This chapter, enacted in pursuance of the authority conferred by Article 7 of the Village Law of the State of New York, shall be known and may be cited as the "Zoning Ordinance of the Incorporated Village of Old Field" and, alternatively, as "Chapter 121 of the Code of the Village of Old Field."
A. 
These regulations have been made in accordance with a comprehensive plan for the improvement of the Village and its future growth, protection and development and with reasonable consideration, among other things, to the character of the Village and its peculiar suitability for particular uses and with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the Village. These regulations have also been made with reasonable consideration of the semirural nature of the Village, the nature of the terrain thereof, the topographical features and character of the land, the suitability of the land therein for particular purposes, the location of the Village in relation to Long Island Sound, the bodies of water within the Village and the character of the neighboring communities and with regard to existing uses and structures in such neighboring and adjacent communities and to the availability of land therein for higher-density commercial, business and industrial purposes.
B. 
The regulations are designed to lessen congestion in the streets; to secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other dangers; to promote health and the general welfare; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to conserve and protect the existing essential character thereof as a wholly residential low-density Village; to avoid undue concentration of population; to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements; and to stabilize and conserve property values therein.
For the purposes of this chapter, the Village of Old Field is constituted as one district for residence and compatible uses, the boundaries of which are and shall be coextensive and coterminous with the boundaries of such Village, including such lands within such boundaries which may be wholly or partly submerged or subject to tidal action.
A. 
From and after the effective date of this chapter, every building or portion of a building erected or altered and every use within a building or accessory building or upon the land in said Village of Old Field shall be in conformity with these regulations.
B. 
From and after the effective date of this chapter, any existing building or structure or any existing use of land or of a building or structure not in conformity with the regulations herein prescribed shall be regarded as nonconforming, but may continue, subject to the regulations herein provided in respect to such nonconforming buildings, structures or uses.
A. 
Words in the present tense include the future; words in the singular include the plural number and words in the plural number include the singular; the word "lot" includes the words "plot" and "parcel"; the word "shall" is mandatory and not discretionary; the word "person" includes a corporation as well as an individual; and the words "used" and "occupied" shall be considered as though followed by the words "or intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied, or offered for occupancy.
B. 
As used in this chapter, the following terms and words shall have the meanings herein defined. Words not herein defined shall have the meanings given in Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.
ACCESSORY BUILDING
A private garage not attached to the main dwelling, guesthouse, accessory farm dwelling, beach house or other outbuilding or structure subordinate to and located on the same lot with a main building or a principal use and which is designed, intended or used for an accessory use as hereinafter defined. No accessory building shall contain facilities for cooking or a kitchen or kitchenette.
[Amended 1-8-1974; 2-17-1981 by L.L. No. 1-1981]
ACCESSORY FARM DWELLING
A building designed for use as living quarters for a farm laborer and his family employed upon the farm or estate of which it forms a part.
[Amended 2-17-1981 by L.L. No. 1-1981]
ACCESSORY HOME OFFICE USE
An occupation which provides a professional service as an accessory use within a single-family dwelling performed by one or more of its residents. Such occupations may include professional services performed by an accountant, architect, appraiser, dentist, medical practitioner, engineer, insurance agent, land surveyor, lawyer, planner, realtor or similar professional.
[Added 11-12-2013 by L.L. No. 4-2013]
ACCESSORY USE
Use of a building, structure, lot or plot or portions thereof which, at the time of adoption of this chapter and within the Village, is a use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use on the same lot or plot or to the principal use of the main building on the same lot.
AGRICULTURE
The commercial cultivation of the soil for food products, nursery, orchards, shrubs, plants and flowers; the breeding, raising and maintenance of livestock. "Agriculture" shall not include the maintenance of fox farms, pig farms or other establishments of similar nature or characteristics, nor shall the sale of garden furniture, tools, statuary, motorized equipment, peat moss, fertilizer, fencing, mulch or any other matter or thing be construed as an incidental or accessory use to "agriculture," as herein defined, or of any phase, division, department or aspect thereof.
