For the purpose of this title, certain numbers, abbreviations, terms and words used herein shall be used, interpreted and defined as hereinafter set forth. Unless the context already indicates to the contrary, words used in the present tense include the future tense; words used in plural number include the singular; the word "herein" means "in this title"; a "person" includes a corporation, a partnership and an incorporated association of persons (such as a club); the word "shall" is always mandatory; the words "used" or "occupied", as applied to any land or building, shall be construed to include the words "intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied".
ABUTTING: Having property or district lines in common; e.g., two (2) lots are abutting if they have part or all of the property lines in common.
ACCESSORY BUILDING OR STRUCTURE: A subordinate building or portion of the main building, the use of which is incidental to that of the dominant use of the building or premises.
ACCESSORY USE: A use customarily incidental, appropriate and subordinate to, the main use of land or buildings located upon the same premises.
AGRICULTURE: The use of land for agricultural purposes, including farming, dairying, pasturage, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, viticulture and animal and poultry husbandry and the necessary accessory uses for packing, treating or storing the produce; provided, however, that the operation of any such accessory uses shall be secondary to that of the normal agricultural activities. The operation of commercial feed pens, sales yards, slaughterhouses and auction yards for cattle or hogs shall be deemed an industrial and not an agricultural use.
AIR RIGHTS: The rights to a space above a property, for development, usually for a dissimilar use.
AIR SPACE: The space above the land which might be subject to division and sale either with, or separate from, the surface.
ALLEY: A minor right of way, dedicated to public use, from which a secondary means of access to the back or side of properties abutting a street may be obtained (not intended for general traffic circulation), and which may be used for public utility purposes.
BASEMENT: A story partly or wholly underground. For purposes of height measurement, a basement shall be counted as a story when more than one-half (1/2) of its height is above the average level of the adjoining ground, or when subdivided and used for commercial or dwelling purposes by other than a janitor employed on the premises.
BLOCK: A parcel of land, intended to be used for development purposes, which is entirely surrounded by public streets, highways, railroad rights of way, public walks, parks, rural lands, drainage channels or boundary lines of municipalities, and not traversed by a through street.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: A local quasi-judicial body, created by ordinance, whose responsibility is to hear appeals concerning the strict interpretation of the adopted zoning ordinance, and to consider requests for variances under the terms of the adopted zoning ordinance.
BOARDING OR ROOMING HOUSE: A building other than a hotel where, for compensation and by prearrangement for definite periods, meals, or lodging and meals, are provided for three (3) or more, but not exceeding six (6), persons.
BUFFER ZONE: A strip of land established to protect one type of land use from another with which it is incompatible. A "buffer zone" is comprised of a buffer use which may, in addition to the normal range of open space and landscaping uses, take the form of "transitional" uses, structures or yards.
BUILDABLE AREA: The space remaining on a zoned lot, after the minimum open space requirements (coverage, yards and setbacks) have been met.
BUILDING: Any structure built for the support, shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, chattel or movable property of any kind, including any other structure. When separated by dividing walls without openings, each portion of such structure so separated shall be deemed a separate building.
BUILDING COVERAGE: The percentage of the lot area covered by the building. The building coverage shall include all overhanging roofs.
BUILDING HEIGHT: The vertical distance from the average line of the highest and lowest points of that portion of the lot covered by the building to the highest point of coping of a flat roof, the deck line of a mansard roof or to the average height of the highest gable of a pitch or hip roof.
BUILDING LINE: A line frequently drawn on a subdivision plat to indicate the setback distance from the lot line. (Note: This line does not necessarily coincide with the actual construction line of a building or structure; this is only a minimum requirement.)
BUILDING PERMIT: Permit required before construction can be initiated. Building permit provisions are contained in title 9, chapter 2 of this code.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL OR MAIN: A building in which is conducted the principal use of the lot on which it is situated. In any residential district, any dwelling shall be deemed to be a main building on the lot on which it is situated.
BUILDING SITE: A single parcel of land in one ownership, occupied or intended to be occupied by a building or structure.
CARPORT: A permanently roofed structure, open on at least two (2) sides, designed for, or occupied by, private passenger vehicles.
