Article 3 General Provisions

ARTICLE 3

GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION A. LANDS TO WHICH THIS ORDINANCE APPLIES
The ordinance shall apply to all areas of special flood hazard within the jurisdiction of Bridgewater.

SECTION B. BASIS FOR ESTABLISHING THE AREAS OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD
Since areas of special flood hazard have not been identified, water surface elevations have not been provided, nor has sufficient data identifying the floodway or coastal high hazard area been provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the community shall obtain, review and reasonably utilize date available from other Federal, State, or other resources.

SECTION C. ESTABLISHMENT OF DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
A Development Permit shall be required to ensure conformance with the provisions of this ordinance.

SECTION D. COMPLIANCE
No structure or land shall hereafter be located, altered, or have its use changed without full compliance with the terms of this ordinance and other applicable regulations.

SECTION E. ABROGATION AND GREATER RESTRICTIONS
This ordinance is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions. However, where this ordinance and another ordinance, easement, covenant, or deed restriction conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail.

SECTION F. INTERPRETATION
In the interpretation and application of this ordinance, all provisions shall be; (1) considered as minimum requirements; (2) liberally construed in favor of the governing body; and (3) deemed neither to limit nor repeal any other powers granted under State statutes.

SECTION G. WARNING AND DISCLAIMER OR LIABILITY
The degree of flood protection required by this ordinance is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering considerations. On rare occasions greater floods can and will occur and flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes. This ordinance 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 community or any official or employee thereof for any flood damages that result from reliance on this ordinance or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.

SECTION H. SEVERABILITY
If any section, provision, or portion of this ordinance is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court, the remainder of the ordinance shall not be affected.