Unless otherwise specifically provided, or unless otherwise clearly required by the context, the words and phrases defined in G.S. Ch. 160D shall have the meanings herein set forth when used in this chapter. If a word or phrase used in this chapter is not defined by this section or elsewhere in this chapter, to the extent such word or phrase is defined in G.S. Ch. 160D, that definition shall control.
ABANDON. To cease from actively using land, or any premises for its intended use for a time period greater than specified.
ACCESS. A way of approaching or entering a property. Access also includes ingress, the right to enter, and egress, the right to leave.
ADDITION. (to an existing building) An extension or increase in the floor area or height of a building or structure.
ADULT/SEXUALLY-ORIENTED BUSINESS. Any business activity, club or other establishment, within which the exhibition, showing, rental, or sale of materials distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on material depicting, describing, or exhibiting specified anatomical areas or relating to specified sexual activities is permitted. These businesses shall include, but not limited to, adult arcades, adult bookstores, adult motion picture theaters, adult theaters, and massage parlors, as defined by the Adult Business Regulations.
ALLEY. A public or private right-of-way primarily designed to serve as secondary access to the side or rear of those properties whose principal frontage is on a street and is not intended for general traffic.
ALTER. To make any structural changes in the supporting or load-bearing members of a building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams, girders, or floor joists.
ALTERATIONS. Any addition to the height or depth of a building; any change in the location of any of the exterior walls of a building; or any increase in the interior accommodations of a building.
ANIMAL SHELTER. A facility which is used to house or contain animals and which is owned, operated, or maintained by a duly incorporated humane society, animal welfare society, or other nonprofit or government organization devoted to the welfare, protection and humane treatment of animals.
APPEAL. A request for a review of the Zoning Administrator's or Planning Board's interpretation of any provision of this chapter.
APPLICANT. The party applying for permits.
APPLICATION. The completed form or forms and all accompanying documents and fees required of an applicant.
BED AND BREAKFAST INNS. A business in a private home of not more than eight guest rooms that offers bed and breakfast accommodations for a period of less than one week and that meets all the following: Does not serve food or drink to the general public for pay; serves the breakfast meal, the lunch meal, the dinner meal, or a combination of all or some of these meals, only to overnight guests of the home; includes the price of any meals served in the room rate; and is the permanent residence of the owner or the manager of the business.
BILLBOARD. A sign, whether freestanding or painted on or attached to a building, which directs attention to a business, product, accommodation, service, event, or other activity which is conducted, sold, offered, or provided at a location other than the premises where the sign is located. Such signs are also known as outdoor advertising signs or off-premises signs. On-premises business identification signs, temporary political signs, directional signs 20 square feet or less in size, official signs, or highway and historic markers shall not be considered billboards.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT. A quasi-judicial body, established pursuant to G.S. § 160D-302, appointed by the Board of Commissioners, that is given certain powers under this chapter, including hearing appeals from decisions of the Zoning Administrator and considering requests for variances from the terms of the Zoning Code.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. The Board of County Commissioners or County Board of Commissioners is the governing body of the County of Greene, North Carolina.
BOARDING/ROOM HOUSE. A building other than a hotel, inn, or motel, where, for compensation, meals are served and lodging is provided.
BONA FIDE FARM. The use of property as set forth in G.S. § 160D-903.
BUILDING. Any structure having a roof supported by columns or by walls, and intended for shelter, housing or enclosure of persons, animals, or property.
BUILDING, ACCESSORY. See ACCESSORY STRUCTURE.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL. A building in which is conducted the principal use of the plot on which it is situated.
BUILDING FOOTPRINT. The portion of a lot's area that is enclosed by the foundation of buildings, plus any cantilevered upper floor.
BUILDING HEIGHT. The vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the finished grade at the front of the building to the highest point of the building. Spires, cupolas, chimneys, antennae attached to a building, and/or projections from buildings, radios, TV, communications, telecommunication, and water towers are not to be included in the calculations of building height.
BUILDING LOT COVERAGE. The amount of net lot area or land surface area, expressed in terms of a percentage that is covered by all principal buildings.
BUILDING SETBACKS. The minimum distance from all property lines and/or right-of-way lines and/or easement lines to the closest projection of the exterior face of buildings, walls, or other form of construction (i.e. decks, landings, terraces, porches, and patios on grade).
