FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE

 Introduction

The Boone County Commission is pleased to provide you with the booklet of information regarding the Flood Plain Management Ordinance dated February 4, 1991. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 1991 increased its requirements concerning local government participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.  In order for residents of Boone County to be eligible for flood insurance the County Commission adopted a Flood Plain Management Ordinance as prescribed and approved by FEMA.

The objective of this ordinance is to regulate the construction of structures and/or fills within the 100 year flood plain.  All prospective builders are required to obtain a building permit from the Boone County Office of Emergency  Services, 1 Avenue “C”, Madison, WV, Telephone 369-2291.  Failure to obtain a building permit can result in legal action against the property owner and jeopardize the county’s continued participation in the flood program.

Any questions you may have in regard to the ordinance can be directed to the offices listed in the back of the book.

     At a REGULAR session of the county Commission of Boone County, West Virginia, held at the Courthouse thereof on the 4th day of February, 1991 the following ORDER was made and entered:

SUBJECT:                                        FLOODPLAIN ORDINANCE

     The following motion was offered by Commissioner Gene Kuhn:

     That, in order to qualify homeowners- and Potential homeowners of Boone County for flood insurance, the Boone County Commission hereby District and requiring 11 persons, partnerships, businesses, and corporations to obtain a building permit for the construction, substantial improvement or relocation of any building or structure or for any other development;  Providing for minimum standards for Construction within the Flood Plain district and setting forth special procedures for submission and approval of plans; Establishing penalties for any persons who fail to comply with the requirements or provisions of this ordinance (a copy of which is attached herewith), in accordance with requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

     Further, that said Boone County Commission appoint Roger Jarrell to act as its Permit Officer for the administration of the permit requirements of the above-mentioned Ordinance.

     The adoption of the foregoing motion, having been made by Gene Kuhn, Commissioner and duly seconded by Gordon Eversole, Commissioner, the vote thereon was as follows:

     J.M. “Mickey” Protan, President…………………………………AYE

     Gene Kuhn, Commisioner………………………………………..AYE

     Gordon Eversole, Commissioner…………………………………AYE

     Whereupon, J.M. “Mickey” Protan, President, declared said motion duly adopted; and it is therefore ADJUDGED and ORDERED that said motion be, and the same is hereby adopted.

ORDINANCE

            AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT AND REQUIRING ALL PERSONS, PARTNERSHIPS, BUSINESSES, AND CORPORATIONS TO OBTAIN A BUILDING PERMIT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT OR RELOCATION OF ANY BUILDING OR STRUCTURE OR FOR ANY OTHER DEVELOPMENT; PROVIDING FOR MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR CONSTRUCTION WITHIN THE FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT AND SETTING FORTH SPECIAL PROCEDURES FOR SUBMISSION AND APPROVAL OF PLANS; ESTABLISHING PENALTIES FOR ANY PERSONS WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH, THE REQUIREMENTS OR PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE.

     BE IT ENACTED AND ORDAINED by the BOONE COUNTY COMMISSION, BOONE COUNTY, West Virginia, as follows:

ARTICLE 1 – General Provisions

     Section 1.1 Intent     

A.     Promote the general health, welfare, and safety of the community.

B.     Encourage the utilization of appropriate construction practices in order to prevent or minimize flood damage in the future.

C.     Minimize danger to public health and safety by protecting water supply, sanitary sewage disposal, and natural drainage.

D.     Reduce financial burdens imposed on the community, its governmental units, and its residents, by preventing the unwise design and construction and development in areas subject to flooding.

Section 1.2  Abrogation and Greater Restrictions

This Ordinance supersedes any ordinances which may have been in flood prone areas.  However, ant underlying ordinance shall remain in full force and effect to the extent that those provisions are more restrictive.

Section 1.3 Applicability

Provisions of all other codes, ordinances, and regulations shall be applicable insofar as they are consistent with the provisions of this Ordinance and county’s need to minimize the hazards and damage resulting from flooding.

ARTICLE II- DEFINITIONS

     Base Flood Elevation

     The 100 year flooding elevation.  Within the Approximated Flood Plain the base flood elevation shall be established as a point on the boundary of the approximated Flood Plain which is the nearest to the construction site in question.

