A. 
To facilitate public understanding of this chapter and for the better administration thereof, all words in this chapter shall carry their customary meanings or shall mean as specifically defined in this article.
B. 
Words used in the present tense include the future, and the plural includes the singular; the word "lot" includes the word "plot"; the word "building" includes the word "structure"; the word "shall" is mandatory; "occupied" or "used" shall be considered as though followed by the words "or intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied."
C. 
Where provisions of this chapter impose greater restrictions than those of any statute, ordinance or regulations, the provisions of this chapter shall be controlling. When the provisions of any statute, other ordinance or regulations impose greater restrictions than this chapter, the provisions of such other statute, other ordinance or regulations shall be controlling.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ABANDONED VEHICLE
See “junk vehicle.”
ABANDONMENT
The voluntary absolute relinquishment or the giving up of a known right to which one is entitled with the intention of permanently terminating or parting with such right. The intention of abandonment shall be conclusively presumed by the cessation of such nonconforming use by an overt act or failure to act, implying that the owner intends to permanently cease putting the premises to the nonconforming use or such other nonconforming use as may be permitted by this chapter.
ACCESSORY APARTMENT
A second dwelling unit either in or added to an existing single-family detached dwelling, or in a separate accessory structure on the same lot as the principal dwelling, for use as a complete, independent living facility with provision within the accessory dwelling unit for cooking, eating, sanitation, and sleeping. Such a dwelling shall be clearly accessory and incidental to the principal dwelling.
ACCESSORY BUILDING
A supplemental freestanding building, the use of which is incidental to that of a principal building and located on the same lot therewith.
ACCESSORY USE
A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the main or principal use or building and located on the same lot with such principal use or building.
ADULT USE
Any use or business that:
A. 
Is the use of land, structures or location for an adult entertainment business as herein defined; and
B. 
Is any use of land, structure or location which, by the provisions of the Penal Law, is required to restrict the access thereto by minors; and
C. 
Is an establishment, location, building or structure which features topless dancers, nude dancers or strippers, male or female; and
D. 
Is a location, building or structure used for presenting, lending or selling motion-picture films, videocassettes, cable television or any other such visual media, photo sessions, posing, and display or sale of paraphernalia, or used for presenting, lending or selling books, magazines, publications, photographs or any other written materials distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to sexual activities or anatomical areas. Adult use businesses include adult bookstores, adult video stores, adult motion-picture theaters, adult mini-motion-picture theaters, adult cabarets, and adult drive-in theaters.
AGENT OF OWNER
Any person who can show written notarized proof that he/she is acting for the property owner.
AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
A special district designated by the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors pursuant to the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law.
AGRICULTURE; AGRICULTURAL USE
The employment of land for raising, harvesting, and selling crops, or feeding, including, but not limited to, grazing, breeding, managing, selling or producing livestock, poultry, fur-bearing animals or honeybees, or by dairying and the sale of dairy products, by any other horticulture, floriculture or viticulture, aquaculture, hydroponics, silvaculture, animal husbandry, or by a combination thereof. It also includes the employment of land for stabling or training equines, including but not limited to providing riding lessons, training clinics and schooling shows, including other on-farm niche marketing promotions.
AGRITOURISM
Activities conducted on a farm and offered to the public, or to invited groups, for the sale of agricultural products, education, recreation or active involvement in the farm operation. An agritourism activity may be secondary to the primary farm use on a property located in the RA District. Agritourism activities may be conducted in an accessory building or structure, and include, but are not limited to, on-farm bed-and-breakfasts, farm-stay programs, u-pick operations, restaurants, farm stores, and pumpkin patches.
ALTERATIONS
As applied to a building or structure, means a change or rearrangement in the structural parts or in the exit facilities or an enlargement, whether by extending on a side or by increasing in height; or the moving from one location or position to another or modifying in any way from a Town approval plan or program.
ANNEXATION
The joining of one parcel or a part of a parcel to an adjacent parcel where no additional building lot is created. Sometimes referred to as a "lot line adjustment." (See “subdivision.”)
AREA, BUILDING
The total areas taken on a horizontal plane at the main grade level of the principal building and all accessory buildings, exclusive of patios, terraces and steps.
AREA REGULATIONS
The regulation of building size, setbacks or yards, parking and loading requirements and similar regulations, but excluding any performance standards.
AUTOMOBILE JUNKYARD
Any place of storage or deposit, whether in connection with another business or not, where two or more unregistered, old or secondhand motor vehicles no longer intended or in condition for legal use on public highways or in agricultural activities are held, whether for the purpose of resale of used parts, for the purpose of reclaiming for use some or all of the materials therein, whether metal, glass, fabric or otherwise; for the purpose of disposing of the same or for any other purpose. Such term shall include any place of storage or deposit for such purposes of used parts, waste materials from the vehicle which taken together equal two or more such vehicles, provided that the term "junkyard" shall not be construed to mean an establishment having facilities for processing iron, steel or scrap and whose principal produce is for sale for remelting purposes only. For the purpose of this definition, "motor vehicle" shall mean all vehicles propelled or drawn by power originally intended for use on public highways or in farming activities.
