The words and terms listed below shall have the following meanings:
ABUTTING
Contiguous or adjoining; having property or zoning district
lines in common, or separated by a right-of-way.
ACCESS
A means of approach, to provide vehicular or pedestrian physical
entrance to a property.
ACCESSORY BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
A building or structure detached from a principal building
on the same lot and customarily incidental and subordinate to the
principal building or use. Where an accessory building or structure
is attached to the principal building in a substantial manner, as
by a wall or roof, such accessory building shall be considered a part
of the principal building.
ACCESSORY USE
A use of land, or a building or structure or portion thereof,
customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use of the
land or building or structure and located on the same lot with such
principal use.
ACREAGE, GROSS
The total amount of area, including land unsuitable for development.
ACREAGE, NET
The total area of land suitable for development.
ADDITION
Any construction that increases the gross floor area of a
building or structure, or results in an expanded footprint of a building
or structure on the ground.
ADJACENT AREA
Within an Architectural District, the "adjacent area" to
a lot upon which residential construction is proposed shall include
the properties within the district containing the next two primary
residential structures on each side of the lot in question. "Adjacent
area" shall also include any structure on any lot in the district
across the street from the lot of proposed construction, any lot lines
of which, when extended, would cross any part of any of the lots noted
above.
ADMINISTRATOR
The Zoning Administrator of the City of Colonial Heights,
or an authorized agent thereof.
ALLEY
A right-of-way that provides secondary vehicle and service
access to abutting properties that have frontage on one or more streets.
ALTERATION
Any change or rearrangement in the supporting members of
an existing building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams, girders
or interior partitions, or any enlargement or reduction of a building
or structure, whether horizontally or vertically, or the moving of
a building or a structure from one location to another.
AMENDMENT
A modification to this chapter, including the text or associated
maps that have been approved by the Colonial Heights City Council.
ANTENNA
A communication device that transmits or receives electromagnetic
signals. Antennas may be directional, including panels and microwave
dishes, or omni-directional including satellite dishes, whips, dipoles,
and parabolic types. An antenna does not include the tower or other
supporting structure to which it is attached.
AWNING
A shelter constructed of rigid or non-rigid materials on
a supporting framework, either freestanding, or projecting from and
supported by an exterior wall of a building.
BASEMENT
That portion of a building that is partly or completely below
grade plane. A basement shall be considered a story above grade where
the finished surface of the floor above the basement is (i) more than
six feet above grade, (ii) more than six feet above grade for more
than 50% of the total building perimeter, or (iii) more than 12 feet
above the finished ground at any point.
BERM
A landscaped earthen mound, incorporated as part of a site
design, and intended to enhance the compatibility of abutting or nearby
properties through the mitigation of sound, the screening of views,
and/or the visual enhancement of a property's landscaped character.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMP)
A practice, or combination of practices as determined by
the appropriate state and/or local agencies to be the most effective,
practical means of preventing or reducing the amount of pollution
generated by nonpoint sources to a level compatible with the water
quality goals of the City of Colonial Heights and/or the Commonwealth
of Virginia.
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
The City of Colonial Heights Board of Zoning Appeals, also
referred to in this chapter as the BZA.
BOAT
A small vessel propelled on water by oars, sails, or an engine.
[Added 8-1-2017 by Ord.
No. 16-29]
BODY PIERCING
The creation of an opening in an individual's body, other
than an individual's ear, to insert jewelry or another decoration.
BOX TRUCK
A commercial type motor vehicle with an enclosed loading
space with a rear or side door for loading.
[Added 8-1-2017 by Ord.
No. 16-29]
BUCKET TRUCK
A commercial type motor vehicle with an aerial work platform
at the end of a hydraulic lifting system. Other common names are boom
lift, cherry picker, or basket crane.
[Added 8-1-2017 by Ord.
No. 16-29]
BUFFER AREA
(Chesapeake Bay Overlay District) An area of natural or established
vegetation managed to protect other components of a resource protection
area and state waters from significant degradation due to land disturbances.
BUFFER YARD
A yard improved with screening and/or landscaping materials
required between abutting zoning districts of differing intensities
or between adjoining land uses for the purpose of decreasing the adverse
impact of differing uses and districts.
BUILDING
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls
and intended for the shelter, housing or enclosure of any individual,
animal, activity, process, equipment, goods or materials of any kind.
BUILDING, COVERAGE
That portion of a lot, which when viewed from directly above,
would be covered by any building or structure. For the purposes of
this definition, lot shall include contiguous lots of the same ownership
within a single zoning district which are to be used, developed or
built upon as a unit.
BUILDING, HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the average adjoining
grade on all sides of a building or structure to the highest point
of a flat roof, the deck line of a mansard roof, or in the case of
a pitched, gambrel or hip roof, the mean level between the eaves and
the highest point of the roof.
