As used in this chapter, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated:
ABUTTING PROPERTY OWNER
The owner of a property that adjoins or abuts subject property,
including property directly across a street from a subject property.
ACCEPTED STREET
A street which has been accepted by the City Council as a
part of the City street system.
ACCESSWAY FOR REAR LOTS
A portion of the rear lot at least 25 feet in width connecting
the rear portion of the lot to a City accepted street. The accessway
must be fee simple and shall only be used for driveway, landscaping
or drainage.
[Amended 4-3-2006]
ACTIVE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar system, designed to provide heating, cooling, hot
water or electricity, that requires external mechanical power for
operation.
ADULT ENTERTAINMENT
Any establishment featuring nude, topless or sexually oriented
entertainment, including, but not limited to, dance halls, massage
parlors, restaurants, taverns or clubs.
[Added 11-21-1994]
ALLEY
A dedicated public thoroughfare, other than a street, which
affords a secondary means of access to the rear or side of abutting
property and which is 20 feet or more in right-of-way width.
AQUIFER PROTECTION AREA, LEVEL A
An underground drinking water supply protection area shown
on the Zoning Map, defined in Connecticut General Statutes § 22a-354h,
approved by the Commissioner of DEP, and protected within Meriden
by the City Aquifer Protection Agency (APA) regulations and the state.
Within this area, certain land use activities that may affect groundwater
are regulated independent of zoning; check the APA regulations on
file with the City.
[Added 9-21-2009]
AUTOMOBILE RENTAL FACILITY
Any building and/or lot used exclusively for the renting
and/or leasing of automobiles, provided that no repair or service
work is performed on the premises.
[Added 3-5-1990]
AUTOMOBILE WASH
Any building and/or lot or portion thereof used for washing
and/or cleaning of automobiles.
[Added 3-5-1990]
AWNING
A roof-like covering of metal, canvas or duck attached to
a metal frame and attached or supported entirely from a building.
BAR
An establishment where the main use is to serve spirituous
liquors to be consumed on the premises. Food may or may not be served.
Usually a counter and stools are present.
[Added 3-4-2019]
BASEMENT
A story in a building, the structural ceiling level of which
is four feet or more above the average level of finished grade, where
such grade abuts the exterior wall of such building, and the floor
level of which is below finished grade at any point on the periphery
of the building.
BOARDINGHOUSE
A dwelling, other than a hotel or motel, where lodging or
lodging and meals for three or more persons is provided for compensation.
BREWERY
A facility where beer is manufactured, stored, bottled and sold at wholesale or at retail in sealed containers for consumption off-premises or offered for on the premises tastings in accordance with §
213-51.
[Added 11-26-2019]
BREWPUB
A facility where beer is manufactured, stored, bottled, sold at wholesale or at retail in sealed bottles or other sealed containers for consumption off premises or sold to be consumed on the premises in a room that is ancillary to the production of beer, with or without the sale of food, and in accordance with §
213-51.
[Added 11-26-2019]
BREWPUB-RESTAURANT
A restaurant where beer is manufactured, stored, bottled, and sold to be consumed on the premises in accordance with §
213-51.
[Added 11-26-2019]
BUILDING
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or by walls
and designed for the shelter or housing of any person, animal or chattel.
This term shall not include mobile homes or trailers.
BUILDING LINE
A line established by this chapter which determines the minimum
horizontal distance that a building or structure must be located from
a lot line.
BUILDING, ACCESSORY
A building to which the use is subordinate and incidental
to the main or principal use of a lot occupied by a main or principal
building.
BUILDING, MAIN
A building in which is conducted the principal use of the
lot and/or the building site on which it is situated.
BUILDING, SECONDARY
A detached nonaccessory building of 600 square feet or less
gross floor area, located within a shopping center development or
regional shopping mall with a primary use and larger building.
[Added 6-7-1999]
BUILDING SITE
A lot or parcel of land in single or joint ownership which
is occupied or can be occupied by a building, together with such open
spaces as are required by the terms of this chapter, and having its
principal frontage on a public street, road or highway.
CELLAR
Any space in a building, the structural ceiling level of
which is less than four feet above the average finished grade where
such grade abuts that exterior wall of such building which fronts
on any street.
