Chapter 11.04 DEFINITIONS

Chapter and section headings contained herein shall not be deemed to govern, limit, modify or in any manner affect the scope, meaning or intent of any section hereof.

(Ord. 824 § 200, 2-8-60)

11.04.010 Tenses.

The present tense includes the future and the future the present.

(Ord. 824 § 201, 2-8-60)

11.04.015 Singular-plural usage.

The singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.

(Ord. 824 § 202, 2-8-60)

11.04.020 Accessory.

ACCESSORY means a use, a building, a portion of a building or structure, which is subordinate to and the use of which is incidental to that of the main building, structure, or use on the same lot. Except for a carport open on three sides, if an accessory building is attached to the main building either by a common wall, or if the roof of the accessory building is a continuation of the roof of the main building, such accessory building shall be considered a part of the main building. No accessory structure shall have plumbing, except for laundry facilities.

(Ord. 1669 § 1, 11-12-85: Ord. 824 § 203, 2-8-60)

11.04.022.5 Hall for rent.

HALL FOR RENT means a room, or rooms, available for rent for assembly, banquets, dances or other large social or business gatherings, including social or private clubs renting out room(s) for events. This use requires a conditional use permit.

(Ord. 2201 § 1 (part), 10-11-05)

11.04.025 Administrative use permit.

An ADMINISTRATIVE USE PERMIT is a permit issued by the community development director, either for the use of a single-family residence as a large family day care home (as provided for in Section 11.35.020), or for certain types of recycling facilities (as provided for in Chapter 11.54).

(Ord. 1859 § 1, 1-28-91)

11.04.027 Adult-oriented business.

(1) “ADULT-ORIENTED BUSINESS” means any one of the following:

(a) “ADULT ARCADE” means any commercial establishment where coin or slug operated or electronically, electrically or mechanically controlled amusement devices, still or motion picture machines, projectors or other image-producing devices are maintained to show images on a regular or substantial basis, where the images so displayed are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.

(b) “ADULT CABARET” means any nightclub, restaurant, bar, or other commercial establishment, whether or not serving alcoholic beverages, which features live performances by topless and/or bottomless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, wrestlers, and/or similar entertainers and such performances are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.

(c) “ADULT DANCE STUDIO” means any commercial establishment which provides for members of the public, a partner for dance, where the partner exposes specified anatomical areas or the dance is distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on specified sexual activities.

(d) "ADULT HOTEL" OR "MOTEL" means any hotel or motel or similar business establishment offering public accommodations for any form of consideration which, (1) provides patrons with closed-circuit television transmission, films, computer-generated images, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or other photographic reproductions thirty percent or more of the number of which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis upon specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas; and (2) rents, leases, or lets any room for less than a six-hour period, or rents, leases, or lets any single room more than twice in a twenty-four hour period.

(e) "ADULT MOTION PICTURE THEATER" means any business where, for any form of consideration, films, computer-generated images, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides or similar photographic reproductions are shown, and thirty percent or more of the number of which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis upon the depiction or description of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.

(f) "ADULT SPECIALTY SHOP" means any commercial establishment having as thirty percent of its stock in trade, material on display or available for sale or rent or for viewing on the premises which is distinguished or characterized by its emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to specified special activities or specified anatomical areas. This includes stock in books, magazines, periodicals or other printed materials, or of photographs, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, tapes, records or other form of visual or audio representations which are distinguished or characterized by its emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to specified special activities or specified anatomical areas.

(g) "ADULT THEATER" means any theater, concert hall, auditorium, or similar establishment, where for any form of consideration regularly or substantially features live performances which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on the display of specified anatomical areas or specified sexual activities.

(h) "MODELING STUDIO" means any business establishment where, for any form of consideration, hire or reward figure models who, for the purposes of sexual stimulation of patrons, display specified anatomical areas to be observed, sketched, painted, photographed, sculpted, or other depicted by persons paying such consideration. "Modeling studio" does not include schools maintained pursuant to standards set by the State Board of Education, and a studio or similar facility owned, operated or maintained by an individual artist or group of artists.

(i) "SEXUAL ENCOUNTER CENTER" means any business establishment where, for any form of consideration, provides a place where three or more persons, not all members of the same family, may congregate, assemble or associate for the purpose of engaging in specified sexual activities or exposing specified anatomical areas.

(j) Any other business or establishment which offers its patrons services or entertainment distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing, or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.

(2) For purposes of this definition of "adult-oriented businesses," the following terms are defined as follows:

(a) "Distinguished or characterized by an emphasis upon" means and refers to the dominant or essential theme of the object described by such phrase.

(b) "Specified anatomical areas" means and includes any of the following:

(i) Less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals or pubic region, buttocks and female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola;

(ii) Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered; and

(iii) Any device, costume or covering that simulates any of the body parts included in subdivisions (i) or (ii) of this section (b).

(i) The fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, anus, or female breast;

(ii) Sex acts, actual or simulated, including sexual intercourse, oral copulation, anal intercourse, oral-anal copulation, bestiality, coprophilia, fellatio, necrophilia, pedophilia, sodomy, direct physical stimulation of unclothed genitals, masochism or sexually oriented torture, or the use of excretory functions in the context of a sexual relationship;

(iii) Human or animal masturbation, actual or simulated.

(3) Exemptions. This section shall not apply to the following businesses or activities:

(a) Physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, osteopaths, or physical therapists who are duly licensed to practice their respective professions in the state.

(b) Electrolysis treatment by a licensed operator of electrolysis equipment.

(4) Zoning Requirements. For the zoning requirements of an adult-oriented business, see Section 11.18.010, subdivision (1.5), of the South Gate Municipal Code.

(Ord. 2030 § 1, 1-13-98; Ord. 1610 § 1, 6-25-84: Ord. 1532 § 1, 8-23-82 (repealed))

11.04.030 Alley.

ALLEY means a public thoroughfare or way having a width of not less than fifteen feet which affords only a secondary means of access to abutting property.

(Ord. 824 § 205, 2-8-60)

11.04.035 Amendment.

AMENDMENT means a change in the wording, context or substance of this title, or a change in the zone boundaries upon the zoning map, which map is a part of this title when adopted by ordinance passed by the City Council in the manner prescribed by law.

(Ord. 824 § 206, 2-8-60)

11.04.036 Amusement game arcade.

AMUSEMENT GAME ARCADE means a use which consists of the operation of mechanical, electric or electronic amusement game machines. Any business, regardless of type, which has or maintains four or more devices on its premises shall be classified as an arcade for purposes of this chapter.

(Ord. 1561 § 1, 3-28-83)

11.04.037 Antiques and antique shop.

ANTIQUES means any article which, because of age, rarity or historical significance, has a monetary value greater than the original value, or which has an age recognized by the United States Government as entitling the article to an import duty less than that prescribed for contemporary merchandise. A store or shop selling such articles or offering them for sale shall be considered as an antique shop or store, and not considered as a dealership handling used or secondhand merchandise.

(Ord. 851 § 1, 8-14-61)

11.04.039 Amusement game machine.

AMUSEMENT GAME MACHINE means any mechanical, electric or electronic device which upon insertion of a coin, slug, or token in any slot or receptacle attached to the device or connected therewith, operates, or which may be operated for use as a game contest, or amusement through the exercise of skill or chance.

(Ord. 1561 § 2, 3-28-83)

11.04.040 Apartment.

APARTMENT means a room or a suite of two or more rooms in a multiple dwelling, occupied or suitable for occupancy as a dwelling unit for one family.