BUILDING LINE, FRONT
When viewed from above, the line, parallel to the street
right-of-way, that passes through the point of the principal building
nearest the street right-of-way.
BUILDING LINE, REAR
When viewed from above, the line, parallel to the rear lot
line, that passes through the point of the principal building nearest
the rear lot line.
BUILDING LINE, SIDE
When viewed from above, the line, parallel to a side lot
line, that passes through the point of the principal building nearest
the side lot line.
BUS
A commercial type motor vehicle used to transport a large
capacity of passengers, equipment, and/or luggage.
[Added 8-1-2017 by Ord.
No. 16-29]
CAMPER
A trailer that is pulled with a motorized vehicle that is
fit or suitable for recreational camping which generally contains
facilities for sleeping and cooking.
[Added 8-1-2017 by Ord.
No. 16-29]
CAREGIVER
An adult who provides care for a mentally or physically impaired
person within the Commonwealth. A caregiver shall be either related
by blood, marriage, or adoption to or the legally appointed guardian
of the mentally or physically impaired person for whom he is caring.
CERTIFICATE OF ZONING COMPLIANCE
For the purposes of this chapter, official certification
that premises conform to all applicable provisions of the City of
Colonial Heights Zoning Ordinance and may be lawfully used or occupied.
CHANNEL
A perceptible natural or artificial waterway which periodically
or continuously contains moving water confined to a definite bed and
banks.
CHESAPEAKE BAY PRESERVATION AREA (CBPA)
Any land designated by the City Council pursuant to Part
111, 9 VAC 10-20-10 et seq. of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area
Designation and Management Regulations, and § 10.1-2107
of the Code of Virginia. A "Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area" shall consist of
a resource protection area and a resource management area.
CITY CHARTER
The Charter of the City of Colonial Heights Virginia.
CLUSTER SUBDIVISION
An alternative means of subdividing land that concentrates
building density in specific areas of a site to allow the remaining
land to be permanently reserved for the preservation of environmentally-sensitive
features and open space.
COMMERCIAL DELIVERY
The delivery of goods, products, materials or other items
associated with a home occupation by any means or frequency other
than that which would normally occur in a residential neighborhood.
COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of the City of Colonial Heights,
Virginia.
CONCRETE MIXER TRUCK
A commercial type motor vehicle having a rotating drum on
an inclined axis used to discharge concrete.
[Added 8-1-2017 by Ord.
No. 16-29]
CONDOMINIUM
A building or group of buildings, created pursuant to the
Virginia Condominium Act, § 55-79.39 et seq., Code of Virginia,
in which units are owned individually, and the structure, common areas
and facilities are owned by all the owners on a proportional, undivided
basis.
CONSTRUCTION, NEW
Structures for which construction commenced on or after the
effective date of this chapter and including any subsequent improvements
to such structures.
COUNCIL
The City Council of Colonial Heights, Virginia.
CRAWL SPACE
A space at least 18 inches in height under the first floor
of a structure between the grade and the bottom of the floor joists.
DECK
An exterior floor supported on at least two opposing sides
by an adjacent structure, and/or posts, piers, or other independent
supports.
DEDICATION
The transfer of private property to public ownership upon
written acceptance.
DENSITY
The number of dwelling units permitted per unit of land,
commonly expressed as dwelling units per acre.
DEVELOPMENT
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate
including but not limited to buildings or other structures, the placement
of manufactured homes, streets and other paving, utilities, filling,
grading, excavation, mining, dredging, or drilling operations.
[Amended 8-14-2012 by Ord. No. 12-16]
DEVELOPMENT FOOTPRINT
The horizontal perimeter of any cleared, graded, disturbed
or otherwise modified areas that when viewed directly from above is
inclusive of any existing or proposed buildings or structures, parking
and loading areas and any other surfaces that are impermeable or substantially
impervious to stormwater or have been disturbed or modified as a result
of existing or proposed development of redevelopment of a site.
[Added 8-9-2011 by Ord. No. 11-16]
DISTRICT
A zoning district as described and permitted by § 15.2-2280
et seq. of the Code of Virginia.
DONATION COLLECTION BIN
Any portable outdoor container intended or used for the collection
and temporary storage of donated goods, such as but not limited to
clothing, shoes, toys, books, and similar household items. The term
“donation collection bin” shall not include solid waste
or recycling containers or receptacles.
[Added 1-14-2020 by Ord.
No. 19-28]
DRIVEWAY
A private roadway providing access for vehicles to a parking
space, garage, dwelling, or other structure.
DUMP TRUCK
A commercial type motor vehicle having an open-box bed, which
is hinged at the rear and lifts at the front, used to transport loose
material and to be unloaded behind the truck.
[Added 8-1-2017 by Ord.
No. 16-29]
DWELLING UNIT
A room or group of rooms connected together containing cooking,
bathroom and sleeping facilities constituting a separate, independent
housekeeping unit, physically separated from any other dwelling unit
in the same structure.