CHILDCARE OR DAYCARE CENTER: Any place, home or institution which receives three (3) or more children under the age of sixteen (16) years, and not of common parentage, for care apart from their natural parents, legal guardians or custodians, when received for regular periods of time for compensation; provided, however, this definition shall not include public and private schools organized, operated or approved under the laws of this state, custody of children fixed by a court of competent jurisdiction, children related by blood or marriage within the third degree to the custodial person, or to churches or other religious or public institutions caring for children while their parents or legal guardians are attending services or meetings or classes or engaged in church activities.
CITY: The city of Elgin, Comanche County, Oklahoma.
CITY COUNCIL: The official governing body of the city.
CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT: A development pattern in which the uses are "clustered", rather than spread evenly throughout a parcel as in conventional lot by lot development. (Cluster development is used to preserve open space, create workable land use mixtures, and save money by building fewer streets and shorter utility lines.)
COMPATIBILITY: The characteristics of different uses or activities that permit them to be located near each other in harmony and without conflict.
COMPREHENSIVE OR MASTER PLAN: The officially adopted comprehensive plan or plans for the city, which provide long range development policies, plans and program for the city and its developing areas, and which may include, among other things, land use and housing elements, traffic circulation elements, and community utilities and facilities elements.
CONDOMINIUM: A form of individual ownership within a multi-family building, with joint responsibility for maintenance and repairs. In a condominium, each apartment is owned outright by its occupant(s), and each occupant owns a share of the land and other main property of the building.
COOPERATIVE HOUSING: A multi-unit development operated by and for its occupants. Individual occupants do not own their specific housing units outright, but instead own shares in the enterprise.
DEDICATION: The transfer of property from private to public ownership, under adopted subdivision regulations, as a condition of subdivision plat approval.
DENSITY: The number of families, persons or housing units per acre of land.
DRIVE-IN RESTAURANT: Any establishment where food and/or beverages are sold to the consumer, where motor vehicle parking space is provided, and where food and/or beverages are intended to be consumed in the motor vehicle parked upon the premises or where there is an option of consuming food in the motor vehicle or within the restaurant building.
DWELLING: Any building, or portion thereof, which is used or designed for residential purposes.
DWELLING, ATTACHED: A dwelling having any portion of each of one or more walls in common with adjoining dwellings.
DWELLING, DETACHED: A dwelling having open space on all sides.
DWELLING, MULTI-FAMILY: A dwelling designed for occupancy by two (2) or more families living independently of each other, exclusive of auto or trailer courts or camps, hotels or motels.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY: A building designed to be occupied by one family.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY: A building designed to be occupied by not more than two (2) families (also know as a "duplex").
EASEMENT: A grant by the property owner to the public, a corporation or persons, of the use of a strip of land for specific purposes.
FAMILY: One or more persons related by blood or marriage, or a group of not to exceed five (5) persons (excluding servants) not all related by blood or marriage, occupying premises and living as a single nonprofit housekeeping unit as distinguished from a group occupying a boarding or lodging house, hotel, club or similar dwelling for group use.
FLOATING ZONE: A zoning district whose requirements are fully described in the text of the zoning ordinance, but which is unmapped. The zoning district may be mapped in response to an applicant's petition for a rezoning or initial use of such zones. (Floating zones most commonly refer to varying types of "planned development".)
FRONTAGE: That side of a lot abutting on a street or way and ordinarily regarded as the front of the lot, but not the ordinary side of a corner lot.
GARAGE, PRIVATE: A detached accessory building or portion of a main building used for the parking or temporary storage of the automobiles of the occupants of the premises; provided, that not to exceed two (2) spaces may be rented to persons not residing on the premises.
HOME BUSINESS OR OCCUPATION: Any occupation carried on only by the inhabitants, which is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling purposes and does not change the character thereof, and which is conducted entirely within the main or accessory buildings; provided, that in connection with which, there is no sign or display other than one nonilluminated nameplate not more than three (3) square feet in area attached to the building, and that no mechanical equipment is used or activity is conducted which created any noise, dust, odor or electrical disturbance beyond the confines of the lot on which said occupation is conducted.
HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION: An incorporated, nonprofit organization operating under recorded land agreements, through which: a) each lot and/or homeowner in a described land area is a member; b) each lot is subject to a charge for a proportionate share of the expenses for the organization's activities; and c) the charge, if unpaid, becomes a lien against the property.
HOTEL OR MOTEL: A building or group of buildings under one ownership containing six (6) or more sleeping rooms occupied, intended or designed to be occupied as the more or less temporary abiding place of persons who are lodged with or without meals for compensation, but not including an auto or trailer court or camp, sanatorium, hospital, asylum, orphanage or building where persons are housed under restraint.
