For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACCESSORY BUILDING. A subordinate building or structure, the use of which is incidental to that of the main building or to be used on the premises.
ALTER or ALTERATION. Any change or modification in the construction or occupancy.
ARCH. A structural method of spanning an opening, usually with masonry, whereby curbed, pointed or flat upper edges of the opening are formed.
ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS. A set of detailed drawings which are used to convey different types of information to the contractor(s). These documents are drawn to scale, and will include floor plans, elevations of all affected sides of the building, wall sections to identify all building materials and details.
AREA. As applied to the dimensions of a building, the maximum horizontal projected area of the building at grade.
AWNING. A light weight temporary shade structure usually build over a window or door, or sometimes over an entire deck or patio. AWNINGS are usually constructed of weather resistant fabric, but may also be metal or wood. Only fabric awnings are permitted on front or side of house, non-fabric awning should not be visible from street.
AWNING WINDOW. A window which is hinged at the top and swings outward from the bottom.
BUILDING. A structure for the shelter, support, or enclosure of persons, materials, or property of any kind, having a roof supported by columns or walls, and when separated by a division or party wall without opening, each portion of the build so separated shall be deemed a separate building The term BUILDING shall be construed as if followed by the words “or part thereof.”
BUILDING SETBACK AREA. The area of a lot or parcel of land lying between the front property line and the future widening line of an existing street or highway or the area of a lot or parcel of land lying between the boundary lines of a proposed street or highway.
CASEMENT WINDOW. A window which is hinged on one side and swings open outward. This window is typically opened by a crank handle.
CEMENT FIBER SIDING. A horizontal board lap siding that looks like wood siding, either standard lap or colonial beaded lap style. The siding is made from a chemical mixture of wood fibers and cement. It is paintable, nailable, and is highly weather resistant.
CHIMNEY. A primary vertical structure containing one or more flues, for the purpose of carrying gaseous products of combustion and air from a fuel burning appliance to the outside atmosphere that extends above the roof line and is supported by an approved foundation.
CHIMNEY, BAY. A chimney with a cantilever base that does not extend above the roof line. Also known as SHED HOUSE or DOG HOUSE STYLE CHIMNEY.
COMPOSITION BOARD (HARDBOARD). A board made up of wood fibers and resins to form a sheet or simulated board to be used as an exterior siding.
CORBEL. A course or unit of masonry that projects beyond the course below. A CORBEL may be used entirely for decoration, or for a ledge to support a load from above.
CORNER BOARDS. Vertical boards installed on the comers of sided homes to cover the ends of the siding.
CORNICE. An exterior ornamental trim at the meeting of the roof and wall. This type of cornice usually includes a bed moulding, a soffit, a fascia, and a crown moulding.
DENTIL MOULDING. Square tooth-like blocks used as ornamentals under a cornice.
DORMER WINDOW. Vertical window which projects from a sloping roof, placed in a small enclosed projection.
DOUBLE-HUNG WINDOW. Window with two vertically operating sashes sliding in two directions to enclose the opening.
DWELLING. Any building which contains a dwelling unit as hereinafter defined; provided, however, temporary housing as hereinafter shall not constitute a DWELLING for purposes of this chapter.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY. A building designed for or occupied by one family, wherein not more than two roomers or lodgers other than members of the family, are provided with shelter or meals.
DWELLING UNIT. Any room or group of rooms or other part of a building which forms a single housekeeping unit with facilities which are used or are designed for living, sleeping, cooking and eating.
EASEMENT. A right afforded a person, or entity, to make limited use of another person's real property such as a right-of-way through a lot established for utilities access.
EAVE. The lower edge of a sloping roof which projects beyond the wall.
ELEVATION. Exterior face of a structure (front, side, and rear).
EYEBROW WINDOW. A low dormer on the slope of a roof formed by the roofing material being carried over the opening in a wave line.
FACADE. Exterior face in a building which is the formal front.
FENCE. Any construction of wood, metal, wire mesh, masonry, or other material, erected for any purpose.
FLOOD PLAIN. Land which borders a body of water which may be subject to flooding.
FLOOR PLAN. A drawing showing the layout of the enclosing walls of a structure, its doors and windows, and the arrangements of the interior spaces as viewed from above.
FOOTPRINT. Outline of a structure as viewed from above.
FOUNDATION. The structural base whereby all of the load from the building is transmitted to the ground. The foundation wall is usually constructed out of concrete material. The footing runs under the foundation wall and is typically concrete.