CLUB, COMMERCIAL
A business enterprise conducting leisure-time activity, including
tennis, swimming, ice skating, racquetball, health and exercise facilities
and similar uses, which makes facilities available to members, customers
or clients on a seasonal or hourly basis and which may include incidental
sale of snacks, incidental sales or rental of sports equipment and
clothing, and nursery facilities. Members of a commercial club do
not have a voice in the management of the club.
CLUB, MEMBERSHIP
An unincorporated association of persons for common social
purpose or an association incorporated under the Membership Association
Law and which association or membership corporation is not conducted
for profit and is not a part of, related to or associated with a profit-making
venture and whose premises are available exclusively to members and
their guests and which is managed by officers or directors serving
without pay and chosen or elected directly by members who form such
an association or membership corporation.
COMMERCIAL AMUSEMENT ARCADE
A business enterprise which houses three or more mechanical
or electronic games or amusements as its principal activity. Picture-taking
and laminating machines, merchandise vending machines or electronic
reading or weight machines are not considered to be part of this definition.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
A building of not more than 25,000 square feet in size which
is located on a parcel of land that is currently developed with a
housing development of at least 75 residential units, is 20 acres
or greater in area, and is under the ownership of one common, not-for-profit
owner; the building will be used primarily by residents of the housing
development in which it is located, except that, in emergency situations
as declared by the City, residents of the City of Meriden may use
it for purposes consistent with needs arising from the declared emergency;
and the building may include (but not be limited to) management offices
operated for the housing development, a gathering room with kitchen,
a fuel cell energy area, various programs run by not-for-profit organizations,
such as a child-care/day-care program, an after-school program, training
program for resident job searches, game rooms, and leisure, health,
and exercise programs using building facilities (i.e., swimming, skating,
gym, racket games, etc.).
[Added 1-6-2014]
CONFERENCE CENTER HOTEL
A facility used in part for business or professional conferences
and seminars and offering a minimum of 100 rooms for transient lodging
accommodations and providing additional services such as restaurants,
meeting rooms and recreation facilities. A building on site or a portion
of a building must be designed to accommodate 300 or more people in
assembly. Such place of assembly shall be in addition to restaurant
and recreation facilities.
[Added 11-19-1984]
CONFERENCE HOTEL
A building or part thereof that offers a minimum of 75 rooms
for transient lodging accommodations with or without kitchenettes
and is located within 1/4 mile of an approved conference center hotel.
[Added 10-1-2001]
CONVALESCENT HOME
A building where two or more infirm or aged persons are housed
for compensation and licensed by the State of Connecticut, including
a convalescent hospital, home for the aged, rest home and similar
uses.
CONVENIENCE STORE/GAS FACILITY
Any building and/or lot not used for repairing or servicing
of motor vehicles but used in part for the retail sale of gasoline,
methanol, diesel fuel or other common types of motor vehicle fuel,
provided such use is in conjunction with the convenient dispensing
of consumer goods items, i.e., prepackaged grocery and dairy products,
reading and directional materials, hot snacks, small novelty items
and tobacco products, etc.
[Added 3-5-1990]
COVERAGE
That portion of a lot that is covered by a building or buildings.
DAY CARE
A program of supplementary care for related or unrelated
children on a regular basis outside of their homes for a part of 24
hours in one or more days of the week.
(1)
Child-care provider — Class I (family
care provider*): A program of supplementary care for not more than
six related or unrelated children in a private residence, carried
out on a regular basis for a part of the 24 hours in one or more days
of the week as an accessory use to the principal residential use.
(*Definitions per State of Connecticut.)
(2)
Child-care provider — Class II (group
day-care home): A program of supplementary care for not less than
seven nor more than 12 unrelated children on a regular basis, for
a part of the 24 hours in one or more days in a week.
(3)
Child-care provider — Class III (child
day-care center): A program of supplementary care for 13 or more related
or unrelated children outside their homes on a regular basis for a
part of the 24 hours in one or more days of the week.
[Added 7-5-1988]
DEVELOPMENT
Any construction or grading activities to improved or unimproved
real estate.
