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City of Branson West, MO
Stone County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[Ord. No. 1250 §1(201), 10-15-2002]
A. 
In interpreting the meaning of the Chapter, the following general rules shall apply:
1. 
Words used in the present tense shall also include the future tense.
2. 
Words used in the singular number shall also include the plural and vice versa.
3. 
The word "shall" is mandatory and discretionary. The word "may" is permissive.
4. 
The words "used" or "occupied" shall be construed to include "intended, designed or arranged to be used or occupied".
5. 
The word "person" includes individuals, firms, corporations, associations, governmental bodies and agencies, and any other similar entities.
6. 
Unless otherwise specified, all distance shall be measured horizontally.
[Ord. No. 1250 §1(202), 10-15-2002]
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall have the meanings herein indicated. Where words have not been defined, the standard dictionary definition shall prevail.
ACCESSORY APARTMENT
A separate complete dwelling unit substantially contained within the structure of a single-family detached dwelling.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
A structure which is:
1. 
Subordinate to and serves a principal structure;
2. 
Subordinate in area, extent or purpose to the principal structure;
3. 
Contributes to the comfort, convenience or necessity of occupants of the principal structure;
4. 
Located on the same lot as the principal structure and shall include all structures whether or not they are permanently affixed to the ground by foundation or otherwise.
ACCESSORY USE
A use which is:
1. 
Subordinate to and serves a principal use;
2. 
Subordinate in area, extent or purpose to the principal use;
3. 
Contributes to the comfort, convenience or necessity of occupants of the principal use;
4. 
Located on the same lot as the principal use.
ACRE
A measure of land containing forty-three thousand five hundred sixty (43,560) square feet.
ACT
The Federal Communications Act of 1934 as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and as may, from time to time, be amended.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIAL
Except as otherwise specifically provided, primary responsibility for administering and enforcing the Branson West Zoning Regulations may be assigned by the Board of Aldermen to one (1) or more individuals in the employ of the City. The person or persons to whom these functions are assigned shall be referred to as "Administrative Official".
ADULT CABARET
A building or portion of a building regularly featuring dancing or other live entertainment that constitutes the primary live entertainment and is distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on the exhibiting of specific sexual activities or specified anatomical areas for observation by the patrons therein.
ADULT MEDIA STORE
An establishment where forty percent (40%) or more of the gross public floor area and/or forty percent (40%) of the stock in trade is devoted to the rental and/or sale of magazines, books, videotapes, movies, slides, CD-ROMs or other devices used to record computer images, cable television, or any other media distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to specific sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.
AGRICULTURAL USE
The production, keeping, or maintenance, sale, lease or personal use of plants and animals, including, but not limited to: forages and sod crops; grain and seed crops; dairy animals and dairy products; poultry and poultry products; livestock, including beef cattle, sheep, swine, horses, ponies, mules and goats, or any hybrids thereof, including the breeding and grazing of any or all kinds of such animals; bees and apiary products; fur animals; trees for forest products; fruits of all kinds; vegetables; nursery, floral, ornamental and greenhouse products; the necessary accessory uses for packing, treating or storing such agricultural produce, provided however, that the operation of any such accessory uses shall be secondary to that of normal agricultural activities; and land devoted to soil conservation or forestry management; but excluding feed lots, confined animal feeding facilities, stockyards and animal slaughterhouses.
ALLEY
A dedicated public right-of-way, other than a street, designed to extend only secondary access to the side or rear of those properties whose principal frontage and access is on some other street.
ALTERATION
A physical change to one (1) or more exterior features of a structure which includes, but is not limited to, the erection, construction, reconstruction or removal of any feature of the structure.
ALTERATION, STRUCTURAL
Any change in a load-bearing member of a building.
ANIMAL, FARM
Any livestock or other animal raised for commercial or agricultural purposes, as defined under "Agricultural Use".
ANIMAL, HOUSEHOLD PET
Any animal normally and customarily kept by domestic households for pleasure and companionship, excluding poultry, cows, livestock, chinchillas, horses, goats, sheep, monkeys, pigs and other similar animals and fowl.
