Chapter 18.08
DEFINITIONS
Sections:
18.08.020 Construction of language.
18.08.010 Purpose of chapter.
The purpose of this chapter is to set forth the meaning of certain terms, phrases, and words as they are used in this code. Specific plans may identify terms in addition to those defined in this code. In the case of conflict between the meaning of a term in this code and the same term in a specific plan regarding an issue within the specific plan, the specific plan term shall be applied. Other words not defined within this code shall have the same meaning as provided in a standard dictionary.
(Ord. 2015-05, Repealed and Replaced, 06/16/2015)
18.08.020 Construction of language.
All words used in the singular include the plural and the plural the singular; and any tense includes the other tenses unless the context requires otherwise. The word “shall” is mandatory and the word “may” is permissive. The following words and phrases have the meanings ascribed to them below, unless the context clearly indicates differently.
(Ord. 2015-05, Repealed and Replaced, 06/16/2015)
18.08.030 Definitions.
“A-weighted sound level” means the sound level in decibels as measured with a sound level meter using the A-weighted network (scale) at slow meter response. The unit measurement is referred to herein as dB(A) or dBA.
“Abandoned sign” means any sign that advertises or identifies a business, product, or service that has not been available on the business premises where the display is located for a period of ninety (90) days or more.
“Accessory dwelling unit” or “ADU” means an attached or detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one (1) or more persons and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. An accessory dwelling unit also includes the following:
1. An efficiency unit, as defined by Section 17958.1 of the California Health and Safety Code; and
2. A manufactured home, as defined by Section 18007 of the California Health and Safety Code.
“Accessory structure” means a structure that is accessory and incidental to a dwelling located on the same lot. Refer to Section 18.16.080, Development standards, for accessory structures and equipment in residential zoning districts, for further information.
“Accessory use” means a use accessory to any principal use and customarily a part thereof, which is clearly incidental and secondary to the principal use and does not change the character of the principal use.
“Advisory agency” means the Planning Commission, which is charged with the duty of making investigations and reports on the design and improvement of proposed divisions of real property, with imposing of requirements or conditions thereon, and of approving, conditionally approving, or disapproving tentative maps.
Aesthetics. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Agricultural products processing” means the act of changing an agricultural crop, subsequent to its harvest, from its natural state to the initial stage of processing of that crop in order to prepare it for market or further processing at an off-site location. Examples of this processing include nut hulling and shelling, bean cleaning, corn shelling and sorting, grape sorting and crushing, primary processing of fruits to juice and initial storage of the juice, without fermentation, cleaning and packing of fruits.
Alignment (Architectural). Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Alley” means a public or private way permanently reserved as a secondary means of access to abutting property.
“Ambient noise level” means the all-encompassing noise level associated with a given environment, being a composite of sounds from all sources, excluding the alleged offensive noise, at the location and approximate time at which a comparison with the alleged offensive noise is to be made.
“Ambulance, private” means a private dispatch facility that offers emergency ambulance services, where ambulance vehicles and crews stand by for emergency calls. Includes incidental storage and maintenance of vehicles.
“Animal, domestic” means any household pet (see definition) that is adapted to life in close association with people, including dogs, cats, rabbits, fish, guinea pigs, miniature pigs, small reptiles, rodents and other similar animals no larger than the largest breed of dogs, including hen chickens.
“Animated sign” means any sign, except a changeable copy sign, that uses movement or change of lighting to depict action or create a special effect or scene.
“Appliance repair and service” means a retail establishment that involves the repair or service of any sort of mechanical, plumbing, or electrical device should it become out of order, broken or performing routine actions which keep the device in working order.
Applicant. Refer to Section 18.44.080.01, mobilehome park conversion, closure, and cessation of use definitions.
“Approved access” means the right of vehicular travel to a public street, as shown on a final subdivision map or final parcel map or as approved by the City Council.
“Approving body” means any one (1) of the following: City Council, Planning Commission or Community Development Director.
Arcade. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Arterial street” means a major street carrying the traffic of local and collector streets to and from freeways and other major streets, with controlled intersections and generally providing direct access to nonresidential properties.
Articulation. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Auditorium, public or private” means a large building or hall used for public gatherings, typically speeches or stage performances.
“Auto dismantling” means The dismantling or wrecking of used motor vehicles or trailers, or the storage, sale or dumping of dismantled or wrecked vehicles or their parts. The presence on any lot or parcel of land of five (5) or more motor vehicles which for a period exceeding thirty (30) days have not been capable of operating under their own power, and from which parts have been or may be removed for reuse or sale shall constitute prima facie evidence of an automobile wrecking yard.
“Automobile parking lot or structure, commercial” means surface parking lot or building for short-term storage of motor vehicles that is a primary use of a site. A parking structure has two (2) or more tiers or levels and at least two (2) open sides with the top tier either roofed or not.
“Automotive and recreational vehicle sales, leasing, and rental” means a retail establishment selling, leasing, and/or renting automobiles, trucks and vans, motorcycles, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and watercrafts. May also include repair shops and the sales of parts and accessories, incidental to vehicle dealerships. Does not include the sale of auto parts/accessories separate from a vehicle dealership; tire recapping establishments; businesses dealing exclusively in used parts; or repair and service.
“Automotive type repair and service” means A use engaged in service or major repair of new or used automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, motorcycles, mopeds, recreational vehicles, or other similar vehicles, including tire recapping, painting, body and fender repair, and engine, transmission, air conditioning, and glass repair and replacement, and similar services.
Awning. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Awning sign” means A sign suspended no lower than ten (10) feet above the public way or above a walkway that is used by the public, under a canopy or awning of a building, which identifies a building, profession or industry conducted on the premises.
“Bakery, retail” means any commercial bakery where twenty-five percent (25%) or more of its gross earnings are the result of retail transactions on the property.
“Bank and financial services” means Financial institutions including:
A. Banks and trust companies;
B. Credit unions;
C. Holding (but not primarily operating) companies;
D. Home loan services;
E. Mortgage brokers;
F. Other investment companies;
G. Securities/commodity contract brokers and dealers;
H. Security and commodity exchanges;
I. Vehicle finance (equity) leasing.
J. “Automated teller machines (ATM)” means a computerized, self-service machine used by banking customers for financial transactions, including deposits, withdrawals and fund transfers, without face-to-face contact with financial institution personnel. These machines may be located at or within banks, or in other locations.
“Banner” means Any temporary sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is mounted to any structure, including a pole, at two or more edges.
“Bar,” “tavern,” or “lounge, cocktail” means a use providing preparation and retail sale of alcoholic beverages, on a licensed “on sale” basis, for consumption on the premises.
“Barber poles” means Rotating or stationary cylindrical poles of the traditional red, white, and blue spiral striped design, identifying the premises as a barbershop.
Bay (Structural). Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Beacon” means A spotlight or other source of light designed to attract attention.
“Beauty salon/barber including incidental massage therapy” means retail establishments providing nonmedical services to individuals as a primary use. These uses may also include secondary or ancillary retail sales of products related to the services provided.
“Bed and breakfast” means A house, or portion thereof, where short-term (less than thirty (30) days within any sixty (60) day period) lodging rooms and meals are provided. The operator or manager of the facility shall live on the premises or in adjacent premises.
“Billboard” means Any freestanding sign or building sign advertising, announcing, or identifying the purpose of a person or entity, or communicating information of any kind to the public, that is located off premises to the person, entity, or information being advertised, announced, or identified.
“Bingo parlor” means An establishment intended for the playing of bingo. Bingo is a game of chance in which prizes are awarded on the basis of designated numbers or symbols on a card which conforms to numbers of symbols selected at random.
“Brewery, micro” means a manufacturer of specialty beers that are typically made available locally or regionally. A microbrewery may also have a restaurant on the premises. The operation of such facility shall be consistent with the Alcohol and Beverage Code Section 23357.
