ABANDONMENT - The relinquishment of property, or a cessation of the use of property, by the owner, with the intention neither of transferring rights of the property to another owner nor of resuming use of the property.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE - A structure detached from a principal building located on the same lot and customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal building or use.
ACCESSORY USE - A use subordinate to the principal use located on the same zone lot and serving a purpose customarily incidental to the principal use.
ACRE - A measure of land equal to 43,560 square feet.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE - An establishment primarily engaged in management and general administrative functions such as executive, personnel, finance and sales activities performed centrally for other facilities of the same company.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER - The Zoning Officer of the Village of Ridgefield Park
ANIMAL HOSPITAL - A place where animals or pets are given medical or surgical treatment. Use as a kennel may be limited to animals hospitalized for medical or surgical treatment.
APARTMENT - A dwelling unit, other than a townhouse, located in a building containing three or more dwelling units.
APPLICANT - A person submitting an application for development.
APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT - The application form and all accompanying documents required by ordinance for approval of a subdivision plat, site plan, planned development, conditional use, zoning variance or direction of the issuance of a permit pursuant to the Municipal Land Use Law.
APPROVING AUTHORITY - The Planning Board of the Village of Ridgefield Park unless a different agency is designated in this chapter pursuant to the Municipal Land Use Law.
AQUIFER - An underground bed or stratum of earth, gravel or porous material that contains water. The geological formation serves as a medium through which water can percolate, sometimes very slowly for long distances. Aquifers are described as confined when they are overlain by aquicludes and unconfined when their surfaces are at ground level.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE - Land or water areas which show evidence or artifacts of human, plant or animal activity, usually dating from periods of which only vestiges remain.
ASSEMBLAGE - The merger of separate properties into a single tract of land.
AUTOMOBILE SALES - The use of any building, land area or other premises for the display, sale or rental of new automobiles, sport utility vehicles, panel trucks, vans, trailers, or recreation vehicles and including minor mechanical repair service conducted as an accessory use. The sale of used cars shall only be permitted in conjunction with new car sales and shall not occupy more than 20 percent of the developable area of the lot or parcel.
AWNING - A roof-like cover that is temporary in nature and projects from any part of a building for the purpose of shielding a doorway or window from the elements.
BAR - A structure or part of a structure used primarily for the sale or dispensing of alcoholic beverages by the drink.
BASE FLOOD ELEVATION - The highest elevation, expressed in feet above sea level, of the level of flood waters occurring in the regulatory base flood.
BASEMENT : The portion of a building which is partly below and partly above grade. A basement shall be considered a story where the finished surface of floor above a basement is:
1. More than 6 feet above the grade plane.
2. More than 6 feet above the finished ground level for more than 50% of the total building perimeter.
3. More than 12 feet above the finished ground level at any point.
**Webmasters Note: The previous definition has been amended as per Ordinance No. 05-07
BEDROOM - A private room Planned and intended for sleeping, separate from other rooms by a door.
BILLBOARD - An off-site lettered or pictorial advertising sign.
BLOCK - That area of land which is enclosed by streets.
BOARD - The Planning Board of the Village of Ridgefield Park.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT - The Board of Adjustment of the Village of Ridgefield Park.
BRIDGE - A structure having a clear span of more than twenty feet designed to convey vehicles and/or pedestrians over a watercourse, railroad, public or private right-of-way, or any depression.
BROOK - A small stream or creek.
BUFFER ZONE - Land area used to visibly separate one use from another or to shield or block noise, lights, or other nuisance elements and to insure privacy.
BUILDABLE AREA - The area of a lot remaining after the minimum yard, open space, detention and retention basins and other limiting conditions established in the zoning ordinance or dictated by Federal or State regulations have been met.
BUILDING - An enclosed structure adapted to permanent, temporary or continuous occupancy and having a roof supported by columns or walls. When such a structure is divided into separate parts by one (1) or more unpierced walls extending from the ground up and through the roof, each part is deemed a separate building, except as regards minimum side yard requirements.
BUILDING HEIGHT - The vertical distance of a building measured from the average elevation of the finished grade measured six feet from the foundation to the highest point of the roof.
BUILDING, ACCESSORY - A subordinate structure on the same lot as the principal use occupied or planned to be occupied by a use incidental to the principal use.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL - A building in which is conducted the principal use of the lot on which it is located.
BUSINESS SERVICES - Establishments primarily engaged in rendering services to business establishments on a fee or contract basis, such as advertising and mailing; building maintenance; employment service; management and consulting services; protective services; commercial research; development and testing; photo finishing; and personal supply services.
CARPORT - A roofed structure providing space for the parking of motor vehicles and enclosed on not more than two (2) sides.
CELLAR : The portion of the building which is partially or completely below grade and does not qualify as a basement. No portion of a cellar shall be used as a dwelling unit.
**Webmasters Note: The previous definition has been amended as per Ordinance No. 05-07
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY (CO) - A document issued by the construction code official allowing the occupancy or use o a . building and certifying that the structure or use has been constructed or will be used in compliance with all the applicable governmental codes and ordinances.
CHANGE OF USE - Any use which differs materially from the previous use of a building or land.
CHARITABLE USE - Property used by a nonprofit or eleemosynary organization that provides a service beneficially to the general public or to a significant portion of the public for a fee or at a fee recognized as being less that charged by profit making organizations.
CHIMNEY - A structure containing one or more flues for drawing off emissions from stationary sources of combustion.
CHURCH - A building or structure, or a group of buildings or structures, which by design and construction are intended for the conducting of organized religious services and accessory uses associated therewith.
CLUB - A group of people organized for a common purpose to pursue common goals, interests or activities and usually characterized by certain membership qualifications, payment of fees and dues, regular meetings, and a constitution and by-laws.
COMMON OPEN SPACE - An open space area within or related to a site designated as a development and designed and intended for the use or enjoyment of residents and owners of the development. Common open space shall not include areas designated as detention, retention or water quality basins and may contain complementary structures and improvements as are necessary and appropriate for the use and enjoyment of the residents and owners of the development.
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - A homeowners association organization which is designed to own, maintain, and operate common facilities and to enhance and protect their common interests.
COMMUNITY CENTER - A building utilized for recreational, social, educational and cultural activities, usually owned and operated by a public or nonprofit group or agency.
