A. Definitions, "A."
ABC. California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
Access Easement. An easement recorded for the purpose of providing vehicle, bicycle, and/or pedestrian access from a public street to a parcel across intervening property under separate ownership from the parcel being provided access. Does not include public utility easements.
Accessory Retail Uses (land use). The retail sales of various products (including food) in a store or similar facility that is located within a health care, hotel, office, or industrial complex for the purpose of serving employees or customers. These uses include pharmacies, gift shops, and food service establishments within hospitals, and convenience stores and food service establishments within hotel, office, and industrial complexes.
Accessory Structure. A structure that is physically detached from, secondary and incidental to, and commonly associated with the existing primary structure.
Accessory Use. A use that is conducted on the same parcel as the principal use or structure to which it is related, and which is clearly incidental to and customarily found in connection with the principal use.
Adjacent Parcel. Any parcel of land that is (1) touching the parcel at any point; (2) separated from the parcel at any point only by a public right-of-way, private street or way, or public or private utility, service, or access easement; or (3) separated from another parcel only by other real property which is in common ownership or control of the applicant.
Administrative Use Permit. A discretionary land use entitlement that may authorize the establishment of activities or uses allowed by Division III (Land Use and Development Permit Procedures) and Division V (Site Planning and General Development Standards) subject to administrative use permit approval. See Chapter 19.25 (Administrative Use Permits).
Adult Day Care Center. See "Day Care Facilities."
Adult Entertainment Businesses (land use). See Section 19.76.030 (Adult entertainment businesses).
Agent. A person authorized in writing by the property owner to represent and act for the property owner in contacts with City employees, committees, commissions, and the Council, regarding matters regulated by these Regulations.
Agricultural Land. Property that is five acres or greater in area on Class I or Class II agricultural soils as classified by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), and is bordered on no more than one side with an existing urban use.
Agricultural Operation. The cultivation and tillage of the soil; animal husbandry; the production, cultivation, growing, harvesting, and processing of any agricultural commodity, including horticultural, timber or apiculture; the raising of livestock, fish, or poultry; and any acceptable practices performed as incident to these agricultural operations, including preparation for market and delivery to storage or market, or to carriers for transportation to market.
Agricultural Processing. Operations that convert raw, harvested agricultural products into food.
Airport (land use). The Chico Municipal Airport.
Airport Zone or Zoning District. Any of the airport zoning districts established by Section 19.40.010 (Zoning districts, generally), including A (Aviation), AC (Airport Commercial), AM (Airport Manufacturing/Industrial), and AP (Airport Public Facilities).
Alcoholic Beverage Establishment (land use). Any establishment which sells, offers, or dispenses any alcohol, and/or any establishment which has applied for or intends to apply for, or which has obtained, a liquor license from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) for the sale and on-site consumption of alcohol as the primary use, typically with a Type 42 or 48 ABC license. This definition shall not include uses wherein the sale, offer, or dispensing of alcohol is incidental to the conduct of a permitted use. See '"Nightclub" and "Restaurant" for related definitions.
All-Weather Surfacing. See "Paved."
Alley. A public or private right-of-way that provides a secondary means of vehicle access to the rear or side of a parcel with other public street frontage, that is not intended for general traffic circulation.
Alteration. Any construction or physical change in the internal arrangement of rooms or the supporting members of a structure, or a change in the external appearance of any structure, not including painting.
Alternative Fuel/Recharging Facilities (land use). A commercial or public utility establishment providing fueling/recharging services for electric and other alternatively fueled vehicles (including liquified natural gas (LNG)).
Amplified Music. Music, either prerecorded or performed live, which is amplified by mechanical or electrical means, resulting in interior sound levels greater than 95 dBA at a distance of one meter from the loudspeaker or other source of the music. Does not include unamplified acoustic music, or music less than 95 dBA.
Animal Keeping (land use). The keeping or raising of farm animals including cattle, goats, horses, sheep, swine, fowl, and other animals not commonly regarded as household pets. Does not include cats, dogs, and other household pets, or exotic animals, which are separately defined.
Approval. Includes both approval of permit applications and approval with conditions.
Assisted Living Facility for the Elderly (land use). A residential facility, licensed by the State Department of Social Services, which provides care for seven or more elderly persons having limited ability for self-care, and where medical care is not a major element of the use. Services provided may include assistance with housework, meals, laundry, taking of medication, money management, transportation, bathing, grooming, dressing, and related tasks.
Auditorium. A large public hall, theater, or sports arena typically built with tiers of seats for audiences to hear and/or watch live or media-cast speaking events, entertainment acts, or sporting events.
Auto, Mobile Home, and Vehicle Sales (land use). Retail establishments selling and/or renting new and/or used automobiles, boats, vans, campers, trucks, mobile homes, recreational and utility trailers, motorized farm equipment, motorcycles, golf carts, snowmobiles, and jet skis (except bicycles and mopeds, which are included under "Retail Stores, General Merchandise"). Includes parts sales or repair shops only when part of a dealership selling new vehicles on the same site. Does not include "Gas Stations," which are separately defined.
Auto Parts Sales (land use). Stores selling new automobile parts, tires, and accessories. Does not include tire recapping establishments, which are found under "Repair and Maintenance - Vehicle," or businesses dealing exclusively in used parts, which are included under "Recycling Facilities - Scrap and Dismantling Yards."
Automated Teller Machine (ATM) (land use). A pedestrian-oriented machine used by bank and financial service patrons for conducting transactions including deposits, withdrawals, and fund transfers, without contact with financial institution personnel. The machines may be located at or within banks, or in other locations, in compliance with these Regulations. ATMs for use by patrons in vehicles are included under the definition of "Drive-In and Drive-Through Services."
Automobile Dismantling Yard. See "Recycling Facilities - Scrap, and Dismantling Yards."
Automobile Repair. See "Repair and Maintenance - Vehicle."
Automobile Service Station. See "Gas Station."
B. Definitions, "B."
Banks, Financial Institutions and Credit Unions (land use). Financial institutions including banks and trust companies; lending and thrift institutions, and credit agencies; See also "Automated Teller Machine," above.
Bar and Drinking Establishment. See "Alcoholic Beverage Establishment."
Bed and Breakfast Inn (land use). A single-family dwelling, with one family in permanent residence, where bedrooms without individual cooking facilities are rented for overnight lodging. This definition does not include "Hotels and Motels," or "Rooming and Boarding Houses," which are defined separately, or the rental of an entire residence for one week or longer.
Bedroom. Any room in a housing unit which can be used as separate sleeping quarters or suitable for that purpose.
Beverage Production (land use). Manufacturing facilities including bottling plants, breweries, coffee roasting, soft drink production, and wineries. Does not include milk processing, which is included under the definition of "Food Products." Includes tasting and accessory retail sales of beverages produced on-site. A tasting facility separate from the manufacturing facility is included under the definition of "Alcoholic Beverage Establishment Tasting Room" if alcoholic beverages are tasted, and under "Restaurant" if beverages are non-alcoholic.
Board. Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Board.
Breezeway. A roofed structure not enclosed on more than two sides connecting portions of a main building, or a portion of a main building and accessory building.
Building. A structure having a roof supported by columns or walls and intended or used for shelter or housing of any person, animal or property. See also "Structure."
Building Envelope. The three-dimensional space defined by the required setbacks and height limits established by Division IV (Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses, and Zone-Specific Standards) of these Regulations, within which a building or structure may be placed.
Building, Main. A building in which is conducted the principal use of the parcel on which it is situated.
Building Material Stores (land use). Primarily indoor retail establishments selling lumber and other large building materials, and also including paint, wallpaper, glass, fixtures, nursery stock, lawn and garden supplies (which may also be sold in hardware stores, included under the definition of "Retail Stores, General Merchandise"). Includes all stores selling to the general public, even if contractor sales account for a larger proportion of total sales. Includes incidental retail ready-mix concrete operations, except where excluded by a specific zoning district. Building material sales businesses that store most of their product inventory outdoors are included under "Lumber and Wood Products." Establishments primarily selling electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning equipment and supplies are classified in "Wholesaling and Distribution."
Building Site. See "Site."
Business Support Services (land use). Establishments primarily within structures, providing other businesses with services, including maintenance, repair, service, testing, rental, and also including:
Blueprinting
Business equipment repair services (except vehicle repair, see "Repair and Maintenance Vehicle")
Commercial art and design (production)
Computer-related services (rental, repair)
Copying, quick printing, and blueprinting services
Equipment rental businesses within buildings (rental yards are "Storage Yards and Sales Lots")
Equipment repair services where repair occurs on the client's site
Film processing laboratories
Janitorial services
Mail advertising services (reproduction and shipping)
Office equipment rental and repair
Other "heavy service" business services
Outdoor advertising services
Photocopying
Photofinishing
Protective services (other than office-related)
Soils and materials testing laboratories
Window cleaning
C. Definitions, "C."
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). State law requiring public agencies to document and consider the environmental effects of a proposed action, prior to allowing the action to occur.
Campground. A recreational facility, either improved or unimproved, for public use upon which two or more recreational camping sites are maintained.
Car Share Vehicle. A motor vehicle that is operated as part of a regional fleet by a public or private car sharing company or organization and provides hourly or daily service.
Cardroom (land use). See Chapter 5.32 of the Municipal Code.
