ACCESSORY USE, BUILDING OR STRUCTURE - A use, building or structure subordinate to the principal use of a building or structure on the same lot and serving a purpose customarily incidental to the use of the principal building or structure. Where an accessory building or structure is attached in a substantial manner by a wall or roof to a principal building or structure, it shall be considered a part of the principal building or structure.

ADDITION - The construction of a new improvement as part of an existing improvement when such new improvement changes the exterior appearance of buildings or structures.

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER - The person who has primary responsibility for coordinating and managing the administrative procedures under the MLUL and this chapter. Except as to the administration of the issuance of zoning permits, the administrative officer shall be the Township Planner. With respect to the administration of the issuance of zoning permits, the administrative officer shall be the Zoning Officer.

ADULT CABARET - A cabaret which features go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators, or similar entertainers.

ADULT COMMUNITY - A development designed to meet the needs of, and which is exclusively for, the residents of an age-restricted segment of the population above a minimum age of 45 years.

ADULT MINI-MOTION PICTURE THEATER - An enclosed building with a capacity of less than 50 persons used for presenting material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing, or relating to specified sexual activities, or specified anatomical areas, defined as set forth in the definition of "adult stores."

ADULT MOTION-PICTURE THEATER - An enclosed building with a capacity of 50 or more persons used for presenting material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing, or relating to specified sexual activities, or specified anatomical areas, defined as set forth in the definition of "adult stores."

ADULT STORES AND ADULT BOOKSTORES - An establishment having a substantial portion of its stock-in-trade in books, magazines, other periodicals, movies and videos which are distinguished or characterized by their emphasis on matter depicting, describing, or relating to "specified sexual activities," or "specified anatomical areas," defined as follows:

       A. Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation and arousal.

       B. Acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse or sodomy.

       C. Fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttock or female breast.

       D. Specified anatomical areas:

       (1) Less than completely and opaquely covered:

       (a) Human genitals or pubic region;

       (b) Buttock; and

       (c) Female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola; and

       (2) Human male genitals in a discernible turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered.

ADVERSE EFFECT - Conditions or circumstances that the approving board determines are likely to be created by a proposed development and likely to impose, aggravate or lead to impractical, unsafe or unsatisfactory conditions on adjoining properties or the surrounding community, including, but not limited to, inadequate drainage facilities, unsuitable street grades, street locations that fail to compose a safe system, excessive noise, obnoxious odor and failure to provide or make future allowances for access to the interior portion of adjoining lots or for other facilities contemplated by this chapter, the Master Plan, or the Capital Improvements Program.

AGGRESSIVE SOILS - Soils which are likely to be corrosive to cast iron and ductile iron pipe.

AISLE - The traveled way by which cars enter and depart parking spaces.

ALLEY - A public or private street primarily designed to serve as secondary access to the side or rear of those properties whose principal frontage is on some other street.

ALTERATION - A change or rearrangement in the structural parts of a building or structure.

ALTERNATIVE TOWER STRUCTURE - Mounting structures that camouflage or conceal the presence of antennas or towers. [Added 3-27-2000 by Ord. No. 06-00]

AMUSEMENT CENTER - A business establishment utilized, wholly or in part, for the accommodation of not more than two amusement devices or facilities.

ANIMAL HOSPITAL - A place where animals or pets are given medical or surgical treatment.

ANIMAL KENNEL - Any building, structure or premises in which animals are kept, boarded, bred or trained for commercial gain.

APPLICANT - A developer submitting an application for development.

APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT - The application form and all accompanying documents and fees required by this chapter for approval of a subdivision plat, site plan, planned development, conditional use, zoning variance or direction for the issuance of a permit pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-34 or N.J.S.A. 40:55D-36.

APPROVING BOARD - Either the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, whichever board has jurisdiction over the application for development.

AQUIFER - A subterranean bed or stratum of earth, gravel or porous stone that contains water and forms a natural reservoir for underground water.

AQUIFER RECHARGE AREA - An area important to the replenishment of an aquifer.

ARTERIAL ROAD OR STREET - See "street."

AUCTION - A sale of items to the highest bidder.

AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE STATION - Any establishment servicing motor vehicles, including self-service, with fuel and oil, but not including repairs, changing of tires or any other replacement of accessory parts.

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR GARAGE - Any establishment servicing motor vehicles, including, but not limited to, major repair services, vehicle parts sales, wrecker and hauling services, body work and painting and heavy repair requiring engine or drive-train dismantling. Whenever trucks or heavy equipment are repaired even for oil changes, lubrication, minor tune-ups, installation of batteries, tires, wiper blades and similar minor repairs, the establishment shall be considered to be an "automotive repair garage."

AUTOMOTIVE SALES AND SERVICES - Any establishment selling or leasing motor vehicles, new or used, supplies and accessories; provided that such use may include the functions of an automotive repair garage as an ancillary use.

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE STATION - Any establishment servicing motor vehicles with gas, oil, lubrication services, lubricants and other vehicle maintenance supplies and parts and equipment not requiring extensive or prolonged mechanical work for installation. Service work offered should be limited to towing, oil changes, lubrication, minor tune-ups, installation of batteries, tires, wiper blades and similar equipment, wheel balancing and alignment and the replacement of minor mechanical parts such as hoses, spark plugs, ignition wiring, points, alternators, water pumps and similar parts.

AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC - The mean number of cars per twenty-four-hour period that pass over a given point.

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. [Added 3-27-2000 by Ord. No. 06-00]

BANNER - Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is mounted to a pole or a building. National flags, state or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered a banner.

BARRIER CURB - A steep-faced curb intended to prevent encroachments.

BASEMENT - That portion of a building which is partly below and partly above grade, and having 1/2 or more of its height, measured from floor to ceiling, above the average finished grade.

BEDROOM - A room planned or used primarily for sleeping.

BELGIAN BLOCK CURB - A type of paving stone generally cut in a truncated, pyramidal shape, laid with the base of the pyramid down.

BERM - A mound of soil, either natural or man-made.

BICYCLE-COMPATIBLE ROADWAY - A road designed to accommodate the shared use of the roadway by bicycles and motor vehicles.

BICYCLE LANE - A lane at the edge of a roadway reserved and marked for the exclusive use of bicycles.

BICYCLE PATH - A pathway separated from the roadway, designed specifically to satisfy the physical requirements of bicycling.

BILLBOARD - Any attached or freestanding sign to which the text affixed to or made part of the sign is for the primary purpose of advertising a product, event, service, person, or other subject not located on the property upon which the sign is located.

BLOCK - The area bordered by one or more streets or a municipal boundary of sufficient size to accommodate a lot or lots of the minimum size required by this chapter.

BOARD - The Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Township of Old Bridge as the context of this chapter so requires.

BOARDINGHOUSE - A residential building offering at least three but not more than six rooms for rent with meals, and in which no transients are accommodated.

BUFFER - An area within a property or site, generally adjacent to and parallel with the property line, either consisting of natural existing vegetation or created by the use of trees, shrubs, fences, and/or berms, designed to limit a continuous view of and/or sound from the site to adjacent sites or properties. Buffers are intended to minimize the impact of new developments on existing development or to insulate new development from potentially adverse surrounding influences.

BUILDING - A combination of materials to form a construction adapted to permanent, temporary or continuous occupancy and having a roof.

BUILDING COVERAGE - The measurement of area, expressed as a percentage of the total lot area, by which all buildings occupy a lot, as measured on a horizontal plane around the periphery of the facades, including without limitation the area under the roof of any structure supported by columns, but not having walls, as measured around the outside of the outermost extremities of the roof above the columns.

BUILDING HEIGHT - The vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the proposed finished grade at the front of the building to the highest point of the roof, excluding chimneys, spires, water towers, elevator penthouses, tanks and similar projections, other than signs.

BUILDING, PRINCIPAL - A building on a lot in which the principal use of that lot is conducted.

CALIPER - The diameter of a tree trunk measured in inches, six inches above ground level for trees up to four inches in diameter and measured 12 inches above ground level for over four inches in diameter.

CAMPER -

       A. A self-propelled, vehicular structure built as one unit on a chassis and designed for temporary living for travel, recreation, vacation or other short-term uses which may contain cooking, sleeping, and sanitary facilities.

       B. An immobile structure containing cooking and sleeping facilities for travel, recreation, vacation, or other short-term use and designed to be attached to the body of another vehicle for transporting from one location to another.

