For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACCESSORY BUILDING or USE. A subordinate building or use which is located on the same lot on which the principal building or use is situated and which is reasonably necessary and incidental to the conduct of the primary use of such building or main use, when permitted by district regulations.
ACREAGE. Any tract or parcel of land having an area of one acre or more which has not been subdivided by metes and bounds or platted.
ADULT BUSINESS. A business based upon materials or performances that depict describe, or relate to “specified sexual activities” or “specified anatomical areas,” as defined under “adult use” in this section, or a place establishment or business which offers, advertises, or is engaged in any activity, service, sale, or display of any commodity or service which is prohibited by statute or ordinance to minors, or which otherwise forbids sales to, or excludes minors by virtue of age.
ADULT USE. An ADULT USE shall include the following:
(1) ADULT MEDIA STORE. An establishment or business having as a substantial or significant portion of its stock-in-trade, and offers, for any form of consideration, any one or more of the following:
(a) Books, magazines, newspapers, tabloids, photographs, films, tapes, pictures, computer software, and other media matter depicting, describing, or relating to “specified sexual activities” or “specified anatomical areas,” as defined in this subsection, or an establishment with a segment or section devoted to the sale or display of such material; or
(b) Instruments, devices, or paraphernalia that are designed for use in connection with “specified sexual activities.”
(2) ADULT ARCADE. An establishment where, for any form of consideration, one or more still or motion picture projectors, slide projectors, video players or similar machines, for viewing by five or fewer persons each, are used to show films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or other photographic reproductions which are characterized by an emphasis upon the depiction or description of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas;
(3) ADULT TOPLESS OR BOTTOMLESS ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS. An establishment, whether or not an eating and drinking place and whether or not such establishment is authorized to sell beer or alcoholic liquor for consumption on the premises, which provides dancers or any other form of entertainment which involves specified sexual activities or the display of specified anatomical areas as the predominant or primary entertainment activity of such establishment;
(4) ADULT PHYSICAL CULTURE BUSINESS. An establishment which offers or advertises massage, body rubs, and physical contact with specified anatomical areas whether or not licensed. Exempted from this definition are establishments which routinely provide medical services by State-licensed medical practitioners, electrolysis equipment, continuing instruction in martial or performing arts, or instruction in organized athletic activities;
(5) ADULT ARTISTS-BODY PAINTING STUDIO. An establishment or business which provides as a substantial or significant part of its business the services of applying paint or other substances to or on the human body when such body is unclothed in any specified anatomical area;
(6) ADULT MODELING STUDIO. An establishment or business which provides, as a substantial or significant part of its business, the services of the modeling of adults distinguished or characterized by emphasis on depicting specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas by means of photography, painting, sketching, drawing, or otherwise;
(7) ADULT MOTEL/HOTEL. An establishment or business which provides motel or hotel rooms which primarily offer motion pictures presenting materials distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matters depicting, describing, or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas for observation by patrons;
(8) ADULT MOTION PICTURE THEATER. An establishment or business used for presenting motion pictures, presenting material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matters depicting, describing, or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas for observation by patrons; and
(9) OTHER ADULT USES. Any other commercial use predominantly dealing in matters appealing to prurient interests.
(10) ADULT. For the purposes of this section ADULT shall mean and refer to persons twenty-one (21) years or older.
(11) SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIES. For the purposes of this section SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIES shall mean:
(a) Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal;
(b) Acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse, or sodomy;
(c) Fondling or other erotic touching of the human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, or breasts;
(d) Actual or simulated sex acts including intercourse, oral copulation, anal intercourse, oral or anal copulation, bestiality, direct physical stimulation of clothed or unclothed genitals, flagellation or torture in the context of a sexual relationship, anilingus, coprophagy, coprophilia, cunnilingus, fellatio, necrophilia, pedophilia, piquerism, sodomy, or zooerastia; or
(e) Masturbation, actual or simulated; or
(f) Fondling or touching of nude human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, anus, or female breast; or
(g) Masochism, erotic or sexually-oriented torture, beating or the infliction of pain; or
(h) Erotic or lewd touching, fondling or other sexually oriented contact with an animal by a human being; or
(I) Human excretion, urination, menstruation, vaginal or anal irrigation; or
(j) Striptease of the removal of clothing; or
(k) The wearing of transparent or diaphanous clothing, including models dressed only in lingerie to the point where specified anatomical areas, as defined below, are exposed or clearly visible.
