For the purpose of this chapter, certain words or phrases shall have meanings that either vary somewhat from their customary dictionary meanings or are intended to be interpreted to have a specific meaning. Words used in the present tense in this chapter include the future. The word "person" includes a firm, association, partnership, trust, company, or corporation as well as an individual. The word "he" includes the word "she." The word "shall" is mandatory, the word "should" is advisory, and the word "may" is permissive. Any words not defined in this chapter shall be presumed to have their customary dictionary definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACCESSORY USE OR STRUCTURE
A use or detached structure subordinate to the principal use of a structure, land, or water and located on the same lot or parcel serving a purpose customarily incidental to the principal use or principal structure.
ACREAGE, NET
The remaining ground area after deleting all portions for proposed and existing street rights-of-way within a development or subdivision.
ADULT-ORIENTED ESTABLISHMENT
See "sexually oriented establishment."
ANTENNA
A device designed to receive or send broadcasts either as over-the-air signals from transmitters, including fixed television, telecommunication, or radio signals, or microwave signals from earth-orbiting communication satellites.
ANTENNA, SATELLITE DISH
A dish-shaped antenna designed to receive television broadcasts relayed by microwave signals from earth-orbiting communication satellites.
ANTENNA, TERRESTRIAL
Any antenna designed to receive television, telecommunication, or radio signals relayed from one ground location to another ground location. Such antennas are typically mounted on a tower or support on the rooftop of a structure or on freestanding towers.
ANTIQUE STORE
A retail store where objects such as furniture, glassware, coins, and other objects prized for their rarity, style, or historic period are sold.
ARTERIAL STREET
See "street, arterial."
BANNER
A bunting or flexible sign characteristically supported at two or more points and usually fastened to a building or otherwise suspended down or along its face or across streets. The banner may or may not include copy or other graphic symbols.
BASEMENT
That portion of any structure which is below grade or which is partly below and partly above grade but so located that the vertical distance from the grade to the basement floor is greater than the vertical distance from the grade to the basement ceiling.
BED-AND-BREAKFAST ESTABLISHMENT
See § 435-15C.
BUFFER YARD
An area of land which may contain sufficient area and width, landscape plantings, earth berms, fencing, walls, or other visual and/or sound barriers intended to eliminate or minimize land use conflicts between adjacent land uses.
BUILDING
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls used or intended to be used for the shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, equipment, machinery, or materials.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the average established street grade in the front or street yard of the lot or the finished grade at the building line, whichever is higher, to the highest point of the coping (cap) of a flat roof, to the highest point a mansard roof, or to the average height between the eaves and the highest point (ridge) of a gable, hip, or gambrel roof.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL
A building in which the principal use of the lot on which it is located is conducted. Any building intended to be used for human habitation shall constitute a principal building.
BUSINESS
A lawful commercial endeavor to engage in the production, purchase, sale, lease, or exchange of goods and/or the provision of services.
BUSINESS SERVICES
Establishments that primarily provide goods and services to other businesses, including but not limited to minor job printing, duplicating, binding and mailing, office security, maintenance and custodial services, and office equipment and machinery sales, rental, and repairing, but not manufacturing of any products.
BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES
Establishments for places of business engaged in the sale, rental, or repair of office equipment, supplies, and materials or the provision of services used by office, professional, and service establishments. Typical uses include office equipment and supply firms, small business machine repair shops, convenience printing and copying establishments, temporary labor services, and security services.
CAR WASH
Any facility used for the washing of vehicles requiring the installation of special equipment or machinery and plumbing affixed to or separate from the structure.
CIVIC, SOCIAL AND FRATERNAL ASSOCIATIONS
Nonprofit associations or organizations consisting of a group of people formally organized for a common interest, usually cultural, fraternal, or entertainment, with regular meetings and formal written membership requirements. Such public or private associations or organizations (including charitable organizations) operate, not primarily for profit, civic-oriented or publicly owned buildings or uses, including auditoriums, theaters, art centers, libraries, music halls, convention or community centers, assembly halls, and offices, including, without limitation, parking and dining facilities and other related or accessory building, facilities, and uses.
CLOTHING REPAIR SHOPS
Shops where clothing is repaired, such as shoe, seamstress, tailor, and clothes-pressing shops.
CLOTHING STORES
Retail stores where clothing is sold, such as department stores, dry goods and shoe stores, and dress, hosiery, and millinery shops.
COLLECTOR STREET
See "street, collector."
CO-LOCATION
A telecommunication facility comprised of a single telecommunication tower or building supporting multiple antennas, dishes, or similar devices owned or used by more than one public or private telecommunication provider.
COMMERCIAL ADULT CARE CENTER
An establishment providing services for part of a day in a group setting to adults who need an enriched health-supportive or social experience and who may need assistance with activities of daily living, supervision, or protection.
COMMERCIAL CHILD CARE CENTER
An establishment providing care and supervision for four or more persons under the age of seven for less than 24 hours a day and licensed by the State of Wisconsin pursuant to § 48.65, Wis. Stats.
COMMERCIAL WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES
Licensed commercial wireless telecommunication services, including cellular, personal communication services (PCS), specialized mobilized radio (SMR), enhanced specialized mobilized radio (ESMR), paging, and similar services that are marketed to the general public.
COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL FACILITY (CBRF)
A place where five or more adults who are not related to the operator or administrator of the facility reside in which care, treatment, or services above the level of room and board are provided, but not including more than three hours of nursing care per week per resident or above intermediate-level nursing care. A community-based residential facility is subject to state-level licensing and operational limitations as set forth in Ch. 50, Wis. Stats. A CBRF does not include any of the following: a convent, facilities for victims of domestic abuse, a shelter, or other facilities excluded in § 50.01(1g), Wis. Stats.
