14-9A-1: DEFINITIONS:

Except when alternate definitions apply as specified in articles B through F of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply to terms used in this title. Descriptions and definitions of land use categories are set forth in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title; although, where it is deemed necessary for clarification, more specific definitions of certain land use category subgroups and specific land uses are defined in this section.

ABUT/ABUTTING:	Contiguous; having a common boundary, wall, or property line.
ACCESS:	The place, means or way by which pedestrians or vehicles have ingress and egress to a property or parking area.
ACCESSORY BUILDING/USE/ STRUCTURE:	A building, structure, or use which: A.   Is subordinate to the principal use of the property and contributes to the comfort, convenience or necessity of occupants, customers, or employees of the principal use; and B.   Is under the same ownership as the principal use or uses on the property; and C.   Does not include structures, structural features, or activities inconsistent with the uses to which they are accessory; and D.   Except for off street parking located on a separate lot as approved through a special exception, is located on the same lot as the principal use or uses to which it is accessory.
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU):	An accessory dwelling unit located within an owner occupied, single-family or duplex use or in an accessory building and meeting the requirements of this title.
ADDITION:	An extension or increase in floor area or height of a building or structure.
ADULT:	A person that is eighteen (18) years of age or older.
ADULT BUSINESS USE:	See "adult business use", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
ADULT DAYCARE:	An organized program of short term supportive daycare in a group environment for adults who need supervision, assistance or both. Services may include, but shall not be limited to, nursing and rehabilitative services, personal care, transportation services, social or recreational activities and preventative or restorative services. See "daycare uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
AGRICULTURE USE:	See "agricultural uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
AISLE:	A permanent, durable surface connected directly to a parking or loading space and designed to permit ingress or egress of a vehicle. An "aisle" is not the same as a drive. (See definition of drive/driveway.)
ALCOHOL SALES ORIENTED RETAIL USE:	See "retail uses" as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
ALLEY:	An open public way intended for use as a means of vehicular access to abutting property.
ALTER/ALTERATION:	A structural alteration, enlargement or remodeling of a building or the moving of a building from one location to another.
ANIMAL DAYCARE:	A nonresidential facility offering care for domestic animals during daytime hours, not during overnight hours.
ANIMAL RELATED COMMERCIAL USE:	See "animal related commercial use", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
APARTMENT HOUSE:	See "household living, multi-family uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
ARCADE:	A continuous, covered passageway parallel to and open to a street, private or public open space, or building, and typically accessible and open to the public.
ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES:	Exterior building elements intended to provide ornamentation to the building massing, including, but not limited to: eaves, cornices, bay windows, window and door surrounds, light fixtures, canopies, and balconies.
ARCHITECTURAL TREATMENT:	Exterior finish(es) applied to a building facade and intended for ornamentation or to reduce the visual size and scale of a building.
ARTERIAL STREET:	See definition of street, arterial.
ARTISANAL INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS:	A business that makes food and/or products by hand.
ASSESSED VALUE:	The value of real property as established by the City Assessor. It is the value upon which the next fiscal year's Real Estate Taxes are based.
AVIATION RELATED USE:	See "aviation related uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
BALCONY:	A covered or uncovered platform area projecting from the wall of a building, enclosed by a railing, accessible from above grade and not attached to the ground.
BASEMENT:	A portion of a building located partially underground but having three and one-half feet (3.5') or more of its floor to ceiling height above grade. A "basement" is counted as a story for the purpose of height and setback regulations.
BASIC UTILITIES:	See "basic utility uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
BAY WINDOW:	A window that projects from the building fascade or elevation that begins on the ground floor and can extend to upper floors.
BED AND BREAKFAST:	An accessory use in conjunction with any residential use in which bedrooms are provided to guests who stay for periods not to exceed thirty (30) consecutive days.
BLOCK FACE:	The aggregate of all the building facades on one side of a block.
BLOCK LENGTH:	The horizontal distance measured from one end of the block to the other end along the same street. Typically measured from one right-of-way to another right-of- way.
BLOCK PERIMETER:	The aggregate of all sides of a block measured along the adjacent streets.
BLOCK SCALE, BUILDING:	A building that is individually as large as a block or individual buildings collectively arranged along a street to form a continuous facade running the length of most or all of a block.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:	A quasi-judicial board, the creation of which is authorized by the Code of Iowa, as amended. The "Board of Adjustment" is authorized to grant variances and special exceptions and is authorized to hear appeals of administrative decisions of the City Manager or designee in the enforcement of this title or of any ordinance adopted pursuant thereto.
BUILD:	To construct, assemble, install, convert, enlarge, reconstruct or structurally alter a building or structure.
BUILDABLE AREA:	The area remaining on a lot after the minimum open space requirement for setbacks has been met.
BUILDING:	Any structure with a roof and designed or intended to support, enclose, shelter or protect persons, animals or property. Solar energy systems are not considered buildings.
BUILDING AREA:	Sometimes referred to as building footprint. The area of a building within its largest outside dimensions, computed on a horizontal plane at the first floor level, exclusive of open porches, breezeways, terraces and exterior stairways.
BUILDING COVERAGE:	The amount of land covered or permitted to be covered by building area, usually measured in terms of lot percentage.
BUILDING, DETACHED:	A building that is not connected to another building.
BUILDING FACADE:	The exterior wall of a building adjacent to a street, the front or side along a private street, or civic space.
BUILDING FORM:	The overall shape and dimensions of a building.
BUILDING FRONTAGE:	The length of the design site line of any one premises parallel to and along each street and/or open space which it borders.
BUILDING HEIGHT:	1. General: The vertical distance from grade to the roofline. (See definitions of grade and roofline.) 2. In Form-Based Zones subject to Article 14-2H: The vertical distance between the point of elevation of the finished surface of the ground, paving, or sidewalk within the area between the building and the streetside property line(s), or when the streetside property line is more than five feet (5') from the building, between the building and a line five feet (5') from the building, and the roofline. (See definition of ROOFLINE.) Grade shall be calculated measuring the level of the surface of the ground at least every twenty feet (20') along the entire frontage of the property.
BUILDING LINE:	The front setback line as specified for principal buildings.
BUILDING OFFICIAL:	The city employee designated to enforce this title.
BUILDING PERMIT:	Official certification that a proposed improvement complies with the provisions of this title and other applicable ordinances. A "building permit" is required for new construction, demolition, and for alterations or additions to existing structures, prior to commencement of construction or demolition. (See title 17, "Building And Housing", of this code.)
BUILDING TYPE:	A structure defined by its combination of configuration, disposition and function.
CARSHARE PARKING SPACE:	A parking space dedicated for use by a carshare service.
CARSHARE SERVICE:	A service that provides a network of motor vehicles available to rent by members by reservation on an hourly basis, or in smaller intervals.
CEILING HEIGHT, UPPER FLOOR(S):	The height from finished floor to finished ceiling of primary rooms on the floor(s) above the ground floor, not including secondary rooms including, but not limited to: bathrooms, closets, utility rooms, and storage spaces.
CELLAR:	A portion of a building located partially or wholly underground and having less than three and one-half feet (3.5') of its floor to ceiling height above grade. A "cellar" is not counted as a story for the purpose of height and setback regulations.
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY:	Official certification that a premises conforms to provisions of this title and other applicable ordinances and may be used or occupied. A "certificate of occupancy" is granted upon completion of new construction or completion of alterations or additions to existing structures.
CHAMFERED CORNER:	An external wall of a building joining two (2) perpendicular exterior walls, typically at a symmetrical, forty-five (45) degree angle creating a beveled edge to the building rather than a ninety (90) degree corner.
