Chapter 82-4 DEFINITIONS

Article 82-4.2. Definitions Generally

82-4.202 Construction.

82-4.204 Tenses.

82-4.206 Agriculture.

82-4.208 Apartment unit.

82-4.209 Aviary.

82-4.210 Building.

82-4.212 Building, accessory.

82-4.214 Building height.

82-4.216 Business, retail.

82-4.218 Cemetery.

82-4.220 Kennel.

82-4.221 Contractor’s yard.

82-4.222 County boundary.

82-4.224 Court.

82-4.226 Court, inner.

82-4.228 Court, outer.

82-4.230 District.

82-4.232 Dog fancier.

82-4.234 Duplex.

82-4.236 Family.

82-4.238 Farming, small.

82-4.240 Home occupation.

82-4.242 Hotel.

82-4.244 Lot--Definition, dimensions, area, private road structure setbacks.

82-4.246 Lot, average width.

82-4.248 Lot depth.

82-4.250 Lot frontage.

82-4.252 Motel.

82-4.254 Multiple family building.

82-4.256 Multiple family building group.

82-4.258 One-family dwelling.

82-4.260 Sign, accessory.

82-4.262 Sign, nonaccessory.

82-4.264 Sign structure.

82-4.266 Story.

82-4.268 Story, half.

82-4.270 Structure.

82-4.272 Suburban apartment building.

82-4.274 Suburban apartment building group.

82-4.276 Transit-mix plant.

82-4.278 Use, accessory.

82-4.280 Use, nonconforming.

82-4.282 Yard.

82-4.284 Yard, front.

82-4.286 Yard, rear.

82-4.288 Yard, side.

82-4.290 Basement.

82-4.292 Medical marijuana dispensary.

Article 82-4.4. Map Symbols

82-4.402 Synonymous symbols and phrases.

Article 82-4.2. Definitions Generally

82-4.202 Construction.

The definitions in this article and certain other sections of Divisions 82 and 84 govern the construction of Title 8, unless the context otherwise requires. (Ords. 79-7 § 5, 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102: Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.204 Tenses.

Unless the natural construction of the word indicates otherwise, the present tense includes the future and the plural number the singular. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(a): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.206 Agriculture.

“Agriculture” means the tilling of soil, the raising of crops, horticulture, dairying, and the raising and managing of livestock, including all uses customarily incident but not including slaughterhouses, fertilizer yards, bone yards, plants for the reduction of animal matter, or any other industrial use which may be objectionable because of odor, smoke, dust, or fumes. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(d): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.208 Apartment unit.

“Apartment unit” means a separate suite, including kitchen facilities, designed for and occupied as the home, residence, or sleeping place of one or more persons living as a single housekeeping unit. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(cc): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.209 Aviary.

“Aviary” means a coop, cote, pen, cage, or other similar enclosure, used to house one or more birds (including pigeons) other than poultry. (Ord. 77-51 § 1).

82-4.210 Building.

“Building” means any structure with a roof supported by columns or walls and intended for the shelter, housing, or enclosure of persons, animals, or chattels. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § P8102(f): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.212 Building, accessory.

“Accessory building” is a building the use and size of which is subordinate and incidental to that of a main building on the same lot. In addition, no accessory building shall exceed:
(1) Five hundred square feet of floor area coverage on lots less than twenty thousand square feet in area and six hundred square feet of floor area coverage on lots greater than twenty thousand square feet in area;
(2) Fifteen feet in height. (Ords. 96-4 § 1, 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(g): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.214 Building height.

“Building height” means the vertical distance measured from grade to the top of structure directly above with exceptions noted elsewhere in the code. Height may be measured from finished grade when such grade is below natural grade. Height shall be measured from natural grade when the finished grade is higher than natural grade. (Ords. 96-4 § 2, 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(pp): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.216 Business, retail.

“Retail business” means the sale, barter, and exchange of retail goods, wares, merchandise, services, or other personal or real property or any interest in them for profit or livelihood. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(r): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.218 Cemetery.

“Cemetery” means land which is used or dedicated for any one, or a combination of more than one, of the following land uses:
(1) A burial park for earth interments;
(2) A mausoleum for crypt or vault interments;
(3) A columbarium for cinerary interments. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1513, 1469: prior code § 8102(mm): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.220 Kennel.