“Broadcast studio” means A facility where radio or television broadcasts originate.
“Building” means Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls built for the support, shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, chattels or property of any kind.
“Building height” means The vertical distance from the pad elevation to the highest point of the structure (see Figure 18.08-1).
Figure 18.08-1
Height Measurement 
“Building marker” means Any sign indicating the name of a building, its date of construction, and incidental information about its construction which is cut into masonry surface or made of bronze or other permanent material.
“Building Official” means The head of the Building Department of the City of Galt and shall include his or her designee.
Bulkhead. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Call center” or “telemarketing facility” means An office set up to handle a large volume of telephone calls, especially for taking orders, providing customer service, or sales.
“Campground” means An area or tract of land with one (1) or more spaces for the temporary use of tents and recreational vehicles and may include permanent structures for an office, restrooms, laundry facilities, and similar ancillary facilities.
Canopy. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Canopy sign” means Any sign that is a part of or attached to an awning, canopy, or other fabric, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area. A marquee is not a canopy.
“Car wash” means A building containing equipment for washing motor vehicles automatically.
“Catering” means An establishment that serves and supplies food to be consumed off premises.
“Cemetery” means Land used or intended to be used for the burial of the dead and dedicated for cemetery purposes, including columbariums, crematoriums, mausoleums and mortuaries when operated in conjunction with and within the boundary of such cemetery.
Cessation of Use. Refer to Section 18.44.080.01, mobilehome park conversion, closure, and cessation of use definitions.
“Change of copy” means Changing of the face or letters on a sign with no change in the structural components of the sign structure.
“Check cashing service” means Any person engaged in the business of cashing checks for a fee, service charge or other consideration.
“City” means The incorporated area of the City of Galt.
“City Engineer” means The City Engineer of the City of Galt and shall include his or her designee.
Closure. Refer to Section 18.44.080.01, mobilehome park conversion, closure, and cessation of use of definitions.
“Club” or “lodge” means A not-for-profit association of persons, whether incorporated or unincorporated, organized to pursue common goals, interest or activities, but not including a group organized solely or primarily to render a service customarily carried on as a business.
“Code Compliance Officer” means The City’s Code Compliance Officer or his or her designee.
“Coffee house” means A retail establishment, with or without drive-through service, which primarily sells prepared coffee, tea, and related beverages, but also provides an incidental sale of food, glassware, coffee beans, tea bags, and related merchandise.
Collective or Cooperative. Refer to Section 18.58.040, marijuana cultivation definitions.
“College” or “university” means A facility providing a continuous academic program primarily for students seventeen (17) years of age or older.
Colonnade. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
Column. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Commencement of development” means Securing and maintaining a valid building permit for the project as approved.
“Commercial coach” means A vehicle, with or without motive power, designed and for industrial, professional or commercial office purposes and not used for residential purposes.
“Commercial crops (with off-site sales)” means commercial agricultural production field and orchard uses, including the production of the following or similar, primarily in the soil on the site and not in containers:
A. Field crops;
B. Flowers and seeds;
C. Fruits;
D. Grains;
E. Melons;
F. Ornamental crops;
G. Tree nuts;
H. Trees and sod;
I. Vegetables; and
J. Wine and table grapes.
Also includes associated crop preparation services and harvesting activities, such as mechanical soil preparation, irrigation system construction, spraying, and crop processing, not including sales sheds. Does not include greenhouses, containerized crops, or noncommercial home gardening, which is allowed as an accessory residential use allowed without City approval.
“Commercial message” means A sign wording, logo, or other representation that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a business, product, service, or other commercial activity.
Community Care Facilities.
A. “Residential care facility (six (6) or fewer)” means any family home, group home, group care facility, or residential care facility for the elderly for twenty-four (24) hour nonmedical care of persons in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living or for the protection of the individual which serves six (6) or fewer persons.
B. “Residential care facility (seven (7) or more)” means any family home, group home, group care facility, or residential care facility for the elderly for twenty-four (24) hour nonmedical care of persons in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living or for the protection of the individual which serves seven (7) or more persons.
C. “Small family day care home (up to eight (8))” means a home which provides family day care for less than twenty-four (24) hours for up to eight (8) persons or current law, including children under the age of ten (10) years who reside at the home.
D. “Large family day care home (nine (9) to fourteen (14))” means a home which provides family day care for less than twenty-four (24) hours for nine (9) to fourteen (14) persons or current law, including children under the age of ten (10) years who reside at the home.
E. “Day care center” means a child day care center for children not yet enrolled in elementary school and not located inside a residence with no more than twelve (12) students.
“Community center” means A place where people from a particular community can meet for social, educational, or recreational activities.
“Community Development Director” means The head of the Community Development Department of the City of Galt or his/her designee.
“Community garden” means A lot or portion of a lot that is made available by the owner(s) for noncommercial production of vegetative food products by persons within the vicinity of such lot. It is the intent that the garden be used by persons for the production of food for their own use.
Comparable Mobilehome Park. Refer to Section 18.44.080.01, mobilehome park conversion, closure, and cessation of use definitions.
“Convenience market” means Easy access retail store of five thousand (5,000) square feet or less in gross floor area, which carries a range of merchandise oriented to convenience and travelers’ shopping needs. These stores may be part of a service station or an independent facility.
Conversion. Refer to Section 18.44.080.01, mobilehome park conversion, closure, and cessation of use definitions.
Cornice. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Council” means The City Council of Galt.
“County” means The county of Sacramento.
“Covered parking” means A parking space or parking area that includes overhead manmade and/or natural materials, acceptable to the Community Development Department, providing year round shade or cover over at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the space or area. Covered parking includes, but is not limited to, garages, carports, lattice shade shelters, or full canopy evergreen tree landscaping.
“Crematorium” means a facility that houses a cremator having a cremation chamber or retort. In this chamber, the body of a deceased is incinerated and hence, reduced to skeletal remains and bone fragments.
Cultivation. Refer to Section 18.58.040, marijuana cultivation definitions.
Cultural Resource. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
Cumulative Period. Refer to Section 18.44.100.02, noise definitions.
Cutting. Refer to Section 18.52.060(B), cutting and removal of heritage oak and public trees definitions.
Damage. Refer to Section 18.52.060(B), cutting and removal of heritage oak and public trees definitions.
Deadwood. Refer to Section 18.52.060(B), cutting and removal of heritage oak and public trees definitions.
“Decibel” or “dBA” means a Unit for the measurement of sound.
Demolition. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Design” Includes:
A. Street alignments, grades and widths;
B. Drainage, water, sewer and sanitary facilities and utilities, including alignments and grades;
C. Location and size of all required easements and rights-of-way;
D. Fire roads and firebreaks;
E. Lot size and configuration;
F. Vehicular and bicycle traffic access;
G. Grading;
H. Land to be dedicated for park or recreational purposes; and
I. Such other specific physical requirements in the plan and configuration of an entire project as may be necessary to ensure consistency with, or implementation of, the General Plan or any applicable specific plan.
“Design and improvement standards” means Any standards or specifications that have been adopted by the City Council for the design of subdivisions and the public improvements therein.
Designated Cultural Resource. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
Designated Site. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Developed area” Includes principal and ancillary buildings and structures, parking and loading areas, and other uses and activities.
“Development Code” means this Title and all amendments thereto.
“Development project” is Defined as in Government Code Section 65928.
“Director” means The City of Galt Community Development Director, or his/her designee.
“Directory sign” means A sign or set of similarly designed individual signs, placed or displayed in sequence, to list all or part of the businesses within a building or business center.
Dispensary. Refer to Section 18.58.040, marijuana cultivation definitions.
Dripline. Refer to Section 18.52.060(B), cutting and removal of heritage oak and public trees definitions.
“Duplex” means A building on a single parcel of land designed for occupancy by, or occupied by, two (2) families living independently of each other, and having separate kitchen and toilet facilities for each family.
