The following words, terms and phrases, when
used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in
this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different
meaning:
ABANDONED SIGN
The cessation of the use of a sign as indicated by the visible
or otherwise apparent intention of an owner to discontinue the use
of a sign and/or structural framework; or the removal of the characteristic
equipment or furnishing of the sign, without its replacement by similar
equipment or furnishings; or the replacement of a nonconforming sign
with a conforming sign.
ABANDONMENT
The discontinuance of a use or structure for a continuous period of at least one year in any residential zoning district, or at least two years in any nonresidential zoning district. See §
190-122.
ABUT or ABUTTING
Adjoining or directly across the street or a stream.
Comment: Compare "contiguous." Properties
adjoining at a common property line are both abutting and contiguous.
However, a property lying across the street from another property
is considered abutting, but not contiguous, to that property.
|
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
An officer of the City appointed by the Mayor subject to confirmation of the Board of Aldermen pursuant to §
190-235. The term "Administrative Officer" shall also include the designees of the Administrative Officer.
ADVERTISING MESSAGE
Copy, symbols or wording on a sign describing products or
services being offered to the public.
AER REPORT
The report entitled Analysis of Development Impact Fees in Nashua, October 1994, prepared by Applied Economics Research, Inc. See §
190-73.
ALLEY
A minor right-of-way not intended to provide the primary
means of access to the abutting lots, which is used for vehicular
service access to the back or sides of properties otherwise abutting
on a public street.
ALTERATION
Any change or rearrangement in structural parts or exit facilities
or an enlargement, whether by extending on a side or by increasing
in height.
ANIMATED SIGN
Any sign which includes action or motion, such as changing
electronic sign or electronic message center. For purposes of this
article, this term does not refer to flashing, changing or indexing.
ANTENNA
Any structure or device used for the purpose of collecting
or transmitting electromagnetic waves, including but not limited to
directional antennas, such as panels, microwave dishes, and satellite
dishes, and omnidirectional antennas, such as whip antennas.
Comment: Excluded from the regulations
enacted by Ord. No. 0-97-185 are antennas for television and radio
reception, antennas used in the amateur radio service, antennas used
for municipal, state, or federal emergency service, and any tower
used exclusively for such antennas, or that part of any towers used
partially or principally for those antennas.
|
APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL
Any application for approval of a building permit, certificate
of occupancy, rezoning, conditional use permit, variance, special
exception, subdivision plan, site plan, or any other permit or decision
required by this chapter.
ARCADE
An area contiguous to a street or plaza that is open and
unobstructed to a height of not less than 12 feet, which is supported
on one side by columns or piers, and which is accessible to the public
at all times. The term "arcade" does not include off-street loading
areas, driveways, or off-street parking area. The floor of any arcade
shall be level with the adjoining street or plaza.
ARCADE, INTERNAL
A street arcade that fronts on and adjoins a plaza or other
space internal to a building lot rather than the front lot line.
AREA, SIGN
The space, on the largest single face of a sign, within and
including a perimeter which forms the outside shape of a sign. Where
signs are established back to back the larger face shall be calculated
for purposes of determining allowable area. The space of a sign having
no such perimeter or border shall be computed by enclosing the entire
copy area within the outline of either a parallelogram, triangle,
circle or any other easily recognized geometric shape and then computing
the area. Where a sign is of a three-dimensional, round or irregular
shape, the largest cross section shall be used in a flat projection
for the purpose of computing sign area.
AREA OF SHALLOW FLOODING
A designated AO Zone on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) with a one-percent or greater annual possibility of flooding to an average depth of one to three feet where a clearly defined channel does not exist, where the path of flooding is unpredictable and where velocity flow may be evident. Such flooding is characterized by ponding or sheet flow. See §
190-62.
[Amended 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. O-09-66]
AREA OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD
The land in the floodplain within the City of Nashua subject
to one-percent-or-greater possibility of flooding in any given year.
The area is designated as Zones A, AO, and AE on the Flood Insurance
Rate Map. See § 190.
[Amended 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. O-09-66]
ARTERIAL STREET
(See §
190-207E, Table 207-1.) Includes the following:
A.
Any "principal arterial." A "principal arterial"
provides corridor movement suitable for substantial statewide or interstate
travel and provides continuity for all rural arterials that intercept
the urban area, serves the major traffic movements within urbanized
areas such as between central business districts and outlying residential
areas, between major intercity communities, or between major suburban
centers, and serves a major portion of the trips entering and leaving
the urban area, as well as the majority of the through traffic desiring
to bypass the central City.
B.
Any "minor arterial." A "minor arterial" serves
trips of moderate length at a somewhat lower level of travel mobility
than principal arterials, provides access to geographic areas smaller
than those served by the higher system, and provides intracommunity
continuity, but does not penetrate identifiable neighborhoods.
AWNING
A shelter of canvas, metal or similar material extending
over a doorway or window to provide shelter from natural elements.
AWNING SIGN
A sign painted on or attached flat or flush against the surface of the awning, but not extending above, below or beyond the awning or attached to the underside. See §
190-97.
BACKGROUND AREA
The total area of a sign face on which copy could be placed,
often referenced in connection with wall signs.
BANNER SIGN
A temporary sign of lightweight material (paper, plastic or fabric) hung either with or without frames. See §
190-99.
BANNER SIGN, PERMANENT
A sign constructed of lightweight material (paper, plastic or fabric) attached by means of rigid frames to a pole in a permanent or semipermanent fashion. See §
190-99.
BASE FLOOD
The flood having a one-percent possibility of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. See §
190-62.
BASEMENT
That portion of a building that is partly or completely below
grade.
BED-AND-BREAKFAST
An establishment operating primarily in a single-family detached
dwelling, or a building designated on the National Register of Historic
Places and originally devoted to another use, that supplies temporary
accommodations to overnight guests for a fee.
BUFFER
An area of land separating distinct zoning districts or land
uses that acts to soften or mitigate the effects of one land use on
the other.
BUILDING
A combination of any materials, whether portable or fixed,
having a roof, to form a structure for the shelter of persons, animals
or property.
BUILDING, ACCESSORY
A detached building, the use of which is customarily incidental
and subordinate to that of the principal building, and which is located
on the same lot as that occupied by the principal building.
BUILDING AREA
The aggregate of the maximum horizontal cross-section area
of all buildings on a lot exclusive of cornices, eaves, gutters, chimneys,
unenclosed porches, bay windows, balconies and terraces, expressed
as a percentage of total lot area.
BUILDING, ATTACHED
A building having any portion of one or more walls in common
with adjoining buildings.
BUILDING, DETACHED
A building having open space on all sides, and that is not
an attached building.
BUILDING FRONTAGE
The linear length of a building parallel to or closely facing
the right-of-way.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL
A building that contains the principal use of the lot on
which it is located.
BULLETIN BOARD SIGN
A sign erected by a charitable, educational or religious institution or a public body, which is erected upon the same property as such institution, for purposes of announcing events which are held on the premises of such institution. See §
190-96.
CALIPER
The minimum diameter of a tree measured six inches above
the ground for trees up to and including four inches in diameter and
12 inches above the ground for trees having a larger diameter.
CAMPER
A temporary dwelling for travel, recreation and vacation
use including:
A.
TRAVEL TRAILERA vehicle which is towed, identified by the manufacturer as a travel trailer, built on a chassis eight feet or less wide and 30 feet or less in length and designed to move on a highway.
B.
PICKUP COACHA structure designed to be mounted on a truck chassis or cut-down car.
C.
MOTOR HOMEA self-propelled vehicle with a dwelling constructed as an integral part of the vehicle.
D.
CAMPING TRAILERA canvas or other foldable structure built on a chassis with wheels and designed to move on the highway.
CANOPY (or MARQUEE)
A permanent roof-like shelter extending from part or all
of a building face over a public or nonpublic right-of-way and constructed
or a durable material such as metal, glass or plastic.
