Sec. 26-22. Definitions.

   Access and Roadside Management Standards (ARMS). A document promulgated by SCDOT to establish uniformity for encroachment into the South Carolina State Highway System facilities.

   Access management. A process of providing and managing pedestrian and vehicular access from adjacent properties onto roadways, thus preserving safe and efficient traffic flow on the roadway. It includes, but is not limited to, limiting points of access, installation of medians and/or installation of traffic signals. It specifically recognizes that all properties are entitled to access, but not necessarily direct access, to adjacent public roads.

   Access point. An intersection, driveway, or any entry point on the right hand side of a road. An entry point on the opposite side of a road or a median opening may be considered an access point, if it is expected to influence traffic flow in the direction of interest.

   Accessory use/structure (building). A structure or use that is clearly incidental to and customarily found in connection with a principal building or use, is subordinate to and serves that principal building or use, and is subordinate in area, extent and purpose to the principal building or principal use served. An accessory structure must be on the lot on which the principal use is located.

   Accidental damage. Damage to any portion of the Richland County Stormwater Systems, which occurs by chance and without planning or consideration prior to occurrence.

   Accidental discharge. A discharge prohibited by this section into the Richland County Stormwater System or receiving waters, which occurs by chance and without planning or consideration prior to occurrence. Accidental discharges do not include any discharges associated with other regulatory program elements, such as sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) or other activities covered under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits or sanitary sewer pre-treatment requirements.

   Activity area. For determining parking standards, the activity area is the area of a recreational facility where the recreation or amusement operation is actually conducted. This shall include all areas open to the public and used by employees of the facility. This term shall not include open areas that are not available to the public or storage areas.

   Activity center. A relatively compact area that provides a variety of land uses and interconnectivity, allowing users to accomplish multiple tasks in one location often providing the ability to walk or use multi-modal transportation to access various site uses.

   Addition (to an existing building). An extension or increase in the floor area or height of a building or structure. Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, additions to existing buildings shall comply with the standards for new construction whether or not the addition is a substantial improvement.

   AE and A1-30 Zones. Risk zones within an area of special flood hazard that are subject to the 100-year flood. On the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) such areas are indicated and mandatory flood insurance applies.

   Agricultural land. Land categorized by the Richland County Assessor as agricultural real property.

   Agricultural use. The keeping, grazing, or feeding of livestock; croplands; aquaculture; horticulture; silviculture; and/or apiaries. Provided, however, this definition does not include processing or distribution plants for agricultural products and supplies.

   Airport. Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport and McEntire Air National Guard Base.

   Airport elevation. The highest point of an airport’s usable landing area measured in feet above mean sea level.

      (a)   For Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport the airport elevation is 194.0 feet.

      (b)    For McEntire Air National Guard Base the airport elevation is 251.0 feet.

   Alley. A private road primarily designed to serve as a secondary access to the side or rear of those properties whose principal frontage is on another road, either public or private, meeting minimum county requirements.

   AM Peak Hour (AMPH). The estimated average hourly traffic volume on a given roadway segment between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM.

   Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A federal law enacted in 1990 to protect the civil rights of individuals with physical or mental disabilities from intentional or unintentional discrimination in housing, employment, education, access to public services and telecommunications and to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access to same.

   Animal unit. A unit of measurement to compare various animal types based upon equivalent waste generation. One animal unit equals the following: 1.0 cow (except dairy cows); 0.5 horse; 0.7 dairy cow; 2.5 swine weighing over fifty-five (55) pounds; fifteen (15) swine under fifty-five (55) pounds; ten (10) sheep; thirty (30) laying hens; fifty-five (55) turkeys; one hundred (100) chickens; or an equivalent animal unit.

   Annual Average Daily Trips (AADTs). The average twenty-four (24) hour traffic volume on a given roadway segment over a three hundred sixty- five (365) day period.

   Antenna. Any device for radiating or receiving electromagnetic radiation. This definition shall specifically include, but is not limited to all radio, television, telephone, telecommunications, microwave and satellite dish antennas.

   AP approach zone (Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport). The inner edge of the approach zone coincides with the width of the primary surface and begins two hundred (200) feet from the runway end and is five hundred (500) feet wide. The approach zone expands outward uniformly to a width of two thousand (2,000) feet at a horizontal distance of five thousand (5,000) feet from the primary surface. Its centerline is the continuation of the centerline of the runway.

   AP approach zone (McEntire Air National Guard Base). The approach zone begins two hundred (200) feet beyond each end of the primary surface at the centerline elevation of the runway end and extends for fifty thousand (50,000) feet. The slope of the approach clearance zone is fifty (50) to one (1) along the runway centerline extended until it reaches an elevation of five hundred (500) feet above the established airport elevation (251 mean sea level). It then continues horizontally at this elevation to a point fifty thousand (50,000) feet from the point of beginning. The width of this surface at the runway end is the same as the primary surface, it flares uniformly, and the width at fifty thousand (50,000) feet is sixteen thousand (16,000) feet.

   AP conical zone (Jin Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport). A surface extending outward and upward from the periphery of the horizontal surface at a slope of twenty (20) to one (1) for a horizontal distance of four thousand (4,000) feet.

   AP conical zone (McEntire Air National Guard Base). The conical surface/zone for precision instrument runways extends from the periphery of the inner horizontal surface outward and upward at a slope of twenty (20) to one (1) for a horizontal distance of seven thousand (7,000) feet to a height of five hundred (500) feet above established airfield elevation.

   AP horizontal zone (Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport). The zone established horizontally by swinging arcs of five thousand (5,000) feet radii from the center of each end of the primary surface of each runway and connecting the adjacent arcs by drawing lines tangent to those arcs. The horizontal zone does not include the approach and transitional zones.

   AP horizontal zone (McEntire Air National Guard Base). There are two horizontal zones for McEntire Air Base as follows:

      (a)   Inner horizontal zone. The horizontal zone, oval in shape, at a height of one hundred and fifty (150) feet above the established field elevation. The plane is constructed by scribing an arc with a radius of seven thousand five hundred (7,500) feet about the centerline at each end of each runway and interconnecting these arcs with tangents.

      (b)   Outer horizontal zone. A plane, located five hundred (500) feet above the established air field elevation, extending outward from the outer periphery of the conical zone for a horizontal distance of thirty thousand (30,000) feet.

   AP transitional surface (Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport). These surfaces extend outward at right angles (90-degree angles) to the runway centerline at a slope of seven (7) feet horizontally for each foot vertically from the sides of the primary and approach surfaces to where they intersect the horizontal surfaces.

   AP transitional surface (McEntire Air National Guard Base). At military airports these surfaces connect the primary surfaces, the first two hundred (200) feet of the clear zone surfaces, and the approach clearance surfaces to the inner horizontal surface, conical surface, outer horizontal surface or other transitional surfaces. The slope of the transitional surface is seven (7) to one (1).

   AP transitional zone. The areas beneath the AP transitional surfaces.

   APA. The symbol for “airport approach zone.”

   APAM. The symbol for “airport approach zone for McEntire Air National Guard Base.”

   APAO. The symbol for “airport approach zone for Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport.”

   APC. The symbol for “airport conical zone.”

   APCM. The symbol for “airport conical zone for McEntire Air National Guard Base.”

   APCO. The symbol for “airport conical zone for Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport.”

   APCZ. The symbol for “airport clear zone.”

   APCZM. The symbol for “airport clear zone for McEntire Air National Guard Base.”

   APCZO. The symbol for “airport clear zone for Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport.”

   APH. The symbol for “airport horizontal zone.”

   APHM. The symbol for “airport horizontal zone for McEntire Air National Guard Base.”

   APHO. The symbol for “airport horizontal zone for Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport.”

   APP. The symbol for “airport primary zone.”

   Appeal. A request for a review of a decision or interpretation made by an administrator or reviewing body in the administration of the Richland County Land Development Code.

   Applicant. Any person acting on his/her own behalf as a property owner, or as an agent for a property owner, who makes application for some type of action (plan approval, map amendment, etc.) in accordance with this chapter.

   APPM. The symbol for “airport primary zone for McEntire Air National Guard Base.”

   APPO. The symbol for “airport primary zone for Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport.”

   Approach clearance surface. For McEntire Air National Guard Base, an inclined plane, symmetrical above the runway centerline and, beginning two hundred (200) feet beyond each end of the primary surface at the centerline elevation of the runway end and extending for fifty thousand (50,000) feet. The slope of the approach clearance surface is fifty (50) to one (1) along the runway centerline extending until it reaches an elevation of five hundred (500) feet above the established airport elevation. It then continues horizontally at this elevation to a point fifty thousand (50,000) feet from the point of beginning. The width of this surface at the runway end is the same as the primary surface, it flares uniformly, and the width at fifty thousand (50,000) feet is sixteen thousand (16,000) feet.

   Approach surface. A surface longitudinally centered on the extended runway centerline, extending outward and upward from the end of the primary surface and at the same slope as the approach zone height limitation slope set forth in this chapter.

   APT. The symbol for “airport transitional zone.”

   APTM. The symbol for “airport transitional zone for McEntire Air National Guard Base.”

   APTO. The symbol for “airport transitional zone for Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport.”

   Area of shallow flooding. A designated AO Zone on the county’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) with base flood depths of one (1) to three (3) feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist, where the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate, and where velocity flow may be evident.

   Area of special flood hazard. The land in the floodplain subject to a one percent (1%) or greater chance of flooding in any given year. This term also includes all wetlands within a community. For purposes of these regulations, the term “area of special flood hazard” is synonymous in meaning with the phrase “special flood hazard area.”

   Arterial. A freeway, expressway or a road or highway that is used or intended to be used for moving either heavy vehicular traffic volumes or high- speed traffic or both on which average daily traffic exceeds four thousand (4,000) vehicles or more.

   Arterial roadminor. A SCDOT designated roadway, as depicted on their “Functional Classification Map for the Columbia Urbanized Area,” that carries a mix of local and through traffic and which links collector roads, and sometimes local streets, with principal arterials.

   Arterial roadprincipal. A SCDOT designated roadway, as depicted on their “Functional Classification Map for the Columbia Urbanized Area,” that is primarily intended to provide traffic service between urban areas.

   Authorized agent. Any person with valid authority provided by the owner, as evidenced by a document either notarized or witnessed by at least two (2) independent third parties authorizing the agent to represent the owner, and acting on behalf of the owner of land seeking an amendment or some type of approval as set forth in this chapter.

   Base flood or regulatory flood. The flood having a one percent (1%) chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.

   Basement. Any enclosed area of a building that is below grade on all sides.

   Bed and breakfast home or inn. A transient lodging establishment, generally operated in a single- family dwelling, primarily engaged in providing overnight or otherwise temporary lodging for the general public.

   Best Management Practices (Stormwater Management). A structural or nonstructural management-based practice used singularly or in combination to reduce nonpoint source inputs to receiving waters in order to achieve water quality and quantity protection goals.

   Block. A unit of land bounded by roads or by a combination of roads and public land, railroad rights- of-way, waterways, or any other barrier to the continuity of development.