[Added 2-3-1986]
DISCONTINUANCE
Any cessation of a nonconforming use, whether such cessation
is voluntary or involuntary, active or passive, and irrespective of
the circumstances giving rise to such cessation or the reasons therefor.
DISTRICT, ZONING
A portion of the City within which certain uses of lands,
buildings and/or structures are permitted or prohibited and wherein
certain yards and other open spaces are required and certain height
limits are established for the same; all as set forth and specified
in this chapter.
DISTURBED AREA
An area where the ground cover is destroyed or removed leaving
the land subject to accelerated erosion.
[Added 2-3-1986]
DRIVE-THROUGH FACILITY
A customer window or counter service designed for easy automobile
access that must be an accessory and subordinate part of the primary
bank or financial institution, pharmacy, bakery, or fast-food restaurant
establishment catering to customers.
[Amended 6-2-2008]
DUSTLESS SURFACE
Adequately covered with concrete, asphalt or bituminous products,
unless otherwise prescribed by the Planning Commission, and maintained
in good condition at all times.
DWELLING
A structure containing one or more dwelling units.
DWELLING UNIT
A group of rooms, including a kitchen and bathroom, designed
for nontransient occupancy by one family.
DWELLING, GARDEN APARTMENT
A multiple dwelling, not more than 35 feet in height, with
an entrance to each dwelling by direct access from the outside or
through a common hall serving not more than four dwellings.
DWELLING, MULTIPLE-FAMILY
A building or portion thereof used and designed as a residence
for three or more families living independently of each other and
doing their own cooking in said building, including apartment houses,
apartment hotels, flats and townhouses, but not including hotels,
motels or boardinghouses.
EROSION
The detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments by
water, wind, ice or gravity.
[Added 2-3-1986]
EXTRACTION AND EXCAVATION
Removal or recovery (by any means whatsoever) of soil, rock,
minerals, mineral substances or organic substances other than vegetation
from water or land on or beneath the surface thereof, or beneath the
land surface, whether exposed or submerged.
[Added 12-21-1998]
FAMILY
One or more persons occupying the premises and living as
a single housekeeping unit, as distinguished from a group occupying
a hotel, boardinghouse, club, fraternity or sorority house.
FARMERS' MARKET
An occasional or periodic market held either on an open lot,
within a building, or on a closed off street where three or more private
sellers offer for sale to the general public such goods as fruits,
vegetables, plants, flowers, eggs, honey and maple syrup. The sale
of jams, jellies and baked or prepared foods may be permitted if such
items are prepared in a kitchen facility licensed by the appropriate
health department.
[Added 6-4-1990]
FRONT FACE
The primary outer surface of a building which is visible
from any private or public street, particularly that surface which
contains the original principal entrance.
[Amended 6-4-1990]
GRADING
Any excavating, grubbing, filling (including hydraulic fill)
or stockpiling of earth materials or any combination thereof, including
the land in its excavated or filled condition.
[Added 2-3-1986]
GROSS LEASABLE AREA
Total floor area exclusive of common areas, service corridors
and mechanical rooms.
[Added 2-4-1991]
HEALTH CARE SERVICES
A combination of diagnostic, therapeutic and other health
care professional service uses located in a separate building or buildings
of a scale and character that is different from the traditional medical
office use. Such uses include medical, dental, physical therapy, radiology,
urgent-care, surgical center, occupational therapy and similar disciplines.
[Amended 4-21-2008]
HEIGHT OF BUILDING
The vertical distance from the average level of the highest
and lowest point of that portion of the lot covered by the building
to the highest point of the roof.
HEIGHT RESTRICTED BAND
An area parallel to the minimum side yard setback requirement
for a distance of five feet towards the center of the lot. (See Diagram
5B.)
[Added 1-3-2012]
HOME FOR SHELTERED CARE
A nonprofit home for the sheltered care of persons which
provides food and shelter to four or more persons unrelated to the
proprietor.
[Added 7-7-1986]
HOME OCCUPATION
A use other than a professional office customarily conducted
within a dwelling, such as tutoring, music lessons, craft making,
dressmaking, millinery and the like, and carried on by the inhabitants
thereof, which use is secondary to the use of the dwelling for residential
purposes.