ALTERATION
Any change, addition or modification in construction or arrangement of a building or structure or any change in use from one to another or removal of a building or structure from one location to another.
BEACH HOUSE
A structure, other than a dwelling, located upon or in close proximity to a strand or body of water, designed, used and intended for use only for recreational purposes by the owner and his guests, but not for pay or other consideration. No beach house shall contain facilities for cooking or a kitchen or kitchenette.
[Amended 2-17-1981 by L.L. No. 1-1981]
BUILDING
A combination of materials forming safe and stable construction which is adapted to permanent or continuous occupancy for residence, public, institutional or storage purposes; the term "building" shall be construed as if followed by the words "or parts thereof."
BUILDING COVER
The aggregate of the entire horizontal cross-section area of the main buildings and accessory buildings on a lot.
BUILDING LOT COVERAGE
The aggregate of the entire horizontal cross-section area of the main building and accessory buildings projected on a lot.
[Added 5-13-2003 by L.L. No. 3-2003]
BUILDING LINE
The line, established by this chapter or other applicable ordinances, beyond which line a building shall not extend, except as may specifically be provided by these regulations.
CABANA
Synonymous with "beach house" as hereinbefore defined.
CELLAR
That portion of a building, the ceiling of which is less than four feet six inches above finished grade measured from the mid point at the front of a building.
[Amended 5-13-2003 by L.L. No. 3-2003]
CLUB
An aggregation of persons constituting a voluntary association or a membership corporation, as the latter is defined in the Membership Corporation Law of the State of New York,[1] associated for the primary purpose of recreation or sport. A club shall not be organized or operated for the profit of its members nor be an adjunct to or operated by or in conjunction with any business.
CLUBHOUSE
A structure, other than a dwelling, used or designed or intended to be used by a club.
COMMERCIAL SIGN
A sign that includes the name, telephone number or logo (whether or not copyrighted) or that indicates that any item or service is available for sale or rent or that calls to mind or is otherwise used in connection with any type of commercial establishment not permitted to be conducted from a headquarters located in the Village.
[Added 1-9-1996 by L.L. No. 1-1996]
CORNER LOT
See "lot, corner."
DWELLING
Any building or portion thereof which is designed or used exclusively for residential purposes and permitted accessory uses therein.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY
A detached house consisting of or intended to be occupied as a residence by one family only, as family is hereinafter defined.
DWELLING UNIT
The dwelling accommodation occupied or intended to be occupied as a residence by one family only, as family is hereinafter defined.
ENERGY CODE
The State Energy Conservation Construction Code, as currently in effect and as hereafter amended from time to time.
[Added 12-12-2006 by L.L. No. 4-2006]
FAMILY
The following shall constitute a family hereunder:
[Amended 4-9-2013 by L.L. No. 1-2013]
(1) 
One, two or three persons occupying a dwelling unit; or
(2) 
Four or more persons occupying a dwelling unit and living together as a traditional family or the functional equivalent of a traditional family.
(a) 
Four or more persons living in a single dwelling unit who are not related by blood, marriage or legal custody shall create a rebuttable presumption that such persons do not constitute the functional equivalent of a traditional family.
(b) 
The foregoing presumption may be rebutted by submitting evidence to the Building Inspector that the following are present:
[1] 
The group is one which in theory, size, appearance, structure and function resembles a traditional family unit;
[2] 
The occupants share the entire dwelling unit and live and cook together as a single housekeeping unit. A unit in which various occupants act as separate roomers is not deemed to be occupied by the functional equivalent of a traditional family;
[3] 
The group shares expenses for food, rent or ownership costs, utilities and other household expenses;
[4] 
The group is permanent and stable. Evidence for such permanency and stability may include:
[a] 
The presence of minor dependent children regularly residing in the household who are enrolled in local schools;
[b] 
Members of the household have the same address for purposes of voter registration, driver's license, motor vehicle registration and filing of taxes;
[c] 
Members of the household are employed in the area;
[d] 
The household has been living together as a unit for a year or more whether in the current dwelling unit or other dwelling units;
[e] 
There is common ownership of furniture and appliances among the members of the household; and
[f] 
The group is not transient or temporary in nature.