(12) SPECIFIED ANATOMICAL AREAS. For the purposes of this section “specified anatomical areas,” shall mean:
(a) Less than completely or opaquely covered human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, or the female breast area below a point immediately above the top of the areolae; and
(b) Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state even if completely and opaquely covered.
AIRPORT or AIRCRAFT LANDING FIELD. Any landing area, runway, or other facility (including heliports), designed, used or intended to be used either publicly or privately by any person for the landing and taking off of aircraft, including all necessary taxiways, aircraft storage and tiedown areas, hangers and other necessary buildings and open spaces.
ALLEY. A public way, not more than 30 feet wide, which affords only a secondary means of access to abutting property.
APARTMENT. A room or suite of rooms in a multiple-family structure, which is arranged, designed, used, or intended to be used as a single housekeeping unit.
AUTOMOBILE LAUNDRY. A building or portion thereof where automobiles are washed with the use of a chain conveyor and blower or steam-cleaning device.
AUTOMOBILE REPAIR, MAJOR. Engine rebuilding or major reconditioning of worn or damaged motor vehicles or trailers; collision service, including body, frame, or fender straightening or repair; and overall painting of vehicles.
AUTOMOBILE REPAIR, MINOR. Incidental repairs, replacement of parts, and motor service to automobiles, but not including any operation specified under AUTOMOBILE REPAIR, MAJOR.
AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATION. A place where gasoline, stored only in underground tanks, kerosene, lubricating oil or grease, for operation of automobiles, are offered for sale directly to the public on the premises and including minor accessories and services for automobiles; but not including major automobile repairs; and including washing of automobiles where no chain conveyor, blower or steam-cleaning device is employed. When the dispensing, sale or offering for sale of motor fuels or oil is incidental to the conduct of a public garage, the premises shall be classified as a public garage. AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATIONS shall not include sale or storage of junkers or junk yards as defined herein.
AUTOMOBILE WRECKING YARD. (See Junkyards)
AWNING. A roof-like cover, temporary in nature, which projects from the wall of a building or overhangs the public way.
BASEMENT. A story partly or wholly underground. Where more than one-half of its height is above the established curb level or above the average level of the adjoining ground where curb level has not been established, a basement shall be counted as a story for purposes of height measurement.
BED AND BREAKFAST INN & TOURIST HOMES. An owner-occupied house that contains no more than five guest rooms, where short-term lodging rooms and meals are provided. Occupants are capable of independent living.
BEER GARDEN/OUTDOOR EATING AREA. An accessory outdoor area where food, alcohol, or beverages are sold to the consumers in connection with a duly licensed restaurant, tavern or club that serves alcoholic liquor, and where such food, alcohol, or beverages are intended to be consumed upon the premises whether indoor or out door. This definition does not include holders of a Class E-Special Licence as defined in Chapter 11 of the City Code. Nor does this definition include temporary outdoor use of the liquor licensee's premises for a period of time of 3 days or less, on no more than 2 occasions annually, when such use has been approved by the city's Liquor Commissioner, and is in compliance with all other regulations.
BILLBOARD. Any structure or portion thereof upon which are signs or advertisements used as an outdoor display. This definition does not include any bulletin boards used to announce church services, or to display court or other public office notices, or signs offering the sale or lease of the premises on which the sign is located.
BOARDING HOUSE. An establishment with lodging where meals are regularly prepared and served for compensation and where food is placed upon the table family style, without service or ordering of individual portions from a menu. Occupants are capable of independent living.
BLOCK. A tract of land bounded by streets or, in lieu of a street or streets, by public parks, cemeteries, railroad rights-of-way, bulkhead lines, or shore lines of waterways or a corporate boundary line of the city.
BUILDING. Any structure with substantial walls and roof securely affixed to the land and entirely separated on all sides from any other structure by walls in which there are no communicating doors, windows or openings; and which is designed or intended for the shelter, enclosure, or protection of persons, animals or chattels. Any structure with interior areas not normally accessible for human use, such as gas holders, oil towers, and other similar structures, are not considered as buildings. This term shall include the word STRUCTURE.
