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City of Sea Isle, NJ
Cape May County
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[Ord. No. 1038 § 201]
a. 
Words used or defined in one tense or form shall include other tenses and derivative forms.
b. 
Words in the singular number shall include the plural number, and words in the plural number shall include the singular number.
c. 
The masculine gender shall include the feminine and the feminine gender shall include the masculine.
d. 
The word "shall" is mandatory.
e. 
The word "may" is permissive.
f. 
The word "person" includes individuals, firms, corporations, associations, trusts and any other similar entities.
g. 
The word "City" shall mean Sea Isle City.
h. 
The word "County" shall mean Cape May County.
i. 
The word "State" shall mean the State of New Jersey.
j. 
In the case of any difference of meanings or implication between the text of this ordinance and any caption, illustration, table or appendix, the text shall control.
[Ord. No. 1038 § 202; Ord. No. 1125 § 1; Ord. No. 1261 §§ I, II; Ord. No. 1364 § I; Ord. No. 1383 § I; Ord. No. 1384 § I; Ord. No. 1397 (2006) §§ I—IV; Ord. No. 1431 § CVIII; Ord. No. 1467 (2009) § II; Ord. No. 1477 (2010) § I; Ord. No. 1489 (2011) § 111; Ord. No. 1510 (2012) § 2; Ord. No. 1538 (2013) § 1; Ord. No. 1557 (2013) § 2; Ord. No. 1584 (2016) § 1; Ord. No. 1591 (2016) § 1]
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
ACCESSORY BUILDING/USE
Shall mean a subordinate building or use which is located on the same lot on which the main building or use is situated, and which is reasonably necessary and incidental to the conduct of the primary use of such building or main use, and which does not change the character thereof either as to structural design, appearance or the basic, primary or main use of the premises in the particular zone classification where situated. A garage is a permitted accessory use, where it has not been already provided for under an existing structure.
ADVISORY BASE FLOOD ELEVATION
Shall mean a FEMA proposed base flood elevation first proposed by FEMA through the issuance of advisory base flood elevation maps released December 12, 2012, proposing revised elevations and creating advisory hazard zones.
AMUSEMENT PARLOR
Shall mean an establishment primarily engaged in the provision of games of luck, chance or entertainment, including electronic video games.
ANTENNA
Shall mean an exterior transmitting or receiving device mounted on a tower, building or structure and used in communications that radiate or capture electromagnetic waves, digital signals, analog signals, radio frequencies (excluding radar signals), wireless telecommunications signals or other communication signals.
APARTMENT
Shall mean a dwelling unit provided on a rental basis located in a building having more than one (1) residential unit.
AUTOMOBILE COURT/TENT GROUNDS
Shall mean lots and parcels of land designed for temporary or permanent parking of trailers and similar uses.
AWNING
Shall mean a flexible roof-like cover that extends out from an exterior wall and shields a window, doorway, sidewalk or other space below from the elements.
BALCONY
Shall mean a platform or similar structure projecting from any side of a building, designed and intended for use by the occupant, and open to the weather. It shall not be used as habitable space and shall not be included in the computation of floor area.
BASE FLOOD ELEVATION
Shall mean the elevation, based on mean sea level (National Geodetic Vertical Datum), of a flood that has a one (1%) percent or greater chance of occurrence in any given year as established by the Federal Insurance Administration of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and as shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) of the Federal Insurance Administration.
BASEMENT
Shall mean that portion of a building which is partly above grade and having at least one-half (1/2) of its height below grade.
BED AND BREAKFAST
See Tourist Guest House.
BELT COURSE
Shall mean a continuous row or layer of stones, tile, brick, shingles, etc., in a wall.
BLOCK
Shall mean the length of a street between two (2) street intersections.
BOARD
Shall mean the City of Sea Isle City Planning Board and/or Zoning Board or other Authority having jurisdiction.
