ABUT: To share a common lot line or zoning district boundary, without being separated by a street or alley.
ACCESSORY BUILDING: A building that is located on the same lot as, and of a nature customarily incidental and subordinate to, another building or structure, and the use of which is clearly incidental and subordinate to that of the other building or structure.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE OR USE: A structure or use which:
(A) Is subordinate to and serves a principal structure or principal use.
(B) Is subordinate in area, extent or purpose to the principal structure or principal use served.
(C) Contributes to the comfort, convenience or necessity of occupants of the principal structure or principal use served.
(D) Is located on the same zoning lot as the principal structure or principal use served, with the single exception of such accessory off street parking facilities as are permitted to locate elsewhere than on the same zoning lot with the building or use served.
ADDITION OR EXPANSION: Any of the following: a) an increase in floor area of a building; b) a modification to the roofline of a building, such as the construction of a dormer that increases the amount of floor space devoted to human use or occupancy; or c) the reconstruction of a building or structure which is not accompanied by a change in the use of a lot.
ADVERTISING BENCH: Any bench or bench like structure that is used, in whole or in part, for advertising purposes by means of a message or design painted on, printed on, affixed to or otherwise designed as an integral part of the bench.
ALLEY: A public right of way that normally affords a secondary means of access to abutting property.
ALTERATION: Any change in size, shape, character, occupancy or use of a building or structure.
ANTENNA: Any exterior apparatus at a fixed location designed for telephone, radio, data, internet or other communications through the sending and/or receiving of electromagnetic waves, including equipment attached to a tower, structure or building.
APARTMENT HOUSE: A building that is used, or intended to be used, as a home or residence for more than two (2) families living in separate apartments.
ARRAYS: A set of antennas for one service or service provider that is placed on a tower, structure or building at a given height aboveground and is spaced to avoid internal interference.
AWNING: A structure made of cloth, metal or other materials, approved by the superintendent of buildings, affixed to a building in such a manner that the structure may be raised or retracted to a position against the building.
BALCONY: A platform which projects from the exterior wall of a building above the ground floor, which is exposed to the open air, has direct access to the interior of the building, and is not supported by posts or columns extending to the ground.
BALLOON: An inflated nonporous object filled with heated gas or a gas lighter than air.
BANNER: Any sign printed or displayed upon cloth or other flexible material with or without frames.
BASEMENT: A portion of a building located partly underground, but having more than half its clear floor to ceiling height below the average grade of the adjoining ground.
BAY WINDOW: A window which projects outward from the building, beginning at least two feet (2') aboveground and does not rest on the building foundation or on the ground.
BEACON: A stationary or revolving light, which flashes or projects illumination, single- or multi-colored, in any manner that is intended to attract or divert attention. However, this term is not intended to include any kind of lighting device that is required or necessary under the safety regulations described by the federal aviation administration or other similar agencies.
BILLBOARD: A freestanding sign or wall sign that advertises a business or product, and is not located on the premises where the business is located or the product is the primary product available for sale.
BLOCK: A tract of land bounded by streets or by a combination of one or more streets and public parks, cemeteries, railroad rights of way, corporate boundary lines or watercourse.
BLOCKFACE: The properties abutting on one side of the street and lying between the two (2) nearest intersecting or intercepting streets, or nearest intersecting or intercepting street and railroad rights of way, public parks, cemeteries, corporate boundary line or watercourse.
BOARDING HOUSE: A building or premises where meals are regularly served, or is equipped to serve meals, by prearrangement for definite periods for compensation, and not open to transients.
BUILDING: A structure entirely separated from any other structure by space or by walls in which there are no communicating doors or windows, or similar openings, and having a roof supported by walls or columns for the shelter, support or enclosure of persons, animals or chattels. Two (2) or more buildings designed and intended for use as two-family dwellings, apartment houses, stores or other like business occupancy may be considered as one building if constructed as a single unit.
BUILDING AREA: The maximum horizontal projected area of a building and its accessories, excluding open steps, terraces and cornices projecting not more than twenty inches (20").
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, having only windows and normal entrance or exit doors or by party walls.
BUILDING, DETACHED: A building surrounded by an open space on the same lot.
