A. 
Unless otherwise listed below, the numbers, abbreviations, terms and words used herein shall have the meanings of common usage as set forth in the latest edition of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
B. 
Unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary, words used in the present tense include the future tense; words used in the singular include the plural; words used in the plural include the singular; the word "herein" means in this chapter; the word "requirements" means the minimum requirements necessary for the purposes set forth in Article I; and the words "this chapter" shall mean L.L. No. 4-2020 and the schedules and maps included herein as enacted or subsequently amended.
C. 
The word "person," as used in this chapter, shall be defined to include, but not be limited to, an individual, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, an unincorporated association, a firm or any other form or entity, contractors, subcontractors, or journeymen.
D. 
The word "lot" includes the word "plot."
E. 
The term "occupied" or "used," as applied to any land or building, shall be construed to include the words "intended," "arranged," or "designed to be occupied or used."
F. 
"Shall" is always mandatory, except when applied to public officials, in which event "shall" is directory. Time requirements shall, nevertheless, be considered mandatory.
G. 
Those terms related to building and land use that have not been defined herein shall have the meaning given to them under the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACCESSORY USE, BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
A subordinate use, building or structure customarily incidental to and located on the same lot occupied by the main use, building or structure.
ADULT BOOKSTORE
An establishment having 5% or more of its stock-in-trade books, magazines, films for sale or viewing on premises by use of motion-picture devices or any other coin-operated means, and other periodicals which are distinguished or characterized by their emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to sexual activities of anatomical areas or an establishment with a segment or section devoted to the sale or display of such material.
ADULT CABARET
A business establishment which features topless dancers, strippers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers or similar entertainers, or live entertainments, in which persons regularly appear in a state of nudity, or where live performances are characterized by the exposure of specified anatomical areas or by specified sexual activities. Adult cabaret establishments specifically exclude minors, or minors are specifically prohibited by statute or ordinance, regardless of whether any such business is licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.
ADULT MASSAGE PARLOR
A business having a source of income or compensation derived from the practice of any method of pressure on or friction against, or stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping, pounding, vibrating, or stimulation of, external parts of the human body with the hands or with the aid of any mechanical, electric apparatus or appliances with or without such supplementary aids as rubbing alcohol, liniments, antiseptics, oils, powders, creams, lotion, ointment, or other similar preparations commonly used in the practice of massage, under such circumstances that it is reasonably expected that the person to whom the treatment is provided or some third person on his or her behalf will pay money or give any other consideration or gratuity. The term "adult massage parlor" does not include any establishment operated by a medical practitioner, professional physical therapist, or massage therapist licensed by the state.
ADULT MOTION PICTURE THEATER
A business used for presenting material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or related to specific sexual activities or specified anatomical areas for observation by patrons therein.
ADULT USE
A business that provides sexual entertainment to customers, including but not limited to adult bookstores, adult cabarets, adult massage parlors, or adult motion picture theaters, or combinations thereof.
AGRICULTURE
An enterprise in which activities include the cultivation of food, fiber or horticultural crops or the raising of livestock or poultry.
AGRICULTURE (NONANIMAL)
An enterprise in which activities include the cultivation of food, fiber or horticultural crops.
ALLEY
A vehicular drive located to the rear of lots providing access to service areas, parking, ancillary structures, or containing utility easements.
ALTERATION
A change, enlargement or rearrangement in the structural parts of a structure, whether by extending on a side or by increasing in height; or moving from one location or position to another.
ANIMAL HOSPITAL or VETERINARY CLINIC
A facility for the medical or surgical care and treatment of animals, including shelters and like facilities, other than animal kennels as described herein.
ANIMAL KENNEL
Any place at which there are kept four or more domestic animals more than four months of age or any number of dogs that are kept for the primarily commercial purposes of sale or for the boarding, care or breeding for which a fee is charged or paid.
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE STATION
Any use of land, including any buildings or structures thereon, that is used for the supply of gasoline, oil or other fuel for the propulsion of motor vehicles and/or activities related to the maintenance of automobiles or other vehicles or equipment, including but not limited to polishing, greasing, waxing, washing, servicing, equipping or repairing of motor vehicles.
BASEMENT
That space of a building that is partly below grade which has more than half of its height, measured from floor to ceiling, above the average established curb level or finished grade of the ground adjoining the building.
BED-AND-BREAKFAST
An owner- or designated-representative-occupied residential building containing a one-unit dwelling in which one, but not more than five, sleeping rooms are provided by the owner for compensation, not to exceed more than 10 transient guests (two people per sleeping room) for the accommodation of transient guests with no more than one meal served daily.
