In the interests of clarity and brevity, the following terms shall, unless otherwise stated, have the meaning herein indicated for all purposes of these regulations. Words used in the present tense shall include the future tense. When the context so requires, words in the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender shall include any gender, and words in the singular or plural shall include both singular and plural numbers.
Separated by no intervening private property; properties separated by a public or private street shall be deemed to be abutting.
A building or structure, in addition to the principal building, which is clearly subordinate to, and customarily incidental to, and located upon the same lot as the principal building or on a contiguous lot under the same ownership. Any accessory building physically attached to a principal building shall be deemed to be a part of such principal building in applying the bulk regulations to such building.
A use, in addition to the principal use, which is clearly subordinate to, and customarily incidental to, and located upon the same lot as the principal use or on a contiguous lot under the same ownership.
An "acre" shall be defined for these regulations as an area of 43,560 continuous square feet of land.
As applied to a building or structure, means a change or rearrangement in the structural parts thereof, the movement of all or any part thereof, or the substantial reconstruction thereof, so as to produce a substantial change in appearance, character, or construction; also means an enlargement, whether by increasing in height, coverage, volume or floor area. As applied to a use, means a change or enlargement in the character, area occupied by, intensity, or scope of the use, including, but not limited to, the extension of hours of operation, the addition of other activities, equipment, functions, or processes, or the extension into additional land or building area.
A geologic formation or deposit that contains a considerable amount of obtainable groundwater; in particular, stratified drift areas having a saturated thickness greater than 10 feet which are located near large surface water bodies capable of supplying water to the aquifer by induced filtration.
An area designated on the map entitled "Groundwater Recharge Area" on file in the office of the Willington Town Clerk, which area is in the direct recharge area for a favorable known aquifer yielding volumes of water suitable for existing or potential public water supplies. A direct recharge area consists of:
Those areas immediately overlying an aquifer and adjacent areas of stratified drift that may not have significant saturated thickness to be part of the aquifer but from which groundwater flows directly into the aquifer; and
Those areas of adjacent till and bedrock from which groundwater flows directly into the stratified drift deposit.
A rooflike cover that is temporary and collapsible in nature and that projects from the wall of a building for the purpose of shielding a doorway or window from the elements.
That portion of a building having its floor level partly or wholly below the adjacent finished grade, and which has, at any point, more than half its interior height measured from floor to rough ceiling above the finished grade of the ground adjoining the building. Compare to "cellar."
See "tourist home."
See "sign, advertising."
Wherever the term "Board" shall appear in these regulations, it shall refer to the Willington Zoning Board of Appeals.
A building where lodging and/or meals for no more than two persons are provided to long-term (i.e., nontransient) residents only, for compensation, utilizing one central kitchen facility. A boardinghouse shall be occupied by the owner of the building, and all elements of the boardinghouse use shall be confined to the principal building on the lot.
Any structure having a roof and intended for shelter, housing or enclosure of persons, animals, or materials. The connection of two or more buildings by means of a porch, breezeway, passageway, carport, or other such roofed structure shall be deemed to make them one building.
The area of the ground beneath a building (i.e., drip line), including the area of all covered porches, eaves, and similar roofed portions of the building, but excluding awnings.
The greatest vertical distance between the finished grade elevation at any point of consideration along the perimeter of the building's drip line and the highest point of the building, including rooftop service structures housing mechanical equipment.
A line combined from the offsets of the front lot line and the street center line that provides for street width and front yard. See Sheet A-2, Appendix A.[1]
The Building Official, also known as the "Building Inspector," of the Town of Willington.
A permit for construction issued by the Building Official pursuant to the Willington Building Code and these regulations.
See "accessory building or structure."
See "nonconforming building."
See "principal building."
The size and shape of buildings, structures and use areas and the physical relationships of their exterior walls or spatial limits with lot lines and other buildings, structures and uses, or with the other walls of the same building, or other portions of the same structure or use. "Bulk" also includes the relationship of buildings, structures and uses with all yards and open spaces required by these regulations, and also includes provisions of these regulations dealing with floor area ratio, building height, lot area per dwelling unit, lot frontage, lot width, required yards, courts, usable open space, spacing between buildings on a single lot, length of building in a row, and all other similar provisions of these regulations dealing with the relationship between land and the improvements or uses located, or to be located, thereon.
A plot of ground used for recreational purposes which can accommodate two or more tents, travel trailers or camper coaches with travel width not exceeding 8.6 feet, and accessory buildings.