COMMUNITY LIVING ARRANGEMENT
The following facilities licensed and operated or permitted under the authority of the Wisconsin Statutes: child welfare agencies under § 48.60, Wis. Stats., group foster homes for children under § 48.02(7), Wis. Stats., and community-based residential facilities under § 50.01, Wis. Stats., but does not include adult family homes, day-care centers, nursing homes, general hospitals, special hospitals, prisons, or jails. The establishment of community living arrangements is governed by §§ 46.03(22), 48.625, 59.69(15), and 62.23(7)(i), Wis. Stats.
CONDITIONAL USE
See "use, conditional."
CONDOMINIUM
A building or group of buildings in which units are owned individually and the structure, common areas, and facilities are owned by all owners on a proportional, undivided basis. It is a legal form of ownership of real estate and not a specific building type or style.
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
Establishments engaged in the distribution, handling, and installation of construction materials. For the purpose of this chapter, "construction services" does not include retail sales of construction materials to the general public, such as hardware or lumber stores.
CONTROL MEASURE
A practice or combination of practices to control erosion and attendant pollution.
CONTROL PLAN
A written description of the number, locations, sizes, and other pertinent information of control measures designed to meet the requirements of the construction site erosion control provisions of this chapter submitted by the applicant for review and approval by the Village.
COPING
The highest point or covering course of a wall often with a sloping top to carry off water and commonly cut with a drip.
DAY-CARE FACILITY, ADULT
See "commercial adult care center."
DAY-CARE FACILITY, CHILD
See commercial child care center."
DEVELOPMENT
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to the construction of or addition or substantial improvements to buildings, structures or accessory structures; the placement of buildings or structures; ditching, lagooning, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations; and the deposition or extraction of earthen materials.
DISTRICT
A part or parts of the Village for which the regulations of this chapter governing the use and location of land and buildings are uniform (such as the residential, business, and industrial district classifications).
DISTRICT, OVERLAY
A zoning designation that modifies the underlying basic use zoning district requirements in a specific manner.
DWELLING
A building designed or used exclusively as a residence or sleeping place, but does not include boardinghouses or lodging houses, motels, hotels, tents, cabins, or motor homes.
DWELLING, BI-LEVEL
A two-level dwelling with one level above grade and the other level partially below grade. The lower level may or may not have exterior access. For the purpose of measuring living areas, the Building Inspector will determine functional areas, as set forth in the definition of "living area," and the first floor area, which usually is the first level that is entirely above grade.
DWELLING, EFFICIENCY
A dwelling unit consisting of one principal room with no separate sleeping rooms.
DWELLING, MULTIFAMILY
A residential building designed for or occupied by three or more families, with the number of families in residence not to exceed the number of dwelling units provided.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY
A building designed for or occupied exclusively by one family and surrounded by open space or yards and which is not attached to any other dwelling by any means.
DWELLING, TRI-LEVEL
A three-level dwelling with two levels above grade and a third level partially below grade. The lowest level may or may not have exterior access. For the purpose of measuring living areas, the Building Inspector will determine functional areas, as set forth in the definition of "living area," and the first floor area, which usually is the first level that is entirely above grade.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY
A building containing two separate dwelling (or living) units, designed for occupancy by not more than two families. A two-family dwelling may also be known as a "duplex."
DWELLING UNIT
One or more rooms designed, occupied, or intended to be occupied as separate living quarters, with cooking, sleeping, and sanitary facilities provided within the dwelling unit for exclusive use of a single family maintaining a household.
EAVE
The projecting lower edge of a roof overhanging the wall of the building.
ELECTION CAMPAIGN PERIOD
In the case of an election for office, the period beginning on the first day for circulation of nomination papers by candidates, or the first day on which candidates would circulate nomination papers if papers were required, and ending on the day of the election. In the case of a referendum, the period beginning on the day on which the question to be voted upon is submitted to the electorate and ending on the day on which the referendum is held.
EROSION
The detachment and movement of soil, sediment, or rock fragments by water, wind, ice, or gravity.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
Services provided by public and private utilities necessary for the exercise of the principal use or service of the principal structure. These services include underground, surface, or overhead electrical, gas, water, sanitary sewerage, stormwater drainage, and communication systems and accessories thereto, such as poles, wires, mains, drains, vaults, culverts, laterals, sewers, pipes, catch basins, underground water storage tanks, conduits, cables, traffic signals, pumps, and hydrants, but not including buildings.
EVENT VENUE
An event venue is a location which is rented to third parties for events (including weddings, fundraisers, meetings, conferences, and family celebrations) at which food and beverage may be served either by the operator or a professional catering service and live or recorded entertainment may be provided, and for which any structures are permanent in nature and not tents or other temporary structures.
[Added 4-2-2018 by Ord. No. 4-2018-1]
FAMILY DAY-CARE HOME
A dwelling licensed as a day-care center by the State of Wisconsin pursuant to § 48.65, Wis. Stats., where care is provided for not more than eight children.
FENCE, OPEN
A structure of rails, planks, stakes, strung wire, or similar material erected as an enclosure, barrier, or boundary. Open fences are those with more than 50% of their surface area open for free passage of light and air. Examples of such fences include, but are not limited to, rail, picket, and wrought iron fences.
FENCE, SECURITY
A fence intended to guard property against unauthorized entry and to protect stored goods and products from theft and other unauthorized handling. Security fences are often made of wrought iron or woven wire.