BUILDING HEIGHT, ACCESSORY BUILDING: The vertical distance measured from the established average finished grade to the highest point of the roof or the highest point of the structure. (No illustration provided.)
BUILDING HEIGHT, PRINCIPAL BUILDING: The vertical distance measured from the average finished grade, or proposed finished grade. Chimneys, spires, steeples, towers, elevator penthouses, tanks and similar projections other than signs shall not be included in calculating the height.
(A) In the case of a flat roof, at the front of the building to the highest point of the roof or parapet, whichever is higher.
(B) In the case of a mansard roof, to the deck line.
(C) In the case of a gable, hip or gambrel roof, to the mean point between the eaves and the ridge. See illustration below.
BUILDING LINE SETBACK: A line established herein generally parallel with the street line. Between such line and the street line, the front line of a building shall not be built or located.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL: A nonaccessory building in which the principal use of the lot on which it is located is conducted.
BUILDING, RESIDENTIAL: A building which is arranged, designed, used or intended to be used for residential occupancy by one or more families or lodgers and includes, but is not limited to, the following types: single-family detached dwellings, two-family dwellings, townhouse dwellings, and multi-family dwellings.
BUILDING, TEMPORARY: Any building not designed to be permanently located, placed or affixed in the place where it is or where it is intended to be placed.
BULK: The term used to indicate the size and setbacks of buildings or structures, and the location of the same with respect to one another, and includes the following:
(A) Size and height of buildings.
(B) Location of exterior walls at all levels in relation to lot lines, streets or other buildings.
(C) Gross floor area of buildings in relation to lot area (floor area ratio).
(D) All open spaces allocated to buildings.
(E) Amount of lot area provided per dwelling unit.
BULLETIN BOARD: Any sign with a changeable message board erected in a permanent fashion by a charitable, educational or religious institution or public body, which is erected upon the same property as said institution.
BUSINESS: Engaging in purchase, sale, barter or exchange of goods, wares or merchandise; the maintenance or operation of offices or recreational or amusement enterprises operated for profit.
CANOPY: Any structure, other than an awning, made of materials such as cloth, metal or other materials approved by the superintendent of buildings, with a frame either attached to a building or projecting from a building, and carried by a frame supported by the ground or sidewalk.
CAPACITY IN PERSONS: The "capacity in persons" of an establishment or use is the maximum number of persons that can avail themselves of the services or goods, of such establishment, at any one time, with reasonable comfort.
CARPORT: An open sided roofed automobile shelter, usually formed by extension of the roof from the side of a building.
COLLOCATION: Placement of wireless communication equipment from more than one service or service provider on a single site.
CONDOMINIUM: A condominium is a concept in ownership of real estate wherein the parcel is registered under the Illinois condominium act and local ordinances, if any.
CONFORMING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE: Any building or structure that complies with all the regulations of this title or of any amendment hereto governing bulk for the zoning district in which such building or structure is located or is designed or intended for a conforming use.
CONTIGUOUS: Adjoining or abutting.
CURB LEVEL: The level of the established curb in front of a building or structure measured at the center of such front. Where no curb level has been established, it shall be deemed to be the established level of the centerline of the street surface in front of a building or structure, measured at the centerline of such front.
DECK: A structure that is attached or unattached to the principal building, which is open to the sky and provides a platform that is raised more than one foot (1') above the ground. A deck can be made of any material.
DISPLAY SURFACE AREA: The net geometric area enclosed by the display surface of a sign, including the outer extremities of all letters, characters and delineations. "Display surface area" shall be measured in square feet of surface area and may also be referred to as square feet of surface area. "Display surface area" shall not include the structural supports of freestanding signs. If a sign has an irregular shape that causes difficulty in determining surface area, the area shall be determined as the area of the smallest circle, rectangle or triangle that can be used to enclose the "display surface area". Both faces of a double faced sign shall be considered in determining the "display surface area". If a sign is made up of several elements that are supported by the same structure and are intended to convey related parts of a single message, the elements will be considered as one sign and the total display surface area of all the elements shall be used to calculate the display surface area of the entire sign.
DISTRICT: A portion of the village within which certain uniform regulations and requirements, or various combinations thereof, apply under the provisions of this title.