       C. A portable, vehicular structure built on a chassis, designed for camping, the body of which is basically rectangular with a flat top not more than four feet above the surface of the ground. The camper is designed to have a temporary tent erected above the four-foot level for camping activities.

       D. A portable structure built on a chassis, designed for towing and as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreation, vacation and other short-term uses and having an outside body width not exceeding eight feet and a length not exceeding 30 feet, and which may contain cooking, sleeping and sanitary facilities.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM - A proposed schedule of all future projects listed in order of construction priority together with cost estimates and the anticipated means of financing each project.

CARPORT - A structure with a roof for storing automobiles, enclosed by not more than three sides.

CARTWAY - The actual road surface area from curbline to curbline which may include travel lanes, parking lanes, and deceleration and acceleration lanes. Where there are no curbs, the "cartway" is that portion between the edges of the paved, or hard surface, width.

CAR WASH - A building or structure, or portion thereof, used in a commercial enterprise where vehicles are washed or cleaned with the use of mechanical devices.

CELLAR - See "basement."

CEMETERY - A use of land for the burial of the dead.

CENTER LINE OF STREET - The midpoint of width of any right-of-way.

CENTER LINE OFFSET OF ADJACENT INTERSECTIONS - The gap between the center line of roads adjoining a common road from opposite or same sides.

CHANNEL - The bed and banks of a watercourse which convey the constant or intermittent flow of the watercourse.

CHANNELIZATION - The straightening and deepening of channels and/or the surfacing thereof to permit water to move rapidly and/or directly.

CIRCULATION - Systems, structures and physical improvements for the movement of people, goods, water, air, sewage or power by such means as streets, highways, railways, waterways, towers, transmission lines, airways, pipes and conduits, and the handling of people and goods by such means as terminals, stations, warehouses and other storage buildings or transhipment points.

CLINIC - Any place used for the administering of medical or dental treatment free or at a low cost, or any place used as an inpatient or outpatient medical or dental treatment center wherein certain medical and dental conditions and disorders are treated primarily through surgical intervention that is not commonly performed in traditional, private medical or dental practice offices.

CLUB - A nonprofit corporation, organization or association of persons who are members thereof which owns or leases a building, or part thereof, for the use of members or guests. Said "clubs" or lodges shall have been principally established for the promotion of a common objective and shall be distinctly not considered as a semipublic use under the provisions of this chapter. Food, meals and alcoholic beverages may be served as an incidental function.

CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT - A development meeting the criteria of the cluster option set forth in § 250-62.

COLLECTOR ROAD OR STREET - See "street."

COLLOCATION - The attachment of commercial wireless telecommunication antenna to an existing tower. [Added 3-27-2000 by Ord. No. 06-00]

COLUMBARIUM - A structure, located in a cemetery, which has vaults lined with recesses for cinerary urns.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES - Vehicles used for business, retail, service or industrial purposes which are required to be registered as such under the laws governing the registration of such vehicles.

COMMERCIAL WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES - Licensed commercial wireless telecommunication services including cellular, personal communication services, specialized mobilized radio, enhanced specialized mobilized radio, paging and similar services that are marketed to the general public. [Added 3-27-2000 by Ord. No. 06-00]

COMMON LATERAL - A lateral serving more than one unit.

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/or owners of the development. As defined herein, "common open space" may contain such complementary structures and improvements as are necessary and appropriate for the use or enjoyment of residents and owners of the development.

COMMON PROPERTY - A parcel or parcels of land or an area of water, or a combination of land and water, together with the improvements thereon and designed and intended for the ownership, use and enjoyment shared by the residents and owners of the development. Common property may contain such complementary structures and improvements as are necessary and appropriate for the benefit of the residents and owners of the development.

COMMUNITY IMPACT STATEMENT - A written and, if appropriate, graphic analysis, containing, as a minimum, the information required by § 250-13F, and projecting the impact of the proposed development on existing municipal facilities and services, and projecting future requirements for such facilities and services, together with their estimated cost.

COMMUNITY RESIDENCE FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED - A community residential facility licensed pursuant to P.L. 1977, c. 448 (N.J.S.A. 30:11B-1 et seq.), providing food, shelter and personal guidance under such supervision as required to not more than 15 developmentally disabled or mentally ill persons who require assistance, temporarily or permanently, in order to live in the community, and shall include, but not be limited to, group homes, halfway houses, intermediate care facilities, supervised apartment living arrangements and hostels.

COMMUNITY SHELTER FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - Any shelter approved for a purchase of service contract and certified pursuant to standards and procedures established by regulation of the New Jersey Department of Human Services, providing food, shelter, medical care, legal assistance, personal guidance, and other services to not more than 15 persons who have been victims of domestic violence, including any children of such victims, who temporarily require shelter and assistance in order to protect their physical or psychological welfare.

COMPLETE APPLICATION - An application certified as complete by the administrative officer when it meets all of the submission requirements as specified in § 250-13G.

CONCEPT PLAN - A preliminary presentation and attendant documentation of a proposed subdivision or site plan of sufficient accuracy to be used for the purpose of discussion and classification.

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 this chapter.

CONDOMINIUM - Ownership of real property combining ownership in fee simple of a portion of dwelling unit extending inward from the center of the exterior walls, upward from the center of the floor partition and downward from the center of the ceiling partition, and undivided ownership in common with other dwelling unit owners of the common elements in the remainder of the structure and the land and its appurtenances.

CONSTRUCTION OFFICIAL - The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code within the Township.

CONVENIENCE STORE - A retail store which sells dry goods and food, with hours of operation generally from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and usually not larger than 5,000 square feet.

CONVENTIONAL DEVELOPMENT - Development other than a planned or cluster option development.

COUNTY PLANNING BOARD - The Middlesex County Planning Board.

COURTYARD - An open, unoccupied space bounded on at least two opposing sides by a building wall, but not a front, side or rear yard.

CRITICAL AREA - Land which lies within freshwater wetlands (and the statutorily required transition area related thereto), tidal and coastal wetlands, floodways, lakes and ponds, and areas with slopes in excess of 30%.

CUL-DE-SAC - A local street with only one outlet and having the other end designed for the reversal of traffic movement.

CULVERT - A structure designed to convey a watercourse not incorporated in a closed drainage system under a road or pedestrian walk.

CURB - A vertical or sloping edge of a roadway. See also "Belgian block curb," "barrier curb," "mountable curb."

CUT (WITH RESPECT TO LAND) - Any act by which soil or rock is cut into, dug, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced or relocated.

DANCE HALL, DANCE CLUB OR DISCO - An establishment wherein the primary attraction is dancing to either live or recorded music. [Added 8-1-2005 by Ord. No. 21-2005]

DAY-CARE CENTER - A facility duly licensed by the New Jersey State Department of Human Services for the care and accommodation of six or more children.

DAYS - Calendar days.

DEDICATION - The act of transferring legal fee simple title in real property, or an interest therein, to a governmental or quasi-governmental entity for public or quasi-public purposes.

DEMOLITION - The partial or total razing or destruction of any building, structure or other improvement.

DESIGN FLOOD - The relative size or magnitude of a major flood of reasonable expectancy, which reflects both flood experience and flood potential and is the basis of the delineation of the floodway, the flood hazard area, and the water surface elevations.

DESIGN FLOOD PROFILE - The elevations of the water surface of the floodway design flood and flood hazard area design flood.

DETENTION BASIN - A man-made or natural water collection facility designed to collect surface and subsurface water in order to impede its flow and to release the same gradually into natural or man-made outlets at a controlled rate consistent with sound downstream stormwater management practices.

DEVELOPER - The legal or beneficial owner or owners of a lot or of any land proposed to be included in a proposed development, including the holder of an option or contract to purchase, or any other person having an enforceable proprietary interest in such land.

DEVELOPMENT - The division of a parcel of land into two or more parcels, the construction, reconstruction, conversion, alteration, relocation or enlargement of any building or other structure or of any mining, excavation or landfill facility, and any change in use of any building or other structure or land or extension of use of land, including alteration to a site. The alteration of the facade of an existing building, other than a one- or two-dwelling-unit building, shall be considered a development for purposes of this chapter.

DISTRICT - The zone districts established under this chapter.

DIVIDED STREET - A street having an island or other barrier separating moving lanes.