A building consisting of a rooflike cover, and having no sidewalls, that is permanent in nature for the purpose of shielding an area from the elements.
That portion of a building having its floor level partly or wholly below the adjacent finished grade and which has at no point more than half its interior height measured from floor to rough ceiling above the finished grade of the ground adjoining the building. Compare to "basement."
Land used for the burial of the dead and dedicated for cemetery purposes, excluding columbariums (vaults for urns containing ashes of the dead), crematories, mausoleums and mortuaries, established and operated by an ecclesiastical society or cemetery association.
See "day-care center," "group child-care home," and "family day-care home."
Land, buildings and facilities owned or operated by a nonprofit entity for a recreational, social, patriotic, political, benevolent or athletic purpose, but not for pecuniary gain, nor to render a service which is customarily carried on as a business. A "club" shall cater only to its members or guests accompanying them. A "member of a club" shall be a person who, whether as a charter member or admitted in accordance with the bylaws of the club, has become a bona fide member thereof; who maintains his membership by the payment of his dues in accordance with such bylaws; and whose name and address are entered on the list of membership of the club.
A wireless telecommunications facility that utilizes existing towers, buildings or other structures for the placement of antennas or other appurtenances that blends with the architecture of the structure and does not require the construction of a new tower. A co-located wireless telecommunications facility may include accessory structures to house associated telecommunications equipment. No co-located wireless telecommunications antennas or other facilities shall extend above the existing structure with the exception of flat roof structures where they may project up to six feet. A "wireless telecommunications facility" means the mount, including any antenna or other appurtenances, for the provision of wireless telecommunication services, including but not limited to those services defined in the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
The Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Willington.
See the definition set forth in C.G.S. § 19a-507a, as the same may be amended from time to time.
See the definition set forth in C.G.S. § 17a-220, as the same may be amended from time to time.
[Amended 9-16-2025, eff. 10-1-2025]
A medical institution providing shelter, clothing and food to resident patients, and meeting the definition of a skilled nursing facility, as that term is defined in applicable state and federal law. "Convalescent home" does not include "rest home."
The Tolland County Soil and Water Conservation District established pursuant to C.G.S. § 22a-315 et seq., as amended.
A proposed street, or any extension of an existing street, or any combination or pattern of streets or extensions thereof, having only one outlet to a through state or town road.
[Amended 11-21-2023, eff. 12-15-2023]
A primary use of land or buildings which offers or provides a program of supplementary care for compensation to more than 12 related or unrelated children, or any number of adults, outside their own homes on a regular basis for a part of the 24 hours in one or more days in the week. "Day-care center" does not include services which are:
Administered by a public or private school system which is in compliance with C.G.S. § 10-188.
Recreation operations such as, but not limited to, boys' and girls' clubs, church-related activities, scouting, camping or community youth programs.
Informal arrangements among neighbors or relatives in their own homes.
Drop-in, supplementary child-care operations where parents are on the premises for educational or recreational purposes and the child receives such care infrequently.
"Day-care center" includes "child care center" as defined in C.G.S. § 19a-77, but does not include a "family child care home" or "group child care home" as defined in said section.
[Amended 9-16-2025, eff. 10-1-2025]
An accessory structure consisting of one or more horizontal surfaces attached to and extending from the dwelling and used for accessory residential uses. A deck may not be covered by any roof, awning, or other surface, nor shall it be enclosed in any manner. A deck's floor shall be no more than six feet higher than the highest point of the finished grade adjacent to the dwelling. For decks extending into required yards in the R-80 Zone, see Article 7, Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures.
Any man-made change to real estate, including, but not limited to, the construction of buildings or structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations; but excluding the tilling of soil as part of a bona fide farming or gardening operation.
See "zone."
A use, or an establishment designed or operated for such use, where a patron is served while seated in an automobile located in an off-street or on-street parking area, driveway, or similar area.
Any access from a public highway used, designed, or intended to be used for vehicular ingress and egress to any building, structure, use or lot.
A driveway serving more than one residential lot.
A driveway intersecting the street at two or more points and serving more than one residential lot.
Any building designed and/or used for human habitation, erected on a closed, solid foundation; using permanent, weatherproof exterior materials; constructed with ceilings and walls finished on the interior with lath and plaster or some comparable material; with facilities which are used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking and eating; connected to a safe water supply with adequate sanitary sewage disposal facilities; and equipped with at least one furnace or other customary form of heating apparatus which, in conjunction with proper insulation, is capable of maintaining a healthful interior room temperature of 69° F., with healthful ventilation, when the outside temperature is 0° F. or lower.
