Source: https://ecode360.com/33087361
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 20:32:54+00:00

Document:
§ 170-1 Statutory authorization, findings of fact, purpose and objectives.
§ 170-5 Provisions for flood hazard reduction.
Statutory authorization. The Legislature of the State of New Jersey has in N.J.S.A. 40:48-1, et seq., delegated the responsibility to local governmental units to adopt regulations designed to promote public health, safety, and general welfare of its citizenry. Therefore, the Common Council of the City of Burlington, Burlington County, New Jersey does ordain as follows.
The flood hazard areas of the City of Burlington are subject to periodic 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.
Land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one-percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. It is shown on the FIRM as Zones V, VE, V1-30, A, AO, A1-A30, AE, A99, or AH.
The flood elevation shown on a published Flood Insurance Study (FIS) including the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). For Zones AE, AH, AO, and A1-30, the elevation represents the water surface elevation resulting from a flood that has a one-percent or greater chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
Adequately anchored so as not to impair the structural integrity of the building during a flood up to the magnitude of the base flood.
In an area of special flood hazard, "elevated building" also includes a building elevated by means of fill or solid foundation perimeter walls with openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movement of floodwaters.
In areas of coastal high hazard, "elevated building" also includes a building otherwise meeting the definition of "elevated building" even though the lower area is enclosed by means of breakaway walls.
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 wave action, bridge openings, and the hydrological effect of urbanization of the watershed.
Directly by the Secretary of the Interior, in states without approved programs.
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 a "recreational vehicle."
A vehicle which is built on a single chassis; 400 square feet or less when measured at the longest horizontal projections; designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck; and designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.
The land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one-percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. Areas designated as special flood hazard areas are identified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) as Zones AE, AH, AO, A1-30, and V.
For other than new construction or substantial improvements under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (P.L. No. 97-348), 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 improvement was 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 a slab or footings, the installation of pilings, the construction of columns, or 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, nor does it include the installation of streets and/or walkways, nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings or 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.
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. For a structure, other than a manufactured home, without a basement or poured footings, the start of construction shall include the first permanent framing or assembly of the structure or any part thereof on its piling or foundation. For manufactured homes not within a manufactured home park or manufactured home subdivision, the start of construction shall mean the affixing of the manufactured home to its permanent site. For manufactured homes within manufactured home parks or manufactured home subdivisions, the start of construction shall be the date on which the construction of facilities for servicing the site on which the manufactured home is to be affixed, including, at a minimum, the construction of streets, either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads, and the installation of utilities, shall be completed.
A walled and roofed building, a manufactured home, or a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground.
Any alteration of an "historic structure," provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as an "historic structure."
Lands to which this chapter applies. This chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of the City of Burlington, Burlington County, New Jersey.
A scientific and engineering report, "Flood Insurance Study, Burlington County, New Jersey (All Jurisdictions)," dated December 21, 2017.
"Flood Insurance Rate Map for Burlington County, New Jersey (All Jurisdictions)" as shown on index and panel(s) 34005C0109F, 34005C0126F, 34005C0127F, 34005C0128F, 34005C0129F, whose effective date is December 21, 2017.
The above documents are hereby adopted and declared to be a part of this chapter. The Flood Insurance Study and maps are on file at City Hall, 525 High Street, Burlington City, New Jersey.
Penalties for noncompliance. No structure or land shall hereafter be constructed, relocated to, extended, converted, or altered without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations. Violation of the provisions of this chapter by failure to comply with any of its requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with conditions) shall constitute a misdemeanor. Any person who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall be liable to a fine as set forth in Chapter 1, Article III, General Penalty; Violations Bureau Schedule of Penalties. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the City of Burlington from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.
Abrogation and greater restrictions. This chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this chapter and other ordinance, easement, covenant, or deed restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.
When the federal insurance administrator has designated an area with the floodplain as having special flood hazards, the code of the City concerning land use control designed to reduce flood loss shall take precedence over any conflicting ordinances or codes of the City.
The degree of flood protection required by this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering considerations. Larger floods can and will occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by manmade or natural causes. This chapter does not imply that land outside the area of special flood hazards or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages.
This chpater shall not create liability on the part of the City of Burlington, any officer or employee thereof or the Federal Insurance Administration for any flood damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
Special use permit required in certain Zones. No new development shall be permitted within the special flood hazard areas with zone designations A, A1 through A30, AO and V, as set forth on the City Flood Insurance Rate Map, except with a special use permit, granted by the Building Inspector with the approval of the City Engineer.