     Development

     Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations.

     Existing Manufactured Home and Park or Subdivision

       A manufactured home, park, or subdivision for which the construction or 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 to the pouring of concrete pads) is completed before April 17, 1984.

EXPANSION TO AN EXISTING MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION

     The preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lot 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

A general and temporary inundation of normally dry land areas.

Flood Plain

A relatively flat or low area adjoining a river, stream, or watercourse which is subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.

Floodproofing

Any combination of structural and non-structural additions, changes, or adjustment to properties and structures which reduce or eliminate flood damage to lands, water, and sanitary facilities, structures, and contents of buildings.

Historical Structures

(a)    Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places ( a listing maintained by the Department of Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary if the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register;

(b)   Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary if 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 local 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

“Lowest Floor” means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area including basement.  An unfinished or flood resistant enclosure, unable 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 non-elevation design requirements of this ordinance.

Manufactured Home

A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities.  For flood plain management purposes the term “manufactured home” also includes park trailers, travel trailers, and other similar vehicles placed on a site for greater than 180 consecutive days.  For insurance purposes the term “manufactured home:  does not include park trailers, travel trailers, and other similar vehicles. 

Manufactured Home Park and Subdivision

A parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two or more manufactured home lots for sale or rent.

New Construction

Structures for which the start of construction as herein defined commenced on or after the effective date of this Ordinance.  This term does not apply to any work on a structure existing before the effective date of this Ordinance.

New Manufactured Home Park of Subdivision

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 on or after April 17, 1984.

One Hundred Year Flood

A flood that has one chance in one-hundred or a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.

Person

Any individual or group of individuals, corporation, partnership, association, or other entity, including State and Local Governments and Agencies.

Principally Above Ground

Where at least 51 percent of the actual cash value of a structure, less land value, is above ground.

Start of Construction

Includes substantial improvement and means the date the building permit was issued provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, placement, or other improvement as within 180 days of the permit date.  The actual start means either the first placement of installation of piles, the construction of columns, or any work beyond the stage of excavation; or the placement of a manufactures home on a foundation.  Permanent construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading and filling; nor does it include the installation of streets and/or walkways; nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings, piers, or foundations or the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation  on the property of accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main structure.

Structure

A walled and roofed building, including a fad or liquid storage tank, that is principally above ground, as well as a manufactured home.

Substantial Damage

The 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.

Substantial Improvements

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.  The term 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 or:

(2)   Any alteration of a “historic structure”, provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure’s continued designation as a “historic structure.”

 ARTICLE III- ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT

      Section 3.1

     The Flood Plain District shall include all areas subject to inundation by the waters of the One Hundred (100) year Flood.  The source of this delineation shall be the Flood Insurance Study for the county of Boone, West Virginia, as prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Insurance Administration.

     Section 3.2

     The Flood Plain District shall be comprised of three (3) sub districts as follows:

(a)    Floodway (Fl)- That portion of the Flood Plain District required to carry the discharge waters of the One Hundred (100) Year Flood without increasing the water surface elevation at any point more than one (1) foot above existing conditions, as demonstrated in the Flood Insurance Study referenced above.

(b)   Floodway Fringe (F2)- Those portions of land within the Flood Plain District subject to inundation by the One Hundred (100) Year Flood, lying beyond the floodway in area where detailed study data and profiles are available.

(c)    Approximated Flood Plain (F3)- Those portions of land within the Flood Plain District subject to inundation by the One Hundred (100) Year Flood where a detailed study has not been performed, but where a One Hundred (100) Year Flood Plain boundary had been approximated.

      Section 3.3

     The delineation of the Flood Plain District may be revised amended and modified by the Boone County Commission in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program when:

(a)    there are changes through natural or other causes;

(b)   changes are indicated by future detailed hydrologic and hydraulic studies;

 All such changes shall be subject to the review and approval of the Federal Insurance Administration.