ANIMAL, NON-DOMESTIC
Any feline other than domestic house cat, non-human primate, bear, wolf, coyote, fox, venomous reptile, or any other animals or crossbreed of such animals which have similar characteristics or are dangerous or unsafe for contact with humans.
ANTENNA SUPPORT STRUCTURE
Any building or other structure, other than a tower, which can be used for location of wireless telecommunication facilities.
APPLICANT
A person submitting an application for an amendment, permit, variance or appeal as required by this Chapter.
BASEMENT
A story partly or wholly below grade. A basement shall be considered a story if the vertical distance between the ceiling and the average level of the adjoining ground is more than three (3) feet or if the basement is used for business or dwelling purposes.
BED AND BREAKFAST
A dwelling, or portion thereof, that contains guest rooms where short-term lodging, with or without meals, is provided for compensation.
BERM
A mound of earth typically located in a buffer yard to block noise, lights or other nuisances.
BLOCK
A parcel of land intended to be used for urban purposes, which is entirely surrounded by public streets, highways, railroad rights-of-way, public walks, parks or greenways, rural land or drainage channels, or a combination thereof.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
The appellate body appointed by the Branson West Board of Aldermen to assist in the administration of this Chapter, pursuant to Sections 89.010 — 89.170, RSMo. The word "Board" shall refer to the Board of Adjustment.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
The Governing Body of the City of Branson West, Missouri.
BOARDING HOUSE (ALSO LODGING OR ROOMING HOUSE)
A building, other than a hotel or apartment hotel, where, for compensation and by pre-arrangement for definite periods, lodging, meals or lodging and meals are provided for three (3) or more persons, but not exceeding twenty (20) persons.
BUFFER YARD
A land area containing trees, shrubs and other plants, berms, fences or walls used to separate one use from another, or to block noise, lights or other nuisances.
BUILDABLE AREA
The portion of a lot remaining after required yard setbacks have been provided.
BUILDING
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls for the shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, or property of any kind, and which is permanently affixed to the ground.
BUILDING COVERAGE
The horizontal area measured within the exterior walls of the ground floor of all principal and accessory buildings on a lot divided by the gross area of the lot.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The vertical distance from the grade to the highest point of the coping of a flat roof or to the deck line of a mansard roof, or to the mean height level between eaves and ridge for gable, hip and gambrel roofs.
BUILDING LINE
A line or lines indicating the distance from the property line behind which all enclosed portions of the building must be located.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL
A building in which the primary use of the lot is conducted.
BULK REGULATIONS
Regulations controlling the size of structures and the relationship of structures and uses to each other and to open areas and lot lines. Bulk regulations include regulations controlling:
1. 
Maximum height,
2. 
Maximum lot coverage,
3. 
Maximum floor area ratio, and
4. 
Minimum size of yards and setbacks.
BULK STORAGE
The storage of chemicals, petroleum products and other materials in above ground containers for subsequent resale to distributors, retail dealers or outlets.
CAMPGROUND
An area or premises in which space is provided for transient occupancy or use by tourists occupying recreational vehicles, camping trailers or tents.
CITY
The City of Branson West, Missouri.
CITY-APPROVED SPECIAL EVENT
Any outdoor or seasonal event, including, but not limited to, a picnic, parade, carnival, craft fair, art fair, bicycle/motorcycle/vehicle ride, walk/run, car show, wedding or other reception, or any other event held on public property which is open to attendance by the general public and/or may require special consideration from the Branson West Police Department.
[Ord. No. 7-2022, 8-9-2022]
CLINIC, MEDICAL OR DENTAL
An establishment where human patients are admitted for examination and/or treatment by one (1) or more physicians, dentists, psychologists, or social workers, but where patients are not provided with room or board nor lodged overnight.
CLUB, PRIVATE
A building or premises used for social, recreational, dining or philanthropic purposes, the normal use of which is limited to specific members, patrons or otherwise listed and enumerated persons.
COMMISSARY
A local Health Department permitted food establishment that acts as a base of operations for a mobile vending unit. The commissary provides facilities for adequate storage of food, food containers, or food supplies; equipment for adequate washing and sanitizing of food equipment and utensils; a servicing area for the sanitary disposal of liquid waste; for handling and disposal of garbage, grease, and rubbish originating from the mobile vending unit; facilities for filling a potable water holding tank in a sanitary manner.