“Elementary school” means A facility providing a continuous program of instruction for students generally aged five (5) through twelve (12).
“Emergency shelter” means A permanent facility providing temporary housing for one (1) or more individuals who are otherwise homeless.
“Enclosed” means A covered space fully surrounded by walls, including windows, doors, and similar openings or architectural features.
Encroachment. Refer to Section 18.52.060(B), cutting and removal of heritage oak and public trees definitions.
Facade. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Family” means One (1) individual living alone, or two (2) or more individuals living together as a single nonprofit housekeeping unit in a residential dwelling unit.
“Farmers market” means An indoor or outdoor area where producers of food offer their food goods for sale.
“Fence” means A barrier made of durable material to establish a boundary, as a means of protection or to provide confinement.
Fenestration. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Final map” or “final subdivision map” means a map prepared by a registered civil engineer or licensed land surveyor and presented for recording, which conforms to an approved tentative subdivision map, the Subdivision Map Act and the provisions of this code.
“Flag” means A fabric, banner, or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols, used as a symbol of a government or political subdivision. A fabric, banner, or bunting signifying identification with any private or quasi-public institution or business shall not be considered a flag (see also “pennant, pole”).
“Flashing sign” means A sign that contains or is illuminated by lights which are intermittently on and off, that changes intensity or color, or that create the illusion of motion in any manner, including animated signs.
“Flood hazard” means A hazard to land or improvements due to seasonal inundation or to overflow water having sufficient velocity to transport or deposit debris, scour the surface soil, dislodge or damage buildings, or erode the banks of watercourses.
“Floodplain” or “floodprone area” means Any land area susceptible to being inundated by water from any source.
Focal Point. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Fortune teller” means A business establishment offering services such as fortune tellings, psychic readings, astrology, tarot card reading, palm reading, or similar services for advice on love, money, success, etc.
“Freestanding sign” means A sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on, or anchored in, the ground and that are independent from any building. Signs mounted on architecturally integrated extensions of buildings are considered building signs rather than freestanding signs.
“Freight yard/truck terminal” means a lot, lot area or parcel of land used, designed or maintained for the purpose of storing, parking, refueling, repairing, dispatching, servicing or the loading, unloading, and temporary storage of trucks and truck trailers or keeping motor trucks and associated equipment together with those facilities necessary to service, dispatch, store or maintain aforementioned vehicles, their cargos and crews.
“Frontage” means The property line of a site, abutting on a street, other than the sideline of a corner lot. “Frontage” shall be measured on a chord at the front setback line.
“Garage sale” means A sale of used household or personal articles (such as furniture, tools, or clothing) held on the seller’s own residential premises.
“Garage, two (2) car” means a four (4) sided parking structure with a roof and a minimum interior dimension of twenty (20) feet by twenty (20) feet with a minimum door width of sixteen (16) feet.
“Gas station” means A retail business offering the sale of gasoline or other motor vehicle fuels, oil, and minor automotive accessories, which may also provide services which are incidental to fuel services. Does not include minor repair services for the operation of motor vehicles, such as vehicle engine maintenance and repair, towing and trailer rental services, painting, body work, steam cleaning or major repairs, such as the storage or repair of wrecked or abandoned vehicles, vehicle painting, and body or fender work.
“General Plan” means The General Plan of the City of Galt, including all maps, reports, and related plan elements adopted by the City Council.
“Geological hazard” means Any hazard inherent in the crust of the earth, or artificially created, which is dangerous or potentially dangerous to life, property or improvements due to the movement, failure or shifting of earth.
“Government office or building, corporation yards” means City, and other local, state, and federal government agency or service facilities. Includes post offices, but not bulk mailing distribution centers, which are under “freight yard/truck terminal.”
“Governmental or other signs required by law” means A sign placed in any area of the City by a governmental entity or private individual or business that is required by federal or state law or local ordinance.
“Grocery store/supermarket” means a retail business where the majority of the floor area open to the public is occupied by food products packaged for preparation and consumption away from the site of the store. These full service businesses do not typically have limited hours of operation.
Gross Acre. This term is used to describe the total horizontal area within the lot lines prior to subdivision. It is used in determining maximum density permitted on the property after subdivision.
“Guest ranch” means Buildings and premises offering recreational facilities for such pursuits as horseback riding, swimming, and hiking, and supplementing living accommodations.
“Guest room” means A room that is designed and/or used by one (1) or more guests for sleeping purposes, but in which no provisions are made for cooking.
“Hazardous materials” means Substances which, by reason of being explosive, flammable, toxic, poisonous, corrosive, oxidizing, irritant or otherwise harmful, are likely to cause injury.
“Health club” and “dance/karate studio” mean fitness centers, gymnasiums, health and athletic clubs including any of the following: indoor sauna, spa or hot tub facilities; indoor tennis, handball, racquetball, archery and shooting ranges and other indoor sports activities.
Heritage Oak Tree. Refer to Section 18.52.060(B), cutting and removal of heritage oak and public trees definitions.
“Hertz” means A unit of measurement of frequency, numerically equal to cycles per second.
“High school, secondary” means a facility providing a continuous program of instruction for students generally aged twelve (12) through eighteen (18).
“Holiday decorations” means Temporary decorations which are void of commercial content and designed to signify the celebration or commemoration of a holiday or season, including greetings, banners, announcements, and displays, and void of commercial content.
“Home occupation” means A use conducted in accordance with Section 18.44.050.
“Hookah bar” means A business establishment where patrons share and smoke flavored tobacco (shisha) from a communal hookah (nargile) which is placed at each table.
“Hospital” means A facility providing medical, psychiatric, or surgical service for sick or injured persons primarily on an in-patient basis, and including ancillary facilities for outpatient and emergency treatment, diagnostic services training, research, administration, and services to patients, employees or visitors.
“Hotel” means A building or portion thereof containing six (6) or more guest rooms where lodging, and possibly meals, entertainment and other various personal services are provided to the public for some form of consideration, but not including those facilities defined as social care facilities.
“Household pet” means Any animal customarily permitted and kept in or around a dwelling and kept for the company or pleasure provided to the occupants of the dwelling (such as a dog, cat, parakeet, tropical fish, hamster, rabbit, small non-poisonous reptile, or similar domestic animal), or hen chickens. Roosters are not permitted, except in the OS or RA zoning districts with a use permit.
“Identification sign” means A sign, other than a bulletin board, that serves to tell only the name, address, and lawful uses of the premises upon which the sign is located and may include a trademark or symbol of said business or businesses. Address signs are not considered identification signs for the purpose of this code.
“Illuminated sign” means A sign or individual letters in which an artificial source of light is used in order to make the message readable. This definition shall include internally and externally lighted signs, reflectorized, glowing, or radiating signs.
“Impound yard” means Any lot, lot area, or parcel of land used, designed, or maintained for the specific purpose of storing, impounding, or keeping motor vehicles, but not including dismantling or wrecking activities.
“Improvement” means Streets, sidewalks, storm drainage facilities, water and sewer facilities, utilities, landscaping to be installed, or agreed to be installed, by the subdivider on the land to be used for public or private streets, highways, ways and easements, as are necessary for the general use of the lot owners in the subdivision and local neighborhood traffic and acceptance of the final map thereof. “Improvement” also means other specific improvements or types of improvements, the installation of which, either by, or by a combination of, the subdivider, public agencies, private utilities, or any other entity approved by the City, is necessary to ensure consistency with, or implementation of, the General Plan or any applicable specific plan. Improvements shall be constructed in accordance with standard engineering specifications, where applicable. “Improvement” as it relates to the downtown zoning districts, refer to Chapter 18.28, Downtown Zoning Districts.
“Impulsive noise” means A noise of short duration, usually less than one (1) second, with an abrupt onset and rapid decay, such as might be produced by the impact of a pile driver, punch press or a drop hammer.