DRIVEWAY: Any impervious, semipervious (e.g., Grasscrete) or compacted gravel surface providing direct ingress and egress to a parking space or garage.
DWELLING: A building, or portion thereof, but not an automobile house trailer, designed or used exclusively for residential occupancy, including single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, townhouse dwellings, and multi-family dwellings, but not including "hotel/motel" or "bed and breakfast establishment", as defined in section 11-16-3 of this chapter.
DWELLING, ATTACHED: A dwelling which is joined to another dwelling at one or more sides by a party wall or walls.
DWELLING, DETACHED: A dwelling which is entirely surrounded by open space on the same lot.
DWELLING UNIT: A dwelling unit consists of a group of rooms constituting all or part of a dwelling, which are arranged, designed, used or intended for use exclusively as living quarters for one "family", as defined herein, and which include permanently installed bathroom and kitchen facilities.
EASEMENT: The right to use or benefit from the land of another, for a restricted purpose, without compensating the owner.
ERECT: To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix. "Erect" shall also include the painting of wall signs.
ESTABLISHMENT, BUSINESS: A place of business carrying on operations, the ownership and management of which are separate and distinct from those of any other place of business located on the same zoning lot, and where access to such business establishment is separate and distinct.
FALL ZONE: The area on the ground, within a prescribed radius from the base of a wireless communication tower, within which there is potential hazard from falling debris or collapsing material.
FAMILY: One or more individuals related by blood, marriage or adoption, or not to exceed five (5) persons not so related, living, sleeping, cooking and eating on the premises as a single housekeeping unit.
FENCE: Any manmade structure that is constructed for the purpose of, or has the effect of, enclosing or screening the area it is constructed upon.
FIRE PIT: A hole dug into the ground for the purpose of containing a fire lined with, or without, rocks, bricks or other type of material.
FLOOR AREA (For Determining Floor Area Ratio): For the purpose of determining the floor area ratio, the "floor area" of a building is the sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors of the building measured from the exterior faces of the exterior walls or from the centerline of walls separating two (2) buildings. The "floor area" of a building shall include any floor area when more than one-half (1/2) of the area height is above the established curb level or above the finished lot grade level where curb level has not been established, elevator shafts and stairwells at each floor, floor space used for mechanical equipment (except equipment, open or enclosed, located on the roof), penthouses, attic space having head room of seven feet ten inches (7'10") or more, interior balconies and mezzanines and enclosed porches, and floor area devoted to accessory uses, including any space devoted to off street parking or loading within parking garages/structures. Surface parking shall not be included in "floor area". The "floor area" of structures devoted to bulk storage of materials including, but not limited to, grain elevators and petroleum storage tanks, shall be determined on the basis of height in feet (10 feet in height shall equal 1 floor).
FLOOR AREA (For Determining Off Street Parking And Loading Requirements): "Floor area" when prescribed as the basis of measurement for off street parking spaces and loading berths for any use shall mean the sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors of the building, or portion thereof, devoted to such use, including accessory storage areas located within selling or working space such as counters, racks or closets, and any basement floor area devoted to retailing activities, to the production or processing of goods, or to business or professional offices. "Floor area" for the purposes of measurement for off street parking spaces shall not include floor area devoted primarily to storage purposes (except as otherwise noted herein), floor area to be devoted to off street parking or loading facilities, including aisles, ramps and maneuvering space, or basement floor area, other than area devoted to retailing activities, to the production or processing of goods, or to business or professional offices.
FLOOR AREA RATIO: The numerical value obtained through dividing the gross floor area of a building or buildings by the lot area on which such building or buildings are located.
FOOT-CANDLE: A unit of illumination. It is equivalent to the illumination at all points that are one foot (1') distant from uniform source of one candlepower.
FREQUENCY: Signifies the number of oscillations per second in a sound wave and is an index of the pitch of the resulting sound.
FRONT LINE, BUILDING: The line of the main wall nearest to and facing the street, including such wall of sun parlors or porches, open or enclosed, and excluding only open steps and terraces, and walls or fences not more than three and one-half feet (31/2') in height.
FRONTAGE: That dimension of property fronting on one side of a street between the two (2) nearest intersecting streets, measured along the line of the street, or if dead ended, then that dimension of property abutting on one side between an intersecting street and the dead end of the street.
