Chapter 16 - Land Use Ordinance

 

Article 1 - General Provisions (1-1)

Section 16-1.1   Short Title  (1-1)

Section 16-1.2   Authority  (1-1)

Section 16-1.3   Jurisdiction  (1-1)

Section 16-1.4   Effective Date (1-1)

Section 16-1.5   Relationship to Existing Land Use Code  (1-1)

Section 16-1.6   Relationship to Use Plan (1-1)

Section 16-1.7   No Use of Land or Buildings .(1-1)

Section 16-1.8   No Boundary Line Adjustments  (1-1)

Section 16-1.9   Fees (1-2)

Article 2 - Basic Definitions and Interpretations. (2-1)

Section 16-2.1  Word Interpretation  (2-1)

Section 16-2.2  General Definitions  (2-1)

Section 16-2.3  Adult Establishments  (2-20)

Section 16-2.4  Flood Plain Definitions (2-25)

Section 16-2.5  Watershed Definitions. (2-32)

Article 3 - Administrative Mechanisms. (3-1)

Section 16-3.1   Planning Board (3-1)

Section 16-3.2   Board of Adjustment (3-2)

Section 16-3.3   Land Use Administrator (3-4)

Section 16-3.4   Board of Commissioners (3-4)

Section 16-3.5   Conflicts of Interest (3-4)

Section 16-3.6   Appearance Commission (3-6)

Article 4 - Permits and Final Plat Approval (4-1)

Section 16-4.1   Zoning and Special Use Permits (4-1)

Section 16-4.2   No Occupancy, Use, or Sale of lots until Requirements are Fulfilled (4-1)

Section 16-4.3   Who May Submit Applications (4-2)

Section 16-4.4   Applications To Be Complete (4-2)

Section 16-4.5   Staff Consultation Before Formal Applications (4-3)

Section 16-4.6   Staff Consultation After Application Submitted (4-3)

Section 16-4.7   Zoning Permits (4-4)

Section 16-4.8   Performance Guarantee to Ensure Compliance with Zoning Permit. (4-4)

Section 16-4.9   Special Use Permits (4-4)

Section 16-4.10 Board of Commissioners Action on Special Use Permits (4-5)

Section 16-4.11 Conditions to Approval of The Special Use Permit (4-6)

Section 16-4.12 Performance Under Special Use Permits (4-6)

Section 16-4.13 Completing Developments in Phases (4-7)

Section 16-4.14 Expiration of Permits (4-7)

Section 16-4.15 Effect of Permit on Successors and Assigns (4-8)

Section 16-4.16 Notice of Permit to be Recorded (4-8)

Section 16-4.17  Amendments to and Modifications of Permits (4-9)

Section 16-4.18  Reconsideration of Board Action (4-9)

Section 16-4.19  Applications to be Processed Expeditiously (4-9)

Section 16-4.20  Maintenance of Common Areas, Improvements, and Facilities (4-9)

Section 16-4.21  Major and Minor Subdivisions (4-10)

Article 5 - Appeals, Variances, Interpretations. (5-1)

Section 16-5.1  Appeals (5-1)

Section 16-5.2  Variances (5-1)

Section 16-5.3  Interpretations (5-3)

Section 16-5.4  Requests to be Heard Expeditiously (5-3)

Section 16-5.5  Burden of Proof (5-3)

Article 6 - Hearing Procedures for Appeals and Applications. (6-1)

Section 16-6.1  General Requirements for Quasi-Judicial Hearings & Decisions (6-1)

Section 16-6.2  Modification of Application at Hearing (6-2)

Section 16-6.3  Record (6-2)

Article 7 - Enforcement and Review (7-1)

Section 16-7.1  Complaints Regarding Violations (7-1)

Section 16-7.2  Persons Liable (7-1)

Section 16-7.3  Procedures Upon Discovery of Violations (7-1)

Section 16-7.4  Penalties and Remedies for Violations  (7-1)

Section 16-7.5  Permit Revocation (7-2)

Section 16-7.6  Judicial Review (7-2)

Section 16-7.7  Schedule of Civil Penalties (7-3)

Article 8 - Nonconforming Situations. (8-1)