[Ord. No. 7-2022, 8-9-2022]
COMMISSION
The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Branson West, Missouri.
COMMON OPEN SPACE
Land or water, or a combination thereof, within or related to a planned residential development, not individually owned or dedicated for public use, which is designed and intended for the common use or enjoyment of the residents of the development. It may include complementary structures and improvements approved as part of the general development plan. Common open space does not include streets, alleys, off-street parking or loading for public use.
COMMUNICATIONS OR TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The transmission, between or among points as specified by the user, of information of the user's choosing, without change in the form or content of the information as sent or received, by wire, radio, optical cable, electronic impulses, or other similar means. As used in this definition, "information" means knowledge or intelligence represented by any form of writing, signs, signals, pictures, sounds, or any other symbols.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Branson West Comprehensive Plan, adopted by the Planning and Zoning Commission, containing analysis, recommendations and policies for the development of the City, including land use, transportation, community facilities, housing and economy.
CONDITIONAL USE
A use permitted in a particular zoning district only upon showing that such use in a specific location will comply with all the conditions and standards for the location or operation of such use as specified in this Chapter and as authorized by the Board of Aldermen.
CONDOMINIUM
A building, group of buildings or property in which units are owned individually and the common elements are owned by all the owners on a proportional, undivided basis.
CONSTRUCTION
The act of adding an addition to an existing structure or the erection of a new principal or accessory structure on a lot or property.
CUL-DE-SAC
A short street having one (1) end open to traffic and being terminated at the other end by a vehicular turnaround.
CURB GRADE
The mean level of the curb in front of the lot, or in the case of a corner lot, along that abutting street where the mean curb grade is the highest.
DAY CARE CENTER
A child care program conducted in a location other than the provider's permanent residence, or separate from the provider's living quarters, where care is provided for children not related to the child care provider for any part of the twenty-four (24) hour day.
DAY CARE HOME, FAMILY
A child care program where care is given by a person licensed as a family day care home provider for no more than ten (10) children not related to the provider for any par of the twenty-four (24) hour day. The provider may be licensed to operate no more than one (1) family day care home or group day care home.
DAY CARE HOME, GROUP
A child care program where care is given by a person licensed as a group day care home provider for eleven (11), but not more than twenty (20), children not related to the child care provider for any part of the twenty-four (24) hour day. A group day care home shall be in a location other than the provider's permanent residence or separate from the provider's living quarters. The provider may be licensed to operate no more than one (1) group day care home or family day care home.
DENSITY
The permitted number of dwelling units per gross acre of land to be developed.
DEVELOPER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of a lot or any land included in a proposed development, or the duly authorized agent thereof. Also the holder of an option or contract to purchase, a lessee having a remaining term of not less than forty (40) years, or any other person having enforceable proprietary interest in such land shall be deemed to be a developer for the purpose of this Chapter.
DEVELOPMENT
A construction project involving substantial property improvement and, usually, a change of land use character within the site; the act of using land for building or extractive purposes.
DISTRICT
A part, zone or area within the City of Branson West within which certain zoning regulations apply and are uniform.
DRIVE-IN ESTABLISHMENT
An establishment which accommodates the patrons' vehicles and from which the occupants of the vehicles may make purchases, transact business or view motion pictures or other entertainment.
DWELLING
A building or portion thereof designed exclusively for residential occupancy, excluding hotels, motels, boarding, rooming and lodging houses, travel trailers and recreational vehicles.
DWELLING, MULTI-FAMILY
A structure on a single lot containing three (3) or more dwelling units, each of which is totally separated from the other.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED
A structure on a single lot designed for or occupied exclusively by one (1) family.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY SEMI-DETACHED
A dwelling unit attached to one (1) or more dwelling units by common vertical walls, with each dwelling unit located on a separate lot. This may include patio-court house or zero lot line house.
DWELLING, TOWN HOUSE
A dwelling unit in a row of at least three (3) such units in which each unit has its own front and rear access to the outside, and each unit is separated from any other unit by at least one (1) common wall.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY (DUPLEX)
A structure on a single lot containing two (2) dwelling units, each of which share a common wall, and in which each dwelling unit has living space on the ground floor and a separate ground floor entrance.