Caretaker and Employee Housing (land use). A temporary or permanent residence that is accessory to a nonresidential primary use of the site, where needed for security or 24-hour care or supervision.
Carport. An attached or detached accessory building not enclosed on more than two sides, designed to shelter motor vehicles. A carport that is attached to a main building is considered part of the main building.
Catering Services (land use). A business which prepares food and/or beverages to be delivered, served, and consumed in various locations other than the location at which the food and/or beverages were prepared.
Cemeteries, Columbariums, Mausoleums (land use). Internment establishments engaged in subdividing property into cemetery lots and offering burial plots or air space for sale. Includes animal cemeteries; cemetery, mausoleum, crematorium and columbarium operations; and on-site funeral parlors accessory to these uses.
Chemical Products (land use). Manufacturing establishments that produce or use basic chemicals, and establishments creating products predominantly by chemical processes. Establishments classified in this major group manufacture three general classes of products: (1) basic chemicals including acids, alkalies, salts, and organic chemicals; (2) chemical products to be used in further manufacture, including synthetic fibers, plastic materials, dry colors, and pigments; and (3) finished chemical products to be used for ultimate consumption including drugs, cosmetics, and soaps; or to be used as materials or supplies in other industries, including paints, fertilizers, and explosives. Also includes sales and transportation establishments handling the chemicals described above in other than one of the uses included in the Retail Trade Uses listed in the land use and permit tables in Division IV (Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses, and Zone-Specific Standards) of these Regulations.
Child Day Care Center. See "Day Care Facilities."
Churches/Places of Worship (land use). Any religious organization facility operated for worship or promotion of religious activities, including churches and places of worship and classrooms for religious instruction and accessory uses on the same site, including living quarters for ministers and staff, and child day care facilities where authorized by the same type of land use entitlement required for the church itself. Other establishments maintained by religious organizations, including full-time educational institutions, hospitals, and other potentially related operations (such as a recreational camp) are classified according to their respective activities.
Clothing Products (land use). Manufacturing establishments producing clothing and fabricating products by cutting and sewing purchased textile fabrics and related materials including leather, rubberized fabrics, plastics, and furs. Custom tailors and dressmakers not operating as a factory and not located on the site of a clothing store ("Retail Stores, General Merchandise") are instead included under "Personal Services." See also "Textile and Leather Products."
Commercial Zone or Zoning District. Any of the commercial zoning districts established by Section 19.40.010, including CN (Neighborhood Commercial), CC (Community Commercial), DN (Downtown North), DS (Downtown South), CS (Commercial Services), and CR (Regional Commercial).
Commission. Planning Commission.
Common Ownership or Control. Property that is owned or controlled by the same person, persons, or entity, or by separate entities in which any shareholder, partner, member, or family member of an investor of the entity owns ten percent or more of the interest in the property.
Community Centers/Pavilions (land use). Multi-purpose meeting and recreational facilities typically consisting of one or more meeting or multi-purpose rooms, kitchen and/or outdoor barbecue facilities that are available for use by various groups for activities including meetings, parties, receptions, and dances.
Community Gardens. Gardens established and maintained collectively by an organized group of individuals for the purpose of growing plants, vegetables, fruits, or flowers for personal consumption or use, but not for sale.
Community Social Services (land use). Facilities which provide meals, showers and laundry facilities, and related programs and services at little or no cost to the participants as a community service. Social services which do not provide meals, showers and laundry facilities, but provide counseling, referral or other related services are included within the definitions of "Offices."
Concrete, Gypsum, and Plaster Products (land use). Manufacturing establishments producing bulk concrete, concrete building block, brick, and all types of precast and prefab concrete products. Also includes ready-mix concrete batch plants, lime manufacturing, and the manufacture of gypsum products (for example, plasterboard). A retail ready-mix concrete operation as an incidental use in conjunction with a building materials outlet is defined under "Building Material Stores."
Condominium Project. A community apartment project or a stock cooperative, as defined by State law.
Cottage Food Operations. Business operations that prepare and/or package certain non- potentially hazardous foods in private-home kitchens to sell directly to the public (from the home where the cottage food operation is located, at a community event, or indirectly to the public via sale to retail food facilities such as restaurants and markets) as defined in Health and Safety Code section 113758 or as later amended and defined by the State of California.
Construction or Contractor's Yard (land use). Storage yard operated by or on behalf of a contractor licensed by the State of California for storage of large equipment, vehicles, or other materials commonly used in the individual contractor's type of business, storage of scrap materials used for repair and maintenance of contractor's own equipment, and structures for uses including offices and repair facilities.
Crop Production, Commercial (land use). Commercial agricultural uses including production of grains, field crops, vegetables, fruits, tree nuts, flower fields and seed production, ornamental crops, tree and sod farms, associated crop preparation services and harvesting activities including mechanical soil preparation, irrigation system construction, spraying, crop processing and sales in the field not involving a permanent structure.
D. Definitions, "D."
Day Care Facilities (land use). Facilities that provide care and supervision of minor children or adults for periods of less than 24 hours. These facilities include the following, all of which are required to be licensed by the California State Department of Social Services:
1. Child or Adult Day Care Center. A commercial or non-profit child or adult day care facility not operated as a small or large family day care home. Includes infant centers, preschools, extended day care facilities, and facilities for adults who require supervision and care because of advanced age, mental or physical deterioration, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or similar disabling condition. These may be operated as part of a business, school, or religious facility, or as an independent land use.
2. Large Family Day Care Home. A day care facility located in a single-family residence where an occupant of the residence provides care and supervision for 9 to 14 children. Children under the age of 10 years who reside in the home count as children served by the day care facility.
3. Small Family Day Care Home. A day care facility located in a single-family residence where an occupant of the residence provides care and supervision for 8 or fewer children. Children under the age of 10 years who reside in the home count as children served by the day care facility.
Density. For residential uses, density shall be calculated as follows:
1. Density or gross density. The number of dwellings per gross acre.
2. Vertical density. The number of dwelling units per acre when site acreage is calculated as the gross floor area of all floors above the first floor that are devoted to residential use.
Department. The City of Chico Community Development Department.
Detached. Any structure that does not have a wall or roof in common with another structure.
Development Agreement. A contract between the City and an applicant for a development project, in compliance with Chapter 19.32 of these Regulations and State law.
Development or Project. Any construction activity or alteration of the landscape, its terrain, contour, or vegetation, including the erection or alteration of single or multiple structures, and any grading. New development is any construction or alteration of an existing structure or land use, or establishment of a land use, after the effective date of these Regulations.
Development Standards. The provisions of these Regulations that regulate the site planning and design of a proposed development or new land use, including provisions for height limits, landscaping, minimum lot area, minimum building site area, off-street parking, setbacks, site coverage, signs, and standards for specific land uses.
Director. The City of Chico Community Development Director, or any designee of the Community Development Director, when that position is also appointed to act as the City Planning Director. If the position of Planning Director has been filled through a separate appointment, then the term Director shall refer to the person appointed to act as the Planning Director, or any designee.
Dormitory. A student housing facility providing individual or shared bedrooms, where meals are served in common dining facilities.
Drive-In and Drive-Through Sales (land use). Facilities where food or other products may be purchased by motorists without leaving their vehicles. These facilities include "fast-food" restaurants.
Drive-In and Drive-Through Services (land use). Facilities where services may be obtained by motorists without leaving their vehicles. These facilities include drive-up teller windows and ATMs at banks. Does not include: gas stations, which are separately defined, or car washes, which are included in the definition of "Repair and Maintenance - Vehicle."
Drug stores / Pharmacies. A retail store where a licensed pharmacist prepares prescription medicines for sale, which may also sell over-the-counter medicines, personal care products, and other miscellaneous products.
Dwelling, Dwelling Unit, Housing Unit, Unit. A room or group of internally-connected rooms that have sleeping, cooking, eating, and sanitation facilities, but not more than one kitchen, which constitute an independent housekeeping unit, occupied by or intended for one household on a long-term basis. Types of housing units include single-family housing, two- family housing/duplexes, multi-family housing, mobile homes, condominiums, and townhouses.
E. Definitions, "E."
Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Instruments (land use). Establishments engaged in manufacturing machinery, apparatus, and supplies for the generation, storage, transmission, transformation, or use of electrical energy, including:
Appliances including stoves/ovens, refrigerators, freezers, laundry equipment, fans, vacuum cleaners, sewing machines
Aviation instruments
Electrical transmission and distribution equipment
Electronic components and accessories including semiconductors, integrated circuits, related devices
Electronic instruments, components, and equipment including calculators and computers
Electrical welding apparatus
Industrial apparatus
Industrial controls
Instruments for measurement, testing, analysis and control, and associated sensors and accessories
Lighting and wiring equipment including lamps and fixtures, wiring devices, vehicle lighting
Miscellaneous electrical machinery, equipment and supplies including batteries, X-ray apparatus and tubes, electromedical and electrotherapeutic apparatus, electrical equipment for internal combustion engines
Motors and generators
Optical instruments and lenses
Photographic equipment and supplies
Pre-recorded magnetic tape
Radio and television receiving equipment including television and radio sets, phonograph records, and surgical, medical, and dental instruments, equipment, and supplies
Surveying and drafting instruments
Telephone and telegraph apparatus
Transformers, switch gear, and switchboards
Watches and clocks
Does not include testing laboratories (soils and materials testing) which are defined under "Business Support Services," or research and development facilities independent from manufacturing, which are separately defined under "Research and Development."