COMPLETE APPLICATION - Submission of an application form provided by the Village and completed by the applicant, together with all accompanying documents required by this chapter for approval of the application for development, including, where applicable, but not limited to, a site plan or subdivision plat, provided that the approving authority may require such additional information not specified therein, or any revisions in the accompanying documents, as are reasonably necessary to make an informed decision as to whether the requirements necessary for approval of the application for the development have been met. The application shall not be deemed incomplete for lack of any such additional information or any reasons in the accompanying documents so required by the approving authority. An application meeting all requirements specified in this chapter and in the subdivision and site plan review ordinances and in the rules and regulations of the approving authority shall be deemed complete as of the day it is so certified by the Planning Board for purposes of the commencement of the time period for action by the approving authority ,
CONDITIONAL USE - A use permitted in a particular zoning district only upon a showing that such use in a specified location will comply with the conditions and standards for the location or operation of such use as contained in the zoning ordinance and upon the issuance of an authorization therefor by the planning board.
CONDOMINIUM - A building, or group of buildings, in which units are owned individually, and the structure, common areas and facilities are owned by all the owners on a proportional undivided basis.
CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION - The community association which administers and maintains the common property and common elements of a condominium.
CONGREGATE HOUSING - A dwelling providing shelter and services for the elderly which may include meals, housekeeping, and personal care assistance.
COURT - Any area which is bounded by three (3) or more attached building walls.
CRITICAL AREA - An area with more than one of the following characteristics (1) slopes in excess of fifteen (15) percent; (2) floodplains; (3) soils classified as having a high water table; (4) soils classified as highly erodible, subject to erosion or being highly acidic; (5) land formerly used for landfill operations or hazardous industrial use; (6) stream corridors; (7). estuaries; (8) mature stands of native vegetation; (9) aquifer recharge and discharge areas; (10) wetland and wetland buffer areas, (11). areas designated in the Register of Natural Areas of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and (12) natural habitats which protect and preserve endangered and threatened plant and animal species.
DECIBEL - A unit of sound pressure level.
DENSITY - The permitted number of dwelling units per gross area of land to be developed.
DETENTION BASIN - An impoundment area made by constructing an embankment or excavating a pit or both, for the purpose of temporarily storing stormwater.
DEVELOPER - The legal or beneficial owner or owners of land proposed to be included in a proposed development, including the holder of an option or contract to purchase or other person having an enforceable proprietary interest in such land.
DEVELOPMENT - The division of a parcel of land into two (2) or more parcels; the construction, reconstruction, conversion, structural alteration, relocation or enlargement of any building or other structure or of any mining, excavation or landfill; and any use or change in the use of any building or other structure or land or extension of use of land, for which permission may be required.
DISTRICT - Any portion of the territory of the Village of Ridgefield park within which certain uniform regulations and requirements or various combinations therefor apply under the provisions of this chapter (See Zone).
DRAINAGE - The removal of surface water or groundwater from land by drains, grading or other means including control of runoff during and after construction or development to minimize erosion and sedimentation, to assure the adequacy of the existing and proposed culverts and bridges, to induce water recharge into the ground where practical, to lessen non-point pollution, to maintain the integrity of stream channels for their biological functions as well as drainage, and the means necessary for water supply preservation or prevention or alleviation of flooding.
DWELLING - Any permanent building or portion thereof designed or used exclusively as the residence or sleeping place of one (1) or more persons.
DWELLING, ATTACHED - A one-family dwelling attached to one or more one-family dwellings by common vertical walls.
DWELLING, DETACHED - A dwelling which is completely surrounded by permanent open space.
DWELLING, MULTI-FAMILY - A building occupied or intended for occupancy as separate living quarters for more than two (2) families or households, with two (2) separate direct means of access to the outside for the multifamily dwelling and further provided with separate cooking, sleeping and sanitary facilities for the exclusive use of the occupants of each unit.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY - A detached building occupied or intended for occupancy exclusively by one (1) family or one (1) household, with two (2) separate direct means of access to the outside and further provided with cooking, sleeping and sanitary facilities for the use of the occupants of the unit. Also referred to as "one-family" dwelling.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY - A building occupied or intended for occupancy as separate living quarters for no more than two (2) families or two (2) households, with two (2) separate means of access to the outside for the two-family dwelling and with separate cooking, sleeping and sanitary facilities for the exclusive use of the occupants of each unit, which units are separated from each other by vertical walls to and through the roof or by horizontal floors; also referred to as a "duplex dwelling."
DWELLING UNIT - One or more rooms, occupied or intended for occupancy as separate living quarters by one (1) family or household, provided that access is directly from the outside or through a common hall and that separate cooking, sleeping and sanitary facilities are provided within the dwelling for the exclusive use of the occupants thereof. Occupancy by more than one (1) family or household within a singe dwelling unit shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
EAVE - The projecting lower edges of a roof overhanging the wall of a building.
ELEEMOSYNARY OR PHILANTHROPIC INSTITUTION - A private or nonprivate organization which is not organized or operated for the purpose of carrying on a trade or business and no part of the net earnings of which are for the benefit of any individual.
ENCROACHMENT - Any obstruction in a delineated floodway, right-of-way or adjacent land.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION - The Village of Ridgefield Park Environmental Commission created pursuant to P.L. 1968 c.245 (C 40:56A-1 et. seq.)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) - A statement on the positive and negative effects of development proposals and other major actions which significantly affect the environment.
EROSION - The detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments by water, wind, ice and gravity.
ESSENTIAL SERVICE - The erection, construction, alteration or maintenance, by public utilities or municipal or other governmental agencies, of underground, surface or overhead gas, electrical, steam or water transmission systems, cable television and fiberoptics, including poles, wires, mains, drains, sewers, pipes, conduits, cables, fire alarm boxes, police call boxes, traffic signals, light stations, telephone lines, hydrants and other similar equipment and accessories herewith, reasonably necessary for the furnishing of adequate service by such public utilities or municipal or other governmental agencies for the public health, safety or general welfare.
EXTENDED CARE FACILITIES - A long-term care facility or a distinct part of a facility licensed or approved as a nursing home, infirmary unit of a home for the aged or for a governmental medical institution (See long term care facility and nursing home).
FAMILY - A group of persons functioning as a single housekeeping unit and whose relationship is of a permanent, stable and domestic character as distinguished from non-familial institutional use, boarding homes, fraternities, sororities, clubs and associations, transient and other forms of housing. For the purpose of this Ordinance, a "family" shall include foster children placed with a family in such dwelling by the New Jersey State Board of Child Welfare or a duly incorporated child care agency.
FAMILY DAY CARE CENTER - A private establishment enrolling no more than five children between 2-1/2 years of age and older where tuition, fees, or other forms o compensation for the care of children is charged and which is licensed by the State of New Jersey and approved by the Village of Ridgefield Park to operate as a family day care center.
FENCE - An artificially constructed barrier of any material or combination of materials erected to enclose or screen areas of land.
FLOOD - The temporary overflowing of water onto land which is usually devoid of surface water.
