15.10.060 General Provisions
A. Lands to which this Chapter Applies. This Chapter shall apply to all areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of the City of Ashland, Oregon.
B. Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard. The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Insurance Administration in a scientific and engineering report entitled “The Flood Insurance Study for Jackson County, Oregon and Incorporated Areas”, dated May 3rd 2011, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this Ordinance. The Flood Insurance Study and accompanying maps (as updated) are on file at City Hall, Ashland, Oregon.
C. Compliance. No structure on land shall hereafter be constructed, located, extended, converted, or altered without full compliance with the terms of this Ordinance and other applicable regulations.
D. Abrogation and Greater Restrictions. This Chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this Ordinance and another Ordinance, state building code, easement, covenant, or deed restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.
E. Interpretation. In the interpretation and application of this Chapter, all provisions shall be:
1. Considered as minimum requirements;
2. Liberally construed in favor of the governing body; and
3. Deemed neither to limit or repeal any other powers granted under state statutes and rules including the state building code.
F. Warning and Disclaimer of Liability. The degree of flood protection required by this Chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering consideration. Larger floods can and will occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes. This section does not imply that land outside the areas of special flood hazards or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages. This Ordinance shall not create liability on the part of the City, any officer or employee thereof, or the Federal Insurance Administration, for any flood damages that result from reliance on this Ordinance or any administrative decision lawfully made hereunder. (Ord. 3046, amended, 03/15/2011; Ord. 2925, amended, 04/18/2006)