“Incidental permanent storage” means The storage of materials accessory and incidental to a primary use and is not considered a land use separate from the primary use.
“Incidental sign” means A nongovernmental sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as “no parking,” “entrance,” “loading only,” “telephone,” and other similar directives. No sign with a commercial message legible from a position off the lot on which the sign is located shall be considered incidental.
“Indoor shooting range, private” means an indoor private specialized facility designed for firearms practice. Each facility is typically overseen by one (1) or more supervisory personnel, called variously a range master or range safety officer (RSO). These supervisory personnel are responsible for ensuring that all weapon safety rules are followed at all times.
Infill. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Integrated development” means A group of two (2) or more uses or entities planned and developed in a joint manner with undivided or nonsegregated parking facilities shared by them or that are governed by a common business, tenant, homeowner, or other association or by common conditions, covenants, and restrictions (CC&Rs), regardless of whether such uses or entities are located on the same lot or parcel.
“Interior sign” means A sign that is located in excess of three (3) feet inside from exterior windows, walls, doors, and other architectural features that allow persons on the exterior of the structure to view the interior of the structure.
“Internet cafe” or “cybercafe” means A business establishment which provides Internet access to the public and usually provides snacks and drinks.
“Junk” means Any combustible or noncombustible, nonputrescible waste, including but not limited to trash; refuse; paper; glass; cans; bottles; rags; fabrics; bedding; ashes; trimmings from on-site lawns, shrubbery or trees, except when used for mulch or home garden purposes; household refuse, other than putrescible waste; lumber; metal; plumbing fixtures, bricks, building stones, plaster, wire or like materials from the demolition, alteration or construction of buildings or structures; tires or inner tubes; auto, aircraft or boat parts; plastic or metal parts or scraps, damaged or defective machinery, whether or not repairable; and damaged or defective toys, recreational equipment or household appliances or furnishings, whether or not repairable.
“Junk or salvage yard” means The use of any unenclosed portion of a lot for the purpose of keeping or storing junk, including scrap metals or any other scrap materials, or for the purpose of wrecking or dismantling automobiles, vehicles or machinery. A junkyard does not include a recycling center.
“Laboratory, testing or classification including agricultural services” means a facility for testing, analysis, and/or research. This type of facility is distinguished from industrial research and development in its orientation more toward testing and analysis than product development or prototyping. This land use type is oriented more toward specimen analysis and processing than direct blood drawing and specimen collection from patients, but may also include incidental specimen collection.
“Landscaped freeway” means A portion or portions of State Route 99 designated by the California Department of Transportation as a landscaped freeway.
“Laundry, dry cleaning, tailoring, shoe repair” means service establishments engaged primarily in high volume laundry and garment services, including: power laundries (family and commercial); garment pressing and dry cleaning; linen supply; diaper service; industrial laundries; carpet and upholstery cleaners. Does not include coin-operated laundries or dry cleaning pickup stores without dry cleaning equipment.
“Library/museum” means public or quasi-public facilities including aquariums, arboretums, art galleries and exhibitions, botanical gardens, historic sites and exhibits, libraries, museums, and planetariums, which are typically noncommercial, other than an accessory gift/book shop.
“Liquor store” means A retail store that sells prepackaged alcoholic beverages, typically in bottles intended to be consumed off the store’s premises.
“Live/work projects” means an integrated housing unit and working space, occupied and utilized by a single household in a structure, either single-family or multifamily, that has been designed or structurally modified to accommodate joint residential occupancy and work activity, and which includes:
A. Complete kitchen space and sanitary facilities in compliance with the California Building Code; and
B. Working space reserved for and regularly used by one (1) or more occupants of the unit.
“Lot” means A parcel of land used or intended for one (1) use or a group of uses and having frontage on a public or an approved private street (see Figure 18.08-2).
A. “Corner lot” means a lot abutting upon two (2) or more streets at their intersection, or upon a curvature of a single street, where such street or curvature forms an interior angle of one hundred thirty-five (135) degrees or less.
B. “Flag lot” means a lot having access or easement to a public road by a narrow, private right-of-way where the lot is located generally to the rear of another lot or lots.
C. “Interior lot” means a lot abutting only one (1) street.
D. “Reverse corner lot” means a corner lot, the rear of which abuts the side of another lot.
E. “Through lot” means a lot which takes access from two (2) streets which either are parallel or do not intersect at the boundaries of the lot.
Figure 18.08-2
Lot Types 
“Lot area” means The total horizontal area within the lot lines of a lot.
“Lot area, net” means the total horizontal net area within the lot lines of a lot exclusive of existing or proposed public streets, highways, roads and alleys, or proposed streets and highways as shown on the circulation plan, General Plan, or a specific plan.
“Lot coverage” means The amount of a lot, stated in terms of percentage, that is covered by all buildings and/or structures located thereon. This shall be deemed to include all buildings, covered porches, patio roofs, gazebos and the like, but shall not be deemed to include fences, walls, uncovered decks or patios, swimming pools, or temporary shade shelters meeting the definition set forth in Section 15.04.010.
“Lot line” means A line dividing one (1) lot from another lot or from a street or alley (see Figure 18.08-3).
A. “Front lot line” means a lot line paralleling the street. On a corner lot, the shorter lot line abutting a street or the line designated as the front lot line by a subdivision or parcel map.
B. “Rear lot line” means a lot line, not intersecting a front lot line, which is most distant from and most closely parallel to the front lot line. In the case of an irregularly shaped lot or a lot bounded by only three (3) lot lines, a line within the lot having a length of ten (10) feet, parallel to and most distant from the front lot line shall be interpreted as the rear lot line for the purpose of determining required yards, setbacks, and other provisions of this code.
C. “Side lot line” means a lot line that is not a front or rear lot line.
D. “Lot width” means the average horizontal distances measured between the side lines of the lot.
Figure 18.08-3
Lot Features 
Mansard. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Manufactured home” is a complete single-family home deliverable in one (1) or more transportable sections, and constructed to the standards established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A manufactured home is not the same as a recreational vehicle or commercial coach which may look similar from the exterior.
“Manufacturing, major” means a facility accommodating manufacturing processes that involve and/or produce basic metals, building materials, chemicals, fabricated metals, paper products, machinery, textiles, and/or transportation equipment, where the intensity and/or scale of operations may cause impacts on surrounding land uses or the community. Examples of major manufacturing uses include the following:
A. Chemical product manufacturing.
B. Concrete, gypsum, and plaster product manufacturing.
C. Glass product manufacturing.
D. Lumber and wood product manufacturing.
E. Machinery manufacturing.
F. Metal products fabrication, machine and welding shops.
G. Motor vehicles and transportation equipment.
H. Paving and roofing materials manufacturing.
I. Petroleum refining and related industries.
J. Plastics, other synthetics, and rubber product manufacturing.
K. Primary metal industries.
L. Pulp and pulp product manufacturing.
M. Stone and cut stone product manufacturing.
N. Structural clay and pottery product manufacturing.
O. Textile and leather product manufacturing.
“Manufacturing, minor” means a facility accommodating manufacturing processes involving and/or producing: apparel; food and beverage products; electronic, optical, and instrumentation products; ice; jewelry; and musical instruments. Minor manufacturing also includes other establishments engaged in the assembly, fabrication, and conversion of already processed raw materials into products, where the operational characteristics of the manufacturing processes and the materials used are unlikely to cause significant impacts on surrounding land uses or the community. Examples of minor manufacturing uses include the following:
A. Clothing and fabric product manufacturing.
B. Electronics, equipment, and appliance manufacturing.
C. Food and beverage product manufacturing.
D. Handcraft industries, small-scale manufacturing.
E. Paper product manufacturing.
Marijuana. Refer to Section 18.58.040, marijuana cultivation definitions.
