As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ABANDONMENT
In regards to a nonconforming use, the use or structure shall be considered abandoned/discontinued under any of the following circumstances: 1) for a period of 12 or more consecutive months the discontinuance of the use is made obvious by the posting of signs, boarding up of windows, failure to pay taxes or assessments or other measures which demonstrate the enterprise is going out of business or the use is otherwise ending; or 2) the nonconforming use has been replaced by a conforming use or changed to another use under permit from the Village; or 3) the equipment and furnishings used in furtherance of the nonconforming use have been removed from the premises for a period of 12 or more consecutive months.
ACCESS
A way or means of approach to provide vehicular or pedestrian entrance to a property.
ACCESSORY BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
A building or structure that is customarily subordinate and accessory to a principal structure or use on the same site.
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT
A dwelling unit which is incidental and subordinate to a permitted principal use of a one-family dwelling unit, is located on the same lot therewith, and, if it is located in an accessory building, is incidental and subordinate to the permitted principal use of that accessory building.
[Added 7-12-2022 by L.L. No. 4-2022]
ACCESSORY PARKING
Parking provided to comply with off-street parking requirements and nonrequired parking that is provided exclusively to serve occupants of and visitors to a particular use, rather than the public at-large.
ACCESSORY USE
A use that is customarily subordinate and accessory to a principal structure or use on the same site.
ADULT USE
An establishment consisting of, including or having the characteristics of any or all of the following:
A. 
ADULT BOOKSTORE or VIDEO STOREAn establishment having a substantial or significant portion of its stock-in-trade in books, pamphlets, magazines, and other periodicals, sculptures, photographs, pictures, slides, videotapes, sound recordings or films that are distinguished or characterized by their emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to sexual activities or genital areas, and which excludes any minor by reason of age.
B. 
ADULT ENTERTAINMENT CABARETA public or private nightclub, bar, cabaret, restaurant or similar establishment, either with or without a liquor license, devoted to presenting material distinguished or characterized by its emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to sexual activities or genital areas, or that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, strippers or similar entertainers for observation by patrons, and excludes any minor by reason of age.
C. 
ADULT MOTELA motel which excludes any minor by reason of age and which makes available to its patrons in their rooms films, slide shows or videotapes depicting or relating to sexual activities or genital areas and which, if presented in a public movie theater, would exclude any minor by reason of age.
D. 
ADULT THEATERAn establishment used for presenting motion pictures, films, videos or live entertainment distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to sexual activities or genital areas, and which excludes any minor by reason of age.
E. 
PEEP SHOWA theater which presents material in the form of live shows, films or videotapes viewed from an enclosure for which a fee is charged and which excludes any minor by reason of age.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND
A special purpose fund established by the Village with the specified goal of advancing fair and affordable housing in the Village of Dobbs Ferry. The money on deposit in such fund may be appropriated by the Board of Trustees to promote, facilitate or support the intent and scope of the affordable housing program, all in keeping with the primary goal of creating affordable housing in the Village of Dobbs Ferry.
[Added 6-25-2019 by L.L. No. 2-2019]
AFFORDABLE HOUSING RULES AND REGULATIONS
A document promulgated, adopted and amended from time to time by the Board of Trustees that outlines specific processes and procedures for promoting fair and affordable housing in connection with the Village of Dobbs Ferry's affordable housing program.
[Added 6-25-2019 by L.L. No. 2-2019]
AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNIT
A housing unit that affirmatively furthers fair housing, is marketed in accordance with the Westchester County Fair and Affordable Housing Affirmative Marketing Plan and that is affordable under either of the two following categories:
A. 
A for-purchase housing unit that is affordable to a household whose income does not exceed 80% of the area median income (AMI) for Westchester County as defined annually by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and for which the annual housing cost of said unit, including common charges, principal, interest, taxes and insurance, does not exceed 33% of 80% of AMI, adjusted for family size; or
B. 
A rental unit that is affordable to a household whose income does not exceed 60% of AMI and for which the annual housing cost of said unit, defined as rent plus tenant-paid utilities, does not exceed 30% of 60% of AMI, adjusted for family size.
[Amended 6-25-2019 by L.L. No. 2-2019]
ALLEY
A service roadway providing a secondary means of access to abutting property and not intended for general circulation. An alley is not to be considered a street.
300 Alley.tif
ALTERATION
As applied to a building or structure, any change or rearrangement in the structural parts of an existing building, as well as any change in doors, windows, means of egress, or any enlargement or diminution of a building or structure, whether horizontally or vertically; or the moving of a building or structure from one location or position to another.
ANIMAL-RELATED USES, GENERAL
General animal-related uses have no outdoor facilities and provide services or treatment only for domestic animals such as dogs, cats, fish, birds and small mammals. Overnight boarding is provided only following medical treatments. Examples include sales of pet goods and supplies, pet grooming services and veterinary clinics.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
ANIMAL-RELATED USES, INTENSIVE
Intensive animal-related uses provide outdoor facilities, overnight boarding (other than medical-related), or services or treatments for large animals. Examples include animal shelters, kennels, stables and veterinary clinics for large animals.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
ANTENNA
Any telecommunications facility located upon an existing freestanding tower or attached to a building, including but not limited to directional antennas (such as panels, microwave dishes, satellite earth station antennas over two meters in diameter) and omnidirectional antennas (such as whips). This term does not include antennas two meters or less in diameter.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
APPLICANT
The person or entity that is submitting an application for development or the successor to the same with the legal right to do so. An applicant must have written authorization to appear on behalf of the owner of the property.
APPROVING AUTHORITY
The board responsible for granting the final approval on an application, when board approval is necessary, or otherwise the Land Use Officer.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE
Any material remains of past human life or activities which are of archaeological interest, and which are at least 100 years of age. Such regulations containing such determination shall include, but not be limited to: pottery, basketry, bottles, weapons, weapon projectiles, tools, structures or portions of structures, pit houses, rock paintings, rock carvings, intaglios, graves, human skeletal materials, or any portion or piece of any of the foregoing items. Nonfossilized and fossilized paleontological specimens, or any portion or piece thereof, shall not be considered archaeological resources, unless found in an archaeological context.
[Added 6-13-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017]
ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTORIC REVIEW BOARD
The Village Architectural and Historic Review Board created by this chapter.[1]
ATTACHED DWELLING
A dwelling unit which is attached to one or more adjoining dwellings and separated from them via a fire-rated separation such as a party wall or floor structure.
AVERAGE GRADE
The grade calculated as the midpoint between the high point and the low point of grade along an exterior building wall. For the determination of eave limits and ridge limits, as the midpoint between the high point and the low point of grade along the exterior building wall yielding the highest elevation. For the determination of the base measuring point for creating the sky exposure plane, as the midpoint between the grade at the base of a building and the grade at the point on the lot line closest to the building. All calculations shall be based on the preconstruction grades, unless otherwise directed by the Architectural and Historic Review Board. The Architectural and Historic Review Board may choose to use the post-construction grades for determining these heights and limits.
AWNING
A roof-like cover made of nylon, canvas or other such material or fabric that projects from the wall of a building for the purpose of shielding a doorway or window from the elements.
BAR OR TAVERN USES
An establishment which shall be licensed by New York State for the sale of alcoholic beverages, having as its principal or predominant use the serving of beer, wine or liquor for consumption on the premises, and which sets a minimum age requirement for entrance consistent with state law.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
BASEMENT
A portion of a building that is substantially below grade. A basement shall be considered as a story above grade where the finished surface of the floor above the basement is:
A. 
More than six feet above the grade plane;
B. 
More than six feet above the finished ground level for more than 50% of the total building perimeter; or
C. 
More than 12 feet above the finished ground level at any point.
BED-AND-BREAKFAST
An owner-occupied residence used to provide lodging accommodations and a morning meal to visitors for compensation, provided that the owner lives on premises and with no more than six guest rooms that are rented for temporary sleeping accommodations at market rates with a maximum length of stay of 14 consecutive nights. Some or all guest rooms may be in accessory buildings. Provision of alcoholic beverages is controlled by state statute.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
BERM
A mound of earth used to shield, screen and buffer undesirable views or to direct the flow of surface water runoff.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The governing board of the Village.
BUFFER or BUFFER AREA
An open space or landscaped area consisting of trees, shrubs, berms, walls, solid fencing or a combination thereof, so installed as to provide both a visual and an acoustical barrier between one use or property and another use or property.
300 Buffer or Buffer Area.tif
BUILDING
A combination of materials to form a construction adapted to permanent, temporary or continuous occupancy and having a roof. When such a structure is divided into separate, freestanding parts by one or more unpierced walls extending from the ground up, each part is deemed a separate building, except as regards minimum side yard requirements in districts which allow attached dwellings or multifamily dwellings.
BUILDING COVERAGE
The area of a lot covered by or permitted to be covered by principal and accessory building(s) and structures on the ground level. Percentage of building coverage is the area of principal and accessory building(s) at the ground level divided by the lot area and expressed as a percentage of the lot area.
BUILDING FRONTAGE
The linear distance of a lot measured along the exterior wall of a building, or along the front building setback line, if there is no building that faces a public street abutting the parcel of land on which the building is located.[2]
BUILDING INSPECTOR/LAND USE OFFICER
The Building Inspector of the Village or his/her designee.
BUILDING LENGTH
The horizontal distance between the vertical planes of the furthermost walls of a building measured along or parallel to the axis of its greatest dimension excluding roof projections such as eaves, rakes and soffits.
CELLAR
A portion of a building having more than 1/2 of its interior height below the grade plane and a clearance of less than six feet.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
An official form issued by the Architectural and Historic Review Board stating that the proposed work on a designated historic landmark, scenic landmark, or contributing structure within an historic district is compatible with the historic character of the property and thus in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and therefore: (1) the proposed work may be completed as specified in the certificate; and (2) the Building Department may issue any permits needed to do the work specified in the certificate.
[Added 6-13-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017]
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
A certificate issued by the Village upon completion of construction, alteration or change in occupancy or use of a building. Said certificate shall acknowledge compliance with all the requirements of this chapter and such adjustments thereto granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
CERTIFIED ARBORIST
An individual who has obtained knowledge and competency in arboriculture or forestry through an accredited body such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) arborist certification program, the American Society of Consulting Arborists, the New Jersey Society of Certified Tree Experts, the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection or the New York State Cooperating Consultant Forester Program.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
CERTIFIED ARBORIST REPORT
A report prepared by a certified arborist containing specific information on the tree(s) and/or shrubs to be removed, including, but not limited to: species, size, location, condition, structure, height, crown integrity, crown spread, age, pruning history and presence of pests or disease. The report shall include the arborist's name, address, business affiliation, certification information and signature.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
CLEAR-CUTTING
The cutting of five or more trees with a diameter of six inches or more at a height of 54 inches (diameter at breast height or DBH) above the natural grade on a given lot within a twelve-month period.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
CLERK
The Village Clerk of the Village of Dobbs Ferry.