Section 16-8.1  Continuation of Nonconforming Situations and Completion of Nonconforming Projects (8-1)

Section 16-8.2  Nonconforming Lots (8-1)

Section 16-8.3  Extension or Enlargement of Nonconforming Situations (8-2)

Section 16-8.4  Repair, Maintenance and Reconstruction (8-4)

Section 16-8.5  Change in Use of Property Where Nonconforming Situations Exists (8-5)

Section 16-8.6  Abandonment and Discontinuance of Nonconforming Situations (8-6)

Section 16-8.7  Completion of Nonconforming Projects (8-7)

Section 16-8.8  Nonconforming Signs (8-8)

Article 9 - Zoning Districts and Zoning Map. (9-1)

Section 16-9.1  Residential Districts Established (9-1)

Section 16-9.2  Nonresidential Districts Established (9-1)

Section 16-9.3  Overlay Districts. (9-2)

Section 16-9.4  Official Map (9-3)

Section 16-9.5 Amendments to Official Zoning Map (9-3)

Article 10 - Permissible Uses. (10-1)

Section 16-10.1   Table of Permissible Uses (10-1)

Section 16-10.2   Use of the Designations Z and S in Table of Permissible Uses (10-1)

Section 16-10.3   Board of Adjustment Jurisdiction Over Uses Otherwise Permissible With a Zoning Permit (10-1)

Section 16-10-4   Zoning Administrator Jurisdiction Over Uses Otherwise Permissible With SUP (10-1)

Section 16-10.5   Permissible Uses and Specific Exclusions.  (10-1)

Section 16-10.6   Accessory Uses (10-2)

Section 16-10.7   Permissible Uses Not Requiring Permits (10-3)

Section 16-10.8   Change in Use (10-3)

Section 16-10.9   Manufacturing/Processing, Etc. Uses (10-4)

Section 16-10.10 Combination Uses (10-5)

Section 16-10.11 More Specific Use Controls (10-6)

Section 16-10.12 Short Term Rentals (10-6)

Table of Permissible Uses (10-8)

Article 11 - Supplementary Land Use Regulations (11-1)

Section 16-11.1   Bed and Breakfast. (11-1)

Section 16-11.2   Perimeter Fences and Walls (11-1)

Article 12 - Density and Dimensional Regulations. (12-1)

Section 16-12.1   Minimum Lot Size (12-1)

Section 16-12.2   Residential Density (12-1)

Section 16-12.3   Minimum Lot Widths (12-3)

Section 16-12.4   Building Setback Requirements (12-3)

Section 16-12.5   Setback Requirements from Historic Trails (12-6)

Section 16-12.6   Central Business and Town Center Districts Setbacks, Building

                               Height, Open Space, and Green Space Requirements (12-6)

Section 16-12.7  Density on Lots Where Portion Dedicated to Town (12-11)

Section 16-12.8  Flexibility in Applying the Standards Contained in this Article (12-11)

Article 13 - Open Space (13-1)

Section 16-13.1   Usable Open Space (13-1)

Section 16-13.2   Ownership and Maintenance Required Open Space (13-1)

Section 16-13.3   Dedication of Open Space (13-2)

Section 16-13.4   Homeowners Associations (13-2)

Article 14 - Streets and Sidewalks (14-1)

Section 16-14.1   Street Classification (14-1)

Section 16-14.2   Access to Public Streets in General (14-2)

Section 16-14.3   Access to Arterial Streets (14-2)

Section 16-14.4   Entrances to Streets (14-2)

Section 16-14.5   Coordination with Surrounding Streets (14-2)

Section 16-14.6   Relationship of Streets Topography (14-3)

Section 16-14.7   Street Width, Sidewalk, and Drainage in Subdivisions (14-3)

Section 16-14.8   General Layout of Streets (14-4)

Section 16-14.9   Street Intersections (14-4)

Section 16-14.10 Construction Standards and Requirements (14-4)

Section 16-14.11 Private Roads in Subdivisions and Access to Subdivisions by Private Roads (14-4)

Section 16-14.12 Road and Sidewalk Requirements in Unsubdivided Developments (14-6)

