In the construction of this Ordinance the rules and definitions contained in this Section 1413 shall be observed and applied, except when the context clearly indicates otherwise.
A. 
Words used in the present tense shall include the future tense;
B. 
The singular number shall indicate the plural number and the plural number the singular numbers;
C. 
The word "building" shall include the word "structure;"
D. 
The word "shall" is mandatory and not directory; and
E. 
The word "may" is permissive.
[Ord. 2019-60, 12-2-2019]
A. 
When used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
ABUTS, ABUTTING
Having a common property line or district line.
ACCESSORY BUILDING
A subordinate building the use of which is incidental to that of the main building, and which is located on the same lot as the main building.
ACCESSORY USE
See Use, Accessory.
ADJACENT
To lie near or close to; in the neighborhood or vicinity of.
ADJOINING
Touching or contiguous, as distinguished from lying near or adjacent.
AIR RIGHTS
The ownership of defined air space above a horizontal plane over the ground surface of land utilized for railroad or street purposes.
ALLEY
A right-of-way, with a width of not more than 24 feet, which affords a secondary means of vehicular access to abutting properties. A street shall not be considered an alley.
ALTERATION
A change in size, shape, occupancy or use of a building or structure.
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
A building or portion thereof designed or used for the care, observation, or treatment of domestic animals.
AREA, GROSS
The total land area included in a parcel that is the subject to an application filed pursuant to this ordinance, excluding only property located in public rights of way or private easements of access or egress at the time of application.
AREA, NET
The gross area of a parcel less land required or proposed to be publicly dedicated or land to be devoted to private easements of access or egress. Land not so publicly dedicated or devoted shall be included in the calculation of net area.
AUTOMOBILE LAUNDRY
A building or portion thereof containing facilities for washing more than two motor vehicles, using production line methods.
AUTOMOBILE MINIMART
An automobile service station which offers or includes as an accessory use, the retail sale of merchandise or services not related to the maintenance, service or repair of motor vehicles.
AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATION
A building or portion thereof or premises used for offering for sale at retail to the public of fuels, lubricating oil, grease, tires, batteries, and accessories for motor vehicles, where repair service is incidental, where no storage or parking space is offered for rent, and where no motor vehicles, boats, or trailers are offered for sale or rent. When such dispensing, sale, or offering for sale is incidental to the conduct of a public garage, the premises are classified as a public garage. Automobile service stations do not include open sales lots.
AUTOMOBILE WRECKING YARDS
See definition of Junk Yard.
AWNING
A roof like mechanism, retractable in operation, which projects from the wall of a building.
B. 
When used in this ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
BALCONY
Exterior floor projecting from and supported by the structure without additional independent supports.
BANNER
A temporary sign composed of lightweight cloth, plastic or other material either enclosed or not enclosed in a rigid frame, and secured or mounted to a building, wall or post which contains information regarding a special event.
BASEMENT
A story having part, but not more than 1/2, of its floor area to clear ceiling height below grade. When a basement is used for storage, garages for use of occupants of the building, or other facilities common for the rest of the building, it shall not be counted as a story.
BILLBOARD
A signboard, usually outdoors, for advertising posters.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Elmwood Park, Illinois.
BUILDING
A structure designed or built for the support, enclosure, shelter, or protection of persons, animals, chattels, or property of any kind, and which is permanently affixed to the land. When any portion thereof is completely separated from every other portion by a party wall then such portion shall be deemed to be a separate building.
BUILDING, ACCESSORY
See definition of Accessory Building.
BUILDING, COMPLETELY ENCLOSED
A building separated on all sides from the adjacent open space, or from other buildings or structures, by a permanent roof and by exterior walls, pierced only by windows and normal entrance and exit doors.
BUILDING, DETACHED
A building surrounded by open space.
BUILDING, HEIGHT OF
The vertical distance from grade to the highest point of the coping of a flat roof, or the highest point of the structure of a mansard or gambrel roof, or the vertical distance from grade to the ridge for gable or hip roofs. Chimneys, towers, elevator penthouses and similar customary accessory structures and equipment shall not be included in calculating building height.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL
A nonaccessory building in which the principal use of the lot is conducted.