BOARDING HOUSE
Shall mean a residential structure with dining accommodations for not more than fifteen (15) paying guests who may or may not reside on the premises. Service to more than fifteen (15) guests shall comprise a restaurant business.
BOAT HOUSE
Shall mean any structure erected to enclose, shelter or protect boats or other watercraft and associated equipment from the weather.
BOAT SLIP
Shall mean an area intended to be used or used for the mooring of boats and watercraft.
BREEZEWAY
Shall mean a connection between two (2) buildings, having a roof but no walls, and intended to provide a weather protected area or walkway.
BUILDING
Shall mean a structure occupying land and enclosing space, including all attached, roofed over porch areas in connection therewith. A "main or principal building" is one which houses the principal use of the property.
BUILDING ALTERATION
Shall mean any change in supporting members of a building except such changes as may be required for its safety, any addition to a building, any all-weather enclosure of a previously open porch or balcony, any change in use from one (1) district classification to another, or any relocation of a building from one (1) location to another.
BUILDING COVERAGE
Shall mean land areas covered by building or accessory buildings.
BUILDING HEIGHTS
Shall mean the vertical distance above the FEMA designated base flood elevation plus the Sea Isle City designated one (1') foot freeboard to the highest part of the structure, exclusive of any antenna, church spire, belfry, clock tower, radio tower, chimney flue, water tank, elevator bulkhead, stage tower, scenery lift or similar structure.
CAMP CAR/CAMP TRAILER
Shall mean a vehicle or device which may be propelled or assembled, and is constructed so as to permit occupancy for human habitation.
CANOPY
Shall mean an overhead roof or structure that provides shade or other shelter.
CARPORT
Shall mean a covered area open on two (2) or more sides designed for the storage of not more than two (2) automobiles.
CENTERLINE OF STREET
Shall mean a line midway between and generally parallel to the two (2) street right-of-way lines, or as otherwise defined by the Governing Body.
CLUBHOUSE
Shall mean a building to house a club or social organization not conducted for profit and which is not an adjunct to, or operated by, or in connection with, a public tavern, cafe or other public place.
COMMUNICATION TOWER
Shall mean any and all antennas and towers as defined in this section, together with other accessory structures and equipment associated therewith.
CONDITIONAL USE
Shall mean a use permitted in a particular zoning district only upon a showing that such use in a specified location will comply with the conditions and standards for the location or operation of such use as contained in this chapter, and upon the issuance of an authorization therefor by the Planning Board.
CONDOMINIUM
Shall mean a method of ownership of multi-unit property, in which individuals hold title to single residential or commercial units and share joint ownership in the common ground and/or supporting facilities of the property. The term may also refer to the unit held in single ownership.
CORNICE
Shall mean a decorative horizontal feature that projects outward near the top of an exterior wall.
COURT
Shall mean a court is an unoccupied open space other than a yard. An outer court is one which extends to the street or to the front or rear yard. An inner court is any other court.
CUPOLA
Shall mean a small dome, particularly a dome atop a roof or small tower.
DECK
Shall mean an elevated or raised floor open to the sky attached to or on the roof of a principal structure, which may be at any height above natural ground level up to a maximum of thirty-one (31') feet and constructed of any material capable of supporting the intended loads. Second floor decks with separated planking (spacing or openings between deck boards) shall not be considered as covering above a first floor deck.
DECK, FREESTANDING
Shall mean any deck at any height above the natural ground that is not attached to a principal building or attached to or constructed as an integral part of an accessory building on a lot such as a garage or carport.
DETENTION BASIN
Shall mean a surface stormwater control basis designed to impound runoff and release it at a reduced rate through an outlet control structure.
DETENTION FACILITY
Shall mean any stormwater control facility, surface or subsurface, designed to impound runoff and release it at reduced rate through an outlet control structure.
DORMER
Shall mean a projection from a sloping roof that contains a window and its own roof.
