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Property Prospects
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Bluffton City Zoning Code
Complete index of all zoning chapters, sections, and subsections
Unified Development
Ordinance
Sections
Cover
Unified Development Ordinance Amendments
Unified Development Ordinance User Guide
Article 1 Introduction
1.1 Purpose
1.1.1 Title and Citation
1.1.2 Authority and Enactment Clause
1.1.3 Comprehensive Plan
1.1.4 Purpose
1.1.5 Jurisdiction
1.1.6 Administration and Enforcement
1.1.7 Applicability to Specific Development Activities
1.1.8 Activities That Do Not Constitute Development
1.1.9 Conflicting Provisions
1.1.10 Other Town Requirements
1.1.11 Relationship to Deed Restrictions and Restrictive Covenants
1.1.12 Effective Date
1.1.13 Severability
1.1.14 Repeal of Existing Ordinances
1.1.15 Prior Development Approval
Article 2 Administration
2.1 Intent & Applicability
2.2 Establishment
2.2.1 UDO Administrator, Boards, & Commissions.
2.2.2 Boards, Commissions and Subcommittees Membership.
2.2.3 Boards and Commissions Member Terms.
2.2.4 Boards and Commissions Officers, Meetings and Quorums
2.2.5 Territorial Jurisdiction
2.2.6 Powers and Duties
Article 3 Application Process
3.1 General
3.2 General Application Approval Process
3.2.1 General Application and Permit Items
3.2.2 Common Application Review Procedures
3.2.3 Public Hearing Notice
3.2.4 Public Notice for All Applications
3.3 Comprehensive Plan Amendment
3.3.1 Intent
3.3.2 Applicability
3.3.3 Application Review Criteria.
3.3.4 Effect of Approval
3.4 Zoning Map Amendment
3.4.1 Intent
3.4.2 Applicability
3.4.3 Application Review Criteria
3.4.4 Effect of Approval or Denial
3.5 Unified Development Ordinance Text Amendment
3.5.1 Intent
3.5.2 Applicability
3.5.3 Application Review Criteria
3.5.4 Effect of Approval
3.6 Special Exception
3.6.1 Intent
3.6.2 Applicability
3.6.3 Application Review Criteria
3.6.4 Effect and Expiration of Approval
3.6.5 Amendments to Approval
3.6.6 Action by the Town
3.7 Variance
3.7.1 Intent
3.7.2 Applicability
3.7.3 Application Review Criteria
3.7.4 Effect and Expiration of Approval
3.7.5 Action by the Town
3.8 Planned Unit Development (PUD) Concept Plan
3.8.1 Intent
3.8.2 Applicability
3.8.3 Application Review Criteria
3.8.4 Effect of Approval
3.8.5 Amendments to Approvals
3.9 PUD Master Plan
3.9.1 Intent
3.9.2 Applicability
3.9.3 Application Review Criteria
3.9.4 Effect of Approval
3.9.5 Extensions of Approvals
3.9.6 Amendments to Approvals
3.10 Development Plan
3.10.1 Intent
3.10.2 Applicability
3.10.3 Application Review Criteria
3.10.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.10.5 Extensions of Approvals
3.10.6 Amendments to Approved Development Plans
3.11 Subdivision Plan
3.11.1 Intent
3.11.2 Applicability
3.11.3 Application Review Criteria
3.11.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.11.5 Extensions of Approvals
3.11.6 Amendments to Subdivision Approvals
3.12 Exempt Plat Stamp
3.12.1 Intent
3.12.2 Applicability
3.12.3 Application Review Criteria
3.12.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.13 Development Surety and Stormwater Surety
3.13.1 Intent
3.13.2 Applicability
3.13.3 Application Review Criteria
3.13.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.14 Certificate of Construction Compliance
