Except when definitions are specifically included in the text of this ordinance, words shall be interpreted in accordance with the meaning set forth in this section. In cases of conflict regarding any definition, the Code Enforcement Director shall rule on any contested definition or on any interpretation of the meaning of words or phrases used in this ordinance.
ACCESSORY USE.
A building or use of land which is customarily incidental or subordinate to the principal use of building and is located on the same lot with the principal use or building. Examples of
ACCESSORY USES
include: garages, workshops, playhouses, storage buildings, swimming pools, decks, patios, greenhouses, and other such uses.
ALLEY.
A minor right-of-way used or intended to be used primarily for service access to the rear or side of properties otherwise abutting a street. An
ALLEY
is not considered to be a street for the purposes of this ordinance.
ALTERATION OF BUILDING.
Any change in the supporting members of a building, such as bearing walls, columns, or girders; any addition or reduction to a building.
ANTENNA.
Any device for radiating or receiving electromagnetic waves, including but not limited to, radio, television, telephone, communication, microwave, and satellite dish antennae.
APARTMENT.
A portion of a building consisting of one (1) or more rooms intended to be used as a residence by an individual or family.
BED AND BREAKFAST.
An owner-occupied dwelling offering transient lodging to the public, with or without meals, in which not more than six (6) rooms are rented.
BOARDING HOUSE.
A dwelling in which single rooms are rented on a short-term or long-term basis, with or without meals. A structure in which ten (10) or more rooms are rented shall be classified as a motel or hotel.
BODY PIERCING.
Any method of piercing of the human skin of one (1) person by another person with the intent of inserting any object including but not limited to jewelry. The term
BODY PIERCING
shall also include any process of marking and disfiguring the skin or other tissue of any person by branding or scarification but shall not include the piercing of the fatty lobe of the ear by an ear piercing gun designed solely for that purpose, or physician authorized surgical procedures. This definition of
BODY PIERCING
shall also include the process commonly referred to as implantation.
BUILDABLE AREA.
The portion of a lot which may be used or built upon in accordance with zoning district regulations.
BUILDING.
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls and intended for the shelter, housing or enclosure of persons, animals, processes, equipment, or property.
CONVENIENCE STORE.
Any retail establishment offering for sale food products, household items, gasoline sales, and other goods commonly associated with daily use, and having a gross floor area of less than four thousand eight hundred (4,800) square feet.
DAY CARE FACILITY.
A state licensed facility providing care, supervision, or guidance for unrelated persons, unaccompanied by their parent or guardian, on a regular basis for periods of less than twenty-four (24) hours per day. This definition includes day nurseries, kindergartens, nursery schools, day care centers, adult day care centers, but does not include educational facilities for grades one and above, day care services operated for employees of a business, or summer camps or schools.
DENSITY.
The number of dwelling units per net acre of developed land, excluding land devoted to streets, alleys, parks, playgrounds, schools, or other public uses.
DISTRICT.
A geographical area assigned a zoning district designation pursuant to the provisions of this ordinance. The district boundaries are shown on the Official Zoning Map.
DWELLING.
Any building used or intended for human habitation, including any permitted home occupation, but excluding hotels, motels, boarding houses, and tourist courts.
DWELLING, MULTI-FAMILY.
A dwelling occupied by three (3) or more families or living units where the common areas are under one ownership. Examples of
MULTI-FAMILY DWELLINGS
include apartments, condominiums, cooperatives, and similar structures.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY.
A detached dwelling, other than a manufactured home, which is designed and intended for occupancy by one (1) family unit.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY.
A detached dwelling, other than a manufactured home, containing two (2) separate dwelling units, commonly known as a duplex. These dwellings may be rental units or owner-occupied, and generally the common areas are under one ownership.
DWELLING UNIT.
A dwelling containing one (1) or more rooms, commonly with cooking and bathroom facilities, intended as a place of residence for one (1) family.
FAMILY.
One (1) or more persons related by blood or marriage, or not more than five (5) unrelated persons, occupying a single dwelling unit. Domestic employees may be included within a
FAMILY.
GROUP HOME.
An institution in a single-family dwelling providing room, board, and some personal assistance in feeding, dressing, or other living activities for nine or fewer individuals not related to the operator.
GROUP HOMES
may include housing for mentally or physically disabled persons, but this definition does not include hospitals, sanitariums, rest homes, convalescent homes, boarding homes, or homes for orphans or the aged.
HOME OCCUPATION.
A customary occupation, profession, or trade carried on by an occupant of a dwelling unit as a secondary use which is clearly incidental and subordinate to the residential character of the dwelling unit, and which does not involve more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total floor area of the dwelling unit.
HOTEL
or
MOTEL.