INSTITUTIONAL BUILDING OR USE: A building occupied by a nonprofit organization or a nonprofit establishment for the use of the public.
INTENSITY: The degree to which land is used (often used synonymously with "density").
JURISDICTION: The jurisdiction of the Elgin municipal planning commission, for purposes of zoning, which shall include all lands within the corporate limits of the city.
KENNEL: Any structure or place where four (4) or more dogs over four (4) months of age are kept, bred or trained, at any single time, or any facility designed or built to accommodate the temporary (less than 30 days) boarding of more than three (3) dogs over four (4) months of age.
LOADING SPACE, OFF STREET: Space logically and conveniently located for bulk pick ups and deliveries, scaled to delivery vehicles expected to be used, and accessible to such vehicles when required off street parking spaces are filled. Required off street loading space is not to be included as off street parking space in the computation of required off street parking space.
LOT: A parcel of land, intended as a unit for the transfer of ownership or for development, of a least sufficient size to meet minimum zoning ordinance requirements for use, coverage and area, and to provide such yards and other open spaces as are required. Such lot shall have frontage on a public street and may consist of:
A. A single lot of record;
B. A portion of a lot of record;
C. A combination of complete lots of record, or of complete lots of record and portions of lots of record; or
D. A parcel of land described by metes and bounds; provided, that in no case of division or combination shall any lot or parcel be created which does not meet the requirements of this title or the adopted subdivision regulations.
LOT AREA: The total horizontal area included within lot lines.
LOT, CORNER: A lot located at the intersection of, and abutting on, two (2) or more streets.
LOT DEPTH: The average distance from the street line of the lot to its rear line, measured in the general direction of the side lines of the lot.
LOT, DOUBLE FRONTAGE: A lot which runs through a block from street to street and has nonintersecting frontage on two (2) or more streets.
LOT FRONTAGE: That dimension of a lot or portion of a lot abutting on a street, except the side dimension of a corner lot.
LOT, INTERIOR: A lot other than a corner lot.
LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT: A relocation of the lot lines of two (2) or more lots included in a plat which is filed of record, for the purpose of making necessary adjustments to building sites.
LOT LINES: The lines bounding a "lot", as defined herein.
LOT, MOBILE HOME: A parcel or tract of land for the placement of a single mobile home and for the inclusive use of its occupants.
LOT OF RECORD: A separate and distinct parcel of land, designated on a legally recorded subdivision plat or a legally recorded deed filed in the records of the Comanche County Courthouse.
LOT, REVERSE FRONTAGE: A double frontage lot which is designed to be developed with the rear yard abutting a major street and with the primary means of access provided on a minor street.
LOT SPLIT: Any division of land by metes and bounds description into two (2) or more parcels for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of transfer of ownership, and which constitutes a "subdivision", as defined by the adopted subdivision regulations.
LOT, TOWNHOUSE: A lot shown on a townhouse plat and intended as the site of a single, attached dwelling unit.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: The following shall be considered "medical facilities":
Convalescent, Rest Or Nursing Home: A health facility where persons are housed and furnished with meals and continuing nursing care for hire.
Dental Or Medical Offices Or Clinics: A facility for the examination and treatment of ill and afflicted human outpatients; provided, however, that patients are not kept overnight except under emergency conditions.
Hospital: An institution providing health services primarily for human inpatient medical or surgical care for the sick or injured and including related facilities such as laboratories, outpatient departments, training facilities, central service facilities and staff offices which are an integral part of the facilities.
Public Health Center: A facility primarily utilized by a health unit for the provision of public health services including related facilities such as laboratories, clinics and administrative offices operated in connection therewith and including the Oklahoma state health department.
Sanatorium: An institution providing health facilities for inpatient medical treatment or treatment and recuperation using natural therapeutic agents.
METES AND BOUNDS: A system of describing and identifying land, by measures (metes) and direction (bounds), from an identifiable point of reference.
MOBILE HOME: Any single-family dwelling designed for transportation on streets and highways on its own wheels or on flatbed or other trailers (both highway and rail), and arriving at the site where it is to be occupied as a dwelling, complete and ready for occupancy, except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations, location on jacks or permanent foundations, connection to utilities and similar operations.