FRONTAGE, ZONING LOT: That dimension of property of such zoning lot fronting on a street and measured between side lot lines.
GARAGE, PRIVATE: A garage with capacity for not more than three (3) motor vehicles in which no business or industry connected directly or indirectly with motor vehicles is carried on. Maximum floor area shall not exceed eight hundred sixty four (864) square feet and the height of the peak of the roof shall not exceed fourteen feet (14').
GARAGE, PUBLIC: A garage, other than a private garage (see definition of Garage, Private), used for housing or care of more than three (3) automobiles, or where such vehicles are equipped for operation, repaired or kept for remuneration, hire or sale.
GRADE: The average level of the finished surface of the ground adjacent to the exterior walls of the building or structure.
HEIGHT: The vertical distance from grade to the highest point of a structure. See definition of Building Height.
HOTEL: A building in which board and lodging are provided and offered to the public for compensation, and open to transients.
HOUSEHOLD RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT: Recreation equipment, or a structure customarily and typically found on a residential lot, that is incidental to and associated with a dwelling unit located on the same lot. This includes play equipment, swimming pools, spas, tennis courts, basketball backboards/hoops, and skateboard half pipes, but does not include lawn furniture and ornaments, barbecues, or satellite dishes.
INCOMPATIBLE USE: A use that is incapable of direct association with certain other uses because it is contradictory, incongruous or discordant.
INFLATABLE ADVERTISING DEVICES: A portable advertising device that is supported primarily by compressed air or other gases. Such devices may be sealed from escaping or may be maintained in an inflated condition by means of a fan or blower, which is designed to maintain air pressure inside the device greater than the atmospheric air pressure outside the device.
LOGO: A business trademark or symbol.
LOT: A parcel of land under single ownership, whether described by metes and bounds or as a platted lot or lots.
LOT AREA: The area of a horizontal plane bounded by the front, side and corner lot lines.
LOT AREA, GROSS: The area of a horizontal plane bounded by the front, side and rear lot lines, but not including any area occupied by the waters of a duly recorded lake or river.
LOT, CORNER: A lot located at the intersection of two (2) streets or a lot bounded on two (2) sides by a curving street, any two (2) chords of which form an angle of one hundred twenty degrees (120o) or less, as measured on the lot side.
LOT COVERAGE: A measure of intensity of land use that represents the portion of a site that is covered by principal and accessory buildings.
LOT DEPTH: The mean horizontal distance between the front lot line and the rear lot line of a lot, measured within the lot boundaries.
LOT, INTERIOR: A lot other than a corner lot or a through lot.
LOT LINE, FRONT: The boundary of a lot that is along an existing or dedicated public street, or where no public street exists, is along a public way, where such public way is not a dedicated street, the right of way of such public way shall be deemed to be sixty six feet (66'), unless otherwise provided.
LOT LINE, REAR: That boundary of a lot, which is most distant from and is, or is most nearly, parallel to the front lot line.
LOT LINE, SIDE: Any boundary of a lot that is not a front lot line or a rear lot line.
LOT OF RECORD: An area of land designation as a lot on a plat of subdivision recorded or registered with the county recorder of deeds.
LOT, REVERSED CORNER: A corner lot where the street side lot line is substantially a continuation of the front lot line of the first lot to its rear.
LOT, THROUGH: A lot having frontage on two (2) streets at opposite ends of the lot.
LOT WIDTH: The horizontal distance between the side lot lines of a lot measured at the building setback line.
LOT, ZONING: A single tract of land located within a single block which, at the time of filing for a building permit, is designated by its owner or developer as a tract to be used, developed or built upon as a unit, under single ownership or control. A zoning lot may or may not coincide with a lot of record.
MANSARD ROOF: A double sloped pitched roof rising steeply from the eaves and having a summit of flatter slope on both sides of the ridge.
MARQUEE: A permanent rooflike structure constructed of durable material extending from part of the wall of a building but not supported by the ground.
MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSING ORGANIZATION: A facility operated by an organization or business that is registered by the department of financial and professional regulation to acquire medical cannabis from a registered cultivation center for the purposes of dispensing cannabis, paraphernalia, or related supplies and educational materials to registered qualifying patients.