   BMPs. Best Management Practices (stormwater management: an acronym used to describe a structural or nonstructural management-based practice used singularly or in combination to reduce nonpoint source inputs to receiving waters in order to achieve water quality and quantity protection goals.

   BMPs Design Manual (stormwater management). The manual of design, performance and review standards for stormwater management BMPs to be used in Richland County. The requirements established by the BMPs Design Manual are mandatory.

   Board of zoning appeals. The Board of Zoning Appeals for Richland County, South Carolina.

   Boardinghouse. See “roominghouse and boardinghouse.”

   Boat, small. Recreational boats (such as motorboats, canoes, and small sailboats) that are eighteen (18) feet or less in length.

   Borrow pits. An excavated area where naturally occurring earthen materials are to be removed for use as ordinary fill at another location.

   Buffer transition yard. A linear strip of land combined with a vertical element such as natural or planted vegetation, fences or walls, berms, etc. which physically separates and screens incompatible uses.

   Building. Any structure built for support, shelter or enclosure for any occupancy or storage, including storage tanks.

   Building, enclosed. A structure, the inner portion of which is fully enveloped with walls (including doorways and windows) and roofing and which has no open sides.

   Building footprint. The outline of the total area covered by a building’s perimeter at the ground level.

   Building, height. See “structure, height.”

   Building, high-rise. Any building that exceeds three (3) stories and thirty-five (35) feet in height.

   Building line. The inner edge of any required yard or required setback, and the corresponding outer edge of the buildable area. Except as specifically provided by this chapter, no portion of any building or structure may be extended to occupy any portion of a lot outside its building lines.

   Building permit. An authorization to construct a structure as issued by the Richland County Office Of Building Inspections which acknowledges that such building complies with the provisions of the county code related to building construction and related construction (electrical, plumbing, etc.).

   Bus bench. A seating area at a designated bus stop designed for the convenience of bus passengers.

   Bus shelter. A small roofed structure, having three (3) transparent walls, located at designated bus stops for the protection and convenience of passengers of public transportation systems.

   Campus, primary. A contiguous area of land constituting and making up the grounds of a college or university containing the main buildings, including libraries, lecture halls, residence halls, and administrative offices; provided, however, that for the purpose of this definition the contiguity of any land area involved shall not be deemed to be destroyed by the presence of public rights-of-way.

   Canopy (building). A permanent attached structure which projects from and is supported by a building, which serves as a cover providing shelter or decoration and which extends beyond the building.

   Canopy (service station). A permanent structure, attached to or projecting from a service station or convenience store, which serves as a cover for those customers purchasing gasoline, etc.

   Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). A general description of all existing public facilities and their existing deficiencies within the service area or areas of the governmental entity, a reasonable estimate of all costs, and a plan to develop the funding resources including existing sources of revenues related to curing the existing deficiencies including, but not limited to, the upgrading, updating, improving, expanding, or replacing of these facilities to meet existing needs and usage; and otherwise complies with the requirements of Section 6-1-960(B) of the S.C. Code of Laws.

   Central Midlands Council of Governments (CMCOG). An association of local governments in Fairfield, Newberry, Lexington, Richland and portions of Kershaw and Calhoun counties to address multi-jurisdictional problems and opportunities.

   Certificate of zoning compliance. A document issued by Richland County upon final inspection of a new use or structure indicating compliance with the requirements of this chapter.

   Change in (of) use. Substitution of one use of land or a building for another.

   Cigar bars. An establishment that offers a meaningful selection of cigars and tobacco for pipes for smoking on the premises, as well as, retail purposes and which may be licensed for the on-premise consumption of beer, wine, or alcoholic beverages, or some combination of those, as well as, limited food service. The term does not include any establishment which is primarily a bar or restaurant. No bar can be considered a cigar bar unless at least fifty-one (51) percent of its gross revenue can be demonstrated to come from the sale of cigars, pipe tobacco, and other tobacco related products.

   Civic/institutional buildings. Churches or places of worship; public or private schools; gymnasiums, assembly halls, community meeting rooms, and community service centers; post offices, fire stations, libraries, and museums; and other government or public service buildings and facilities except for those requiring outdoor storage or maintenance yards.

   Clean Water Act. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, codified at 33 U.S.C. §§ 1252 et seq.

   Clear zone surface. For McEntire Air National Guard Base, a surface located at established field elevation (251 mean sea level) at each end of the primary surface, with a length of one thousand (1,000) feet and the same width as the primary surface.

   Clubs or Lodges. Establishments primarily engaged in promoting the civic and social interests of their members. Such establishments must be incorporated and operating as not-for-profit organizations.

   Collector road. A roadway which provides connection between the arterial road system and local roads as well as traffic circulation within residential, commercial and industrial areas.

   Collocate. The act of using a single support structure and/or site by more than one (1) communication (i.e., wireless) provider.

   Columbia Area Transportation System (COATS). The transportation planning process for the Columbia metropolitan area administered by the MPO.

   Commercial and service uses. An occupation, place of employment, or enterprise that is carried on for profit by the owner, lessee, or licensee including but not limited to business, professional, and personal services and retail trade and food services.

   Common area. Land within a development, not individually owned or dedicated for public use, which is designed and intended for the common use or enjoyment of the residents of the development.

   Common area recreation and service facilities. Recreational (swimming pools, etc.) and service (laundry, etc.) facilities built to serve housing developments.

   Compatible. Design of structures and landscapes that are consistent with structures and landscapes in the district of which they are a part, based on an objective comparison of identified physical elements such as architectural form, building mass, height, scale, land uses, and landscape architecture, as determined by the Planning Department.

   Comprehensive plan. A plan for the development of Richland County, adopted by the Richland County Council, pursuant to Title 6, Chapter 29, of the South Carolina Code of Laws (South Carolina Local Government Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act of 1994). The comprehensive plan includes the following planning elements: a population element; an economic development element; a natural resources element; a cultural resources element; a community facilities element; a housing element; and, a land use element.

   Conservation Area. Any parcel or area of undeveloped land conserved in its natural state for perpetuity through deeds or other legal measures.

   Conservation subdivision. A subdivision that concentrates buildings in specific areas on site and maximizes open space, preservation of environmentally sensitive areas.

   Controlled access zone. The area of an intersection that requires controlled traffic movement to preserve the safety of pedestrians, drivers, and other intersection users.

   Coordinated design. The design of a development so as to incorporate unifying features, such as building height, articulation of building elements, rhythm of design, massing, bulk, architectural features, etc.

   County. Richland County, South Carolina.

   County administrator. The Richland County Administrator.

   County council. Richland County Council.

   County engineer. The Richland County Engineer.

   Critical facilities. Structures or facilities that produce, use or store highly volatile, flammable, explosive, toxic and/or water-reactive materials; hospitals, nursing homes and housing likely to contain occupants who may not be sufficiently mobile to avoid death or injury during a flood; police stations, fire stations, vehicles and equipment storage facilities, and emergency operations centers that are needed for flood response activities before, during, and after a flood; and public and private utility facilities that are vital to maintaining or restoring normal services to flooded areas before, during and after a flood.

   Critical root zone. An area on the ground and adjacent to a protected tree that encompasses a distance of one (1) foot of space for every one (1) inch of the tree DBH measured outward from the center of the tree in all directions.

   Cross-access easement. An easement wherein a grantor conveys to a grantee, his/her/its heirs, successors in interest, and/or assigns, a perpetual nonexclusive easement that may include such matters as: vehicular and pedestrian access, ingress, egress; the location and amount of parking of vehicles; and/or landscaped areas; and/or any shared maintenance responsibilities.

   Cul-de-sac. A road having one end open to traffic and the other end terminated by a vehicular turnaround; a dead-end street.

   Days. Unless otherwise specified, days shall mean calendar days.

   Density. The number of dwelling units per gross acre of land.

   Design capacity. The volume of annual average daily trips (AADTs) of a given roadway segment at which traffic flows with minimal delay. The design capacity is based on the geometry of the roadway segment and its functional classification.

   Designated water resource. A perennial surface water body that normally flows or contains water throughout the year, except during extreme droughts. These water bodies typically have a defined channel or shoreline and support a diverse population of aquatic insects, including some with life cycles that require permanent water. Those water bodies with channels are able to sort and move channel materials.

   Developer. Any person acting on his own behalf as a property owner, or as an agent for a property owner, who makes application for development plan approval as set forth in this chapter.

   Development. Any of the following actions undertaken by a public or private individual or entity: (a) any land altering activities associated with the division of a lot, tract, or parcel of land into two (2) or more lots, plots, sites, tracts, parcels, or other divisions by plan or deed; or (b) any human-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including, but not limited to, buildings or other structures, clearing, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, berming, diking, excavation or drilling operations, or storage of equipment or materials.

   Development with open space design. A development pattern that arranges the layout of buildings in a compact area of the site which reserves a portion of a site for open space preservation and is protected in perpetuity.

   DHEC. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

   Diameter at breast height (DBH). The standard measure of tree diameter for trees existing on a site by measuring a tree trunk at a height of four and one-half (4½) feet above the ground and by measuring a tree split into multiple trunks below four and one-half (4½) feet at its most narrow point beneath the split.

   Dormitory. A building or part of a building operated by an academic institution containing rooms forming one (1) or more habitable units that are used or intended to be used by enrollees or employees of the institution for living and sleeping, but are not fully self-contained residential facilities.

   Drag strips. A roadway designed for a race between cars to determine which can accelerate faster from a standstill. A drag strip may include seating, concession areas, parking facilities and any accessory offices or other buildings.

   Drainage. A general term applied to the outflow of water or other fluid from a given area, whether by natural means (surface water runoff) or artificial means (drains, grading, etc.).

   Drainage channel. Any natural or man-made conveyance for surface water, including open channels, enclosed storm sewers, streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, or marshes.

   Drainage system. The surface and subsurface system for removal of water from the land, including both the natural elements of streams, marshes, swales, and ponds, whether of an intermittent or continuous nature; and the manmade elements such as improved open channels, culverts, retention facilities, and enclosed storm sewers.

   Drive-in. A term used to describe an establishment designed or operated to serve a patron who is seated in an automobile. This term shall include the term “drive-thru”.

   Drive-thru. See “drive-in”.

   Driveway. Any paved or unpaved way that provides access to property and is intended for vehicular access from a highway, street, or road.

   Duets. A structure used for residential purposes and consisting of two living units sharing a common wall.

   Dwelling. Any building designed, occupied, or intended for human occupancy; provided, however, dwelling shall not include a hotel, motel, rooming house, hospital, or other accommodation used more or less for transient occupancy.

   Dwelling, accessory. A secondary dwelling unit established in conjunction with and clearly subordinate to a principal dwelling unit, whether a part of the same structure as the principal dwelling unit or a detached dwelling unit on the same lot.

   Dwelling, manufactured home on individual lots. A manufactured home designed for occupancy by a single family and which is placed on a lot with no other principal structure or building.

