Division 2. Definitions

Chapter 17.11
DEFINITIONS

Sections:

17.11.010    Purpose.

17.11.020    Definitions.

17.11.010 Purpose.

It is the purpose of this chapter to provide definitions of terms and phrases used in the code that are technical or specialized, or that may not reflect common usage. If a definition in this chapter conflicts with a definition in another provision of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code, these definitions shall control for the purposes of the code. If a word is not defined in this chapter, or in other provisions of the Municipal Code, the Director shall determine the correct definition, giving deference to common usage. (Ord. 13-8 § 4 (Exh. A), 6/11/13)

17.11.020 Definitions.

Words, phrases and terms used in this code have the meaning assigned to them by the Director. Any interpretation of a word, phrase or term shall be in conformance with Chapter 17.04 (Interpretations).

Definitions, “A.”

“Abut” means two (2) adjoining parcels of property with a common property line, including two (2) or more lots adjoining only at a corner, except where such common property line is located in a public street right-of-way, which shall be considered street frontage. “Adjacent” or “contiguous” shall mean the same as abutting.

“Access” or “access way” means the place, means or way by which pedestrians and vehicles shall have safe, adequate and usable ingress and egress to a property or use as required by this code.

“Accessory building or structure” means a detached subordinate building or structure, the use of which is incidental to that of the main building or main use of the land, which is located on the same lot or parcel of land and is located in the same zone as the main building or use.

“Accessory dwelling unit (ADU)” means “an attached or a detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. It shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the single-family or multifamily dwelling is or will be situated. An ADU also includes an efficiency unit as defined in Section 17958.1 of the Health and Safety Code and may include manufactured homes as defined in Section 18007 of the Health and Safety Code,” as defined in Government Code Section 65852.2, and as may be later amended. ADUs are incentivized to qualify as affordable housing units as described in Section 17.57.040(L)(4).

“Accessory use” means a use of land or of a building or portion thereof customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use of the land or building and located on the same lot with the principal use.

“Activity area” means a neighborhood-serving retail center, generally located in a residential area, with supportive commercial uses such as grocery stores, restaurants, personal services, and retail sale of specialty goods.

“Adult” means a person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older.

Adult Business. The following terms and phrases are defined for the purposes of Chapter 17.61 (Adult Business Regulations):

1.    “Adult bookstore” means an establishment that devotes more than fifteen percent (15%) of the total floor area utilized for the display of books and periodicals to the display and sale of the following: books, magazines, periodicals, or other printed matter, or photographs, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, tapes, records, or other forms of visual or audio representations which are characterized by an emphasis upon the depiction or description of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical instruments, devices or paraphernalia which are designed for use in connection with specified sexual activities.

An adult bookstore does not include an establishment that sells books or periodicals as an incidental or accessory part of its principal stock-in-trade and does not devote more than fifteen percent (15%) of the total floor area of the establishment to the sale of adult only books and periodicals.

2.    “Adult cabaret” means a nightclub, bar, theater, restaurant or similar establishment which regularly features live performances which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on specified sexual activities or by exposure of specified anatomical areas and/or which regularly features films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or other photographic reproductions which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis upon the depiction or description of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas for observation by patrons.

3.    “Adult hotel or motel” means a hotel, motel or similar establishment offering public accommodations for any form of consideration which provides patrons with closed-circuit television transmissions, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or other photographic reproductions which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis upon the depiction or description of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.

4.    “Adult motion picture arcade” means any place to which the adult public is permitted or invited where coin or slug operated or electronically, electrically, or mechanically controlled still or motion picture machines, projectors or other image-producing devices are maintained to show images to five (5) or fewer persons per machine at any one (1) time, and where the images so displayed are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on depicting or describing specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas for observation of patrons.

5.    “Adult motion picture theater” means an establishment, with the capacity of five (5) or more persons, where, for any form of consideration, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides or similar photographic reproductions are shown, and in which a substantial portion of the total presentation time is devoted to the showing of material which is characterized by an emphasis upon the depiction or description of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas for observation by patrons.

6.    “Adult tanning salon” means a business establishment where patrons receive tanning services in groups of two (2) or more and where patrons, employees, or independent contractors thereof of the establishment expose specified anatomical areas. “Adult tanning salon” or “parlor” shall also include a business establishment where a patron and an employee or independent contractor thereof of the establishment are nude or expose “specified anatomical areas.”

7.    “Adult novelty store” means an establishment having, as a substantial portion of its stock-in-trade, a majority of its floor area, or a majority of its revenue derived from goods which are replicas of, or which simulate, “specified anatomical areas,” or “specified sexual activities,” or goods which are designed to be placed on or in “specified anatomical areas,” or to be used in conjunction with “specified sexual activities,” to cause sexual excitement, including, but not limited to: dildos, auto sucks, sexually oriented vibrators, edible underwear, pitlickers, benwa balls, inflatable orifices, anatomical balloons with orifices, simulated and battery operated vaginas.

8.    Anatomical Areas. See “specified anatomical areas.”

9.    “Employee” means a person who works or performs in and/or for an adult business, regardless of whether or not said person is paid a salary, wage or other compensation by the operator of said business and regardless of technical status as employee or independent contractor.

10.    “Escort” means a person who, for any form of consideration or gratuity, agrees or offers to act as a companion, guide, or date for another person, or who agrees or offers to privately model lingerie or to privately perform a striptease for another person.

11.    “Escort agency” means a person or business association who furnishes, offers to furnish, or advertises to furnish escorts as one (1) of its primary business purposes for a fee, tip, or other consideration.

12.    “Individual viewing area” means a viewing area designed for occupancy by one (1) person. No private viewing areas shall be established, maintained, or authorized, and there shall be no doors, curtains, stalls, or other enclosures creating a private viewing area.

13.    “Massage parlor” means any place where, for any form of consideration or gratuity, massage, alcohol rub, administration of fomentations, electric or magnetic treatments, or any other treatment manipulation of the human body which occurs as a part of or in connection with “specified sexual activities,” or where any person providing such treatment, manipulation, or service related thereto, exposes “specified anatomical areas.” The definition of “adult business” regarding the “practice of massage” does not apply to any licensed physician, surgeon, chiropractor or osteopath office, nor to any nurse or technician working under the supervision of a licensed physician, surgeon, chiropractor or osteopath, nor to trainers for any amateur, semiprofessional or professional athlete or athletic team or school athletic program.

14.    “Nude” or “state of nudity” means the appearance of human bare buttock, anus, male genitals, female genitals, or the areola or nipple of the female breast.

15.    “Permitted or licensed premises” means any premises that requires a license and/or permit and that is classified as an adult business.

16.    “Private viewing area” means an area or areas in an adult business designed to accommodate no more than five (5) patrons or customers for purposes of viewing or watching a performance, picture, show, film, videotape, slide, movie, or other presentation. No private viewing areas shall be established, maintained, or authorized, and there shall be no doors, curtains, stalls, or other enclosures creating a private viewing area.

17.    “Regular and substantial course of conduct” shall mean:

a.    Devoting more than fifteen percent (15%) of total display area to the display of sex-oriented merchandise or sex-oriented material; or

b.    Presenting any type of live entertainment characterized by an emphasis on specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, or performers, models or employees appearing in public in lingerie on any ten (10) or more separate or consecutive days within any thirty (30) day period; or

c.    Deriving at least fifty percent (50%) of gross receipts from the sale, trade, display or presentation of services, products, or entertainment which are characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing, or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.

18.    “Semi-nude” means a stage of dress in which clothing covers no more than the genitals, pubic region, and areola of the female breast, as well as portions of the body covered by supporting straps or devices.

19.    “Semi-nude model studio” means any place where a person, who appears semi-nude or displays “specified anatomical areas,” is provided for money or any form of consideration to be observed, sketched, drawn, painted, sculptured, photographed, or similarly depicted by other persons.

20.    “Sex-oriented material” means any sex-oriented merchandise, or any book, periodical, magazine, photograph, drawing, sculpture, motion picture film, video tape recording, or other visual representation which is distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing, or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.

21.    “Sex-oriented merchandise” includes but shall not be limited to dildos, auto sucks, sexually oriented vibrators, edible underwear, pitlickers, benwa balls, inflatable orifices, anatomical balloons with orifices, simulated and battery operated vaginas.

22.    “Sexual encounter establishment” means an establishment, other than a hotel, motel, or similar establishment offering public accommodations, which, for any form of consideration, provides a place where two (2) or more persons may congregate, associate, or consort in connection with specified sexual activities or the exposure of specified anatomical area. This definition does not include an establishment where a medical practitioner, psychologist, psychiatrist or similar professional person licensed by the State engages in sexual therapy. For the purposes of these regulations, sexual encounter establishment shall include massage or rap parlor and other similar establishments.

23.    “Specified anatomical areas” shall mean:

a.    Less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, anus or female breasts below a point immediately above the top of the areolae; or

b.    Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered.

24.    “Specified criminal acts” means acts which are sexual crimes against children, sexual abuse, rape or crimes connected with another adult business including but not limited to distribution of obscenity or material harmful to minors, prostitution, or pandering.

25.    “Specified sexual activities” shall mean:

a.    The fondling or other touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, anus, or female breasts; or

b.    Sex acts, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, including intercourse, oral copulation, or sodomy; or

c.    Masturbation, actual or simulated; or

d.    Excretory functions as part of or in connection with any of the activities set forth in subsections (a) through (c) of this definition.

