The following rules of construction apply to
the text of this chapter:
A.Â
The particular shall control the general.
B.Â
In case of any difference of meaning or implication
between the text of this chapter and any caption or illustration,
the text shall control.
C.Â
The word âshallâ is always mandatory and
not discretionary; the word âmayâ is permissive.
D.Â
Words used in the present tense shall include the
future. Words used in the singular number shall include the plural,
and the plural the singular, unless the context clearly indicates
the contrary.
E.Â
The word âbuildingâ includes the word
âstructure.â A building or structure includes any part
thereof.
F.Â
The phrase âused forâ includes âarranged
for,â âdesigned for,â âintended for,â
âmaintained forâ or âoccupied for.â
G.Â
The word âpersonâ includes an individual,
a corporation, a partnership, an incorporated association, or any
other similar entity.
H.Â
Unless the context clearly indicates the contrary,
where a regulation involves two or more items, conditions, provisions,
or events connected by the conjunction âand,â âorâ
or âeither/or,â the conjunction shall be interpreted as
follows:
(1)Â
And. âAndâ indicates that all connected
items, conditions, provisions, or events shall apply.
(2)Â
Or. âOrâ indicates that the connected
items, conditions, provisions, or events may apply singly or in any
combination.
(3)Â
Either/or. âEither/orâ indicates that
the connected items, conditions, provisions or events shall apply
singly but not in combination.
I.Â
Terms not herein defined shall have the meanings customarily
assigned to them.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
A use which is clearly incidental to, customarily found in
connection with, and (except in the case of accessory off-street parking
spaces and loading) located on the same zoning lot as the principal
use to which it is related. When âaccessoryâ is used in
the text, it shall have the same meaning as âaccessory use.â
An âaccessory useâ includes, but is not limited to, the
following:
Swimming pools for use of the occupants of a
residence, or their guests.
Domestic or agricultural storage in a barn,
shed, tool room, or similar accessory building or other structure.
Home occupations when carried on by the owner
resident of the dwelling and when no physical or visual affects are
observed beyond the walls of the residence.
A newsstand primarily for the convenience of
the occupants of a building, which is located wholly within such building
and has no exterior signs or displays.
Storage of merchandise normally carried in stock
in connection with a business or industrial use, unless such storage
is excluded in the applicable district regulations.
Storage of goods used in or produced by industrial
uses or related activities, unless such storage is excluded in the
applicable district regulations.
Accessory off-street parking spaces, open or
enclosed, subject to the accessory off-street parking regulations
for the district in which the zoning lot is located.
Accessory off-street loading, subject to the
off-street loading regulations for the district in which the zoning
lot is located.
Accessory signs, subject to the sign regulations
for the district in which the zoning lot is located.
Boathouses used for the accessory storage of
not more than two boats on any lot or parcel.
Any dedicated public way affording a secondary means of access
to abutting property, and not intended for general traffic circulation.
Any change, addition, or modification in construction or
type of occupancy; any change in the structural members of a building,
such as walls or partitions, columns, beams or girders, the consummated
acts of which may be referred to herein as âalteredâ or
âreconstructed.â
The dwelling units in a multiple dwelling as defined herein:
EFFICIENCY APARTMENTA dwelling unit containing not over 500 square feet of floor area, and consisting of not more than one room in addition to kitchen, dining, and necessary sanitary facilities.
[Amended 1-7-2013 by Ord. No. 308]
ONE-BEDROOM UNITA dwelling unit containing a minimum floor area of at least 500 square feet per unit, consisting of not more than two rooms in addition to kitchen, dining, and necessary sanitary facilities.
TWO-BEDROOM UNITA dwelling unit containing a minimum floor area of at least 700 square feet per unit, consisting of not more than three rooms in addition to kitchen, dining, and necessary sanitary facilities.
THREE-OR-MORE-BEDROOM UNITA dwelling unit wherein, for each room in addition to the three rooms permitted in a two-bedroom unit, there shall be provided an additional area of 200 square feet to the minimum floor area of 700 square feet. For the purpose of computing density, a three-bedroom unit shall be considered as a four-room unit, and each increase in a bedroom over three shall be an increase in the room count by one over the four.