MEMORIAL PLAQUE: A plaque designating names of buildings and/or date of erection, and other items such as architect, contractor or others involved in the building's creation cut into or attached to a building surface.
MEZZANINE: An intermediate or fractional story between the floor and ceiling of a main story, used for a purpose accessory to the principal use. A mezzanine is usually just above the ground or main floor and extends over only part of the main floor.
MOBILE HOME: A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which in the traveling mode is eight feet (8') or more in width or forty feet (40') or more in length, or, when erected on site, is three hundred twenty (320) square feet or more, and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation, when connected to the required utilities; and includes the plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electrical systems contained therein.
MONOPOLE TOWER: The type of self-supporting tower consisting of a single pole constructed of steel.
MOTOR VEHICLE: Any self-propelled vehicle designed primarily for transportation of persons or goods along public streets or alleys, or other public ways.
MOTORCYCLE: A usually two (2) wheeled self-propelled vehicle having one or two (2) saddles or seats, and which may have a sidecar attached. For purposes of this title, motorbikes, motor scooters, mopeds, and similar vehicles are classified as motorcycles.
NAMEPLATE: A sign indicating the name, address or profession of the person or persons occupying the lot or a part of the building.
NONCONFORMING LOT: A lot of record that does not meet the lot area or lot width requirements of this title for the zoning district in which it is located.
NONCONFORMING USE, BUILDING OR STRUCTURE: An existing use, building or structure or part or appurtenance thereof not in conformance with this title, building code or other ordinances of the village.
OPACITY: Degree of obscuration of light.
OUTDOOR FIREPLACE: A self-contained, manufactured noncombustible cooking unit provided with a tightfitting screen or lid and supported off the ground by noncombustible legs.
OWNER: A titleholder of record, or if title is held in trust, the beneficiary of the trust.
PARKING SPACE: An area not less than nine feet by twenty feet (9' x 20'), exclusive of drives or aisles, connected with, or accessible to, a street or alley.
PARTY WALL: A wall, which is common to, but divides, contiguous buildings. Such a wall contains no openings and extends from its footing below finished ground grade to the height of the exterior surface of the roof.
PATIO: An impervious surface no higher than one foot (1') above the ground, which is designed and intended for recreational use by people, rather than as a parking space.
PERMANENT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT SIGN: An identification sign used to indicate the entrance to a subdivision or unified residential area.
PERMITTEE: A person receiving an erection permit pursuant to the provisions of this title.
PERSON: An individual, proprietorship, partnership, corporation, association or other legal entity.
PERSON WITH A DISABILITY: Any individual whose disability:
(A) Is attributable to mental, intellectual or physical impairments or a combination of mental, intellectual or physical impairments.
(B) Is likely to continue for a significant amount of time or indefinitely.
(C) Results in functional limitations in three (3) or more of the following areas or major life activities:
1. Self-care.
2. Receptive or expressive language.
3. Learning.
4. Mobility.
5. Self-direction.
6. Capacity for independent living.
7. Economic self-sufficiency.
(D) Reflects the person's need for a combination and sequence of special interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment or other services which are of a life long or extended duration.
PLACE OF WORSHIP: Any church, synagogue, mosque, temple or building used primarily for religious worship and related religious activities.
PORCH: A covered platform that projects from the exterior wall of a building, has direct access to the street level of the building, may be supported by posts, and has no roof supporting walls on three (3) sides.
PROPERTY LINES: The lines bounding a zoning lot, as defined herein.
PUBLIC PROPERTY: Property that is owned, rented or leased by any governmental unit, such as the village, park district, school district, county, state or any subdivisions thereof. This shall include all streets, parkways, sidewalks, alleys, buildings, parking lots, landscaped areas, parks, schools and any municipal signs, traffic control devices, trees, utility poles, shelters or streetlights located thereon.
PUBLIC WAY: Any sidewalk, street, alley, highway or other public thoroughfare.
RAILROAD RIGHT OF WAY: A strip of land with tracks and auxiliary facilities for track operation, but not including freight depots or stations, loading platforms, train sheds, warehouses, car or locomotive shops, or car yards.
REFUSE: All waste products resulting from human habitation or the conduct of business or industry, except sewage.