26.    “Substantial enlargement of an adult business” means an increase in the floor areas occupied by the business by more than fifteen percent (15%) as the floor areas exist on effective date of the ordinance codified in this definition.

27.    “Transfer of ownership or control of an adult business” shall mean and include any of the following:

a.    The sale, lease or sublease of the business; or

b.    The transfer of securities which constitute a controlling interest in the business, whether by sale, exchange or similar means; or

c.    The establishment of a trust, gift or other similar legal device which transfers ownership or control of the business, except for transfer by bequest or other operation of law upon the death of a person possessing the ownership or control.

28.    “Waiter” or “waitress” means a man or woman who waits on tables.

“Alley” means any highway as defined in Chapter 12.08 (Definitions), having a width of less than twenty-six (26) feet, not provided with a sidewalk or sidewalks.

“Ambient noise level” means general noise level in the area at the given time.

“Antenna” means typically a metallic device used in communications which transmits or receives radio signals.

“Antenna equipment” means a cabinet, room, or similar structure which houses the electronic facilities used to operate an antenna.

“Antenna height” means the vertical distance from the existing or proposed grade, whichever is lower, to the top of the antenna or its support.

“Antique” means a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object made at an earlier period and at least fifty (50) years in age.

“Apartment” means a dwelling unit in an apartment house.

“Apartment house” means a building, under the same ownership, containing three (3) or more dwelling units, designed for occupancy by three (3) or more families living independently of each other.

Approving Authority. The “approving authority” is the decision maker who ultimately approves the project.

“Architectural treatment” shall include any parapet, projection, cornice, screen wall, etc., that is used to provide articulation when breaking up building massing. Signs shall not be considered an architectural treatment and must be designed in accordance with this code.

“Area of benefit” means a specified area wherein it has been determined that the real property located therein will benefit from the construction of a bridge and/or major thoroughfare or other designated improvement.

“Area of special flood hazard” means the land in a floodplain, as identified by the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) of Los Angeles County, subject to a one percent (1%) or greater chance of flooding in any given year.

“Attached” means any building or structure that has a wall or roof in common with another building or structure.

“Attic” means that part of a building that is immediately below and wholly or partly within the roof framing and not accessed by permanent fixed stairs, ladders, or other such equipment from the floor below.

Definitions, “B.”

“Base or underlying zone” means the primary zone established on the official zoning map of the City as an alpha symbol on the property or lot. All requirements of the base zone must be met in addition to any overlay zone and special uses and conditions of this code.

“Basement” is defined as a story that is either partly or completely underground. When calculating the number of stories of a structure, a basement shall be counted when greater than one-half (1/2) of any given side is above grade. When calculating height of a structure, measurement shall be taken from the lowest point of the building to the highest and shall always include any exposed portion of a basement.

“Block” means the parcels or buildings contained within a segment of a street bounded by consecutive cross streets or intersections.

“Bridge facility” means any crossing for a highway or local road, involving a railway, freeway, stream or canyon, which is required by the General Plan.

“Buildable area” means a legally created parcel or contiguous parcels of land in single or joint ownership, which provides the area and the open spaces required by this code, exclusive of all vehicular and pedestrian rights-of-way and all other easements that prohibit the surface use of the property by the owner thereof.

“Building” means anything constructed having a roof supported by columns or walls for the purpose of housing, shelter or enclosure.

“Building Code” means the adopted Building Code for the City of Santa Clarita and all amendments with the Municipal Code and as approved by the Council.

“Building Official” means the Director of Public Works or the duly appointed person in charge of the administration of the Building Codes.

“Building site” means that portion of the lot or parcel of land upon which the building and appurtenances are to be placed, or are already existing, including adequate areas for sewage disposal, clearances, proper drainage, appropriate easements and, if applicable, the requirements of other ordinances.

Definitions, “C.”

“California Coordinate System” means the coordinate system as defined in Sections 8801 through 8819, inclusive, of the California Public Resources Code. The specified zone for the City of Santa Clarita is “Zone 5” of CCS83 and the official datum is the “North American Datum of 1983.”

“Cannabis” has the meaning set forth in Business and Professions Code Section 26001(f) and includes: all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa Linnaeus, Cannabis indica, or Cannabis ruderalis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin, whether crude or purified, extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or resin. “Cannabis” also means the separated resin, whether crude or purified, obtained from cannabis. “Cannabis” does not include the mature stalks of the plant, fiber produced from the stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of the plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber, oil, or cake, or the sterilized seed of the plant which is incapable of germination. “Cannabis” does not mean “industrial hemp” as defined by Section 11018.5 of the Health and Safety Code.

The following terms and phrases are defined for the purposes of the UDC:

1.    “Commercial cannabis activity” has the meaning set forth in Business and Professions Code Section 26001(k) and includes the cultivation, possession, manufacture, distribution, processing, storing, laboratory testing, packaging, labeling, transportation, delivery, or sale of cannabis or cannabis products as provided under MAUCRSA.

2.    “Commercial cannabis facility” means any building, facility, use, establishment, property, or location where any person or entity establishes, commences, engages in, conducts, or carries on, or permits another person or entity to establish, commence, engage in, conduct, or carry on, any medicinal and/or nonmedicinal commercial cannabis activity that requires a State license or nonprofit license under MAUCRSA, including, but not limited to, the cultivation, possession, manufacture, distribution, processing, storing, laboratory testing, packaging, labeling, transportation, delivery, or sale of cannabis or cannabis products as provided under MAUCRSA. “Commercial cannabis facility” also includes any building, facility, use, establishment, property, or location where cannabis and/or cannabis products are sold or distributed in exchange for compensation in any form for medicinal purposes under Health and Safety Code Sections 11362.5 and 11362.7 and following.

3.    “Cultivation” has the meaning set forth in Business and Professions Code Section 26001(l) and includes any activity involving the planting, growing, harvesting, drying, curing, grading, or trimming of cannabis.

4.    “Products containing cannabis” shall have the meaning set forth in Health and Safety Code Section 11018.1 and includes cannabis that has undergone a process whereby the plant material has been transformed into a concentrate, including, but not limited to, concentrated cannabis, or an edible or topical product containing cannabis or concentrated cannabis and other ingredients.

5.    “MAUCRSA” means the Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act, as codified in Division 10 of the California Business and Professions Code, as the same may be amended from time to time.

“Canopy” means a small roof or awning attached to the wall of a structure which is supported by no means other than its attachment to the wall.

“Caretaker” means a person residing on the premises of an employer and who is receiving meaningful compensation to assume the primary responsibility for the necessary repair, maintenance, supervision, or security of the real or personal property of the employer which is located on the same or contiguous lots or parcels of land.

“Carport” means any structure or portion of a building or structure open on three (3) sides, other than an attached or detached garage, used to shelter vehicles, in addition to, and not a replacement for, a garage.

“Centerline” means the centerline established by the City Engineer for any proposed or dedicated public way which, in whole or in part, is included in any such highway.

“Certificate of compliance” means a document describing a unit or contiguous units of property and stating that the property complies with applicable provisions of the State Subdivision Map Act and City ordinances enacted pursuant thereto.

“City” means the City of Santa Clarita, a municipal corporation.

“City Engineer” means the Director of Public Works or the duly authorized representative(s).

“City Surveyor” means the City Engineer or the duly authorized representative(s).

“Civil engineer” means a professional engineer registered in the State to practice in the field of civil engineering.

“Civil engineering” means the application of knowledge of the forces of nature, principles of mechanics, and properties of materials, to the evaluation, design, and construction of civil works.

“Club” means an association of persons (whether or not incorporated) for a common purpose, but not including groups organized solely or primarily to render a service as a business for profit.

“Cluster development” means the concentration of dwelling units on a portion or portions of a lot or parcel of land resulting in the remainder of said lot or parcel being free of buildings or structures, as opposed to development spread throughout the entire lot or parcel. Such development shall be accomplished by computing density on a project level rather than a parcel-by-parcel basis, and by the use of smaller lots than are customarily permitted in the zone in which the development is proposed, while retaining the remaining portion of such lot or parcel in permanent open space.

“Commission” means the Planning Commission of the City of Santa Clarita.

“Community apartment” means a development in which an undivided interest in the land is coupled with the right of exclusive occupancy of an apartment located thereon.

“Condominium” means an estate in real property consisting of an undivided interest in common in a portion of a parcel of real property, together with a separate interest in space in a residential, industrial or commercial building or buildings on such real property, such as an apartment, detached single-family residence, office, or store.

“Condominium conversion” means the conversion of rental units, residential, commercial, or industrial units into a condominium project.

“Conduit” means rigid tubing or pipe typically placed underground to house and protect electric wiring, including low voltage and fiber-optic strands and cables.

“Contiguous parcel of land” means those units of land which border or abut each other on any side, and which are shown as such on the latest equalized assessment reveal of the County of Los Angeles. Land shall be considered as contiguous units, even if it is separated by utility easements or railroad rights-of-way.

“Council” means the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita.

“County” means the County of Los Angeles.

“County Recorder” means the County Recorder of the County of Los Angeles.

“Crawl space” means the space between bare soil and the underside of the first floor or basement of a structure. Crawl spaces shall not exceed a height of four (4) feet. In cases where the height exceeds four (4) feet, the area shall be considered a basement.

“Cul-de-sac” means a street which is designed to remain permanently closed at one (1) end. For the purpose of this code, the length of a cul-de-sac shall be measured along the centerline of the cul-de-sac from the point where the centerline terminates within the turnaround to the right-of-way line of the street with which the cul-de-sac intersects.

Definitions, “D.”

