BASEMENT, CELLAR: A "basement" has less than one-half (1/2) of its height below grade; a "cellar" has more than one-half (1/2) of its height below grade. If a basement is subdivided and used for dwelling purposes, it is to be counted as a story; a cellar is not.
GRADE: The average level of the finished surface of the ground for buildings more than five feet (5') from a street line. For buildings closer than five feet (5') to a street, the grade is the sidewalk elevation at the center of the building. If there is more than one street, an average sidewalk elevation is to be used. If there is no sidewalk, the city engineer or the county surveyor or someone officially acting as such shall establish the sidewalk grade.
HEIGHT OF A BUILDING: The vertical distance from the grade to, a) the highest point of a flat roof, b) the deck line of a mansard roof, or c) the average height between eaves and ridge for gable, hip, and gambrel roofs.
STORY: The part of a building from one floor to the next floor above or to a ceiling above if there is no floor above. A "half story" is space under a sloping roof, all of which space must be at least three feet (3') high but not more than sixty percent (60%) of which floor area may be finished off for use.
(Ord., 9-3-1974)