DWELLING, MULTIPLE FAMILY
Shall mean any building under a single roof designed for occupancy by three (3) or more families or containing three (3) or more dwelling units.
DWELLING, SINGLE FAMILY
Shall mean a detached building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence for one (1) family and having no party wall in common with an adjacent building.
DWELLING, TWO FAMILY
Shall mean a detached building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence for two (2) families which may share a vertical party wall in a side by side arrangement, or which may contain one (1) dwelling on the first floor and one (1) dwelling on an upper floor in an over and under arrangement.
DWELLING UNIT
Shall mean any structure or portion thereof containing sleeping, kitchen, and bathroom facilities designed for and used or held ready for use as a permanent residence by one (1) family.
FAÇADE
Shall mean the exterior face of a building, including but not limited to, walls, window sills, doorways and such traditional design elements as horizontal lines, cornice and parapet.
FAMILY
Shall mean one (1) or more related or unrelated persons living together as a single housekeeping unit, subject to any occupancy laws which may be in effect in the City.
FENCE
Shall mean a fixed structure made of wood, wire, or metal, concrete masonry units or combination of such materials designed to provide visual privacy, prevent escape or intrusion, or to define property.
FINISHED CEILING
Shall mean lowest horizontal finished surface above the finished floor consistent with all surfaces indicative to finished ceiling materials including but not limited to drop ceilings. Mechanical equipment such as but not limited to heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, utility apparatus and similar mechanical equipment shall not be considered a finished ceiling material and if set in the upper horizontal area of a room shall be above the finished surface of a finished ceiling and shall not be exposed in any manner. In no event shall the finished ceiling be lower than the ceiling height requirement set in each zone.
FINISHED FLOOR
Shall mean horizontal continuous, supporting surface extending throughout a building constituting a level structure upon which one walks.
FLOATING HOME
Shall mean any vessel in fact used, designed, or occupied as a permanent dwelling unit, business, or for any private or social club of any nature, including but not limited to a structure constructed on a barge primarily immobile and out of navigation or which functions substantially as a land structure while the same is docked within the City.
FLOATING HOME MARINA
Shall mean an area within the City covered by any waterway where one (1) or more sites or locations are rented or offered for rent, sold, or offered for sale for the location of floating homes and houseboats.
FLOOR AREA
Shall mean the sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors of the building, or buildings, measured from the exterior faces of exterior walls, or from the center line of party walls separating two (2) buildings. The calculation of the "floor area" of the building shall be based on the following standards:
Enclosed floor area on the first floor or above
100%
Glass enclosed and covered porches
100%
Screened or otherwise enclosed covered porches or breezeways
50%
Enclosed attached or detached garage or open carports
0%
Basement space
0%
On-grade patios, terraces and uncovered or covered steps
0%
Open balconies, open attached covered or uncovered decks including roof decks, open covered porches, open breezeways
0%
Projections in compliance with subsection 26-27.6 Encroachments
0%
FLOOR AREA RATIO (FAR)
Shall mean the numerical expression of the relationship of the floor area of a building to the size of the lots on which it is sited. This ratio is derived by dividing the number of square feet of floor area in the structure by the number of square feet contained in the building site.
FREEBOARD
Shall mean a factor of safety usually expressed in feet above the base flood elevation. Freeboard tends to compensate for the many unknown factors that could contribute to flood heights greater than the base flood elevation. One (1') foot freeboard is to be measured to the bottom of the floor joist in an "A" Zone or the bottom of the lowest horizontal structure member in a "V" Zone.
FUNERAL HOME OR MORTUARY
Shall mean a funeral home or mortuary operated by a licensed mortician in accordance with N.J.S.A. 27:23-1 et seq. A funeral home or mortuary shall not be considered a home occupation or a professional office.
GABLE ROOF
Shall mean a ridge roof forming a gable at both ends.
GARAGE, PRIVATE
Shall mean a garage not conducted as a business or used for the storage of more than one (1) commercial vehicle not owned on the premises.
