(A) Use definitions. See Article 155-8 for use-related definitions.
(B) General rules of language. See § 155-1.100 for information about general use of language and ordinance construction.
(C) General definitions. The words and terms expressly defined in this section have the specific meanings assigned, unless the context expressly indicates another meaning. Words that are not expressly defined have their common dictionary meaning.
ABUT or ABUTTING. To touch or to share a contiguous boundary or border.
ACCESSORY BUILDING OR USE. An "accessory building" or "accessory use" is one that:
(1) Is subordinate to the principal building or principal use served in terms of area and function;
(2) Contributes to the comfort, convenience, or necessity of occupants of the principal building or principal use served; and
(3) Is customarily found in association with the subject principal use or principal building.
An attached garage is expressly included in the definition of “accessory building.”
ADJACENT. Lying near or in the immediate vicinity.
ADJOIN or ADJOINING. Touching or contiguous, as distinguished from lying near.
ADULT MATERIAL.
(1) Books, magazines, periodicals, or other reprinted matter, or digitally-stored materials that are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on the exposures, depiction, or description of specified anatomical areas, or the conduct or simulation of specified sexual activities.
(2) Films, motion pictures, video or audio cassettes, slides, computer displays other visual representations or recordings of any kind, that are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on the exposures, depiction, or description of specified anatomical areas, or the conduct or simulation of specified sexual activities.
(3) Instruments, novelties, devices, or paraphernalia that are designed for use in connection with specified sexual activities, or that depict or describe specified anatomical areas.
ADULT-USE CANNABIS CRAFT GROWER. A facility operated by an organization or business that is licensed by the Department of Agriculture to cultivate, dry, cure, and package cannabis and perform other necessary activities to make cannabis available for sale at a dispensing organization or use at a processing organization. A craft grower may contain up to 5,000 square feet of canopy space on its premises for plants in the flowering state. The Department of Agriculture may authorize an increase or decrease of flowering stage cultivation space in increments of 3,000 square feet by rule based on market need, craft grower capacity, and the licensee's history of compliance or noncompliance, with a maximum space of 14,000 square feet for cultivating plants in the flowering stage, which must be cultivated in all stages of growth in an enclosed and secure area. A craft grower may share premises with a processing organization or a dispensing organization, or both, provided each licensee stores currency and cannabis or cannabis-infused products in a separate secured vault to which the other licensee does not have access or all licensees sharing a vault share more than 50% of the same ownership.
ADULT-USE CANNABIS CULTIVATION CENTER. A facility operated by an organization or business that is licensed by the Department of Agriculture to cultivate, process, transport, and perform other necessary activities to provide cannabis and cannabis-infused products to cannabis business establishments.
ADULT-USE CANNABIS DISPENSING ORGANIZATION or DISPENSARY. A facility operated by an organization or business that is licensed by the Department of Financial and
Professional Regulation to acquire cannabis from a cultivation center, craft grower, processing organization, or another dispensary for the purpose of selling or dispensing cannabis, cannabis-infused products, cannabis seeds, paraphernalia, or related supplies to purchasers or to qualified registered medical cannabis patients and caregivers. A dispensary organization shall include a registered medical cannabis organization as defined in the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act or its successor Act that has obtained an Early Approval Adult Use Dispensing Organization License.
ADULT-USE CANNABIS INFUSER ORGANIZATION or INFUSER. A facility operated by an organization or business that is licensed by the Department of Agriculture to directly incorporate cannabis or cannabis concentrate into a product formulation to produce a cannabis-infused product.
ADULT-USE CANNABIS PROCESSING ORGANIZATION or PROCESSOR. A facility operated by an organization or business that is licensed by the Department of Agriculture to either extract constituent chemicals or compounds to produce cannabis concentrate or incorporate cannabis or cannabis concentrate into a product formulation to produce a cannabis product.
AGENT. A person duly authorized to act on behalf of the subject property owner.
AGRICULTURAL BUILDING OR STRUCTURE. Any building or structure existing or erected on land used principally for agricultural purposes, with the exception of dwelling units.
AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT. The A-1 and A-2 districts, plus any other zoning district expressly identified as an agricultural district in Article 155-2.
ALLEY. A public or private way, at the rear or side of property, permanently reserved as a means of secondary vehicular access to abutting property. Frontage on an alley may not be counted toward satisfying the requirements of this zoning ordinance related to frontage on a dedicated street.
ANIMAL, COMPANION. Animals that are commonly kept by persons as a pet or for companionship. Companion animals have the following characteristics: have a special and close relationship with humans; are partially or totally dependent on people; commonly live inside a residence in close proximity with humans; form bonds with people; and interact with their human companions. Dogs and cats are common companion animals.
ANIMAL, DOMESTIC. Any animal that is livestock, a companion animal or both.
ANIMAL, EXOTIC. Any animal that is not normally domesticated in the United States or is wild by nature. Exotic animals include all of the following orders and families, whether bred in the wild or captivity and also their hybrids with domestic species. The animals listed are intended to act as examples and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list or limit the generality of each group of animals, unless otherwise expressly stated:
(1) Non-human primates and prosimians (monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons);
(2) Felidae (lions, tigers, bobcats, lynx, cougars, leopards, jaguars, not domesticated cats);
(3) Canidae (wolves, coyotes, foxes, jackals, not domesticated dogs);
(4) Ursidae (all bears);
(5) Reptilia (all venomous snakes, all constricting snakes);
(6) Crocodilia (alligators, crocodiles);
(7) Proboscidae (elephants);
(8) Hyanenidae (hyenas);
(9) Artiodatyla (hippotamuses, giraffes, camels, not cattle or swine or sheep or goats);
(10) Procyonidae (raccoons, coatis);
(11) Marsupialia (kangaroos, oppossums);
(12) Perissodactylea (rhinoceroses, tapirs, not horses or donkeys or mules);
(13) Edentara (anteaters, sloths, armadillos);
(14) Viverridae (mongooses, civets, and genets); and
(15) Casuariidae (all cassowaries and non-livestock emus).
ANIMAL; EXOTIC BREEDING AND TRAINING. The breeding and training of animals other than common domesticated and FARM (LIVESTOCK) ANIMALS.
ANIMAL, EXOTIC; INDIGENOUS. Exotic animals indigenous to Will County are exotic animals defined above with a modern natural range area within the State of Illinois north of the 41st degree of northern latitude.
ANIMAL, EXOTIC; NON-NATIVE. Exotic animals not native to Will County are exotic animals defined above without a modern natural range area within the State of Illinois north of the 41st degree of northern latitude even if the historical range area was previously within the State of Illinois north of the 41st degree of northern latitude.
ANIMAL, FARM (LIVESTOCK). Breeds of animals primarily raised for commercial purposes on agricultural property, in out-buildings or open spaces separate from residences. Typical examples include, but not limited to:
(1) cattle (Bos Taurus and Bison),
(2) swine (Sus domesticus),
(3) poultry (i.e. landfowl, waterfowl, game birds, and large birds),
(4) sheep (Ovis aries),
(5) alpacas (Vicugna pacos),
(6) llamas (Lama glama),
(7) goats (Capra aegagrus hircus),
(8) donkeys (Equus africanus asinus),
(9) horses (Equus ferus caballus) and
(10) rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus).
ANIMAL, FARM (LIVESTOCK); POULTRY. Breeds of domesticated birds primarily raised for commercial purposes or sport on agricultural property, in out-buildings or open spaces separate from residences, and are generally described as:
(1) Landfowl; e.g. chicken, turkey;
(2) Waterfowl: e.g. duck, geese;
(3) Game birds; e.g. quail, pheasant, dove, pigeons; and
(4) Large birds: e.g. ostrich, emu.