(Ord. 824 § 207, 2-8-60)

11.04.045 Apartment, bachelor.

BACHELOR APARTMENT means a suite of one or more rooms, with bath, without cooking facilities. A bachelor apartment constitutes a dwelling unit within the meaning of this title.

(Ord. 824 § 208, 2-8-60)

11.04.050 Apartment house.

APARTMENT HOUSE means a building or portion of a building designed for occupancy by three or more families living separately from each other and containing three or more dwelling units.

(Ord. 824 § 209, 8-14-61: Ord. 824 § 209, 2-8-60)

11.04.052 Aromatherapy.

AROMATHERAPY is the practice of achieving relaxation and/or stress reduction by the application of scented and unscented oils or creams to the body, or by the burning of scented or unscented oils or candles.

(Ord. 2217 § 1 (part), 9-12-06)

11.04.055 Automobile wrecking.

AUTOMOBILE WRECKING means any dismantling or wrecking of used motor vehicles or trailers, or the storage, sale or dumping of dismantled or wrecked vehicles or their parts.

(Ord. 824 § 210, 2-8-60)

11.04.058 Banqueting centers.

BANQUETING CENTER means a room or group of rooms available for rent for serving food to large groups of people, conducting meetings, or hosting parties such as wedding receptions and quincieneras. This use requires a conditional use permit.

(Ord. 2201 § 1 (part), 10-11-05)

11.04.060 Basement.

BASEMENT means that portion of a building between floor and ceiling which is partly below and partly above grade (as defined in Section 11.04.215), but so located that the vertical distance from grade to floor below is less than the vertical distance from grade to ceiling. A basement, when designed for, or occupied for business or manufacturing, or for dwelling purposes (rumpus room or family room without kitchen excepted) shall be considered a story.

(Ord. 824 § 211, 2-8-60)

11.04.062 Bedroom.

A BEDROOM is defined as any room in the house which has four enclosing walls, a door and is at least seventy square feet in area. It is not a kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, living room, or dining room. All studios, dens, libraries, computer rooms, studies, or similarly labeled rooms shall be counted as a bedroom for the purpose of calculating the required number of garages to be provided for the residential unit.

(Ord. 2223 § 2 (part), 10-24-06)

11.04.065 Block.

BLOCK means all property abutting upon one side of a street between intersecting and intercepting streets, or between a street and a railroad right-of-way, waterway, terminus or dead-end street, or city boundary. An intercepting street shall determine only the boundary of the block on the side of the street which it intercepts.

(Ord. 824 § 212, 2-8-60)

11.04.070 Boarding house.

BOARDING HOUSE means a building with not more than five guest rooms where meals (with or without lodging) are provided for compensation for not more than ten persons, but shall not include rest homes or convalescent homes. Guest rooms numbering six or more shall be considered a hotel.

(Ord. 824 § 213, 2-8-60)

11.04.075 Buildable area.

BUILDABLE AREA means (1) any portion of a lot or building site not contained in required yards and open spaces, and not exceeding the maximum percentage of the total area of the lot or building site permitted to be covered by buildings as prescribed for the zone in which such lot or building site is located; (2) for an area contained within a site plan the permissible buildable area shall be governed by the applicable provisions of this title concerning yards and open spaces, off-street parking, loading and unloading facilities and facilities for ingress and egress all as correlated and shown on the map of the site plan.

(Ord. 824 § 214, 2-8-60)

11.04.080 Building.

BUILDING means any structure having a roof, but excluding all forms of vehicles even though immobilized. When a use is required to be within a building, then the term "building" means so designed and constructed that all exterior walls of the building shall be solid from the ground to the roof line and shall contain no openings except for windows and doors which are designed so that they may be closed, or for the purpose of controlling sound for other purposes.

(Ord. 851 § 2, 8-14-61; Ord. 824 § 215, 2-8-60)

11.04.085 Building height.

BUILDING HEIGHT means the vertical distance measured from the average level of the highest and lowest point of that portion of the building-site covered by the building to the highest point of the structure.

(Ord. 824 § 216, 2-8-60)

11.04.090 Building, main.

MAIN BUILDING means the principal building on a lot or building-site designed or used to accommodate the primary use to which the premises are devoted; where a permissible use involves more than one structure designed or used for the primary purpose, as in the case of a group of houses, each such permissible building on a lot or building-site as defined by this title shall be construed as comprising a main building.

(Ord. 824 § 217, 2-8-60)

11.04.095 Building-site.

BUILDING-SITE means (a) the ground area of one lot or, (b) the ground area of two or more lots when used in combination for a building or group of buildings, together with all open spaces as required by this title.

(Ord. 824 § 218, 2-8-60)

11.04.100 Business or commerce.

BUSINESS OR COMMERCE means the purchase, sale or other transaction involving the handling or disposition of any article, service, substance or commodity for livelihood or profit; or the management of office buildings, offices, recreational or amusement enterprises; or the maintenance and use of offices, structures and premises by professions and trades rendering services.

(Ord. 824 § 219, 2-8-60)

11.04.103 Canopies and other temporary membrane type structures.

CANOPIES AND OTHER TEMPORARY MEMBRANE TYPE STRUCTURES means "tent-like" pop-up structures that are portable, collapsible structures made of canvas, vinyl, plastic or similar, durable in nature, membrane fabrics and materials and are supported by a portable frame and are used to provide shade or shelter. This definition specifically excludes the use of membrane fabric structures being attached to any buildings, walls, fences or vegetation.

(Ord. 2205 § 1 (part), 11-08-05)

11.04.105 Cellar.

CELLAR means that portion of a building between floor and ceiling which is wholly or partly below grade and so located that the vertical distance from the grade to the floor below is equal to or greater than the vertical distance from grade to the ceiling next above it.

(Ord. 824 § 220, 2-8-60)

11.04.106 Child care facility.

A CHILD CARE FACILITY is a facility which provides nonmedical care to children under eighteen years of age in need of personal services, supervision or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living or for the protection of the individual on less than a twenty-four-hour basis. Child care facility includes day care centers and family day care homes.

(Ord. 1859 § 2, 1-28-91)

11.04.110 Church.

CHURCH as used in this title means an establishment the principal purpose of which is religious worship and for which the principal structures contains the sanctuary, and including accessory uses in the main structure or in separate buildings, including Sunday school rooms, assembly rooms, kitchen, library room and a one-family dwelling unit, but excluding day care nurseries and facilities for residences of or training of religious orders. Church includes mosque, synagogue and other religious places of worship, but does not include businesses operated by the religious group for support of religious activities or for charitable purposes. Churches require a conditional use permit.

(Ord. 2201 § 2 (part), 10-11-05: Ord. 824 § 221, 2-8-60)

11.04.115 Club.

CLUB means an association of persons for some common non-profit purpose, but not including groups organized primarily to render a service which is customarily carried on as a business.

(Ord. 824 § 222, 2-8-60)

11.04.118 Color palette—Paint color permit.

Unless the context otherwise requires, words and phrases used in this section shall have the same meanings as when used in this code:

(1) A COLOR PALETTE is defined as the official city document which exhibits all of the colors, organized by color family and displayed according to corresponding specific design elements, that are approved for use on the exterior of any commercial structure on Tweedy Boulevard. A copy of the approved color palette shall be kept at minimum, for referential use, both at the county library on Tweedy Mile and at the department of community development.