BUILDING, TEMPORARY
Any building not designed to be permanently located at the place where it is, or where it is intended to be temporarily placed or affixed.
BULK
Used to indicate the size and setback of buildings or structures, and the location of same with respect to one another, and includes the following: (a) size and height of buildings; (b) location of exterior walls; (c) floor area ration; (d) open space allocated to buildings; and (e) lot area and lot width.
BUSINESS
An occupation, employment, or enterprise which occupies time, attention labor, and materials; or wherein merchandise is exhibited or sold, or where services are offered.
C. 
When used in this ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
CANNABIS
Marijuana, hashish, and other substances that are identified as including any parts of the plant Cannabis sativa and including derivatives or subspecies, such as indica, of all strains of cannabis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof, the resin extracted from any part of the plant; and any compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or resin, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and all other naturally produced cannabinol derivatives, whether produced directly or indirectly by extraction; however, "cannabis" does not include the mature stalks of the plant, fiber produced from the stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of the plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks (except the resin extracted from it), fiber, oil or cake, or the sterilized seed of the plant that is incapable of germination. "Cannabis" does not include industrial hemp as defined and authorized under the Industrial Hemp Act. "Cannabis" also means concentrate and cannabis-infused products.
CANNABIS BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT
A cultivation center, craft grower, processing organization, dispensing organization, infuser organization or transporting organization.
CANNABIS CONCENTRATE
A product derived from cannabis that is produced by extracting cannabinoids from the plant through the use of propylene glycol, glycerin, butter, olive oil or other typical cooking fats; water, ice, or dry ice; or butane, propane, CO2, ethanol, or isopropanol. The use of any other solvent is expressly prohibited unless and until it is approved by the Department of Agriculture.
CANNABIS CRAFT GROWER
A facility operated by an organization or business that is licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to cultivate, dry, cure and package cannabis and perform other necessary activities to make cannabis available for sale at a dispensing organization or use at a processing organization, per the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
CANNABIS CULTIVATION CENTER
A facility operated by an organization or business that is licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to cultivate, process, transport, and perform other necessary activities to provide cannabis and cannabis-infused products to licensed cannabis business establishments, per the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
CANNABIS INFUSER ORGANIZATION or INFUSER
A facility operated by an organization or business that is licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to directly incorporate cannabis or cannabis concentrate into a product formulation to produce a cannabis-infused product, per the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
CANNABIS PROCESSING ORGANIZATION or PROCESSOR
A facility operated by an organization or business that is licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to either extract constituent chemicals or compounds to produce cannabis concentrate or incorporate cannabis or cannabis concentrate into a product formulation to produce a cannabis product, per the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
CANNABIS TRANSPORTING ORGANIZATION or TRANSPORTER
An organization or business that is licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to transport cannabis on behalf of a cannabis business establishment or a community college licensed under the Community College Cannabis Vocational Training Pilot Program, per the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
CANNABIS-INFUSED PRODUCT
A beverage, food, oil, ointment, tincture, topical formulation, or another product containing cannabis that is not intended to be smoked.
CANOPY
See definition of Marquee or Canopy.
CAPACITY IN PERSONS
The maximum number of persons that can avail themselves of the services or goods of an establishment or use at any one time, with reasonable comfort and safety.
CARPORT
A roofed automobile shelter, with two or more open sides.
CELLAR
A story having more than 1/2 of its clear ceiling height below grade. A cellar is not included in computing the number of stories for the purpose of height measurement.
CLINIC, MEDICAL OR DENTAL
A building or portion thereof, the principal use of which is for offices of physicians or dentists or both for examination and treatment of persons on an outpatient basis.
CLUB OR LODGE, PRIVATE
A nonprofit association of persons who are bona fide members and whose facilities are restricted to members and their guests. Food and alcoholic beverages may be served on its premises provided they are secondary and incidental to the principal use.
COMMUNITY RESIDENCE
A single dwelling unit occupied on a relatively permanent basis in a family like environment by a group of unrelated persons with disabilities, plus paid professional support staff provided by a sponsoring agency, either living with the residents on a 24 hour basis; or present whenever residents with disabilities are present at the dwelling; and which complies with the zoning regulations for the district in which the site is located. Community residence does not include a residence which serves persons as an alternative to incarceration for a criminal offense, or persons whose primary reason for placement is substance or alcohol abuse or for treatment of a communicable disease.