FENCE, SOLID
A structure of rails, planks, stakes, strung wire, or similar material erected as an enclosure, barrier, or boundary. Solid fences are those with 50% or less of their surface area open for free passage of light and air. Examples of such fences include, but are not limited to, stockade, board-on-board, board-and-batten, basket weave, and louvered fences.
FIRST FLOOR AREA
See "floor area, first."
FIXTURE, FULL CUTOFF LIGHT
A luminaire light distribution where no light is emitted above the horizontal and where the intensity at 80° from nadir is not greater than 100 candelas per 1,000 lamp lumens.
FIXTURE, FULLY SHIELDED LIGHT
A lighting fixture constructed in such a manner that all light emitted by the fixture, either directly from the lamp or a diffusing element or indirectly by reflection or refraction from any part of the luminaire, is projected below the horizontal as determined by photometric test or certified by the manufacturer. Any structural part of the light fixture providing this shielding must be permanently affixed.
FIXTURE, NONEXEMPT OUTDOOR LIGHTING
All outdoor illuminating devices other than seasonal decorations using typical unshielded low-wattage incandescent lamps and temporary lighting such as that used for civic events or construction projects.
FIXTURE, OUTDOOR LIGHT
An outdoor illuminating device, outdoor lighting or reflective surface, lamp or similar device, permanently installed or portable, used for illumination or advertisement. Such devices shall include, but are not limited to, lights used for:
A. 
Parking lot lighting;
B. 
Roadway lighting;
C. 
Buildings and structures;
D. 
Recreational areas;
E. 
Landscape lighting;
F. 
Billboards and other signs (advertising or other);
G. 
Product display area lighting; and
H. 
Building overhangs and open canopies.
FLOOD
A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas caused by the overflow or rise of inland waters; the rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; or the sudden increase caused by an unusually high water level in a natural body of water, accompanied by a severe storm or by an unanticipated force of nature, such as a seiche, or by some similarly unusual event.
FLOODPLAIN
The land which has been or may be hereafter covered by floodwater during the regional flood. The floodplain includes the floodway and the flood-fringe and may include other designated floodplain areas for regulatory purposes. For the purpose of this chapter, the floodplain is all lands contained in the regional flood or one-hundred-year recurrence interval flood, which has a one-percent chance or probability of occurring in a given year.
FLOODPLAIN FRINGE
The portion of the floodplain outside the floodway that is subject to inundation by the one-hundred-year recurrence interval flood.
FLOODWAY
The channel of a river or stream and those portions of the floodplain adjoining the channel required to carry the regional flood discharge.
FLOOR AREA
The sum of the gross horizontal area of all floors of a building measured from the exterior faces of the exterior walls or, in the case of a common wall separating two dwellings or units, from the center line of such a common wall. For the purpose of this chapter, "floor area" shall not include basements, porches, decks, garages, and unfinished attics.
FLOOR AREA, FIRST
For the purpose of identifying the first floor level in a multistory dwelling, the Building Inspector shall determine the first floor area, which usually is the first level that is entirely above grade.
FLOOR AREA, GROSS
A. 
Residential. The sum of the gross horizontal areas of all floors measured in square feet, not including the basement floor, measured from the exterior faces of the exterior walls or from the center line of common walls separating two units. The floor area of a building includes elevator shafts and stairwells at each floor, floor space used for mechanical equipment (except equipment, open or closed, located on a roof or in a basement), penthouses, attic space having headroom of seven feet 10 inches or more, interior balconies and mezzanines, enclosed permanently heated porches, and floor area devoted to accessory uses.
B. 
Business, governmental, institutional, and manufacturing buildings. For the purpose of calculating off-street parking and loading space requirements, the sum of the gross horizontal area of a floor or floors of the building, or portion thereof, devoted to a use shall be used to determine required off-street parking or loading spaces. This floor area shall include accessory storage areas located within selling or working space, such as counters, racks, or closets, and any basement floor area devoted to retailing activities, to the production or processing of goods, or to business or professional offices. However, floor area, for the purposes of determining off-street parking spaces, shall not include floor area devoted primarily to storage purposes except as otherwise noted herein.
FLOOR AREA, PRIMARY
The floor area of a building devoted to customer service, sales area, or actual operational area and which specifically shall not include storage, warehouse, utility, hallway, or other accessory uses.
FLOOR AREA RATIO or FAR
A ratio used to indicate the total floor area of buildings allowed on a given lot which is expressed as a percentage ratio to the total area of the lot. (For example, an FAR of 100% allows a floor area equal to the entire total area of the lot, and an FAR of 50% allows a floor area that is half of the total area of the lot. An FAR of 50% could be applied to a one-story building occupying 50% of the lot or a two-story building occupying 25% of the lot.)
FOOTCANDLE
A. 
The illumination on a surface one square foot in area on which there is a uniformly distributed flux of one lumen.
B. 
A unit of illuminance where one footcandle equals one lumen per square foot. It is the luminous flux per unit area in the imperial system. One footcandle equals approximately 0.1 (0.093) lux.
FOSTER FAMILY HOME
The primary domicile of a foster parent, licensed by the State of Wisconsin pursuant to § 48.62, Wis. Stats., which is for four or fewer foster children or, if necessary to enable a sibling group to remain together, for no more than six children or, if the state promulgates rules permitting a different number of children, for the number of children permitted under those rules.
FRONT YARD
See "yard, street."
GARAGE, PRIVATE
A structure primarily intended for and used for the enclosed storage or shelter of the private motor vehicles of the owner(s) or families resident upon the premises.
GARAGE, PUBLIC OR COMMERCIAL
Any building or portion thereof used for equipping, servicing, repairing, leasing, or public parking of motor vehicles.