GARAGE, PUBLIC
Shall mean a garage conducted as a business. The rental of storage space for more than two (2) vehicles not owned on the premises shall be deemed a business use.
HIP ROOF
Shall mean a roof with pitched ends and sides.
HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION
Shall mean an incorporated, nonprofit organization operating under a recorded land agreement through which:
a. 
Each lot owner, condominium owner, stockholder under a cooperative development, or other owner of property or interests in the project shall be a member;
b. 
Each occupied dwelling unit is subject to a charge for a proportionate share of the expenses for the organization activities and maintenance, including any maintenance costs levied against the association or the City; and
c. 
Each owner and tenant has a right to use a common property.
HOTEL
Shall mean a building or group of buildings containing ten (10) rooms or more used or intended to be used for lodging of a transient clientele for compensation without provisions for cooking in any individual room or suite, and in which common dining and recreation rooms, shops and service establishments may be provided.
HOUSEBOAT
Shall mean a large, flat-bottomed vessel not considered to be seaworthy, with a superstructure resembling a house, and designed primarily as a pleasure craft for recreation and independent navigation.
IMPERVIOUS COVERAGE
Shall mean land surface areas that do not allow rainwater to be directly absorbed by the ground, or any natural or man-made surface which does not permit infiltration of water or which causes surface runoff. All buildings, parking areas, roads, sidewalks and any areas of concrete or asphalt shall be considered impervious coverage areas within this definition. In addition, other areas determined by the City Engineer to be impervious within the meaning of this definition shall be classified as an impervious surface. Impervious coverage shall also include patios and walkways, tennis courts, water surface area of swimming pools, and decks which do not allow free drainage of rainwater through to the ground underneath.
KICKPLATE
Shall mean a plate used on the bottom of doors and buildings to protect them from shoe marks.
LINTEL
Shall mean a structural or merely decorative horizontal member spanning a window opening.
LOADING SPACE
Shall mean an open space or covered area on a lot, used only for the loading or unloading of goods, the area of which is not less than four hundred (400) square feet, exclusive of drives, aisles or maneuvering area, and to which there is direct and unobstructed access from a street or alley.
LOT
Shall mean a parcel of land occupied by or which may be occupied by a building and accessory building, and including the yards and other open spaces required by this chapter, or the land shown as a separate lot or parcel on the records of the County.
LOT AREA
Shall mean an area of land which is determined by the limits of the lot lines bounding that area and is always expressed in terms of square feet. The computation of lot area shall not combine the areas of more than one (1) lot unless the lots are contiguous and under the same ownership.
LOT, CORNER
Shall mean a lot fronting on two (2) streets at their intersection.
LOT, COVERAGE
Shall mean that percentage of a lot covered by buildings and accessory buildings. For the purposes of this chapter, lot coverage shall include all sidewalks, parking areas, automobile access driveways, and internal roadways, whether covered by an impervious or pervious material.
LOT, DEPTH
Shall mean the mean horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines.
LOT, DOUBLE FRONTAGE
Shall mean any lot with frontage on public streets on two (2) opposite sides of the lot.
LOT FRONTAGE
Shall mean the width of a lot along a public street, as measured along the front lot line.
LOT WIDTH
Shall mean the mean horizontal distance between the side lot lines measured at right angles to the lot depth.
MAIN STREET
Shall mean the street upon which the majority of lots within a block have frontage, or any street so designated by the Governing Body.
MINOR REPAIR OPERATION
Shall mean a commercial activity relating to the repair, assembly or maintenance of small appliances or machinery which is completely enclosed, has no outside storage, and is of a scale that has no adverse external impacts on adjacent uses.