GABLE. The vertical triangular portion of the end of a structure having a double-sloping roof from the level of the eave to the ridge of the roof.
GRADE. The average elevation of the finished ground surface touching the outside walls of a building or structure.
JACK ARCH. Also called FLAT ARCH or STRAIGHT ARCH. A horizontal row of wedge cut brick over an opening.
KEYSTONE. The usually wedge-shaped uppermost, hence last, set stone or similar member of an arch, whose placement not only completes the arch but also binds or locks its other members together. May be used above a door or window in a horizontal lintel for decoration.
LOT. A parcel of land occupied, or to be occupied, by one main building, together with the accessory buildings and used customarily incidental to it, and including such open spaces, dimensions, and area as are required in this chapter, and have its principal frontage on a public street or road.
LOT, CORNER. The abutting on two or more streets at their intersections.
LOT, INTERIOR. A lot other than a comer lot.
MULTIPLE DWELLING. Any dwelling containing more than one dwelling unit.
OCCUPANT. Any person living, sleeping, cooking, or eating in, or having actual possession of a dwelling unit.
OWNER. Any person who alone, jointly, or with several other persons shall:
(1) Have all or part of the legal title to any dwelling unit, with or without accompanying actual possession thereof, or shall have all or part of the beneficial ownership of any dwelling or dwelling unit and a right to present use and enjoyment thereof, including a mortgage in possession; or
(2) Have charge, care, or control of any dwelling or dwelling unit as owner, or as executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian of the estate of the owner. Any person thus representing the actual owner shall be bound to comply with the owner's obligations under this chapter.
PARKING AREA. An open, unoccupied space permitted or required for use for parking of motor-driven vehicles.
PEDIMENT. A gabled element used primarily over entrances.
PILASTER. A non-structural rectangular or semicircular column applied to the wall simulating supports for a decorative pediment or arch above.
PRE-FINISHED MATERIAL. Material that has received a factory finish and is ready to install upon delivery to the construction site.
PROPERTY. Any interest of record or otherwise held by persons in land or building located within the city.
RAKE BOARD. A board or moulding along the sloping edge of a gable which conceals the rafter.
RIDGE VENT. A linear ventilating cap installed along the ridge of a gabled roof.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. A strip of land (ground surface, underground, or above ground) which has been granted by deed or easement for the construction or maintenance of a roadway.
ROOF PITCH. The height (rise) that a sloped roof goes up to from its eave over a given horizontal distance (run). This is usually expressed as “rise/run.”
ROWLOCK COURSE. A course of brick units set on side with the short, narrow face vertical on the wall face.
SCALE.
(1) A system of proportions used in architectural drawings so that the actual size of an item to be drawn can be reduced to a size small enough to fit on a sheet of paper.
(2) Term used to relate to the proportional balance of all elements of a building.
SEGMENTED ARCH. An arch which is composed of parts of a circle (less than half).
SHINGLES, DIMENSIONAL. Asphaltic/fiberglass roofing material manufactured in laminated layers to achieve the depth and dimension variation that simulates the look of wood shingles or slate.
SHINGLES, SLATE. A roof shingle made from a fine-grained metamorphic rock or composite shingle made from slate and resin.
SHINGLES, STANDARD (THREE-TAB). A roof covering made from asphalt or asphalt/fiberglass generally 36 inches wide, and consisting of three 12-inch non-dimensional tabs.
SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE. A structure maintained and used as a single dwelling unit. Notwithstanding that a dwelling unit shares one or more walls with another dwelling unit, it is a SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE if it has direct access to a street or thoroughfare and shares neither heating facilities, hot water equipment, nor any other essential facility or service with any other dwelling unit.
SITE PLAN. A plan of a lot indicating property lines, the accurate location and size of structures shown with dimensions to property lines.
SLIDE-BY WINDOW (GLIDER). A window which is divided vertically in the center with each sash panel having the capacity to slide horizontally.
SOFFIT. The underside of a part or member of a structure, such as a beam, stairway, or arch.
SOFFIT BOARD. A board that forms the soffit of a cornice.
SOLDIER COURSE. A course of brick units set on end with the long, narrow face vertical on the wall face.
SOLAR COLLECTOR. A solar PV cell, panel, or array, or solar thermal collector device, that relies upon solar radiation as an energy source for the generation of electricity or transfer of stored heat.