EASEMENT
A portion of a lot or acreage reserved for present or future
use by a person or entity other than the fee simple owner of the lot
or acreage. Easements may exist on the ground, or under or above the
lot or acreage.
ESTABLISHMENT
Any business, enterprise or other land use permitted by this
chapter.
EXTERIOR APPEARANCE
Architectural character, general arrangement of the exterior
of a structure, general composition, including the kind, permanent
color (excluding paint) and texture of the building material and type
and character of all windows, doors, light fixtures, signs and appurtenant
elements.
FAMILY
One or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption,
or under approved foster care, or a group of not more than four persons
(including domestic help) living together as a single housekeeping
unit.
FLATBED TRUCK
A commercial type motor vehicle having an entirely flat and
level platform body.
[Added 8-1-2017 by Ord.
No. 16-29]
FLOOR AREA, FINISHED
The sum of the horizontal areas of a building which is intended
for human habitation and use and which has a floor to ceiling height
of 6 1/2 feet or greater. Areas excluded from the finished floor
area would include unfinished basements and attics, storage and utility
rooms, and garages.
FLOOR AREA, GROSS
The sum of the horizontal areas of the several stories of
a building, measured from the exterior faces of exterior walls, or
in the case of a common wall separating two buildings, from the center
line of such common wall. Gross floor area shall exclude interior
parking and loading spaces, and airspace above atriums.
GARAGE, PRIVATE
A building for the private use of the owner or occupant of
a principal residential building situated on the same lot as the principal
building for the storage of motor vehicles.
GLARE
The effect produced by lighting, with a brightness or intensity
sufficient to cause annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance
and visibility.
GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITY
Any or all of the services provided by the City to its citizens
for the purpose of maintaining the City, and shall include but shall
not be limited to such services as constructing, repairing and maintaining
roads and sewage facilities, supplying and treating water, providing
streetlights, and constructing public buildings.
HIGHLY ERODIBLE SOILS
Soils (excluding vegetation) with an erodibility index (EI)
from sheet and riff erosion equal to or greater than eight. The erodibility
index for any soil is defined as the product of the formula "RKLST,"
where "K" is the soil susceptibility to water erosion in the surface
layer; "R" is the rainfall and runoff; "LS" is the combined effects
of slope length and steepness; and "T" is the soil loss tolerance.
HIGHLY PERMEABLE SOILS
Soils with a given potential to transmit water through the
soil profile. "Highly permeable soils" are identified as any soil
having a permeability equal to or greater than six inches of water
movement per hour in any part of the soil profile to a depth of 72
inches (permeability groups "rapid" and "very rapid") as found in
the "National Soils Handbook" of November 1996, in the "Field Office
Technical Guide" of the United States Department of Natural Resources
Soil Conservation Service.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
Any area delineated by City Council and consisting of public
or private property within the City containing one or more historic
landmarks as established by the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission
or one or more areas, neighborhoods, sites, places, structures, objects,
artifacts or buildings in which historic events occurred or reflecting
significantly the lives of historic personages or great ideas or ideals
of the people or having special public value because of notable architectural
or other features relating to the cultural and artistic heritage of
the community, state or nation, including but not limited to archaeological,
architectural, economic, ethnic, military, natural, political, religious
or social factors. Such landmarks, buildings, structures or areas
shall have been designated by City Council as being of such historic,
architectural or cultural interest and significance as to warrant
conservation and preservation.
IMPERVIOUS COVER
A surface composed of any material that significantly impedes
or prevents natural infiltration of water into the soil. Impervious
surfaces include but are not limited to roofs, buildings, streets,
parking areas and any concrete, asphalt or compacted gravel surface.
INFILL
Utilization of vacant land in previously developed areas.
LAND DISTURBING ACTIVITY
Any land change which may result in soil erosion from water
or wind and the movement of sediments into state waters or onto lands
in the Commonwealth, including, but not limited to, clearing, grading,
excavating, transporting and filling of land.
LANDSCAPING
The improvement of the appearance of an area by the planting
of trees, grass, shrubs, or other plant materials.
LOADING SPACE, OFF-STREET
Space for bulk pick-ups and deliveries, scaled to delivery
vehicles expected to be used and accessible to such vehicles when
required off-street parking spaces are filled.
LOT
A parcel of land intended to be separately owned, developed,
or otherwise used as a unit, established by plat, subdivision, or
as otherwise permitted by law.
LOT, CORNER
A lot abutting on two or more streets at their intersection,
or on two parts of the same street forming an interior angle of less
than 135°.
LOT COVERAGE
That portion of a lot, which when viewed from directly above,
would be covered by any building or structure, parking and loading
areas and other surface which is impermeable or substantially impervious
to stormwater. Gravel parking areas shall be considered impervious.