RIGHT OF OWNERSHIP: See definition of Owner.
SATELLITE DISH ANTENNA: A device commonly parabolic in shape, mounted at a fixed point for the purpose of capturing television signals transmitted via satellite communications facilities and serving the same or similar function as the common television antenna.
SEARCH RING: An area of land that is best suited for a tower location and transmissions.
SETBACK: The minimum horizontal distance between the front line of the building or structure and the front property line.
SHOPPING CENTER: Two (2) or more retail stores and/or service establishments or one retail store and one service establishment, sharing customer parking areas, regardless of whether said stores and/or establishments occupy separate structures or are under separate ownership.
SIGHT DISTANCE TRIANGLE: See definition of Vision Clearance Area.
SIGN: Means and includes every device, frame, letter, figure, character, mark, plane, point, design, picture, stroke, stripe, trademark, reading matter and supporting structure, which is used, or intended to be used, to attract attention or convey information when the same is placed outdoors in view of the general public. In addition, any of the above, which is not placed outdoors, shall be considered a sign within the meaning of this title, when placed near the inside surface of a window in such a way as to be in view of the general public and used, or intended to be used, to attract or convey information to motorists. For the purpose of determining the number of signs, a sign shall be considered to be a single display surface or display device containing elements organized, related and composed to form a unit. Where a sign is a double faced sign, both faces together will constitute one sign. Where matter is displayed in a random manner, without organized relationship to elements, or where there is a reasonable doubt as to the relationships of elements, each element shall be considered to be a single sign. Inflatable advertising devices shall be considered as signs when the purpose of the device is to attract attention to a particular business, whether or not the device has a commercial message printed on it or affixed to it in any manner.
SIGN, A-FRAME: An advertising device ordinarily in the shape of an "A", or some variation thereof, located on the ground, not permanently attached thereto, easily movable and usually two (2) sided.
SIGN, ABANDONED: Any sign that is located on property that becomes vacant and unoccupied for a period of one month, or any sign that pertains to a time, event or purpose that no longer applies, shall be deemed to have been abandoned. Permanent signs applicable to a business temporarily suspended because of a change of ownership or management of such business shall not be deemed abandoned unless the property remains vacant for a period of three (3) months.
SIGN, AWNING: A sign that is mounted or painted on, or attached to, an awning. No such sign shall project vertically above or horizontally beyond the physical dimensions of such awning.
SIGN, CANOPY: A sign that is painted on, printed on or attached to a canopy.
SIGN, DIRECTIONAL: A sign that directs the reader to the location of a private residence, public or educational institution, historical structure or area, or public park or building.
SIGN, DIRECTORY: A sign that serves as common or collective classification for a group of persons or businesses operating on the same zoning lot (e.g., shopping center, office complex, etc.). Such sign may name the persons or businesses included, but carry no other advertising matter.
SIGN FACE: That part of the sign that is, or can be, used to identify, advertise, communicate information, or for visual representation, which attracts the attention of the public for any purpose. The term "sign face" includes any background or surrounding material, panel, trim or ornamentation, color, and direct or self-illumination that differentiates the sign from the building, structure, backdrop surface or object upon or against which it is placed. The term "sign face" does not include any portion of the support structure for the sign, provided that no message, symbol or any of the previously described elements of a sign face is placed on or designated as part of the support structure.
SIGN, FLASHING: An illuminated sign on which artificial or reflected light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color, flashes, moves, scintillates, blinks, flickers or uses intermittent electrical pulsations while in use.
SIGN, FREESTANDING: A sign that is attached to, or part of, a completely self-supporting structure. The supporting structure shall be set firmly in or below the ground surface, and shall not be attached to any building or structure, whether portable or stationary. A freestanding sign may be a pole or monument sign.
SIGN, GOVERNMENT: Any temporary or permanent sign erected and maintained for any official governmental purpose.
SIGN GRAPHICS: Any lettering, numerals, figures, designs, symbols, or other drawings or images used to create a sign.
SIGN HEIGHT: The distance from the mean elevation of the adjacent finished grade to the highest point of a sign, as measured from the bottom of finished grade at the base of the sign.
SIGN, HORIZONTAL PROJECTING: A projecting sign that is greater in width than height.