FLOOD FRINGE AREA - That portion of the Flood hazard area outside the floodway based on the total area inundated during the regulatory flood plus twenty-five percent of the regulatory flood discharge.
FLOOD HAZARD AREA - The floodway and the relatively flat area adjoining the floodway, which area can be expected to be inundated by rising waters at least once in one hundred (100) years.
FLOOD HAZARD DESIGN ELEVATION - The highest elevation, expressed in feet above sea level, of the level of floodwaters which delineates the flood fringe area.
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP - The official map upon which the Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and the risk of premium zones applicable to the community.
FLOOD PLAIN - The channel and the relatively flat area adjoining the channel of a natural stream or river which has been or may be covered by floodwater.
FLOODPROOFING - A combination of structural provisions, changes or adjustments to properties and structures subject to flooding for the reduction or elimination of flood damage to properties, water and sanitary facilities and other utilities, structures and the contents of buildings.
FLOODWAY - The channel of a natural stream, brook or river and portions of the flood plain adjoining the channel, which are reasonably required to carry and discharge the floodwater or flood flow of any natural stream, brook or river.
FLOOR AREA - For the purpose of this Ordinance, floor area shall means the sum of the gross horizontal area of the several floors of a building measured from the exterior walls of a building. "Floor Area" shall not include areas devoted exclusively to off-street parking and loading space for motor vehicles or to any space where the floor-to-ceiling height shall be less than seven (7) feet six (6) inches.
FLOOR AREA RATIO - The sum of the areas of all floors of buildings or structures divided by the total lot area of the site.
FREE-STANDING BUILDING (OP-1 ZONE ONLY) - A building which is located on the same lot as a principal use or connected to a principal use.
GARAGE - A building or structure used for the storage of one (1) or more vehicles. If it is maintained primarily for the convenience of the resident-occupant of the premises and no service is rendered to the public or business conducted therein, it is a private garage. Any garage other than a private garage is a public garage.
GARDEN APARTMENT - One (1) or more multiple family buildings not exceeding two stories or thirty-five (35) feet in height, containing off-street parking, outdoor recreational facilities and open spaces as more fully required herein.
GLARE - The effect produced by brightness sufficient to cause annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance and visibility.
GRADE - The reference plane representing the average of _finished ground level adjoining the a building at all exterior walls. When the finished ground level slopes away from the exterior walls, the reference plane shall be established by the lowest points within the area between the building and the lot line or, when the lot line is more than six (6') feet from the building between the building and a point six (6') from the building.
GROSS DENSITY - Gross density shall mean the total number of dwelling units on the tract of land divided by the total area of the tract, including environmentally sensitive or restricted areas. The result is expressed as dwelling units per acre (du/ac).
GROUNDWATER - The supply of freshwater under the surface in an aquifer or soil that forms the natural reservoir for potable water.
HABITABLE SPACE : Living space and rooms other than common hallways, cellar, storage space, garage areas or any area where the ceiling height is more than 7'-6" or greater.
**Webmasters Note: The previous definition has been amended as per Ordinance No. 05-07.
HELIPORT - An area, either at ground level or elevated on a structure, licensed or approved for the loading and takeoff of helicopters, and including auxiliary facility such as parking, waiting room, fueling and maintenance equipment.
HELISTOP - A heliport, but without auxiliary facilities such as parking, waiting room, fueling and maintenance equipment.
HISTORIC DISTRICT - One or more historic sites and intervening or surrounding properties significantly affecting or affected by the quality and character of the historic site or sites.
HISTORIC SITE - Any real property, man-made structure, natural object or configuration or any portion or group of the foregoing which has been formally designated in the master plan as being of historical, archeological, cultural, scenic or architectural significance.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION - The protection, rehabilitation, and restoration of districts, sites, buildings, structures and artifacts significant in the. history, architecture, archaeology or culture of the United States, the State of New Jersey, Bergen County and the Village of Ridgefield Park.
HOME OCCUPATION - A business or profession conducted wholly or in part from a residence or the residential lot as an accessory use. Such occupations shall be conducted solely by residential occupants of the lot, and no more than a single floor area of the building shall be used for such purposes; no display or advertisement of products or services shall be visible from the street; the residential character of the building shall not be changed; the occupation shall be conducted entirely within the dwelling; no occupational sound shall be audible outside the building no article shall be offered for sale from the premises; no customers or clients shall be received on the premises; no machinery or equipment shall be used which will cause interference with radio and television reception in the neighboring residences; and the use shall not reduce the parking or yard requirements of the principal residential use.
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION - A nonprofit corporation operating under a recorded land agreement through which each lot or individual dwelling unit owner shall be a member, the owner of each dwelling unit is subject to a charge for a proportionate share of the organization's expenses for activities and maintenance, including any maintenance costs levied against the association by the village, and each owner and tenant has the right to use the common property.
HOTEL - A facility offering transient lodging accommodations to the general public and providing additional services such as restaurants, meeting rooms, and recreational facilities. Hotel rooms shall not be utilized as permanent living facilities and hotel rooms shall not be permitted to maintain cooking facilities within any hotel room. A building classified as a hotel shall be three or more stories in height. (See definition of motel).
HOUSEHOLD - A group of not more than four (4) persons who are not related by blood, marriage or adoption, living together as a single housekeeping unit.
HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY : Multifamily housing regulated and operated in accordance with 42 USCA 3607(b)2(A), and 42 USCA 3607(b)(2)(B) . (Also known as senior citizen housing, housing for older persons and age-restricted multifamily housing).
**Webmasters Note: The previous definition has been amended as per Ordinance No. 05-07.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE - Any non-porous material which resides and prevents absorption of storm water on the land.
IMPROVED LOT COVERAGE - The percentage of lot area which is improved with principal and accessory buildings, structures and uses, including all impervious surface areas such as buildings, driveways, parking lots and garages and other man-made equipment including sidewalks, walkways, signs, fences and walls, retention, detention and water quality basins.
INDUSTRIAL OR OFFICE PARK - A tract of land with a minimum of five (5) acres comprehensively planned for industrial or office uses whether or not buildings are erected in one (1) development stage or over a period of time, but where the streets, utilities and lots and/or tenant's parcels are set forth for the entire tract prior to construction of any portion of the tract. As development takes places, changes may be made in the plans for he undeveloped section (s), provided that the modifications conform to logical extensions of installed segments o streets, drainage, utilities and other facilities. Parks with no subdivided lots shall have buildings spaced so that the mortgage and/or lease lines conform to the requirements for lot lines to establish conformance with this chapter for such matters as building setbacks, buffers, driveway locations, and distances between buildings (also known as planned industrial development or office park development.)
INDUSTRY, HEAVY - Manufacturing, research and distribution activities where noise, odors, smoke, dust, vibration or glare may be discernible at the property line, but not as such to constitute a nuisance or be injurious to the health and safety of the community.