[5] 
Any other factor reasonably related to whether the group is the functional equivalent of a family.
(3) 
In no case shall a lodging house, boardinghouse or dormitory be classified or construed as a single housekeeping unit or the occupants thereof be construed as a family.
FAMILY SWIMMING POOL
Any body of water or receptacle for water having a depth at any point greater than two feet, used or intended to be used for swimming or bathing and constructed, installed or maintained in or above the ground outside any building on the lot accessory to a dwelling.[2]
[Amended 8-26-1967]
FARMING
The practice of agriculture, as hereinbefore defined, principally for the owner or tenant of the premises.
[Amended 11-12-2013 by L.L. No. 4-2013]
FINAL DETERMINATION
A final determination by the Board, as defined in Chapter 51, §§ 51-3 and in 51-7.
[Added 12-10-1996 by L.L. No. 4-1996]
FLOOR AREA
The sum of the gross horizontal floor areas of the several floors of a building or buildings if connected, measured from the exterior face of exterior walls or from the center line of walls separating two buildings, excluding cellar and excluding that portion of an attic's floor space where the clearance under the beams and ceiling is less than six feet zero inches in height.
[Added 5-13-2003 by L.L. No. 3-2003]
FRONT LOT LINE
The property line separating the lot from the abutting street or streets which give access to the lot.
FRONT OF BUILDING
On an interior lot, that facade facing the front lot line.
[Added 5-23-1964]
GARAGE, PRIVATE
An accessory building used to accommodate one or more motor vehicles or conveyances owned and used by the owner or tenant of the premises, in which garage no business, service or occupation is conducted or rendered for profit.
GUESTHOUSE
An accessory building or that portion of an accessory building designed for the temporary use by guests of the occupants of the main premises as living quarters. No "guesthouse" shall contain facilities for cooking or a kitchen or a kitchenette.
[Amended 2-17-1981 by L.L. No. 1-1981]
HABITABLE ROOM
An undivided and enclosed space within a dwelling, which space is designed for or used for living, sleeping or kitchen facilities. The term excludes attics, bathrooms, cellars, corridors, hallways, laundries, serving pantries, storage rooms or similar places.
HAZARD NOTICE
A hazard notice as defined in Chapter 51, §§ 51-3, 51-6 and in 51-8.
[Added 12-10-1996 by L.L. No. 4-1996]
HEIGHT OF BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
The vertical distance of a building or structure measured from the average level of the existing undisturbed grade or the average level of the proposed final grade, whichever is more restrictive, along each side of the building or structure, to the highest point of the roof. Exceptions are noted in §121-17, Building heights.
[Amended 11-21-1995 by L.L. No. 6-1995; 8-15-2000 by L.L. No. 2-2000; 7-13-2004 by L.L. No. 2-2004; 12-29-2011 by L.L. No. 1-2011]
IMPROVED SURFACES
The aggregate of the entire horizontal cross-section area projected on a lot of all buildings and areas on the ground and elevated above the ground which are comprised of materials such as asphalt, concrete, masonry, wood, gravel or paving stones, including but not limited to elements such as a swimming pool, courtyard, volleyball court, tennis court and other areas used for recreational purposes, deck, patio, terrace and driveway, but excluding walkways four feet or less in width.
[Added 5-13-2003 by L.L. No. 3-2003]
LOT
A parcel of land, the dimensions and boundaries of which are evidenced by a deed or other instrument of conveyance, which is at least of the minimum size that may be occupied by one main building and accessory building or buildings, including the open spaces required by this chapter, which parcel of land has its principal frontage on a public street or on a private street of record at the time of the effective date of this chapter or which parcel of land has suitable access by right-of-way, easement, private street or road, suitably improved and of sufficient width to permit ingress and egress by Police and Fire Department vehicles and to permit two vehicles traveling in opposite directions to pass each other.