A building in which lodging for pay is offered to the public, with or without meals, for transient or permanent guests, containing ten (10) or more rooms.
JUNK, SALVAGE, SCRAP, OR WRECKING YARDS.
Any use involving storage, processing, or recycling of inoperable, unused, dismantled, or wrecked vehicles, equipment, machinery, scrap metal, or other scrap, salvage, or junk materials.
LOT.
An area, plot, parcel, or tract of land defined by metes and bounds in a deed or plat recorded in the land records of the county.
LOT, CORNER.
A lot located at the intersection of two (2) or more streets.
LOT DEPTH.
The mean horizontal distance between front and rear property lines.
LOT, DOUBLE FRONTAGE.
A lot which has frontage on more than one (1) street, other than an alley. Corner lots do not have double frontage unless they have frontage on three (3) or more streets.
LOT, INTERIOR.
A lot other than a corner lot, with only one (1) street frontage.
LOT WIDTH.
The distance between side lot lines measured at the front building line.
MANUFACTURED HOME.
Any structure, transportable in one or more sections, which in the traveling mode is eight (8) body feet or more in width or forty (40) body feet or more in length, or, when erected on site, is three hundred twenty (320) or more square feet, and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems contained therein.
MANUFACTURED HOME DEVELOPMENT.
A category of land developments which includes subdivisions and parks for two (2) or more manufactured homes. Sales or storage lots for unoccupied manufactured housing units are not manufactured home developments. Note: The terms manufactured homes and mobile homes are used interchangeably in this document.
MINIWAREHOUSE.
A building or group of buildings on a fenced, controlled access lot which contain individual locked compartments for storage of personal property.
MODULAR HOME.
A dwelling, including the necessary plumbing, heating, ventilating, and other service systems, manufactured off-site and transported to the point of use for installation or erection, with or without specified components, as a finished building and not designed for ready removal to another site. All modular homes constructed since 1985 must be certified by the South Carolina Building Code Council or other inspectors recognized by the Building Codes Council. For the purposes of this ordinance, modular homes are defined as single-family or multi-family residences and are allowed in all districts in which these residential uses are allowed. Note: The terms manufactured homes and mobile homes are used interchangeably in this document.
NONCONFORMITY.
A term applied to lots, structures, uses of land and structures, and characteristics of uses which were lawful before the passage or amendment of this ordinance, but which would be prohibited by this ordinance or are not in compliance with the requirements of this ordinance. Such nonconformities are permitted to continue until they are removed, but their survival, enlargement, or extension is not encouraged.
PARK.
An area or facility intended to be used for recreation, play, exercise, sports, or similar activities, or an area intended to enhance the enjoyment of natural features or natural beauty, including public and private areas, but specifically excluding commercially operated amusement parks, and similar facilities.
PARKING LOT.
A public or private open lot for parking motor vehicles as a principal use or as an accessory use to a commercial, industrial, or public use.
PARKING SPACE.
An area which is sufficient in shape and size for parking one (1) motor vehicle.
PRINCIPAL USE.
The significant or primary activity carried out within a structure or upon land as contrasted to accessory uses which are incidental or subordinate to principal uses.
PRIVATE CLUB.
A non-profit organization created to provide recreational or cultural opportunities, including golf clubs, country clubs, tennis clubs, swimming clubs, lodges and similar activities. For-profit businesses are not included.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE.
A vehicular-type portable structure without a permanent foundation which can be towed, hauled, or driven and which is primarily designed as temporary living accommodation for recreational camping use.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
include travel trailers, truck campers, camping trailers, and self-propelled motor homes.
A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
shall not be considered a permanent dwelling, and this definition shall not include manufactured homes.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARK.
A site with improvements and utilities for the temporary parking of three (3) or more recreational vehicles for periods not to exceed ninety (90) days, which shall include services and facilities for the recreational vehicle owner. Manufactured homes are expressly prohibited.
RIGHT-OF-WAY.
A strip of land occupied or intended to be occupied by a street, crosswalk, railroad, electrical transmission line, oil or gas pipeline, water main, sanitary or storm sewer main, or other special use. An area or strip of land, either public or private, on which an irrevocable right of passage has been recorded for the use of vehicles or pedestrians or both.
SERVICE STATION.
A retail establishment designed to provide fuel, tires, minor adjustments, repairs and lubrication services to automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles.
SERVICE STATIONS
may include the limited sale of groceries and household goods and may provide auto washing services, but may not involve the storage of wrecked or dismantled vehicles or parts.
SETBACK.
The depth and width of any required open space; the minimum distance between any building and an adjacent lot, or street; the
SETBACK
is required to be unoccupied and unobstructed by any building or structure except for walls or fences, flagpoles; clothes lines, bird houses, utility rights-of-way, accessory buildings, and other yard accessories.