Any room or group of rooms located within a residential building and forming a single habitable unit with facilities which are used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking and eating by one family.
A single, detached dwelling on one lot used for residential purposes, designed and/or used for occupancy by three or more families living independently of each other, having separate or joint entrances, services and facilities.
[Amended 9-16-2025, eff. 10-1-2025]
A single, detached dwelling on one lot designed and/or used for residential purposes for one family only. One or more rooms in a single-family dwelling which are arranged or used for separate occupancy by a person or persons related by blood or marriage to the occupant(s) of the dwelling shall be considered as an accessory use and shall not constitute a separate dwelling; provided, however, that such room(s) contain no provisions for cooking, eating, or dish washing, and provided further that no compensation is paid for such occupancy.
[Amended 9-16-2025, eff. 10-1-2025]
A single, detached dwelling on one lot used for residential purposes designed and/or used for occupancy by two families living independently of each other, having two kitchens and separate, independent entrances.
A right, established in deed or other legal means, of one party to use a designated portion of a second party's land for a specific, limited purpose.
Any addition to the floor area of an existing building, an increase in the size of any other structure, or an increase in that portion of a tract of land occupied by an existing use. "To enlarge" is to make an enlargement.
Indoor or outdoor entertainment where no form of amplification is used.
[Amended eff. 1-11-2018]
As defined in Chapter 162, Adult-Oriented Establishments, of the Town Code, adopted on November 1, 2017, and effective December 1, 2017, as the same may be amended from time to time.
Indoor or outdoor entertainment where any form of sound amplification is used.
Includes musical or theatrical performances, dancing, comedy acts, educational programs, lectures, readings of literature, or similar activities, with or without fixed seating, contained entirely within a building and not audible from outside that building. Indoor entertainment shall exclude the provision of adult entertainment except in accordance with Chapter 162, Adult-Oriented Establishments, of the Town Code, adopted on November 1, 2017, and effective December 1, 2017, and shall also exclude outdoor entertainment accessory to a single-family dwelling, which shall be a permitted accessory use.
Provision of entertainment, as a principal or accessory use, for the pleasure of patrons outdoors or in partially enclosed or screened buildings. Includes musical or theatrical performances, dancing, comedy acts, educational programs, lectures, readings of literature, or similar activities, with or without fixed seating. Entertainment within a building in which sound is audible from outside the building shall be deemed to be outdoor entertainment. Such entertainment includes but is not limited to vocal and/or instrumental music, dancing, karaoke, motion pictures, theater, comedy and acting. Outdoor entertainment shall exclude the provision of adult entertainment except in accordance with Chapter 162, Adult-Oriented Establishments, of the Town Code, adopted on November 1, 2017, and effective December 1, 2017, and shall also exclude outdoor entertainment accessory to a single-family dwelling, which shall be a permitted accessory use.
A trailer, piece of machinery or part thereof which exceeds 1,000 pounds and is used in conjunction with a business operation.
[Added 11-19-2024, eff. 1-1-2025]
An increase or amplification, as distinguished from establishment or inception. "Extension" shall be deemed to include the expansion in the seasons or periods of use of a nonconforming seasonal use, or of a seasonal dwelling on a nonconforming lot; and any increase in the normal days or hours of operation, or any increase in the scope of services offered, of any nonconforming, nonresidential use of land, buildings, or structures.
A dwelling in which care is provided for compensation to not more than six children, including the provider's own children not in school full-time, where the children are cared for not less than three nor more than 12 hours during a twenty-four-hour period, and where care is given on a regularly recurring basis. "Family day-care home" does not include services which are:
Administered by a public or private school system which is in compliance with C.G.S. § 10-188.
Recreation operations such as, but not limited to, boys' and girls' clubs, church-related activities, scouting, camping or community youth programs.
Informal arrangements among neighbors or relatives in their own homes.
Drop-in, supplementary child-care operations where parents are on the premises for educational or recreational purposes and the child receives such care infrequently.
"Family day-care home" includes "family child care home" as defined in C.G.S. § 19a-77, but does not include "group child care home" or "child care center" as defined in said section. See the definition of "home business."
[Amended 9-16-2025, eff. 10-1-2025]
Any tract of land no less than five acres in area for which the principal use is dairying or the raising of agricultural products, forest products, livestock, or poultry, and any uses accessory thereto, but excluding commercial dog kennels; commercial propagation and growing of flowers, plants, nursery stock, and berries, when combined with on-site sales to the general public; commercial greenhouses; commercial livery and boarding stables; commercial veterinary hospitals; cattle feed lots; and rendering plants, slaughterhouses and/or packing houses and other similar commercial and/or industrial operations which do not directly relate to the production of raw, unprocessed agricultural products.