Emergency Shelters (land use). A facility which provides emergency shelter to homeless individuals and/or groups or others in need of shelter. Such accommodations include lodging and may in addition include meals, laundry facilities, bathing, counseling, and other basic support services. (See also "Temporary Emergency Shelters.")
Entitlement. See "Land Use Entitlement."
Environmental Impact Report (EIR). As defined in State law, an informational document used to provide public agencies and the general public with detailed information about the effects a proposed project is likely to have on the environment, to list ways in which the significant effects of the project might be minimized, and to indicate alternatives to the project.
Equestrian Facilities (land use). Horse, donkey, and mule facilities including horse ranches, boarding stables, riding schools and academies, horse exhibition facilities (for shows or other competitive events), pack stations, and bams, stables, corrals, and paddocks accessory and incidental to these uses.
Establishment or Commencement of Use. The point at which an approved structure has been granted a certificate of occupancy or final building inspection by the Building Division, and/or when an approved land use is in actual operation, whichever occurs first.
Exercise. In reference to an approved entitlement, "exercised" means that a permittee has actually obtained a building permit and has commenced continuous on-site construction activity including the pouring of a foundation, the installation of utilities, or other substantial improvements, or has actually implemented the allowed land use on the subject property in compliance with any applicable conditions of approval.
Exotic Animals. Non-domesticated animals that are not commonly known as household pets or farm animals.
F. Definitions, "F."
Family. One or more persons occupying a housing unit and living as a single housekeeping unit.
Farm Equipment and Supplies Sales (land use). Establishments selling, renting, or repairing agricultural machinery, equipment, and supplies for use in soil preparation and maintenance, the planting and harvesting of crops, and other operations and processes pertaining to farming and ranching, including feed stores.
Farmers’ markets. A physical retail market featuring foods sold directly by farmers to consumers. Farmers’ markets typically consist of booths, tables or stands, outdoors or indoors, where farmers sell fruits, vegetables, meats, and sometimes prepared foods and beverages, or other related farm produce.
Feasible. Capable of being accomplished in a successful manner within a reasonable period of time, taking into account economic, environmental, social, and technological factors.
Financial Services. Financial consulting firms with services for retirement planning; holding (but not predominantly operating) companies and other investment companies; mortgage brokers; security and commodity exchanges; and brokers and dealers in securities and commodity contracts.
Floor Area, Gross. For the purposes of Title 19
, the total area of all floors in a structure as measured to the outside surface of exterior walls or to the centerline of common walls. It excludes any crawl space, area used exclusively for vehicle parking or loading, breezeway, attic without floor, and an open porch, deck, balcony, or terrace. For multi-story buildings, the definition also excludes stairways leading from one floor to another, elevator shafts, and atriums.
Food Products (land use). Manufacturing establishments producing or processing foods for human consumption and certain related products, including:
1. Bakery, sugar, and confectionery products (except facilities that produce goods for on-site sales with limited distribution beyond on-site sales which are included under "Retail Stores, General Merchandise");
2. Dairy products processing;
3. Fats and oil products (not including rendering plants which are included under "Slaughterhouses and Rendering Plants");
4. Fruit and vegetable canning, preserving, and related processing;
5. Grain mill products and by-products; and
6. Meat, poultry, and seafood canning, curing, and byproduct processing (not including facilities that also slaughter animals).
Beverage production other than dairy products is included under the definition of "Beverage Production"; beer brewing as part of a brew pub, bar, or restaurant, is included under either "Alcoholic Beverage Establishment" or "Restaurant", depending on whether alcohol sales are accessory to food sales).
Fraternity/Sorority Houses (land use). Single-family or multi-family housing units owned by and/or rented exclusively to university students who are members of an official fraternity or sorority organization recognized by the university and used for one or more fraternity or sorority functions.
Frontage, Building. The lineal length of any portion of a building facing any adjacent public street or shopping center's common parking area.
Frontage, Parcel. The lineal length of that portion of a property abutting a street or that portion of a property abutting the publicly owned parking lot in the case of a property that abuts and has a public entrance facing a publicly owned parking lot.
Fuel and Ice Dealers (land use). Wholesale and retail establishments selling ice, bottled water, fuel oil, butane, propane, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), bottled or in bulk, as a principal use. Also includes gasoline and other petroleum product bulk sales operations.
Furniture/Fixtures Manufacturing, Cabinet Shops (land use). Manufacturers producing wood and metal household furniture and appliances; bedsprings and mattresses; all types of office furniture and partitions, shelving, lockers, and store furniture; and miscellaneous drapery hardware, window blinds, and shades. Includes wood and cabinet shops, but not sawmills or planing mills, which are instead included under "Lumber and Wood Products."
Furniture, Furnishings, and Equipment Stores (land use). Stores primarily selling home furnishings including furniture, floor coverings, draperies, glass and chinaware, stoves, refrigerators, other household electrical and gas appliances including televisions and home sound systems, and outdoor furniture including lawn furniture, spas, and hot tubs. Also includes the retail sale of office furniture and pianos.
G. Definitions, "G."
Garage. A structure with a door, enclosed on at least three sides, that provides covered parking space for automobiles or other vehicles, where the size of the parking space complies with the provisions of Section 19.70.060 (Design and development standards for off-street parking). See also "Carport."
Gas Station (land use). A retail business selling any type of motor vehicle fuel or providing electric vehicle recharge services, and which may also provide vehicle maintenance and minor repair services. Gas stations may also include mini-markets and other food sales, automatic car washes, accessory towing and trailer rental services, but not the sale, storage, or repair of wrecked or abandoned vehicles, vehicle painting, body or fender work, or the rental of vehicle storage or parking spaces.
General Plan. The City of Chico General Plan.
Glass Products (land use). Manufacturing establishments producing flat glass and other glass products which are pressed, blown, or shaped from glass produced in the same establishment. Includes large-scale artisan and craft-type operations producing primarily for the wholesale market.
Golf Courses, Country Clubs (land use). Public and private golf courses and country clubs, and accessory facilities and uses, including clubhouses with bar and restaurant, locker and shower facilities; driving ranges (driving ranges separate from golf courses are instead classified under "Outdoor Commercial Recreation"); "pro-shops" for on-site sales of golfing equipment; and golf cart storage and sales facilities.
Government Facilities. Property owned or substantially controlled by the government and the services of any civilian and military personnel of the government.
Grade. The point of the elevation of the finished surface of the ground. At a location where a sign or any projection thereof is within five feet of a public sidewalk, alley, or other public way, the grade shall be the elevation of the sidewalk, alley, or public way. Where a raised planter, earth berm, or other artificial elevation of the ground exists, the grade shall be the elevation at the base of the planter, earth berm, or artificial elevation of the ground.
Greenhouses, Commercial (land use). Facilities for the indoor propagation of plants for commercial sale.
Grocery Stores. A retail business where the majority of the floor area open to the public is occupied by food products packaged for preparation and consumption away from the site of the store.
Gross Acres or Gross Acreage. The area of a site measured to the centerline of bounding streets and other public right-of-ways.
Guest House (land use). A detached structure accessory to a single-family dwelling, accommodating living/sleeping quarters, but without kitchen or cooking facilities.
H. Definitions, "H."
Handicraft Industries, Small-Scale Manufacturing (land use). Manufacturing establishments not classified in another major manufacturing group, including jewelry; musical instruments; toys; sporting and athletic goods; pens, pencils, and other office and artists' materials; buttons; costume novelties; brooms and brushes; and other miscellaneous manufacturing industries.
Health/Fitness Clubs (land use). Fitness centers, gymnasiums, health and athletic clubs including indoor sauna, spa, or hot tub facilities; indoor tennis, handball, racquetball, and other indoor sports activities.
Heliport. A facility used for operating, basing, housing, and/or maintaining helicopters.
Height, Structure. The vertical distance from the average level of the highest and lowest point of that portion of the parcel covered by the structure to the top most point of the roof.
Home Occupation Permit. A nondiscretionary permit issued by the Director, in compliance with the provisions of Chapter 19.20 (Home Occupation Permits).
Home Occupations (land use). An accessory commercial activity or business service conducted on the site of a housing unit, only by residents of the housing unit and one additional person in a manner clearly incidental to the residential character of the site and surrounding neighborhood. Home occupations do not include business/commercial activities conducted solely by residents of a housing unit that are limited to the use of a desk, telephone, and/or personal computer, which are permitted in all residential zoning districts.
Hotel or Motel (land use). Guest rooms or suites, provided with or without meals or kitchen facilities, rented to the general public for overnight or other temporary lodging (less than 30 days). Also includes accessory guest facilities (including swimming pools, tennis courts, indoor athletic facilities, accessory retail uses).
Household Pets (land use). The raising or keeping of cats, dogs, birds, miniature pot- bellied pigs, or other common household pets, accessory to a residential use.
Housing Unit. See "Dwelling, Dwelling Unit, Housing Unit, Unit."
