Chapter 17.70
LIST OF TERMS AND DEFINITIONS1
Sections:
17.70.010 List of Terms.
Abandoned Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Accessory Building.
Accessory Use.
Acre, Gross Acre, gross.
Acre, Net Acre, net.
Adjacent.
Affordable Housing Terms.
Affordable Unit, For Sale. (See Affordable Housing Terms)
Affordable Unit, Unit, For Rent. (See Affordable Housing Terms)
Alley.
Allowed Use. (See Use Categories Of)
Alteration.
Ancillary Use. (See Accessory Use)
Animal, Domestic.
Animal, Farm.
Antenna.
Apartment. (See Residential Housing Types)
Appurtenant Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Arbor. (See Tree Terms)
Automated Teller Machine (ATM).
Automobile Parking. (See Parking Terms)
Average Grade. (See Grade-Related Terms)
Average Percent of Slope.
Balcony.
Banners. (See Sign Terms)
Base Density.
Base Floor Area.
Basement.
Best Management Practices.
Bonus Floor Area.
Buildable Area. (See Building Terms)
Building.
Building Coverage. (See Building Terms)
Building Height. (See Building Terms)
Building, Principal. (See Building Terms)
Building Site. (See Building Terms)
Building Terms.
Building Value. (See Building Terms)
Business Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Carmel Beachlands.
Carport. (See Parking Terms)
Certified Arborist.
Charitable Organization/Special Event Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Clean Water Act.
Coastal Resources.
Common Open Space. (See Open Space Types)
Conditionally Permitted Use. (See Use Categories Of)
Condominium. (See Residential Housing Types)
Construction Activity.
Construction Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Corner Lot. (See Lot Types)
Cost or Value of Construction.
Coverage, Building.
Coverage, Site Lot.
Crawl Space.
Cutting. (See Tree Terms)
Damage. (See Tree Terms)
Deck.
Demolition.
Department.
Development.
Director.
Directory Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Discount Store.
Display Case.
Double Frontage Lot. (See Lot Types)
Dripline. (See Tree Terms)
Drive-in Business.
Drive-in Establishment. (See Food Use Terms)
Driveway.
Dwelling. (See Residential Housing Types)
Dwelling, Multifamily.
Dwelling, Single-Family.
EIR.
Emergency.
Exclusive Use.
Existing Grade. (See Grade-Related Terms)
Exterior Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Exterior Volume.
Family.
Fast Food Establishment. (See Food Use Terms)
Fence.
Finished Grade. (See Grade-Related Terms)
Flag Lot. (See Lot Types)
Floor Area.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR).
Floor.
Food Use Terms Establishments.
For Commercial Districts. (See Interaccessibility)
For R-1 District. (See Interaccessibility)
Formula Food Establishment. (See Food Use Terms)
Front Lot Line. (See Lot Line Types)
Frontage, Street.
Garage. (See Parking Terms)
Garage, Yard, Rummage, and Estate Sale Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Garden Wall.
General Plan.
Grade-Related Terms. (See Rules of Measurement).
Group Residential. (See Residential Housing Types)
Guesthouse.
Hazardous Material.
Health, Safety, and Welfare Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Height.
Home Business Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Home Occupation.
Home Occupation Sign. (See Sign Terms)
House Name Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Illegal Discharge.
Illicit Connection.
Illuminated Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Impermeabilized Surface.
Industrial Activity.
Intensity of Use.
Interaccessibility.
Interior Lot. (See Lot Types)
Interior Lot Line. (See Lot Line Types)
Interior Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Kitchen.
Landscaping.
Lateral Access. (See Public Access Terms)
Limited Duration.
Liquidation Store.
Living Space.
Loading Space.
Lodging Unit.
Lot.
Lot Area.
Lot Line Types.
Lot Types.
Lot Width.
Low-Income Households. (See Affordable Housing Terms)
Manufacturers’ Outlet Store.
Merchandise Mart.
Minor Alteration. (See Alteration)
Moderate-Income Households. (See Affordable Housing Terms)
Name Plate. (See Sign Terms)
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Discharge Permits.
Natural Feature.
No Soliciting/No Handbills Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Nonconforming Building or Structure.
Nonconforming Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Nonconforming Use. (See Use Categories Of)
Nonpermanent Structures.
Nonstormwater Discharge.
NPDES.
Nursing Home.
Occupancy, Change In.
Off-Street Loading Facilities.
Open House Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Open Space Types. (See also Yard)
Ordinary Maintenance and Repair.
Other Offices.
Outdoor Storage.
Outlet Store. (See Liquidation Store).
Parking Lots. (See Parking Terms)
Parking Pad. (See Parking Terms)
Parking Structures. (See Parking Terms)
Parking Terms.
Patio.
Pergola.
Permitted Use. (See Use Categories Of)
Person.
Personal Services.
Place of Business.
Pollute.
Pollution.
Porch.
Porte-Cochere.
Porter-Cologne Act.
Preexisting.
Preservation.
Private Open Space. (See Open Space Types)
Project.
Public Access Terms.
Public Parking Area. (See Parking Terms)
Real Estate Rider. (See Sign Terms)
Real Estate Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Rear Lot Line. (See Lot Line Types)
Reconstruction.
Rehabilitation.
Remuneration.
Resale control.
Residential Housing Types. (See also Chapter 17.68 CMC, Use Classifications)
Resubdivided Corner Lots. (See Lot Types)
Retaining Wall.
Review Authority.
Sandy Beach Area.
School, Public or Private.
Seconds Store. (See Liquidation Store.)
Sensitive Coastal Resource Area.
Setback Line.
Shrub.
Side Lot Line. (See Lot Line Types)
Sign.
Sign Area. (See Sign Terms)
Sign Copy. (See Sign Terms)
Sign Height. (See Sign Terms)
Sign Terms.
Significant Tree. (See Tree Terms)
Site.
Site Coverage. (See Coverage, Site)
Specialized Retail.
Stationary Store.
Stoop.
Storm Drain System.
Stormwater.
Story.
Street Grade. (See Grade-Related Terms)
Street.
Structure.
Substantial Alteration.
Take-out Food Establishment. (See Food Use Terms)
Telecommunications and Wireless Terms. See Chapter 17.46 CMC.
Temporary Events.
Temporary Sign. (See Sign Terms)
Temporary Uses. (See Temporary Events)
Terrace.
Time-Share Definitions.
Time-Share Estate. (See Time-Share Definitions)
Time-Share Occupancy. (See Time-Share Definitions)
Time-Share Use.
