The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning. Terms not defined
in this section shall have the meaning customarily assigned to them.
Accessory building or accessory structure.
A building or structure, the activity or function of which
is clearly integral to, or customarily incidental and subordinate
to, the permitted use of the main or principal building/structure
on the same lot, such as an air-conditioning and heating unit; cabana;
carport; domestic quarters; a wall used as a front-yard fence; garage;
greenhouse; guesthouse; sports court; swimming pool; tool shed; wood
shed; workshop; and the like. This definition does not include propane
tanks. (See also the definition of structure in this section).
Alterations.
Any change, addition or modification in construction, any
change in the structural members of a building, such as walls or partitions,
columns, beams or girders, the consummated act of which may be referred
to herein as “altered” or “reconstructed.”
Approved.
Having the approval of the city inspector as the result of
an investigation and tests conducted by him or by reason of accepted
principles or tests by national authorities, technical or scientific
organizations; or having the approval of the appropriate enforcement
official of the city as being in compliance with the standards and
requirements of any code or ordinance of the city which applies specifically
to the item in question; or other customary approvals reserved to
the city by state law or city ordinance.
Building.
Any structure, either temporary or permanent, having a roof
or other covering, and designed or used for the shelter or enclosure
of any person, animal or property of any kind, including tents, awnings
or vehicles situated on private property and used for purposes of
a building.
Building line.
A line formed by the face of the building, and for the purposes
of this article, a front building line is the same as a front setback
line.
Certificate of completion.
Issued by the city to the contractor for successful completion
of work proposed and submitted all necessary document as required
by the city.
Certificate of occupancy.
A certificate issued by the city inspector upon the satisfactory
completion of operations authorized by the city’s building permit.
City inspector.
The city official, also referred to as the building inspector, appointed by the city council with the duty of processing all building permit applications, including inspections of construction, the duty of sanitary inspection in accordance with article
18.03, division 3, and such other duties as may be assigned.
Commercial building.
Any building or structure used or designed to be used, in
whole or in part, for retail or wholesale business, industrial, manufacturing,
storage, religious, educational, amusement or entertainment, health,
professional, scientific, office or other business purposes. Nonresidential
buildings include “commercial buildings.”
Commission.
The zoning and planning commission of the city.
Construction.
Any clearing of land, excavation, or other action that would
adversely affect the natural environment of the site but does not
include uses in securing survey or geological data including necessary
borings to ascertain subsurface conditions.
Design professional.
An architect, landscape architect or interior designer registered
with the state.
Destroy.
To ruin the structure or condition of a thing; to demolish
or injure beyond the possibility of its intended use or purpose.
Dwelling.
Any building or any portion thereof which is not an “apartment
house,” or “lodginghouse,” which contains one or
more “dwelling units” or “guestrooms,” used,
intended, or designed to be built, used, rented, leased, let, or hired
out to be occupied, or which are occupied for living purposes.
Dwelling unit.
A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities
for one or more persons including permanent provisions for living,
sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
Enclosure device.
A continuously joined structure which is constructed so as
not to have any openings, holes or gaps larger than four inches in
any dimension except for doors and gates, including but not limited
to fences, walls, buildings, or similar constructions.
Engineer.
Professional engineer licensed with the state.
Erected.
Built, constructed, altered, reconstructed, poured, laid,
moved upon or any physical operations on the premises which are required
for construction. Excavation, site clearance, land fill and the like
shall be considered a part of erection.
Erosion.
The process by which the ground surface is worn away by the
action of wind or water and material therefrom is carried, or is likely
to be carried, across any property line in significant quantities.
Excavation.
Any breaking of ground, digging, scooping or other method
of removing earth materials, except common household gardening and
ground care.
Family.
An individual, or two or more persons related by blood, marriage,
or adoption, or a group not to exceed three persons not all related
by blood, marriage, or adoption, occupying the premises and living
as a single, nonprofit housekeeping unit.
Fence.
An artificially constructed barrier of any material or combination
of materials erected to enclose, screen or separate areas. This term
does not include retaining walls.
Filling.
Any depositing or stockpiling of earth materials.
Fire flow.
The flow rate of a water supply, measured at 20 pounds per square inch (psi) (138 kPa) residual pressure, that is available for firefighting, as defined by appendix
B of the 2012 International Fire Code (“IFC”). The city has properly adopted the IFC and appendix
B of the IFC.