GARAGE SALE OR RUMMAGE SALE
An occasional sale by individuals of accumulated items of personal property most commonly within a household and no longer having utility thereto. Includes all general sales, open to the public, conducted from or on a residential premises in any residential zone, as defined by this chapter.
[Added 3-1-2010]
GIFT STORES
Retail stores where items such as art, antiques, jewelry, books, and notions are sold.
GLARE
The sensation produced by a bright source within the visual field that is sufficiently brighter than the level to which the eyes are adapted to cause annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance and visibility.
GROUP FOSTER HOME
Any facility operated by a person required to be licensed by the State of Wisconsin pursuant to § 48.625, Wis. Stats., for the care and maintenance of five to eight foster children.
HOME OCCUPATION
An occupation conducted for financial gain within a private dwelling unit where such occupation is clearly incidental and subordinate to the principal residential use of the premises and does not significantly change the essential residential character or appearance of such building. For the purpose of this chapter, bed-and-breakfast establishments are not considered home occupations.
HOTEL
A facility, other than a bed-and-breakfast establishment, offering transient lodging accommodations to the general public and which may provide additional services such as restaurants, meeting rooms, and recreational facilities.
HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY (SENIOR HOUSING)
A dwelling unit or units designed and constructed to be occupied by elderly persons. An elderly person is a person who is 55 years of age or older on the date such person intends to occupy the premises or a family the head of which, or his spouse, is an elderly person as defined herein.
ILLUMINATION, DIRECT
Illumination resulting from light emitted directly from a lamp or luminaire, not light diffused through translucent signs or reflected from other surfaces such as the ground or building faces.
INTERMEDIATE-LEVEL NURSING CARE
Basic care that is required by a person who has a long-term illness or disability that has reached a relatively stable plateau.
JUNKYARD or SALVAGE YARD
An area consisting of buildings, structures, or premises where junk waste and discarded or salvage materials are bought, sold, exchanged, stored, baled, packed, disassembled, or handled, including automobile wrecking yards and house wrecking and structural steel materials and equipment yards, but not including the purchase or storage of used furniture and household equipment or used cars in operable condition.
LAMP, FLOOD
A specific form of lamp designed to direct its output in a specific direction (a beam) but with a diffusing glass envelope. Such lamps are so designated by the manufacturer and are typically used in residential outdoor area lighting.
LAMP, SPOT
A specific form of lamp designed to direct its output in a specific direction (a beam) and with a clear or nearly clear glass envelope. Such lamps are so designated by the manufacturer and are typically used in residential outdoor area lighting.
LAND DEVELOPING ACTIVITY
The construction of buildings, streets, parking lots, paved storage areas, and similar facilities.
LAND DISTURBING ACTIVITY
Any man-made change of the land surface, including removing vegetative cover, excavating, filling and grading, but not including agricultural activities such as planting, growing, cultivating and harvesting of crops, growing and tending of gardens, harvesting of trees, and landscape modifications.
LANDOWNER
Any person holding title to or having an interest in land.
LAND USER
Any person operating, leasing, renting, or having made other arrangements with the landowner by which the landowner authorizes use of his or her land.
LIGHTING, MULTI-CLASS OR MULTI-USE
Any outdoor lighting used for more than one purpose, such as security and decoration.
LIGHTING, TEMPORARY
Lighting which does not conform to the provisions of this chapter and which will not be used for more than one thirty-day period within a calendar year. Temporary lighting is intended for uses which by their nature are of limited duration, for example holiday decorations, civic events, or construction projects.
LIGHT POLLUTION
Any adverse effect of human-made light.
LIGHT TRESPASS
Light falling where it is not wanted or needed, typically across property boundaries.
LIVING AREA
The total area bounded by the exterior walls of a building at the floor level, but not including basement, unfinished attics, utility rooms, garages, porches, and breezeways.
LOADING AREA
A completely off-street space or berth on the same lot for the loading or unloading of freight carriers, having adequate ingress to and egress from a public street.
LOCAL STREET
See "street, minor."
LOT
A parcel of land having frontage on a public street, occupied or intended to be occupied by a principal structure or use and sufficient in size to meet the lot width, lot frontage, lot area, and other dimensional requirements of this chapter. No lands dedicated to the public or reserved for roadway purposes shall be included in the computation of lot size.
LOT, CORNER
A lot abutting two or more streets at their intersection, provided that the corner of such intersection shall have an angle of 135° or less, measured on the lot side (see Illustration No. 2).[1]
LOT, DOUBLE FRONTAGE
A parcel of land with frontage on more than one street or with frontage on a street and a navigable body of water (see Illustration No. 2).
LOT, FLAG
A lot generally not fronting on or abutting a public street and where access to the public street is by a narrow, private right-of-way (see Illustration No. 2). Flag lots are not generally considered to conform to sound development principles.
LOT, INTERIOR
A lot with frontage on one street which is bounded by adjacent lots along each side and a lot behind fronting on a different street (see Illustration No. 2).
LOT, REVERSE FRONTAGE
A through lot that is similar to a double frontage lot but is not accessible from one of the parallel or nonintersecting streets upon which it fronts.
LOT, SUBSTANDARD
A parcel of land held in separate ownership having frontage on a public street, occupied or intended to be occupied by a principal building or structure together with accessory buildings and uses, having insufficient size to meet the lot width, lot area, yard, off-street parking area, or other dimensional requirements of this chapter.
LOT WIDTH
The width of a parcel of land measured at the front yard setback line, usually an existing or proposed street right-of-way line.
