(per Ordinance 2019-43)
The following list is for informational purposes only. To obtain the most current information, please contact the City of Largo Community Development Department at 727-587-6749.
base flood: A flood having a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The base flood is Commonly referred to as the year flood or the one percent annual chance flood.
flood or flooding: A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from:
(1) The overflow of inland or tidal waters.
(2) The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM): The official map of the community on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency has delineated both the special flood hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.
flood plain: Land which will be inundated by floods known to have occurred or reasonably characteristic of what can be expected to occur from the overflow of inland or tidal waters and the accumulation of runoff or surface waters from rainfall.
flood way: The channel of a river or other riverine watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot.
height: Regarding the built environment, height is the vertical distance of a structure measured from the average elevation of the finished grade to the highest elevation of the structure including any antennas or other attachments.
new construction: For Sections 11.5 through 11.20 and the flood resistant construction requirements of the Florida building Code, structures for which the "start of construction" commenced on or after May 28, 1971 and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures.
one hundred (100) year flood: See "base flood."
start of construction,:
(1) For regulatory purposes in areas that are not flood prone, start of construction is the date the building permit was issued.
(2) For floodplain management purposes, date of issuance of permits for new construction and substantial improvements, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, placement, or other improvement is within 180 days of the date of the issuance. The actual start of construction means either the first placement of permanent construction of a building (including a manufactured home) on a site, such as the pouring of a slab or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns. Permanent construction does not include land preparation (such as cleaning, grading, or filling), the installation of streets or walkways, excavation for a basement, footings, piers, or foundation, the erection of occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main buildings. 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 altercation affects the external dimensions of the building.
(2) For floodplain management purposes, date of issuance of permits for new construction and substantial improvements, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, placement, or other improvement is within 180 days of the date of the issuance. The actual start of construction means either the first placement of permanent construction of a building (including a manufactured home) on a site, such as the pouring of a slab or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns. Permanent construction does not include land preparation (such as cleaning, grading, or filling), the installation of streets or walkways, excavation for a basement, footings, piers, or foundation, the erection of occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main buildings. 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 altercation affects the external dimensions of the building.
substantial damage: Damage of any origin sustained by a building or structure whereby the cost of restoring the building or structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or exceed fifty Percent (50%) of the market value of the building or structure before the damage occurred. (Also defined in Florida Building Code, B Section 202.)
substantial improvement: Any combination of repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, alteration, addition or improvement of a building or structure taking place during a 5-year period, the cumulative cost of which equals or exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the market value of the structure before the improvement or repair is started. For each building or structure, the 5-year period begins on the date of the first permit issued for improvement or repair of that building or structure subsequent to the adoption Ordinance 2009-49 on October 20, 2009. If the structure has sustained substantial damage, any repairs are considered substantial improvement regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include either:
(1) Any project for improvement of a building required to correct existing health, sanitary, or safety code violations identified by the Building Official and that are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions.
(2) Any alteration of a historic structure, provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a historic structure.