Masonry. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
Mass. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Massage parlor” means A building or portion thereof or a place where massage is administered for compensation or from which a massage business or service for compensation is operated; provided, however, that a health spa or reducing salon is not a massage parlor. As used herein, “massage” means any method of pressure on or friction against or stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping, pounding, vibrating, or stimulating of the external surfaces of the body with the hands, or with the aid of any mechanical, electrical apparatus or appliances with or without such supplementary aids as rubbing alcohol, liniments, antiseptics, oils, powder, creams, lotions, ointments, or other similar preparations commonly used in this practice. Therapeutic massage administered in a medical office, hospital complex, medical care facility, beauty salon, or health club/fitness center as an incidental service shall not be deemed to render such office, complex, or facility a massage parlor within the meaning of this code.
“Medical marijuana dispensary” means (1) any facility, building, structure or location, whether fixed or mobile, where a primary caregiver makes available, sells, transmits, gives or otherwise provides medical marijuana to two (2) or more of the following: a qualified patient or a person with an identification card, or a primary caregiver in strict accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 11362.5 et seq., or (2) any facility, building, structure or location where qualified patients and/or persons with identification cards and/or primary caregivers meet or congregate to cultivate or distribute marijuana for medical purposes. The terms “primary caregiver,” “qualified patient,” and “person with an identification card” shall be as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 11362.5 et seq. For purposes of this title, a “medical marijuana dispensary” shall not include the following uses, as long as the location of such uses is otherwise regulated by applicable law: a clinic licensed pursuant to Chapter 1 of Division 2 of the California Health and Safety Code, a health care facility licensed pursuant to Chapter 2 of Division 2 of the California Health and Safety Code, a residential care facility for persons with chronic life-threatening illness licensed pursuant to Chapter 3.01 of Division 2 of the California Health and Safety Code, a residential care facility for the elderly licensed pursuant to Chapter 3.2 of Division 2 of the California Health and Safety Code, a residential hospice, or a home health agency licensed pursuant to Chapter 8 of the California Health and Safety Code, as long as any such use complies strictly with applicable law including, but not limited to, California Health and Safety Code Section 11362.5 et seq.
“Medical services, including clinics and physical therapy” means facilities primarily engaged in furnishing outpatient medical, mental health, surgical and other personal health services, but which are separate from hospitals, including:
A. Health management organizations (HMOs).
B. Medical and dental laboratories.
C. Medical, dental and psychiatric offices.
D. Outpatient care facilities.
E. Other allied health services.
Counseling services by other than medical doctors or psychiatrists are included under “office, business or professional.”
“Mini storage” means A structure containing one (1) or more units capable of being used independently of each other and which are designed for the shelter of:
A. Privately owned household goods, recreational and personal property, passenger vehicles, antique vehicles, trucks less than five (5) tons.
B. Business and office records.
C. Storage of supplies.
A mini storage shall not include use for human habitation or manufacturing of any kind.
“Mobile food vendor” means A person who prepares food items for service, sale, or distribution by means of a vehicle.
“Mobile food vendor permit” means A permit issued to a mobile food vendor by the Community Development Department for the long-term placement of a mobile food vendor on a site.
“Mobilehome” Shall have the definition provided in California Civil Code Section 798.3, as it now exists or as it may in the future be amended.
“Mobilehome park” means A residential facility arranged or equipped for the accommodation of two (2) or more manufactured homes, with spaces for such manufactured homes available for rent, lease or purchase, and providing utility services and other facilities either separately or in common to manufactured home space therein.
Monolithic. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Monument sign” means A freestanding sign constructed upon a solid appearing base or pedestal, the total width of which is at least fifty percent (50%) of the overall height of the sign.
“Mortuary” means Funeral homes and parlors, where deceased are prepared for burial or cremation, and funeral services may be conducted.
“Motel” means A hotel in which the rooms are accessible from the business parking areas.
“Multiple-family dwelling” means a building or buildings, or portion thereof, on a single parcel of land designed for occupancy by three (3) or more families living independently of each other. “Multiple-family dwelling” also includes a condominium, other than a townhouse.
“Mural” means A work of art applied to and made an integral part of an exterior wall.
Natural Feature. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Noise level” means The sound level in decibels obtained by using a sound level meter.
“Nonconforming building” means a building or portion thereof lawfully existing at the time of the passage of this code, which does not conform to the base district development regulations for the zoning district in which it is located.
“Nonconforming lot” means Any lot having dimensions or area less than the smallest minimum dimensions or lot area prescribed by this code for the zoning district in which the lot is located, provided one (1) of the following is true:
A. The lot is shown on a duly approved and recorded parcel or final map.
B. The lot was created by means that were consistent with applicable legal requirements at the time the lot was created.
C. The legality of the lot is verified by a certificate or conditional certificate of compliance issued by the City of Galt pursuant to Government Code Section 66499.35 et seq.
“Nonconforming sign” means A sign legally existing at the time of the effective date of Ordinance 2015-05 which does not conform to the provisions of this code.
“Nonconforming use” means A use which lawfully occupied a building or existed on premises at the time of the passage of this code and which does not conform to the use regulations of the zoning district in which it is located.
“Nontaxable merchandise” means products, commodities or items the sale of which is not subject to California state sales tax.
“Northeast Area Specific Plan” means A specific plan adopted by the City Council on September 1, 1987, Resolution Number 87-52, and as amended thereafter.
“Nursery, garden and farm” means a retail service providing propagation and sale of plants, shrubs, trees, and similar products, related to materials and services associated with installation, maintenance, and improvements of yards, gardens, landscaped areas, outdoor living and recreation areas, and similar facilities.
“Office, business or professional” means not including medical offices; or offices that are incidental and accessory to another business or sales activity that is the primary use. Incidental offices that are customarily accessory to another use are allowed as part of an approved primary use.
A. Administrative/Business. Establishments providing direct services to consumers, such as insurance agencies, real estate offices, utility company offices, etc.
B. Production. Office-type facilities occupied by businesses engaged in the production of intellectual property. These uses include:
1. Advertising agencies.
2. Architectural, engineering, planning and surveying services.
3. Computer software production.
4. Programming services.
5. Educational, scientific and research.
6. Organizations.
7. Media postproduction services.
8. Photography and commercial art studios.
9. Writers’ and artists’ offices.
Ordinary Maintenance and Repair. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
Ornamentation. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
Parapet. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Parcel” means A piece of real property, including lots and any real property which, though appearing as separate entities on a map filed for record, or on the maps of the county assessor, has never been legally divided or merged.
“Parcel map” or “final parcel map” means a map prepared by a registered civil engineer or licensed land surveyor and presented for recording which conforms to an approved parcel map, the Subdivision Map Act, and the provisions of this chapter. A parcel map is appropriate when four (4) or fewer lots are created and where:
A. The land before division contains less than five (5) acres, each parcel created by the division abuts upon a maintained public street or highway and no dedications or improvements are required by the legislative body; or
B. Each parcel created by the division has a gross area of twenty (20) acres or more and has an approved access to a maintained public street or highway; or
C. The land consists of a parcel or parcels of land having approved access to a public street or highway which comprises part of a tract of land zoned for industrial or commercial development, and which has the approval of the City Council as to street alignments and widths; or
D. Each parcel created by the division has a gross area of not less than forty (40) acres or is not less than a quarter of a quarter section.
Pattern. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Pawn shop” means Any room, store, building, or other place in which the business of pawn brokering, or the business of lending money upon receipt of personal property, pawns or pledges as collateral from vendors or their assignees at prices agreed upon at or before the time of such purchase, is engaged in, carried on, or conducted.
“Pennant, pole” means a single piece of lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, that is temporarily suspended from a pole and is designed to move in the wind (see also “flag”).
“Pennant, string” means a lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, that is temporarily suspended from a rope, wire, or string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.
“Permanent sign” means A sign that is not a temporary sign and is intended to remain in place for more than one (1) year.
“Photography/art studio,” “photographic processing or supply,” and “picture framing” mean a retail establishment for photography, the processing of photographs produced, and similar services.