MINOR SUBDIVISION
Shall mean any subdivision of land involving not more than three (3) lots on an improved City street, not involving any new street or road, the extension of off-tract improvements or a planned development, not adversely affecting the development of the remainder of the parcel or adjoining property, and not in conflict with any provision or portion of the Master Plan, Zoning Ordinance or this chapter. If any adjacent or contiguous parcel of land held in one (1) ownership is subdivided into more than three (3) lots (two (2) new lots and the remaining parcel) within a period of five (5) calendar years, it shall be classified as a major subdivision.
MOTEL
Shall mean a group of permanent structural units wherein sleeping accommodations are provided to transient guests and which are occupied for a sleeping purpose without provision for cooking in any individual room or suite. The units, with the exception of the manager's or caretaker's unit, are designed to provide sleeping accommodations for transients or temporary residents. Motels may include accessory facilities, such as a restaurant, gift store or pool, as may be permitted by approval of the Planning Board.
MUNTIN
Shall mean a strip of wood or metal separating and holding panes of glass in a window.
NJDCA
Shall mean the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, and, by extension, shall include the individual divisions and/or offices with NJDCA.
OPEN SPACE
Shall mean 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 and occupants of land adjoining or neighboring such open space. Open space areas shall be open to the sky and shall be located on the same lot with a principal and/or accessory structure. Open space areas do not include required parking, loading or access areas and/or required buffer strips and side yards. Open space required by any part of this chapter shall be maintained permanently for the use originally intended.
OWNER
Shall mean the individual, entity and/or property owner that intends to own and operate the solar energy systems in accordance with this chapter. Should the property owner be different than the owner or entity that intends to own and operate the solar energy systems, the property owner shall provide written consent and provide it at a time of application for approval.
PARAPET
Shall mean a short vertical extension of a wall that rises above roof level, hiding the roof's edge and any roof-mounted mechanical equipment.
PARK
Shall mean a parcel in public ownership used for recreation or open space.
PARKING LOT
Shall mean an off-street parking area for more than four (4) cars.
PARKING SPACE
Shall mean a space, on a lot, used and dedicated for parking operative motor vehicles, and to which there is a direct and unobstructed access from a street or alley. For purposes of this definition, two (2) car stacked parking on a lot in conjunction with a residential use in a residential zone shall not be considered an obstruction.
PARKING SPACE, OFF-STREET
Shall mean a parking space located completely within a lot.
PARKING SPACE, ON-STREET
Shall mean a parking space located partially or totally within a street right-of-way.
PATIO
See Terrace.
PERVIOUS COVERAGE
Shall mean any material that permits full or partial absorption of stormwater into previously unimproved land, and shall include gravel or loose stone areas that allow water to pass through to the ground below, as well as fences, playground equipment, arbors or outdoor furniture.
PLAYGROUND
Shall mean a public or private recreation area intended to be used by children, which may include recreation structures, seating and other similar furnishings.
PORCH
Shall mean a part of a building which is covered by a roof, and open on up to three (3) sides except for wire screening, used or intended to be used for an extension of the building's activities. A porch shall not be enclosed by either permanent or detachable glass sash.
PREEXISTING TOWERS AND PREEXISTING ANTENNAS
Shall mean any tower or antenna for which a building permit has been properly issued, or for which a contract, lease or other agreement has been awarded or entered into by the City, prior to the effective date of this chapter, including permitted towers or antennas that have not yet been constructed so long as such approval is current and not expired.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING/STRUCTURE/USE
Shall mean a building, structure or use in which is conducted the main or predominant use of the lot upon which said building, structure or use is located.
PRIVATE DOCK
Shall mean a structure in or on the water, used or intended for use by the owner or occupant and guests of a property to moor watercraft.
PRIVATE POOL
Shall mean a swimming or wading pool used or intended for use by the owner or occupant and their guests.
PROMENADE
Shall mean the pedestrian walkway along the public beach, extending from 29th Street to 57th Street, including any future extensions.
PROMENADE LINE
Shall mean the westerly edge of the Promenade right-of-way.
QUASI-PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENT
Shall mean essentially public in services rendered although under private ownership or control.