CANOPY OR MARQUEE SIGN
Any sign attached to or part of a canopy or marquee. A canopy or marquee is a permanent roof-like shelter extending from part or all of a building face over a public right-of-way and constructed of a durable material such as metal, glass or plastic. See §
190-98.
CELLAR
A portion of a building, partly or entirely below grade,
which has more than 1/2 of its height measured from finished floor
to finished ceiling, below the average established finished grade
of the ground adjoining the building. A cellar is not deemed a story.
See also "basement."
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
A statement signed by the Administrative Officer, setting
forth either that a building or structure complies with this chapter
or that a building, structure or parcel of land may lawfully be employed
for specified uses, or both.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN (MANUAL)
A sign that is designed so that the message, characters,
letters or illustrations can be manually (as opposed to electronically)
changed or rearranged without altering the face or the surface of
the sign. (Also see "changing sign," "electronic message center,"
"temporary sign" and "portable sign.")
CHARITABLE AND PUBLIC SERVICE SIGNS
A sign used for the purpose of publicizing a fund-raising
event for a nonprofit agency or established to provide information
for the purpose of the public's welfare such as a community event,
parade or festival.
CHICKEN
The common domestic fowl, Gallus Domesticus.
[Added 12-11-2018 by Ord.
No. O-18-019]
CO-LOCATION
Locating additional antennas on an existing communications
tower or other site where one or more antennas are already present.
COLLECTOR STREET
A street that collects traffic from local roads and channels it into the arterial system, and provides land access and traffic circulation within residential neighborhoods, commercial and industrial area. See §
190-207E, Table 207-1.
COLONNADE
A series of regularly spaced columns that support an entablature.
A colonnade may also support a roof structure.
COMMERCIAL USE
Any use listed within the "commercial" classification in the Use Matrix (§
190-15, Table 15-1).
COMMERCIAL WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES
Licensed commercial wireless telecommunication services including
cellular, personal communication services (PCS), specialized mobilized
radio (SMR), enhanced specialized mobilized radio (ESMR), paging,
and similar services that are marketed to the general public.
COMMITTED DEVELOPMENT
Proposed development pursuant to any approved, but unbuilt,
conditional plan or site plan.
COMMON OPEN SPACE
Active or passive open space specifically reserved for common
use and enjoyment by a homeowners' association condominium, and restricted
only for such recreational and conservation uses as tot-lot, park,
playground, playfield, swimming, golf course and conservation area.
COMMON OWNERSHIP
Ownership by the same person, corporation, firm, entity,
partnership, or unincorporated association; or ownership by different
corporations, firms, partnerships, entities, or unincorporated associations,
in which a stockbroker, partner, or associate, or a member of his
family owns an interest in each corporation, firm, partnership, entity,
or unincorporated association.
COMMUNICATIONS TOWER
Any ground or roof-mounted pole, spire, structure, or combination
thereof higher than 50 feet freestanding or 20 feet from the tower's
point of contact with a roof or water tank, including supporting lines,
cables, wires, braces, and masts, intended primarily for the purpose
of mounting an antenna, meteorological device, or similar apparatus
above grade.
Comment: Excluded from the regulations
enacted by Ord. No. 0-97-185 are antennas for television and radio
reception, antennas used in the amateur radio service, antennas used
for municipal, state, or federal emergency service, and any tower
used exclusively for such antennas, or that part of any towers used
partially or principally for those antennas.
|
COMMUNICATIONS TOWER, MULTI-USER
A tower to which is attached the antennas of more than one
commercial wireless telecommunication service provider or governmental
entity.
COMMUNICATIONS TOWER, SINGLE-USER
A tower to which is attached only the antennas of a single
user, although the tower may be designed to accommodate the antennas
of multiple users as required in this chapter.
CONTRACTOR JOB SIGN
A temporary sign that provides information about active on-site
construction work including the name(s), address(es), and phone number(s)
of principal contractor(s), architect(s), landscape architect(s),
engineer(s) and/or and lending institution(s).
CONVENIENCE STORE
Any retail establishment whose principal activity is offering
for sale prepackaged food products, household items, newspapers and
magazines, and freshly prepared foods, such as salads or sandwiches,
for off-site consumption. A convenience store does not include retail
dispensing or sales of vehicular fuels as an accessory use.
Comment: Compare definition of "multi-use
gas station/convenience store."
|
COPY
The wording or message on a sign surface in either permanent
or temporary (removable/changeable) letter, electronic, or organic
form.
COPY AREA
The area in square feet of the smallest geometric figure
which describes the area enclosed by the actual copy of a sign. When
referring to a wall sign or facia sign, the copy area refers to the
actual message or total area within a border or area highlighted within
a contrasting background, not to the illuminated background. Also
see "area, sign."
COURTYARD
A pedestrian arcade, patio, promenade, or mall, whether covered
by a roof or not, within or between any structure or buildings upon
which the principal or main entrance to one or more retail businesses
therein are located. A courtyard does not include buildings with one
or more retail businesses having their principal or main entrance
off and adjacent to a parking lot or parking facility and with no
direct public access to any public street or alley.
CRITICAL AREAS
Disturbed areas of any size within 50 feet of a stream, bog,
water body, or poorly or very poorly drained soils; disturbed areas
exceeding 2,000 square feet in highly erodible soils; or disturbed
areas containing slope lengths exceeding 25 feet on slopes greater
than 15%.
DAY CARE, FAMILY
Any "family day-care home" or a "family group day-care home"
as defined in RSA § 170-E:2.
DENSITY
The number of dwelling units within a designated land area.
For purposes of this chapter, "density" means gross density unless
otherwise provided.
DENSITY, GROSS
The number of dwelling units divided by the total land area
subject to an application for development approval, stated as dwelling
units per gross acre.
DENSITY, MAXIMUM
The maximum number of permitted densities where indicated
in this chapter, stated as gross density unless otherwise indicated.
DENSITY, MINIMUM
The minimum number of dwelling units that must be constructed
where indicated in this chapter, stated as gross density unless otherwise
indicated.
DENSITY, NET
The number of dwelling units divided by the net developable area. The "net developable area" means the land area of the site after deducting unbuildable areas including street rights-of-way, parks or open space required by Article
XXV and areas restricted from development pursuant to Article
XXV stated as dwelling units per net acre.
DEVELOPMENT (FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT)
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment or materials. See §
190-62.
[Amended 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. O-09-66]
DIMENSIONAL NONCONFORMITY
A nonconforming situation that occurs when the height, size, or minimum floor space of a structure or the relationship between an existing building or buildings and other buildings or lot lines does not conform to the regulations applicable to the zoning district in which the property is located. See §
190-120A.
DIRECT LIGHT
Light emitted directly from the lamp, off of the reflector
or reflector diffuser, or through the refractor or diffuser lens,
of a luminaire.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A sign that is necessary for on-site public safety and convenience. Examples include signs located next to a driveway and reading "in," "out," "entrance," "parking," or "exit." See §
190-100.
DISTRICT
A zoning district as established by §
190-11 of this chapter.
DISTURBED AREA
An area where the natural vegetation has been removed exposing
the underlying soil, or vegetation has been covered.
DRIVE-IN EATING ESTABLISHMENT
A commercial establishment wherein food is usually served
to and consumed by patrons while they are seated in parked cars.
DRIVEWAY
A private, vehicular access connecting a house, carport,
parking area, garage, or other buildings to the street.
DRIVEWAY APPROACH
A way or place including paving and curb returns between
the street travel lanes and private property that provides vehicular
access between the street and such private property.
DRUG REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Treatment for addiction to illicit drugs with medication
prescribed by a physician.
[Added 4-13-2010 by Ord. No. O-10-13]
DRUG REPLACEMENT THERAPY FACILITY
Clinic or other facility under the supervision of a trained
medical professional and used primarily for drug replacement therapy.
[Added 4-13-2010 by Ord. No. O-10-13]
DUPLEX
See "dwelling, two-family."
