Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall, for
the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings herein indicated.
ACRE
An area containing 43,560 square feet.
ALTER
To change, enlarge or rearrange the structural parts of an
existing building or structure or to move a building from one location
or position to another.
APPLICANT
The person or entity that is submitting an application for
development, or the successor to the same.
ARTICULATION
An architectural demarcation consisting of an element such
as a cornice line or entablature; a course of brick, stone or other
material which projects or is differently colored or differently laid;
or a change from an opaque surface to a void.
BASE DISTRICT
Any zoning district which is mapped in an area subject to
the provisions of an overlay district.
BASEMENT
That portion of a building that is partly or completely below
grade plane. A basement shall be considered as a story where the finished
surface of the floor above the basement is:
(1)
More than six feet above grade plane;
(2)
More than six feet above the finished ground level for more
than 50% of the total building perimeter; or
(3)
More than 12 feet above the finished ground level at any point.
BILLBOARD
Any sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service, entertainment or attraction sold, offered or existing elsewhere
than upon the same lot where such sign is displayed, or only incidentally
upon such lot, including motor vehicles with signs attached thereto
and parked in such a way as to serve as billboards, whether on the
same lot as the business or not. Exceptions are temporary signs and
way-finding signs.
BUFFER
An open space or landscaped area consisting of trees, shrubs,
berms, walls, solid fencing or a combination of all, so installed
to visibly and physically separate one use from another or to shield
or block noise, lights or other nuisances. The buffer shall not be
used or otherwise encroached upon by any parking, paving or aboveground
structure on the lot so as to provide for adequate separation and
protection from otherwise inharmonious or incompatible uses. A buffer
requirement is in addition to all yard and setback requirements and
is measured at right angles to and inward from the yard line.
BUILDING
Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering
any use or occupancy, as well as the following:
(1)
Fences projecting above the ground not more than 6.5 feet at
the lower ground level.
(2)
Masonry or rock walls projecting above the ground and not more
than 3.0 feet at the higher ground level and not more than 6.5 feet
at the lower ground level. Retaining walls are excluded.
[Amended 8-2-2011 by L.L. No. 3-2011]
(3)
Porches, outdoor bins and other similar structures.
BUILDING AREA
The maximum horizontal cross section of a building, including
porches, balconies and raised platforms, but excluding cornices, roof
overhangs, gutters or chimneys projecting not more than three feet,
and steps and terraces not more than three feet above the average
adjacent ground elevation.
BUILDING INSPECTOR
The Building Inspector of the Village or his designee. Any
reference to the Building Inspector in this chapter shall also be
deemed to include and refer to the Director of Code Enforcement.
[Amended 1-19-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]
BULK
The three-dimensional space within which a structure is permitted
to be built on a lot and which is defined by maximum height regulations,
coverage and yard setbacks.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
Official certification that the use of a building conforms
to this chapter and to any additional applicable rules and regulations.
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
Official certification that a building or structure conforms
to this chapter and to any additional applicable rules and regulations
and may be occupied.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
A comprehensive plan adopted by the Board of Trustees pursuant
to 722 of the Village Law which indicates the general locations recommended
for the various functional classes of public works, places and structures
and the general physical development of the Village and includes any
unit or part of such plan separately adopted and any amendment to
such plan or parts thereof.
COMMON OPEN SPACE
The unenclosed portion of the ground of a lot which is not
devoted to driveways or parking spaces, which is free of structures
of any kind, of which not more than 25% is roofed for shelter purposes
only, and which is available and accessible to all occupants of the
building or buildings on said lot for purposes of active or passive
outdoor recreation.
COVERAGE
(1)
BUILDING COVERAGEThat percentage of the land area covered by the combined building area of all buildings, excluding any building or structure located completely below ground.
CURB LEVEL
The established elevation of the street grade at the point
that is opposite the center of the wall nearest to and facing the
street line.
DENSITY
The number of dwelling units per acre of land, usually expressed
as dwelling units per acre.
DEVELOPED LOT
A parcel or plot of land that is occupied by a principal
building.
DISTRICT or ZONE
Any portion of the territory of the Village within which
certain uniform regulations and requirements of various combinations
thereof apply under the provisions of this chapter.
DRIVEWAY
A means of access for vehicles to or from a property to a
roadway.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY
A detached building containing two dwelling units only in
which the units are separated by vertical or horizontal partitions
and not by a party wall.
DWELLING UNIT
A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities
for one family, including provisions for living, sleeping, eating,
cooking (including all types of cooking appliances) and sanitation.