An accessory use to a property in which the principal use is farming as defined in this section, including but not limited to corn mazes, harvest festivals, educational demonstrations, hay rides, petting zoos, weddings, wedding receptions, birthday parties, nuptial showers, barbecues, cross-country running events, craft shows and similar type uses.
[Amended eff. 8-7-2019]
A structure for enclosure or screening, including a wall.
The legally designated Fire Marshal of the Town of Willington or his authorized representative(s).
The use of land or buildings, or any combination thereof, for the commercial sale of new or used products by one or more vendors on a continuous, regular, or intermittent basis. A flea market shall be deemed to be a commercial activity and shall comply with all provisions of these regulations applicable to such uses. The isolated sale by the occupants of one or more dwellings, or by clubs, nonprofit religious, educational, charitable, and other similar organizations of used household articles, baked goods, household crafts, and similar items shall not be considered a "flea market," provided such activity complies with the definition of "accessory use" contained in these regulations.
See § 315-4.17, Flood hazard regulations.
Those areas subject to flooding at base flood as designated Zones A, A7, A8, A10 and A12 on the Willington Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) dated June 15, 1982, and the accompanying Willington Flood Insurance Study, as the same may be amended from time to time, and on file in the office of the Town Clerk.
The gross floor area in square feet of all buildings on a lot, divided by the area of such lot in square feet.
The sum of the gross area (horizontal) of every floor of a building, as measured by the exterior faces of the walls or from the center line of party or common walls separating two buildings, dwellings, or distinct and separate nonresidential uses having no common exterior access.
"Floor area, gross" shall include:
Basement space.
Attic space, whether or not a floor has been laid, over which there is structural headroom of 7 1/2 feet or more.
Floor space used for mechanical equipment with structural headroom of 7 1/2 feet or more.
Roofed porches, breezeways, interior balconies and mezzanines.
Any roofed-over space not located in a basement such as a garage or carport for off-street parking accessory to a dwelling.
"Floor area, gross" shall not include:
Cellar space, except that any such space used for a nonresidential use shall be included for the purpose of calculating the required off-street parking spaces for such use;
Elevator shafts and stairwells, accessory water tanks and cooling towers; and
Patios, terraces, unroofed open porches/decks, and outside uncovered steps.
That portion of the gross floor area of a dwelling which is adequately provided with heat, light and ventilation so as to be suitable for residential use and occupancy. "Floor area, livable" shall include finished basement or attic spaces and enclosed porches but shall exclude garage space, cellar space, terraces/patios, unroofed open porches, steps, and similar unenclosed or unfinished space, and stairways and halls serving more than one dwelling unit. See Article 7.
An ornamental accessory building that has a roof and is used for seasonal activities. A gazebo can be enclosed by insect screens but shall not be otherwise enclosed. It can be served by electricity but shall not contain any plumbing except in connection with a self-contained hot tub. A gazebo is also known as a "belvedere." See Article 7, Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures.
[Added eff. 3-1-2004]
Any activity or use carried out by a public agency or its duly authorized agents, such as police stations, refuse disposal areas, schools, pollution control plants, highway garages, town halls, town office buildings, fire departments, noncommercial ambulance and other emergency services, and other similar uses.
See "floor area, gross."
An accessory use which offers or provides a program of supplementary care for compensation to not less than seven nor more than 12 related or unrelated children outside their own homes on a regular basis for a part of the 24 hours in one or more days in the week. "Group child-care home" does not include services which are:
[Amended 11-21-2023, eff. 12-15-2023]
Administered by a public or private school system which is in compliance with C.G.S. § 10-188.
Recreation operations such as, but not limited to, boys' and girls' clubs, church-related activities, scouting, camping or community-youth programs.
Informal arrangements among neighbors or relatives in their own homes.
Drop-in, supplementary child care operations where parents are on the premises for educational or recreational purposes and the child receives such care infrequently.
A separate building on a residential lot which would meet the definition of a "dwelling"; provided, however that such building shall contain no provisions for cooking, eating, or dish washing, and provided further that no compensation is paid for such occupancy, and provided further that such building shall comply with all provisions of these regulations for accessory buildings and uses.
The legally designated health authority of the Town of Willington or his authorized representative(s).
