Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall, for the purposes of this chapter, have the meanings herein indicated:
ACCESSORY BUILDING
A building subordinate to the main building on the lot and used for the purposes customarily incidental to those of the main building.
ACRE or LOT
Refers to the land exclusive of the street area.
ALTERNATE MEMBER
An individual appointed by the Village Board of Trustees to serve on the Village Zoning Board of Appeals or Planning Board when a regular member is absent or unable to participate on an application or matter before the respective board as provided for herein.
[Added 3-21-2017 by L.L. No. 2-2017]
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Mayor and four Trustees duly elected by the voters of the Incorporated Village of Belle Terre.
BOAT
Any vessel, watercraft or other contrivance used or capable of being used as a means of transportation in the water.
[Added 3-18-2014 by L.L. No. 4-2014]
BUILDING
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or by walls and intended for the shelter or housing of persons, a private garage as defined in this section or an accessory building as defined in this section.
BUILDING AREA
The aggregate of the maximum horizontal cross section of the building or buildings on the lot.
BUILDING INSPECTOR
Either an architect or engineer, both of which shall be licensed in the State of New York, perfectly conversant with plans and specifications of buildings and structures.
[Amended 10-5-1992 by L.L. No. 1-1992]
CLERK
The Village Clerk or the enforcing authority appointed by the Board of Trustees for the purpose of this chapter.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
Any truck, tractor, machinery, school bus, trailer, boat or other vehicle used for the transportation for compensation or for hire of persons or property. For the purposes of this definition, a limousine is deemed to be a commercial vehicle. Lack of a commercial license plate or commercial registration shall not be conclusive proof that a vehicle is not a commercial vehicle within this definition.
[Added 3-18-2014 by L.L. No. 4-2014]
CONSTABLES
The Constables of the Village of Belle Terre.
[Amended 10-5-1992 by L.L. No. 1-1992]
DEER FENCE
A fence. no greater than eight feet in height as measured from the prevailing natural grade of the property, the sole purpose of which is to exclude deer from the enclosed area. Such fence shall be made of any of a number of black plastics, usually polypropylene. products with square openings between 3/4 inch and two-inch wide. designed to be "invisible" when viewed from a distance. No other materials such as: wood, metal, wire, or solid plastic may be used as "deer fence.
[Added 10-16-2018 by L.L. No. 3-2018]
DRIVEWAY
A paved surface or pathway which extends from a portion of a lot and leads directly to a curb-cut on an adjacent street. For the purposes of this definition, a paved surface or pathway shall include those constructed of, or covered with, an all-weather surface such as gravel, macadam, asphalt, concrete or other material approved by the Village Building Department.
[Added 3-18-2014 by L.L. No. 4-2014]
DWELLING, ONE-FAMILY
A detached house consisting of or intended to be occupied as a residence by one family only, as family is hereafter defined. In no case shall be a lodging house, boardinghouse, fraternity house, sorority house or multiple dwelling be classified or construed as a "one-family dwelling."
ENCLOSED GARAGE
Any building or structure enclosed on all sides by walls, columns and doors and which is capable of being used for the storage of one or more vehicles owned and used by the owner or tenant of the lot on which it is erected for a purpose accessory to the use of the lot, and which in all respects complies with the applicable zoning laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to all setback requirements.
[Added 3-18-2014 by L.L. No. 4-2014]
FAMILY
One of the following:
[Amended 3-18-2014 by L.L. No. 4-2014]
A. 
One, two or three persons occupying a dwelling unit; or
B. 
Four or more persons occupying a dwelling unit and living together as a traditional family or the functional equivalent of a traditional family.
(1) 
Evidence that four or more persons living in a single dwelling unit who are not related by blood, marriage or legal custody shall create a rebuttable presumption that such persons do not constitute the functional equivalent of a traditional family.