Floor area.
The sum of the horizontal areas of each story of the building
measured from the exterior faces of the exterior structural walls
for the purpose of computing the minimum allowable floor area in a
structure. The floor area measurement is inclusive of outdoor areas
covered by a roof projection attached to the main structure and is
exclusive of areas of basements, unfinished attics, attached garages,
breezeways and enclosed porches.
Garage or carport, private.
An accessory building for parking or storage of not more
than that number of vehicles as may be required in connection with
the permitted use of the principal building.
Grade.
A ground elevation established for the purpose of regulating
the number of stories and the height of the building. The ground grade
shall be the level of the ground adjacent to the walls of the building
if the natural grade is level. If the ground is not entirely level,
the grade shall be finished ground grade as it existed after construction,
excavation or grading.
Grading.
Any act by which soil, rock, or mineral matter is cut into,
dug, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced or relocated and includes
the removal of vegetative cover, excavation and land balancing.
Habitable building.
Any room meeting the requirements of this article for sleeping,
living, cooking or eating purposes, excluding such enclosed places
as closets, pantries, bath or toilet rooms, connecting corridors,
laundries, unfinished attics, foyers, storage spaces, cellars, utility
rooms and similar spaces.
Height.
The vertical distance measured from the calculated average natural grade (see section
22.03.279) for any separate and distinct structure to the highest point on that structure, excluding any functional roof appurtenances (see section 22.03.279(e)).
Horizontal infrastructure.
Any improvement necessary for a site, besides the construction
or erection buildings. Examples of horizontal infrastructure may involve,
but are not limited to, roads, sidewalks, utilities, retaining walls
over four (4) feet in length and drainage improvements.
Hot water.
Water at a temperature of not less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
In the city.
All territory over which the city now has, or shall hereafter
acquire, jurisdiction for the exercise of its police, regulatory and
other powers.
Infestation.
The presence, within or contiguous to a dwelling, dwelling
unit, roominghouse, rooming unit, or premises, of insects, rodents,
vermin, or other pests.
Kitchen.
A room used or designed to be used for the preparation of
food.
Litter.
Any quantity of paper, metal, plastic, glass or miscellaneous
solid waste which may be classified as trash, debris, rubbish, refuse,
garbage or junk not placed in a solid waste container.
Lot.
A parcel of land occupied, or intended to be occupied, by
a main building or a group of such buildings and accessory buildings,
or utilized for the principal use and uses accessory thereto, together
with such open spaces as are required under the provisions of this
article. A lot may or may not be specifically designated as such on
public records. Prior to connection of utilities, an unplatted lot
must be platted.
Lot area.
The total horizontal area within the lot lines of a lot.
Lot coverage.
That part or percent of the lot occupied by buildings, including
accessory buildings, and other impervious cover.
Lot depth.
The horizontal distance between the front and rear lot line
measured along the median between the side lot lines.
Main building.
A building in which is conducted the principal use of the
lot upon which it is situated.
Minimum open space.
The percentage of lot area or tract area which must be maintained
in living vegetation.
Mirrored glass.
Is glass having a reflectivity factor of 20 percent or greater.
Mobile home.
A structure designed or used for residential occupancy built
upon or having a frame or chassis to which wheels may be attached
by which it may be moved upon a highway, whether or not such structure
actually has, at any given time, such wheels attached, or jacked up
or skirted.
Natural grade or natural ground grade.
The elevation of the natural, existing and undisturbed surface
of the ground as indicated on a field topographical survey showing
one foot contour lines as determined by a surveyor or engineer registered
in this state.
Nonconforming structure.
Any structure which does not conform to the provisions of
this article but which was lawfully erected prior to December 9, 1992.
Nuisance.
The following shall be defined as nuisances:
(1)
Any public nuisance known at common law or in equity.
(2)
Any attractive nuisance which may prove detrimental to children
whether in a building, on the premises of a building or upon an occupied
lot. This includes, but is not limited to, any abandoned wells, shafts,
cellars, basements or excavations, abandoned refrigerators and motor
vehicles, or lumber, trash, fences, debris, or vegetation which may
prove a hazard for inquisitive minors.