SIGN, IDENTIFICATION: A sign giving the name, trademark, or other readily recognized symbol or address, or any combination thereof, of a building, business, development or establishment on the premises where it is located.
SIGN, ILLUMINATED: Any sign that has characters, letters, figures, designs or outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as a part of the sign proper, or by electric lights or luminous tubes so arranged that the light is reflected from the sign to the eyes of the viewer.
SIGN, MEMORIAL: A sign, tablet or plaque memorializing a person, event, structure or site.
SIGN, MOBILE: Any sign designed to be transported or movable including, but not limited to:
(A) Signs with wheels or with wheels removed.
(B) Signs with chassis or support constructed without wheels.
(C) Signs designed to be transported by trailer, wheels or boat.
(D) Signs converted to, or constructed as, an A-frame sign.
(E) Signs painted, mounted, or affixed on a motor vehicle or boat for advertising purposes, parked on or off public right of way or shore, and visible from the public right of way or shore, except signs identifying the related business when the motor vehicle or boat is being used in the day to day operations of that business.
(F) Mobile signs may be designated as electrical or nonelectrical.
SIGN, MONUMENT: Any sign, other than a pole sign, placed upon or supported by the ground independently of any other structure. Monument signs are typically mounted on a masonry base.
SIGN, MUNICIPAL: A sign erected and maintained pursuant to, and in discharge of, any municipal functions or required by law.
SIGN, NONCONFORMING: A sign existing at the effective date hereof which could not be built under the terms of this title.
SIGN, POLE: A sign erected and maintained on one or two (2) freestanding mast(s) or pole(s) and not attached to any building. "Pole sign" does not include monument signs, as defined herein.
SIGN, POLITICAL: A sign advocating action on a public issue or recommending a candidate for public office.
SIGN, PROJECTING: Any sign that is attached to a building or other structure and extends beyond the line of the building or structure, or beyond the surface of that portion of the building or structure to which it is attached.
SIGN, PUBLIC SERVICE: A sign or device displaying only the time, temperature, stock market quotations or civic messages.
SIGN, REAL ESTATE: A temporary sign placed upon property for the purpose of advertising to the public the sale, lease, rental or open house of said property.
SIGN, ROOF: Any sign wholly erected, constructed or maintained upon or above the roof structure or parapet of any building with the principal support attached to the roof structure.
SIGN STRUCTURE OR SUPPORT: Any structure that supports, or is capable of supporting, a sign, including decorative cover.
SIGN, TEMPORARY: Any sign, banner, pennant or other advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wall board or other light materials approved by the village board and intended to be displayed for a limited amount of time.
SIGN, VERTICAL PROJECTING: A projecting sign that is greater in height than in width.
SIGN, WALL: Any sign that shall be affixed parallel to the wall, painted or printed on the wall of any building in such a manner as to read parallel to the wall on which it is mounted. For the purposes of this title, any sign display that is affixed flat against the sloping surface of a mansard roof shall be considered a wall sign. Any sign that is affixed to the face of a marquee shall be considered a wall sign.
SIGN, WINDOW: A sign attached to, placed upon or printed on the interior or exterior of a window or door of a building intended for viewing from the exterior of such a building.
STORY: That portion of a building included between the surface of a floor and the surface of the floor next above, or if there is no floor above, the space between the floor and the ceiling or roof above it. A basement shall be counted as a story, for the purposes of this title, when more than one-half (1/2) of such basement height is above the established curb level, or finished lot grade level at the front of the building where curb level has not been established.
STORY, HALF: That portion of a building under a gable, hip, or mansard.
STREET: A thoroughfare over thirty feet (30') in width between property lines, used for public foot and vehicle traffic, other than an alley. A street may consist of two (2) or more lanes of pavement for through vehicular traffic, a parking lane on one or both sides, parkways, or grass plots outside parking or traffic lanes, and public sidewalks for foot traffic.
STREET, ARTERIAL: A street designated as an arterial street in the comprehensive plan.
STREET, COLLECTOR: A street designated as a collector in the comprehensive plan.
STREET LEVEL: The story of a building that has its floor at the closest level to the street, with direct pedestrian access to that story from the outside.
STREET LINE: The dividing line between a street and a lot. The front street line of a corner lot is the shortest street line.