For the purposes of this definition, lot shall include contiguous
lots of the same ownership within a single zoning district which are
to be used, developed or built upon as a unit.
LOT, DEPTH
The average horizontal distance between front and rear lot
lines.
LOT, FLAG LOT
A panhandle or flag-shaped lot with its widest point (called
the "flag") set back from the road at the rear of another lot, and
having a thin strip of land (called the "pole") with a minimum width
of 28 feet connecting to the road to provide legal access and frontage.
LOT, FRONTAGE
The horizontal distance between the side lot lines measured
at the point where the side lot lines intersect the street right-of-way.
All sides of a lot which abuts a street shall be considered frontage.
On curvilinear streets the arc between the side lot lines shall be
considered the lot frontage.
LOT, IRREGULAR
A lot of such a shape or configuration that technically meets
the area, frontage and width to depth requirements of this chapter
but meets these requirements by incorporating unusual elongations,
angles, curvilinear lines unrelated to topography or other natural
land features.
LOT OF RECORD
A lot which has been recorded in the office of the Clerk
of the appropriate court.
LOT, WIDTH OF
The mean horizontal distance between the side lot lines.
The mean shall consist of the straight line horizontal distances of
the front and rear lot lines and the distance of a line connecting
the midpoints of the side lot lines. Provided however, that for a
flag-lot, no part of the pole shall be considered in calculating such
distances.
LOWEST FLOOR
The lowest enclosed area, including basement, of any structure.
An unfurnished or flood-resistant enclosure usable solely for the
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 enclosure is not built so as to render the structure
in violation of the applicable non-elevation design requirements of
this chapter.
MANUFACTURED HOME
A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which
in the traveling mode is eight feet or more in width or 40 feet or
more in length, or, when erected or placed on a site, is 400 or more
square feet, 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 the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating,
air-conditioning, and electrical systems contained therein. The term
includes any structure that meets all of the requirements of this
definition except the size requirements and with respect to which
the manufacturer voluntarily files a certification required by the
United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and complies
with the standards established under Title 42 of the United States
Code. A manufactured home shall contain one dwelling unit. Some manufactured
homes are also referred to as mobile homes.
MENTALLY OR PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED PERSON
A person who is a resident of Virginia and who requires assistance
with two or more activities of daily living, as defined in § 63.2-2200
of the Code of Virginia as certified in a writing provided by a physician
licensed by the Commonwealth.
MODULAR HOME
A dwelling unit constructed on-site in accordance with the
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and composed of components
substantially assembled in a manufacturing plant and transported to
the building site for final assembly on a permanent foundation.
MONOPOLE
A single pole structure, usually self supporting, used to
support antennas.
NATURAL WATERCOURSE
Any natural stream, river, creek, waterway, gully, or wash
in which water flows in a definite direction or course, either continuously
or intermittently, and has a definite channel, bed and banks.
NONCONFORMING LOT
A lot, the area, dimensions or location of which was lawful
at the time the lot was created, but which fails to conform to the
current standards and regulations due to the adoption, revision or
amendment of this chapter.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE
Any structure the size, dimensions or location of which was
lawful when erected or altered, but which fails to conform to the
current standards and regulations due to the adoption, revision or
amendment of this chapter.
NONCONFORMING USE
A use or activity which was lawful when originally established,
but which fails to conform to the current standards and regulations
due to the adoption, revision or amendment of this chapter.
NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION
Pollution consisting of constituents such as sediment, nutrients
and organic and toxic substances from diffuse sources, such as runoff
from agriculture and urban land development and use.
NOT-FOR-PROFIT
An organization or activity which has obtained nontaxable
status from the U. S. Internal Revenue Service.
NOXIOUS WEEDS
Weeds that are difficult to control effectively, such as
Johnson grass, kudzu and multiflora rose.
OPEN SPACE
Any parcel or area of land or water essentially unimproved
and set aside, dedicated or reserved for public or private use or
enjoyment, or for the use and enjoyment of owners and occupants of
land adjoining or neighboring such open space. Open space may be passive
or active. Passive open space remains in a completely undeveloped
state and lacks formal facilities. Active open space has developed
facilities such as recreation centers, playgrounds, swimming pools,
tennis and basketball courts, and similar facilities.
OPEN SPACE, COMMON
Land within or related to a development, not individually
owned or dedicated for public use, which is intended for the common
use or enjoyment of the residents of the development and may include
such complementary structures as are necessary and appropriate. Common
open space may include recreation centers, playgrounds, swimming pools,
tennis and basketball courts, and similar facilities.
OPEN SPACE, UNUSABLE
Any area of open space considered as undevelopable acreage
based on the presence of one or more of the following:
(1)
Resource protection areas and resource management areas, which
must be preserved to mitigate impacts to the water quality of adjacent
streams or water bodies.