Pier. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
Pitch. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Place of worship” means A use located in a permanent building and providing regular or organized religious worship and religious education incidental thereto. A property tax exemption obtained pursuant to the Constitution of the state of California and the Revenue and Taxation Code of the state of California, shall constitute prima facie evidence that such use is a place of worship as defined herein.
“Planning Commission” means The advisory commission established by Chapter 2.70, which has the duties and responsibilities set forth in this Development Code.
“Pole sign” means A freestanding sign mounted to a pole or other structure, the average height of which is more than two (2) times that of the average width.
“Police Chief” or “Chief of Police” means The Chief of Police of the City of Galt or the authorized representatives thereof.
Porch. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Portable sign” means A sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to: signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs configured as A- or T-frames; menu and sandwich board signs; balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business.
Portable Unit. Refer to Section 18.44.090.02, mobile food vending definitions.
Potential Cultural Resource. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Preschool (over twelve (12) students)” means a child day care center for children not yet enrolled in elementary school and not located inside a residence with more than twelve (12) students.
Preservation. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Prezoning” means The act of designating, in advance of annexation, the district to be applicable to a site or area upon subsequent annexation of that site or area to the City of Galt.
Primary Caregiver. Refer to Section 18.58.040, marijuana cultivation definitions.
“Principal use” means The primary purpose for which a building, structure, or lot is designed, arranged, or intended, or for which they may be used, occupied, or maintained under this code.
“Printing,” “publishing,” “cartography,” “lithography,” or “blueprinting” means establishments engaged in printing by letterpress, lithography, gravure, screen, offset, or electrostatic (xerographic) copying; and other establishments serving the printing trade such as bookbinding, typesetting, engraving, photoengraving, electrotyping, and blueprinting. This use also includes establishments that publish newspapers, books and periodicals; establishments manufacturing business forms and binding devices.
“Private land” Includes all land owned by private interest, and not designated public land.
“Private road easement” means A parcel of land not dedicated as a public street, over which a private easement for road purposes is proposed to be or has been granted to the owners of property that is contiguous or adjacent to such private road easement, which intersects or connects with a public street or a private street. In each instance, the instrument creating such easement shall be or shall have been duly recorded or filed in the office of the county recorder.
“Private specialty school” means Any building or group of buildings the use of which meets state requirements of primary, secondary or higher education and which use does not secure the major part of its funding from any governmental agency. A private school may also be a use providing education or training in business, commerce, language, or other similar activity or occupational pursuit, and not otherwise defined as a home occupation, college or university, or public or private educational facility.
“Propane sales (where storage does not exceed five hundred (500) gallons)” means a facility offering the sale or refilling of propane tanks. Propane is a colorless, gaseous hydrocarbon found in petroleum and natural gas, which is widely used as a fuel source. Overall storage of propane shall not exceed five hundred (500) gallons total.
Proportion. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Public land” Includes all lands in public trust, federal, state and local, including, but not limited to, public rights-of-way, easements and parks.
Public Nuisance. Refer to Section 18.52.060(B), cutting and removal of heritage oak and public trees definitions.
“Public safety facilities” means Facilities operated by public agencies including fire stations, other fire prevention and firefighting facilities, police and sheriff substations and headquarters, including interim incarceration facilities.
Public Tree. Refer to Section 18.52.060(B), cutting and removal of heritage oak and public trees definitions.
“Public way” means Any street, highway, alley, pedestrian way, equestrian or hiking trail, bicycle path, channel, viaduct, subway, tunnel, bridge, easement, right-of-way, or other way which the public has a right of use.
Qualified Patient. Refer to Section 18.58.040, marijuana cultivation definitions.
“Railroad depot” means A facility where trains load or unload passengers or goods.
“Ranch marketing operation” means An establishment engaged in the sale of agricultural products and edible byproducts packed or processed on the premises.
“Real estate sign” means A sign advertising the sale, lease, or rent of property and the identification of the firm handling the sale, lease, or rent.
Recess. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Recreation, indoor” means a use conducted within an enclosed building for the purposes of entertainment, recreation or sport, such as arcades, ranges, indoor batting cages, and bowling alleys.
“Recreation, outdoor” means a use conducted outside for the purposes of entertainment, sport or recreation, such as parks or playfields for baseball, football, soccer, and the like, or ball courts, golf courses, driving ranges, and outdoor batting cages. Outdoor recreational activities could include the following:
A. No field lights: various outdoor recreational activities without permanent nighttime lighting.
B. With field lights, private: various outdoor recreational activities with permanent nighttime lighting, where a fee is charged for use.
C. With field lights, public: various outdoor recreational activities with permanent nighttime lighting, owned and operated by a public or non-profit agency.
“Recreational vehicle” means A motor home, travel trailer, truck camper, or camping trailer, boat or similar vehicle with or without motive power, designed for human habitation or recreational purposes.
“Recreational vehicle park” means An area, tract of land, or designated part of a mobilehome park with two (2) or more spaces for the temporary use of recreational vehicles and may include permanent structures for an office, restrooms, laundry facilities, and similar ancillary facilities.
“Recycling facilities - large collection facility” means a facility which occupies an area of more than five hundred (500) square feet that is not a junkyard and/or includes permanent structures which may include the following:
A. “Processing facility” means a structure or enclosed space used for the collection and processing of recyclable materials for shipment, or to an end user’s specifications, by such means as baling, briquetting, cleaning, compacting, crushing, flattening, grinding, mechanical sorting, re- manufacturing and shredding. Processing facilities include the following types:
1. “Light processing facility” occupies an area of under forty-five thousand (45,000) square feet of collection, processing and storage area, and averages two (2) outbound truck shipments each day. Light processing facilities are limited to baling, briquetting, compacting, crushing, grinding, shredding and sorting of source-separated recyclable materials sufficient to qualify as a certified processing facility. A light processing facility shall not shred, compact, or bale ferrous metals other than food and beverage containers; and
2. A “heavy processing facility” is any processing facility other than a light processing facility.
“Recycling facilities - small collection facility” means a facility occupying an area of five hundred (500) square feet or less that is not a junkyard and where the public may donate, redeem or sell recyclable materials, which may include the following, where allowed by the applicable zoning district:
A. “Reverse vending machine(s)” means an automated mechanical device which accepts at least one (1) or more types of empty beverage containers and issues a cash refund or a redeemable credit slip with a value not less than the container’s redemption value, as determined by state law. These vending machines may accept aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles, and other containers.
B. “Mobile recycling unit” means an automobile, truck, trailer, or van used for the collection of recyclable materials, carrying bins, boxes, or other containers.
C. “Bulk reverse vending machine” is a reverse vending machine that is larger than fifty (50) square feet, is designed to accept more than one (1) container at a time, and issues a cash refund based on total weight instead of by container.
D. Kiosk-type units which may include permanent structures.
“Register of cultural resources” means A working list of properties and their descriptions that have been designated a cultural resource by the City Council.
Rehabilitation, Renovation. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
Relocation Plan. Refer to Section 18.44.080.01, mobilehome park conversion, closure, and cessation of use definitions.
Remodeling. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
Removal. Refer to Section 18.52.060(B), cutting and removal of heritage oak and public trees definitions.
Resident Impact Report. Refer to Section 18.44.080.01, mobilehome park conversion, closure, and cessation of use definitions.
“Residential property” means A parcel or real property which is developed and used either in part or in whole for residential purposes, other than transient uses such as hotels and motels.
“Research and development” means A facility providing activities related to the enterprise of corporate or governmental innovation. The activities that are classified as research and development differ from company to company, but there are two (2) primary models, with a research and development department being either staffed by engineers and tasked with directly developing new products, or staffed with industrial scientists and tasked with applied research in scientific or technological fields which may facilitate future product development.