LOT AREA
The total horizontal area included within lot lines, excluding any part of an access road which is not a driveway for single use in connection with the lot.
LOT, CORNER
A lot fronting on two streets at their intersection. The owner, when first applying for a building permit, shall designate which of the two streets is to be the principal frontage for the purpose of establishing the front, rear and side yard requirements of the lot.
LOT DEPTH
The mean horizontal distance between front and rear lot lines, measured in the general direction of the side lot lines.
LOT IN SINGLE SEPARATE OWNERSHIP
A lot or parcel of land, the ownership of which, by a deed of bona fide conveyance or by a will or through intestacy or operation of law, is vested in a person or persons or a corporation owning no contiguous parcel of land, provided that such deed or will (as the case may be) by which such ownership is claimed to be separate has been recorded or probated or filed by court order prior to the adoption of this chapter or an amendment thereof which imposes new or enlarged area, width or other nonuse requirements upon such lots. A conveyance made without fair consideration (as defined in the Debtor and Creditor Law of the State of New York), reducing a lot or parcel of land in single ownership below the minimum lot size required by an amendment to this chapter and made after statutory notice of the pendency of a proposal for such an amendment has been given shall not be considered a bona fide conveyance within the meaning of the foregoing definition. Where, at the time of the effective date of this chapter or of an application for a zoning or building permit (whichever is later) with respect to any lot or parcel which is smaller in area or width than is prescribed by this chapter or an amendment hereof, the owner thereof owns or has an enforceable right to acquire other lots or parcels contiguous thereto, the lot for which such application is made shall not be construed to be in single separate ownership.
LOT, SUBSTANDARD
One which, at the effective date of this chapter or an amendment thereof imposing new or enlarged area width or other nonuse requirements upon such lot, is not of sufficient size to permit conformity with the minimum area, frontage, width, depth or other nonuse requirements upon such lot which are imposed by this chapter or by such amendment thereof and which lot at such time is in single separate ownership. No zoning or building permit shall be granted for any lot which has been made substandard by severance thereof from a lot or parcel of sufficient size to permit conformity with the requirements of this chapter or of such amendments thereto as may be effective at the time of the application for such permit.
LOT, THROUGH
A lot having frontage on two parallel or approximately parallel streets and extending from street to street.
LOT, WIDTH
The horizontal distance between the side lot lines.
MAIN BUILDING
The building designed for, occupied by or intended to accommodate the principal use or uses permitted on the property on which such building or use is located. The main building shall also be known as the principal building.
[Added 5-13-2003 by L.L. No. 3-2003]
NONCONFORMING BUILDING
Includes any building or structure existing at the date of enactment of this chapter which, at any particular time, does not conform to the regulations of this chapter prescribing minimum yards, maximum height, frontage, minimum lot area, maximum lot coverage and minimum open space in effect at such particular time. A "vested nonconforming building" is a nonconforming building, as defined above, lawfully occupied for a conforming or nonconforming use on the effective date of this chapter or of a subsequent amendment of the regulations hereof prescribing minimum yards, maximum height, frontage, minimum lot area, maximum lot coverage and minimum space.
NONCONFORMING USE
Includes any use, whether of a parcel or tract of land or of a building or structure or part thereof which, at any particular time, does not conform to the use regulations of this chapter in effect at such times. A "vested nonconforming use" is a nonconforming use, as defined above, lawfully engaged in on the effective date of this chapter or of a subsequent amendment of the use restrictions hereof.
OCCUPANCY PERMIT
Synonymous with a certificate of occupancy; it shall designate the existing use of land or buildings and certify to the lawfulness thereof.
PARKING AREA
An open, off-street land area which may be laid out in parking spaces with access and egress drives or aisles, used or required by this chapter for the temporary parking of automotive vehicles and in which area no gasoline or automobile accessories are or may be sold and no business is or may be conducted.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
A legally vested and enforceable means of ingress and egress to a lot for pedestrian and vehicular traffic, suitably improved for such purposes.