A landing and take-off pad for the pickup and discharge of passengers by helicopter for the exclusive use of the owner of the lot upon which the helistop is located, and excluding passenger service to the general public. A helistop shall be accessory to the principal use of the lot or building upon which it is located. See § 315-11.11, Helistops.
An accessory use or uses conducted for compensation by the occupant(s) of a residential dwelling which complies with the applicable provisions of § 315-11.01 (special regulations) of these regulations. Home businesses shall include home office, home occupation or rural home business. Such operations shall not include restaurants or other eating or drinking places; dog kennels; animal hospitals; barbershops or beauty parlors having more than one chair; or automotive service, sales or repairs. Group child-care homes: see § 315-11.01B(6) (special regulations).
[Amended 11-21-2023, approved 12-15-2023; 11-19-2024, eff. 1-1-2025]
See "rest home."
A building designed and used primarily for temporary accommodations for six or more transients, exclusive of employees residing on the premises, and which may include, as accessory uses, the serving of food and drink and the provision of rooms for public assembly.
Any use, whether of a building or other structure, or of a tract of land, or the erection of any building or structure, in/on which a violation of any provision of these regulations has been committed or shall exist or which use is not specifically listed as permitted in these regulations. Such violation shall be determined as of the date of establishment of such use, as nearly as the same may be determined.
Those areas designated and defined as "inland wetlands" by the Willington Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency, pursuant to its regulations, as the same may be amended from time to time.[2]
An area of land, with or without buildings, used, either as a principal or accessory use, or occupied by the outdoor storage of used or discarded materials such as wastepaper, rags, scrap metal, building materials, house furnishings, machinery, vehicles, or parts thereof, with or without dismantling, processing salvage, sale or other use or disposition of the same. A deposit or the outdoor storage on a lot of two or more wrecked or unregistered vehicles, or vehicles otherwise not in a condition for legal use on public highways, or parts of two or more such vehicles shall be deemed a junkyard.
A place, open or enclosed, in which canines are kept for breeding, boarding, grooming, training or medical attention.
[Amended eff. 6-15-2003]
Items such as planters, shrubs, railroad ties, stone walls, trellises, ornamental structures six feet or less in height, walkways, and the like. The term "landscaping" shall apply to outdoor items normally used to enhance the aesthetic features of a lot or property. Sight line requirements addressed elsewhere in these regulations shall not be obstructed by landscaping.
[Added 5-29-2001, eff. 6-12-2001]
Includes such domestic animals as horses, cows, goats and sheep, or the like, but excluding mink.
An animal or animals kept for the owners or lessee of the property for personal use or for youth projects.
[Added eff. 10-1-2005]
One or more contiguous parcels of land under unified ownership, and separately described in a deed of record, which is occupied or capable of being occupied by one principal building and the accessory buildings or uses customarily incidental to it, including such open spaces as are required by these regulations, and which, in addition, meets the minimum area, width, and other applicable requirements of these regulations for the zone in which such parcel is located, or is a legal nonconforming parcel, as defined in these regulations. In the case of multi- or two-family dwellings, a group of buildings under the same ownership shall be considered as occupying the same lot. The term "lot" includes the terms "plot" and "parcel," but those terms do not include the term "lot."
The area of a horizontal plane bounded by all lot lines. See § 315-4.04, Lot compliance and buildable area; and also Article 8, Area, Yard and Height Requirements.
The ratio between the building area and the gross area of the lot.
The length of the shortest straight line touching both side lot lines, located entirely within the lot, and touching not less than one point on the front lot line. See Sheet A-1, Appendix A.[3] In the case of a rear lot, the lot frontage shall be measured at that point closest to the street from which the lot derives its principal access, at which point the minimum lot width for the subject zone is met. See § 315-4.18, Rear lots.
Any boundary line of a lot.
That lot line being along the street line which that lot abuts. In the case of a rear lot, that lot line being closest to the street from which the lot derives its principal access. See Sheet A-1, Appendix A.[4]
That lot line which is roughly opposite of, and farthest from, the front lot line. See Sheet A-1, Appendix A.[5]
Any lot line not a front lot line or a rear lot line that connects from each end of the front lot line to each end of the rear lot line. See Sheet A-1, Appendix A.[6]
The minimum distance between the lot side lines, measured at any point between the lot frontage line and the lot rear line.
A lot of which two adjacent sides face a street or streets so that the interior angle of the intersection is less than 135°, provided that the corner of any such intersection is not rounded by a curve having an inside radius greater than 50 feet.
See "nonconforming lot."
See § 315-4.18, Rear lots.
A lot, other than a corner lot, having frontage on two or more streets.