BUILDABLE AREA. The space remaining on a zoning lot after the minimum open space requirements of this chapter have been complied with.
BUILDING, COMPLETELY ENCLOSED. A building separated on all sides from the adjacent open space, or from other buildings or other structures, by a permanent roof and by exterior walls or party walls, pierced only by windows and normal exit or entrance doors.
BUILDING HEIGHT. The vertical distance measured from the sidewalk level or its equivalent established grade opposite the middle of the front of the building to the highest point of the roof in the case of a flat roof; to the deck line of a mansard roof; and to the mean height level between eaves and ridge of a gable, hip, or gambrel roof; provided, that where buildings are set back from the street line the height of the building may be measured from the average elevation of the finished lot grade at the front of the building.
BUILDING, NONCONFORMING. Any building which does not conform to the regulations of this chapter prescribing the maximum floor area ratio, required yards, coverage, height, and setbacks, minimum required spacing between buildings on a single lot, and minimum required usable open space for the district in which such building is located.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL. A building in which is conducted the main use of the zoning lot on which it is situated.
BUILDING SETBACK LINE. A line parallel to the street line at a distance from it, regulated by the front yard requirements set-up in this chapter.
BULK. The term used to describe the size and mutual relationships of buildings and other structures, as to size; height; coverage, shape; location of exterior walls in relation to lot lines, to the center line of streets, to other walls of the same building, and to other buildings or structures; and to all open spaces relating to the building or structure.
BUS LOT. Any lot or land area used for the storage of layover of passenger buses or motor coaches.
CANNABIS BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT. An adult-use cannabis cultivation center, craft grower, processing organization, infuser organization, dispensing organization or transporting organization.
CANNABIS CRAFT GROWER. A facility operated by an organization or business that is licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to cultivate, dry, cure and package cannabis and perform other necessary activities to make cannabis available for sale at a dispensing organization or use at a processing organization, per the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, (P.A. 101-0027), as it may be amended from time-to-time, and regulations promulgated thereunder.
CANNABIS CULTIVATION CENTER. A facility operated by an organization or business that is licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to cultivate, process, transport and perform necessary activities to provide cannabis and cannabis-infused products to licensed cannabis business establishments, per the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, (P.A. 101-0027), as it may be amended from time-to-time, and regulations promulgated thereunder.
CANNABIS DISPENSARY. A facility operated by an organization or business that is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to acquire cannabis from licensed cannabis business establishments for the purpose of selling or dispensing cannabis, cannabis-infused products, cannabis seeds, paraphernalia or related supplies to purchasers or to qualified registered medical cannabis patients and caregivers, per the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, (P.A. 101-0027), as it may be amended from time-to-time, and regulations promulgated thereunder.
CANNABIS INFUSER. A facility operated by an organization or business that is licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to directly incorporate cannabis or cannabis concentrate into a product formulation to produce a cannabis-infused product, per the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, (P.A. 101-0027), as it may be amended from time-to-time, and regulations promulgated thereunder.
CANNABIS PROCESSOR. A facility operated by an organization or business that is licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to either extract constituent chemicals or compounds to produce cannabis concentrate or incorporate cannabis or cannabis concentrate into a product formulation to produce a cannabis product, per the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, (P.A. 101-0027), as it may be amended from time-to-time, and regulations promulgated thereunder.
CANNABIS TRANSPORTER. An organization or business that is licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to transport cannabis on behalf of a cannabis business establishment or a community college licensed under the Community College Cannabis Vocational Training Pilot Program, per the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, (P.A. 101-0027), as it may be amended from time-to-time, and regulations promulgated thereunder.
CANOPY. A permanent roof-like structure which may be freestanding or extending from part, or all of a building face, placed so as to extend outward from the building providing a protective shield for doors, windows and other openings. Canopies shall be subject to the same location restriction as apply to the building or structure which they serve; with the exception of front yard requirement for canopies on buildings located in the Central Business District.
CARPORT. A structure, free-standing or attached, open on one or more sides to the weather, which is used for the parking of motor vehicles. Carports shall be subject to the same location restriction as apply to accessory buildings.
CARTAGE, LOCAL. Pick-up and delivery of parcels, packages and freight by motor truck within and not exceeding 15 miles of the city.
CELLAR. A cellar is a story having more than one-half of its height below the curb level or below the highest level of the adjoining ground. A cellar shall not be counted as a story for the purpose of height measurement.