      Section 3.4  Boundary Dispute

     Should a dispute concerning any district boundary arise, an initial determination shall be made by a staff member designated by the Boone County Commission.  Any party aggrieved by this decision may appeal to the Boone County Commission.  The burden of proof shall be on the appellant.

 ARTICLE IV- UTILIZATION OF THE FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT

      Section 4.1  Floodway (F1)

      General Requirements

      In the Floodway no development shall be permitted which would result in any increase in the Base Flood Elevation during the occurrence of the Base Flood discharge.  When a developer construction of stream improvements, he shall submit an engineering study prepared by a Registered Professional Engineer which fully evaluated the effects of such construction.  The report shall use the Base Flood as herein defined as the basis of analysis.  All adjacent communities including all incorporated communities having a flood plain ordinance and the State Coordinating Office shall be notified by the developer by certified mail of all such intended activities prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse and shall submit copies of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administrator.  In addition, the developer shall assure, the Boone County Commission, in writing that the flood carrying capacity within the altered or relocated portion of the watercourse in question will be maintained.

     Section 4.2  Floodway Fringe (F2) & Approximate Flood Plain (F3)

     In the Floodway Fringe and Approximated Flood Plain any development and/or use of land shall be permitted provided that all such uses, activities, and/or development shall be undertaken in strict compliance with the floodproofing and related provisions contained herein and in all other applicable codes, ordinances and regulations.  For any manufactured home park or subdivision shall file with the Disaster Preparedness authorities of Boone County, and the Boone County Commission, an evacuation plan which indicates alternative vehicular access routes.

     In addition, whenever a developer intends to alter or relocate watercourse within the Floodway Fringe or Approximated Flood Plain, the developer shall notify in writing by certified mail all adjacent communities including incorporated communities having a flood plain ordinance and the State Coordinating Office of all such intended activities prior to any alterations or relocation of the watercourse, and shall submit copies of such developer shall also assure the Boone County Commission, in writing, that the flood carrying capacity within the altered or relocated portion of the watercourse in question will be maintained.

ARTICLE V- CRITERIA FOR BUILDING AND SITE PLAN APPROVAL

     Section 5.1 General

     Building permits are required in designated Flood Plain Districts in order to determine whether all new construction or substantial improvements are: 

1.      Designed (or modified) and adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement.

2.      Constructed with materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage.

3.      Constructed by methods and practices that minimize flood damage.

Section 5.2  Basic Format

The basic format of the building permit shall include the following:

1.       Name and address of applicant.

2.       Name and address of owner of land on which proposed construction is to occur.

3.       Site location.

4.       Name and address of contractor.

5.       Brief description of proposed work and estimated cost.

6.       A plan of the site showing the exact time and location of the proposed construction as well as any existing buildings or structures.

Section 5.3  Elevation and Floodproofing Information

        Depending on the type of structure involved, the following information shall also be included in the building permit for work within the Flood Plain District.

 A.       For structures to be elevated to the Base Flood Elevation:

(1)   A plan showing the size of the proposed structure and its relation to the lot where it is to be constructed.

(2)   A determination of elevations of the existing ground, proposed finished ground and lowest floor.

(3)   Plans showing the method of elevation, the proposed structure, including details of proposed fills, pile structures, retaining walls, foundations, erosions protection measures, etc.

(4)   Plans showing the method used to protect utilities (including water, sewer, telephone, electric, gas, etc.) form flooding to the Base Flood Elevation at the building site.

B.     For structures to be floodproofed to the Base Flood Elevation (non-residential structures only:)

(1)   Plans showing details of all floodproofing measures,  and showing the size to the proposed structure and its relation to the lot where it is to be constructed.

(2)    A determination of elevations of existing ground, proposed finished ground, lowest floor, and floodproofing limits.

(3)   The Flood Plain Property Improvement Administrator shall require a certificate prepared by a Registered Professional Engineer or Architect, that the structure in question, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, is designed so that: 

(a)    Below the base flood elevation the structure is watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water.

(b)   The structure will withstand the hydrostatic hydrodynamic buoyant, impact, and other forces resulting from the flood depth, velocities, pressures, and other factors associated with the Base Flood.