BUFFER
Designated portion of a site with noninvasive landscape plantings, fences, and/or man-made materials to provide a continuous physical screen preventing visual access, reducing noise, to mitigate impacts of use or development on an adjacent area as may be required by code and/or district regulations or the Planning Board in connection with site plan review.
BUILDING
Any structure having a roof supported by such things as columns, posts, piers or walls and intended for the shelter, business, housing or enclosing of persons, animals, property or other materials, including any combination of materials forming any construction. The term "building" shall include the term "structure," as well as the following:
A. 
Signs.
B. 
Walls and retaining walls.
C. 
Radio, television and microwave antennas, except for such antennas installed on the roof of a building and extending not more than 10 feet above the highest level of the roof of such building.
D. 
Porches, decks, outdoor bins and other similar structures.
E. 
Fixed awnings.
F. 
Swimming pools.
G. 
Transmission or wind-energy generation towers.
H. 
A structure requiring a subsurface support or base, such as a footing or sleeve for a flagpole or sign.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the proposed finished grade to the highest point of the roof for flat roofs; to the deck-line of mansard roofs; and to the mean height between eves and ridge for gable, hip and gambrel roofs.
CLUBHOUSE
An organization catering exclusively to members and their guests, which is not conducted primarily for gain, provided they do not include any vending stands, merchandising or commercial activities except as required generally for the membership and purposes of such club. Accessory uses and/or structures may include such subordinate purposes as administration, operation, accommodations, and the sale of food and drink primarily to members and their guests.
CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT
Grouping of buildings (whether on individual lots or in condominium ownership) in proximities closer than permitted by the existing zoning and subdivision regulations in order to preserve open space and to minimize infrastructure improvements pursuant to § 278 of the New York State Village Law (also known as "conservation subdivision").
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
The person charged by the Village Board with responsibility for administration and enforcement of this chapter.
COMMERCIAL RECREATION FACILITY
An indoor or outdoor privately run business involving playing fields, courts, arenas or halls designed to accommodate sports and recreational activities, such as but not limited to billiards, bowling, dance halls, gymnasiums, health spas, skating rinks, tennis courts, swimming pools, team sports and golf courses.
CURB CUT
A driveway or other entranceway to a public highway requiring a break in the curbline or shoulder.
DAY CARE
Daytime care or instruction of three or more persons away from their own homes for more than three but less than 24 hours per day, by an individual, association, corporation, institution or agency, whether or not for compensation or reward. This includes family day care, group family day care, and school-age child care requiring compliance with state laws and regulations under 18 NYCRR Parts 414, 416, and 417, respectively, that relate to licensing and adequacy of the facility.
DWELLING UNIT
A building or entirely self-contained portion thereof containing complete housekeeping facilities for only one family, including any domestic servants employed on the premises, and having no enclosed space (other than vestibules, entrances or other hallways or porches) or cooking or sanitary facilities in common with any other "dwelling unit." The rental units/rooms in a boardinghouse, dormitory, motel, inn, nursing home or other similar building shall not be deemed to constitute "dwelling units."
DWELLING, DUPLEX
A structure containing two dwelling units.
DWELLING, MULTIUNIT
A structure containing more than two dwelling units.
DWELLING, SINGLE
A detached building designed or occupied exclusively by one family and having two side yards, erected on a permanent foundation, with/without basement and equipped for year-round occupancy.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER
An electrically-activated display that utilizes computer-generated messages or other electronic means of changing sign copy to present variable messages and/or graphic presentations. These signs include displays using incandescent lamps, LEDs, LCDs or a flipper matrix.
FAMILY
Persons living together as a single, permanent and stable nonprofit housekeeping unit, using all rooms in the dwelling and housekeeping facilities in common and having such meals as they may eat at home generally prepared and eaten together with sharing of food, rent, utilities or other household expenses. Households of related individuals shall be presumed to be a family. Twelve or more nonrelated persons living together shall not be considered families for purposes of this chapter unless affirmative evidence is presented to indicate to the satisfaction of the Code Enforcement Officer that the household or group meets the other criteria contained herein.
FLOOR AREA, GROSS
The sum of the area of all floors of a building as measured from the exterior walls.
GARAGE, PRIVATE
An enclosed space for the storage of one or more motor vehicles, provided that no business, occupation or service is conducted for profit therein nor space therein for more than one car is leased to a nonresident of the premises. Garage space is not classed as living area even when part of a dwelling. Detached garages for residences are accessory structures under this Code.
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
Any substance, solution, or mixture which, because of its quality, concentration, physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics may present a potential hazard to human health, drinking water or food supply quality if discharged to the land, air, or waters, of the Village of Montour Falls.