HOOKAH LOUNGE
A commercial establishment where patrons share flavored tobacco,
nontobacco and fruit that is heated and smoked through water. The
establishment may also include the sale of hookah accessories and
tobacco-related products.
[Added 9-19-2016]
HOSPITAL
An institution licensed and defined by the State of Connecticut
as a general or special hospital.
HOTEL
A building or part thereof which has a common entrance and
general dining room and which contains 10 or more living and sleeping
rooms, designed to be occupied by individuals or groups of individuals
for compensation. Hotel facilities may include a cocktail lounge or
incidental retail and service uses.
INDOOR AUTOMOTIVE SALES AND SERVICE
Any building which is utilized by an automotive sales and
service business for the sale of automobiles located within the structure.
Said use may include maintenance, servicing, painting, repair, parts
or motor replacements or body and fender work to or for motor vehicles
accessory to the sale of motor vehicles.
[Added 7-16-2018]
INDUSTRIAL LAUNDRY
Establishment primarily engaged in supplying laundered or
dry-cleaned work uniforms; laundered wiping towels; safety equipment
(gloves, flame-resistant clothing, etc.); dust control items such
as treated mats or rugs, mops, dust tool covers and cloths; and other
selected items to industrial or commercial users only. These items
may belong to the industrial launderers and be supplied to users on
a rental basis, or they may be the customer's own goods.
[Added 9-2-1986]
INSPECTION
The periodic review of soil erosion and sediment control
measures and other construction activities shown on the approved plan.
[Added 2-3-1986]
JUNKYARD
An area of land, with or without buildings, used for or occupied
by the storage of used or discarded materials, such as wastepaper,
rags or scrap metal, building materials, house furnishings, machinery
and vehicles or parts thereof, with or without the dismantling, processing,
salvage, sale or other use or disposition of the same.
LOADING SPACE
An accessible space a minimum of 10 feet in width by 30 feet
in length, adjacent to a street or alley, at the rear or side of a
building, and used for loading or unloading of goods.
LOCAL ACCESS ROAD
A street giving direct access to individual properties. Such
a road feeds into a collector (main interior street) and/or arterial
street (main feeder streets).
[Added 9-5-1989]
LOT
Any parcel of land, not necessarily coincident with a lot
or lots shown on a map of record, which is occupied or which is to
be occupied by a building and its accessory buildings, if any, or
a group of buildings having any land in common with the buildings
accessory thereto, if any, together with the required open spaces
appurtenant to such buildings or group of buildings. Where a building
is located on more than one lot of record, which lots are either owned
by the same person or entity or are subjected to cross-easement or
other similar recorded agreements, then the size, lot coverage, setback,
yard and other bulk and area requirements shall not apply to each
individual lot, provided the building and the lots, as a whole, comply
with such requirements.
[Amended 2-4-1991]
LOT AREA
The total horizontal area included within the lot lines.
LOT DEPTH
The horizontal distance between the midpoints of the front and rear lot lines measured in the general direction of the side lot lines. Minimum depth for a residential lot shall include amount of standard required front setback, amount of standard required rear setback, plus 30 feet in between to be reserved for building; use required front and rear setbacks specified in § 213-12B unless greater amount specified in §
213-48 is applicable.
[Amended 12-21-2009]
LOT LINE
A boundary of a lot other than a street line.
LOT LINE, FRONT
The street line along the principal street on which the lot
abuts.
LOT LINE, REAR
The boundary opposite the front line, but should this be
less than 10 feet in length or should the lot come to a point at the
rear, the rear lot line shall be deemed to be a line parallel to the
front line, not less than 10 feet in length, lying wholly within the
lot and farthest from the front line.
LOT LINE, SIDE
The lines separating the lot from the immediately adjacent
lot.
LOT OF RECORD
A lot which is part of a subdivision recorded in the office
of the City Clerk, or a lot or parcel described by metes and bounds
which has been so recorded prior to the effective date of this chapter
or any amendment thereof that would affect such lot.
LOT WIDTH
The distance between the side lot lines measured across the required front yard minimum setback line parallel with the street. Minimum lot width for a residential lot shall be maintained for a depth of 30 feet back from the front required building setback line per § 213-12B or §
213-48 as applicable.