 Section 5.4 Site Plan Criteria

       The owner or developer of any proposed subdivision, manufactured home park or subdivision, or other development located within the designated flood plain district shall submit a site plan to Boone County Commission which includes the following information:

1.      Name of engineer, surveyor, or other qualified person responsible for providing the information required in this section.

2.      A map showing the location of the proposed subdivision and/or development with respect to the unincorporated flood-prone areas, proposed lots and sites, fills, flood or erosion protective facilities and areas subject to special deed restriction.  In addition, it is required that all subdivision proposals and other proposed new developments greater than 50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is the lesser, shall include base flood elevation data.

3.      Where the subdivision and/or development lies partially or completely in the flood-prone areas, the plan map shall include detailed information giving the location and elevation of proposed roads, public utilities and building sites.  All such maps shall also show contours at intervals of two (2) or five (5) feet depending upon the slope of the land and identify accurately the boundaries of the flood-prone areas.

Section 5.5

The Flood Plain Property Improvement Administrator shall require that any applications, plans or other documents comprising any submission to the Flood Plain Property Development Administrator be prepared by a Registered Professional Engineer, Architect or surveyor when a new nonresidential structure is to be floodproofed. 

ARTICLE VI – SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Section 6.1 Design and Construction

In order to prevent excessive damage to buildings and structures, the following restrictions shall apply to all new construction and to construction of substantial improvements to existing structures occurring in the Flood Plain District.

All new construction and substantial improvements of residential structures must have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to the base flood elevation.  All new construction and substantial improvements of nonresidential structures must have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to the base flood elevation; or, together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities, be designed so that below the base flood elevation the structure is floodproofed in accordance with Section 5.3B.

A.     Basements and Lowest Floors

For all new construction and substantial improvements, fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor 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 floodwaters.  Designs for meeting this requirements must either be certified by a Registered Professional Engineer or Architect or must meet or exceed the following minimum criteria:  A minimum of two openings having a total net area of not less than one square foot of enclosed area subject to flooding shall be provided.  The bottom of all openings shall be no higher than one foot above grade.  Openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of flood-waters. 

B.     Fill

If fill is used to raise the finished surface of the lowest floor to the base flood elevation: 

1.      Fill shall extend beyond a structure for a sufficient distance to provide acceptable access.  For residential structure, fill shall extend laterally fifteen (15) feet beyond the building line from all points.  For non-residential structures, fill shall be placed to provide access acceptable for intended use.   At-grade access, the fill extending laterally fifteen (15) feet beyond the building line, shall be provided to minimum of twenty-five (25) percent of the perimeter of the non-residential structure.

2.      Fill shall consist of soil or rock materials only.   Sanitary landfills shall not be permitted. 

3.      Fill material shall be compacted to provide the necessary stability and resistance to erosion,  scouring, or setting. 

4.      Fill slopes shall be no steeper than one (1) vertical or two (2) horizontal, unless substantiating data justifying steeper slopes are submitted to and approved by the Permit Officer. 

5.      Fill shall be used only to the extent to which it does not adversely affect adjacent properties.

     C.     Placement of Buildings, Structures, and Manufactured Homes

1.      All buildings and structures shall be constructed and placed on the lot so as to offer the minimum obstruction to the flow of water and shall be designed to have a minimum obstruction effort upon the flow and height of flood water.

2.  Manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved on sites

(a)    outside of a manufactured home park or subdivision, or

(b)   in a new manufactured home park or subdivision or

(c)    in an expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision

shall be elevated on a permanent foundation so that the lowest floor of each manufactured home will be at the base flood elevation.  Additionally, manufactured homes ploaced or substantially improved on sites in an existing manufactured home park or subdivision in which a manufactured home has incurred “substantial damage” shall meet this requirement.

             3.   All other manufactured homes to be placed or substantially improved in an

existing manufactured home park or subdivision shall be elevated so that either

(a)    the lowest floor of the manufactured home is at the base flood elevation, 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 36 inches in height above grade.

             4.  When manufactured homes are elevated on pilings, lots shall be large enough

to permit steps, piles shall be placed in stable soil no more than ten feet apart, and

reinforcement shall be provided for pilings more than six feet above the ground

level.