BUILDING SETBACK LINE. A line parallel to the front, side, or rear property line in front of which no structure shall be erected.
CHANGE OF USE. Any alteration in the primary use of a lot.
CLUB OR LODGE (PRIVATE, NONPROFIT, CIVIC OR FRATERNAL). A nonprofit association of persons, who are bona fide members paying dues, which owns, hires, or leases a building, or portion thereof, the use of such premises being restricted to members and their guests. The affairs and management of such "private club or lodge" are conducted by a Board of Directors, executive committee, or similar body chosen by the members. It shall be permissible to serve food and meals on such premises, providing adequate dining room space and kitchen facilities are available. The sale of alcoholic beverages to members and their guests shall be allowed, provided it is secondary and incidental to the promotion of some other common objective of the organization, and further provided that such sale of alcoholic beverages is in compliance with the applicable federal, state, and local laws.
DAY CARE CENTER, CHILD. An arrangement where, at any one time, there are three or more preschool-age children (ages 3-5) or nine or more school-age children (ages 5-18) receiving child care regardless of the time of day, wherever operated, and whether or not operated for profit.
DEVELOPER. A person, including a governmental agency or redevelopment authority, who undertakes any development and who is the landowner of the property to be developed or who has been authorized by the landowner to undertake development on that property.
DEVELOPMENT. Any of the following:
(1) The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure.
(2) The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land.
(3) The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. § 160D-802.
(4) The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land.
DISTRICT, OVERLAY. An area established by this chapter where the individual properties are designed to serve compatible functions and to be developed at compatible scales. Where lands are classified as an overlay district in addition to a base zoning district, the regulations governing development in the overlay district shall apply in addition to the regulations governing in the underlying base zoning district.
DISTRICT, ZONING. An area established by this chapter where the individual properties are designed to serve compatible functions and to be developed at compatible scales.
DRIVEWAY. A private roadway located on a parcel or lot used for vehicle access.
DWELLING. Any building, structure, manufactured home, or mobile home, or part thereof, used and occupied for human habitation or intended to be so used, and includes any outhouses and appurtenances belonging thereto or usually enjoyed therewith.
DWELLING, ATTACHED. A dwelling that is joined to another dwelling at one or more sides by a party wall or walls.
DWELLING, CARETAKER. An accessory dwelling used as a residence by an on-site caretaker to provide security for a business or industrial principal use.
DWELLING, CONDOMINIUM. Residential and commercial development where portions of buildings are separately owned and where land and other improvements are held in undivided interest.
DWELLING, DETACHED. A dwelling that is entirely surrounded by open space on the same lot.
DWELLING, DUPLEX. A building containing two dwelling units, other than where a second dwelling unit is permitted as an accessory use.
DWELLING, MULTI-FAMILY. A building containing three or more dwelling units, except where permitted as an accessory use.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY. A building containing one dwelling unit only, but may include one separate unit as an accessory use to be occupied only by employees or relatives of the household.
DWELLING UNIT. One or more rooms which are arranged, designed, or used as living quarters for one family only. Individual bathrooms and complete kitchen facilities, permanently installed, shall always be included for each "dwelling unit".
DWELLING UNIT, ACCESSORY. A dwelling, either detached or attached, located on the same lot as the principal single-family dwelling unit, and is secondary and incidental to the use of the property as single-family residential.
EASEMENT. A grant by the property owner for use by the public or others of a strip of land for specified purposes.
ERECT. The acts of building, constructing, altering, reconstructing, moving a structure upon, or any physical operations on the premises which are required for construction.
FAMILY. Any number of persons related by blood, adoption or marriage, or not to exceed four persons not so related, occupying a single dwelling unit as a single housekeeping entity.
FAMILY CARE HOME. A home with support and supervisory personnel that provides room and board, personal care, and habilitation services in a family environment for not more than six resident persons with disabilities. For purposes of this definition, "persons with disabilities" means persons with a temporary or permanent physical, emotional, or mental disability, including, but not limited to, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, hearing and sight impairments, emotional disturbances, and orthopedic impairments but not including mentally ill persons who are dangerous to others as defined in G.S. § 122C-3(11)b.
FENCE. An enclosure or barrier, such as wooden posts, wire, iron, or other materials, used as a boundary, means of protection, privacy screening or confinement, but not including hedges, shrubs, trees, or other natural growth.