(3)
Whatever is dangerous to human life or is detrimental to health.
(4)
Overcrowding or occupancy in violation of this article.
(5)
Insufficient ventilation or illumination.
(6)
Inadequate or unsanitary sewerage or plumbing facilities.
(8)
Whatever renders air, food or drink unwholesome or detrimental
to the health of human beings.
(9)
Divergence of runoff to other private or public property.
Off-street parking lot.
A facility other than for single-family dwellings providing
vehicular parking spaces along with adequate drives and aisles, for
maneuvering, so as to provide access for entrance and exit for the
parking of more than three vehicles.
Owner.
Any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, tenant in
partnership, joint tenant or tenant by the entirety of the whole or
a part of a structure, building or land.
Parking space.
An area of definite length and width; such area shall be
exclusive of drives, aisles or entrances giving access thereto, and
shall be fully accessible for the storage or parking of permitted
vehicles.
Permit.
The term as defined by Texas Local Government Code chapter
245, as may be amended.
Person.
An individual, proprietorship, partnership, joint venture,
private or public corporation, association, firm, public service company,
cooperative, political subdivision, municipal corporation, government
agency, public utility district, or any other entity, public or private,
however organized.
Personal property.
Every species of property, except real property as defined
in this section.
Preconstructed or used structure or part thereof.
A preconstructed or used building or other used structure
is defined as a building 50 percent of the square feet of which, excluding
porches, garages, or carport, consists of preexisting structural or
used components.
Private property.
Includes, but is not limited to, the following locations
owned by persons: structures, yards, grounds, driveways, entranceways,
passageways, parking areas, working areas, storage areas, vacant lots
and recreation facilities.
Private residential pool.
Any swimming pool, wading pool or soaking-hot tub, situated
on any premises as an appurtenance to a dwelling for the use of the
residents or guests of the residents of such dwelling.
Public pool.
(1)
Any swimming or wading pool owned or operated by the city, county,
state, United States, or any public agency; or
(2)
Any privately owned swimming pool, wading pool or soaking-hot
tub serving a private club, motel, hotel, apartment building, duplex,
or other similar structure or organization, the use of which is limited
to members or residents and their guests.
Public property.
Includes, but is not limited to, the following locations:
structures, streets, street medians, roads, road medians, catchbasins,
sidewalks, strips between streets and sidewalks, lanes, alleys, public
rights-of-way, public parking lots, schoolgrounds, municipal vacant
lots, and municipal waterways.
Repair.
The reconstruction, renovation or renewal of any part of
an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance. Such term
shall not apply to any change or construction, alteration, or additions
to a building other than for the purpose of reconstruction, renovation
or renewal.
Roadway.
That portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily
used for vehicular travel. Roadway includes “street.”
Rubbish.
All combustible and noncombustible waste, except garbage.
Setback.
The distance required to obtain the front, side or rear yard
open space provisions of this article or other ordinances.
Site plan elements.
Includes building location; building sizes; architectural
character; parking plan; lighting plan; landscape plan; traffic flow
plan; impervious cover; tree survey; signage; stormwater drainage;
sedimentation and filtration plan; effluent disposal system; fire
flow (in gallons per minute); and site disturbance.
Solid waste containers.
Any city-approved metal, heavy-duty paper or plastic receptacles
used for the disposal and storage of solid waste, including litter,
rubbish and garbage.
Start of construction.
Construction is deemed to have commenced once forms for the
slab have been installed, per city-approved plans.
Structure.
Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires
location on or in the ground or attachment to something having location
on the ground.
Substantially ceased.
No inspections have been completed and minimal progress has
been made to reach the next inspection requirement, as determined
by the building official, within 180 days from the last required inspection.
Swimming pool.
Any artificial structure or excavation, either indoors or
outdoors, used or suitable to be used for bathing or swimming purposes,
together with buildings, equipment and appurtenances used in connection
therewith.
Temporary storage unit.
A container utilized for portable moving and self-storage,
including containers commonly known as PODS®, U-PACK Moving®,
Mobile Mini®, and Smart Box®. This term does not include roll-off
containers.
Temporary use or building.
A use or building permitted by the city to exist during periods
of construction of the main building or for special events.
Traffic impact analysis.