MOBILE HOME PARK: Unsubdivided land or property which is used, or intended to be used, or rented for occupancy by two (2) or more mobile homes, trailers or movable sleeping quarters of any kind.
MOBILE HOME SPACE: A plot of ground within a mobile home park designed for the accommodation of one mobile home.
MOBILE HOME STAND: The part of an individual lot or space which has been reserved for the placement of, or which will be covered by, the mobile home.
MOBILE HOME SUBDIVISION: A unified development of mobile home lots which has been subdivided for the purpose of individual ownership, and which is governed by the provisions of this title, the adopted subdivision regulations, and this Code.
MODULAR HOME: A factory fabricated, transportable building unit, not built on a permanent chassis, designed to be used by itself or to be incorporated with similar units on a permanent foundation. The term is intended to apply to major assemblies and does not include prefabricated subelements incorporated into a structure at the site. A modular unit will be considered as a permanent, detached, single-family dwelling unit, and therefore, different from a "mobile home", if it meets all of the following requirements:
A. The manufacturer of the unit must certify that the structure is designed only for erection or installation on a site built permanent foundation. A "site built permanent foundation" is a system of supports, including piers, either partially or entirely below grade, which is:
1. Capable of transferring all loads imposed upon the structure into soil or bedrock without failure;
2. Placed at an adequate depth below grade to prevent frost damage; and
3. Constructed of concrete, steel, treated lumber or grouted masonry.
B. The manufacturer must certify that the structure is not designed to be moved once erected or installed on a site built permanent foundation.
C. The manufacturer must certify that the structure is designed and manufactured to comply with the Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings.
D. The manufacturer must certify that, to the manufacturer's knowledge, this structure is not intended to be used other than on a site built permanent foundation.
NONCONFORMING BUILDING, LOT, STRUCTURE OR USE OF LAND:
Nonconforming Building, Lot Or Structure: Any building, lot or structure lawfully occupied or used at the time this title becomes effective, which does not conform in part or wholly to any or all of the use, area, height, coverage, off street parking or any other regulations of the district in which it is located.
Nonconforming Use Of Land: Any lawful use of land, existing at the time this title becomes effective, which does not conform to the regulations of the district in which it is located.
NONRESIDENTIAL MANUFACTURED HOUSING: A dwelling unit fabricated on or after June 15, 1976, in an off-site manufacturing facility for installation or assembly at the building site, bearing a seal certifying that it is built in compliance with the Federal Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Code. Nonresidential manufactured housing is defined as meeting all of the requirements listed below, and is to be considered separate from mobile or modular housing:
A. Have more than one thousand (1,000) square feet of occupied space in a typically double section or larger multi-section unit, with a minimum width of twenty feet (20');
B. Be placed onto a permanent foundation, and be anchored to the ground, in accordance with the City's Foundation Code or other adopted foundation requirements, and the manufacturer's specifications;
C. Utilize a permanent perimeter enclosure, in accordance with City approved installation standards;
D. Have wheels, axles and hitch mechanisms removed;
E. Have all utilities connected, in accordance with the appropriate Municipal codes and the manufacturer's specifications;
F. Have siding material of a type customarily used on site built buildings in the community and neighborhood;
G. Have roofing material of a type customarily used on site built buildings in the community and residences;
H. Have legitimate front and rear doors;
I. Have a minimum eave width of six inches (6"); and
J. Used solely as a business or commercial office for a lawful business purpose, and not as a dwelling or for any other residential purpose.
OFFICIAL ZONING DISTRICTS MAP: The official map on which the current zoning status of all land within the corporate limits of the City is depicted, and which, along with the zoning text, comprises the zoning ordinance of the City.
PARCEL: A lot or contiguous group of lots, in single ownership or under single control, and usually considered as a unit for purposes of development.
PARKING SPACE: A permanently surfaced area, enclosed or unenclosed, sufficient in size to store one automobile, together with a permanently surfaced driveway connecting the parking space with a street or alley, and permitting ingress or egress of an automobile. For purposes of regulation, the size of a parking space for one vehicle shall consist of a rectangular area, having dimensions of not less than nine feet by twenty feet (9' x 20'), plus adequate area for ingress or egress.
PERCOLATION TEST: An indicator of the suitability of an area for subsoil effluent disposal, obtained by testing for the rate at which the undisturbed soil will absorb water per unit of surface area.
PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT: A form of development usually characterized by a unified site design for a number of housing units, and incorporating such techniques as clustering structures, providing common open space, density increases and a mix of building types and land uses. This permits the planning of a project and the calculation of densities over the entire development, rather than on an individual lot by lot basis.
PLANNING COMMISSION: The municipal planning commission of the city.
PLAT: A map, generally of a subdivision, showing the location, boundaries and ownership of designated properties. Procedures and standards for plat preparation are detailed in Elgin's adopted subdivision regulations.
PRIVATE OR RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS: A private legal restriction on the use of land, contained in the deed to the property, or otherwise formally recorded.
REZONING: A change in the zoning district designation of a particular parcel or parcels, as shown on the official zoning districts map, either by petition of a private individual or by administrative action of the municipal planning commission.
RIGHT OF WAY: A strip of land, occupied or intended to be occupied, by a street, crosswalk, railroad, roadway, electric transmission line, oil or gas pipeline, water main, sanitary or storm sewer main, shade trees or another special use.
ROADWAY: That portion of any street designated for vehicular traffic. Where curbs are in place, that portion of the street between the curbs.
SETBACK: The distance between the lot line and principal or accessory structures.
SETBACK, ACCESSORY STRUCTURE, REAR YARD: The minimum horizontal distance between the rear lot line (alley easement line, if one exists), and the rear of the accessory structure, including projections. On corner lots, the rear yard shall be considered as parallel to the street upon which the lot has its least dimension. On both corner lots and interior lots, the rear yard shall in all cases be at the opposite end of the lot from the front yard. (See also definitions of Yard, Rear and Setback, Principal Structure Rear Yard.)
SETBACK, FRONT YARD: The minimum horizontal distance between the street easement line (front lot line) and the principal structure (including a garage or any projection thereof other than steps) or accessory structures (including any projection thereof), required to create a yard extending between the side lot lines. (Note: The platted "building line" need not coincide with the minimum setback line in all cases; see the definition of Building Line. See also definition of Yard, Front.)
SETBACK, PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE REAR YARD: The minimum horizontal distance between the rear lot line (alley easement line, if one exists), and the rear of the main building (or any projections other than eaves, steps, unenclosed balconies or unenclosed porches) required to create a yard extending across the rear of the lot and measured between side lot lines. Accessory structures may occupy a portion of the principal structure rear yard setback so long as they comply with rear and side setbacks specified for accessory structures. On corner lots, the rear yard shall be considered as parallel to the street upon which the lot has its least dimension. On both corner lots and interior lots, the rear yard shall in all cases be at the opposite end of the lot from the front yard. (See also definition of Yard, Rear.)
SETBACK, SIDE YARD: The minimum horizontal distance between a side lot line and the side of the main building (and any projections thereof other than steps and 2 foot eaves) or accessory structures (including any projections thereof) required to create a side yard extending from the front lot line to the rear lot line. (See also definition of Yard, Side.)
SOLAR RIGHT: A right to an unobstructed line of sight path from a solar collector to the sun, which permits radiation from the sun to impinge directly on the solar collector.
SPOT ZONING: Zoning a relatively small area differently from the zoning of the surrounding area. "Spot zoning" can be appropriate or inappropriate, based upon whether or not the nature of the change is appropriate or arbitrary and inappropriate.
START OF CONSTRUCTION: The first placement of permanent construction on a site, such as the pouring of footings or any work beyond the stage of excavation. For a structure without a basement or poured footings, the "start of construction" includes the first permanent framing or assembly of the structure or any part thereof on its pilings or foundation, or the affixing of any prefabricated structure or mobile home on its permanent site. Permanent construction does not include land preparation, land clearing, grading or filling, excavation for basement, footings, piers or foundations, erection of temporary forms, the installation of piling under proposed subsurface footing, installation of sewer, gas or water pipes or electric or other service lines from the street, or existence on the property of accessory buildings (such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not a part of the main structure).
STORY: That portion of a building, other than a basement, included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above it, or if there is no floor above it, then the space between the floor and the ceiling next above it.
STORY, HALF: A space under a sloping roof which has the line of intersection of roof decking and wall face not more than three feet (3') above the top floor level and in which space not more than two-thirds (2/3) of the floor area is finished off for use. A half story containing independent apartment or living quarters shall be counted as a full story.
STREET CLASSIFICATION: For the purpose of providing for the development of all trafficways and rights of way in the city, and for their future improvement, reconstruction, realignment and necessary widening, each existing trafficway and right of way has been designated within the Elgin comprehensive plan and classified therein.