All rooms in a unit must have an internal structural connection such
as internal doorways or internal stairs. A house trailer, boardinghouse
or rooming house, convalescent home, dormitory, fraternity or sorority
house, hotel, inn, lodging, nursing or other similar homes or other
similar structures shall not be deemed to constitute a dwelling unit.
[Amended 8-2-2011 by L.L. No. 3-2011]
EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE
The architectural style and general arrangement of such of
the exterior of a structure as is designed to be opened to view from
a public way, including kind, color and texture of building materials,
type of all windows, doors, lights, signs and other fixtures appurtenant
to such portion.
FACADE
One side of the exterior of a building.
FAMILY
One or more persons, whether or not related by blood or marriage,
living and eating together as a single housekeeping unit and sharing
common expenses and household tasks.
FENCE
Any partition or gate erected as a dividing marker, barrier
or enclosure and located along the boundary or within the lot area
consisting of posts or stakes joined together by materials such as
but not limited to boards, rails, netting or mesh. No fence in any
residential district shall include barbed or chicken wire.
[Added 8-2-2011 by L.L. No. 3-2011]
FLAG LOT
A lot that contains two distinct parts:
(1)
The flag, which is the only building site and is located behind
another lot; and
(2)
The pole, which connects the flag to the street and provides
the only street frontage for the lot and at any point is less than
the minimum lot width for the zone.
FLOOR AREA, HABITABLE, RESIDENTIAL
All spaces within the exterior walls of a dwelling unit,
exclusive of garages, breezeways, unheated porches, cellars, heater
rooms and basements having a window area of less than 10% of the square
foot area of the room. Habitable floor area shall include all spaces
not otherwise excluded above that are arranged for living, eating,
food preparation or sleeping purposes, not including bathrooms, foyers,
hallways and other accessory floor space.
FLOOR AREA, LIVABLE, RESIDENTIAL
All spaces within the exterior walls of a dwelling unit,
exclusive of garages, breezeways, unheated porches, cellars, heater
rooms and basements having a window area of less than 10% of the square
foot area of the room. Livable floor area shall include all spaces
not otherwise excluded above, such as principal rooms, utility rooms,
bathrooms, all closets and hallways opening directly into any rooms
within the dwelling unit.
FRONTAGE
The horizontal distance measured along the full length of
a street line abutting the lot.
GRADE
The finished ground level adjoining the building or structure
at all exterior walls.
GRADE PLANE
A reference plane representing the average of finished ground
level adjoining the building at exterior walls. Where the finished
ground level slopes away from the exterior walls, the reference plane
shall be established by the lowest points within the area between
the building and the lot line or, where the lot line is more than
six feet from the building, between the building and a point six feet
from the building.
GROSS FLOOR AREA
For one- and two-family homes: The gross floor area shall
include all floor areas of all habitable rooms of all buildings and
structures on the site. For all other buildings and structures: The
gross floor area shall mean the sum of the areas of horizontal sections
through each story of all parts of the building devoted to residential
or commercial use. In computing the gross floor area, the area of
horizontal section shall be that area enclosed by the outside faces
of all exterior walls. Further, the gross floor area shall not include
the floor areas devoted to any accessory parking structures.
GROUND FLOOR
The lowest floor of a building having its entire floor to
ceiling height above grade.
HABITABLE ROOM
A room or enclosed floor space arranged for living, eating,
food preparation or sleeping purposes, not including bathrooms, foyers,
hallways and other accessory floor space.
HEIGHT OF A STRUCTURE OR BUILDING
The vertical distance measured from the grade plane to the
average height of the highest point of the building or structure,
excluding the chimney and rooftop appurtenances such as antennas,
elevator penthouses, water towers or mechanical equipment.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
Those surfaces, improvements and structures that cannot effectively
infiltrate snow melt and stormwater into the ground, including but
not limited to: parking areas, driveways, streets, sidewalks, areas
of concrete, asphalt, gravel or other compacted aggregate, swimming
pools, and areas covered by the outdoor storage of goods or materials
which do not absorb water.
LOT
A portion or parcel of land considered as a unit.
LOT AREA
The total horizontal area included within the property lines
of a lot.
LOT, CORNER
A lot at the junction of and abutting on two or more intersecting
streets where the interior angle of the intersection does not exceed
135º. A lot abutting a curved street shall be deemed to be a
corner lot if the tangents to the curve at the points of intersection
of the side lot lines with the street lines intersect at an interior
angle of less than 135º.
LOT, DEPTH
The minimum distance from the street line of a lot to the
rear lot line of such lot.
LOT LINE
A line dividing one lot from another or from a street or
public place.
LOT LINE, FRONT
The lot line which abuts or runs along the designated street
line. In the case of a flag lot situated to the rear of another lot,
its front lot line shall be the rear lot line of the front lot for
purposes of measuring the front yard.