3.14.1 Intent
3.14.2 Applicability
3.14.3 Application Review Criteria
3.14.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.15 Street Naming
3.15.1 Intent
3.15.2 Applicability
3.15.3 Application Review Criteria.
3.15.4 Effect of Approval
3.16 Street Renaming
3.16.1 Intent
3.16.2 Applicability
3.16.3 Application Review Criteria.
3.16.4 Effect of Approval
3.17 Certificate of Appropriateness - Highway Corridor Overlay (HCO)
3.17.1 Intent
3.17.2 Applicability
3.17.3 Application Review Criteria
3.17.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.17.5 Amendments to Approvals
3.18 Certificate of Appropriateness - Historic District (HD)
3.18.1 Intent
3.18.2 Applicability
3.18.3 New Construction and Alterations
3.18.4 Relocation
3.18.5 Demolition
3.18.6 Expiration of Approvals
3.18.7 Amendments to Approvals
3.19 Site Feature – Historic District (HD) Permit
3.19.1 Intent
3.19.2 Applicability
3.19.3 Application Review Criteria
3.19.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.20 Zoning Permit
3.20.1 Intent
3.20.2 Applicability
3.20.3 Application Review Criteria
3.20.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.21 Sign Permit
3.21.1 Intent
3.21.2 Applicability
3.21.3 Application Review Criteria
3.21.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.22 Tree Removal Permit
3.22.1 Intent
3.22.2 Applicability
3.22.3 Application Review Criteria
3.22.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.23 Silviculture Permit
3.23.1 Intent
3.23.2 Applicability
3.23.3 Application Review Criteria
3.23.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.24 Public Projects
3.24.1 Intent
3.24.2 Applicability
3.24.3 Application Review Criteria
3.24.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.24.5 Extensions of Approvals