CLUBHOUSE, COMMUNITY CENTER, AND PLACES OF WORSHIP
A use that provides meeting space and facilities for private nonprofit associations or religious institutions. Examples include private nonprofit meeting halls, clubs, associations or nonresidential fraternal organizations, such as the Masonic, Eagles, Moose and Elks Lodges, and the Lions and American Legion Clubs; community centers for homeowners' associations or neighborhoods; places of worship such as churches, temples, synagogues and mosques. Such a use typically restricts access to the general public and owns, leases or holds property in common for the benefit of its members.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
CLUSTER/CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT
See § 300-54F. A subdivision or site plan approved pursuant to this chapter, in which the applicable zoning regulations are modified to provide an alternative permitted method for the layout, configuration and design of lots, buildings and structures, roads, utility lines and other infrastructure, parks, and landscaping in order to preserve the natural and scenic qualities of open lands, to create a more compact development, or to meet additional goals of the Vision Plan.[3]
COMMERCIAL USES
The commercial use group includes uses that provide a business or professional service or involve the selling, leasing or renting of merchandise to the general public.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
COMPATIBLE/COMPATIBILITY
As set forth in § 300-19B(2)-(3), in harmony with location, context, setting, and historic character.
[Added 6-13-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017]
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
See "Vision Plan."
CONSERVATION ADVISORY BOARD
A Village board that provides guidance to the Village on various environmental issues.
CONTEXT-BASED LIMITS
Height and bulk limits on proposed buildings established by the prevailing standards of the existing or proposed buildings on lots within 200 feet of the subject parcel.
CONTEXT LIMIT AREA
All lots contiguous to a subject property as well as all buildings fronting on the same street as the subject property within 200 feet of the subject property.
[Added 6-14-2011 by L.L. No. 6-2011]
CONTRIBUTING PROPERTY
A special historic resource that contributes to the historic fabric of the community, or to a particular neighborhood, or to a more important structure. The relationship of this structure to other landmarks/landmark districts may make its preservation important to other structures or to a definable geographic area. Identification of the value and contribution of such a structure to the surrounding structures or area, as described above, would make it eligible for inclusion in the Historic Resources Inventory. This resource has the potential to be considered for inclusion in a Village historic district. The scoring system in the individual property form is a nonbinding guideline for determining whether a property is contributing or noncontributing. See Appendix K: Historic District Application and Individual Property Form.[4]
[Added 6-13-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017]
COTTAGE INDUSTRY
A business or individual that manufactures and/or assembles goods that are intended for on-site sales to the general public for personal or household consumption. The goods may also be sold at wholesale to other outlets or firms, but on-site retail sales is a significant component of the operation. The manufacturing component for such a firm is small in scale. Size limitations may apply to such uses in commercial zones to keep the uses in scale and character with surrounding land uses.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
COUNTRY CLUB
A recreational facility typically restricted for use by members and members' guests but also admitting nonmembers and visitors for special events. The facility typically includes a clubhouse, dining and banquet facilities, and recreational facilities such as a golf course, tennis courts and/or swimming pools.[5]
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
CRITICAL ROOT ZONE (CRZ)
The area containing the volume of roots necessary for maintenance of tree health and stability. The CRZ is determined as a circle with a diameter calculated from the diameter at breast height (DBH) using the equation (DBH X 1.5) X 2, which typically extends beyond the dripline of the tree (as defined below).
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
CROWN
All portions of a tree, excluding the trunk and roots; specifically the branches, leaves, flowers and other foliage.
CUL-DE-SAC
A street with a single common ingress and egress and with a turnaround at the end.
DAY-CARE/NURSERY SCHOOL
A nonresidential facility that provides less than twenty-four-hour-per-day care or supervision for children, elderly or the infirm in a group environment for a fee. Services may include, but are not limited to, nursing and rehabilitative services, personal care, transportation services, educational and social or recreational activities. All facilities are licensed and operated in accordance with applicable New York State Social Services Law.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
DAY-CARE CENTER
A place providing care and instruction between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. for 10 or more children, operated in accordance with the New York State Social Services Law.
DEAD-END STREET
A street with a single common ingress and egress and with or without a turnaround at the end.
300 Dead End Street.tif
DECISIONMAKING BODY
The applicable board, commission or other entity of the Village of Dobbs Ferry that is statutorily enabled to grant approval of a particular application.
DECK
An uncovered platform structure raised above the ground. A terrace is not a deck.
DENSITY
The number of dwelling units per unit area of land, usually expressed as dwelling units per acre.[6]
DESTRUCTIVE PRUNING PRACTICES
Pruning of a mature tree in ways that are in violation of best practices, as defined by the American National Standards Institute Guidelines for Tree Pruning (ANSI A300 Part 1). Destructive pruning practices include, but are not limited to, tree topping, defined as cutting back large-diameter branches to stubs, and removal of more than 25% of a tree's canopy.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
DEVELOPED LOT
A parcel or plot of land that is occupied by a principal building or a permitted use.
DEVELOPMENT/DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY
Any human-made change to improved or unimproved property, including, but not limited to, placement of manufactured housing, buildings or other structures, construction, demolition, clearing, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavating or drilling. Development activity does not include transfer of ownership.
DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT (DBH)
A standard measurement of tree size taken by measuring the diameter of the trunk at a height of 4.5 feet (54 inches) above ground level. Guidelines for determining DBH in some of the more complicated situations are as follows:
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
A. 
If the tree has branches, bumps or forks that interfere with DBH measurement, measure below that point and record the height at which DBH was determined.
B. 
If the tree is growing vertically on a slope, measure DBH from the uphill side of the slope.
C. 
If the tree is leaning, measure DBH in the direction of the lean.
D. 
If the tree splits into several trunks close to the ground (i.e., has a multistemmed or low-branched habit), the DBH of the tree is the sum of the DBH of each trunk.
DISTRICT
A district or a zone shall be 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.
DORMITORY
A living accommodation located on the same lot that is operated by a school for full-time students attending the school, adult staff residents directly responsible for the overnight supervision of such students, and members of the immediate families of such adult staff residents.
DOWNED TREE
A tree that has fallen over or is broken and is lying on the ground or on a structure.[7]
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
DRIPLINE
The outermost limit of the canopy of a tree as delineated by the perimeter of its branches and which, extended perpendicularly to the ground, encloses the tree.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
DRIVE-THROUGH FACILITY
A physical appurtenance which has ordering and pickup facilities, is accessible by a designated driveway, is accessory to and part of the structure of the primary facility and use to which it is attached, and is designed or used to sell or serve food or merchandise or to provide banking services to customers.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
DRIVEWAY
A means of access for vehicles to or from a property to a street.
DUE NOTICE
The following three requirements shall together constitute due notice for the purposes of this chapter except where state or federal law imposes a different requirement: 1) a certified, first-class mailing by the applicant to all property owners within 200 feet of the property line; 2) a sworn statement by the applicant affirming that said notice was given; and 3) the posting of a sign provided by the Land Use Officer in a conspicuous location on the subject property stating that there is a pending application on the property and a telephone number to call for further information. All notices shall be mailed and posted at least seven days prior to the public hearing.
DWELLING
Any permanent building or portion thereof designed or used exclusively as the residence for one or more persons.
DWELLING UNIT
A single residential unit providing complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation, in which all habitable spaces are accessible to one another from the interior, and meeting the requirements of the New York State Building Code for residential use.
DWELLING, MULTIFAMILY
A residential building that contains four or more dwelling units that share common walls or common floors/ceilings with one or more dwelling units. The land upon which the building sits is not divided into separate lots.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
DWELLING, ONE-FAMILY
A building containing one dwelling unit not physically attached to any other principal structure.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
DWELLING, TWO- OR THREE-FAMILY
A building containing two or three individual dwelling units located on a single lot. The units may be located side by side with a common wall or one above the other with a common floor/ceiling.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
EASEMENT
A grant by a landowner to another legal entity, including a municipality, for the right to occupy or use designated land for specific purposes, such as access, drainage, conservation, the location of public improvements, or other specified purpose. An easement does not constitute fee simple ownership of the land.
300 Easement.tif
EAVE, DOMINANT
The highest eave on a building measured from the base of the facade with the highest average grade.
EAVE HEIGHT
The vertical distance from the average grade along a wall surface to the edge of the roof that overhangs or meets the wall of the building.
EAVE HEIGHT, DOMINANT
Longest eave, unless otherwise determined by the Architectural and Historic Review Board.
[Added 6-14-2011 by L.L. No. 6-2011]
EAVE HEIGHT, PREVAILING
The average eave height of existing buildings located within the context limit area of the property being considered by the Architectural and Historic Review Board. Only the eave measured above the facade with the highest average grade on an existing building shall be used for determining the average. The average shall be calculated by adding the dominant eave heights on all existing buildings together and then dividing the total by the number of buildings. The result is the prevailing eave height. Please refer to § 300-17C.
[Amended 6-14-2011 by L.L. No. 6-2011]
ENTERTAINMENT OR RECREATIONAL USES, INDOOR
Indoor uses in this category may require larger indoor areas to accommodate equipment or facilities for the proposed activity. Examples include, but are not limited to, physical fitness centers, health clubs, gyms, bowling alleys, indoor skating rinks, swimming facilities, billiard halls, amusement arcades, indoor theaters, indoor play parks, cabarets and dance halls.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
ENTERTAINMENT OR RECREATIONAL USES, OUTDOOR
Outdoor uses in this category are typically land-intensive uses that provide continuous recreation or entertainment-oriented activities. They may take place in a number of structures that are arranged together in an outdoor setting. Examples include, but are not limited to, commercial tennis and swimming facilities, drive-in theaters, outdoor skating rinks, golf driving ranges, outdoor miniature golf facilities, commercial amphitheaters, and active sports facilities such as ball fields.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA, FEATURE OR LAND
An area, site, parcel or lot containing one or more of the following features: water resources, including intermittent or perennial watercourses, ponds, lakes, reservoirs and retention basins, tidal or freshwater wetlands, floodplains, aquifer recharge areas, erodible soils, steep slopes and rock outcroppings and other areas as defined by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Each such feature is designated an "environmentally sensitive feature."
ERECT
To build, construct, reconstruct, attach, hang, alter, place, affix, enlarge, move or relocate.
ERODIBLE SOILS
Soils classified as subject to severe erosion by the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.
EXISTING GRADE
The topography of a property prior to excavation, filling or regrading.
FAMILY
A. 
Either:
(1) 
A head of household plus one or more persons related by blood, marriage or adoption or other domestic bond and limited to the spouse, domestic partner, parents or lineal descendants of the head of household or of the head of household's spouse or domestic partner, living together as a single, not-for-profit unit sharing housekeeping duties and cooking, eating, living and recreational facilities; or
(2) 
A maximum of five persons not sharing a relationship described in A(1) above, but living together as a single housekeeping unit sharing housekeeping duties and cooking, eating, living and recreational facilities.
B. 
All living situations meeting one of the above definitions of "family" must still comply with the occupancy standards set forth in the Property Maintenance Code of New York State of not less than 400 square feet per person.
FENCE
An artificially constructed barrier of any material or combination of materials erected to enclose or screen areas of land.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
FENCE HEIGHT
In regard to fences, the distance measured from the finished grade to the top of the fence. In the case of a fence located on a wall or berm, the height of the fence shall include the height of the wall or berm. Retaining walls shall not be included in the height of the fence.