Any process whereby the nature, size, or shape of articles is changed or where articles are assembled or packaged in quantity.
See "trailer."
A building or group of buildings containing individual sleeping quarters and individual entrances, and designed, altered, intended, or used primarily for rental to transients on a nightly basis.
A principal use of land to which the buildings on the lot, if any, are accessory, such as a trailer, junkyard, public parking lot, a flea market, or open storage yard for materials.
A building or structure legally existing on the effective date of these regulations, which met all requirements of the zoning regulations then in force, if any there were, on said effective date, but does not meet the current requirements of these regulations; or a building or structure legally existing on the effective date of any amendment hereto which caused such building or structure to cease to meet the requirements of these regulations. See § 315-9.04, Nonconforming buildings and structures.
A lot of record subject to the requirements of § 315-9.02 of these regulations.
The actual use of land, buildings, or premises which is not a use permitted by these regulations for the zone in which such use is occurring, but which was legally existing and conforming to all requirements of the regulations then in force, if any, on the effective date of these regulations or on the effective date of any amendment hereto which caused the use to cease to meet the requirements of these regulations. See § 315-9.03, Nonconforming uses.
See "day-care center."
See "rest home."
To take possession or enter upon for the purpose of using. When applied to a trailer, to use for sleeping and dwelling purposes.
An unoccupied space open to the sky on the same lot as the subject building or structure.
Any contiguous piece of land, including one or more contiguous lots of record, unified under the same ownership, whether or not every said piece of land was acquired at the same time; excluding, however, any parcel which is a "lot," as that term is defined in these regulations.
An area set apart for recreation of the public, to promote its health and enjoyment, and owned and operated by a public or nonprofit agency.
See Article 18, Off-Street Parking and Truck Loading.
Parking space(s) as required by these regulations which is/are located outside a public street right-of-way.
An area covered with an impervious material such as concrete, asphalt, or bituminous concrete to be used for the storage, passage, or conveyance of motor vehicles or pedestrians, including, but not limited to, streets, parking lots, driveways, loading areas, sidewalks, or impervious surface drainage swales.
Any permanent building located on a farm used for the year-round sale of products grown or raised primarily on the premises. No more than 1/3 of all products processed or made available for sale shall be from other farms in Willington.
[Amended eff. 8-7-2019]
An individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, club, corporation, estate, trust, receiver, syndicate, or other entity or combination thereof.
A horse or pony maintained solely for the recreational use of the owner's family.
Chickens, turkeys, pheasants, ducks, and other birds customarily raised for their meat or eggs.
A lot or parcel and all buildings, uses and structures located thereon.
That portion of any building that has been granted a liquor permit by the State Liquor Control Commission.
That single building, or interrelated group of buildings, in which is conducted the principal use of the lot on which the building is situated.
The primary purpose or function for which a premises is used, designed, or intended to be used.
Used or controlled exclusively by any department or branch of a governmental unit, excluding clubs, associations, and other private entities which may serve a public purpose.
A building used for the storage of more than three motor vehicles owned by persons other than the owner or occupants of the premises, or in which repairs or similar work is performed upon motor vehicles not owned by the owner or occupants of the premises.
A lot used for the storage of registered motor vehicles with parking space(s) available to the general public.
An establishment which is licensed by the Department of Public Health pursuant to C.G.S. Chapter 368v and which furnishes food and shelter to two or more persons unrelated to the proprietor and, in addition, provides services which meet a need beyond the basic provisions of food, shelter and laundry; such services including, but not limited to, assistance in personal hygiene, nutrition, exercise, recreation, and health maintenance. "Rest home" includes "home for the aged" and "nursing home," but does not include "convalescent home" or "skilled nursing facility."
[Amended 9-16-2025, eff. 10-1-2025]
The retail sale of food to the general public for consumption on the premises, with food service primarily to customers seated at tables or at counters in an enclosed building. See § 315-11.12.
A servitude imposed by law or by convention, and by which one has a right to pass through the real property of another.
Any structure, or part thereof, or any device attached to a building or structure or painted or represented thereon which displays or includes letters, words, symbols, trademarks or any other graphic representation which is in the nature of an announcement, direction, advertisement or other device used to attract the attention of the public for commercial purposes or otherwise; similarly, any natural object, such as a tree, stone, or the earth itself, which is painted or arranged so as to represent or display any of the aforesaid graphic representations; any building feature, including roof or other special illumination, special colors or effects, or building or roof lines which serve to identify the use or occupancy of any building or site through a recognized motif or symbol. The term "sign" shall include sculptures and similar works of art designed or intended to attract the attention of the general public to commercial or industrial premises. See Article 19, Sign Regulations.