(4)
Endangered native plant and animal life pursuant to the Virginia
Department of Conservation and Recreation's 2003 Natural Heritage
Plan.
OPEN SPACE, USABLE
Any area of open space that is designated for community recreational
uses, to include but not limited to uses such as swimming pools, athletic
fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, golf courses, playgrounds,
boating docks, walking, bridle and bicycle trails.
OUTDOOR DISPLAY
The display and sale of products primarily outside of a permanent
building or structure, including vehicles, garden supplies, plant
materials, tires, oil and other vehicle maintenance supplies, food
and beverages, fireworks and holiday decorations.
OUTDOOR STORAGE
The keeping, in other than a building, of any goods, materials,
or merchandise on the same parcel for more than 24 consecutive hours.
OVERLAY DISTRICT
A district established by this chapter to prescribe special
regulations to be applied to a site in combination with the underlying
or base district.
PATIO
A level landscaped or surfaced area, constructed of any materials,
directly adjacent to a principal building, and without walls or a
roof.
PERENNIAL
Occurring or existing on a regular or continual basis.
PERSON
Any corporation, association, partnership, one or more individuals
or any unit of government or agency.
PHASE
A component of a PUD that encompasses 20% or more of the
PUD.
PLANNED RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION
A development, constructed on a tract of at least five acres,
planned and developed as an integral residential neighborhood unit.
The subdivision shall consist of five or more lots of five acres or
less, each lot designed and intended for the construction of a residential
dwelling.
PORCH
Roofed open areas, which may be glazed or screened, usually
attached to or part of and with direct access to or from, a building.
PRINCIPAL USE
The main use of land or structures as distinguished from
a secondary or accessory use.
PRIVATE
Unless otherwise specifically indicated, private shall mean
anything not owned, operated, provided and/or maintained by a local,
state, or federal government.
PRIVATE FARMERS' MARKET
The open air sale of agricultural products such as vegetables,
fruits, herbs, grains, mushrooms, flowers, potted or bedding plants,
honey, meat, dairy or eggs directly to the public by a group of farmers
or producers that occurs on a regular basis (no more than once per
week for a minimum of 12 weeks in a calendar year) on privately owned
land. Handcrafted products (such as wooden furniture, or textiles)
or value added products (such as jam or beeswax candles) or other
handmade food products (such as baked goods) may be sold; but sellers
of these goods may not comprise the majority of the vendors. Flea
markets, yard sales, wayside stands, auctions, and the sale of items
from a truck are not "private farmers' markets."
[Added 12-13-2016 by Ord.
No. 16-24]
PUBLIC
Unless otherwise specifically indicated, public shall mean
anything owned, operated, provided and/or maintained by a local, state,
or federal government.
PUBLIC WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS
A water or sewer system owned and operated by: (1) a municipality,
public service authority or county; or, (2) a private individual or
a corporation approved and properly licensed by the State Corporation
Commission prior to the adoption date of this chapter; and meeting
the requirements of the State Health Department and/or Virginia Department
of Environmental Quality.
RECREATIONAL OR UTILITY TRAILER
A small nonmotorized vehicle which is generally pulled by
a motorized vehicle and features an open-top or enclosed rear cargo
area and is used for the hauling of light loads.
[Added 8-1-2017 by Ord.
No. 16-29]
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
A large motorized vehicle that often contains a bathroom,
kitchen, and beds for use during travel and camping; commonly referred
to as an RV.
[Added 8-1-2017 by Ord.
No. 16-29]
REDEVELOPMENT
The process of developing land that is or has been previously
developed.
REPLACEMENT COST
The cost of restoring a damaged building or structure to
its original condition. Replacement cost shall include reasonable
estimates of the cost of materials and labor and shall be compared
with the assessed value as determined by the City of Colonial Heights
to determine the percentage of the cost of improvements.
RESOURCE PROTECTION AREA (RPA)
That component of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area comprised
of lands adjacent to water bodies with perennial flow that have an
intrinsic water quality value due to the ecological and biological
processes they perform or are sensitive to impacts which may result
in significant degradation to the quality of state waters.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
A legally established area or strip of land, either public
or private, on which an irrevocable right of passage has been recorded.
SCREENING
A method of visually shielding or obscuring one or more abutting
or nearby structures or uses from other structures or uses by fencing,
walls, berms or by densely planted vegetation. Screening is intended
to substantially obscure the visual impacts between adjoining uses.
SETBACK
The minimum distance by which any building or structure must
be separated from a street right-of-way or lot line.
SHOPPING CENTER
A group of commercial establishments planned, constructed
and managed as a total entity with shared access, customer and employee
parking provided on site, provision of goods' delivery separated from
customer access, aesthetic considerations and protection from the
elements.
SHORELINE
A boundary line between a body of water and the land. This
line shall consist of the sloping margin of, or the ground bordering
a stream, river, reservoir, lake etc., and serve to define the limits
of, and confine the waters to, the natural channel or impoundment
during periods of normal flow or volume.