STREET, LOCAL: A street that is not an arterial or a collector street.
STREET WALL: The wall of a building nearest to and facing on a street.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATION: Any change, other than incidental repairs, which would prolong the life of the supporting members of a building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams, girders or foundations.
STRUCTURE: Any improvement upon land, the use of which requires a permanent or temporary location on the ground or attachment to something having a permanent or temporary location on the ground. This includes, but is not limited to, buildings, signs, fences, decks, etc.
SWIMMING POOL: A receptacle for water and/or an artificial pool of water having a depth at any point of more than two feet (2'), intended for the purposes of immersion therein of human beings, and includes all appurtenant equipment.
TEMPORARY: Existing for a period of not more than six (6) months.
TEMPORARY CONTRACTOR'S AND REAL ESTATE SALES OFFICE: This use includes watchman's trailers, construction equipment sheds, contractor or real estate sales trailers, and similar uses incidental to a construction project and the sales of homes within a newly constructed development.
TENT: Any structure or enclosure, the roof of which and/or one-half (1/2) or more of the sides, are constructed of silk, cotton, canvas, fabric or a similar light material.
TERRACE: An open area with a paved platform and a flat roof or rooflike structure, and adjacent on at least one side to a building, but not adjacent to any entrance to a building.
TOWER: A structure that is designed and constructed primarily for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas, including monopole towers or any new tower structures approved by the village of Midlothian. The term encompasses radio transmission towers or communication services towers, alternative tower structures, and similar structures.
UNIFIED CONTROL: The combination of two (2) or more tracts of land wherein each owner has agreed that his tract of land shall be developed as part of a planned unit development and shall be subject to the control of this title applicable to the planned unit development.
USE: The purpose or activity for which the land or building thereon is designed, arranged or intended, or for which it is occupied or maintained, and shall include any manner of performance of such activity.
USE, ACCESSORY: See definition of Accessory Structure Or Use.
USE, PERMITTED: A use which may be lawfully established in a particular district or districts, provided it conforms with all requirements, regulations and performance standards (if any) of such district.
USE, PRINCIPAL: The main use of land or buildings as distinguished from a subordinate or accessory use.
USE, SPECIAL: A use, either public or private, which, because of its unique characteristics, cannot be properly classified as a permitted use in a particular district(s). In each case, after due consideration of the impact of such use upon neighboring land and of the public need for the particular use at the particular location, such "special use" may or may not be granted.
VISION CLEARANCE AREA: The "vision clearance area" at the intersection of two (2) streets, which shall be defined as a triangular area measured twenty five feet (25') on the front lot line and fifty feet (50') on the corner side lot line of a corner lot, and shall not be obstructed by any sign, wall, fence, hedge, shrubbery or other object which exceeds four feet (4') in height. In the event that the grade of a lot is higher than the street grade, the height of the wall, fence, hedge or shrubbery shall be reduced so that the visional clearance is not obstructed four feet (4') over the grade of the street.
YARD: An open space, on the same zoning lot with a building or structure, unoccupied and unobstructed from its lowest level to the sky, except as otherwise permitted in this title. A "yard" extends along a lot line and to a depth or width specified in the yard requirements for the zoning district in which such zoning lot is located.
YARD, CORNER SIDE: A side yard on a corner lot which faces a public street. In differentiating the corner side yard from the front yard on corner lots, the corner side yard shall be the yard with the greater width.
YARD, FRONT: An open unoccupied space between the front line of the building and the street line. In differentiating the front yard from the corner side yard on corner lots, the front yard shall be the yard with the narrowest width.
YARD, INTERIOR SIDE: A side yard that is located immediately adjacent to another zoning lot or to an alley separating such side yard from another zoning lot.
YARD, REAR: An open space between the rear line of the building and the rear line of the lot, for the full width of the lot and unoccupied except for authorized accessory buildings.
YARD, SIDE: An open unoccupied space on the same lot with a building between the building and the side line of the lot, and extending from the street line to the rear line of the building, except on a corner lot, the side yard on the street side shall extend from the front street line to the rear lot line.
(Ord. 1650, 10-10-2007, eff. 10-15-2007; amd. Ord. 1870, 5-14-2014)