Time-Share Program. (See Time-Share Definitions)
Time-Share Project. (See Time-Share Definitions)
Transient.
Tree. (See Tree Terms)
Tree Terms.
Trellis.
Underfloor Area.
Usable Open Space. (See Open Space Types)
Use Categories Of.
Use, Change of.
Vacation Time-Sharing Project. (See Time-Share Definitions)
Veranda.
Vertical Access. (See Public Access Terms)
Very Low-Income Households. (See Affordable Housing Terms)
Visible.
Wall Cladding.
Waters of the United States.
Window Well.
Within All Commercial Zones. (See Story)
Within Residential Zones. (See Story)
Yard Types. (See Rules of Measurement)
Yard, Front. (See Yard Types)
Yard, Rear. (See Yard Types)
Yard, Side. (See Yard Types)
Yard. (Ord. 2023-06 § 3, 2023; Ord. 2004-02 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2004-01 § 1, 2004).
17.70.020 Definitions.
The words, terms, and phrases defined in this chapter shall, for all purposes connected with this title, be construed as having the meanings respectively set forth in this chapter.
Accessory Building. A detached building that is secondary to the principal structure(s) on a site. Examples include a playhouse, woodshed, storeroom, laundry, private garage, accessory dwelling unit, or workshop.
Accessory Use. A use that is secondary to the principal use of a building or space within a building on the same building site that serves a purpose customarily incidental to any permitted use made of the premises alone. For retail uses, an accessory use is incidental in terms of area, extent, and purpose to a primary use and in terms of display space that is occupied.
Acre, Gross. A measure of total land area of any lot including future streets, parks, and other land dedications.
Acre, Net. The gross area of a site excluding land to be dedicated for required easements for vehicles and rights-of-way, either public or private, or land to be dedicated for schools and parks or other facilities devoted to public use.
Adjacent. Near or close to; sometimes contiguous; neighboring.
Affordable Housing Terms.
Affordable Unit, For Rent. A unit for which the total monthly rent plus utilities for lower income households does not exceed 30 percent of 60 percent of the county median income or, for very low-income households, 30 percent of 50 percent of the county median income.
Affordable Unit, For Sale. A unit for which the total monthly payment including interest, taxes, insurance, and utilities does not exceed for lower income households 30 percent of 60 percent of the county median income or, for very low-income households, 30 percent of 50 percent of the county median income.
Very Low-Income Households. Households with incomes that do not exceed 50 percent of the area median income, as adjusted for family size.
Low-Income Households. Households with incomes ranging from 51 percent to 80 percent of the area median income, as adjusted for family size.
Moderate-Income Households. Households with incomes ranging from 80 percent to 120 percent of the area median income, as adjusted for family size.
Aggrieved Person. An “aggrieved person” means any person who, in person or through a representative, appeared at a City public hearing in connection with the decision or action appealed, or who, by other appropriate means prior to a hearing, informed the City of the nature of his/her concerns or who for good cause was unable to do either (i.e., defective notice). “Aggrieved person” includes the applicant for a permit.
Alley. A secondary vehicular accessway through the middle of a block that provides access to the rear of building sites or to buildings.
Alteration. Any change, addition, or modification of any of the supporting members of a structure, such as bearing walls, columns, beams or girders, that changes the exterior architectural appearance or materials of a structure or object. “Alteration” includes changes in exterior surfaces, changes in materials, additions, remodels, demolitions, and relocation of buildings or structures but excludes ordinary maintenance and repairs.
Minor Alteration. Alterations that involve minor design changes and for which only an administrative permit by the Planning Director is required pursuant to Chapter 17.58 CMC, Design Review.
Substantial Alteration. Alterations that involve more substantial design changes and for which discretionary approval is required pursuant to Chapter 17.58 CMC, Design Review.
Ancillary Use. See “Accessory Use.”
Animal, Domestic. A small animal of the type generally accepted as a pet, including dog, cat, rabbit, songbird, fish, and the like, but not including chicken, duck, goose, pea fowl, goat, sheep, pig, hog or the like.
Animal, Farm Animal, Large. Any animal that is customarily raised on farms, including horses, cows, and any other animal customarily kept in a pen, corral, stable, or pond.
Antenna. Any system of wires, poles, rods, reflecting discs or similar devices used for the transmission or reception, or both, of electromagnetic radiation waves.
Automated Teller Machine (ATM). An automated device used by the public to conduct such banking and financial transactions electronically as withdrawing or depositing cash from a bank, savings, credit union, credit card or similar account. As used in this code the term ATM does not apply to retail point-of-sale transactions within a fully enclosed location.
Average Grade. See “Grade, Average.”
Average Percent of Slope. The ratio between vertical and horizontal distances expressed as a percent. See “Rules of Measurement.”
Balcony. A platform that projects from the wall of a building, typically above the first level, and is surrounded by a rail, balustrade, or parapet.
Banners. See “Sign Terms.”
Base Density. The number of dwelling units on a particular parcel of land that is in conformance with the general plan and zoning code.
Base Floor Area. The calculated floor area allowed on a site prior to consideration of bonus floor area or adjustments to floor area based on site constraints. See “Rules of Measurement.”
Basement. An underground room or excavated space between five and nine feet of interior height, finished or unfinished where the finished floor level directly above the space is not more than one foot above both the existing or final grade. Any subgrade space where the finished floor elevation directly above the space is more than one foot above existing or finished grade shall be considered above-ground space. All areas where the finished floor elevation directly above a subgrade space is more than five feet above either existing or final grade shall also be considered a story. (Note: In calculating the floor area of a basement it may be necessary to count part of the area in a floor level as basement and part of the area in a floor level as above-ground space.) Basement spaces may be used for any residential occupancy allowed by the Uniform Building Code such as bathrooms, family rooms, hobby rooms, offices, mechanical equipment, storage and, if equipped with window wells, bedrooms.
Figure VI-I: Basement
Best Management Practices. Best management practices means activities, practices, and procedures to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants directly or indirectly to the municipal storm drain system and waters of the United States. Best management practices include treatment facilities to remove pollutants from stormwater; operating and maintenance procedures; facility management practices to control runoff, spillage or leaks of nonstormwater, waste disposal, and drainage from materials storage; erosion and sediment control practices; the prohibition of specific activities, practices, and procedures; and such other provisions as the City determines appropriate for the control of pollutants.
Bonus Floor Area. Floor area, in addition to the floor area for a site, granted as an incentive to achieve specified design or land use objectives.