CONFORMING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
A building or structure which: (a) complies with all the regulations of this comprehensive amendment or of any amendment thereto governing bulk of the district in which said building or structure is located; or (b) is designed or intended for a permitted or special use as allowed in the district in which it is located.
CONTIGUOUS
In actual contact.
COURT
An open unoccupied space other that a yard on the same lot with a building or group of buildings and which is bounded on two or more sides by such building or buildings.
D. 
When used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
DENSITY, GROSS
The total number of dwelling units divided by the gross area of the development.
DENSITY, NET
The Total number of dwelling units divided by the net area of the development.
DIRECTOR OF CODE ADMINISTRATION
The official of Elmwood Park, duly appointed and designated as the Director of Code Administration.
DISABILITY
A physical, mental or intellectual impairment or a combination of physical, mental or intellectual impairments which is likely to continue for a significant amount of time or indefinitely, and which results in functional limitations in three or more for the following areas of major life activities:
1. 
Self-care;
2. 
Receptive or expressive language;
3. 
Learning;
4. 
Mobility;
5. 
Self-direction;
6. 
Capacity of independent living;
7. 
Economic self-sufficiency;
and which reflects the person's need for a combination and sequence of special interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment or other services which are of a life-long or extended duration; but such term does not include current use of, or addiction to, alcohol or a controlled substance.
DRIVE-IN OR DRIVE-THRU ESTABLISHMENTS
An establishment or facility that by design of physical facilities or by service or packaging procedures encourages or permits customers to receive a service or obtain a product that may be used or consumed in a motor vehicle on or off the premises or to be entertained while remaining in a motor vehicle.
DWELLING
A building or portion thereof designed or used exclusively for residential purposes, including single-family, two- family, three-family, townhouse, and multiple-family dwelling, but not including mobile homes, or other trailers or lodging rooms in hotels, motels, or lodging houses.
DWELLING UNIT
One or more rooms which are arranged, designed, or used as living quarters for one family only. Individual bathrooms and complete single kitchen facilities, permanently installed to serve the entire family, shall always be included within each "dwelling unit."
DWELLING, DETACHED
A dwelling which is surrounded on all sides by open space on the same lot.
DWELLING, MULTIPLE-FAMILY
A dwelling, other than a townhouse or three family detached, containing three or more dwelling units.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY
A dwelling containing one dwelling unit only.
DWELLING, THREE-FAMILY DETACHED
A dwelling containing three dwelling units only, one above the other.
DWELLING, TOWNHOUSE
A dwelling composed of a row of two or more, but not more than six adjoining dwelling units, each situated on a separate subdivision lot or being a separate condominium unit capable of individual sale an each of which is separated from the others by one or more unpierced walls extending from ground to roof.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY DETACHED
A dwelling containing two dwelling units only, one above the other.
E. 
When used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION CENTER
A terminal at which electric energy is received from the transmission system and is delivered to the distribution system only.
ELECTRIC SUBSTATION
A terminal at which electric energy is received from the transmission system and is delivered to other elements of the transmission system and, generally, to the local distribution system.
ENGINEER, VILLAGE
The official of the Village of Elmwood Park, duly appointed and designated as the Village Engineer.
ESTABLISHMENT, BUSINESS
A place of business carrying on operation, the ownership or management of which is separate and distinct from those of any other place of business located on the same or other lot.
F. 
When used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
FAMILY
One person or two or more persons each related to the other by blood, marriage or legal adoption, or a group of not more than two persons not all so related together with his or their domestic servants maintaining a common household in a dwelling unit.
FENCE
A structure, or trees or shrub hedge which is a barrier and used as a boundary or means of protection or confinement.
FENCE, OPEN
A fence including gates which has, for each one-foot wide segment extending over the entire length and height of the fence, 50% of the surface area in open spaces which afford a direct view through the fence.
FENCE, SOLID
A fence, including gates, which conceals from view from adjoining properties, streets, or alleys, activities conducted behind it.