5.  All manufactured homes shall be provided with adequate surface drainage and

access for a manufactured home hauler

D.            Anchoring

 

        1.  All buildings and structures including manufactured homes shall be firmly

anchored in accordance with accepted engineering practices to prevent flotation collapse, and lateral movement, thus reducing the threat to life and property and decreasing the possibility of the blockage of bridge openings and other restricted sections of the watercourse.

2.  All air ducts, large pipes and storage tanks located at or below the base flood elevation shall be firmly anchored to resist flotation.

3.  All manufactured homes shall be anchored to resist flotation, collapse or

lateral movement by providing over-the-top and frame ties to ground anchors.

a.  Over-the-top ties shall be provided at each of the four corners of the

manufactured home, with two additional ties per side for manufactured

homes less than 50 feet long.

b.  Frame ties shall be provided at each corner of the home with five

additional ties per side at intermediate points, with manufactured homes

less than 50 feet long, requiring four additional ties per side.

c.  All components of the anchoring system shall be capable of carrying a

force of 4,800 pounds.

d.  Any additions to a manufactured home shall be similarly anchored.

 E.         Storage

            No Materials that are buoyant, flammable, explosive or in times of flooding could

be injurious to human, animal or plant life, shall be stored blow base flood

elevation.        

F.         Utility and Facility Requirements

            For all proposed subdivisions manufactured home parks or subdivision or other

development in the Flood Plain District, the Permit Officer designated by the

Boone County Commission, shall require.

G.            Drainage

            Adequate drainage shall be provided to reduce exposure to flood hazards.

H.            Evacuation

            A plan for evacuating the residents of existing manufactured home parks or

subdivisions be developed and filled with and approved by appropriate

community emergency management authorities.  The purpose of this requirement

is to reduce the potential for loss of life if existing manufactured home parks or

subdivisions are flooded.           

I.              Recreational Vehicles

            No floodplain management rules contained herein would apply to a recreational

vehicle if the vehicle was on site for fewer than 180 consecutive days or was fully

licensed and “ready for highway use”, meaning the vehicle 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.  If the recreational

vehicle does not meet these criteria, it would be subject to the restrictions placed

on manufactured home.

ARTICLE VII - ADMINISTRATION

Section 7.1 Building Permits and Site Plan Approvals Required

It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, business, or corporation to

undertake or cause to be undertaken, any development or the new construction,

substantial improvement or relocation of any structure (including manufactured

homes) within the Flood Plain District, unless the necessary permits have been

obtained for the Permit Officer, designed by the Boone County Commission.  In

addition, where land is to be subdivided, utilized for a mobile home park or

subdivision or otherwise developed in a Flood Plain District a site plan must be

submitted to, and approved by, the Permit Officer to any development.

 Section 7.2 Approval of Permits and Plans

            All permits and plans shall be approved only after it has been determined that the

proposed work to be undertaken will be in conformance with the requirements of

this and all other applicable Codes and Ordinances.

            The Permit Officer shall require copies of all necessary permits from those

governmental agencies for which approval of required by Federal or State Law.

A record of all information supplied to the Permit Officer shall be kept on file by

the Boone County Commission.

Section 7.3  Application Procedures

            Application for a building permit and site plan approvals in the Flood Plain

District shall be made, in writing, to the Permit Officer, and shall include all

information stipulated under Article V of this Ordinance.

Section 7.4 Comment Period

            Upon receipt of a completed application for a building permit, the Boone County

Commission shall cause to be posted at the Boone County Commission

Courthouse a notice that the application is pending before the County

Commission and that written comments concerning such application shall be

received by them for a period of seen days from the date the notice is first posted. 

At the end of the seven day period the applications shall be acted upon, taking

into consideration any comments made.

 Section 7.5  Changes

             After issuance of a building permit or site plan approval by the Permit Officer, no

changes of any kind shall be made to the application, permit, or any of the plans,

specifications or other documents submitted with the application without the

written consent or approval of the Permit Officer.