AUTOMOBILE SALES
see “motor vehicle sales.”
BAKERY
A building or structure utilized for the baking of breads and/or pastries for sale on and off the premises.
BAR/TAVERN
A place in which the principal income is derived from the sale of serving of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, with or without live entertainment.
BED-AND-BREAKFAST
A private dwelling in which not more than six bedrooms are offered for rent on a daily basis to transient clients and where a single meal (breakfast) is offered and included in the rental fee. The meal may be served to overnight guests only.
BILLBOARD
An outdoor advertising sign available on lease for the display of a commercial or public service message and which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment or attraction sold, offered or existing elsewhere than upon the same lot where such sign is displayed, or only incidentally upon such lot.
BOND
A written agreement issued by a qualified agent, which guarantees either the performance of a certain agreed-upon activity or an equivalent consideration if the activity is not completed as required.
BUFFER AREA; BUFFER ZONE
Open space, landscape areas, fences, walls, berms or any combination thereof used to physically separate or screen one use or property from another use or property so as to visually shield or block noise, light, or other nuisances.
BUILDABLE AREA
The space remaining on a legal lot after the minimum yard, area and bulk requirements have been met.
BUILDABLE LOT
A lot that complies with all the requirements set forth in this chapter and has no foreseeable difficulties for the reason of topography, irregular shape or other natural conditions that may impede construction.
BUILDABLE YIELD
The number of potential building lots or the maximum unit density for a proposed subdivision after deduction of constrained land areas on the parent parcel and the minimum yard, area and bulk requirements for each proposed lot have been met.
BUILDING
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or by walls and intended for shelter, housing or enclosure of persons, animals or chattel.
BUILDING COVERAGE
The amount of land covered or permitted to be covered by a building or buildings, measured in terms of a percentage of the total lot area. Such coverage is to be measured at mean grade level and excludes uncovered porches, terraces, and steps.
BUILDING ENVELOPE
The space within which a structure is permitted to be built on a lot and that is defined by minimum yard setbacks and includes all disturbances for building, driveways, well and septic systems.
BUILDING, FRONT LINE OF
The baseline of a vertical plane, parallel to the street line or to the driveway in the case of keyhole lots or to the lakeshore in the case of lakefront lots and extending from one lot line to another, beyond which no portions of a building shall extend into the front yard. Side and rear building lines shall be determined in a comparative manner. This face includes sun parlors and covered porches, whether enclosed or unenclosed, but does not include steps.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the mean elevation of the proposed finished grade at the front entrance of the building to the highest point of the roof for flat roofs, to the deck line of mansard roofs and to the median height between eaves and ridge for gable, hip and gambrel roofs.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL
A building in which is conducted the main or principal use of the lot on which said building is located.
BUSINESS OPERATION
Any operation, structure or establishment involved in the making, developing, processing, distributing, exchanging or selling of goods, materials, resources or service with profits as the motive for the operation.
BY-RIGHT USE
The use of land that is not subject to site plan, special use permit, or use variance approval.
CAR WASH
A building, the use of which is devoted to the washing of and cleaning of the interior and exterior of trucks and automobiles, including but not limited to one of the following types:
A. 
CONVEYOR TYPEA car wash facility where automobiles progress through the washing process pulled by a conveyor or by some other means than their own power.
B. 
DRIVE-THROUGH TYPEA car wash facility where automobiles are driven through the washing process under their own power.
C. 
SELF-SERVICE TYPEA car wash facility where automobiles are washed by the driver of the automobile using machinery provided by the management of the facility.
CELL TOWER
See “telecommunication tower.”
CLUB, MEMBERSHIP OR PRIVATE
An organization catering exclusively to members and their guests, or premises and buildings for recreational or athletic purposes which are not conducted primarily for gain, provided that there are not conducted any vending stands, merchandising or commercial activities except as required generally for the membership and purpose of such club.
CLUSTER SUBDIVISION
A residential subdivision where the dwelling units that would result on a given parcel under a conventional subdivision plan are allowed to be concentrated on a smaller and more compact portion of land and where a majority of the remaining land is left in its natural open space condition in perpetuity. Conservation development results in a flexibility of design and development to promote the most appropriate use of land, to facilitate the adequate and economical provisions of streets and utilities, and to preserve the natural and scenic qualities of open lands.
COMMERCIAL RECREATION
A private outdoor and/or indoor recreational facilities such as golf courses, playgrounds, swimming pools, ice rink, tennis courts, and fishing and hunting preserves, water park, tennis courts, driving ranges, basketball courts, handball and racquets courts, baseball and softball fields, football fields, polo fields, tracks, and riding rinks.