FLOOR AREA — FOR DETERMINING FLOOR AREA RATIO
The sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors including also the basement floor of a building-measured from the exterior faces of the exterior walls, or from the center lines of walls separating two buildings. The "floor area" shall also include the horizontal areas on each floor devoted to: (a) elevator shafts and stairwells; (b) mechanical equipment, except if located on the roof, when either open or enclosed, i.e., bulkheads, water tanks, and cooling towers; (c) habitable attic space as permitted by the Building Code of the Village of Elmwood Park; (d) interior balconies and mezzanines; (e) enclosed porches; and (f) accessory uses. The "floor area" of structures used for bulk storage of materials, i.e., petroleum tanks shall also be included in the "floor area" and such "floor area" shall be determined on the basis of the height of such structures with one floor for each 10 feet of structure height and if such structure measures less than 10 feet but not more than five feet over such floor height intervals, it shall be construed to have an additional floor.
The horizontal area in each floor of a building to off-street parking and off-street loading facilities and the horizontal area of a cellar floor shall not be included in the "floor area."
FLOOR AREA — FOR DETERMINING OFF-STREET PARKING AND OFF-STREET LOADING REQUIREMENTS
"Floor area" when prescribed as the basis of measurement for off-street parking spaces and off-street loading spaces for any use shall be the sum of the gross horizontal area of the several floors of the building, excluding areas used for accessory off-street parking facilities and the horizontal areas of the basement and cellar floors that are devoted exclusively to uses accessory to the operation of the entire building. All horizontal dimensions shall be taken from the exterior of the walls.
FLOOR AREA RATIO
The numerical value obtained by dividing the "floor area" within a building or buildings on a lot by the area of such lot. The floor area ratio as designated for each district when multiplied by the lot area in square feet shall determine the maximum permissible "floor area" for the building or buildings on the lot.
FLOOR AREA, SALES
The gross floor area of a building, less area devoted to storage.
FOOTCANDLE
A unit of illumination, equivalent to the illumination of all points which are one-foot distant from a uniform point source of one candle power.
FOOT-LAMBERT
A unit of brightness, usually of a reflecting surface. A diffusion surface of uniform brightness reflecting or emitting the equivalent of the light from one candle at one-foot distant over one square foot has a brightness of one foot-lambert.
G. 
When used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
GARAGE, PRIVATE
An accessory building designed and used for the storage of motor vehicles owned and used by the occupants of the building to which it is accessory and in which no occupation or business for profit is carried on. Not more than one of the motor vehicles may be a commercial vehicle of not more than 1-1/2 tons capacity.
GARAGE, PUBLIC
A building or portion thereof other than a private or storage garage, designed or used for equipping, servicing, or repairing motor vehicles. Hiring, selling, or storing of motor vehicles may be included.
GARAGE, STORAGE, OR OFF-STREET PARKING
A building or portion thereof designed or used or land used exclusively for storage of motor vehicles, and in which motor fuels and oils are not sold, and motor vehicles are not equipped, repaired, hired, or sold.
GRADE
The average level of ground adjacent to the exterior walls of the building.
H. 
When used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
HOTEL
An establishment containing lodging rooms, for occupancy by transient guests in contradistinction to a lodging house, boarding house, or a rooming house, and which provides customary hotel services such as: maid, telephone and secretarial, bellboy and desk services; and the use and upkeep of furniture; and furnishings and laundry of linens.
HOTEL, APARTMENT
A combined hotel and multiple-family dwelling where more than 50% of the accommodations are in dwelling units occupied or intended for occupancy by permanent guests securing such accommodations by pre-arrangement for a continuous period of 30 days or more.
I. 
When used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
INSTITUTION
A building occupied by a non-profit corporation wholly for public or semi-public use.
J. 
When used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
JUNK YARD
Shall be held to mean and include any yard, place or enclosure where junk is bought, sold or bartered or exchanged, either at wholesale or retail or where junk is collected, received, stored or held in possession for resale, barter or exchange, either at wholesale or retail.
K. 
When used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
KENNEL
Any premise or portion thereof on which more than three dogs, cats, or other household domestic animals over one year of age are kept, or on which more than two such animals are maintained, boarded, bred, or cared for, in return for remuneration, or are kept for the purpose of sale.