Includes engine rebuilding, rebuilding or reconditioning
of motor vehicles; collision service, such as body, frame or fender
straightening and repair; overall painting and undercoating of automobiles.
Includes repair or replacement of automotive components for
maintenance purposes; such as tires, mufflers, glass, etc. This does
not include any item described by the definition of âgeneral
automotive repair.â
A space, building or structure designed or used for the retail
sales or supply of fuels, lubricants, air, water and other operating
commodities for motor vehicles.
That portion of a building between the floor and ceiling,
which is partly below and partly above ground level, but so located
that the vertical distance from grade to the floor below is greater
than the vertical distance from grade to ceiling. A basement shall
not be considered as a story.
 |
A secondary use which is subordinate to a one-family dwelling
unit in which transient guests are provided sleeping room and board
in return for payment.[1]
The property abutting one side of a street and lying between
the two nearest intersecting streets (crossing or terminating), or
between the nearest such street and railroad right-of-way, unsubdivided
acreage, river or live stream or between any of the foregoing and
other barrier to the continuity of development, or corporate boundary
lines of the Township.
A dwelling in which lodging or meals, or both, are furnished
to guests for compensation.
An unenclosed area that may or may not have a roof, designed
to serve as a mooring place for watercraft.
An unenclosed apparatus for lifting watercraft.
A house or shed for sheltering one or more boats.
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls
and intended for the shelter, housing, or enclosure of any individual,
animal, process, equipment, goods or materials of any kind or nature.
This shall include vehicles situated on private property and used
for the purpose of a building and tents and awnings used for other
than recreational purposes.
[Amended 10-20-2003 by Ord. No. 280]
The area defined by lines drawn parallel to the front, rear,
and side area lines, at a distance designated by the setback requirements
of the zoning district and within which the main building shall be
located.
The vertical distance measured from the established grade
to the highest point of the roof surface for flat roofs and to the
average height between eaves and ridge for gable, hip, and gambrel
roofs. Where a building is located on sloping terrain, the height
may be measured from the average ground level of the grade at the
building wall.
[Amended 1-7-2013 by Ord. No. 308]
 |
A line formed by the face of the building, and for the purposes
of this chapter, a minimum building line is the same as a front setback
line.
An establishment where human patients who are not lodged
overnight are admitted for examination and treatment by a group of
physicians, dentists or similar professions.
An organization of persons for special purposes or for the
promulgation of sports, arts, sciences, literature, politics, or the
like, but not operated for profit.
All areas bounded by the front yard area line, the rear yard
area line and the side yard area lines.
A structure with sleeping rooms where persons are housed
or lodged and are furnished with meals, nursing and medical care.
CHILD DAY-CARE CENTERA facility other than a private residence receiving more than six preschool or school-age children for group care for periods of less than 24 hours a day and where the parents or guardians are not immediately available to the child.
FAMILY DAY-CARE HOMEA private home in which one to six minor children are received for care and supervision for periods of less than 24 hours a day, unattended by a parent or legal guardian, except children related to an adult member of the family by blood, marriage or adoption. A family day-care home includes one where care to an unrelated minor child occurs for more than four weeks during a calendar year.
GROUP DAY-CARE HOMEA private home in which more than six but not more than 12 minor children are given care and supervision for periods of less than 24 hours a day unattended by a parent or legal guardian, except children related to an adult member of the family by blood, marriage or adoption. A group day-care home includes one where care to an unrelated minor child occurs for more than four weeks during a calendar year.
The construction of a new building or other structure on
a lot, the relocation of an existing building on another lot, or the
use of open land for a new use.
A portion of the unincorporated area of the Township within
which certain regulations and requirements, or various combinations
thereof, apply under the provisions of this chapter.
A business establishment so developed that its retail or
service character is dependent on providing a driveway approach or
parking spaces for motor vehicles so as to serve patrons while in
the motor vehicle rather than within a building or structure.
ONE-FAMILY DWELLINGA building designed exclusively for and occupied exclusively by one family.
TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGA building designed exclusively for occupancy by two families living independently of each other.
MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLINGA building or portion thereof, designed exclusively for occupancy by three or more families, living independently of each other.
A building, or portion thereof, designed for occupancy by
one family for residential purposes and having cooking facilities.
MANUFACTURED DWELLING UNITA dwelling unit, which is substantially built, constructed, assembled, and finished off the premises upon which it is intended to be located.
SITE-BUILT DWELLING UNITA dwelling unit, which is substantially built, constructed, assembled, and finished on the premises, which is intended to serve as its final location. Site-built dwelling units shall include dwelling units constructed of pre-cut materials, and panelized wall, roof, and floor sections when such sections require substantial assembly and finishing on the premises which are intended to serve as its final location.
Whenever in this chapter reference is made to the âmunicipality,â
âEast China Townshipâ or the âTownship,â it
shall mean East China Charter Township.
DEPENDENTElderly housing provided in a multiple-family housing form with central dining facilities provided as a basic service to each unit.
INDEPENDENTElderly housing provided for in a multiple-family housing form with full facilities for self-sufficiency in each individual unit.
Built, constructed, altered, reconstructed, moved upon, or
any physical operations on the premises which are required for construction.
Excavation, fill, drainage, and the like shall be considered a part
of erection.
The erection, construction, alteration or maintenance by
public utilities or municipal departments of underground, surface,
or overhanging electrical, steam fuel or water transmission or distribution
systems, collection, communication, supply or disposal systems, including
towers, poles, wires, mains, drains, sewers, pipes, conduits, cables,
fire alarm and police call boxes, traffic signals, hydrants and similar
equipment in connection therewith, but not including buildings which
are necessary for the furnishing of adequate service by such utilities
or municipal departments for the general health, safety, or welfare.
Any breaking of ground, except common household gardening
and ground care.
A single individual or group of individuals living together
whose relationship is of a continuing, nontransient, domestic character
and who are cooking and living together as a single, housekeeping
unit. This shall not include any society, club, fraternity, sorority,
associate, lodge, coterie, organization, or other group whose relationship
is of a profit motivated, transitory, or seasonal nature or for anticipated
duration of school terms or other similar determinable periods.
The land, plants, animals, buildings, structures, including
ponds used for agricultural or aquaculture activities, machinery,
equipment, and other appurtenances used in farm operations and the
commercial production of farm products.
[Amended 6-9-2021 by Ord. No. 320]
The operation and management of a farm or a condition or
activity that occurs at any time as necessary on a farm in connection
with the commercial production, harvesting, and storage of farm products.
[Amended 6-9-2021 by Ord. No. 320]
Those plants and animals useful to human beings produced
by agriculture and includes, but is not limited to, forages and sod
crops, grains and feed crops, field crops, dairy and dairy products,
poultry and poultry products, Cervidae, livestock, including breeding
and grazing, equine, fish, and other aquaculture products, bees and
bee products, berries, herbs, fruits, vegetables, flowers, seeds,
grasses, nursery stock, trees and tree products, mushrooms, and other
similar products, or any other product which incorporates the use
of food, feed, fiber, or fur, as determined by the Michigan Commission
of Agriculture.
[Amended 6-9-2021 by Ord. No. 320]
GROSS FLOOR AREAThe sum of the gross horizontal areas of several floors of a building or buildings, measured from the exterior faces of the exterior walls. In particular, floor area includes basement space, elevator shafts or stairwells; floor space for mechanical equipment, penthouses, balconies, mezzanines, enclosed porches, and accessory buildings; attic floor space (whether or not floors have been laid) providing structural headroom of seven feet six inches. Gross floor area shall not include elevator or stair bulkheads; accessory water tanks or cooling towers; uncovered steps; attic spaces less than seven feet six inches; and open porches, terraces or breezeways, provided that not more than 50% of the perimeter of such terrace, breezeway or open porch is enclosed.
[Amended 10-20-2003 by Ord. No. 280]
RESIDENTIAL FLOOR AREAFor the purposes of computing the minimum allowable floor area in a residential dwelling unit, the sum of the horizontal areas of each story of the building shall be measured from the exterior walls or from the center line of walls separating two dwelling units. The floor area measured is exclusive of areas devoted to basements, unfinished attics, attached garages, breezeways, and enclosed and unenclosed porches.