FLOOD STATEMENT. A statement on site plans that indicates the floodway or floodplain designation that any or all of the property falls within.
FRONTAGE. All of the real property abutting a street line measured along the street right-of-way.
GREENE COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. A comprehensive plan that sets forth goals, policies, and programs intended to guide the present and future physical, social, and economic development of the county. This Plan is intended to guide coordinated, efficient, and orderly development within the planning and development regulation jurisdiction of the county based on an analysis of present and future needs. Such planning analysis may address inventories of existing conditions and assess future trends regarding demographics and economic, environmental, and cultural factors. This Plan addresses many of the factors set forth in G.S. § 160D-501(b), and future updates to such Plan may address any or all of the factors therein described. Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan shall follow the process mandated for the adoption of zoning text amendments set forth in § 154.040. All zoning regulations shall be made in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan.
GROUP CARE FACILITY. A facility, other than a family care home, that is licensed by the State of North Carolina, that has support and supervisory personnel that provides room and board, personal care, or habilitation services in a family environment to persons with disabilities, unwed mothers and battered spouses with their children.
HOME OCCUPATION. Home occupations are comprised of uses that are deemed less intensive due to the specific use as well as the size of that use. The operator of the home occupation must reside on the same lot as the operation. A home occupation may be conducted as only an accessory use to a principal site built single-family dwelling. The home occupation must be clearly incidental, subordinate and secondary to the residential use of the dwelling and shall not change the residential character of the dwelling or character of surrounding properties. Standard home occupations shall be limited to a maximum of 25% of the gross floor area of the principal structure, the entirety of an accessory structure or a combination thereof. Such accessory structures shall be less than or equal to the gross floor area of the principal structure. Only one person not a resident of the dwelling may be employed in connection with the home occupation.
HOTEL. A building or other structure kept, maintained, advertised as, or held out to the public to be a place where sleeping accommodations are supplied for pay to transient or permanent guests or tenants. Rooms are furnished for the accommodation of such guests, and the hotel may or may not have one or more dining rooms, restaurants, or cafes where meals are served. Such sleeping accommodations and dining rooms, restaurants, or cafes, if existing, are located in the same building. Entry to sleeping rooms shall be from the interior of the building.
INCOMPATIBLE USE. A use or service that is unsuitable for direct association and/or contiguity with certain other uses because it is contradictory, incongruous, or discordant.
INTENSIVE HOME BUSINESS. Home occupations that are of a more intensive nature due to the types of uses operated from single-family dwelling units. The operator of the intensive home business must reside on the same lot as the operation. Intensive home businesses shall be limited to a maximum of 50% of the gross floor area of the principal structure, the entirety of an accessory structure or a combination thereof. Such accessory structures shall be less than or equal to the gross floor area of the principal structure. More than one individual, not a resident of the dwelling may be employed.
INTERNET CAFE. Any business enterprise, whether as a principal or an accessory use, where persons utilize electronic machines, including but not limited to computers and gaming terminals, to conduct games of chance, including sweepstakes, and where cash, merchandise or other items of value are redeemed or otherwise distributed, whether or not the value of such distribution is determined by electronic games played or by predetermined sweepstakes, electronic gaming operations or cyber cafes, who have a finite pool of winners. This does not include any lottery approved by the state.
LANDFILL. A facility for the disposal of solid waste on land in a sanitary manner in accordance with G.S. § 130A-9. For the purpose of this section this term does not include composting facilities.
LANDFILL, CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION, LAND CLEARING AND INERT DEBRIS. A sanitary landfill facility for stumps, limbs, leaves, concrete, brick, wood, uncontaminated earth and other solid wastes resulting from construction, demolition or land clearing.
LANDFILL, SANITARY. A facility where waste material and refuse is placed in the ground in layers and covered with earth or some other suitable material each work day. Sanitary landfills shall also conform to requirements of 15A NCAC 13B regarding solid waste management.
LOT. A portion of a subdivision or any other parcel of land intended as a unit for transfer of ownership or for development, or both. The word LOT includes the word PARCEL or PLOT.
LOT, CORNER. A lot which occupies the interior angle at the intersection of two street lines. The street line forming the least frontage shall be deemed the front of the lot except where the two street lines are equal, in which case, the owner shall be required to specify which is the front when requesting a building permit.
LOT, DEPTH. The depth of a lot is the average distance between the front and back lot lines measured at right angles to its frontage and from corner to corner.