DWELLING (or DWELLING UNIT)
One or more rooms providing complete living facilities for
one family, including kitchen facilities or equipment for cooking
or provisions for the same, and including room or rooms for living,
sleeping, bathing and eating.
DWELLING UNIT, ACCESSORY
A second dwelling unit contained within or attached to the
same building as a single-family dwelling.
[Amended 8-8-2017 by Ord.
No. O-17-036]
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY (DUPLEX)
A structure consisting either of two separate dwelling units
on separate floors; or of two separate dwelling units connected and
separated by a common wall connecting living spaces, perpendicular
to the longest dimension of the structure, and having a common length
equal to at least: (i) 90% of the widest part of each structure measured
perpendicular to the longest dimension, if the longest dimensions
are parallel; or (ii) 90% of the widest part of one unit measured
perpendicular to the longest dimension, and 50% of the longest dimension
of the other unit, if the longest dimensions are perpendicular to
each other.
[Amended 2-27-2007 by Ord. No. O-06-51]
DWELLING, THREE-FAMILY (TRIPLEX)
A detached house designed for and occupied exclusively as
the residence of not more than three families, each living as an independent
housekeeping unit. A triplex is a form of multifamily dwelling.
DWELLING, FOUR-FAMILY (QUADRUPLEX)
A detached house with common walls between the units, designed
for and occupied exclusively as the residence of not more than four
families, each living as an independent housekeeping unit. A quadruplex
is a form of multifamily dwelling.
DWELLING, MULTIFAMILY
A dwelling or group of dwellings on one lot containing separate
living units for three or more families, but which may have joint
services or facilities. Triplexes (three-family dwellings) and quadruplexes
(four-family dwellings) are considered multifamily dwellings.
EFFECTIVE IMPERVIOUS AREA (EIA)
Impervious area that is directly connected to wetlands, waterways
or water bodies, not including man-made ponds for the purpose of stormwater
management.
EXTERIOR INSULATION AND FINISH SYSTEMS (EIFS)
A multilayered exterior wall system consisting of the following
components:
A.
Insulation board constructed of, made of polystyrene
or polyisocyanurate foam secured to the exterior wall surface with
an adhesive and/or mechanical attachment;
B.
A water-resistant base coat applied on top of
the insulation and reinforced with fiberglass mesh; and
C.
A finish coat consisting of acrylic co-polymer
materials.
ELECTRONIC AWNING SIGN
A fireproof space frame structure with translucent covering
designed in awning form, but whose purpose and use is signage. Such
signs are internally illuminated by fluorescent or other light sources
in fixtures approved under national and local Electrical Codes.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER
(Also known as an "electronic changing sign, time, temperature,
date and message centers; boards; or indexing signs." Also see "flashing
sign.") A sign that is either electronically or electrically controlled
to illustrate different copy changes on the same sign. This sign's
message may be changed by electronic switching or automatic switching
of lamps or alteration in the level of illumination or other illumination
source to form words, letters, designs, figures, numerals and pictures
often through the apparent vertical or horizontal movement of light.
EROSION
The detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments by
water, wind, ice, or gravity.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
Services provided by public utility or governmental agencies
through erection, construction, alteration or maintenance of gas,
electrical, telephone, steam or water transmission or distribution
systems, and collection, communication, supply or disposal systems,
whether underground or overhead. Facilities necessary for the provisions
of essential services include poles, wires, drains, sewers, pipes,
conduits, cables, fire alarm boxes, police call boxes, traffic signals,
hydrants, pumping stations and other similar equipment and accessories
in connection therewith. Specifically excluded from this definition
are buildings necessary for the furnishing of adequate service by
such public utility or governments agencies for the public health,
safety or general welfare.
ESTABLISH
To attach, alter, build, construct, reconstruct, enlarge,
move, hang, place, suspend, affix, erect, manufacture, and includes
the painting of wall signs, but does not include copy changes on any
permitted sign.
EVENT
An activity that occurs only during a designated time period
scheduled in advance. An event may include a grand opening, election,
a grand opening of a completely new business, the grand opening of
a business that has relocated, the remodeling of an existing business
(that requires a building permit), a cultural, sporting, carnival
or other transitory event, or similar event.
EXISTING
The conditions, features or other characteristics of a building,
structure or use that exists as of the effective date of this article
or, for a zoning district, the date of any rezoning.
FACE OF SIGN
The entire area of the sign on which copy could be placed.
Also see "copy area" and "area."
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency. See §
190-62.
FIRE CODE
Any standard contained in Chapter
156 of the City Code or the Fire Code adopted by Chapter
156 of the City Code.
FIXTURE
The assembly that houses the lamp or lamps and can include
all or some of the following parts: a housing, a mounting bracket
or pole socket, a lamp holder, a ballast, a reflector or mirror, and/or
a refractor or lens.
FLAG
Any fabric, banner, or bunting containing distinctive colors,
patterns, or symbols, used as a symbol of a government, political
subdivision, or other entity.
FLASHING SIGN
A flashing sign contains an intermittent light source or
includes the illusion of intermittent light by means of animation
or an externally mounted intermittent light source.
FLOOD or FLOODING
A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow of inland or tidal waters, or the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source. See §
190-62.
FLOODLIGHT OR SPOTLIGHT
Any light fixture or lamp that incorporates a reflector or
a refractor to concentrate the light output into a directed beam in
a particular direction.
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM)
The official maps incorporated with this chapter, on which FEMA has delineated both the special flood hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the City of Nashua. See §
190-62.
FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY
An examination, evaluation and determination of flood hazards and, if appropriate, corresponding water surface elevations, or an examination, evaluation and determination of mudslide or flood-related erosion hazards. See §
190-62.
[Amended 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. O-09-66]
FLOODPROOFING
Any combination of structural and nonstructural additions, changes, or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitation facilities, structures and their contents. See §
190-62.
FLOOR AREA, GROSS
The sum of the gross horizontal area or the several floors
of a building and its accessory buildings on the same lot, measured
from the exterior faces of the walls. It does not include cellars,
unenclosed porches or attics not used for human occupancy or for commercial
and/or industrial use, or malls within a shopping center utilized
purely for pedestrian circulation and/or decorative purposes between
individual shops of the center.
FOOTCANDLE
A unit of illumination lighting a surface, on which there
is uniformly distributed a light flux of one lumen over an area of
one square foot. A "lumen" is a unit of measure of the quantity of
light energy emitted by a light source without regard to the effectiveness
of its distribution. A "candela" is the unit of intensity of a light
source in a specific direction. One candela directed perpendicular
to a surface one foot away generates one footcandle of light. A light
source of one candela emits a total of 12.57 lumens. For purposes
of this chapter, the lumen output values shall be the initial lumen
output ratings of a lamp.
FORECOURT
An area that includes open space surrounded by a portion
of a building facade that abuts a frontage line, and a portion of
a building facade that is set back further. A forecourt may include
a driveway, sidewalk or pedestrian pathway, but not a parking area.
FREEWAY
A divided arterial highway with four or more lanes available
for through traffic, with full control of access and grade separation
at interchanges; namely, the F. E. Everett Turnpike.
FUNCTIONALLY DEPENDENT USE
A use which cannot perform its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water. The term includes only docking and port facilities that are necessary for the loading/unloading of cargo or passengers, and ship building/repair facilities but does not include long-term storage or related manufacturing facilities. See §
190-62.
GARAGE
A building or structure or a portion thereof, the principal
use of which is or may be to store, house, keep, repair or service
a motor vehicle or vehicles containing a flammable fluid or other
propellant in its fuel storage tank. This does not include a new-car
salesroom.
GARAGE, COMMUNITY
A group of private garages, either detached or under one
roof, arranged in a row or around common means of access.
GARAGE, PRIVATE
A garage for housing motor vehicles only, with a capacity
of not more than four vehicles.