[Amended 10-20-2003 by Ord. No. 280]
USABLE FLOOR AREA (FOR COMPUTING PARKING)That area used for or intended to be used for the sale of merchandise or services, or for use to serve patrons, clients, or customers. Such floor area, which is used or intended to be used principally for the storage or processing of merchandise, hallways, or for utilities or sanitary facilities, shall be excluded from this computation of usable floor area. Measurement of usable floor area shall be the sum of the horizontal areas of the several floors of the building, measured from the interior faces of the exterior walls.
 |
COMMERCIAL PARKING GARAGEA building or other structure which is used for the storage of boats for hire or parking of motor vehicles and is not accessory to a use on the same or another zoning lot.
PRIVATE GARAGEAny detached accessory building that is a minimum of 400 square feet in size, or a portion of a main building designed or used mainly for the storage of motor-driven vehicles, boats, and similar vehicles owned and used by the occupants of the building to which it is accessory.
[Amended 12-20-2010 by Ord. No. 305; 1-7-2013 by Ord. No.
308]
SERVICE GARAGEAny premises used for the storage or care of motor-driven vehicles, or where any such vehicles are equipped for operation, repaired, or kept for remuneration, hire, or sale.
All areas outside of the condominium lots, including right-of-way.
The ground elevation established for the purpose of regulating
the number of stories and the height of the building. The building
grade shall be the level of the ground adjacent to the walls of the
building if the finished grade is level. If the ground is not entirely
level, the grade shall be determined by computing the average elevation
of the ground for each face of the building, and taking the average
of said total averages.
A building or part of a building, with a common
entrance or entrances, in which the dwelling units or rooming units
are used primarily for transient occupancy, and in which one or more
of the following services are offered:
A hotel may include a restaurant or cocktail
lounge, public banquet halls, ballrooms, or meeting rooms.
An open area where waste, used or secondhand materials are
bought and sold, exchanged, stored, baled, packed, disassembled, or
handled, including but not limited to scrap iron and other metals,
paper, rags, rubber tires, and bottles. A junkyard includes automobile
wrecking yards and includes any area of more than 200 square feet
for storage, keeping or abandonment of junk, but does not include
uses established entirely within enclosed buildings.
Any lot or premises on which three or more dogs, cats or
other household pets are either permanently or temporarily boarded.
Kennel shall also include any lot or premises where household pets
are bred or sold.
The areas within a condominium lot that are outside of the
building envelope.
A parcel of land occupied, or intended to be occupied, by
a main building or a group of such buildings and accessory buildings,
or utilized for the principal use and uses accessory thereto, together
with such yards and open spaces as are required under the provisions
of this chapter. A lot may or may not be specifically designated as
such on public records.
CORNER LOTA lot where the interior angle of two adjacent sides at the intersection of two streets is less than 135°. A lot abutting upon a curved street or streets shall be considered a corner lot for the purposes of this chapter if the arc is of less radius than 150 feet and the tangents to the curve, at the two points where the lot lines meet the curve or the straight street line extended, form an interior angle of less than 135°.
INTERIOR LOTAny lot other than a corner lot.
THROUGH LOTAny interior lot having frontage on two more or less parallel streets as distinguished form a corner lot. In the case of a row of double frontage lots, all yards facing a street shall be considered frontage and front yard setbacks shall be provided as required.
[Amended 1-7-2013 by Ord. No. 308]
ZONING LOTA single tract of land, located within a single block, which, at the time of filing for a building permit, is designated by its owner or developer as a tract to be used, developed, or built upon as a unit, under single ownership or control. A zoning lot shall satisfy this chapter with respect to area, size, dimensions, and frontage as required in the district in which the zoning lot is located. A zoning lot, therefore, may not coincide with a lot of record, but may include it.
 |
The total horizontal area within the lot lines of the lot.
 |
The part or percent of the lot occupied by buildings, including
accessory buildings.
The horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines,
measured along the median between the side lot lines.
The lines defining the limits of a lot as described herein:
FRONT LOT LINE In the case of an interior lot, that line separating said lot from the street. In the case of a corner lot, or double frontage lot, it is that line separating said lot from either street.