   Dwelling, multi-family. Any building or buildings containing more than two (2) dwelling units on a single lot including apartments, condominiums, etc.

   Dwelling, principal. The main dwelling unit on a lot.

   Dwelling, single-family. A structure designed for occupancy by one (1) family.

   Dwelling, single-family, detached. A single- family dwelling unit that is not attached to any other dwelling unit by any means and is surrounded by yards.

   Dwelling, single-family, zero lot line, common. A single-family development (attached and semi- detached units) where the units are connected on one (1) side by means of a common dividing structural or load-bearing wall of at least ten (10) linear feet to another one-family dwelling. Each dwelling is located on its own individual lot and adjacent structures are placed on an alternate side lot line.

   Dwelling, single-family, zero lot line, parallel. A detached single-family development where the units are placed on parallel side lot lines and each dwelling is located on its own individual lot.

   Dwelling, two-family. A building on a single lot containing two (2) dwelling units, each of which is totally separated from the other by an unpierced wall extending from ground to roof or an unpierced ceiling and floor extending from exterior wall to exterior wall, except for a common stairwell exterior to both dwelling units.

   Easement. A grant or reservation by the owner of land for the use of such land by others for a specific purpose or purposes.

   Effective lot area. The gross horizontal area of a lot minus any portion of the lot encumbered by a recorded driveway or roadway easement.

   Elevated building. A non-basement building having the lowest floor elevated above the ground level by means of fill, solid foundation perimeter walls, piling, columns, piers or shear walls parallel to the flow of water.

   Eligible projects. Residential projects within residential infill incentive districts established on or after August 1, 2008 that have been officially submitted to the Richland County Planning and Development Services for review.

   Enclosed building. See “building, enclosed.”

   Encroachment (floodplain overlay district standards). The advance or progression of uses, fill, excavation, buildings, structures, or developments into a floodplain or floodway.

   Encroachment permit. A permit issued by the County on county maintained roadways or by SCDOT on state maintained roadways to use a public right-of- way for any purpose.

   Engineer. A person practicing engineering and licensed in the State of South Carolina pursuant to the requirements of Section 40-22-10, et seq., of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended.

   E9-1-1 address number. The number assigned to any building or property in a sequential manner.

   E9-1-1 property address. The unique E9-1-1 address number and roadway name that is used in combination with one another to effectively locate a building for use with the E9-1-1 System.

   Entitled Property. Any property that, prior to January 19, 2010 has been subject to either “Permitted Development Activity” or a “Valid Government Approval.” If a Permitted Development Activity or Valid Governmental Approval has occurred with respect to any tract and such tract was subsequently subdivided, or in the future is subdivided, by an approved subdivision plat, then all subdivided parcels that were part of the original tract shall be considered Entitled Property.

   Entrance, main. The principal doorway into a building or structure through which the majority of public entry is obtained.

   Ephemeral stream. A stream or reach of a stream that flows briefly only in direct response to precipitation in the immediate locality and whose channel is at all times higher than the water table.

   Erodible soils. Soils that can erode at excessive rates, such as Hydrologic Groups B and C.

   Erosion. The general process by which soil and rock fragments are detached and moved by the action of wind, water, ice and gravity, either naturally or induced.

   Erosion and sediment control plan. A plan which adequately describes necessary land management practices and control measures, including a timetable or schedule for their installation, which will effectively minimize soil erosion and sedimentation; prepared and approved as provided herein for application to a particular land area. This plan shall be incorporated into the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).

   Existing manufactured home park or manufactured home subdivision (floodplain overlay district standards). A manufactured home park or manufactured home subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on such manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of roads, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed before November 4, 1981.

   Expansion to an existing manufactured home park or manufactured home subdivision. The preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of roads, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete slabs).

   Family, immediate. A spouse, parents and grandparents, children and grandchildren, brothers and sisters, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, daughters-in- law and sons-in law. Adopted, half and step members are also included in this definition.

   Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The agency that administers federal surface transportation regulations and provides funding for federal roads and MPO activities.

   FEMA. The Federal Emergency Management Agency.

   Fill. The placement of fill material at a specified location to bring the ground surface up to a desired elevation.

   Fill material. Natural sands, dirt, soil and rock. For the purposes of floodplain management, fill material may include concrete, cement, soil cement, brick or similar material as approved on a case-by- case basis.

   FIRM. See “Flood Insurance Rate Map.”

   Flood or flooding. A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas, caused by the overflow of a watercourse or the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.

   Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). An official map of a community on which the FEMA has delineated both the areas of special flood hazard and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.

   Flood Insurance Study. An official report provided by FEMA. The report contains flood profiles, as well as the Flood Boundary Floodway Map and the water surface elevation of the base flood. A Flood Insurance Study may include a study using detailed hydrologic and hydraulic analyses to model the base flood, determine base flood elevations, and designate floodways and risk zones (Zones AE, A1-30, AH and AO).

   Floodplain. The areas adjoining a river, stream, watercourse, lake, or other body of standing water that have been or may be covered by floodwater.

   Floodplain development permit. A document issued by the county authorizing the applicant to undertake development and related activity in a regulated floodplain.

   Flood prone area. The area of land susceptible to being inundated by a flood (see definition of “flood”).

   Floodproofing. Design and construction of nonresidential structures and attendant utility and sanitary facilities that are watertight to at least two (2) feet above the base flood elevation. Walls are substantially impermeable to the passage of water and have structural components capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy.

   Flood resistant materials. Any building material capable of withstanding direct and prolonged contact with flood waters without sustaining significant damage. The term “prolonged contact” means at least seventy-two (72) hours, and the term “significant damage” means any damage requiring more than low- cost cosmetic repair (such as painting).

   Floodway. The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas which must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one (1) foot.

   Foot candle. A unit for measuring illumination equal to the amount of direct light thrown by a source of one candela on a square foot of surface every part of which is one foot away from the source and facing directly toward the source.

   Footprint, building. See “building footprint.”

   Forest land. Land on which an ecosystem or assemblage of ecosystems is dominated by trees and other woody vegetation and consist of trees with overlapping crowns forming 60% to 100% cover; the living parts of a forest land include trees, shrubs, vines, grasses and other herbaceous (non-woody) plants, mosses, algae, fungi, insects, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and microorganisms living on the plants and animals and in the soil.

   Forestry activity. Activity that involves timbering, including, but not limited to, harvesting, site preparation, controlled burning, tree planting, applications of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, weed control, animal damage control, fire control, insect and disease control, forest road construction, and any other generally accepted forestry practices.

   Frontage. The frontage of a parcel of land is that distance where a property line is common with a road right-of-way line or an edge of traveled way.

   Full-cutoff. With respect to lighting, a light fixture which cuts off all upward transmission of light, with zero light above 90° horizontal.

   Functional classification. An FHWA process, adopted by SCDOT and the MPO, by which roads are grouped into classes, or systems, according to the character of the service they are intended to provide. The MPO classifies roads as interstate, principal arterial, minor arterial or collector.

   Functionally dependent facility. A facility that cannot be used for its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water, such as a docking or port facility or rowing facility necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, shipbuilding, ship repair, or seafood processing facilities. The term does not include long- term storage, manufacture, sales, or service facilities.

   GFA. See “gross floor area.”

   Glare. Discomfort experienced by an observer with a direct line of sight to a light source, resulting in visual impairment.

   Grading. Any displacement of soil by stripping, excavating, filling, stockpiling, or any combination thereof, and shall include the land in its excavated or filled state.

   Grand tree. Any structurally sound tree, twenty-four (24) inches or greater in diameter at breast height. Trees documented as structurally unsound by an ISA Certified Arborist or a Registered Forester are not considered grand trees for the purpose of this definition.

   Gross floor area (GFA). The total horizontal area of all floors of a building, including interior balconies and mezzanines, measured from the exterior faces of the exterior walls of a building.

   Group home. A residential home, provided by an agency, organization or individual, for mentally or physically handicapped persons and which is licensed by the State of South Carolina to provide such a service.

   Groupings of grand trees. Three (3) or more grand trees with overlapping critical root zones. The area of protection includes each individual grand tree's entire critical root zone.

   Guidelines for Road Naming and Addressing in Richland County. The manual establishing a uniform system for road naming and addressing property and buildings on all roads, streets, and public and private roadways in the unincorporated area of Richland County.

   Habitable floor. Any floor useable for living purposes, which include working, sleeping, eating, cooking and recreation, or any combination thereof. Floor elevation is to be measured as follows:

      (a)   For slab-on-grade type buildings or buildings with basements, the top surface of the slab or basement floor constitutes the lowest floor.

      (b)   For footing, foundation wall, or pile type buildings having crawl spaces under the building with no basements, the top surface of the finished flooring above the horizontal joist, beam, or other supporting member constitutes the lowest floor.

   Hazardous material. Any substance that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released into the workplace or the environment.

   Heir. A person who by law received wealth, property, etc. when the owner died.

   Height, structure (or building). See “structure, height.”

   High rise structure (or building). Any building which exceeds three (3) stories and thirty-five (35) feet in height.

   Highest adjacent grade. The highest natural elevation of the ground surface, existing prior to construction, next to the proposed walls of the structure.

   Home occupation. An accessory use of a dwelling unit for limited non-residential purposes which is clearly incidental and subordinate to the use of the dwelling unit as a residence.

   Hotel. A commercial establishment offering transient lodging in ten (10) or more rooms, in which sleeping accommodations are offered to the public, with access through an inside lobby or the office, and in which there is a public dining room for the convenience of the guests.

   Hunt club. A private sporting club organized and operated for the purpose of lawfully hunting game and/or wildlife, with or without dogs, and whether on horseback, a motorized vehicle, or on foot. A hunt club may include primary and accessory structures, such as a clubhouse, kennels, stables, and storage facilities.

   Illegal discharge. Any activity that results in a discharge to a stormwater system or receiving waters that is not composed entirely of stormwater; provided, however, this does not include: (a) discharge pursuant to an NPDES permit (other than the NPDES permit issued for the Richland County stormwater system and its co-permittees), (b) discharges resulting from fire-fighting activities, and (c) any activity specifically addressed in this Code of Ordinances or by Richland County as not being significant sources of pollution.

   Illegal dumping. The disposal of waste in an unpermitted area or the pouring of liquid wastes or trash into stormwater drains.

   Illicit connection. A connection to a stormwater system that results in a discharge that is not composed entirely of stormwater run-off; provided, however, this does not include discharges pursuant to an NPDES permit (other than the NPDES permit issued for the Richland County stormwater system and its co-permittees).

   Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Program. The third Minimum Control Measure of the Stormwater Phase II Rule; it is a program, employing a plan that should include procedures for locating priority areas likely to have illicit discharges, procedures for tracing the source of an illicit discharge, procedures for removing the source of the discharge, and procedures for program evaluation and assessment.

   Impede the free flow of water. Any change to water elevation or velocity due to obstructions, diversions, or retardation, including changes to the flow characteristics of the waters of the regulatory flood as they pass both the upstream and the downstream boundaries of the property.