CHILDCARE CENTER:	A nonresidential daycare use which provides less than twenty four (24) hours' per-day care or supervision for twelve (12) or more children, and is licensed by the state. (See "daycare", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.)
CHILDCARE HOME:	A daycare use that is accessory to a household living use, which provides less than twenty four (24) hours' per-day care or supervision in a residence for a maximum of sixteen (16) children at any one time. (See "daycare", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.)
CITY:	The city of Iowa City, Iowa.
CITY COUNCIL:	The city council of Iowa City, Iowa.
CIVIL:	A term defining not-for-profit organizations that are dedicated to arts, culture, education, religious activities, recreation, government, transit, and public parking facilities.
CIVIC BUILDING:	A structure operated by governmental or not-for-profit organizations and limited to civic and related uses.
CIVIC SPACE:	Open space that is accessible and dedicated for public use. Civic spaces may be privately or publicly maintained.
CIVIC SPACE TYPE:	One of the allowed types in section 14-2H-5 (Civic Space Types Standards) of this article.
COLLECTOR STREET:	See definition of Street, Collector.
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES:	See "colleges and universities", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
COMMERCIAL PARKING:	See "commercial parking uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
COMMERCIAL RECREATIONAL USE:	See "commercial recreational uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
COMMUNICATIONS / BROADCAST TOWER:	A structure that is intended to support equipment used to transmit or receive telecommunications signals. Examples of such towers include monopoles and lattice steel structures. (See "communication transmission facility uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.)
COMMUNICATIONS TRANSMISSION FACILITY USES:	See "communications transmissions facility uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
COMMUNITY SERVICE USE:	See "community service uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
CONFINEMENT FEEDING OPERATIONS:	One or more roofed or partially roofed enclosures intended to confine animals for feeding and growth prior to slaughter and which are designed to contain liquid or semiliquid animal waste.
CONSERVATION DISTRICT:	See section 14-3B-2, "Conservation District Overlay Zone", of this title for a detailed definition of a "conservation district".
CONSIGNMENT STORE:	A retail establishment engaged in selling used merchandise, such as clothing, furniture, books, shoes or household appliances, on consignment, or a retail establishment engaged in selling donated used merchandise which is operated by an organization granted federal tax exemption pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code, as amended. Merchandise is brought to the establishment and processed by marking, cleaning, sorting and storing as a major part of the principal use. Such stores do not include those selling vehicles, auto parts, scrap or waste.
CONVERSION:	Any change from one principal use to a principal use in another use category. "Conversion" also includes any change from one principal use to another principal use in a different use category subgroup. For example, it is considered a "conversion" if the use of a site is changed from a single-family use to a multi-family use or if a sales oriented retail use is changed to a repair oriented retail use.
CORNER ELEMENT:	A physical distinction in a building at the corner of two (2) streets or a street and public space. The physical distinction is from the ground floor through the top of the facade.
COTTAGE INDUSTRY:	A firm that manufactures and/or assembles goods that are intended for retail sale to the general public. The goods may also be sold at wholesale to other outlets or firms, but retail sales is a significant component of the operation. The manufacturing component for such a firm is small in scale. Size limitations may apply to such uses in commercial zones to keep the uses in scale and character with surrounding land uses.
COURTYARD:	An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by walls or buildings on at least two (2) sides and often shared by multiple residential units or non- residential suites.
CREMATORIUM/ CREMATORY:	A furnace or establishment for the cremation of corpses. "Crematoriums" for human corpses are sometimes established as accessory uses to a cemetery, mortuary, funeral home, or hospital; however, if established as a principal use on a property, will be considered a personal service oriented retail use for purposes of this title. "Crematoriums" for pets are sometimes established as an accessory use to a cemetery, mortuary, funeral home, or veterinary clinic; however, if established as a principal use on a property, will be considered a general animal related commercial use for purposes of this title.
CUL-DE-SAC:	See definition of Street, Cul-De-Sac.
DAYCARE:	See "daycare uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
DECK:	A covered or uncovered platform area abutting the wall of a building, accessible at or from above grade and attached to the ground.
DELAYED DEPOSIT SERVICE USE:	An individual, group of individuals, partnership, association, corporation, or any other business unit or legal entity, who for a fee accepts a check dated subsequent to the date it was written or a check dated on the date it was written and holds said check for a period of time prior to deposit or presentment pursuant to an agreement with, or any representation made to, the maker of the check, whether express or implied. For purposes of this title, this definition includes only those individuals and entities to which Iowa Code chapter 533D is applicable. For the purposes of this title, "check" means a check, draft, share draft, or other instrument for the payment of money.
DENSITY, GROSS:	The number of dwelling units per unit area of land, usually expressed as "dwelling units per acre".
DEPTH, GROUND- FLOOR SPACE:	The distance from the street-facing facade to the rear interior wall of the ground-floor space available to an allowed use.
DESIGN REVIEW DISTRICT:	An area designated by the city council that contains contiguous parcels of real property, the built portions of which:    A. Are expressive of the defining architectural and other physical and aesthetic properties that give evidence to the physical traditions of Iowa City and/or unique features of the area; or    B. Lack any defining physical or aesthetic qualities but constitute areas in which the city wishes to establish such qualities.
DESIGN SITE:	A portion of land delineated on a preliminary plat and neighborhood plan from others to accommodate no more than one (1) primary building type (except as allowed by Article 14-2H). A lot may have multiple design sites when each design site meets the minimum width and depth required by the zone.
DESIGN SITE DEPTH:	The horizontal distance between the front design site line and rear design site line measured perpendicular to the front design site line.
DESIGN SITE LINE:	The perimeter and geometry of a parcel of property demarcating one design site from another.
DESIGN SITE LINE, FRONT:	The design site line that abuts a civic space or thoroughfare other than an alley and is the narrowest of the design site’s sides.
DESIGN SITE WIDTH:	The horizontal distance between the design site lines measured parallel to the front design site line.
DETENTION FACILITIES:	See "detention facilities", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
DEVELOPMENT/ DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY:	Any humanmade change to improved or unimproved property, including, but not limited to, placement of manufactured housing, buildings or other structures, construction, demolition, clearing, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavating or drilling. "Development activity" does not include transfer of ownership.
DIRECTOR:	Director of Neighborhood and Development Services, or designee.
DISABILITY/ HANDICAP:	With respect to an individual person, someone who has a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more of such person's major life activities; anyone who is regarded as having such impairment; or anyone with a record of such impairment.
DOWNZONING:	A change in the zoning classification of land to a classification permitting less intensive or less dense development, such as from a multi-family zone to a single-family zone or from a commercial or industrial zone to a residential zone.
DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT:	See "eating and drinking establishments" as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
DRIVE/DRIVEWAY:	A permanent, durable surface designed to provide vehicular access from a street to a lot or to provide vehicular access between different parts of a lot or parking area. A drive that is internal to a parking area is not the same as an aisle. (See definition of aisle.)
DWELLING:	A building wholly or partially used or intended to be used for residential occupancy.
DWELLING, DETACHED SINGLE- FAMILY:	A single-family use that is not attached to any other dwelling unit. (See "single-family use", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.)
DWELLING, DUPLEX:	A "two-family use", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title. Or as outlined in sub- section 14-2H-6F (Duplex Side-by-Side) or sub-section 14-2H-6G (Duplex Stacked).
DWELLING, FARM:	A detached single family dwelling located on a farm and occupied by the household that maintains and operates, owns or leases the farm on which the dwelling is located.