3.24.6 Amendments to Approved Public Projects
3.25 Contributing Resource Procedure and Criteria
3.25.1 Intent
3.25.2 Applicability
3.25.3 Application Review Criteria
3.25.4 Application Review Criteria to Remove the Designation as a Contributing Resource
3.25.5 Effect of Approval
3.26 Proactive Preservation and Maintenance of Contributing Structures
3.26.1 Intent
3.26.2 Duty of Owners of Contributing Structures
3.26.3 Conditions of Neglect
3.26.4 Process and Administration
3.26.5 Appeal to the Historic Preservation Commission
3.26.6 Other Town Powers
3.26.7 Penalties and Remedies
Article 4 Zoning Districts
4.1 Establishment of Zoning Districts
4.1.1 Zoning Districts
4.1.2 Official Zoning Map
4.2 Zoning District Provisions
4.2.1 Preserve (PR)
4.2.2 Agricultural (AG)
4.2.3 Rural Mixed Use (RMU)
4.2.4 Residential General (RG)
4.2.5 Neighborhood Core (NC)
4.2.6 General Mixed Use (GM)
4.2.7 Light Industrial (LI)
4.2.8 Riverfront Edge Historic District (RV-HD)
4.2.9 Neighborhood Conservation Historic District (NCV-HD)
4.2.10 Neighborhood General Historic District (NG-HD)
4.2.11 Neighborhood Center Historic District (NCE-HD)
4.2.12 Neighborhood Core Historic District (NC-HD)
4.2.13 Planned Unit Development (PUD)
4.2.14 Highway Corridor Overlay (HCO)
4.2.15 Planned Unit Development (PUD) for Bluffton Village
4.3 Uses by Districts
4.4 Conditional Use Standards
4.4.1 Residential
4.4.2 Commercial Services
4.4.3 Lodging
4.4.4 Recreation/Entertainment
4.4.5 Industrial
4.5 Special Exception Use Standards
4.5.1. Animal Hospital, Veterinary Clinic, Kennel
4.5.2. Seafood/Shellfish Packaging/Processing
4.5.3. Adult Oriented Business
4.5.4. Concrete and Asphalt Plants
Article 5 Design Standards
5.1 General
5.2 Natural Resources: Silviculture
5.2.1 Intent
5.2.2 Applicability
5.2.3 Standards
5.3 Natural Resources: Tree Conservation, Planting & Landscaping
5.3.1 Intent
5.3.2 Applicability
5.3.3 Tree Conservation
5.3.4 General Tree & Landscape Material Standards
5.3.5 General Tree & Landscape Installation Standards
5.3.6 General Tree & Landscape Maintenance Standards
5.3.7 Specific Landscaping Standards
5.3.8 Fee In Lieu of Tree Replacement and/or Specific Landscaping
5.4 Reserved
5.5 Natural Resources: River Buffer
5.5.1 Intent
5.5.2 Applicability
5.5.3 Standards
5.6 Open Space
5.6.1 Intent
5.6.2 Applicability
5.6.3 Open Space Requirement – All Development
5.6.4 Open Space Requirement – Residential Development
5.6.5 Types of Land Included
5.6.6 Ownership and Maintenance
5.7 Lot and Block Patterns
5.7.1 Intent
5.7.2 Applicability
5.7.3 Block and Roadway Layout & Design.
5.7.4 Lot Layout and Design.
5.7.5 Lot Orientation.
5.7.6 Additional standards.
5.8 Lot and Building Standards
5.8.1 Intent
5.8.2 Applicability
5.8.3 Standards
5.8.4 Planned Unit Development for Bluffton Village
5.9 Transportation Network and Design
5.9.1 Intent
5.9.2 Applicability
5.9.3 Standards
5.9.4 Access Management Standards
5.10 Stormwater
5.10.1 General provisions
5.10.2 Stormwater Management Program
5.10.3 Standards
5.10.4 Maintenance
5.10.5 Illicit Discharges and Connections
5.10.6 Inspections
5.10.7 Wetlands
5.10.8 Violations, Enforcement, and Penalties
5.11 Parking
5.11.1 Intent
5.11.2 Applicability
5.11.3 Parking Space Calculations
5.11.4 Standards: Design Standards for Parking Areas and Parking Lots
5.11.5 Off-Street Loading Requirements
5.11.6 Standards: Bicycle Parking
5.12 Lighting
5.12.1 Intent
5.12.2 Applicability
5.12.3 Standards
5.13 Signs
5.13.1 Intent
5.13.2 Applicability
5.13.3 Exempt Signs
5.13.4 Prohibited Signs
5.13.5 General Requirements
5.13.6 Permanent Signs
5.13.7 Temporary Signs
5.13.8 Off-Premises Signs
5.13.9 Master Sign Plan
5.13.10 Sign Maintenance
5.13.11 Severability
5.14 Highway Corridor Overlay District
5.14.1 Intent
5.14.2 Applicability
5.14.3 Architectural Design Guidelines
5.14.4 Drive-Thru Facilities
5.15 Old Town Bluffton Historic District
5.15.1 Intent
5.15.2 Applicability
5.15.3 Regulating Districts
5.15.4 Urban Standards
5.15.5 General Standards
5.15.5.A. Neighborhood Core Historic District (NC-HD)
5.15.5.B. Neighborhood Center Historic District (NCE-HD)
5.15.5.C. Neighborhood General Historic District (NG-HD)
5.15.5.D. Neighborhood Conservation Historic District (NCV-HD)
5.15.5.E. Riverfront Edge Historic District (RV-HD)
5.15.5.F. General Standards
5.15.6 Architectural Standards
5.15.6.A.
5.15.6.B.