REAR LOT LINE That lot line opposite the front lot line. In the case of a lot pointed at the rear, the rear lot line shall be an imaginary line parallel to the front lot line, not less than 10 feet long lying farthest from the front lot line and wholly within the lot.
SIDE LOT LINE Any lot line other than the front lot line or rear lot line. A side lot line separating a lot from a street is a side street lot line. A side lot line separating a lot from another lot or lots is an interior side lot line.
A parcel of land, the dimensions of which are described in
a document or shown on a map on file with the County Register of Deeds
or in common use by city, township, or county officials, and which
actually exists as so shown, or any part of such parcel held in a
record ownership separate from that of the remainder thereof.
The horizontal distance between the side lot lines, measured
at the two points where the building line, or setback line, intersects
the side lot lines.
A building in which is conducted the principal use of the
lot upon which it is situated.
The principal use to which the premises is devoted and the
principal purpose for which the premises exists.
An arterial street which is intended to serve as a large
volume traffic way for both the immediate Township area and the region
beyond, and may be designated as a major thoroughfare, parkway, freeway,
expressway, or equivalent term to identify those streets comprising
the basic structure of the major thoroughfare plan for East China
Charter Township. Any street with a width, existing or proposed, of
120 feet shall be considered as a major thoroughfare.
A service roadway parallel to a feeder road; and which provides
access to abutting properties and protection from through traffic.
The condominium document recording the condominium project
to which are attached as exhibits and incorporated by reference the
bylaws for the project and the plan for the project.
The comprehensive plan, including graphic and written proposals,
indicating the general location for streets, parks, schools, public
buildings, and all physical development of the Township and includes
any unit or part of such plan, and any amendment to such plan or parts
thereof. Such plan may or may not be adopted by the Planning Commission
and/or the Township Board.
Any facility or location where medical marijuana is grown
or possessed for the purpose of distributing to a registered primary
caregiver who does not reside at or own the location where the medical
marijuana is grown or cultivated, or any facility or location where
medical marijuana is grown, processed, possessed or cultivated for
the purpose of distributing the medical marijuana to more than the
cumulative total of five qualified patients.
[Added 3-21-2011 by Ord. No. 306]
An intermediate floor in any story occupying not to exceed
1/3 of the floor area of such story.
 |
Self-storage spaces designed and used for the purpose of
renting or leasing individual storage space to tenants who have access
to such space for the purpose of storing and removing personal property.
[Added 10-20-2003 by Ord. No. 281]
A series of attached, semidetached or detached rental units
containing a bedroom, bathroom and closet space. Units shall provide
for overnight lodging and are offered to the public for compensation
and shall cater primarily to the public traveling by motor vehicle.
A building or portion thereof lawfully existing at the effective
date of this chapter, or amendments thereto, and that does not conform
to the provisions of this chapter in the district in which it is located.
A use which lawfully occupied a building or land at the effective
date of this chapter, or amendments thereto, and that does not conform
to the use regulations of the district in which it is located.
A space, building or structure, or combination thereof, for
the storage of live trees, shrubs, or plants offered for retail sale
on the premises, including products used for gardening or landscaping.
The definition of ânurseryâ within the meaning of this
chapter does not include any space, building or structure used for
the sale of fruits, vegetables or Christmas trees.
An offensive, annoying, unpleasant, or obnoxious thing or
practice; a cause or source of annoyance, especially a continuing
or repeating invasion of any physical characteristics of activity
or use across a property line which can be perceived by or affects
a human being; or the generation of an excessive or concentrated movement
of people or things, such as:
Noise.
Dust.
Smoke.
Odor.
Glare.
Fumes.
Flashes.
Vibration.
Shockwaves.
Heat.
Electronic or atomic radiation.
Objectionable effluent.
Noise of congregation of people, particularly
at night.
Vehicular traffic.
Invasion of nonabutting street frontage by traffic.
A facility providing vehicular parking spaces along with
adequate drives and aisles for maneuvering, so as to provide access
for entrance and exit for the parking of more than three vehicles.