(2) A PAINT COLOR PERMIT is defined as the document issued by the department of community development that indicates the approval of the application of paint colors from the color palette on a commercial structure on Tweedy Boulevard. The paint color permit lists the color approved for the specific design elements featured in the color palette. The painting of a commercial structure on Tweedy Boulevard without prior obtainment of a paint color permit shall constitute an infraction punishable pursuant to Section 11.51.060 of this code.

(Ord. 2249 § 1, 4-8-08)

11.04.120 Commission.

COMMISSION means the planning commission of the city of South Gate, California.

(Ord. 824 § 233, 2-8-60)

11.04.121 Communications equipment building.

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT BUILDINGS are buildings housing operating electrical and mechanical equipment necessary for the conduct of a public utility communications business, with or without personnel.

(Ord. 977 § 1, 11-8-65)

11.04.125 Conforming building.

CONFORMING BUILDING means (a) in the “R” zones a conforming building is one which fully meets the requirements of the State Housing Act and the Uniform Building Code as they pertain to residential buildings and which building also conforms to the requirements of this title in the matter of height, yards and area coverage and is limited to the number of dwelling units prescribed for the zone in which it is located; (b) in the “C-R” zone a conforming building is one which fully conforms to the structural design, building materials and their assembly as prescribed for residential or commercial buildings by the State Housing Act and the Uniform Building Code, as the case may be, and in case of residences, fully conforms to the yard, open space, lot area and lot area per dwelling unit requirements of the R-3 zone as set forth in this title; (c) in the “C-3” and “M” zones a conforming building is one which fully conforms to the structural design, building materials and their assembly as prescribed for commercial or industrial buildings by the Uniform Building Code and which building fully conforms to the requirements of this title with respect to the zone in which it is located.

(Ord. 851 § 2, 8-14-61; Ord. 824 § 224, 2-8-60)

11.04.130 Court.

COURT means any portion of the interior of a lot or building site which is fully or partially surrounded by buildings, and which is not a required yard or open space.

(Ord. 824 § 225, 2-8-60)

11.04.135 Dairy.

DAIRY means any premises where three or more cows, three or more goats, or any combination thereof are kept, milked or maintained.

(Ord. 824 § 226, 2-8-60)

11.04.137 Public dance hall.

PUBLIC DANCE HALL means a hall where dancing is available to the public for an entrance fee, cover charge or minimum purchase. This use requires a conditional use permit.

(Ord. 2201 § 1 (part), 10-11-05)

11.04.140 Day care center.

DAY CARE CENTER means any child care facility, other than a family day care home, and includes infant centers, preschools and extended day care facilities.

(Ord. 1859 § 2, 1-28-91: Ord. 824 § 227, 2-8-60)

11.04.142 Driveway.

DRIVEWAY means a paved access to a required off-street parking facility, having not less than ten feet of paved width and shall not be encumbered by any properties to a height under eight and one-half feet above the ground.

(Ord. 914, 9-23-63; Ord. 824 § 227.1, 2-8-60)

11.04.145 Dump.

DUMP means an area devoted to the disposal of refuse, including incineration, reduction, or dumping of ashes, garbage, combustible or noncombustible refuse.

(Ord. 824 § 228, 2-8-60)

11.04.150 Dwelling.

DWELLING means a building or portion thereof designed exclusively for residential purposes, including one-family, two-family and multiple dwellings, but not including hotels.

(Ord. 824 § 229, 2-8-60)

11.04.155 Dwelling unit.

DWELLING UNIT means one or more rooms in a dwelling or apartment house and designed for occupancy by one family for living or sleeping purposes and containing kitchen facilities for use solely by one family. All rooms comprising a dwelling unit shall have access through an interior door to other parts of the dwelling unit.

(Ord. 824 § 230, 2-8-60)

11.04.160 Dwelling, one-family.

ONE-FAMILY DWELLING means a detached building designed exclusively for occupancy by one family and containing one dwelling unit.

(Ord. 824 § 231, 2-8-60)

11.04.164 Dwelling, second unit.

SECOND DWELLING UNIT means either an attached or detached dwelling unit which provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons; it shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the primary unit is situated.

(Ord. 1581 § 2, 10-11-83)

11.04.165 Dwelling, two-family.

TWO-FAMILY DWELLING means a building designed exclusively for occupancy by two families living independently of each other, and containing two dwelling units.

(Ord. 824 § 232, 2-8-60)

11.04.170 Dwelling, multiple.

MULTIPLE DWELLING means a building, or portion thereof designed for occupancy by three or more families living independently of each other, and containing three or more dwelling units.

(Ord. 824 § 233, as amended by Ord. 851 § 2, 8-14-61)

11.04.175 Educational institution.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION means elementary, junior high, high schools, colleges or universities or other schools giving general academic instruction in the several branches of learning and study required to be taught by the Education Code of the State of California.

(Ord. 824 § 234, 2-8-60)

11.04.177 Entirely enclosed building or structure.

ENTIRELY ENCLOSED BUILDING OR STRUCTURE means a building or structure so designed and constructed that all exterior walls of the building or structure shall be solid from the ground to the roof line and containing no openings except for windows and doors which are so designed that they may be closed for the purpose of controlling sound or for other purposes.

(Ord. 851 § 1, 8-14-61)

11.04.180 Erected.

ERECTED means the construction of any building, or the structural alteration of a building the result of which would be to change the exterior walls or roof or to increase the square foot floor area of the interior of the building.

(Ord. 824 § 235, 2-8-60)

11.04.185 Family.

FAMILY means an individual, or two or more persons related by blood or marriage, or a group of not more than five persons who are not related by blood or marriage, excluding servants, living together.

(Ord. 824 § 236, 2-8-60)

11.04.186 Family day care home.

A FAMILY DAY CARE HOME means a home which regularly provides care, protection and supervision of twelve or fewer children, in the provider’s own home, for periods of less than twenty-four hours per day, while the parents or guardians are away, and includes the following:

(1) “Large family day care home” which means a home providing family day care to seven to twelve children, inclusive, including children under the age of ten years who reside at home, as further defined in Division 12 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.

(2) “Small family day care home” which means a home providing family day care to six or fewer children, including children under the age of ten years who reside at home, as further defined in Division 12 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. Exempt from the definition of a small family day care home are homes providing care for the children of only one family in addition to the operator’s own children, any care and supervision of persons by a relative, guardian or conservator, and other facilities exempt from child care facility licensing as specified in Division 12 of Title 22 of California Code of Regulations.

(Ord. 1859 § 4, 1-28-91)

11.04.186.5 Family room.

A FAMILY ROOM is defined as a space defined by walls with large interior openings not controlled by doors, or an area located adjacent to open stairwells with exterior sliding or double French doors to a deck or patio.

(Ord. 2223 § 2 (part), 10-24-06)

11.04.187 Fast food and take-out food establishment.

FAST FOOD AND TAKE-OUT FOOD ESTABLISHMENT means an establishment where the primary serving of food is for take out and the food is not necessarily to be consumed on the premises. The packaging of such food items to be served is in disposable or nonreturnable containers and is of a convenience nature.

(Ord. 1859 § 4 (part), 1-28-91; Ord. 1432 § 1, 2-11-80)

11.04.190 Fire escape.

FIRE ESCAPE means an auxiliary facility of emergency escape from a building, as defined or designated by the fire department.