L. 
When used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
LABORATORY
See Research Laboratory.
LARGE COMMUNITY RESIDENCE
A single dwelling unit occupied on a relatively permanent basis in a family-like environment by a group of nine to 15 unrelated persons with disabilities, plus paid professional support staff provided by a sponsoring agency, either living with the residents on a twenty-four-hour basis, or present whenever residents with disabilities are present at the dwelling; and which complied with the zoning regulations for the district in which the site is located.
LAUNDERETTE
A business that provides coin-operated self-service type washing, drying, dry-cleaning, and ironing facilities, providing that: (a) not more than four persons, including owners, are employed on the premises; and (b) no pick-up or delivery service is maintained.
LOADING SPACE
A space within the principal building or on the same lot as the principal building providing for the standing, loading or unloading of trucks and with access to a street or alley.
LOT
A track of land which (at the time of filing for a building permit) is designated by its owner or developer as a tract to be used, developed, or built upon as a unit, under single ownership or control. Therefore, a "lot" may or may not coincide with a lot of record.
LOT AREA
The area of a horizontal plane bounded by the front, side, and rear lines of a lot.
LOT DEPTH
The mean horizontal distance between the front lot line and the rear lot line of a lot measured within the lot boundaries.
LOT LINE, FRONT
That boundary of a lot which abuts a street line. On a corner lot the lot line having the shortest length abutting a street line shall be the front lot line, unless otherwise determined by the Director of Code Administration.
LOT LINE, INTERIOR
A lot line which does not abut a street.
LOT LINE, REAR
That boundary of a lot which is most distant from and is, or is most nearly, parallel to the front lot line and in the case of an irregular, triangular or gore-shaped lot, a line 10 feet in length within the lot, parallel to and at the maximum distance from the lot line.
LOT LINE, SIDE
Any boundary of a lot which is not a front lot line or a rear lot line.
LOT OF RECORD
A lot of which is part of a subdivision, the map of which has been recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Cook County, Illinois: or a parcel of land, the deed of which was recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Cook County, Illinois prior to the effective date of this Ordinance.
LOT WIDTH
The minimum horizontal of distance between the side lot line of a lot measured at the narrowest width within the buildable areas.
LOT, ZONING
A tract of land consisting of one or more lots of record, or parts thereof, under single fee simple title ownership or control, located entirely within a block and occupied by, or designated by its owner or developer at the time of filing for any zoning approval or building permit as a tract to be developed for, a principal building and its accessory buildings, or a principal use, together with such open spaces and yards as are designed and arranged, or required under this Ordinance, to be used with such building or use. Notwithstanding the foregoing, sale of individual lots of record underlying individual dwelling units in a townhouse or two family dwelling detached or three family detached dwelling, following issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for such dwelling, shall not prevent treatment of the tract of land underlying such dwelling as a zoning lot and all applicable bulk, space and yard requirements shall be applied with respect to such dwelling and such zoning lot rather than with respect to individually owned dwelling units and lots of record.
M. 
When used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENT
An establishment, the principal use of which is manufacturing, fabricating, processing, assembly, repairing, staring, cleaning, servicing, or testing of materials, goods or products.
MARQUEE or CANOPY
A roof-like structure of a permanent nature which projects from the wall of a building.
MOBILE HOME
A trailer designed and constructed for dwelling purposes which contains cooking, sanitary and electrical facilities, and has a gross floor area of 220 square feet or more.
MOTEL
An establishment consisting of a group of attached or detached lodging rooms with bathrooms, and where more than 50% of the lodging rooms are occupied or designed for occupancy by transient automobile tourists. A "motel" furnishes customary hotel services such as maid service and laundering of linen, telephone, secretarial and desk service, and the use and upkeep of furniture. Cooking facilities shall not be included in any of the lodging rooms, but one dwelling unit may be included for occupancy by the owner or manager of the motel.
MOTOR FREIGHT TERMINAL
A building or area in which freight brought by motor truck is assembled or stored for routing in intrastate shipment by motor truck.
N. 