   Impervious surface. Any hard-surfaced, man- made area that does not readily absorb or retain water, including, but not limited to, building roofs, parking and driveway areas, graveled areas, sidewalks and paved recreation areas.

   Impervious surface ratio. The ratio between the surface area of a lot that is covered by impervious surfaces compared to the total surface area of a lot.

   Improper disposal. Any disposal other than through an illicit connection that results in an illegal discharge, including, but not limited to, the disposal of used oil, toxic materials or other hazardous liquids or substances resulting from the improper management of these materials.

   Improvements. Pavements, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, paths, bikeways, sedimentation control facilities, re-vegetation, water mains, sanitary and storm sewers, drainways, gas lines, electrical and telephone lines and appurtenances, street signs, trees and lights, and any other similar items required for compliance with the regulations of this chapter or the conditions of approval.

   Industrial road. A road for which the intended use is somewhat less than that of an arterial road and somewhat greater than that of a collector road. Such roads will generally be located in industrial/ commercial areas or be used to provide access for heavy vehicles or heavy vehicular volumes to such areas.

   Infill parcel. A parcel of land that is located within the infill target areas and is suitable for residential development of four (4) dwelling units or less.

   Inflow and infiltration. Groundwater or stormwater entering into a sanitary sewer system as a result of damaged collection lines or manholes or from direct stormwater connections, such as from catch basins or roof drains.

   Infrastructure. Facilities and services that are needed to sustain industry, residential, commercial, and all other land use activities, including water and sewer lines and other utilities, streets and roads, communications and public facilities, such as fire stations, parks, etc.

   Irrigation. A permanent, underground watering system equipped with surface, subsurface or overhead emitters and which provides one hundred percent (100%) water coverage.

   Jurisdictional line. A line identified or approved by the United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) describing areas to be protected under the Federal Clean Water Act.

   Land. Any ground, soil, or earth including marshes, swamps, drainage-ways and areas not permanently covered by water.

   Land development permit. A document signed by an authorized county official, as required in this chapter, as a condition precedent to the commencement of a use or the erection, construction, reconstruction, restoration, alteration, conversion or installation of a structure or building, which document acknowledges that such use, structure, or building complies with the provisions of this chapter or an authorized variance therefrom.

   Land development review, major. The review of projects, exclusive of residential and commercial subdivisions, involving one (1) or more of the following: one hundred thousand (100,000) or more square feet of nonresidential floor space; one hundred and fifty (150) or more multi-family residential units, lots or manufactured home spaces in a manufactured home district; and/or the dedication of new public road segments or the dedication to the county of land for open space or other public purposes.

   Land development review, minor. The review of projects, exclusive of residential and commercial subdivisions, which do not meet the standards for applicability for “land development compliance review” or “major land development review.”

   Land disturbance. Any activity involving the clearing, grading, transporting, filling, and/or any other activity which causes the land to be exposed to the dangers of erosion.

   Land Disturbance Permit. A certificate issued by Richland County to perform work pursuant to an approved SWPPP prepared under the provisions of this chapter. It is issued after DHEC issues coverage under an NPDES General Permit for Large and Small Construction Activities.

   Land surveyor. A person currently licensed pursuant to the requirements of Section 40-22-10, et seq., of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended.

   Landscape architect. A person practicing landscape architecture and licensed in the State of South Carolina pursuant to the requirements of Section 40-28-10, et seq., of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended.

   LED (Light Emitting Diode). A semiconductor diode that emits light when an electric current is applied in the forward direction of the device.

   Levee. A man-made structure, usually an earthen embankment, designed and constructed in accordance with sound engineering practices to contain, control, or divert the flow of water so as to provide protection from temporary flooding.

   Level of Service (LOS). A qualitative term describing how the traffic flow on a given road segment is perceived by its users, i.e., good conditions = A or B; tolerable conditions = C or D; and intolerable conditions = E or F. This relationship is measured by its current traffic volume to its engineering designed traffic volume ratio (v/c):

      LOS A = a v/c ratio of 0.00 to 0.49         LOS B = a v/c ratio of 0.50 to 0.74

      LOS C = a v/c ratio of 0.75 to 1.00         LOS D = a v/c ratio of 1.01 to 1.15

      LOS E = a v/c ratio of 1.16 to 1.34         LOS F = a v/c ratio of 1.35 plus

   Lighting, internal. With respect to signage, artificial lighting provided either through lighting on the sign face or though lighting within a sign made of transparent or translucent material.

   Light trespass. Light projected onto a property from a fixture not located on that property.

   Limited storage. An area used for storage and intended to be limited to incidental items that can withstand exposure to the elements and have low flood damage potential. Such an area must be of flood resistant or breakaway material, void of utilities (except for essential lighting), and cannot be temperature controlled.

   Live-work unit. A hybrid dwelling unit that incorporates a ground level studio, workshop, or office that opens directly to the street, with a residential unit in the same structure that is upstairs.

   Local commercial road. A road in a commercial area used primarily for access to abutting properties and to feed traffic to collector roads. This classification includes roads located parallel and adjacent to limited access roads or highways that provide access to abutting commercial properties and protection from through traffic.

   Local residential road. A road in a residential area used primarily for access to abutting properties and to feed traffic to collector roads. This classification includes roads located parallel and adjacent to limited access roads or highways that provide access to abutting residential properties and protection from through traffic. Average daily traffic is less than two thousand (2,000) vehicles.

   Loft dwelling. A dwelling unit established in an existing nonresidential building; the floor placed between the roof and the floor of the uppermost story within a single-family detached dwelling, the floor area of which is not more than one-third of the floor area of the story or room in which it is placed.

   Loop lane. A roadway that arches away from a road and re-intersects the same road at some distance away from the "first" intersection.

   Lot. A parcel of land clearly defined by plat or by metes and bounds description and held, or intended to be held, in separate lease or ownership.

   Lot, adjacent. A lot that is contiguous to another lot.

   Lot area. The horizontal area within the exterior lines of a lot.

   Lot coverage. A measure of intensity of land use that represents the portion of a site that is impervious (i.e., does not absorb water). This portion includes, but is not limited to, all areas covered by buildings, parked structures, driveways, roads, sidewalks, and any area of concrete asphalt.

   Lot frontage. That part of a lot (a lot line) abutting on a road.

   Lot width. The distance between straight lines connecting front and rear lot lines at each side of a lot, measured at the required front setback, provided that the width between side lot lines at their foremost points (where they intersect with the road line) shall not be less than eighty percent (80%) of the required lot width. In the case of lots fronting on a curve or cul-de-sac, the lot width may be measured up to a distance fifty percent (50%) greater than the required front yard as defined within each zoning district classification, provided the lot width at the minimum required front yard setback is eighty percent (80%) of the minimum required yard width. The measurement shall be taken tangent to the midpoint at the setback line. Where lots are contiguous to a natural or man- made body of water, the lot width may be measured at the building site line provided all required setbacks can be met and the lot has a minimum of twenty-five (25) linear feet of public road frontage. Where lots are one (1) acre or larger, the lot width may be measured at the building site line provided all required setbacks can be met and the lot has a minimum of fifty (50) linear feet of public road frontage.

   Lowest floor. The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area. Any unfinished or flood resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or limited storage in an area other than a basement area, is not considered a building’s lowest floor provided that such an enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of other provisions of this chapter.

   Low Impact Development (LID). An ecologically friendly approach to site development and storm water management that aims to mitigate development impacts to land, water, and air. The approach emphasizes the integration of site design and planning techniques that conserve natural systems and hydrologic functions on a site.

   Lumen/phototopic lumen. The measure of brightness of the illumination exiting a bulb, provided by a manufacturer.

   Luminaire. The complete lighting unit, including the lamp, fixture, pole, and/or other parts.

   Manufactured home. A factory-built, single- family structure that is manufactured under the authority of 42 U.S.C. Sec. 5401, the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act, is transportable in one or more sections, is built on a permanent chassis and is used as a place of human habitation. The term “manufactured home” shall not include prefabricated modular dwellings placed on permanent foundations, nor shall it include travel trailers, campers or similar units designed for recreation or other short term uses.

   Manufactured home park. A lot used, designed or intended to be used for the purpose of supplying a parking space for two (2) or more occupied manufactured homes for rent or sale, and which includes buildings, structures, vehicles, or enclosures used or intended to be used as part of that manufactured home park. Sales or storage lots for unoccupied manufactured homes are not considered to be manufactured home parks.

   Manufactured home subdivision. A parcel or contiguous parcels of land subdivided into two (2) or more lots configured for development of manufactured housing for rent or sale.

   Marginal access road. A service road that runs parallel to a higher order road, which for purposes of safe ingress and egress, provides access to abutting properties and separation of through traffic. This term shall include the term “frontage road”.

   Market showroom. A building or structure used principally for the display of merchandise.

   Mean sea level. The average height of the sea for all stages of the tide. It is used as a reference for establishing various elevations within the floodplain.

   For purposes of this chapter, the term is synonymous with National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD).

   Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The transportation policy-making body consisting of representatives of the local governments in urbanized area of the midlands as designated by the U.S. Census Department. It includes most of Richland and Lexington Counties and a small portion of Kershaw and Calhoun Counties. The CMCOG is the MPO for this metropolitan area.

   Minor residential road. A loop road which serves not more than forty (40) dwelling units or a cul-de-sac road that serves not more than twenty (20) dwelling units, either of which carries no through traffic and is used for access to abutting residential lots.

   More intense use. A use of greater intensity as determined by the Land Use Impact Table set forth at Section 26-176(f)(3) of this chapter.

   Motel. A commercial establishment offering transient lodging in ten (10) or more rooms, in which sleeping accommodations are offered to the public, and which has individual entrances from outside the building to serve the separate units, and which further provides a location for the parking of guests’ automobiles.

   MS4. Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System; and acronym used in the NPDES Stormwater Permit that is synonymous with stormwater system for the purposes of this chapter.

   Multi-use trail. A path physically separated from motor vehicle traffic by an open space or barrier and either within a highway right-of-way or within an independent right-of- way. A multi-use path is used by bicyclists, pedestrians, joggers, skaters, and other non-motorized travelers.

   NAICS. The North American Industrial Classification System of 2002.

   National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD). As corrected in 1929, elevation reference points set by National Geodetic Survey based on mean sea level.

   Native plant material. Any plant material indigenous to South Carolina and which is naturally grown or commercially propagated or cultivated for the nursery or landscaping industry.

   Natural landscaping. An area consisting of uncultivated native plant growth or plantings that are indigenous to the geographical area where the parcel is located.

   Natural plant. A plant, once established, that survives on rainfall without irrigation.

   Neighborhood green. An open space available for unstructured recreation, its landscaping consists of grassy areas, trees and approximately one-acre or less surrounded by structures/dwellings within the boundaries of the development.

   New construction. For purposes of floodplain management in this chapter, this term shall mean a structure for which the start of construction commenced on or after November 4, 1981. The term also includes any subsequent improvements to such structure.