(2) 
The foregoing presumption may be rebutted by submitting evidence to the Chief Building Inspector that all of the following are present:
(a) 
The group is one which in theory, size, appearance, structure and function resembles a traditional family unit;
(b) 
The occupants share the entire dwelling unit and live and cook together as a single housekeeping unit. A unit in which various occupants act as separate roomers is not deemed to be occupied by the functional equivalent of a traditional family;
(c) 
The group shares expenses for food, rent or ownership costs, utilities and other household expenses;
(d) 
The group is permanent and stable. Evidence for such permanency and stability may include:
[1] 
The presence of minor dependent children regularly residing in the household who are enrolled in local schools;
[2] 
Members of the household have the same address for purposes of voter registration, driver's license, motor vehicle registration and filing of taxes;
[3] 
Members of the household are employed in the area;
[4] 
The household has been living together as a unit for a year or more whether in the current dwelling unit or other dwelling units;
[5] 
There is common ownership of furniture and appliances among the members of the household; and
[6] 
The group is not transient or temporary in nature.
(e) 
Any other factor reasonably related to whether the group is the functional equivalent of a family.
(3) 
An appeal from the Chief Building Inspector's determination may be taken to the Zoning Board of Appeals, by written request, within 30 days of such determination. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall hold a public hearing on such appeal within 30 days after receipt of written notice of such appeal and, after such hearing, shall make written findings and a decision either sustaining or reversing such determination within 30 days after close of such public hearing.
FRONT BUILDING LINE
The line of that face of the building nearest the front property line or setback line of the lot.
GARAGE, DETACHED
A private garage detached from the principal structure. "Detached garages" shall be considered accessory structures but may not be greater than 14 feet in height above the surrounding grade, and any area above the first­floor level may only be used as a storage area with a ceiling height not to exceed six feet above the floor. "Detached garages" may not exceed 600 square feet in floor area. No more than one "detached garage" shall be permitted on any parcel of property. A detached garage should be no less than 10 feet from the principal structure.
[Added 10-5-1992 by L.L. No. 1-1992; 10-16-2018 by L.L. No. 3-2018]
GARAGE, PRIVATE
An accessory building not more than one story in height used for the storage of noncommercial automobiles and for one truck owned and used by the owner or tenant of the lot on which it is erected for a purpose accessory to the use of the lot and also for the storage of noncommercial equipment used on the lot.
[Amended 10-5-1992 by L.L. No. 1-1992]
GROSS FLOOR AREA
The area included within the surrounding walls of a building or portion thereof in addition to the surrounding walls, exclusive of all attached garages, attics, unheated spaces and courts, but including all levels above the foundation.
HEIGHT
The height of a building shall be measured from the average finished grade surrounding the building to the highest point of the roof.
HORSE TRAILER
Any vehicle used or capable of being used to carry and transport horses.
[Added 3-18-2014 by L.L. No. 4-2014]
JUNKED VEHICLE
Any vehicle, including a trailer, which is not duly registered pursuant to Vehicle and Traffic Law § 401 or is in a rusted, wrecked, discarded, dismantled, partly dismantled, inoperative or abandoned condition.
[Added 3-18-2014 by L.L. No. 4-2014]
LOT AREA
The area of a lot on which a building and its accessories are located.
LOT, CORNER
A lot situated at the intersection of and fronting on two or more streets, whether the corner or corners formed by the streets are angular or curved.
LOT DEPTH
The mean distance from the street line of the lot to its opposite rear line, measured in the general direction of the side lines of the lot.
LOT, INTERIOR
A lot other than a corner lot.
LOT, SINGLY AND SEPARATELY OWNED
Any lot owned individually and separately and separated from any adjoining tracts of land on or before its inclusion within any zoning district and owned individually and separately and separated from any adjoining tracts of land continuously thereafter is exempt from lot area requirements as detailed in § 170-7A. Any lots not so continuously owned shall be deemed merged. Proof of single and separate ownership shall be submitted in the form of:
[Added 2-27-1990 by L.L. No. 1-1990]
A. 
A title search prepared by an attorney-at-law or by a title or abstract company covering the subject premises and all contiguous property; and
B. 
A survey prepared by a licensed surveyor describing the subject premises and all contiguous property.
LOT WIDTH
The mean distance measured at right angles to its depth.