FINAL PLAT
The final drawings of the layout of a subdivision prepared in accordance with Village approval with the signature of the Chairman of the Planning Board affixed thereto and filed with the Westchester County Clerk.
FINISHED GRADE
The topography of a property after all required excavation, filling or regrading has been completed and determined by the Land Use Officer to be stable.
FLAG
Any fabric or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns or symbols.[8]
FLAT ROOF
A roof having a pitch in a horizontal to vertical ratio of 0.25 or less.
FLOODPLAIN
An area designated as within a floodplain on the Official Village Map.[9]
FREESTANDING TOWER
Any telecommunications structure that is not connected to a building and that is designed and constructed primarily for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
FRONTAGE
The property boundary of a lot abutting a public street; the front lot line. On lots with multiple street fronts, the frontage shall include the length of the lot abutting all such streets.[10]
GABLE
That part of the wall immediately under the end of a pitched roof, cut into a triangular shape by the sloping sides of the roof.
GARAGE, PRIVATE
An accessory building for the private use of the owner or occupant of a principal building located on the same lot for the storage of motor vehicles with no facilities for mechanical services or repair of a commercial or public nature.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
GIRDLING
An activity that removes or injures the bark of a tree trunk, typically extending around much of the tree's circumference.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
GRADE PLANE
A reference plane representing the average of finished ground level adjoining the building at all exterior walls. This reference plane shall be established by the lowest point within the area between the building and the lot line or, when 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
The gross floor area shall include all floor areas of all buildings and structures on a single parcel, including but not limited to habitable basement and habitable attic areas, but excluding garages, open porches, crawl spaces, unenclosed decks, breezeways, imaginary/intermediate floor levels below cathedral ceilings, and any uninhabitable areas. An uninhabitable area shall be one which does not have direct walk-in access or maximum floor-to-ceiling height of less than 7.5 feet. In computing the gross floor area, the floor area of horizontal section shall be that area enclosed by the outside faces of all exterior walls. The gross floor area shall not include the floor areas devoted to any accessory parking structures.
GROUND FLOOR
The lowest story of a building having its entire floor-to-ceiling height above grade.
GROUP HOME
A building occupied on a permanent basis by a group of unrelated persons with disabilities in a family-like environment and which may be occupied by paid professional support staff provided by a sponsoring agency.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
GUIDELINE
Written statements, explanatory material, graphic renderings and/or photographs that are advisory recommendations intended to provide property owners and the public with specific examples of techniques and materials that can be used to achieve adopted standards. A guideline is an indication of Village policy or preferences, and compliance is encouraged to further the Village's land use goals and policies.[11]
HAZARDOUS TREE
A tree that exhibits serious defects, that is, obvious and visible signs that the tree is failing and that it presents an imminent threat to the health and safety of persons, property, power lines or places where people gather. Examples of serious defects include, but are not restricted to, one or more of the following conditions:
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
A. 
Excessive damage by an act of God, usually a weather event such as windstorm, lightning strike or flooding, with major broken branches, split trunk, large cracks or other defects that cannot be corrected by pruning.
B. 
Severe cracks in the main stem or in branch unions that penetrate deeply into the wood of the tree.
C. 
Advanced decay associated with cracks, branch unions, cavities in the tree or root flares and buttress roots. Evidence of fungal activity, including mushrooms, conks, and brackets growing on root flares, stems, or branches, can be indicators of advanced decay.
D. 
Leaning beyond 45° from vertical with evidence of recent root exposure, soil movement or soil mounding.
E. 
Supported solely by the action of another tree or object.
HEIGHT, BUILDING
Building height is measured as follows: The maximum height of a structure in feet shall be measured perpendicularly from the existing grade to an imaginary plane located the permitted number of feet above and parallel to the existing grade. For peaked roofs, height shall be measured to the midpoint of the roof. No portion of a peaked roof below the midpoint shall extend above said imaginary plane. For flat roofs, height shall be measured to the top of the roof. No portion of a flat roof shall extend above the imaginary plane. Parapets with a height of 36 inches or less are not included in determining building height.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
A. 
Exception:
(1) 
In the downtown districts, building height is measured from the midpoint of the building fronting on the public sidewalk on Broadway (Route 9), Ashford Avenue, Cedar Street or Main Street, and not from the grade plane, to the peak of a pitched roof or the top of a flat roof.
(2) 
In the downtown districts, the first floor of a building which provides at-grade direct access or egress onto the public sidewalk shall be considered a story, whether or not it meets the standards for being considered a basement.
HIGHER LEARNING
Colleges, universities and professional schools granting academic degrees and requiring at least a high school diploma or equivalent general academic training for admission; junior colleges and technical institutes requiring at least a high school diploma or equivalent general academic training for admission and granting associate academic degrees, certificates or diplomas. These uses tend to be in campus-like settings or on multiple blocks.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
HISTORIC DISTRICT
An area designated as an historic district by this chapter, and which contains within definable geographic boundaries a significant concentration, linkage or continuity of sites, buildings, structures, or objects united historically or aesthetically by plan or physical development. An historic district designated under this chapter shall be considered an overlay zone, and the use regulations for any lot or parcel in the overlay zone shall be the same as otherwise permitted in the zoning district in which the lot or parcel is located. Furthermore, the bulk requirements (coverage, lot size, yards, height) for any lot or parcel in the overlay zone shall be the same as otherwise required in the zoning district in which the lot or parcel is located.
[Added 6-13-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017]
HISTORIC DISTRICT STANDARDS
The resource document adopted by the Board of Trustees and appended to this Chapter as Appendix I[12] which contains the standards applicable to proposed modifications, renovation, repair and expansion of structures within areas designated as historic districts by this chapter.
[Added 5-9-2023 by L.L. No. 5-2023]
HISTORIC INTEGRITY
The retention of sufficient aspects of location, design, setting, workmanship, materials, feeling or association for a property to convey its historic significance.
[Added 6-13-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017]
HISTORIC LANDMARK
Any building, structure, object or site which has special historical, cultural, or aesthetic value to the Village of Dobbs Ferry, and/or is an important part of the Village's heritage. The scoring system in the individual property form is a nonbinding guideline for determining whether a property qualifies as an historic landmark. See Appendix K: Historic District Application and Individual Property Form.[13]
[Added 6-13-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017]
HISTORIC RESOURCE
Any evaluated building, structure, object, or site that:
[Added 6-13-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017]
A. 
Exemplifies or possesses special character, or historic or aesthetic interest of value as part of the political, economic, or social history of the Village;
B. 
Is identified with persons or events significant in local, state, or national history;
C. 
Embodies the distinguishing characteristics of a type, period or method of construction or design style, or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship; or is representative of the work of a designer, architect or builder;
D. 
Represents an established and familiar visual feature of the community by virtue of its unique location or singular physical characteristic, represents an established and familiar visual feature of the community;
E. 
Has yielded or may be likely to yield information important in prehistory or history;
F. 
Is part of a collection of structures which together serve as tangible evidence of a community's cultural heritage and historic identity.[14]
HOME BUSINESS
Any nonresidential use that is incidental and clearly subordinate to an existing residential use, conducted within a dwelling unit or in an existing accessory structure by the owner of same, which does not change the residential character of the dwelling unit or vicinity and where no nonresident employees, customers or clients enter the premises. This includes remote working situations.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
HOME OCCUPATION
Any use customarily conducted entirely within a dwelling and carried on by the inhabitants thereof, with not more than two nonresident assistants working at the same time, with no retail sales of products produced off the premises, which use is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for dwelling purposes, does not change the character thereof, does not have any exterior evidence of that secondary use other than a permitted nameplate, does not involve the use of other than customary home appliances and equipment, and does not involve the keeping of a stock-in-trade. The conducting of a clinic, hospital, barbershop, beauty parlor, tea room, bed-and-breakfast, or the raising of animals, or any similar use, shall not qualify as a home occupation.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
HOSPITAL
An institution specializing in providing clinical, ambulatory, temporary and emergency services of a medical or surgical nature to human patients and injured persons, that is licensed by state law to provide such services. Hospitals may include ambulatory care, inpatient medical or surgical care for the sick or injured and related facilities such as laboratories, outpatient departments, training facilities, central services facilities, and staff offices that are an integral part of the facilities. Cafeterias, restaurants, florists, gift shops, pharmacies, and other typical and subordinate uses may be permitted, subject to the standards for accessory uses.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
HOTEL
A facility offering lodging accommodations with more than 10 guest rooms or suites to the general public, which may also provide additional services and facilities, such as restaurants and meeting rooms. Motels and motor courts are not included in this definition and are prohibited in all zoning districts.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
HOUSEHOLD LIVING
Residential occupancy of a dwelling unit by occupants constituting a household unit with tenancy arranged on a monthly or longer basis, not on a short-term rental basis.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
IMPERVIOUS COVERAGE
The part of a lot that is covered by impervious surfaces, expressed as a percentage of the gross lot area.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface that has been compacted or covered with a layer of material so that it restricts infiltration of stormwater into the ground, including but not limited to parking areas, parking decks, 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.
[Amended 6-14-2011 by L.L. No. 6-2011]
INDUSTRIAL SERVICE USES
Facilities used in the repair or servicing of industrial, business or consumer machinery, equipment, products or by-products. Industrial service firms that service or repair consumer goods do so primarily by providing centralized services for separate retail outlets rather than for individual customers. Few customers, especially the general public, come to the site.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
INDUSTRIAL USES
The industrial use group includes uses that produce goods from extracted materials or from recyclable or previously prepared materials, including the design, storage and handling of these products and the materials from which they are produced. It also includes uses that store or distribute materials or goods in large quantities.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
INN
A facility offering lodging accommodations with no more than 10 guest rooms or suites to the general public, which may also provide additional services and facilities as accessory uses, such as restaurants, meeting rooms, entertainment and recreational facilities, provided that these accessory uses are a permitted use in the zoning district.[15]
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
LOADING SPACE
Space logically and conveniently located for bulk pickups and deliveries, scaled to delivery vehicles, and not considered as part of the minimum required off-street surface parking.
LOCAL WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION PLAN (LWRP)
The Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan, as adopted by the Village Board of Trustees and amended from time to time.
LOT
A parcel of land separated from other parcels of land for purposes of sale, lease or separate use. Such separation may be described on a subdivision plat, indicated on a recorded map or deed, specified by metes and bounds, or created as a result of a public street or railroad right-of-way.
LOT, CORNER
A parcel of land at the junction of and fronting on two or more intersecting streets.
LOT, THROUGH
An interior lot which fronts upon two parallel streets or which fronts upon two streets which do not intersect at the boundaries of the lot.
300 Lot Through.tif
LOT AREA, GROSS
The total square footage of a lot prior to any reductions pursuant to this chapter.
LOT AREA, NET
The area of the lot after any reductions pursuant to this chapter have been deducted.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
LOT COVERAGE
The amount of building coverage, impervious surface coverage, or a combination of the two, divided by the lot area, and expressed as a percentage.