COMMERCIAL USE
Any use involving the sale, rental or distribution of goods, services or commodities, either retail or wholesale, or the provision of recreation facilities or activities for a fee.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
A building used for neighborhood meetings and recreation, whether a fee is charged or not, but excluding buildings belonging to a church or other places of worship.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The long-range plan intended to guide growth and development of the Town, expressing official policy on the course of its housing, public utilities, community facilities, transportation and land use distribution and intensity and adopted according to New York State Town Law § 272-a.
CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION
A residential subdivision where the dwelling units that would result on a given parcel under a conventional subdivision plan are allowed to be placed on the parcel in a flexible manner, where lot sizes, road frontages, and other bulk dimensions are allowed to be relaxed and where a majority of the remaining land is left in its natural open space condition in perpetuity. Conservation development results in a flexibility of design and development to promote the most appropriate use of land, to facilitate the adequate and economical provisions of streets and utilities, and to preserve the natural and scenic qualities of open lands.
CONSTRAINED LAND
Land containing one or more of the following: state and federal protected freshwater wetlands; one-hundred-year floodplains or flood hazard areas; steep slopes of 20% and greater.
CONVENIENCE STORE
A freestanding retail store offering primarily packaged groceries and offering token selections of a wide variety of sundries. Convenience stores shall be a maximum of 2,500 square feet and shall not include the dispensing of gasoline or other motor vehicle fuels unless appropriate approvals for a gas station have been obtained.
CONVERSION
A change in use or occupancy of a dwelling by alteration or by other reorganization so as to increase the number of families or dwelling units in a structure or use of a structure.
CULTURAL FACILITY
Establishments that document the social and religious structures and intellectual and artistic features that characterize a society and include museums, art galleries, and botanical and zoological gardens of a natural, historic, educational, or cultural interest. While these activities may charge admission fees, expenses or some percentage of expenses are often borne by public agencies, foundations or donations.
DAY CARE
Daytime care or instruction of three or more individuals away from their own homes for more than three hours but fewer than 24 hours per day on a regular basis by an individual, association, corporation, institution or agency, whether or not for compensation. Such facilities must meet New York State and federal requirements.
DAY-CARE CENTER
A place, other than an occupied residence, providing or designed to provide day care for any number of individuals, or an occupied residence providing or designed to provide day care for seven or more individuals. Such facilities must meet New York State and federal requirements.
DAY-CARE HOME
An owner-occupied residence providing or designed to provide day care for more than three but not more than six individuals less than 14 years of age. Such facilities must meet New York State and federal requirements.
DENSITY
The ratio of lot area per family or dwelling unit on a lot.
DEPARTMENT STORES
A mercantile establishment conducted wholly within the principal structure carrying assorted and unrelated lines of primarily nonfood merchandise and is primarily customer self-service with checkout registers as the principal point of monetary transaction.
DEVELOPABLE AREA
That portion of a parcel that is appropriate for development; i.e., does not contain steep slopes, wetlands (including buffers), shallow bedrock or other site features making development inappropriate.
DEVELOPER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of all the land proposed to be included in a development proposal.
DISTURBANCE
All land preparation activities involving the movement, placement, removal, transfer or shifting of soil and/or vegetation, including, but not limited to, clearing, draining, filling, grading, regrading or the building of structures or the placement of improvements on land, including the construction of individual sidewalks, paths, roads or driveways. The condition of land disturbance shall be deemed to continue until the area of disturbance is returned to its original state or to a state complying with a permit for such disturbance granted in accordance with this chapter.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL
Any domesticated sheep, horse, donkey, mule, cattle, deer, llama, goat, swine, fowl, duck, goose, swan, turkey, confined domestic hare or rabbit, pheasant, poultry, pigeons and also any animal, including birds, which is raised under license from the State Department of Environmental Conservation.
DRIVE-IN ESTABLISHMENT
A business where a customer is permitted or encouraged, either by design of physical facilities or by service and/or packaging procedures, to conduct business, or the providing and/or sale of goods and services in the off-street parking accessory to the business, while seated in a motor vehicle.
DWELLING, MULTIFAMILY
A building designed for occupancy by three or more families living independently of each other.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY
A detached building designed for or occupied exclusively by one family.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY
A building designed for or occupied exclusively by two families living independently of each other where not more than two individual dwelling units are separated by vertical walls or horizontal floors.
DWELLING, SEASONAL
A structure intended for personal occupancy, inhabited infrequently and not considered a principal residence. Such dwelling need not contain insulation.
DWELLING UNIT
One or more rooms with the provision of living, cooking, sanitary and sleeping facilities designed for use by one family.
EASEMENT
Authorization by a property owner for the use of any designated part of his property by another, and for a specified purpose.
EQUESTRIAN OPERATION
Any establishment where horses are kept for riding, driving or stabling for compensation or incidental to the operation of any club association, ranch or similar establishment.
EXCAVATION
Any activity which removes or significantly disturbs rock, gravel, sand, soil or other natural deposits.
FAMILY
One or more persons occupying the premises and living as a single not-for-profit housekeeping unit, as distinguished from a group occupying a boardinghouse, lodging house, club, fraternity or hotel.
FARM
See “agricultural use.”