ANIMAL KENNEL. An establishment where six or more dogs, cats and other household domestic animals, over six months of age and owned by another person, are temporarily boarded or an establishment where more than two of said animals are kept for the purpose of breeding offspring to be sold. For clarification purposes, an establishment "fostering" six or more dogs, cats and other household domestic animals is considered a kennel, even if a higher fostering number is allowed by the state. "Kennel" shall not apply to ANIMAL HOSPITALS operated by veterinarians duly licensed under the law where the boarding of animals is accessory to medical treatment.
ANIMAL HOSPITAL. An establishment for the care and treatment of the diseases and injuries of animals and where animals may be boarded during their convalescence. An "animal hospital" shall not include a "kennel" or any other animal boarding facility except animal hospitals operated by veterinarians duly licensed under the law where the boarding of animals is accessory to medical treatment.
ANIMAL REHABILITATION FACILITY; EXOTIC. A facility that provides human assistance for injured or ill exotic animals with the ultimate goal of releasing the animal back into the wild.
ANIMAL SANCTUARY; EXOTIC. A facility where animals are cared for and protected typically until their natural death. An exotic animal sanctuary may also shelter some animals temporarily until they are transferred to permanent homes. An exotic animal sanctuary does not buy, sell or trade animals. The care and/or protection of just one exotic animal does not necessarily prevent the subject site from being classified as the use defined herein.
ANIMAL ZOO; PETTING. A facility for exhibition and viewing of domesticated livestock (farm) animals where guests can safely physically interact with the animals for the purposes of agritourism.
ANIMAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK; EXOTIC. A facility for exhibition and viewing of exotic and wild animals. A “zoological park” includes ancillary uses, such as snack bars, refreshment stands and restaurants for the use of patrons.
ANTENNA. An antenna device by which radio signals are transmitted, received or both.
APIARY. The assembly of one or more colonies of bees at a single location.
APPLICANT. Any authorized person, firm, corporation or agency who submits an application.
AUTOMOBILE. A two-axle motor vehicle designed and used primarily for the conveyance of not more than nine persons that weighs less than 8,000 pounds.
AUTO REBUILDER. A form of auto salvage in which a previously inoperable automobile is rebuilt and restored to operating condition in accordance with ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 5 Dealers, Transporters, Wreckers and Rebuilders of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
AUTO SALVAGE. The storage of inoperable automobiles for the purposes of retrieving usable parts for repairing operable vehicles and other uses.
AUTO SCRAP. The storage of inoperable automobiles for the purposes of retrieving and recycling the parts and raw materials.
AWNING. A roof-like structure typically made of cloth, metal or other material attached to a frame that extends from and is supported by a building. Awnings are typically erected over a window, doorway or building front and they may be raised or retracted to a position adjacent to the building.
BASE (ZONING) DISTRICT. Any zoning district that is not an overlay district.
BASEMENT. A story having part but not more than one-half of its height below grade. A basement is counted as a story for the purpose of height regulation if subdivided and used for dwelling purposes other than by a janitor employed on the premises.
BEE. The life stage of the common domestic honey bee, Apis Mellifera Species.
BEEKEEPER. The person who owns or has charge of one or more colonies of bees.
BERM. An earthen mound designed to provide visual interest, screen undesirable views, and/or decrease noise. (See also § 155-12.90(M))
BILLBOARD. See SIGN, ADVERTISING.
BIOMASS ENERGY. Energy produced from the biological breakdown of organic matter.
BLOCKFACE. Property abutting one side of a street between the two nearest intersecting streets, railroad rights-of-way or natural barriers.
BUFFER. A combination of physical space and vertical elements, such as plants, berms, fences or walls, the purpose of which is to separate and screen incompatible land uses from each other.
BUILDABLE AREA. The space remaining on a zoning lot after the minimum setback, landscaping and open space requirements of this zoning ordinance have been met.
BUILDING. A structure having a roof, supported by columns or walls for the shelter, support or enclosure of persons, animals or chattel; and when separated by division walls from the ground up and without openings, each portion of such building is deemed a separate building.
BUILDING, ACCESSORY. See ACCESSORY BUILDING OR USE.
BUILDING, DETACHED. A building surrounded on all sides by open space located on the same lot.
BUILDING COVERAGE. See § 155-18.10(D).
BUILDING FRONTAGE. See § 155-13.130(B).
BUILDING HEIGHT. See § 155-18.10(G).
BUILDING PERMIT. A permit issued by the county for the construction, erection or alteration of a structure or building.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL. A non-accessory building in which a principal use on the zoning lot on which it is located is conducted.
CALIPER. A measurement of the size of a tree equal to the diameter of its trunk measured six inches above natural ground for trees having calipers less than or equal to six inches diameter and measured 12 inches above grade for tree calipers greater than six inches diameter.
CANOPY. A roof-like structure typically permanent in construction that covers a doorway or entryway that extends from and is supported by the building. A canopy may include a freestanding or projecting cover above an outdoor service area, such as a gasoline service station.
CARGO CONTAINER. An industrial, standardized reusable vessel that is specifically designed for the packing, shipping, movement or transportation of freight, articles, goods or commodities and that is designed for mounting on or movement by a rail car or truck trailer.
CARPORT. A roofed automobile shelter with one or more open sides.
CELLULAR SERVICE. A telecommunications service that permits customers to use wireless, mobile telephones to connect, via low-power radio transmission sites called cell sites, either to the public switch network or to other mobile cellular phones.
CELLULAR TELECOMMUNICATIONS. A commercial low power mobile radio service licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to providers in a specific geographical area in which the radio frequency spectrum is divided into discrete channels which are assigned in groups to geographic cells within a service area and which are capable of being reused in different cells within the service area.
CENTRAL WATER OR CENTRAL WATER SYSTEMS. All mains, pipes, and structures through which water is obtained and distributed to the public, including wells and well structures, intakes and cribs, pumping stations, treatment plants, reservoirs, storage tanks, and appurtenances, collectively or separately, actually used or intended for use for the purpose of furnishing water for drinking or general domestic use. CENTRAL WATER OR CENTRAL WATER SYSTEMS must comply fully with all rules and regulations promulgated or required by the Office of the State Fire Marshal concerning fire prevention and safety.
CERTIFY or CERTIFICATION. Formally attesting that the specific inspections and tests where required have been performed and that such tests comply with the applicable requirements of this zoning ordinance.
CHANNEL LETTER. A fabricated or formed three-dimensional letter, number or symbol.
CLEARING. Any activity, which removes vegetative ground cover.
COLD FRAME. An unheated structure no more than four feet in height used for protecting seedlings and plants from the cold.
CO-LOCATION. Locating wireless communications equipment from more than one provider on a single site, or the siting of two or more separate companies' wireless antennas on the same support structure.
COLONY. A hive and its equipment and appurtenances including bees, brood, pollen, combs, and honey.
COMMERCIAL MESSAGE. Any sign, wording, logo, or other representation that directly or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a business, product, service or other commercial activity.
COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE. A vehicle that is used or intended to be used primarily for commercial purposes.
COMMON OPEN SPACE. Land unoccupied by structures, buildings, streets, right-of-ways, and automobile parking lots designed and intended for the use or enjoyment of residents of a planned development. Common open space may include structures for recreational use.
CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER SYSTEM. Solar energy generation systems that use mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto receivers that collect solar energy and convert it to heat. The thermal energy is then used to produce electricity via a steam turbine or heat engine that drives a generator.
CONSERVATION DESIGN SUBDIVISION. A subdivision that complies with Part 3 of the subdivision ordinance.
CONSTRUCTION OR DEMOLITION DEBRIS, CLEAN. Uncontaminated broken concrete without protruding metal bars, bricks, rock, stone, reclaimed asphalt pavement, or soil generated from construction or demolition activities. See also GENERAL CONSTRUCTION OR DEMOLITION DEBRIS.