That part of a zoning lot, including courts or yards, which:
Is open and unobstructed from its lowest level
to the sky; and
Is accessible to all residents upon the zoning
lot; and
Is not part of the roof of that portion of a
building containing dwelling units; and
Is the roof of an attached garage if said roof
is used for a swimming pool deck or recreational deck; and is not
higher than 23 feet above grade; and is directly accessible by a passageway
from the residential buildings.
A business establishment so developed that service to the
patron may be extended beyond the walls of the structure through an
exterior service window or other similar form of opening in the building,
allowing the patron to remain outside and not requiring the patron
to enter the structure. The term "open storefront" shall not include
automobile repair stations or automobile service stations.
[Amended 4-19-2004 by Ord. No. 285; 1-7-2013 by Ord. No. 308]
An area of definite length and width, said area shall be
exclusive of drives, aisles or entrances giving access thereto, and
shall be fully accessible for the storage or parking of permitted
vehicles.
An antenna used to send or receive PWS signals.
[Added 11-6-2006 by Ord. No. 293]
As initially defined by the Telecommunications Act of 1996
to include commercial mobile services, unlicensed wireless services
and common carrier wireless exchange access services and intended
to include telecommunications by cellular, personal communications
service (PCS) or specialized mobile radio (SAR) methods.
[Added 11-6-2006 by Ord. No. 293]
A structure used to support PWS antennas.
[Added 11-6-2006 by Ord. No. 293]
A freestanding structure, attached to the ground and used
to support PWS antennas.
[Added 11-6-2006 by Ord. No. 293]
The main use to which the premises is devoted and the principal
purpose for which the premises exists.
A person, firm, or corporation, municipal department, board
or commission duly authorized to furnish and furnishing under governmental
regulations to the public, gas, steam, electricity, sewage disposal,
communication, telegraph, transportation or water.
For the purpose of determining lot area, requirements and
density in a multiple-family district, a living room, dining room,
and bedroom, equal to at least 80 square feet in area. A room shall
not include the area in kitchens, sanitary facilities, utility provisions,
corridors, hallways, and storage. Plans presently showing one-bedroom,
two-bedroom or three-bedroom units and including a den, library or
other extra room shall count such extra room as a bedroom for the
purpose of computing density.
The distance required to obtain minimum front, side or rear
yard open space provisions of this chapter. Setback from a public
street shall be measured from the existing or proposed right-of-way
line, whichever is greater.
[Amended 10-20-2003 by Ord. No. 280]
Words, numerals, figures, devices, designs, or trademarks,
either permanent or temporary, which are visible to the general public
and used to make known a product, message, individual, firm, service,
profession, business or other entity. A sign shall include the following
types:
ACCESSORY SIGNA sign related to the principal use of the premises.
ADVERTISING SIGNA nonaccessory sign not relating to a business, use, or service on the premises upon which the sign is placed.
BILLBOARDA nonaccessory sign generally of a larger size than an advertising sign.
BULLETIN BOARD or ANNOUNCEMENT SIGNA business sign of the following nature:
BUSINESS SIGNAn accessory sign related to the business, activity, or service conducted on the premises upon which the sign is placed.
CANOPY SIGNA sign attached to the underside of a canopy, marquee, awning, or other covered structure projecting from and supported by a building.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNA sign to direct vehicular or pedestrian traffic to parking areas, loading areas, or portions of a building and not containing any form of advertising or logos.
FESTOON SIGNA business sign where incandescent light bulbs, banners, pennants, or other similar features or devices are strung or hung overhead and are not an integral physical part of the building or structure they are intended to serve.
A sign that intermittently reflects lights from
either an artificial source or the sun; or
A sign which has movement or any illumination
such as intermittent, flashing, scintillating, or varying intensity;
or
A sign that has any visible portions in motion,
either constantly or at intervals, which motion may be caused either
by artificial or natural sources.
FREESTANDING SIGNA ground or pylon sign.
GROUND SIGNA permanent sign, not a pylon sign and not attached to any building, and supported by uprights, braces, or some object on the ground. The height of such a sign shall not be over eight feet above grade.
IDENTIFICATION AND NAMEPLATE SIGNA sign stating the name of a person, firm, or description of a certain permitted use.