5.15.6.C. Special Building Elements & Appurtenances
5.15.6.D. Architectural Elements
5.15.6.E. Special Building Elements and Appurtenances
5.15.6.F. Architectural Elements
5.15.6.G. Building Walls
5.15.6.H. Columns, Arches, Piers, Railings, Balustrades
5.15.6.I. Windows and Doors
5.15.6.J. Roofs and Gutters
5.15.6.K. Garden Walls, Fences, and Hedges
5.15.6.L. Opacity and Facades
5.15.6.M Shutters
5.15.6.N. Corners and Water Tables
5.15.6.O. Skirting & Underpinning
5.15.6.P. Cornice, Soffit, and Frieze
5.15.6.Q. Architectural Standards, Signs
5.15.7 Parking
5.15.8 Building Types
5.15.8.A. Main Street Building
5.15.8.B. Commercial Cottage
5.15.8.C. Live-Work Sideyard
5.15.8.D. Duplex/Triplex
5.15.8.E. Mansion Apartment House
5.15.8.F. Carriage House
5.15.8.G. Bungalow Court
5.15.8.H. Cottage
5.15.8.I. Medium House
5.15.8.J. Village House
5.15.8.K. Sideyard House
5.15.8.L. Vernacular House
5.15.8.M. Center Hall House
5.15.8.N. River House
5.15.8.O. Civic Building
5.15.8.P. Church Buildings
5.15.8.Q. Manufactured Homes
5.15.8.R. Carports
Article 6 Sustainable Development Incentives
6.1 Introduction and the Growth Framework Map
6.1.1 Intent
6.1.2 Applicability
6.1.3 Approval Authority
6.1.4 Calculation of Fee(s), Refund(s), Waiver(s)
6.2 Design Parameters
6.3 Sustainable Neighborhood Design
6.3.1 Intent
6.3.2 Applicability
6.3.3 Standards
6.3.4 Incentives
6.4 Sustainable Building Design
6.4.1 Intent
6.4.2 Applicability
6.4.3 Standards
6.4.4 Incentives
6.5 Workforce/Affordable Housing
6.5.1 Intent
6.5.2 Applicability
6.5.3 Standards
6.5.4 Incentives
6.6 Development Agreement Transfer of Development Rights
6.6.1 Intent
6.6.2 Applicability
6.6.3 Standards
6.6.4 Incentives
Article 7 Nonconformities
7.1 Purpose
7.2 Applicability
7.2.1 Legal Nonconformities
7.2.2 Illegal Nonconformities
7.3 Burden of Proof
7.4 Repairs and Maintenance
7.4.1 Repairs and Normal Maintenance
7.4.2 Public Safety
7.5 Nonconforming Uses
7.5.1 Continuation of Nonconforming Uses
7.5.2 Abandonment of Nonconforming Uses
7.5.3 Accessory Nonconforming Use
7.5.4 Single Family Dwelling Unit Exception
7.6 Nonconforming Structures
7.6.1 Nonconforming Structures
7.6.2 Nonconforming Façade Design
7.6.3 Expansion of Nonconforming Structures
7.7 Nonconforming Sites
7.7.1 Nonconforming Sites
7.8 Nonconforming Lots
7.9 Nonconforming Sites Resulting from Right-Of-Way Dedication or Acquisition
7.10 Nonconforming Signs
7.10.1 Nonconforming Signs
7.10.2 Continuance
7.10.3 Signs Made Nonconforming Due to Condemnation
Article 8 Penalties and Enforcement
8.1 Intent
8.2 Applicability
8.3 Violations
8.4 Enforcement Responsibility; Complaints
8.5 Enforcement Actions by the Town
8.6 Enforcement Actions by Others
8.7 Contempt and Penalty
8.8 Signs
8.9 Tree Protection and Replacement
8.9.1 Tree Replacement
8.9.2 Permit Suspension
Article 9 Definitions and Interpretation
9.1 General Interpretation
9.1.1 Rules of Construction.
9.1.2 Graphics, Commentary, and Notes.
9.1.3 Intent, Applicability, and Standards.
9.1.4 Computations of Time.
9.1.5 Conflicts.
9.2 Defined Terms
100 Year Flood
Access
Accessory Use
Addition (to an existing building)
Affordable Housing
Alleé
Appurtenances
Arcade
As-built/Record Drawings
Awning
Balcony
Baluster
Balustrade
Baseflood
Basement
Best Management Practices (BMP)
Better Site Design
Better Site Planning
Bicycle Facilities
Bicycle Lane or Bike Lane
Bicycle Path or Bike Path