DOG KENNEL - See "animal kennel."

DRAINAGE - The removal of surface water or groundwater from land by drains, grading, or other man-made or material means, including control of runoff during and after construction or development to minimize erosion and sedimentation to assure the adequacy of 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 for drainage, and the means necessary for water supply preservation or alleviation of flooding.

DRAINAGE FACILITY - Any component of the drainage system.

DRAINAGE SYSTEM - The system through which drainage water flows from the land, including all watercourses, waterbodies and wetlands.

DRIVE-IN ESTABLISHMENT - An establishment, other than a drive-in restaurant, in which the primary use is designed to provide, either wholly or in part, service to customers while in their automobiles parked or standing upon the premises.

DRIVEWAY - A paved or unpaved area used for ingress and egress of vehicles to or from a street, and allowing access from a street to a building or other structure or facility.

DWELLING, MULTIFAMILY - A building not more than 21/2 stories and not more than 30 feet in height, on one lot, used and designed primarily as horizontal construction units and as a residence for three or more families living independently of each other.

DWELLING, PATIO HOME - A single-family detached housing type on a separate lot, characterized by a zero lot line configuration with little or no side yard setback on one boundary, and outdoor living space (e.g., patio or courts) integrated into the building design.

DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED - A detached building, located on a separate lot and other than a patio home dwelling, designed for, or occupied exclusively by, one family.

DWELLING, TOWNHOUSE - A dwelling consisting of more than two attached single-family residences, constructed in a continuous row, in a development within which each residential unit is primarily a vertical construction unit served by its own utilities and other services.

DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY (DUPLEX) - A building designed for, or occupied exclusively by, two families living independently of each other.

DWELLING UNIT (D/U) - A house, trailer or other structure or a portion of any building or structure designed, arranged or used for living quarters for one or more persons living as a single housekeeping unit with cooking and bathroom facilities, but not including units in hotels or other structures designed for transient residence.

EASEMENT - A right granted, but not dedicated, to a governmental or quasi-governmental entity for limited use of private land for a public or quasi-public purpose.

EAVES - The lowest horizontal line of a sloping roof.

ELEVATION - A vertical distance above or below a fixed reference level.

ELEVATION DRAWING - A flat scale drawing of the front, rear or side of a building.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION - The Old Bridge Township Environmental Commission.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS - Features, natural resources, or land characteristics that are sensitive to improvements and may require conservation measures or the application of creative development techniques to prevent degradation of the environment, or may require limited development, or in certain instances may preclude development.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT - A written and graphic statement describing, analyzing and assessing the anticipated effects of a proposed development on environmental constraints and critical lands.

ERECT - To build, construct, attach, place, suspend, or affix, and shall also include the painting of wall signs and the painting of signs or displays on the exterior surface of the building, structure or material surface.

EROSION - The detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments by water, wind, ice, and gravity.

EXTERIOR WALL - Any wall which defines the exterior boundaries of a building or structure.

EXTERNAL ILLUMINATION - A sign illuminated by floor lights or spotlights affixed to the exterior of a sign, its supporting structure or the ground.

FACADE - The total wall surface, including door and window areas of a building's face. Each wall surface shall be considered a separate facade.

FACADE SIGN - See "attached sign."

FAMILY - One or more persons occupying a premises and living as a single nonprofit housekeeping unit.

FAMILY DAY-CARE HOME - Any private dwelling approved by the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services or an organization with which said division contracts for daily day care in which child care services are regularly provided to no less than three and no more than five children for no less than 15 hours per week.

FARM - An area of land which is actively devoted to agricultural, silvicultural or horticultural use and which occupies no less than three acres, exclusive of the land upon which the farmhouse is located and such additional land as may be provided in accordance with N.J.S.A. 54:4-23.4, 4-23.5 and 4-23.11

FARM BUILDING - Any building used for the housing of agricultural equipment, produce, livestock, or poultry or for the incidental or customary processing of farm produce, provided that such building is located on, operated in conjunction with, and necessary to the operation of the farm.

FEE SIMPLE - Ownership of real property combining ownership of a building or structure and the lands upon which it is situated.

FENCE - An artificially constructed barrier of wood, masonry, stone, wire, metal or any other manufactured material or combination of materials.

FENCE, OPEN - A fence which is greater than 50% open to the direct line of vision; provided that a fence used in connection with a nonresidential use shall be an open fence only if it is greater than 75% open to the direct line of vision.

FENCE, SOLID - A fence which is less than 50% open to the direct line of vision.

FINAL PLAT - The final map of all or a portion of the subdivision which is presented to the municipal agency as provided for in this chapter.

FLEA MARKET - An indoor or outdoor market at which new or secondhand merchandise is sold by individual vendors from booths, stalls or parked vehicles.

FLOOD ELEVATION DETERMINATION - A determination of the water surface elevations of the design flood.

FLOOD OR FLOODING - A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry areas from:

       A. Inland or tidal waters; and

       B. The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface water from any source.

FLOOD FRINGE AREA - The portion of the flood hazard area outside the floodway.

FLOOD HAZARD AREA - Land in the floodplain subject to a 1% or greater chance of flood in any given year.

FLOOD HAZARD BOUNDARY MAP - The current Federal Emergency Management Agency Map of the Township on which the boundaries of the flood area having special hazards have been designated.

FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP - The current Federal Emergency Management Agency Map of the Township on which has been delineated the special flood hazard areas in the Township for flood insurance purposes.

FLOODPLAIN - The relatively flat area adjoining a water channel which has been or may be covered by floodwater of the channel, including the floodway, flood fringe area, and the flood hazard area.

FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS - State or local regulations, or any combination thereof, which provide standards for the purpose of flood damage prevention or reduction.

FLOODWAY - The river or other watercourse and the adjacent land area that must be reserved in order to discharge the design flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than 0.2 foot.

FLOOR AREA, GROSS - See "gross floor area."

FLOOR AREA, NET HABITABLE - See "net habitable floor area."

FLOOR AREA RATIO (FAR) - The sum of the gross floor areas of all buildings or structures compared to the total area of the site proposed for development; provided, however, that the amount of gross floor occupied or proposed to be occupied by a day-care center shall not be included in calculating the FAR.

FORESTRY - See "silviculture."

FRESHWATER WETLANDS - Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances does support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, commonly known as "hydrophytic vegetation"; provided, however, that the three-parameter approach (i.e., hydrology, soils and vegetation) enumerated in the April 1, 1987 extension - final draft "Wetlands Identification and Delineation Manual" adopted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and any subsequent amendments thereto, shall be utilized in designating a wetland.

FRONTAGE - See "lot frontage."

GARAGE, PARKING - A building, or part thereof, which is used for commercial purposes and is used only for the storage of motor vehicles.

GARAGE, PRIVATE - An accessory building or part of a principal building used only for the storage of motor vehicles as an accessory use. In a residential zone, a "garage" is intended for and used for storing privately owned motor vehicles, boats and trailers and personal belongings of the family or families resident in the principal residential use on the lot.

GARDEN APARTMENT - See "dwelling, multifamily."

GARDEN CENTER - A retail or wholesale operation which sells nursery plants, seasonal plants, gardening supplies and equipment. Outside storage of live plants is normally associated with the operation; however, all other storage need not be located outside a building or structure.

GAS STATION - See "automotive gasoline station."

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN - A plan outlining general, rather than detailed, development intentions. It describes the basic parameters of a major development proposal, rather than giving full engineering details. As such, it allows general intentions to be proposed and discussed without the extensive costs involved in submitting a detailed proposal.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS - The conditions under which preliminary approval is granted, including zoning standards, subdivision plat and site plan details, to the extent reviewed by the approving board, off-site improvements and design standards.

GOLF COURSE - Any tract having an area of 50 or more acres set aside for playing the game of golf and containing at least nine holes in length, together with the necessary and usual accessory uses and structures, including, but not limited to, clubhouse facilities; dining and refreshment facilities; swimming pools; and tennis courts; provided, however, that the operation of such facilities is incidental and subordinated to the operation of the golf course.

GOVERNING BODY - The Township Council of the Township of Old Bridge.

GRADE - The slope of land specified in percentage (%) terms.

GRADE, FINISHED - The design or as-built elevation and slope of lawns, walks, pavements, roads and other surfaces brought to grade as shown on official plans or designs relating thereto.