GARAGE, PUBLIC
Any garage not included in the definition of a private garage
or a community garage.
GAS STATION
A building or part thereof whose principal activity is the
selling of gasoline, oil and related products for motor vehicles,
provided that light maintenance activities such as engine tune-ups,
lubrication, and minor repairs may also be provided if incidental
to such principal use. A gas station may also include areas not exceeding
1,000 square feet within the principal building that sell prepackaged
food products for off-site consumption, household items, newspapers
and magazines, incidental or accessory to the activities listed above.
However, any such establishment that exceeds 1,000 square feet of
gross floor area shall be classified as a convenience store rather
than a service station.
GLARE
Light emitting from a luminaire with an intensity great enough
to reduce a viewer's ability to see and, in extreme cases, causing
momentary blindness.
GRADE or GRADE PLANE
A reference plane representing the average of finished ground
level adjoining a building or structure along its exterior walls.
Where the finished ground level slopes away from the exterior walls,
the reference plane shall be established by the lowest points within
the area between the building and the lot line or, where the lot line
is more than six feet (1829 mm) from the building, between the building
and a point six feet (1829 mm) from the building. [Reference: International
Building Code 2000]
GREEN
An improved, passive open space surrounded by streets, and
that is triangular or irregular in shape.
GREENWAY or GREENBELT
Passive open space improved only with trails or other pedestrian
or bicycle passageways. Greenways link subdivisions to other subdivisions
and to activity centers. Greenbelts are located on the edge of a subdivision
or a community.
GROUND COVER
Any planting of low plants that cover the ground and shall
include grass and all other plants adapted for such use. The use of
wood chips, bark mulch, crushed stone and similar substances may be
deemed ground cover where approved by the Planning Board.
GROUND SIGN
A sign established on a freestanding frame, mast or pole and not attached to any building. Where such signs are established back to back, the larger face shall be calculated for the purposes of determining allowable area. See §
190-101A.
GROUNDWATER
As defined in NHRSA 485-C:2,VIII, subsurface water that occurs
beneath the water table in soils and geologic formations.
[Added 10-22-2013 by Ord. No. O-13-050]
GUEST HOME or GUESTHOUSE
An attached or detached building that:
A.
Has no kitchen or cooking facilities;
B.
Is located on the same lot as the principal
dwelling unit;
C.
Is not rented or leased; and
D.
Is occupied for the sole use of members of the
family, temporary guests, or persons permanently employed on the premises.
HALFWAY HOUSE
Any residence where two or more people reside for the purpose of their rehabilitation, behavioral modification or therapeutic counseling. A halfway house may include a facility for the care and supervision of delinquent youth, persons with mental health illnesses, or substance abusers (e.g., alcoholism, drug addiction), or any other facility where persons are aided in readjusting to society following a period of imprisonment or institutionalized treatment. See §
190-46A.
HARD SURFACE
An asphalt or concrete surface that complies with any pavement
thickness required in the Board of Public Works specifications, or
other surface approved in the Board of Public Works Specifications,
but excluding rock, gravel, grass or dirt.
HEIGHT
The vertical distance from the adjacent grade to the top
of the structure, the highest roof beams of a flat roof, the deck
of a mansard roof, or the mean level of the highest gable or slope
of a hip roof.
HEIGHT OF LUMINAIRE
The height of a luminaire shall be the vertical distance
from the ground directly below the center line of the luminaire to
the lowest direct-light-emitting part of the luminaire.
HEIGHT OF SIGN
The vertical distance measured from the adjacent undisturbed
grade (unless otherwise indicated) of the sign to the highest point
of the sign.
HIGHEST ADJACENT GRADE
The highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure. See §
190-62.
HIGHLY ERODIBLE SOILS
Any soil with an erodibility class (K factor) greater than
or equal to 0.43 in any layer as found in Table 3-2 of the "Stormwater
Management and Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook for Urban and
Developing Areas in New Hampshire."
HISTORIC STRUCTURE
Any structure that is:
A.
Listed individually in the National Register
of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of Interior)
or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting
the requirements for individual listing on the National Register;
B.
Certified or preliminarily determined by the
Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historical significance
of a registered historic district or a district preliminarily determined
by the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district;
C.
Individually listed on a state inventory of
historic places in states with historic preservation programs which
have been approved by the Secretary of the Interior; or
D.
Individually listed on a local inventory of
historic places in communities with historic preservation programs
that have been certified either:
(1)
By an approved state program as determined by
the Secretary of the Interior; or
(2)
Directly by the Secretary of the Interior in
states without approved programs.
HISTORICAL MARKER SIGN
Signs which may be placed only by a historical organization
or by a governmental agency. Maximum area shall be two square feet.
These signs are allowed in all districts, and no permit is required.
HOME OCCUPATION
An accessory use of a dwelling unit for gainful employment
involving the manufacture, provision or sale of goods and/or services.
HOME OCCUPATION SIGN
A sign used to draw attention to a home occupation or for
noncommercial speech associated with a home occupation.
HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION
A corporation, trust, or unincorporated association, the
members of which consist of the owners of the development units or
lots within a development, which owns and manages all private interior
ways and the land not occupied by residential, commercial or industrial
structures and lots, including facilities and structures thereon,
in perpetuity; an association which individual owners share common
interest in common open space and/or facilities. The association is
in charge of preserving, managing and maintaining the common open
space and/or facilities and will enforce certain covenants and restrictions.
HOSPITAL
An institution providing organized inpatient diagnostic and
nursing care for persons suffering from acute or chronic illness,
injury or deformity requiring obstetrical or other care, including
both inpatient and outpatient emergency services as may be required.
HOTEL
A building or any part of a building containing rooming units
without individual cooking facilities, for transient occupancy and
having a common entrance or entrances, including an inn, motel, motor
inn and tourist court, but not including a boardinghouse, lodging
house or rooming house.
HOUSEHOLD
A group of occupants of a dwelling unit restricted to the
following two categories:
A.
FAMILYAn individual or two or more persons related within the second degree or kinship or by marriage or adoption living together as a single housekeeping unit, including necessary domestic help such as nurses or servants not to exceed three in number.
B.
UNRELATED HOUSEHOLDA household not conforming to the definition of a "family." (See §
190-16 for occupancy restrictions relating to nonfamily households).
ILLUMINATED SIGN
Any sign which emanates light either by means of exposed
tubing, electrical bulbs, fluorescent lights, neon tubes or lamps
on its surface, or by means of illumination transmitted through the
sign faces. Any decorative lighting that is used expressly for the
purpose of advertisement shall be construed as a sign.
ILLUMINATION, INDIRECT
Any sign which reflects light from a source intentionally
directed upon it, for example, by means of floodlights or externally
mounted fluorescent light fixtures.
ILLUMINATION, INTERNAL
Signs that provide artificial light through transparent or
translucent material from a light source within the sign.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
Material or structure on, above, or below the ground that
does not allow precipitation or surface water to penetrate directly
into the soil.
INDEXING
The action of a multiprism sign designed to show several
messages in the same area by a turning and stopping action of the
triangular vertical plane sections of the sign components. (Also see
"changing electronic sign" and "flashing sign.")
INDIRECT LIGHT
Direct light that has been reflected or has scattered off
of other surfaces.
INDIVIDUAL LETTER SIGN
Any sign made of self-contained letters that are mounted
individually. See "copy area."
INDUSTRIAL PARK
A comprehensively planned and unified, industrially oriented
development containing at least two separate buildings and protected
by covenants and restrictions designed to control such things as architectural
design or building facades, landscaping, screening, buffering, and
environmental protection. Industrial parks typically have a mixture
of industrial, service, office, and commercial activities and are
designed to incorporate aesthetic and service amenities for the employees
and patrons of the uses located within the park.
INFILTRATION
The entry of water from precipitation, irrigation, or runoff
into the soil.