CONSTRUCTION OR DEMOLITION DEBRIS, GENERAL. Non-hazardous, uncontaminated materials resulting from the construction, remodeling, repair, and demolition of utilities, structures, and roads, limited to the following: bricks, concrete, and other masonry materials; soil; rock; wood, including non-hazardous painted, treated, and coated wood and wood products; wall coverings; plaster; drywall; plumbing fixtures; non-asbestos insulation; roofing shingles and other roof coverings; reclaimed or other asphalt pavement; glass; plastics that are not sealed in a manner that conceals waste; electrical wiring and components containing no hazardous substances; and corrugated cardboard, piping or metals incidental to any of those materials or as defined in Section 3.160 (a) of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, as amended. See also CLEAN CONSTRUCTION OR DEMOLITION DEBRIS.
CORNER LOT. See LOT, CORNER.
CUBIC YARDS. The amount of material in excavation and/or fill measured by the method of "average end areas."
DECIDUOUS. A plant with foliage that is shed annually.
DENSITY. The numerical value obtained by dividing the total dwelling units in a development by the gross area of the tract of land upon which the dwelling units are located. Dedicated streets are counted in the calculation of gross density.
DETACHED HOUSE. A principal building that contains only one principal dwelling unit and that is located on a single lot with private yards on all sides of the building.
DEVELOPMENT. Any human change to real estate, including:
(1) Construction, reconstruction, repair, or placement of a building or any addition to a building.
(2) Installing a mobile home on a site, preparing a site for a mobile home, or installing a travel trailer, camping trailer, truck camper, camper shell, motor home, or tent trailer on a site for more than 180 days. If the travel trailer, camping trailer, truck camper, camper shell, motor home, or tent trailer is on site for less than 180 days, it must be fully licensed and ready for highway use.
(3) Drilling, mining, installing utilities, construction of roads, bridges, or similar projects.
(4) Demolition of a structure or redevelopment of a site.
(5) Clearing of land as an adjunct of construction.
(6) Construction or erection of levees, walls, fences, dams, or culverts; channel modification; filling, dredging, grading, excavating, paving, or other alterations of the ground surface; storage of materials; deposit of solid or liquid waste.
(7) Any other human activity that might change the direction, height, or velocity of flood or surface water, including extensive vegetation removal.
DEVELOPMENT does not include maintenance of existing buildings and facilities such as re-roofing or re-surfacing of roads when there is no increase in elevation, or gardening, plowing, and similar agricultural practices that do not involve filling, grading, or construction of levees.
DIRECTIONAL ANTENNA. An antenna or array of antennas designed to concentrate a radio signal in a particular area.
DISABLED or DISABILITY. A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of such person's major life activities so that such person is incapable of living independently, a record of having such an impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment. The term DISABLED or DISABILITY does not include current illegal use of, or addiction to, a controlled substance or alcoholism.
DISPLAY AREA, OUTDOOR. Area used for display of merchandise or goods available for purchase from the business located outside of a building. Such use is allowable only as an accessory to the principal use of the establishment.
DISTRIBUTED ENERGY. Systems that produce and distribute energy at a small area scale, such as a neighborhood or campus.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL. See ANIMAL, DOMESTIC.
DRIP LINE. The outer perimeter of the largest branches or limbs of a tree, as measured on the ground around the base of the tree.
DRIVE-IN OR DRIVE-THROUGH. An establishment that is designed to provide, either wholly or in part, service to customers while in their automobiles parked upon the premises.
DRIVEWAY (CONSTRUCTED). That portion of a lot used to provide access from the street to a place of residence or business and which has been graded and graveled or surfaced with concrete, asphalt, crushed stone, or other hard surface and dustless materials.
DROP BOX, DONATION AND COLLECTION. A receptacle provided for general public to drop-off recyclable paper, cans, glass and plastics as well as charitable donations such as clothing, shoes, books, and toys (See § 155-10.10(L) for applicable regulations).
DWELL TIME. The time that a single message on a dynamic display is held static or constant, without any change in the message or image displayed.
DWELLING. A building or portion thereof, designed or used exclusively for residential occupancy, including detached houses, townhouses, accessory dwelling units, mobile homes, multi-unit buildings and mixed-use buildings, but not including hotels, boarding houses, lodging houses or recreational vehicles.
DWELLING, GROUND FLOOR AREA. The first floor area in square feet measured from the outside of the exterior walls but excluding cellars, basements, open porches, breezeways, garages, and other infrequently used spaces.
DWELLING UNIT. One or more rooms in a dwelling designed for occupancy by a single household for living purposes and having its own permanently installed cooking and sanitary facilities.
DYNAMIC DISPLAY. Any element of a sign or sign structure capable of displaying words, symbols, figures, images or messages that can be electronically or mechanically changed by remote or automatic means. This also includes any display that incorporates rotating panels, LED lights manipulated through digital input, "digital ink" or any other method or technology that allows a sign to present a series of images, messages or displays.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV). Any vehicle that is licensed and registered for operation on public and private highways, roads, and streets; either partially or exclusively, on electrical energy from the grid or an off-board source, that is stored on-board via a battery. "Electric vehicle" includes: battery electric vehicles; and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE, BATTERY. Any electric vehicle that operates exclusively on electrical energy from an off-board source that is stored in the vehicle's batteries and that produces zero tailpipe emissions or pollution when stationary or operating.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE, PLUG-IN HYBRID. An electric vehicle that contains an internal combustion engine and also allows power to be delivered to drive wheels by an electric motor; charges its battery primarily by connecting to the grid or other off-board electrical source; may additionally be able to sustain battery charge using an on-board internal-combustion-driven generator; and has the ability to travel powered by electricity.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING STATION. A public or private parking space that is served by battery charging station equipment.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION, LEVEL 1. An EV charging station served only by level 1 battery charging equipment.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION, LEVEL 2. An EV charging station served by level 2 battery charging equipment.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION, LEVEL 3. An EV charging station served by level 3 (rapid) battery charging equipment.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION, ACCESSIBLE. An EV charging station where the battery charging station is located within reach of an accessible parking space and an electric vehicle that is parked in such space.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION, PRIVATE (RESTRICTED-ACCESS). An EV charging station that is not available for use by the general public. Examples include electric vehicle charging stations that serve residential homeowners or renters, executive parking areas, designated employee parking areas and fleet parking areas.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION, PUBLIC. An EV charging station that is accessible to and available for use by the general public.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE (EVI). Conduit/wiring, structures, machinery, and equipment necessary and integral to support an electric vehicle, including battery charging stations and rapid charging stations.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE PARKING SPACE. Any parking space that is clearly identified to be used exclusively for the parking of an electric vehicle.
ENDANGERED SPECIES. Species (including animals, plants, fungi, etc.) that are at risk of becoming extinct and identified on the official State of Illinois and/or federal endangered species lists.
EQUIPMENT HOUSING. A combination of one or more equipment buildings or enclosures housing equipment that operates in conjunction with the antennas of a facility and the equipment itself.
EVERGREEN. A plant with foliage that persists and remains green year-round.
EXCAVATION. Any act by which the organic matter, earth, sand, gravel, rock, or any other similar material is cut into, dug, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced, relocated, or bulldozed and include the conditions resulting from excavation activities.
EXISTING GRADE. The vertical location of the existing ground surface prior to excavation or filling.
EXOTIC PLANT. An introduced or non-native species living outside its native range that has arrived there by either deliberate or accidental human activity.
FAA. The Federal Aviation Administration of the United States Department of Transportation.