DWELLING, MULTI- FAMILY:	See "multi-family uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY:	See "single-family uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
DWELLING UNIT:	Any habitable room or group of adjoining habitable rooms located within a dwelling and forming a single unit with facilities used or intended to be used by one household for living, sleeping, cooking and eating meals. Multiple dwelling units exist if there is more than one meter for any utility, more than one address to the property, more than one kitchen, and/or if there is a lockable, physical separation between rooms within the dwelling unit such that a room or rooms on each side of the separation could be used as a dwelling unit.
DWELLING UNIT, EFFICIENCY:	A dwelling unit within a multi-family use consisting of one principal room, in addition to a bathroom, hallway and closets, which serves as the occupant's living room and bedroom. The kitchen may be located in this principal room or may be located in a separate room.
DWELLING, ZERO LOT LINE:	A single-family use with one or more walls located on a side lot line that is not a street or alley right-of-way line. Zero lot line dwellings may be attached or detached. (See "single-family uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.)
EASEMENT:	A right given by the owner of land to another person or persons for specific limited use of that land, e.g., to allow access to another property or for utilities.
EATING ESTABLISHMENT:	See "eating and drinking establishments" as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES, GENERAL:	Elementary and secondary schools below university grade (ordinarily grades 1 through 12), including denominational and sectarian schools, kindergartens and military academies. (See "educational facilities", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.)
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES, SPECIALIZED:	Schools primarily engaged in offering specialized trade, business, or commercial courses, but not academic training. Also specialized nondegree granting schools, such as music schools, dramatic schools, dance studios, martial arts studios, language schools and civil service and other short term examination preparatory schools. (See "educational facilities", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.)
ELDER:	A person at least fifty five (55) years old.
ELDER APARTMENT HOUSING:	A multi-family use intended for use and occupancy by elders and persons with disabilities.
ELDER FAMILY HOME:	A group household that is managed or owned by a responsible party and offers a social living arrangement for at least two (2), but for no more than eight (8), persons living in the residence, the majority of whom are elders, who are essentially capable of physical self- care.
ELDER GROUP HOME:	A group household that is the residence of a person who is providing room, board and personal care for up to five (5) elders who are not related to the caregiver. Personal care, in this case, means assistance with the essential activities of daily living which the recipient can perform personally only with difficulty, and may include bathing, personal hygiene, dressing, grooming and the supervision of self-administered medications, but does not include the administration of medications.
ELDERLY HOUSING:	A multi-family use, group household use, or group living use intended for use and occupancy by elders and persons with disabilities.
ENCROACHMENT:	Any architectural feature, structure, or structural element that breaks the plane of a vertical or horizontal regulatory limit extending into a setback, or beyond the build-to-line into the public frontage, or above a height limit.
ENLARGEMENT/ EXPANSION:	An increase in the volume of a building, an increase in the area of land or building occupied by a use, an increase in the number of bedrooms within a dwelling unit or an increase in the number of dwelling units. For nonresidential buildings, an increase in the occupancy load of a building is considered an enlargement/expansion. For alcohol sales oriented retail uses, any change in the type of liquor license that would increase the types of alcohol or alcoholic beverages that can be sold is considered an enlargement/expansion of the use. For group living uses, any alteration that allows an increase in the number of residents is considered an enlargement/expansion of the use. For nonconforming drinking establishments, neither sidewalk cafes nor any alteration or addition to a commercial kitchen that does not result in an increase in the allowable occupancy load shall be considered an enlargement/expansion of the use. A door connecting a drinking establishment to a sales-oriented retail use in accordance with 14-4E-5G5 shall not be considered an expansion of a drinking establishment.
EXTRACTION USE:	See "extraction uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
FACADE:	See BUILDING FACADE.
FACADE ZONE:	The area between the minimum and maximum setback lines along the front of a design site and along the side street of a corner design site where a specified amount of the building facade is required to be placed.
FAMILY:	One person or a group of persons that meet the definition of “household”.
FAMILY CARE HOME:	A type of group household, such as a residential care facility, a child foster care facility, a supervised apartment living arrangement or other small group residential arrangement for not more than eight (8) persons with verifiable disabilities, as defined by the federal fair housing act, as amended, that are occupying a dwelling unit as a single housekeeping unit. Certain types of "family care homes" may require a government license or approval and may provide room and board, personal care, rehabilitation services, and supervision by counselor(s) or a resident family. An individual foster care family home licensed under chapter 237 of the code of Iowa, as amended, is not considered a "family care home"; such a living arrangement would be considered a "family" under this title. Alternatives to incarceration, such as halfway houses, where residents of the facility are placed by order of the court and are under twenty four (24) hour supervision of employees or contractees of the Iowa department of corrections are classified under this title as "detention facilities" and not as "family care homes".
FARM:	An area of not less than ten (10) acres for which the principal use is growing farm products, such as vegetables, fruits and grain, for sale and storing those products on the land. The term "farm" includes the necessary accessory uses and buildings for treating and storing the food produced.
FEEDLOT:	A lot, yard, corral or other area where livestock are confined, primarily for the purposes of feeding and growth prior to slaughter. The term does not include areas which are used for raising crops or other vegetation or upon which livestock are allowed to graze.
FINISH LEVEL, GROUND FLOOR:	Height difference between the finished floor on the ground floor and the adjacent sidewalk. In the case of a terrace frontage that serves as the public right-of-way, the floor finish level is the height of the walk above the adjacent street. Standards for ground floor finish level for ground floor residential uses do not apply to ground floor lobbies and common areas in buildings.
FLOOR AREA:	The total area of all floors of a building, or a portion of a building, measured to the outside surface of exterior walls or to the centerline of walls of attached buildings or uses. Floor area includes all space within the building, including space in the basement or cellar, if such space is used for a principal or accessory use. However, floor area does not include the area of porches, balconies and other appurtenances. When calculating the floor area of a principal dwelling, the area of any attached garage is excluded. Floor area of basements and cellars is excluded from the calculation of FAR. (See definition of Floor Area Ratio.)
FLOOR AREA RATIO (FAR):	The numerical value obtained by dividing the floor area within a building or buildings on a lot by the area of such lot. The floor area of a basement or cellar is not included in this calculation.
FORM-BASED ZONES:	Zones listed in Article 14-2H “Form-Based Zones and Standards.” It does not include Article 14-2G “Riverfront Crossings and Eastside Mixed Use Districts Form Based Development Standards.” Neighborhood Form-Based Zones include the T3NE, T3NG, T4NS, and T4NM zones.
FRATERNITY/ SORORITY:	A fraternal group living use used as a residence and as a center for activities and operations by a chapter of a nonprofit fraternity or sorority recognized by a "college" or "university", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title. This definition does not include a rooming house.
FREE STANDING WALL:	A wall that is separate from a building and supported by independent means.
FRONT:	See DESIGN SITE LINE, FRONT.
FRONTAGE:	The distance as measured along a right of way line from one intersecting street to another, from one intersecting street to the end of a dead end street or from one intersecting street to the end of a cul-de-sac.
FRONTAGE, PRIVATE:	The area between the building facade and the back of the sidewalk abutting a street or public open space.
FRONTAGE, PUBLIC:	The area between the on-street parking and the back of the sidewalk.
FRONTAGE TYPE:	Physical element(s) configured to connect the building facade to the back of the sidewalk abutting a street or public open space.
FUNERAL HOME:	A personal service oriented retail use where the deceased are prepared for burial, funerals are conducted, and which provides for viewing of the deceased. Funeral homes may include crematoriums as an accessory use subject to compliance with any state or federal regulation.
GABLE:	A vertical wall in the shape of a triangle formed between the cornice or eave and the ridge of the roof.