“Restaurant,” “cafe,” or “coffee shop” means a retail establishment that prepares and sells ready-to-eat food, including cafes, coffee shops, sandwich shops, ice cream parlors, and similar uses, and including licensed “on-sale” provision of wine and beer for consumption on the premises when accessory to such food service. For the purposes of this code, a mobile food vendor is not considered a restaurant.
“Restaurant, fast food, with drive-through” means a retail establishment that prepares and sells ready-to-eat food and is also known as a quick service restaurant, which is characterized both by its fast food cuisine and by minimal table service, and generally includes a “drive-through,” meaning vehicles line up for service at definite spots and where customers are served without leaving their vehicles.
“Restaurant, fast food, without drive-through” means a retail establishment that prepares and sells ready-to-eat food and is also known as a quick service restaurant, which is characterized both by its fast food cuisine and by minimal table service, and does not include a “drive-through,” meaning vehicles line up for service at definite spots and where customers are served without leaving their vehicles.
“Restaurant, takeout only” means a retail establishment that prepares and sells ready-to-eat food and is intended to be eaten off of the premises, with no on-site dining area available.
Restoration. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Retail, discount stores” means a retail business that primarily sells merchandise at a single low or very low price point (i.e., one dollar ($1.00)).
“Retail stores, general” means a retail business less than one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet in size and off-street parking that usually offers a variety of customer services, centralized cashing and a wide range of products.
“Retail, superstores (over one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet)” means a retail business with off-street parking that is one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet in size or larger. These stores usually offer a variety of customer services, centralized cashing, and wide range of products. They may also contain a full service grocery department under the same roof that shares entrances and exits with the retail store area. They usually maintain long store hours seven (7) days a week. The stores are often the only ones on the site, but they can also be found in mutual operation with a related or unrelated garden center or service station. Superstores are also sometimes found as separate parcels within a retail complex with their own dedicated parking.
Reveal. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
Rhythm (Horizontal, Vertical). Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Right-of-way” means land acquired by reservation, dedication, forced dedication, prescription or condemnation and intended to be occupied or occupied by a road, crosswalk, railroad, electric transmission lines, oil or gas pipeline, water line, sanitary storm sewer and other similar uses.
“Roof sign” means A sign erected and constructed wholly on and over the roof of a building, supported by the roof structure.
Rotating Sign. See “animated sign.”
Routine Maintenance. Refer to Section 18.52.060(B), cutting and removal of oak trees definitions.
Sash. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Satellite receiving dish” means A device or instrument designed or used for the reception of television or other electronic communications signal broadcast or relayed from an earth satellite. It may be a solid, open mesh, or bar configured structure in the shape of a shallow dish or parabola.
Scale (Human). Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Screened” means Shielded, concealed, and effectively hidden from view by a person standing at ground level on an abutting site, or outside the area or subject to screening, by a fence, wall, hedge, berm, or similar architectural or landscape feature.
“Seasonal farmworker housing” means Affordable housing for a seasonal farmworker, which is defined as a farmworker who is employed in farm work at least twenty-five (25) days per year. A seasonal farmworker earns at least four hundred dollars ($400.00) during a twelve (12) month period and is primarily employed in farm work on a seasonal basis without a constant year round salary or wage.
“Seasonal retail sales” means Retail sales limited to sales of Christmas trees during the period from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day and pumpkins in the period from October 1st through November 1st and other uses as permitted.
Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Setback” means The minimum distance required to be maintained between structures or between structures and a property line forming the interior boundary of the required yard and governing the placement of buildings, structures and uses on the lot.
Shake. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Shipping container” means Any enclosed container constructed of metal, wood, or other material which container was designed or patterned after structures used in containerized shipping operations. No shipping container or similar structure shall be used as an accessory structure, permanent or temporary, in any zoning district unless granted a minor use permit pursuant to Section 18.68.120.
“Shopping center” means A group of commercial establishments, planned, developed, owned, or managed as a unit, with off-street parking provided on the site.
“Sidewalk cafe” means An area for drinking nonalcoholic beverages and eating on the defined portion of a public sidewalk as an ancillary use to a shop, restaurant, or snack bar.
Siding. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Sign” means Any device, fixture, placard, structure, color, form, graphic, mural, illumination, symbol, or writing and all its component parts, that is used to announce, display, advertise or communicate information or ideas of any kind to the public.
“Sign, off-site” means a sign displayed at a location other than the lot, or groups of lots that operates as an integrated development, where the business or activity that is being advertised or announced by the sign is located.
“Sign, on-site” means a sign displayed on the lot, or group of lots that operates as an integrated development, where the business or activity that is being advertised or announced by the sign is located.
Significant Feature. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Simple tone noise” or “pure tone noise” means A noise characterized by the presence of a predominant frequency or frequencies such as might be produced by whistle or hum.
“Single-family dwelling” means a building designed for and/or occupied exclusively by one (1) family. Also includes factory-built, modular housing units, constructed in compliance with the California Building Code, and mobile homes/manufactured housing on permanent foundations. May include the rental of rooms within a dwelling also occupied by the property owner or a primary tenant. Including:
A. “Single-family dwelling, attached” means a building on a single parcel of land designed for occupancy by one (1) family and which is attached at the lot line to another building designed for occupancy by at least one (1) other family. Single-family dwelling, attached, also includes a townhouse and duplex.
B. “Single-family dwelling, detached” means a building on a single parcel of land designed for occupancy by one (1) family and which is structurally independent from any other such dwelling unit or structure intended for residential or other use.
Single Location. Refer to Section 18.44.090.02, mobile food vending definitions.
“Smoke shop” means A retail store selling tobacco products and smoking equipment including e-cigarettes intended to be consumed off the store’s premises.
“Solid waste transfer station” means Facilities where municipal solid waste is unloaded from collection vehicles and briefly held while it is reloaded onto larger long-distance transport vehicles for shipment to landfills or other treatment or disposal facilities.
“Sound level meter” means An instrument meeting American National Standard Institute’s Standard S1.4-1971 for Type 2 sound level meters or an instrument and the associated recording and analyzing equipment which will provide equivalent data.
“Sound pressure level” means A sound pressure level of sound, in decibels, as defined in ANSI Standards 51.2-1962 and 51.13-1921; that is, twenty (20) times the logarithm to the base ten (10) of the ratio of the pressure of the sound to a reference pressure, which reference pressure shall be explicitly stated.
“Storage yards” means The storage of various materials as the primary use. The storage of various materials outside of a structure other than fencing, either as an accessory or principal use. Storage yards shall not include use for human habitation or manufacturing or any kind.
Storefront. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Street” means A public or private thoroughfare, other than an alley, dedicated as such or condemned for use as such, which affords the principal means of access to abutting property.
Street Tree. Refer to Section 18.52.060(B), cutting and removal of heritage oak and public trees definitions.
Street Tree Area. Refer to Section 18.52.060(B), cutting and removal of heritage oak and public trees definitions.
Street Wall. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Structure” means Anything constructed or erected and the use of which requires permanent location on the ground, but not including walls or fences less than six (6) feet high, or other minor improvements.
Stucco. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Subdivider” means A person, firm, corporation, partnership or association who proposes to divide, divides or causes to be divided real property into a subdivision for himself or for others except that employees and consultants of such persons or entities, acting in such capacity, are not “subdividers.”
“Subdivision” means The division, by any subdivider, of any unit or units of improved or unimproved land, or any portion thereof, shown on the latest equalized county assessment roll as a unit or as contiguous units, for the purpose of sale, lease or financing, whether immediate or future except for leases of agricultural land for agricultural purposes. Property shall be considered as contiguous units, even if it is separated by roads, streets, utility easements or railroad rights-of-way. “Subdivision” includes a condominium project, as defined in Section 1350 of the California Civil Code, a community apartment project, as defined in Section 11004 of the California Business and Professions Code, or the conversion of five (5) or more existing dwelling units to a stock cooperative, as defined in Section 11003.2 of the California Business and Professions Code. As used in this section, “agricultural purposes” means the cultivation of food or fiber or the grazing or pasturing of livestock.