Block
Buffers:
Build-to Line
Build-to Zone
Building
Building, Principal:
Building, Frontage
Building Height
Caliper
Certificate of Appropriateness
Channel
Clean Water Act
Clear and Convincing Evidence
Clearing
Clear–cutting
Colonnade
Commercial Message
Conditional Uses
Contributing Resource
Contributing Structure
Cornice
Critical Line
Cupola
Curb Radius
DBH or dbh
Density
Department
Detention
Developer
Development:
Disconnected Impervious Areas or Disconnected Impervious Surfaces
Discharge Rate
District
Easement
Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan
Existing Conditions
Existing Grade
Expression Line
Extreme Flood Protection
Façade
Family:
Fee-in-lieu
Fence
Flag
Flood Hazard District
Flood
Flooding
Floodplain
Floor-Area Ratio
Freeholder
Frontage
Frontage Line
Frontage Street
Garden Wall
Grade
Grading
Grading Plan
Greenspace
Gross Acre
Habitable Space
Hedge or Hedgerow
Historic Integrity
Historic Resource
Home Occupation
Household
Hydrologic Soil Group (HSG)
Illicit Connection
Illicit Discharge:
Impaired Waters
Impervious Surface
Improper Disposal
Improvement:
Infill Development
Infiltration
Infiltration Practice
Inspection and Maintenance Agreement and Covenant
Land Disturbance or Land Disturbing Activity
Larger Common Plan of Development:
Limits of Disturbance (LOD)
Liner Building
Lintel
Local Fire Official
Lot
Lot of Record
Low Impact Development
Low Speed Recreational Vehicle
Maintenance
Major Substantial Improvement:
Marquee
Mass Grading
Material
Maximum Extent Practicable (MEP)
Maximum Extent Technically Feasible
MS4
Mullions
Non-commercial Message
Nonconforming Use
Nonpoint Source Pollution
Nonstructural Stormwater Management Practice or Nonstructural Practice
NPDES
Nuisance
Off-Site
On-Site
Open Space
Outfall
Overbank Flood Protection
Owner
Parapet
Pathway
Permanent Structure
Person:
Pollutant:
Post-development
Pre-development
Primary Entrance
Principal Façade (For purposes of placing buildings along build-to lines or build-to zones)
Project
Porch
Property
Proportion
Public Parking
Real Property
Receiving Waters
Recharge
Redevelopment
Regional Stormwater Management Facility or Regional Facility
Regulation
Retention
Right-of-Way
Riparian Buffer
Roadway/ Street
Roadway / Street,Private
Roadway / Street, Public
Runoff
Runoff Reduction
Setback
Shared Parking
Sharrows
Shed
Shopfront:
Sign
Sign, Animated
Sign, Banner
Sign, Canopy
Sign, Changeable Copy
Sign, Freestanding
Sign, Nonconforming
Sign, Portable
Sign, Projecting
Sign, Roof
Sign, Suspended
Sign, Temporary
Sign, Wall
Sign, Window
Sign Area
Single Household Unit
Silviculture
Special Exception
Special Watershed Protection Area
Stoop
Stop Work Order
Stormwater
Stormwater Hotspot
Stormwater Management
Stormwater Management Facility
Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP)
Stormwater Retrofit
Stormwater System
Streetwall
Street Frontage
Structural BMP
Structural Stormwater Management Practice
Structure, Accessory
Structure, Alteration
Structure, Garden
Structure
Subdivision:
Stucco
Surety
TotaI Impervious Surface
Transient Guest
Tree
Tree, Hardwood
Tree, Large
Tree,Medium
Tree, Small
Tree protection zone (TPZ)
Turret
Undercroft
Upland:
Use
Variance
Vegetation
VernacularArchitecture
Volume
Waiver
Watercourse
WaterQuality
Water Quality Design Storm Event
Water Quantity
Watershed Management Plan
Watershed Protection Area
Wetland Delineation:
