A. For the purposes of this article, "project" means the construction or addition of "floor area" which requires a building permit. "Project" also shall mean any change of use of property, which requires a larger water meter and a building permit.
B. For the purposes of this article, "floor area" shall mean the following:
1. Nonresidential and multi-family residential zones: "Floor area" shall mean the area of all floors or levels included within the surrounding walls of a building or structure. Space devoted only to the following shall not be considered in determining the total floor area within a building or structure:
a. Stair shafts;
b. Elevator and escalator shafts and elevator lobbies located in parking areas or on rooftops. The area of each elevator lobby at each floor shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet per elevator cab; provided, however, that any elevator lobby area in excess of one hundred (100) square feet per elevator cab shall be considered in determining the total floor area within a building or structure;
c. Courts;
d. Parking spaces below the first floor and access thereto, including void spaces in parking areas below the first floor used exclusively for storage related to operation of the building. Such void spaces may be enclosed and shall not exceed two thousand (2,000) square feet on each parking floor or five percent (5%) of the floor area of the entire building, whichever is less;
e. Rooms exclusively housing building operating equipment or machinery;
f. Parking spaces at or above the first story and access thereto provided that in commercial zones:
(1) Not less than the front forty feet (40') of the ground floor shall be devoted to retail sales, offices, or financial uses; notwithstanding such restriction, the director of planning and community development may reduce the amount of floor area required under this provision by up to ten percent (10%) pursuant to the provisions of title 10, chapter 3, article 36 of this code regarding minor accommodations if the director finds that the dimensions of the site do not provide adequate space for internal circulation for parking and such accommodation would not substantially compromise pedestrian activity in the area; and
(2) At least one full level of parking below grade is provided;
g. Mall areas; and
h. Space used or provided within a building or structure for publicly owned off street parking facilities.
2. Single-family residential zone: "Floor area" shall mean the area of all portions of floors and levels, including basements, which have a roof or floor level above and are enclosed by exterior walls by more than fifty percent (50%). Further, "floor area" shall include the area of that portion of an upper level not separated from a lower level by a floor/ceiling assembly, but shall not include crawl spaces and up to four hundred (400) square feet of garage area. (Ord. 16-O-2714, eff. 1-7-2017)