FARM PRODUCER. Either a person or entity that grows or raises farm products on land that the person or entity farms and owns, rents or leases or a person or entity that creates (by cooking, canning, baking, preserving, roasting, etc.) value-added farm products.
FARM PRODUCTS. Vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, herbs, grains, legumes, nuts, shell eggs, honey or other bee products, flowers, nursery stock, livestock food products (including meat, milk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products).
FARM PRODUCT, VALUE-ADDED. A product processed by a farm producer from a farm product, such as baked goods, jams and jellies, canned vegetables, dried fruit, syrups, salsas, salad dressings, flours, coffee, smoked or canned meats or fish, sausages, or prepared foods.
FCC. Federal Communications Commission.
FENCE. Any construction of wood, metal, wire mesh, masonry, or other material erected for the purpose of assuring privacy, protection, or restraining animals.
FENCE, CLOSED. A fence, including gates, which conceals from view from adjoining properties, streets, or alleys, activities conducted behind it.
FENCE, OPEN. A fence including gates that has, for each one foot wide segment extending over the entire length and height of the fence, 60% of the surface area in open spaces that afford a direct view through the fence.
FILL. Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other material is deposited, placed, replaced, pushed, dumped, pulled, transported, or moved by man to a new location and include the conditions resulting from fill activities.
FINAL GRADE. The vertical location of the ground or pavement surface after the grading work is completed in accordance with the site development plan.
FLASHING. Intermittent or flashing sources of light or lighting that changes intensity in sudden transitory bursts.
FOOTCANDLE. A measure of illumination, the amount of light falling onto a surface. One lumen of light, shining evenly across one square foot of surface, illuminates that surface to one footcandle.
FOUNDATION, PERMANENT. A closed perimeter formation consisting of materials such as concrete or concrete block that extends into the ground below the frost line
FRONTAGE (STREET OR ROAD). A lot line or the length of a lot line that is also the line of any public street right-of-way other than an alley.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEM. Equipment that transfers thermal energy to and/or from the ground for the purposes of heating and/or cooling a building. Geothermal energy systems consists of a closed-loop system of pipes filled with liquid, a heat exchanger and heat pump. This includes vertical closed loop, horizontal closed loop and water body closed loop systems.
GRADE. The average level of the finished surface of the ground adjacent to the exterior walls of the building or structure.
GRADE, STREET. Same as CURB LEVEL.
GREENHOUSE. A temporary or permanent structure that is primarily used for the cultivation of plants.
GREYWATER. Wastewater generated from domestic activities such as laundry and bathing activities, which can be recycled on-site for uses such as landscape irrigation and constructed wetlands. Greywater does not include sewage or any water from toilets.
GUYED TOWER. A communication tower that is supported, in whole or in part, by guy wires and ground anchors.
HEDGE. A landscaped barrier consisting of a continuous, dense planting of shrubs.
HEAVILY WOODED PROPERTY. Land predominantly covered by growing trees and shrubs.
HEIGHT OF ELECTRIC-GENERATING WIND DEVICE. The height above grade of the system including the fixed portion of the tower, generating unit, and the highest vertical extend of any blades or rotors.
HEIGHT OF A (WIRELESS TELE- COMMUNICATIONS) FACILITY. The total height of the facility's supporting structure and any antennas that will extend above the top of the supporting structure; however, if the supporting structure's foundation extends more than three feet above the uppermost ground level along the perimeter of the foundation, then each full foot in excess of three feet is counted as an additional foot of facility height. The height of a facility's supporting structure is to be measured from the highest point of the supporting structure's foundation.
HEIGHT (OF BUILDING). See § 155-18.10(G).
HISTORIC STRUCTURE. Any structure that is:
(1) Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places or preliminary determination by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register;
(2) Certified or preliminary determination by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historic district or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district;
(3) Individually listed on the state inventory of historic places by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency; or
(4) Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places that has been certified by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.
HIVE. Any man-made receptacle inhabited by a colony of bees.
HOME OCCUPATION. A business or commercial activity conducted from a dwelling unit. (See the home occupation regulations of § 155-10.10(D).)
HOOP HOUSE. A temporary or permanent structure typically made of flexible pipe or other material covered with translucent plastic, constructed in a "half-round" or "hoop" shape, for the purposes of protecting and cultivating plants. A hoop house is considered more temporary than a greenhouse.
HOUSEHOLD. An individual, or two or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption, or a group of not more than three persons (excluding servants), not related by blood, marriage, or adoption, living together as a single, house-keeping unit in a dwelling unit, but not including sororities, fraternities, or other similar group living situations.
IDNR/OWR. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources.
INOPERABLE VEHICLE. Any motor vehicle from which, for a period of seven days, the engine, wheels, or other parts have been removed, or in which the engine, wheels, or other parts have been altered, damaged, or otherwise so treated that the vehicle is incapable of being driven under its own motor power. INOPERABLE VEHICLE does not include a motor vehicle that has been rendered temporarily incapable of being driven under its own motor power in order to perform ordinary service or repair operations.
INTERMODAL CARGO CONTAINER. See CARGO CONTAINER.
KILOWATT (KW). A measure of power for electric current (1,000 watts).
KILOWATT HOUR (KWh). A measure of energy equal to the use of one kilowatt in one hour.
LAND RECLAMATION. The process of gaining land from a submerged or partially submerged area by draining, filling, or a combination of such procedures.
LANDSCAPED AREA, MAINTAINED. Landscaping that requires regular, on-going management and upkeep to maintain the initial or intended appearance.
LANDSCAPING. Any combination of living plants (such as grass, ground cover, shrubs, vines, hedges, or trees) and nonliving landscape material (such as rocks, pebbles, sand, mulch, walls, fences, or decorative paving materials).
LATTICE TOWER. A guyed or self-supporting three or four sided, open, steel frame structure used to support telecommunications equipment.
LAWFULLY ESTABLISHED. A use, structure, lot or sign (as the context indicates) that was established in conformance with all applicable zoning regulations in effect at the time of its establishment.
LEASEHOLD, RESIDENTIAL. A parcel subject to a ground lease and used or intended to be used for occupancy by a single detached house.
LEED (LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN). A green building and sustainability rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Various LEED rating systems exist for different types of projects: LEED-NC, for example, addresses new building construction and major renovation projects; LEED-CI covers commercial interior projects; LEED-H is for homes; LEED-ND addresses neighborhood development.
LEED-ND. The LEED rating system for assessing the use of green building and development techniques at the neighborhood scale. The LEED-ND rating system is designed to enhance and protect the overall health (physical and economic) and natural environment of communities through well-placed and designed subdivisions and developments.
LICENSED PREMISES. The place or location described in an adult establishment license where an adult entertainment establishment is authorized to operate. No sidewalks, streets, parking areas, public rights-of-way, or grounds adjacent to any such place or location are included within the licensed premises.
LIGHT TRESPASS. Light that is emitted into an unintended area.
LIGHTING, EXTERNAL. Illumination from a light source not contained within a sign or awning or halo or silhouette lighting that is not visible or exposed on the face of the sign.
LIGHTING, INTERNAL. Illumination from a light source that is contained within a sign or awning.
LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY. A traffic-way, including expressways and toll roads for through traffic, in respect to which owners or occupants of abutting property or lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from the same, except at such points and in such manner as may be determined by the public authority having jurisdiction over such traffic-way.
LOT. A legally divided area or portion of land under a single ownership or control that is intended to be occupied by a use or group of uses, and/or a principal building or structure. Note: All lots must be lots of record when less than five acres in size as required by and in conformance with the subdivision ordinance and the Plat Act.
LOT AREA. See § 155-18.10(A).
LOT, CORNER. A lot at the intersection of two streets or a lot bounded on two sides by a curving street and any two chords of which form an angle of 120 degrees or less measured on the lot side.