(a) “Kennel” means any lot, building, structure, enclosure, or premises where one or more dogs or cats are kept or maintained for commercial purposes, excluding places where veterinarians board animals for medical care only; or where over twenty dogs or over twenty cats over the age of six months are owned or kept;
(b) Whenever “commercial dog kennel” is used in Title 8 of this ordinance code, it refers to “kennel” as defined in this section. (Ords. 80-98 § 2, 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(kk): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.221 Contractor’s yard.

“Contractor’s yard,” including corporation yard, public utility yard or general service yard, means buildings and premises used for the storage and maintenance of equipment and materials involved in construction, installation, maintenance, and/or landscaping, on other property. (Ord. 76-36 § 1).

82-4.222 County boundary.

“County boundary” means the boundary of this county and the boundary of any incorporated municipality within this county. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(c): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.224 Court.

“Court” means an open space, other than a yard, on the same lot with a building or buildings, which is unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(ee): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.226 Court, inner.

“Inner court” means a court enclosed either in whole or part on all sides by buildings. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(gg): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.228 Court, outer.

“Outer court” means a court which extends to a street line or extends to or opens on a front, side, or rear yard. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(ff): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.230 District.

“District” is a portion of the unincorporated territory of the county within which certain uses of land, buildings, and structures are permitted; certain other uses of land, buildings, and structures are not permitted; portions of certain yards and other open spaces are required, and certain minimum lot areas and maximum heights are established for buildings and structures, under the regulations of Divisions 82 and 84. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(h): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.232 Dog fancier.

“Dog fancier” is a person owning, maintaining or keeping four or more dogs over the age of six months:
(1) As pets;
(2) For showing in recognized dog shows, field trials or obedience trials;
(3) For working and hunting; or
(4) For improving the variety of breed in temperament or conformation with a view to exhibition in shows or trials or for use as working dogs in hunting. (Ords. 92-25 §2, 1781, 1760, 1759, 1744, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(ll): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.234 Duplex.

“Duplex” means a detached building or part of it, designed for occupation as the residence of two families living independently of each other. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(j): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.236 Family.

“Family” means an:
(1) Individual; or
(2) Two or more persons related by blood, marriage, or legal adoption; or
(3) A group of not more than five persons, excluding servants, who are not related by blood, marriage or legal adoption, living together as a single nonprofit housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit as distinguished from a hotel, club, fraternity or sorority house, dormitory or boardinghouse. A “family” includes necessary servants. (Ords. 68-25 § 1, 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(1): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.238 Farming, small.

“Small farming” means horticulture on a small area of land and the raising and keeping of more than twenty-four fowl, rabbits, other grainfed rodents, or livestock. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(s): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.240 Home occupation.

“Home occupation” is an activity customarily conducted entirely within a residential dwelling, by a person residing in the dwelling unit, which is clearly a secondary and incidental use of such dwelling as a residence. The use must not change the residential character of the dwelling or area and shall meet the following conditions:
(1) There shall be no merchandise or services for sale except that produced from or made on the premises.
(2) The use shall not generate vehicular traffic in excess of that normally associated with single family residential use.
(3) Not more than one room or twenty-five percent of the habitable floor area of the principal structure, whichever is greater, shall be used for the home occupation. Garage areas and areas within accessory buildings shall not be considered as being habitable floor area.
(4) There shall be no exterior indication of the home occupation.
(5) No exterior signs shall be used.
(6) No noise, odor, dust, fumes, vibration, smoke, electrical interference or other interference with the residential use of adjacent properties shall be created.
(7) No persons shall be employed, except the applicant, in the conduct of the home occupation. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(m): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.242 Hotel.

“Hotel” means a building or part of it containing six or more guest rooms designed, intended to be used, or used by six or more persons for money, goods, services, or other compensation. Excepted are buildings where occupants are housed or detained under legal restraint, buildings for the refuge, maintenance, or education of needy, aged, infirm, or young persons, and buildings where patients or injured persons receive medical or surgical treatment. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(n): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.244 Lot--Definition, dimensions, area, private road structure setbacks.