Building. A permanent structure providing shelter occupying an area of land and enclosing volume. This implies a roof supported by walls, posts, or columns. If walls entirely enclose the space within, there usually are doorways for access and windows for light. Roofs, walls, doors, and windows are essential features of buildings.
Building Terms.
Buildable Area. The portion or area of a lot or parcel of land, after subtracting such unbuildable areas of the parcel as easements, environmentally sensitive habitat areas (ESHAs), or excessive slopes. See “Rules of Measurement.”
Building Coverage. See “Coverage, Building.”
Building Height. The plumb vertical distance from existing or finished grade (whichever is more restrictive) to the highest point of the roof beams of a flat roof, the deck line of a mansard roof, or the peak or gable of a pitched or hipped roof. See “Rules of Measurement.”
Building, Principal. A building in which the primary activities are conducted.
Building Site. A lot or parcel of land containing the minimum net acreage or square footage required for development as specified in the General Plan and/or Zoning Code.
Building Value. A value determined by the Building Official based on the total floor area of the building multiplied by the International Conference of Building Officials building standards valuation tables as adjusted by the local modifier adopted by the City Council.
Carmel Beachlands. All publicly owned real property west of North San Antonio extending from the north City boundary south to Ocean Avenue including the western terminus of Ocean Avenue west of San Antonio, and all lands west of Scenic Road extending from the south City limits north to Ocean Avenue.
Carport. See “Parking Terms.”
Certified Arborist. An individual who has demonstrated knowledge and competency through obtainment of the current International Society of Arboriculture arborist certification, or who is a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists.
Clean Water Act. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) and any subsequent amendments thereto.
Coastal Plan. “Coastal Plan” means the California Coastal Zone Conservation Plan prepared and adopted by the California Coastal Zone Conservation Commission and submitted to the Governor and the Legislature on December 1, 1975, pursuant to the California Coastal Zone Conservation Act of 1972 (commencing with Section 27000).
Coastal Resources. Include, but are not limited to, public access opportunities, visitor and recreational facilities, water-oriented activities, marine resources, biological resources, environmentally sensitive habitat areas, agricultural lands, and archaeological or paleontological resources.
Construction Activity. In the context of CMC 17.42.020, Urban Runoff Water Quality and Discharge Management, activities subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Construction Permits. These include construction projects resulting in land disturbance of five acres or more. These activities include clearing and grubbing, grading, excavating, and demolition.
Construction Sign. See “Sign Terms.”
Cost or Value of Construction. The total cost required to construct, rebuild, repair, remodel or make an addition to an existing building and shall include all permanent work and permanent equipment, excluding landscaping.
Coverage, Building. The total ground area of a building site occupied by buildings; or the allowable percentage of a lot that may be occupied by buildings (i.e., building footprint) consistent with the General Plan or Zoning Code.
Coverage, Lot. That area of a building site occupied, or allowed to be occupied, by materials or improvements that cover the natural soil but which are outside the perimeter of structures that count as floor area or building coverage. Depending on the nature of the materials used, lot coverage may be impermeable, semipermeable or fully permeable. See “Rules of Measurement.”
Coverage, Site. The total ground area of a site occupied by materials or improvements that cover the natural soil but which are outside the perimeter of structures that count as floor area. Site coverage includes:
A. Fully permeable materials including gravel, spaced decking and exterior stairs. However, shredded bark, wood chips and similar materials used as mulch within fully landscaped areas are not counted as site coverage.
B. Semi-permeable materials including sand-set bricks or pavers, garden walkways of small paving stones, and arbors.
C. Impermeable materials including asphalt, concrete, mortared brick and stone, decomposed granite, unspaced decking and balconies at any level, garden walls, solariums, bridges, sheds not counted as floor area, ponds, hot tubs and swimming pools.
Crawl Space. An area below a building having a clearance less than adult height, but accessible by crawling. Such space is typically below the first floor and is surrounded by foundation walls or supports.
Demolition. The act of reconstructing, removing, taking down or destroying all or portions of an existing building or structure, or making extensive repairs or modifications to an existing building or structure, if such changes involve removal or replacement of 50 percent or more of both the structural framing and cladding or of the exterior walls within a 24-month period. When determining whether a building or structure is demolished, the following applies:
A. The nonconforming portions of any wall is counted as removed or taken down, even when retention of these portions is proposed.
B. Any continuous run of remaining exterior wall surfaces measuring 10 feet or less in length are counted as removed or replaced.
Department. The Department of Community Planning and Building.
Deck. An open, unroofed porch or platform, either freestanding or attached to a building that is supported above grade. See also “Balcony.”
Development. In compliance with Public Resources Code Section 30106, on land, in water or under it, the placement or erection of any solid material or structure; the discharge or disposal of any dredged material or of any gaseous, liquid, solid, or thermal waste; the grading, removing, dredging, mining, or extraction of any materials; the change in the density or intensity of use of land, including subdivision in compliance with the Map Act, and any other division of land, except where the land division is brought about in connection with the purchase of the land by a public agency for public recreational use; the change in the intensity of use of water, or of access to water; the construction, reconstruction, demolition, or alteration in the size of any structure, including any facility of any private, public, or municipal utility; and the removal or harvesting of major vegetation other than for agricultural purposes and kelp harvesting. New development is any development after the effective date of these regulations. As used in these regulations, “structure” includes, but is not limited to, any building, road, pipe, flume, conduit, siphon, aqueduct, telephone line, and electrical power transmission and distribution line.
Director. The Director of Community Planning and Building or the Director’s designee.
Discount Store. A business primarily devoted to the sale of merchandise consistently sold below normal retail prices.
Display Case. A case, cabinet, or other device having a window of glass or other transparent material, or other opening, access to which is made from other than within a structure or building.
Dripline. See “Tree Terms.”
Drive-in Business. Any primary or accessory business use in which business is transacted while the customer or consumer is seated in a motor vehicle.
Driveway. A paved or unpaved accessway used by vehicles and pedestrians for common access to a parking space, garage, dwelling, or other structure.
Double Frontage Lot. See “Lot Types.”
Dwelling, Multifamily. A building or group of buildings on a single building site that, in whole or in part, is designed for, or occupied by, members of two or more families dwelling independently of each other in separate areas or units.
Dwelling, Single-Family. Any building containing one or more habitable rooms with facilities for living, sleeping, cooking, and eating and containing no more than one kitchen.