When used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
NONCONFORMING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
Any building or structure lawfully established which: (a) does not comply with all the regulations of this Ordinance or of any amendment hereto governing bulk of the district in which such building or structure is located; or (b) is designed or intended for a nonconforming use.
NONCONFORMING USE
Any building or structure and the use thereof or the use of land that does not conform with the regulations of this Ordinance or any amendment thereto governing use in the district in which it is located but conformed with all of the codes, ordinances, and other legal requirements applicable at the time such building, or structure was erected, enlarged, or altered, and the use thereof or the use of land was established.
NURSERY, CHILD-CARE OR SCHOOL
An establishment for the part-time care of five or more children of pre-elementary school age in addition to the members of the family residing therein.
NURSING HOME
A home for aged, chronically ill, infirm or incurable persons or for the care of children, or a place of rest for those persons suffering bodily disorders, in which three or more persons not members of the family residing on the premises are received, provided with food, shelter and care; but does not include hospitals, clinics, or similar institutions devoted primarily to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases or injury, maternity cases, or mental illness and does not include community residences. A nursing home also includes rehabilitation housing for released mental or alcoholic patients where medical treatment is not provided and no longer deemed necessary.
O. 
When used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
OPEN SALES LOT
Land used or occupied for the purpose of buying, selling or renting merchandise stores or displayed out-of-doors prior to sale. Such merchandise includes automobiles, trucks, motor scooters, motorcycles, boats, or similar commodities.
OPEN SPACE, PUBLIC
Open space dedicated to or owned by any government or governmental agency or authority.
OUTDOOR RECREATION
Outdoor recreation includes one or more of the following uses: riding clubs, polo fields, horse shows, hunter trails, and other equestrian sports; conservation clubs; Girl Scout and Boy Scout lodges or clubhouses; private parks or playgrounds; archery ranges; and other outdoor recreation uses as approved by the Village Board and accessory uses, buildings, and structures such as off-street parking and loading facilities, administration, maintenance and clubhouse buildings.
P. 
When used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
PARKING SPACE
An area, enclosed in a building or unenclosed, reserved for the parking of one motor vehicle and which is accessible to and from a street or alley.
PARTY WALL
A common wall which extends from its footing below grade to the underside of the roof and divides buildings.
PERFORMANCE STANDARD
A criteria established to control smoke and particulate matter, noise, odor, toxic or noxious matter, vibration, fire and explosion hazards, glare or heat, or radiation hazards generated by or inherent in uses of land or buildings.
PLAN, ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
The Plan, Zoning and Development Commission of the Village of Elmwood Park.
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
A lot, having a minimum area as set forth in district regulations in this ordinance initially under unified ownership or control and within which allowable exceptions in the district regulations are specified. See Section 1411.12 of this appendix.
PUBLIC HEARING
A meeting conducted pursuant to the provisions of the Illinois Open Meetings Act at which members of the general public must be permitted to give testimony, evidence or opinions relevant to the subject matter.
PUBLIC MEETING
A meeting conducted pursuant to the provisions of the Illinois Open Meetings Act where members of the general public, as opposed to members of the Board or commission and as opposed to the applicant for relief, have no right (but may be given the opportunity) to offer testimony, evidence or opinions.
Q. 
Reserved for future use.
R. 
When used in this ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
RAILROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY
A strip of land containing railroad tracks and customary auxiliary facilities for track operations, serving as the main line for trains. For the purposes of this ordinance, a "railroad right-of-way" does not include land used or intended to be used for switching, spur, lead, team, or siding tracks, freight depots or stations, loading platforms, train sheds, warehouses, car or locomotive shops, car yards or classification yards.
RESEARCH LABORATORY
A building or group of buildings in which are located facilities for scientific research, investigation, testing, or experimentation, but not facilities for the manufacture or sale of products, except as incidental to the main purpose of the laboratory.
RESERVOIR STANDING SPACES
Those off street parking spaces allocated for temporary standing of automobiles awaiting entrance to a particular establishment.
ROADWAY
That portion of a street which is used or intended to be used for the travel of motor vehicles.
S. 
When used in this ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
SETBACK
The minimum horizontal distance between a street line and the nearest wall of a building or side of a structure facing such street line.