300 Lot Depth.tif
LOT DEPTH
The average measured distance of a line drawn from the street line to the rear lot line at right angles to the front property line. Where the front property line is an arc of a circle or irregular in shape, the depth shall be the average distance between the front and rear lines.
LOT, FLAG
A lot where access from the lot to the public road is by means of a private right-of-way or driveway. For the purposes of determining required setbacks, the front setback shall be measured from the street line and the rear setback shall be measured to the lot line opposite the front. The setback to all other lot lines, including the lot line forming the "flag" that is closest to the street, shall be the side yard requirement.
300 Lot Line Front.tif
LOT FRONTAGE
The length of the lot that abuts a public street.
LOT LINE
A line of record bounding a lot that divides one lot from another lot or from a public or private street or any other public space.
LOT LINE, FRONT
The lot line separating a lot from a public street right-of-way.
A. 
For a through lot, the front public street line which is nearest to the main entrance of the principal building.
B. 
For a corner lot, the front public street line as designated in an application for a permit to erect or alter a building on such lot or, if not so designated, the street line from which the principal building sets back the greatest distance. The setback requirement from the street not designated as the front shall be at the discretion of the Planning Board, determined by the prevailing setback of the other buildings facing that same street, and ranging between the minimum required side yard setback and the minimum required front yard setback.
C. 
For a lot that does not adjoin any public street, the boundary line of such lot which is designated as such in an application for a permit to erect or alter a building on such lot or, if not so designated, the lot line which is nearest and most nearly parallel to a public street. In the case of a flag lot, the front line shall be that lot line that is nearest and most nearly parallel to the street with the required front setback measured from the street line.
LOT LINE, REAR
The lot line which is opposite and most distant from the front lot line or, in the case of a lot which is irregular in shape, the lot boundary line which is most nearly parallel to and at the greatest average distance from the front lot line.
LOT LINE, SIDE
Any lot boundary line which is not a front lot line or a rear lot line.
LOT WIDTH
The horizontal distance across a lot between side lot lines measured at a distance from the front lot line equal to the minimum required depth of the front yard.
MAINTENANCE BOND
A surety or cash deposit in a form acceptable to the Village Attorney provided to the Village in an amount determined by the Village to be sufficient to guarantee dedicated improvements, work that has either fully or partially been completed and/or provide funds that may be necessary to implement protection measures to prevent erosion and sedimentation or other adverse impacts that could otherwise result from the construction process. In the event that it becomes necessary to use all or a portion of the maintenance bond, the Village may require that the fund be replenished to protect completion of the work.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION USES, GENERAL
Facilities for the transformation of predominantly previously prepared materials into new products, including assembly of component parts and the creation of products for sale to the wholesale or retail markets or directly to consumers. Such uses are wholly confined within an enclosed building, do not include processing of hazardous gases, substances and chemicals, and do not emit noxious noise, odor, vibration or fumes.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION USES, INTENSIVE
Facilities that involve the generation outside the property of noise, odor, vibration or dust, or any use where the area occupied by outdoor storage of goods and materials used in the assembly, fabrication or processing exceeds 25% of the floor area of buildings on the lot.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
MASTER PLAN
See "Vision Plan."
MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE
Reasonable efforts have been undertaken to comply with the regulation or requirement. Whether an effort is practicable depends on if the costs of compliance clearly outweigh the potential benefits to the public or would unreasonably burden the proposed project, and whether reasonable steps have been undertaken to minimize any potential harm or adverse impacts resulting from the noncompliance.
MINIMUM DISTANCE
The smallest permissible distance between two objects, measured as a straight line. When one of the objects is a street line or lot line, the distance shall always be measured perpendicularly to the street line or lot line.
MIXED USE BUILDING
A building containing more than one of the uses listed in Table A-1, A-2 or A-3.[16]
[Added 6-14-2011 by L.L. No. 6-2011]
MIXED USE RESIDENTIAL
A building or group of buildings containing one or more dwelling units located above or below the street level of the building with nonresidential uses located on the street level.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
MOTEL
A facility offering transient lodging accommodations to the general public with more than 10% of its guest rooms having direct access to the outside without the necessity of passing through the main lobby of the building, and which may also provide additional services, such as restaurants, meeting rooms, entertainment and recreational facilities.[17]
MULTIFAMILY HOUSING COMPLEX
Two or more multifamily dwelling buildings in one development project.
[Added 6-14-2011 by L.L. No. 6-2011]
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
The official inventory of the nation's historic properties, districts, sites, districts, structures, objects and landmarks which are significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, and culture, maintained by the Secretary of the Interior under the authority of the Historic Sites Act of 1935 and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 USC § 470 et seq., 36 CFR 60, 63, as may be amended).[18]
[Added 6-13-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017]
NONCONFORMING LOT
A lot, the area, dimension or location of which was lawful prior to the adoption, revision or amendment of this chapter, but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located by reason of such adoption, revision or amendment.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE
A structure, the size, dimension or location of which was lawful prior to the adoption, revision or amendment of this chapter, but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located by reason of such adoption, revision or amendment.
NONCONFORMING USE
A use of land that lawfully existed prior to the enactment of this chapter, and which is maintained after the effective date of the chapter although it does not comply with use restrictions applicable to the area in which it is situated.
NONCONTRIBUTING PROPERTY
A structure in a recognized or potential historic district that does not make a significant contribution to that district. Although preservation of this building is not essential, it is important to recognize the relationship of its existence and/or changes in land use to other buildings in the district. The scoring system in the individual property form is a nonbinding guideline for determining whether a property is contributing or noncontributing. See Appendix K: Historic District Application and Individual Property Form.[19]
[Added 6-13-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017]
NURSING HOME, RETIREMENT HOME, OR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY
A building or buildings, whether operated for profit or not, which provides the housing, meals, health care assistance and personal care to one or more adults who are not relatives of the owner or proprietor, which is licensed by New York State for such operations.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
OFF-STREET PARKING
A space that is designated for the parking or temporary storage of motor vehicles located outside of the right-of-way of a public or private street.[20]
OFFICE USE, GENERAL
Professional offices, such as lawyers, accountants, engineers, architects, and real estate agents; financial services, such as mortgage lenders, brokerage houses, administrative and back office banking facilities; data processing; government offices; public utility offices; social service agency offices; and television and radio studios.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
OFFICE USE, MEDICAL AND DENTAL
A type of office use distinguished by a higher than typical number of client or patient visits. Examples include medical and dental clinics, chiropractic clinics, medical and dental labs, blood-collection facilities, and physical therapy clinics.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
OFFICIAL MAP
The map established by the Board of Trustees pursuant to Village Law § 7-724 showing all the streets, highways and parks theretofore laid out, adopted and established by, and any amendment thereto adopted by, the Board of Trustees, or additions thereto resulting from the approval of subdivision final plats by the Planning Board or Board of Trustees and the recording thereof in the Westchester County Clerk's office.
ON-STREET PARKING
A space that is designated for the parking or temporary storage of motor vehicles located within the right-of-way of a public or private street and designated with signage, striping or parking meters, or otherwise consisting of 20 feet of length along a curb or edge of paving where parking is permitted.
OPEN SPACE (OS)
Any parcel or area 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, occupants, and their guests, of land adjoining or adjacent to such open space. In the Village, there are three different categories of OS:
A. 
OS 1applies to dedicated parks and similar properties.
B. 
OS 2an overlay zone which covers all or a portion of any property identified on the Open Space Inventory but not already designated OS 1.
C. 
OS 3an area within a development project that has been designated as protected open space through a conservation easement, restrictive covenant, deed restriction or other legal means.
OPEN SPACE INVENTORY
An inventory or index maintained by the Conservation Advisory Board of all open spaces in public and private ownership within the Village, including, but not limited to, natural landmarks, glacial and other geomorphic or physiographic features, streams and their floodplains, swamps, marshland and other wetlands, unique biotic communities, scenic and other open areas of natural or ecological value.
OUTDOOR DINING
The serving of food and/or beverages in a designated area outside a fully enclosed structure as an accessory use to a permitted restaurant, bar, cocktail lounge or similar use.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
OUTDOOR STORAGE
The keeping in an unroofed area of any goods, junk, material, merchandise or vehicles in the same place for more than 24 hours. This shall not include the display of vehicles for sale in a new or used car sales lot. Such activities may be the principal use of the land or an accessory use to another principal use when authorized by the standards of the zoning district.
OWNER
Any individual, firm, partnership, copartnership, association, corporation, syndicate, trust or any other legal entity having sufficient proprietary interest in a parcel of land.
PARCEL
A circumscribed area of land identified by a unique Tax Map identification number consisting of a section, map and lot number.
PARKING LOT
An off-street, ground-level area or deck-level area open to the sky which is used for the storage of automobiles and other motor vehicles.
PARKING STRUCTURE
A structure designed specifically for the storage of automobiles and other motor vehicles.
PARKING USES, NONACCESSORY
Facilities providing space for the parking of vehicles, but which are not accessory to a specific principal use. A fee may or may not be charged. A facility that provides both accessory parking for a principal use and nonaccessory parking is also classified as nonaccessory parking. Uses are divided into two subgroups based on provision of parking in surface lots or in structures (aboveground or below ground.)
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
PERFORMANCE BOND
A surety or cash deposit in a form acceptable to the Village Attorney given to the Village for the purposes of guaranteeing the completion or maintenance of improvements approved as part of an application. The amount of the performance bond shall be based on the applicant's cost projections for the work, subject to approval and modification by the Land Use Officer.
PERMITTED USE
A use of a building or land that conforms with the provisions of this chapter.
PLANNING BOARD
The Village Planning Board established pursuant to this chapter, Article III, Planning Board.
PLAT
A map or plan showing the division of any parcel of land into two or more lots, blocks, sites or other subdivisions of land.
PLINTH
A monument sign base that rests directly on the ground, designed as a support unit, architectural unit, or decorative design element.
PORCH, ENCLOSED
An unheated roofed area, which may be screened, usually attached to or part of and with direct access to a building, and when the ratio of open to enclosed surface area, including windows, is less than 50%. Enclosed porches shall be considered as part of the principal building and count in site coverage calculations.
PORCH, OPEN
An unheated roofed area, which may be screened, usually attached to or part of and with direct access to a building, and when the ratio of open to enclosed surface area, including wall and/or window areas as enclosed, is 50% or more. Openings protected with screens are not considered as enclosed.
PREVAILING SETBACK
The lesser of:
A. 
The average of the existing front yard setback of the properties on either side of the subject property; or
B. 
The average of the existing front yard setback of each lot on the block face on which the subject property is located; however, in no case shall a property more than 500 feet from the subject property or with a setback of more than 50 feet be included in the calculation.
300 Prevailing Setback.tif
In this example, the minimum required front setback in the underlying zoning district is 20 feet. However, because of the variety in existing setbacks of buildings on the same block face, new development on lot C may be located with a setback of only 15 feet, which is the average of the setbacks of the adjacent lots B and D. Alternatively, the setback may be determined by the average of all the properties on the block face, except that the setback for property A would not be included in the calculation, as the setback is more than 50 feet.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING
A building in which the principal use of the lot on which it is located is conducted. In any residential district, any dwelling shall be deemed to be a principal building on the lot on which it is located.