INDUSTRY, LIGHT - Manufacturing, research and distribution activities in which no noise, odors, smoke, dust, vibration or glare may be discernible at the property line.
INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITY - A facility which provides, on a regular basis, healthcare and related services to individuals who do not require the degree of care and treatment which a hospital or skilled nursing facility is designated to provide, but who, because of their mental or physical condition, require care and services which can be made available to them only through institutional facilities such as these.
JUNKYARD - Any area of land, with or without buildings, devoted to the storage, keeping of junk or debris, whether or not it is in connection with the dismantling, processing, salvage, sale or other use or disposition thereof of any material whatsoever.
LAND - Ground, soil or earth including structures on, above or below the surface.
LAND DISTURBANCE - Any activity involving the clearing, cutting, excavating, filling or grading of land or any other activity which alters land topography or vegetative cover.
LOADING SPACE OR LOADING BERTH - An off-street berth on the same lot as the building being served for the temporary parking of a vehicle while loading or unloading.
LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY - An institution which is licensed or approved to provide health care under medical supervision for 24 or more consecutive hours to patients that are not related to the governing authority or its members by marriage, blood or adoption.
LOT - A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed or built upon as a unit.
LOT AREA - The computed areas contained within the lot lines, excluding any street right-of-way. The "minimum" lot area of a lot fronting on a street proposed to be widened in the adopted master plan shall be the minimum area required for the district in which it is located plus the additional area needed for the street widening, where said widening is by fee simple or by-way of easement.
LOT, CORNER - A parcel of land at the junction of and abutting two (2) intersecting streets.
LOT, INTERIOR - A parcel of land with frontage along one street
LOT, THROUGH - A parcel of land which extends through from one street to another.
LOT, THREE-SIDED - A parcel of land at the junction of and abutting on three intersecting streets.
LOT COVERAGE - That portion of a lot which is occupied by principal and where appropriate by accessory buildings but not including other areas of impervious surfaces such as walkways, driveways, patios, swimming pools and open parking lots.
LOT DEPTH - A horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines, measured perpendicular or radial to the front lot line at the midpoint of the lot frontage to the furthest distance thereof of taken as the average of three measurements at each corner and at the midpoint for irregularly shaped parcels.
LOT FRONTAGE - The length of the front lot line measured at the right-of-way line. Also know as "frontage".
LOT LINE - A line of record bounding the lot.
LOT LINE, FRONT - The lot line separating the lot from the street-right-of-way line also referred to as a "street line".
LOT LINE, REAR - The lot line opposite and most distant from the front lot line.
LOT LINE, SIDE - Any lot line other than a front or rear lot line.
LOT, MINIMUM AREA OF - The smallest lot area established by the zoning ordinance upon which a use or structure may be located in a particular district.
LOT WIDTH - The horizontal distance between the side lines of a lot measured parallel to the front lot line at the required front yard setback line.
LOW INCOME HOUSING - For the purposes of this Ordinance, "low income housing" shall be housing that is designed for a household earning 50% or less of the area's median income, adjusted by household size as determined by the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing (COAH).
MAJOR SUBDIVISION - Any subdivision not classified as a minor subdivision.
MARQUEE - Any hood, canopy, awning or permanent construction which projects from a wall of a building usually above an entrance.
MEDICAL BUILDING - A building that contains establishments dispensing health services.
MINOR SITE PLAN - A development plan of one (1) or more lots which possess new development within the scope of development specifically permitted by the Village site plan ordinance as a minor site plan; does not involve planned development, any new street or extension of any off-tract improvement which is to be prorated pursuant to the Municipal Land Use Law; and contains the information reasonably required in order to make an informed decision as to whether the requirements established by this chapter for approval of a minor site plan have been met.
A.minor site plan shall be limited to a building alteration of 500 square feet of floor space or less, a modification of less than 5 parking spaces and an increase of no more than 3 percent of its lot coverage, or 5 percent of its improved lot coverage.
MINOR SUBDIVISION - A subdivision of land for the creation of no more than three (3) lots as a minor subdivision; provided that such subdivision does not involve (1) a planned development, (2) any new street or (3) the extension of any off-tract improvements, the cost of which is to be prorated pursuant to NJS 40:55D-42.
MINI-WAREHOUSE - A structure containing separate storage spaces of varying sizes leased or rented on an individual basis.
MODERATE INCOME HOUSING - For the purposes of this Ordinance, "moderate income housing" shall be housing that is designed for a household earning between 50% and 80% of the area's median income as adjusted for household size as defined by the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing (COAH).
MOTION PICTURE THEATER OR MOVIE THEATER - A place where motion pictures are shown to the public for a fee.
MOTEL - A building which provides rooms for transient guests, has a public lobby and may have an outside entrance for each room. A motel shall be limited to no more than two (2) stories.
MOTOR VEHICLE BODY REPAIR SHOP - A place of business within a principal building where the bodies of motor vehicles are repaired and or rehabilitated. Motor vehicles shall be limited to passenger cars, vans, sport utility vehicles and small trucks not exceeding 10,000 pounds, gross vehicle weight classification. Permitted activities include metal fabricating and refinishing, sanding and painting and other related mechanical activities necessary to repair auto bodies.
NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM - A federal program which authorizes the sale of federally subsidized flood insurance in communities where such flood insurance is not available privately.
NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT - A 1966 Federal law that established a National Register of Historic Places, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and authorizing grants in aid for historic properties preservation.
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES - The official list, established by the National Historic Preservation Act, of sites, districts, buildings, structures and objects significant in the nation's history or whose artistic or architectural value is unique.
NONCONFORMING LOT - A lot, the area, dimension or location of which was lawful prior to the adoption, revision or amendment of this chapter, but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located by reason of such adoption, revision or amendment.
NONCONFORMING SIGN - Any sign lawfully existing on the effective date of this ordinance or an amendment thereto, which renders such sign nonconforming because it does not conform to all the standards and regulations of the adopted or amended ordinance.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE - A structure the size, dimension or location of which was lawful prior to the adoption, revision or amendment of this chapter but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located by reason of such adoption, revision or amendment.
NONCONFORMING USE - A use or activity which was lawful prior to the adoption, revision or amendment of this chapter but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located by reason of such adoption, revision or amendment.
NON-POINT RUNOFF - Surfaced water entering a channel from no definable discharge source.
NUISANCE - An interference with the enjoyment and use of property.
NUISANCE ELEMENT - Any environmental pollutant, such as smoke, odors, liquid wasters, solid wastes, radiation, noise, vibration, glare or heat which exceed the performance standards of this ordinance.