LOT DEPTH. The distance between the midpoint of the front lot line and the midpoint of the rear lot line.
LOT, DOUBLE FRONTAGE. A lot other than a corner lot having frontage on two or more streets. Note: An alley is not considered a street.
LOT FRONTAGE. See § 155-18.10(C).
LOT, INTERIOR. A lot other than a corner or reversed corner lot.
LOT LINE. An imaginary line at the edge or boundary of a zoning lot or a line at the boundary of a lot of record.
LOT LINE, INTERIOR. A lot line shared with another lot.
LOT LINE, REAR. The lot line most nearly parallel to and most removed from the street lot line.
LOT LINE SET BACK DISTANCE. The distance measured from the center of the base of a wireless telecommunication facility's supporting structure to the nearest point on the common lot line between the facility lot and the nearest residentially zoned lot. If there is no common lot line, the measurement must be made to the nearest point on the lot line of the nearest residentially zoned lot without deducting the width of any intervening right-of-way.
LOT LINE, SIDE. Lot lines other than street or rear lot lines.
LOT LINE, STREET. The property line for a zoning lot, abutting or within a street that is legally accessible for ingress and egress to the property. On a corner lot, lot lines along streets are considered to be street lot lines.
LOT OF RECORD. A lot that is part of a subdivision, the plat of which has been legally recorded or a parcel of land with a legally recorded deed in accordance with the Plat Act.
LOT, REVERSED CORNER. A corner lot at right angles or approximately right angles to the general pattern of the area, the street side lot line of which is substantially a continuation of the front lot line of the front lot to the rear. The rear of the corner lot is adjacent to the side of another lot, whether across an alley or not.
LOT, THROUGH. See LOT, DOUBLE FRONTAGE.
LOT, ZONING. A parcel of land, composed of one or more recorded lots or a parcel of land described by metes and bounds, that is of sufficient size to meet the minimum district requirements of this zoning ordinance concerning use, coverage, width, area, setbacks, or other district requirements of this zoning ordinance and having frontage on an improved public street, and which is designated by its owner or developer as a tract of land to be used, developed, or built upon as a unit, under single ownership or control. A "zoning lot" may or may not coincide with the definition of a "lot of record."
MARQUEE OR CANOPY. A roof-like structure of a permanent nature, which projects from the wall of a building and overhangs the public way.
MICROWAVE ANTENNA. A dish-like antenna manufactured in many sizes and shapes used to link communication sites together by wireless transmission of voice or data.
MEDICAL CANNABIS CULTIVATION CENTER.
A facility operated by an organization or business that is registered by the Department of Agriculture to perform necessary activities to provide only registered medical cannabis dispensing organizations with usable medical cannabis. A registered cultivation center may not be located within 2,500 feet of the property line of a pre-existing public or private preschool or elementary or secondary school or day care center, day care home, group day care home, part day child care facility, or an area zoned for residential use.
MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSING ORGANIZATION. A facility operated by an organization or business that is registered on or before June 30, 2019 by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to acquire medical cannabis from a registered cultivation center for the purpose of dispensing cannabis, paraphernalia, or related supplies and educational materials to registered qualifying patients in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois. A dispensing organization may not be located within 1,000 feet of the property line of a pre-existing public or private preschool or elementary or secondary school or day care center, day care home, group day care home, or part day child care facility. A registered dispensing organization may not be located in a house, apartment condominium, or an area zoned for residential use.
MIXED-USE BUILDING. A building occupied by residential uses in combination with nonresidential uses.
MOBILE HOME. A factory-built, single- household structure that is manufactured under the authority of 42 U.S.C. § 5401, the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act, is built on a permanent chassis, and is used as a place for human habitation, but that is not constructed or equipped with a permanent hitch or other device allowing transport of the unit other than
for the purpose of delivery to a permanent site, and that does not have wheels or axles permanently attached to its body or frame. This definition does not include travel trailers, camping trailers, truck campers, camper shells, motor homes, tent trailers or recreational vehicles.
MOBILE STORAGE UNIT. A purpose-built, mobile, fully enclosed unit that is designed and used for the temporary storage of household goods, wares, and materials for the purpose of moving, relocation, or temporary storage during construction. This definition does not include a cargo container, modified or otherwise.
MONOPOLE TOWER. A tower consisting of a single pole, constructed without guy wires and ground anchors. A slender self-supporting tower on which wireless antennas can be placed. See also GUYED TOWER.
MULTI-TENANT DEVELOPMENT. A development typically under unified ownership and control consisting of two or more business establishments. The tenants of multi-tenant development typically share vehicle access and parking facilities.
MULTI-UNIT BUILDING. A residential building containing two or more dwelling units that share common walls and/or common floors/ceilings. Multi-unit buildings are typically served by one or more private or common building entrances.
MURAL. A hand-produced or machine-made graphic applied or affixed to the exterior of a building wall through the application of paint, canvas, tile, metal panels, applied sheet graphic or other medium so that the wall becomes the background surface or platform for the graphic, generally for the purpose of decoration or artistic expression.
NITS. A unit of luminance equal to one candela per square meter.
NONCONFORMING DEVELOPMENT FEATURE. See § 155-15.50.
NONCONFORMING LOT. See § 155-15.20.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE. See § 155-15.40.
NONCONFORMING USE. See § 155-15.30.
NONCONFORMITY. Any nonconforming lot, nonconforming use, nonconforming structure, nonconforming development feature or nonconforming sign.
NONRESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT. Any agricultural, commercial or industrial zoning district.
NUDE or STATE OF NUDITY. A state of dress or undress that exposes to view:
(1) Less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals, pubic region, anus, or female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areolas, but not including any portion of the cleavage of the female breast exhibited by a dress, blouse, shirt, leotard, bathing suit, or other wearing apparel, provided the areolas are not exposed; or
(2) Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered, or any device or covering that, when worn, simulates human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state.
NUISANCE, PUBLIC. A condition that is illegal because it unreasonably interferes with a right that is common to the general public.
OCCUPIED COMMUNITY BUILDING. Any one or more of the following buildings that is existing and occupied on the date of application to the county for a permit to develop a commercial wind energy facility or a commercial solar energy facility:
(1) School;
(2) Place of worship;
(3) Day care facility;
(4) Public library; or
(5) Community center.
OFF-GRID SYSTEMS. A system is considered an off-grid system only if it supplies electrical power solely for on-site use.
OMNI-DIRECTIONAL ANTENNA. An antenna that is equally effective in all directions and whose size varies with the frequency and gain for which it was designed.
OPEN-AIR USES. Uses of land that do not involve buildings or that involve buildings that are incidental and accessory to the open-air use of the lot. Typical examples include storage yards, vehicle impound yards, auto salvage uses.
OUTPARCEL. A parcel of land, generally located on the perimeter of a larger parcel that is subordinate to the larger parcel for access, parking and drainage purposes.
PARAPET or PARAPET WALL. A wall-like barrier at the edge of a roof that acts as a vertical extension of an exterior building wall extending above the roof height of the building. Parapets may serve as a safety or architectural feature.
PCS, PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES. Two-way, personal, wireless communications systems.
PERMITEE, WIND FARM FACILITY. The entity or entities, including their respective successors and assigns, who have been granted the ability to operate a wind farm facility. The permitee is responsible for the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the wind farm facility. This includes any third party subcontractors.
PERSON. Any individual, firm, or corporation, public or private, the State of Illinois and its agencies or political subdivisions, and the United States of America, its agencies and instrumentalities, and any agent, servant, officer or employee of any of the foregoing.
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL. A semiconductor device that converts solar energy into electricity.