EASEMENT
A grant by the property owner for the public or private use of a tract of land for specific purposes.
ENGINEER
A registered professional engineer in good standing in the State of Missouri.
ENGINEER OF RECORD
The applicant's or developer's engineer.
FAMILY
One (1) or more persons related by blood, marriage, adoption, guardianship or duly authorized custodial relationship, or two (2) unrelated people and any children related to or legally cared for by either of them, or a group of not more than five (5) unrelated individuals living together as a single housekeeping unit. A family may include, in addition hereto, not more than two (2) boarders, roomers or domestic servants.
FCC
The Federal Communications Commission and any legally appointed, designated or elected agent or successor.
FLOOR AREA RATIO (FAR)
The gross floor area of all buildings on a lot divided by the lot area.
FOOD VENDING CART
A mobile, non-motorized vehicle propelled or towed by the operator, which includes limited kitchen facilities, such as a cold storage case or cooler, a warmer unit, a small griddle, and small sinks. Customer service is generally walk-up at the cart. Food vending carts, include, but are not limited to, hot dog and frozen treat sales.
[Ord. No. 7-2022, 8-9-2022]
FRONTAGE
That part of a lot or premise immediately adjacent to a street or streets without regard to access to, or elevation of, the street or streets.
FUNERAL HOME
A building used for the preparation of the deceased for burial and the display of the deceased and ceremonies before burial or cremation, but excluding facilities for cremation.
GARAGE, PRIVATE
A detached accessory building or portion of a main building housing the passenger vehicles or trailers of the occupants of the premises.
GARAGE, PUBLIC
A building or portion thereof, other than a private or storage garage, designed or used for equipping, servicing, repairing, hiring, selling, storing or parking motor-driven vehicles. The term "repairing" shall not include an automotive body repair shop nor the rebuilding, dismantling or storage of wrecked or junked vehicles.
GARAGE, STORAGE
A building or portion thereof designed or used exclusively for term storage by prearrangement of motor-driven vehicles, as distinguished from daily storage furnished transients, and at which motor fuels and oils are not sold, and motor-driven vehicles are not equipped, repaired, hired or sold.
GRADE
The average level of the finished surface of the ground is the sidewalk elevation. If there is more than one (1) street, an average sidewalk elevation is to be used. If there is no sidewalk, the finished grade shall be equal to the street centerline grade.
GROSS FLOOR AREA
The total area of a building measured by taking the outside dimensions of the building at each floor level intended for occupancy or storage.
GROUP HOME, CUSTODIAL
A dwelling in which more than ten (10) unrelated physically and mentally impaired persons reside with house parents or guardians.
GROUP HOME, RESIDENTIAL
A single-family, detached dwelling in which no more than ten (10) persons reside, comprised of the following: eight (8) or fewer unrelated mentally or physically handicapped or impaired persons, no more than two (2) persons acting as house parents or guardians who need not be related to each other or to any of the mentally or physically handicapped persons residing in the dwelling, and the children of the house parents or guardians.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The Stone County Health Department.
[Ord. No. 7-2022, 8-9-2022]
HEALTH OFFICER
The administrator of the Stone County Health Department, or their authorized representative.
[Ord. No. 7-2022, 8-9-2022]
HOME OCCUPATION
An activity carried out for gain by a resident conducted as an accessory use in the resident's dwelling unit.
HOSPITAL
An institution licensed by the Missouri Department of Health, providing primary health services and medical or surgical care to the sick and injured, and including as an integral part of the institution inpatient or overnight accommodations, and related facilities such as laboratories and outpatient facilities.
HOTEL
A facility offering transient lodging accommodations on a daily rate to the general public.
ICE CREAM VENDING VEHICLE
A motorized vehicle which continuously stops and goes, does not park at any one (1) location to provide service, and offers only pre-packaged frozen dairy or frozen water-based food products, soft serve or hand-dipped frozen dairy products, or frozen water-based food products and pre-packaged beverages.