JUNK
Any worn-out, cast-off or discarded articles or material
ready for destruction or collected or stored for salvage or conversion
to some use. Any article or material which is unaltered or unchanged
and, without further reconditioning, can be used for its original
purpose as readily as when new shall not be considered junk.
LAMP
The component of a luminaire that produces the actual light.
LANDSCAPING
The practice of adding and arranging trees, shrubs and ground
cover over a tract of land for aesthetic purposes.
LASER
A device which produces an intense, coherent, directional
beam of light by stimulating electronic or molecular transitions to
lower energy levels. An acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated
Emission of Radiation.
LEVEL OF SERVICE
Indicates the capacity per unit of demand for each public
facility. It is an indicator of the extent or degree of service provided
by a facility based upon and related to the operational characteristics
of the facility.
LEVEL OF SERVICE, ADOPTED
The level of service established in the adequate public facilities standards (see Article
XXIII) as a standard for subdivision and site plan applications and the capital improvements program. (See §
190-168.)
LEVEL OF SERVICE, EXISTING
The actual level of service that exists when an application
for subdivision or site plan approval is filed.
LIGHT TRESPASS
The shining of light produced by a luminaire beyond the boundaries
of the property on which it is located.
LOADING SPACE
An off-street space used exclusively for loading and unloading
of goods and materials from one vehicle.
LOCATION
For purposes of Article
X, any lot, premises, building, structure, wall, or any place upon which a sign is located.
LODGING UNIT
One or more rooms for the semipermanent use of one or more
individuals not living as a single housekeeping unit and not having
cooking facilities. A lodging unit shall include rooms in boardinghouses,
lodging houses, tourist homes and rooming houses.
LOT
An area or parcel of land or any part thereof, not including
water area, in common ownership, designated on a plan filed with the
Administrative Officer by its owner or owners as a parcel to be used,
developed or built upon as a unit under single ownership or control.
LOT, CORNER
A lot at the point of intersection of, and abutting on, two
or more intersecting streets, the interior angle of intersection of
the street lot lines or, in case of a curved street, extended lot
lines, being not more than 135°. Each street frontage shall be
considered a front yard.
LOT DEPTH
The mean horizontal distance between a front lot line and
a rear lot line.
LOT FRONTAGE
The horizontal distance measured along a front lot line between
the points of intersection of the side lot lines with the front lot
line; the length of the closest adjacent property line parallel or
substantially parallel to an adjoining public right-of-way.
LOT, INTERIOR
A lot in which the side lot lines do not abut a street.
LOT LINE, FRONT
The property line dividing a lot from a street right-of-way.
LOT, NONCONFORMING
A lot lawfully existing on the effective date of this chapter
or any subsequent amendment hereto, which is not in accordance with
all the provisions of this chapter.
LOT, THROUGH
A lot that has at least two opposite lot lines that abut
streets.
LOT WIDTH
The horizontal distance between the side lot lines as measured
at the minimum front yard depth required by this article, and parallel
to the street line.
LOUNGE
Portion of a restaurant intended primarily for consumption
of beverages.
LOWEST FLOOR
The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement). An unfinished or flood resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage in an area other than a basement area is not considered a building's lowest floor, provided that such an enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of the applicable nonelevation design requirements of this chapter. See §
190-62.
LUMEN
A unit of luminous flux. One footcandle is one lumen per
square foot. For the purposes of this section of the chapter, the
lumen output values shall be the initial lumen output ratings of a
lamp.
LUMINAIRE
A complete lighting system, and includes a lamp or lamps
and a fixture.
MAINTAIN
To permit a sign, sign structure or any part of each to continue;
or to repair or refurbish a sign, sign structure or any part of each.
A sign shall be maintained in good repair for reasons of public safety
and aesthetics.
MANUFACTURED HOME
A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities. For floodplain management purposes, the term “manufactured home” includes park trailers, travel trailers and other similar vehicles placed on site for greater than 180 consecutive days. This includes manufactured homes located in a manufactured home park or subdivision. See §
190-62.
[Amended 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. O-09-66]
MANUFACTURED HOUSING
Any structure, transportable in one or more sections, which,
in the traveling mode, is eight body feet or more in width and 40
body feet or more in length, or when erected on site is 320 square
feet or more, and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed
to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when
connected to required utilities, which include plumbing, heating and
electrical heating systems contained therein. Manufactured housing
as defined in this section shall not include presite built housing
as defined in RSA 674:31-a. [Source: RSA 674:31.]
MARINA
A commercial waterfront facility whose principal use is the
provision of publicly available services such as the securing, launching,
storing, fueling, servicing and repairing of watercraft.
MEAN ANNUAL HIGH-WATER MARK
The line from visible markings and changes in soils and vegetation
from the prolonged presence of water which distinguishes between predominantly
aquatic and terrestrial land.
MEAN SEA LEVEL
The National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929 or other datum, to which base flood elevations shown on a communities Flood Insurance Rate Map are referenced. See §
190-62.
MECHANICAL OR ELECTRONIC AMUSEMENT DEVICE
Any mechanized or electronic game, entertainment or amusement
device requiring insertion of coins, currency or tokens, or payment
to an attendant and is intended to entertain the operator(s). Such
devices include, but shall not be limited to, video games, pinball
machines, and coin-operated pool tables, but shall not include jukeboxes
or other devices used solely for the reproduction of music.
MEMBERSHIP CLUB
A social, sports or fraternal association or organization
used exclusively by members and their guests and not conducted as
a gainful business.
MESSAGE
The wording or copy on a sign. See "copy."
MIXED USE BUILDING
A building containing mixed commercial and residential uses
where commercial use are located primary on the first floor, with
dwelling units occupying the second floors or above.
MOBILE HOME
For purposes other than Article
VII, a "mobile home" is a dwelling unit constructed in a factory that does not meet the definition of a manufactured home or a modular home. For purposes of Article
VII, see definition of "manufactured home" above.
MOBILE HOME PARK
A parcel of land containing at least 15 acres upon which
one or more mobile homes or house trailers are parked or intended
to be parked for living purposes.
MODULAR HOME
A dwelling unit constructed in accordance with the standards
set forth in the City's Building Code applicable to site-built homes
and composed of components substantially assembled in a manufacturing
plant and transported to the building site for final assembly on a
permanent foundation. (See comment under "manufactured housing.")
MULTIFAMILY DWELLING
A building containing three or more dwelling units, including
an apartment house, garden apartment house, multifamily dwelling and
townhouse or condominium.
MUNICIPAL SEWER SYSTEM
The sewer system owned by the City of Nashua and operated
by the Board of Public Works.
NAMEPLATE
A nonelectrical sign identifying only the name, occupation
or profession of the occupant of the premises on which the sign is
located. If any premises includes more than one occupant, "nameplate"
means all names and occupations or professions as well as the name
of the building and directional information.
NATURAL AREA
An environmentally sensitive area left undisturbed to provide
an amenity for the development.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
For the purpose of determining insurance rates, structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of an initial FIRM or after December 31, 1974, whichever is later, and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures. For floodplain management purposes, new construction means structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of a floodplain management regulation adopted by a community and includes any subsequent improvement to such structures. See §
190-62.
[Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. O-09-66]
NEW DEVELOPMENT
See Article
VII, Impact Fees.
A.
Any building permit application that is submitted
to the City that results in:
(1)
The construction of a new dwelling(s);
(2)
The conversion of an existing nonresidential
use to a dwelling(s).
B.
New development does not include:
(1)
The reconstruction of a structure that has been
destroyed by fire or natural disaster, and natural deterioration,
provided that there is no change in the size, density, or use of the
structure;
(2)
The replacement of a manufactured home;
(3)
The construction of an accessory structure to
a dwelling that would not increase the demand for public capital educational
facilities by the owner or user of the dwelling; or
(4)
The addition/renovation(s) to an existing dwelling(s).
NONCONFORMING SITUATION
A.
