§ 6-555. Definitions.

The following terms are defined for general use in the coastal code:

Beach means the zone of unconsolidated material that extends landward from the mean low water line to the place where there is marked change in material or physiographic form, or to the line of permanent vegetation, usually the effective limit of storm waves. "Beach" is alternatively termed "shore."

Breakaway wall or frangible wall means a partition independent of supporting structural members that will withstand design wind forces, but which will fail under hydrodynamic, wave and runup forces associated with the design storm surge. Under such conditions, the wall shall fail in a manner such that it breaks up into components which minimize the potential for damage to life or adjacent property. It shall be a characteristic of a breakaway or frangible wall that it shall have a horizontal design loading resistance of not less than ten nor more than 20 pounds per square foot.

Building code means the building codes adopted by Okaloosa County.

Building support structure means any structure which supports floor, wall or column loads, and transmits them to the foundation. The term shall include beams, grade beams or joists, and includes the lowest horizontal structural member exclusive of piles, columns or footings.

Coastal barrier islands means geological surface features above mean high water which are completely surrounded by marine waters, that front upon the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and are composed of quartz sands, clays, limestone, oolites, rock, coral coquina, sediment, or other material, including spoil disposal. Mainland areas which were separated from the mainland by artificial channelization for the purpose of assisting marine commerce shall not be considered coastal barrier islands.

Coastal building zone means, for Okaloosa Island, the land area between the seasonal high water line and a line 5,000 feet landward from the coastal construction control line or the entire island, whichever is less.

Coastal construction control line means the landward extent of that portion of the beach-dune system which is subject to severe fluctuations based upon a 100-year storm surge, storm waves, or other predictable weather conditions as established by the department of natural resources in accordance with Section 161.053, Florida Statutes.

Construction means the building of or substantial improvement to any structure or the clearing, filling or excavation of any land. It shall also mean any alterations in the size or use of any existing structure or the appearance of any land. When appropriate to the context, "construction" refers to the act of construction or the result of construction.

Dune means a mound or ridge of loose sediments, usually sand sized, deposited by natural or artificial means, which lies landward of the beach.

Major structure includes but is not limited to residential buildings including mobile homes, commercial, institutional, industrial, and other construction having the potential for substantial impact on coastal zones.

Mean high water line means the intersection of the tidal plane of mean high water with the shore. Mean high water is the average height of high waters over a nineteen-year period.

Minor structure includes but is not limited to pile-supported, elevated dune and beach walkover structures; beach access ramps and walkways; stairways; pile-supported elevated viewing platforms, gazebos, and boardwalks; lifeguard support stands; public and private bathhouses; sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, shuffleboard courts, tennis courts, handball courts, racquetball courts, and other uncovered paved areas; earth retaining walls; sand fences, privacy fences, ornamental walls, ornamental garden structures, aviaries, and other ornamental construction. It shall be a characteristic of minor structures that they are considered to be expendable under design wind, wave and storm forces.

Mobile home means manufactured housing which conforms to the Federal Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards or the Uniform Standards Cove ANSI A-119.1 pursuant to Section 320.823, Florida Statutes.

NGVD means National Geodetic Vertical Datum—a geodetic datum established by the National Ocean Service and frequently referred to as the "1929 Mean Sea Level Datum."

Nonhabitable major structure includes but is not limited to swimming pools; parking garages; pipelines; piers; canals, lakes, ditches, drainage structures, and other water retention structures; water and sewage treatment plants; electrical power plants, transmission and distribution lines, transformer pads, vaults, and substations; roads, bridges, streets, and highways; and underground storage tanks.

One hundred year storm or 100-year storm means a shore incident hurricane or any other storm with accompanying wind, wave and storm surge intensity having a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year, during any 100-year interval.

Seasonal high water line means the line formed by the intersection of the rising shore and the elevation of 150 percent of the local mean tidal range above mean high water.

Substantial improvement means any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds a cumulative total of 50 percent of the market value of the structure either:

(1)

Before the repair or improvement is started; or

(2)

If the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred.

For the purposes of this definition, "substantial improvement" is considered to occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure. The term does not, however, include either any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing state or local health, sanitary or safety code specifications which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions.

(Ord. No. 86-52, § 4, 12-3-86)