SETBACK AREAS
are measured from the applicable property or lot line or the street.
SIGN.
Any device designed to inform, advertise, or attract attention, such as a billboard, poster, painted surface, announcement, display, ribbon, pennant, flag, banner, illustration, insignia, whether lighted or unlighted, stationary or moving.
SIGN, ADVERTISING.
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment which is not conducted, sold, or offered on the premises where the sign is located.
SIGN, BUSINESS.
A sign used to disseminate information concerning a business, service, activity, or product which is conducted, offered, or sold upon the premises where such sign is located.
SIGN, IDENTIFICATION.
A sign on the premises bearing the name of a subdivision, farm, group housing development, business or industrial park, school, college, park, church, or other public or quasi-public facility, but bearing information pertaining only to the premises on which the sign is located. City of Dillon entrance signs are considered to be
IDENTIFICATION SIGNS.
SIGN, MOBILE (PORTABLE).
A non-fixed sign permitted for a period of time, not to exceed ninety (90) days, which directs attention to a business, service, activity, or product sold, conducted, or offered upon the premises on which the sign is located.
SIGN, OCCUPANCY.
A sign on the premises bearing the name or address of the property, the name of the owner or resident or any permitted home occupation, but bearing information only pertaining to the premises on which the sign is located.
SIGN, TEMPORARY.
A sign, banner, poster, or display intended to be displayed for a limited period of time, including political signs and for sale signs.
STREET.
A dedicated public right-of-way which affords the principal means of access to abutting property and which has been accepted for maintenance by the city or the S.C. Department of Transportation. For the purposes of this ordinance, the term
STREET
or
STREETS
shall also mean avenues, boulevards, roads, lanes, and other public ways.
STRUCTURE.
Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires location on the ground or attachment to the ground, including buildings, factory built housing, signs, mobile and portable signs, swimming pools, fences, and antennae, but excluding minor landscaping features such as ornamental pools, planting boxes, bird baths, paved surfaces, walkways, driveways, recreational equipment, flagpoles, and mailboxes.
TATTOO, TATTOOING.
To indelibly mark or color the skin by the subcutaneous introduction of non-toxic dyes or pigments unless performed by a licensed physician or surgeon if permitted by law.
VARIANCE.
A variance is a relaxation of the terms of the zoning chapter where such variance will not be contrary to the public interest and where, owing to conditions peculiar to the property and not the result of the actions of the applicant, a literal enforcement of the chapter would result in unnecessary and undue hardship.
VIDEO POKER ESTABLISHMENTS.
Any establishment wherein one (1) or more electronic video game machines that, upon insertion of a coin or cash or tokens purchased for coins or cash, are available to play or simulate the play of games utilizing a video display and microprocessors in which a player may receive free games or credits that can be redeemed for cash. Any establishment wherein any device authorized under S.C. Code § 16-19-60 may be located. Video poker machines shall not be considered as an accessory use to any other use and shall not be permitted as home occupations.
YARD, REQUIRED.
The open space between a lot line and the building area within which no structure may be located except as otherwise provided in this chapter. All yards referred to in this chapter are minimum required yards.
YARD, FRONT.
A
FRONT YARD
is an open unoccupied space on the same lot with a main building, extending the full width of the lot and situated between the front line of the lot and the front line of the building projected to the side lines of the lot. The depth of the
FRONT YARD
shall be measured between the front line of the building and the property line; covered porches, whether enclosed or unenclosed, shall be considered as part of the main building and shall not project into a required yard.
YARD, REAR.
A
REAR YARD
is an open space on the same lot with the main building unoccupied except as hereinafter permitted, extending the full width of the full lot and situated between the rear line of the lot and the rear line of the building projected to the side lines of the lot. The depth of the
REAR YARD
shall be measured between the rear line of the lot, or the center line of the alley, if there be an alley, and the rear line of the building.
YARD, SIDE.
A
SIDE YARD
is an open, unoccupied space on the same lot with the main building, situated between the side extending from the rear line of the front yard to the front line of the rear yard. If there be no front yard, the front boundary of the
SIDE YARD
shall be the front line of the lot; and if there be no rear yard, the rear boundary of the side yard shall be the rear line of the lot.
Except when definitions are specifically included in the text of the City of Dillon Zoning Regulation, words shall be interpreted in accordance with the meaning set forth in this section. In cases of conflict regarding any definition, the Code Enforcement Director shall rule on any contested definition or on any interpretation meaning of words or phrases used in the City of Dillon Zoning Regulation.
(Am. Ord. 04-13, passed 10-11-2004)