SHORT TERM RENTAL
A single room, dwelling, or portion thereof, located within a structure which is offered for or rented for a period of less than 30 consecutive days, excluding motels and hotels as defined herein.
SIGN
A name, identification, description, illustration, display or device which is affixed to, painted or represented upon a building, structure or land and which directs attention to a product, place, activity, person, institution, or business. For purposes of this definition, a sign structure may be single face or double face. However, a sign shall not include any display of any court, public or official notice, nor shall it include the flag, emblem, insignia of a nation, political unit, school, religious or charitable institution or organization. A sign shall not include a permanent sign located within an enclosed building in such a manner as to be viewed or intended for view primarily from the exterior of the building.
SIGN, ADVERTISING
A sign on which is portrayed information which directs attention to a product, place, activity, person, institution, business or other activity.
SIGN, AFFIXED
A sign which is affixed to any building wall or structure and extends beyond the building wall or parts thereof or structure.
SIGN, FLASHING
An illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not maintained constant or stationary in intensity or color at all times when such sign is in use.
SIGN, GROSS SURFACE AREA OF
The entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of a sign.
SIGN, GROUND
A sign which is supported by one or more uprights or braces in or upon the ground.
SIGN, IDENTIFICATION
A sign which directs attention to a residence, a business, commodity, service, entertainment or other activity conducted on the lot upon which such sign is located.
SIGN, OFF-SITE ADVERTISING
A sign, including a billboard or signboard, that directs attention to a business, profession, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered elsewhere than on the lot on which the sign is located, and only incidentally, if at all, on such lot.
SIGN, ON-SITE ADVERTISING
A sign, including a billboard or signboard, that directs attention to a business, profession, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered on the lot on which the sign is located.
SIGN, ROOF
A sign erected, constructed, and maintained above the roof of any building.
SIGN, SPECIAL
A sign containing information which directs attention to the sale, rental or development of real estate, traffic or safety issues, or to a special event or activity.
SIGNBOARD
A board bearing a sign or notice, advertising a business, product, service, etc.
SMALL COMMUNITY RESIDENCE
A single dwelling unit occupied on a relatively permanent basis in a family-like environment by a group of no more than eight unrelated persons with disabilities, plus paid professional support staff provided by a sponsoring agency, either living at the residence on a 24 hour basis, or present whenever residents with disabilities are present at the dwelling; and which complies with the zoning regulations for the district in which the site is located.
SMOKE
The visible discharge from a chimney, stack, vent, exhaust, or combustion process which is made up of particulate matter.
STORY
That portion of a building, other than a cellar, included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above it or if there be no floor above it, then the space between the floor and the ceiling next above it. The floor of a story may have split levels provided that there are not more than four feet difference in elevations between the different levels of the floor. A basement shall be counted as a story and a mezzanine floor shall be counted as a story when it covers over 1/3 the area of the floor next below it, or if the vertical distance from the floor next below it to the floor next above it is 24 feet or more. A floor of a building used entirely for off street loading shall not be counted as a story.
STORY, HALF
A partial story under a gable, hip or gambrel roof, the wall plates of which on at least two opposite exterior walls are not more than three feet above the floor of such story, except that any partial story used for residence purposes other than for a janitor or caretaker or his family, or by a family occupying the floor immediately below it, shall be deemed a full story.
STREET
Any right-of-way containing a roadway which affords the primary means of vehicular access to abutting properties. When such right-of-way is not an existing or dedicated public "street," it shall be not less than 40 feet in width, unless otherwise herein regulated. An alley shall not be considered a street.
STREET LINE
The street right-of-way line abutting a property line of a lot.
STREET, FRONTAGE
All of the property fronting on one side of a street between two intersecting streets, or in the case of a dead end street, all of the property along one side of the street between an intersecting street and the end of such dead end street.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATION
Any change in the supporting members of a building such as bearing walls, columns, beams or girders, or any substantial change in the roof or in the exterior walls, excepting such repair or replacement as may be required for the safety of a building.
STRUCTURE
Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires more or less permanent location on the ground or attached to something having a permanent location on the ground, including, but without limiting, the generality of the foregoing advertising signs and back stops for tennis courts.
T. 
