§ 82-28.512. Substantial improvement.

"Substantial improvement" means any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty percent of the market value of the structure before the "start of construction" of the improvement. This term includes structures that have incurred "substantial damage" regardless of the actual repair work performed.

The percentage figure shall be added to any successive building permits that may be issued or have been issued within a contiguous ten-year span. "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:

(1)

Any project for improvement of a structure to comply (not required because of flood damage) with existing state or local health, sanitary or safety code specifications which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions; or

(2)

Any alteration of an "historic structure," provided that the alteration will not preclude the structures continued designation as an "historic structure."

(Ords. 2000-33, 99-35, 96-11, 90-118, 88-50, 87-45).