[Amended 12-21-2009]
LOT, CORNER
A lot at the junction of and abutting on two or more intersecting
streets where the interior angle of intersection does not exceed 135°.
Any lot adjoining a curved street at a point where the street line
describes an arc subtended by an angle of 135° or less shall also
be considered a corner lot.
LOT, REAR
A lot located in such a position that it is to the rear of
some other lot fronting on the same street and served by means of
an accessway.
LOT, THROUGH
A lot which is not a corner lot and which has two street
lines.
MANUFACTURING
Any process whereby the nature, size, shape, finish or appearance
of articles is changed or where articles are assembled or packaged
in quantity.
MOBILE HOME
Factory-produced housing which is designed and built for
transportation to a site for installation and/or use. These units
are mobile through a structurally integrated, wheeled chassis. When
the wheels, axle and connecting apparatus of this chassis are removed
and the unit is placed on a foundation, either permanent or temporary,
the unit is still a mobile home. Recreational vehicles are not mobile
homes.
[Amended 9-16-1985]
MOTEL
A building or group of buildings containing guest rooms designed
and used primarily for the accommodation of transient automobile travelers
for compensation.
MULTISCREEN THEATER
A building in which is located four or more motion-picture
theaters.
[Added 6-17-1985]
NIGHTCLUB
An establishment engaged primarily in offering entertainment
to the general public, in the form of music for dancing or live or
recorded performances. The establishment may or may not engage in
the preparation and retail sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption
on the premises.
[Added 3-4-2019]
NONCONFORMING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
A building or structure legally existing on the effective
date of this chapter or any applicable amendment thereto but which
fails by reason of such adoption, revision or amendment to conform
to the present district regulations for any prescribed structure or
building requirement, such as front, side or rear yards, building
height, building area or lot coverage, lot area per dwelling unit,
dwelling units per building, number of parking and loading spaces,
etc.
NONCONFORMING LOT
A lot legally existing on the effective date of this chapter
or any applicable amendment thereto but which fails by reason of such
adoption, revision or amendment to conform to the present district
regulations for any prescribed lot requirement.
NONCONFORMING USE
A use, whether of a building, structure or lot, or combination
thereof, legally existing on the effective date of this chapter or
any applicable amendments thereto but which fails by reason of such
adoption, revision or amendment to conform to the present district
regulations pertaining to use.
OUTDOOR DINING
An accessory portion of a restaurant, fast-food restaurant, coffeehouse or other food service establishment for dining outdoors or under cover. Outdoor dining is limited to food service establishments in commercial districts only and in compliance with standards and procedures of §
213-23C(4).
[Added 6-7-2004]
PARKING SPACE
An accessible paved and usable space located off the street
with proper access for parking of motor vehicles.
PASSIVE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar energy system which relies upon the design and elements
of a building to enhance the use of natural forces, including solar
radiation, winds and nighttime coolness, to provide heating, cooling
or hot water and which is not primarily dependent upon mechanical
power for operation.
POULTRY
Domestic fowl, such as chickens, turkeys, and ducks raised
for meat, eggs, or show.
[Added 5-4-2020]
PRIVATE GARAGE
A detached accessory building or a portion of a main building
for the parking or storage only of automobiles belonging to the occupants
of the premises. One commercial vehicle which does not exceed 3/4
ton in capacity and which is used solely by the occupants may be stored
in a private garage.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICES
An office for any one of the following, whether carried on
in a home or a separate office: accountant, architect, attorney, chiropractor,
professional engineer, dentist, doctor (except veterinarian), social
worker or similar discipline requiring a combination of a special
training and license or certification. The following or similar uses
are not professional offices: contractor, pest control, beauty parlor
or pharmacy.
PUBLIC PARKING LOT
Any lot or structure used for the storage of motor vehicles
which contains space available to the general public by the hour,
day, week, month or year.
RECREATION CENTER
A private, quasi-public or public facility designed to house
passive and active recreation facilities, including athletics, swimming,
games, meeting rooms and accessory food services and equipment rental,
and designed to be generally available to the public at minimal cost.