GRADE LEVEL OF SIGNS - The lowest point of the elevation of the finished surface of the ground where the sign support meets the ground.

GRADIENT - The degree of rise or descent of a sloping surface above or below a horizontal plane.

GREENHOUSE - An enclosed structure of glass or clear plastic.

GROSS DENSITY - The number of dwelling units per gross acre of land to be developed.

GROSS FLOOR AREA - The sum of the areas of all floors of a building, including without limitation interior halls, basements and mezzanines, but excluding exterior balconies, decks, porches and garages. In determining gross floor area, all horizontal dimensions of each floor are to be measured by the exterior faces of walls of each such floor. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, basements shall be excluded from the calculation of gross floor area of dwelling units.

GROSS LEASABLE AREA - The total floor area for which a tenant pays rent and which is designed for the tenant's occupancy and exclusive use.

GROSS PARKING AREA - The number of off-street parking spaces required by this chapter multiplied by 320 square feet.

GROUND COVER - Low-growing plants or sod that, in time, form a dense mat covering the area in which they are planted preventing soil from being blown or washed away and preventing the growth of undesirable plants.

GUTTER - A shallow channel usually set along a curb or the pavement edge of a road for purposes of catching and carrying runoff water.

HEIGHT - When referring to a tower, the "height" shall mean the distance measured from the finished grade of the parcel to the highest point on the tower or other structure, including the base pad and any antenna. [Added 3-27-2000 by Ord. No. 06-00]

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION - The Old Bridge Township Historic Preservation Commission established pursuant to Chapter 5, Article XXI, Historic Preservation Commission, of the Code of the Township of Old Bridge.

HISTORIC SITE OR STRUCTURE - Any building, structure, site, or object which is designated as being of historical, archaeological, cultural, scenic or architectural significance in a document entitled "The Historic, Cultural and Architectural Resources of the Township of Old Bridge," dated December 1981 (revised through August 1982) which document is incorporated into and constitutes the historic preservation plan element of the Master Plan.

HOME BUSINESS - An occupation, other than a home occupation or home professional office, conducted entirely within a detached dwelling unit, which occupation is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the lot for residential purposes.

HOME OCCUPATION - An occupation conducted entirely within a dwelling unit by residents of the dwelling unit, which occupation is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling unit for residential purposes and with respect to which occupation:

       A. There is no exterior evidence of the occupation;

       B. There are no employees other than the residents;

       C. No deliveries of stock or inventory are made to the premises;

       D. No sounds related to the occupation are audible outside the dwelling unit;

       E. No equipment used in the occupation causes interference with radio and television reception in neighboring residences;

       F. The occupation does not utilize, handle or store hazardous wastes or substances; and

       G. Except with respect to the provision of day-care services by a family day-care home, the residents do not meet at the premises with patrons or clients of the occupation. A family day-care home constitutes a home occupation.

HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION - A community association which is organized in a development in which individual unit owners share common interests in open space or facilities, and/or common ownership and maintenance responsibilities for such open space or facilities.

HOME PROFESSIONAL OFFICE - An office maintained in a residence incidental to and part of a residential detached dwelling unit on the lot and used as the office of a dentist, architect, engineer, physician, surgeon, accountant, lawyer, teacher or similar recognized professional occupation.

HOSPITAL - An institution which maintains and operates organized facilities and services for the diagnosis, treatment or care of persons suffering from illness, injury or deformity and/or for obstetrics and in which all diagnosis, treatment and care are administered by, or performed under the direction of, persons licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy in the State of New Jersey and which is required to conform to the revised standards for hospital facilities as adopted by the State Board of Control of the Department of Health.

HOTEL/MOTEL - A series of attached, semiattached, or detached dwelling units operated as a single business, containing individual sleeping or living units with bathrooms and closet space, with or without kitchens, and designed for or used to provide housing accommodations, for a consideration, to tourists, transients and travelers, and held out to the public as accommodations by the day, week or month.

HOUSE OF WORSHIP - A building used for religious purposes.

IMPERVIOUS SURFACE - A surface that has been compacted or covered with a layer of material so that it is resistant to infiltration by water.

IMPOUNDMENT - A body of water, such as a pond, confined by a dam, dike, floodgate or other barrier.

IMPROVED STREET - Any street which is described in N.J.S.A. 40:55D-35 and which conforms to the construction standards.

IMPROVEMENT - Any man-made, immovable item which becomes part of, placed upon, or is affixed to, real estate.

INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM - A septic tank, seepage pit sewage disposal system, or any other approved sewage treatment device serving a single unit.

INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION - An educational institution of higher learning chartered by the state, or a private educational institution approved by, and subject to regulations prescribed by, the state and giving instructions or affording facilities for study and research in academic or technical subjects, primarily at or above the college level.

INTERESTED PARTY - Any person, whether residing within or without the Township of Old Bridge, whose right to use, acquire, or enjoy property is, or may be, affected by any action taken pursuant to this chapter, or whose right to use, acquire, or enjoy property has been denied, violated or infringed by an action or a failure to act pursuant to this chapter.

INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED - Any sign whose sole source of artificial illumination is contained within the display portion of the sign.

ISLAND (IN STREET DESIGN) - A raised area usually curbed, placed to guide traffic, separate lanes, or used for landscaping, signage or lighting.

JUNKYARD OR SALVAGE YARD - A lot or structure, or part thereof, used primarily for the collection, storage and sale of wastepaper, rags, scrap metal or discarded material, or for the collection, dismantling, storage and salvaging of machinery and/or motor vehicles.

KENNEL - See "animal kennel."

LAKE - A natural or artificial body of water which retains water year-round.

LAND - Real property, including improvements and fixtures on, above, or below the surface.

LAND DISTURBANCE - Any activity involving the clearing, excavating, storing, grading, filling of land or transporting of soil, surface water channel alteration or any other activity which cause soil to be exposed to the danger of erosion.

LANDLOCKED - Property which has no lot line, or portion thereof, adjacent to a public street.

LANDSCAPE AREA RATIO - The amount of landscaped area after development compared to the total lot area.

LANDSCAPED AREA - Areas containing trees, shrubs and ground covers, pedestrian and recreation areas, ponds, streams or any other similar areas but not including areas occupied by buildings or structures, paving for parking, loading or access thereto, required buffers or areas utilized for outside storage.

LIVESTOCK - Animals grown, raised or bred for sale for human consumption or pleasure.

LOADING SPACE - An off-street space or berth, other than a required off-street parking space, on the same lot with a building or group of buildings, having direct access to an access aisle, and used for the temporary parking of a commercial vehicle while loading or unloading.

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 - An area of land which is determined by the limits of the lot lines bounding the area and expressed in terms of square feet or acres, not including any portion of a lot included in a street right-of-way.

LOT, CORNER - A lot or parcel of land abutting two or more intersecting streets when the interior angle of the intersection does not exceed 120

LOT DEPTH - The shortest horizontal distance between the front lot line and a line drawn parallel to the front lot line through the midpoint of the rear lot line.

LOT FRONTAGE - The horizontal distance between side lot lines measured along the street line.

LOT, INTERIOR - A lot other than a corner lot.

LOT LINE - The legal boundary line of a parcel of land.

LOT LINE, FRONT - The lot line separating the lot from the road right-of-way. With respect to a corner lot, the narrower of the lot lines separating the lot from the road rights-of-way shall be the front lot 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, THROUGH - A lot running through from one street to another.

LOT WIDTH - The straight and horizontal distance between side lot lines at setback points on each side lot line measured an equal distance back horizontally from the street line.

MAINTENANCE GUARANTEE - Cash or a maintenance bond insured by a surety company, or an irrevocable bank letter of credit required to secure the costs of maintaining any improvements required by this chapter.

MAJOR SUBDIVISION - Any subdivision other than a minor subdivision.

MANHOLE - An inspection chamber whose dimensions allow ease of entry and exit and working room for a person inside.

MANUFACTURED HOME - A unit of housing which:

       A. Consists of one or more transportable sections which are substantially constructed off site and, if more than one section, are joined together on site;

       B. Is built on a permanent chassis;

       C. Is designed to be used, when connected to utilities, as a dwelling unit with a permanent foundation; and

       D. Is manufactured in accordance with the standards promulgated for a manufactured home pursuant to the "National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974," Pub. L. 93-383 (42 U.S.C. 5401 et seq.) and the standards promulgated for a manufactured mobile home by the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs pursuant the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L. 1975, c. 217 (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq.).