An analysis of the impact a proposed development may have
on the adjacent roadway network. A traffic impact analysis will be
required if the peak hour trips exceed 200 vehicles. City of Austin
submittal requirements as outlined in section 2 of the Transportation
Criteria Manual shall be followed.
Trailer coach.
Any vehicle designed, used or so constructed as to permit
its being used as a conveyance upon the public streets or highways
and duly licensable as such, and constructed in such a manner as will
permit occupancy thereof as a dwelling or sleeping place for one or
more persons.
Transmission or distribution line.
A conductor of electrical energy or water or gas, or communication
service and associated facilities including telephone transmission
or distribution lines.
Used structure.
A structure which has been previously used as a building
at a different site.
Variance.
A form of approval granted by the board of adjustment (BOA)
or city council to modify the literal application of regulations,
or waiving all or certain provisions of this code. It is an adjustment
in the application of the specific regulations to a particular parcel
of property which is necessary to prevent the property from being
deprived of certain rights and privileges, because of special conditions
or circumstances of hardship peculiar to the particular parcel.
Window.
A glazed opening, including glazed doors, which open upon
a yard, court or recess from a court, or a vent shaft open and unobstructed
to the sky.
Yard.
The open space on the same lot with a main building, unoccupied
and unobstructed by structures from the ground upward, except as otherwise
provided in this article and as defined herein.
(1)
Front yard.
An open space extending the full width of the lot, the depth
of which is the minimum horizontal distance between the front lot
line and the nearest line of the main building.
(2)
Rear yard.
An open space extending the full width of the lot, the depth
of which is the minimum horizontal distance between the rear lot line
and the nearest line of the main building.
(3)
Side yard.
An open space between any building and the side lot line,
extending from the front yard to the rear yard, the width of which
is the horizontal distance from the nearest point of the main building.
(Ordinance 361 adopted 3/28/18; Ordinance 2020-005 adopted 5/13/20; Ordinance 2024-017 adopted 10/23/2024)
The purpose of this article is to provide minimum standards
to safeguard life, limb, health, property, and public welfare by regulating
and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, use,
occupancy, location and maintenance of all buildings and structures
within the city and certain equipment specifically regulated herein.
(Ordinance 361 adopted 3/28/18)
Every building erected after the effective date of Ordinance
155-I or moved shall be on a lot adjacent to a public street, or with
access to an approved private street.
(Ordinance 361 adopted 3/28/18)
No structure shall be erected and no vegetation shall be maintained
in the area of a corner lot between the sidelines of the intersecting
streets and a straight line joining points on such sidelines ten feet
distance from their point of intersection, which materially obstructs
safe visibility for vehicular traffic. No structure shall be erected
and no vegetation shall be maintained along sinuous streets which
materially obstructs safe visibility for vehicular traffic.
(Ordinance 361 adopted 3/28/18)
Storage structures for solid waste containers are required in
all zoning districts and the design shall be approved in advance by
the city. The property owner or occupant is responsible for providing
rigid tamperproof garbage containers, and trash shall be confined
within these containers.
(Ordinance 361 adopted 3/28/18)
Satellite dish antennas are permitted within the city provided
that antennas do not exceed one (1) meter in diameter and are located
within the setback lines, are painted an earthen color so as to blend
in with the natural landscape, and are not visible from any public
street. A variance may be granted to the visibility requirement if
use of the satellite is impossible or substantially impaired at any
location on the property that would be shielded from view. As a condition
for obtaining such a variance, the visual impact of the satellite
dish antenna must be minimized with painting, screening, or other
measures.
(Ordinance 361 adopted 3/28/18)
Glass having a reflectivity factor of 20 percent or greater
(mirrored glass) shall not be used on any structure. The use of metallic
or shiny roofing, siding, glass or other exterior building materials
producing reflective glare or heat that may interfere with traffic
upon city streets or that may be evident beyond property lines is
prohibited. Samples of metallic, reflective, or shiny exterior building
materials shall be provided to the city inspector before installation
and such materials shall not be installed if the city inspector judges
these materials to be in violation of this section of this code. Any
new metallic, reflective, or shiny exterior materials installed after
August 31, 2005, and judged to be in violation of this section of
this code shall be dulled, painted, or removed so as not to affect
any other property.
(Ordinance 361 adopted 3/28/18)