REGIONAL SHOPPING MALL
A building or group of interconnected buildings containing
not less than five retail facilities and 400,000 square feet of gross
floor area located on a lot of 50 acres or greater which abuts or
is within 1/2 mile of a state or interstate highway.
[Added 2-4-1991]
REPAIRER'S GARAGE
Any building and/or lot or portion thereof which is utilized
by an automotive business, service or industry and involves major
maintenance, servicing, painting, repair, parts or motor replacements
or body and fender work to or for motor vehicles.
[Amended 3-5-1990]
RESTAURANT
An establishment where food and drink are regularly prepared,
served and consumed primarily within the principal building, or in
an outdoor seating area to the general public. The establishment may
have a separate area, or lounge, where alcoholic beverages are served
with or without full food service, provided the area is accessory
to the primary use in: 1) square feet; or 2) sales.
[Amended 3-4-2019]
RESTAURANT, FAST-FOOD
Any establishment whose principal business is the sale of
foods, frozen desserts or beverages to the customer in a ready-to-consume
state, usually served in paper, plastic or other disposable containers,
for consumption within the restaurant building, elsewhere on the premises
or for carry-out for consumption off the premises.
SCHOOL
A public or private school teaching subjects required by
the Education Code of the State of Connecticut.
SEDIMENT
A solid material, either mineral or organic, that is in suspension,
is transported or has been moved from its site of origin by erosion.
[Added 2-3-1986]
SERVICE STATION
A building or lot or part thereof supplying and selling gasoline
or other equivalent fuel for motor vehicles at retail, direct from
pumps and storage tanks. A service station may include accessory facilities
for rendering services, such as lubrication, washing and repairs,
which are incidental to the principal use.
SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESS
A business or commercial club having a significant portion
of its stock-in-trade, books, magazines, periodicals, and videos which
are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting,
describing or related to sex acts or by an emphasis on exposure of
male or female genitals, buttocks or female breasts.
[Added 11-21-1994]
SHOPPING CENTER DEVELOPMENT
A tract of land, buildings or structures planned as a whole
and intended for one or more establishments for a commercial purpose
on a site, whether built at one time as a unit or in two or more construction
stages.
SIGN
Any structure or part thereof or any device attached to a
building, pole, tree, structure or device or painted or represented
thereon, which shall display or include any letter, word, model, banner,
pennant, insignia, device, trade flag, symbol or representation which
is in the nature of or which is used as an announcement, direction
or advertisement, for commercial purposes or otherwise. A "sign" includes
any message, neon tube, string of lights or similar device outlining,
hung, painted upon or attached to part of a building or lot but does
not include the flag or insignia of any nation or group of nations
or of any governmental agency or of any political, educational, charitable,
philanthropic, civic, professional, religious or like campaign, drive,
movement or event. Excluded from this definition are signs not to
exceed four square feet in area which are solely devoted to prohibiting
trespassing, hunting or fishing.
(1)
SIGN AREASign area shall be measured as follows:
(a)
When such a sign is on a plate or framed or
outlined, all of the area of such plate or the area enclosed by such
frame or outline, including such frame or outline, shall be included.
(b)
When such sign consists only of letters, designs
or figures engraved, painted, projected or in any manner affixed on
a wall, the total area of such sign shall be deemed the area of the
smallest triangle, rectangle or circle within which all of the matter
of which such sign consists may be inscribed.
(2)
BILLBOARDA sign, including any support structures, displaying a message not related to the use of the property on which it is located.
[Amended 9-16-2013]
(a)
CONVENTIONAL BILLBOARDA billboard displaying a static message or copy which cannot be changed mechanically (for example, a tri-vision billboard) or electronically.
(b)
DIGITIAL BILLBOARDA billboard utilizing digital message technology capable of changing the static message or copy electronically, but not displaying any movement, or the appearance or optical illusion of movement, or any flashing, scintillating or varying of light intensity during the static display periods.
(c)
BILLBOARD OVERLAY DISTRICTBillboards must be oriented to limited access highways and are further restricted to the Billboard Overlay District as shown on the City’s Zoning Map.
(3)
ILLUMINATED SIGNAny sign illuminated by electricity, gas or other artificial light, including reflective or phosphorescent light.