MARGINAL ACCESS STREET - A service street that runs parallel to a higher-order street which, for purposes of safety, provides access to abutting properties and separation from through traffic.

MASTER PLAN - The document entitled "Old Bridge Township Master Plan," dated December 1987, as amended from time to time by the Planning Board, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-28.

MAUSOLEUM - A structure, located in a cemetery, which has vaults for the storage of caskets.

MEDIAN - That portion of a divided highway separating the traveled ways of traffic proceeding in opposite directions.

MEMBER OF THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY - A parent, grandparent, guardian, child, sibling, ward, or the spouse, or sibling of a parent, grandparent, guardian, child, sibling or ward.

MINOR SITE PLAN - See "site plan, minor."

MINOR SUBDIVISION - See "subdivision, minor."

MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT - A development which includes residential, public, quasi-public, commercial, office, and open space uses, and which has significant functional and physical integration of project components, including without limitation uninterrupted pedestrian connections, and which is in conformance with a comprehensive design plan.

MOTEL - See "hotel/motel."

MOUNTABLE CURB - A low curb with a flat slope designed to be crossed easily without discomfort.

MOVING LANE - Any traffic lane where traffic movement is the primary if not sole function.

MULCH - A layer of wood chips, dry leaves, straw, hay, plastic, or other materials placed on the surface of the soil around plants to retain moisture, prevent weeds from growing, hold the soil in place, and aid plant growth.

MULTIPLE OCCUPANCY AND TENANCY SIGN - A single sign relating to a use or facility, such as a shopping center, industrial park or office complex, where there is more than one occupancy and/or tenancy of uses, where said multiple occupancy and tenancy use a common parking facility and/or a common private drive or roadway and where the names and professions or business names of the various tenants and/or occupants are displayed.

MUNICIPAL AGENCY - Either the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment or the governing body, when acting pursuant to the MLUL, depending on which Board has reviewing authority. The word "agency" shall mean "municipal agency."

MUNICIPAL BUILDING - A building owned, operated and utilized for municipal purposes.

MUNICIPAL BUILDING FACILITY AND USE - Any building used, or facility owned, operated, subsidized or otherwise assisted by act of the Township of Old Bridge.

NET HABITABLE FLOOR AREA - The area of the finished and heated portions of all buildings or structures fully enclosed by the inside surfaces of walls, windows, doors and partitions and having a headroom of at least 71/2 feet, including without limitation working, living, eating, cooking, sleeping, stair, hall, service and storage areas, but excluding garages, carports, parking spaces, cellars, half-stories and unfinished attics and basements.

NEW CONSTRUCTION - Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of this chapter.

NEW JERSEY FLOOD HAZARD AREA DESIGN FLOOD - The discharge resulting from a flood having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year plus 25%.

NEW JERSEY FLOODWAY DESIGN FLOOD - The discharge from a flood having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.

NIGHTCLUB - An establishment wherein live entertainment is the primary attraction and which operates primarily at night, caters to adult patrons, offers food and/or drink, and wherein an area for dancing may also be provided. For purposes of this chapter, comedy clubs shall be considered nightclubs. [Added 8-1-2005 by Ord. No. 21-2005]

NURSERY SCHOOL - A school licensed by the State of New Jersey to provide daytime care or instruction for two or more children from two to five years of age, inclusive, and operated on a regular basis.

NURSING HOME - A home for the aged, chronically ill or incurable who are housed or lodged and furnished with food and nursing care for compensation.

OCCUPANCY - The specific purpose for which land or a building is used, designed or maintained.

OFF-SITE - Located outside the lot lines of the lot in question but within the property which is the subject of a development application, or a 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 that is not located on a dedicated street right-of-way.

OFF-TRACT - Not located on the property which is the subject of a development application, or on a contiguous portion of a street or right-of-way.

ON-SITE - Located on the zone lot which is the subject of a development application.

ON-STREET PARKING SPACE - A temporary storage area for a motor vehicle which is located on a dedicated street right-of-way.

ON-TRACT - Located on the property which is the subject of a development application, or on a contiguous portion of a street or right-of-way.

OPEN SPACE - Any parcel or area of land or water essentially unimproved and set aside, dedicated, designated 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, streets and off-street parking and other improvements that are designed to be incidental to the natural openness of the land.

OPEN SPACE RATIO - The amount of land that is landscaped or left in a natural state after development compared to the total site area.

ORGANIZATIONAL FACILITY - Facility operated by a club.

OWNER - Any individual, firm, association, syndicate, copartnership or corporation having a proprietary interest in the land which is the subject of a development application.

PARK AND RIDE FACILITY - A parking area designated as a transportation internodal transfer point terminal, most frequently used for transfer from private automobile to bus or other common carrier or public transportation.

PARKING LANE - A lane, set on the sides of streets, designed to provide on-street parking for vehicular traffic.

PARKING LOOP - A private street with perpendicular parking.

PARKING SPACE - An off-street space available for the parking of a motor vehicle.

PARTY IMMEDIATELY CONCERNED - Any applicant, the owners of the subject property and all owners of property and governmental agencies entitled to notice under § 250-13H.

PARTY WALL - A common wall shared between two separate structures, buildings, or dwelling units.

PATIO HOME - See "dwelling, patio home."

PAVEMENT - The artificial surface used in covering streets, sidewalks, parking areas and similar areas.

PENNANT - Any lightweight plastic, fabric or other material, suspended from a rope, wire or string, usually in series, and designed to move with the wind.

PENNY ARCADE - An establishment with more than two coin-operated amusement games, such as pinball machines, electronic games, coin-operated bowling games and the like, or more than one jukebox.

PERC TEST (PERCOLATION TEST) - A test designed to determine the ability of ground to absorb water, and used in determining the suitability of a soil for drainage or for the use of a septic system.

PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE - Cash, a performance bond insured by a surety company, or an irrevocable bank letter of credit required to secure the proper construction of any improvements required by this chapter; provided, however, that no more than 10% of the total performance guaranty shall be required in the form of cash.

PERMITTED USE - Any use of land or buildings as permitted by this chapter.

PERSON - Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.

PERVIOUS SURFACE - Any material that permits full or partial absorption of stormwater into previously unimproved land.

PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED - A person who suffers from a physical impairment which confines the person to a wheelchair, causes the person to walk with difficulty or insecurity, affects the sight or hearing to the extent that the person functioning in public areas is insecure or exposed to danger, causes faulty coordination or reduces mobility, flexibility, coordination and perceptiveness to the extent that facilities are needed to provide for the safety of the person.

PLANNING BOARD - The Planning Board of the Township of Old Bridge established pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-23 and § 250-8 of this chapter.

PLAT - A map or maps of a subdivision.

POND - See "lake."

POTABLE WATER SUPPLY - Water suitable for drinking or cooking purposes.

PREEXISTING TOWER AND ANTENNA - Any tower or antenna for which a building permit has been properly issued prior to the effective date of this chapter including permitted towers or antennas that have not yet been constructed so long as such approval is current and not expired. [Added 3-27-2000 by Ord. No. 06-00]

PRINCIPAL BUILDING - A building in which is conducted the main or principal use of the lot on which said building is situated.

PRINCIPAL USE - A use which is the primary use of the lot. In any residential zone, a dwelling on a lot shall be deemed the principal use of that lot.

PRIOR NONCONFORMING LOT - A lot, the area, dimension, or location of which was lawful prior to the adoption, revision or amendment of this chapter, but fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located by reason of such adoption, revision or amendment.

PRIOR 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.

PRIOR 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.

PROFESSIONAL OFFICE - The office of a member of a recognized profession, including without limitation doctors, ministers, dentists, architects, professional engineers, lawyers, accountants and other similar professional occupations.

PROJECTION - An extension of a building which protrudes or juts out from the vertical plane of the building.

PROPORTIONATE SHARE - The portion of the total capital improvement costs for off-tract water, sewer, drainage and street improvements that are reasonably attributable to new development pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-43 (also entitled "pro rata share").

PROVISIONAL USE - A permitted primary use solely in conjunction with a residential cluster or planned development pursuant to § 250-62 or 250-63.