CLINIC or MEDICAL HEALTH CENTER. An establishment where patients are admitted for special study and treatment by two or more licensed physicians and their professional associates, practicing medicine together.
CLUB or LODGE, PRIVATE. A nonprofit association of persons, who are bona fide members paying annual dues, which owns, hires or leases a building or portion thereof.
CONSUMER MOTOR VEHICLE. Includes cars, sport utility vehicles, light trucks, motorcycles, and similar types of vehicles typically associated as consumer passenger type vehicles. This shall also include electric and internal combustion motors.
CURB LEVEL. The level of the established curb in front of the building measured at the center of such front. Where a building faces on more than one street, the CURB LEVEL shall be the average of levels of the curbs at the center of the front of each street. Where no curb elevation has been established, the mean level of the land immediately adjacent to the building shall be considered the CURB LEVEL.
DECK. See TERRACE, OPEN.
DOG GROOMING. Dog grooming refers to both the hygienic care and cleaning of a dog, as well as a process by which a dog's physical appearance is enhanced for showing or other types of competition. DOG GROOMING shall not include kennel or boarding functions.
DWELLING. A building or portion thereof, but not including a house trailer or mobile home, designed or used exclusively for residential occupancy, including one-family dwelling units, but not including hotels, boarding, or lodging houses.
DWELLING UNIT. One or more rooms in a residential structure or apartment-hotel, designed for occupancy by one-family, plus not more than four lodgers, for living and sleeping purposes.
DWELLING, MULTIPLE-FAMILY. A building or portion thereof, designed or altered for occupancy by three or more families living independently of each other.
DWELLING, ONE-FAMILY. A building designed exclusively for use and occupancy by one-family, and entirely separated from any other dwelling by space.
DWELLING, ROW (PARTY WALL). A row of two to eight attached, one- family, party wall dwellings, not more than two and one half stories in height, nor more than two rooms in depth measured from the building line.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY. A building designed or altered to provide dwelling units for occupancy by two families.
DWELLING GROUP. Two or more one-family, two-family, or multiple-family dwellings, or boarding or lodging houses, located on one zoning lot, but not including tourist courts or motels.
FAMILY. One or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption or a group of not more than two persons (excluding servants) who need not be related by blood, marriage, or adoption, living together and maintaining a common household, but not including sororities, fraternities or other similar organizations.
FAST FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS. Eating establishments whose principal business is the preparation of food for immediate sale and consumption, generally served in disposable containers and wrappers, where orders are placed and picked up by patrons at the sales window(s), counter(s) or service area(s) for consumption on or off the premises, where seating is normally without full-time waiter service. These establishments often provide drive-through facilities.
FIFTH-WHEEL COUPLING. Provides the link between a semi-trailer and the towing truck, tractor unit, leading trailer or dolly. Some camper trailers use a fifth-wheel configuration, requiring the coupling to be installed in the bed of a pickup truck as a towing vehicle, and FIFTH WHEEL is therefore sometimes used as a synonym for such campers in North America. The coupling consists of a kingpin, a two- or three-inch diameter (50.9 or 99.9 mm) steel pin on the front of the semi-trailer, and a horseshoe-shaped coupling device called a FIFTH WHEEL on the rear of the towing vehicle.
FUEL BULK STATION. A place where crude petroleum, gasoline, naphtha, benzine, benzol, kerosene or other flammable liquid which has a flash point at or below 200° F. is stored for wholesale purposes, where the aggregate capacity of all storage tanks is more than 6,000 gallons, regardless of whether the fuel is stored aboveground, underground or in mobile tank cars to trucks.
GARAGE, BUS. Any building used or intended to be used for the storage of three or more passenger motor buses, or motor coaches used in public transportation, including school buses.
GARAGE, BUS or TRUCK. A building which is used or intended to be used for the storage of motor trucks, truck trailers, tractors, and commercial vehicles exceeding one and one half-ton capacity.
GARAGE, PRIVATE. A detached accessory building or portion of the principal building, designed, arranged, used or intended to be used for the storage of automobiles of the occupants of the premises.