NONACCESSORY SIGNA sign not related to the principal use of the premises.
POLITICAL SIGNA sign relating to the election of a person to public office, a political party, or a matter to be voted upon at an election called by a public body.
PORTABLE SIGNA sign affixed to a vehicle or trailer, or any other sign not permanently attached to the ground which can be moved or transported.
PROJECTING SIGNA sign attached to a building or other structure and extending in whole, or in part, more than 12 inches beyond the surface of the portion of the building line or extending over public property.
PYLON SIGNAn elevated sign with a clear space of not less than 10 feet between the bottom of the face of the sign and the grade.
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT SIGNA sign indicating the proposed start of or availability of a subdivision or other real estate development.
REAL ESTATE SIGNA business sign placed upon a property advertising that particular property for sale, rent, or lease.
WALL SIGNA sign erected on or fastened against the wall or roof area of a building structure with the exposed face of the sign in a plane approximately parallel to the plane of such wall and generally extending not more than 12 inches beyond the surface of the building, wall, or roof area on which erected or fastened.
The total area of a sign included within the square, rectangle,
triangle, circle, or area caused by encompassing the outermost portions
of the sign or around the outermost edges of a sign formed of letters
or symbols only. An area so created shall include all solid surfaces,
as well as all openings, and shall include all sides serving as a
sign surface.
That part of a building, except a mezzanine as defined herein,
included between the surface of one floor and the surface of the next
floor, or, if there is not floor above, then the ceiling next above.
A âstoryâ thus defined shall not be counted as a story
when more than 50%, by cubic content, is below the height level of
the adjoining ground.
An uppermost story lying under a sloping roof having an area
of as least 200 square feet with a clear height of seven feet six
inches. For the purposes of this chapter, the usable floor area is
only that area having at least four feet clear height between floor
and ceiling.
A public dedicated right-of-way, other than an alley, which
affords the principal means of access to abutting property.
Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires
location on the ground or attachment to something having location
on the ground.
A use or building permitted by the Board of Appeals to exist
during a specified period of time.
Any vehicle designed, used, or so constructed as to permit
its being used as a conveyance upon the public streets or highways
and constructed in such a manner as will permit occupancy thereof
as a dwelling or sleeping place for one or more persons.
Any plot of ground upon which two or more trailer coaches,
occupied for dwelling or sleeping purposes, are located.
The principal purpose for which land or a building is arranged,
designed or intended, or for which land or a building is or may be
occupied.
In reference to site condominium developments, yard area
lines are considered equal to lot lines as defined in this chapter.
The open spaces on the same lot with a main building, unoccupied
and unobstructed from the ground upward except as otherwise provided
in this chapter, and as defined herein:
[Amended 11-2-2015 by Ord. No. 314]
FRONT YARDAn open space extending the full width of the lot, the depth of which is the minimum horizontal distance between the front lot line and the nearest point of the main building. All yards abutting on a street shall be considered as front yards for setback purposes.
NONREQUIRED YARDAn open space between the minimum setback line and the main building. The nonrequired yard is the additional yard area that the building is set back beyond the minimum setback requirement for the district.
REAR YARDAn open space extending the full width of the lot, the depth of which is the minimum horizontal distance between the rear lot line and the nearest point of the main building. In the case of a corner lot, the rear yard may be opposite either street frontage.
REQUIRED YARDAn open space between the lot line and the minimum setback line. The required yard corresponds to the minimum setback requirement for the district.
SIDE YARDAn open space between a main building and the side lot line, extending from the front yard to the rear yard, the width of which is the horizontal distance from the nearest point on the side lot line to the nearest point of the main building.
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EXCEPTION Exceptions are intended to accommodate instances where the provisions of this chapter are not precise enough to cover all situations without interpretation. The granting of an exception does not require a finding of undue hardship but is permitted only when specifically referenced in this chapter and only after review of an application by the Board of Appeals or Planning Commission.
VARIANCEA modification of the literal provisions of this chapter granted when strict enforcement of this chapter would cause undue hardship or practical difficulty owing to circumstances unique to the individual property on which the variance is granted.