I. Definitions, "I."
Improvement. Any street work and utilities to be installed, or agreed to be installed, by the developer or subdivider on the land to be used for public or private streets, highways, and easements, as are necessary for the general use of the lot owners in the subdivision and local neighborhood traffic and drainage needs as a condition precedent to the approval and acceptance of the final map. Improvement also refers to any other improvements, including but not limited to buildings, structures, and other construction projects.
Indoor Amusement/Entertainment Centers (land use). Primarily indoor establishments providing amusement/entertainment services for a fee or admission charge, including arcades emphasizing coin-operated amusements and/or electronic games; bowling alleys, laser tag and other similar amusements; dance halls, clubs and ballrooms, and pool and billiard rooms that are principal uses rather than being subordinate to a bar or restaurant; ice skating and roller skating. Does not include "Adult Entertainment Businesses." See "Alcoholic Beverage Establishment", "Nightclub'', and "Restaurant" for related definitions.
Initial Study. An analytical document used to determine the significance of various environmental effects that may result from a proposed action, prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The initial study determines whether an environmental impact report (EIR) or negative declaration must be prepared.
Interpretative Centers. An institution for the dissemination of knowledge of natural or cultural heritage.
J. Definitions, "J."
K. Definitions, "K."
Kennels and Animal Boarding (land use). Commercial facilities for the keeping, boarding, or maintaining of four or more dogs (four months of age or older) or four or more cats for commercial purposes, except for dogs or cats for sale in pet shops, or patients in animal hospitals.
L. Definitions, "L."
Land Use and Development Regulations. The City of Chico Land Use and Development Regulations, Title 19
of the Chico Municipal Code, referred to herein as "Regulations."
Land Use Entitlement. Any of the entitlements/approvals described by Division III (Land Use and Development Permit Procedures), including zoning clearance, site design and architectural review, home occupation permits, use permits, variances, or planned development permits.
Large Family Day Care Home. See "Day Care Facilities."
Laundries and Dry Cleaning Plants (land use). Service establishments primarily engaged in high volume laundry and garment services, including power laundries (family and commercial), garment pressing and dry cleaners, linen suppliers, diaper services, industrial laundries, carpet and upholstery cleaners. Does not include coin-operated laundries, dry cleaning pick-up stores without dry cleaning equipment, or small-scale operations, which are classified in "Personal Services."
Libraries and Museums (land use). A building or place where collections of art, scientific specimens, objects of permanent value, manuscripts, and publications are kept for reading, borrowing, viewing, listening, study or reference.
Liquor Store. A retail establishment that primarily sells a variety of alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption. A liquor store which closes no later than 12 a.m. (midnight) is classified under the sub-category of "Liquor store - limited hours". Typically associated with a Type 21 ABC license.
Live/Work (land use). An integrated housing unit and working space, occupied and utilized by a single household in a structure, either single-family or multi-family, that has been designed or structurally modified to accommodate joint residential occupancy and work activity and which includes:
1. Complete kitchen space and sanitary facilities in compliance with Title 16 (Buildings and Construction) of the Municipal Code; and
2. Working space reserved for and regularly used by one or more occupants of the unit.
Living Area. The interior habitable area of a dwelling unit, including conditioned basements and attics but not including a garage or any accessory structure.
Lot Area. The total area within the lot lines of a parcel, exclusive of rights-of-way and other access easements (not including utility easements) which limit the use of the lot.
Lot Depth, Location of Yards. The measurement of lot depth and the location of required yards is illustrated in Figure 1-1, Lot Features.
Lot Line or Property Line. Any recorded boundary of a lot. Types of lot lines are as follows (see Figure 1-1, Lot Features):
1. Front Lot Line. On an interior lot, the property line separating the parcel from the street right-of-way. The front lot line on a corner lot is the line with the shortest frontage. (If the lot lines of a corner lot are equal in length, the front lot line shall be determined by the Director.) On a double-frontage lot, both lot lines are front lot lines and the lot is considered to have no rear lot line.
2. Interior Lot Line. Any lot line not abutting a public or private street right-of-way.
3. Rear Lot Line. A property line that does not intersect the front lot line, which is most distant from and most closely parallel to the front lot line.
4. Side Lot Line. The property lines connecting the front and rear lot lines.
Lot or Parcel. Includes the following:
1. A parcel of real property shown on a subdivision or plat map, required by the Subdivision Map Act or these Regulations to be recorded before sale of parcels shown on the map or plat, at the time the map was recorded;
2. A parcel of real property that has been issued a certificate of compliance as provided by State law and Chapter 18.08 of the Municipal Code (Enforcement); or
3. A parcel of real property not described in Subsections 1 or 2 above, provided the parcel resulted from a separate conveyance or from a decree of a court of competent jurisdiction which was recorded before the requirement of the filing of the subdivision map by the Subdivision Map Act or applicable regulations.
Lot Types. Types of lots include the following (see Figure 1-2, Lot Types):
1. Corner Lot. A lot located at the intersection of two or more streets where they intersect at an interior angle of not more than 135 degrees. If the intersection angle is more than 135 degrees, the lot is considered an interior lot.
2. Double Frontage Lot. A lot with frontage on two generally parallel streets.
3. Flag Lot. A lot having access to a public street by means of private right-of-way strip that must be owned in fee.
4. Interior Lot. A lot abutting only one street.
5. Key Lot. An interior lot, the front yard of which adjoins the side property line of a corner lot.
6. Reverse Corner Lot. A corner lot, the rear of which abuts a key lot.
Lot Width. The horizontal distance between the side lot lines, measured at right angles to the lot depth at a point midway between the front and rear lot lines. See Figure 1-1, Lot Features.
The Director shall determine lot width for parcels of irregular shape.
Lumber and Wood Products (land use). Manufacturing, processing, and sales uses involving the milling of forest products to produce rough and finished lumber and other wood materials for use in other manufacturing, craft, or construction processes. Includes all types of milling operations and the turning and shaping of wood products on a manufacturing basis; the assembly of products including trusses and structural beams, wood containers, pallets, and skids; the assembly of factory-built and manufactured housing; the wholesaling of basic wood products; and the retail sales of lumber, other wood products, and building materials where most inventory is stored and/or displayed outdoors. Craft-type shops are included in "Handicraft Industries, Small-Scale Manufacturing." Other wood and cabinet shops are included under "Furniture/Fixture Manufacturing, Cabinet Shops." The primarily indoor retail sales of building materials, and the sale of construction tools and equipment are included under "Building Material Stores."
M. Definitions, "M."
Machinery Manufacturing (land use). The manufacturing of machinery and equipment for purposes and products including, but not limited to, the following:
Bulldozers
Carburetors
Construction
Conveyors
Cranes
Die casting
Dies
Dredging
Engines and turbines
Farm and garden
Food products manufacturing
Gear cutting
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning
Industrial trucks and tractors
Industrial furnaces and ovens
Industrial molds
Laundry and dry cleaning
Materials handling
Mining
Motor vehicles
Oil field equipment
Paper manufacturing
Passenger and freight elevators
Pistons
Printing
Pumps
Refrigeration equipment
Textile manufacturing
Transportation equipment
Main Dwelling. The dwelling unit on the property that is not an accessory dwelling unit.
Manufactured Home (land use). A housing unit that is either wholly or partially constructed or assembled off the site in compliance with State law, and certified under the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. Section 5401 et seq.).
Manufacturer Taproom (land use). An establishment which produces ales, beers, meads, hard ciders, and/or similar beverages on-site, and also sells such beverages for on-site consumption. Accessory sales of beverages produced on-site for off-site consumption and/or selling food prepared on-site may be included. Off-street parking for the beverage production component of a manufacturer taproom use shall be provided as required for "light manufacturing plants" in addition to providing parking for the food and beverage sales area(s) using the "restaurant" land use type as set forth under Chapter 19.70 (Parking).
Manufacturing/Industrial Zone or Zoning District. Any of the manufacturing/industrial zoning districts established by Section 19.40.010, including IOMU (Industrial Mixed Use, ML (Light Manufacturing/Industrial), and MG (General Manufacturing/industrial).
Map Act. See "Subdivision Map Act."
Map Advisory Committee. The Map Advisory Committee of the City of Chico.
Medical Offices. Facilities primarily engaged in furnishing outpatient dental, medical, mental health, surgical and other personal health services.
Medical Services - Clinics and Laboratories (land use). A facility intended for the examination of clinical specimens for the purpose of providing information such as diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, or treatment of disease to improve the health of a patient.
Medical Services - Extended Care (land use). Residential facilities providing nursing and health-related care as a principal use with in-patient beds, including skilled nursing facilities (facilities allowing care for physically or mentally disabled persons, where care is less than that provided by an acute care facility), extended care facilities, convalescent and rest homes, board and care homes. Long-term personal care facilities that do not emphasize medical treatment are classified in "Residential Care Homes."
Medical Services - Hospitals (land use). Hospitals and similar establishments primarily engaged in providing diagnostic services and extensive medical treatment including surgical and other hospital services; these establishments have an organized medical staff, inpatient beds, and equipment and facilities to provide complete health care. May include accessory retail uses (see the separate definition of "Accessory Retail Uses"), emergency vehicles, ambulances, and heliports.
Membership Organization Facilities (land use). Permanent, headquarters-type and meeting facilities for organizations operating on a membership basis for the promotion of the interests of the members, including facilities for business associations; professional membership organizations; labor unions and similar organizations; civic, social, and fraternal organizations (not including lodging, which is under "Fraternity/Sorority Houses"); political organizations; and other membership organizations. Does not include country clubs, which are included in the definition of "Golf Courses, Country Clubs."