Section 16-14.13 Attention to Handicapped in Street and Sidewalk Construction (14-7)

Section 16-14.14 Street Names and House Numbers (14-7)

Section 16-14.15 Bridges (14-7)

Section 16-14.16 Utilities (14-7)

Section 16-14.17 Sidewalk Requirements (14-7)

Article 15 - Utilities (15-1)

Section 16-15.1   Utility Ownership and Easement Rights (15-1)

Section 16-15.2   Lots Served by Public Water or Sewer (15-1)

Section 16-15.3   Sewage Disposal Facilities Required (15-1)

Section 16-15.4   Determining Compliance with Section 16-15.3 (15-1)

Section 16-15.5   Water Supply System Required (15-2)

Section 16-15.6   Determining Compliance with 16-15.5 (15-2)

Section 16-15.7   Lighting Requirements (15-2)

Section 16-15.8   Excessive Illumination (15-2)

Section 16-15.9   Electric Power (15-3)

Section 16-15.10 Telephone Service (15-3)

Section 16-15.11 Underground Utilities (15-3)

Section 16-15.12 Utilities To Be Consistent With Internal and External Development (15-3)

Section 16-15.13 As-Built Drawings Required (15-4)

Section 16-15.14 Fire Hydrants (15-4)

Section 16-15.15 Sites for and Screening Dumpsters (15-4)

Article 16 - Flood Damage Prevention; Storm Water Mgmt; Watershed Protection. (16-1)

Section 16-16.1   Findings of Fact (16-1)

Section 16-16.2   Statement of Purpose (16-1)

Section 16-16.3   Objectives (16-1)

Section 16-16.4   Lands to Which This Ordinance Applies (16-2)

Section 16-16.5   Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard (16-2)

Section 16-16.6   Establishment of Floodplain Development Permit (16-2)

Section 16-16.7   Compliance (16-2)

Section 16-16.8   Abrogation and Greater Restrictions (16-2)

Section 16-16.9   Interpretation (16-2)

Section 16-16.10 Penalties for Violation (16-2)

Section 16-16.11 Designation of Floodplain Administrator (16-3)

Section 16-16.12 Development Permit and Certification Requirements (16-3)

Section 16-16.13 Elevation Certificates (16-4)

Section 16-16.14 Floodproofing Certificate (16-5)

Section 16-16.15 Certificate Exemptions (16-5)

Section 16-16.16 Duties and Responsibilities of Local Administrator (16-5)

section 16-16.17 Corrective Procedures (16-7)

section 16-16.18 Variance Procedures (16-8)

Section 16-16.19 General Standards for Flood Hazard Reduction (16-9)

Section 16-16.20 Specific Standards for Flood Hazard Reduction (16-11)

Section 16-16.21 Additions/Improvements (Pre-Firm Structures) (16-12)

Section 16-16.22 Additions/Improvements (Post-Firm Structures) (16-13)

Section 16-16.23 Recreational Vehicle (16-13)

Section 16-16.24 Temporary Non-Residential Structures. (16-13)

Section 16-16.25 Accessory Structures (16-13)

Section 16-16.26 Standards for Floodplains Without Established Base Flood Elevation (16-14)

Section 16-16.27 Standards for Riverine Floodplains with Base Flood Elevations but Without Established Floodways       or Non-encroachment Areas (16-15)

Section 16-16.28 Floodways and Non-encroachment Areas (16-15)

Section 16-16.29 Drainage, Erosion Control, Storm Water Management (16-15)

Section 16-16.30 Development Must Drain Properly (16-16)

Section 16-16.31 Storm Water Management (16-16)

Section 16-16.32 Sedimentation and Erosion Control (16-17)

Section 16-16.33 Purpose of the Watershed Protection Ordinance (16-18)

Section 16-16.34 Duties of the Watershed Administrator (16-19)

Section 16-16.35 Appeal from the Watershed Administrator (16-20)

Section 16-16.36 Establishment of Watershed Review Board; Powers and Duties (16-20)

Section 16-16.37 Establishment of Watershed Areas (16-23)

Section 16-16.38 Watershed Areas Described. (16-23)