[Ord. No. 7-2022, 8-9-2022]
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
Any part of a lot that is covered by buildings, structures, parking areas, driveways and any other surfaces which reduce or prevent absorption of storm water.
INSTITUTION
A non-profit establishment for public use.
LOADING SPACE
An off-street space on the same lot with a building or contiguous to a group of buildings for the temporary parking of a commercial vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise or materials.
LOT
A designated parcel, tract, or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed or built upon as a unit.
LOT AREA
The size of a lot measured within the lot lines and expressed in terms of acres or square feet.
LOT, CORNER
A lot abutting on two (2) or more streets at their intersection.
LOT DEPTH
The horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines measured along the median between the two (2) side lot lines.
LOT, DOUBLE FRONTAGE
A lot having frontage on two (2) non-intersecting streets, as distinguished from a corner lot.
LOT, FRONT OF
The front of a lot shall be considered to be that side of the lot that fronts a street. In the case of a corner lot, the narrowest side fronting on the street shall be considered to be the front of the lot.
LOT, INTERIOR
A lot other than a corner lot.
LOT LINE
A boundary line of a lot.
LOT LINE, FRONT
The lot line separating a lot from the street. On a corner lot, the shortest lot line abutting a street is the front lot line; on a through lot, both lot lines abutting the streets are front lot lines; on an irregular shaped lot, the front lot line is the lot line most parallel to the abutting street.
LOT LINE, REAR
Any lot line not a front or side lot line. The rear lot line for a triangular shaped lot shall be a line ten (10) feet long drawn between the lot's side lot lines and parallel to the front lot line.
LOT LINE, SIDE
The lot lines that intersect with a lot's front lot line.
LOT OF RECORD
A lot, which is part of a recorded subdivision or a parcel of land on a plat or deed, which has been recorded by the Stone County Recorder of Deeds.
LOT WIDTH
The mean horizontal distance between the side lot line of a lot measured at right angles to the depth; or the same distance measured at a point midway between the front lot line and the rear lot line; or at the rear lot line of the required front yard (building line, especially on irregularly shaped lots).
MANUFACTURED HOME
A transportable, factory-built dwelling composed of one (1) or more components, manufactured under the authority of 42 U.S.C. Section 5401, Federal Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act, which bears the seal of the State of Missouri Public Service Commission, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or its agent, and which, in the traveling mode, is twelve (12) body feet or more in width and forty (40) body feet or more in length, and when erected on site contains nine hundred (900) or more square feet of living area, equipped with the necessary service connections and made so as to be readily movable as a unit on its own running gear and designed to be used as a dwelling unit with or without a permanent foundation.
MANUFACTURED HOME PARK
An area with required improvements and utilities for the long- term placement of manufactured homes for dwelling purposes. The site may also include services and facilities for residents of the development.
MANUFACTURED HOME SUBDIVISION
A development containing lots intended for the individual placement of manufactured homes for dwelling purposes.
MARIJUANA or MARIHUANA
Cannabis indica, Cannabis sativa, Cannabil ruderalis, hybrids of such species, and any other strains commonly understood within the scientific community to constitute marijuana, as well as resin extracted from the plant and marijuana-infused products. "Marijuana" or "Marihuana" does not include industrial hemp containing a crop-wide average tetrahydrocannabinol concentration that does not exceed three-tenths of one percent (3/10 of 1%) on a dry weight basis, or commodities or products manufactured from industrial hemp.
[Ord. No. 4-2019, 8-13-2019]
MARIJUANA-INFUSED PRODUCT
Products that are infused with Marijuana or an extract from Marijuana and are intended for use or consumption other than by smoking, including, but not limited to, edible products, ointments, tinctures and concentrates.
[Ord. No. 4-2019, 8-13-2019]
MEDICAL MARIJUANA CULTIVATION FACILITY
A facility licensed by the Department of Health and Senior Services to acquire, cultivate, process, store, transport, and sell Marijuana to a Medical Marijuana Dispensary Facility, Medical Marijuana Testing Facility, or to a Medical Marijuana-Infused Products Manufacturing Facility.
