This chapter shall be known as the "Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Avon."
The purpose of this chapter is to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the Village and to conserve the value of property, with due consideration for the character of the districts and their peculiar suitability for particular uses, all in accordance with a Comprehensive Plan designed to lessen congestion in the streets; to secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other dangers; to promote health and the general welfare; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land, to avoid undue concentration of population and to that end to regulate the height, design, appearance, number of stories and size of buildings and other structures; the percentage of the area of the lot that may be occupied; the size of yards, courts and other open spaces; the density of population and the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence or other purposes; and the height, size and location of these uses within the limits of the Village.
For the purpose of this chapter, all words used in the present tense include the future tense. All words in the plural number include the singular and all words in the singular number include the plural number, unless the natural construction of the word indicates otherwise. The word "shall" is mandatory and directory. The word "may" is permissive. The word "used" includes "designed, intended or arranged to be used."
When used in this chapter, unless otherwise expressly stated or the content otherwise requires:
ACCESSORY BUILDING
A subordinate building located on the same lot with the main building, occupied by or devoted to an accessory use. Where an accessory building is attached to the main building in a substantial manner, as by a wall or roof, such accessory building shall be considered part of the main building.
ACCESSORY USE
A use incidental and subordinate to the main use or building and located on the same lot therewith. In no case shall such accessory use dominate, in area, extent or purpose, the principal lawful use or building.
ALLEY
A publicly or privately owned serviceway less than 24 feet in width providing a secondary means of access to abutting properties.
ALTERATIONS
As applied to a building or structure, a change or rearrangement in the structural parts or in the exit facilities; or an enlargement, whether by extending on a side or by increasing in height; or the moving from one location or position to another.
ALTERATIONS, STRUCTURAL
Any change in the supporting members of a building or structure, such as bearing walls, columns, beams or girders.
APARTMENT
Any structure housing three or more families or dwelling units.
BASEMENT
A story partly underground and having more than 1/2 of its height above the average level of the finished grade at the front of the building.
BUILDING
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls and intended for the shelter, housing or enclosure of persons, animals or property.
BUILDING AREA
The aggregate of the areas of all enclosed and roofed spaces of the principal building and all accessory buildings. Such areas shall be computed by using outside building dimensions measured on a horizontal plane at ground level.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The vertical dimension measured from the average elevation of the finished lot grade at the front of the building to the highest point of the roof for flat roofs, to the deckline of a mansard roof and to the average height between the plate and ridge of a gable, hip or gambrel roof.
BUILDING LINE
A line formed by the intersection of a horizontal plane at average grade level and a vertical plane that coincides with the exterior surface of the building on any side. In case of a cantilevered section of a building or projected roof or porch, the vertical plane will coincide with the most projected surface. All yard requirements are measured to the building line.
CELLAR
A story partly underground and having more than 1/2 of its clear height below the average level of the finished grade at the front of the building.
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
A certificate issued by the Zoning Enforcement Officer 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. (NOTE: Chapter 26, Uniform Code Enforcement, sets forth detailed procedure in § 26-7 for obtaining a certificate of occupancy.)
CLUB, PRIVATE
A nonprofit social organization whose premises are restricted to its members and their guests.
COMMERCIAL or BUSINESS
Includes the purchase, sale or transaction involving the disposition of any article, substance, commodity or service, the maintenance or conduct of offices, professions or recreational or amusement enterprises conducted for profit and also includes the renting of rooms, business offices and sales display rooms and premises.
CURB LEVEL
The mean street grade established by the Village or, in the absence of an established grade, the mean level of the existing curb or of the lot at the street line.
DWELLING
A building or portion thereof used exclusively as the residence or sleeping place of one or more persons.
DWELLING UNIT
One or more rooms providing living facilities for one family, including equipment for cooking, living and sleeping purposes and provisions for the same.
DWELLING, DETACHED
A dwelling having no party wall in common with another building.
DWELLING, MULTIFAMILY
A building or portion thereof containing three or more families living independently of each other.
DWELLING, ONE-FAMILY
A building or dwelling unit designed for or occupied exclusively by a single family as hereinafter defined.
DWELLING, ROW
A row of attached or semidettached dwellings containing a total of three or more dwelling units or a building in such a row.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY
A building containing two dwelling units and used exclusively for occupancy by two families living independently of each other or two one-family dwellings having a party wall in common.
FAMILY
One or more persons, related by birth, marriage or other domestic bond, or not to exceed five unrelated persons, occupying a dwelling unit and living as a single, nonprofit housekeeping unit.
FARM
Any parcel containing five acres or more of land which is used for gain in the raising of agricultural products, including crops, livestock, poultry or dairy products.
FARM BUILDING
Any building used for the housing of agricultural equipment, produce, livestock or poultry or for the incidental or customary processing of farm products, and provided that such building is located on, operated in conjunction with, and necessary to the operation of the farm as defined by this article. The term "farm building" shall not include "farm dwelling."