PILOT PLANT. A building or group of buildings in which a test, sample, or experimental manufacturing or assembling is operated until such a time as the process is perfected. This use is not to provide for the continuing operation of a manufacturing or assembling use.
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT. A development approved in accordance with the planned unit development procedures of § 155-16.50 or the planned unit development procedures in effect at the time the development was approved.
PLANT, INVASIVE. A highly aggressive introduced or non-native species living outside its native range that out-competes native plant species for available resources since the insects, diseases and animals that naturally keep the invasive plant's growth in check (within its native range) are not present in the introduced habitat.
PLANT, NATIVE. Species of plants occurring within Will County's boundaries prior to European contact, according to best scientific and historical documentation. More specifically, it includes those species understood as indigenous, occurring in natural associations in habitats that existed prior to significant human impacts and alterations of the landscape.
PLANT, NOXIOUS. A plant that is especially undesirable, troublesome and/or difficult to control and identified on official State of Illinois and/or federal noxious weeds lists.
WOODY PLANT. A plant that uses wood as part of its structural support.
PLANTING SEASON. September 15 to December 15 and March 15 to June 15.
PORCH. A roofed-over structure projecting out from the wall or walls of a main structure and commonly open to the weather in part.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING. A building or combination of buildings of chief importance or function on a lot. In general, the principal use is carried out in a principal building.
PRINCIPAL USE. An activity or combination of activities of chief importance on a lot. One of the main purposes for which the land, buildings or structures are intended, designed, or ordinarily used.
PROPERTY LINE. See LOT LINE.
PUBLIC OPEN SPACE. A publicly owned area including, but not limited to, the following: parks, playgrounds, forest preserves, waterways, parkways, and streets.
PUBLIC UTILITY. Any person, firm, or corporation duly authorized to furnish under regulation to the public, electricity, gas, steam, telephone, telegraph, transportation, water, or sewer systems excluding wireless telecommunication facilities.
PUBLIC WAY. Any sidewalk, street, alley, highway, or other public thoroughfare.
PUTRESCIBLE WASTE. Waste that contains organic matter capable of being decomposed by microorganisms so as to cause a malodor, gases, or other offensive conditions, or which is capable of providing food for birds and vectors. Putrescible wastes may form a contaminated leachate from microbiological degradation, chemical processes, and physical processes. Putrescible waste includes, but is not limited to food, paper, gypsum wallboard and sheetrock, cardboard and wood, fiber, offal, and dead animals.
QUALIFYING STRUCTURE. A supporting structure that is an existing structure, if the height of the facility, including the structure, is not more than 15 feet higher than the structure just before the facility is installed; or a substantially similar, substantially same-location replacement of an existing structure, if the height of the facility, including the replacement of an existing structure, is not more than 15 feet higher than the height of the existing structure just before the facility is installed. This definition applies to the wireless telecommunication facility regulations of § 155-9.270.
RACEWAY. A mounting bar or similar device that is used to attach channel letters to a building. Raceways often conceal the electrical components of channel letter signs.
RAILROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY. Strip of land with tracks and auxiliary facilities for track operation, but not including freight depots, stations, loading platforms, train sheds, warehouses, car or locomotive shops, or car yards.
RATED NAMEPLATE CAPACITY. The maximum rate output of electric power production equipment. This output is typically specified by the manufacturer with a "nameplate" on the equipment.
RATED WIND SPEED. The lowest wind speed at which the rated output power of an electric-generating wind device is produced.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. A travel trailer, camping trailer, truck camper, camper shell, motor home, tent trailer, boat, houseboat, boat trailer, snowmobile, personal watercraft, or similar vehicle. Camper shells that are attached to a pickup, truck are not considered a recreational vehicle.
REGISTERED LAND SURVEYOR. A land surveyor registered in the State of Illinois, under the Illinois Land Surveyors Act. (ILCS Ch. 225, Act 330, §§ 1, et seq.)
REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER. An engineer registered in the State of Illinois, under the Illinois Professional Engineering Practice Act. (ILCS Ch. 225, Act 325, §§ 1, et seq.)
REMOVAL. Cutting vegetation to the ground or stumps, complete extraction, or killing by spraying.
RENEWABLE ENERGY. Energy from resources that are quickly replenished, such as sunlight, wind, water, biomass, geothermal resources.
RESERVOIR PARKING. Off-street parking spaces or lot areas allocated to temporary standing motor vehicles awaiting entrance to a particular establishment.
RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT. Any of the zoning districts identified in Article 155-3.
ROOF- AND/OR BUILDING-MOUNTED FACILITY. A low-power mobile radio service telecommunications facility in which antennas are mounted to an existing structure on the roof (including rooftop appurtenances) or building face.
ROOFTOP-MOUNTED ELECTRIC- GENERATING WIND DEVICE. An electric-generating wind device which has a rated nameplate capacity of up to five kilowatts and which is incidental and subordinate to a permitted use on the same parcel. A system is considered a rooftop mounted wind energy system only if it supplies electrical power solely for on-site use, except that when a parcel on which the system is installed also receives electrical power supplied by a utility company, excess electrical power generated and not presently needed for on-site use may be used by the utility company.
ROTOR. Rotating member of the electric-generating wind device turbine that actually captures the wind. A typical rotor has two or three blades that spin on a horizontal axis.
RUNOFF. The water derived from melting snow or rain falling on the land surface, flowing over the surface of the ground or collected in channels or conduits.
SCREENING. Decorative fencing or evergreen vegetation maintained for the purpose of concealing from view the area behind the fencing or evergreen vegetation.
SEMI-NUDE. A state of dress or undress in which clothing covers no more than the genitals, pubic region, and areola of the female breast, as well as portions of the body covered by supporting straps or devices or by other minor accessory apparel such as hats, gloves, and socks.
SETBACK. Open space areas required between buildings and lot lines. See § 155-18.10(E).
SHADE TREE. Deciduous trees planted primarily for their high crown of foliage or overhead canopy.
SHOOTING RANGE. A facility, including its component shooting ranges, safety fans, shot fall zones, parking areas, and other associated improvements, designed for the purpose of providing a place for the discharge of various types of firearms. Occasional target practice performed by individuals who own or lease the subject property is considered an accessory use and is not classified as a shooting range.
SHRUB. A woody plant, smaller than a tree, consisting of several small stems from the ground, or small branches near the ground. May be deciduous or evergreen.
SIGN. Any identification, description, illustration, or device illuminated or non-illuminated that is visible to the public from adjoining streets or adjoining properties and that directs attention to a product, service, place, activity, person, institution, business, or solicitation, including any permanently installed or situated merchandise; or any emblem, painting, banner, pennant, placard, temporary sign, light, decoration, balloon or other device designed to attract attention, advertise, identify or convey information. Building details that are an integral part of the overall architectural design of a building or works of art accessory to a building are not be considered signs.
SIGN, ADVERTISING (BILLBOARD). A sign that directs attention to a business, commodity service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered elsewhere than upon the premises where such sign is located or to which it is affixed.
SIGN AREA. The surface measurement of a sign. See also § 155-13.130(A).
SIGN, BOX (also known as a CABINET SIGN). A sign with text or symbols printed on a plastic or acrylic sheet that is mounted on a cabinet or box that houses the lighting source and associated electrical hardware.
SIGN, CABINET. See SIGN, BOX.
SIGN, CONSTRUCTION. A sign on the site of permitted development/construction activities.
SIGN, DIRECTIONAL. A sign used to convey directions and other information for the convenience of the public. Included are signs designating restrooms, address numbers, hours of operation, entrances to buildings, help wanted, public telephone, etc. Also included are signs on private property designed to direct pedestrians or vehicular traffic, such as "entrance" or "exit."