Metal Fabrication, Machine, and Welding Shops (land use). The assembly of metal parts, including blacksmith and welding shops, sheet metal shops, machine shops, and boiler shops, that produce metal duct work, tanks, towers, cabinets and enclosures, metal doors and gates, and similar products.
Mitigated Negative Declaration. A written statement issued by the City, describing the reasons that a proposed project will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment, including mitigation measures incorporated into the proposed design and/or operation of the project that will avoid, eliminate, reduce, or minimize environmental impacts identified through the process of project review, and therefore does not require the preparation of an environmental impact report (EIR), in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). See also "Negative Declaration."
Mixed Use. Any mixture of land uses, such as mixtures of residences with commercial, offices with retail, or visitor accommodation with offices and retail.
Mixed Use, horizontal. Two or more different land uses placed next to each other, planned and connected together with shared pedestrian and vehicular access. For instance, an apartment building adjacent to restaurants and shops.
Mixed Use, vertical. Two or more different land uses organized vertically in the same building usually on different floors. For instance, retail on the ground floor and office and/or residential uses on the upper floors.
Mobile Home (land use). A structure transportable in one or more sections which is over 8 feet in width and 40 feet in length, with or without a permanent foundation and not including recreational vehicles, commercial coaches, or manufactured homes. A mobile home on a permanent foundation is considered a structure.
Mobile Home Park (land use). Any site that is planned and improved to accommodate two or more mobile homes used for residential purposes, or on which two or more mobile home lots are rented, leased, or held out for rent or lease, or were formerly held out for rent or lease and later converted to a subdivision, cooperative, condominium, or other form of resident ownership, to accommodate mobile homes used for residential purposes.
Mortuary/Funeral Home (land use). Facilities providing funeral preparation and funeral services including embalming, memorial services, and cremation.
Motel. See "Hotel or Motel."
Multi-Family Housing (land use). Includes structures or portions of structures used and/or designed as residences for two or more families living independently of each other. Includes duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes (individual structures containing two, three, and four housing units, respectively); apartments (five or more units under one ownership in a single structure); townhouse development (three or more attached single-family dwellings where no unit is located over another unit); senior citizen multi-family housing; single-and common ownership attached unit projects (such as condominiums). Single resident/single room occupancy units (SROs), dormitories, and rooming and boarding houses are separately defined.
N. Definitions, "N."
Nature Preserves. A piece of land protected and managed to preserve its sensitive flora and fauna; also called a nature reserve.
Negative Declaration. A statement describing the reasoning that a proposed action will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment, in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Nightclub (land use). An establishment which features amplified music and dancing, at least four times per month, in addition to a primarily permitted use such as an Alcoholic Beverage Establishment or Restaurant. Typically has a dedicated stage or performance area, dance floor, and/or house sound system. A cover charge may or may not be collected. See "Indoor Amusement/Entertainment Centers", "Alcoholic Beverage Establishment", and "Restaurant" for related definitions.
Nonconforming. See Chapter 19.08 (Nonconforming Structures, Uses, and Parcels).
O. Definitions, "O."
Occupancy. All or a portion of a building occupied by one or more persons.
Offices (land use). Service establishments, including the following:
1. Business Offices. Establishments providing direct services to consumers, including insurance agencies, real estate offices, post offices (not including bulk mailing distribution centers, which are included under "Vehicle and Freight Terminals").
2. Industrial Offices. Large scale office uses, including telemarketing, claims processing, and similar office uses where large numbers of employees are housed in warehouse-sized buildings.
3. Professional Offices. Professional or government offices including:
Accounting, auditing, and bookkeeping services
Advertising agencies
Architectural, engineering, planning, and surveying services
Attorneys
Counseling services
Court reporting services
Data processing and computer services
Detective agencies and similar services
Educational, scientific, and research organizations
Employment, stenographic, secretarial, and word processing services
Financial Services
Government offices, including agency and administrative office facilities
Management, public relations and consulting services
Photography and commercial art studios
Telemarketing
Writer's and artist's offices outside the home
Offices, Temporary (land use). A mobile home, recreational vehicle, travel trailer, or modular unit used as a temporary business or construction office during construction of permanent facilities on the same site or as an office on the site of a temporary off-site construction yard, a temporary on-site real estate office for a development project, or a temporary business office in advance of permanent facility construction.
Offices, Temporary Real Estate (land use). The temporary use of a dwelling unit within a residential development project as a sales office for the units on the same site, which is converted to residential use at the conclusion of its office use.
Official Plan Line. A boundary describing the ultimate width or alignment of a public street or highway, adopted by the City Council or California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
Open Space. Land that is maintained in a primarily natural state, or primarily without structures other than facilities in support of outdoor recreation.
Open Space, Usable. Open space that is planned and maintained for active or passive recreation.
Original Parcel. A contiguous area of land under one ownership at the time of division, which is proposed for division under Title 18
(Subdivisions) of the Municipal Code.
Outdoor Commercial Recreation (land use). Facilities for various outdoor participant sports and types of recreation where a fee is charged for use, including amusement and theme parks; drive-in theaters; golf driving ranges; miniature golf courses (golf courses are included under the definition of "Golf Courses, Country Clubs"); skateboard parks and water slides; go-cart and miniature auto race tracks; recreation equipment rental (for example, non-highway motor vehicles, roller skates); health and athletic clubs with predominately outdoor facilities; tennis courts, swim and tennis clubs; zoos. May also include commercial facilities customarily associated with the above outdoor commercial recreational uses, such as bars and restaurants (both table service and counter service) and video game arcades.
Outdoor Retail Sales and Activities (land use). Permanent outdoor sales and rental establishments including equipment and other uses where the business is not conducted entirely within a structure.
Outdoor Retail Sales, Temporary (land use). Temporary outdoor retail operations including farmer's markets; seasonal sales of Christmas trees, pumpkins, or other seasonal items; semi-annual sales of art or handcrafted items in conjunction with community festivals or art shows; sidewalk or parking lot sales; and retail sales of various products from individual vehicles in temporary locations outside the public right-of-way. Vendors operating within the public right-of-way and sidewalk cafés are subject to the provisions of Chapter 14.60 (Use of City Streets and Sidewalks for Sales of Food, Beverages, or Merchandise and/or Rentals of Equipment or Other Things) of the Municipal Code.
Outdoor Vending Machine. A device located outdoors that dispenses a retail product or service. Examples include beverage dispensers, coin-operated amusement rides, video rental machines, cages for the retail sale of propane gas cylinders, and coolers for the retail sale of bagged ice. Newspaper racks and automatic teller machines are not regulated as outdoor vending machines.
Overlay Zone or Zoning District. Any of the overlay zoning districts established by Section 19.40.010, including -AE (Airport Environs), -AO (Aircraft Operations), -FS (Fraternity and Sorority), -L (Landmark), -PD (Planned Development), -RCO (Resource Constraint Overlay), -SD (Special Design Considerations), and -COS (Corridor Opportunity Site).
Owner Occupancy. A living arrangement in which the owner resides in either the primary or accessory unit on the property. For properties where owner-occupancy is required, the property owner shall sign a written covenant/affidavit acknowledging the condition prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the new unit. Owner-occupancy shall not be required if the property is owned by another governmental agency, land trust, or housing organization.
P. Definitions, "P."
Paper Products. Operations that convert or manufacture bulk paper material into retail sales items, or the large scale conversion or manufacture of pulp wood into paper products.
Parcel. See "Lot or Parcel."
Parcel Map. The map described by the State Subdivision Map Act, which is required by Title 18
(Subdivisions) of the Municipal Code to complete a subdivision of four or fewer lots.
Park and Playground Equipment and Facilities (land use). Facilities and equipment in support of active recreation, including traditional playground equipment and athletic facilities.
Parking Facilities/Vehicle Storage (land use). Service establishments in the business of storing currently licensed and operative cars, trucks, buses, recreational vehicles, and other motor vehicles for clients. Includes both day use and long-term public and commercial garages, parking lots, and parking structures, except when accessory to a principal use. (All principal uses are considered to include any customer or public use off-street parking required by these Regulations.) Includes sites where vehicles are stored for rental or leasing. Does not include dismantling yards (classified in "Recycling Facilities - Scrap and Dismantling Yards").
Parks and Playgrounds (land use). Public and private parks, play lots, playgrounds, and nonprofessional/noncommercial athletic fields, including park and playground equipment, accessory structures, and facilities.
Parks, Greenbelts, and Landscape Areas (land use). Open space areas providing visual separation between different land uses, which may include some passive recreation opportunities. Active recreation facilities may be allowed only where Division IV (Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses, and Zone-Specific Standards) allows "park and playground equipment" in the same zoning district.
Parkway. That portion of the public right of way situated between the back of the curb and the sidewalk in which landscaping and street trees are located.
Paved. "Paved" shall mean either:
1. A structural section of asphalt concrete and aggregate base rock designed for vehicle volumes and loadings, but not less than 1 ½ inches of asphalt concrete or portland cement over 4 inches of aggregate base rock; or
2. For developments with four or less required parking spaces, a structural section of asphalt chip seal over 4 inches of aggregate base rock, or alternative surfaces such as porous pavers, as approved by the public works director.