SIGN
Any letters, figures, designs, symbol, trademark, advertisement
or illuminating device intended to attract attention to any place,
subject, person, firm, corporation, public performance, article, machine
or merchandise, that is painted, printed or constructed and displayed
in any manner out-of-doors for recognized advertising purposes, and
any advertising structure to which such letters, figures, designs,
symbol, trademark, advertisement or illuminating device may be attached.
SIGN, ADVERTISING
Any temporary sign, attached to a structure or freestanding,
used for a commercial message.
SIGN, ARCADE
Any sign projecting beneath the underside of any structural
overhang or passageway.
SIGN, AWNING
Any sign attached to, displayed on, or incorporated within
an awning.
SIGN, BANNER
Any temporary sign of lightweight fabric or similar material
that is mounted to a pole or a building by a permanent frame at one
or more edges.
SIGN, BILLBOARD
Any sign outside of the public street, road and highway rights-of-way
which (a) is 10 feet or more in height or 32 square feet or more in
area, or both; and (b) advertises any business, commodity, service,
facility, activity or entertainment sold or offered or conducted elsewhere
than upon the same parcel of land where the sign is located.
SIGN, BUILDING
Any sign supported by uprights or braces or any other devices,
or painted on or otherwise attached to any building or structure,
and not meeting the definition of a freestanding sign.
SIGN, BULLETIN BOARD
Any freestanding sign listing the names, times, use and locations
of various services, offices or activities within a building or group
of buildings of (a) a public or semiprivate use, (b) a not-for-profit
or religious use, or (c) a medical office, clinic or hospital.
SIGN, CANOPY
Any sign attached to, displayed on, or incorporated within
a canopy.
SIGN, CONSTRUCTION
Any temporary sign identifying the architect, developer,
engineer, financier, contractor or other individual or firm involved
with construction, including announcements of the character of the
building, enterprise or purpose for which the building is intended.
SIGN, DIRECTIONAL
Any sign whose major purpose is to direct attention to the
location of any business, commodity, service, facility or entertainment
conducted, sold or offered upon the same lot where the sign is erected.
SIGN, DISPLAY OF MERCHANDISE
The out-of-doors display of merchandise labeled or conspicuously
sited denoting items for sale on the premises.
SIGN, FREESTANDING
Any sign supported by uprights or braces placed on or in
the ground, or any object on the ground, not attached to any building.
SIGN, GROUND
Any freestanding sign less than eight feet in height.
SIGN, HISTORICAL MARKER
Any historical marker, monument, sign or notice, on public
or private property or any public street, road or highway, bearing
any legend, inscription or notice which purports to record an historical
event, incident or fact directed in the City of Colonial Heights,
conforming to the requirements of Title 10.1, Chapter 22, of the Code
of Virginia.
SIGN, INCIDENTAL
Any signs secondary to the primary designation or advertising
of premises, including but not restricted to directional signs and
historical markers.
SIGN, MARQUEE
Any canopy or covered structure, supporting a sign, projecting
from or extending beyond a building facade when such canopy or covered
structure is supported by the building. This category shall include
signs mounted upon a cantilever where there is no other structural
purpose for the cantilever.
SIGN, MULTI-TENANT
Any freestanding sign that contains three or more independent
businesses or uses.
SIGN, OFF-SITE
A sign which advertises a commodity, product, service, activity
or any other person, place or thing, which is not located, found,
or sold on the premises upon which such sign is located.
SIGN, PLAQUE
A thin flat plate or tablet intended for ornamentation, used
only for building or occupant identification and bearing no advertisement.
SIGN, POLE
Any freestanding sign which is eight feet or more in height.
SIGN, POLITICAL
Any temporary sign relating to the election of a person to
public office, to a political party or to a matter to be voted upon
at an election called by a duly constituted and recognized public
body.
SIGN, PORTABLE
Any temporary sign, including traffic control message sign,
which by its construction or nature may be or is intended to be freely
moved from one location to another.
SIGN, PROJECTING
Any sign not otherwise defined by this section which is attached
to a building or other structure and extends beyond the vertical surface
of that portion of the building or structure to which it is attached,
or any sign and/or advertising structure which extends more than 15
inches from the face of the wall or structure. "Horizontal projecting
sign" means any sign which is greater in width than in height. "Vertical
projecting sign" means any sign which is greater in height than in
width.
SIGN, REAL ESTATE
Any temporary sign advertising the sale, rental or lease
of the premises or part of the premises on which the sign is displayed.
SIGN, ROOF
Any sign erected, constructed or maintained wholly or partially
upon or over the roofline of any building, with the principal structural
support on the roof structure. This term shall include any sign, otherwise
classified, which protrudes above the roofline.