LUMEN
A unit of luminous flux used to measure the amount of light emitted by lamps.
LUMINAIRE
The complete lighting assembly, less the support assembly. For purposes of determining total light output from a luminaire, lighting assemblies which include multiple unshielded or partially shielded lamps on a single pole or standard shall be considered as a single unit.
LUX
A unit of illuminance of one lumen per square meter. It is the luminous flux per unit area in the metric system. One lux equals approximately 10 (10.8) footcandles.
MACHINE SHOPS
Shops where lathes, presses, grinders, shapers, and other woodworking and metal-working machines are used, such as blacksmith, tinsmith, welding, and sheet metal shops; plumbing, heating and electrical repair shops; and overhaul shops.
MANUFACTURE
When used in describing an industrial operation, the making or processing of a product with machinery.
MENU BOARD
A permanently mounted sign displaying the foods, products, or services for a drive-through or walk-up facility.
MINOR STREET
See "street, minor."
MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOME
A transportable structure built on a chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling, with or without a permanent foundation, when connected to required utilities. For the purpose of this chapter, a recreational vehicle, a travel trailer, or a modular home, a living unit which is transported in two or more modules to construct a permanent residential home on a permanent foundation, is not considered a mobile/manufactured home.
MOTEL
A building containing lodging rooms having adjoining individual bathrooms and where each lodging has a doorway opening directly to the outdoors and more than 50% of the lodging rooms are for rent to transient tourists for a continuous period of less than 30 days.
NAVIGABLE WATER
Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, all natural inland lakes within Wisconsin, and all streams, ponds, sloughs, flowages, and other waters within the territorial limits of this state, including the Wisconsin portion of boundary waters, which are navigable under the laws of this state. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has declared navigable bodies of water that have a bed differentiated from adjacent uplands and with levels of flow sufficient to support navigation by a recreational craft of the shallowest draft on an annually recurring basis. [Muench v. Public Service Commission, 261 Wis. 492 (1952), and DeGayner and Co., Inc., v. Department of Natural Resources, 70 Wis. 2d 936 (1975).] For example, a stream which is navigable by a skiff or canoe during normal spring high water is navigable, in fact, under the laws of this state though it may be dry during other seasons.
A. 
Under § 281.31(2m), Wis. Stats., and § NR 115.03(5), Wis. Adm. Code, shoreland regulations do not apply to lands adjacent to farm drainage ditches if:
(1) 
Such lands are not adjacent to a natural navigable stream or river;
(2) 
Those parts of such drainage ditches adjacent to such lands were not navigable streams before ditching; and
(3) 
Such lands are maintained in nonstructural agricultural use.
B. 
For the purpose of this chapter, rivers and streams will be presumed to be navigable if they are designated as either perennial or intermittent waterways on the United States Geological Survey quadrangle maps until such time that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has made a determination that the waterway is not, in fact, navigable.
NONCONFORMING LOT
A lot, the area, dimensions, or location of which was lawful prior to the adoption or amendment of this chapter but which fails by reason of such adoption or amendment to conform to the present requirements of this chapter. Vacant nonconforming lots may also be referred to as "substandard lots."
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE
A building or structure lawfully existing at the time of the adoption or amendment of this chapter which houses a use that is permitted in the district but does not comply with all the applicable area, width, height, yard and/or parking requirements of the district in which it is located.
NONCONFORMING USE
Any use of land, or land and buildings in combination, lawfully existing at the time of the adoption or amendment of this chapter which does not comply with the use regulations for the district in which it is located.
NUDITY
The showing of the human male or female genitals, pubic area, vulva, anus, anal cleft, or cleavage with less than a fully opaque covering, the showing of the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any part of the nipple, or the showing of covered male genitals in a discernible turgid state.
NURSING HOME
An extended or intermediate care facility licensed or approved to provide full-time convalescent or chronic care to individuals who, by reason of advanced age, chronic illness, or infirmity, are unable to care for themselves.
OFFSET
See "yard, side" and "yard, rear."
OPAQUE
For the purpose of the sign provisions of this chapter, "opaque" means that a material does not transmit light from an internal illumination source. Applied to sign backgrounds, "opaque" means that the area surrounding any letters or symbols on the sign either is not lighted from within or allows no light from an internal source to shine through it.
OPEN/GREEN SPACE
The area of a property containing turf/lawn, ornamental grasses, decorative mulch, flowers, shrubs and/or trees, including native vegetation. The open/green space does not include the area of a property occupied by buildings, accessory buildings, structures, parking areas, streets, driveways, sidewalks, paved paths and trails, pervious/permeable pavements, patios, decks, or other impervious surfaces.
ORDINARY HIGH-WATER MARK (OHWM)
The point on the bank or shore of a body of water up to which the presence and action of surface water are so continuous as to leave a distinctive mark, such as by erosion, destruction or prevention of terrestrial vegetation, predominance of aquatic vegetation, or other easily recognized characteristics.
OUTDOOR LIGHT OUTPUT, TOTAL
The maximum total amount of light, measured in lumens, from all outdoor light fixtures. For lamp types that vary in their output as they age (such as high-pressure sodium, fluorescent, and metal halide), the initial output, as defined by the manufacturer, is the value to be considered. For determining compliance with the total outdoor light output requirements of this chapter, the light emitted from outdoor light fixtures is to be included in the total output as follows:
A. 
Outdoor light fixtures installed on poles (such as parking lot luminaires) and shielded from above by the structure itself, as defined below, are to be included in the total outdoor light output by simply adding the initial lumen outputs of the lamps used.
B. 