MAILBOXES
A curbside mailbox shall have the ordinary definition as set forth in the U.S. Postal Service standards. A mailbox that complies with the criteria of the U.S. Postal Service guidelines regarding size, placement and installation for a curbside residential mailbox shall not be a "structure" for purposes of the zoning code.
[Added 10-16-2018 by L.L. No. 3-2018]
NONCONFORMING BUILDING OR USE
Any building or use of a building, other structure or tract of land which was lawfully existing prior to the adoption or amendment of this chapter but which does not conform to the use regulations for the district in which such use is located by reason of such adoption or amendment.
[Amended 10-5-1992 by L.L. No. 1-1992]
OVERNIGHT
Shall refer to the period of time between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. EST.
[Added 3-18-2014 by L.L. No. 4-2014]
PARKING
Leaving a vehicle unoccupied, standing motionless and unattended for an interval of time longer than is reasonably necessary to load or unload passengers or freight. For the purposes of this chapter, parking shall also include the storage of boats and vehicles.
[Amended 3-18-2014 by L.L. No. 4-2014]
PARKING AREA
An off-street parking area which is not part of public streets or driveways available for parking one or more vehicles and having direct access to the street.
[Added 3-18-2014 by L.L. No. 4-2014]
PLANNING BOARD
The official Planning Board of the Village of Belle Terre, appointed pursuant to the provisions of the Village Law of the State of New York.
PREMISES
Includes the land and all buildings and structures thereon.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Any vehicle, including a trailer, which is constructed, altered or otherwise designed to be used to transport persons and/or personal possessions for recreational purposes by its operator. For the purposes of this definition, mobile homes, motor homes, tent trailers and campers are deemed to be recreational vehicles.
[Added 3-18-2014 by L.L. No. 4-2014]
REGULAR MEMBER
An individual appointed by the Village Board of Trustees to serve on the Village Zoning Board of Appeals or Planning Board as provided by Village Law.
[Added 3-21-2017 by L.L. No. 2-2017]
SIGN
Includes every kind of billboard, signboard and any other shape or device or display arranged, intended, designed or used as an advertisement, announcement or directions, including any text, symbol, marks, letters or figures painted on or incorporated in the composition of the exterior surface of a building or structure.
STREET LINE OR FRONT PROPERTY LINE
The dividing line between the street and a lot.
STRUCTURAL CHANGE
A modification of an existing building or structure where the original design has been altered or changed.
STRUCTURE
A construction, other than a building, made of a combination of materials to form a structure that is safe and stable, the use of which requires erection in or on the ground or attached to something having a location on the ground and includes, among other things, platforms, staging, poles, walls, fences, columns, gates. flag poles, retaining walls and on-ground radio and television antennas The term "structure" shall be construed as though followed by the words "or part thereof."
[Amended 10-5-1992 by L.L. No. 1-1992; 10-16-2018 by L.L. No. 3-2018]
SUBDIVISION
The division of a tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, plots, blocks or sites with or without streets for the purposes, whether immediate or future, of transfer of ownership or a building development and shall include resubdivision.
SWIMMING POOL
As defined in Chapter 140, Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs. For rules and regulations pertaining to swimming pools, see Chapter 140.
VEHICLE
Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, off-highway trail, waterway or snow, except devices propelled by muscular power and electrically driven mobility-assistance devices operated or driven by a person with a disability. For the purposes of this definition, a trailer is deemed to be a vehicle.
[Added 3-18-2014 by L.L. No. 4-2014]
YARD
An unoccupied space open to the sky on the same lot with a building structure.
YARD, FRONT
The required open space extending between the street line and the front building line and extending the full width of the lot. If the street line is concave when facing the lot from the street and has a radius of curvature of 200 feet or less, the "front yard" shall be the open space between the street line and a straight line drawn tangent to a curve concentric with the street at the building line. The straight line shall be drawn in such a manner that the angles formed by the straight line and the side lines of the lot shall be equal.
[Amended 10-5-1992 by L.L. No. 1-1992]
YARD, REAR
The required open space on the same lot with the building between the rear line of the building and the rear line of the lot and extending the full width of the lot.
YARD, SIDE
The required open space on the same lot with the building extending along the side lot line from the front yard to the rear yard.