Paving Materials (land use). The manufacture of various common paving and roofing materials, including bulk asphalt; paving blocks made of asphalt, creosote, wood, and various compositions of asphalt and tar; porous paving; or other approved surface alternative.
Personal Services (land use). Establishments providing non-medical related services, including beauty and barber shops, clothing rental, small-scale dry cleaners, laundromats (self-service laundries), shoe repair shops, tanning salons, psychic readers, therapeutic (nonsexual) massage services, body piercing, tattooing, electrolysis. These uses may also include accessory retail sales of products related to the services provided.
Pet Shops (land use). Includes grooming or selling of dogs, cats, and similar small animals. Typical uses include dog bathing and clipping salons, pet grooming shops, and pet stores.
Pharmaceuticals. The production or development of federally licensed medications.
Pipelines and Utility Lines (land use). Transportation facilities for the conveyance of crude petroleum; refined petroleum products including gasoline and fuel oils; natural gas; mixed, manufactured, or liquefied petroleum gas; or the pipeline transmission of other commodities. Also includes pipeline surface and terminal facilities, including pump stations, bulk stations, surge and storage tanks. Power transmission includes facilities for the transmission of electrical energy for sale, including transmission lines for a public utility company. Also includes telephone, telegraph, cable television, and other communications transmission facilities utilizing direct physical conduits. Does not include offices or service centers (classified under "Offices"), distribution substations (classified under "Public Safety and Utility Facilities"), or power plants.
Planned Development. See Chapter 19.28 (Planned Development).
Plant Nurseries (land use). Commercial agricultural establishments engaged in the production of ornamental plants and other nursery products, grown under cover or outdoors. Also includes establishments engaged in the sale of these products (such as wholesale and retail nurseries) and commercial scale greenhouses (home greenhouses are included under "Residential Accessory Uses and Structures"). The sale of house plants or other nursery products entirely within a structure is also included under "Retail Stores, General Merchandise."
Plastics and Rubber Products (land use). The manufacture of rubber products including tires; rubber footwear; mechanical rubber goods; heels and soles; flooring; and rubber sundries from natural, synthetic, or reclaimed rubber. Also includes establishments primarily manufacturing tires (establishments primarily recapping and retreading automobile tires are classified in "Repair and Maintenance - Vehicle"). Also includes establishments engaged in molding primary plastics for the trade and manufacturing miscellaneous finished plastics products, fiberglass manufacturing, and fiberglass application services.
Primary Zoning District. Any of the residential, commercial, manufacturing/industrial, airport, or special purpose zoning districts established in these Regulations, to which an overlay zone may be applied.
Printing and Publishing - Computer/Electronic (land use). Establishments engaged in printing, production, and publishing through the use of computers, with mailout distribution or limited delivery.
Printing and Publishing (land use). Establishments engaged in printing by letterpress, lithography, gravure, screen, offset, or other common processes, including electrostatic (xerographic) copying and other "quick printing" services, and establishments serving the printing trade including silk screening, bookbinding, typesetting, engraving, photoengraving and electrotyping. This use also includes establishments that publish and deliver newspapers, books, and periodicals, and establishments manufacturing business forms and binding devices.
Private Residential Recreational Facilities (land use). Swimming pools, tennis and other sport courts, playground equipment, and similar facilities and accessory structures that are operated for the residents of a specific housing project and their guests and are not open to the general public. Does not include these facilities for individual homes, which are defined as "Residential Accessory Uses."
Project. See "Development or Project."
Public Road. A street or highway owned and maintained by the City, Butte County, or the State of California.
Public Safety and Utility Facilities (land use).
1. Public Safety Facilities. Facilities operated by public agencies, including fire stations, other fire prevention and fire fighting facilities, police and sheriff substations and headquarters, including interim incarceration facilities.
2. Public Utility Facilities. These uses include any of the following facilities that are not exempted from land use entitlement requirements by State law: electrical substations, switching stations, and other fixed-base structures and facilities serving as junction points for transferring utility services from one transmission voltage to another or to local distribution and service voltages; telephone switching facilities; natural gas regulating and distribution facilities; public water system wells, treatment plants and storage facilities; community wastewater treatment plants, settling ponds, and disposal fields; corporation and maintenance yards. These uses do not include office or customer service centers (classified in "Offices") or equipment and material storage yards (classified in "Storage, Outdoor").
Public Transit. A transit stop served by at least one publicly provided form of transportation.
Q. Definitions, "Q." (Reserved.)
R. Definitions, "R."
Recreational Vehicle (RV). A motor home, travel trailer, truck camper, or camping trailer, with or without motor power, designed for human habitation for recreational, emergency, or other occupancy, which meets all of the following criteria:
1. It contains less than 320 square feet of internal living room area, excluding built-in equipment, including wardrobe, closets, cabinets, kitchen units or fixtures, and bath or toilet rooms.
2. It contains 400 square feet or less of gross area measured at maximum horizontal projections.
3. It is built on a single chassis.
4. It is either self-propelled, truck-mounted, or permanently towable on the highways without a permit.
Recreational Vehicle (RV) Parks. Land used or rented for occupancy by vacationing transient campers traveling by street legal automobile or otherwise, or for occupancy by tents, or other movable or temporary sleeping quarters of any kind for a period of less than 30 days, together with automobile parking spaces and incidental utility structures and facilities required and provided in connection with the use. This definition shall not include trailer sales lots where unoccupied trailers are parked for inspection and sale.
Recyclable Solid Waste. Newspaper, glass, aluminum and tin cans, organic waste, plastic containers, cardboard boxes, and cartons.
Recycling Facilities (land use).
1. Collection Facility. A center for the acceptance by donation, redemption, or purchase of recyclable materials from the public, which may include the following:
a. Reverse vending machine(s);
b. Small collection facilities which occupy an area of 350 square feet or less and may include:
(1) A mobile unit;
(2) Bulk reverse vending machines or a grouping of reverse vending machines occupying more than 50 square feet; and
(3) Kiosk-type units which may include permanent structures.
c. Large collection facilities which may occupy an area of more than 350 square feet and may include permanent structures.
2. Convenience Zones. An area within a ½-mile radius of a supermarket.
3. Mobile Recycling Unit. An automobile, truck, trailer, or van, licensed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which is used for the collection of recyclable materials, including bins, boxes, or containers transported by trucks, vans, or trailers, and used for the collection of recyclable materials.
4. Processing Facility. A structure or enclosed space used for the collection and processing of recyclable materials to prepare for either efficient shipment or to an end-user's specifications by means of baling, briquetting, cleaning, compacting, crushing, flattening, grinding, mechanical sorting, remanufacturing, or shredding. Processing facilities include the following types, both of which are included under "Recycling Facilities - Scrap and Dismantling Yards":
a. Light processing facility occupies an area of under 45,000 square feet of collection, processing, and storage area, and averages two outbound truck shipments each day. Light processing facilities are limited to baling, briquetting, cleaning, compacting, crushing, flattening, grinding, remanufacturing, shredding, and sorting of source separated recyclable materials sufficient to qualify as a certified processing facility.
A light processing facility shall not shred, compact, or bale ferrous metals other than food and beverage containers; and
b. A heavy processing facility is any processing facility other than a light processing facility.
5. Recycling Facility. A center for the collection and/or processing of recyclable materials. A certified recycling facility or certified processor is certified by the California Department of Conservation as meeting the requirements of State law (California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act of 1986). A recycling facility may include composting, but does not include the collection of storage containers located on a residential, commercial, or industrially designated parcel used solely for the recycling of material generated on the parcel.
6. Reverse Vending Machine. An automated mechanical device which accepts at least one or more types of empty beverage containers, including but not limited to aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles, and issues a cash refund or a redeemable credit slip with a value not less than the container's redemption value as determined by State law. A reverse vending machine may sort and process containers mechanically, provided that the entire process is enclosed within the machine. In order to accept and temporarily store all container types in a proportion commensurate with their relative redemption rates, and to meet the requirements of certification as a recycling facility, multiple grouping of reverse vending machines may be necessary. A bulk reverse vending machine is a reverse vending machine that is larger than 50 square feet, is designed to accept more than one container at a time and will pay by weight instead of by container.
7. Scrap and Dismantling Yards. Outdoor establishments primarily engaged in assembling, breaking up, sorting, and the temporary storage and distribution of recyclable or reusable scrap and waste materials, including auto wreckers engaged in dismantling automobiles for scrap and the incidental wholesale or retail sales of parts from vehicles. Includes light and heavy processing facilities for recycling (see the definitions above). Does not include places where these activities are conducted entirely within structures, pawn shops and other secondhand stores, the sale of operative used cars, or terminal waste disposal sites.
Renewable Energy Device. Any device that converts natural energy, including wind, sunlight, or water flow, into electricity or useable heat.
Rental, indoor. A business that rents furniture, party supplies, small equipment, or other goods stored primarily indoors. Retail sales are allowed as an accessory use.
Rental, outdoor. A business that rents large equipment and specialized vehicles (such as farm equipment, lifts, backhoes, landscaping equipment, tractors, or heavy trucks) as the principal use, or accessory to a commercial use where the rental transactions occur within a structure. May include accessory retail and/or outdoor storage and sales.