FENCE
An artificially constructed barrier of wood, masonry, stone, wire, metal or any other manufactured material or combination of materials erected for the enclosure of yard areas.
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
Liquids having a flash point below 200° F., closed cup tester. Class I flammable liquids (e.g., gasoline, ether, liquid petroleum gas) are those having a flash point below 25° F. Class II flammable liquids are those having a flash point below 70° F. but not below 25° F.
FLOOR AREA TOTAL
The sum of the gross horizontal areas of the floor or floors of a building which are enclosed and usable for human occupancy or the conduct of business. Said areas shall be measured between the inside face of exterior walls or from the center line of walls separating two uses. Said areas shall not include areas below the average level of the adjoining ground, garage space or accessory building space.
FRONT YARD
An open space extending the full width of the lot between a main building and the front lot line, unoccupied and unobstructed by buildings or structures from the ground upward, the depth of which shall be the least distance between the front lot line and the front of such main building.
GARAGE, COMMERCIAL
A building or structure used for display, storage, repair, rental, sale, inspection and servicing of new and used motor vehicles and for the retail sales of parts, accessories, lubrication, oils and supplies for such vehicles, but not the sale of fuel.
[Amended by L.L. No. 5-1982]
GARAGE, PRIVATE
A secondary building used in conjunction with a primary building which provides for the storage of motor vehicles and in which no occupation, business or services for profit are carried on.
INDUSTRY or INDUSTRIAL
Includes the manufacture, processing, assembly or storage of any item, article or commodity and the conduct of manufacturing as it is usually understood, as opposed to the casual preparation, processing or repair of items, articles or commodities in retail businesses.
JUNKYARD
Land, building or structure used for the collecting, storage or sale of wastepaper, rags, scrap metal or discarded material or for the collecting, wrecking, dismantling, storage, salvaging and sale of machinery parts or vehicles not in running condition.
LOT
A parcel of land considered as a unit devoted to a certain use or occupied by a building or a group of buildings that are united by a common interest or use, and the customary accessories and open spaces belonging to the same. A "lot" within the meaning of this chapter may or may not be a lot as shown on a subdivision plat or assessment record.
LOT AREA
An area of land which is determined by the limits of the lot lines bounding that area and expressed in terms of square feet or acres. Any portion of a lot included in a public street right-of-way shall not be included in calculating lot area.
LOT DEPTH
The horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines, measured at right angles to the front lot line.
LOT LINES
The property lines bounding the lot. In the case of a lot abutting on more than one street, the owner may determine which street shall be the front lot line. The rear line shall be the lot line most distant from the front lot line.
LOT WIDTH
The horizontal distance between the side lot lines measured at right angles to its depth at the front building line.
LOT, CORNER
A parcel of land at the junction of and fronting on two or more intersecting streets.
LOT, INTERIOR
A lot other than a corner lot.
LOT, THROUGH
An interior lot having frontage on two parallel or approximately parallel streets.
MOBILE HOME
Includes any "trailer," "mobile dwelling" or other unit so constructed and so designed that it can be used or moved with attachments as a separate entity as a vehicle, whether the same be standing on wheels, rollers, skids, rigid supports or a permanent foundation and which is used, designed for or capable of being used for living quarters and having all facilities needed for a permanent abode, specifically excluding, however, campers and other similar vehicles designed for being stored in garages or similar structures.
MODULAR HOME
A home not capable of being transported as a single unit, but is designed to be transported to the site in two or more sections or parts which, when assembled, constitute a conventional home.
MOTOR VEHICLE SERVICE STATION
Any building, structure or land used primarily for the dispersing, sale or offering for sale of automotive fuels, oils or accessories, including lubrication of automobiles and replacement or installation of minor parts and accessories, but not including major repair work such as motor replacement or rebuilding, body and fender repair or painting.
NONCONFORMING BUILDING
A building which in its design or location upon a lot does not conform to the regulation of this chapter for the district in which it is located.
NONCONFORMING LOT
A lot of record existing at the date of the passage of this chapter which does not have the minimum width or contain the minimum area for the district in which it is located.
NONCONFORMING USE
Any use of a building, structure or land existing at the time of enactment of this chapter which does not conform to the use regulations of the district in which it is situated.
NURSING AND CONVALESCENT HOME
A building, structure or premises having accommodations for hire and where limited medical care is provided for invalid, infirm, aged, convalescent or physically disabled or injured persons.
PLANNING BOARD
The Village of Avon Planning Board.
PLAT
A map, plan or layout of a section or subdivision indicating the location and boundaries of individual properties.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING
A building or buildings in which is conducted the main or principal use of the lot on which said building is located
PRINCIPAL USE
The main use to which a building or lot is to be used.