Wetlands
Workforce Housing
9.3 Interpretation of Dimensional Standards
9.4 Description of Uses of Land and Buildings
9.4.1 Residential Uses
9.4.2 Agriculture/Conservation Uses
9.4.3 Commercial Services
9.4.4 Lodging
9.4.5 Office
9.4.6 Health/ Human Care
9.4.7 Recreation/ Entertainment
9.4.8 Civic/ Institutional
9.4.9 Industrial
9.5 Interpretation of Maps and Boundaries
9.6 Resources, Guides, Manuals and Industry Standards
Appendices
Appendix A: Planned Unit Development for Bluffton Village
Cover Page
Vicinity Map
Building Type and Maximum Square Footage
Regulating Map
Building Types
Corner Buildings
Vista Buildings
Civic Buildings
Street Front Buildings
Building Elements/Guidelines
Materials
Signage
Placement of Signs
Size of Signs
Sign Materials
View Chapter
Zoning Data
Products
All Cities
Property Prospects
Pricing
Bluffton City Zoning Code
Complete index of all zoning chapters, sections, and subsections
Unified Development
Ordinance
Sections
Cover
Unified Development Ordinance Amendments
Unified Development Ordinance User Guide
Article 1 Introduction
1.1 Purpose
1.1.1 Title and Citation
1.1.2 Authority and Enactment Clause
1.1.3 Comprehensive Plan
1.1.4 Purpose
1.1.5 Jurisdiction
1.1.6 Administration and Enforcement
1.1.7 Applicability to Specific Development Activities
1.1.8 Activities That Do Not Constitute Development
1.1.9 Conflicting Provisions
1.1.10 Other Town Requirements
1.1.11 Relationship to Deed Restrictions and Restrictive Covenants
1.1.12 Effective Date
1.1.13 Severability
1.1.14 Repeal of Existing Ordinances
1.1.15 Prior Development Approval
Article 2 Administration
2.1 Intent & Applicability
2.2 Establishment
2.2.1 UDO Administrator, Boards, & Commissions.
2.2.2 Boards, Commissions and Subcommittees Membership.
2.2.3 Boards and Commissions Member Terms.
2.2.4 Boards and Commissions Officers, Meetings and Quorums
2.2.5 Territorial Jurisdiction
2.2.6 Powers and Duties
Article 3 Application Process
3.1 General
3.2 General Application Approval Process
3.2.1 General Application and Permit Items
3.2.2 Common Application Review Procedures
3.2.3 Public Hearing Notice
3.2.4 Public Notice for All Applications
3.3 Comprehensive Plan Amendment
3.3.1 Intent
3.3.2 Applicability
3.3.3 Application Review Criteria.
3.3.4 Effect of Approval
3.4 Zoning Map Amendment
3.4.1 Intent
3.4.2 Applicability
3.4.3 Application Review Criteria
3.4.4 Effect of Approval or Denial
3.5 Unified Development Ordinance Text Amendment
3.5.1 Intent
3.5.2 Applicability
3.5.3 Application Review Criteria
3.5.4 Effect of Approval
3.6 Special Exception
3.6.1 Intent
3.6.2 Applicability
3.6.3 Application Review Criteria
3.6.4 Effect and Expiration of Approval
3.6.5 Amendments to Approval
3.6.6 Action by the Town
3.7 Variance
3.7.1 Intent
3.7.2 Applicability
3.7.3 Application Review Criteria
3.7.4 Effect and Expiration of Approval
3.7.5 Action by the Town
3.8 Planned Unit Development (PUD) Concept Plan
3.8.1 Intent
3.8.2 Applicability
3.8.3 Application Review Criteria
3.8.4 Effect of Approval
3.8.5 Amendments to Approvals
3.9 PUD Master Plan
3.9.1 Intent
3.9.2 Applicability
3.9.3 Application Review Criteria
3.9.4 Effect of Approval
3.9.5 Extensions of Approvals
3.9.6 Amendments to Approvals
3.10 Development Plan
3.10.1 Intent
3.10.2 Applicability
3.10.3 Application Review Criteria
3.10.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.10.5 Extensions of Approvals
3.10.6 Amendments to Approved Development Plans
3.11 Subdivision Plan
3.11.1 Intent
3.11.2 Applicability
3.11.3 Application Review Criteria
3.11.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.11.5 Extensions of Approvals
3.11.6 Amendments to Subdivision Approvals
3.12 Exempt Plat Stamp
3.12.1 Intent
3.12.2 Applicability
3.12.3 Application Review Criteria
3.12.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.13 Development Surety and Stormwater Surety
3.13.1 Intent
3.13.2 Applicability
3.13.3 Application Review Criteria
3.13.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.14 Certificate of Construction Compliance