(Ord. 824 § 237, 2-8-60)

11.04.195 Floor area.

FLOOR AREA means the floor space contained within the walls of all buildings on a lot, except for the space therein devoted to stairways, elevator shafts and light courts and except for the area on the ground floor in the main building devoted exclusively to parking or the portion of the area in an accessory building used for parking.

(Ord. 824 § 238, 2-8-60)

11.04.196 Floor area ratio.

FLOOR AREA RATIO means the total gross area of all structures on a lot, excluding accessory buildings, divided by the gross area of the lot.

(Ord. 1881 § 1, 7-22-91)

11.04.200 Foster care home, twenty-four-hour.

A TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR FOSTER CARE HOME means a dwelling occupied by a family who, for compensation or otherwise, accepts and cares for children as full-time residents as part of the family, and which children are assigned by authorized public authorities.

(Ord. 824 § 239, 2-8-60)

11.04.202 Freeway, landscaped.

LANDSCAPED FREEWAY means a section or sections of freeway which is now or hereafter may be improved by the planting of at least one side thereof of the freeway right-of-way with lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers or other ornamental vegetation which shall require reasonable maintenance. Planning for the purpose of soil erosion control, traffic safety requirements, reduction of fire hazards or traffic noise abatement shall not change the character of a freeway to a landscaped freeway.

(Ord. 851 § 1, 8-14-61)

11.04.203 Freight classification yard.

FREIGHT CLASSIFICATION YARD means a business, on a lot of at least one acre in size, characterized by the sorting and handling of the cargo of multiple shippers to be hauled by multiple trucking companies and dispatching of trucks hauling this cargo.

(Ord. 2197 § 1 (part), 6-28-05)

11.04.205 Garage, public.

PUBLIC GARAGE means a building other than a private garage used for the care, repair or equipment of automobiles, or where such vehicles are kept for remuneration, hire or sale.

(Ord. 824 § 240, 2-8-60)

11.04.210 Garage, private.

PRIVATE GARAGE means an accessory building or an accessory portion of the main building, enclosed on not less than two sides and designed or used only for the shelter or storage of vehicles owned or operated only by the occupants of the main building.

(Ord. 874 § 6, 4-9-62; Ord. 824 § 241, 2-8-60)

11.04.215 Grade.

GRADE means the average of the finished ground level at the center of all walls of a building. In case walls are parallel to and within five feet of a sidewalk, the aboveground level shall be measured at the sidewalks.

(Ord. 824 § 242, 2-8-60)

11.04.220 Group houses.

GROUP HOUSES means more than two separate buildings, each containing one or more dwelling units, and including row houses.

(Ord. 824 § 243, 2-8-60)

11.04.221 Hazardous waste.

HAZARDOUS WASTE as used herein means a waste, or combination of wastes, which because of its quantity, concentration, physical, chemical or infectious characteristics may either:

(a) Cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible illness.

(b) Pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or environment when improperly treated, stored, transported or otherwise managed. Unless expressly provided otherwise the term “hazardous waste” shall be understood to also include extremely hazardous waste.

(Ord. 1835 § 5, 5-29-90)

11.04.222 Hazardous waste management facility/hazardous waste facility.

HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY OR HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY means any structure, other appurtenances, and improvement on the land and all contiguous land, used for the treatment, transfer, storage, resource recovery, disposal or recycling of hazardous waste.

(Ord. 1835 § 6, 5-29-90)

11.04.223 Hazardous waste facility project.

HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY PROJECT means a project undertaken for the purpose of siting and constructing a new hazardous waste facility or for the purpose of significantly expanding or modifying an existing hazardous waste facility that is being used or operated under a permit issued pursuant to Section 25200 or a grant of interim status pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 25200.5. Unless expressly provided otherwise, hazardous waste facility project includes a specified hazardous waste facility project.

(Ord. 2011 § 1 Exh. A (part), 8-27-96: Ord. 1835 § 7, 5-29-90)

11.04.224 Hazardous waste management.

HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT, as used herein, means the systematic control of the collection, source separation, storage, transportation, processing, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste.

(Ord. 1835 § 8, 5-29-90)

11.04.225 Home occupation.

HOME OCCUPATION means an occupation in connection with which there is no commercial or business display on the premises used; no outside or garage storage of materials or supplies on the premises used in said occupation; no products sold from, or services rendered upon the premises used; no mechanical, business, or professional equipment used or stored on the premises except such equipment as is customarily used for household purposes; no commercially licensed motor vehicles are to be used or stored on the premises unless said vehicles are also used for private motor or recreational purposes; and no person in connection therewith is to be engaged or employed for services on the premises or dispatched from the premises.

(Ord. 1342 § 1, 8-8-77: Ord. 824 § 244, 2-8-60)

11.04.227 Horticultural services.

HORTICULTURAL SERVICES means those services which attend to the propagation, cultivation, fertilization, trimming and protection of fruit, vegetables, flowers, trees and ornamental plants.

(Ord. 1019 § 1, 11-14-66)

11.04.230 Hospital.

HOSPITAL means an institution specializing in giving clinical, temporary and emergency services of a medical or surgical nature to human patients and injured persons, and licensed by state law to provide facilities and services in surgery, obstetrics and general medical practice as distinguished from treatment of mental and nervous disorders, but not excluding surgical and post-surgical treatment of mental cases.

(Ord. 824 § 245, 2-8-60)

11.04.235 Hospital, mental.

MENTAL HOSPITAL means an institution licensed by state agencies under provisions of law to offer facilities, care and treatment of cases of mental and nervous disorders but not licensed to provide facilities and services in surgery, obstetrics and general medical practice. Establishments limiting services to juveniles below the age of five years, and establishments housing and caring for cases of cerebral palsy, are specifically excluded from this definition.

(Ord. 824 § 246, 2-8-60)

11.04.240 Hospital, small animal.

SMALL ANIMAL HOSPITAL means an establishment in which veterinary services, clipping, bathing, boarding and other services are rendered to dogs, cats and other small animals and domestic pets.

(Ord. 824 § 247, 2-8-60)

11.04.245 Hotel.

HOTEL means a building in which there are twenty-five or more guest rooms where lodging with or without meals is provided for compensation, and where provision is made for cooking in no more than twenty percent of the individual rooms or suites, but shall not include jails, hospitals, asylums, sanitariums, orphanages, prisons, detention homes, and similar buildings where human beings are housed and detained under legal restraint.

(Ord. 2229 § 1, 3-27-07: Ord. 824 § 248, 2-8-60)

11.04.250 Hotel, apartment.

APARTMENT HOTEL means a building or portion thereof designed for or containing dwelling units and six or more guest rooms or suites of rooms, certain of which are rented to, or the use of which by transients is permitted.

(Ord. 824 § 249, 2-8-60)

11.04.253 Indoor merchandising center.

INDOOR MERCHANDISING CENTER means a land use on which, wholly within the confines of a single building, is located five or more vendors offering, in addition to such personal business services as may otherwise be allowed by law, nonagricultural personal property for retail sale or trade who are separated from each other by something less than securable rooms (those having walls on all sides, ceiling, and a lockable access door), and whose contractual right of occupancy is pursuant to a written lease the term of which shall not be less than six months.

(Ord. 1798 § 1, 4-10-89: Ord. 1705 § 1, 6-23-86)

11.04.255 Institution.

INSTITUTION means an establishment maintained and operated by a society, corporation, individual, foundation or public agency for the purpose of providing charitable, social, educational or similar services to the public, groups or individuals.