SIGN, SANDWICH
Any temporary portable freestanding sign, characterized by
an A-frame or other similar shape or design.
SIGN, SPECIAL EVENT
Any temporary sign used to promote fund-raisers or other
similar events that benefit religious, charitable, military, fraternal
or community service organizations or that promotes employee safety
or similar corporate or organizational promotional activities.
SIGN, TEMPORARY
Any sign, banner or advertising display or sign constructed
of light fabric, cardboard, wallboard, paper or other light materials,
with or without frames, intended to be displayed for a limited period
of time. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, national
flags, state or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution
or business, shall not be considered a temporary sign.
SIGN, VEHICLE-MOUNTED
Any temporary sign painted on or attached to a vehicle, which
sign relates to the business, activity, use, service or product of
the owner of the vehicle or to the sale of the vehicle and which sign
is incidental to the primary use of the vehicle.
SIGN, WALL
Any sign which is affixed directly to, painted on or otherwise
inscribed on a wall or parapet wall of any building or structure,
with the exposed face of the sign in a plane approximately parallel
to the plane of such wall and extending therefrom less than 18 inches.
A wall sign projecting above the top of the wall to which it is attached
shall be considered a roof sign.
SIGN, WIND-DRIVEN
Temporary signs that include banners, balloons, inflatables
and strings of pennants or flags that are used for advertising or
display.
SIGN, WINDOW
Any permanent sign oriented to the public right-of-way, legible
to pedestrians or persons in vehicles, or identifiable from an adjoining
property line, and placed either on the outside of a window, on the
inside face of a glass window or inside a building and within a distance
of the window such that it is intended for viewing from the exterior.
SIGN, YARD SALE
A temporary sign used to display advertising for yard or
garage sales.
SILVICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Forest management activities, including but not limited to
the harvesting of timber, the construction of roads and trails for
forest management purposes, and the preparation of property for reforestation
that are conducted in accordance with the silvicultural best management
practices developed and enforced by the State Forester pursuant to
§ 10.1-1105 of the Code of Virginia and are located on property
defined as real estate devoted to forest use under § 58.1-3230
of the Code of Virginia.
SLOPE, STEEP
Terrain generally classified as having a 25% vertical rise
to the horizontal run.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
A use with operating and/or physical characteristics different
from those uses permitted by right in a given zoning district which
may, nonetheless, be compatible with those by-right uses under special
conditions and with adequate public review. Special exceptions are
allowed only at the discretion and approval of City Council following
review and recommendation by the Planning Commission and staff.
SPECIFIED ANATOMICAL AREAS
(a) Less than completely and opaquely covered: (1) Human
genitals, pubic region, (2) buttock, and (3) female breast below a
point immediately above the top of the areola; and (b) human male
genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely
covered.
SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIES
(a) Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal;
(b) acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse, or sodomy; and
(c) fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region,
buttock, or female breast.
STEALTH DESIGN
Any tower that is designed so that all of its structural
components including the associated antenna are camouflaged, disguised
or otherwise hidden for the purpose of making the tower and antennae
unnoticeable to the casual observer, or otherwise unrecognizable as
a tower.
STOOP
A platform, without a roof, located at the entrance of a
building with sufficient area to facilitate only the ingress and egress
to the building.
STORAGE CONTAINER, PORTABLE OR MOBILE
A portable or moveable, weather-resistant receptacle designed
and used for the storage or shipment of household goods, wares, valuables,
or merchandise (typically known as PODS, MODS, etc.)
[Added 8-1-2017 by Ord.
No. 16-29]
STORY
That portion of a building included between the surface of
any floor and the floor next above it, or if there is not a floor
above it, then the space between the floor and the ceiling above it.
STREET
Any vehicular way which: (1) is an existing federal, state
or municipal roadway: or, (2) is shown on a plat approved pursuant
to law; or, (3) is approved by other official action. The term street
shall include road and highway. Unless otherwise indicated, the term
street shall refer to both public and private streets.
STREET, CUL-DE-SAC
A street with only one outlet and an appropriate turnaround
for a safe and convenient reversal of traffic movement.
STRUCTURE
Anything that is constructed or erected with a fixed location
on the ground, or attached to something having a fixed location on
the ground, including but not limited to buildings, signs, manufactured
homes and swimming pools. Walls and fences shall not be deemed structures
except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter.
STUDIO, TATTOO
An establishment where tattooing and/or body piercing is
performed as the principal business activity.
SUBSTANTIAL ALTERATION
Expansion or modification of a building or site which would
result in a disturbance of land exceeding an area of 2,500 square
feet.
SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE
Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the
cost of restoring the structure to its condition before damage would
equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure before such
damage occurred.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT
Any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure,
the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the
structure either before the improvement or repair is started, or if
the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage
occurred. This term includes structures which have incurred "substantial
damage" regardless of the actual repair work performed. For the purpose
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. The term does not, however,
include either any project for improvement for a structure to comply
with existing state or county health, sanitary or safety code specifications
which are solely necessary to assure safe living condition or any
alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic
Places or the state landmarks register.