FARM MARKET
A permanent year-round structure for the purpose of the sale of farm produce and agricultural products. (See also “roadside stand.”)
FLAG LOT
See “lot, keyhole or flag.”
FLOODPLAIN or FLOOD-PRONE AREA
A land area adjoining a river, stream, watercourse, bay or lake which is likely to be flooded.
FLOOR AREA, BUILDING
The sum of the gross horizontal area of the several floors of a building and its accessory buildings on the same lot, excluding cellar and basement floor areas not devoted to residential use, but including the areas of roofed porches and roofed terraces. All dimensions shall be measured between the exterior faces of walls.
FLOOR AREA, LIVABLE
In accordance with the New York State Building Code, all spaces within the exterior walls of a dwelling unit, exclusive of garages, cellars, heater rooms, basement rooms having a window area of less than 20% of the square foot area of the room, unheated porches and breezeways, but shall include all spaces not otherwise excluded, such as principal rooms, utility rooms, bathrooms and all closets and hallways opening directly into and appurtenant to any rooms within the dwelling unit, and all attic spaces having a clear height of six feet from the finished floor level to the pitch of the roof rafter with a clear height of seven feet six inches from the finished floor level to the ceiling over 50% of the area of such attic space.
FLOOR AREA RATIO, BUILDING
The quotient of the floor area of a building divided by its lot area.
FORESTRY
Commercial logging operations, clearing or destruction of forested or woodland areas, selective cutting or clearing for commercial or other purposes, clearing for agricultural or other prospective land uses, and clearing of vegetation in reserved open space or resource protection area; however, it shall not include clearing for single-family residence construction sites where such clearing shall be carried out as part of the building permit issuance procedure.
FOWL FARM
A farm used for raising for gain either poultry or game birds in total quantities of 200 or more birds.
FRONTAGE
That side of the lot nearest the street. A corner lot shall be considered to have two such frontages.
FUNERAL HOME
A building used for the preparation of the deceased for burial and the display and ceremonies connected therewith before burial or cremation.
GARAGE, COMMERCIAL
Any garage, other than a private garage, operated for gain and which is used for storage, repair, rental, inspection, greasing, washing, cleaning, servicing, adjusting or equipping of automobiles or other motor vehicles.
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. See also “gasoline filling station” and “motor vehicle service station.”
GARAGE SALE
A short-term public sale of no more than four consecutive days in a month of used goods by a person, club, civic group or charitable organization (includes barn sales, porch sales, yard sales and similar designations).
GASOLINE FILLING STATION
Structures and buildings used for the sale of gasoline or oil or other fuel for the propulsion of motor vehicles and which may include facilities used for polishing, greasing, washing, spraying, dry cleaning or otherwise cleaning and servicing such motor vehicles, but not including the painting or major repair thereof or the use of mechanical car wash equipment. The term "gas station" may also include a convenience store as an integral part of the gas station.
GREENSPACE
An area designated within a development, the purpose of which is intended for open space preservation, recreation (active or passive), landscaping or parkland. Unless otherwise required by the Planning Board, said lands shall be undisturbed and left in their natural state.
GROCERY STORE
A commercial establishment for the retail sale of food and related consumable items.
GROUP HOME
A dwelling which is occupied by two or more unrelated individuals who are handicapped, developmentally disabled or emotionally disturbed and which is supervised by a paid or volunteer live-in counselor and is licensed by the State of New York.
HOME OCCUPATION
An occupation for gain or support conducted on the premises. Home occupations shall not disturb the quality or character of the neighborhood, discharge any pollutants into the environment or create undue noise, heat, smell or light. The maximum size for a sign advertising a home occupation shall be four square feet.
A. 
MINOR HOME OCCUPATIONAny nonresidential use that is secondary and clearly subordinate to an existing residential use, conducted within a dwelling unit or an accessory structure by a permanent resident of that dwelling unit, which does not change the residential character of the dwelling unit or vicinity and where no nonresident employees, customers or clients enter the premises and where no signage or exterior storage of products or equipment is required.
B. 
MAJOR HOME OCCUPATIONA business activity results in a product or service for financial gain, conducted wholly or partly in a dwelling unit or accessory structure which is clearly secondary to the use of the dwelling for living purposes and does not change the residential character of the dwelling unit or vicinity or have any exterior evidence of such secondary use other than a sign and where customers, clients or sales representatives enter the premises and in which not more than three nonresidents are employed.
HORSE BOARDING OPERATION
A horse boarding operation provides care, housing, health-related services and training to animals kept on the premises or on other properties owned or leased by the farm operator. Riding and training activities that are directly related to and incidental to the boarding and raising of horses, including riding lessons for persons who own or have a long-term lease from the farm owner for the horse that is boarded at the farm and uses for such activities, are part of the farm operation. Riding academies offering riding lessons to the public and to individuals that do not own or have a long-term lease for the horse that is boarded and used at the facility for such riding and operations whose primary function is horse racing are not considered a horse boarding operation.