EIR. An environmental impact report as required under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Emergency. A sudden, unexpected occurrence demanding immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss or damage to life, health, property, or essential public services.
ESHA. “Environmentally sensitive habitat area” means any area in which plant or animal life or their habitats are either rare or especially valuable because of their special nature or role in an ecosystem and which could be easily disturbed or degraded by human activities and development.
Exclusive Use. A use that precludes ordinary use in the vicinity of a temporary event for public recreation, beach access, or access to coastal waters other than for or through the event itself.
Existing Grade. See “Grade, Existing.”
Exterior Volume. The total space occupied by all structures located above average grade, expressed in cubic feet and measured from the exterior wall and roof surfaces of each building. See “Rules of Measurement.”
Family. An individual or two or more persons living together as a single nonprofit housekeeping unit and sharing common living, sleeping, cooking, and eating facilities.
Feasible. “Feasible” means capable of being accomplished in a successful manner within a reasonable period of time, taking into account economic, environmental, social, and technological factors.
Fence. An enclosure or barrier made of wood or metal, used as a boundary, means of protection, privacy screening, or confinement, but not including walls, masonry structures, hedges, shrubs, trees, or other natural growth.
Finished Grade. See “Grade, Finished.”
Flag Lot. See “Lot Types.”
Floor. A surface that is horizontal or nearly so located within the interior of a structure which is suitable for walking or standing upon.
Floor Area. The total gross square footage included within the surrounding exterior walls of all floors contained within all enclosed buildings on a building site. See “Rules of Measurement.” Also see definitions within base zoning districts in Division II.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR). The total floor area of all buildings or structures on a building site divided by the site area. See “Rules of Measurement.”
Food Use Terms.
Drive-In Establishment. A business that (1) prepares food intended for consumption in vehicles that may or may not be parked on the site; or (2) provides for the ordering of food while the customers are seated in vehicles.
Formula Food Establishment. A business that (1) is required by contractual or other arrangements to offer standardized menus, ingredients, food preparation, employee uniforms, interior decor, signage or exterior design; or (2) adopts a name, appearance or food presentation format that causes it to be substantially identical to another restaurant regardless of ownership or location.
Fast Food Establishment. A business where food is consumed on or off the site and food is (1) pre-made and wrapped before customers place orders, and/or (2) served with disposable tableware for on-site food consumption. A fast food establishment also exhibits two or more of the following characteristics:
1. Food is ordered from a wall menu at a service counter;
2. Food consumed on the premises is ordered while customers are standing;
3. Payment is made by customers before food is consumed;
4. The service counter is closer to an entry/exit than is the seating/dining area; and/or
5. The business interior is brightly illuminated (greater than eight candlefoot power as measured in a horizontal plane three feet above the floor).
Take-out Food Establishment. A business that offers ready-to-eat, prepared snack foods and full meals for immediate consumption off the site while patrons are walking or standing in the public right-of-way or are seated in vehicles.
Frontage, Street Frontage. The side of a lot or building site facing a street.
Garage. See “Parking Terms.”
Garden Wall. A linear, masonry structure used within a landscape to define a boundary, path, planting area or other design feature. Garden walls are exposed on both sides and do not retain soil, slopes or terraces. (See also “Retaining Wall”).
General Plan. The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea General Plan.
Grade-Related Terms. See “Rules of Measurement.”
Average Grade. A horizontal line approximating the ground elevation through each building on a site used for calculating the exterior volume of buildings. Average grade is calculated separately for each building.
Existing Grade. The topographic elevations representing the surface of the ground prior to grading, filling, or other site alterations for a project. Existing grade may also be referred to as natural grade.
Finished Grade. The topographic elevations representing the ground surface at all parts of a site not occupied by a building upon project completion. This grade follows the actual soil or paving surface around the buildings including all excavations and fills. Excluded from this definition are window wells serving basement rooms, the combined area of which do not exceed 10 percent of the floor space in the total basement area.
Street Grade. The top of the curb or the top of the edge of the pavement or traveled way where no curb exists.
Guesthouse. An accessory building, or part of a principal building, without kitchen or cooking facilities, designed to be used by members of the family occupying the dwelling to which it is accessory and their guests or servants employed on the premises. A detached garage containing one or more rooms used or adopted for use as human habitation shall be considered a guesthouse.
Hazardous Material. Any material, including any substance, waste, or combination thereof, which because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics may cause, or significantly contribute to, a substantial present or potential hazard to human health, safety, property, or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise managed (California Health and Safety Code Section 25117).
Health, Safety, and Welfare Sign. See “Sign Terms.”
Height. The vertical distance of the dimension measured from finished grade, unless otherwise specified. See “Rules of Measurement.”
Home Business Sign. See “Sign Terms.”
Home Occupation. Any activity carried out for gain by a resident conducted as an accessory use in the resident’s dwelling.
Illegal Discharge. Any direct or indirect nonstormwater discharge to the storm drain system, except as exempted in CMC 17.42.020, Urban Runoff Water Quality and Discharge Management.
Illicit Connection. Either:
A. Any drain or conveyance, whether on the surface or subsurface, which allows an illegal discharge to enter the storm drain system, including any conveyances that allow any nonstormwater discharge including sewage, processed wastewater, and wash water to enter the storm drain system and any connections to the storm drain system from indoor drains and sinks, regardless of whether the drain or connection had been previously allowed, permitted, or approved by a government agency; or
B. Any drain or conveyance connected from a commercial or industrial land use to the storm drain system which has not been documented in plans, maps, or equivalent records and approved by the City.
Impermeable Surface. A surface artificially constructed so as to prevent or largely inhibit the infiltration of rainwater or runoff into the natural soils or underlying geologic materials.
Industrial Activity. Activities subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Industrial Permits as defined in 40 CFR, Section 122.26(b)(14).
Intensity of Use. The impacts a particular use or the use in combination with other uses has on its surroundings or on its demand for services and natural resources. Measures of intensity include but are not limited to requirements for water, gas, electricity, or public services; number of automobile trips generated by a use; parking demand; number of employees on a site; hours of operation; the amount of noise, light or glare generated; the number of persons attracted to the site, or, in eating establishments, the number of seats.
Interaccessibility.
For R-1 District. Internal access to all parts of a single-family dwelling such that all rooms are accessible without having to exit to the exterior and then re-enter through another opening and without having to pass through a garage.
For Commercial Districts. The ability to move between structures on the same or an adjacent building site without first exiting to an open space.