3.14.1 Intent
3.14.2 Applicability
3.14.3 Application Review Criteria
3.14.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.15 Street Naming
3.15.1 Intent
3.15.2 Applicability
3.15.3 Application Review Criteria.
3.15.4 Effect of Approval
3.16 Street Renaming
3.16.1 Intent
3.16.2 Applicability
3.16.3 Application Review Criteria.
3.16.4 Effect of Approval
3.17 Certificate of Appropriateness - Highway Corridor Overlay (HCO)
3.17.1 Intent
3.17.2 Applicability
3.17.3 Application Review Criteria
3.17.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.17.5 Amendments to Approvals
3.18 Certificate of Appropriateness - Historic District (HD)
3.18.1 Intent
3.18.2 Applicability
3.18.3 New Construction and Alterations
3.18.4 Relocation
3.18.5 Demolition
3.18.6 Expiration of Approvals
3.18.7 Amendments to Approvals
3.19 Site Feature – Historic District (HD) Permit
3.19.1 Intent
3.19.2 Applicability
3.19.3 Application Review Criteria
3.19.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.20 Zoning Permit
3.20.1 Intent
3.20.2 Applicability
3.20.3 Application Review Criteria
3.20.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.21 Sign Permit
3.21.1 Intent
3.21.2 Applicability
3.21.3 Application Review Criteria
3.21.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.22 Tree Removal Permit
3.22.1 Intent
3.22.2 Applicability
3.22.3 Application Review Criteria
3.22.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.23 Silviculture Permit