Section 16-16.39 Cluster Development (16-25)

Section 16-16.40 Buffer Areas Required (16-25)

Section 16-16.41 Rules Governing the Interpretation of Watershed Area Boundaries (16-25)

Section 16-16.42 Existing Development (16-26)

Section 16-16.43 Watershed Protection Permit (16-26)

Section 16-16.44 Watershed Occupancy Permit (16-27)

Section 16-16.45 Public Health, in General (16-27)

Section 16-16.46 Abatement (16-27)

Section 16-16.47 Watershed Boundary Map (16-27)

Section 16-16.48 Amendments (16-27)

Article 17 - Signs. 17-1

Section 16-17.1   Purpose (17-1)

Section 16-17.2  Applicability (17-1)

Section 16-17.3   Restrictions and Prohibitions (17-1)

Section 16-17.4   Prohibited Signs (17-2)

Section 16-17.5   General Sign Regulations (17-3)

Section 16-17.6   Approval Procedures (17-4)

Section 16-17.7   Master Sign Plan (17-5)

Section 16-17.8   Signs Permitted in All Zoning Districts (17-6)

Section 16-17.9   Computation of Sign Height (17-6)

Section 16-17.10 Signs Permitted in All Zoning Districts (17-6)

Section 16-17.11 Signs Permitted in Residential Districts (17-9)

Section 16-17.12 Signs Permitted in Non-Residential Districts (17-10)

Section 16-17.13 Church, School, Hospital, or Public Facility Signs (17-15)

Section 16-17.14 Unlawful Cutting of Trees or Shrubs (17-15)

Article 18 - Telecommunication Towers. 18-1

Section 16-18.1   Authority (18-1)

Section 16-18.2   Purpose (18-1)

Section 16-18.3   Goals (18-1)

Section 16-18.4   Applicability (18-1)

Section 16-18.5   Permit Required (18-1)

Section 16-18.6   Issuance of Permit/Expiration (18-3)

Section 16-18.7   Tower Approval Standards (18-3)

Section 16-18.8   Denial of Permit (18-6)

Section 16-18.9   Continued Compliance Required (18-6)

Section 16-18.10 Removal of Abandoned Towers (18-7)

Section 16-18.11 Standards for Commercial Wireless Telecommunications Antennas (18-7)

Article 19 - Adult Business Establishments. 19-1

Section 16-19.1    Purpose (19-1)

Section 16-19.2    Findings (19-1)

Section 16-19.3    Classification of Adult Business Establishments  (19-3)

Section 16-19.4    Licenses Required (19-3)

Section 16-19.5    License Fees and Terms (19-4)

Section 16-19.6    Application Procedures for Adult Business Establishment License (19-4)

Section 16-19.7    Fees (19-9)

Section 16-19.8    License Posting and Display (19-9)

Section 16-19.9    Inspection  (19-9)

Section 16-19.10  License Denial, Suspension, or Revocation; Appeal (19-10)

Section 16-19.11  Transfer of License (19-11)

Section 16-19.12  Location of Adult Business Establishments  (19-11)

Section 16-19.13  Additional Regulations for Adult Motels (19-12)

Section 16-19.14  Additional Regulations Pertaining to Exhibition of Sexually Explicit Films, Videos or Live                                                     Entertainment (19-12)

Section 16-19.15  Additional Regulations for Escort Agencies (19-13)

Section 16-19.16  Additional Regulations for Nude Model Studios. (19-13)

Section 16-19.17  Prohibited Acts and Conduct. (19-14)

Section 16-19.18  Exterior Portions of Adult Business Establishments. (19-14)

Section 16-19.19  Signage. (19-15)

Section 16-19.20  Hours of Operation. (19-15)

Section 16-19.21  Injunction. (19-15)

Article 20 - Parking (20-1)

Section 16-20.1    Number of Parking Spaces Required (20-1)

Section 16-20.2    Table of General Parking Requirements (20-2)

Section 16-20.3    Parking Requirements for Central Business and Town Center Districts. (20-5)

Section 16-20.4    Flexibility in Administration Required (20-8)