PUBLIC DRAINAGEWAY - The land reserved or dedicated for the installation of stormwater sewers or drainage ditches or required along a natural stream or watercourse for preserving the channel and providing for the flow of water to safeguard the public against flood damage, sedimentation and erosion.

PUBLIC OPEN SPACE - An open space area conveyed or otherwise dedicated to the municipality, board of education, state or county agency or other public body for recreational or conservational uses and which may include buffers required by other sections of this chapter, or by state regulations.

PUBLIC SEWER AND/OR WATER SYSTEM - Any system, other than an individual sewage disposal system or individual well, that is operated by the municipality, a government agency, homeowners' association or a public utility for the collection, treatment and disposal of wastes and/or the furnishing of potable water.

PUBLIC USE - Any use of the land or structures thereon which is owned and used by the federal, state, county or municipal governments, or agencies thereof. "Public use" shall also include property not owned by a governmental entity, but which is leased or used by that entity.

QUASI-PUBLIC USE - Any use which is public in nature but which is owned and used by a private interest group.

QUORUM - The majority of the full authorized membership of a municipal agency.

REPAIR - The reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance.

RESERVE STRIP - A privately owned strip of land of less than the lot depth required by this chapter and bounded on one side by a proposed street and on the other by the boundary of a subdivision containing said proposed street.

RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURE - The growing and harvesting of plant life and/or the keeping of farm animals for the enjoyment of the residents on the property and not primarily for commercial purposes; provided, however, that a roadside produce stand of no more than 100 square feet may, subject to all applicable regulations set forth in this chapter, be included as a part of the residential agriculture use.

RESIDENTIAL CLUSTER - An area to be developed as a single entity according to a plan containing residential housing units, employing the reduction in lot area provided for under § 250-62 of this chapter and having a common or public open space area as an appurtenance.

RESIDENTIAL STREET - A street, or portion thereof, which primarily serves abutting residential land uses and/or a residential area.

RESIDENTIAL USE - The use of a building, or part thereof, as a dwelling unit.

RESTAURANT - Any establishment, however designated, at which food is sold primarily for consumption on the premises. However, a snack bar or refreshment stand at a public or community swimming pool, playground, golf course, play field or park, operated solely by the agency or group operating the recreational facility and for the convenience of patrons of the facility, shall not be deemed to be a restaurant. Similarly, a small eating area within or associated with a larger use such as a department store, bowling alley, commercial recreation facility, nightclub, dance hall, bus, train or other mass-transit station, shall not be deemed to be a restaurant. [Amended 8-1-2005 by Ord. No. 21-2005]

RESTAURANT, DRIVE-IN - Any restaurant, refreshment stand, snack bar, dairy bar, hamburger stand or hot dog stand where food is served primarily for consumption at counters, stools or bars outside the building or primarily in automobiles by the customer or by employees of the restaurant, regardless of whether or not additional seats or other accommodations are provided for customers inside the building.

RESTAURANT, FAST-FOOD - A public eating facility where patrons purchase food while within the physical premises of the restaurant, which is obtained by self-service or from an employee of the establishment over a counter, for consumption either within the establishment or away from the premises. Cafeterias constitute "fast-food restaurants."

RESTRICTIVE COVENANT - A restriction on the use of land usually set forth in the deed and which is binding upon subsequent property owners.

RESUBDIVISION - The further division or relocation of lot lines of any lot or lots within a subdivision previously made and approved or recorded according to law, or the alteration of any streets or the establishment of any new streets within any subdivision previously made and approved or recorded according to law, but does not include conveyances so as to combine existing lots by deed or other instrument.

RETAINING WALL - A structure erected between lands of different elevation to protect structures and/or to prevent the washing down or erosion of earth from the upper slope level.

RETENTION BASIN - A pond, pool or basin used for the permanent storage of water.

RIGHT-OF-WAY (ROW), PRIVATE - A private strip of land over which certain designated parties have the right to pass, traverse or install utilities.

RIGHT-OF-WAY (ROW), PUBLIC - A publicly owned strip of land over which the general public has the right to pass, traverse or install utilities.

ROOMING HOUSE - A dwelling unit containing rooms for rent and providing lodging only for individuals.

SATELLITE ANTENNA - An apparatus or structure which is designed for the purpose of receiving television, radio, microwave, satellite or similar signals, in connection to what is commonly referred to as a "dish-type antenna."

SCHOOL, PRIVATE - A use primarily engaged in the education and instruction of individuals in academic or religious subjects from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 and not operated under the administrative authority of a duly constituted state, county, region or municipal board of education or other governmental entity.

SCHOOL, PUBLIC - Any school operated under the administrative authority of a duly constituted state, county, regional or municipal board of education or other governmental entity.

SCREEN - A structure or planting consisting of fencing, berms, and/or evergreen trees or shrubs providing a continuous view obstruction within a site on property.

SEDIMENTATION - The deposit of soil that has been transported from its site of origin by water, ice, wind, gravity, or other natural means as a product of erosion.

SENIOR CITIZEN - A person who has attained the age of 62 years, or the surviving unmarried spouse of a deceased senior citizen.

SENSITIVE AREA - Land which lies within wetland transition areas, special flood hazard areas, stream encroachment areas of delineated and nondelineated streams, shallow water table areas, aquifer outcrop areas, and steep slopes between 15% and 30%.

SEPTIC SYSTEM - See "individual sewerage disposal system."

SEPTIC TANK - A watertight receptacle that receives the discharge of sewage in an individual sewage disposal system.

SERVICE DRIVE - A roadway which provides common access to two or more uses and which is adjacent to, but separated from, a public right-of-way.

SETBACK - The minimum horizontal distance between the street right-of-way, rear or side lot lines and the closest part of any building. The term "setback" is synonymous with "required setback" and means a line beyond which a building is not permitted to extend.

SEWER - Any pipe conduit used to collect and carry away sewage or stormwater runoff from the generating source to treatment plants or receiving bodies of water.

SHOPPING CENTER - A group of commercial establishments, in attached or separate buildings, built on one tract of land that is planned and developed as an operating unit providing on-site parking in definite relationship to the type and total size of the stores.

SHOULDER - The graded part of a private or public right-of-way that lies between the edge of the main traveled way and the curbline, or, if there is no curbline, the edge of the pavement.

SIDEWALK - A pavement provided for pedestrian use and usually located at the side of a road within the right-of-way.

SIGHT EASEMENT - An area of land, usually, but not necessarily, established at street intersections, in which nothing is permitted to be erected, placed, planted or allowed to grow in such a manner as to impair or obstruct the line of sight of motorists or pedestrians.

SIGN - Any device, fixture, placard, or structure that uses any color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol, or writing to advertise, announce the purpose of, or identify the purpose of a person or entity, or to visually communicate information of any kind to the public.

SIGN, ADD-ON - Signs, such as credit card insignias, arrows, etc., which are attached to any structure or sign.

SIGN, ANIMATED DISPLAY - A sign with actions or motion, chasing, scintillating, flashing or color changing, requiring electrical energy, electronic or manufacturer's sources or supply, but not including wind-activated elements such as flags or banners. Effects such as time and temperature, revolving, changeable copy or public information displays are not included.

SIGN AREA - The square foot area of a sign computed by multiplying its greatest width by its greatest length, exclusive of supporting structures and bracing devices, unless such supporting structures and bracing devices are illuminated or are in the form of a symbol or contain words or symbols, in which case the supporting structure shall also be computed in determining sign area. When there is a different message on each side of the sign, any side will be considered and used in computing the sign area; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the computation of sign area one side carrying the same message as any other side. In the case of lettering attached to building facades, the "sign area" shall be the product of the maximum vertical dimension multiplied by the maximum horizontal dimension of all lettering and symbols which form the sign, including the empty space between the letters and symbols.

SIGN, ATTACHED - Any sign which is in any way affixed to any exterior wall of a building and which projects not more than 12 inches from the building facade and does not extend above the parapet, eaves or building facade.

SIGN, CANOPY - Any sign or other identification that is a part of or attached to an awning, canopy, or other fabric, plastic or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window or outdoor service area. A marquee is not a canopy.

SIGN, ELECTRICAL - Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs, facts, backgrounds or outlines illuminated by incandescent or fluorescent lamps or luminous tubes as part of the sign proper and may be either internally or externally illuminated.

SIGN, FACIA - See "sign, attached."