GARAGE, PRIVATE:	An accessory building that is used primarily for storing motor vehicles and which is under the control of and used by the occupants of the principal building on the site.
GLAZING:	Openings in a building in which glass is installed.
GRADE (Adjacent Ground Elevation):	The average point of elevation of the finished surface of the ground, paving or sidewalk within the area between the building and the property line or, when the property line is more than five feet (5') from the building, between the building and a line five feet (5') from the building. When the finished surface of the ground has been raised by adding fill to create a higher grade around a building, the slope of the fill within twenty feet (20') of the building shall not exceed four (4) horizontal to one vertical or twenty five percent (25%).
GROSS FLOOR AREA:	The total floor area inside the building envelope, including the external walls, but not including the roof.
GROUND FLOOR/FIRST FLOOR:	The lowest floor of a building having its floor to ceiling height at or above the grade.
GROUP CARE FACILITY:	An assisted group living use that is government licensed or approved and that provides services in a residential setting to more than eight (8) individuals, not including resident staff. These individuals are persons with one or more disabilities, as defined by the Federal Fair Housing Act, as amended, who are in need of adult supervision and who are provided services in accordance with their individual needs. This definition also includes facilities, such as nursing homes, that provide residential services and skilled care to convalescents or the elderly.
GROUP HOUSEHOLD:	A "family care home", "elder family home", "parental group home", or "elder group home", as defined in this title, wherein a collective number of individuals live together in one dwelling unit as a single housekeeping unit, where the relationship between the individuals is of a regular and permanent nature and has a distinct domestic character, similar to a family.
GROUP LIVING USE:	See "group living uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title. "Group living uses" include assisted group living uses, independent group living uses, and fraternal group living uses.
GUEST:	An individual who shares a dwelling on a temporary basis for not more than thirty (30) days in any given calendar year; or a person who stays in a hospitality oriented retail use.
GUESTHOUSE:	A small hospitality oriented retail use containing nine (9) or fewer bedrooms providing lodging for guests, which is licensed as a hotel by the State and subject to City inspection and compliance with the Iowa City Housing Code.
HEDGE:	A boundary formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes.
HEIGHT:	See BUILDING HEIGHT.
HISTORIC DISTRICT:	See definition of "historic districts" in section 14-3B-1, "Historic District Overlay Zone", of this title.
HISTORIC LANDMARK:	See definition of "historic landmark" in section 14-3B-1, "Historic District Overlay Zone", of this title.
HOME OCCUPATION:	An accessory use consisting of an occupation or profession carried on by a person residing on the premises.
HOSPITAL:	See "hospitals", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
HOSPITALITY ORIENTED RETAIL USE:	See "retail uses, hospitality oriented", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
HOTEL:	A hospitality oriented retail use that is licensed by the State and occupied and used principally as a place of lodging for guests. "Hotels" may or may not provide meals and there are usually no cooking facilities in the guestrooms.
HOUSE SCALE, BUILDING:	A building that is the size of a small-to-large house and detached from other buildings, typically ranging from twenty-four feet (24') to as large as eighty feet (80') overall, including secondary wings.
HOUSEHOLD:	An individual or group of individuals that reside within a single family dwelling or within a dwelling unit of a two family dwelling or multi-family dwelling as a single housekeeping organization, where the responsibilities and expenses of maintaining the household are shared among the members; also a group of individuals that meet the definition of a group household, as defined in this title.
HOUSEHOLD LIVING USE:	See "household living uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
INDOOR ANIMAL RECREATION:	An indoor facility used for the exercise, recreation, or training of domestic animals.
INDUSTRIAL SERVICE USE:	See "industrial service uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
KENNEL:	An establishment where small animals are bred, raised, trained, groomed, or boarded for compensation, sale or other commercial purposes.
LIVE/WORK:	A unit that combines and accommodates both residential and the place of business for the resident(s) of the unit. Typically characterized with having the “work” function at the ground level an the “live” function on upper levels.
LIVESTOCK:	Cattle, sheep, swine, poultry and other animals or fowl that are produced primarily for use as food or food products for human consumption.
LOADING SPACE, OFF STREET:	Space logically and conveniently located and designed for bulk pick ups and deliveries and accessible to delivery vehicles from aisles.
LOCAL STREET:	See definition of Street, Local.
LODGING HOUSE:	See definition of Rooming House.
LONG TERM CARE FACILITY:	See definition of Group Care Facility.
LOT:	A plot, separate tract or parcel of land with fixed boundaries suitable for occupancy by a use.
LOT AREA:	The total area within the lot lines of a lot, excluding any public or private street rights of way.
LOT, CORNER:	A lot located at the intersection of two (2) or more streets.
LOT COVERAGE:	The percentage of the lot area covered by certain specified elements of development. There are a number of lot coverage standards within this title, including building coverage standards, setback coverage standards, and standards related to the amount of land that can be covered by accessory uses.
LOT DEPTH:	The average horizontal distance between the front lot line and the rear lot line or the distance between the midpoint of the front lot line and the midpoint of the rear lot line. On a double frontage lot, lot depth is the average horizontal distance between the two parallel or approximately parallel front lot lines.
LOT, DOUBLE FRONTAGE:	A lot having frontage on two (2) parallel or approximately parallel streets.
LOT FRONTAGE:	The continuous width of a lot measured along the street right of way line.
LOT, INTERIOR:	A lot bounded by a street on only one side.
LOT LINE:	A line oriented by stable points of reference which establishes one boundary of a lot.
LOT LINE, FRONT:	A lot line separating a lot from the street right of way. On corner lots, the front lot line is the shortest street dimension, unless the lot is square or almost square, having dimensions at a ratio between three to two (3:2) and three to three (3:3). In that case, the front lot line may be along either street. On double frontage lots, there are two (2) front lot lines.
LOT LINE, REAR:	The lot line opposite and most distant from the front lot line. In the case of a triangular shaped lot, it is an imaginary line within the lot, ten feet (10') long, parallel to and farthest from the front lot line. However, on a double frontage lot, there is no rear lot line.
LOT LINE, SIDE:	Any lot line that is not a street-side lot line, front lot line or rear lot line.
LOT LINE, STREET- SIDE:	Any lot line that separates a lot from a public or private street (not including alleys or private rear lanes).
LOT, REVERSED CORNER:	A corner lot, the rear of which abuts the side of another lot.
LOT WIDTH:	The length of the front setback line. On corner and double frontage lots, the "lot width" is measured along the shortest street frontage, unless the lot is square or almost square, having dimensions at a ratio between three to two (3:2) and three to three (3:3). In that case, the lot width may be measured along either street.
MAIN BODY:	The primary massing of a main building.
MAIN ENTRANCE (To A Residential Use):	The primary entrance located on the exterior wall of a building used by residents of a dwelling to gain access to their dwelling unit. Such an entrance is typically located on a street-facing wall of the dwelling. An entrance to a dwelling from a parking garage is not a "main entrance".
MAIN FACADE:	The front facade of a primary building.
MANUFACTURED HOME:	A detached single-family dwelling which is manufactured or constructed under the authority of 42 USC section 5403, federal manufactured home construction and safety standards, as amended, which is not constructed with a permanent hitch or other device allowing it to be moved other than for the purpose of moving to a permanent site and which does not have permanently attached to its body or frame any wheels or axles. A mobile home constructed to the federal manufactured home construction and safety standards, as amended, is not a "manufactured home" unless it has been converted to real property and is taxed as a site built dwelling as provided in the code of Iowa, as amended.
MANUFACTURED HOUSING LEASE LOT:	A plot of ground in a manufactured housing park designed to accommodate one dwelling unit and which is leased to the owner or tenant of the dwelling unit.