SIGN
Any single or multiple representation, lettering, letter, picture, design, number, logo (whether or not copyrighted), model, banner, symbol, flag (other than the flag of any nation, state or political subdivision thereof), pennant, insignia or device or any combination of the foregoing that is visible outside of the property on which located from any place in the Village or adjacent waters. For the purposes of this chapter, the word "sign" does not refer to or include governmental highway or traffic directional signs or street signs.
[Amended 1-9-1996 by L.L. No. 1-1996]
SIGN, TEMPORARY
Any sign, handbill, or poster which pertains to a particular event or occurrence, or which is placed to advertise or announce a specific event, and which is not designed or intended to be placed permanently. A political campaign sign is a form of temporary sign. For purposes of this definition, a temporary sign includes the frame or structure whose sole purpose is to support the sign, handbill, or poster.
[Added 10-11-2016 by L.L. No. 2-2016]
STABLE, PRIVATE
An accessory building used for the housing of one or more horses owned and used by the owner or tenant of the dwelling to which the stable is accessory; such horses not to be let for commercial livery.
STORY
The space between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor or roof next above, except that the topmost story shall be that portion of a building included between the surface of the topmost floor and the ceiling or roof above. A cellar, as defined herein, shall not be considered as a story. A "half-story" is that portion of a building between the surface of a floor and the roof construction next above, where the space thus enclosed has an average clear height of not more than five feet. In a dwelling, any floor used for habitable rooms shall be considered a story or half-story, as the case may be.
STREET
A way or thoroughfare, publicly or privately owned, which affords the principal means of access to abutting property.
STRUCTURE
Anything constructed or erected which requires location on or in the ground, or which is attached to something located on or in the ground, including but not limited to a building, garage, dwelling, corral and/or riding ring, stable, tennis court, swimming pool, beach house, platform, shed, shelter, dock or sign.
[Amended 8-26-1967; 1-8-1974; 5-9-1995 by L.L. No. 3-1995; 9-12-1995 by L.L. No. 5-1995; 4-8-2014 by L.L. No. 2-2014]
UNIFORM CODE
The New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, as currently in effect and as hereafter amended from time to time.
[Added 12-12-2006 by L.L. No. 4-2006]
USE
The purpose for which land or a building is arranged, designed or intended or for which either is or may be occupied or maintained.
VILLAGE
The Incorporated Village of Old Field.
WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM (WECS)
A machine that converts the kinetic energy of the wind into a usable form (commonly known as a "wind turbine" or "windmill") that drives an electrical generator. The WECS includes all parts of the system including the tower and the transmission equipment; the turbine or windmill may be on a horizontal or vertical axis, rotor or propeller.
[Added 7-13-2010 by L.L. No. 3-2010]
YARD
An open space, which open space is unoccupied and unobstructed (save for trees and natural ground cover) from the ground to the sky along the entire length of a lot line and from the lot line for a depth or width prescribed in the applicable yard regulations.
YARD, FRONT
The yard extending across the full width of the lot and lying between the front lot line and the front building line.
YARD, REAR
The yard between the rear building line and the rear lot line and extending from side lot line to side lot line. On a corner lot, the rear yard shall extend from the interior side lot line to the exterior side yard on the street side.
YARD, SIDE
A yard between the side building line and the adjacent side line of the lot and extending through from the front yard to the rear yard or, in the absence of either of such yards, extending to the front and rear lot line, as the case may be. On a corner lot, the exterior side yard shall extend from the front yard to the rear lot line.
ZONING PERMIT
A permit for those uses and activities upon a lot which are regulated or restricted by the provisions of this chapter or any amendments thereto, but which do not involve the erection of a building or structure to which the Building Code of the Village is applicable.[3]
[1]
Editor's Note: According to an historical note to N-PCL § 101, "Section 2 of L.1969, c. 1066, eff. Sept. 1, 1970, provided: 'The membership corporations law is hereby repealed.' The subject matter is now covered by this chapter."
[2]
Editor's Note: For related provisions, see § 121-31 and Ch. 99, Swimming Pools.
[3]
Editor's Note: The Village of Old Field enforces the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code as the Building Code of the Village.