Section 7.6  Placards

            In addition to the building permit, the Permit Officer shall issue a placard which

shall be displayed on the premises during the time construction is in progress. 

This placard shall show the number of the building permit, the date of its issuance and be signed by the Permit Officer.

Section 7.7  Start of Construction

            Work on the proposed construction shall begin within six (6) months after the

date of the issuance of the building permit or the permit shall expire unless a time

extension if granted, in writing by the Building Permit Officier.  Once

construction has begun, the project must be completed within one year from the

date.

Section 7.8  Inspection and Revocation

            During the construction period, the Building Permit Officer or other authorized

official may inspect the premises to determine that the work is progressing in

compliance with the information provided on the permit application and with all

applicable laws and ordinances.  In the event the Building Permit discovers that

the work does not comply with the permit application or any applicable laws and

ordinances, or that there has been a false statement/or misrepresentation by the

applicant, the Building Permit Officer shall revoke the building permit and report

such face to the County Commission for whatever action is considered necessary.

Section 7.9  Use of Available Flood Data

            The administrator shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood

elevations and floodway data available from a Federal, State or other source, as criteria for requiring that new construction, substantial improvements or other development in Zone A meet all requirements set forth within these regulations.  (Note that available base flood data include data submitted with subdivision proposals and other proposed developments greater than 50 lets or 5 acres, whichever is less, including manufactured home parks and subdivisions.)

ARTICLE VII - ADMINISTRATION OF FLOOD PLAIN PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS ORDINANCE:  BUILDING PERMITS

Section 8.1  Building Permit Officer

            A Building Permit Officer shall be appointed by the Boone County Commission

to serve at the will and pleasure of the Commission.  The Building Permit Officer

shall administer and enforce the provisions of this ordinace.  The Building Permit

Officer shall also review and make initial determinations upon requests for

building permits within a Flood Hazard District.  The Building Permit Officer

shall be responsible for notifying persons in violation of the provisions of this

Ordinance when such violations are found by the officer.  Such notice shall

indicate the nature of the Violation and order the necessary corrective action.

Section 8.2  Appeals

            Whenever any person is aggrieved by a decision of the Building Permit Officer

with respect to the provisions of this Ordinance, it is the right of that person to

appeal to the Boone County Commission.  Upon receipt of such appeal, the

Boone County Commission shall set a time and place not less than ten (10) days,

nor more than thirty (30) days for the purpose of hearing the appeal.  Notice shall

be given to all parties at which time they may appear and be heard. The

determination by the Boone County Commission is final in all cases.

Section 8.3  Appeals Review Criteria (Variance Conditions)

            All appeals contesting only the permit fee established by the Building Permit

Officer may be handled at the discretion of the Boone County Commission.

1.  An affirmative decision shall not be issued by the Boone County Commission

within the designated floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base

flood discharge would result.

2.  A decision may be issued by the Boone County Commission for the

construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of one-half acre

or less in size contiguous to the base Flood Elevation in conformance with the

procedures of paragraphs 3, 4, 5, and 6 of this section.

3.  Affirmative decisions shall only be issued by the Boone County Commission

upon (i) a showing of good and sufficient cause, (ii) a determination that failure to

grant the appeal would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant, and (iii) a

determination that the public granting of an appeal will not result in increased

flood heights, additional threats to the public safely extraordinary public expense,

create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public or conflict with

existing local laws or ordinance.

4.  Affirmative decisions shall only be issued upon determination that it is the

minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief.

5.  The Boone County Commission shall notify the applicant in writing over the

signature of its president that (i) the issuance of a decision to allow construction

of a structure below the Base Flood Elevation will result in increased premium

rates for flood insurance (ii) such construction below the Base Flood Elevation

increase the risks to life and property.  Such notification shall be maintained with

a record of all decisions as required in paragraph (6) of this section; and

6.  The Boone County Commission shall maintain a record of all decisions

including justification for their issuance, and (ii) report such decisions issued in

its annual report submitted to the Federal Insurance Administration.