HORSE FARM
An agricultural use for stabling, or training equines, including but not limited to providing riding lessons, training clinics, and schooling shows. Under no circumstances shall this be construed to include operations whose primary on-site function is horse racing.
HOSPITAL
An institution providing health services primarily for inpatients and medical or surgical care of the sick or injured, including, as an integral part of the institution, such related facilities as laboratories, outpatient departments, training facilities, central service facilities and staff offices. It does not include a sanitarium, clinic, rest home, nursing home, or convalescent home.
HOTEL
See "motel/hotel."
IMPERVIOUS LOT COVERAGE
The amount of a lot covered in impervious surfaces such as buildings, parking lots, roads, drives, accessways, sidewalks, paved drainageways or other materials covered by materials which prevent the percolation of rainwater into the soil.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
Any material that prevents absorption of stormwater into the ground.
INDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITY
A building designed and equipped for the conduct of sports, or gymnasium uses undertaken entirely within a building, including team or individual sports and related health and exercise facilities. Video parlors, computer gaming facilities, movie theaters and bars do not constitute indoor recreation facilities. However, an indoor recreation use may be accompanied by customary accessory uses, which may include food service facilities, meeting room or banquet facilities, serving of alcoholic beverages, video or computer game facilities, video theater facilities, sales of sport or exercise-related equipment or clothing and other customary accessory uses.
INDUSTRIAL, HEAVY
Includes a wide range of assembling, fabricating, and manufacturing activities such as: food processing, manufacturing and packaging; grain storage, processing and distribution; concrete and asphalt batch plants; manufacture of products and merchandise involving the use of chemicals, processes or materials that might constitute a potential explosive or environmental hazard; slaughter plants, packing houses, animal by-products rendering, and other such animal processing activities; automobile salvage and reclamation yards and facilities; processing or production of oil, natural gas, geothermal resources or other hydrocarbons; foundries; truck terminals, delivery services, moving and storage facilities, and truck maintenance.
INDUSTRIAL, LIGHT
Includes limited manufacturing, wholesaling, warehousing, research and development, and related commercial/service activities such as: beverage bottling, distribution and warehousing; contractors offices and storage buildings; including general contractors, plumbers, electricians, heating, ventilating, air conditioning contractors, masons, painters, refrigeration contractors, roofing contractors, and other such construction occupations; distribution centers; ice production, storage, sales and distribution; laboratories for research, testing and experimental purposes; machine shops; manufacture of computers, computer peripherals, electrical appliances, electronic equipment, medical instruments, and other similar products from previously manufactured components; manufacture of precision instruments and equipment such as watches, electronics equipment, photographic equipment, optical goods and similar products; manufacturing of articles or merchandise from previously prepared or natural materials such as cardboard, cement, cloth, cork, fiber, glass, leather, paper, plastics, wood, metals, stones and other such prepared materials; printing and publishing.
JUNK VEHICLE
Any vehicle which:
A. 
For any reason is incapable, without repair, of being moved or propelled by application of internal power, if it is a vehicle originally designed to be propelled by internal power (such as an automobile, bus, truck, motorcycle, etc.) or is incapable, without repair, of being drawn or towed, if it is a vehicle (such as a trailer) originally designed to be towed or drawn from behind an internally powered vehicle;
B. 
As judged by the standards of an ordinary reasonable person, is unsightly in appearance because of the existence of one or more conditions, such as but not limited to the following: deterioration by rust of the body; deterioration of the exterior finish of the vehicle; broken windows, absence of component parts of the vehicle (such as fenders, panels, doors, tires, wheels, grille, roof, tailgate); physical parts of the vehicle; absence of interior components (such as seats, dashboard, interior door moldings, etc.); or
C. 
Is incapable of being moved or propelled, drawn or towed without repair as provided in Subsection A above and has remained situated on any real property for a period in excess of 90 days.
JUNKYARD
Any area of land, including buildings thereon, which is used primarily for the collecting, storage and/or sale of wastepaper, rags, scrap metal or discarded material; or for the collection, dismantling, storage and salvaging of machinery or vehicles not in running condition and for the sale of parts thereof. The deposit on a lot of two or more wrecked or broken down machines or the major parts thereof for three or more months will be deemed to make the lot a junkyard.
KENNEL
Any place at which there are kept four or more dogs more than four months of age or any number of dogs that are kept for the primary purpose of sale or for the boarding, care or breeding for which a fee is charged or paid.
KEYHOLE LOT
See “lot, keyhole or flag.”
LIVESTOCK
Animals, including, but not limited to, domestic animals such as sheep, horses, cattle, fowl, and goats.
LOT
A parcel of land occupied or capable of being occupied by buildings and the accessory buildings or uses customarily incident to it, including such open spaces as are required by law.
LOT, DEPTH OF
The mean distance from the street line of the lot to its opposite rear line measured in the general direction of the side lines of the lot.
LOT, CORNER
A parcel of land at the junction of and fronting on two or more intersecting streets.