Kitchen. Any room or any part of a room designed, built, equipped, used, or intended to be used for the preparation of food and dishwashing, whether or not said room contains a cookstove or any other cooking appliance. A dining room, alcove, or similar room adjacent to or connected with a kitchen in which toasters, grills, percolators, and similar appliances are used shall not be deemed a kitchen.
Landscaping. The planting and maintenance of trees, ground cover, shrubs, vines, flowers, or lawn for an aesthetic or functional purpose.
Limited Duration. A period of time which does not exceed two weeks.
Living Space. Any space interior to a building having a floor suitable for walking or standing upon and that is used or designed for use by the occupants of a building.
Loading Space. An off-street space or berth within a building or contiguous to a group of buildings for the temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise or materials or people, which abuts on a street, service drive, alley, or other appropriate means of access.
Liquidation Store. A business that regularly devotes more than 15 percent of the commercial floor area to the liquidation of manufacturers’ or other retailers’ stocks at prices represented to be lower than normal. Also called an “outlet store” or a “seconds store.”
Lodging Unit. A room or combination of rooms used or intended to be used primarily for sleeping purposes for any consideration, whether money or other thing of value.
Lot. A designated parcel of real property established by plat, subdivision, or as otherwise permitted by law, and indicated as a separate lot upon a Final Subdivision Map, parcel map, lot line adjustment map, or record of merger filed in the Office of the County Recorder pursuant to the provisions of the California Subdivision Map Act.
Lot Area. The total area within the exterior lines of a lot excluding public access corridors, vehicular easements, and areas to be included in future street rights-of-way or other public facilities or uses established by easement, dedication, or ordinance.
Lot Types. See Figure VI-II: Lot Types.
Corner Lot. A lot or parcel of land situated at the intersection of two or more streets, having an angle or intersection of not more than 135 degrees.
Double Frontage Lot. A lot having frontage on two nonintersecting streets. Each frontage from which access is permitted shall be deemed a front lot line for purposes of establishing front yard setbacks. Such lots typically do not have a rear lot line.
Flag Lot. A lot not fronting or abutting a public roadway, where access to the public roadway is limited to a narrow private right-of-way.
Interior Lot. A lot not located on a street corner and lacking a side lot line adjacent to a street.
Resubdivided Corner Lots. A pair of lots each measuring approximately 50 feet by 80 feet formed by a 90 degree reorientation of an existing lot line separating two lots each measuring 40 feet by 100 feet, one of which is located at the corner of a block.
Lot Line Types.
Front Lot Line. The side of a lot that abuts a public street. For corner lots, the shortest side fronting upon a street is considered the front of the lot regardless of which street is used for vehicle or pedestrian access.
Interior Lot Line. A lot line not adjacent to a street.
Rear Lot Line. The lot line that is opposite and most distant from the front lot line. Where no lot line is within 45 degrees of being parallel to the front lot line, a line 10 feet in length within the lot, parallel to and at the maximum possible distance from the front lot line, will be deemed the rear lot line for the purpose of establishing setbacks and measuring rear yard depth.
Side Lot Line. Any lot lines other than front lot lines or rear lot lines.
Figure VI-II: Lot Types
Lot Width. The horizontal distance between side lot lines measured along a line that is parallel to the front lot line and located the minimum exterior setback distance from the front lot line.
Manufacturers’ Outlet Store. A business that regularly devotes more than 15 percent of the commercial floor area to the sale of merchandise, primarily from one or a few manufacturers, generally represented as irregular, discontinued, overstocked, or not considered by the manufacturer as disposable through normal retail channels.
Merchandise Mart. A use involving dividing a single business premises into spaces for separate businesses for the purpose of retail sales, whether or not walls are installed to separate such spaces, and where access to two or more of such spaces is from interior space or a common entry from the public way. A merchandise mart includes such other uses as stall merchandising or multiple enterprise businesses, but it does not include uses wherein concessions or separate departments are created within one store where there is only one business having the appearance of one business and only one set of books is kept for the business.
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Discharge Permits. General, group, and individual stormwater discharge permits that regulate facilities defined in Federal NPDES regulations in compliance with the Clean Water Act. These permits include general construction activity permits, general industrial activity permits, and similar permits adopted by the Central Coast Region of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the State Water Resources Control Board.
Natural Feature. Any tree, plant life, water feature, or rock outcropping.
Nonpermanent Structures. Include, but are not limited to, seating, perimeter fencing, vendor tents or canopies, judging stands, portable toilets, sound or video equipment, stages, platforms, movie or film sets, etc., which do not involve grading or landform alteration for installation.
Nonconforming Building or Structure. An existing building or structure that was lawfully designed, erected, or structurally altered but that does not conform with currently applicable zoning requirements prescribed for the district in which it is located.
Nonconforming Sign. See “Sign Terms.”
Nonconforming Use. See “Use, Categories Of.”
Nonstormwater Discharge. Any discharge to the storm drain system that is not composed entirely of stormwater.
NPDES. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
Nursing Home. Any building or portion thereof, which is not a single-family dwelling or hospital, wherein five or more persons are provided with food, lodging, and personal care by any individual, his agent or his employee for any sum of money or other thing of value, and who is therefore required by the County or the State of California to be licensed or approved for such service. A nursing home shall not provide care for drug addicts, mental patients, or alcohol addict cases. A residential care home shall be considered a nursing home for the purposes of this code.
Occupancy, Change In. A discontinuance of an existing use and the substitution therefore of a use of a different kind or class.
Off-Street Loading Facilities. A site or portion of a site devoted to the loading or unloading of motor vehicles or trailers, including loading berths, aisles, access drives, and landscaped areas.
Open House Sign. See “Sign Types.”
Open Space Types. See also “Yard.”
Private Open Space. An open area outside a building adjoining and directly accessible to a dwelling unit, reserved for the exclusive use of residents of the dwelling unit and their guests.
Usable Open Space. An outdoor or fenced area on the ground or on a roof, balcony, deck, porch, or terrace designed and accessible for outdoor living, recreation, pedestrian access, or landscaping, but excluding parking facilities, driveways, utility or service areas, or any required front or corner side yard, and excluding any space with a dimension of less than six feet in any direction or an area of less than 36 square feet.
Common Open Space. Land not individually owned or dedicated for public use that is designed and intended for the common use or enjoyment of the residents or occupants of a development.
Ordinary Maintenance and Repair. Any work undertaken to restore any deterioration of or damage to a structure or any part thereof involving no change to materials or design.