Section 16-20.5    Payment of Fee in Lieu of Providing Required Parking Spaces. (20-8)

Section 16-20.6    Parking Space Dimensions. (20-9)

Section 16-20.7    Required Widths of Parking Area Aisles and Driveways (20-9)

Section 16-20.8    General Design Requirements (20-10)

Section 16-20.9    Vehicle Accommodation Area Surfaces (20-10)

Section 16-20.10  Joint Use of Required Parking Spaces (20-11)

Section 16-20.11  Satellite Parking (20-11)

Section 16-20.12  Special Provisions for Lots with Existing Buildings (20-11)

Section 16-20.13  Loading and Unloading Areas. (20-12)

Article 21 – Commercial Design and Appearance Standards (21-1)

Section 16-21.1   Purpose. (21-1)

Section 16-21.2   Applicability. (21-1)

Section 16-21.3   Criteria for Design. (21-2)

Section 16-21.4   Exterior Walls and Facades of Commercial Buildings. (21-2)

Section 16-21.5   Roof Lines. (21-3)

Section 16-21.6   Color. (21-3)

Section 16-21.7   Topography. (21-4)

Section 16-21.8   Lighting. (21-4)

Section 16-21.9   General Landscaping. (21-4)

Section 16-21.10 Landscape Buffer. (21-5)

Section 16-21.11 Sidewalks. (21-6)

Section 16-21.12 Utility Lines. (21-7)

Section 16-21.13 Parking Areas. (21-7)

Section 16-21.14 Mechanical and Utility Areas. (21-7)

Section 16-21.15 Trash and Containment Areas. (21-7)

Section 16-21.16  Fences and Walls. (21-8)

Section 16-21.17 Vacated Buildings. (21-8)

Section 16-21.18 Variance from Standards. (21-8)

Section 16-21.19 Additional Standards for Large Scale Retail Buildings. (21-9)

Section 16-21.20 Definitions and Explanations of Additional Requirements. (21-10)

Section 16-21.21 Display of News Racks and Publications in Town Center, Central

                               Business and Office Institutional Zoning Districts (21-11)

Section 16-21.22 Outdoor Display of Merchandise (21-11)

Article 22 - Screening and Trees. (22-1)

Section 16-22.1   Board Findings Concerning Need for Requirements. (22-1)

Section 16-22.2   General Screening Standard (22-1)

Section 16-22.3   Compliance With Screening Standards. (22-1)

Section 16-22.4   Screening Land Use Classification. (22-1)

Section 16-22.5   Table of Screening Requirements. (22-2)

Section 16-22.6   Description of Screens. (22-2)

Section 16-22.7   Width of Landscaping Screen. (22-3)

Section 16-22.8   Town Center and Central Business District Requirements. (22-3)

Section 16-22.9   Flexibility in Administration Required. (22-4)

Section 16-22.10 Combination Uses. (22-4)

Section 16-22.11 Maintenance of Screening and Landscape Plantings. (22-5)

Section 16-22.12 Silvicultural Standards (22-5)

Section 16-22.13 Board Findings and Declaration of Policy on Shade Trees (22-5)

Section 16-22.14 Required Trees Along Dedicated Streets. (22-6)

Section 16-22.15 Retention and Protection of Large Trees. (22-6)

Section 16-22.16 Tree Credits. (22-7)

Section 16-22.17 Protection of Existing Vegetation (22-8)

Section 16-22.18 Tree Topping. (22-9)

Section 16-22.19 Shade Trees in Parking Areas. (22-9)

Section 16-22.20 Mulching and Maintenance on Commercial Property. (22-10)

Section 16-22.21 Penalties (22-10)

Article 23 - Amendments. (23-1)

Section 16-23.1   Board Findings Concerning Need for Requirements. (23-1)

Section 16-23.2   Initiation of Amendments. (23-1)

Section 16-23.3   Planning Board Consideration of Proposed Amendments. (23-1)

Section 16-23.4   Hearing Required; Notice. (23-2)

Section 16-23.5   Board Action on Amendments. (23-2)

Section 16-23.6   Ultimate Issue Before Board on Amendments. (23-3)

Appendices / Full Chapter  A-1