(a) Defined. “Lot” means a piece, parcel, tract, or division of land, including one delineated or described as a single integral unit on a subdivision map, and two or more considered as one pursuant to Section 82-10.002(c).
(b) Lawful Lot. To qualify as a building site, a lot shall have the minimum dimensions required therefor by Divisions 82 and 84 for the district where it is situated.
(c) Right of way Excluded. No part, nor all, of a lot within a public road, street, highway, right-of-way, or easement, for vehicles or pedestrians, existing or proposed, shall be used to satisfy minimum area, yard, dimensional or coverage requirements.
(d) For lots less than forty thousand square feet in size on private roads, for purposes of measuring primary and secondary front yard setbacks, such setbacks shall be measured from the edge of the easement line of the private road abutting such lot or, if there is no recorded easement, then, from the abutting edge of such private road established by use. (Ords. 99-12 § 2: 79-69 § 1, 71-99 § 3, 1469: prior code § 8102(o): Ords. 939, 932 § 2, 382 § 2[14]: see §§ 92-4.046, 92-4.062).

82-4.246 Lot, average width.

“Average width of a lot” is the total area of the lot divided by the depth of the lot. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(bb): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.248 Lot depth.

“Depth of a lot” is the distance normal to the frontage to the point of the lot farthest from the frontage. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(z): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.250 Lot frontage.

“Frontage” of a lot is the distance measured between the two points on the principal road, street, or access that are farthest apart. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(aa): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.252 Motel.

“Motel” means detached or attached dwelling units providing automobile storage space for each dwelling unit and providing transient living accommodations primarily for automobile travelers. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(ii): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.254 Multiple family building.

“Multiple family building” is a detached building designed and used exclusively as a dwelling by three or more families occupying separate suites or apartments. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(k): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.256 Multiple family building group.

“Multiple family building group” means two or more detached single family buildings, duplexes, or multiple family buildings occupying a parcel of land in one ownership, with common yards. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(hh): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.258 One-family dwelling.

“One-family dwelling” means a detached building or part of it, designed for occupation as the residence of one family. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(i): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.260 Sign, accessory.

“Accessory sign” means any surface or portion thereof, on which lettered, figured or pictorial matter is displayed for the purpose of advertising or identifying goods and services sold or produced on the property upon which the surface is located. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(qq): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.262 Sign, nonaccessory.

“Nonaccessory sign” means any surface or portion thereof, on which lettered, figured or pictorial matter is displayed for purposes of advertising other than the name and occupation of the user of the premises on which the surface is located, or advertising other than the nature of the business or activity conducted thereon, or advertising of goods and services other than those primarily sold or produced thereon. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(qq): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.264 Sign structure.

“Sign structure” means any structure whose primary purpose is to support an accessory sign or nonaccessory sign. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(rr): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.266 Story.

“Story” means that portion of a building included between the upper surface of any floor and the upper surface of the floor next above, except that the topmost story shall be that portion of a building included between the upper surface of the topmost floor and the ceiling or roof above. If the finished floor level directly above a basement or cellar is more than six feet above grade at any point, such basement or cellar shall be considered a story. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(nn): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.268 Story, half.

“Half story” means that portion of a building under a gable, hip or gambrel roof, the top wall plat of which on at least two opposite exterior walls are not more than three feet above the floor of such building portion. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(oo): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.270 Structure.

“Structure” means anything constructed or erected on and permanently attached to land, except: (1) buildings defined in Section 82-4.210, (2) fences with a maximum height of six feet or retaining walls with a maximum height of three feet or any combination thereof not over six feet high, (3) sidewalks, gateways, pipes, meters, meter boxes, manholes, and mailboxes, and (4) poles, wires, pipes and other devices, and their appurtenant parts, for the transmission or transportation of electricity and gas for light, heat or power, or of telephone and telegraphic messages, or of water. (Ord. 74-22: prior code § 8102(t): Ord. 382 § 2(18)).

82-4.272 Suburban apartment building.

“Suburban apartment building” means a detached building designed and used exclusively for dwelling purposes by families occupying separate suites or apartment units, but not more than six suites or apartment units shall be contained in one detached building. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(dd): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.274 Suburban apartment building group.

“Suburban apartment building group” means two or more detached single-family buildings, duplexes, or suburban apartment buildings occupying a parcel of land in one ownership, with common yards. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(jj): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.276 Transit-mix plant.

“Transit-mix plant” means a use of land and equipment incidental to the erection, maintenance, and use of plants, including fixtures and machinery, for the handling, sorting, shipment, transshipment, storage, mixing, and grading of building materials, including sand, gravel, and cement but not including hot tar, asphalt, or other similar bitumens. A “transit-mix plant” includes buildings, structures, bins, chutes, bunkers, silos, hoists, elevators, hoppers or conveyors designed, intended for and used in the preparation of concrete ready-mix for shipment in trucks and transit-mixers from the premises. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(y): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.278 Use, accessory.

“Accessory use” means a use incidental and accessory to the principal use of a lot, or a use accessory to the principal use of a building located on the same lot. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(e): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.280 Use, nonconforming.

“Nonconforming use” means a use of land, building or structure on land that does not conform to Divisions 82 and 84 for the district in which it is situated. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(p): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.282 Yard.

“Yard” means an open space other than a court, on the same lot with the building, which open space is occupied from the ground upward to the sky, except as otherwise provided in Divisions 82 and 84. In determining the dimensions of a yard as provided in Divisions 82 and 84, the “line of the building” means a line drawn parallel to the nearest lot line through the point of a building which is the nearest building to the lot line, without regard to parts of the building designated in Divisions 82 and 84 as parts not to be considered in measuring yard dimensions. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(u): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.284 Yard, front.

“Front yard” means an open area extending across the front of a lot, measured toward the rear of the lot to the nearest line of any building on it. If any setback is established by Divisions 82 and 84 for a lot, the area between the setback line and the boundary line that determines the position of the setback line shall constitute the front yard of the lot. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(v): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.286 Yard, rear.

“Rear yard” means an open area extending across the rear of a lot, measured from the rear line toward the front to the nearest line of any building on the lot. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(w): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.288 Yard, side.

“Side yard” means an open area between each line of a lot and the nearest line of any building on the lot and extending from the front line to the rear line of the lot. (Ords. 1781, 1760, 1759, 1569, 1469: prior code § 8102(x): Ords. 1269, 1264, 1224, 939, 933, 382).

82-4.290 Basement.

“Basement” means any area in a building or structure where the finished floor directly above the area is less than six feet above preconstruction grade or finished grade, whichever is lower. (Ord. 2004-46 § 3).

82-4.292 Medical marijuana dispensary.

“Medical marijuana dispensary” means any facility or location, stationary or mobile, where marijuana is made available, sold, transmitted, given, distributed to, or otherwise provided by or to a primary caregiver, qualified patient, or a person with an identification card, in accordance with the State Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Health and Safety Code Section 11362.5). A “medical marijuana dispensary” does not include the following uses, as long as their location is otherwise regulated by this code or applicable law and as long as their use complies strictly with applicable law including but not limited to Health and Safety Code Section 11362.5: a clinic licensed pursuant to Chapter 1 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code; a health care facility licensed pursuant to Chapter 2 of Division 2 of the 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 Health and Safety Code; a residential care facility for the elderly licensed pursuant to Chapter 3.2 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code; a residential hospice or a home health agency licensed pursuant to Chapter 8 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code. (Ord. 2008-05 § 3).

Article 82-4.4. Map Symbols

82-4.402 Synonymous symbols and phrases.

(a) “Single-family residential district” is synonymous with “single-family residential district-6,” and map symbol “R-1” is synonymous with “R-6.”
(b) “Single-family residential district” is synonymous with “single-family residential district-7,” and map symbol “R-1-A” is synonymous with “R-7.”
(c) “Residential suburban district” is synonymous with “single-family residential district-10,” and map symbol “R-S” is synonymous with “R-10.”
(d) “Single-family residential district-B” is synonymous with “single-family residential district-15,” and map symbol “R-1-B,” is synonymous with “R-15.”
(e) “Suburban district” is synonymous with “single-family residential district-40,” and map symbol “S” is synonymous with “R-40.”
(f) “Small farms district” is synonymous with “light agricultural district,” and map symbol “S-F” is synonymous with “A-1.”
(g) “General agricultural district” is synonymous with “agricultural district,” and map symbol “A” is synonymous with “A-2.”
(h) Map symbol “R-2” is synonymous with “D-1.”
(i) “Transition residential agricultural district” is synonymous with “single-family residential district,” and map symbol “R-A” is synonymous with “R-20,” and all such property shall be regulated by Chapter 84-14.
(j) “Recreational residential district” is synonymous with “water recreational district” and map symbol “R-R” is synonymous with map symbol “F-1.”
(k) The map symbols for the multiple residential districts are changed to conform with “M-4” as used in Chapter 84.30, as follows: “M-R” is changed to “M-1,” “M-R-A” is changed to “M-2,” and “M-R-B” is changed to “M-3.” (Ords. 72-44 § 2, 68-30 § 2, 67-38 § 2, 2032 § 1, 1966, 1762: prior code § 8103: Ords. 1406, 1179).