Other Offices. An office use not otherwise defined as personal or health care services where clients visit primarily by appointment or where business is conducted by telephone. Specific uses include, but are not limited to, engineering, architectural, surveying, accounting, bookkeeping, management, and public relations.
Outdoor Storage. Storage of materials, including items for sale, lease, processing, and repair, in an area outside an enclosed building.
Outlet Store. See “Liquidation Store.”
Parking Terms.
Automobile Parking. Parking available to the general public for a fee.
Parking Lots. An off-street, surfaced, ground level open area for the temporary storage of motor vehicles. See also “Public Parking Area.”
Parking Pad. A designated space located on a building site that has vehicle access to a street by means of a driveway meeting minimum dimensional standards, which is designed and used for the parking of a vehicle.
Public Parking Area. An open area other than a street used for the temporary parking of automobiles by the public, whether free, for compensation, or as an accommodation for clients or customers.
Parking Structures. A structure or a portion thereof composed of one or more levels or floors used exclusively for the parking or storage of motor vehicles. See also “Public Parking Area.”
Patio. A courtyard adjacent to or within a building typically enclosed by buildings, arcades, or walls.
Pergola. A structure of parallel colonnades supporting an open roof of beams and crossing rafters or trellis work over which climbing plants are trained to grow.
Person. An individual, a group of individuals, or an association, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity, public or private.
Personal Services. Services such as those of barber, beautician, or cosmetologist; interior decorator not providing upholstery or repair services on the premises nor providing articles for sale on the premises; photographic studio; and studios and schools of art, music, and dance.
Place of Business. The physical location(s) within the City where the activities of a business are conducted.
Pollute. Anything that causes or contributes to pollution, which may include paints, varnishes, and solvents; oil and other automotive fluids; nonhazardous liquid and solid wastes and yard wastes; refuse, rubbish, garbage, litter, or other discarded or abandoned objects, articles, and accumulations that may cause or contribute to pollution; floatables; pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers; hazardous substances and wastes; sewage, fecal coliform and pathogens; dissolved and particulate metals; animal wastes; wastes and residues that result from constructing a building or structure (including but not limited to sediments, slurries, and concrete fines); and noxious or offensive matter of any kind.
Pollution. The human-made or human-induced alteration of the quality of waters by waste to a degree which unreasonably affects, or has the potential to unreasonably affect, either the waters for beneficial uses or the facilities which serve these beneficial uses (California Water Code Section 13050).
Porch. An exterior appendage to a building forming a roofed or covered approach or vestibule to a doorway.
Porte-Cochere. A vehicular passageway leading through a building into an interior courtyard. Also, a porch roof projecting over a driveway at the entrance to a building and sheltering those getting in or out of vehicles.
Porter-Cologne Act. The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act and as amended (California Water Code 13000 et seq.).
Preexisting. In existence prior to the effective date of this title.
Preservation. The act or process of applying measures to sustain the existing form, integrity, and material of a building or structure or the existing form and vegetative cover of a site.
Project. Any proposal for a new or changed use or for new construction, alteration, or enlargement of any structure, that is subject to the provisions of this title. This term also refers to any action that qualifies as a “project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act.
Public Access Terms.
Lateral Access. Provides for public access and use along the shoreline.
Vertical Access. Provides access from the nearest public road to the shore, or perpendicular to the shore.
Reconstruction. The act or process of reproducing by new construction the exact form and detail of a vanished building, structure, or object, or a part thereof, as it appeared at a specific period of time.
Rehabilitation. The act or process of returning a property to a state of utility through repair or alteration which makes possible an efficient contemporary use while preserving those portions or features of the property which are significant to its historical, architectural, and cultural values.
Remuneration. Compensation, money, rent, or other bargained for consideration given in return for occupancy, possession, or use of real property.
Resale Control. A resale restriction placed on inclusionary units by which the price of such units and income of the purchaser will be restricted in order to assure affordability and occupancy by lower and very low-income households.
Residential Housing Types. See also Chapter 17.68 CMC, Use Classifications.
Apartment. A room or suite of rooms, occupied or designed for occupancy as a separate dwelling unit, located in a building containing either two or more such dwelling units or containing one dwelling unit plus commercial or other uses in separate rooms or spaces, as in a mixed-use building.
Condominium. A multiple dwelling or development containing individually owned dwelling units and jointly owned and shared areas and facilities.
Dwelling. A building or portion thereof which is used or designed for use exclusively for human habitation.
Group Residential. Shared living quarters without separate kitchens or bathrooms for each room or unit, including boardinghouses, dormitories, and private residential clubs, but excluding guesthouses.
Retaining Wall. A wall or similar structural device used at a grade change to hold the soil on the up-hillside from slumping, sliding, or falling.
Review Authority. The individual or official City body identified by these regulations as having the responsibility and authority to review, and approve or disapprove the permit applications required by these regulations. (Code 1975 Section 1350.95).
Rules of Measurement. See CMC 17.06.020 for specific rules.
School, Public or Private. An institution providing education and having curricula comparable to that required by public schools of the State of California. See also Chapter 17.68 CMC, Use Classifications.
Seconds Store. See “Liquidation Store.”
Senior Citizen Housing. See Chapter 17.68 CMC, Use Classifications.
Sensitive Coastal Resource Area. As provided by Coastal Act Section 30116, those identifiable and geographically bounded land and water areas of vital interest and sensitivity within the Coastal Zone, including special marine and land habitat areas, wetlands, lagoons, and estuaries as mapped and designated on Figure 2 of the Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan (Land Habitat Sensitivity Map) and archaeological sites referenced in the California Coastline and Recreation Plan or as designated by the State Historic Preservation Officer.
Setback Line. A line parallel to a corresponding lot line or building site boundary. The intervening space between a setback line and the corresponding lot line or building site boundary defines a required yard area where limits on site improvements may be established based on specific zone standards. See also “Yard Types.”
Shrub. A bushy, woody plant, usually with several permanent stems, and usually not over 10 to 15 feet high at maturity.
Sign. Any object, structure, symbol, banner, streamer, letter, number, emblem, logo, color, display, or light, or any combination thereof which is intended to or does identify, attract attention to, advertise, announce, or communicate information of any kind to the public.
Sign Terms.
Abandoned Sign. A sign that no longer applies to a business space, building, or site, due to lack of a valid business license, change of business name, or for any other reason that renders the sign not applicable to the premises involved.