A situation that occurs when, on the effective
date of this chapter, an existing lot or structure or use of an existing
lot or structure does not conform to one or more of the regulations
applicable to the district in which the lot or structure is located.
A nonconforming situation includes:
(1)
Any dimensional nonconformity or nonconforming
structure; or
(2)
Any nonconforming lot; or
(3)
Any nonconforming use; or
(4)
Land or buildings are used for purposes made
unlawful by this chapter.
B.
Nonconforming signs shall not be regarded as nonconforming situations for purposes of this definition, but instead are governed by §
190-110.
NONCONFORMING USE
The use of property for a purpose or in a manner made unlawful by the use regulations applicable to the district in which the property is located. (For example, a commercial office building in a residential district may be a nonconforming use.) The term also refers to the activity that constitutes the use made of the property. (For example, all the activity associated with running a bakery in a residentially zoned area is a nonconforming use.) See §
190-119A.
NONPROFIT
Entitled to real estate tax exemption under the laws of the
state.
OFFICE USE or OFFICE BUILDING
A place where the business of a commercial, industrial, service
or professional organization is transacted, but not including retail
sales, manufacturing, clinic, financial institution, personal services,
place of amusement or place of assembly. This includes any use or
building listed in LBCS Function Codes 2200-2455, 5140-5160, or 6800-6820,
LBCS Structure 2110 or 2400, or NAICS 51-55 or 61-92.
OPEN SPACE
The space on a lot unoccupied by buildings, unobstructed
to the sky by man-made objects, not devoted to streets, driveways,
off-street parking or loading spaces.
OPEN SPACE, ACTIVE
Any park and recreational facility that is not dependent
upon a specific environmental or natural resource, which is developed
with recreation and support facilities that can be provided anywhere
for the convenience of the user.
OPEN SPACE, PASSIVE
Areas in and located due to the presence of a particular
natural or environmental setting and which may include conservation
lands providing for both active and passive types of resource-based
outdoor recreation activities that are less formalized or program-oriented
than activity-based recreation. Resource-based outdoor recreation
means and refers to activities requiring a natural condition that
cannot easily be duplicated by man.
OPEN SPACE PERCENTAGE
The space on a lot unoccupied by buildings, unobstructed to the sky by man-made objects, not devoted to streets, driveways, off-street parking or loading spaces. See §
190-16M.
OUTDOOR CAFE
A portion of an eating or drinking place, located on a public
sidewalk, that provides waiter or waitress service and is either an
enclosed or unenclosed sidewalk cafe as defined herein. No portion
of a sidewalk cafe shall be used for any purpose other than dining
and circulation therein. An "enclosed sidewalk cafe" is a sidewalk
cafe, which is contained within a one-story structure constructed
predominantly of light materials such as glass, slow burning plastic,
or lightweight metal. An "unenclosed sidewalk cafe" is a space on
the sidewalk, which contains readily removable tables, chairs, or
railings. An unenclosed sidewalk cafe is open to the sky except that
it may have a retractable awning or umbrellas. For the purposes of
this chapter "readily removable" shall mean that no object which is
part of the unenclosed sidewalk cafe, such as a table, chair, planter,
or any other fixture, shall be leaded, cemented, nailed, bolted, power
riveted, screwed in or affixed, even in a temporary manner, to either
the sidewalk in which it is placed, to the building or to any other
structure which it abuts.
OUTDOOR LIGHTING
The nighttime illumination of an outside area or object by
any man-made device located outdoors that produces light by any means.
OWNER
Any person having vested or equitable interest in the use,
structure or lot in question, or his duly authorized agent, attorney,
purchaser, devisee, trustee or lessee.
PARCEL
A contiguous lot or tract of land owned and recorded as the
property of the same persons or controlled by a single entity.
PARK INDUSTRIAL SIGN
A sign located adjacent to and intended to identify the entrance to multibuilding park industrial developments situated. See §
190-102C.
PARK or PLAYGROUND
An open space improved with playground equipment or other
active open space improvements. These may be surrounded by street
frontages and building frontages, but this is not necessarily required.
PARKING LOT
Any area, not within a building or other structure, where
motor vehicles may be stored for the purpose of temporary, daily or
overnight off-street parking to include a motor vehicle display lot
and/or a commercial parking lot.
PARKING SPACE
An off-street space for exclusive use as a parking stall
for one motor vehicle.
PASSAGEWAY
A connector providing access exclusively to pedestrians and
located between buildings. Passageways provide shortcuts through blocks,
or connect rear parking areas with street frontages. An area between
buildings located interior to a block, and which either extends from
the public sidewalk to a public space interior to the block or connects
two streets.
PEAK DISCHARGE
The maximum instantaneous rate of flow during a storm, usually
in reference to a specific design storm event.
PERMEABLE PAVEMENT
A pavement system with traditional strength characteristics,
but which allows rainfall to percolate through it rather than running
off. A permeable pavement system utilizes either porous asphalt, pervious
concrete, or plastic pavers interlaid in a running bond pattern and
either pinned or interlocked in place. Porous asphalt consists of
an open graded course aggregate held together by asphalt with sufficient
interconnected voids to provide a high rate of permeability. Pervious
concrete is a discontinuous mixture of portland cement, coarse aggregate,
admixtures, and water which allow for passage of runoff and air. Examples
of permeable pavement systems include Grasspave2®, Gravelpave2®,
Turfstone®, and UNI Eco-Stone®. (Reference: Watershed Management
Institute, Inc. and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
Water, Operation, Maintenance and Management of Stormwater Management
(Aug. 1997), at 2-32; Booth and Leavitt, Field Evaluation of Permeable
Pavement Systems for Improved Stormwater Management, 65 J. Am. Planning
Ass'n 314 (Summer 1999), at 314-325.
PERMIT-ISSUING AGENCY
Any agency, board or commission that issues or approves any of the land use decisions or permits as described in Part
3.
PLAN
The map, drawing or chart on which a applicant's final plan
of subdivision is presented to the Board for approval and which, if
approved, will be submitted to the Register of Deeds of the county
for recording.
PLAZA
A hard-surfaced area adjoining the front of nonresidential,
multifamily or civic buildings. (Greens and squares, by contrast,
are not hard-surfaced). Buildings directly adjoin the plaza, rather
than facing it across a street.
POLITICAL SIGN
A sign advertising a candidate or issue to be voted upon
on a specific election day, and that is attached to the ground by
a stake or stakes, but which excludes any other sign defined as a
portable sign.
PORCH
A roofed structure projecting from the front, side or rear
wall of a building, either enclosed or open, not used as habitable
living space.
PORTABLE SIGN
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or a building.
PORTAL
A building entryway at least 24 feet in height and 12 feet
in width, and which contains decorative architectural treatments.
PORTICO
A porch with a roof supported by columns.
POULTRY
Domesticated fowl commonly raised or kept for eggs or meat.
[Added 12-11-2018 by Ord.
No. O-18-019]
PREMISES
A lot or number of lots on which are situated a building
or group of buildings designed as a unit or on which a building or
a group of buildings are to be constructed.
PRETREATMENT
Limited treatment of stormwater runoff provided prior to
discharge of such runoff to the stormwater management system, and
is intended to remove coarse solids, thereby facilitating maintenance
and enhancing the longevity of the stormwater management system.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING or PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE
A building or structure or, where the context so indicates,
a group of buildings or structures, in which the principal use of
a lot or parcel is conducted. This shall include any buildings which
are attached to the principal structure by a covered structure.
PRINCIPAL DWELLING
A dwelling unit which constitutes the principal building
or principal structure on a lot or parcel.
PROJECT AREA
The area within the subdivision or site plan boundaries.
PROJECTING SIGN
A sign, other than a wall sign, which is attached to and projects in a perpendicular fashion more than 12 inches beyond the surface to which it is affixed. A projecting sign is meant to be viewed from a position other than directly facing the building. See §
190-104A.
PUBLIC CAPITAL FACILITIES
All assets, facilities, and equipment relating to public
education services that are described in RSA 674:21 V.