The plane defined by one continuous perimeter of that rectangle, triangle, or circle having the smallest area which encompasses all the lettering, wording, design, or symbols, together with any background different from the balance of the surface on which it is located, if such background is designed as an integral part of and related to the sign. Such perimeter, however, shall not include any structural elements lying outside the limits of such sign and not forming an integral part of the display. For the purposes of these regulations, two-sided signs where the sides are back-to-back and located no more than 18 inches apart and parallel shall be considered to have only one sign face. See Article 19, Sign Regulations.
A sign, including that type of sign commonly known as a "billboard," which directs the attention of the viewer to a business, commodity, service, entertainment, or other use which is conducted, sold, offered, or occurring, either presently or in the future, at a location different from the lot upon which such sign is displayed, or only incidentally occurring upon such lot.
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment, or other use which is currently conducted, sold, or offered upon the same Lot where such sign is displayed. A "For Sale" or "To Let/For Rent" sign related to the lot upon which it is displayed shall be deemed to be a business sign.
A sign on a premises, indicating location of the use or purpose of a building, lot, or portion thereof located elsewhere in such building or on such lot, but containing no other information.
Any sign designed to give forth any artificial light directly or indirectly through any transparent, reflective, translucent or similar material, from a source of light contained within, upon, or otherwise structurally integrated into such sign.
Any sign in which or upon which artificial light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times, excluding time or temperature signs approved in accordance with Article 19 of these regulations.
Any sign supported by upright structural components, placed or located upon the ground and not attached to any part of any building.
A sign on a premises bearing the name or similar identification of the use or occupant of a building, lot or portion thereof, or a sign indicating danger or whether a facility is open for business, but containing no other information.
A sign illuminated by a light source which is so shielded that no direct rays are visible elsewhere than on the sign face, or the area immediately around it, but in no event visible off the lot where said sign is located. If such shielding is defective or fails to conform to the criteria of this definition, such sign shall be deemed to be a directly illuminated sign.
Any sign, or any portion of any sign, which is not fixed or stationary, or which is capable of any movement whatsoever, excluding barber poles and clocks.
See "sign, advertising."
Any sign extending at an angle from a building which is its sole or principal support.
See "sign, ground."
Any sign erected, constructed, or maintained upon the roof of a building.
Any sign which is intended to advertise community or civil projects, construction projects, real estate for sale or lease, or other special events of a temporary nature, and erected on a temporary basis.
Any sign on a premises restricting the right to enter such premises and indicating the private nature of such premises.
Any sign painted, posted, or otherwise affixed to any portion of a vertical surface or plane that forms the wall of a building.
Water that appears naturally at the ground's surface and is collected at its natural flow rate without any means of assistance.
An improved right-of-way or fee simple parcel of land dedicated and accepted by the Town or the State of Connecticut for the purpose of public travel by lawful procedure and suitable for vehicular travel, or a proposed street shown on a subdivision plan approved by the Commission in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 310, Subdivision Regulations.
A line equidistant from each street line; or if no street line is established, the center line of the existing pavement; or if the street is unpaved, the center line of the existing traveled way.
The line separating a street from the abutting nonpublic property.
Anything which is constructed or erected and the use of which requires more or less permanent location on ground or water areas or attachment to something having permanent location on ground or water areas, not, however, including wheels, an edifice or a building of any kind; any production or piece of work artificially built up or composed of parts and joined together in some definite manner, including signs, vending machines, fences or walls in excess of six feet in height, a wharf or dock, an aboveground tank, or a detached solar panel or satellite dish. A structure shall not include a flagpole, an ornamental well, landscaping, or a fence or wall six feet or less in height.
[Amended 5-29-2001, eff. 6-12-2001]
The greatest vertical distance between the finished grade elevation at any point of consideration along the perimeter of the structure and the highest point of the structure.
The definition of the term "subdivision" as used in these regulations shall be the same as that term is defined in Chapter 310, Subdivision Regulations.
The temporary use of land or the buildings thereon for the purpose of the public sale of personal household goods by the owner or resident thereof in conjunction with the cleaning out or vacating of residential premises. In no way does the term "tag sale" encompass the sale of any goods brought to the premises for the purpose of public sale except where more than one family may cooperatively enter into such a sale at one location. The term "tag sale" shall include garage sale, yard sale, barn sale, attic sale, and any similar term or activity.