Appurtenant Sign. A sign incidental, appropriate, and subordinate to a permitted use of the lot or building upon which the sign is located.
Banners. Temporary signs on public property announcing special events and conforming to standards established by policies of the City Council.
Business Sign. Any interior or exterior sign which is intended to identify the name or portions of the business name and which is viewable from any exterior area open to the public.
Charitable Organization or Special Event Sign. A temporary sign for the purpose of announcing special or infrequently held activities by an organization.
Construction Sign. A sign displayed by a contractor, subcontractor, or architect on a project site whenever a building permit has been issued for construction, alteration, or repair of a structure and when work is in progress on site pursuant to such permit.
Directory Sign. A collection of signs which list names of individual businesses located in a single building, courtyard, or property. Directories are located on private property at one or more entrance(s) facing or near the public right-of-way.
Exterior Sign. A sign which is located outside a building or premises or on a vacant property, or painted on or attached to a door, building or window, which is visible from the public right-of-way or any other exterior area open to the public.
Garage, Yard, Rummage, and Estate Sale Sign. A sign that advertises a garage, yard, rummage, or estate sale in the single-family residential (R-1) land use district or that advertises interior estate sales located in apartments or condominiums.
Health, Safety, and Welfare Sign. A temporary sign installed to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
Home Business Sign. A sign indicating the name and use of a licensed home business in the single-family residential (R-1) land use district.
Home Occupation Sign. A sign designating a licensed home occupation being conducted at the site.
House Name Sign. A sign that by its very nature and wording identifies the specific house and takes the place of house numbers. Such a sign may include pictorial and decorative designs otherwise prohibited.
Illuminated Sign. A sign which radiates light from any internal source or is backlit and is visible from any public right-of-way or from any area open to the public.
Interior Sign. A sign located within a business premises and visible from the public right-of-way or from any area open to the public.
Name Plate. A sign indicating the name of the owner or occupant of the premises, the name by which the residence or premises is known, or the profession or occupation of the owner or occupant of the premises.
No Soliciting or No Handbills Sign. A sign indicating no soliciting or distribution of handbills.
Nonconforming Sign. Any sign that existed prior to a change in the municipal code that prohibits such signs or any sign installed without approval from the City that requires approval by the City.
Open House Sign. An open house sign advertises that a house is open for view as part of the sale or exchange of the property.
Real Estate Sign. A sign identifying that a property is for sale, lease, exchange, or rent. The purpose of this sign is to help owners in the sale of their property by providing information on the location of the property to potential buyers without impairing the appearance of the community.
Real Estate Rider. A sign attached to a real estate sign that provides additional information about the sale or the property.
Sign Area. The entire area included within the smallest rectangle that wholly contains the sign. Brackets or other appurtenances incorporating design elements that are descriptive or informative of the business use will be included as part of the rectangle measuring the sign area. Also included are vacancy or no vacancy sign riders for motel or hotel or inn signs. See “Rules of Measurement” and Chapter 17.40 CMC, Signs.
Sign Copy. Any graphic, letter, numeral, symbol, insignia, text, sample, model, device, or combination thereof, that communicates advertising, identification, or notification.
Sign Height. The plumb vertical distance measured from either the lowest grade directly beneath the sign to the lowest side, edge, or element of the sign (minimum height) or from the lowest grade to the highest side, edge, or element of the sign (maximum height).
Temporary Sign. A sign or advertising display designed or intended to be displayed for a short period of time.
Significant Tree. Any tree listed on the City Significant Tree List as maintained by the City Forester.
Site. A lot, parcel, leasehold, or other physical location that is in a single ownership or under unified control. See also “Building Site.”
Specialized Retail. A retail store selling a specialized line of merchandise not otherwise defined including, art and architectural supplies; candles; coins and stamps; gems, rocks, and stones; telescopes; and binoculars.
Stationery Store. A retail store offering a full range of paper products, office forms and supplies, stationery, cards, pens, pencils, and writing supplies.
Stoop. A raised platform, sometimes roofed, approached by steps and located at an entrance to a house.
Storm Drain System. A publicly owned facilities operated by the City by which stormwater is collected or conveyed, including any roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, gutters, curbs, inlets, piped storm drains, pumping facilities, retention and detention basins, natural and human-made or altered drainage channels, reservoirs, and other drainage structures which are within the City and are not part of a publicly owned treatment works as defined at 40 CFR Section 122.2.
Stormwater. Any surface flow, runoff, and drainage consisting entirely of water from rainstorms.
Story. A space in a building between the upper surface of any floor and either the upper surface of the next floor above, or in the case of the topmost floor, the ceiling or roof above. Those portions of a subgrade or partially subgrade living space, space used for parking, underfloor space or crawl space are counted as a story where the finished floor above such space is five feet or more above the final grade adjacent to any exterior wall around the perimeter of the building.
Within Residential Zones. Those portions of excavated space not used for parking, that qualify as a basement, do not count as a story. All portions of a garage are considered a story. See also “Basement.”
Within All Commercial Zones. A basement or cellar is considered a story if the finished floor level directly above such basement or cellar is more than five feet above the surface of the ground adjacent to any portion of any exterior wall of such structure that faces on a public street, way, place, or park.
Street. A vehicular accessway that affords means of access to a block or to abutting property, including avenue, place, way, drive, lane, road, and any other thoroughfare except an alley as defined in this chapter.
Structure. A stable assembly of parts. The term “structure” includes, but is not limited to, any building, deck, garage, carport, arbor, fence, wall, stairway, road, pipe, flume, conduit, siphon, aqueduct, telephone line, and electrical power transmission and distribution line.
Subgrade Spaces. Floor levels, crawl spaces, basements and similar areas excavated below, or partially below, existing or finished grade, whether finished or unfinished.
Substantial Alteration. Any visual change, exterior design modification or addition to a building, structure, or site design, including but not limited to changes in architectural style or details, or changes in exterior materials, paving or decks that does not meet the definition of a demolition or a rebuild, or does not comply with adopted design objectives and/or design guidelines or does not qualify for track one design review.
Temporary Event. An activity or use of limited duration that constitutes development as defined in Section 301056 of the Coastal Act and involves the placement of nonpermanent structures or involves the exclusive use of a beach, parkland, filled tidelands, water, streets, or parking area which is otherwise open and available for general public use.
Temporary Use. See “Temporary Event.”
Terrace. An open, often paved area, at a single level and at grade, serving as an outdoor living area.
