floodplain district, the applicant shall be required to furnish such of the following information as is deemed necessary by the planning staff for the determination of the regulatory flood protection elevation and whether the proposed use is within the floodway or flood fringe.
a. A typical valley cross section showing the channel of the stream, elevation of land areas adjoining each side of the channel, cross sectional areas to be occupied by the proposed development, and high water information.
b. Plan (surface view) showing elevations or contours of the ground, pertinent structure, fill, or storage elevations, the size, location, and spatial arrangement of all proposed and existing structures on the site, and the location and elevations of streets.
c. Photographs showing existing land uses, vegetation upstream and downstream, and soil types.
d. Profile showing the slope of the bottom of the channel or flow line of the stream for at least 500 feet in either direction from the proposed development.
(2) The applicant shall be responsible to submit one copy of the above information to a designated engineer or other expert person or agency for technical assistance in determining whether the proposed use is in the floodway or flood fringe and to determine the regulatory flood protection elevation. Procedures consistent with Minn. Rules pts. 6120.5000—6120.6200 and 44 CFR 65 shall be followed in this expert evaluation. The designated engineer or expert is strongly encouraged to discuss the proposed technical evaluation methodology with the respective department of natural resources' area hydrologist prior to commencing the analysis. The designated engineer or expert shall:
a. Estimate the peak discharge of the regional flood.
b. Calculate the water surface profile of the regional flood based upon an hydraulic analysis of the stream channel and overbank areas.
c. Compute the floodway necessary to convey or store the regional flood without increasing flood stages.
The planning staff shall present the technical evaluation and findings of the designated engineer or expert to the City Council. The governing body must formally accept the technical evaluation and the recommended floodway and/or flood fringe district boundary or deny the permit application. The governing body, prior to official action, may submit the application and all supporting data and analyses to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the department of natural resources or the Planning Commission for review and comment. Once the floodway and flood fringe district boundaries have been determined, the governing body shall refer the matter back to the planning staff that shall process the permit application consistent with the applicable provisions of this chapter.
(Code 1987, § 300.16, subd. 4; Ord. No. 06-2004, 7-25-2004)
Sec. 113-54. Utilities and transportation facilities in the floodplain district.
All utilities and transportation facilities, including railroad tracks, roads and bridges, shall be constructed in accordance with state floodplain management standards contained in Minn. Rules pts. 6120.5000—6120.6200.
(Code 1987, § 300.16, subd. 5; Ord. No. 06-2004, 7-25-2004)
Sec. 113-55. Subdivisions.
(a) No land shall be subdivided and no manufactured home park shall be developed or expanded where the site is determined to be unsuitable by the City Council for reason of flooding, inadequate drainage, water supply or sewage treatment facilities. The City Council shall review the subdivision/development proposal to ensure that each lot or parcel contains sufficient area outside of the floodway for fill placement for elevating structures, sewage systems and related activities.
(b) In the floodplain district, applicants for subdivision approval or development of a manufactured home park or manufactured home park expansion shall provide the information required in section 113-53(c)(1). The building official shall evaluate the proposed subdivision or mobile home park development in accordance with the standards established in section 113-53(b) and (c) and section 113-54.
(c) For all subdivisions in the floodplain, the floodway and flood fringe boundaries, the regulatory flood protection elevation and the required elevation of all access roads shall be clearly labeled on all required subdivision drawings and platting documents.
(d) Removal of special flood hazard area designation. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established criteria for removing the special flood hazard area designation for certain structures properly elevated on fill above the 100-year flood elevation. FEMA's requirements incorporate specific fill compaction and side slope protection standards for multistructure or multilot developments. These standards should be investigated prior to the initiation of site preparation if a change of special flood hazard area designation will be requested.
(Code 1987, § 300.16, subd. 6; Ord. No. 06-2004, 7-25-2004)
Sec. 113-56. Travel trailers and travel vehicles.
Recreational vehicles that do not meet the exemption criteria specified in subsection (1) of this section shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter and as specifically spelled out in subsections (3) and (4) of this section.
(1) Exemption. Recreational vehicles are exempt from the provisions of this chapter if they are placed in any of the areas listed in subsection (2) of this section and further they meet the following criteria:
a. Have current licenses required for highway use.
b. Are highway ready meaning on wheels or the internal jacking system, are attached to the site only by quick disconnect type utilities commonly used in campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks and the recreational vehicle has no permanent structural type additions attached to it.
c. The recreational vehicle and associated use must be permissible in any preexisting, underlying zoning use district.
(2) Areas exempted for placement of recreational vehicles:
a. Individual lots or parcels of record.
b. Existing commercial recreational vehicle parks or campgrounds.
c. Existing condominium type associations.
(3) Recreational vehicles exempted in subsection (1) of this section lose this exemption when development occurs on the parcel exceeding $500.00 for a structural addition to the recreational vehicle or exceeding $500.00 for an accessory structure such as a garage or storage building. The recreational vehicle and all additions and accessory structures will then be treated as a new structure and shall be subject to the elevation requirements and the use of land restrictions specified in section 113-53. There shall be no development or improvement on the parcel or attachment to the recreation vehicle that hinders the removal of the recreational vehicle to a flood free location should flooding occur.
(4) New commercial recreational vehicle parks or campgrounds and new residential type subdivisions and condominium associations and the expansion of any existing similar use exceeding five units or dwelling sites shall be subject to the following:
a. Any new or replacement recreational vehicle will be allowed in the floodway or flood fringe districts provided said recreational vehicle and its contents are placed on fill above the regulatory flood protection elevation determined in accordance with the provisions of section 113-53(c) and proper elevated road access to the site exists in accordance with section 113-53. No fill placed in the floodway to meet the requirements of this section shall increase flood stages of the 100-year or regional flood.
b. All new or replacement recreational vehicles not meeting the criteria of subsection (4)a of this section may, as an alternative, be allowed if in accordance with the following provisions: The applicant must submit an emergency plan for the safe evacuation of all vehicles and people during the 100-year flood. Said plan shall be prepared by a registered engineer or other qualified individual, shall demonstrate that adequate time and personnel exist to carry out the evacuation, and shall demonstrate that the provisions of subsection (1)a and b of this section will be met. All attendant sewage and water facilities for new or replacement recreational vehicles must be protected or constructed so as to not be impaired or contaminated during times of flooding.
(Code 1987, § 300.16, subd. 12; Ord. No. 06-2004, 7-25-2004)