SIGN, FREESTANDING - A sign, which is supported by one or more columns, poles, uprights, or braces in or upon the ground and which is not attached to or part of a building.

SIGN HEIGHT - The measure computed from grade level to the highest point on the sign.

SIGN, MOBILE - Any sign, other than temporary signs, not permanently attached to real estate or buildings and which is incapable of self propulsion, and shall include signs upon motorless vehicles such as wagons, trailers, flatbed trucks, and on vehicles with motors, if the motors have become inoperable and are unable to propel the vehicle.

SIGN, OFFICIAL - Any sign, symbol, or device erected and maintained by a federal, state, county or local government agency for the purpose of informing or guiding the public; or for the protection of the health, safety, convenience or general welfare of the public.

SIGN, OUTDOOR ADVERTISING - See "billboard."

SIGN, PAINTED WALL - A sign painted on the exterior of a structure.

SIGN, PROJECTING - Any sign affixed to a building or wall in such a manner that any portion of the sign extends more than 12 inches from the building or wall; or any sign which extends over or into public property or beyond the property line.

SIGN, ROOF - Any sign erected on the roof or parapet of a building, the entire face of which is situated above the eaves or highest architectural point of the building and which is wholly or partially supported by said building.

SIGN, TEMPORARY - A sign which is not permanently attached to a building or structure and which may be erected for a limited period of time in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

SIGN, WINDOW - Any sign erected, constructed or maintained in or on a window of a building and visible from the outside of the building.

SILVICULTURE - The growing, care and harvesting of forests for sale.

SITE PLAN - A development plan of one or more lots on which is shown:

       A. The existing and proposed conditions of the lot, including but not necessarily limited to topography, vegetation, drainage, floodplains, marshes, and waterways;

       B. The location of all existing and proposed buildings, drives, parking spaces, walkways, means of ingress and egress, lighting, and screening devices; and

       C. Any other information that may be required pursuant to this chapter.

SITE PLAN, MAJOR - Any site plan other than a minor site plan.

SITE PLAN, MINOR - A plan for the development (other than subdivision) of less than 1,000 square feet of floor area and/or less than 4,000 square feet of impervious surface; provided, however, that such plan:

       A. Does not involve a planned development, any new street, or extension of any off-tract improvement, the cost of which is to be prorated pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-42;

       B. Does not require the granting of any variances from the zoning requirements of Article VII this chapter or waivers from the design standards of Article X of this chapter;

       C. Does not involve any lot, tract, parcel, building or structure that was approved as a minor or major site plan within the preceding 18 months; and

       D. Contains the information reasonably required in order to make any informed determination as to whether the requirements established by this chapter for approval of a minor site plan have been met.

SOIL CEMENT - A mixture of portland cement and locally available soil, serving as a soil stabilizer.

SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN - A scheme which indicates land treatment measures to minimize soil erosion and sedimentation, including without limitation a sequence of development list with the proposed starting date of each phase in the sequence and the proposed date to complete each phase of development.

SOLAR ACCESS - A property owner's right to have the sunlight shine on his land.

STABILIZED TURF OR EARTH - Turf, or earth (soil), strengthened usually by the mixing of cement or lime with the original material to achieve increased strength, thereby reducing shrinkage and movement.

STAGGERED SETBACKS - Front setbacks of residential units that are varied in horizontal location.

STEEP SLOPES - Slopes of over 25%.

STORY - A portion of a building included between the upper surface of a floor and the upper surface of the floor or roof next above. Underground space shall be considered a "story" when the upper surface of the floor next above is more than six feet above the adjacent ground elevation at any point.

STREAM RIGHT-OF-WAY - The distance or width located on both sides of a stream or watercourse which has been dedicated, deeded or granted by easement to any government agency for stream right-of-way or which has been indicated in an officially adopted stream improvement program.

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 upon a plat duly filed and recorded in the office of the Middlesex County Clerk prior to the appointment of the Planning Board and the grant to such Board of the power to review plats; and includes the land between the street lines, whether improved or unimproved, and includes the pavement, shoulders, gutters, curbs, sidewalks, parking areas and other areas within the street lines.

STREET FURNITURE - Man-made, aboveground items that are usually found in street rights-of-way, including benches, kiosks, plants, canopies, shelters, and phone booths.

STREET HARDWARE - The mechanical and utility systems within a street right-of-way such as hydrants, manhole covers, traffic lights and signs, utility poles and lines, parking meters and the like.

STREET HIERARCHY - The conceptual arrangement of streets based upon function from high traffic arterial roads down to streets whose function is residential access in order to promote safety, efficient land use, and residential quality.

STREET LINE - The line determining the limit of the right-of-way whether existing or contemplated. Where a definite right-of-way width has not been established, the street line shall be assumed to be at the future right-of-way line as adopted in the Master Plan.

STREET LOOP - A street that has its only ingress and egress at two points on the same collector street.

STRIPPING - Any activity which significantly disturbs vegetated or otherwise stabilized soil surface, including without limitation clearing and grubbing operations.

STRUCTURE -

       A. 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, including without limitation stadiums, parking lots, platforms, radio towers, storage bins, and swimming pools.

       B. For the purposes of § 250-57, "structure" or "structures" are defined as a preexisting tower, including water towers and any other facility or building at least three stories in height that can be used for the collocation of towers and/or antenna(s) without significantly altering the visual appearance of the facility or building. [Added 3-27-2000 by Ord. No. 06-00]

STUB STREET - A portion of a street for which an extension is anticipated.

SUBDIVIDER - Any person commencing proceedings under this chapter to effect a subdivision of land hereunder for himself or for others.

SUBDIVISION - The division of a lot, tract, or parcel of land into two or more lots, tracts, parcels, or other divisions of land for sale or development. The following shall not be considered "subdivisions" within the meaning of this chapter, if no new streets are created:

       A. Divisions of land found by the approving board to be for agricultural purposes where all resulting parcels are five acres or larger in size;

       B. Divisions of property by testamentary or intestate provisions;

       C. Divisions of property upon court order, including without limitation judgments of foreclosure;

       D. Consolidation of existing lots by deed or other recorded instrument; and

       E. The conveyance of one or more adjoining lots, tracts or parcels of land, owned by the same person or persons and all of which are found and certified by the administrative officer to conform to the requirements of the municipal development regulations and are shown and designated as separate lots, tracts or parcels on the tax map or atlas of the Township.

SUBDIVISION AND SITE PLAN COMMITTEE - A committee, consisting of four members of the Planning Board appointed by the Chairman of the Planning Board, which has the purpose of reviewing, commenting on and making recommendations with respect to subdivision and site plan applications and having the power to approve minor site plans and subdivisions pursuant to § 250-15.

SUBDIVISION, MINOR -

       A. A subdivision of land that:

       (1) Involves the creation of three or fewer lots;

       (2) Does not involve a planned development, any new streets or the extension of any off-tract improvement, the cost of which is to be prorated pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-42;

       (3) Does not involve any lot, tract or parcel that was approved as a minor or major subdivision within the preceding 18 months.

       B. The number of lots created shall include the new lots and the lands remaining.

SUBGRADE - The natural ground lying beneath a finished surface.

SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT -

       A. Any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure either:

       (1) Before the improvement or repair is started; or

       (2) Before the damage occurred if the structure has been damaged and is being restored.

       B. For the purpose of this definition, "substantial improvements" are considered to occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor or other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure. The term does not, however, include either:

       (1) Any project for improvement of a structure to comply with the existing state or local health, sanitary or safety code specifications solely necessary to assure safe occupancy conditions; or

       (2) Any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a State Inventory of Historic Places.

SWIMMING POOL, COMMERCIAL - All pools installed and used in connection with other than one-family and two-family dwellings.

SWIMMING POOL, PORTABLE - A swimming pool that is not permanently installed and meets all of the following criteria: does not require water filtration, circulation and purification; does not exceed 24 inches in depth; does not exceed a water surface of 250 square feet; and does not require braces or supports.

SWIMMING POOL, PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL - A pool, other than a portable swimming pool, that is located on a lot principally used for dwelling units by one or two housekeeping units, and including all buildings, structures, and equipment appurtenant thereto.