LOT, KEYHOLE OR FLAG
An irregularly shaped lot characterized by an elongated extension from a road to the principal part of the lot. The keyhole or flag shape of the lot is normally intended to provide for access to an otherwise landlocked interior parcel.
LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT
Any alteration of lines or dimensions of any lots or sites, other than a property merger, shown on a plat previously filed in the office of the County Clerk or set forth on the applicable tax map that creates no additional lots (see "subdivision").
[Amended 7-14-2020 by L.L. No. 2-2020]
LOT LINES
The property lines bounding the lot.
A. 
LOT LINE, FRONTThe line separating the lot from a street, road, highway or right-of-way.
B. 
LOT LINE, REARThe lot line opposite and most distant from the front line.
C. 
LOT LINE, SIDEAny lot line other than a front or rear lot line. A side lot line separating a lot from a street, road or highway is called a "side street, road or highway lot line."
LOT OCCUPANCY
That percentage of a lot covered by the building area.
MEMBERSHIP CLUB
An organization with preestablished formal membership requirements, bylaws, and with the objective of promoting the interests of its members.
MIXED-USE STRUCTURE
A building in part for one use and in part for some other use not accessory thereto, where one use may be considered primary and the other secondary.
MOBILE HOME
A transportable one-family dwelling equipped for year-round occupancy and containing the same water supply, waste disposal, heating and electrical conveniences as immobile housing and which must conform to the New York State Building Code pertaining to such structures. The term "mobile home" shall include vehicles mounted on temporary or permanent foundations, with or without wheels, collar or skids in place, but shall not include a camping trailer, travel trailer or office trailer. Any transportable dwelling in excess of 40 feet in length shall be deemed to be a "mobile home," not to include motor homes.
MOBILE 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 nontransient dwelling purposes and approved as such by the Planning Board subsequent to the introduction of a Zoning Law in the Town of Galway, and not including the selling or servicing of trailers or mobile homes in the mobile home court.
MODULAR HOME
Factory-built structures that are transported to the site and come in multiple sections to be placed on a permanent foundation and are not transportable after installation and do not have an axle.
MOTEL/HOTEL
A building or group of buildings, whether detached or in connected units, used as individual sleeping or dwelling units designed primarily for transient automobile travelers and providing for accessory off-street parking facilities. The term includes buildings designated as tourist courts, motor lodges, auto courts, resort hotels or similar appellations.
MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR SHOP
A building or portion of a building arranged, intended, or designed for making repairs to motor vehicles, their mechanical systems and their body structure, including painting, but excluding the sale of petroleum products.
MOTOR VEHICLE 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.
MOTOR VEHICLE SERVICE STATION
Any area of land, including structures thereon, that is used for the sale of gasoline or any other motor vehicle fuel and oil and other lubricating substances, including any sale of motor vehicle minor accessories, and which may or may not include facilities for lubricating or otherwise servicing motor vehicles, but not including the painting thereof by any means.
MULTIFAMILY DWELLING
See “dwelling, multifamily.”
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL STORE
Small, commercial establishments catering primarily to vehicular or pedestrian traffic from nearby residential areas, providing convenience goods and service to the public.
NET ACREAGE
See “developable area.”
NONCONFORMING USE
See "use, nonconforming."
OCCUPANCY
The placing of personal belongings, such as clothing and furniture, within the dwelling shall only take place after the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, at which time it will be considered occupied.
OFFICE, BUSINESS
A place or establishment used for the organizational or administrative aspects of a trade or used in the conduct of a business and not involving the manufacture, storage, display or direct retail sale of goods. This may include, but is not limited to, offices of salesmen, sales representatives, insurance brokers, real estate brokers and persons with similar occupations.
OFFICE, PROFESSIONAL
An office devoted to a professional service occupation, in which knowledge in some department of science or learning is applied to the affairs of others, either advising or guiding them, or otherwise serving their interest or welfare through the practice of a profession founded on such knowledge.
OFFICIAL MAP
The map established by the Town Board under New York State Town Law § 270 showing streets, highways and parks.
OPEN SPACE
Land left in a natural state for conservation and agricultural purposes or land landscaped for scenic purposes, devoted to active or passive recreation, or devoted to the preservation of distinctive architectural, historic, geologic or botanic sites. The term shall not include land that is paved, used for the storage, parking or circulation of automobiles, or occupied by any structure. Open space may be included as a portion of one or more large lots, or may be contained in a separate open space lot but shall not include private yards within 50 feet of a principal structure.
OPEN SPACE, USABLE
An unenclosed portion of the ground of a lot which is not devoted to driveways or parking spaces, which is free of structures of any kind, and which is available and accessible to all occupants of the building or buildings on said lot for purposes of active or passive outdoor recreation. Accessory building roof space may be substituted for ground space, provided that such space is available and accessible to all said occupants.
OVERLAY DISTRICT
A district, with supplementary regulations, which is superimposed upon existing use districts.
PARKING SPACE UNIT (RESIDENTIAL)
An off-street space available for the parking of one motor vehicle and having an area of not less than 162 square feet (nine feet by 18 feet), exclusive of passageways and driveways appurtenant thereto and giving access thereto, and having direct access to a street, highway or alley.