LOT LINE, REAR
The lot line generally opposite to the street line; if the
rear lot line is less than 10 feet in length, or if the lot comes
to a point in the rear, the rear lot line shall be deemed to be a
line parallel to the street line, not less than 10 feet long, lying
farthest from the street line.
LOT WIDTH
The dimension measured along the front yard line at substantially
right angles to the depth of the lot.
NONCOMPLYING BUILDING
A building which contains a use permitted in the district
in which it is located, but which does not conform to the district
regulations for: lot area, width or depth; front, side or rear yards;
maximum height; lot coverage; or minimum livable floor area per dwelling
unit.
NONCONFORMING USE
A use, whether of a building or tract of land, or both, existing
on the effective date of this chapter, which does not conform to the
use regulations of the district in which it is located.
OCCUPANCY
The purpose for which a building or structure, or portion
thereof, is utilized or occupied.
OPEN AREA
An area of land that provides uninterrupted space for the
purposes of view corridor preservation. Open area may include open
space or green space, as well as parking or loading areas.
OPEN SPACE
Areas of land or water essentially unimproved and set aside,
dedicated, designated or reserved for public or private use or enjoyment;
or for the use and enjoyment of owners and occupants of land adjoining
or neighboring such open space. Open space may be improved with those
buildings, of which not more than 25% roofed for shelter purposes
only, and other improvements that are designed to be incidental to
the natural openness of the land.
OVERLAY DISTRICT
A zoning district establishing regulations which supersede
less restrictive regulations of a base district.
OWNERSHIP, SAME
Includes all vested or contingent interests of any person
or his/her agent, representative, successor or assignee, irrespective
of whether or not such interest is recorded, in the following circumstances:
(1)
Direct ownership by such person or his or her spouse, child,
parent, sibling or spouse of sibling, heir or next of kin, agent,
corporation, firm, entity, partnership or unincorporated association.
(2)
Ownership of property by different corporations, firms, partnerships,
entities or unincorporated associations, in which such a person is
a stockholder, a partner or associate or his or her spouse, child,
parent, sibling or spouse of sibling, heir or next of kin or owns
10% or greater in each corporation, firm, partnership, entity or unincorporated
association.
(3)
When such person or his/her estate, successors or assigns, or
any person or entity included in Subsections A and B herein, may be
materially or substantively affected by the relief sought, or by any
determination in any proceeding sought, before any board, body, commission
or agency of the Village of Ossining, whether or not such person is
a party to such application or proceeding and whether or not such
person appears on the record of such proceeding.
PARKING AREA
A lot or part thereof used for the storage or parking of
motor vehicles, with or without the payment of rent or charges in
money and/or other considerations.
PARKING LOT
An off-street, improved lot, or part thereof, used for the
storage of motor vehicles, which contains space rented to the general
public by the hour, week, month or year.
PARTY WALL
The wall created on the boundary of the two properties and
which serves as a common structure between the two premises owned
by different parties.
PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC FUNCTION
A measure of the intended use of the street for pedestrian
traffic. Streets with a high pedestrian function: examples include
Main Street, Highland Avenue, Croton Avenue, Spring Street, State
Street, Brandreth Street, Water Street and Depot Plaza.
PERMITTED USE
A use of a building or land that conforms with the provisions
of this chapter.
PLANNING BOARD
The Village of Ossining Planning Board, established by law.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING
A building in which is conducted the main or principal use
of the lot on which said building is located.
RETAINING WALL
A wall or portion thereof exceeding five feet in height built
to support or prevent the advance of a mass of earth.
[Added 8-2-2011 by L.L. No. 3-2011]
SCREEN or SCREENING
(1)
A densely planted vegetative strip at least five feet wide or
having equivalent natural growth. The shrubs or trees shall be at
least four feet high at the time of planting and will be a type of
planting that will form a year-round dense screen at least six feet
high within three years;
(2)
An opaque wall or barrier or uniformly painted fence at least
six feet high; or
(3)
Any other islands, barriers, emplacements, walls, fences, trees,
plantings, shrubbery or other artificial or natural dividing strips
or markers of any kind, wherever located on the site.
SETBACK
The distance between a structure and a lot line or, where
specified in this chapter, another reference point or line, such as
a curbline.
[Amended 8-2-2011 by L.L. No. 3-2011]
SHOPPING CENTER
A tract of land, with buildings or structures planned as
a whole and intended for one or more establishments for retail, office
or allied purposes, on a site of 65,000 square feet or more.