“Density” means the total number of dwelling units permitted on a gross acre of land exclusive of all existing public or private streets and rights-of-way.

“Developer” means a person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association, or a combination thereof, who proposes development.

“Development” means any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to the construction of new or modification to existing buildings or other structures, mining, filling, grading, paving, excavation, or drilling operations.

“Development project” means any project undertaken for the purpose of development. Development project includes a project involving the issuance of any permit for construction or reconstruction, but not a permit to operate.

“Director” means the Director of Community Development, or department in charge of administering Title 16 and this title, of the City of Santa Clarita or duly authorized representative(s).

“Driveway” means a paved (or unpaved in the special districts of Placerita and Sand Canyon and lots over a half (1/2) acre) path of travel, connecting a public or private street to a garage, carport, accessory structure, side yard, or the same/adjacent public or private street.

Definitions, “E.”

“Efficiency unit” has the same meaning as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 17958.1.

“Enclosed patio” includes any improvement or addition which encloses an existing open air structure with the intention of expanding the floor area of the residence.

“Environmental document” means documentation prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) which can include, but is not limited to, an environmental impact report, mitigated negative declaration, or a negative declaration.

“Explosive” means any substance or combination of substances that is commonly used for the purpose of detonation and which, upon exposure to external force or condition, is capable of a relatively instantaneous release of gas and heat. These terms shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

1.    Substances determined to be Class A and Class B explosives, as classified by the United States Department of Transportation;

2.    Nitro carbo nitrate substances (blasting agent), as classified by the United States Department of Transportation;

3.    Any material designated as an explosive by the State Fire Marshal;

4.    Certain Class C explosives, as designated by the United States Department of Transportation, when listed in regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal;

5.    The term “explosive” shall not include the following:

a.    Small arms ammunition of 0.75 caliber or less when designated as a Class C explosive by the United States Department of Transportation;

b.    Fireworks regulated under Part 2 (commencing with Section 12500) of Division 11 of the Health and Safety Code.

Definitions, “F.”

“Family” means one (1) or more individuals living together as a single housekeeping unit in a single dwelling unit. “Family” shall also mean the persons living together in a licensed “residential facility” as that term is defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 1502(a)(l), which services six (6) or fewer persons, excluding staff.

“Fee” means a monetary requirement, other than a tax or special assessment, which is charged by the City to the applicant in connection with approval of a development project for the purpose of defraying all or portions of the cost.

“Fiber optics” means the technology and medium of glass filaments through which light is used to transport information over long distances for communication purposes. Fiber-optic cabling typically consists of a varied amount of individual fiber strands using this technology for communication purposes.

“Fire Department” means the Fire Department for Los Angeles County or duly designated representative.

“Frontage, building” means the exterior building wall of a ground floor business establishment on the side or sides of the building fronting and/or oriented toward a public street or highway. Building frontage shall be measured continuously along said building wall for the entire length of the business establishment, including any portion thereof which is other than parallel to the remainder of the wall.

“Frontage, street or highway” means that portion of a lot or parcel of land which borders a public street or highway. Street or highway frontage shall be measured along the common lot line separating said lot or parcel of land from the public street or highway.

Fuel-Efficient Vehicle. See “low-emitting vehicle.”

Definitions, “G.”

“Garage” means a detached accessory building or a portion of a main building on the same lot for the parking and temporary storage of vehicles.

“Gate” means any barrier across a roadway that restricts the access of vehicles and/or pedestrians. For purposes of gating, a roadway shall also mean driveways.

“General Plan” means the General Plan of the City, and shall consist of the General Plan maps and text and any amendments adopted by the Council.

Grading. The following terms and phrases are defined for the purposes of Division 9 of this title (Grading):

1.    “As built grading plan” means a grading plan that is prepared at the completion of grading activities that demonstrates the as built conditions as required in Chapter 17.88 (Grading Designation and Location).

2.    “As graded” means the surface configuration upon completion of grading.

3.    “Bedrock” means the relatively solid, undisturbed rock in place either at the ground surface or beneath surficial deposits of alluvium, colluvium, and/or soil.

4.    “Bench” means a relatively level step that is excavated into earth material onto which fill is to be placed.

5.    “Best management practice (BMP)” means the practices, prohibitions of practices, or other activities to reduce or eliminate discharge of pollutants to surface water. BMPs include structural and nonstructural controls, management practices, operation and maintenance procedures, and system, design, and engineering methods.

6.    “Borrow” means earth material acquired from an off-site location for use in grading on a site.

7.    “Borrow pit” means any place on a lot or parcel of land where dirt, soil, clay, decomposed granite or other similar material is removed by excavation or otherwise for any purpose other than surface mining operations or a grading project with off-site transport.

8.    “Clearing, brushing and grubbing” means the removal of vegetation (grass, brush, trees, and similar plant types) by a mechanical means.

9.    “Compaction” means the densification of a fill by mechanical or other acceptable means.

10.    “Cut slope (face)” means any bank or slope that has been created by removing material below the pre-existing ground surface.

11.    “Design engineer” means the civil engineer responsible for the preparation of grading plans for the site grading work.

12.    “Desilting basins” means the physical structures constructed for the removal of sediments from surface water runoff.

13.    “Down drain” means a device for collecting water from a swale or ditch, which is located on or above a slope, and safely delivers water to an approved drainage facility.

14.    “Earth material” means any rock, natural soil, or fill, and/or any combination thereof.

15.    “Engineering geologic report” means a report prepared under the supervision of an engineering geologist providing a geologic map of a site, information on geologic measurements, and exploration performed on the site and surrounding area and providing recommendations for remedial measures necessary to provide a geologically stable site for its intended use.

16.    “Engineering geologist” means a person holding a valid certificate of registration as a geologist in the specialty of engineering geology issued by the State of California under the applicable provisions of the Geologist and Geophysicist Act of the Business and Professions Code.

17.    “Engineering geology” means the application of geologic knowledge and principles in the investigation and evaluation of naturally occurring rock and soil for use in the design of civil work.

18.    “Erosion” means the process by which the ground surface is worn away as a result of the movement of wind, water, and/or ice.

19.    “Erosion control system” means any combination of desilting facilities, retarding basins, and erosion protection, including effective planting and the maintenance thereof, to protect adjacent private property, watercourses, public facilities, and receiving waters from the deposition of sediment or dust.

20.    “Excavation” means the removal of earth material by artificial means, which is also referred to as “cut.”

21.    “Fault” means a fracture in the earth’s crust along which movement has occurred. A fault is considered active if the movement has occurred within the past eleven thousand (11,000) years (Holocene geologic time).

22.    “Field engineer” means the civil engineer responsible for performing the functions as set forth in this code.

23.    “Fill or embankment” means deposition of earth materials by artificial means.

24.    “Geohydrology” means all groundwater information, well development requirements and seepage evaluations appropriate to site development.

25.    “Geotechnical hazard” means an adverse condition due to landslide, settlement, and/or slippage. These hazards include, but are not limited to, loose debris, slopewash, and mud flows from natural or graded slopes.

26.    “Geotechnical report” means a report which contains all appropriate soil engineering, geologic, geohydrologic, and seismic information, evaluation, recommendations, and findings. This type of report combines both engineering geology and soil engineering reports.

27.    “Grade” means the vertical location of the ground surface.

a.    “Existing or natural grade” means the ground surface prior to grading.

b.    “Final grade” means the grading stage after the grading of the site is complete, all drainage devices are installed and all slopes have been planted.

c.    “Finished grade” means the final grade of the site at the conclusion of all grading efforts without installation of drainage devices, plantings and other required improvements.

d.    “Initial grade” means the grading stage after a site is cleared of all vegetation and unapproved fill materials.

e.    “Rough grade” means the grading stage after a site has been graded to the approximate final elevations and drainage devices have been installed.

28.    “Grading” means any process of excavation or fill or combination thereof.

29.    “Grading approval” means the proposed work or completed work conforms to the provisions as set forth in the code as determined by, and to the satisfaction of, the City Engineer.

30.    “Grading contractor” means a contractor licensed and regulated by the State who specializes in grading work or is otherwise licensed to do grading work.

31.    “Keyway” means a compacted fill placed in a trench that is excavated into competent earth material, which is generally constructed at the toe of a slope.

32.    “Landslide” means the downward and outward movement of soil, sand, gravel, rock or fill or a combination thereof.

33.    “Natural grade” means the vertical location of the ground surface prior to any excavation or fill.

34.    “Pad” means a building site prepared by artificial means including grading, excavation, filling or any combination thereof.

35.    “Precise grading permit” means a permit that is issued on the basis of approved plans which show the precise locations of structures, finished elevations, drainage details and all on-site improvements on a given property.

36.    “Preliminary grading permit” means a permit that is issued on the basis of approved plans which show finished elevations, interim building pad elevations and drainage to the degree required by the City Engineer.

37.    “Professional inspection” means the inspection required by this code to be performed by the project consultants. Such inspections shall be sufficient to form an opinion relating to the conduct of the work.

38.    “Project consultants” means the professional consultants required by this code, who may consist of the design engineer, field engineer, soils engineer, engineering geologist, and landscape architect, as applicable to this code.

39.    References. Unless indicated otherwise, references in this code to civil engineer, soil engineer, geologist, landscape architect and engineering geologist refer to the professional person(s) preparing, signing or approving the project plans and specifications which comprise the approved grading or landscape-irrigation plan, or his successor.

40.    “Rough grade” means the elevation of the ground surface established by grading that approximates the final elevation shown on the approved design.

41.    “Site” means any lot or parcel of land or contiguous lots or parcels or combination thereof, under the same ownership, where grading is performed or permitted.

42.    “Slope” means an inclined ground surface of fill, excavation or natural terrain, the inclination of which is expressed as a ratio of horizontal distance to vertical distance.

43.    “Slope stability” shall be defined as follows:

a.    “Gross stability” means the factor of safety against failure of slope material located below a surface approximately three (3) to four (4) feet deep, measured from and perpendicular to the slope face.

b.    “Surficial stability” means the factor of safety against failure of the outer three (3) to four (4) feet of slope material measured from and perpendicular to the slope face.

44.    “Sloping terrain” means any ground surface having a grade of eight percent (8%) or more. The latest available six (6) and seven and one-half (7 1/2) minute United States Geological Survey quadrangles or a survey by a registered civil engineer or licensed land surveyor shall be utilized to determine such grade.

45.    “Soil” means naturally occurring superficial deposits, which overlie parent bedrock.

46.    “Soil engineer” means a civil engineer registered in the State, who:

a.    Is engaged in the practice of civil engineering and spends a majority of his time in the field of applied soil mechanics and foundation engineering;

b.    Has at least four (4) years of responsible practical experience in the field of applied soil mechanics;

c.    Has access to an adequately equipped soils testing laboratory.

47.    “Soil engineering” means the application of the principles of soil mechanics in the investigation, evaluation, and design of civil works involving the use of earth materials and the inspection and testing of the construction thereof.

48.    “Soil engineering report” means a report prepared under the responsible supervision of a soils engineer which includes:

a.    Preliminary information concerning engineering, properties of soil and rock on a site prior to grading, describing locations of these materials and providing recommendations for preparation of the site for its intended use;

b.    Grading report including information on site preparation, compaction of fills placed, providing recommendations for structural design, and approving the site for its intended use.

49.    “Soil testing agency” means an agency regularly engaged in the testing of soils and rock under the direction of a civil engineer experienced in soil testing.

50.    “Stockpile” means a temporary, uncompacted fill or embankment placed by artificial means, which is designated to be moved at a later date.

51.    “Suitable material” means any soil or earth material which, under the criteria of this division or under the criteria of an approved geotechnical report, is suitable for use as fill or for other intended purpose.

52.    “Sulfate (SO4)” means a chemical compound occurring in soil or water, which in concentration has a corrosive effect on ordinary Portland cement concrete and some metals.

53.    “Surface drainage” means flows over the ground surface.

54.    “Terrace” means a relatively level step constructed in the face of a graded slope surface for drainage and maintenance purposes.

55.    “Unsuitable material” means any soil or earth material having properties or characteristics which, under the criteria of this division or under the criteria contained in any approved geotechnical report, make it unsuitable for use as fill or for any other intended use. These properties or characteristics include, but are not limited to, the following: organic content of the material exceeds three percent (3%); rock diameters exceeding eight (8) inches; the presence of concrete or asphalt; or the presence of expansive soils within four (4) feet of finish grade of any area intended or designed as a location for a building.

“Gross area” means the total horizontal area within the lot lines of a lot or parcel of land before public streets, easements or other areas to be dedicated or reserved for public use are deducted from such lot or parcel.

Definitions, “H.”

“Hearing Officer” means the Hearing Officer of the Community Development Department of the City of Santa Clarita or duly authorized representative(s).

“Height” means the vertical dimension from the finish grade or lowest point of the building, structure or wall exposed above the ground surface, whichever is lower, to the highest point of the roof, parapet wall or uppermost part. Vents or utility service structures shall not be included in the measurement of vertical dimensions.

“Highway” means a highway shown as a freeway, major, primary or secondary highway as designated in the Circulation Element of the City’s General Plan.

“Historic resource” means structures or site features on properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the California Register of Historic Landmarks, the list of California Historical Landmarks, or the list of California Points of Historical Interest, or those structures designated under this title. A listing of properties and structures designated shall be available with the Community Development Department.

Definitions, “I.”

“Individual with a disability” means individuals with a mental or physical disability as those terms are defined in Section 12926(i), (k), and (l) of the State Government Code, as that section may be amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, or individuals with a handicap as that term is defined in 42 U.S.C. Section 3602 of the Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, as that section may be amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Definitions, “J.”

“Junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU)” means an accessory dwelling unit “that is no more than 500 square feet in size and contained entirely within a single-family residence,” which “may include separate sanitation facilities, or may share sanitation facilities with the existing structure,” and which includes an efficiency kitchen, which shall include “a cooking facility with appliances” and “a food preparation counter and storage cabinets that are of reasonable size in relation to the size of the junior accessory dwelling unit,” as defined in Government Code Section 65852.22, and as may be later amended.

Definitions, “K.”

“Kitchen” means any habitable space which includes a refrigerator and an oven or a range.

Definitions, “L.”

“Landscaping” means an area set aside from structures and parking/driveway uses, which is developed to include predominately living, thriving, trees, vines, shrubs, flowers, grasses, and other plants. Porous materials, such as rock, mulch, decomposed granite, and synthetic turf, can be used in conjunction with living plant materials; however, landscaped areas must be predominantly of living materials.

The following terms and phrases are defined for the purposes of Section 17.51.030 (Landscaping and Irrigation Standards):

1.    “Estimated annual applied water use” or “EAWU” means the portion of the estimated total water use that is derived from applied water. The EAWU is calculated according to the formula set out in the landscape documentation package. The estimated applied water use shall not exceed the maximum applied water allowance.

2.    “Evapotranspiration rate” means the quantity of water evaporated from adjacent soil and other surfaces and transpired by plants during a specified time.

3.    “Invasive species” means nonindigenous species that adversely affect the habitats they invade economically, environmentally, or ecologically.

4.    “Irrigation efficiency” means the measurement of the amount of water beneficially used divided by the amount of water applied. Irrigation efficiency is derived from measurements and estimates of irrigation system characteristics and management practices. The minimum irrigation efficiency for purposes of this code is 0.71.

5.    “Landscape architect” means a landscape architect registered by the State of California under the provisions of Division 3, Chapter 3.5 of the Business and Professions Code.

6.    “Landscape concept plan” means the portion of a landscape documentation package that includes a design statement, irrigation notes, planting notes, and the plant palette.

7.    “Landscape construction drawings” means the portion of a landscape documentation package that includes the irrigation plan, plant and soils plan, and water management plan.

8.    “Landscape documentation package” or “documentation package” means the complete packet of documents required to be submitted to the Director to apply for a permit for landscaping projects under this code. Documentation packages include the landscape concept plan and landscape construction drawings.

9.    “Mulch” means any organic material such as leaves, bark, or inorganic material such as pebbles, stones, gravel, decorative sand or decomposed granite left loose, a minimum of two (2) inches deep, and applied to the soil surface to reduce evaporation.

10.    “Planting plan” means a plan submitted with the construction drawings indicating a list and quantity of plants.

11.    “Project net landscape area, landscaped area, or landscape project area” means all of the planting areas, turf areas, and water features in a landscape design plan subject to the maximum applied water allowance calculation. The landscape area does not include footprints of buildings or structures, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, decks, patios, gravel or stone walks, other pervious or nonpervious hardscapes, and other nonirrigated areas designated for nondevelopment (e.g., open spaces and existing native vegetation).

12.    “Recycled water” means water that, as a result of treatment of waste water, is suitable for a direct beneficial use or a controlled use that would not otherwise occur and is therefore considered a valuable resource.

13.    “Soil management plan” means the plan submitted with the construction drawings indicating results from soil tests and recommended soil amendments.

14.    “Special landscape area” means an area of the landscape dedicated to edible plants, areas irrigated with recycled water, and areas dedicated to active play such as parks, sports fields, and golf courses, where turf provides a playing surface.

15.    “Turf” means a surface layer of earth containing mowed grass or grass-like sedge with its roots, a ground cover surface of mowed grass, or grass-like sedge. Common types of “cool season turf” are annual bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, red fescue, and tall fescue. Common types of “warm season turf” are Bermuda grass, Kikuyu grass, seashore paspalum, St. Augustine grass, Zoysia grass, Carex pansa, and Buffalo grass.

16.    “Water efficient landscape worksheet” means a worksheet which calculates a site’s water budget.

17.    “Water feature” means any water applied to the landscape for nonirrigation, decorative purposes. Fountains, streams, ponds, lakes, and swimming pools are considered water features.

18.    “Water management plan” means a plan submitted with the construction drawings as part of the landscape documentation package.

19.    “Water schedule” means schedule of irrigation times throughout a given year.

“Land development permit” means any approval of development or use of property including but not limited to a minor use permit, conditional use permit, adjustment, variance, development review, or subdivision.

Legal Lot. The definition includes any of the following:

1.    A parcel of real property shown as a delineated parcel of land with a number or letter designation, on a subdivision map or parcel map recorded in the office of the County Recorder and created in conformance with the State Subdivision Map Act;

2.    A parcel of real property shown on a recorded record of survey map, lot division plat or other official map filed in the office of the County Recorder or County Engineer, when such map or plat was filed as the result of and was made a condition of a lot division approved by the County of Los Angeles under the authority of prior or existing County ordinances;

3.    Any parcel of real property which existed as a separate parcel on or before March 4, 1972, as evidenced by a valid deed recorded on or before that date;

4.    A parcel of real property described in a recorded certificate of compliance, approved and filed by the City of Santa Clarita in the County of Los Angeles in accordance with the State Subdivision Map Act and Code.

“Legal nonconforming structure” means a structure or building the size, dimensions, or location of which was lawful prior to the adoption, revision, or amendment of this code but that fails by reason of such adoption, revision, or amendment to conform to present requirements of the zoning district.

“Legal nonconforming use” means a use or activity that was lawful prior to the adoption, revision, or amendment of this code but that fails by reason of such adoption, revision, or amendment to conform to present requirements of the zoning district.

“Library facilities” means public library improvements, public library services and community amenities, the need for which is directly or indirectly generated by a residential development project, including but not limited to acquiring, through purchase, lease, lease-purchase, installment purchase or otherwise, improving, constructing, altering, repairing, augmenting, equipping and furnishing real property, buildings, equipment, materials and other facilities for the conduct of public library services and programs; providing collection development and maintenance, including acquiring books, magazines, newspapers, audio-visual, electronic media, and other informational materials; and all other auxiliary work which may be required to carry out that work, such as administrative, engineering, architectural and legal work performed in connection with establishing, implementing and monitoring such projects, indirect costs, and other incidental expenses of providing those library facilities, or all or any combination thereof.

“Licensed bed” means a bed for which a hospital holds a license to operate by the State of California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD).

“Loading space” means an off-street space or berth used for the loading or unloading of commercial vehicles.

“Lot depth” means the average horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines measured in the mean direction of the side lot lines.

Lot Type. Lot types are as follows:

1.    “Corner lot” means a lot located at the intersection or interception of two (2) or more streets, either public or private and either existing or future, at an angle of not more than one hundred thirty-five (135) degrees. If the angle is greater than one hundred thirty-five (135) degrees, the lot shall be considered an “interior lot.”

2.    “Flag lot” means a lot which utilizes a narrow strip as its means of providing frontage on a street and/or providing vehicular access to the lot. The required front, side and rear yards shall be established on the main portion of a flag lot exclusive of the access strip. In addition, the access strip shall be maintained clear except for driveways, landscaping, fences or walls, which shall be subject to the same requirements for setbacks on adjoining properties fronting the same street, highway or parkway.

3.    “Interior lot” means a lot other than a corner lot. A key lot shall also be considered an interior lot.

4.    “Key lot” means an interior lot adjoining the rear lot line of a reverse corner lot.

5.    “Reverse corner lot” means a corner lot, the side line of which is substantially a continuation of the front lot lines of the lot to its rear, whether across an alley or not.

6.    “Through lot” means a lot having frontage on two (2) dedicated parallel or approximately parallel streets.

“Lot line” means any line bounding a lot as herein defined. Types of lot lines are as follows:

1.    Front Lot Line. On an interior lot, the “front lot line” is the property line abutting the street. On a corner or reverse corner lot, the front lot line is the shorter property line abutting a street, except in those cases where the subdivision, parcel map, or Director specifies another line as the front lot line. On a through lot or a lot with three (3) or more sides abutting a street or a corner or reverse corner lot with lot lines of equal length, the Director shall determine which property line shall be the front lot line for the purposes of compliance with yard and setback provisions of the code. On a private street or easement, the front lot line shall be designated as the edge of the easement.

2.    “Interior lot line” means a lot line not abutting a street.

3.    “Rear lot line” means a lot line not abutting a street, which is opposite and most distant from the front lot line. In the case of an irregular-shaped lot, a line parallel to and at a maximum distance from the front lot line, having a length of not less than ten (10) feet within the lot. A lot which is bounded on all sides by streets may have no rear lot line.

4.    “Side lot line” means any lot line not a front lot line or rear lot line.

“Lot line adjustment” means a minor shift or rotation or alteration of existing lot lines or property lines between four (4) or less existing legal lots where land taken from one (1) parcel is added to another, and where a greater or lesser number of lots than originally existed is not created provided the lot line adjustment is approved by the City Engineer.

“Lot width” means the average horizontal distance between the side lot lines, measured at right angles to the lot depth at a point midway between the front and rear lot lines.

Low-Emitting Vehicle. A “low-emitting vehicle” shall include:

1.    Zero emission vehicle (ZEV), including neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV), partial zero emission vehicle (PZEV), advanced technology PZEV (AT PZEV) or CNG fueled (original equipment manufacturer only) regulated under Health and Safety Code Section 43800 and CCR, Title 13, Sections 1961 and 1962.

2.    High-efficiency vehicles regulated by U.S. EPA, bearing high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) car pool lane stickers issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

“Lower income households” means persons and families whose income does not exceed the qualifying limits for lower income families as established and amended from time to time pursuant to Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, and includes very low income households and extremely low income households, as defined in Section 50079.5 of the California Health and Safety Code, and as may be later amended.

Definitions, “M.”

“Major thoroughfare” means those roads designated in the circulation element of the General Plan, the primary purpose of which is to carry through traffic and provide a network connecting to the State highway system.

“Mezzanine” means an intermediate level without walls or partitions, placed in any story or room and open to the space below. When the total of any such mezzanine floor exceeds thirty-three and one-third (33 1/3) percent of the total floor area in that room, it shall constitute a story. A clear height above or below a mezzanine floor shall not be less than seven (7) feet. A loft shall be considered a mezzanine.

“Minor land division” means a subdivision creating four (4) or less parcels, a condominium project creating four (4) or less condominiums as defined in Section 783 of the Civil Code, a community apartment project containing four (4) or less parcels or a lease project containing four (4) or less building sites.

“Mobilehome” means a movable or transportable vehicle, other than a motor vehicle, designed as a permanent structure intended for occupancy for one (1) family and having no foundation other than jacks, piers, wheels or skirtings.

“Mobilehome unit space” means a plot of ground within a mobilehome park designed for the accommodation of one (1) mobilehome unit.

“Mounted” means attached or supported.

“Mural” means any graphic image, drawing or painting or pattern covering in total or part of a building wall, window or other architectural feature, whose purpose is primarily intended as art. Murals shall not contain name brands, branding, or direct advertising unless directly related to an historic or cultural use which the mural is intended to memorialize. Murals are encouraged to promote recognition of cultural and historic events and activities.

Definitions, “N.”

“Natural vegetation” means the native plants, grasses, shrubs, and trees and roots thereof having the characteristic of intercepting, holding, and more slowly releasing rainfall than bare earth surfaces.

“Net area” means all land within a given area or project including residential lots, and other open space which directly serves the residents of the net area; but exclusive of all public or private streets and other easements.

Definitions, “O.”

“Oak tree” means any oak tree of the genus Quercus, including but not limited to, valley oak (Quercus lobata), California live oak (Quercus agrifolia), canyon oak (Quercus chrysolepis), interior live oak (Quercus wislizenii) and scrub oak (Quercus dumosa), regardless of size.

The following terms and phrases are defined for the purposes of Section 17.51.040 (Oak Tree Preservation):

1.    “Oak tree, cutting” means the detaching or separating, either partial or whole, from a protected tree, any part of the tree, including, but not limited to, any limb branch, root, or leaves. Cutting shall include pruning and trimming.

2.    “Oak tree, damage” means any action undertaken which causes or tends to cause injury, death, or disfigurement to an oak tree. This includes, but is not limited to, cutting, poisoning, burning, overwatering, relocating or transplanting a protected tree, changing or compacting the natural grade within the protected zone of a protected tree, changing groundwater levels or drainage patterns, or trenching, excavating or paving within the protected zone of an oak tree.

3.    “Oak tree, deadwood” means limbs or branches that contain no green leaves or live tissue. A tree or limb may be considered dead if it does not show evidence of any green leaves or live branches over the span of one (1) year, inclusive of prime growing weather.

4.    “Oak tree, dripline” means the outermost edge of the tree’s canopy. When depicted on a map or on the ground, the dripline will appear as an irregularly shaped outline that follows the contour of the furthest extension of the limbs and leaf canopy.

5.    “Oak tree, encroachment” means any intrusion into the protected zone of an oak tree which includes, but is not limited to, pruning, grading, excavating, trenching, dumping of materials, parking of commercial vehicles, placement of incompatible landscaping or animal corrals, storage of materials or equipment, or the construction of structures, paving or other improvements. For purposes of this definition, encroachment shall not include the action of a person physically entering the protected zone of an oak tree.

a.    “Major encroachment” means, for oak trees located on properties occupied by a single-family residence, any intrusion into the protected zone of an oak, as defined above, in an area between the outer edge of the trunk and fifty percent (50%) of the diameter of the protected zone.

b.    “Minor encroachment” means, for oak trees located on properties occupied by a single-family residence, any intrusion into the protected zone of an oak, as defined herein, in an area between the outermost edge of the protected zone and fifty percent (50%) of the diameter of the protected zone.

6.    “Oak tree, heritage oak tree” means any oak tree measuring one hundred eight (108) inches or more in circumference or, in the case of a multiple trunk oak tree, two (2) or more trunks measuring seventy-two (72) inches each or greater in circumference, measured four and one-half (4 1/2) feet above the natural grade surrounding such tree. In addition, the Commission and/or Council may classify any oak tree, regardless of size, as a heritage oak tree if it is determined by a majority vote thereof that such tree has exceptional historic, aesthetic and/or environmental qualities of major significance or prominence to the community.

7.    “Oak tree, oak tree preservation and protection guidelines” means the policy established by the Council and the administrative procedures and rules established by the Director for the implementation of this code.

8.    “Oak tree, protected zone” means a specifically defined area totally encompassing an oak tree within which work activities are strictly controlled. Using the dripline as a point of reference, the protected zone shall commence at a point five (5) feet outside of the dripline and extend inward to the trunk of the tree. In no case shall the protected zone be less than fifteen (15) feet from the trunk of an oak tree.

9.    “Oak tree removal” means the physical removal of an oak tree or causing the death of a tree through damaging, poisoning or other direct or indirect action.

10.    “Oak tree, routine maintenance” means actions taken for the continued health of an oak tree such as insect control spraying, limited watering, fertilization, deadwooding, and ground aeration. For the purposes of this code, routine maintenance shall include pruning pursuant to the requirements of Section 17.51.040 (Oak Tree Preservation).

“Operator” includes the owner, permit holder, custodian, manager, operator, or person in charge of any permitted or licensed premises.

“Owner” means any person, agency, firm or corporation having a legal, possessory, or equitable interest in a given real property.

Definitions, “P.”

“Parcel of land” means a contiguous quantity of land, in the possession of or owned by, or recorded as the property of the same claimant or person.

Parking. The following terms and phrases are defined for the purposes of Division 5 of this title (Use Classifications and Required Parking) and Section 17.51.060 (Parking Standards):

1.    “Parking, as determined by the Director” means that the Director shall determine the adequate amount of parking. Parking shall be provided in an amount which the Director finds adequate to prevent traffic congestion and excessive on-street parking. Whenever practical, such determination shall be based upon the requirements for the most comparable use specified in this code.

2.    “Parking, customer service area” means the area within a facility where patrons and/or customers of the facility are provided service and includes fixed and nonfixed seating areas, waiting areas, and any other areas where customers are served. It excludes bathrooms and areas off limits to patrons.

3.    “Parking, enclosed” means covered on the top and at least three (3) sides with an opaque material.

4.    “Parking, occupant” means an employee, patron, customer, or other individual who, combined with other occupants, comprises the occupancy of a building, structure, tenant space or other area. See “parking, occupancy.”

5.    “Parking, occupancy” means the maximum number of occupants within a building, structure, tenant space, or area as determined by the California Building Code.

6.    “Parking, fixed seating” means seating that is permanently fixed and immobile. It may include booths, immobile seats/tables, and immobile benches and pews.

7.    “Parking, fully enclosed” means covered on the top and all sides with opaque material, including the garage door, except for necessary ventilation areas.

8.    “Parking, square feet/footage” means the gross square feet or footage of a building, tenant space, or area, unless indicated otherwise.

“Parks and recreation facilities” means construction of new park and recreational facilities, improvements to existing park and recreation facilities, public services provided thereon, and community amenities provided thereto.

“Passive use common area” means privately held land within subdivisions that has been set aside for passive open space purposes. That land shall be permanently preserved as open space. Within such passive open space areas, the only uses that shall be permitted are improved trails and appurtenant facilities.

“Permittee” means any person or owner to whom a permit is issued pursuant to this code.

“Person” means any natural person, partnership, firm, corporation, governmental agency or other legal entity, and the plural as well as the singular.

“Private sewage disposal system” means a septic tank with effluent discharging into a subsurface disposal field, into one (1) or more seepage pits, or into a combination of subsurface disposal field and seepage pit, or into such other facilities as may be permitted in accordance with the procedures and requirements set forth in the Building Code.

“Public building” means any building owned, leased or held by the United States, the State, the County, the City, any special district, school district, or any other agency or political subdivision of the State or the United States, which building is used for governmental purposes.

“Public park or recreation area” means public land which has been designated for park, recreational, or art activities including but not limited to a park, playground, nature trails, swimming pool, reservoir, athletic field, basketball or tennis courts, pedestrian/bicycle paths, open space, wilderness areas, or similar public land within the City which is under the control, operation, or management of the City Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, or a homeowners’ association.

Definitions, “Q.”

No specialized terms beginning with the letter “Q” are defined at this time.

Definitions, “R.”

“Reasonable accommodation” means a waiver or modification to regulations, policies, procedures, and standards that is both reasonable and necessary for a person with a disability to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a residential use. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, if reasonable and necessary, allowing a wheelchair ramp in a required setback, allowing an increase in building height to permit an elevator installation, or allowing an applicant additional time to submit material.

“Reasonable Accommodation Acts” means the Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, as those Acts are amended from time to time.

“Reasonable accommodation residential use” means any dwelling as defined by 42 U.S.C. 3602(b), as that section may be amended from time to time.

“Recreational vehicle” means a motorhome, travel trailer, truck camper, or camping trailer, with or without motive power, designed for human habitation for recreational or emergency occupancy, with a living area less than four hundred (400) square feet, excluding built-in equipment such as wardrobes, closets, cabinets, kitchen units or fixtures, bath and toilet rooms.

“Residential development” means the construction or installation of one (1) or more dwelling units pursuant to a building permit.

“Retaining wall” means a wall designed to resist the lateral displacement of soil or other materials.

“Review authority” means the review authority is the decision maker that approves or denies an application but whose decision may be appealed. The review authority becomes the approving authority if the project is not appealed.

“Roof-mounted” means mounted above the eave line of a building.

Definitions, “S.”

“Satellite dish antennas” means any system of wires, cables, amplifiers, reflecting discs, or similar devices used for the transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves, whether the system is internal to or attached to the exterior of any building.

“Second unit” means an accessory dwelling unit as defined in this section.

“Setback, front yard” means the area which defines the depth of the required front yard. Said setback shall be measured from the ultimate street right-of-way or the line established by the General Plan, whichever is greater, and be removed therefrom by the perpendicular distance prescribed for the front yard setback of the zone in which the property is located. Where the location of the required yard is not clear as herein defined, it shall be determined by the Director.

“Setback, rear yard or side yard” means the area which defines the width or depth of the required rear or side yard setbacks. Said setbacks shall be measured from the property line, removed therefrom by the perpendicular distance prescribed for the yard setback in the zone. Where the side or rear yard abuts a street, the distance shall be measured as set forth in the “setback, front yard” definition. Where the location of the required yards is not clear as herein defined, they shall be determined by the Director.

“Sheriff” means the Sheriff of the County of Los Angeles or the Sheriff’s designated representative.

“Shopping center” means two (2) or more contiguous or separate retail commercial stores that share access and/or parking, which function by design, or ultimately function, as a single entity.

“Sign” means any device, fixture, placard or structure, including its component parts, which draws attention to an object, product, place, activity, opinion, person, institution, organization, or place of business, or which identifies or promotes the interests of any person and which is to be viewed from any public street, road, highway, right-of-way or parking area.

The following terms and phrases are defined for the purposes of Section 17.51.080 (Sign Regulations (Private Property)):

1.    “Automobile dealership identification placards sign” means an on-site sign permanently attached to a light standard that identifies the name of the dealership and the make of vehicle sold on site.

2.    “Automotive-oriented sign” means a sign that is primarily representing a business devoted to automotive sales or service.

3.    “Awning sign” means a sign printed on or attached flat against the surface or fascia of a permitted awning.

4.    Banner Signs. See “grand opening banner sign” or “special event banner sign.”

5.    “Building identification sign” means a sign that contains no advertising matter other than the name, trademark, or address of the building to which it is affixed, or of the occupant located therein.

6.    “Changeable copy sign” means a sign that is characterized by changeable copy, letters, symbols, or numerals.

7.    “Commercial sign” means any sign, wording, logo, picture, transparency, mechanical device or other representation that is intended to attract attention to a commercial or industrial business, occupancy, product, good, service, or other commercial or industrial activity for a commercial or industrial purpose.

8.    “Community identification sign” means a sign that contains the name of a recognized community (e.g., Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, or Valencia) or the City, but contains no other advertising matter.

9.    “Construction sign” means a temporary sign denoting the architects, engineers, owners, lenders, contractors, future tenants, and others associated with a construction project, but which contains no other advertising matter.

10.    “Corporate flag sign” means any flag identifying a business or development, whether permanent or temporary.

11.    “Directional or informational sign” means a sign which indicates the route to, direction of or location of a given goal, or which provides regulatory or service information of a nonadvertising character.

12.    “Electronic readerboard sign” means a sign which uses an electronic and/or computer or a functionally similar means to display messages or graphics. Electronic readerboard signs do not include displays showing time and temperature.

13.    “Erect” means to build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend, or affix to or upon any surface.

14.    “Flashing sign” means any sign which, by method or manner of illumination, flashes, winks, or blinks with varying light intensity, shows motion, or creates the illusion of motion; or revolves in a manner to create the illusion of being on or off.

15.    “Freestanding sign” means a sign which is placed on the ground or has as its primary structural support one (1) or more columns, poles, uprights, or braces in or upon the ground and not attached to a building.

16.    “Freeway commercial center sign” means a sign used to identify a commercial center or area of at least fifty (50) acres.

17.    “Freeway-oriented sign” means a sign oriented to be viewed primarily from an adjacent freeway which identifies a business engaged in the provision of food, lodging or motor vehicle fuel, and which is primarily dependent upon motorists traveling on such freeway.

18.    “Fuel pricing sign” means a sign indicating, and limited to, the brand or trade name, method of sale, grade designation and price per gallon of gasoline or other motor vehicle fuel offered for sale on the business premises, and such other information as may be required by law.

19.    “Gas sales canopy sign” means a sign affixed to the fascia of a permitted gas sales canopy and is not projecting more than eighteen (18) inches from the canopy fascia. Gas sales canopy signs include business emblems, sign bands, and text associated with the business.

20.    “Grand opening banner sign” means a temporary sign publicizing a grand opening for a new business.

21.    “Hand-held sign” means a sign that is held by or otherwise mounted on a person.

22.    “Historic sign” means a sign of cultural or architectural significance to the citizens of the City of Santa Clarita, the State of California, the Southern California region, or the nation, which may be eligible for nomination or designation and determined to be appropriate for preservation by the City pursuant to the provisions of Section 17.51.080(D) (Sign Regulations (Private Property)).

23.    “Illegal sign” means:

a.    Any sign originally erected or installed without first complying with all structural, locational, design, building, and electrical regulations in effect at the time of its construction or installation;

b.    Any commercial sign that is not maintained, or is not used to identify or advertise an ongoing business, occupancy, product, good, or service available on the site of the sign for more than ninety (90) days;

c.    Any unsafe sign;

d.    Any legal nonconforming sign that has not been removed following the expiration of any applicable amortization period provided in this code; and

e.    Any sign that is in violation of the provisions of Section 17.51.080 (Sign Regulations (Private Property)).

24.    “Incidental business sign” means a business sign indicating credit cards accepted, trading stamps offered, trade affiliations, and similar matter.

25.    “Lighted sign” means a sign that is illuminated by any source, whether internal, external or indirect.

26.    “Legal nonconforming sign” means a sign that was originally erected or installed in compliance with all structural, locational, design, building and electrical regulations at the time of its erection or installation, but which no longer conforms to the provisions of Section 17.51.080 (Sign Regulations (Private Property)).

27.    “Menu board sign” means a sign displaying the menu of a drive-through restaurant where customers place their food and drink orders while seated in vehicles in drive-through service lanes.

28.    “Marquee sign” means any sign affixed to the perimeter or border of a permanently roofed structure constructed as part of a building and protruding over public or private sidewalks or rights-of-way. These signs are to identify movie or live performances/theaters and shall be considered wall signs for the purpose of regulation.

29.    “Mobile sign” means the use of a moving trailer, automobile, truck, nonwheeled vehicle, bicycle, or any other vehicle to display commercial or noncommercial messages primarily for advertising purposes unrelated to the principal use of such vehicle.

30.    “Monument sign” means a sign that is completely self-supporting, has its sign face or base on the ground, and has no air space, columns, or supports visible between the ground and the bottom of the sign.

31.    “New business” means a for-profit or not-for-profit organization or company located in the C, I, and MX zones and is relocating into a new tenant space not previously occupied by said business. A business that exists in a tenant space and transfers ownership and/or undergoes a remodel, without a change in business name, is not considered a new business.

32.    “Noncommercial sign” means a sign that does not name, advertise or call attention to a commercial or industrial business, commodity, product, good, service or other commercial or industrial activity for a commercial or industrial purpose.

33.    “Off-site sign” means a commercial sign not located on the site of the business or entity indicated or advertised by the sign, or a commercial sign advertising a commodity, good, product, service or other commercial or industrial activity which originates on a site other than where the sign is maintained.

34.    “On-site sign” means any commercial sign which directs attention to a commercial or industrial occupancy, business, commodity, good, product, service, or other commercial or industrial activity conducted, sold or offered upon the site where the sign is maintained. For purposes of Section 17.51.080 (Sign Regulations (Private Property)), all signs with noncommercial speech messages shall be deemed to be “on site,” regardless of location.

35.    “Painted sign” means a sign that is painted directly on a wall or other vertical or nonhorizontal surface, and does not project from the surface to which it is applied.

36.    “Permanent sign” means any sign which is intended to be and is so constructed as to be of lasting and enduring condition, remaining unchanged in character, condition (beyond normal wear and tear), and position and in a permanent manner affixed to the ground, wall, or building.

37.    “Permit holder” means a person who has received a sign permit pursuant to Section 17.51.080 (Sign Regulations (Private Property)).

38.    “Portable sign” means a freestanding sign that is not permanently affixed, anchored or secured to either the ground or a structure on the premises it is intended to occupy.

39.    “Preview board sign” means a sign displaying the menu of a drive-through restaurant where customers seated in vehicles in drive-through service lanes preview the menu before pulling up to a menu board sign.

40.    “Projecting sign” means a sign, other than a wall sign, that projects more than eighteen (18) inches from and is supported by an exterior wall of a building or structure.

41.    “Pylon sign” means a freestanding sign, taller than a monument sign, in which the sign face is separated from ground level by means of one (1) or more supports such as poles, pole covers, or columns.

42.    “Real estate sign” means a temporary sign advertising the sale, lease, or rental of the premises on which the sign is located.

43.    “Revolving sign” means a sign or any portion thereof that rotates, moves, or appears to move in some manner by electrical or other means.

44.    “Roof sign” means any sign erected upon and wholly supported by the roof of any building or structure. “Roof sign” shall not include a wall sign affixed to the roof eaves or that portion of an actual or false roof varying less than forty-five (45) degrees from a vertical plane.

45.    “Sign area” means the entire surface area, excluding all support structures, of a sign. When calculating sign area, sign bands shall be considered a part of the total sign area.

46.    “Sign face” means that portion of a sign intended to be viewed from one (1) direction at a time.

47.    “Sign structure” means a structure serving exclusively as a stand, frame, or background for the support or display of signs.

48.    Signs, Zone. Unless otherwise specifically stated in Section 17.51.080 (Sign Regulations (Private Property)), references to the “residential” or the “R” zone include all residential zones (e.g., NU1, UR1, etc.), references to the “commercial” or “C” zone include all commercial zones (e.g., CR, CC, etc.), references to the “mixed use” or “MX” zone include all mixed use zones (e.g., MXN, MXC, etc.), references to the “industrial” or “I” zone include all industrial zones (e.g., BP and I), references to the “public/institutional” or “PI” zone include the public/institutional zone, and references to the “open space” or “OS” zone include all open space zones (e.g., OS and OS-NF).

49.    “Special event banner sign” means a temporary sign publicizing a unique happening, action, purpose or occasion.

50.    “Subdivision directional sign” means a temporary on- or off-site sign providing necessary travel direction to a subdivision, located within the City, offering properties for sale for the first time, but which contains no other advertising matter.

51.    “Subdivision entry sign” means a temporary sign that provides necessary travel directions to and within a subdivision offering properties for sale or lease for the first time, but which contains no other advertising matter.

52.    “Subdivision identification sign” means an on-site sign that identifies a subdivision offered for sale or lease for the first time, but which contains no other advertising matter.

53.    “Subdivision sales sign” means a temporary sign that contains the name of, and information relating to, a subdivision being offered for sale or lease for the first time, but contains no other advertising matter.

54.    “Temporary sign” means any sign constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard, wood or other light materials, with or without frames, intended to be displayed for a limited period of time.

55.    “Under-canopy sign” means any lighted or unlighted display attached to the underside of a projecting canopy protruding over a private sidewalk and having the required ground clearance as otherwise required in Section 17.51.080 (Sign Regulations (Private Property)).

56.    “Unsafe sign” means a sign posing an immediate peril or reasonably foreseeable threat of injury or damage to persons or property on account of the condition of the sign structure or its mounting mechanism.

57.    “Wall or wall-mounted sign” means a sign, other than a roof sign, affixed to and wholly supported by a building in such a manner that its exposed face is approximately parallel to the plane of such building and is not projecting more than eighteen (18) inches from the building face or from a permanent roofed structure projecting therefrom.

a.    “Sign, Primary Wall” means a sign along the main elevation of a building with the primary entrance or facing a street or on-site parking area or parking as part of a contiguous shopping center.

b.    “Sign, Secondary Wall” means a sign along an elevation other than the main elevation with a secondary entrance or facing a street or on-site parking area or parking as part of a continuous shopping center.

58.    “Window sign” means any sign painted on a window or constructed of paper, cloth, canvas or other similar lightweight material, with or without frames, and affixed to the interior side of a window.

59.    Signs That Are Not within the Definition of “Sign.” For the regulatory purposes of Section 17.51.080 (Sign Regulations (Private Property)), the following shall not be considered signs:

a.    Any public or legal notice required by a court or public agency;

b.    Decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks or moving parts;

c.    Symbols of noncommercial organizations or concepts including, but not limited to, religious or political symbols, when such are permanently integrated into the structure of a permanent building which is otherwise legal;

d.    License plates, license plate frames, registration insignia, including noncommercial messages, messages relating to the business or service of which the vehicle is an instrument or tool (not including general advertising), and messages relating to the proposed sale, lease, or exchange of the vehicle;

e.    Traffic, directional, emergency, warning, or informational signs required or authorized by a government agency having jurisdiction;

f.    Permanent memorial or historical signs, plaques, or markers;

g.    Public utility signs;

h.    Newsracks; and

i.    Noncommercial flags not exceeding fifteen (15) square feet in area for each lot in a residential zone or twenty-four (24) square feet for each lot in a nonresidential zone; provided, that the pole or other structure, upon which such flag is flown, meets applicable setback and height limitations of the zone in which it is located.

“Site plan” means a plan, prepared to scale, showing accurately and with complete dimensioning, all of the buildings, structures and uses and the exact manner of development proposed for a specific parcel of land.

Solar Energy System. “Solar energy system” shall mean:

1.    Any solar collector or other solar energy device, whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for space heating, space cooling, electric generation, or water heating; or

2.    Any structural design feature of a building, whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for electricity generation, space heating or cooling, or for water heating.

“State” means the State of California.

“Story” means any portion of a building considered habitable or uninhabitable which is included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above it, or if there be no floor above it, then the space between such floor, and the ceiling next above it. Crawl spaces are not considered to be a story.

“Street” means a public thoroughfare or right-of-way or approved private thoroughfare or right-of-way determined by the City Engineer to be adequate for the purpose of access, which affords the principal means of access for abutting property including avenue, place, way, drive, lane, boulevard, highway, road, and any other thoroughfare, except as excluded in this code. The word “street” shall include all major and secondary highways, traffic collector streets and local streets.

“Structure” means a mobilehome or anything constructed or erected, building of any kind, or any piece of work artificially built up or composed or parts joined together in some definite manner, which requires location on or in the ground or is attached to something having a location on or in the ground, including walls, fences, swimming and wading pools and covered patios, excepting paved areas, sport courts and similar outdoor areas.

“Structural alteration” means any change in or alteration to a structure involving a bearing wall column, beam or girder, floor or ceiling joists, roof rafters, foundations, piles, retaining walls, or similar components.

“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, financing or transfer of title, whether immediate or future.

1.    Property shall be considered as contiguous units even if it is separated by roads, streets, utility easements or drainage or railroad rights-of-way.

2.    The provisions of the Subdivision Map Act concerning the merger of contiguous parcels of land shall be applied in determining whether the sale, lease, financing or transfer of title of contiguous parcels is subdivision under the terms of this section.

3.    “Subdivision” includes a condominium project, as defined in Section 1350 of the Civil Code; a community apartment project, as defined in Section 11004 of the Business and Professions Code; or a lease project, as defined in Title 16.

4.    Any conveyance of land to a governmental agency, public entity or public utility shall not be considered a division of land for purposes of computing the number of parcels.

5.    The qualification contained in Section 66424.1 of the Subdivision Map Act concerning the division of a unit of land before a change in the equalized County assessment roll shall apply to subdivisions as defined in this definition.

6.    The term “subdivision” shall also refer to any area or tract of land designed to accommodate mobilehomes used for human habitation approved as a division of land for mobilehome purposes and for which a final map or final parcel map has been recorded pursuant to the provisions of Title 16. For the purpose of this code, this type of subdivision shall be considered a residential subdivision.

“Subdivision Map Act” shall mean Division 2, Title 7 of the Government Code.

Definitions, “T.”

“Telephone communication services” means “communication services” as defined in Sections 4251 and 4252 of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder, and shall include any telephonic quality communication that is interconnected to a public switched network, and shall include, without limitation, for the purpose of transmitting messages or information (including, but not limited to, voice, telegraph, teletypewriter, data, facsimile, video or text) by electronic, radio, or similar means through “interconnected service” with the “public switched network,” as these terms are commonly used in the Federal Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. Section 332(d), and the regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, whether such transmission occurs by wire, cable, fiber-optic, light wave, laser, microwave, radio wave, including, but not limited to, cellular service, commercial mobile service, personal communications service (PCS), specialized mobile radio (SMR), and other types of personal wireless service telecommunications (see 47 U.S.C. Section 332(c)) regardless of radio spectrum used, switching facilities, satellite, or any other similar facilities.

“Tobacco paraphernalia business” means an establishment that devotes more than a two (2) foot by four (4) foot (two (2) feet in depth maximum) section of shelf space for equipment, products and materials of any kind (excluding lighters and matches) which are intended or designed for use of tobacco, and includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1.    Kits intended for use or designed for use in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing, or harvesting of any species of tobacco plant;

2.    Kits intended for use or designed for use in manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, or preparing tobacco;

3.    Isomerization devices intended for use or designed for use in increasing the potency of any species of tobacco plant;

4.    Testing equipment intended for use or designed for use in identifying or in analyzing the strength, effectiveness or purity of tobacco;

5.    Scales and balances intended for use or designed for use in weighing or measuring tobacco;

6.    Separation gins and sifters intended for use or designed for use in removing twigs, stems, seeds, or other foreign material from, or in otherwise cleaning or refining, tobacco;

7.    Blenders, bowls, containers, spoons, and mixing devices intended for use or designed for use in compounding tobacco substances or substances containing tobacco;

8.    Envelopes, pouches, capsules, balloons, and other containers intended for use or designed for use in packaging small quantities of tobacco;

9.    Containers and other objects intended for use or designed for use in storing or concealing tobacco;

10.    Objects intended for use or designed for use in ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing tobacco into the human body, such as the following:

a.    Metal, wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic or ceramic pipes with or without screens, permanent screens, or punctured metal bowls,

b.    Water pipes,

c.    Carburetion tubes and devices,

d.    Smoking and carburetion masks,

e.    Clips or other devices intended to hold burning material, such as a cigarette, that has become too small or too short to be held in the hand,

f.    Chamber pipes,

g.    Carburetor pipes,

h.    Electric pipes,

i.    Air-driven pipes,

j.    Chillums,

k.    Bongs,

l.    Ice pipes or chillers.

“Truck, large” means a truck with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of twelve thousand (12,000) pounds or more.

“Truck, light” means a truck with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of less than twelve thousand (12,000) pounds.

Definitions, “U.”

“Use” means the purpose for which land or a building is arranged, designed, or intended, or for which either land or building is or may be occupied or maintained.

Definitions, “V.”

“Vanpool vehicle” means any motor vehicle, other than a motor truck or truck tractor, designed for carrying more than ten (10) but not more than fifteen (15) persons, including the driver, which is maintained and used primarily for the nonprofit, work-related transportation for adults, for the purposes of ridesharing.

Definitions, “W.”

“Wireless communications facilities” means the site, support structures, antennas, accessory equipment structures, and appurtenances used to transmit, receive, distribute, provide or offer wireless telecommunications services. Wireless communications facilities include, but are not limited to, antennas, poles, towers, cables, wires, conduits, ducts, pedestals, vaults, buildings, electronic, and switching equipment.

The following terms and phrases are defined for the purposes of Chapter 17.69 (Wireless Communications Facilities and Satellite Dish Antennas):

1.    “Base station” means the transmission equipment and non-tower support structure at a fixed location that enable FCC-licensed or authorized wireless communications between user equipment and a communications network. A “non-tower support structure” means any structure (whether built for wireless purposes or not) that supports wireless transmission equipment under a valid permit at the time the applicant submits its application.

2.    “Building-mounted” means mounted to the side of a building, to the facade of a building or to the side of another structure such a water tank, church steeple, freestanding sign or similar structure, but not to include the roof of any structure.

3.    “Camouflaged wireless communications facility” means a wireless communications facility that is designed to mask or blend with the surrounding environment in such a manner to render it generally unnoticeable to the casual observer. These types of facilities may include antennas located on light poles and power poles, ground-mounted or building-mounted antennas that blend with the surroundings, and base station equipment screened by landscaping.

4.    “Co-location” means the locating of wireless communications equipment from more than one (1) provider on a single building-mounted, roof-mounted, or ground-mounted wireless communications facility.

5.    “Ground-mounted” means mounted to a pole, monopole, lattice tower, or other freestanding structure specifically constructed for the purpose of supporting such antenna. These antennas do not use a building or ancillary structures for mounting purposes.

6.    “Monopole” means a structure composed of a single spire used to support antennas or related equipment.

7.    “Stealth facility” means any communication facility which is designed to blend into the surrounding environment, typically one that is architecturally integrated into a building or other concealing structure. Also referred to as concealed antenna.

8.    “Transmission equipment” means any equipment that facilitates transmission for an FCC-licensed or authorized wireless communications service, including, but not limited to, radio transceivers, antennas and other relevant equipment associated with and necessary to their operation, including coaxial or fiber-optic cable, and regular and backup power supply.

9.    “Wireless communications support structures” means any structure erected to support telephone communications services. Wireless communications support structures may include, but are not limited to, lattice tower, monopoles, and guyed towers.

10.    “Wireless communications systems” means the sending and receiving of radio frequency transmissions and the connection and/or relaying of these signals to land lines and other sending and receiving stations (cell sites), and including, but not limited to, cellular radio, telephone, personal communications services (PCS), enhanced/specialized mobile radio (ESMR), commercial paging services, wi-fi, and any other technology which provides similar services.

11.    “Wireless tower” means any structure built for the sole or primary purpose of supporting FCC-licensed antennas and their associated facilities. This does not include structures that were installed to replace or co-locate upon existing utility poles, energy transmission towers, and buildings.

Definitions, “X.”

No specialized terms beginning with the letter “X” are defined at this time.

Definitions, “Y.”

“Yard” means any open space on the same lot with a building or dwelling group, which open space is unoccupied and unobstructed except for the projections permitted by this code.

1.    “Front yard” means a space between the front yard setback and the front lot line or future street line, and extending the full width of the lot. Where the location of the required yards is not clear as herein defined, they shall be determined by the Director.

2.    “Rear yard” means a space between the rear yard setback and the rear lot line, extending the full width of the lot. Where the location of the required yards is not clear as herein defined, they shall be determined by the Director.

3.    “Side yard” means a space extending from the front yard, or from the front yard lot line where no front yard is required by this code, to the rear yard, or rear lot line between a side lot line and the side yard setback line. Where the location of the required yards is not clear as herein defined, they shall be determined by the Director.

Definitions, “Z.”

No specialized terms beginning with the letter “Z” are defined at this time. (Ord. 13-8 § 4 (Exhs. A, D), 6/11/13; Ord. 15-11 § 5 (Exh. A), 12/8/15; Ord. 18-3 § 2, 4/10/18; Ord. 20-10 § 6, 12/8/20; Ord. 21-1 § 6 (Exh. A), 1/26/21; Ord. 23-7 § 5 (Exh. A), 7/11/23)