HOME BUSINESS
An accessary use which is clearly incidental to or secondary to the residential use of a dwelling unit and does not change the character thereof, and is carried on wholly within the enclosed walls of a dwelling unit or accessory building by the proprietor of such use and other occupants of such dwelling unit and subject to such limits on the number of nonresident employees as elsewhere established herein. For the purposes of this chapter, any occupation that produces offensive noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odors, heat or glare shall not be considered to be a home business.
HOME OCCUPATION
An activity carried out for gain by a resident and conducted in the resident's dwelling unit or in an accessory structure to the resident's dwelling. Such an activity must be actually and primarily engaged in by the resident, and all material operations and incidents of the activity must be confined to the interior of the building or accessory structure.
HOSPITAL
An institution for the care and treatment of sick and injured, equipped with technical facilities, medical, nursing and other professional and technical personnel necessary for diagnosis and treatment of persons suffering from sickness or injury which requires bed care as defined in New York Public Health Law § 2801.
HOTEL
A building in which lodging is provided in guest units and offered to the public for compensation and in which ingress and egress to and from all rooms are made through an inside lobby or office, supervised by a person in charge at all hours. The guest unit shall consist of a room arranged or designed to be available for use as sleeping quarters for transient guests on a daily or weekly basis. The term "hotel" does not include bed-and-breakfast establishments.
INDUSTRIAL PARK
A tract of land providing for more than one industrial use, as defined under "light industrial," designed, maintained and operated as a unit in single ownership or control and sharing certain facilities in common, such as driveways, parking areas, drainage, utilities and screening.
INDUSTRIAL USES
Uses involving manufacturing or processing involving changing the nature, size, or shape of substances of raw materials, or recombining raw materials. Industrial uses may involve the use of chemical applications, heat, pressure or other mechanical processing methods.
JUNKYARD
An area of land with or without buildings used for or occupied by a deposit, collection or storage, outside a completely enclosed building, of used or discarded materials, such as waste paper, rags or scrap metal; or used building materials, house furnishing, machinery, or parts thereof; with or without dismantling, processing, salvage, sale or use or disposition of same.
KENNEL
See "animal kennel."
LIGHT INDUSTRIAL
Industrial uses such as manufacturing, processing and assemblage that are of a nonpolluting nature, particularly in regard to reservoir and ground water resources, and in regard to ambient air quality, noise and light radiation.
LOT
A tract, plot, or portion of a subdivision or other parcel of land intended as a unit for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of transfer of ownership or for building development.
A. 
CONFORMINGA lot having not less than minimum area and dimensions required by this chapter for a lot in the district in which such land is situated, and having its principal frontage on a street or on such other means of access as may be determined in accordance with the provisions of state law to be adequate as a condition of the issuance of a building permit for a building on such land.
B. 
NONCONFORMINGA parcel of land owned individually and separately, and separated in ownership from any adjoining tracts of land, which has a total area and/or dimensions less than prescribed by this chapter for a lot in the district in which such land is situated.
LOT, CORNER
A lot at the junction of, or abutting on, two or more intersecting streets.
LOT COVERAGE
The percentage of the plot or lot area covered by the building area and all impervious surface. Parking areas, regardless of how surfaced, shall be considered impervious.
LOT DEPTH
The average distance from the street line of a lot to the rear lot line of such lot, not to include the street or road right of way.
LOT, FLAG
A lot located in such a position that it is to the rear of a lot fronting on the same street with or without a shared curb cut.
LOT LINE
The edge of the street right-of-way in the case of the front of any lot; the property boundary generally opposite the street on which a parcel fronts in the case of the rear of any lot; and the property boundaries in the case of the sides of any lots.
160-4Lotflag.tif
Figure 1: Example of lot lines.
LOT LINE, REAR
The lot line generally opposite the street line.
LOT WIDTH
The average of the distance between side lot lines.
MACHINERY
Farm, earth-moving and excavating equipment.
MEDICAL CLINIC
A facility for physicians, dentists, chiropractors, physical therapists, alternative medical practitioners, or other licensed healthcare practitioners to examine and treat persons on an outpatient basis.
MINERAL
Any naturally formed solid material of commercial value located on or below the surface of the earth. For purposes of this chapter, peat and top soil shall be considered minerals.
MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOME
A structure, transportable in one of more sections, that is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling unit when affixed to a permanent foundation or placed on a concrete slab and connected to the required utilities.
MOBILE HOME/MANUFACTURED HOME PARK
An area of land under single ownership which has been planned and improved for the placement of two or more mobile homes for dwelling purposes.