SIGN, DIRECTORY. A wall or freestanding sign on a multi-tenant development site that is used to convey directions or tenant information to pedestrians and motorists who have entered the site.
SIGN, DISTINCTIVE MATERIALS/DESIGN. Custom-made signs that use only external lighting and do not include a raceway or visible electrical housing and that are constructed primarily of the following materials and methods:
(1) Ceramic tile-painted or sandblasted;
(2) Wood-carved or sandblasted;
(3) Metal-formed, etched, cast, or engraved;
(4) Brick or stone with recessed or raised lettering; or
(5) Other similar high-quality, exterior- grade materials approved by the Zoning Administrator.
SIGN, FREESTANDING. Any sign on a frame, pole or other support structure that is not attached to any building.
SIGN, IDENTIFICATION. A sign indicating the name and address of a building, or the name of an occupant thereof, and the practice of a permitted occupation therein.
SIGN, MENU BOARD. A sign displaying goods or services available through a drive-up window or available through a drive-in or drive-through establishment.
SIGN, MONUMENT. A freestanding sign where the base of the sign structure is on the ground or no more than 12 inches above the ground adjacent to the sign. Typically constructed of brick, wood, stone, or metal, monument signs have a base that is at least 80% of the width of the sign face.
SIGN, MOVING. Any sign that revolves, rotates, swings, undulates, or otherwise attracts attention by moving parts, whether operated by mechanical equipment or by natural sources, not including flags or banners.
SIGN, MULTI-TENANT DEVELOPMENT. A sign on the site of a multi-tenant development identifying the names of tenants or property owners, the address of the premises, and/or the name of any legal business that owns, controls, or manages a multi-tenant development.
SIGN, PIN-MOUNTED CHANNEL LETTER. A wall sign mounted directly on the face of a building wall as individual letters, numbers, or symbols without a raceway or background other than the background provided by the building to which the sign is affixed. In order to qualify for the sign area ratios established for pin-mounted channel letter signs, pin-mounted channel letter signs must not be illuminated or be illuminated only by external lighting. Pin-mounted channel letter signs with other forms of il-lumination are subject to raceway-mounted channel letter sign area ratios.
SIGN, PORTABLE. Any sign not permanently attached to the ground, a building or other structure that is not readily movable. Any sign attached to a sign structure that has wheels will be considered a portable sign, as well as any sign attached to a frame or other sign structure that is not permanently attached to the ground or a building.
SIGN, PROJECTING. Any sign that is attached to a building and that projects outward from the exterior wall of the building by more than 18 inches. The face of a projecting sign is typically perpendicular to the adjacent building wall.
SIGN, RACEWAY-MOUNTED CHANNEL LETTER. A wall sign mounted on a raceway as individual letters, numbers, or symbols. Also includes channel letter signs mounted on a background other than the building wall. In order to qualify as a raceway-mounted channel letter sign, the raceway must be painted or otherwise designed to match or blend in with the color of the wall to which it is attached.
SIGN, ROOF. Any sign erected, constructed, and maintained above the parapet on a building with a flat roof or above the fascia board on a building with a pitched roof.
SIGN, SCREENED BOX WITH RAISED OR RECESSED (PUSH-THROUGH) LETTERS. A box sign with an opaque (screened) background and lighting that highlights only the individual letters, symbols, or logos and on which the letters, symbols, or logos are raised recessed (pushed through) or routed onto a different plane than the sign background, thereby giving a clearly distinguishable "dimensional" effect to the sign.
SIGN STRUCTURE. Any structure that supports a sign, including decorative cover.
SIGN, TEMPORARY. Any sign, banner, pennant, valance, or advertising display that by intent is not permanent, constructed of cloth, canvas, lightweight fabric, cardboard, wallboard, or other lightweight materials with or without frames, intended to be displayed for a short period of time only.
SIGN, WALL. A single-faced sign attached generally flush or parallel to the wall of a building. (See also "rules for measuring wall area," § 155-13.130(C).)
SIGN, WINDOW. A sign posted, painted, placed, or affixed in or on a window exposed to public view. A sign that is interior to the building that faces a window exposed to public view that is located within two feet of the window face is a window sign for the purposes of calculating the total area of all window signs. Merchandise used in a window display will not be considered a window sign. (See also "rules for measuring window area," § 155-13.130(D).)
SITE. A lot or parcel of land, or a contiguous combination thereof, where grading work is performed as a single unified operation.
SITE DEVELOPMENT. Altering terrain and/or vegetation and construction improvements.
SOLAR ENERGY FACILITY; COMMERCIAL. Any device(s) that is ground installed and uses solar energy from the sun for generating electricity for the primary purpose of wholesale or retail sale and not primarily for consumption on the property on which the device or devices reside.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM. A system intended to convert solar energy into thermal, mechanical or electrical energy.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, BUILDING- INTEGRATED. A solar energy system that is an integral part of a principal or accessory building, rather than a separate mechanical device, replacing or substituting for an architectural or structural part of the building. Building-integrated systems include, but are not limited to, photovoltaic or hot water systems that are contained within roofing materials, windows, skylights, shading devices and similar architectural components.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, STRUCTURE- MOUNTED. A solar energy system that is mounted on the façade or roof of either a principal or accessory structure.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, FLUSH- MOUNTED. A solar energy system that is mounted flush with a finished building surface, at no more than six inches in height above that surface.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, GROUND- MOUNTED. A solar energy system mounted on the ground and not attached to any other structure other than structural supports.
SOLAR PANEL. A group of photovoltaic cells assembled on a panel. Panels are assembled on-site into solar arrays.
SPECIFIED ANATOMICAL AREA. Human genitals or pubic region, buttocks, anus, or the female breast below a point immediately above the top the areola that is less than completely or opaquely covered, or human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state even if completely or opaquely covered.
SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIES. Any of the following: (i) human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or excitement; (ii) acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse, fellatio, or sodomy; (iii) fondling, kissing, or erotic touching of specified anatomical areas; (iv) flagellation or torture in the context of a sexual relationship; (v) masochism, erotic or sexually oriented torture, beating, or the infliction of pain; (vi) erotic touching, fondling, or other such contact with an animal by a human being; (vii) or human excretion, urination, menstruation, or vaginal or anal irrigation as part of or in connection with any of the activities set forth in items (i) through (vi).
STABLE. See § 155-8.40(B)(4)).
STORAGE, OUTDOOR. The keeping of any inventory, goods, material, or merchandise, including raw, semi-finished, and finished materials for any period of time outside of a building. Storage related to a residential use, required parking or loading areas, nurseries, and the display of automobiles or other vehicles for sale are not included in this definition.
STREET. All property dedicated or intended for public highway, freeway, or roadway purposes or subject to public easements.
STREET LINE (also STREET PROPERTY LINE). The division line between private property and a dedicated street or way, usually uninterrupted from corner to corner in any given block.
STRIPPING. Any activity that removes the vegetative surface cover including tree removal, clearing, and storage or removal of topsoil.
STRUCTURE. The results of a human change to the land constructed on or below the ground, including the construction, reconstruction or placement of a building or any addition to a building; installing a mobile home on a site; preparing a site for a mobile home or installing a travel trailer on a site for more than 180 days unless they are fully licensed and ready for highway use.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS. Any change in the supporting members of a building such as bearing walls or partitions, columns, beams, or girders, excepting such alterations as may be required for the safety of the building.
SUBSTANTIAL OR SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF ITS BUSINESS. For purposes of the definitions of ADULT CABARET, ADULT STORE, or ADULT THEATER (see § 155-8.40(A)), the phrase "substantial or significant portion of its business" is deemed to apply to any commercial establishment that satisfies one or more of the following criteria:
(1) Gross sales: 30% or more of the retail dollar value of the commercial establishment's annual gross sales derives from the sale, rental, or viewing of adult materials.