LOT, FLAG. A lot that in its shape resembles a flag on a pole, where the "flag" part is the main body of the lot and the "pole" part is the narrow portion of the lot that provides access from the road/street to the main body of the lot.
LOT, WIDTH. The straight line distance between the points where the building setback line intersects the two side lot lines.
LOT LINE, FRONT. The boundary line of a lot running along a road right-of-way. If a lot has two property lines which are also road right-of-way lines abutting different roads, then the shorter of those two lines shall constitute the front lot line; if both lines are equal, the front lot line shall be determined by the property owner if the front property line has not been designated on a final plat (minimum building lines are construed to designate the front lot line).
LOT LINES. The lines bounding a lot. Where a lot of record includes a right-of-way, the lot lines are presumed not to extend into the right-of-way.
LOT OF RECORD. A lot which is a part of a subdivision, a plat of which has been recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Greene County prior to the adoption of this chapter; or, a lot described by metes and bounds, the description of which has been so recorded prior to the adoption of this chapter.
MAJOR THOROUGHFARE. A street designated as an interstate, U.S. route, or NC route.
MANUFACTURED HOME.
(1) A structure as defined in G.S. § 143-145(7) as which is transportable in one or more sections, which in the traveling mode is eight body feet or more in width, or 40 body feet or more in length, or, when erected on site, is 320 or more square feet; and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling, with or without permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities, including the plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electrical systems contained therein. MANUFACTURED HOME includes any structure that meets all of the requirements of this section except the size requirements and with respect to which the manufacturer voluntarily files a certification required by the Secretary of HUD and complies with the standards established under the Act.
(2) For manufactured homes built before June 15, 1976, MANUFACTURED HOME means a portable manufactured housing unit designed for transportation on its own chassis and placement on a temporary or semipermanent foundation having a measurement of over 32 feet in length and over eight feet in width. MANUFACTURED HOME also means a double-wide manufactured home, which is two or more portable manufactured housing units designed for transportation on their own chassis that connect on site for placement on a temporary or semipermanent foundation having a measurement of over 32 feet in length and over eight feet in width.
(3) The placement of such a structure on a permanent foundation, or the addition of conventionally constructed sections, in no way changes its status as a manufactured home.
MANUFACTURED HOME PARK. The placing, erection or installation of more than one manufactured home on a parcel, plot or lot of land for the purpose of rental of a manufactured home or the rental of a portion of the parcel, plot or lot for a manufactured home shall constitute a manufactured home park for purposes of this chapter.
MANUFACTURED OFFICE. A structure identical to a manufactured home except that it has been converted to, or originally designed and constructed for, commercial or office use.
MIGRANT LABOR HOUSING. An agricultural use where single and multi-family dwellings or manufactured homes are used as temporary living quarters for migrant farm laborers.
MINING, QUARRYING, AND EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES.
(1) The breaking of the surface soil in order to facilitate or accomplish the extraction or removal of minerals, ores or other solid matter.
(2) Any activity or process constituting all or part of a process for the extraction or removal of minerals, ores, soils, and other solid matter from their original location.
(3) The preparation, washing, cleaning, or other treatment of minerals, ores, or other solid matter so as to make them suitable for commercial, industrial or construction use.
(4) Mining does not include:
(a) Those aspects of deep mining not having significant effect on the surface, where the affected land does not exceed one acre in area.
(b) Excavation or grading when conducted solely in aid of on-site farming or of on-site construction for purposes other than mining, such as constructing a residence, garage, commercial or industrial building.
(c) Mining operations where the affected land does not exceed one acre in area.
(d) Plants engaged in processing minerals produced elsewhere and whose refuse does not affect more than one acre of land.
(e) Removal of overburden and mining of limited amounts of any ores or mineral solids when done only for the purpose and to the extent necessary to determine the location, quantity, or quality of any natural deposit, provided that no ores or mineral solids removed during exploratory excavation or mining are sold, processed for sale, or consumed in the regular operation of a business, and provided further that the affected land resulting from any exploratory excavation does not exceed one acre in area.
MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT. A proposed development that includes residential and non-residential uses on the same development and or lot.
MOBILE HOME. The term used for manufactured homes produced prior to June 15, 1976 when the HUD Code went into effect; prefabricated or factory-assembled residential units constructed prior to that date.