[Ord. No. 4-2019, 8-13-2019]
MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY FACILITY
Is a facility licensed by the State of Missouri to acquire, store, sell, transport and deliver marijuana, marijuana-infused products, and drug paraphernalia used to administer marijuana as provided for in this Section to a qualifying patient, a primary caregiver, or to another Medical Marijuana Dispensary Facility, Medical Marijuana Testing Facility, or a Medical Marijuana-Infused Products Manufacturing Facility.
[Ord. No. 4-2019, 8-13-2019]
MEDICAL MARIJUANA TESTING FACILITY
As many as two (2) facilities Statewide certified to sample, test, and analyze Medical Marijuana and Medical Marijuana-Infused Products.
[Ord. No. 4-2019, 8-13-2019]
MOBILE FOOD VENDOR
A general classification of several types of mobile restaurants, including, but not limited to, food vending carts, catering trucks and trailers, and mobile food trucks and trailers.
[Ord. No. 7-2022, 8-9-2022]
MOBILE GOODS AND SERVICES VENDOR
A general classification of several types of mobile vending units offering non-food-related goods and services, including, but not limited to, dog grooming, clothing, shoes, jewelry, apparel, document shredding, vintage and handmade goods, flowers, farmer's markets, books, and ATM machines.
[Ord. No. 7-2022, 8-9-2022]
MOBILE HOME
A transportable, factory-built home designed to be used as a year-round residential dwelling and built prior to June 16, 1976, the effective date of the Federal Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974. The placement of mobile homes as defined herein within the City of Branson West is prohibited.
MOBILE VENDING UNIT
A term for any type of mobile vendor, such as, but not limited to, catering trucks, food vending carts, mobile food vendors, and mobile goods and services vendors, but not including ice cream vending vehicles.
[Ord. No. 7-2022, 8-9-2022]
MODULAR HOME
A dwelling unit built to a nationally recognized and accepted construction standard published by the Building Officials Conference of America (BOCA) or the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), or its successor, consisting of components substantially built and assembled in a manufacturing plant and transported to the building site for final assembly on a permanent foundation. The dwelling unit shall be inspected and certified at the factory that it meets said building construction standard. A modular home shall not have its own running gear and on-site service connections and foundation shall be in accordance with the requirements of the City of Branson West building regulations.
MOTEL
An establishment in which transient accommodations are provided on a daily rate to the general public.
NON-CONFORMING LOT
A lot existing at the effective date of this Chapter (and not created for the purpose of evading the restrictions of this Chapter) that does not meet the minimum area requirement of the zoning district in which it is located.
NON-CONFORMING USE
The use of land or a building, or portion thereof, existing at the effective date of this Chapter, where such use does not conform with the use regulations of the zoning district in which it is located.
OWNER OF RECORD
The person, corporation, or other legal entity listed as owner of a lot on records of the Stone County Recorder of Deeds.
PARKING SPACE
A space within a building or a private or public parking area for the parking of one (1) vehicle.
PEDESTRIAN WAY
A specifically paved or marked path for pedestrians.
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
A tract of land under single ownership, planned and developed as an integral unit, and consisting of a clustered residential development, a residential development of varying housing types and densities, or a combination of residential and non-residential uses of land within a planned development ("PD") district.
PRIMARY CAREGIVER
A person, twenty-one (21) years of age or older, who is responsible for managing the well-being of a Qualified Patient, and who is designated on the primary caregiver's application or otherwise identified with the Department of Health and Senior Services as a Qualifying Patient's primary caregiver.
[Ord. No. 4-2019, 8-13-2019]
PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE
A structure, or group of structures, in which the principal use of the lot on which it is located is conducted.
PUBLIC
Maintained for or used by the people of the City of Branson West on a non-commercial basis.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT
The installation, construction, addition or betterment of any new physical development dedicated to the public or intended for public use, such as streets and sidewalks, utilities, drainage facilities, etc.
QUALIFYING PATIENT
A Missouri resident diagnosed with at least one (1) qualifying medical condition as that term is defined, from time to time, by the Department of Health and Senior Services.
[Ord. No. 4-2019, 8-13-2019]
RETIREMENT HOME
A residential facility designed to meet the needs of senior citizens and which may include convalescent care facilities.
SETBACK
The required minimum horizontal distance between the nearest front, side or rear line of every structure and the front line of the lot.