REAR YARD
An open space extending the full width of a lot between the rearmost main building and the rear lot line, unoccupied and unobstructed by buildings or structures from the ground upward, except as hereinafter specified, the depth of which shall be the least distance between the rear lot line and the rear of such main building.
RESTAURANT
Any establishment, however designated, at which food is sold for consumption on the premises to patrons seated within an enclosed building or elsewhere on the premises. However, a snack bar or refreshment stand at a public, semipublic or community swimming pool, playground, playfield or park operated by the agency or group or an approved vendor operating the recreational facilities and for the convenience of the patrons of the facility shall not be deemed to be a restaurant.
RETIREMENT OR CUSTODIAL HOME
A building, structure or premises having accommodations for elderly persons not requiring nursing or medical care and where home care is provided to the inhabitants thereof for profit.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
The line determining the street or highway public limit or ownership.
SIDE YARD
An open space extending from the front yard to the rear yard between any building and the side lot line, unoccupied and unobstructed by buildings or structures from the ground upward. The required width of side yard shall be measured horizontally from the nearest point of the side lot line to the nearest part of any building.
SIGN AREA
The area defined by the frame or edge of a sign. Where there is no geometric frame or edge of the sign, the area shall be defined by a projected, enclosed, four-sided (straight sides) geometric shape which most closely outlines the said sign.
SIGN, ON-PREMISES ADVERTISING
A sign that shall be deemed to be any advertising display on which is shown the products sold, the name of the enterprise located on that lot or parcel of land or any other wording which reflects directly upon any on-site business or other usage thereof.
SIGNBOARD or BILLBOARD, OFF-PREMISES ADVERTISING
Any advertising display on which is shown any advertisement for products or businesses other than which are sold or have occupancy on that lot or parcel of land.
SITE PLAN
A plan of a lot or subdivision on which is shown topography, location of all buildings, structures, roads, right-of-way, boundaries, all essential dimensions and bearings and any other information deemed necessary by the Planning Board.
SPECIAL PLACEMENT RESIDENCE
Any building or premises occupied by three or more persons not related to the owner, lessee or operator by blood, marriage or adoption, who upon their release as patients from any recognized mental institution, treatment center for alcoholism, narcotic addiction or as an inmate of any correctional or penal institution, use such building or premises as living facilities in order to secure noninstitutionalized care in their attempt to reenter society as healthy, well-adjusted and useful human beings. The operator must reside at such premises.
STORY
That portion of a building between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above; also, any portion of a building used for human occupancy between the topmost floor and the roof. For purposes of height measurement, in determining the permissible number of stories, a basement shall be counted but a cellar shall not be counted.
STORY, HALF
A story under a gable, hip or gambrel roof, the wall plates of which on at least two opposite exterior walls are not more than two feet above the floor of such story.
STREET
A public or private thoroughfare which affords the principal means of access to abutting property.
STREET LINE
The lateral line of the street or other public right-of-way.
STRUCTURE
Anything constructed or erected which requires permanent location on the ground or attachment to something having such location.
SWIMMING POOL, PRIVATE
A swimming pool operated as a secondary use to a residential dwelling unit or units and located on an individual residential lot.
SWIMMING POOL, PUBLIC
A publicly or privately owned pool open to the general public or on a membership basis and having appropriate dressing room facilities, recreation facilities and off-street parking area.
TEMPORARY USE
An activity conducted for a specific limited period of time which may not otherwise be permitted by the provisions of this chapter. Examples of such uses are buildings incidental to new construction which are removed after the completion of the construction work.
TRUE VALUE
The value of a property determined by the Zoning Enforcement Officer or any board or official of the Village required to make a determination in accordance with any generally accepted appraisal method of the construction trade or real estate appraisers.
USE
The specific purposes for which land or a building is designed, arranged, intended or for which it is or may be occupied or maintained.
ZONING BOARD
The officially established Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Avon.
ZONING PERMIT
A permit issued by the Zoning Enforcement Officer stating that the purpose for which a building or land is to be used is in conformity with the uses permitted and complies with all other requirements under this chapter for the district in which it is located or is to be located.
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Editor's Note: Original Art. II, Zoning Districts, which immediately followed this article, as amended by L.L. Nos. 1-1977, 2-1982, 3-1983, 1-1984, 3-1984, 6-1985, 7-1985, 8-1985, 15-1985, 9-1986, 4-1989, 5-1989, 1-1992, 2-1992, 3-1992, 2-1993, 5-1993, 9-1993, 2-1994, 2-1996, 1-1997, 3-2001, 3-2002, 4-2002, 1-2003, 4-2003, 1-2006, 2-2006, 3-2006, 1-2007, 2-2007, and 1-2011, was superseded 6-1-2020 by L.L. No. 2-2020. Said listing includes local laws that revised the Zoning Map.