Section 14-3-7 Statutory Exemptions
In accordance with Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 48-3609(H), as amended, unless expressly provided, this and any regulations adopted pursuant to this article do not affect:
A. Existing legal uses of property or the right to continuation of such legal use. However, if a legal nonconforming use of land or a building or structure is discontinued for twelve months, or destroyed to the extent of 50 percent of its value as determined by a competent appraiser, any further use shall comply with this Chapter and regulations of the Town of Fountain Hills.
B. Reasonable repair or alteration of property for the purposes for which the property was legally used on August 3, 1984, or on the date that any regulation affecting such property takes effect, except that any alteration, addition or repair to a nonconforming building or structure which would result in increasing its flood damage potential by 50 percent or more shall be either floodproofed or elevated to or above the regulatory flood elevation.
C. Reasonable repair of structures constructed with the written authorization required by Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 48-3613, as amended.
D. Facilities constructed or installed pursuant to a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 40, Chapter 2, Article 6.2.
Before any authorized construction begins for the exceptions listed below, the responsible person must submit plans for the construction to the floodplain board for review and comment. In accordance with Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 48-3613, as amended, written authorization shall not be required, nor shall the floodplain board prohibit:
A. The construction of bridges, culverts, dikes and other structures necessary to the construction of public highways, roads and streets intersecting or crossing a watercourse.
B. The construction of storage dams for watering livestock or wildlife, structures on banks of a watercourse to prevent erosion of or damage to adjoining land if the structure will not divert, retard or obstruct the natural channel of the watercourse or dams for the conservation of floodwaters as permitted by Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 45, Chapter 6.
C. Construction of tailing dams and waste disposal areas for use in connection with mining and metallurgical operations. This paragraph does not exempt those sand and gravel operations that will divert, retard or obstruct the flow of waters in any watercourse from complying with and acquiring authorization from the floodplain board pursuant to regulations adopted by the floodplain board under this article.
D. Other construction upon determination by the floodplain board that written authorization is unnecessary.
E. Any flood control district, county, city, town or other political subdivision from exercising powers granted to it under Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 48, Chapter 21, Article 1.
F. The construction of streams, waterways, lakes and other auxiliary facilities in conjunction with development of public parks and recreation facilities by a public agency or political subdivision.
G. The construction and erection of poles, towers, foundations, support structures, guy wires and other facilities related to power transmission as constructed by any utility whether a public service corporation or a political subdivision.
In addition to other penalties or remedies otherwise provided by law, this state, a political subdivision or a person who may be damaged or has been damaged as a result of the unauthorized diversion, retardation or obstruction of a watercourse has the right to commence, maintain and prosecute any appropriate action or pursue any remedy to enjoin, abate or otherwise prevent any person from violating or continuing to violate this section or regulations adopted pursuant to this Chapter. If a person is found to be in violation of this Section, the court shall require the violator to either comply with this Section if authorized by the floodplain board or remove the obstruction and restore the watercourse to its original state. The court may also award such monetary damages as are appropriate to the injured parties resulting from the violation including reasonable costs and attorney fees. (16-02, Added, 06/02/2016; 05-09, Amended, 09/15/2005)