Outdoor light fixtures installed under canopies, buildings (including parking garage decks), overhangs, or roof eaves, where all parts of the lamp or luminaire are located at least five feet but less than 10 feet from the nearest edge of the canopy or overhang, are to be included in the total outdoor light output as though they produced only 0.25 of the lamp's rated initial lumen output.
C. 
Outdoor light fixtures installed under canopies, buildings (including parking garage decks), overhangs, or roof eaves, where all parts of the lamp or luminaire are located at least 10 feet but less than 30 feet from the nearest edge of the canopy or overhang, are to be included in the total outdoor light output as though they produced only 0.10 of the lamp's rated initial lumen output.
D. 
Outdoor light fixtures installed under canopies, buildings (including parking garage decks), overhangs, or roof eaves, where all parts of the lamp or luminaire are located 30 or more feet from the nearest edge of the canopy or overhang, are not to be included in the total outdoor light output. Such lamps must, however, conform to the lamp source and shielding requirements of this chapter.
OVERLAY DISTRICT
See "district, overlay."
PARKING LOT
A structure or premises containing parking spaces open to the public. Such spaces may be for rent, charge a fee, or be free of charge.
PARTIES IN INTEREST
Includes all abutting property owners, all property owners within 300 feet, and all property owners of opposite frontages.
PENNANT/STREAMER
Any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, with or without any representation or writing thereon, suspended from a rope, wire, or string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.
PORTABLE STORAGE UNIT
A container designed or used for the storage of personal property which is typically rented to owners or occupants of property for their temporary use and which is delivered and removed by truck.
PRINCIPAL USE
See "use, principal."
PROCESSING
When used in describing an industrial operation, the series of continuous actions that changes one or more raw materials into a finished product. The process may be chemical, as in the processing of photographic materials; it may be special method, such as processing butter or cheese; or it may be a mechanical process such as packaging a base product.
PROFESSIONAL HOME OFFICES
Residences of doctors of medicine, dentists, clergymen, architects, landscape architects, professional engineers, registered land surveyors, lawyers, real estate agents, insurance brokers, artists, teachers, authors, musicians, or other recognized professions where the office is clearly incidental to the residential use of the premises, does not significantly change the essential residential character or appearance of the residential dwelling, does not exceed 25% of only one floor of the residence, and only one nonresident person is employed. A professional home office does not include a massage parlor, tattoo parlor, beauty shop, nail or manicuring salon, taxidermy services, or body-piercing parlor.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICE
The office of a member of a recognized profession maintained for the conduct of that profession, such as offices or services of doctors of medicine, dentists, ministers, architects, landscape architects, professional engineers, lawyers, authors, artists, musicians, insurance agents, financial planners, or other similar recognized professions.
PUBLIC UTILITY
Persons, corporations, or governments supplying gas, electric, transportation, water, sewer, or land line telephone service to the general public. For the purpose of this chapter, commercial wireless telecommunication service facilities shall not be considered public utility uses and are defined separately.
REAR YARD
See "yard, rear."
REGIONAL FLOOD
A flood determined to be representative of large floods known to have generally occurred in Wisconsin and which may be expected to occur on a particular stream because of like physical characteristics. The flood frequency of the regional flood is once in every 100 years; this means that in any given year there is a one-percent chance that the regional flood may occur or be exceeded. During a typical thirty-year mortgage period, the regional flood has a twenty-six-percent chance of occurrence.
RETAIL SALES ESTABLISHMENTS
Establishments engaged in selling goods or merchandise to the general public for personal or household consumption and rendering services incidental to the sale of such goods.
RETAIL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS
Establishments providing services or entertainment, as opposed to products, to the general public for personal or household use, including eating and drinking places, finance, real estate, insurance, personal services, amusement and recreation services, and health, educational, and social services and galleries.
RETAIL STORES AND SHOPS
See "retail sales establishments" and "retail service establishments."
ROADSIDE STAND
A temporary building or structure used or intended to be used solely for the sale of seasonal goods or services, such as fresh produce or Christmas trees.
RUNOFF
The rainfall, snowmelt, or irrigation water flowing over the ground surface.
SATELLITE DISH ANTENNA
See "antenna, satellite dish."
SETBACK
See "yard, street," "yard, side" and "yard, rear."
SEXUAL CONDUCT
Acts or simulated acts of masturbation, homosexuality, sexual intercourse, or physical contact with a person's clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or, if such person is a female, breasts.
SEXUALLY ORIENTED ESTABLISHMENT
An establishment in which:
A. 
A significant portion of the business is to display, sell, have in its possession for sale, offer for view, publish, disseminate, give, lease, or otherwise deal in any written or printed matter, pictures, films, sound recordings, machines, mechanical devices, models, facsimiles, or other material and paraphernalia depicting sexual conduct or nudity and which excludes minors by reason of age;
B. 
A significant portion of the business is to display for viewing any film or pictures depicting sexual conduct or nudity and which excludes minors by reason of age; and/or
C. 
Any person appears or performs in a manner depicting sexual conduct or involving nudity and from which minors are excluded by reason of age.
SHORELANDS
Those lands lying within the following distances from the ordinary high-water mark of navigable waters: 1,000 feet from a lake, pond, or flowage and 300 feet from a river or stream, or to the landward side of the floodplain, whichever distance is greater. Shorelands shall not include lands adjacent to farm drainage ditches where:
A. 
Such lands are not adjacent to a natural navigable stream or river;
B. 
Those parts of such drainage ditches adjacent to such lands were not navigable streams before ditching; and
C. 
Such lands are maintained in nonstructural agricultural use.
SIDE YARD
See "yard, side."