Repair and Maintenance - Consumer, Products (land use). Service establishments where repair of consumer products is the principal business activity, including electrical repair shops; television and radio and other appliance repair; watch, clock, and jewelry repair; re-upholstery and furniture repair. Does not include shoe repair (included under "Personal Services"). Does not include heavy equipment repair businesses, which may be included under "Business Support Services," if applicable.
Repair and Maintenance - Vehicle (land use). This use includes major and minor categories. Generally, the use includes the repair, alteration, restoration, towing, painting, cleaning (including self-service and attended car washes), or finishing of automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, recreational vehicles, boats, and other vehicles as a principal use, including the incidental wholesale and retail sale of vehicle parts as an accessory use. Major vehicle repair facilities deal with entire vehicles and may include tire recapping or retreading; minor facilities specialize in limited aspects of repair (such as muffler and radiator shops, quick-lube). Does not include automobile dismantling yards, which are included under "Recycling Facilities - Scrap and Dismantling Yards"; automobile parking, which is included under "Parking Facilities/Vehicle Storage"; repair shops that are part of a vehicle dealership on the same site, which are included under "Auto, Mobile Home, and Vehicle Sales"; or gas stations, which are separately defined.
Research and Development (land use). Facilities for scientific research and the design, development, and testing of computer software, electrical, electronic, magnetic, optical, and mechanical components in advance of product manufacturing, that are not associated with a manufacturing facility on the same site. Also includes chemical and biotechnology research and development. Does not include soils and other materials testing laboratories, which are included under "Business Support Services," or medical laboratories, which are included under "Medical Services - Clinics and Laboratories."
Residential Accessory Uses and Structures (land use). Includes any use that is customarily part of, and clearly incidental and secondary to, a residence and does not change the character of the residential use. These uses include accessory structures (swimming pools, tennis and other sport courts, playground equipment, spas and hot tubs, workshops, studios, greenhouses, garages, guest houses, and similar structures). Includes home satellite dish antennas of 18 inches or less in diameter and other receiving antennas for TV and radio broadcasts (larger satellite dish antennas and broadcast and receiving antennas for ham radio and commercial applications are included under "Telecommunications Facilities").
Residential Care Homes (land use). Facilities providing residential social and personal care for children, the elderly, and people with limited ability for self-care, but where medical care is not a major element. Includes children's homes, transitional houses, orphanages, rehabilitation centers, self-help group homes. Convalescent homes, nursing homes and similar facilities providing medical care are included under the definition of "Medical Services - Extended Care."
Residential Zone or Zoning District. Any of the residential zoning districts established by Section 19.40.010 (Zoning districts, generally).
Restaurant (land use). A retail business selling food and beverages prepared on the site, where customers consume the products on-premise, indoors and/or outdoors.
1. Restaurant. A retail business selling food and beverages prepared on the site, where customers consume the products on-premise, indoors and/or outdoors. May serve beer and wine. Any alcohol sales shall be accessory to the primary restaurant use. Typically associated with a Type 41 ABC license.
2. Restaurant With Full Bar. A restaurant, as defined above, which also serves a full range of alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, and distilled spirits) and closes no later than 2 a.m. Alcohol sales shall be accessory to the primary restaurant use. Typically associated with a Type 47 ABC license.
See "Alcoholic Beverage Establishment" and "Nightclub" for related definitions.
Retail Stores, General Merchandise (land use). Retail trade establishments selling many lines of merchandise. These stores and lines of merchandise include but are not limited to:
Art supplies
Auto parts (not repair or machine shops)
Bakeries (retail only)
Bicycles and mopeds
Books
Cameras and photographic supplies
Clothing and accessories
Department stores
Discount stores
Dry goods
Fabrics and sewing supplies
Florists and houseplant stores (indoor sales only; outdoor sales are "Plant Nurseries")
General stores
Gifts, novelties and souvenirs
Handcrafted items (stores may include crafting operations subordinate to sales)
Hardware
Hobby materials
Jewelry
Luggage and leather goods
Musical instruments, parts, and accessories
Newsstands
Orthopedic supplies
Religious goods
Secondhand stores
Small wares
Specialty shops
Sporting goods and equipment
Stationery
Toys and games
Variety stores
Review Authority. The individual or official City body identified by these Regulations as having the responsibility and authority to review and approve, disapprove, or otherwise administer one or more of the permits described in Division III and the processes, appeals and amendments described in Division II.
(Ord. 2312 §29)
Rezone. An amendment to the Zoning Map which changes property from one zoning district to another.
Rooming and Boarding Houses (land use). The renting of individual bedrooms within a dwelling to three or more people who are not living together as a family, whether or not meals are provided.
S. Definitions, "S."
Sales/Rental Yards (land use). Any permanent outdoor area for the display and sale and/or rental of motor vehicles, mobile homes, construction equipment, farm machinery, or other heavy equipment. Includes swap meets and flea markets and similar large-scale temporary or permanent outdoor sales activities.
Schools - Public and Private (land use). Public and private elementary, middle, junior high, and high schools serving kindergarten through 12th-grade students, including boarding schools and military academies. Also includes community colleges, public or private colleges, universities and professional schools granting associate arts degrees, certificates, undergraduate and graduate degrees, and requiring for admission at least a high school diploma or equivalent general academic training. Preschools and child day care are included under the definition of "Day Care Facilities."
Schools - Specialized Education and Training (land use). Business, secretarial schools, and vocational schools offering specialized trade and commercial courses. Includes specialized schools offering subjects in art, drama, dance, driver education, language, and music. Also includes seminaries and other facilities exclusively engaged in training for religious ministries, and establishments furnishing educational courses by mail. Further includes facilities, institutions, and conference centers that offer specialized programs in personal growth and development including fitness, martial arts, yoga, environmental awareness, communications, and management.
Senior Citizen Congregate Care Housing (land use). A structure serving as a residence for a group of senior citizens (60 years of age or older) with central or private kitchen, dining, recreational, and other facilities, with separate bedrooms and/or living quarters. Limited medical care and supervision may also be provided, where the emphasis of the facility remains residential.
Setback. The distance by which the foundation or base of a structure, a parking area, or other development feature must be separated from a lot line, other structure, development feature, or street centerline. See also "Yard" and Figure 1-3, Setbacks.
Setbacks from private streets are measured from the back of the easement, including the sidewalk or pedestrian path.
Shopping Center (land use). A structure or structures with at least five separate tenants or occupants whose combined gross floor area totals at least 20,000 square feet, where the Director determines that the tenants or occupants are engaging in compatible uses, and which are located on a site where any underlying separate parcels are tied together by a binding legal agreement providing rights of reciprocal vehicular parking and access.
Single-Family Housing (land use). A structure containing one dwelling unit, including factory-built housing (modular housing) units constructed in compliance with the Uniform Building Code (UBC).
Single-Room Occupancy (SRO) Housing (land use). A compact dwelling unit with limited cooking and living facilities designed primarily for one individual and within a multiple-unit structure.
Site. A parcel or adjoining parcels under single ownership or single control, considered a unit for the purposes of development or other use.
Site Coverage. The percentage of total site area occupied by structures, but not including unenclosed front porches and pavement coverage (sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, or other unroofed paved areas or uncovered decks) unless specifically included by a provision of these Regulations.
Sight Distance. An area within a motorist's line of sight that shall not be occupied by visual obstructions. The sight distance area, determined by the public works director, is located on a lot at the intersections of public or private streets, alleys, or driveways in which the height and/or placement of buildings, signs, fences, walls, and landscaping are regulated to provide adequate sight distance for the safe operation of vehicles.
Slaughterhouses and Rendering Plants (land use). Slaughterhouses are establishments primarily engaged in slaughtering cattle, hogs, sheep, and calves for meat to be sold or to be used on the same site in canning, curing, and freezing, and in the making of sausage, lard, and other products. Rendering plants are engaged in the rendering of inedible stearin, grease, and tallow from animal fat, bones, and meat scraps.
Small Family Day Care Home. See "Day Care Facilities."
Special Purpose Zone or Zoning District. Any of the special purpose zoning districts established by these Regulations.
Specific Plan. See State law.
Sports Facilities and Outdoor Public Assembly (land use). Indoor and outdoor facilities for spectator-oriented sports and other public assembly facilities for outdoor theater, concerts, and events, including amphitheaters, arenas, drag strips, fairgrounds, field houses, motorcycle racing facilities, race tracks, stadiums and coliseums, and facilities for other sports that are considered commercial.
Stone and Cut Stone Products (land use). Manufacturing establishments primarily engaged in cutting, shaping, and finishing marble, granite, slate, and other stone for building and miscellaneous uses. Also includes establishments primarily engaged in buying or selling partly finished monuments and tombstones.
Storage, Accessory (land use). The indoor storage of various materials on a site where the principal use is not storage, where the storage supports the activities or conduct of the principal use. Includes the storage of automobiles (including their incidental restoration and repair), personal recreational vehicles, and other personal property accessory to a residential use.
Storage, Accessory to Residential Project (land use). Storage yards (for example, RV storage) and facilities accessory to residential projects open only to occupants or operators of the residential project.
Storage, Outdoor (land use). The storage of various equipment and materials outside of a structure other than fencing, either as an accessory or principal use.