NURSING HOME - An extended or intermediate care facility licensed or approved to provide full-time convalescent or chronic care to individuals who, by reason of advanced age, chronic illness or infirmity are unable to care for themselves.
OFFICE - A place for the transaction of business where reports are prepared and records are kept but where no retail sales of goods are offered and where no manufacturing, assembling or fabricating takes place.
OFF-SITE - Located outside the lot lines of the lot in question but within the property ( of which the lot is part) which is the subject of a development application or contiguous portion of a street or right-of-way.
OFF-STREET PARKING SPACE - A temporary storage area for a motor vehicle that is directly accessible to an access aisle, and which is not located within a street right-of-way.
OFF-TRACT - Not located on the property which is the subject of a development application, nor located on a contiguous portion of the street or right-of-way.
ON-SITE - Located on the lot in question.
ON-STREET PARKING SPACE - A temporary storage area for a motor vehicle which is located within a street right-of-way.
ON-TRACT - Located on the subject property which is the subject of a development application or on a contiguous portion of a street right-of-way.
OPEN SPACE - Any parcel area of land or water essentially unimproved and set aside dedicated, designed or reserved for public or private use or enjoyment or for the use and enjoyment of owners and occupants of land adjoining or neighboring such open space, provided that such areas may be improved with only those buildings, structures and off-street parking and other improvements that are designed to be incidental to the natural openness of the land.
OUTDOOR STORAGE - The keeping, in an unroofed area of any goods, materials, merchandise, or vehicles in the same place for more than twenty-four hours.
PARAPET - The extension of the main walls of a building above the roof level.
PARCEL - A lot or tract of land.
PARKING AREA - Any public or private land area designed and used for parking motor vehicles including parking lots, garages, private driveways and legally designated areas on public streets.
PARKING AREA, PRIVATE - Any open area used for the temporary storage of automobiles and other vehicles for the private use solely by the occupants thereof to which such use is accessory.
PARKING AREA, PUBLIC - Any open area other than a street or other public way used for the temporary storage of automobiles and other vehicles and available to the public, whether for a fee or without compensation, or as an accommodation for clients, customers or employees.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS - Standards adopted by this ordinance regulating noise levels, glare, earthborne or sonic vibrations, heat, electronic or atomic radiation, noxious odors, toxic matters, explosive and flammable matters, smoke and airborne particles, waste discharge, screening of unsightly objects or conditions and such other similar matters as may be reasonably required by the Village of Ridgefield Park, or standards required by applicable Federal, State, County or municipal ordinance.
PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USE - Any principal use allowed in a zoning district and subject to the restrictions applicable to that zoning district.
PERSON - Any individual, association, partnership, corporation or cooperative group.
PLAN - The provisions for development of a planned development, including a plat of subdivision, all covenants relating to use, location and bulk of buildings and other structures, building and structural height, intensity of use or density of development, public or private streets, ways and parking facilities, open space and public facilities. The phrase "provisions of the plan" when used in this chapter, shall mean the written and graphic material referred to in this development.
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT - Includes a planned unit development, planned residential development, planned commercial development or planned industrial development.
PLANNED INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT - An area of minimum contiguous size as specified in this chapter to be developed according to a plan as a single entity containing one (1) or more structures with appurtenant common areas to accommodate industrial uses.
PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT - An area with a specified minimum contiguous acreage to be developed as a single entity according to a plan containing one (1) or more residential clusters, which may include appropriate public or quasi-public uses all primarily for the benefit of residential development.
PLANNING BOARD - The Planning Board of the Village of Ridgefield Park.
PLAT - Map(s) of a subdivision or site plan.
PLAT, FINAL - The plat of all or a portion of the development submitted for final approval and which, if approved as a subdivision , shall be filed with the county recording officer within the required time; otherwise the approval shall be void.
PLAT, INFORMAL - The plat submitted for purposes of classification and discussion.
PLAT, PRELIMINARY - The plat submitted as part of the application for preliminary subdivision approval.
PLOT PLAN - A plan for two-family dwellings on which is shown (1) the existing and proposed conditions of the lot, including, but not limited to topography, vegetation, drainage, flood plains, waterways, wetland areas and garages (2) the location of all existing and proposed buildings, parking areas, walkways, means of ingress and egress, drainage facilities, utility services, landscaping, screening devices, and (3) any other information that may be reasonably required in order to make an informed determination pursuant to an ordinance requiring review and approval of plot plans by the planning board. Said plot plan shall be signed and sealed by a licensed engineer and a licensed land surveyor in the State of New Jersey.
PORCH - A roofed open area, which may be screened but not totally enclosed, attached to or part of and with direct access to or from a building.
PRINCIPAL USE - The primary or predominant use of the lot. No lot shall have erected upon it more than one (1) principal permitted use. No more than one (1) principal building shall be permitted on one (1) lot except that apartment and townhouse complexes, when permitted, may be permitted more than one (1) building on a lot in accordance with an approved site plan where all buildings are sited to comply with all yard definitions and the definition of an industrial or office park.
PRIVATE GARAGE - A garage used solely for the occupants of the premises upon which it is located for the storage of motor vehicles, and in which no business, commercial services or , industry connected with motor vehicles or residential occupancy is carried on, unless said private garage is an integral part of the total structure, sometimes identified as a parking deck or structure.
PRIVATE SCHOOL - An institution of education whose general course work is comparable to the public school system and whose curriculum is approved by the New Jersey Department of Education or the New Jersey Department of Higher Education.
PROCESSING - A series of operations, usually in a contiguous and regular action or succession of actions, taking place or carried on in a definite manner.
PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATION - The offices of a dentist, doctor, attorney, accountant, chiropractor, psychologist, engineer, lawyer, architect, planner, insurance or real estate agent and public relations.
PROHIBITED USE - A use that is not permitted as a principal, accessory or conditional use in a zone district.
PUBLIC AREAS - Includes public parks, playgrounds, trails, paths and other recreational areas; other public open spaces; scenic and historic sites; and sites for schools and other public buildings and structures.
PUBLIC DRAINAGE WAY - The land reserved or dedicated for the installation of a storm water sewers or drainage ditches or required along a natural stream or watercourse for preserving the biological as well as drainage function of the channel and providing for the flow of water to safeguard the public against flood damage, sedimentation and erosion and to assure the adequacy of existing and proposed culverts and bridges, to induce water recharge into the ground where practical, and to less nonpoint pollution.
PUBLIC OPEN SPACE - An open space area conveyed or otherwise dedicated to a municipality, municipal agency, board of education, state or county agency, or other public-body for recreational or conservation uses.