(2) Floor area: 30% or more of the floor area of the commercial establishment is devoted to the display, viewing, or presentation of adult materials, not including storerooms, stock areas, bathrooms, basements, or any other portion of the commercial establishment not open to the public.
(3) Merchandise displayed: 30% or more of the retail dollar value of all merchandise displayed at any one time is attributable to adult materials.
(4) Inventory: 30% or more of all inventory of the commercial establishment (whether measured by retail dollar value or number of items) consists at any one time of adult materials.
(5) Stock in trade: 30% or more of the stock in trade at the commercial establishment consists at any one time of adult materials.
(6) Live performances: Live performances by persons appearing semi-nude, or live performances that are otherwise distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on the exposure, depiction, or description of specified anatomical areas or the conduct or simulation of specified sexual activities, and that are taking place 30% or more of the time during which the commercial establishment is open for business.
SUPPORTING STRUCTURE. A structure, whether an antenna tower or another type of structure that supports one or more antennas as part of a facility.
SWIMMING POOL. Any structure, basin, chamber or tank containing an artificial body of water for swimming or wading, having a depth of two feet or more at any point. This definition includes in-ground, above and on-ground swimming pools but does not include hot tubs, spas, or other structures for recreational bathing.
SWIMMING POOL, PRIVATE. Any swimming pool, located on private residential property, the use of which is intended for the owner and guests.
TASTING ROOM. A designated area within a craft brewery, distillery or winery at which guests may sample and purchase alcoholic beverages and where retail sales of merchandise related to the products being tasted are sold.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996. Signed into law by President Clinton on February 8, 1996. It establishes a pro-competitive, deregulatory framework for telecommunications in the United States.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIER. A telecommunications carrier as defined in the Public Utilities Act as of January 1, 1997.
TEMPORARY MOBILE SIGN. An advertising device of a non-permanent type, used principally for commercial purposes.
TENANT OPERATOR. The person, including the person's family members, who are hired to operate a farm. Normally not the owner of the farm.
TERRACE, OPEN AND PATIO. A level plane or platform which, for the purpose of this zoning ordinance, is located adjacent to one or more faces of the principal structure and which is constructed not more than four feet in height above the average level of the adjoining ground.
TEST WIND TOWER. Wind towers that are designed solely to collect wind generation data.
THREATENED SPECIES. Species (including animals, plants, fungi, etc.) that are vulnerable to endangerment in the near future and identified on official State of Illinois and/or federal Threatened Species lists.
TOWER. Any structure that is designed and constructed primarily for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas, including self-supporting lattice towers, guy towers, or monopole towers. The term includes radio and television transmission towers, microwave towers, common-carrier towers, cellular telephone towers, alternative tower structures, and the like.
TOWER, ELECTRIC-GENERATING WIND DEVICE. The vertical component of an electric-generating wind device or small wind energy conversion system that elevates the wind turbine generator and attached blades above the ground.
TRAILER, COMMERCIAL. A vehicle or structure constructed in such a manner as to permit the conduct of any business, trade or occupation, or use as a selling or advertising device, or used for storage or conveyance of tools, equipment or machinery, and so designed that it is or may be mounted on wheels.
TREE. A large, woody plant having one or several self-supporting stems or trunks and numerous branches. May be classified as deciduous or evergreen.
UNCONTAMINATED SOIL. Soil that does not contain contaminants in concentrations that pose a threat to human health and safety and the environment. (See also Section 3.160 of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act.)
UNDERSTORY. Assemblages of natural low-level woody, herbaceous, and ground cover species, which exist in the area below the canopy of the trees.
UNIFIED CONTROL. The combination of two or more tracts of land wherein each owner has agreed that the subject land will be developed as part of a planned unit development and will be subject to the control applicable to the planned unit development.
USE. The purpose for which land or a building thereon is designed, arranged, or intended, or for which it is occupied, maintained, let or leased.
USE, LAWFUL. The use of any structure or land that conforms with all of the regulations of this zoning ordinance and that conforms with all of the codes, ordinances, and other legal requirements, as existing at the time of the enactment of this zoning ordinance or any amendment thereto, for the structure or land that is being examined.
USE, PERMITTED. A use which may be lawfully established in a particular district or districts, provided it conforms with all requirements, regulations, and performance standards (if any) of such districts.
USE, PRINCIPAL. The main use of land or buildings as distinguished from a subordinate or accessory use. A "principal use" may be either a "permitted use" or a "special use."
UTILITY-SCALE ENERGY PRODUCTION. An energy production facility that produces electric energy for widespread distribution through the electric power grid.
VACANT. Land on which there are no structures or only structures that are secondary to the use or maintenance of the land itself.
VEHICULAR USE AREA. An area that is devoted to a short-term use by or for motor vehicles, including off-street parking areas (accessory or non-accessory); off-street loading areas; gasoline stations; car washes; and drive-through service areas. Enclosed areas and access drives used solely for access between the street and the vehicular use area are not considered part of a vehicular use area. Definition does not include long-term, vehicle storage areas or area that are not accessible to the public, such as truck terminals, bus terminals, and tow yards.
VEHICLE, COMMERCIAL. Any vehicle operated for the transportation of persons or property in the furtherance of any commercial or industrial enterprise, for-hire or not-for-hire, but not including a commuter van or a vehicle used in a ridesharing arrangement when being used for that purpose.
VEHICLE, MOTOR. Any passenger vehicle, truck, tractor, recreational vehicle, tractor-trailer, truck-trailer, trailer or semitrailer propelled or drawn by mechanical power.
VEHICLE FUELS, ALTERNATIVE. Electricity, CNG (compressed natural gas), LNG (liquefied natural gas), LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), and hydrogen.
VEHICLE FUELS, CONVENTIONAL. Gasoline and diesel fuel.
WATER COLLECTION CISTERN. A barrel or similar container that collects and stores rainwater or other water that would otherwise be lost as runoff or diverted into a storm drain.
WETLANDS. Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater 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, and are subject to the regulations of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
WHIP ANTENNA. An antenna that transmits signals in 360 degrees. Whip antennas are typically cylindrical in shape and are less than six inches in diameter and measure up to 18 inches in height. Also called omni-directional, stick or pipe antennas.
WIND ENERGY FACILITY; COMMERCIAL. A wind energy conversion facility of equal or greater than 500 Kw in total nameplate generating capacity.
WIND TURBINE GENERATOR. The component of an electric-generating wind device that transforms mechanical energy from the wind into electrical energy.
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY. That part of the signal distribution system used or operated by a telecommunications carrier under a license from the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) consisting of a combination of improvements and equipment including (i) one or more antennas; (ii) a supporting structure and the hardware by which antennas are attached; (iii) equipment housing; and (iv) ancillary equipment such as signal transmission cables and miscellaneous hardware.
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY LOT. The lot on which a facility is or will be located.
WOODLANDS, EXISTING. Existing trees and shrubs of a number, size, and species that accomplish the same general function as new plantings.
YARD. The actual (as opposed to "required") horizontal distance that exists between a principal building and a property line. See also SETBACK.
(Ord. effective 10-1-2012; Am. Ord. 14-44, passed 3-20-2014; Am. Ord. 15-203, passed 7- 16-2015; Am. Ord. 16-227, passed 12-15-2016; Ord. 18-1, passed 1-18-2018; Ord. 18-192, passed 10-18-2018; Ord. 18-222, passed 8-16- 2018; Ord. 18-240, passed 9-20-2018; Ord. 19- 352, passed 12-19-2019; Ord. 20-266, passed 8- 20-2020; Ord. 21-138, passed 5-20-2021; Ord. 21-233, passed 7-15-2021; Ord. 23-70, passed 3-16-2023)