SIGN
Any medium, including its structure, words, letters, figures, numerals, phrases, sentences, emblems, devices, designs, trade names, or trademarks, by which anything is made known and which is used for identification purposes or to advertise or promote an individual, firm, association, corporation, profession, business, commodity, or product.
SIGN, ABANDONED
A sign, or part thereof, which no longer correctly advertises a bona fide business, service, or product available on the premises for a period of 30 days or more. A structurally unsound sign, or part thereof, which has been left unrepaired for a period of 30 days or more after notification by the Building Inspector that such sign is in need of repair is also considered an abandoned sign.
SIGN AREA
The area of the largest single face of the sign within a perimeter which forms the outside shape, including any frame that forms an integral part of the display, but excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which the sign may be placed. If the sign is an irregular shape or consists of more than one section or module, their area shall be totaled. Any irregular-shaped sign area shall be computed by using the actual sign face surface. In the case of individual letters, the area of copy will be squared off and used.
SIGN, AWNING, CANOPY OR MARQUEE
A sign that is mounted or painted on or attached to an awning, canopy, or marquee (see Illustration No. 3).[2] Such signs may be internally illuminated by fluorescent or other light sources in fixtures approved under national and local electrical codes.
SIGN COPY
The message, announcement, words, letters, numbers, pictures, art, advertisement, and any other information or decoration on the face of a sign.
SIGN, ELECTRONIC MESSAGE
A changeable message sign whose message is electrically activated.
SIGN, EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED
A sign illuminated by light sources from the outside.
SIGN FACE
The area or display surface used for the message.
SIGN, FASCIA
A sign that is mounted or painted on, or attached to, the flat horizontal surface or piece (such as a band or board, sometimes called a "signboard" or "nameplate") of a building typically located directly above the front door and may extend over adjacent windows.
SIGN, FLASHING
Any sign which contains an intermittent or flashing light source or which includes the illusion of an intermittent light source, not including electronic message signs or time and temperature signs for the purpose of this chapter.
SIGN, FREESTANDING
Any sign which is supported by structures or supports in or upon the ground and independent from any building.
SIGN, GROUND
See "sign, monument."
SIGN HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the grade at the base of the sign structure to the highest point of such sign or sign structure. In the case where a sign is to be located in a raised plant bed (planter) or on a berm, the grade shall be determined by the average of the grades measured at the base of the planter or the toes of the slope at the front and back of the berm.
SIGN, ILLUMINATED
Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs, or outlines illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes.
SIGN, INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED
A sign illuminated by light sources enclosed entirely within the sign cabinet and not directly visible from outside the sign.
SIGN MAINTENANCE
The replacing or repairing of a part or portion of a sign made unusable by ordinary wear, tear, or damage beyond the control of the owner, or the reprinting of existing copy without changing the wording, composition, or color of said copy.
SIGN, MENU BOARD
See "menu board."
SIGN, MONUMENT
A low sign independent from any building that is in contact with or in close proximity to the ground and usually supported by ornate posts or pillars on the sides and/or an ornate structural base of not less than 75% of the width of the sign face. (Example: A sign with a face eight feet wide would require a structural base of six feet or more in width.) Also see Illustration No. 3.
SIGN, NEON
A sign including luminous gas-filled tubes formed into text, symbols, or decorative elements and directly visible from outside the sign cabinet.
SIGN, OFF-PREMISES
A sign which is not appurtenant to the use of the property where the sign is located or to a product sold or a service offered upon the property where the sign is located and which does not identify the place of business where the sign is located.
SIGN, PERMANENT
Any sign which is intended to be, and is so constructed as to be, of lasting and enduring condition, remaining unchanged in character, condition (beyond normal wear), and position, and in a permanent manner affixed to the ground or a wall or a building.
SIGN, POLE OR PYLON
A sign that is mounted on a freestanding pole(s) or other support(s) so that the bottom edge of the sign face is eight feet or more above the ground (see Illustration No. 3).
SIGN, PORTABLE
A sign that is not permanent, affixed to a building, structure, or to the ground. Such signs include sandwich board signs and signs mounted on wheels to be transportable (see Illustration No. 3).
SIGN, PROJECTING
A sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a building for support and which projects more than 12 inches from such building (see Illustration No. 3).
SIGN, REAL ESTATE
Any temporary sign placed on a property which is for sale, rent, or lease.
SIGN, ROOF
A sign that is mounted on the roof of a building and which projects above the point of a building with a flat roof and the eave line of a building with a gambrel, mansard, gable, or hip roof (see Illustration No. 3).
SIGN, TEMPORARY
Any sign constructed of cloth, canvas, wood, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard, plastic, or other similar materials, with or without frames, and not permanently attached to the ground, wall, or building, intended to be displayed for a short period of time.
SIGN, TIME AND TEMPERATURE
An electrically controlled sign alternately displaying time and temperature for public service information. This sign information may be incorporated into a business identification sign.
SIGN, WALL
A sign fastened to or painted on the wall of a building or structure in such a manner that the wall becomes the supporting structure for, or forms the background surface of, the sign and which does not project more than 12 inches from such building or structure (see Illustration No. 3). This definition includes signs composed of individual letters or symbols.
SIGN, WINDOW
A sign that is applied or attached to the exterior or interior of a window, which is usually intended to be seen from the exterior of the building (see Illustration No. 3). Signs displayed on glass panels which are integral to doors visible from the exterior of the building shall be considered to be window signs for the purposes of this chapter.
SKY GLOW
The brightening of the night sky that results from the scattering of artificial visible radiation from the constituents of the atmosphere.
SPOT LAMP
See "lamp, spot."[3]
STREET
A public right-of-way not less than 50 feet wide providing primary access to abutting properties.