GARAGE, PUBLIC. A building other than a private garage, used for the care, incidental servicing, and sale of automobile supplies, or where motor vehicles, are parked or stored for remuneration, hire, or sale within the structure, but not including trucks, tractors, truck trailers, and commercial vehicles exceeding one and one half-ton capacity.
GOOSENECK TRAILER. Attaches to the towing vehicle by way of a ball hitch that is mounted in the bed of a pickup truck. GOOSENECK TRAILERS are sometimes mistakenly referred to as fifth-wheel. The difference is that GOOSENECK TRAILERS utilize a ball hitch and are towed by a pickup truck and fifth-wheel trailers utilize a kingpin and are towed by a semi-tractor.
GUEST HOUSE. Living quarters within a detached accessory building located on the same premises with the principal building, for use by temporary guests of the occupants of the premises. Such quarters shall have no kitchen facilities nor be rented or otherwise used as a separate dwelling unit.
HEAVY COMMERCIAL VEHICLE. Includes vehicles not of the consumer type. Examples include, but are not limited to, large heavy duty dump trucks, excavation equipment, cranes, bulldozers, farm tractors, and semi-tractors.
HOME OCCUPATION. A gainful occupation or profession customarily carried on by an occupant of a dwelling unit as a use which is clearly incidental to the use of the dwelling unit for residential purposes.
HOSPITAL or SANITARIUM. An institution open to the public in which patients or injured persons are given medical or surgical care; or for the care of contagious diseases or incurable patients.
HOTEL, APARTMENT. A building containing dwelling units or individual guest rooms, the majority of which are for permanent guests. Maid and janitor service may be provided but kitchen facilities are not necessarily included.
HOTEL or MOTEL. A building in which more than five rooms or suites are reserved to provide living and sleeping accommodations for temporary guests, with no provisions in said rooms for cooking in any individual room or suite.
HOUSEHOLDER. The occupant of a dwelling unit who is either the owner or lessee thereof.
INDEPENDENT ELDERLY CONGREGATE HOUSING. A residential facility occupied by persons age 55 or older, their spouses, or surviving spouses, except for rooms or units occupied by resident staff personnel, within which are provided individual living and sleeping facilities. Such facilities may also provide other services such as, meal preparation, laundry services, room cleaning, transportation for routine social and medical appointments, and counseling.
INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITY. A facility providing basic care, including physical, emotional, social, and other restorative services under periodic medical supervision. Many of these services, such as nursing care, may require skill in administration. Most of the residents have long-term illnesses or disabilities which may have reached a relatively stable plateau. Other residents whose conditions are stabilized may need medical and nursing services to maintain stability. Essential supportive consultant services are provided.
JUNKYARD. A plot of ground, which may be covered with buildings, partially covered with buildings or without any buildings, which plot is used by anyone for buying, selling, storing, exchanging, baling, packing, disassembling, handling, wrecking or trading in junk, dismantled or wrecked motor vehicles or parts thereof, dismantled or wrecked farm machinery or parts thereof, industrial scrap, scrap iron, rags, and any secondhand article whatsoever including but not limited to the foregoing enumerated items, except a plot of ground used for any of the above purposes when dealing with junk, rags and secondhand articles which has a zoning classification of R-1 to R-6 or B-1 to B-3 as set forth in §§ 155.060 through 155.068 and which plot of ground is used in compliance with those chapters. Facilities that qualify in all aspects as a consumer metals recycling facility shall be considered as such, and shall not be considered a junkyard.
KENNEL, COMMERCIAL. Any lot or premises or portion thereof on which more than four dogs, cats and other household domestic animals, over four months of age, are kept or on which more than two such animals are boarded for compensation or kept for sale.
LABORATORY, COMMERCIAL. A place devoted to experimental study such as testing and analyzing. Manufacturing, assembly or packaging of products is not included within this definition.
LINE OF BUILDING (FOR MEASURING YARDS). A line parallel to the nearest lot line drawn through the point of a building or group of buildings nearest to such lot line, exclusive of such features specified as being permitted to extend into a yard.
LOADING AND UNLOADING SPACE, OFF STREET. An open hard-surfaced area of land other than a street or public way, the principal use of which is for the standing, loading, and unloading of motor truck, tractors and trailers, to avoid undue interference with the public use of streets and alleys. Such space shall be not less than ten feet in width, 45 feet in length, and 14 feet in height, exclusive of access aisles and maneuvering space.