PUBLIC FACILITIES
Any of the Capital Improvements listed as subject to Article
XXIII (Adequate public facilities).
Commentary: this list is presently confined
to streets.
|
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
The portion of a public street dedicated to and accepted
by the City as measured from property line to property line.
PUBLIC UTILITY
Persons, corporations, or governments supplying gas, electric,
transportation, water, sewer, or land line telephone service to the
general public. For the purpose of this article, commercial wireless
telecommunication service facilities shall not be considered public
utility uses, and are defined separately.
PUBLIC UTILITY STRUCTURE
Any structure including a line, pipe, building, station,
or facility used to deliver or provide a public utility to the general
public.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
A temporary nonelectrical ground or wall sign that either:
A.
Advertises the on-site sale, rental or lease
of a premises or a portion thereof (In such case signs must be removed
within 30 days after the sale, rental or lease.); or
B.
The off-site advertising of an open house.
RECESSED ENTRYWAY
A recess or niche located on the front facade of a building
and which leads to a principal entry. A recessed entryway is unenclosed
on the side adjoining the sidewalk, plaza or public right-of-way,
enclosed on the opposite side with a wall containing a doorway, and
enclosed on the other sides.
RECHARGE
Water that infiltrates into an aquifer, usually from overlying
soils.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
See §
190-62. A vehicle that is:
A.
Built on a single chassis;
B.
Four hundred square feet or less when measured
at the largest horizontal projection;
C.
Designed to be self-propelled or permanently
towable by a light-duty truck; and
D.
Designed primarily not for use as a permanent
dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping,
travel or seasonal use.
REDEVELOPMENT
The development, rehabilitation, expansion, and completion
of phased projects on previously developed sites.
REGISTRATION
For purposes of Article
X, the registering of signs shall consist of an official record maintained by the Administrative Officer as to the purpose of signage and containing the date of establishment and removal.
REGULATORY FLOODWAY
The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without increasing the water surface elevation. These areas are designated as floodways on the Flood Insurance Rate Map. See §
190-62.
[Amended 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. O-09-66]
REPAIR
Any construction which replaces materials and does not change
the height, number of stories, size, use or location of a structure.
RESTAURANT
Eating and drinking establishment where consumption is primarily
intended to be within the building.
RETAIL USE
A building or part of a building where merchandise, food, articles, or things are offered or kept for sale directly to the public at retail. This includes any use listed under the category "commercial" in the Use Matrix (§
190-15, Table 15-1) except for the following: 32.33. Bank, credit union, savings institution, or other finance and insurance services; flex space; mobile homes as offices; or office uses or office buildings.
ROOF LINE
The top edge of the roof or the top of the parapet, where
the junction of the roof and the perimeter wall of the structure forms
the top line of the building silhouette.
ROOF SIGN
A sign established upon, against, or directly above a roof, or on the top of or above the parapet of a building. See "parapet." See §
190-105A.
ROTARY or CIRCLE
A circular area containing a monument or similar device,
and which organizes buildings or movement around a center. Buildings
facing a rotary are concave, while those facing a circle are convex.
ROTATING SIGN
Any sign or portion of a sign which moves in a revolving
or similar manner, but not including multiprism indexing signs.
RUNOFF
Precipitation, snow melt, or irrigation that flows over the
land, eventually making its way to a surface water such as a stream,
river, or pond.
SCREENING
A visual barrier which blocks out a use on one property from abutting properties. Screening shall consist of a landscaped area containing plant materials, walls and/or fences. (Article
XXVII)
SEDIMENT
Solid material, either mineral or organic, that is in suspension,
is transported, or has been moved from its site of origin by erosion.
SETBACK
An area lying between the furthest projection of a principal structure and the property line of the lot on which the structure is located. Where a yard abuts a street, the setback is the area lying between the abutting street right-of-way line and the furthest projection of a principal structure. See §
190-16E(1).
SHORELINE FRONTAGE
The average of the actual natural navigable shoreline footage
and a straight line drawn between property lines, both of which are
measured at the reference line.
SHRUB
A usually several stemmed, woody plant that is maintained
in low-growing habit.
SIGN
A permanent or temporary device, structure, light, letter,
word, two- or three-dimensional object or copy, model, banner, streamer,
pennant, display, insignia, emblem, trade flag, presentation by figures,
designs, pictures, logos or colors visible to the public from outside
a building, from a traveled way or otherwise. The purpose of a sign
is to convey a message to the public, to advertise, direct, invite,
announce, or draw attention to, directly or indirectly, a use conducted,
goods, products services or facilities available, either on the lot
or on any other premises. Includes any permanently installed or prominently
situated merchandise. For the purpose of removal, signs shall also
include all sign structures and appurtenances.
SIGN LABEL
A.
All signs shall have a label affixed to the
sign visible from the street with the following information:
(1)
Name of the sign fabricator or installer.
(2)
The electrical power consumption, in both volts
and amperes.
B.
The information shall be sufficient in size
and contrast to be readable by City officials upon close inspection.
SIGN STRUCTURE
Any framework, either freestanding or an integral part of
the building, which supports or is capable of supporting any sign,
including decorative cover.
SLOPE
The ratio of elevation change to horizontal distance, expressed
as a percentage. Slope is computed by dividing the vertical distance
by the horizontal distance, and multiplying the ratio by 100. For
purposes of this chapter, a slope shall include only those areas with
a horizontal distance of at least 50 feet.
SPECIAL ASSESSMENT
An assessment for the cost of constructing and/or maintaining
property especially benefited by the improvement pursuant to RSA 49-C:25
et seq.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
A use of a structure or lot, or any action upon a premises,
which may be permitted under this article only upon application to
and the approval of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and in accordance
with this article.
SQUARE
An improved, passive open space surrounded by streets and
building frontages, and limited in area to one block.
STABILIZED
When the soil erosion rate approaches that of undisturbed
soils. Soils which are disturbed will be considered stabilized when
covered with a healthy, mature growth of grass or, for a temporary
condition only, a covering of hay or mulch (two tons/acre).
START OF CONSTRUCTION
Includes substantial improvements, and means the date the building permit was issued, provided that the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, placement, or other improvement was within 180 days of the permit date. The "actual start" means either the first placement of permanent construction of a structure on site, such as the pouring of slab or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns, or any work beyond the stage of excavation; or the placement of manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading and filling; nor does it include the installation of streets and/or walkways; nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings, piers, or foundations or the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or part of the main structure. See §
190-62.
STEREOPTICON
An optical projection instrument making multiple use of the
"magic lantern," or a projection instrument that uses lenses to throw
on a screen a magnified image from a transparent slide or from an
opaque object such as a photograph or the page of a book. The stereopticon
combines two or three magic lanterns to focus, in the same area of
light on the screen or wall, dissolving views or combinations of images.
STOOP
A raised platform located at the entry of a building and
approached by steps. A stoop may have a roof.
STORY
The portion of a building which is between one floor level
and the next higher floor level or the roof. If a mezzanine floor
area exceeds 1/3 of the area of the floor immediately below, it shall
be deemed to be a story. A basement shall be deemed to be a story
when its ceiling is six or more feet above the finished grade. A cellar
shall not be deemed to be a story. An attic shall not be a story if
unfinished and without human occupancy.
STORY, HALF
A story under a gable, hip or gambrel roof, the wall planes
of which on at least two opposite exterior walls are not more than
two feet above the floor of the story.
STREAM
Areas of flowing water occurring for sufficient time to develop
and maintain defined channels but may not flow during dry portions
of the year; includes but is not limited to all perennial and intermittent
streams located on U.S. Geological Survey Maps.
STREET
A road, thoroughfare or way that affords the means of access
to adjacent lots and is devoted to vehicular travel, and measured
from property line to property line. Also see "public right-of-way."
"Street" includes any street, avenue, road, lane, viaduct, boulevard,
alley, highway or other way, whether public or private.