STREET, ARTERIAL
A public street or highway used or intended to be used primarily for fast or heavy through traffic, whose function is to convey traffic between activity centers and municipalities. For the purpose of this chapter, arterial streets include designated county and state trunk highways and other streets designated as arterial streets and highways in the regional transportation system plan.
STREET, COLLECTOR
A public street that collects and conveys traffic between minor streets and arterial streets.
STREET, MINOR
A public street used, or intended to be used, primarily for access to abutting properties. Minor streets are sometimes referred to as "local streets," "land access streets," or "minor land access streets."
STREET YARD
See "yard, street."
STRUCTURAL ALTERATION
Any change in the supporting members of a structure, such as foundations, bearing walls, columns, beams, or girders.
STRUCTURE
Any erection or construction, such as buildings, prefabricated or prebuilt buildings, tanks, towers, masts, poles, booms, signs, and fences. Also, any man-made object with form, shape and utility either permanently or temporarily attached to or placed upon the ground, riverbed, streambed, or lake bed, such as campers and trailers that are not constructed on site.
STRUCTURE, PRINCIPAL
See "building, principal."
STUDIO
A studying, teaching, or working place for photography, advertising, graphic art, painting, music, dancing, and other related activities or uses. Business and professional studios are similar uses providing such services or teaching for monetary gain.
TAVERN
An establishment used primarily for the serving of liquor by the drink to the general public and where food or packaged liquors may be served or sold, but only as an accessory use. A tavern may also be called a "bar."
TERRESTRIAL ANTENNA
See "antenna, terrestrial."
TOWER
Any ground- or roof-mounted pole, spire, structure, or combination thereof taller than 15 feet, including supporting lines, cables, wires, braces and masts, intended primarily for the purpose of mounting an antenna, meteorological device, or similar apparatus above grade.
TOWER, MONOPOLE
A communication tower consisting of a single pole and constructed without guy wires and ground anchors.
TRANSLUCENT
Permitting light to pass through but diffusing it so that persons, objects, etc., on the opposite side are not clearly visible.
UNNECESSARY HARDSHIP
The circumstance where special conditions, which were not self-created, affect a particular property and make strict conformity with restrictions governing dimensional standards (such as lot area, lot width, setbacks, yard requirements, or building height) unnecessarily burdensome or unreasonable in light of the purposes of this chapter.
USE
The purpose or activity for which the land or building thereon is designed, arranged, or intended or for which it is occupied or maintained.
USE, ACCESSORY
See "accessory use or structure."[4]
USE, PRINCIPAL
The main use of land or building as distinguished from a subordinate or accessory use.
USES, CONDITIONAL
Uses of a special nature as to make impractical their predetermination as a principal use in a district.
UTILITIES
Public and private facilities, such as water wells, water and sewage pumping stations, water storage tanks, power and communication transmission lines, electrical power substations, static transformer stations, telephone and telegraph exchanges, microwave radio relays, and gas regulation stations, but not including sewage disposal plants, municipal incinerators, warehouses, shops, and storage yards.
VARIANCE
An authorization granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals to construct, alter, or use a building or structure in a manner that deviates from the dimensional standards of this chapter. A variance may not permit the use of a property that is otherwise prohibited by this chapter.
VISION CLEARANCE TRIANGLE
A triangular-shaped portion of land established at street intersections in which nothing is erected, placed, planted, or allowed to grow in such a manner as to severely limit or substantially obstruct the sight distance of motorists entering or leaving the intersection.
WETLAND
An area where water is at, near, or above the land surface long enough to be capable of supporting aquatic or hydrophytic vegetation and which has soils indicative of wet conditions.
WHOLESALE SALES
Sales of goods primarily to customers engaged in the business of reselling the goods.
WISCONSIN CONSTRUCTION SITE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE HANDBOOK
A book published by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Water Resources Management, Nonpoint Source and Land Management Section, originally published in April 1989 and periodically updated. For the purposes of this chapter, the latest edition shall apply.
YARD
An open space on the same lot with a principal structure, unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward except for vegetation and accessory structures. The street and rear yards extend the full width of the lot.
YARD, BUFFER
See "buffer yard."
YARD, FRONT
See "yard, street."
YARD, REAR
A yard extending across the full width of the lot, the depth of which shall be the minimum horizontal distance between the rear lot line and a line parallel thereto through the nearest point of the principal structure (see Illustration No. 4).[5] This yard shall be opposite the face of the dwelling containing the front door or main entryway.
YARD, SIDE
A yard extending from the street yard to the rear yard of the lot, the width of which shall be the minimum horizontal distance between the side lot line and a line parallel thereto through the nearest point of the principal structure (see Illustration No. 4). Lots generally have two side yards; however, a corner lot has only one side yard. The side yard setback area does not extend beyond the front building face into the street yard or beyond the rear building face into the rear yard.
YARD, STREET
A yard extending across the full width of the lot, the depth of which shall be the minimum horizontal distance between the existing or proposed street or highway line and a line parallel thereto through the nearest point of the principal structure (see Illustration No. 4). Where the street line is an arc, the street yard shall be measured from the arc. Corner lots have two such yards and one side yard and one rear yard. Corner double frontage lots have three such yards, one on each side of the structure facing a street, while the remaining yard is a side yard. Interior double frontage lots have two such yards and two side yards.
[1]
Editor's Note: Illustrations are included at the end of this chapter.
[2]
Editor's Note: Illustrations are included at the end of this chapter.
[3]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
[4]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
[5]
Editor's Note: Illustrations are included at the end of this chapter.