(Ord. 824 § 250, 2-8-60)

11.04.260 Kennel.

KENNEL means a place where four or more adult dogs or cats or any combination thereof are kept, whether by owners of the dogs and cats or by persons providing facilities and care, whether or not for compensation. An adult dog or cat is one of either sex, altered or unaltered, that has reached the age of four months.

(Ord. 824 § 251, 2-8-60)

11.04.265 Kitchen.

KITCHEN means any room or portion of room used or intended or designed to be used for cooking or the preparation of food.

(Ord. 824 § 252, 2-8-60)

11.04.267 Laundromats.

A LAUNDROMAT means an establishment, either attended or unattended, where items of personal attire and household drygoods can be cleaned by the customer operating the cleaning equipment.

(Ord. 1192 § 1, 12-18-72)

11.04.270 Loading space.

LOADING SPACE means an off-street or off-alley space or berth on the same lot or contiguous to a building or a group of buildings for the temporary parking of a commercial vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise or materials.

(Ord. 824 § 253, 2-8-60)

11.04.275 Lodging house.

LODGING HOUSE means the same as boarding house, but no meals shall be provided nor shall any meals be permitted in any guest room therein.

(Ord. 824 § 254, 2-8-60)

11.04.280 Lot.

LOT means (1) a parcel of real property when shown as a delineated parcel of land with a number or other designation on a plat recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Los Angeles County; or (2) a parcel of land, the dimensions or boundaries of which are defined by a record of survey recorded pursuant to law in the office of the county recorder of Los Angeles County; or (3) a

combination of two or more lots, or fractions of lots as defined above may be considered as constituting a lot for purposes of this title; or (4) a portion of a lot as defined in (1) or (2) of this section may be considered as a lot provided its width and area conform to the minimum width and area required by this title; or (5) a parcel of real property not delineated as in (1) or (2) above and containing not less than the prescribed minimum square footage required by this title nor more than one (1) acre which was under separate ownership on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title and which abuts at least one public street or a private easement determined by the Commission to be adequate for purposes of access from a street.

(Ord. 824 § 255; 2-8-60)

11.04.285 Lot area.

LOT AREA means the total horizontal area within the boundary lines of a lot.

(Ord. 824 § 256; 2-8-60)

11.04.290 Lot, corner.

CORNER LOT means a lot situated at the intersection of two (2) or more streets, which streets have an angle of intersection of not more than one hundred twenty-eight degrees (128 ).

(Ord. 824 § 257; 2-8-60)

11.04.295 Lot depth.

LOT DEPTH means the horizontal length of a straight line drawn from the midpoint of the lot front line and at right angles to such line connecting with a line intersecting the midpoint of the lot rear line and parallel to the lot front line. In the case of a lot having a curved front line, the lot front line, for purposes of this section, shall be deemed to be a line tangent to the curve and parallel to a straight line connecting the points of intersection of the lot side lines of the lot with the lot front line.

(Ord. 824 § 258; 2-8-60)

11.04.300 Lot, interior.

INTERIOR LOT means a lot other than a corner lot or reversed corner lot.

(Ord. 824 § 259; 2-8-60)

11.04.305 Lot front line.

LOT FRONT LINE means in the case of an interior lot, a line separating the lot from the street. In the case of a corner and reverse corner lot, the lot front line shall be the line separating the narrowest street frontage of the lot from the street.

(Ord. 824 § 260; 2-8-60)

11.04.310 Lot, key.

KEY LOT means the first lot to the rear of a reversed corner lot and whether or not separated by an alley.

(Ord. 824 § 261; 2-8-60)

11.04.315 Lot rear line.

LOT REAR LINE means a lot line which is opposite and most distant from the lot front line. For the purpose of establishing the lot rear line of a triangular or trapezoidal lot, or of a lot the rear line of which is formed by two or more lines, the following shall apply:

(a) For a triangular or goreshaped lot, a line ten (10) feet in length within the lot and farthest removed from the lot front line and at right angles to the line comprising the depth of such lot shall be used as the lot rear line;

(b) In the case of a trapezoidal lot the rear line of which is not parallel to the lot front line, the lot rear line shall be deemed to be a line at right angles to the line comprising the depth of such lot and drawn through a point bisecting the recorded lot rear line; or

(c) In the case of a pentagonal lot the rear boundary of which includes an angle formed by two lines, such angles shall be employed for determining the lot rear line in the same manner as prescribed for a triangular lot.

In no case shall the application of the above be interpreted as permitting a main building to locate closer than three feet to any property line.

(Ord. 824 § 262; 2-8-60)

11.04.320 Lot side line.

LOT SIDE LINE means any lot boundary line not a lot front line or a lot rear line.

(Ord. 824 § 263; 2-8-60)

11.04.325 Lot, reverse corner.

REVERSE CORNER LOT mean a corner lot the side street line of which is substantially a continuation of the lot front line of the lot upon which the rear of said corner lot abuts.

(Ord. 824 § 264; 2-8-60)

11.04.330 Lot, through.

THROUGH LOT means a lot having frontage on two streets.

(Ord. 824 § 265; 2-8-60)

11.04.335 Lot, transitional.

TRANSITIONAL LOT means a residentially-classified lot a side line of which forms a common boundary with the contiguous property classified for either a higher density residential use or commercial or industrial uses.

(Ord. 824 § 266; 2-8-60)

11.04.340 Lot width.

LOT WIDTH means the horizontal distance between the lot side lines measured at right angles to the line comprising the depth of the lot at a point midway between the lot front and rear lines, provided the length of the line constituting the rear line of the required front yard shall never be less than fifty feet.

(Ord. 824 § 267; 2-8-60)

11.04.342 Massage establishments.

MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT means any business establishment where for any form of consideration, massage services are offered by licensed massage practitioners. Massage-related services shall include any method of treating the soft parts of the human body by rubbing, stroking, kneading, pressing or any other similar treatment, accomplished by hand and/or use of any instrument, performed by massage practitioners.

(1) Exemptions. For purposes of this definition, this section shall not apply to the following classes of individuals:

(a) Physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, osteopaths, who are duly licensed to practice in the state, while performing activities encompassed by such professional license;

(b) Any person licensed by the state as an acupuncturist, provided that all massage-related services are performed by an acupuncturist licensed by the state. However, if any state licensed acupuncturist employs, engages, directs, or allows any other person who is not a state licensed acupuncturist or state-certified apprentice to perform massage-related services, then the provisions of this section shall apply to that establishment;

(c) Nurses or physical therapists who are duly licenses to practice their professions in the state, while performing activities encompasses by such professional license;

(d) Trainers of any amateur, semiprofessional or professional athlete or athletic team;

(e) Massage establishments which are clearly incident to the operation of a bona fide athletic club which includes on its premises a gymnasium, and which athletic club has obtained a massage establishment business license pursuant to the provisions of Title 2, and its staff who administers massages shall be required to obtain massage technician permits. However, such massage establishments shall not be required to meet the distance or location limitations set forth in Chapter 11.18, and they may be permitted in any zone where the primary use of athletic club is permitted by the city’s zoning regulations.

(f) Barbershops or beauty parlors which offer massage to the scalp, face, neck or shoulders (only), skin treatments, body wraps, and/or tanning services.

(2) Zoning Requirements. For the zoning requirements of a massage establishment, see Section 11.18.010, subdivision (19), of the South Gate Municipal Code.