A.
Expressways are generally limited-access highways
designed to carry large volumes of high speed interstate and intercity
traffic.
B.
Major streets are streets designed or required
to carry large volumes of traffic to, from or through the central
part of the City.
C.
Collector streets are streets designed or required
to collect traffic from minor streets and distribute traffic to major
streets.
D.
Commercial streets are streets designed or required
to serve industrial or mercantile concentrations and to carry traffic
from these concentrations to major streets.
E.
Residential streets are streets designed or
required to provide vehicular access to abutting residential properties.
F.
Service streets are streets designed or required
to provide vehicular access to abutting commercial properties.
G.
Access streets are minor ways designed or required
to provide vehicular access to off-street loading or off-street parking
facilities.
STRUCTURE
A combination of materials for occupancy or use, such as
a building, bridge, trestle, tower, framework, retaining wall, tank,
tunnel, tent, stadium, reviewing stand, platform, shelters, piers,
wharves, bin, fence, sign or the like.
[Comment: Compare "building."]
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STRUCTURE, ACCESSORY
A detached structure, the use of which is customarily incidental
and subordinate to that of the principal use, principal building or
principal structure, and which is located on the same lot as that
occupied by the principal use, principal building or principal structure.
STRUCTURE (FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT)
For floodplain management purposes, a walled and roofed building, including a gas or liquid storage tank, that is principally above ground, as well as a manufactured home. See §
190-62.
SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE
Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the
cost of restoring the structure to its before damaged condition would
equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure before the
damage occurred.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT
Any combination of repairs, reconstruction, alteration, or
improvements to a structure in which the cumulative cost equals or
exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure. The market value
of the structure should equal: 1) the appraised value prior to the
start of the initial repair or improvement, or 2) in the case of damage,
the value of the structure prior to the damage occurring. For the
purposes of this definition, substantial improvement is considered
to occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or
other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that
alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure. This
term includes structures which have incurred substantial damage, regardless
of actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include
any project for improvement of a structure required to comply with
existing health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which are
solely necessary to assure safe living conditions or any alteration
of a historic structure, provided that the alteration will not preclude
the structure's continued designation as a historic structure.
TEMPORARY OUTDOOR LIGHTING
The specific illumination of an outside area or object by
any man-made device located outdoors that produces light by any means
for a period of less than 30 days, with at least 180 days passing
before being used again.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Any sign which is not permanently established, including trailer and portable signs. See §
190-106.
TOXIC OR HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
Any substance or mixture with physical, chemical, or infectious
characteristics posing a significant, actual, or potential hazard
to water supplies or other hazards to human health if such substance
or mixture were discharged to land or water. Toxic or hazardous materials
include, without limitation, synthetic organic chemicals, petroleum
products, heavy metals, radioactive or infectious wastes acids and
alkalis, and all substances defined as toxic or hazardous under applicable
state or federal statutes, and also include such products as solvents
and thinners in quantities greater as solvents and thinners in quantities
greater that normal household use.
TOURIST HOME
A private dwelling that is not part of or used in conjunction
with any other establishment and in which there are at least four
rooms for rent to the traveling or vacationing public, whether rented
regularly, seasonally, or occasionally.
TOWNHOUSE
A single dwelling unit whose sidewalls are separated from
other dwelling units by a fire wall or walls. Each unit in the row
may be owned by a separate owner (condominiums).
TOWNHOUSE
For purposes of Article
VIII (Impact Fees), a "townhouse" means at least two dwellings that share a common wall in which each dwelling has living space on the ground floor and a separate, ground floor entrance. See §
190-75.
TRANSIT STATION
A facility where taxi, bus or railroad passengers regularly
stop to load or unload passengers, which may provide ancillary services
such as ticket sales and waiting rooms. These stations are multimodal
in nature where users are switching from one mode of transportation
to another, such as automobiles to buses or buses to rail.
TREE
A woody perennial plant having a single usually elongate
main stem, generally with few or no branches on its lower part.
UNENCLOSED
A building, structure, or roofed projection that has no more
than 50% of each outside wall area enclosed by a wall or other solid,
opaque structure, or windows, but not including meshed screens.
USE
The purpose for which a building, lot, sign or other structure
is arranged, intended, designed, occupied or maintained.
USE, ACCESSORY
A use incidental and subordinate to the principal use of
a structure or lot, or a use not the principal use, which is located
on the same lot as the principal structure. Accessory use by area
shall not exceed 40% of the area of the total use of the structure
and/or lot on which it is located.
USE, PRINCIPAL
The main or primary purpose for which a structure or lot
is designed, arranged or intended, or for which it may be used, occupied
or maintained under this article. Any other use within the main structure
or the use of any other structure or land on the same lot and incidental
or supplementary to the principal use and permitted under this article
shall be considered an accessory use.
USE, SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT
A use which by reason of its normal operation would cause
readily observable differences in patronage, service, appearance,
noise, employment or similar characteristics from the use to which
it is being compared.
UTILITY or UTILITIES
Buildings, structures, or land used by a public utility,
corporation, railroad, or governmental agency for uses such as, but
not necessarily limited to, water or sewage treatment plants or pumping
stations, communications, substations, telephone exchanges, and resource
recovery facilities, but not including land, buildings, or structures
used solely for storage and maintenance of equipment and materials.
UTILITY SIGN
These signs are noncommercial in nature and identify the
location of gaslines, waterlines or phone cables, often warning of
the potential hazard of digging or excavation in the immediate area.
VARIANCE
Such departure from the terms of this article as the Zoning
Board of Adjustment, upon appeal in specific cases, is empowered to
authorize under this article.
VIOLATION
The failure of a structure or other development to be fully compliant with the community’s Floodplain Management Regulations. A structure or other development without the elevation certificate, other certifications, or other evidence of compliance required in 44 CFR § 60.3(b)(5), (c)(4), (c)(10), (d)(3), (e)(2), (e)(4), or (e)(5) is presumed to be in violation until such time as that documentation is provided. See §
190-62.
[Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. O-09-66]
WALL SIGN
Any sign attached parallel to the building wall, false wall or false roof, or other facade surface that does not extend more than 12 inches from said surface, or does not vary more than 30° from the plane of the building's parallel wall, and that has only one sign face that is intended to be read parallel to the wall or other surface to which it is mounted. A wall sign includes any sign established on a penthouse above the roof of a building, as long as the wall of the penthouse is on a plane parallel to the wall of the building. See §
190-108A.
WATER SURFACE ELEVATION
The height, in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929, (or other datum, where specified) of floods of various magnitudes and frequencies in the floodplains. See §
190-62.
WETLAND BUFFER
For purposes of Article
XI (Wetlands), an area of land adjacent to a wetland (or stream, river, etc.) that is protected from development in order to protect a wetland and its functions, such as:
A.
A protective barrier that filters out particles,
sediment, and pollutants.
WETLANDS
Soils which are poorly or very poorly drained as defined
by the Soil Conservation Service, the United States Department of
Agriculture, and identified in the county soil handbook. These soils
have a water table at or very close to the surface of the ground throughout
a major portion of the year (a minimum of seven to nine months out
of the year). For the purposes of this Part X, wetlands are those
wetlands defined and delineated in accordance with the Federal Manual
for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands, dated 1989.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign established within 12 inches of window plane inside
a window for purposes of viewing from outside the premises. Such sign
shall not be construed to include merchandise located in a window.
YARD
A portion of a lot upon which the principal building is situated,
unobstructed artificially from the ground to the sky, except as otherwise
provided herein.
YARD, FRONT
A yard extending for the full width of the lot between the
front line of the nearest building wall and the front lot line.
YARD, REAR
A yard, unoccupied except by an accessory structure or accessory
use as herein permitted, extending for the full width of the lot between
the rear line of the building wall and the rear lot line.
YARD, SIDE
Yard extending for the full length of a building between
the nearest building wall and the side lot line.