PUBLIC UTILITY FACILITIES - Telephone, electric and cable television lines, poles, equipment and structures; water or gas pipes, mains, valves or structure; sewer pipes, valves or structures; pumping stations; telephone exchanges and repeater stations; and all other facilities, equipment and structures necessary for conducting a service by a government or public utility.
RECHARGE - The process of renewing underground water by infiltration during wet seasons.
RECREATIONAL FACILITY, COMMERCIAL - A recreation facility operated as a business and open to the public for a fee.
RECREATION FACILITY, PRIVATE - A recreation facility operated by a non-profit organization, and open only to bona fide members and guests of such nonprofit organization.
RECREATION FACILITY, PUBLIC - A recreation facility operated by a governmental agency and open to the general public.
RECREATION, PASSIVE - Any leisure activity not considered active.
RESEARCH FACILITIES - An establishment or other facility for carrying on investigation in the natural, physical or social sciences, or engineering and development as an extension of investigation with the objective or creating end products.
RESIDENTIAL CLUSTER - An area to be developed as a single entity according to a plan containing residential housing units which have a common public open space area as an appurtenance.
RESTAURANT - A building or structure designed used, or intended for use in which food and beverage are sold and consumed primarily within the confines of an enclosed structure on the site. A "restaurant" shall not include refreshment stands commonly called snack or dairy bars where consumption takes place outside of the structure or in automobiles parked upon the premises, whether brought to said automobile by the customer or by the employees of the establishment. As used in this chapter a "restaurant" shall not mean a fast food restaurant" as defined herein. A "restaurant" shall also include pickup or delivery services wherein food is prepared on the premises for off-premises consumption.
RESTAURANT, CARRY-OUT - An establishment which by design of physical facilities or by service or packaging procedures permits or encourages the purchase of prepared ready-to-eat foods intended primarily to be consumed off the premises, and where the consumption of food in vehicles on the premises is not permitted or encouraged.
RESTAURANT, FAST-FOOD - A commercial establishment where food and drink prepared for immediate consumption are purchased at a counter and either eaten on the premises, in the purchaser's automobile or off the premises. Those restaurants where food is consumed only at tables on the premises and served by waiters and waitresses shall not be deemed "fast-food restaurants". "Fast food restaurants" shall also not. include those retail stores where food is primarily sold for preparation and consumption elsewhere, alt Tough as a secondary use of the premises prepared food may also be sold over the counter for immediate consumption, such as a delicatessen.
RESTAURANT, SIT-DOWN - A commercial establishment, where food and drink are prepared, served and consumed, that complies with the following requirements:
(1) All food, drinks, etc. must be prepared and served for consumption on the premises; however, such restaurants may , as an ancillary service, provide take out orders and catering services.
(2) All such restaurant(s) must be a sit-down-type restaurant where food is consumed at tables and counters and is served, and orders are taken, by waiters, waitresses and /or chefs.
(3) No such restaurant(s) may offer take-out counter service [other than the limited take-out allowed pursuant to Subsection (1) above].
(4) Such restaurant(s) shall not be a fast-food restaurant as defined herein.
RESTORATION - The replication or reconstruction of a building's original architectural features.
RETAINING WALL - A structure constructed to hold back or support an earthen bank.
RETENTION BASIN - A facility that provides permanent storage of excessive surface runoff, such as a pond, pool or basin.
RIGHT-OF-WAY - The total width and length of the course of a street, watercourse, utility alignment or another way and within under or over which improvements and rights of access are confined.
RINGELMANN CHART - A device used to measure the opacity of smoke emitted from stacks and other sources.
SATELLITE ANTENNA - A reflective dish structure which is designed for the purpose of receiving television, radio, microwave, satellite or other similar signals.
SCENIC AREA - An open area the natural features of which are visually significant or geologically or botanically unique.
SCENIC EASEMENT - An easement the purpose of which is to limit development in order to preserve a view or scenic area (See Easement)
SCHOOL - Any building or part thereof which is designed, constructed or used for educational or instruction in any branch of knowledge.
SCHOOL, ELEMENTARY - Any school licensed by the State of New Jersey which meets the State requirements for elementary education.
SCHOOL, PAROCHIAL - A school supported and controlled by a church or religious organization.
SCHOOL, PRIVATE - Any building or group of buildings the use of which meets state requirements for primary, secondary or higher education and which does not secure the major part of its funding from any governmental agency.,
SCHOOL, SECONDARY - Any school licensed by the State of New Jersey which is authorized to award diplomas for secondary education.
SEDIMENTATION - The depositing of earth or soil that has been transported from its site of origin by water, ice, wind, gravity as a product of erosion.
SERVICE STATION - A building or place of business where gasoline, fuel, oil and grease and /or batteries, tires and other automobile accessories are supplied and dispensed directly to the motor vehicle trade and where minor repair services may be rendered. The sale of food products and/or convenience goods in vending machines shall be permitted.
SETBACK LINE - A line parallel to a public street or internal street line or lot line beyond which a building does not project. The minimum yard requirements shall be the minimum required setbacks. All setbacks from public access streets or internal streets shall be measured from the proposed right-of-way as shown on the adopted master plan.
SHOPPING CENTER - A group of commercial establishments planned, constructed and managed as a single entity with customer and employee parking provided on-site, provisions for delivery goods separated from customer access, aesthetic considerations and protection from the elements.
SIDEWALK - A paved, surfaced or leveled area used as a pedestrian walkway.
SIGHT TRIANGLE - A triangular shaped portion of land established at street intersections or intersections of driveways and streets in which nothing is erected, placed, planted or allowed to grow beyond thirty (30) inches in height in such a manner as to limit or obstruct the sight distance of motorists entering or leaving the intersection.
SIGN - Any device for visual communication that is used for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof to the attention of the public.
SIGN, ADVERTISING - An advertising sign is a sign which directs attention to an individual, business, product or service conducted, sold leased or offered elsewhere than on the premises where the sign is located. For the purposes of this Ordinance, a billboard shall be considered an advertising sign.
SIGN, AREA OF - The area of a sign is the area included within the frame or edge of the sign. Where the side has no such frame or edge, the area shall be the minimum area which can be defined by an enclosed four (4) sided (straight side) geometric shape which most clearly outlines the said sign.
SIGN, AREA. IDENTIFICATION - A sign used to identify a common area containing a group of structures, or a single structure on a minimum site of one (1) acre, such as residential subdivisions, apartment complexes, industrial parks, shopping centers, and industrial or office parks located at the entrance or entrances of the area and including but not limited to a fence, wall, archway, post or column, with the letters or symbols affixed thereto.
SIGN, BANNER - A sign intended to be hung either with or without a frame, possessing characters, letters, illustrations, or ornamentation applied to paper, plastic, fabric or other similar materials of any kind.