RESTAURANT
Shall mean an establishment whose principal business is the sale of food and/or beverage in a ready-to-consume state.
RIDES
Shall mean concessions or businesses offering for amusement rides or machines which simulate rides of various types.
ROOF, FLAT
Shall mean a roof having a slope less than four (4") inches vertical for every twelve (12") inches horizontal.
ROOF, PITCHED
Shall mean a roof having a slope equal to or greater than four (4") inches vertical for every twelve (12") inches horizontal.
SATELLITE SIGNAL, USABLE
Shall mean a satellite signal which, when viewed on a conventional television set, is at least equal in picture quality to that received from local commercial television stations by way of cable television systems.
SATELLITE TELEVISION ANTENNA
Shall mean an apparatus capable of receiving communications from a transmitter or a transmitter relay located in a planetary orbit.
SCREEN, VISUAL
Shall mean an opaque or essentially opaque barrier to vision extending from six (6") inches above ground level to six (6') feet above ground level, intended or used to provide privacy for a yard.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
Shall mean a renewable energy system, as defined in this section, that converts solar energy into a usable electrical energy, heats water or produces hot air or similar function through the use of solar collectors which:
a. 
Is used to generate electricity; and
b. 
Has a nameplate capacity of one hundred (100) kilowatts or less; and
c. 
Solar panels and/or generator and all associated equipment, including any base, foundation, structural support, wire(s), batteries or other components necessary to fully utilize the solar generator.
SOLAR PANELS
Shall mean a structure containing one (1) or more receptive cells, the purpose of which is to convert solar energy into usable electrical energy by way of a solar energy system.
STRUCTURE
Shall mean any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land. All buildings and other improvements are structures.
TAVERN
Shall mean an establishment whose principal business is the sale of alcoholic beverages, either with or without meals, and having no provisions for lodging guests.
TERRACE
Shall mean an uncovered flat platform of earth with a surface material. A terrace which has a roof and which is attached to a building shall be considered a porch.
TOTAL HEIGHT
Shall mean, in relation to a solar energy system, the vertical distance from the ground to the maximum height of the apparatus and all associated equipment of the solar energy system at its highest point.
TOURIST GUEST HOUSE
Shall mean a dwelling in which nightly or weekly accommodations are provided for transient guests for compensation, including bed and breakfast services.
TOWER
Shall mean any structure that is designed and constructed primarily for the purpose of supporting one (1) 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, cellular telephone towers, alternative tower structures, and the like. The term shall include the structure and any support thereof.
UTILITY USE OR STRUCTURE
Shall mean service provided by a public utility as recognized by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, equipment and structures to provide such service.
WALL
Shall mean a structure which serves to enclose or subdivide a building or outdoor space, and usually presenting a continuous surface, except where penetrated by windows, doors or similar openings.
WINDOW, BAY
Shall mean a window or set of windows projecting outward from the wall of a building and forming an alcove or recess in a room.
WINDOW, BOW
Shall mean a bay window built in a curve.
YACHT CLUB
Shall mean a structure or group of structures housing meeting rooms, lounges, restaurants, bars, incidental offices for club administration and restroom facilities along with necessary appurtenances such as: boat slips, docks, wharfage areas, storage areas and parking areas intended for the use of members of the yacht club or the general public for water oriented recreational activities.
YARD
Shall mean the space between a lot line and building line.
YARD, FRONT
Shall mean an open space between the front of a building and the front property line. For properties fronting on the beach in which the longer dimension of the lot is perpendicular to the beach, the front yard shall be between the property line on the beach and the building.
YARD, REAR
Shall mean an open space on the same lot with a building between the rear wall of the building and the rear line of the lot, and unoccupied except for accessory buildings. In the case of a corner lot, the owner may designate either of the two (2) interior lot lines as the rear lot line.
YARD, SIDE
Shall mean an open space between the front yard, the rear yard, the side lot line and the side of a building.