SIGN
Any structure, or part thereof or any device attached to
a building or painted or represented thereon or displayed in a window,
which shall display or include any letter, word, model, banner, pennant,
insignia, device, trade flag 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 a billboard
or a neon tube, string of lights or similar device outlining or hung
upon any 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 which are solely devoted
to prohibiting trespassing, hunting or fishing or signs required by
governments to indicate necessary public services or activities.
SIGN AREA
An area, including all faces of a sign, measured as follows:
(1)
When such sign is on a plate or framed or outlined, all of the
area of such plate or the area of such frame or outline shall be included.
(2)
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 within which all
of the matter of which such sign consists may be inscribed.
SITE PLAN
A development plan of one or more lots or parcels meeting
the requirements of this chapter.
SLOPE
The deviation of a surface from the horizontal, measured
as the vertical distance (rise) divided by the horizontal distance
(run), and expressed in percent or degrees.
STORY
That portion of a building included between the upper surface
of a floor and the upper surface of the floor or roof next above.
(See "basement.")
[Amended 8-2-2011 by L.L. No. 3-2011]
STORY, HALF
Any space partially within the roof framing, where the clear
height of not more than 50% of such space between the top of the floor
beams and the structural ceiling level is seven feet six inches.
STREET
Includes a highway, road, avenue or alley which the public
has a right to and is Village dedicated or that is a federal, state
or county highway or street.
STREET LINE
The dividing line between a lot and a street.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATION
Any change in the supporting members of a building, such
as beams, columns or girders.
STRUCTURE
That which is built or constructed.
SUBDIVISION
The division of land of real property into two or more lots,
plots, blocks or sites, with or without streets or highways, for the
purpose of offering such lots, plots, blocks or sites for sale, transfer
of ownership or development. The term "subdivision" may include any
alteration of lot lines or dimensions of any lots or sites shown on
a plat previously approved and filed in the Office of the County Clerk
in Westchester County in which such plat is located.
SWIMMING POOL, NONCOMMERCIAL
A body of water in an artificial receptacle or other container,
which will cause the retaining of water to a depth greater than 18
inches, and having a surface area of water greater than 100 square
feet and which is used or intended to be used for swimming by any
family or persons residing on the premises and their guests. Such
noncommercial pool shall not be operated for gain and shall be located
on a lot only as an accessory use to the dwelling or dwellings thereon.
Such noncommercial pool may be either an inground pool, which shall
mean a pool constructed within an excavated depression below the surface
of the ground, or an aboveground pool, which shall mean a pool, the
frame of which is constructed of steel, aluminum or wood and which
rests upon the ground surface, and may include a deck area which encircles
all or part of the outside perimeter of such pool.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign which relates to a single activity or event having
a duration of 30 days or less.
[Added 8-2-2011 by L.L. No. 3-2011]
TRAILER, CAMPING
Any vehicle mounted on wheels, movable either by its own
power or by being drawn by another vehicle, and equipped to be used
for living or sleeping quarters or so as to permit cooking. The term
"trailer" shall include vehicles if mounted on temporary or permanent
foundations with the wheels removed.
USE, ACCESSORY
A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the main
use on a lot, whether such accessory use is conducted in a principal
or accessory building. An accessory use may not be accessory to another
accessory use.
VARIANCE
Permission to depart from the literal requirements of a chapter
pursuant to the applicable standards of the Village Law.
WATERCOURSE
Any natural or artificial stream, river, creek, ditch, channel,
canal, conduit, culvert, drain, waterway, gully, ravine or wash in
which water flows in a definite direction or course, either continuously
or intermittently, and has a definite channel, bed and banks and includes
any area adjacent thereto subject to inundation by reason of overflow
or floodwater.
WIDTH, BUILDING
The horizontal distance between the vertical planes of the
furthermost faces of a building, measured along or parallel to the
axis of its greatest dimension, excluding roof projections such as
eaves, rakes and soffets.
YARD, FRONT
An unoccupied ground area, fully open to the sky, between
the street line and a line drawn parallel thereto along the front
of the building, extending from lot line to lot line.
YARD, LINE
A line drawn parallel to a street or lot line at a distance
therefrom equal to the respective yard dimension required by this
chapter.
YARD, REAR
An unoccupied ground area, fully open to the sky, between
the rear lot line and a line drawn parallel thereto along the rear
of the building, extending from lot line to lot line.
YARD, REQUIRED
Any yard measured between a line drawn parallel to a street
or lot line at a distance therefrom equal to the respective yard dimension
required by this chapter.
YARD, SIDE
An unoccupied ground area, fully open to the sky, between
any lot line other than a street or rear lot line and a line drawn
parallel thereto along the side of the building between the front
and rear yards.
ZONING MAP
The Zoning Map or Maps of the Village of Ossining, New York,
together with any amendments thereto as may be subsequently adopted.