LODGING OR ROOMING HOUSE. A residential structure that provides lodging with or without meals, is available for permanent occupancy only, and which makes no provisions for cooking in any of the rooms occupied by paying guests. Occupants are capable of independent living.
LOT. The word LOT when used alone shall mean a zoning lot unless the context of this chapter clearly indicates otherwise. This term shall include the works plat.
LOT, CORNER. A parcel of land situated at the intersection of two or more streets or adjoining a curved street at the end of a block.
LOT COVERAGE. The area of a zoning lot occupied by the principal building or buildings and accessory buildings.
LOT DEPTH. The horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines measured in the mean direction of the side lot lines.
LOT FRONTAGE. The front of a lot shall be that boundary of a lot along a public street; for a corner lot the owner may elect either street line as the front lot line.
LOT, INTERIOR. A side lot line common with another lot.
LOT LINE, REAR. The rear lot line is the lot line or lines most nearly parallel to and most remote from the front lot line. Lot lines other than front or rear lot lines are side lot lines.
LOT, REVERSED CORNER. A corner lot, the rear of which abuts upon the side of another lot, whether across an alley or not.
LOT, THROUGH. A lot having frontage on two parallel or approximately parallel streets, and which is not a corner lot.
LOT WIDTH. The horizontal distance between the side lot lines measured at right angles to the lot depth at the established front building line.
LOT, ZONING. See ZONING LOT.
MANUFACTURE. The making of anything by any agency or process.
MARQUEE or CANOPY. A roof-like structure of a permanent nature which projects from the wall of a building and may overhang the public way.
MOBILE HOME. A transportable, factory-built home designed to permit its transport by wheel on streets to the place where it is to be occupied as a dwelling unit, complete and ready for year-round and permanent occupancy, attached to a permanent foundation.
MOTOR FREIGHT TERMINAL, PRIVATE. A building in which freight, brought to said building by motor truck, is assembled and sorted for routing in intrastate and interstate shipment by motor truck.
NONCONFORMING USE. Any building, structure or land lawfully occupied by a use or lawfully established at the time of the adoption of this chapter or amendments thereto, which does not conform after the passage of this chapter or amendments hereto with the use regulations of this chapter.
NURSERY, DAY. An institution providing care for three or more children under the age of four years for periods of more than four hours but not exceeding 24 hours.
NURSERY SCHOOL. An institution providing day care service for children from four to six years of age.
NURSING HOME or REST HOME. See INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITY.
OCTAVE BAND. A means of dividing the range of sound frequencies into octaves in order to classify sound according to pitch.
PARCEL DELIVERY STATION. A building in which commodities, sold at retail within the area and packaged by the retailer, are assembled and routed for delivery to retail customers located within the area.
PARKING AREA, PRIVATE. An open hard-surfaced area of land, other than a street or public way, designed, arranged, and made available for the storage of private passenger automobiles only, of occupants of the building or buildings for which the parking area is developed and is accessory.
PARKING AREA, PUBLIC. An open, hard-surfaced area, other than a street or public way, intended to be used for the storage of passenger automobiles and commercial vehicles under 1½ ton capacity, and available to the public, whether for compensation, free or as an accommodation to clients or customers.
PARKING SPACE, AUTOMOBILE. Space within a public or private parking area of not less than 162 square feet (8.5 feet by 19 feet), exclusive of access drives or aisles, ramps, columns, or office and work areas, for the storage of one passenger automobile or commercial vehicle under one and one half-ton capacity.
PARKING SPACE, RESERVOIR or STACKING. Off-street parking spaces allocated to motor vehicles awaiting entrance to a drive-in service or ordering window at an establishment, thus minimizing vehicle back-up or congestion in the adjacent roadway.
PATIO. See TERRACE, OPEN.
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT. A tract of land which is developed as a unit under single ownership or control, which includes two or more principal buildings and which is at least four acres in area, except for planned developments operated by a municipal corporation which shall be at least two acres in area, and manufacturing planned developments which shall be at least ten acres in area.
PORCH. A roofed-over structure projecting out from the wall or walls of a main structure and commonly open to the weather in part.
PUBLIC UTILITY. Any person, firm, corporation or municipal department, duly authorized to furnish under public regulation to the public, electricity, gas, steam, telephone, telegraph transportation, or water.
RAILROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY. A strip of land with tracts and auxiliary facilities for tract operation, but not including depots, loading platforms, stations, train sheds, warehouses, car shops, car yards, locomotive shops or water towers.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. A vehicular-type portable structure (marine or terrain) without a permanent foundation that can be towed, hauled, or driven, and that is primarily designed as a temporary living accommodation for recreational, camping, and travel use, including, but not limited to: camping trailers, motor homes, mini motor homes, travel trailers, truck campers, van campers, boats, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, or other such items used primarily for recreational purposes. RECREATIONAL VEHICLE also includes trailers designed to transport materials other than people, including , but not limited to: boats, vehicles, snowmobiles, and other forms of cargo. RECREATIONAL VEHICLE does not include any vehicle which has, or is eligible for, a passenger license plate.
RECYCLING FACILITY, CONSUMER METALS. A facility for the acceptance by donation, redemption, or purchase of recyclable, consumer-based, non-ferrous metal products from the public. Operations at the facility shall be in compliance with § 155.118. Facilities in excess of the size limitations contained in § 155.118 shaft be considered to be junkyards, as defined in § 155.003 herein, and subject to the regulations applicable to junkyards.
RINGELMANN NUMBER. The number of the area on the Ringelmann Chart that coincides most nearly with the visual density of emission.
SALON. An establishment where a hairdresser or beautician conducts business. Examples of services provided at a salon include, but are not limited to, hair cutting, manicure and pedicure, and spray tanning.
SEMI-INDEPENDENT ELDERLY CONGREGATE HOUSING. A facility providing all the features of independent elderly congregate housing along with limited health care and rehabilitative services.
SEMI-TRAILER. A trailer with a large proportion of its weight being supported either by a semi-tractor or by a detachable front axle assembly called a dolly. A SEMI-TRAILER is equipped with legs that can be lowered to support it when it is unhooked from the tractor. When coupled together, the tractor and trailer combination is often referred to as a semi, 18-wheeler, big-rig or truck and trailer. The purpose of a SEMI-TRAILER is to carry freight. Types of SEMI-TRAILERS include dry freight vans, refrigerated vans (reefers), flatbeds (standard, step-deck, lowboy, double drop, etc.) and tank trailers. Trailer sizes vary, but the most common sizes are 53 feet or 48 feet in length and 102 inches or 96 inches in width. SEMI- TRAILERS are attached to the towing vehicle by way of fifth-wheel coupling.
SETBACK LINE, BUILDING. See BUILDING SETBACK LINE.
SHELTERED CARE OR BOARD AND CARE FACILITY. A facility which provides maintenance (food, shelter and laundry services) and personal care, such as assistance with meals, dressing, movement, bathing, or other personal needs or general supervision and oversight of the physical and mental well- being of an individual who is incapable of managing his person.
SHIPPING CONTAINER. A large, strong container, usually constructed of corrugated metal of sufficient strength for stacking, used to store goods during shipment.
SHORT-TERM RENTALS. A short-term rental of a single-family dwelling that lets property owners rent out their spaces to travelers looking for a place to stay for periods of 29 days or less.
SIGN. A name, identification, description, display or illustration which is affixed to, or painted or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, structure, or piece of land, and which directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization, or business.
SKILLED NURSING FACILITY. A facility providing skilled nursing care, continuous skilled nursing observations, restorative nursing, and other services under professional direction with frequent medical supervision. Such facilities are provided for patients who need the type of care and treatment required during the post-acute phase of illness or during recurrence of symptoms in long-term illness.
SMOKE UNITS. The number obtained by multiplying the smoke density in Ringelmann numbers by the time of emission in minutes. For the purpose of this chart, Ringelmann density reading is made at least once every minute during the period of observation; each reading is then multiplied by the time in minutes during which it is observed; and the various products are added together to give the total number of SMOKE UNITS observed during the total period under observation.
STABLE, LIVERY. Any building other than a private stable, designed, arranged, used, or intended to be used for the storage of horses and horse-drawn vehicles, or both.
STORY. That portion of a building included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above it, or if there be no floor above it, then the space between the floor and the ceiling next above it. Any portion of a story exceeding 14 feet in height shall be considered as an additional story for each fourteen feet or fraction thereof.