SUBSTANTIAL MODIFICATION
Within a PUD, any change that significantly alters and/or
impacts the character of an approved master plan.
TANKER TRUCKS
A commercial type motor vehicle having a cylindrical tank
lying on chassis and designed to carry liquids or gases.
[Added 8-1-2017 by Ord.
No. 16-29]
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The transmitting and receiving of electromagnetic signals
through the atmosphere.
TIDAL SHORE or SHORE
Land contiguous to a tidal body of water between the mean
low water level and the mean high water level.
TOW TRUCK or WRECKER
A commercial type motor vehicle used to recover and tow disabled
vehicles. There are three main types of tow trucks: flatbed, wheel-lift,
and hook and chain.
[Added 8-1-2017 by Ord.
No. 16-29]
TRANSIENT
For purposes of this ordinance, transient shall refer to
the limited, temporary and/or short-term occupancy, associated with
the hotel/motel/motor lodge or extended stay lodging use types. Transient
occupants must have, and be able to demonstrate that they maintain,
a principal place of permanent residence elsewhere.
USE
An activity on the land other than development, including
but not limited to agriculture, horticulture and silviculture.
VARIANCE
A reasonable deviation from the provisions regulating the
size or area of a lot or parcel of land, or the size, area, bulk or
location of a building or structure in accordance with, and as further
defined in § 15.2-2201 of the Code of Virginia.
WATER-DEPENDENT FACILITY
A development of land that cannot exist outside of the resource
protection area and must be located on the shoreline by reason of
the intrinsic nature of its operation. These facilities include but
are not limited to ports; the intake and outfall structures of power
plants; sewers; marinas and other boat docking structures; beaches
and other public water-oriented recreation areas; and fisheries or
other marine resources facilities.
WETLANDS
All areas defined by the United States Army Corps of Engineers
as wetlands.
WETLANDS BOARD
A board of seven members as provided in § 28.2-1303
of the Code of Virginia.
WETLANDS, NONTIDAL
Those wetlands other than tidal wetlands that are inundated
or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration
sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support,
a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated
soil conditions, as defined by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency pursuant to Section 404 of the Federal Clean Water Act, in
33 CFR 328.3b, dated November 13, 1986.
WETLANDS, NONVEGETATED
All that land lying contiguous to mean low water and which
land is between mean low water and mean high water not otherwise included
in the term "vegetated wetlands" as defined herein.
WETLANDS, TIDAL
Vegetated and nonvegetated wetlands as defined in § 28.2-1300
of the Code of Virginia.
WETLANDS, VEGETATED
All that land lying between and contiguous to mean low water
and an elevation above mean low water equal to the factor 1.5 times
the mean tide range at the site of the proposed project in this City,
and upon which is growing on the effective date of this chapter or
grown thereon and subsequent thereto anyone or more of the following:
salt marsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), saltmeadow hay (Spartina
patens), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), black needlerush (Juncus
roemerianus), saltwort (Salicornia species), sea lavender (Limonium
species), marsh elder (Iva frutescent), groundsel bush (Baccaharis
halimifolia), wax myrtle (Myrica species), sea oxeye (Borrichia frutescent),
arrow arum (Peltandra virginica), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata),
big cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides), rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides),
wild rice (Zizania aquatica), bulrush (Scirpus validus), spikerush
(Eleocharis species), sea rocket (Cakile edentula), southern wild
rice (Zizaniopsis miliacea), cattails (Typha species), three-squares
(Scirpus species), buttonbush (Cephalianthus occidentalis), bald cypress
(Taxodium distichum), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), tupelo (Nyssa aquatica),
dock (Rumex species), yellow pond lily (Nuphar species), marsh fleabane
(Pluchea purpurascens), royal fern (Osmunda regalis), march hibiscus
(Hibiscus moscheutos), beggar's tick (Bidens species), smartweed (Polygonum
species), arrowhead (Sagittaria species), sweet flag (Acorus calamus),
water hemp (Amaranthus cannabinus), reed grass (Phragmites communis)
and switch grass (Panicum virgatum).
YARD
A required open space on a lot, unoccupied and unobstructed
from the ground upward, unless otherwise provided by this chapter.
YARD, FRONT
A yard between the front building line and the street right-of-way
extending across the full width of the lot.
YARD, REAR
A yard between the rear line of the building and the rear
line of the lot extending the full width of the lot.
YARD, SIDE
A yard between the side line of the building and the side
line of the lot extending from the front lot line to the rear lot
line.
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
The Zoning Administrator of the City of Colonial Heights,
Virginia, or an authorized agent thereof, also referred to in this
chapter as the Administrator.