   New manufactured home park or new manufactured home subdivision. As referenced in the flood regulations, this term shall mean a manufactured home park or manufactured home subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of roads, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete slabs) is completed on or after November 4, 1981.

   Nonconforming occupied lot. A lot that does not meet the minimum requirements for the zoning district in which it is located and which contains a structure.

   Nonconforming open uses of land. An open use on a lot when the only structures are incidental or accessory to the principal open use, but which would not be permitted by this chapter in the zoning district in which it is located.

   Nonconforming structures occupying conforming lots. A structure that does not meet the minimum requirements for the zoning district in which it is located, but which is located on a lot that does conform to the district requirements.

   Nonconforming uses of structures. A structure, the use of which would not be permitted by this chapter in the zoning district in which it is located.

   Nonconforming vacant lot. A lot that is not occupied by a building, structure, or use and that does not meet the dimensional or area requirements for the zoning district in which it is located.

   Nonconformity. A legal use, structure, and/or development which existed prior to the adoption of this chapter or any amendment thereto, that does not presently conform to this chapter or its amendments.

   Non-linear projects. All construction activities and projects other than utility line installation, pipeline construction, and other examples of long, narrow, linear construction activities.

   Non-stormwater discharge. Any discharge to the stormwater system that is not comprised entirely of stormwater.

   North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). A system, published by the federal government for census and business tracking purposes, which lists and classifies various industries.

   NPDES. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System; an acronym used to describe the national program for issuing, modifying, revoking and reissuing, terminating, monitoring and enforcing permits, and imposing and enforcing pretreatment requirements, under §§ 307, 402, 318, and 405 of the federal Clean Water Act.

   NPDES Stormwater Permit. The permit issued by DHEC under the primacy authority from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that authorizes the discharge of pollutants, in this case stormwater, to waters of the United States, whether the permit is applicable on an individual, group, or general area-wide basis.

   Obstruction, airport. Any structure, growth or other object, including a mobile object, which exceeds a limited height as set forth in this chapter for airport protection overlay zones.

   One hundred year rainfall. A rainfall of an intensity expected to be equaled or exceeded, on the average, once in one-hundred (100) years.

   On-site stormwater management. The design and construction of a stormwater management facility within and for a single development.

   Open space. Land areas that are not occupied by buildings, structures, impermeable areas, streets, alleys or required buffer transition and street protective yards.

   Open space credit. The weighted amount of open space, determined by applying a multiplier to the actual area.

   Open stormwater conveyance. A permanent, designed waterway, shaped, sized and lined with appropriate vegetation or structural material used to safely convey stormwater runoff within or away from developing areas.

   Open use of land. The use of a lot where the only structures on the lot are incidental or accessory to the principal use of the land (e.g., golf course driving ranges).

   Outdoor display. The placement of goods for sale or for advertisement, outside of a building or structure.

   Outdoor retail. Commercial sales of large items, traditionally occurring outside (e.g., auto dealerships, lumber yards).

   Outdoor room. A commercial area of a property that is not enclosed by traditional walls and a roof but provides a space that shall be used to provide services such as dining or other closely related activity and provides a linkage between public (building) and private sphere (sidewalk).

   Outside storage. The storage of any material for a period greater than forty-eight (48) hours including items for sale, lease, processing, and repair (including vehicles) not in an enclosed building.

   Overlay district. A zoning district, established by this chapter, to prescribe special regulations to be applied to a site in combination with the base or underlying district.

   Owner. Any person, agent, firm, or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the property.

   Owner/operator. For the purpose of this chapter and in the context of stormwater associated with construction activity, means any party associated with a construction project that meets either of the following two criteria:

      (a)   The party has operational control over construction plans and specifications. Note: A party has "operational control over construction plans and specifications" if they have the authority to prepare or modify SWPPPs; or

      (b)   The party has “operational control over day-to-day activities” at a Project that are necessary to ensure compliance with a SWPPP for the Site or other permit conditions (e.g., they are authorized to direct workers at a Site to carry out activities required by the SWPPP or comply with other permit conditions). This definition is provided to inform permittees of the EPA’s interpretation of how the regulatory definitions of “Owner or Operator” and “facility or activity” are applied to discharges of storm water associated with construction activity.

   Park. An area or facility intended to be used for recreation, exercise, sports or similar activities, or an area intended to enhance the enjoyment of natural features or natural beauty, but specifically excluding commercially operated amusement parks.

   Parking lot. An off-road, open, authorized area where motor vehicles are stored for the purpose of temporary, daily, or overnight parking.

   Parking lot, primary. The parking lot that contains the majority of the required parking spaces for a business, institution, or other type of use.

   Parking, off-road. Space occupied by automobiles for parking on premises other than roads.

   Parking, overflow. Parking areas designed to handle parking that is unusual for a particular use and happens only on rare occasions such as special events.

   Parking, remote. Land within four hundred (400) feet of a use (measured from the property line of the use to the land to be used for parking) utilized to fulfill the parking requirements set forth in this chapter.

   Parking, shared. A parking area used jointly by two (2) or more uses.

   Parks, public. A park owned or operated by a government agency(ies) for public recreational use.

   Pedestrian walkway. A marked path for pedestrian traffic.

   Pedestrian zone. An area where cars are prohibited, such as sidewalks, bikeways, trails, lawns and landscaped areas.

   Performance bond. A document issued by a surety, in return for a fee or premium, guaranteeing the performance of the terms and conditions of development approval.

   Permitted Development Activity. The property owner has commenced construction of a building or of any portion of a potable water distribution or transportation system, a sanitary sewer distribution or transportation system, a storm drainage system or a public road; or the property owner has commenced grading or other land disturbance activities in conformance with valid permits issued by Richland County.

   Permitted uses with special requirements. Uses permitted by right, provided that the specific standards set forth in Article VI. are met.

   Person. Any individual or group of individuals, partnership, association, corporation, company, firm, joint venture, trust, estate, commission, board, public or private institution, utility, cooperative, interstate body, any governmental or quasi-governmental entity, or other legal entity.

   Place of worship. A structure (or structures) and the parcel on which it is located, in/on which persons regularly assemble for religious worship. The term “place of worship” shall not include accessory uses such as day cares, schools, thrift shops and other facilities designed for ministries incidental to the use as a place of worship. Family life centers, church offices, regular worship (“Sunday School”) classrooms and fellowship halls are considered accessory uses and part of a “place of worship” as defined herein.

   Planning commission. The Richland County Planning Commission.

   Planning department. The Richland County Planning and Development Services Department.

   Planting strip. A strip of land intended to be planted with trees, shrubs, or other vegetation to separate a sidewalk from adjacent curbs or the edge of interior street pavement.

   Plat. A map, or delineated representation of the subdivision of lands, prepared by a surveyor licensed in South Carolina, being a complete and exact representation of the subdivision or parcel and including other information, which is in compliance with all the relevant requirements of this chapter and other county statutes, laws and regulations.

   Plat, final. A set of drawings, and other documentation, prepared in compliance with the requirements of this chapter and that are presented for final approval and recordation by the county.

   PM Peak Hour (PMPH). The estimated average hourly traffic volume on a given roadway segment between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

   Pollutant. Dredged spoil; solid waste; incinerator residue; sewage; garbage; sewage sludge; munitions; medical waste; chemical wastes; biological materials; radioactive materials; heat; wrecked or discarded equipment; rock; sand; cellar dirt; municipal, agricultural and industrial waste; and certain characteristics of wastewater [e.g. the measure of acidity or basicity of a solution (pH), temperature, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), turbidity, color, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), toxicity, or odor]. A foreign substance, that if permitted to get into the public water system, will degrade its quality so as to constitute a moderate hazard, or impair the usefulness or quality of the water to a degree which does not create an actual hazard to the public health but which does adversely and unreasonably affect such water for domestic use.

   Portable sign. See “Sign, portable.”

   Post-development. Land surface conditions as changed due to development.

   Pre-development. Natural or existing land surface conditions prior to proposed development.

   Preserve. Land set aside for protection and propagation.

   Primary drainage channel. A drainage channel, stream, or creek draining an area of three hundred (300) acres or more.

   Primary surface. A surface longitudinally centered on a runway.

   Primary surface (Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport). The primary surface extends two hundred (200) feet beyond each end of the runway. The elevation of any point on the primary surface is the same as the elevation of the nearest point on the runway centerline. The width of the primary surface is five hundred (500) feet.

   Primary surface (McEntire Air National Guard Base). The primary surface for military airports is located on the ground or water longitudinally centered on each runway with the same length as the runway. The width of the primary surface for runways is two thousand (2,000) feet.

   Private roadway. An area of land that is privately owned, provides vehicular access to residential lots, and has not been dedicated; or a private right-of-way created by recorded easement, or other instrument, where no recording has taken place, or no right of interest has accrued to the public and has not been designated as part of the county road maintenance system.

   Produce stand. An open-air stand or place for the selling of agricultural produce.

   Public nuisance (stormwater management facilities). The following conditions constitute a public nuisance with respect to stormwater management facilities: (a) Any condition that constitutes a breeding ground or harbor for rats, mosquitoes, harmful insects or other pests; (b) An open place containing a concentration of combustible items such as mattresses, boxes, paper, automobile tires and tubes, garbage, trash, refuse, brush, old clothes, rags, or any other combustible materials or objects of a like nature; (c) Any open place containing a collection of garbage, food waste, animal waste, or any other rotten or putrescible matter of any kind; (d) Any open place containing furniture, appliances, or metal products of any kind or nature which have jagged edges of metal or glass or areas of confinement; (e) Any condition which blocks, hinders or obstructs in any way the natural flow of streams, creeks, surface water, ditches, or drains, to the extent that the blockage or hindrance or obstruction creates standing or stagnant water.

   Public recreation facilities. Facilities, other than parks, owned or controlled by a public entity for the purpose of providing recreational pursuits. Public recreation shall include such facilities as swimming pools, gymnasiums and indoor tracks.

   Public works department. The Richland County Public Works Department.

   Racetrack. A facility containing a roadway that is used primarily for automobile, animal, and/or motorcycle racing. A racetrack may include seating, concession areas, and parking facilities along with accessory offices.

   Radio, television, and other similar transmitting towers. A mast, pole, monopole, guyed or freestanding framework, or other vertical elements that act as an antenna or to which an antenna is affixed or attached.

   Recreational vehicle. A vehicular-type unit primarily designed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use, which either has its own motive power or is mounted on or drawn by another vehicle. For the application of floodplain management ordinances only, recreational vehicle is defined as: a vehicle which is: (a) built on a single chassis; (b) 400 square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection; (c) designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck/light duty vehicle as defined by South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles; and (d) designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling, but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.

   Regulatory floodway. The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation by more than one (1) foot, as identified on an official Flood Insurance Rate Map or other available information.

   Repair and maintenance services, automobile, major. An establishment engaged in the significant repair and replacement of parts and motor services to automobiles, including, but not limited to, such services as: engine rebuilding, reconditioning of automobiles, the removal from any vehicle of a major portion (i.e., the differential, transmission, head, engine block, or oil pan) thereof for replacement or repair, the repair of damaged motor vehicles or trailers (including body, frame, or fender straightening or repair), and/or the painting of vehicles.