(Ord. 2030 § 2, 1-13-98)

11.04.345 Medical-dental building.

MEDICAL-DENTAL BUILDING shall mean a building or group of buildings designed for the use of and occupied and used by physicians and dentists and others engaged professional in such healing arts for humans as are recognized by the laws of the State of California, including the installation and use of therapeutic equipment, X-ray equipment or laboratories, chemical, bio-chemical and biological laboratories used as direct accessories to the medical-dental professions, dental laboratories including facilities for the making of dentures on prescription, and pharmacies limited to the retail dispensing of pharmaceuticals and sick room supplies (but not room or orthopedic equipment), provided there shall be no exterior display windows or signs pertaining to such accessory uses other than a directory sign.

(Ord. 824 § 268, 2-8-60)

11.04.350 Medical-dental clinic.

MEDICAL-DENTAL CLINIC means an establishment for treatment of outpatients, and containing no hospital beds, installations or services.

(Ord. 824 § 269, 2-8-60)

11.04.352 Miniwarehouse.

MINIWAREHOUSE shall mean a structure or group of structures for the storage of customers’ goods and wares where individuals stalls or lockers are rented out to different tenants for storage and where one or more stalls or lockers has less than five hundred square feet of floor area.

(Ord. 1675 § 1, 12-9-85: Ord. 1344 § 1, 8-8-77)

11.04.355 Motel, transient.

TRANSIENT MOTEL means one or more attached or detached buildings or structures containing units for dwelling, lodging or sleeping purposes where a majority of such units open directly to the outside and where parking facilities or parking spaces are adjacent or in close proximity to each unit, and such units are occupied by individuals for a period of less than thirty consecutive calendar days. Such term shall be deemed to include tourist courts, motor courts, automobile courts, and motor lodges.

(Ord. 1929 § 1, 10-27-92: Ord. 893 § 1, 12-10-62; Ord. 824 § 270, 2-8-60)

11.04.356 Motel, residential.

RESIDENTIAL MOTEL means an existing transient motel which has been previously constructed, modified or expanded in compliance with the development standards specified in subsection (22)B of Section 11.18.010 of Chapter 11.18 of this title, and which, pursuant to a conditional use permit, is converted into one or more buildings or structures where all units therein are occupied or intended or designed for occupancy by individuals who are required by the owner or operator thereof to execute a contract of tenancy for a period in excess of thirty consecutive calendar days.

(Ord. 1929 § 2, 10-27-92)

11.04.360 Nonconforming building.

NONCONFORMING BUILDING means a building, or portion thereof, which was lawfully erected or altered and maintained but which, because of the application of this title to it, no longer conforms to the regulations of the zone in which it is located, as defined by this title.

(Ord. 824 § 271, 2-8-60)

11.04.365 Nonconforming use.

NONCONFORMING USE means a use which was lawfully established and maintained but which, because of the application of this title to it, no longer conforms to the use regulations of the zone in which it is located as defined by this title. A nonconforming building, or nonconforming portion of the building shall be deemed to constitute a nonconforming use of the land upon which it is located.

(Ord. 824 § 272, 2-8-60)

11.04.370 Outdoor advertising display.

OUTDOOR ADVERTISING DISPLAY means any card, paper, cloth, metal, glass, wooden or other display or device of any kind or character whatsoever placed for outdoor advertising purposes on the ground or on any tree, wall, rock, structure or thing whatsoever.

(Ord. 824 § 273, 2-8-60)

11.04.375 Outdoor advertising structure.

OUTDOOR ADVERTISING STRUCTURE means a structure of any kind or character erected or maintained for outdoor advertising purposes, upon which any outdoor advertising display may be placed.

(Ord. 824 § 274, 2-8-60)

11.04.380 Parcel.

PARCEL means any piece of land as defined herein as a lot.

(Ord. 824 § 275, 2-8-60)

11.04.382 Parking area--Private.

PARKING AREA--PRIVATE means an open area, other than a street, used for the parking of automobiles and restricted from general use. Parking area shall not include required front yard or the area required between structures.

(Ord. 914, 9-23-63: Ord. 824 § 275.1, 2-8-60)

11.04.384 Patio covers.

PATIO COVERS are one-story structures with the exposed sides being seventy-five percent open. Openings may be enclosed with insect screening only. Patio covers shall be used only for recreational outdoor living purposes and not as carports, garages, storage rooms or habitable rooms.

(Ord. 1669 § 3, 11-12-85)

11.04.385 Person.

PERSON means and includes an individual, firm, copartnership, association or corporation.

(Ord. 824 § 276, 2-8-60)

11.04.387 Petroleum products and other retail sales station.

PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND OTHER RETAIL SALES STATION means a retail business which supplies motor fuels and oil for motor vehicles; sells motor vehicle supplies and accessories as are generally required in the operation and maintenance of motor vehicles; sells such nonautomotive items as are generally required by the motorist; and sells such nonautomotive items as are generally available in a retail food store.

(Ord. 1341 § 1 (part), 8-8-77)

11.04.388 Petroleum products and vehicle service station.

PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND VEHICLE SERVICE STATION means a retail business which supplies motor fuels and oil for motor vehicles; contains hydraulic service hoists; wash racks or pits; provides tire repair, battery service, ignition service, and other customary services for vehicles; sells motor vehicle supplies and accessories as are generally required in the operation and maintenance of motor vehicles; sells such nonautomotive items as are generally required by the motorist; and rents certain vehicles and equipment.

(Ord. 1341 § 1 (part), 8-8-77)

11.04.389 Petroleum products service station.

PETROLEUM PRODUCTS SERVICE STATION is a general term encompassing petroleum products and other retail sales stations; petroleum products and vehicle service stations; and self-service petroleum products stations.

(Ord. 1342 § 1 (part), 8-8-77)

11.04.389.5 Place of public assembly.

PLACE OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY means a use which is characterized by gatherings of large groups of people for a group activity. Uses which fall under this definition include: theaters, banqueting centers, halls for rent, dance halls, public auctions as a permanent use, churches, and other similar uses. All sales or service of alcohol shall meet the requirements of Chapter 11.39 of the South Gate Municipal Code. Nursery schools, day care centers, and kindergarten though twelfth grade educational institutions are not covered by this definition. This does not include events at private residences.

(Ord. 2201 § 1 (part), 10-11-05)

11.04.390 Professional offices.

PROFESSIONAL OFFICES means offices maintained and used as a place of business conducted by persons engaged in the healing arts for human beings such as doctors and dentists, but wherein no overnight care for patients is given, and by engineers, attorneys and architects and other persons providing services utilizing training in and a knowledge of the mental disciplines as distinguished from training in occupations requiring mere skill or manual dexterity.

(Ord. 824 § 277, as amended by Ord. 851 § 2; 8-14-61)

11.04.392 Public auction.

PUBLIC AUCTION means a gathering of people either indoors or outdoors for the purpose of bidding on goods for sale. This use requires a conditional use permit.

(Ord. 2201 § 1 (part), 10-11-05)

11.04.395 Reclassification.

RECLASSIFICATION means a change in zone boundaries upon the zoning map, which map is a part of this title, adopted by ordinance passed by the city council in the manner prescribed by law.

(Ord. 824 § 278; 2-8-60)

11.04.400 Recorded.

RECORDED means, unless otherwise stated, on file, or recorded, with the county recorder of the county of Los Angeles, state of California.

(Ord. 824 § 279; 2-8-60)

11.04.405 Residence.

RESIDENCE means a building or structure, or portion thereof, which is designed for or used to provide a place of abode for human beings, but not including hotels. The term "residence" includes the term "residential" as referring to the type of or intended use of a building or structure.