300 Prevailing Setback after Ex.tif
PRINCIPAL ENTRANCE
The place of ingress and egress most frequently used by the public.
PRINCIPAL USE
The primary or predominant use of any lot, parcel, structure or building.
PROPERTY LINE
See "lot line."
PROTECTED TREE
Any of the following:
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
A. 
A tree with a DBH of eight inches or more, regardless of location.
B. 
A tree with a DBH of three inches or more located in a wetland, watercourse buffer or watershed buffer (as defined elsewhere in Village Code).
C. 
A tree with a DBH of three inches or more located on a slope of 25% or greater.
D. 
A tree that has been planted as a specific requirement of site development plan approval or as part of a previous replanting or restoration agreement.
E. 
A tree of historic or unique value to the Village (as defined herein).
F. 
A tree with a DBH of three inches or more designated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as a protected native plant for our region.
PUBLIC PROTECTED TREE
Any of the following:
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
A. 
A tree with a DBH of eight inches or more located on lands owned by the Village or land upon which property rights such as easements are imposed for the benefit of the Village.
B. 
A tree, regardless of size, planted in a designated tree well or curbside in the public right-of-way.[21]
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, WATER-RELATED
Public or private recreational facilities in a waterfront zoning district, including daytime mooring or docking facilities to accommodate visitors, nonmotorized watercraft rental stores, and other similar uses.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
REHABILITATION
The act or process of repairing, altering, and/or adding on to a structure while preserving those portions or features of the property which convey its historical, architectural and cultural values.
[Added 6-13-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017]
REPAIR
Acts of ordinary maintenance that do not include a change in the design, material, form, or outer appearance of a resource, such as repainting. This includes methods of stabilizing and preventing further decay, and may incorporate replacement-in-kind or refurbishment of materials on a building or structure.
[Added 6-13-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017]
REPLANTING AGREEMENT
A written agreement between the property owner and the Village specifying types and sizes of trees and/or shrubs to be planted as replacements for those that have been removed.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
RESTAURANT, USES
A food service establishment having licenses for the preparation and serving of food and beverages to customers for consumption on the premises.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
RESTORE
The act or process of accurately depicting the form, features, and character of a property as it appeared at a particular period of time by means of the removal of features from other periods in its history and reconstruction of missing features from the restoration period. The limited and sensitive upgrading of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and other code-required work to make properties functional is appropriate within a restoration project.
[Added 6-13-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017]
RESUBDIVISION
Any relocation of existing property lines of a parcel or of property lines shown on a plat or deed filed in the office of the County Clerk.
RETAIL SALES AND SERVICE USES
Establishments involved in the sale, lease or rental of new or used products to the general public and establishments involved in the sale of personal services, hospitality services, or product repair services to the general public.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
RETAIL SALES AND SERVICE USES, OUTDOOR STORAGE AND DISPLAY ORIENTED
Establishments and uses that typically include large areas of outdoor storage or display, such as lumberyards, sales of landscaping materials and nursery products, and equipment rental businesses.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
RETAIL SALES AND SERVICE USES, PERSONAL SERVICE ORIENTED
Establishments engaged in providing retail services, including, but not limited to, banking and financial services, laundromats, catering services, dry cleaners, tailors, shoe repair, photographic studios, photocopy services, quick-printing services, blueprint services, beauty salons, tanning salons, therapeutic massage establishments, taxidermists, mortuaries, funeral homes, and crematoriums. Establishments offering tattooing services are not included in this use category. Tattooing establishments are prohibited in the Village of Dobbs Ferry, except when performed for medical purposes by a person licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
RETAIL SALES AND SERVICE USES, REPAIR ORIENTED
Establishments providing repair or servicing of consumer goods, such as electronics, bicycles, office equipment, appliances.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
RETAIL SALES AND SERVICE USES, SALES ORIENTED
Establishment selling, leasing or renting consumer, home or business goods, including, but not limited to, antiques, appliances, art, art supplies, bicycles, carpeting, clothing, dry or packaged goods, electronic equipment, fabric, flowers, food for carry-out and consumption off-site, furniture, garden supplies, gifts, groceries, hardware, household products, jewelry, pharmaceuticals, plants, printed material and stationery. This use also includes retail establishments that have a small-scale product creation component or cottage industry, such as bakeries, confectioneries, upholsterer, and similar.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
RIDGE
The topmost edge or point of a pitched roof.
RIDGE HEIGHT, PREVAILING
The average ridge height of existing buildings located within the context limit area of the property being considered by the Architectural and Historic Review Board. Only the highest ridge measured from the facade with the highest average grade on an existing building shall be used for determining the average. The average shall be calculated by adding such ridge heights on all existing buildings together and then dividing the total by the number of buildings. The result is the prevailing ridge height. Please refer to § 300-17C.
[Amended 6-14-2011 by L.L. No. 6-2011]
SCENIC LANDMARK
Structures that are not buildings but may include structures, features or resources such as bridges, piers, parks, gateways, cemeteries, sidewalks, clocks, and trees, which meet the criteria for an historic landmark.
[Added 6-13-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017]
SCHOOL, PRIVATE ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY
Private schools at the primary, elementary, junior high, or high school level that provide state-mandated basic education, including such schools owned or operated by a religious entity, boarding schools, and military academies.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
SCHOOL, PUBLIC ELEMENTARY OR SECONDAY
Public schools at the primary, elementary, junior high, or high school level that provide state-mandated basic education.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
SCHOOL, SPECIALIZED
Schools primarily engaged in offering specialized trade, business or commercial courses. Also, specialized non-degree-granting schools, such as music schools, dramatic schools, dance studios, martial arts studios, language schools and other short-term examination-preparatory schools.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
SEASONAL
Of or relating to the conducting of a use for a period not exceeding six months in any calendar year.
SETBACK
The least horizontal distance from any building to the nearest street or highway right-of-way or to a lot line.
300 Setback.tif
SETBACK, FRONT YARD
At any story level, the minimum distance between the front lot line or its vertical projection and the front walls of the building, excluding roof projections such as eaves, rakes and soffits and trim details and other ornamental projections.
SETBACK, REAR YARD
At any story level, the minimum distance between the rear lot line or its vertical projection and the rear walls of the building, excluding roof projections such as eaves, rakes and soffits and trim details and other ornamental projections.
SETBACK, SIDE YARD
At any story level, the minimum distance between the side lot line or its vertical projection and the side walls of the building, excluding roof projections such as eaves, rakes and soffits and trim details and other ornamental projections.
SIGN
Any material, structure or device, including awnings, composed of letters, pictures or symbols designed or used for the purpose of attracting, or which does attract, the attention of the public to the subject matter thereof; and located out-of-doors, on the exterior of a building, or inside the building within three feet of the window or in a manner to be viewed primarily by passersby by any means, including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or projected images, but excluding the American flag or other governmental flags, athletic scoreboards on school premises, or official announcements and signs of government. Any striping, lighting, corporate color schemes and other graphic design intended to serve as to attract attention will be defined as a "sign." The following are definitions of specific sign types:
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
A. 
ABANDONED SIGNAny sign which:
(1) 
Is located on a building or property which becomes vacant and remains unoccupied for a period of 60 days or more;
(2) 
Pertains to a time, event or purpose that no longer applies;
(3) 
Advertises or pertains to a business, activity, product or service no longer conducted or offered on the premises; or
(4) 
Pertains to a product or service other than the one offered on such premises.
B. 
ANIMATED SIGNAny sign manifesting kinetic or illusory motion caused by natural, mechanical, manual, electrical or other means.
C. 
AWNING SIGNAny projecting sign that is painted on, printed on or attached to a surface fabricated of nonrigid materials attached to a structural frame which is supported by the exterior wall of a building.
D. 
FLASHING SIGNAny sign which contains an intermittent or flashing light source or which includes the illusion of intermittent or flashing light by means of animation or an externally mounted intermittent light source. Automatic changing signs such as public service time, temperature and date signs or electronically controlled message centers are not defined as "flashing signs."
E. 
FLAT SIGNAny sign that is painted on or attached to the exterior of a building with the face of the sign in the plane parallel to such wall, which does not project more than 12 inches from the wall.
F. 
FREESTANDING SIGNAny sign supported by structures or supports that is placed on, or anchored in, the ground and that is independent from any building or other structure, but excluding monument signs, including, but not limited to pole signs, pylon signs, A-frame and masonry wall-type signs.
G. 
ILLUMINATED SIGNAny sign, including but not limited to neon and neon window borders, in or upon which an artificial light source is used to illuminate the information and graphics of the sign. Illuminated signs include the following:
(1) 
Self-illuminated, wherein the light source itself is shaped and utilized to form the sign (e.g., neon or an array of individual lamps).
(2) 
Self-illuminated — internal, wherein a translucent or opaque material that forms the sign is backlit by the light source and the light source is enclosed from direct view.
(3) 
Externally illuminated — direct, wherein the sign is illuminated by a light source placed in a manner to cast light upon the sign. Direct external illumination may be either enclosed or exposed.
(4) 
Externally illuminated — indirect, wherein the sign is illuminated by ambient light.
H. 
MONUMENT or GROUND SIGNAny detached sign on the same lot or parcel as the use it advertises which has its bottom portion attached to a base or plinth, integrated ground planter box, or structural frame.
I. 
NONCONFORMING SIGNAny sign that is not in compliance with this chapter.
J. 
OFF-PREMISES SIGNAny sign which advertises an establishment, products, services or entertainment which are not present, sold or distributed on the premises where the sign is located.
K. 
PROJECTING SIGNAny sign which is attached to the building wall or structure and which extends horizontally from the plane of such wall or structure more than 12 inches.
L. 
REPRESENTATIONAL SIGNAny three-dimensional sign built to physically represent the object advertised.
M. 
ROOF SIGNAny sign mounted over or on the roof or parapet of a building.
N. 
TEMPORARY SIGNAny sign not permanently mounted and related to a single activity or event having a limited duration of 30 days or less, including but not limited to campaigns or elections, grand openings, special sales and going-out-of-business signs.
O. 
WALL SIGNAny painted sign, letter, word, model, device or representation that may be affixed to the front, side or rear wall of any building and in the same plane as the face of the wall and which does not project more than 12 inches from that wall.
P. 
WINDOW SIGNAny sign visible from a sidewalk, street or other public place, painted or affixed on glass or other window material, or located inside the building within three feet of a window, which is designed or intended to be visible from the exterior of the building.
SIGNIFICANT STANDS OF TREES
Five or more trees of the same species clustered to form the same dripline.
SITE PLAN
A development plan of one or more lots or parcels meeting the requirements of this chapter.