   Repair and maintenance services, automobile, minor. An establishment engaged in the sale of automotive fuels or oils, and the incidental repair and replacement of parts and motor services to automobiles, including oil change, tire sales, and alignment, but not including any operation specified under “repair and maintenance services, automobile, major.”

   Repetitive loss. Flood-related damages sustained by a structure on two (2) separate occasions during a ten (10) year period for which the cost of repairs at the time of each such flood event, on the average, equals or exceeds twenty-five percent (25%) of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.

   Residential footprint (lot coverage). This includes all the areas of a parcel (lot) covered by buildings and other structures with surfaces greater than thirty-six (36) inches above the finished and natural grade with the exception of covered front porches, pergolas, porticos, balconies, overhangs, and similar architectural features placed on the front (facing the street) elevation of a building.

   Retention structure. A permanent structure whose primary purpose is to permanently store a given volume of stormwater runoff.

   Road. An open way designed for the operation of vehicles, including, but not limited to, streets, avenues, boulevards, highways, freeways, lanes, and/or courts. This definition shall not include driveways or ingress/egress easements.

   Road frontage. The distance for which a lot line of a lot adjoins a public road, from one lot line intersecting said road to the furthest distance lot line intersecting the same road.

   Road, half. A street or road that is intended to be developed by constructing one-half (1/2) of a required width of a road with the remainder to be provided at some future date.

   Road, main. The main entrance(s) to a Conservation subdivision, which collects traffic from internal park roads, connecting to arterial roads external to the subdivision.

   Road, minor rural. A road serving twenty (20) or fewer lots in low density, primarily rural areas, and which does not provide connectivity to properties other than those served.

   Road, park. A one-way road within a residential subdivision.

   Road, rural. A road serving development in low density, primarily rural areas, and which would not be classified as a collector or arterial road.

   Road, T. A road that ends in a T shape; also known as a hammer head road.

   Roominghouse or boardinghouse. An establishment, other than a hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast, in which more than three (3) persons who are not members of the owner’s immediate family are housed or lodged in rooms used or intended to be used for living and sleeping, but not for cooking or eating purposes, for compensation, with or without meals being provided. Any dwelling in which such accommodations are offered in ten (10) or more rooms shall be considered to be a hotel or motel.

   Runoff. The portion of the precipitation on the land that reaches the drainage system.

   Runway. A defined area at an airport prepared for landing and takeoff of aircraft along its length.

   Rural road. A road serving development in low density, primarily rural areas.

   Safe access. The minimum number of access points, direct, or indirect, necessary to provide safe ingress and egress to the state and local road system in consideration of the existing, and projected, traffic volume and the type and density/intensity of adjacent land uses.

   Sanitary sewer pre-treatment. The reduction of the amount of pollutants, the elimination of pollutants, or the alteration of the nature of pollutant properties in wastewater to a less harmful state prior to or in lieu of discharging or otherwise introducing such pollutants into a sanitary sewer system. The reduction or alteration may be obtained by physical, chemical, or biological processes, process changes or by other means, except as prohibited by the Clean Water Act.

   Screen. To visually shield or obscure one abutting or nearby structure, use or parking area from another by using fencing, walls, berms, or densely planted vegetation.

   Sedimentation. The process which operates at or near the surfaces of the ground, to deposit soil, debris and other materials either on other ground surfaces or in water channels.

   Seepage. Percolation of underground water through the banks and into a stream or other body of water, or into or out of a sewer.

   Septage. The liquid and solid material pumped from a septic tank, cesspool, or similar domestic sewage treatment system or a holding tank when the system is cleaned or maintained.

   Setback. The minimum distance by which any building or structure must be separated from the lot lines of the lot on which it is located.

   Setback, front. A setback extending across the full width of a lot between the front lot line and the foremost point of any structure on the lot.

   Setback, rear. A setback extending across the full width of a lot between the rear lot line and the rearmost point of any structure on the lot.

   Setback, side. A setback between a side lot line and the nearmost point of the nearest structure, extending from the required front setback to the required rear setback.

   Sexually oriented business. An adult arcade, adult bookstore, adult video store, adult cabaret, adult motel, adult motion picture theater, sexual device shop, or sexual encounter center. As used in this chapter, the following definitions shall apply to such businesses:

      (a)   Adult arcade. Any place where the public is permitted or invited wherein coin-operated or slug-operated or electronically, electrically, or mechanically controlled still or motion picture machines, projectors, or other image- producing devices are maintained to show images to five (5) or fewer persons per machine at any one time, and where the images so displayed are distinguished or characterized by the depicting or describing of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.

      (b)   Adult bookstore or adult video store. A commercial establishment which, as one of its principal business purposes, offers for sale or rental (for any form of consideration) adult media.

         (1)   As used in this definition, principal business purpose or purposes means the commercial establishment has a substantial portion of its displayed merchandise which consists of said items; or has a substantial portion of the wholesale value of its displayed merchandise which consists of said items; has a substantial portion of the retail value of its displayed merchandise which consists of said items; or derives a substantial portion of its revenues from the sale or rental, for any form of consideration, of said items; or maintains a substantial section of its interior business space for the sale or rental of said items.

         (2)   As used in this definition, substantial means twenty-five (25%) or more.

      (c)   Adult cabaret. A nightclub, bar, restaurant, or similar commercial establishment which regularly features, regardless of whether alcoholic beverages are served, persons who appear in a state of nudity or semi-nudity.

      (d)   Adult media. Books, magazines, periodicals, or other printed matter, or photographs, films, motion pictures, videocassettes or compact discs, digital video discs, video reproductions, slides, or other visual representations, which are characterized by their emphasis upon the display of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.

      (e)   Adult motel. A hotel, motel, or similar commercial establishment that:

         (1)   Offers accommodations to the public for any form of consideration; provides patrons with closed-circuit television transmissions, films, motion pictures, videocassettes, slides, compact discs, digital video discs, video reproductions or similar photographic reproductions that are characterized by the depiction or description of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas; and advertises the availability of such material by means of a sign visible form the public right-of-way, or by means of any on or off- premises advertising, including, but not limited to, newspapers, magazines, pamphlets or leaflets, radio or televison; or

         (2)   Offers a sleeping room for rent for a period of time that is less than ten (10) hours; or

         (3)   Allows a tenant or occupant of a sleeping room to sub-rent the room for a period of time that is less than ten (10) hours.

      (f)   Adult motion picture theater. A commercial establishment that, for any form of consideration, exhibits or shows films, motion pictures, videocassettes, slides, compact discs, digital video discs, video reproductions, or similar photographic reproductions that are characterized by their emphasis upon the display of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.

      (g)   Characterized by. To describe the essential character or quality of an item, activity, or thing. As applied in this article, no business shall be classified as a sexually oriented business by virtue of showing, selling or renting materials rated NC-17 or R by the Motion Picture Association of America.

      (h)   Child care facility. A facility as defined in S.C. Code Ann. § 20-7-2700(b).

      (i)   Establishment of a sexually oriented business. Any of the following:

         (1)   The opening or commencement of any sexually oriented business as a new business;

         (2)   The conversion of an existing business, whether or not a sexually oriented business, to any sexually oriented business;

         (3)   The addition of another type(s) of sexually oriented business to any other existing sexually oriented business, such as the addition of an adult video store to an existing sexual device shop; or

         (4)   The relocation of any sexually oriented business.

      (j)   Nude or a state of nudity. The showing of the human male or female genitals, pubic area, vulva, anus, anal cleft or cleavage or the showing of bare female breasts.

   This definition shall not include the act of female breast-feeding a child in a public place, nor to infants or toddlers in a public place, nor to exposure of the human female breasts above a horizontal line across the top of the areola exhibited by a dress, blouse, shirt or other similar wearing apparel; nor to exposure of cleavage of the human female breasts exhibited by a dress, blouse, shirt or similar wearing apparel.

      (k)   Person. An individual, proprietorship, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity.

      (l)   Premises. The real property upon which the sexually oriented business is located, and all appurtenances thereto and buildings thereon, including, but not limited to, the sexually oriented business structure, the grounds, private walkways, and parking areas under the ownership, control, or supervision of the sexually oriented business.

      (m)   Regularly. The consistent and repeated doing of the act so described.

      (n)   Semi-nude. A state of dress in which the human male or female genitals, pubic area, vulva, anus, and anal cleft or cleavage are covered by fully opaque cloth or other material.

      (o)   Sexual device shop. A commercial establishment that offers for sale:

         (1)   Any two of the following categories: 1) adult media; 2) lingerie; or 3) sexual devices; and combination thereof constitutes more than ten percent (10%) of its stock in trade or occupies more than ten percent (10%) of its interior business space.

         (2)   More than five percent (5%) of its stock in trade consists of sexual devices; or

         (3)   More than five percent (5%) of its interior business space is used for the display of sexual devices.

         (4)   Nothing in this definition shall be construed to include any pharmacy, drug store, medical clinic, or any establishment primarily dedicated to providing medical or healthcare products or services.

      (p)   Sexual device. Any three (3) dimensional object designed and marketed for stimulation of the male or female human genital organ or anus, or for sadomasochistic use or abuse of oneself or others, and shall include devices such as dildos, vibrators, penis pumps, and physical representations of the human genital organs. Nothing in this definition shall be construed to include devices primarily intended for protection against sexually transmitted diseases or preventing pregnancy.

      (q)   Sexual encounter center. A business or commercial enterprise that regularly offers, for any form of consideration, physical contact in the form of wrestling or tumbling between persons when one or more of the persons is semi-nude or nude.

      (r)   Specified anatomical areas. The human genitals, pubic region, buttocks; the female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola; or male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered.

      (s)   Specified sexual activities. Any of the following:

         (1)   The fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, anus, or female breasts;

         (2)   Actual or simulated intercourse, oral copulation, masturbation or sodomy; or

         (3)   Excretory functions as part of or in connection with any of the activities set forth in subsection (1) through (2) of this definition above.

      (t)   Viewing room. A room, booth, or other enclosed or partially enclosed area where a patron or patrons of a sexually oriented business would ordinarily be positioned while watching adult media or live entertainment.

   Shade tree. Any tree listed as a “shade tree” in the development design manual of the county with respect to landscaping.

   Shipping container. A structure originally, specifically or formally designed for or used in the packing, shipping, movement or transportation of freight, articles, goods or commodities, designed for or capable of being mounted or moved on a rail car and/or designed for or capable of being mounted on a chassis or bogie for movement by truck or trailer or loaded on a ship.

   Side lot line. Any boundary of a lot that is not a front lot line, a road lot line or a rear lot line.

   Sight visibility triangle. See “vision clearance.”

   Sign. Any device (including, but not limited to, letters, numbers, words, figures, emblems, pictures, or any part or combination) used for visual communication intended to attract the attention of the public and visible to the public right-of-way and other properties.