MODULAR HOME. A structure as defined in G.S. § 105-164.3(143) as a factory-built structure that is designed to be used as a dwelling, is manufactured in accordance with the specifications for modular homes under the North Carolina State Residential Building Code, and bears a seal or label issued by the Department of Insurance pursuant to G.S. § 143-139.1.
MODULAR STRUCTURE. A manufactured structure designed for year-round commercial use, with major components or modules preassembled and transported to a site for final assembly and utility connection, but which is not designed to be transported on its own chassis. Such structures must meet all requirements of the North Carolina State Building Code and must have attached a North Carolina Validating Stamp.
MOTEL. A building or other structure kept, maintained, advertised as, or held out to the public to be, a place where sleeping accommodations are supplied for pay to transient or permanent guests or tenants and where rooms are furnished for the accommodation of such guests. Entry to sleeping rooms may be from the interior or exterior of the building. Food may be served in dining rooms, restaurants, or cafes, which may be located in the same building as the sleeping rooms or may be in one or more separate buildings.
NONCONFORMING LOT. A legal lot of record created by deed or recorded plat that was in compliance with the land use regulations in effect at the time of lot creation but not at the time of this chapter.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE. Any legally existing structure which fails to comply with the current provisions of this chapter.
NONCONFORMING USE. The use of a building, mobile home, or land which does not conform to the use regulation of this chapter for the district in which it is located, either at the effective date of this chapter or as a result of subsequent amendments which may be incorporated.
OFFICIAL MAPS OR PLANS. Any maps or plans officially adopted by the Board of County Commissioners as a guide for the development of Greene County.
OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT. A zoning district which overlaps one or more general and/or conditional zoning districts. Overlay zoning districts impose additional regulations on property located within general and/or conditional use districts.
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. A person with a temporary or permanent physical, emotional, or mental disability including but not limited to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, hearing and sight impairments but not including mentally ill persons who are dangerous to others as defined in G.S. § 122C-3(11).
PET AND PET SUPPLY STORES. A retail sales establishment primarily involved in the sale of domestic animals, such as dogs, cats, fish, birds and reptiles, excluding exotic animals and farm animals. The use also includes the sale of pet supplies such as food and accessories. The outdoor storage of animals is not permitted.
PET BOARDING SERVICE (KENNEL). An establishment where private domesticated animals that are not owned by the owner or occupant of the premises are temporarily boarded for pay, trade, barter, commission, remuneration or kept as captured stray animals for any amount of time. Such commercial kennels may include medical areas for the treatment of animals, outdoor recreation areas for the animals, commonly accepted obedience and/or behavioral training as well as offices for the management and supervision of the establishment.
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT. A land development project comprehensively planned as an entity via a unitary site plan which permits flexibility in building siting, mixtures of building types and land uses, recreational areas and usable open spaces, and the preservation of significant natural features. Included within this definition shall be planned unit residential developments and planned unit non-residential developments or combination thereof.
PLANNING BOARD. A quasi-judicial body established pursuant to G.S. § 160D-301, appointed by the County Board of Commissioners, that is given certain powers under this chapter.
PLAT. A map or plan delineating a tract or parcel of land existing, to be subdivided, to be recombined, land to be dedicated for public use, or right-of-way for street or utility purposes. The word PLAT shall include the terms MAP, PLAT, and PLAN.
POOL OR BILLIARD HALL. A business establishment containing more than two pool or billiard tables for the use of patrons. Such operations may serve alcoholic beverages.
PRELIMINARY PLAN. Plan depicting a more detailed configuration of uses for a particular phase of development. This plan will define the land uses, layout and densities to be built on that portion of the site. The plan must be consistent with the approved Development Conditions and Land Development Plan.
PREMISES. A single piece of property as conveyed in deed, or a lot or a number of adjacent lots on which is situated a land use, a building, or group of buildings designed as a unit or on which a building or a group of buildings are to be constructed.
QUASI-JUDICIAL DECISION. A decision involving the finding of facts regarding a specific application of a development regulation and that requires the exercise of discretion when applying the standards of the regulation. The term includes, but is not limited to, decisions involving variances, special use permits, and appeals of administrative determinations. Decisions on the approval of subdivision plats and site plans are quasi-judicial in nature if the regulation authorizes a decision-making board to approve or deny the application based not only upon whether the application complies with the specific requirements set forth in the regulation, but also on whether the application complies with one or more generally stated standards requiring a discretionary decision on the findings to be made by the decision-making board.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE (ALSO KNOWN AS RV). A vehicle, which is:
(1) Built on a single chassis;
(2) Four hundred square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection;
(3) Designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck; and
(4) Designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling, but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.