Timeshare Definitions.
Timeshare Plan. Any arrangement, plan, scheme, or similar device, whether established by membership agreement, sale, lease, deed, license, right-to-use agreement, articles of organization or incorporation, operating agreement or bylaws, or by any other means, whereby a purchaser, in exchange for consideration, receives the right to exclusive use of real property or portion thereof, according to a fixed or floating time schedule, for a period of time less than a full year during any given year, on a recurring basis for more than one year, but not necessarily for consecutive years. A timeshare plan shall be deemed to exist whenever such recurring rights of exclusive use to real property are created, regardless of whether such exclusive rights of use are a result of a grant of ownership rights, possessory rights, membership rights, rights pursuant to contract, or ownership of a fractional interest or share in real property, and regardless of whether they are coupled with ownership of a real property interest such as freehold interest or an estate for years in the property subject to the timeshare plan.
Timeshare Use and Fractional Interest Use. The use of real property or any part thereof, pursuant to a timeshare plan.
Transient. A period of time less than 30 consecutive days.
Transient Rental. Any residential unit that is occupied for the purposes of sleeping, lodging, or similar reasons for a period of less than 30 consecutive days in exchange for a fee or similar consideration. These units are required to pay transient occupancy tax and are classified as a Group R-1 occupancy if the site contains more than one transient rental unit (CMC 15.04.020(A)(16)).
Tree Terms.
Arbor. A shelter of shrubs and branches or of latticework intertwined with climbing vines.
Cutting. The detaching or separating from a protected tree any limb, branch, or root. Cutting includes pruning and trimming.
Damage. Any action undertaken foreseeably leading to the death or significant permanent injury of the tree or which places the tree in a hazardous condition or in an irreversible state of decline. This includes, but is not limited to, cutting, topping, girdling, poisoning, vandalizing, trenching or excavating within the dripline, altering the grade, paving in excess of 50 percent of the dripline, excessive watering of oak trees, and excessive pruning.
Dripline. The outermost edge of the tree’s canopy. When depicted on a map, the dripline will appear as an irregular shaped circle that follows the contour of the tree’s branches as seen from overhead, or a minimum of 15 times the trunk diameter, measured four feet, six inches off the ground at DBH (diameter breast height).
Significant Tree. Trees that meet certain diameter requirements as specified in Chapter 17.48 CMC, Trees and Shrubs.
Tree. A woody perennial plant, usually with one main stem or trunk and many-branched. It may appear to have several stems or trunks, as in certain varieties of oak. It is usually over 10 feet high at maturity.
Trellis. A frame supporting open latticework used as a screen or a support for growing vines or plants.
Underfloor Area. A space not counted as floor area located between existing or finished grade and the finished floor level of the first floor.
Use, Categories Of.
Allowed Use. Any use specified within the zoning district regulations. Allowed uses may be either permitted within a zone or may require approval of a conditional use permit.
Conditionally Permitted Use. Any use specified within the zoning district regulations as requiring a conditional use permit prior to establishment of the use.
Nonconforming Use. Any use that existed prior to a change in the municipal code that prohibits such use, or any use operating without a conditional use permit that existed prior to change in the municipal code that requires approval of a conditional use permit for such use.
Permitted Use. Any use that is specified within the zoning district regulations, that does not require a conditional use permit.
Use, Change Of. Any modification initiated by, or reasonable under the control of the operator of a use that:
A. Alters or has the potential to alter the impact of the use on the community;
B. Violates one or more of the conditions attached to a conditional use permit;
C. Negates or contradicts a finding related to approval of a conditional use permit;
D. Alters the size, capacity or cubical content of a use;
E. Alters the categorization of the use, as defined within the municipal code or as defined on the business license.
Veranda. A large, open porch, usually roofed and partly enclosed by a railing or by support posts, often extending across the front and sides of a house.
Visible. Capable of being seen (whether or not legible) by a person of normal height and visual acuity walking or driving on a public road.
Wall Cladding. All exterior materials of a building, including wall surfaces, windows, doors, chimneys, etc. See also “Rebuilding and Substantial Alteration.”
Waters of the United States. Surface watercourses and water bodies as defined at 40 CFR 122.2 including all natural waterways and definite channels and depressions in the earth that may carry water, even though such waterways may carry water only during rains and storms and may not carry stormwater at and during all times and seasons.
Window Types.
Bay Window. A window or series of windows projecting from the outer wall of a building and forming a recess within. A bay window typically runs to the floor of the room it serves and adds floor area.
Oriel Window. A window that projects 18 inches or less from an exterior wall and is elevated at least 18 inches above the finished floor to create a bench or shelf within the room it serves. An oriel window does not add floor area.
Figure VI-III: Window Types
Window Well. A soil-retaining structure exterior to a building, located at a window having a sill height lower than the adjacent ground elevation.
Yard. An unoccupied space on a building site, unoccupied and unobstructed by structures from the ground upward. Required yard dimensions shall be measured between the property line of the building site and that part of the building or structure nearest to the property line.
Yard Types. See “Rules of Measurement.”
Yard, Front. A required open space extending across the front of a building site bounded by the front property line, the side property lines, and the front setback line as required by the Zoning Code.
Yard, Rear. A required open space extending across the rear of a building site bounded by the rear property line, the side property lines, and the rear setback line as required by the Zoning Code.
Yard, Side. A required open space extending along each side property line of a building site bounded by the required front and rear setback lines and the required side setback line.
(Ord. 2023-06 § 3, 2023; Ord. 2022-07 § 2(3), 2023; Ord. 2019-03 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 2017-10 § 2, 2017; Ord. 2004-02 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2004-01 § 1, 2004).
Prior legislation: Code 1975 §§ 1301, 1303, 1350, 1351, 17.04.610, 17.04.620, 17.36.030, 17.36.040, 17.36.150, Ords. 124 C.S., 130 C.S., 159 C.S., 166 C.S., 189 C.S., 194 C.S., 195 C.S., 230 C.S., 281 C.S., 283 C.S., 284 C.S., 290 C.S., 294 C.S., 314 C.S., 75-4, 76-12, 77-29, 78-15, 79-4, 80-13, 80-20, 80-23, 81-9, 82-1, 82-20, 84-14, 84-19, 85-1, 85-15, 85-18, 86-3, 88-6, 88-24, 88-26, 89-17, 89-20 (urgency), 90-8, 90-13, 91-8, 91-9, 91-14, 98-11 and 2001-03.