   Sign, attached. Any sign attached to, applied on, or supported by any part of a building, including, but not limited to, a wall, window or projecting sign, or a sign on a canopy, awning or marquee.

   Sign, bulletin or notice board. An on-premises sign on which message copy is changed manually through attachment of letters, numbers, symbols, and other similar characters or changeable pictorial panels. Such signs display information related to activities or services conducted or offered on the premises.

   Sign, canopy. A sign attached to or applied to the exterior surface of an awning or canopy.

   Sign, combined development. A sign listing the businesses located within a combined development. A combined development is two (2) or more establishments or businesses occupying a common building or adjoining buildings which are designed and developed in a coordinated manner and which share parking, driveways and other common facilities.

   Sign, directional. Any on-premises sign that includes information assisting in the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, such as enter, exit and one-way.

   Sign face. The part of the sign that is or can be used to identify, advertise or communicate information, or that attracts the attention of the public for any purpose. The frame or structural members may be considered as part of the sign face if it is so designed with lighting or other ornamentation that is incorporated for the sign design.

   Sign, freestanding. A sign that is attached to, erected on, or supported by some structure (such as a pole, mast, frame or other structure) that is not itself an integral part of or attached to a building or other structure whose principal function is something other than the support of a sign.

   Sign, ground-mounted. A freestanding sign, other than a pole sign, that is located near the ground and attached to and supported by a masonry wall or pilasters.

   Sign, hanging canopy. A sign suspended below and supported from a canopy or awning and designed to be read by pedestrians passing below the canopy or awning. The lowest point of a hanging canopy sign shall be no less than seven (7) feet above the top elevation of the floor or pavement that is beneath it.

   Sign, height. The vertical distance from the highest point of a sign or its support, whichever is greater, to the base of a sign at grade.

   Sign, incidental. Signs containing information necessary or convenient to persons coming onto a premises. Incidental signs include, but are not limited to, the following: signs containing information on hours of operation and credit cards honored, signs identifying restrooms, public telephones and other business facilities. Information signs shall not include fuel price signs or traffic directional signs.

   Sign, marquee. A sign that is fabricated as a permanent roof-like structure at the entry to a building, which projects beyond the building or extends along and projects beyond the wall of the building., and which generally contains a commercial message.

   Sign, monument. Any monolithic sign in which the bottom of the sign is flush with the ground.

   Sign, off-premises. A sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment not exclusively related to the premises where such sign is located or to which it is affixed.

   Sign, off-premises weekend directional. An off- premise sign not greater than twenty-four (24) inches by twenty-four (24) inches in total size and placed only on the weekend, the purpose of which is limited exclusively to the identification of a use or occupancy located elsewhere and which tells the location of or route to such use or occupancy.

   Sign, on-premises. A sign relating in its subject matter to the premises on which it is located, or to products, accommodations, services or activities on the premises.

   Sign, portable. A sign designed or intended to be moved easily that is not permanently embedded in the ground or affixed to a building or other structure, including any sign that rests upon the ground, a frame, a building or other structure. “Portable sign” shall include, but not be limited to, the following types of signs: trailer signs (with or without wheels), menu and sandwich boards, hot air or gas-filled balloons used for advertising, sidewalk or curb signs, and A- frame signs.

   Sign, projecting. A sign attached to a building or other structure and extending in whole or in part more than fourteen (14) inches beyond the building.

   Sign, road or street. A sign placed at a roadway intersection that indicates the road name and block number.

   Sign, roof. A sign that is mounted on the roof of a building or that is wholly dependent upon a building for support and projects above the highest point of a building with a flat roof, the eave line of a building with a gambrel, gable or hip roof, or the deck line of a building with a mansard roof.

   Sign, temporary. A sign not intended or designed for permanent display.

   Sign, wall. A permanent sign mounted flat against and projecting less than fourteen (14) inches from, or painted on the wall of, a building or structure with the exposed face of the sign in a plane parallel to the face of the wall. This term shall include permanent window signage.

   Sign, window. Any sign painted, drawn, or otherwise affixed to the inside of an exterior window or glass door of a commercial or office building.

   Sketch plan. A sketch preliminary plat or site plan to enable the developer/subdivider to save time and expense in reaching a general agreement with authorized officials of Richland County as to the form of the plat or plan and the objectives of this chapter.

   Sludge. Any solid, semi-solid, or liquid waste generated from a municipal, commercial, or industrial wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility exclusive of the treated effluent from a wastewater treatment plant.

   Small maturing tree. Any tree listed as a “small maturing tree” in the development design manual of the county with respect to landscaping.

   Smart growth. A concept whose principals invest time, attention, and resources in restoring a sense of community and activity to city centers and older neighborhoods.

   South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). The State agency responsible for maintaining state and federal roads and administering distribution of the state and federal gas tax funds.

   Special congregate facilities. Congregate facilities characterized by a clientele composed of persons who generally do not possess personal automobiles to assist them in their daily transportation throughout the area and its vicinity. Such facilities may include indigent care facilities, shelter facilities, hostels, and similar facilities.

   Special exception. Uses that are generally compatible with land uses permitted in a zoning district, but that because of their unique characteristic or potential impacts on the surrounding neighborhood and or the county as a whole, require individual consideration of their location, design, configuration and/or operation at the particular location proposed.

   SSOs. Sanitary Sewer Overflows; an acronym used in referring to discharges of untreated sewage from municipal sanitary sewer systems, without first passing through a wastewater treatment plant, as a result of broken pipes, equipment failure, or system overload. An SSO is a public health hazard and a violation of federal, state and local discharge regulations.

   Start of construction. The date the building permit was issued; provided, however, the actual start of construction, repair and reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or substantial improvement was within one hundred and eighty (180) days of the permit date. The actual start means the first placement of permanent construction of a structure (including a manufactured home) on a site, such as the pouring of slabs or footings, installation of piles, construction of columns, or any work beyond the stage of excavation or the placement of a manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading, and filling; nor does it include the installation of roads and/or walkways; nor does it include excavation for footings, piers or foundations, or the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main structure. For a substantial improvement, the actual start of construction means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the building, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the building.

   Stormwater. Any surface flow, runoff and drainage consisting entirely of water from any form of natural precipitation and resulting from such precipitation.

   Stormwater Design Manual. The manual of design, performance and review standards for stormwater management, prepared under the direction of the county engineer, with input from stakeholders. The requirements established by the “Stormwater Design Manual” are mandatory, and shall be updated as often as necessary.

   Stormwater management. The collection, conveyance, storage, treatment and disposal of stormwater runoff in a manner to minimize channel erosion, flood damage, and or degradation of water quality and in a manner to enhance and ensure the public health, safety, and general welfare.

   Stormwater management facilities. Structures and man-made features designed for the collection, conveyance, storage, treatment and disposal of stormwater runoff into and through the drainage system. Stormwater management facilities include vegetative and/or structural measures, to control the increased volume and rate of stormwater runoff caused by manmade changes to the land.

   Stormwater outfall. The point at which a stormwater system discharges to the receiving waters.

   Stormwater runoff. The direct response of a watershed to precipitation, including surface and subsurface flows resulting from precipitation.

   Stormwater system. The publicly-owned facilities by which stormwater is collected and/or conveyed, including, but not limited to roads with drainage systems, streets, gutters, curbs, inlets, piped storm drains, pumping facilities, basins, drainage channels or other drainage structures.

   Story. That portion of a building included between the upper surface of a floor and the upper surface of the floor or roof next above. It is measured as the vertical distance from top to top of two (2) successive tiers of beams of finished floor surfaces and, for the topmost story, from the top of the floor finish to the top of the ceiling joists or, where there is not a ceiling, to the top of the roof rafters.

   Street. See “road.”

   Street protective yard. A required open yard area in which trees are planted abutting roads.

   Structural fill. Landfilling for future beneficial use utilizing land-clearing debris, hardened concrete, hardened/cured asphalt, bricks, blocks, and other materials specified by DHEC by regulation, compacted and landfilled in a manner acceptable to DHEC, consistent with applicable engineering and construction standards and carried out as a part of normal activities associated with construction, demolition, and land-clearing operations; however, the materials utilized must not have been contaminated by hazardous constituents, petroleum products, or painted with lead-based paint. Structural fill may not provide a sound structural base for building purposes.

   Structure. Anything constructed or erected which requires location on or in the ground or is attached to something having a location on the ground or anything as defined by the building code as a structure. Structures do not include ditches and their appurtenances, poles, lines, cables or transmission or distribution facilities of public utilities, freestanding mailboxes, on-grade slabs, walks, driveways, landscaping materials, fences, or golf course tee boxes, fairways, sand traps or greens. This term includes both permanent and temporary structures. For the application of floodplain management ordinances only, a structure is defined as a walled and roofed building, including but not limited to a manufactured home and a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground, as defined by FEMA.

   Structure, height. The average finished ground elevation at the base of a structure to the highest point of the roof of the structure, provided that spires, belfries, cupolas, chimneys, antennas, water tanks, ventilators, elevator housing, mechanical equipment or other such structures placed above roof level and not intended for human occupancy shall not be subject to height limitations.

   Structure, principal. A structure where the principal use of the lot on which it is located is conducted.

   Structure size standards. Unless otherwise defined, this term means standards regulating the building footprint of a structure relative to the area of the lot on which the structure sits.

   Subdivision. All divisions of a tract or parcel of land into two (2) or more lots, building sites, or other divisions for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale, lease or building development. The definition of subdivision includes:

   (a)   All division of land.

   (b)   Re-subdivision involving a further division or relocation of lot lines of any lot or lots within a subdivision previously made and approved or recorded according to law.

   (c)   The alteration of any roads or the establishment of any new roads within any subdivision previously made and approved or recorded according to law.

   (d)   Combinations of recorded lots.

   Subdivision, administrative. The combination or recombination of portions of previously platted and recorded lots where the total number of lots is not increased and the resultant lots are equal to the applicable site development standards set forth in this chapter; the division of land into parcels of five (5) acres or more where it does not result in the creation of a new roadway or the widening of an existing roadway, the combination or recombination of entire lots of record where no new road or change in existing roads is involved; or the division of a parcel into two (2) lots which do not result in the construction of a new road or the improvement (including, but not limited to, paving and/or widening) of an existing road; or the construction of new water facilities, other than private on-site wells; or the construction of new sewerage facilities, other than on-site septic tanks; or the construction of new storm drainage facilities, other than roadside swales and culverts; and is not in conflict with any provision or portion of the comprehensive plan, official map, or this chapter.

   Subdivision, major. Any subdivision that does not meet the criteria for an administrative subdivision or a minor subdivision.

   Subdivision, minor. Those divisions of land that do not qualify for administrative subdivision review, but which consist of less than fifty (50) lots. Additionally, a minor subdivision shall not involve the dedication of land to the county for open space or other public purposes.

   Substantial damage. Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its pre-damage condition would equal or exceed fifty percent (50%) of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred. Such repairs may be undertaken successively and their costs counted cumulatively during any ten (10) year period.