(5)
HANGING SIGNA sign designed to project beyond the front face and perpendicular to it.
(6)
MARQUEE SIGNA sign attached to a marquee, canopy or other covered structure projecting from and supported by the building.
(7)
NONACCESSORY SIGNA sign advertising a product or service or carrying a message not related to the use on the property on which it is located.
(8)
ROOF SIGNA sign which is erected, constructed or maintained on, above or as part of the roof of any building.
(9)
TEMPORARY SIGNA sign which is designed to advertise or announce a particular event or series of events, to solicit political support or to announce the availability for sale of a particular item or items which will be available for a limited period.
(10)
WALL SIGNA sign which is attached directly to the building and is parallel to the building.
SOIL
Any unconsolidated mineral or organic material of any origin.
[Added 2-3-1986]
SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN
A scheme that minimizes soil erosion and sedimentation resulting
from development and includes, but is not limited to, a map and narrative.
[Added 2-3-1986]
SOLAR COLLECTOR
A device or structure designed to absorb incident solar radiation,
to convert the solar radiation to thermal, chemical or electrical
energy, and to transfer the converted energy to a medium passing through
or in contact with it.
SOLAR ENERGY
Radiant energy (direct, diffuse and reflected) received from
the sun.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
An arrangement or combination of components and structures
designed to provide heating, cooling, hot water or electricity through
the process of collecting, converting, storing, protecting against
unnecessary dissipation and distributing solar energy.
SOLAR SKY SPACE
The space between a solar collector and the sun which must
be free of obstructions for a solar energy system's effective operation.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE
A use of property that is basically appropriate to a given
zoning district but which may be incompatible in some locations within
the district, and therefore is not permitted by right everywhere within
such district. A special exception use, therefore, is one which is
allowable only when facts and conditions specified in the chapter
as those upon which the use is permitted are found to exist.
SPECIALIZED AUTOMOBILE SERVICE
Any building and/or lot used to replace, repair or service
specific automobile parts or provide lubrication or lubrication services
to automobiles, i.e., brakes, mufflers, shock absorbers and/or the
changing of lubricating fluids or greasing, etc.
[Added 3-5-1990]
STREET
Any dedicated public thoroughfare which affords principal
access to abutting properties. This shall include street, highway,
road, lane and drive but shall not include any unaccepted street for
which the City has no maintenance responsibility.
STREET CENTER LINE
A line equidistant from each street line; or if no street
line is established, the center line of the existing pavement; or
if the street is unpaved, the center line of the existing traveled
way.
STREET LINE
The right-of-way line of a street and the dividing line between
a street and the abutting property.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS
Any change in the supporting members of a building or structure,
such as bearing walls, columns, beams or girders.
STRUCTURE
Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires
location on, under or above the ground or attachment thereto.
SWIMMING POOL, NONCOMMERCIAL
Any constructed body of water or structure to contain water
and any accessory equipment pertaining thereto used or intended to
be used for swimming or bathing by any family or persons residing
on the premises and their guests. Such noncommercial swimming pools
shall not be operated for gain and shall be located on a lot only
as an accessory use to the dwelling, motel, membership club or nonprofit
organization.
TEMPORARY BUILDING
A building or structure which is constructed or located on
a site and remains on said site for a period not longer than one year.
TOPSOIL
The original upper layer of soil material which is usually
darker and richer than the subsoil and as certified by a soil scientist.
[Added 12-21-1998]
USE, ACCESSORY
A use incidental to the principal use of a lot or a building
located on the same lot.
USE, PRINCIPAL
The primary purpose for which land, premises or a building
thereon is designed, arranged or intended or for which it is or may
be occupied or maintained.
USE, TEMPORARY SALES
The exchange of goods or property for money or some other
consideration for a fixed period of time with the intent to discontinue
such use upon the expiration of the time period.
[Added 4-7-2008]
YARD, FRONT
A yard extending along the full length of the front lot line
between the two side lot lines.
YARD, REAR
A yard extending along the full length of the rear lot line
between the side lot lines.
YARD, SIDE
A yard extending along a side lot line from the front yard
(or from the front lot line if there is no front yard) to the rear
yard (or the rear lot line if there is no rear yard).