(Ord. 824 § 280; 2-8-60)

11.04.406 Retail sales.

RETAIL SALES mean a business which sells directly to the end user or ultimate consumer of goods, wares merchandize, or other product or products.

(Ord. 2197 § 1 (part), 6-28-05)

11.04.407 Recycle (hazardous waste).

RECYCLE (HAZARDOUS WASTE), as used herein, means to redirect or utilize a hazardous waste or a sub-stance from hazardous waste, and includes recovery of resources from a hazardous waste.

(Ord. 1835 § 9, 5-29-90)

11.04.408 Residual repository.

RESIDUAL REPOSITORY, as used herein, means a storage facility which accepts solid materials resulting from the treatment of hazardous wastes to standards established by the State Department of Health Services or which accepts hazardous organic wastes which is established, solidified or encapsuled. No free liquids will be accepted. The residuals are solid, with relatively insoluble toxic material content and are to be kept dry by the design of the facility.

(Ord. 1835 § 10, 5-29-90)

11.04.409 Resource recovery.

RESOURCE RECOVERY, as used herein, means the reuse or reclamation of any hazardous or any recyclable hazardous materials.

(Ord. 2011 § 1 Exh. A (part), 8-27-96: Ord. 1835 § 11, 5-29-90)

11.04.410 Rest home, convalescent home or guest home.

REST HOME, CONVALESCENT HOME or GUEST HOME means a home operated as a boarding house, the operator of which is licensed by the state or county to give special care and supervision to his or her charges, and in which nursing, dietary and other personal services are furnished to convalescents, invalids and aged persons, but in which are kept no persons suffering from a mental sickness, disease, disorder or ailment or from a contagious or communicable disease, and in which are performed no surgery, maternity or other primary treatments which as are customarily provided in sanitariums or hospitals, or in which no persons are kept or served who normally would be admittable to a mental hospital.

(Ord. 824 § 281; 2-8-60)

11.04.412 Restaurants.

A RESTAURANT is any land use on which, as a regular course of business, food (including beverages) is prepared for human consumption and is offered to persons for compensation.

(Ord. 1783 § 1, 1-23-89: Ord. 1694 § 1, 4-14-86: Ord. 1075 § 1, 5-27-68)

11.04.415 Roof.

ROOF means a structural covering over any portion of a building or structure, including the projections beyond the walls or supports of the building or structure. An open work covering shall not be considered a roof if the upper horizontal surface area of the component solid portions thereof do not exceed twenty percent of the area of the covering.

(Ord. 824 § 282, 2-8-60)

11.04.420 Rumpus room or family room.

RUMPUS ROOM OR FAMILY ROOM means a room or an area within a dwelling or in a building accessory to a dwelling, designed, equipped or used as a recreation room, including but not limited to games, music, refreshments and facilities for serving, and similar general utility purposes, but which room shall not be used as a separate dwelling unit.

(Ord. 824 § 283, 2-8-60)

11.04.425 Sanitarium.

SANITARIUM means a health station or retreat or other place where resident patients are kept, and which specializes in giving clinical, temporary and emergency services of a medical or surgical nature to patients and injured persons and licensed by state agencies under provisions of law to provide facilities and services in surgery, obstetrics and general medical practice as distinguished from treatment of mental and nervous disorders, but not excluding surgical and post-surgical treatment of mental cases.

(Ord. 824 § 284, 2-8-60)

11.04.430 Schools, elementary, junior high and high.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS and HIGH SCHOOLS mean institutions of learning offering instruction in the several branches of learning and study required to be taught in the public and parochial schools by the Education Code of the State of California.

(Ord. 824 § 285, 2-8-60)

11.04.432 Secondhand store.

SECONDHAND STORE means any retail establishment in which the principal portion of the articles, commodities or merchandise handled, offered for sale or sold on the premises are not new. Secondhand stores shall not be considered as including antique stores or pawnshops.

(Ord. 851 § 1, 9-14-61)

11.04.435 Self-service petroleum products station.

SELF-SERVICE PETROLEUM PRODUCTS STATION means a retail business which supplies motor fuels and oils for motor vehicles; sells motor vehicle supplies and accessories as are generally required in the operation and maintenance of motor vehicles; sells such nonautomotive items as are generally required by the motorist; and rents storage lockers to the public.

(Ord. 1341 § 2, 8-8-77: Ord. 824 § 286, 2-8-60)

11.04.440 Sign.

SIGN means any outdoor advertising display or outdoor advertising structure or any indoor advertising display or indoor advertising structure designed and placed so as to be readable principally from the outside.

(Ord. 824 § 287, 2-8-60)

11.04.441 Single room occupancy apartment.

SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY APARTMENT means a residential structure with units consisting of a bedroom/sitting room at least twelve feet by twelve feet in dimension plus a large closet of at least one hundred and forty-four cubic feet in volume, and full in-suite bathroom and small in-suite refrigerator, at least twenty cubic feet in volume, designed for the occupancy of a single person per unit and having common kitchen and laundry facilities within the building. Such apartment buildings shall be operated by approved non-profit organizations under contract to the city of South Gate to provide below market-rate housing to low and very low income residents.

(Ord. 2184 § 1 (part), 10-26-04)

11.04.445 Site plan.

SITE PLAN as used in this title means an exact and detailed determination on the application of the provisions of this title to the areas contained therein by the adoption of a map and declaration of purpose and policy related thereto. Because of size, shape or topography of the land involved in a site plan, or because of multiple property ownerships, the provisions, conditions and requirements of the zone or zones applicable to the site may be modified if necessary to best carry out the spirit and intent of the zoning title.

(Ord. 824 § 288, 2-8-60)

11.04.446 Specified hazardous waste facility project.

SPECIFIED HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY PROJECT means a project undertaken for the purpose of siting and constructing a new specified hazardous waste facility or for the purpose of significantly expanding or modifying an existing specified hazardous waste facility that is being used or operated under a permit issued pursuant to Section 25200 of the Health and Safety Code, or a grant of interim status pursuant to Section 25200.5 of said code.

(Ord. 1835 § 12, 5-29-90)

11.04.447 Specified hazardous waste facility.

SPECIFIED HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY means an off-site facility which serves more than one producer of hazardous waste.

(Ord. 1835 § 13, 5-29-90)

11.04.450 Stable, private.

PRIVATE STABLE means a detached accessory building in which horses owned by the occupants of the premises are kept and in which no horses are kept for hire or sale.

(Ord. 824 § 289, 2-8-60)

11.04.455 Stable, public.

PUBLIC STABLE means a stable other than a private stable.

(Ord. 824 § 290, 2-8-60)

11.04.460 Stand.

STAND means a structure for the display and sale of products with no space for customers within the structure itself.

(Ord. 824 § 291, 2-8-60)

11.04.465 State freeway.

STATE FREEWAY means any section of a State Highway which has been declared to be a freeway by resolution of the California Highway Commission pursuant to the Streets and Highways Code.

(Ord. 824 § 292, 2-8-60)

11.04.470 Story.

STORY means that portion of a building included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above it. If there is no floor above it, then the space between such floor and the ceiling next above it shall be considered a story. If the finished floor level directly above the basement or cellar is more than six feet above grade, such basement or cellar shall be considered a story.

(Ord. 824 § 293, 2-8-60)

11.04.475 Street.

STREET means a public or recorded private thoroughfare which affords primary means of access to abutting property.