   Substantial improvement. Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the market value of the structure before the "start of construction" of the improvement. This term includes structures that have incurred "repetitive loss" or "substantial damage," regardless of the actual repair work performed. Substantial improvement shall also include any improvements, singularly or collectively, on a structure during any ten (10) year period for which the cost of total repairs over that period is equal to or exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the market value of the structure.

   Swine farms. A tract of land devoted to raising fifty (50) or more animals of the porcine species.

   SWPPP. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan; an acronym used for a document that describes the BMPs and activities to be implemented by a person or business to identify the sources of pollution or contamination at a site and the actions to eliminate or reduce pollutant discharges to stormwater, stormwater conveyance systems, and/or receiving waters to the maximum extent practicable.

   Technical representative. South Carolina Registered Professional Civil Engineer, Registered Landscape Architect, or Tier B. Land Surveyor responsible for sealing stormwater management plans.

   Tee box. The area in a driving range were players stand to hit golf balls (i.e., tee shots).

   Temporary use. A land use (or structure) that is needed or is in place for a limited duration.

   Ten-year frequency rainfall. A rainfall of an intensity expected to be equaled or exceeded, on the average, once in ten (10) years.

   Thoroughfare road. Interstates, other freeways, expressways or major roads that provide for the expeditious movement of high volumes of traffic within the county.

   TMDL. Total Maximum Daily Load; an acronym used to describe the sum of the individual wasteload allocations (WLAs) for point sources and load allocations (LAs) for nonpoint sources and natural background. If a receiving water has only one point source discharger, the TMDL is the sum of that point source WLA plus the LAs for any nonpoint sources of pollution and natural background sources, tributaries, or adjacent segments. TMDLs can be expressed in terms of either mass per time, toxicity, or other appropriate measure.

   Top of bank. The elevation of the uppermost point on the rise of land which borders on a water resource such as a river, creek or lake.

   Total site area. The entire area within the boundary of the parcel inclusive of all interior future open space areas and road/utility rights-of-way.

   Townhouse. A single-family dwelling unit attached by fireproof common walls to other similar type units, each unit having an open space for light, air, and access in the front and rear. There shall be not less than three (3) or more than seven (7) such units connected together.

   Townhouse dwelling unit. A one-family dwelling unit, with a private entrance, which is part of a structure whose dwelling units are attached horizontally in a linear arrangement, having a totally exposed front and rear wall to be used for access, light and ventilation.

   Traditional neighborhood design. A planning concept that calls for residential neighborhoods to be designed in the format of a small, village-type atmosphere within neighborhoods. These are characterized by homes and buildings on smaller lots, narrow front yards with front porches and gardens, detached garages in the backyard, walkable streets (sidewalks), pubic parks and green spaces.

   Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA). A document which analyzes the transportation impacts of proposed land development projects on the adjacent roadways, nearby intersections and affected property owners and provides recommended mitigation measures to address the identified impacts.

   Traffic mitigation agreement. A written agreement among Richland County, SCDOT and the applicant to allow the LOS mitigation measures identified in the TIA to be provided in a timely manner. At a minimum, the agreement shall include:

      1)   A specific list of the required mitigation measures and preliminary cost estimates,

      2)   A timetable by which the improvements will be phased and/or completed,

      3)   A proportionate cost sharing agreement for such improvements,

      4)   A designation of the party, or parties, responsible to ensure the recommended improvement is completed in a timely manner; and

      5)   Any other such matters as may be appropriate to the specific agreement.

   Transformer station. A utility substation where the voltage of electrical energy is changed.

   Transient lodging. Lodging by any person who, either at his/her own expense or at the expense of another, obtains lodging or the use of any lodging space in any hotel or motel for any period of less than thirty (30) consecutive days.

   Transit route. The established route for public transportation services.

   Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). A schedule of transportation capital improvement projects prepared by the MPO which are programmed for completion within the next six years.

   Tree. A usually tall, woody plant, distinguished from a shrub by having comparatively greater size and longevity, and characteristically defined as:

      (a)   Large maturing tree - Single trunk whose canopy dimensions have the potential to reach at least forty-five (45) feet tall and twenty-five (25) feet wide at maturity.

      (b)   Medium maturing tree - Single trunk whose canopy dimensions have the potential to reach at least twenty-five (25) feet tall and twenty (20) feet wide at maturity.

      (c)   Small maturing tree - Single trunk or multi-stem whose canopy dimensions have the potential to reach at least fifteen (15) feet tall and fifteen (15) feet wide at maturity.

   Tree, mature. Any tree that has obtained the maximum capability of growth, flowering, and reproduction.

   Tree, replacement. A new tree planted on a site after development.

   Tree Protection Plan. A plan that identifies the critical root zone where trees are to be protected and preserved, and replacement trees planted on a property to meet minimum requirements, as well as methods of tree protection to be undertaken on the site.

   Twenty-five year frequency rainfall. A rainfall of an intensity expected to be equaled or exceeded, on the average, once in twenty-five (25) years.

   USACE. United States Army Corp of Engineers.

   Use, principal. The primary use of any lot.

   Utilities. Electricity, gas, steam, communications, transportation, wastewater, or water that is furnished to the public under state or county regulations by a person, firm, corporation, municipal department or board.

   Utility lines and related appurtenances. All lines and supporting apparatus or equipment related to the distribution, transmission or disposal of water, storm and sanitary sewage, natural gas, power, telephone and telecommunication cable.

   Utility service area. An area within a development where equipment used for operations related to the provision, distribution, collection, transmission, or disposal of water, storm and sanitary sewage, oil, natural gas, power, information, telecommunication, telephone, and cable services is located.

   Utility service facilities. Facilities principally used for servicing operations related to the provision, distribution, collection, transmission, or disposal of water, storm and sanitary sewage, oil, natural gas, power, information, telecommunication, telephone, and cable services.

   Utility substation. A structure or facility for transforming or transmitting a service provided by a utility company. Such utility substation, may include private utility systems such as telephone, electric, etc., but shall not include telecommunication towers or other telecommunication devices.

   Valid Government Approval. The issuance by Richland County of a permit to commence a Permitted Development Activity; or approval by Richland County of subdivision of the property, of planned development district zoning for the property, or of a sketch plan for development of the property.

   Variance. A device that grants a property owner relief from the provisions of this chapter.

   Vehicular display area. An area designed and used for the display and storage of vehicles for sale or lease.

   Vehicular surface area. The unenclosed area within a development designed and used for the movement and storage (parking) of motor vehicles. This definition shall not include driveways used for ingress and egress to a development.

   Vegetation. All plant growth, including trees, shrubs, grasses, and mosses.

   Vending machine operator. A person that operates a vending machine.

   Vision clearance. An area of unobstructed vision at road intersections or intersections between roads and driveways.

   Volume-to-Capacity Ratio (V/C). The volume of traffic on a roadway segment (determined by traffic counts) divided by the engineering design capacity (volume) of the roadway, expressed as a ratio. The v/c ratio is a critical component of long range traffic forecast models and prioritizing road improvement projects for inclusion in the TIP and the County’s CIP.

   Wastewater. Any water or other liquid, other than uncontaminated stormwater, discharged from a facility.

   Water quality. Those characteristics of stormwater runoff that relate to the physical, chemical, biological and radiological integrity of water.

   Water quality protection areas. The areas that come under the current DHEC 303 (d) list, are TMDL sites, or are EP Environmental Protection Districts identified by Richland County Council, and any other areas that are identified by DHEC or Richland County Council.

   Water resource yard. A setback running approximately parallel to the tops of the banks of designated water resources to be protected for, and defined by, the location of critical riparian vegetation and habitat.

   Waters. For the purpose of identifying NPDES stormwater permit “point discharges”, waters means surface water, within Richland County’s jurisdictional boundaries as identified on USGS 1:24,000 scale quadrangle sheets.

   Waters of the state. Refer to the State of South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Regulation R.61-9.122, Part A, Section 122.2 “Definitions.”

   Watershed. The drainage area contributing stormwater runoff to a single point.

   Wetlands. Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.

   Xeriscape. Quality landscapes that conserve water, protect the environment, are adaptable to local conditions, and which are drought tolerant. The principles of xeriscape include planning and design, appropriate choice of plants, soil analysis (which may include the use of solid waste compost), efficient irrigation, practical use of turf, appropriate use of mulches, and proper maintenance.

   Yard. An open space between a building and the adjoining lot lines, unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground to the sky, except as otherwise provided herein, on the lot on which a building is located.

   Yard sale. The sale or offering for sale to the general public of over five (5) items of personal property on any portion of a lot containing a residential use, whether within or outside any building.

   Zero lot line, common, single-family dwelling. See “Dwelling, single-family, zero lot line, common.”

   Zero lot line, parallel, single-family dwelling. See “Dwelling, single-family, zero lot line, parallel.”

   Zoning administrator. The zoning administrator of Richland County.

   Zoning district. Any zone shown on the Richland County zoning map for which there are uniform regulations governing the use of buildings and premises or the placement, size, spacing, etc. of such buildings or uses.

   Zoning map. The series of maps adopted as an ordinance by the Richland County Council that delineates the extent of each zoning district established in the Richland County Land Development Code.

(Ord. No. 074-04HR, § V, 11-9-04; Ord. No. 074-05HR, § I, 10-18-05; Ord. No. 031-06HR, § I, 4-18-06; Ord. No. 043-07HR, § I, 5-1-07; Ord. No. 019-08HR, § I, 3-18-08; Ord. No. 035-08HR, § I, 6-17-08; Ord. No. 045-08HR, § I, 7-15-08; Ord. No. 061-08HR, § I, 6-5-08; Ord. No. 088-08HR, § I, 12-16-08; Ord. No. 005-09HR, § I, 2-17-09; Ord. No. 029-09HR, § I, 5-19-09; Ord. No. 038-09HR, §§ I, II, 7-21-09; Ord. No. 053-09HR, § I, 11-3-09; Ord. No. 006-10HR, §§ I, II, 1-19-10; Ord. No. 014-10HR, § I, 3-16-10; Ord. No. 018-10HR, § I, 5-4-10; Ord. No. 022-10HR, § I, 5-18-10; Ord. No. 057-10HR, § I, 9-21-10; Ord. No. 060-10HR, §§ I—III, 9-28-10; Ord. No. 001-11HR, § I, 1-4-11; Ord. No. 027-11HR, § I, 5-17-11; Ord. No. 033-11HR, § I, 6-21-11; Ord. No. 034-11HR, § I, 6-21-11; Ord. No. 064-11HR, § I, 11-15-11; Ord. No. 055-12HR, §§ I, II, III, IV, 10-16-12; Ord. No. 045-13HR, § I, 9-10-13; Ord. No. 025-14HR, § I, 5-20-14; Ord. No. 071-14HR, § I, 12-9-14; Ord. No. 034-15HR, §§ I, II, III, 7-21-15; Ord. No. 036-15HR, § I, 7-28-15; Ord. No. 016-16HR, § I, 4-19-16; Ord. No. 053-17HR, §§ I - VI, 11-14-17)