Storage, Personal Storage Facility (land use). A structure or group of structures containing generally small, individual, compartmentalized stalls or lockers rented as individual storage spaces and characterized by low parking demand. Also known as "mini-storage."
Street. A public or private thoroughfare or right-of-way that provides the principal means of access to abutting property, except an alley which is separately defined.
Street Line. The boundary between a street right-of-way, private street, access easement, or pedestrian access and adjoining property.
Street Property Line. That property line common to the street right-of-way or access easement.
Structural Alteration. Any change in the supporting members of a structure (such as bearing walls, columns, beams or girders, floor joists, ceiling joists, or roof rafters).
Structural Clay and Pottery Products (land use). Manufacturing establishments primarily producing brick and structural clay products, including pipe, china plumbing fixtures, and vitreous china articles, fine earthenware and porcelain electrical supplies and parts. Artist uses are included in "Handicraft Industries, Small-Scale Manufacturing" or "Home Occupations."
Structure. Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires attachment to the ground or attachment to something located on the ground. For the purposes of these Regulations, the term "structure" includes "buildings."
Subdivision. The division, by any subdivider, of any unit or portion of land shown on the latest equalized County assessment roll as a unit or contiguous units, for the purpose of sale, lease, or financing, whether immediate or future. Property shall be considered as contiguous units even if it is separated by roads, streets, utility easements, or railroad rights-of-way. Subdivision includes a condominium project, a community apartment project, or the conversion of five or more existing dwelling units to a stock cooperative, as defined by State law.
Subdivision Map Act, or Map Act. State law referring to land division, and any amendments to those provisions.
Supportive Housing. Housing with linked on-site or off-site services with no limit on the length of stay and that is occupied by a target population as defined in Health and Safety Code section 53260 (for example, low-income person with mental disabilities, AIDS, substance abuse or chronic health conditions, or persons whose disabilities originated before the age of 18). Services linked to supportive housing are usually focused on retaining housing, living and working in the community, and/or health improvement.
T. Definitions, "T."
Tandem Parking. An arrangement of parking spaces where one car is parked behind another so that the innermost car cannot move when the outer space is occupied.
Tasting Room (land use). A retail business which sells alcoholic beverages from a single manufacturer for off-site consumption, and also offers tasting of small quantities of alcoholic beverages from that manufacturer on-site. Food may be served on a limited basis. A tasting fee may be collected. Typically associated with a Type 01 or 02 ABC license.
Telecommunications Facilities (land use). Any wireless telecommunications facility, as defined by Section 19.78.020.
Temporary Emergency Shelters (land use). A church, public building, or quasi-public facility which provides emergency or temporary shelter to homeless individuals and/or groups. Such accommodations may include temporary lodging, meals, laundry facilities, bathing, counseling, and other basic support services. (See Chapter 19.22, Temporary Uses.)
Textile and Leather Products (land use). Manufacturing establishments engaged in performing any of the following operations: Preparation of fiber and subsequent manufacturing of yarn, threads, braids, and twine cordage; manufacturing woven fabric and carpets and rugs from yarn; dying and finishing fiber, yarn, fabric, and knit apparel; coating, waterproofing, or otherwise treating fabric; the integrated manufacture of knit apparel and other finished products from yarn; the manufacture of felt goods, lace goods, non-woven fabrics, and miscellaneous textiles; and upholstery manufacturing.
Theaters, Auditoriums, and Meeting Halls (land use). Indoor facilities for public assembly and group entertainment, other than sporting events, including: public and quasi- public auditoriums; exhibition and convention halls; civic theaters, meeting halls, and facilities for "live" theater and concerts; motion picture theaters; meeting halls for rent and similar public assembly uses. Outdoor theaters, concert and similar entertainment facilities, and indoor and outdoor facilities for sporting events are included under the definition of "Sports Facilities and Outdoor Public Assembly."
Thrift Shop (land use). A retail store specializing in the sale of donated, used items, including receiving, collection, and storage of donated goods, typically operated by a nonprofit organization.
Transitional housing. Rental housing for stays of at least six months but where the units are re-circulated to another program recipient after a set period. The housing may be designated for a homeless individual or family transitioning to permanent housing. The housing may take many structural forms such as group housing and multi-family units and may include supportive services to allow individuals to gain necessary life skills in support of independent living.
Transit Stations and Terminals (land use). Passenger stations for vehicular and rail mass transit systems; also terminal facilities providing maintenance and service for the vehicles operated in the transit system. Includes buses, taxis, and railways.
Trellis. A semi-covered structure or frame open on two or more sides, sometimes referred to as a pergola or arbor.
Two-Family Housing/Duplexes (land use). Attached multi-family housing structure under single or individual unit ownership containing two dwelling units in the same structure.
Two-Unit Housing Development. A proposed housing development involving no more than two residential units on a lot within a single-family residential zoning district that meets all the criteria and standards set forth in Section 19.76.220.
U. Definitions, "U."
Urban Lot Split. A subdivision of an existing parcel into no more than two separate parcels that meets all the criteria and standards set forth in Section 19.76.220. No more than two dwelling units shall be located on any lot created through an Urban Lot Split, including primary dwelling units, accessory dwelling units, junior accessory units, density bonus units, and units created as a two-unit housing development.
Use. The purpose for which land, a site or structure is designed, arranged, or intended, or for which it is or may be occupied or maintained.
Use Permit. A discretionary land use entitlement that may authorize the establishment of a use allowed by Division IV (Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses, and Zone-Specific Standards) subject to use permit approval. See Chapter 19.24 (Use Permits).
V. Definitions, "V."
Variance. A discretionary permit that modifies the development standards of these Regulations, in compliance with Chapter 19.26 (Variances).
Vehicle and Freight Terminals (land use). Transportation establishments furnishing services incidental to transportation, including freight forwarding services; transportation arrangement services; packing, crating, inspection, and weighing services; freight terminal facilities; joint terminal and service facilities; trucking facilities, including transfer and storage; and bulk mailing distribution centers. Includes rail, air, and motor freight transportation.
Veterinary Clinics and Animal Hospitals (land use). Office and medical treatment facilities used by veterinarians, with indoor and/or outdoor kennel facilities. This use includes large and small animal veterinary clinics and animal hospitals. See also "Kennels and Animal Boarding."
Visual simulation. An accurate, scaled graphic or other visual depiction of a development project in relation to its environmental setting.
W. Definitions, "W."
Warehouse Retail Stores (land use). Retail stores generally of 100,000 square feet or larger that emphasize the packaging and sale of products in large quantities or volumes, some at discounted prices, where products are typically displayed in their original shipping containers. Sites and structures are usually large and industrial in character. Patrons may or may not be required to pay membership fees.
Warehousing (land use). Facilities for the storage of farm products, furniture, household goods, or other commercial goods of any nature. Includes cold storage. Does not include warehouse, storage, or mini-storage facilities offered for rent or lease to the general public, which are included under "Storage, Personal Storage Facility," warehouse facilities where the primary purpose of storage is for wholesaling and distribution, which are included under "Wholesaling and Distribution," or terminal facilities for handling freight, which are included under "Vehicle and Freight Terminals."
Wholesaling and Distribution (land use). Establishments engaged in selling merchandise to retailers; to industrial, commercial, institutional, farm, or professional business users; or to other wholesalers; or acting as agents or brokers in buying merchandise for or selling merchandise to persons or companies. Includes merchant wholesalers; agents, merchandise or commodity brokers, and commission merchants; assemblers, buyers and associations engaged in the cooperative marketing of farm products; stores primarily selling electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning supplies and equipment.
X. Definitions, "X." (Reserved.)
Y. Definitions, "Y."
Yard. An area between a lot line and a setback line, unobstructed and unoccupied from the ground upward, except for projections permitted by these Regulations. See Section 19.60.090 (Setback Regulations and Exceptions) and Figure 1-3 (Setbacks).
1. Front Yard. An area extending across the full width of the lot between the front lot line and the nearest line of the building. The front yard may face either street frontage of a corner lot, at the option of the owner.
2. Rear Yard. An area extending the full width of the lot between a rear lot line and the nearest line of the building.
3. Side Yard. An area extending from the front yard to the rear yard between the nearest side lot line and the nearest line of the building.
Z. Definitions, "Z."
Zoning Administrator. The employee appointed by the Director to:
1. Conduct public hearings and approve or deny applications for minor design review, use permits, variances, and temporary use permits.
2. Perform the duties and functions prescribed in these Regulations, including but not limited to the review of development projects in compliance with these Regulations; the California Planning, Zoning, and Development Laws; and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and
3. Perform any other responsibilities assigned by the Director.
Except where otherwise provided by these Regulations, the responsibilities of the Zoning Administrator may also be carried out by other Department staff under the supervision of the Zoning Administrator.
Zoning District. One of the zoning districts established by Section 19.40.010 (Zoning districts, generally).
(Ord. 2185; Ord. 2205; Ord. 2223; Ord. 2231; Ord. 2243; Ord. 2364 §378-384; Ord. 2397 §1-2; Ord. 2410 §2)
(Ord. 2435 §1-10, Ord. 2439 §170-174, Ord. 2440 §1-6, Ord. 2461 §1, Ord. 2494 §1, Ord. 2504 §1, Ord. 2511 §4; Ord. 2519 §1; Ord. 2549 §1; Ord. 2580, §1)