(Ord. 824 § 294, 2-8-60)

11.04.480 Street line.

STREET LINE means the boundary line between a street and the abutting property.

(Ord. 824 § 295, 2-8-60)

11.04.485 Street, side.

SIDE STREET means a street which is adjacent to a corner lot and a reverse corner lot and which extends in the general direction of the line determining the depth of the lot.

(Ord. 824 § 296, 2-8-60)

11.04.490 Structure.

STRUCTURE means anything constructed in the ground, or anything erected which requires location on the ground, or is attached to something having location on or in the ground, but not including fences or walls used as fences less than six feet in height.

(Ord. 824 § 297, 2-8-60)

11.04.495 Structural alterations.

STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS means any change in the supporting members of a building or structure such as foundations, bearing walls, columns, beams, floor or roof joists, girders or rafters, or changes in the exterior dimensions of the building or structure.

(Ord. 824 § 298, 2-8-60)

11.04.497 Swap meet.

A land use on which, within the confines of a single parcel, (or if indoors, within a single building), is located five or more vendors offering nonagricultural personal property for sale or trade who are not separated from each other by securable rooms (those having structurally secure ceilings for each room and a lockable access door).

If there is any doubt as to whether a particular land use is classified as a swap meet, as hereinabove defined, it should be so classified if it has any of the following characteristics:

1. The vendor’s contractual right of occupancy to a specific stall, booth, space or other location within the parcel or building is limited to a relatively short time period; or

2. An entrance fee is charged to the customers upon entry into the commonly owned parcel or building; or

3. The participating vendors do not have a fixed business location in or around the city where the swap meet is occurring.

(Ord. 1699 § 1, 5-27-86)

11.04.498 Theater.

THEATER means a hall, with either fixed or loose seating, where entertainment such as movies, plays, concerts, revues, etc. are presented to an audience. A fee may or may not be charged at the door. This use requires a conditional use permit.

(Ord. 2201 § 1 (part), 10-11-05)

11.04.500 To place.

The verb TO PLACE and any of its variants as applied to advertising displays and outdoor advertising structures, includes maintaining, erecting, constructing, posting, painting, printing, nailing, gluing or otherwise fastening, affixing or making visible in any manner whatsoever.

(Ord. 824 § 299, 2-8-60)

11.04.505 Trailer, automobile.

AUTOMOBILE TRAILER means a vehicle without motor power, designed to be drawn by a motor vehicle and to be used for human habitation or for carrying persons and property, including a trailer coach and any self-propelled vehicle having a body designed for or converted to the same uses as an automobile trailer without motor power.

(Ord. 824 § 299.1, 2-8-60)

11.04.510 Trailer park, trailer court and public camp.

TRAILER PARK, TRAILER COURT and PUBLIC CAMP means any area or tract of land used or designed to accommodate two or more automobile trailers, and including trailer camp, as defined by law.

(Ord. 824 § 299.2, 2-8-60)

11.04.512 Treatment (hazardous waste).

TREATMENT (HAZARDOUS WASTE) means any method, technique or process designated to change the physical, chemical or biological character or composition of any hazardous waste so as to neutralize, recover energy or material resources, reduce in volume and render such waste less hazardous so that it is safer to transport, store or dispose.

(Ord. 1835 § 14, 5-29-90)

11.04.513 Truck storage yard.

TRUCK STORAGE YARD means an area where trucks and/or freight trailers are stored when not in use. This does not mean an area where inventory for sale is stored.

(Ord. 2197 § 1 (part), 6-28-05)

11.04.514 Truck terminal.

TRUCK TERMINAL means a business where a single hauling business sorts cargo, packs trucks and dispatches trucks for delivery, a common carrier.

(Ord. 2197 § 1 (part), 6-28-05)

11.04.515 Use.

USE means the purpose for which land or building is arranged, designed or intended, or for which either is or may be occupied or maintained.

(Ord. 824 § 299.3, 2-8-60)

11.04.520 Variance.

VARIANCE means a modification of the specific regulations of this title granted by resolution of the planning commission in accordance with the terms of this title for the purpose of assuring that no property, because of special circumstances applicable to it, shall be deprived of privileges commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same vicinity and zone.

A variance may involve modifications of permissible uses for special periods of time when related to initial land development, or for essential public purposes.

(Ord. 824 § 299.4, 2-8-60)

11.04.522 Wholesale business.

WHOLESALE BUSINESS means a business which sells goods, wares, merchandise or other products for the purpose of resale and not to the ultimate consumer. Smaller wholesale businesses are defined as occupying a building space of twenty thousand square feet or less area and are characterized by the use of small vehicles such as step-vans and bobtail trucks and the use of delivery services such as UPS, DHL and FedEx. Wholesale businesses in the C-3, C-R and C-M existing as of July 1, 2005, are limited to the size and mix of uses existing on the property as of that date. Such wholesale businesses are considered legal, nonconforming and are expressly prohibited from exercising any floor area expansion or adding new uses, as provided for by Section 11.36.090(a) of this title.

(Ord. 2197 § 1 (part), 6-28-05)

11.04.523 Weight control clinic.

WEIGHT CONTROL CLINIC is a location where people are counseled about weight loss and weight control. This may be done individually or in a classroom setting. Equipment may include a scale, chairs, booklets or other educational materials, but may not include a table or other equipment associated with massage, unless the business is also licensed as a massage establishment.

(Ord. 2217 § 1 (part), 9-12-06)

11.04.525 Yard.

YARD means an open space other than a court on a lot, unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward, except as otherwise provided in this title.

(Ord. 824 § 299.5, 2-8-60)

11.04.530 Yard, front.

FRONT YARD means an area extending across the full width of the lot and lying between the lot front line and a line parallel thereto, and having a distance between them equal to the required front yard depth as prescribed in each zone. Front yards shall be measured by a line at right angles to the lot front line, or by the radial line in the case of a curved lot front line. When a lot lies partially within a planned street indicated on a precise plan for such a street, and where such planned street is of the type that will afford legal access to such lot, the depth of the front yard shall be measured from the contiguous edge of such planned street in the manner prescribed in this definition.

(Ord. 824 § 299.6, 2-8-60)

11.04.535 Yard, rear line of required front.

REAR LINE OF THE REQUIRED FRONT YARD means a line parallel to the lot front line and at a distance therefrom equal to the depth of the required front yard, and extending across the full width of the lot.

(Ord. 824 § 299.7, 2-8-60)

11.04.540 Yard, side.

SIDE YARD means a yard between the main building and the lot side line extending from the rear line of the required front yard or from the lot front line if there be no required front yard, toward the lot rear line to a point measuring two-thirds of the depth of the lot, or sixty feet, whichever is the greater; except that on the side street side of corner lots and reverse corner lots the required side yard shall extend to the rear line of the lot and, in the case of a reverse corner lot, shall include all of that portion, if any, of a triangle formed in the following manner:

(a) On a common lot line of the reverse corner lot and the key lot a point shall be established where the rear line of the required front yard on the key lot meets such common lot line.

(b) On the side street side line of the reverse corner lot a point shall be established at a distance from the common street corner of the key lot and the reverse corner lot equal to the depth of the required front yard on the key lot. If an alley intervenes between the key lot and the reverse corner lot, the width of the alley shall be included in determining the length of the line on the side street side line of the reverse corner lot.

The width of the side yard shall be measured horizontally from, and at right angles to, the nearest point of a lot side line toward the nearest part of a main building.

(Ord. 824 § 299.8, 2-8-60)