TAVERN OR BAR - An establishment where the serving of liquor by the drink to the general public is the principal use and the serving of food or the sale of packaged liquors, if any, are accessory to the principal use. All such establishments shall conform to all Alcoholic Beverage Control regulations of the State of New Jersey and the Township of Old Bridge. [Added 8-1-2005 by Ord. No. 21-2005]

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA - Any structure or device used for the purpose of collecting or transmitting electromagnetic waves, including but not limited to directional antennas, such as panels, microwave dishes, satellite dishes and omni-directional antennas. [Added 3-27-2000 by Ord. No. 06-00]

TEMPORARY STRUCTURE - A structure without any foundation or footings and which is removed when a specifically designated time period, activity or use for which the temporary structure was erected has ceased.

TOPSOIL - The upper layer of soil material which is usually darker and richer than the subsoil and which by its humus content supports vegetation.

TOWER - Any ground or roof-mounted pole, spire, structure or combination thereof that is designed and constructed primarily for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas for telephone, radio and similar communications purposes, including supporting lines, cables, wires, braces and masts. The term includes radio and television transmission owners, common-carrier towers, cellular telephone towers, alternative tower structures, and the like. [Added 3-27-2000 by Ord. No. 06-00]

TOWER, MULTI-USER - A tower to which is attached the antennas of more than one commercial wireless telecommunication service provider or governmental entity. [Added 3-27-2000 by Ord. No. 06-00]

TOWNSHIP - The Municipality of the Township of Old Bridge.

TRACT - An area of land composed of one or more lots adjacent to each another, having sufficient dimensions and area to make one parcel of land meeting the requirements of this chapter for the use or uses intended. The original land area may be divided by one existing public street and still be considered one tract, provided that the street is not an arterial or collector road and that a linear distance equal to more than 75% of the frontage of the side of the street having the larger street frontage lies opposite an equivalent linear distance of street frontage on the other side of the street.

TRAILER - A structure standing on wheels, towed or hauled by another vehicle and used for short-term human occupancy, carrying materials, goods or objects, or as a temporary office.

TRAILER HOME - Any dwelling unit for living or sleeping purposes which is equipped with wheels or some device used for the purpose of transporting such unit from place to place, whether by motor vehicle or other means, or any factory-built unit equipped with wheels used for living or sleeping purposes, whether the same is on blocks, posts, or any other type of foundation. "Mobile home" shall be synonymous with "trailer home."

TRAILER, TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION - A trailer used for construction purposes within a section of a development having final approval for the period of construction beginning with the issuance of the initial construction permit and concluding with the issuance of the final certificate of occupancy within said section; provided said trailer(s) is on the site where construction is taking place and is set back at least 25 feet from all street and lot lines with a buffer of evergreen trees and shrubs.

TRANSCRIPT - A typed or printed verbatim record of the proceedings or reproduction thereof.

TREE - Any living tree having a trunk of a diameter greater than eight inches DBH or any living Dogwood (Cornus Florida) or American Holly (Hex Opaca) tree having a diameter of one inch or greater DBH.

TREE REMOVAL - Any act which causes a tree to die within a period of two years, including without limitation damage inflicted upon the root system by machinery, storage of materials, and soil compaction, changing the natural grade above the root system or around the trunk; damage inflicted on the tree permitting infection or pest infestation, excessive pruning, paving with concrete, asphalt or other impervious material within such proximity as to be harmful to the tree.

TRIP - A single or one-way vehicle movement to or from a property or study area. "Trips" can be added together to calculate the total number of vehicles expected to enter and leave a specific land use or site over a designated period of time.

TRIP GENERATION - The total of trips produced or expected to be produced by a specific land use or activity within a specified period of time.

USE - The specific purpose for which land or a building or structure is designed, arranged, or intended, or for which it may be occupied or maintained.

UTILITY - Any agency which, under public franchise or ownership, or under certificate of convenience and necessity, provides the public with electricity, gas, heat, steam, communication, transportation, water, sewage collection, or other similar service.

VARIANCE - Permission granted by the approving board hereunder to depart from the literal requirements of the zoning standards of this chapter.

YARD - An open space on the same lot with a principal building, unoccupied and unobstructed by buildings from the ground to the sky, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. The minimum required "yard" shall have the same meaning as the required setback.

YARD, FRONT - The yard extending across the entire width of the lot between the front lot line and the nearest part of the principal building.

YARD, REAR - The yard extending across the entire width of the lot between the nearest part of the principal building and the rear lot line, or, in cases where no rear lot line exists, the point at which the two side lot lines meet.

YARD, SIDE - A yard extending along the side lot line from the front yard to the rear yard and lying between the side lot line and the nearest part of the principal building.

ZONE LOT - A lot or combination of lots proposed to be used, developed, or built upon as an integrated unit.

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT - The Zoning Board of Adjustment established pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-69 and § 250-9 of this chapter.

ZONING OFFICER - The individual responsible for enforcement and interpretation of the zoning sections of this chapter.

ZONING PERMIT - A document signed by the Zoning Officer, in consultation with the Township Engineer, which shall be required as herein set forth and which acknowledges that:

       A. A use, structure or building complies with the provisions of this chapter, or variance(s) therefrom duly authorized by the appropriate municipal agency;

       B. The developer of such a use, structure, building or other development has obtained all final site plan or subdivision approvals otherwise required by this chapter;

       C. Such use, structure, building or other development conforms to the final approvals granted hereunder; and

       D. All conditions of such approvals required to be satisfied prior to the issuance of a construction permit or certificate of occupancy, as the case may be, have been satisfied.

ADT - Average daily traffic.

AISC - American Institute of Steel Construction.

ASCE - American Society of Civil Engineers.

ASTM - American Society for Testing Materials, Philadelphia.

AWWA - American Water Works Association.

B.AND B - Balled and burlapped.

BOCA - Building Officials Conference of America.

CAFRA - Coastal Area Facilities Review Act.

DBH - Diameter breast high.

DCA - N.J. Department of Community Affairs.

DEP - NJ Department of Environmental Protection.

DOT - NJ Department of Transportation.

DU - Dwelling unit(s).

DU/AC - Dwelling units per acre.

EPA - United States Environmental Protection Agency.

FA - Gross floor area.

FAA - Federal Aviation Administration. [Added 3-27-2000 by Ord. No. 06-00]

FCC - Federal Communications Commission. [Added 3-27-2000 by Ord. No. 06-00]

FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FIRM - Flood Insurance Rate Map.

GDP - General development plan.

IES - Illuminating Engineering Society.

ITE - Institute of Transportation Engineers.

MLUL - Municipal Land Use Law.

N.J.A.C. - New Jersey Administrative Code

N.J.S.A. - New Jersey Statutes Annotated.

OBMUA - Old Bridge Township Municipal Utilities Authority.

OC - On center.

PD - Planned development.

SCD - Freehold Soil Conservation District.

SCS - Soil Conservation Service.

SF - Square feet.

SMSA - Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area.

ULI - Urban Land Institute.

USACOE - United States Army Corps of Engineers.

USDA - United States Department of Agriculture.

USGS - United States Geologic Survey.

COLUMBARIUM - A building or structure containing niches for placement of cremated human remains.

FAMILY MAUSOLEUM - A building or structure for the interment of the dead having less than 20 interments.

MAUSOLEUM - A building or structure for the interment of the dead having a minimum of 20 interments.

PLANNED RETIREMENT COMMUNITY - A residential community provided for permanent residents aged 55 years or over in which the residential property and the residential-related open space, recreational facilities and property are all owned by a mutual nonprofit corporation, or corporations, established pursuant to the laws of the State of New Jersey and governed, as associates or other entities, all of which shall have rules and regulations controlling the development.

COAH - The New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing.

DEVELOPMENT FEES - Money paid by an individual, person, partnership, association, company or corporation for the improvement of property as permitted in COAH rules.

EQUALIZED ASSESSED VALUE - The value of a property determined by the Municipal Tax Assessor through a process designed to ensure that all property in the municipality is assessed at the same assessment ratio or ratios required by law. Estimates at the time of building permit may be obtained by the Tax Assessor utilizing estimates for construction costs. Final equalized assessed value will be determined at project completion by the Municipal Tax Assessor.

JUDGMENT OF REPOSE - A judgment issued by the Superior Court approving a municipality's plan to satisfy its fair share obligation.

SUBSTANTIVE CERTIFICATION - A determination by the Township Council approving a municipality's housing element and fair share plan in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the rules and criteria as set forth herein. A grant of substantive certification shall be valid for a period of six years in accordance with the terms and conditions contained therein.