A building designed and used for combined use as a restaurant and for temporary accommodations for transients, in accordance with § 315-11.0, Hotel/motel, of these regulations.
A collapsible shelter of fabric (as nylon or canvas) stretched and sustained by poles and/or ropes used for camping outdoors. Also, "fly" (or "camping canopy"). A fabric (as nylon or canvas) covering, with or without screened walls, suspended over a table or sitting area, used to provide shade and/or shelter from rain. Both tents and flies are temporary shelters used for the enjoyment of the outdoors and do not include any form of permanent base structure and can be dismantled in a matter of minutes.
[Added eff. 11-1-2003]
A building, or group of buildings, a portion of which is occupied by the owner thereof as a permanent residence, and which building(s) is/are designed or used for the short-term rental of no more than three rooms to transients, and capable of including, as an accessory use, the serving of breakfast only, and exclusively to persons occupying the facility.
See "parcel."
A trailer coach or mobile home, or truck- or semitrailer, either on or off wheels but not permanently affixed to a foundation, or otherwise capable of relocation or transport. A mobile building shall be included within this definition regardless of whether it contains cooking, bathing, and/or toilet facilities, as long as it is capable of being connected to a water supply and to a sewage disposal system and is designed for human occupancy on a temporary or permanent basis.
Any purpose for which a building, structure, or premises may be designed, arranged, intended, maintained, or occupied; or any activity, occupation, business, or operation actually carried on in a building or other structure or on a lot or parcel.
See "nonconforming use."
A motor vehicle used in conjunction with a business, with or without business lettering or signage, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 26,000 pounds and a total length of less than 26 feet.
[Added 11-19-2024, eff. 1-1-2025]
A motor vehicle used in conjunction with a business, with or without business lettering or signage, which meets or exceeds a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds and/or is more than 26 feet in length.
[Added 11-19-2024, eff. 1-1-2025]
Any land use, building, or structure where animals are given medical or surgical treatment, and are boarded or cared for overnight, but which does not meet the definition or requirements of "veterinary outpatient clinic."
A use where small animals or pets are given medical or surgical treatment. Such clinic shall be located within a completely enclosed building, soundproofed and mechanically ventilated so as to prevent the emission of objectionable noise, and with no outside facilities or accessory structures for animals. Such clinic shall provide no boarding of animals except as required for medical treatment. Such boarding shall be accessory to the principal veterinary outpatient clinic use, and shall occupy no more than 20% of the total use floor area, and shall provide space for no more than 14 animals. No structure or use of land shall be considered a "veterinary outpatient clinic" if it has obtained a commercial kennel license from the Connecticut Commissioner of Agriculture in accordance with C.G.S. Chapter 435.
Those areas designated and defined as watercourses by the Willington Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency, pursuant to its regulations, as the same may be amended from time to time.[7]
See "inland wetland."
A yard between any principal building and the lot frontage line, extending the full width of the lot between the lot side lines, measured by the minimum horizontal distance between any such building and the lot frontage line; or, in the case of a corner lot, a similar yard extending along all streets. At no point shall the required front yard be less than the lot width required for the subject zone. See Article 8, Area, Yard and Height Requirements. See also Article 7, Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures. See Sheet A-3, Appendix A.[8]
A yard between any principal building and rear lot line, extending the full width of the lot between the lot side lines, measured by the minimum horizontal distance between any such building and the rear lot line; or, in the case of a corner lot, a similar yard extending across the side of the lot opposite the street on which the principal building has its street address, or is otherwise the designated front of the lot. See Article 8, Area, Yard and Height Requirements. See also Article 7, Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures. See Sheet A-3, Appendix A.
A yard between the side lot line and any principal building, extending on both sides of the lot from the front lot line to the rear lot line; or, in the case of a corner lot, a similar yard extending across the side of the lot opposite the street on which such building does not have its street address, or is otherwise not the designated front of the lot. Any yard not a rear yard or a front yard shall be deemed to be a side yard. See Article 8, Area, Yard and Height Requirements. See also Article 7, Accessory Uses, Buildings and Structures. See Sheet A-3, Appendix A.
An open space on the same lot with a building having those minimum dimensions prescribed by these regulations.
An area within which certain uses of land and buildings are permitted, certain others are prohibited, and certain others are designated as uses requiring a special exception or special permit from the Commission or the Board; yards and other open spaces are required; lot areas, building height limits, and other requirements are established; all of the foregoing being identical for all property located within the zone to which they apply.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[3]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[4]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[5]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[6]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[8]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is included as an attachment to this chapter.