SKY EXPOSURE PLANE
A theoretical inclined plane, through which no part of a building may penetrate in OF and MDR-1 residential zoning districts. It rises over the zoning lot at an angle from or above the level base plane set forth in district regulations. For purposes of context-based height limits in this chapter, determined by projecting a forty-five-degree angle from a height of 10 feet measured above a lot line with the base point of the measurement established as the average grade between the grade at the base of a building and the grade at the point on the lot line closest to the building. The Architectural and Historic Review Board may choose to disregard anomalies in the terrain to determine the average grade and when considering compliance. The base points for establishing the sky exposure plane shall be located in a plan as the four points along the side lot lines determined by extending the line of the front wall of the building and the line of the back wall of the building to the side lot lines and as the one point along the front lot line and the one point along the rear lot line determined by extending a line through the midpoint of the building extended to the front and rear lot lines. All sky exposure planes shall be shown on the elevation drawings submitted to the Architectural and Historic Review Board. See diagram below.
[Amended 6-14-2011 by L.L. No. 6-2011; 8-22-2017 by L.L. No. 6-2017]
300 Sky Exp Plane Dia.tif
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.
SPECIAL PERMIT USES
A use requiring a special use permit.
SPECIMEN TREE
A tree 24 inches or greater in diameter at a height of 54 inches (4 1/2 feet) or a tree of notable size above the natural grade, type and uniqueness.
STANDARD
"Standard" means a definite rule, principle or measure established by authority and with which compliance is mandatory unless expressly waived or varied according to this chapter.
STORE FRONTAGE
When used in reference to the sign standards of § 300-50, the length along the front property line of any commercial or nonprofit establishment along a street within the Village.
STOREFRONT WINDOW
A window common to commercial properties, generally consisting of a large glass window facing the street or public area in a commercial area.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
The use of structural or nonstructural practices that are designed to reduce stormwater runoff and mitigate its adverse impacts on property, natural resources and the environment.
STORY
That portion of a building between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor above or, if there is no floor above it, then the space between any floor and ceiling next above it. In the downtown districts, the number of permitted stories shall be calculated from the building frontage on the public right-of-way fronting on Broadway (Route 9), Ashford Avenue, Cedar Street or Main Street. When the grade creates multiple stories below Main Street in the DT Zone, the Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion, may allow the permitted stories below Main Street and three stories above Main Street. The Board of Trustees has the sole discretion to limit the number of stories below and above grade in the DT Zone.
[Amended 8-22-2017 by L.L. No. 6-2017]
STORY, FIRST
The lowest story or the ground story of any building. In the downtown districts, the first floor of a building which provides at-grade direct access or egress onto the public sidewalk shall be considered a story, regardless of whether or not it meets the standards of being considered a basement.
[Amended 8-22-2017 by L.L. No. 6-2017]
STORY, HALF (1/2 STORY)
The attic space under a sloping roof, the floor of which is not more than two feet below the wall plates, having a ceiling height of seven feet six inches or more. If the total attic floor area having a floor-to-ceiling height of seven feet six inches or more exceeds 50% the floor area of the story below, it shall be deemed a full story.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
STREET
Any public or private street, avenue, boulevard, road, parkway, thoroughfare, court, viaduct, drive, lane or other way which is an existing state, county or municipal roadway; or which is shown upon a plat heretofore approved pursuant to law; or which is approved by official action as provided by statute; or which is shown on a plat duly filed and recorded in the office of the County Recording Officer prior to the appointment of a Planning Board and the grant to such Board of the power to review plats; and includes the land between the street lines, whether improved or unimproved, and may comprise pavement, shoulders, gutters, curbs, sidewalks, parking areas and other areas within the street lines.
STREET, ARTERIAL
A street which is used primarily for fast or heavy traffic.
STREET, COLLECTOR
A street which carries traffic from minor streets to the major system of arterial streets, including the principal entrance streets of a residential development and streets for circulation within such a development.
STREET FRONTAGE
The length along the curb or, when a curb is not provided, along the paved surface in the right-of-way of a street adjacent to a parcel of property measured from the projection of the property line most perpendicular to the street at one end of the parcel to the projection of the property line most perpendicular to the street at the other end of the parcel.
STREET LINE
The curbline or edge of paving when a curb does not exist.
STREET, MINOR
A street which is used primarily for access to abutting properties and not for through traffic.
STREET, PRIVATE
A street which is owned by a private entity or is otherwise not a public street as it is defined in this chapter.
STREET, PUBLIC
A street which is owned, accepted by dedication or has been maintained as a public street by the Village, the county or the state, and which may be utilized by the general public at all times.
STRUCTURE
Anything that is developed with a fixed location on the ground or attached to something having a fixed location on the ground. Structures include but are not limited to walls, buildings, fences, signs and swimming pools, but structures do not include grade-level terraces, walkways, driveways or other paved surfaces.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
STRUCTURAL ALTERATION
Any change in the supporting members of a building or structure, such as walls, columns, beams or girders, or mountings in the case of a sign.
SUBDIVISION
The division of any parcel of land into a number of lots, blocks or sites as specified in a law, rule or regulation, with or without streets or highways, for the purpose of 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 or register of the county in which such plat is located.[22]
STUDIO FOR ARTISTS AND CRAFTSPERSONS
The workshop for an artist, maker or craftsperson where goods are produced but where such goods are not generally offered for sale.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWER
Any structure that is designed and constructed primarily for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas for telephone, radio and similar communication purposes, including self-supporting lattice towers, guyed towers, or monopole towers. The term includes radio and television transmission towers, microwave towers, common-carrier towers, wireless telephone towers, alternative tower structures, and the like. The term shall include the structure and any support thereof.
TOWNHOUSE
Two or more side-by-side attached dwelling units sharing one or more common walls, with each dwelling unit located on a separate lot.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
TREE
Any woody plant having at least one well-defined trunk at least six inches in diameter (19 inches in circumference) measured at a height of 54 inches (4 1/2 feet) above the natural grade and having a clearly defined crown.
TREE COMMISSION (TC)
As defined in Article VI of this chapter.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
TREE FUND
A special purpose fund into which shall be deposited any penalties for violations or payments in lieu of restoration/replanting which shall be used at the discretion of the Village Board of Trustees to promote the intent and purpose of this section, including the purchase and maintenance of trees, shrubs, plants and green spaces. The Board of Trustees may request from, and/or consider a written recommendation initiated by, the Tree Commission as to the use of the funds. The Village Board of Trustees shall establish any fee or basis of payments in lieu of replanting and same shall be included in the master fee schedule and be revised in accordance with Chapter 175.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
TREE OF HISTORIC OR UNIQUE VALUE
A tree with unique or noteworthy characteristics or intrinsic value, including, but not limited to, species, age, location, historical significance, ecological value, or incomparable or irreplaceable aesthetic benefit to the community or environment. Examples include:
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
A. 
"Champion" tree listed on an accredited tree registry or shown to be of comparable size to such listed tree.
B. 
Rare or endangered species on federal or state lists.
C. 
Specimen tree exhibiting qualities such as noteworthy leaf color or shape, peeling bark, floral display, fruit, overall form or habit, unique wildlife habitat support, or rarity.
TREE REMOVAL
The physical removal of a tree or causing the death of a tree through damage, poison or other direct or indirect action.
TREE REMOVAL (TR) APPLICATION
A completed form entitled "Tree Removal Permit Application" available from the Building Department or the Village website, to be submitted by any party wishing to remove one or more protected trees as outlined herein.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
TREE REMOVAL PERMIT
A permit approved and duly issued pursuant to the terms of this section. The permit consists of a written document in form determined by the Building Department acknowledging which trees have been approved for removal and is accompanied by a permit sign to be posted publicly. The permit may also include additional compliance requirements such as a replanting agreement or landscape plan.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
TREE RISK ASSESSMENT
A determination of the extent to which a tree is hazardous using an industry-wide rating scale taken from "A Photographic Guide to the Evaluation of Hazard Trees in Urban Areas," published by the International Society of Arboriculture. Risk is rated by evaluating the probability of failure of the tree, its size and the targets that could be damaged if it fails.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
USE CATEGORY
A category of uses within a use group. Use categories are based on common functional, product or physical characteristics, such as the type and amount of activity, the type of customers or residents, how goods or services are sold or delivered, and site conditions.
USE GROUP
The broadest grouping of land uses in this chapter, based on generally accepted industry groupings, similar descriptions of planning goals or functions, similar allowed use categories, and similar allowed density/intensity of use. A use group may be further subdivided into use categories.
UTILITY DISTRIBUTION LINE VEGETATIVE MANAGEMENT
The procedure by which utility companies manage potential or existing conflict between power lines and vegetation, for the purpose of minimizing tree-related power outages. While most vegetative management involves tree trimming, trees that pose hazards to power lines because of ill health, proximity to the lines or other problems may be determined to be hazardous by the utility's arborist and be removed.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
VARIANCE
Permission to use property in a manner that does not comply with the literal requirements of this Zoning Ordinance.
A. 
VARIANCE, AREAThe authorization by the Zoning Board of Appeals for a modification of the area and/or dimensional requirements in a zoning district. Permitted modifications of parking requirements shall be considered an area variance.
B. 
VARIANCE, USEThe authorization by the Zoning Board of Appeals for the use of land for a purpose which is otherwise not allowed or is prohibited by the Zoning Ordinance.
VEHICLE-RELATED USE, GENERAL
General vehicle-related uses include limited service of passenger vehicles and the sale of vehicle parts, with outdoor storage limited to 25% of the lot size and all mechanical work performed within an enclosed building.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
VEHICLE-RELATED USE, INTENSIVE
Intensive vehicle-related uses allow for the sales and service of motor vehicles, including heavy vehicles and equipment. Outdoor storage areas for vehicles, parts or other supplies may exceed 25% of the lot size.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
VIEWING PLATFORM
A location within the Village identified on the View Preservation Map as providing a view of value to the community.[23]
VILLAGE
The Village of Dobbs Ferry.
VILLAGE ENGINEER
The Village Engineer of the Village of Dobbs Ferry/Village Consulting Engineer.
VILLAGE LAW
The Village Law of the State of New York.
VISION PLAN
Synonymous with a comprehensive plan and adopted by the Board of Trustees or as otherwise permitted pursuant to § 7-722 of the New York 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.[24]
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
WAREHOUSE AND FREIGHT MOVEMENT USES
Facilities involved in the storage and/or movement of goods for themselves or other entities. Goods are generally delivered to other entities, locations or the final consumer, except that will-call pickups may be permitted. There is little to no on-site sales activity with the consumer present.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
WATERCOURSE
Any swale, ditch, gully, stream, brook or river wherein water flows ordinarily, frequently or infrequently, but not necessarily continuously. This definition includes watercourses which have been artificially treated, realigned or improved.
WETLANDS
Any area which meets one or more of the following:
A. 
Lands and waters of the state that meet the definition provided in § 24-0107, Subdivision 1, of the New York State Freshwater Wetlands Act (see Article 24 and Title 23 of Article 71 of the Environmental Conservation Law) and have an area of at least 12.4 acres or, if smaller, have unusual local importance as determined by the Land Use Officer pursuant to § 24-0301, Subdivision 1, of the Act. The approximate boundaries of such lands and waters are indicated on the official freshwater wetlands map promulgated by the Commissioner pursuant to § 24-0301, Subdivision 5, of the Act or such a map that has been amended or adjusted pursuant to § 24-0301, Subdivision 6, of said Act.
B. 