STREET, HALF: Any street platted twenty five feet (25') or more in width, where, at the time of the approval of the plat, it is the intent of the city council that said street dedication shall constitute only a part of the total street easement width.
STREET, MAJOR: An arterial street which is so designated in Elgin's major streets plan, and is designed to carry intercity traffic and to relate various neighborhoods or residential areas.
STREET, MINOR: Any street other than one designated as a major street in Elgin's major streets plan, but not including alleys.
STRUCTURE: A building which is used for residential, business, agricultural, religious or other purposes, which is occupied by a private, nonprofit organization, or which is owned by state or local government or an agency thereof. The term includes a building while in the course of construction, alteration or repair, but does not include building materials or supplies intended for use in such construction, alteration or repair, unless such materials or supplies are within an enclosed building on the premises.
SUBDIVISION: The division or redivision of land (vacant or improved) or air space, into two (2) or more lots, tracts, parcels, sites, areas, units or plots, any one of which, when divided, has an area of less than ten (10) acres, for the purpose of transfer of ownership or for development, or the dedication, vacation or realignment of any public or private right of way easement.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT: Any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the actual cash value of the structure either before the improvement is started, or if the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred. Substantial improvement is started when the first alteration of any structural part of the building commences.
TOURIST TRAILER CAMP: Any tract of land upon which two (2) or more tourist or travel trailers, occupied for dwelling or sleeping purposes, are located, regardless of whether or not a charge is made for such accommodations.
TOWNHOUSE: One of a series of two (2) or more attached dwelling units, separated from one another by continuous, vertical walls without openings, from basement floor to the roof deck, and tight against the same or through the roof, and which are intended to have ownership transferred in conjunction with a platted lot.
TRAILER (OR MOTOR HOME): All vehicles and portable structures built on a chassis, designed as a temporary or permanent dwelling for travel, recreational and vacation use.
USE PERMITTED ON REVIEW: A use deemed appropriate in a zoning district, but only upon review of the proposed use by the planning commission to determine whether or not specified conditions, as detailed in the zoning ordinance, are met.
VARIANCE: A device obtained from the board of adjustment, which grants a property owner relief from certain provisions of the zoning ordinance when, because of the particular physical surroundings, shape or topographic condition of the property, compliance would result in a particular hardship upon the owner, as distinguished from an inconvenience or a desire to make more money.
VESTED RIGHT: A right which has become absolute and fixed, and cannot be denied by subsequent changes in conditions or regulations. For example, there is no vested right to have a zoning district classification remain the same forever, but once construction has legally been allowed and initiated on a structure, there is a right to maintain that particular use regardless of the zoning district classification given the property.
YARD: A space at grade between the principal building and adjoining lot lines. In measuring a yard for the purpose of determining the width of the side yard, the depth of the front yard or the depth of the rear yard, the least horizontal distance between the lot line and the main building shall be used.
YARD, FRONT: A space at grade extending across the front of the lot between the side lot lines and being the minimum horizontal distance between the street line and the main building or any projection thereof other than steps. When the dedicated street right-of-way is less than fifty feet (50'), the depth of the required front yard shall be measured from a starting point twenty five feet (25') from the centerline of the street right-of-way.
YARD, REAR: A space at grade extending across the rear of a lot measured between the rear lot line and the rear of the main building and any projections thereof other than eaves, steps, unenclosed balconies or unenclosed porches. Accessory structures may be located in the rear yard so long as they meet rear and side yard setbacks specified for the applicable district. On corner lots, the rear yard shall be considered as parallel to the street upon which the lot has its least dimension. On both corner and interior lots, the rear yard shall in all cases be at the opposite end of the lot from the front yard.
YARD, SIDE: A space at grade between the main structure and the side line of the lot and extending from the front lot line to the rear lot line and being the minimum horizontal distance between a side lot line and the side of the main building or any projections other than steps and two foot (2') eaves.
ZERO LOT LINE: A development approach in which a building may be sited on one or more lot lines (conceivably 3 of the 4 sides of the building could be on the lot lines), in order to allow more flexibility in site design and to increase the amount of usable open space on the lot.
ZONING ORDINANCE: The officially adopted zoning ordinance of the City. (Ord. 13-09, 7-9-2013; amd. Ord. 17-06, 9-12-2017)