SIGN, BUSINESS - A sign used to identify either the trade, business, industry, or profession being conducted on the premises, Logo identification which is used to advertise a produce, such as but not limited to "Coca Cola" or "We Sell Kodak Film", shall not be deemed to be a permitted business sign, except that personal logos, not to be used to advertise a product, shall be permitted.
SIGN, DIRECTIONAL OR INFORMATIONAL - A directional or informational sign is a non-advertising sign which directs attention to vehicular or pedestrian entrances or exits, parking areas, reserved parking spaces or similar site elements and is intended only for the safety and convenience of employees patrons or visitors. No directional or informational sign shall exceed four square feet.
SIGN, FLASHING - An illuminated sign on which artificial or reflected light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity, color or hue at all times when in use.
SIGN, FREE-STANDING - A sign having not more than two display sides which is attached to or part of a completely self-supporting structure. The supporting structure shall be set firmly on or below the ground surface and shall not be attached to any building or structure whether portable or stationary.
SIGN, GROUND - A sign having not more than two display sides set firmly on or below the ground surface.
SIGN, HEIGHT - A free-standing sign shall be measured from the ground surface beneath the sign to the highest point of the sign.
SIGN, MOVING - A sign which rotates or shifts, or appears to rotate or shift in position.
SIGN, POLITICAL - A sign containing a statement about or endorsement of, any public issue or candidate(s) for public office.
SIGN, PORTABLE OR "A " FRAME - An advertising devices which is ordinarily in the shape of an "A" or some variation thereof, located on the ground, easily movable and not permanently attached thereto and which usually is two sided.
SIGN, PROJECTING - Any sign that is affixed at an angle or perpendicular to the wall or facade upon which it is mounted, which projects more that twelve (12') inches from the wall or facade upon which it is mounted or projects above the top or beyond either side of the wall or facade upon which it is mounted.
SIGN, PYLON - A pylon sign shall be a sign having not more than two (2) display sides which is attached to or part of a completely self-supportively structure. The supporting structure shall be set firmly on or below the ground surface and shall not be attached to any building whether portable or stationary.
SIGN, REAL ESTATE - A sign placed upon the property for the purpose of advertising to the public the sale or lease of the property placed thereon.
SIGN, ROOF TOP - Any sign wholly erected, constructed or maintained on the roof or parapet of a structure.
SIGN, TEMPORARY - A non-permanent non-illuminated wall or free-standing sign,
SIGN, WALL - A sign affixed to or painted on and parallel with the surface of a wall or facade. A sign affixed to or painted on an awning, marquee or canopy shall be considered a wall sign.
SITE - Any plot or parcel of land or combination of contiguous lots or parcels of land.
SITE PLAN, EXEMPT : Deleted.
**Webmasters Note: The previous definition has been amended as per Ordinance No. 05-07.
SITE PLAN REVIEW - The examination of the specific development plans for a lot. The term "site plan approval' means a requirement that the site plan be approved by the approving authority prior to the issuance of a building or certificate of occupancy.
SLOPE - The degree of deviation of a surface from the horizontal, usually expressed in percent or degrees.
SMOKE - Solid particles generated as a result of the incomplete combustion of material containing carbon.
SOIL - All unconsolidated mineral and organic material of whatever origin that overlies bedrock and can be readily excavated.
SOLAR ACCESS - A property owner's right to have the sunlight shine on the owner's land.
STEEP SLOPE - Land areas where the slope is greater than 14.99 percent.
STORMWATER DETENTION - Any storm drainage technique that retards or detains runoff, such as a detention or retention basin, porous pavement, or any combination thereof.
STORY - That portion of a building included between the upper surface of a floor and upper surface of the floor or roof next above. A story height shall mean the vertical distance from top to top of two successive tiers of beams or finished floor surfaces; and for the topmost story, from the top of the floor finish to the top of the ceiling joists, or, when there is no ceiling, to the top of the roof rafters.
STORY, FIRST - The lowest story or the ground story of any building, the floor of which is not more than twelve (12) inches below the average contact ground level at the exterior walls of the building.
STREET - Any street, avenue, boulevard, road, parkway, viaduct, drive or other way which is an existing state, county or municipal roadway or which is shown upon a plat heretofore approved pursuant to law or which is shown on a plat duly filed and recorded in the office of the county recording officer prior to the appointment of a Planning Board and the grant of such Board of the power to review plats, and, includes the land between the street lines, whether improved or unimproved, and may comprise pavement, shoulders, gutters, curbs, sidewalks, parking areas and other areas within the street lines.
STREET LINE - The edge of the existing or future street right-of-way, whichever is wider, as shown on an adopted Master Plan or Official Map or as required by this chapter, forming the dividing line between the street and the lot.
STRUCTURE - A combination of materials to form a construction for occupancy, use or ornamentation, whether installed on, above or below the surface of a parcel of land.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATION - Any change in either the supporting members of a building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams and girders, or in the dimensions or configurations of the roof of exterior walls.
SUPERMARKET - A retail establishment primarily selling food as well as other convenience and household goods.
SWIMMING POOL - Any structure having a depth greater than two (2) feet and a water surface area in excess of one hundred (100) square feet which is used for swimming, bathing or wading purposes.
TEMPORARY USE - A use established for a fixed period of time with the intent to discontinue such use upon the expiration of the time period.
TENNIS COURT - An improved area used for playing tennis.
THEATER - A building or part of a building devoted to showing motion pictures or for dramatic, musical or live performances.
TOPOGRAPHY - The configuration of a surface area showing relative elevations.
TOWNHOUSE - A building designed for or occupied by no more than one (1) family or household and attached to other similar buildings or structures by not more than (2) party walls extending from the foundation to the roof and providing two (2) direct means of access to the outside. Furthermore, each such dwelling unit shall be provided with cooking, sleeping and sanitary facilities for the exclusive use of each family or household. For purposes of this Chapter, a townhouse may include a building or groups of buildings in fee simple, a condominium, cooperative or leasehold ownership or any combination thereof.
UNDEVELOPED OR UNIMPROVED LAND - Land in its natural state before development
UNIQUE NATURAL FEATURES - That part of the natural environment which is rare or not duplicated in the community or region.
USE - The specific purpose of which land or a building is designed, arranged or intended or for which it is or may be occupied or maintained.
UTILITY - Services including but not limited to sewage treatment, water supply, gas, electric, fiber optics, telephone, cable television and other forms of communications regulated by the public utilities commission.
VARIANCE - Permission to depart from the literal requirements of this zoning ordinance pursuant to the Municipal Land Use Law.
VEGETATIVE PROTECTION - Stabilization of erosive or sediment producing areas by covering the soil with permanent or short-term seeding, mulching, or sodding.