Lands and waters of the state that meet the definition provided in § 25-0103, Subdivision 1, of the New York State Tidal Wetlands Act (see Article 25 of the Environmental Conservation Law). The approximate boundaries of such lands and waters are indicated on the official tidal wetlands inventory promulgated by the Commissioner pursuant to § 25-0201 of the Act or such an inventory that has been amended or adjusted pursuant to § 25-0201, Subdivision 6, of said Act.
C. 
All other areas that comprise hydric soils or are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation as defined by the Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands (1989).
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES FACILITIES
Facilities for the transmission of analog or digital voice or communications information between or among points using electromagnetic signals via antennas, microwave dishes, and similar structures. Supporting equipment includes cabinets, towers, electrical equipment, generators, and other similar or accessory structures.
[Added 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
YARD, FRONT
The space within and extending the full width of the lot from the front lot line to the part of the principal building which is nearest to such front lot line, excluding roof projections such as eaves, rakes and soffits and trim details and other ornamental projections. The depth of the front yard shall be measured at right angles to the front lot line.
YARD, REAR
The space within and extending the full width of the lot from the rear lot line to the part of the principal building which is nearest to such lot line, excluding roof projections such as eaves, rakes and soffits and trim details and other ornamental projections. The depth of the rear yard shall be measured at right angles to the rear lot line.
YARD, SIDE
The space within the lot extending the full distance from the front yard to the rear yard and from the side lot line to the part of the principal building which is nearest to such side lot line, excluding roof projections such as eaves, rakes and soffits and trim details and other ornamental projections. The depth of the side yard shall be measured at right angles to the side lot line.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
The Village Zoning Board of Appeals as established pursuant to New York Village Law and the Dobbs Ferry Village Code.
ZONING MAP
The Zoning Map or Maps of the Village of Dobbs Ferry, New York, together with any amendments thereto as may be subsequently adopted.[25]
[1]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "assisted care residential facility," which immediately followed, was repealed 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024.
[2]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "building height," as amended 8-22-2017 by L.L. No. 6-2017, which immediately followed, was repealed 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024.
[3]
Editor's Note: The Dobbs Ferry Vision Plan is on file in the Village office.
[4]
Editor's Note: Appendix K is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[5]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "critical environment area (CEA)," which immediately followed, was repealed 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024.
[6]
Editor's Note: The former definitions of "detached dwelling" and "detention basin," which immediately followed, were repealed 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024
[7]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "drainage easement," which immediately followed, was repealed 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024.
[8]
Editor's Note: The former definitions of "flat lot," "flag, official," and "flag, trademark," which immediately followed, were repealed 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024.
[9]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "front lot line" which immediately followed, was repealed 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024.
[10]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "fuel pump canopy" which immediately followed, was repealed 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024.
[11]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "half story," which immediately followed, was repealed 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024.
[12]
Editor's Note: Appendix I is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[13]
Editor's Note: Appendix K is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[14]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "historic trees," which immediately followed, was repealed 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024.
[15]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "land use officer," which immediately followed, was repealed 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024.
[16]
Editor's Note: Tables A-1, A-2 and A-3 are included at the end of this chapter in Appendix A.
[17]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "multifamily dwelling," as amended 7-12-2022 by L.L. No. 4-2022, which immediately followed, was repealed 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024.
[18]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "New York Energy Star-labeled home," which immediately followed, was repealed 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024.
[19]
Editor's Note: Appendix K is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[20]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "office, professional," which immediately followed, was repealed 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024.
[21]
Editor’s Note: The former definitions of “rare and endangered species of trees” and “reduction of use,” which immediately followed, were repealed 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024.
[22]
Editor’s Note: The former definition of "Technical Advisory Committee," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 8-22-2017 by L.L. No. 6-2017.
[23]
Editor's Note: See Appendix E, Viewing Platforms, at the end of this chapter.
[24]
Editor's Note: The Dobbs Ferry Vision Plan is on file in the Village office.
[25]
Editor's Note: The Zoning Map is included at the end of this chapter.
A. 
General.
(1) 
Use groups. This chapter classifies land uses into major groupings: residential, civic and institutional, industrial and other. These are referred to as "use groups."
(2) 
Use categories and subcategories. Each use group is further divided into more specific "use categories." Use categories classify land uses and activities based on common functional or physical characteristics. Characteristics include the type and amount of activity, the type of customers or residents, how goods or services are sold or delivered, and potential impacts on adjacent properties or areas. Subcategories may be provided for some use categories and may be subject to differing zoning district or use-specific standards.
(3) 
Examples. Typical uses cited as examples of the use categories and subcategories are not intended to be exclusive or restrictive.
B. 
Residential use group. The residential use group includes uses that provide ongoing living accommodations to one or more persons. The residential use group includes the following use categories:
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
(1) 
Group living uses. Residential occupancy of a dwelling by other than a "family," typically providing communal kitchen/dining facilities. Examples shall include:
(a) 
Group home. A building occupied on a permanent basis by a group of unrelated persons with disabilities in a family-like environment and which may be occupied by paid professional support staff provided by a sponsoring agency.
(b) 
Retirement home, nursing home, or assisted living facility. A building, whether operated for profit or not, which provides housing, meals, health care assistance, and personal care to one or more adults who are not relatives of the owner or proprietor.
(2) 
Household living. Residential occupancy of a dwelling unit by a household with tenancy arranged on a monthly or longer basis. Examples shall include:
(a) 
Cluster development. A subdivision or site plan approved pursuant to this chapter, in which the applicable zoning regulations are modified to provide an alternative permitted method for the layout, configuration and design of lots, buildings and structures, roads, utility lines and other infrastructure, parks and landscaping in order to preserve the natural and scenic qualities of open lands, to create a more compact development, or to meet additional goals of the Vision Plan.
(b) 
Mixed-use residential. A building or group of buildings containing one or more dwelling units located above or below the street level of the building with nonresidential uses located on the street level.
(c) 
Multifamily dwelling. A residential building that contains four or more dwelling units that share common walls or common floors/ceilings with one or more dwelling units. The land upon which the building sits is not divided into separate lots.
(d) 
Multifamily housing complex. Two or more residential or multifamily buildings on a single lot.
(e) 
One-family dwelling. A building containing one dwelling unit not physically attached to any other principal structure.
(f) 
Townhouse. Two or more side-by-side attached dwelling units sharing one or more common walls, with each dwelling unit located on a separate lot.
(g) 
Two- or three-family dwelling. A building containing two or three individual dwelling units located on a single lot. The units may be located side by side with a common wall or one above the other with a common floor/ceiling.
C. 
Commercial uses. The commercial use group includes uses that provide a business or professional service or involve the selling, leasing or renting of merchandise to the general public. The commercial use group includes the following use categories:
(1) 
Adult uses. An establishment which by law excludes minors by virtue of the fact that a substantial portion of its business is sexually explicit. Examples shall include adult arcades, adult bookstores, adult video stores, adult model studios, adult motels, adult theaters, adult entertainment cabarets and peep shows.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
(2) 
Animal-related uses. Commercial services related to the temporary care, boarding or medical treatment of animals. Uses are divided into two subgroups based on the intensity of the use, outdoor activity on the site, and the potential for noise- and odor-related externalities.
(a) 
General. General animal-related uses have no outdoor facilities and provide services or treatment only for domestic animals such as dogs, cats, fish, birds and small mammals. Overnight boarding is provided only following medical treatments. Examples include pet sales and grooming uses and veterinary clinics.
(b) 
Intensive. Intensive animal-related uses provide outdoor facilities, overnight boarding (other than medical-related), or services or treatments for large animals. Examples include animal shelters, kennels, stables and veterinary clinics for large animals.
(3) 
Bar or tavern uses. An establishment which is licensed by the New York State Liquor Authority, having as its principal or predominant use the serving of beer, wine or liquor for consumption on the premises, and which sets a minimum age requirement for entrance consistent with state law.
(4) 
Country club. A recreational facility typically restricted to members and guests but also admitting paying customers and visitors for special events. The facility typically includes a clubhouse, dining and banquet facilities, and recreational facilities such as a golf course, tennis courts and swimming pools.
(5) 
Entertainment or recreation uses. Commercial facilities used primarily for physical exercise, recreation, entertainment or culture. Uses are divided into two subgroups based on indoor or outdoor operations.
(a) 
Indoor. Indoor uses in this category may require larger indoor areas to accommodate equipment or facilities for the proposed activity. Examples include, but are not limited to, physical fitness centers, health clubs, gyms, bowling alleys, indoor skating rinks, swimming facilities, billiard halls, amusement arcades, indoor theaters, indoor play parks, cabarets and dance halls.
(b) 
Outdoor. Outdoor uses in this category are typically land-intensive uses that provide continuous recreation or entertainment-oriented activities. They may take place in a number of structures that are arranged together in an outdoor setting. Examples include, but are not limited to, commercial tennis and swimming facilities, drive-in theaters, outdoor skating rinks, golf driving ranges, outdoor miniature golf facilities, commercial amphitheaters, active sports facilities such as ball fields.
(6) 
Lodging uses. Examples shall include
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
(a) 
Bed-and-breakfast. A residence used to provide lodging accommodations and a morning meal to visitors for compensation, provided that the owner lives on or adjacent to the premises and not more than six guest rooms or suites are so used.
(b) 
Hotel. A facility offering lodging accommodations with more than 10 guest rooms or suites to the general public, which may also provide additional services and facilities, such as restaurants and meeting rooms. Motels and motor courts are not included in this definition and are prohibited in all zoning districts.
(c) 
Inn. A facility offering lodging accommodations with no more than 10 guest rooms or suites to the general public, which may also provide additional services and facilities, such as restaurants, meeting rooms, entertainment and recreational facilities, provided that these are a permitted use in the zoning district.
(7) 
Office uses. Office uses are characterized by activities conducted in an office setting and generally focusing on business, government, professional, medical or financial services. Uses are divided into two subgroups based on land use impacts.
(a) 
General. Professional offices, such as lawyers, accountants, engineers, architects and real estate agents; financial services, such as mortgage lenders, brokerage houses, administrative and back office banking facilities; data processing; government offices; public utility offices; social service agency offices; television and radio studios.
(b) 
Medical and dental. A type of office use distinguished by a higher than typical number of client or patient visits. Examples include medical and dental clinics, chiropractic clinics, medical and dental labs, blood-collection facilities, physical therapy clinics.
(8) 
Parking uses, nonaccessory. Parking facilities that provide parking that are not accessory to a specific use. A fee may or may not be charged. A facility that provides both accessory parking for a specific use and regular fee parking for people not connected to the use is also classified as nonaccessory parking. Uses are divided into two subgroups based on provision of parking in surface lots or in structures (aboveground or below ground.)
(9) 
Restaurant uses. An establishment where meals, including beverages, are served to customers for consumption on the premises pursuant to required licenses. These uses may vary with regard to traffic generation, congestion and the potential for off-site impacts due to accessory uses such as outdoor dining or drive-through facilities. Therefore, the size, location and accessory uses permitted may be regulated differently based on the underlying zoning district.