STORY, HALF. That portion of a building under a gable, hip, or mansard roof, the wall plates on which, on at least two opposite exterior walls, are not more than four and one half feet above the finished floor of such story. In the case of one-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, and multiple-family dwellings less than three stories in height, a half story in a sloping roof shall not be counted as a story for the purpose of this chapter. In the case of multiple-family dwellings three or more stories in height, a half story shall be counted as a story.
STREET. A public way other than an alley.
STREET LINE. A line separating an abutting lot, piece or parcel from a street.
STRUCTURE. Anything constructed or erected which requires location on the ground or is attached to something having location on the ground.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS. Any change other than incidental repairs which would prolong the life of the supporting members of a building or structure, such as bearing walls, columns, beams or girders.
SWIMMING POOL. Any structure that contains water which is used, or intended to be used for, swimming, wading, or recreational bathing. This includes in-ground, above-ground, and on-ground swimming pools, hot tubs and spas.
TAVERN. A building where liquors are sold to be consumed on the premises.
TEA ROOM. A small public eating place which does not use deep fat fryers or grills, whose hours of operation are limited and whose service and decor are designed primarily for feminine clientele but excluding restaurants, cafes and drive-through service windows for same, provided said place may include a small gift shop in the same building.
TERRACE, OPEN. A level plane or platform which, for the purpose of this chapter, is located adjacent to one or more faces of a principal or accessory structure and which is constructed not more
than four feet in height above the average level of the adjoining ground. Open terrace is the same as a deck or patio.
TOURIST COURTS, MOTOR LODGES, MOTELS. A group of attached or detached buildings containing individual sleeping or living units, designed for or used temporarily by automobile tourists or transients, with garage attached or parking space conveniently located to each unit, including auto courts, motels, motor lodges or other similar type uses.
TRUCK PARKING AREA or YARD. Any land used or intended to be used for the storage or parking of trucks, tractors, truck trailers and including commercial vehicles, while not loading or unloading and which exceed one and one half-ton in capacity.
USE. The purpose for which land or a building thereon is designed, arranged or intended, or for which it is occupied or maintained, let or leased.
USED CAR LOT. A zoning lot on which used or new cars, trailers or trucks are displayed for sale or trade.
YARD. An open space on the same zoning lot with a principal building or group of buildings, which is unoccupied and unobstructed from its lowest level upward, except as otherwise permitted in this chapter, and which extends along a lot line and at right angles thereto to a depth or width specified in the yard regulations for the district on which the zoning lot is located.
YARD, FRONT. A yard extending across the full width of the zoning lot and lying between the front line of the lot and the nearest line of a building.
YARD, REAR. A yard extending across the full width of the zoning lot and lying between the rear line of the lot and the nearest line of the principal building.
YARD, SIDE. That part of the yard lying between the nearest line of the principal building and a side lot line, and extending from the required front yard (or from the front lot line, if there is no required front yard) to the required rear yard.
ZERO LOT LINE. The location of a building on a zoning lot in such a manner that one or more of the building's sides, or the building's party wall, rests directly on a lot line.
ZONING LOT. A plot of ground, made up of one or more parcels, which is or may be occupied by a use, building, or buildings including the open spaces required by this chapter.
ZONING MAPS. The map or maps incorporated into this chapter as a part hereof, designating zoning districts.
('71 Code, § 11-2-1) (Ord. 1413, passed 9-13-60; Am. Ord. 2057, passed 6-11-79; Am. Ord. 2357, passed 3-28-83; Am. Ord. 2452, passed 8-13-84; Am. Ord. 2475, passed 11-12-84; Am. Ord. 3123, passed 8-25- 97; Am. Ord. 3142, passed 1-26-98; Am. Ord. 3165, passed 7-13-98; Am. Ord. 3297, passed 2-13-01; Am. Ord. 3300, passed 3-26-01; Am. Ord. 3327, passed 10-9-01; Am. Ord. 3607, passed 5-11-09; Am. Ord. 3876, passed 2-27-17; Am. Ord. 3883, passed 5-22-17; Am. Ord. 3933, passed 6-25-18; Am. Ord. 3935, passed 7-9-18; Am. Ord. 3980, passed 10-28- 19; Am. Ord. 3989, passed 12-19-19; Am. Ord. 4099, passed 5-9-22)