 Section 8.4  Penalties

            Any person who fails to comply with any or all of the requirements or provisions

of this Ordinance or direction of the Building Permit Officer or any other

authorized employee of the County Commission shall be guilty of a misdemeanor

and, upon conviction, shall pay a fine of not less than Twenty-five ($25.00) nor

more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or be sentenced to no more than ten

(10) days in the County Jail, or both.

Each day during which any violation of this Ordinance shall not excuse the

violation or noncompliance or permit it to continue; and all such persons shall be

required to correct or remedy such violations.

 ARTICLE IX - SEVER ABILITY AND MUNICIPAL LIABILITY

 Section 9.1 Sever ability

            If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance

shall be declared invalid for any reason whatever, such decision shall not affect

the remaining portions of the Ordinance which shall remain in full force and effect, and for this purpose the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby declared to be severable.

Section 9.2  Liability

            The granting of a permit or approval of a subdivision or development plan in an

identified flood-prone area, shall not constitute a representation guarantee or

warranty of any kind by the Boone County Commission or by any official or

employee thereof of the practicability or safety of the proposed use and shall

Create no liability upon the Boone county commission, its officials, or employees.

 ARTICLE X - ENACTMENT

 ENACTED and ORDAINED this ­­­__4th___ day of _February, 1991.

 The Boone County Commission,

At a REGULAR session of the County Commission of Boone County, West Virginia, held at the Courthouse thereof on the 4th day of February, 1991, the following ORDER was made and entered:

SUBJECT:           FLOODPLAIN ORDINANCE

            The following motion was offered by Commissioner Gene Kuhn:

            That, in order to qualify homeowners and potential homeowners of Boone County

for flood insurance, the Boone County Commission hereby adopt the Ordinance

entitled “An Ordinance Establishing a Flood Plain District and requiring All

Persons, Partnerships, Businesses, and Substantial Improvement or Relocation of

Any Building or Structure of Construction Within the Flood Plain District and

Setting Forth Special Procedures for Submission and Approval of Plans;

Establishing Penalties of this Ordinance” (a copy of which is attached herewith),

in accordance with requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Further, that said Boone County Commission appoint Roger Jarrell to act as its

Permit Officer for the administration of the permit requirements of the above-

mentioned Ordinance.

The adoption of the foregoing motion, having been made by Gene Kuhn,

Commissioner, and duly seconded by Gordon Eversole, commissioner, the vote

thereon was as follows:


            J.M “Mickey” Protan, President......................................................._AYE_

Gene Kuhn, Commissioner.............................................................._AYE_

Gordon Eversole, Commissioner....................................................._AYE_

 

Whereupon, J.M. “Mickey” Protan, President, declared said motion duly adopted;

and it is therefore ADJUDGED and ORDERED that said motion be and the same

is hereby adopted.

                                                                        J.M. “Mickey” Protan, President

                                                                        Gene Kuhn, Commissioner

                                                                        Gordon Eversole, Commissioner

            At a REGULAR session of the County Commission of Boone County, West

Virginia, held at the Courthouse thereof on the 18th day of February, 1992, the

following ORDER ws made and entered:

SUBJECT: BOONE COUNTY FLOOD PLAIN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 1

The following motion was offered by Commisioner Gordon Eversole:

Having, by ORDER entered the 4th day of February, 1991, enacted a Flood Plain Ordinance for Boone County, West Virginia, that the Boone County Commission hereby cause Amendment No.1 which defines “Basement” to be attached that Ordinance, as follows:

ARTICLE II - DEFINITIONS:

Basement

            Any area of the Building having its floor sub grade (below ground level)

on all sides.

The adoption of the foregoing motion, having been made by Gordon Eversole, Commissioner, and duly seconded by Gene Kuhn, Commissioner, the vote thereon was as follows:

J.M. “Mickey” Protan, President..............................................................._AYE_

Gene Kuhn, Commissioner......................................................................._AYE_

Gordon Eversole, Commissioner.............................................................._AYE_


Whereupon, J.M. “Mickey” Protan, President, declared said motion duly adopted; and it is therefore ADJUDGED and ORDERED that said motion be and the same is hereby adopted.

                                                                        J.M. “Mickey” Protan, President