(10) 
Retail sales and service uses. Establishments involved in the sale, lease or rent of new or used products to the general public and establishments involved in the sale of personal services, hospitality services, or product repair services to the general public. Uses are divided into the following subgroups:
(a) 
Sales oriented. Stores selling, leasing or renting consumer, home and business goods, including, but not limited to, antiques, appliances, art, art supplies, bicycles, carpeting, clothing, delicatessens, dry goods, electronic equipment, fabric, flowers, food for consumption off site, furniture, garden supplies, gifts, groceries, hardware, household products, jewelry, pets, pet food, pharmaceuticals, plants, printed material, stationery, takeout food, videos. Also includes retail establishments that have a cottage industry component, such as bakeries, confectioneries, upholsterer, artist/artisans' studios, and similar.
(b) 
Personal service oriented. Establishments engaged in providing retail services, including, but not limited to, banking establishments, laundromats, catering services, dry cleaners, tailors, shoe repair, photographic studios, photocopy services, quick-printing services, blueprint services, beauty salons, tanning salons, therapeutic massage establishments, taxidermists, mortuaries, funeral homes, and crematoriums. This use type shall not include tattooing operations, which are prohibited in the Village of Dobbs Ferry except when performed for medical purposes by a person licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy.
(c) 
Repair oriented. Repair of consumer goods, such as electronics, bicycles, office equipment, appliances.
(d) 
Outdoor storage and display oriented. Uses that typically include large areas of outdoor storage or display, such as lumberyards, sales of landscaping materials and nursery products, equipment rental businesses.
(11) 
Studio for artists and craftspersons. The workshop for an artist or craftsperson where goods are produced primarily on site but where such goods are generally not offered for sale.
(12) 
Vehicle-related uses. Sales of motor vehicles or services related to motor vehicles. Uses are divided into two subgroups based on the intensity of the use, vehicle types sold or serviced, amount of outdoor service or storage, and the potential for noise- and odor-related externalities.
(a) 
General. General vehicle-related uses include limited service of passenger vehicles and the sale of vehicle parts, with outdoor storage limited to 25% of the lot size and all mechanical work performed within an enclosed building. Examples include:
[1] 
Car washes and auto detailing;
[2] 
Gasoline filling stations, other than truck stops, with no on-site vehicle repair; and
[3] 
Retail sales of passenger vehicle parts.
(b) 
Intensive. Intensive vehicle-related uses allow for the sales and service of motor vehicles, including heavy vehicles and equipment. Outdoor storage areas for vehicles, parts or other supplies may exceed 25% of the lot size. Examples include:
[1] 
Vehicle repair and servicing, including the installation of vehicle parts;
[2] 
Vehicle sales or rental; and
[3] 
Vehicle storage yards, including towing and wrecker services.
D. 
Civic and institutional uses. The civic and institutional use group includes uses that provide public or quasi-public services. The public and civic use group includes the following use categories:
(1) 
Clubhouses, community centers, and places of worship. A use that provides meeting space and facilities for private nonprofit associations or religious institutions. Examples include private nonprofit meeting halls, clubs, associations or nonresidential fraternal organizations, such as the Masonic, Eagles, Moose and Elks Lodges, and the Lions and American Legion Clubs; community centers for homeowners' associations or neighborhoods; places of worship such as churches, temples, synagogues and mosques. Such a use typically restricts access to the general public and owns, leases or holds property in common for the benefit of its members.
(2) 
Day-care and nursery schools. A nonresidential facility that provides less than twenty-four-hour-per-day care or supervision for children, elderly or the infirm in a group environment for a fee. Services may include, but are not limited to, nursing and rehabilitative services, personal care, transportation services, and social or recreational activities.
(3) 
Educational uses. Schools that provide state-mandated primary and secondary generalized education, higher education, and schools for specialized activities, such as dance, music, martial arts, business, and technical skills. Uses are divided into the following subgroups:
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
(a) 
Private elementary or secondary school. Private schools at the primary, elementary, junior high, or high school level that provide state-mandated basic education, including such schools owned or operated by a religious entity, boarding schools, military academies.
(b) 
Public elementary or secondary school. Public schools at the primary, elementary, junior high, or high school level that provide state-mandated basic education.
(c) 
Specialized schools. Schools primarily engaged in offering specialized trade, business or commercial courses. Also, specialized non-degree-granting schools, such as music schools, dramatic schools, dance studios, martial arts studios, language schools and other short-term examination-preparatory schools.
(d) 
Higher learning. Colleges, universities and professional schools granting academic degrees and requiring at least a high school diploma or equivalent general academic training for admission; junior colleges and technical institutes requiring at least a high school diploma or equivalent general academic training for admission and granting associate academic degrees, certificates or diplomas. These uses tend to be in campus-like settings or on multiple blocks.
(4) 
Hospitals. An institution specializing in giving clinical, temporary and emergency services of a medical or surgical nature to human patients and injured persons, that is licensed by state law to provide such services. Hospitals may include inpatient medical or surgical care for the sick or injured and related facilities such as laboratories, outpatient departments, training facilities, central services facilities, and staff offices that are an integral part of the facilities. Cafeterias, restaurants, florists, gift shops, pharmacies, and other typical and subordinate uses may be permitted, subject to the standards for accessory uses.
(5) 
Water-related recreation facilities. Public or private recreational facilities in a waterfront zoning district, including daytime mooring or docking facilities to accommodate visitors, nonmotorized watercraft rental stores, and other similar uses.
E. 
Industrial uses. The industrial use group includes uses that produce goods from extracted materials or from recyclable or previously prepared materials, including the design, storage and handling of these products and the materials from which they are produced. It also includes uses that store or distribute materials or goods in large quantities. The industrial use group includes the following use categories:
(1) 
Industrial service uses. Facilities used in the repair or servicing of industrial, business or consumer machinery, equipment, products or by-products. Industrial service firms that service or repair consumer goods do so primarily by providing centralized services for separate retail outlets rather than for individual customers. Few customers, especially the general public, come to the site. Examples include: building contractor facilities, yards and preassembly yards; welding shops; machines shops; tool repair; electric motor repair; repair of scientific or professional instruments; building, heating, plumbing or electrical contractors; exterminators; janitorial and building maintenance services; laundry, dry-cleaning, and carpet-cleaning plants; schools for industrial trades.
(2) 
Manufacturing and production uses. Facilities used in the mechanical or chemical transformation of materials or substances into new products, including the assembling of component parts, the creation of products, and the blending of materials, such as lubricating oils, plastics, resins or liquors. Uses are divided into two subgroups based on the potential for noxious impacts, amount of outdoor storage and operations, and the demand for heavy truck traffic.
(a) 
General. Facilities for the transformation of predominantly previously prepared materials into new products, including assembly of component parts and the creation of products for sale to the wholesale or retail markets or directly to consumers. Such uses are wholly confined within an enclosed building, do not include processing of hazardous gases and chemicals, and do not emit noxious noise, odor, vibration or fumes. Examples may include, but are not limited to, production or repair of small machines or electronic parts and equipment; the manufacturing or repair of musical instruments; woodworking and cabinet building; publishing and lithography; computer design and development; research, development, testing facilities and laboratories; apparel production; sign making; and manufacturing of jewelry, clothing, trimming decorations, and any similar item.
(b) 
Intensive. Facilities that involve the generation outside the property of noise, odor, vibration or dust, or any use where the area occupied by outdoor storage of goods and materials used in the assembly, fabrication or processing exceeds 25% of the floor area of buildings on the lot. Examples may include, but are not limited to, manufacture or assembly of machinery, equipment, vehicles, appliances, communications equipment, computer or electronic equipment, precision items and other electrical items; the processing of food and related products; and lumber, pulp and paper mills. Specifically prohibited are rendering, petroleum refining, asphalt/concrete plants, and manufacture of chemicals, fertilizers, paint and turpentine.
(3) 
Warehouse and freight movement uses. Facilities involved in the storage or movement of goods for themselves or other firms. Goods are generally delivered to other firms or the final consumer, except for some will-call pickups. There is little on-site sales activity with the customer present. Examples include: separate warehouses used by retail stores such as furniture and appliance stores; household moving and general freight storage; cold storage plants, including frozen food lockers; major wholesale distribution centers; truck and air freight terminals; railroad switching yards; bus and railcar storage lots; taxi fleet parking and dispatch; fleet parking; parcel services; major postal facilities; grain terminals; and the stockpiling of sand, gravel and other aggregate materials.
F. 
Other uses.
(1) 
Wireless telecommunication services facilities. Facilities for the transmission of analog or digital voice or communications information between or among points using electromagnetic signals via antennas, microwave dishes, and similar structures. Supporting equipment includes cabinets, towers, electrical equipment, and other accessory structures. Examples shall include:
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
(a) 
Antennas (co-location on existing tower or building-mounted). Any telecommunications facility located upon an existing freestanding tower or attached to a building, including directional antennas (such as panels, microwave dishes, satellite earth station antennas over two meters in diameter) and omnidirectional antennas (such as whips). This term does not include antennas two meters or less in diameter.
(b) 
Freestanding towers. Any telecommunications structure that is not connected to a building and that is designed and constructed primarily for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas.
(2) 
Landscaping and tree services.
G. 
Accessory uses.
(1) 
Accessory buildings or structures. A building which is subordinate and accessory to a principal building on the same lot and which is used for purposes customarily incidental to those of the principal building. Examples in a residential setting include private garages, toolhouses, children's playhouses or noncommercial greenhouses.
[Amended 7-23-2024 by L.L. No. 2-2024]
(2) 
Accessory dwelling unit. A secondary dwelling unit established in conjunction with and clearly subordinate to a principal dwelling unit, whether part of the same structure as the principal one- or two-family dwelling or as a detached structure on the same lot. Accessory dwelling units are not permitted in the Village.
(3) 
Drive-through facilities. Any service window, automated device or other facility that provides goods or services to individuals waiting in a motor vehicle.
(4) 
Garage, private. An accessory building for the private use of the owner or occupant of a principal building located on the same lot for the storage of motor vehicles with no facilities for mechanical services or repair of a commercial or public nature.
(5) 
Home businesses. An office in a dwelling used for the provision of personal services in the following categories: physician, dentist, architect, lawyer, engineer, certified public accountant, artists and musicians.
(6) 
Home occupation. Any use customarily conducted entirely within a dwelling and carried on by the inhabitants thereof, with not more than two nonresident assistants working at the same time, with no retail sales of products produced off the premises, which use is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for dwelling purposes, does not change the character thereof, does not have any exterior evidence of that secondary use other than a permitted nameplate, does not involve the use of other than customary home appliances and equipment, and does not involve the keeping of a stock-in-trade. The conducting of a clinic, hospital, barbershop, beauty parlor, tea room, bed-and-breakfast, animal hospital or raising of animals, or any similar use, shall not be deemed to be a home occupation.
(7) 
Outdoor dining. Food or beverage service areas outside of a fully enclosed structure as an accessory use to a permitted restaurant or bar or cocktail lounge use.
(8) 
Outdoor storage (nonresidential). The storage, but not display for sale, of goods and/or materials outside of a fully enclosed structure associated with a nonresidential use.