When used in this ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
TAVERN
An establishment where liquors are sold to be consumed on the premises but not including restaurants where the principal business is the serving of food.
TERRACE
Platform extending outdoors from a floor of a house, supported by the main structure of the house at least one story in height above grade.
TRAILER
Any vehicle or portable structure constructed so as to permit occupancy thereof for lodging or dwelling purposes or for the use as an accessory building or structure in the conduct of business, trade or occupation, and which may be used as a conveyance on streets and highways by its own or other motive power.
TRAILER, CAMPING
A trailer designed and constructed for temporary dwelling purposes which does not contain built in sanitary facilities and has a gross floor area of less than 130 square feet.
TRAILER, TRAVEL
A trailer designed and constructed for dwelling purposes which may contain cooking, sanitary, and electrical facilities, and has a gross floor area of one 130 square feet or more, but less than 220 square feet.
U. 
When used in this ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
USABLE OPEN SPACE
Space suitable for recreation, gardens, or household service activities, such as clothes drying. Such space must be open to the sky, free of automobile traffic, parking, and undue hazards, and readily accessible by all those for whom it is intended.
USE
The purpose of activity for which the land, or building thereon, is designed, arranged, or intended, or for which it is occupied or maintained.
USE, ACCESSORY
An accessory use is one which is incidental to the dominant use of the premises.
USE, LAWFUL
The use of any building, structure, or land that conforms with all of the regulations of this Ordinance or any amendment hereto and which conforms with all of the codes, ordinances, and other legal requirements, as existing at the time of the enactment of this Ordinance or any amendment thereto, for the structure or land that is being examined.
USE, NONCONFORMING
See Nonconforming Use.
USE, PERMITTED
Any use which is or may be lawfully established in a particular district or districts, provided it conforms with all requirements and regulations, of this Ordinance for the district in which such use is located.
USE, PRINCIPAL
The dominant use of land or buildings as distinguished from a subordinate or accessory use.
USE, SPECIAL
A use which, because of its unique characteristics, cannot be properly classified as a permitted use in a particular district or districts.
V. 
When used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
VEHICLE, MOTOR
Any passenger vehicle, truck, truck-trailer, trailer, or semi-trailer propelled or drawn by mechanical power.
VENDING MACHINE
A machine for dispensing merchandise or services designed to be operated by the customer.
VIBRATION
The periodic displacement, measured in inches, of earth at designated frequency-cycles per second.
VILLAGE
The Village of Elmwood Park, Illinois
VILLAGE BOARD
See Board of Trustees.
VILLAGE CLERK
The Village Clerk of the Village of Elmwood Park, Illinois
VILLAGE ENGINEER
The Village Engineer of the Village of Elmwood Park, Illinois.
VILLAGE PRESIDENT
The Village President of the Village of Elmwood Park, Illinois.
W. 
Reserved for future use.
X. 
Reserved for future use.
Y. 
When used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
YARD
A required open area on a lot which is unobstructed from its lowest level to the sky, except as otherwise provided in this Ordinance.
YARD LINE
A line in a lot that is parallel to the lot line along which the applicable yard extends and which is not nearer to such lot line at any point that the required depth or width of the applicable yard. A building, structure or other obstruction shall not encroach into the area between the "yard line" and such adjacent lot line, except for such permitted obstructions in yards as are set forth in this ordinance.
YARD, FRONT
A yard which is bounded by the side lot lines, front lot line, and the front yard line.
YARD, INTERIOR SIDE
A side yard which adjoins another lot or an alley separating such side yard from another lot.
YARD, REAR
A yard which is bounded by side lot lines, rear lot line, and the rear yard line.
YARD, SIDE
A yard which is bounded by the rear yard line, front yard line, side yard line, and side lot line.
YARD, SIDE
ADJOINING A STREET
A yard which is bounded by the font lot line, side yard adjoining a street line and area lot line.
Z. 
When used in this ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
ZONING DISTRICT
A portion of the Village of Elmwood Park within which on a uniform basis, certain uses of land and buildings are permitted and certain other uses of land and buildings are prohibited as set forth in this ordinance, or within which certain yards and other open spaces are required or within which certain lot areas, dwelling sizes and density requirements are established or within which a combination of such aforesaid regulations are applied.