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL - A secondary or higher education facility primarily teaching usable skills that prepare students for jobs in a trade and meeting the state requirements as a vocational facility.
WADING POOL - An above ground or inground structure containing less than twenty-four inches of water.
WAREHOUSE - A building used primarily for the storage of goods and materials.
WAREHOUSING - Terminal facilities for handling and storing goods and materials without vehicle maintenance.
WATER TABLE - The upper surface of groundwater, or that level below which the soil is seasonally saturated with water.
YARD - An open space which lies between the principal or accessory building or building and the nearest lot line which is unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward except as herein permitted. In an apartment, townhouse, industrial or office park zone or other development where more than one (1) building may be erected on a lot, "yards" shall also be the open space extending between structures. All "yard" dimensions shall be measured horizontally and at right angles to either a straight street line lot line or building facade or perpendicular to the point of tangent of curved lot lines and facades. The minimum distance between buildings in developments where there is more than one (1) building on a lot shall be no closer to one another than the sum of both their respective side "yards."
Power boats and sail boats, motor homes and similar vehicles shall not be permitted to be parked in any yard in a residential zone unless such vehicle(s) is fully enclosed.
YARD, FRONT - An open space extending the full width of the lot between the front lot line and the principal building; unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward except as may be specified elsewhere in this chapter. The depth of the front yard shall be measured parallel to and at right angles to the front lot line.
YARD, REAR - A yard extending across the full width o the lot and lying between the rear line of the lot and the nearest line of the principal building. The depth of the rear yard shall be measured parallel to and at right angles to the rear property line.
YARD, SIDE - An open, u; occupied space between the side line of the lot and the nearest line of the principal building extending from the front to the rear yard setback. The width of the side yard shall be measured parallel to the side line and at a right angle to the lot.
ZONE - A specifically delineated area or district within Ridgefield Park in which regulations and requirements are uniformly established concerning the use, placement, spacing and size of land and buildings ( See District).
ZONING BOARD - The Board of Adjustment of the Village of Ridgefield Park as continued under this chapter.
ZONING OFFICER - As designated by the Governing Body.
ZONING MAP - The Zoning Map of the Village of Ridgefield Park, New Jersey , prepared by Kasler Associates, P.A., dated April 30, 2001 together with all amendments subsequently adopted.
ZONING PERMIT - A document signed by the Administrative Officer (1) which is required by this chapter as a condition precedent to the commencement of a use or the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, or installation of a structure or building, and (2) which acknowledges that such use or structure, or building complies with the provisions of this chapter or a variance therefrom duly, authorized by the Planning Board or the Board of Adjustment, as the case may be.
ALTERNATIVE TOWER STRUCTURE : Man-made trees, clock towers, bell steeples, flagpoles, and similar alternative-design mounting structures that camouflage or conceal the presence of antennas or towers.
ANCILLARY FACILITIES : The buildings, cabinets, vaults, closures and equipment required for operation of telecommunication systems including but not limited to repeaters, equipment, housing and ventilation and other mechanical equipment, and interconnect in the cabling runs and their support structures.
ANTENNA : Any exterior apparatus designed for telephonic, radio, or television communications through the sending and/or receiving of electromagnetic waves, digital signals, analog signals, radio frequencies (excluding radar signals), wireless telecommunications signals or other communication signals. Parabolic dish antennas used for satellite. communications shall not be included within this definition. '
BACKHAUL NETWORK : The lines that connect a provider's towers/cell sites to one or more cellular telephone switching offices, and/or long-distance providers, or the public switched telephone network.
BUFFER AREA : The area surrounding telecommunications towers and ancillary facilities which lies between the tower and adjacent lot lines and/or land uses.
CARRIER : A company that provides wireless services.
CO-LOCATION : When two or more receiving and/or transmitting facilities are placed together in the same location or on the same antenna support structure.
FAA : The Federal Aviation Administration.
FALL ZONE : The area on the ground within a prescribed radius from the base of a wireless telecommunications tower. The fall zone is the area within which there is a potential hazard from falling debris (such as ice) or collapsing material.
FCC : The Federal Communications Commission.
FUNCTIONALLY EQUIVALENT SERVICES : Cellular radio, personal communication service (PCS), enhanced specialized mobile radio, specialized mobile radio and paging, commercial land mobile radio and additional emerging technologies.
GUYED TOWER : A tower which is supported or braced through the use of cables (guy wires) which are permanently anchored.
HEIGHT : When referring to a tower, the vertical distance measured from the lowest finished grade at the base of the tower to the highest point on the tower, even if said highest point is an antenna. Lattice Tower: A type of mount that is self-supporting with multiple legs and cross bracing of structural steel.
MONOPOLE : The type of tower that is self-supporting with a single shaft of wood, steel or concrete and a platform (or racks) for panel antennas arrayed at the top.
MOUNT : The structure or surface upon which antennas are mounted, including the following three types of mounts:
BUILDING-MOUNTED . Mounted on the roof or the side of the building.
GROUND-MOUNTED . Antenna support (tower) mounted on the ground.
STRUCTURE-MOUNTED . Mounted on or in a structure other than a building.
PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICE FACILITY : A facility for the provision of personal wireless services, as defined by the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
PRE-EXISTING TOWERS AND PRE-EXISTING ANTENNAS : Any tower or antenna which has been lawfully erected prior to the effective date of this article, including permitted towers or antennas that have been approved but have not yet been constructed so long as such approval is current and not expired.
RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) ENGINEER : An engineer specializing in electrical or microwave engineering, especially the study of radio frequencies.
RADIO FREQUENCY RADITION (RFR) : For the purposes of this article shall mean the emissions from personal wireless service facilities or any electromagnetic energy within the frequency range from 0.003 MHZ to 300;000 MHZ.
STEALTH DESIGN : A telecommunication facility that is designed. or located in such a way that the facility is not readily recognizable as telecommunications equipment (See "alternative tower structure").
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY : A facility designed and used for the purpose of transmitting, receiving, and relaying voice and data signals from various wireless communication devices including transmission towers, antennas and ancillary facilities. For purposes of this article, amateur radio transmission facilities and facilities used exclusively for the transmission of television and radio broadcasts are not telecommunications facilities.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS OR TRANSMISSION TOWER : The monopole or lattice framework designed to support transmitting and receiving antennas. For purposes of this article, amateur radio transmission facilities and facilities used exclusively for the transmission of television and radio signals are not "transmission towers."
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS : Any person wireless services as defined in the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 which includes FCC-licensed commercial wireless telecommunications services including cellular, personal communication services (PCS), specialized mobile radio (ESMR), paging, and similar amateur radio facility that is owned and operated by a federally licensed amateur radio station operator or is used exclusively for receive only antennas, nor does it include non-cellular telephone service.