MANUFACTURED HOUSING PARK:	A tract of land which has been planned and improved for the placement of manufactured homes, mobile homes or modular homes on leased lots.
MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION USE:	See "manufacturing and production uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
MASSING:	The overall shape or arrangement of the bulk or volume of a building.
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES:	A mechanical structure is an accessory use which includes any equipment that is powered by electricity, gas, or other similar method. This may include plumbing, electrical, or other similar utility equipment that serves a property. Mechanical structures may be located on the ground level, attached to a structure, or on the rooftop level. Examples include, heat pumps, air conditioners, emergency generators, water pumps, Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations, and solar energy systems.
MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING:	House-scale buildings with multiple units in walkable neighborhoods.
MIXED USE BUILDING:	A building that contains a mix of residential dwelling units and commercial or institutional uses.
MOBILE HOME:	Any vehicle without motive power used, manufactured or constructed so as to permit its conveyance upon the public streets and highways and designed, constructed or reconstructed so as to permit its use for year round occupancy as a dwelling. The vehicle must contain water supply, waste disposal, heating and electrical conveniences. A "mobile home" is factory built housing built on a chassis. A "mobile home" shall not be construed to be a travel trailer or other form of recreational vehicle. A "mobile home" shall be construed to remain a "mobile home", subject to all regulations applying thereto, whether or not wheels, axles, hitch or other appurtenances of mobility are removed and regardless of the nature of the foundation provided. "Mobile homes" are classified as detached single-family dwellings if converted to real property and taxed as a site built dwelling, as provided in the code of Iowa, as amended, or if they are located within a manufactured housing park approved through a planned development overlay rezoning process.
MODEL DWELLING UNIT:	A permanent structure within a residential zone, which is primarily intended to be used as a dwelling unit, but which is temporarily being used for marketing purposes as an example of other units to be built in the same development. "Model dwelling units" are considered provisional temporary uses as set forth in chapter 4, article D, "Temporary Uses", of this title.
MODULAR HOME:	Any detached single-family dwelling manufactured, in whole or in components, at a place other than the location where it is to be placed; which is assembled, in whole or in components, at the location where it is to be permanently located; which rests on a permanent foundation or slab; which does not have wheels or axles affixed as a part of its normal construction; and which does not require a license by any agency as a motor vehicle, special equipment, trailer, motor home or mobile home.
MOTEL:	A hospitality oriented retail use that is licensed by the State, usually located along highways, occupied by and used principally as a place of lodging for guests. The term "motel" includes "motor hotel".
MUNICIPAL PARKING FACILITY:	A commercial parking facility owned and operated by the City, and designed to accommodate the off street parking of motor vehicles as a capital improvement. Such parking may be located in a structured parking facility, a surface lot or a combination thereof.
NEAR SOUTHSIDE PARKING FACILITY DISTRICT:	That area of Iowa City bounded by Burlington Street on the north, Gilbert Street on the east, the Iowa Interstate Railway Main Line on the south and Madison Street on the west, except for Blocks 10 and 21 of County Seat Addition; Lots 5 and 6 of Block 13, County Seat Addition; Lots 3, 4, 5, the east 50 feet of Lot 6, and the south 40 feet of Lot 2, Block 11, County Seat Addition; and Lots 10-15, Lyon's First Addition.
NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER:	A use owned and operated by a nonprofit organization, as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, providing a place for social services, such as childcare, supervised recreation, counseling referral for children and adults or support groups for children and adults. Such services should be intended primarily, though not exclusively, for those persons living within a mile radius of the center.
NONCONFORMING DEVELOPMENT:	An element of a development, such as a parking area, a loading area, outdoor lighting, landscaping, screening, or signage, that was established in conformance with this title, but which subsequently, due to a change in the zoning or to the requirements of this title, is no longer in conformance with the current applicable standards.
NONCONFORMING LOT:	A lot of record that was established in conformance with the minimum lot area, width, and frontage requirement of this title, but which subsequently, due to a change in the zone or the requirements of this title, is no longer in conformance with one or more of these requirements.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE:	A structure or portion of a structure that was established in conformance with the setback, building height, building width, and lot coverage standards, or other requirements or standards of this title that relate to the design of the building or structure, but which subsequently, due to a change in the zone or to the requirements of this title, is no longer in conformance with one or more of these standards.
NONCONFORMING USE:	A use that, when established, was a permitted use, was allowed as a provisional use, or was approved as a special exception, but which subsequently, due to a change in the zone or to the requirements of this title, is no longer allowed. This definition includes residential uses that exceed the allowable residential density of a zone (minimum lot area per unit requirements) and uses that exceed the maximum floor area ratio or maximum floor area standards specified for a particular use or zone.
NURSING HOME:	See definition of group care facility.
OFFICIALLY APPROVED PLACE:	A private street permitted prior to 1984. Such streets were established either by the City Council or by the Board of Adjustment as a variance to the requirement that a lot front on a public street.
OPEN SPACE, PRIVATE:	Open space used by occupants of the dwelling unit or units on one lot or design site. Such open space and any private recreational facilities located therein are considered an accessory use to the principal use of the property.
OPEN SPACE, PRIVATE, SHARED:	Open space, the use of which is shared by occupants of an entire subdivision or planned development, but which is not generally open to the public. Such open space is typically managed and maintained by an owners' association.
OPEN SPACE, PUBLIC:	Open space that has been dedicated for public use or for which an easement has been granted for public use.
OPEN SPACE USE:	See "parks and open space uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
ORIEL WINDOW (Syn Upper Story Bay Window):	A window that projects from the building facade or elevation, located on upper floors and may extend for multiple stories.
OUTDOOR DISPLAY:	Includes the outdoor display of products, vehicles, equipment, and machinery for sale or lease. "Outdoor display" is an outdoor showroom for customers to examine and compare products. There is variety or a distinction among the goods on display, through different products, brands, or models. The display area does not have to be visible to the street. "Outdoor display" does not include goods that are being stored or parked outside. It does not include damaged or inoperable vehicles, vehicles or equipment being serviced, bulk goods and materials, and other similar products. Examples of uses that often have "outdoor display" are car and boat sales, and plant nurseries. See also definition of outdoor storage.
OUTDOOR STORAGE:	Includes the outdoor storage of goods that generally have little or no differentiation by type or model. The goods may be for sale or lease, but if so, they are the type that customers generally do not inspect and compare. "Outdoor storage" includes the storage of raw or finished goods (packaged or bulk), including gravel; mulch; building materials, packing materials, salvage goods; machinery, tools and equipment; and other similar items. Examples of uses that often have "outdoor storage" are lumberyards, vehicle repair; tool and equipment rental, bark chip and gravel sales, salvage yards; and recycling processing facilities. See also definition of outdoor display.
OUTDOOR STORAGE AND DISPLAY ORIENTED RETAIL:	See "retail uses, outdoor storage and display oriented", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
OVERLAY ZONE:	A set of zoning requirements imposed in addition to those of the underlying base zone. Development in overlay zones must conform to the requirements of the overlay zone as well as those of the underlying base zone, unless modifications to base zone requirements are approved as a part of the overlay rezoning process.
OWNER:	The person holding fee simple or equitable title to the property.
PARAPET:	A wall along the edge of a roof or the portion of a wall that extends above the roof line.
PARCEL:	See definition of lot.
PARENTAL GROUP HOME:	A type of group household containing not more than three (3) teenagers or adults and up to four (4) children under five (5) years of age, each of whom is related by blood to at least one of said teenagers or adults, placed in a residential dwelling unit by a government or social service agency and occupying said dwelling unit as a single housekeeping unit for purposes of social and/or economic support.