3.23.1 Intent
3.23.2 Applicability
3.23.3 Application Review Criteria
3.23.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.24 Public Projects
3.24.1 Intent
3.24.2 Applicability
3.24.3 Application Review Criteria
3.24.4 Effect and Expiration of Approvals
3.24.5 Extensions of Approvals
3.24.6 Amendments to Approved Public Projects
3.25 Contributing Resource Procedure and Criteria
3.25.1 Intent
3.25.2 Applicability
3.25.3 Application Review Criteria
3.25.4 Application Review Criteria to Remove the Designation as a Contributing Resource
3.25.5 Effect of Approval
3.26 Proactive Preservation and Maintenance of Contributing Structures
3.26.1 Intent
3.26.2 Duty of Owners of Contributing Structures
3.26.3 Conditions of Neglect
3.26.4 Process and Administration
3.26.5 Appeal to the Historic Preservation Commission
3.26.6 Other Town Powers
3.26.7 Penalties and Remedies
Article 4 Zoning Districts
4.1 Establishment of Zoning Districts
4.1.1 Zoning Districts
4.1.2 Official Zoning Map
4.2 Zoning District Provisions
4.2.1 Preserve (PR)
4.2.2 Agricultural (AG)
4.2.3 Rural Mixed Use (RMU)
4.2.4 Residential General (RG)
4.2.5 Neighborhood Core (NC)
4.2.6 General Mixed Use (GM)
4.2.7 Light Industrial (LI)
4.2.8 Riverfront Edge Historic District (RV-HD)
4.2.9 Neighborhood Conservation Historic District (NCV-HD)
4.2.10 Neighborhood General Historic District (NG-HD)
4.2.11 Neighborhood Center Historic District (NCE-HD)
4.2.12 Neighborhood Core Historic District (NC-HD)
4.2.13 Planned Unit Development (PUD)
4.2.14 Highway Corridor Overlay (HCO)
4.2.15 Planned Unit Development (PUD) for Bluffton Village
4.3 Uses by Districts
4.4 Conditional Use Standards
4.4.1 Residential
4.4.2 Commercial Services
4.4.3 Lodging
4.4.4 Recreation/Entertainment
4.4.5 Industrial
4.5 Special Exception Use Standards
4.5.1. Animal Hospital, Veterinary Clinic, Kennel
4.5.2. Seafood/Shellfish Packaging/Processing
4.5.3. Adult Oriented Business
4.5.4. Concrete and Asphalt Plants
Article 5 Design Standards
5.1 General
5.2 Natural Resources: Silviculture
5.2.1 Intent
5.2.2 Applicability
5.2.3 Standards
5.3 Natural Resources: Tree Conservation, Planting & Landscaping
5.3.1 Intent
5.3.2 Applicability
5.3.3 Tree Conservation
5.3.4 General Tree & Landscape Material Standards
5.3.5 General Tree & Landscape Installation Standards
5.3.6 General Tree & Landscape Maintenance Standards
5.3.7 Specific Landscaping Standards
5.3.8 Fee In Lieu of Tree Replacement and/or Specific Landscaping
5.4 Reserved
5.5 Natural Resources: River Buffer
5.5.1 Intent
5.5.2 Applicability
5.5.3 Standards
5.6 Open Space
5.6.1 Intent
5.6.2 Applicability
5.6.3 Open Space Requirement – All Development
5.6.4 Open Space Requirement – Residential Development
5.6.5 Types of Land Included
5.6.6 Ownership and Maintenance
5.7 Lot and Block Patterns
5.7.1 Intent
5.7.2 Applicability
5.7.3 Block and Roadway Layout & Design.
5.7.4 Lot Layout and Design.
5.7.5 Lot Orientation.
5.7.6 Additional standards.
5.8 Lot and Building Standards
5.8.1 Intent
5.8.2 Applicability
5.8.3 Standards
5.8.4 Planned Unit Development for Bluffton Village
5.9 Transportation Network and Design
5.9.1 Intent
5.9.2 Applicability
5.9.3 Standards
5.9.4 Access Management Standards
5.10 Stormwater
5.10.1 General provisions
5.10.2 Stormwater Management Program
5.10.3 Standards
5.10.4 Maintenance
5.10.5 Illicit Discharges and Connections
5.10.6 Inspections
5.10.7 Wetlands
5.10.8 Violations, Enforcement, and Penalties
5.11 Parking
5.11.1 Intent
5.11.2 Applicability
5.11.3 Parking Space Calculations
5.11.4 Standards: Design Standards for Parking Areas and Parking Lots
5.11.5 Off-Street Loading Requirements
5.11.6 Standards: Bicycle Parking
5.12 Lighting
5.12.1 Intent
5.12.2 Applicability
5.12.3 Standards
5.13 Signs
5.13.1 Intent
5.13.2 Applicability
5.13.3 Exempt Signs
5.13.4 Prohibited Signs
5.13.5 General Requirements
5.13.6 Permanent Signs
5.13.7 Temporary Signs
5.13.8 Off-Premises Signs
5.13.9 Master Sign Plan
5.13.10 Sign Maintenance
5.13.11 Severability
5.14 Highway Corridor Overlay District
5.14.1 Intent
5.14.2 Applicability
5.14.3 Architectural Design Guidelines
5.14.4 Drive-Thru Facilities
5.15 Old Town Bluffton Historic District
5.15.1 Intent
5.15.2 Applicability
5.15.3 Regulating Districts
5.15.4 Urban Standards
5.15.5 General Standards
5.15.5.A. Neighborhood Core Historic District (NC-HD)
5.15.5.B. Neighborhood Center Historic District (NCE-HD)
5.15.5.C. Neighborhood General Historic District (NG-HD)
5.15.5.D. Neighborhood Conservation Historic District (NCV-HD)
5.15.5.E. Riverfront Edge Historic District (RV-HD)
5.15.5.F. General Standards
5.15.6 Architectural Standards
5.15.6.A.
5.15.6.B.
5.15.6.C. Special Building Elements & Appurtenances
5.15.6.D. Architectural Elements
5.15.6.E. Special Building Elements and Appurtenances
5.15.6.F. Architectural Elements
5.15.6.G. Building Walls
5.15.6.H. Columns, Arches, Piers, Railings, Balustrades
5.15.6.I. Windows and Doors
5.15.6.J. Roofs and Gutters
5.15.6.K. Garden Walls, Fences, and Hedges
5.15.6.L. Opacity and Facades
5.15.6.M Shutters
5.15.6.N. Corners and Water Tables
5.15.6.O. Skirting & Underpinning
5.15.6.P. Cornice, Soffit, and Frieze
5.15.6.Q. Architectural Standards, Signs
5.15.7 Parking
5.15.8 Building Types
5.15.8.A. Main Street Building
5.15.8.B. Commercial Cottage
5.15.8.C. Live-Work Sideyard
5.15.8.D. Duplex/Triplex
5.15.8.E. Mansion Apartment House
5.15.8.F. Carriage House
5.15.8.G. Bungalow Court
5.15.8.H. Cottage
5.15.8.I. Medium House
5.15.8.J. Village House
5.15.8.K. Sideyard House
5.15.8.L. Vernacular House
5.15.8.M. