Chapter 24.08 DEFINITIONS

The following words and phrases when used in this title shall for the purpose of this title have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this chapter, unless their context clearly indicates that they are intended to have some other meaning.

Words used in the present tense include the future; the plural includes the singular; the word “shall” is always mandatory; the word “may” denotes a use of discretion in making a decision; and the words “used” or “occupied” shall be considered to be followed by the words “or intended, arranged, or designed to be used or occupied.” [Ord. 73 § 2.01].

24.08.020 Alley defined.

“Alley” shall mean a passage or way, open to public travel and dedicated to public use, affording generally a secondary means of vehicular access to abutting lots and not intended for the general traffic circulation. [Ord. 73 § 2.02].

24.08.025 Binding site plan defined.

“Binding site plan” means a drawing which:

A. Identifies and shows the areas and locations of all streets, roads, improvements, utilities, open spaces, and any other matters specified by this chapter;

B. Contains inscriptions or attachments setting forth such appropriate limitations and conditions for the use of the land as are established by this chapter; and

C. Contains provisions making any development be in conformity with the site plan. [Ord. 23-03].

24.08.030 Block defined.

“Block” means a parcel of land bounded by streets, railroad rights-of-way, waterways, parks, unsubdivided acreage, or a combination thereof. [Ord. 73 § 2.03].

24.08.040 Commission defined.

“Commission” means the Richland city planning commission. [Ord. 73 § 2.04].

24.08.050 Comprehensive plan defined.

“Comprehensive plan” means that plan adopted by the city council as the comprehensive plan for the city. [Ord. 73 § 2.05].

24.08.060 Cul-de-sac defined.

“Cul-de-sac” means a street opening at one end and having a turn around at the other end. [Ord. 73 § 2.06].

24.08.070 Dedication defined.

“Dedication” means the deliberate appropriation of land by its owner for any general or public use, reserving unto himself no other right than such as are compatible with the full exercise and enjoyment of the public uses to which the property has been appropriated. [Ord. 73 § 2.07].

24.08.080 Developer defined.

See “Subdivider.” [Ord. 73 § 2.08].

24.08.090 Easement defined.

“Easement” means a grant by a property owner to specific persons or to the public of the right to use that property for a specific purpose. [Ord. 73 § 2.09].

24.08.100 Final plat defined.

“Final plat” means the plan of a plat, subdivision, or dedication or any portions thereof, prepared for filing for record with the county auditor and containing those elements and requirements as set forth for final plats in this title. [Ord. 73 § 2.10].

24.08.110 Lot defined.

“Lot” means a portion of a plat or subdivision to be transferred or developed as a single unit. [Ord. 73 § 2.11].

24.08.120 Lot, double-frontage, defined.

“Double-frontage lot” means a lot with street frontage along two opposite boundaries. [Ord. 73 § 2.12].

24.08.130 Lot, key defined.

“Key lot” means the first lot to the rear of a corner lot, the front lot line of which is an approximate continuation of the side lot line of the corner lot. [Ord. 73 § 2.13].

24.08.140 Lot, reverse-frontage defined.

“Reverse-frontage lot” means a double-frontage lot for which the boundary along one of the streets is established as the front lot line and the boundary along the other street is established as the rear lot line, and over the rear of which is an easement as provided in RMC 24.16.260. The rear lot line of the lot shall be that boundary abutting a traffic artery or other disadvantageous use. [Ord. 73 § 2.14].

24.08.150 Plat or subdivision defined.

“Plat or subdivision” means an area of land which has been divided into two or more lots, tracts, parcels, or divisions of land for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of transfer of ownership or for building development, including all designations in street line, alley line, public area boundaries, lot lines, easements, rights-of-way, pavement width, curblines, location and size of utilities, location and size of land areas to be dedicated. [Ord. 73 § 2.15; Ord. 204].

24.08.160 Platter defined.

See “Subdivider.” [Ord. 73 § 2.16].

24.08.170 Preliminary plat defined.

“Preliminary plat” means a neat and approximate drawing of the proposed layout of streets, blocks, lots, and other elements of a plat or subdivision which shall furnish a basis for the city council’s approval or disapproval of the general layout of the plat or subdivision. [Ord. 73 § 2.17; Ord. 715 § 1.02].

24.08.180 Roadway defined.

“Roadway” means the portion of a street or alley right-of-way that is improved for vehicular traffic. [Ord. 73 § 2.18].

24.08.190 Street defined.

“Street” means a public right-of-way which affords the principal means of access to abutting property, including avenue, place, way, drive, lane, boulevard, highway, road, and any other thoroughfare except an alley. [Ord. 73 § 2.19].

24.08.200 Street, loop defined.

“Loop street” means a minor street of limited length which generally follows a “U” alignment with both legs intercepting the same street. [Ord. 73 § 2.20].

24.08.210 Street, major defined.

“Major street” means a street primarily for fast, through and heavy traffic, minimizing intersecting streets and direct access to abutting properties and primarily for the purpose of accommodating general traffic circulation of the community. Major streets are classified urban principal arterial, urban minor arterial, urban arterial collector, and neighborhood collector. [Ord. 73 § 2.21; Ord. 28-12 § 1].

24.08.220 Street, marginal access defined.

“Marginal access street” means a minor street which is generally parallel and adjacent to a limited access or major street or railroad right-of-way and which provides access to abutting property and protection from through traffic. [Ord. 73 § 2.22].

24.08.230 Street, minor defined.

“Minor street” means a street, usually of limited continuity, which serves primarily to provide the principal means of access to abutting property only. Minor streets are classified local street, local street – single frontage, and rural street. [Ord. 73 § 2.23; Ord. 28-12 § 2].

24.08.240 Subdivider, developer, or platter defined.

“Subdivider,” “developer,” or “platter” means any person, firm, or corporation undertaking the subdividing or resubdividing of a lot, block, or other parcel of land. [Ord. 73 § 2.24].

24.08.245 Subdivision administrator.

“Subdivision administrator” means the city manager, or his/her designee. [Ord. 23-03].

24.08.250 Zoning restrictions defined.

“Zoning restrictions” means the restrictions contained in the zoning ordinances (RMC Title 23) of the city. [Ord. 73 § 2.25].