This definition includes vehicles such as travel trailers, motor homes, and campers.
REGISTER OF DEEDS. The Register of Deeds for Greene County, North Carolina.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITY. A business that engages in research, or research and development, of innovative ideas in technology-intensive fields. Examples include research and development of computer software, information systems, communication systems, transportation, geographic information systems, multimedia and video technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Development and construction of prototypes may be associated with this use. Research requiring the use of animal husbandry, heavy equipment (such as construction equipment) or the generation of dust, smoke, fumes, odors, noise or unusual vibrations, shall not be allowed by this definition.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. An area owned and maintained by a municipality, the State of North Carolina, a public utility, a railroad, or a private entity for the placement of such utilities and/or facilities for the passage of vehicles or pedestrians, including roads, pedestrian walkways, utilities, or railroads.
SAFE HOUSE. A facility, other than a family care home or group care facility, that provides temporary housing and residential care for individuals (unrelated to the care givers) because of unsafe home situations, the threat of domestic violence, or protection as a victim or witness of a crime.
SALVAGE YARD. Any non-residential property used for the storage, collection, and/or recycling of any type of equipment, and including but not limited to vehicles, appliances and related machinery.
SCREEN. Screen vegetation, fence, wall, berm or a combination of any or all of these which partially or completely blocks the view of and provides spatial separation of a portion or all of a site from an adjacent property or right-of-way.
SETBACK. The required minimum distance between every structure from all property lines and/or right-of-way lines and/or easement lines of the lot on which it is located.
SIGN. Any words, lettering figures, numerals, emblems, devices, trademarks, or trade names, or any combination thereof, by which anything is made known and which is designed to attract attention and/or convey a message. The term SIGN does not include the flag or emblem of any nation, organization of nations, state, political subdivision thereof, or any fraternal, religious or civic organization; works of art which in no way identify a product or business; scoreboards located on athletic fields; or religious symbols.
SITE PLAN. A plan, to scale, showing uses and structures existing and proposed for a parcel of land as required by the regulations involved. All site plans must include the information listed in § 154.036(B), site plan requirements.
SOLAR COLLECTOR. Any ground or roof mounted solar device that absorbs and accumulates solar radiation for use as an alternative source of energy.
SOLAR FARM/SOLAR COLLECTOR. A commercial/industrial development which requires construction of specialized equipment, either a ground-mounted or roof-mounted system, in areas which optimize the collection of solar energy. These facilities are typically used to convert solar energy into electrical power for interconnection with the power grid for primarily off-site energy consumption and also referred to as a solar farm or photovoltaic energy facility.
SPECIAL EVENT. A group activity including, but not limited to, a performance, meeting, assembly, contest, exhibit, ceremony, or non-routine activity, within the community that will bring together a large number of people. Special events cannot be held longer than seven consecutive days once every six months.
SPECIAL USE PERMIT. A permit issued to authorize development or land uses in a particular zoning district upon presentation of competent, material, and substantial evidence establishing compliance with one or more general standards requiring that judgment and discretion be exercised as well as compliance with specific standards.
STREET. A right-of-way dedicated to the public for vehicular traffic.
STRUCTURE. Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires more or less permanent location on the ground of which is attached to something having more or less permanent location on the ground.
STRUCTURE OR BUILDING, ACCESSORY. A structure or building located on the same parcel of property as the principal structure or building and the use of which is incidental to the use of the principal structure or building. Garages, carports and storage sheds are common accessory structures. Pole barns, hay sheds and the like qualify as accessory structures on farms and rural areas.
STRUCTURE OR BUILDING, PRINCIPAL. A structure in which is conducted the principal or main use of the property.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATION. Any change in the supporting members of a building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams, or girders, except for repair or replacement.
SUBDIVIDER. Any person, firm, or corporation who subdivides or develops any land deemed to be a subdivision as defined in the Subdivision Regulations.
SUBDIVISION.