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (PDD)
A tract of land which is developed as a unit with a grouping of residential, commercial and/or industrial buildings, together with their accessory buildings and all appurtenant roadways, parking areas, loading areas, open and/or greenspaces and service buildings and facilities.
PRIMARY CONSERVATION AREA
Lands to be conserved in a clustered or conservation subdivision, including unbuildable areas of wetlands, water bodies, floodplains, and steep slopes.
PROPERTY MERGER
A combination of two or more lots, all titled in the same name(s), which does not move any property boundaries but rather eliminates the common dividing line between the lots.
[Added 7-14-2020 by L.L. No. 2-2020]
PUBLIC UTILITY
A structure or enclosure containing equipment for conversion, switching, storage and modification and transmission of public service commodities such as telephone service, electric power and water, other than telecommunications towers, which are separately defined herein.
QUARRY, SANDPIT or GRAVEL PIT
A lot or land or part thereof used for the purpose of extracting stone, sand or gravel for sale as a commercial operation and exclusive of the process of grading a lot preparatory to the construction of a building for which a building permit has been obtained. The terms shall not include the stripping and selling of topsoil.
RECREATIONAL FACILITY
A private or public place designed and equipped for the conduct of sports and leisure-time activities. A commercial recreational facility is operated as a business and open to the public for a fee. A private recreational facility is operated by a nonprofit organization and open only to bona fide members and guests of such nonprofit organization.
RECREATIONAL STRUCTURE
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls and intended for the housing of a recreational facility.
REFUSE DUMP
A lot or land or part thereof which has as a primary use the disposal by abandonment, dumping, burial, composting, burning, recycling or any other means and for whatever purpose of garbage, sewage, trash, refuse, junk, discarded machinery, vehicles or parts thereof or waste material of any kind.
RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY
A residence for infirm children, adolescents or adults who require personal care, supervision and services, where compensation and/or reimbursement of costs is paid to an operator pursuant to state and/or federal standards, licensing requirements, or programs funding such services.
RESTAURANT (NO DRIVE-THROUGH)
Any structure having as a principal use the preparation and dispensing of foods and beverages for consumption on the premises, whether food is served upon order or taken by self-service and where there are no facilities for drive-through service.
RETAIL USE, RETAIL BUSINESS, STORE OR SHOP
Traditional establishments, such as florists, lumber and hardware stores, pharmacies, grocery stores, convenience stores, stationary stores, bookstores, video-rental stores, clothing stores, department stores, shoe stores, antique stores, etc., that sell goods or merchandise to the general public for personal or household consumption.
RIDING STABLE OR ACADEMY
An operation that offers riding lessons to the public and to individuals who do not own or have a long-term lease for the horse that is boarded and used at the facility for such riding.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription, or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a street, crosswalk, railroad, electrical transmission lines, oil or gas pipelines, water line, sanitary line, storm sewer line, or other similar uses, and which exists for the purpose of allowing passage over the property of another.
ROADSIDE STAND
A temporary area and/or facility which is located on a parent farm and used for the roadside sale of agricultural produce. See also “farm market.”
SEASONAL RESIDENCE
A dwelling which was originally or is currently designed, situated, or constructed to be occupied primarily in the summer months, and was not or is not intended to be used by the inhabitants as a primary or permanent residence and where lack of heating, water supply, adequate sewage treatment, electricity, cooking facilities, or any other factor relating to the structure or to the land on which it is situated renders it unable to be used every day of the calendar year.
SECONDARY CONSERVATION AREA
Lands included in a clustered or conservation subdivision, including mature woodlands, upland buffers around wetlands and water bodies, prime farmland, natural meadows, critical wildlife habitat, and sites of historic, cultural or archaeological significance.
SELF-STORAGE
A structure containing three or more secured general-use storage bays offered for rent to the general public.
SEQRA
The State Environmental Quality Review Act (Environmental Conservation Law Article 8).
SERVICE BUSINESS
An establishment primarily engaged in rendering services to businesses on a fee or contract basis, such as advertising and mailing, building maintenance, beauty shop, personal care services, unemployment service, office equipment rental and leasing, commercial research, development and testing, photo finishing and personal supply services.
SIGN
Any structure or part thereof attached thereto or painted or represented thereon which shall display or include any letter or word, model, banner, flag, pennant, insignia or device or which is in the nature of an announcement, direction or advertisement. The word "sign" includes the word "billboard" but does not include the flag or insignia of any government or government agency.
SIGN, SURFACE AREA OF
The entire area within a single, contiguous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of such sign and in no case passing through or between any adjacent elements of same. However, such perimeter shall not include any structural or framing elements lying outside the limits of such sign and not forming an integral part of the display. Only one side of a double-faced sign shall be included as surface area of such sign.