Special use permit application procedure. Any person desiring to erect, construct, enlarge, add to, alter, repair, improve, move, remove, substantially repair or demolish any building, structure or major addition to any building, install any prefabricated or manufactured home, subdivisions, utility system, water supply system or sewer system shall make written application to the Building Inspector and shall furnish all data, work plans, engineering specifications or other information reasonably required to enable the Inspector to evaluate the proposal. The Building Inspector, with the assistance of the City Engineer, shall, within 15 days thereafter, make a determination whether or not the proposal conforms to this chapter and whether or not a special permit shall be issued. If (s)he approves the proposal, (s)he shall issue a written special use permit to the applicant. The permit shall contain a description in general terms of the facility to be constructed and its general location. If the Building Inspector disapproves the proposal, (s)he shall notify the applicant in writing of the rejection and shall generally state the reasons for rejection within 15 days of receipt of said proposal. In the event of such a denial, the applicant shall have the right to appeal the Building Inspector's decision to the Common Council if the applicant believes that an error has been made in the interpretation of any topographic conditions or physical features uniquely affecting the property to be developed or improved. Said appeal must be filed with the City Clerk within 15 days of receipt of the denial of applicant's application for a development permit for an appeal hearing by the Common Council. The Common Council shall conduct an appeal hearing within 30 days of receipt of the applicant's request from the City Clerk.
Permit fee. The Building Inspector shall receive from the applicant, along with the application for a permit hereunder, a fee as set forth in Chapter 146, Fee Schedule, for the review of the application and the determination thereof.
Designation of the local administrator. The Building Inspector is hereby appointed to administer and implement this chapter by granting or denying development permit applications in accordance with its provisions.
Review all development permits to determine if the proposed development is located in the floodway. If located in the floodway, assure that the encroachment provisions of § 170-5C(1) are met.
That all necessary permits have been obtained from those federal, state or local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required.
If the proposed development adversely affects the flood-carrying capacity of the area of special flood hazard. For purposes of this chapter, "adversely affects" means that the cumulative effects of the proposed development when combined with all other existing and anticipated development will increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point.
When base flood elevation and floodway data have not been provided, the Building Inspector, with the assistance of the City Engineer when necessary, shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from any federal, state or other source, in order to administer § 170-22E and G. When such assistance is required of the City Engineer, the applicant shall deposit an escrow payment for review with the Building Inspector in an amount established by the Common Council.
Use of other base flood and floodway data. When base flood elevation and floodway data has not been provided in accordance with § 170-3B, Basis for establishing the areas of special flood hazard, the local adminstrator shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from a federal, state or other source, in order to administer § 170-5B(1), Specific standards, residential construction, and (2), Specific standards, nonresidential construction.
Maintain the floodproofing certifications required in § 170-4A(3).
Notify adjacent communities and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Flood Control and the Land Use Regulation Program prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse, and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration.
Record and maintain the flood and nonflood damage of substantial damage structures and provide a letter of substantial damage determination to the owner and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Flood Control.
Ensure substantial improvements meet the requirements of § 170-5B(1), Specific standards, residential construction, (2), Specific standards, nonresidential construction and (3), Specific standards, manufactured homes.
Interpretation of FIRM boundaries. Make interpretations where needed, as to the exact location of the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazards (for example, where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions). The person contesting the location of the boundary shall be given a reasonable opportunity to appeal the interpretation as provided in § 170-4D.
The Common Council shall hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from the requirements of this chapter.
The Common Council shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged there is an error in any requirement, decision, or determination made by the local administrator in the enforcement or administration of this chapter.
Those aggrieved by the decision of the Common Council, or any taxpayer, may appeal such decision to the New Jersey Superior Court as provided by law.
Upon consideration of the factors of § 170-4D(1)(d) and the purposes of this chapter, the Common Council may attach such conditions to the granting of variances as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this chapter.
The Common Council shall maintain the records of all appeal actions, including technical information, and report any variances to the Federal Insurance Administration upon request.
Generally, variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of 1/2 acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level, providing items  through  in § 170-4D(1)(d) have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the 1/2 acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.
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 as identified in § 170-4D(1)(d), or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.
Require within any AO or AH Zone on the municipality's DFIRM that all new construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement together with the attendant utilities and sanitary facilities, elevated above the depth number specified in feet plus one foot, above the highest adjacent grade (at least three feet if no depth number is specified); and require adequate drainage paths around structures on slopes to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.
Be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect that the design and methods of construction are in accordance with accepted standards of practice for meeting the applicable provisions of this subsection. Such certification shall be provided to the official as set forth in § 170-4C(4)(b).
Manufactured homes shall be anchored in accordance with § 170-5A(1)(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 and be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system to resist flotation, collapse, and lateral movement.
If § 170-5C(1) is satisfied, all new construction and substantial improvements must comply with § 170-5, Provisions for flood hazard reduction.
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this chapter shall be declared invalid for any reason whatsoever, such a decision shall not affect the remaining portions of the chapter, which shall remain in full force and effect, and for this purpose the provisions of this chapter are hereby declared to be severable.

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