MODULAR HOME
Factory-manufactured housing, subject to the requirements and regulations of the New York State Building Code, in which prefabricated components assembled at the plant are sent to a housing site in two or more pieces, depending on the size and style of said housing, to be joined together to form a complete house on a permanent foundation.
MOTEL
A building or group of buildings, whether detached or in connected units, containing living and sleeping accommodations used primarily for transient occupancy and which has individual entrances, from outside the building, to serve each guest unit. The guest unit shall consist of a room arranged or designed to be available for use as sleeping quarters for transient guests on a daily or weekly fee basis. The term "motel" includes buildings designated as tourist courts, motor lodges, auto courts and similar appellations, but does not include boardinghouses.
NEIGHBORHOOD STORE
A retail establishment of less than 10,000 square feet in floor area.
NEW YORK STATE BUILDING CODE
The New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code as the same be amended from time to time.
NURSERY
A place where trees, shrubs, vines and/or flower and vegetable plants are propagated or grown for a period of at least six months and/or where flowers and vegetables of an annual variety are germinated before being offered for sale and transplanting. (Such definitions shall not encompass those retail establishments that buy the majority of their horticulture stock wholesale, not propagating it themselves.)
PERMITTED USE
A specific main use of a building, structure, lot or land, or part thereof, which this chapter provides for in a particular district as a matter or right. Any use which is not listed as a permitted or accessory use shall be considered a prohibited use.
PERSONAL SERVICE BUSINESS
An establishment primarily engaged in providing services involving the care of a person or personal apparel, such as a beauty parlor, barber shop, health and fitness center, tailor, or custom cleaning services.
PLACE OF WORSHIP
A building or premises used for regular public worship by members or representatives of a religious sect or organization as defined by state statute.
PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE
A building in which is conducted the main or principal use of the lot on which it is located.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICE
A facility for the processing, manipulation, or application of business information or professional expertise, and which may or may not offer services to the public. An office is not materially involved in fabricating, assembling, or warehousing of physical products for the retail or wholesale market, or engaged in the repair of products or retail services. Professional offices may include government offices.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND USES
Structures and uses operated by a governmental agency (whether municipal, county, regional, state or federal) in the proper exercise of their jurisdiction.
RESEARCH, DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY
A building for experimentation in pure or applied research, design, development and production of prototype machines or of new products, and uses accessory thereto, wherein products are not manufactured for wholesale or retail sale, wherein commercial servicing or repair of commercial products is not performed, and wherein there is no outside display of any materials or products.
RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY
A licensed care facility that provides twenty-four-hour medical or nonmedical care to persons in need of personal services, supervision, protection, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living. Residential care facilities include nursing homes, independent living, assisted living, continuum of care, and hospice facilities.
RESTAURANT
Any premises where food and/or beverages are commercially sold for on-premises consumption to patrons seated at tables or counters and where table service is provided. Any facility without table service or providing parking lot service to cars where the food is to be eaten outside of the structure and/or off the premises shall not be considered a "restaurant" for the purposes of this chapter and shall be deemed to be a "fast-food restaurant."
RESTAURANT, FAST-FOOD
A business enterprise primarily engaged in the sale of quickly prepared food and beverages selected by patrons from a limited line of prepared specialized items such as hamburgers, chicken, pizza, tacos, ice cream and hot dogs, for take-out and/or on-premises consumption (in the latter case, where orders are placed at a counter as opposed to table service via a waiter/waitress, in a facility where the floor area available for dining is less than 1/2 of the gross floor area, and a major portion of the sales to the public is at a drive-in or stand-up type counter). The term "fast-food restaurant" shall not include bakeries, delicatessens, or similar types of retail establishments. See also "restaurant."
RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS
Stores and shops where goods are sold primarily at retail. Such sales are primarily made directly to the consumer and include, but are not limited to, goods such as food and beverages; florists; shoes and clothing; hardware, paint and wallpaper; carpeting; hobby and crafts; books; furniture; antiques; art supplies; music; pharmacies; jewelry; photographic supplies; pets; gifts; stationery; sporting goods; fabrics; optical goods; launderette/laundromat, and appliances; but excluding lumber yards, restaurants and fast-food restaurants.
SCHOOL, PRIVATE
An institution, not owned by a public agency, which offers to its students a formal education and is chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of State of New York.
SCHOOL, PUBLIC
An institution under the jurisdiction of a school district or other public agency and legally constituted by the State of New York to offer free formal education to residents of the district.
SCREENING
See "buffer."
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
Rental of a single dwelling, duplex dwelling or multiunit dwelling, or portion thereof, to the same natural person or family for fewer than 30 consecutive days.