“Subdivision kiosk” means A sign directing persons to homes in a subdivision or land development project.
“Subdivision Map Act” means The Subdivision Map Act of the state of California (California Government Code, Title 7, Division 2, commencing with Section 66410) and all amendments or additions thereto.
“Subdivision sign, temporary on-site” means a sign identifying model homes in a subdivision or identifying a land development project, upon which the sign is located.
“Substance use disorder treatment facility” means An outpatient facility that specializes in the diagnosis and/or treatment of substance abuse. Services provided may include, but need not be limited to, therapy, education, counseling, and aftercare recovery services.
“Supportive housing,” As defined in Health and Safety Code Section 50675.14, shall mean housing with no limit on length of stay, that is occupied by the target population (meaning homeless persons as required by Senate Bill 2 - 2007) and that is linked to on-site or off-site services that assist the supportive housing resident in retaining the housing, improving his or her health status, and maximizing his or her ability to live and, when possible, work in the community. Supportive housing units are residential uses subject only to those requirements and restrictions that apply to other residential uses of the same type in the same zone.
“Tattoo parlor” means A retail establishment in which tattooing is carried out professionally. A tattoo is a form of body modification, made by inserting pigment under the surface of the skin of a person, by prickling with a needle. Tattoo parlors often include piercing studios as a secondary or ancillary use. Ear and body piercing, a form of body modification, is the practice of puncturing or cutting a part of the human body, creating an opening in which jewelry may be worn.
“Taxidermist” means An establishment or person who practices taxidermy. Taxidermy is a general term describing the many methods of reproducing a lifelike three (3) dimensional representation of an animal for permanent display. In some cases, the actual skin (including the fur, feathers or scales) of the specimen is preserved and mounted over an artificial armature. In other cases, the specimen is reproduced completely with manmade materials.
“Telecommunications facility” means Public and commercial electromagnetic and photoelectrical transmission, broadcast, repeater and receiving stations for radio, television, telegraph, telephone, data network, and wireless communications, including commercial earth stations for satellite-based communications. Includes antennas, commercial satellite dish antennas, and equipment buildings. Does not include telephone, telegraph and cable television transmission facilities utilizing hard-wired or direct cable connections (see “utility substation”).
“Temporary sign” means A sign that is used only for a limited period of time (less than one (1) year and as required by an applicable temporary sign permit) and is not permanently mounted.
“Temporary sign permit” means A permit issued for a temporary sign by the Community Development Department.
“Tentative map,” “tentative subdivision map,” or “tentative parcel map” refers to a map made for the purpose of showing the design and improvement of a proposed subdivision and the existing conditions in and around it and need not be based upon an accurate or detailed final survey of the property.
Texture. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Theater” means A building or outdoor area in which movies, plays and other dramatic performances are given.
“Thrift store” means A retail store selling secondhand clothes and other household goods, typically to raise funds for a charitable institution.
“Tot lot” means An improved and equipped play area for small children usually up to elementary school age.
“Townhouse” means A condominium designed for occupancy by one (1) family in a row of at least two (2) such units in which each unit has its own front and rear access to the outside, no unit is located over another unit, and each unit is separated from any other unit by one (1) or more common and fire resistant walls.
“Trade school” means A professional, recreational or vocational school providing a continuous program of instruction primarily for adults, as a business.
“Traffic safety sight area (TSSA)” means area that includes that portion of both public and private property located at any intersecting streets and a line joining points on the curb or edge of roadway forty-five (45) feet from the point of intersection of the extended curb lines or edges of roadway (see Figure 18.08-4).
Figure 18.08-4
Traffic Safety Sight Area 
“Transit center” means A facility where passengers are exchanged between public transportation vehicles, such as a bus, shuttle, taxi, trolley car, etc.
“Transitional housing,” As defined in Health and Safety Code Section 50675.2, shall mean rental housing operated under program requirements that call for the termination of assistance and recirculation of the assisted unit to another eligible program recipient at some predetermined future point in time, which shall be no more than two (2) years. Transitional housing units are residential uses subject only to those requirements and restrictions that apply to other residential uses of the same type in the same zone.
Transom. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
Tree Permit. Refer to Section 18.52.060(B), cutting and removal of heritage oak and public trees definitions.
Trellis. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
Trim. Refer to Section 18.28.030, downtown zoning districts definitions.
“Uniform code” means Any and all uniform codes as adopted and administered by the City. Approval for development under the Development Code does not exempt a project from complying with any applicable uniform code.
“Utility substation” means Fixed-base structures and facilities serving as junction points for transferring utility services from one (1) transmission voltage to another or to local distribution and service voltages, including the following:
A. Corporation and maintenance yards.
B. Electrical substations and switching stations.
C. Natural gas regulating and distribution facilities.
D. Public water system wells, treatment plants and storage.
E. Telephone switching facilities.
F. Wastewater treatment plants, settling ponds and disposal fields.
These uses do not include office or customer service centers (classified in “office”), or equipment and material storage yards.
Vehicle. Refer to Section 18.44.090.02, mobile food vending definitions.
Vend. Refer to Section 18.44.090.02, mobile food vending definitions.
“Vesting tentative map” means A tentative subdivision map or a tentative parcel map for a residential subdivision that has printed conspicuously on its face the words “vesting tentative map” at the time it is filed in accordance with Section 18.64.050.
“Wall sign” means A sign painted on, attached to, or erected against the wall of a building or structure with the exposed face of the sign parallel to the plane of said wall.
“Wholesale and distribution” means Establishments engaged in selling merchandise to retailers; to industrial, commercial, institutional, farm, or professional business users; or to other wholesalers; or acting as agents or brokers in buying merchandise for or selling merchandise to such persons or companies. Includes such establishments as: agents, merchandise or commodity brokers, and commission merchants.
A. Assemblers, buyers and associations engaged in the cooperative marketing of farm products.
B. Merchant wholesalers.
C. Stores primarily selling electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning supplies and equipment.
“Wholesale membership club stores” means Wholesale store or warehouse where shoppers pay a membership fee in order to take advantage of discounted prices on a wide variety of items such as food, clothing, tires and appliances; many items are sold in large quantities or bulk.
“Window sign” means A sign, picture, symbol, or communication thereof, designed to communicate information about an idea, activity, business, commodity, event, sale, or service that is placed inside a window or upon the window or glass (including the glass of doors) and is visible from the exterior of the window.
“Wineries and distilleries” means An establishment where wine or liquor is manufactured. A winery or distillery may include a tasting room, at which guests may sample what is manufactured on site.
“Winetasting room” means A retail establishment not located at a winery, providing samples and the sale of wine, and which may also sell ancillary food, clothing, glassware, and other similar items.
“Yard” means A required open space area between a lot line and the required setback line wherein every part of this yard setback area shall be free of structures from its lowest point to the sky unobstructed (see Figure 18.08-5).
A. “Front yard” means a yard extending the full width of the lot between the front property line (excluding right-of-way) and a line parallel thereto and passing through the nearest point of the building(s).
B. “Rear yard” means a yard extending the full width of the lot between the rear property line (excluding right-of-way) and a line parallel thereto and passing through the nearest point of the building(s). For through lots, if a future street right-of-way has been established, such measurement shall be from the future street right-of-way line.
C. “Side yard” means a yard extending the full length between the side lot line and a line parallel thereto and passing through the nearest point of the building(s).
D. “Street side yard” means a side yard that faces a public street on a corner lot and extends from the front yard to the rear yard.
Figure 18.08-5
Yards 
“Zone” means Any of the zoning classifications specified in the Galt Development Code.
(Ord. 2022-09, Amended, 12/06/2022; Ord. 2016-08, Amended, 09/06/2016; Ord. 2015-05, Repealed and Replaced, 06/16/2015)