SIGN
Any words, numbers, figures, devices, designs, or trademark by which anything is made known, such as are used to designate an individual, a firm, profession, business, or a commodity and which are visible from any public street.
SPECIFIC SEXUAL ACTIVITIES
Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal or acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse, sodomy, or fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttock, or female breast.
SPECIFIED ANATOMICAL AREAS
1. 
Less than completely and opaquely covered: human genitals, pubic region, buttock, and female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola; and
2. 
Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered.
STEALTH
Any tower or telecommunications facility which is designed to blend into the surrounding environment.
STORAGE, PERSONAL
A building or buildings, commonly referred to as mini-storage, comprised of individual, self-contained units available on a rental basis for storage of business and household goods.
STORY
That portion of a building, other than a basement, included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above it, or if there is no floor above it, then the space between such floor and the ceiling next above it.
STORY, HALF
A space under a sloping roof which has the line of intersection of roof decking and wall face not more than three (3) feet above the top floor level, and in which space not more than two-thirds (2/3) of the floor area is finished off for use. A half story containing independent apartments or living quarters shall be counted as a full story.
STREET
A public or private way used or intended to be used for passage or travel by motor vehicles.
STREET, ARTERIAL
A street intended to provide for high-volume, moderate-speed traffic movement through the community and between major activity centers. Access to abutting property is subordinate to the flow of traffic and entrances and exits to the arterial are subject to control.
STREET, COLLECTOR
A street that collects and distributes traffic to and from local streets and arterial streets, and is intended to provide for low to moderate-volume and low-speed, shorter length trips. The functions of traffic movement and property access are balanced.
STREET LINE
A dividing line between a lot, parcel or tract and a contiguous street.
STREET, LOCAL
A street intended to provide access to abutting property and designed for low-volume, low-speed traffic.
STREET WIDTH
The horizontal distance between the outside edges of a street's pavement, including any curbing and guttering, measured at right angles to the street's centerline.
STRUCTURE
Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires permanent or temporary location on or in the ground.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FACILITY
A residential or outpatient facility for the treatment of alcohol and other substance abuse pursuant to Section 89.143, RSMo.
SURVEYOR
A registered land surveyor in the State of Missouri.
TRACT
A lot. The term "tract" is used interchangeably with the term "lot", particularly in the context of subdivisions, where one (1) "tract" is subdivided into several "lots".
UNDEVELOPED LAND
Land in its natural state before development.
USE
The activity or function that actually takes place or is intended to take place on a lot.
VARIANCE
A grant of permission that permits the recipient to not comply with a specific provision of this Chapter, granted because of the practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship that would be imposed by the strict application of that provision of the Chapter.
WORKING DAYS
The days of the week, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and recognized holidays, during which normal business is conducted by the City of Branson West.
YARD
An open space at grade between a building and the adjoining lot lines, unoccupied and unobstructed by any portion of a structure from the ground upward, except as otherwise provided herein. In measuring a yard for the purpose of determining the width of a side yard or the depth of a front yard or a rear yard, the minimum horizontal distance between the lot line and the main building shall be used.
YARD, FRONT
A yard extending across the front of a lot and being the minimum horizontal distance between the street or place line and the main building or any projections thereof. On corner lots the front yard shall be considered as parallel to the street upon which the lot has its least dimension.
YARD, REAR
A yard extending across the rear of a lot and being the required minimum horizontal distance between the rear lot line and the rear of the main building or any projections thereof other than the projection of uncovered steps, unenclosed balconies or unenclosed porches. On all lots the rear yard shall be in the rear of the front yard.
YARD, SIDE
A yard between the main building and the side line of the lot, and extending from the required front yard to the required rear yard, and being the minimum horizontal distance between a side lot line and the side of the main buildings or any projections thereof.
ZOO, PRIVATE
Any lot, building, structure, enclosure, or premises whereupon or wherein are kept by any person, corporation or political subdivision two (2) or more wild or non-domestic animals, whether such keeping is for pleasure, profit, breeding or exhibiting, and including places where two (2) or more wild animals or non-domestic animals are boarded, kept for sale or kept for hire.