[Added 11-17-2022 by L.L. No. 4-2022]
SHORT-TERM RENTAL UNIT
The entirety or that portion of a single dwelling, duplex dwelling, or portion thereof that is separately leased as a short-term rental. For example, a single-family home where the first floor and second floor are separately leased as short-term rentals shall contain two short-term rental units.
[Added 11-17-2022 by L.L. No. 4-2022]
SITE PLAN
Proposed conditions of the lot(s), including maps and all necessary supporting material, showing the proposed land development project or proposed new land use.
STABLE, PRIVATE
An accessory structure in which horses are kept for private use and not for hire, remuneration or sale.
STABLE, PUBLIC
A building in which any horses are kept for remuneration, hire or sale.
STREET
A right-of-way, typically publicly owned, serving primarily as a means of vehicular and pedestrian travel, shown on the Official Map and recorded in the office of the Village Clerk, which provides access to abutting properties and is suitably improved, and which may also be used to provide space for bicycle facilities, stormwater management facilities, shade trees, and utilities. Alleys and passages are not considered streets.
STRUCTURE
A combination of materials constructed or erected on the ground or upon another structure or building. Structures include, among other things: buildings, stadiums, platforms, sheds, unroofed porches, roofless storage bins, radio towers, telecommunications facilities, and signs. "Structure" also includes anything that is constructed or erected underground and projects up to the ground surface or above, or anything that is constructed or erected wholly underground other than utility lines, septic and water systems, or other similar types of underground construction wholly ancillary to a principal building or structure on the premises. "Structure" also includes constructed parking spaces.
SWIMMING POOL
Any structure, basin, chamber or tank which is intended for swimming, diving, recreational bathing or wading and which contains, is designed to contain, or is capable of containing water more than 24 inches (610 mm) deep at any point. This includes in-ground, aboveground and on-ground pools; indoor pools; hot tubs; spas; and fixed-in-place wading pools.
TRAVEL TRAILER or RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
A registered vehicle which is used or designed to be used for seasonal and/or temporary living or sleeping purposes, and which is mounted on wheels and movable or propelled either by its own power or drawn by another power vehicle built on a chassis. A recreational vehicle (RV) is also considered a travel trailer.
TRUCK TERMINAL
An area and building where cargo is stored and where trucks load and unload cargo on a regular basis with or without truck maintenance and repair facilities.
USE, MIXED
A building or structure containing at least one residential use and one nonresidential use, both of which are primary uses and neither of which is subordinate to the other. Residential structures containing home occupations are not "mixed uses."
UTILITY AREA
An area, the principal use of which is to house plumbing, heating, mechanical and/or ventilating equipment. Such space within a dwelling unit may not be counted toward the minimum square footage of living area.
VEHICLE
Any device on wheels, treads or runners, self-propelled or towed, including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, trailers of all types and snowmobiles.
VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT SALES
A building and/or area arranged, intended or designed to be used for the rental, lease, sale and/or resale of motor vehicles, new or used; boats or trailers; and other equipment. A selection of motor vehicles, boats or trailers or other equipment may be displayed within a totally enclosed building but still others may require an outdoor area for their storage.
WAREHOUSE
A building, or part of a building, for storing of goods, wares, and merchandise whether for the owner or for others, and whether it is public or private warehouse.
WAREHOUSE, MINI
A structure or group of structures for the dead storage of customers' goods and wares where individual stalls or lockers are rented out to different tenants for storage and where one or more stalls or lockers have less than 500 square feet of floor area.
WORSHIP, PLACE OF
A structure and accessories used for religious observances, such as churches and synagogues.
YARD
A required open space other than a court unoccupied and unobstructed by any structure or portion of a structure from 30 inches above the general ground level of the graded lot upward; provided however, that fences, walls, poles, posts, and other customary yard accessories, ornaments, and furniture may be permitted in any yard subject to height limitation and requirements limiting obstruction of visibility. See illustration below.
160-4Yard.tif
YARD, FRONT
A yard extending between side lot lines across the front of a lot adjoining a public street. In the case of through lots or corner lots, unless the prevailing front yard pattern on adjoining lots indicates otherwise, front yards shall be provided on all frontages. Front yards shall be measured from the edge of pavement.
YARD, REAR
A yard extending across the rear of the lot between inner side yard lines. In the case of through lots, there will be no rear yard, but only front and side yards.
YARD, SIDE
A yard extending from the rear line of the required front yard to the rear lot line, or in the absence of any clearly defined rear lot line to the point on the lot farthest from the intersection of the lot line involved with the public street. In the case of through lots, side yards shall extend from the rear lines of required front yards. In the case of corner lots, one of the yards remaining after the designation of front yards shall be considered the side yard, and the other the rear yard.