(1) Any division of a tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, building sites, or other divisions when any one or more of those divisions is created for the purpose of sale or building development, whether immediate or future, and shall include all divisions of land involving the dedication of a new street or a change in existing streets; but the following shall not be included within this definition nor be subject to the regulations authorized by this chapter:
(a) The combination or recombination of portions of previously subdivided and recorded lots where the total number of lots is not increased and the resultant lots are equal to or exceed the standards of the county as shown in this chapter.
(b) The division of land into parcels greater than ten acres where no street right-of-way dedication is involved.
(c) The public acquisition by purchase of strips of land for the widening or opening of streets or for public transportation system corridors.
(d) The division of a tract in single ownership whose entire area is no greater than two acres into not more than three lots, where no street right-of-way dedication is involved and where the resultant lots are equal to or exceed the standards of the county, as shown in this chapter.
(e) The division of a tract into parcels in accordance with the terms of a probated will or in accordance with intestate succession under Chapter 29 of the General Statutes.
(2) Any correction of existing violations of state or community health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the community code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions; or,
(3) Any alteration of a historic structure, provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a historic structure.
SWINE FARM. Any tract or contiguous tract of land in Greene County devoted to raising animals of the porcine species served by animal waste management systems having a design capacity of 600,000 steady state live weight or greater regardless of the actual number of swine on the farm.
TEMPORARY. Anything temporary is to exist less than six months.
UNDEVELOPED PARCEL. The parcel in a parcel pair that is not developed.
USE. Any continuing or repetitive occupation or activity taking place upon a parcel of land or within a building including, but not limited to: residential, manufacturing, retailing, offices, public services, recreational, and educational.
USE, ACCESSORY. A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use or building and located on the same lot with such principal use or building.
USE, NEW. Any purpose which has not before existed on said land or premises.
USE, PRINCIPAL. The primary or predominant use of any lot, building, or structure.
USE, TEMPORARY. A use established for a fixed period of time not to exceed six months with the intent that such use will terminate automatically upon expiration of the fixed time period unless permission to conduct the use is renewed.
VESTED RIGHT. The right to undertake and complete the development and use of property pursuant to G.S. § 160D-108.1.
VIOLATION. The failure of a structure or other development to be fully compliant with the regulations contained in this chapter.
WHOLESALE TRADE. An establishment primarily engaged in selling durable and nondurable goods to retailers; to industrial, commercial, institutional, farm, construction contractors, or professional business uses; or to other wholesalers. Merchandise may be stored outside enclosed buildings. Activities including physically assembling, sorting, and grading goods in large lots and breaking bulk for redistribution in smaller lots are conducted in such a way as to have a minimal impact on surrounding properties.
YARD. An open space on the same lot with a building, unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward, except by trees or shrubbery or as otherwise provided herein.
YARD, FRONT. A yard across the full width of the lot extending from the front line of the building.
YARD, REAR. A yard extending across the full width of the lot and measured between the rear line of the lot and the rear line of the main building.
YARD, SIDE. An open space on the same lot with a building, between the building and the side line of the lot, extending through, from the front building line, to the rear of the lot.
ZONING. A police power measure, enacted primarily by general purpose units of local government, in which the community is divided into districts or zones within which permitted and conditional uses are established, as are regulations governing lot size, building bulk, placement, and other development standards. Requirements vary from district to district, but they must be uniform within districts. The Zoning Code consists of two parts - a text and a map.
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR. The official charged with the enforcement of the Zoning Code.
ZONING MAP AMENDMENT OR RE- ZONING. An amendment to a zoning regulation for the purpose of changing the zoning district that is applied to a specified property or properties. The term also includes (i) the initial application of zoning when land is added to the territorial jurisdiction of a local government that has previously adopted zoning regulations and (ii) the application of an overlay zoning district or a conditional zoning district. The term does not include (i) the initial adoption of a zoning map by a local government, (ii) the repeal of a zoning map and readoption of a new zoning map for the entire planning and development regulation jurisdiction, or (iii) updating the zoning map to incorporate amendments to the names of zoning districts made by zoning text amendments where there are no changes in the boundaries of the zoning district or land uses permitted in the district.
ZONING APPROVAL. The issuance of a permit or authorization by the zoning official indicating that a proposed building, structure, or use of land meets all of the standards, criteria, procedures, and requirements contained in this chapter.
ZONING MAP. The Official Zoning Map of Greene County, North Carolina, dated [ADOPTION DATE] with all amendments subsequently adopted and filed in the office of the Greene County Planning Department.
(Ord. passed 6-21-21)