SOLAR ENERGY. Radiant energy received from the sun that can be collected in the form of heat or light by a solar collector.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM. An arrangement of solar collectors and other electrical and/or mechanical devices capable of collecting and converting solar radiation into heat or mechanical or electrical energy and transferring these forms of energy by a separate apparatus to storage or to point of use, including, but not limited to, water heating, space heating or cooling, electric energy generation, or mechanical energy generation.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, GROUND MOUNTED. A solar energy system that is structurally mounted to the ground and is not roof mounted. These systems are typically installed directly onto specialized solar racking systems, which are attached to an anchor in the ground and wired to connect to an adjacent home or building. Ground mount systems may be advisable when insufficient space, structural and shading issues, or other restrictions prohibit rooftop solar.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, POLE MOUNTED. A solar energy system that is directly installed on specialized solar racking systems, which are attached to a pole, which is anchored and firmly affixed to a concrete foundation in the ground, and wired underground to an attachment point at the building's meter. Unlike ground mount systems, pole mount systems are elevated from the ground. Pole mounted systems can be designed to track the sun (with single-axis or dual-axis tracking motors) and maximize solar output throughout the year.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, ROOF MOUNTED (a/k/a ROOFTOP MOUNTED, BUILDING MOUNTED). A solar energy system that is structurally mounted to the roof of a building or structure. These systems typically consist of solar panels installed directly on the roof of a home, commercial building, and/or an accessory structure, such as a garage, pergola, and/or shed. Solar panels are mounted and secured using racking systems specifically designed to minimize the impact on the roof and prevent any leaks or structural damage. Roof mount systems can be mounted flush with the roof or tilted toward the sun at an angle.
SOLAR GLARE. The potential for solar panels to reflect sunlight, with an intensity sufficient to cause annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance and visibility.
SPLIT LEVEL HOUSE. A building divided vertically so that the floor level of rooms in one part is approximately midway between the levels of two successive stories in an adjoining part.
STANDING SEAM ROOF. A seam, in sheet metal and roofing, made by turning up two adjacent edges and folding the upstanding parts over themselves.
STORY (TWO-STORY HOUSE). the space in a building between two adjacent floor levels or between a floor and the roof. A two-story house refers to a building with two separate levels one above the other.
STREET. Any public thoroughfare which has been dedicated or deeded to the public for public use.
STREET LINE. A lot line dividing a lot from a street.
STRUCTURE. Anything constructed or erected, the use of which required location on the ground or attached to something having a location on the ground. All regulations appertaining to a building shall be equally applicable to a structure. The term STRUCTURE shall be construed as if followed by the words “or part thereof.”
SUNROOM, FULLY GLAZED. Any room with sides whose exterior walls, at the first floor level, consist of (1) posts and glazed openings (windows and/or doors) on all exposed sides, or (2) sided walls with windows on all exposed sides occupying a minimum of 60% of the wall length on each side and the sills (bottom) of which are no higher than 24 inches above the floor and heads (top) are a minimum of 80 inches above the floor.
SURFACE. The outermost layer or superficial area of the interior of a dwelling or dwelling unit, including but not limited to the outermost layer or superficial area of walls, ceiling, floors, stairs, windows, window sills, window frames, window sashes, doors, door frames, baseboards, and wood work of a dwelling or dwelling unit.
SYNTHETIC STUCCO (EIFS or DRYVIT). A pre-manufactured exterior finish material resembling cement stucco with smooth or textured surfaces which can applied over the exterior sheathing of a building.
TOPOGRAPHY. A description of the vertical variations of land.
TRIM. Trim materials are used to trim various components of a residential structure, such as window and doors. They are not the dominant siding material on a building elevation.
UNFINISHED MATERIAL. Material that does not receive a special coating to alter the natural appearance but may be treated with a preservative to prevent decay.
VALUE or VALUATION. The estimated cost to replace the building in kind.
VINYL SIDING. A PVC siding that is not permitted as a building material in Seneca Gardens.
WINDOW, ARCHITECTURAL. A window that by its design add an ornamental feature to the home. These windows will be accented by such elements as an arch, circle, flex frame (angles), elliptical, stained or beveled glass, shutters, or grid work.
WINDOW, STANDARD. Square or rectangular frame with no features mentioned in the architectural window definition.
WINDOW AND DOOR TRIM. Board or moulding installed around perimeter of a window or a door to conceal the joint.
WINDOW SASH. The framework of a window that holds the glass.
WOOD FIBER COMPOSITES. See COMPOSITION BOARD.
(Ord. 90-09, passed 12-17-90; Am. Ord. 7, 2019, passed - - )