SPECIAL USE
A land use which is deemed permissible within a given zoning district or districts, but which may have the potential to exhibit characteristics or create impacts incompatible with the purposes of such district. The special use shall, therefore, be subject to approval by the Planning Board in accordance with conditions set forth for such use, as well as other applicable provisions of this chapter.
STEEP SLOPES
All ground areas having a topographical gradient equal to or greater than 20%, measured by utilizing two-foot contours.
STORAGE
The holding or safekeeping of goods in a warehouse or other depository to await the happening of some future event or contingency which will call for the removal of the goods.
STORAGE, BULK
The accumulation of wholesale quantities of raw or finished materials (solids, liquids and gases) preparatory to use in a manufacturing process or to retail sales, a permanent reserve being maintained. Junk and scrap materials do not qualify for inclusion in this category.
STREET
A public way which affords a principal means of access to abutting properties.
STREET LINE
The dividing line between the street or highway and the abutting real properties.
STRUCTURE
A combination of materials to form a construction that is safe and stable, the use of which requires location on the ground or attachment to something that has location on the ground, and includes, among other things, stadiums, platforms, radio towers, sheds, storage bins, billboards and display signs.
SUBDIVISION
The division of any parcel of land into two or more lots, with or without streets or highways, including subdivision of a single property previously separated by a road that meets all zoning requirements. Such division shall include resubdivision of parcels of land for which an approved plat or deed has already been filed in the office of the County Clerk. They shall not be in conflict with any provision or portion of the Comprehensive Plan, the Official Map or this chapter.
SUBDIVISION, MAJOR
Any subdivision not classified as a minor subdivision, including but not limited to subdivisions of five or more lots, or any subdivision requiring any new street or extension of municipal services. Any minor subdivision resubdivided into five or more lots within a five-year period becomes a major subdivision.
SUBDIVISION, MINOR
Any subdivision containing not more than four lots fronting on an existing street, not involving any new street or extension of municipal facilities and may include the alteration of lot lines or dimensions of any lots (i.e., including lot line adjustments but not including property mergers) with no additional lots being created.
[Amended 7-14-2020 by L.L. No. 2-2020]
TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWER
Any structure greater than 35 feet in height which is capable of receiving and/or transmitting signals (for the purpose of communication) for commercial or municipal purposes.
TOPSOIL
The surface layer of the soil containing more or less organic matter to a depth usually plowed in cultivation.
TOWNHOUSE
A one-family dwelling in a row of at least three such units in which each unit has its own front and rear access to the outside, no unit is located over another unit, and each unit is separated from any other unit by one or more vertical common fire-resistant walls.
USE
The specific purpose for which land or a building is used or occupied or maintained. The term "permitted use" or its equivalent shall not be deemed to include any nonconforming use.
URGENT CARE FACILITY
A commercial structure used for the delivery of ambulatory medical care outside of a hospital emergency department on a walk-in basis without a scheduled appointment.
USE, ACCESSORY
A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use of a building and located on the same lot with such principal use of a building.
USE, NONCONFORMING
The lawful occupancy of a structure or land by a use or activity which was lawful at the time of enactment of this chapter or its predecessor ordinances and laws or any amendment to this chapter which does not conform to the regulations of the district or zone in which it is situated.
USE, PRINCIPAL
The main or primary use of the lot. Except for designated mixed uses and multiple retail uses within a shopping center, only one principal use is permitted per lot; all other uses, except special uses and permitted accessory uses, being excluded.
VARIANCE
A modification of the use and/or area and bulk regulations of this chapter in an individual case where, due to specific facts and conditions peculiar to a particular property, literal application and strict enforcement would result in undue and unnecessary hardship or practical difficulty that would deprive the owner of a reasonable use of the land or structure. Such unnecessary hardship or practical difficulty shall not be construed to include mere inconveniences or a desire to make more money.
A. 
VARIANCE, AREAA variance from the area and bulk requirements or supplementary regulations of a related character (such as amount, size, location of design or access, off-street parking, landscaping, signs) to authorize on a specific lot a permitted use which could not feasibly be established without relief from one or more of the dimensional requirements pertaining to the district.
B. 
VARIANCE, USEA variance from the use regulations to allow the establishment on a specific lot of a use otherwise prohibited in the district.
VEHICLE SALES AND SERVICE
An area of land or structure that is used for the retail sale of any motorized vehicles and which may or may not include facilities for lubrication, washing or otherwise servicing vehicles.
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 a public or private warehouse, including self-storage units.
WETLANDS
Lands or submerged lands commonly referred to as "swamps" or "marshes" which support aquatic or semiaquatic vegetation, plants or brush. Lands designated by the federal government or by DEC as regulated wetlands shall be flagged prior to granting permits for subdivision or development of any kind.
YARD
That portion of the lot not occupied by buildings.
YARD, FRONT
That portion of a lot situated between the street line and the front line of the principal building.
YARD, REAR
That portion of a lot situated between the rear lot line and the rear line of the principal building.
YARD, SIDE
That portion of a lot situated between the side lot line and the nearest side line of the principal building and extending from the rear line of the front yard to the front line of the rear yard.