PARKING AREA:	An off street facility intended and designed for the parking of more than four (4) motor vehicles. A parking area includes parking spaces, aisles, landscaped islands and medians, and drives that provide circulation within a parking area or around the perimeter of a parking area. Drives that are external to a parking area are not considered a part of the parking area.
PARKING DRIVEWAY WIDTH:	The horizontal measurement of an access driveway to a parking area, beginning at the sidewalk, measured perpendicular to the direction of travel.
PARKING, SHARED:	Any parking spaces assigned to more than one (1) user, where different persons utilizing the spaces are unlikely to need the spaces at the same time of day.
PARKING SPACE:	A permanent, durable surface intended for off street vehicular parking.
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE USES:	See "parks and open space uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
PATIO:	A covered or uncovered, surfaced outdoor living area located at grade, adjacent to and accessible from a dwelling.
PEDESTRIAN ORIENTED:	"Pedestrian oriented" streets and developments are those that are designed to provide a safe, comfortable environment for pedestrians. Important elements include sidewalks that are separated and buffered from vehicular traffic with limited interruption from driveways; the provision of street trees and appropriate street furniture; and buildings that visually address the street with visible entranceways and windows, and, in the case of commercial buildings, may include awnings or canopies that protect pedestrians from the weather. Buildings with blank facades along the street, long stretches of repetitive building designs, entranceways that are difficult to find or identify, unscreened surface parking lots, and other expanses of paving are contrary to a "pedestrian oriented" design.
PERFORMANCE STANDARD:	Regulatory language stating the minimum requirement or the maximum allowable limit on the effects or characteristics of a use.
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING:	Housing with no limit on length of stay, that is occupied by the target population, and that is linked to an onsite or offsite service that assists the supportive housing resident in retaining the housing, improving his or her health status, and maximizing his or her ability to live and, when possible, work in the community. The target population is defined as persons with low incomes who have one or more disabilities, including mental illness, substance abuse, or chronic health conditions, and may include, among other populations, adults, emancipated minors, families with children, elderly persons, young adults aging out of the foster care system, individuals exiting from institutional settings, veterans, and homeless people.
PERMITTED USE:	A principal use allowed in the zone in which it is listed, subject to compliance with the dimensional requirements, development standards, and any other special requirement of the zone and the general requirements of this title.
PERSON:	Any individual or group of individuals, corporation, partnership, association or any entity, including state and local governments and agencies.
PERSONAL SERVICE:	See "retail uses, personal service oriented", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
PLANTING AREA:	An unpaved pervious area intended or used for the placement of a tree or other required landscaping elements.
PLANTING STRIPS:	A landscaped or grassy area located between a street and a sidewalk.
PORCH:	A covered entrance to a building consisting of a platform area, with open or enclosed sides, projecting from the wall of a building.
PREMISES:	See definition of Lot.
PRIMARY BUILDING:	The building that serves all activities related to the principal use of the design site.
PRIMARY STREET FRONTAGE:	The frontage of a lot to which the address is assigned.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING:	A building containing the principal use.
PRINCIPAL USE:	The primary use of land or a structure as distinguished from an accessory use, e.g., a dwelling is a principal use on a lot in a residential zone, while a garage or pool is an accessory use.
PRIVATE OUTDOOR ANIMAL RECREATION:	An outdoor facility used for the exercise, recreation, or training of domestic animals.
PROJECTIONS (INTO SETBACKS):	Parts of buildings, such as architectural features, which protrude into required setback areas.
PROVISIONAL USE:	A principal use allowed in the zone in which it is listed, subject to compliance with the specific requirements mentioned with the use and all other dimensional and development requirements and special requirements, if any, of the zone as well as the general requirements of this title.
PUBLIC REALM:	The combined area along the front and side street portions of design sites, visible to the pedestrian, that is between the facades of buildings on both sides of a thoroughfare or between the facades on one side of the thoroughfare and the edge of the adjacent open or civic space.
PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY:	Property dedicated to public use and intended for the movement of the public.
PUBLIC UTILITY:	A system owned and operated by a licensed public utility company or by a railroad company. Such systems do not include those owned and operated by the city of Iowa City or other governmental agency.
PUBLIC VIEW, WITHIN:	Visible from a public street, public sidewalk, public access easement, or other public way, or from a public park or other public open space area.
QUARRY:	Land used for excavating stone or slate.
QUICK VEHICLE SERVICING USES:	See "quick vehicle servicing uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
REAL ESTATE SALES CENTER:	A provisional temporary use consisting of an on site office within a model dwelling unit that is used as a real estate office for the sale of dwelling units or lots within the same subdivision or development in which the sales center is located.
REAR:	Opposite of front.
REAR-LOADED (REAR ACCESS):	Design sites that provide vehicular access from the rear of the design site.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:	With respect to land use and zoning, it means providing individuals with disabilities or developers of housing for people with disabilities, flexibility in the application of land use and zoning and building regulations, policies, practices and procedures, or waiving certain requirements, when it is necessary to eliminate barriers to housing opportunities.
RECESSED ENTRY:	An entrance to a building that is set back from the facade of the building.
RECYCLABLE MATERIALS:	Reusable materials including, but not limited to, metal, glass, plastic, cardboard, and paper products which are intended for reuse, remanufacture or reconstitution for the purpose of using the altered form. "Recyclable materials" does not include automobiles or other vehicles or machinery and their components, structural steel materials and equipment, hazardous chemicals or materials such as used motor oil and discarded automobile batteries, or biodegradable materials such as yard waste.
RECYCLING PROCESSING FACILITY:	A waste related use where recyclable materials are collected, stored, and processed for efficient shipment, or to an end user's specifications, by such means as baling, briquetting, compacting, flattening, grinding, crushing, sorting, shredding or cleaning, but not by processes involving heat for melting, smelting or burning. A "recycling processing facility" does not include "salvage operations", as defined in this title.
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION:	Any religious/private group assembly use primarily intended to provide a place of assembly for the practice of religion, which has been granted a federal tax exemption as a section 501(c)(3) organization under the internal revenue code, as amended. For purposes of this title, not all facilities, businesses, and institutions owned and operated by a "religious institution" are categorized as religious/private group assembly. (See "religious/private group assembly uses", "educational facilities", "hospitals", "colleges and universities", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.)
RELIGIOUS/PRIVAT E GROUP ASSEMBLY USE:	See "religious/private group assembly uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
REMODEL/REPAIR:	Any improvement in a building that is not a structural alteration.
RESPONSIBLE PARTY:	A person who resides in and provides room and board in an elder family home. The "responsible party" may be, but is not required to be, an elder.
RESTAURANT:	An eating establishment as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT:	See "retail uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
REZONING:	An amendment to the text of this title, including any amendment or change to any maps, graphic representations, or tables incorporated herein; and/or an amendment to the zoning map, i.e., a change in the zoning designation of a particular parcel or parcels of land. Overlay rezonings are considered a type of "rezoning".
ROOF:	The top covering of a building constructed to shield the area beneath from the weather. The term "roof" includes the term "canopy".
ROOFLINE:	The highest point of the coping of a flat roof, the deck line of a mansard roof or the midpoint between the eaves and ridge of a saddle, hip, gable, gambrel or ogee roof.
ROOFTOP ROOM:	A room, with or without a roof, limited in size that is located on the uppermost roof of certain house-scale buildings to provide views across a neighborhood or the community. See sub-section 14-2H-7F (Rooftop Room).
ROOFTOP SERVICE AREA (RSA):	An accessory use to an eating or drinking establishment, commercial recreational use, hospitality oriented retail use or similar principal use that is designed as an outdoor seating or gathering space located on a rooftop or upper floor terrace of a building, and that is open to the public for events, entertainment, meetings, and/or as a food and beverage service area. Rooftop patios or upper floor terraces intended for private use by the residents or occupants of a building are not considered RSAs. If the RSA is accessory to an establishment that is licensed by the State to sell alcoholic beverages, it is considered a type of "outdoor service area" as defined in section 4-1-1 of this Code, and is subject to the applicable regulations in title 4, "Alcoholic Beverages", of this Code.
ROOMER:	An individual who leases and resides within a rooming unit of a group living use. Staff, including live-in staff of an assisted group living use, are not considered "roomers".
ROOMING HOUSE:	Any dwelling containing two (2) or more rooming units in which space is let by the owner or operator to four (4) or more roomers. A rooming house is categorized as an independent group living use.
ROOMING HOUSE COOPERATIVE:	A fraternal group living use that is organized as a nonprofit entity and that is an active member of North American Students of Cooperation (NASCO) or one of its affiliates, whose primary mission is to provide a cooperative living environment for its members. Said use is governed by a board that is democratically elected by members of the cooperative, with all members and board members having as their primary residence a rooming unit governed by the cooperative.
ROOMING UNIT:	Any habitable room or group of adjoining habitable rooms that form a single, private residential unit intended to be used primarily for living and sleeping, but not for cooking, located within a group living use.
SALVAGE OPERATION:	See "salvage operations", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
SCREENING:	Structures and/or plantings that obscure an area from public view or from view of neighboring properties.
SELF-SERVICE STORAGE:	See "self-service storage uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
SERVICE STATION:	See "quick vehicle servicing uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
SETBACK:	The distance between a specified object, such as a building, and another point. "Setbacks" are usually measured from lot lines to a specified object. Unless otherwise indicated, an unspecified setback refers to a building setback.
SETBACK AREA:	A required area on a lot unoccupied by structures above grade, except for projections and specific accessory uses or structures allowed in such area under the provisions of this title. A "setback area" extends from the grade upward.
SETBACK (AREA), FRONT:	The area on a lot between the street-side lot line(s) and the front setback line.
SETBACK (AREA), REAR:	On an interior lot, the rear setback is the area extending from one side lot line to another side lot line and between the rear setback line and rear lot line. On a corner lot, the rear setback is the area extending from the side lot line to the front setback line between the rear lot line and rear setback line. On a double frontage lot, there is no rear setback.
SETBACK (AREA), SIDE:	Any setback area between a side lot line and a side setback line that is not a front setback area or a rear setback area.
SETBACK LINE:	The line beyond which a specified use, object, building or structure shall not project, except as specified in this title.
SETBACK LINE, FRONT:	A line drawn parallel to the street and as far back from the street as specified for the principal building, front setback.
SETBACK LINE, REAR:	A line drawn parallel to the rear lot line and as far forward from the rear lot line as specified for the principal building, rear setback.
SETBACK LINE, SIDE:	A line drawn parallel to the side lot line and as far from the side lot line as specified for the principal building, side setback.
SETBACK, PARKING:	The mandatory clear distance between a design site line and parking.
SHOPFRONT BASE:	A very low wall, that does not include glass, between the display window(s) of a shopfront and the adjacent sidewalk.
SHRUB:	Any woody, perennial, bushy plant that branches into several stems or trunks at the base and is smaller than a tree. "Shrubs" are important features in permanent landscape planting, being used for formal decorative groups, hedges, screens, and background plantings, to which they contribute pattern, color, fragrance, or utility.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM:	A device, array of devices, or structural design feature, the purpose of which is to provide for generation of electricity, the collection, storage and distribution of solar energy. Rooftop solar energy systems are considered accessory mechanical structures. Utility-scale ground-mounted solar energy systems are considered a principal institutional use. See the definition for utility-scale ground-mounted solar energy system for additional information.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, UTILITY- SCALE GROUND- MOUNTED:	A solar energy system that is structurally mounted on the ground and is not roof mounted, and the system's footprint is at least one acre in size. Utility-scale ground-mounted solar energy systems may be used for both on-site and off-site consumption of energy. Ground-mounted energy systems with a footprint of less than one acre in size must be accessory to another principal use as an accessory mechanical structure.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION:	A principal or accessory use allowed in a particular zone only upon showing that such use in a specified location will comply with all the general and specific approval criteria for such a use as specified in this title and as approved by the board of adjustment. A "special exception" may also mean an adjustment or waiver of certain zoning requirements allowed in certain circumstances specifically enumerated in this title, subject to compliance with all the general and specific approval criteria for such an adjustment or waiver as specified in this title and as approved by the board of adjustment.
STACKING SPACE:	A permanent, durable surface designed to accommodate a motor vehicle waiting for entry to part of a development or use, such as a loading or unloading area, drive-through, car wash, or other auto oriented use.
STOREFRONT:	The ground level frontage of a building in which there is located a single business directly behind the frontage. A building may have more than one storefront. The length of the storefront is measured from the outside edge of the exterior walls of the building, or if there are multiple storefronts located in a single building, from the centerline of the wall that separates the business from another business, public area, or other area not occupied by the subject business. Narrow storefronts are those that are less than or equal to forty feet (40') in width. Medium storefronts are those that are greater than forty feet (40') and less than or equal to sixty feet (60') in width. Wide storefronts are those greater than sixty feet (60') in width.
STORY:	The portion of a building included between the upper surface of any floor and the upper surface of the next floor above. The topmost "story" shall be that habitable portion of a building included between the upper surface of the topmost floor and the ceiling above.
STORY, HALF:	A conditioned space that rests primarily underneath the slope of the roof, usually having dormer windows. The half story is identified by the “.5" in the description of maximum height (2.5). A half-story becomes a full story when its top wall plates, on at least two (2) opposite exterior walls, are four feet (4') or more above the floor of such story.
STREET, ARTERIAL:	A street, the principal function of which is to provide for through traffic and which is designed to carry large volumes of traffic. Arterial streets, as referenced in this title, are those streets shown on the Iowa City arterial street map as provided in chapter 5, article C, "Access Management Standards", of this title.
STREET, COLLECTOR:	A street, the principal function of which, is carrying traffic from local streets to arterial streets.
STREET, CUL-DE-SAC:	A local street terminating in a turnaround.
STREET, FRONT:	Street located along the front design site line.
STREET FRONTAGE, PRINCIPAL:	The horizontal area of a design site parallel to and along the public right-of-way which it borders and which is identified by an officially assigned street address. On rectangular design sites at a street corner, the principal street frontage shall have the narrower width in comparison to the other street frontage.
STREET FURNITURE:	Manmade objects, other than buildings, which are part of the streetscape. Examples include, but are not limited to, benches, litter containers, planting containers, sculptures, and bus shelters.
STREET, LOCAL:	A street used primarily for access to abutting property and for moving local traffic.
STREET, PRIVATE:	A way that is intended to afford a means of access to abutting lots and for moving local traffic. A private street is not owned or controlled by a government entity.
STREET, PUBLIC:	A right of way, dedicated to and accepted for public use, which affords a means of access to abutting property and a means of vehicular travel. A public street is owned or controlled by a government entity.
STREET, SIDE:	Street located along a design site line that is not the front design site line.
STREETSCAPE:	The scene of a street or way composed of natural and manmade elements, including buildings, paving, plantings, street furniture and miscellaneous structures.
STREET TREE:	A tree of any species or size planted in open spaces, parkways, sidewalk areas, easements, and streets.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATION:	Any change in the configuration of the exterior walls, foundation or roof of a building that results in an increase in the area, height or volume of the building.
STRUCTURE:	Anything constructed or installed on the ground or which is attached to something located on the ground. "Structures" include buildings, radio and TV towers, sheds and permanent signs. "Structures" exclude vehicles, sidewalks and paving.
STRUCTURE, ACCESSORY BUILDING/USE:	A building, structure, or use which: A. Is subordinate to the principal use of the property and contributes to the comfort, convenience or necessity of occupants, customers, or employees of the principle use; B. Is under the same ownership as the principal use or uses on the property;
	C. Does not include structures, structural features, or activities inconsistent with the uses to which they are accessory; and D. Except for off-street parking located on a separate design site as approved through a special exception, is located on the same design site as the principal use or uses to which it is an accessory.
SUBSTANDARD LOT:	See definition of Nonconforming Lot.
SURFACE PASSENGER SERVICES:	See "surface passenger services", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
TAILGATING:	A home football game day informal social gathering that is noncommercial and may include eating and drinking beverages (alcoholic or nonalcoholic) as part of the activities. Temporary parking on unimproved surfaces located on private property is allowed during tailgate events. No alcohol is sold at a tailgate, nor is any admission fee charged, goods sold or given away, nor services provided for a fee.
TANDEM PARKING:	A parking space deep enough to allow two (2) cars to park, one behind the other.
TOWNHOUSE:	Attached single-family dwellings containing not less than three (3) side by side, attached dwelling units (townhouse units), with each dwelling unit being located on a separate lot. Or as outlined in sub-section 14-2H-6K (Townhouse).
TOWNHOUSE STYLE APARTMENTS/ CONDOMINIUMS:	A multi-family dwelling containing not less than three (3) side by side, attached dwelling units, each with its own exterior entrance, and with all dwelling units located on the same lot.
TRACT:	An abutting group of lots developed for a use or uses which share common facilities, e.g., off street parking, loading and driveways. A "tract" shall be considered a single lot in the application of the requirements of this title.
TRANSIENT HOUSING:	A community service shelter use owned and operated by a nonprofit organization, as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code, as amended, providing a temporary residence, for a period of not more than ninety (90) days, for persons in need of emergency shelter and temporarily unable to pay for housing. (See "community service - shelter", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.)
TREE:	Perennial woody plant with a single main stem (the trunk or bole) from which branches and twigs extend to form a characteristic crown of foliage. "Trees" are important features in permanent landscape planting, being used to define street edges, to lessen heat island effects through shading, and by contributing pattern, color and utility. Small trees generally attain a height at maturity of up to thirty feet (30'). Large trees generally attain a height at maturity greater than thirty feet (30'). See the list of recommended "trees" for Iowa City, available through the city forester's office.
TRUCK TERMINAL FACILITY:	A warehouse and freight movement use intended to provide storage of truck trailers, and for the loading and unloading and temporary storage of goods and materials.
UPPER FLOOR:	A floor in a building containing habitable space that is located above the ground floor.
UPZONING:	The opposite of downzoning. (See definition of Downzoning.)
USE:	A purpose or activity for which land, structures, or a portion thereof, are designed, occupied and maintained.
USE, ACCESSORY:	See definition of Accessory Building/Use/Structure.
USE, PERMITTED:	See definition of Permitted Use.
USE, PRINCIPAL:	See definition of Principal Use.
USE, PROVISIONAL:	See definition of Provisional Use.
UTILITY SUBSTATION FACILITY:	An assemblage of equipment used for the purpose of changing the strength, volume, or configuration of the utility flow from a bulk quantity to smaller quantities to be used in the local distribution system. "Utility substation facilities" include, but are not limited to, electric substations, gas regulator stations, telecommunications switching and relay facilities, and water and sewer pumps or lift stations. A "utility substation facility" is classified as a "basic utility use" for purposes of this title.
VACATION:	The process by which the city discontinues the use of a street, alley or easement as a public way.
VARIANCE:	A means of granting a property owner relief from certain provisions of this title where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of this title will result in unnecessary hardship, and so that the spirit of this title shall be observed and substantial justice done. The authority to grant "variances" is vested in the board of adjustment pursuant to the code of Iowa, as amended.
VEHICLE:	Every device in, on or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a street or highway.
VEHICLE REPAIR USE:	See "vehicle repair uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
VEHICLE STORAGE:	A vehicle or portion thereof which is parked in the same position for a period of forty eight (48) hours or more.
WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOOD:	Areas that are pedestrian-oriented in nature, with a highly interconnected network of streets, where bicycling and walking are viable daily options because services, shopping, or food uses are within a short walking distance of most dwellings.
WALKABILITY:	The condition when an area is highly interconnected to other areas and appeals to pedestrians for recreational walking or for walking to work, transit, errands, shopping, or restaurants.
WAREHOUSE AND FREIGHT MOVEMENT USE:	See "warehouse and freight movement uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
WASTE RELATED USE:	See "waste related uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
WHOLESALE SALES USE:	See "wholesale sales uses", as defined in chapter 4, article A, "Use Categories", of this title.
WING:	A structure physically attached to, and smaller in footprint and height to, the main body of a building.
YARD/COURTYARD , INTERIOR:	An open area on a lot, which is bounded on at least three (3) sides by the exterior walls of one or more buildings and is not open toward a street-side lot line. An interior courtyard is not a side yard.
YARD, FRONT:	The area on a lot between the street-side lot line(s) and a line drawn parallel to and flush with the plane of any building facade of a principal building that faces a street-side lot line. On lots with multiple buildings, there is no front yard adjacent to buildings that are behind or surrounded by other buildings, such that there is no facade directly facing the street.
YARD, REAR:	On an interior lot, the rear yard is the area extending from one side lot line to another side lot line and between the rear lot line and a line drawn parallel to and flush with the plane of the rear building facade(s) of the principal building(s) on a lot. On a corner lot, the rear yard is the area extending from the side lot line to the front yard line that is opposite the side lot line and between the rear lot line and a line drawn parallel to and flush with the plane of any building facade(s) of the principal building(s) that faces a rear lot line. On a double fronting lot there is no rear yard.
YARD, SIDE:	The area on a lot bounded by any facade of the principal building that faces a side lot line and that same side lot line and excluding any area that is front yard, rear yard, or interior courtyard.
ZONING CODE INTERPRETATION PANEL:	A staff panel designated by the City Manager to interpret the provisions of this title in such a way as to carry out its intent and purpose.
ZONING MAP:	The map delineating the boundaries of zoning districts, which, along with the zoning text, comprises this title. (Ord. 05-4186, 12-15-2005; amd. Ord. 06-4220, 7-18-2006; Ord. 06-4245, 12-12-2006; Ord. 08-4323, 12-16-2008; Ord. 09-4341, 6-2-2009; Ord. 11-4437, 7-5-2011; Ord. 11-4443, 9-6-2011; Ord. 11-4446, 10-4-2011; Ord. 12-4477, 5-1-2012; Ord. 12-4495, 9-18-2012; Ord. 13-4526, 5-14-2013; Ord. 14-4578, 4-1-2014; Ord. 14-4588, 6-3-2014; Ord. 15-4641, 9-15-2015; Ord. 18-4744, 4-2-2018; Ord. 19-4779, 2-19-2019; Ord. 20-4817, 1-7-2020; Ord. 20-4820, 3-3-2020; Ord. 21-4866, 11-16-2021; Ord. 22-4881, 6-6-2022; Ord. 22-4882, 6-21-2022; Ord. 23-4893, 1-24-2023; Ord. 23-4914, 11-6-2023; Ord. 23-4917, 11-21-2023)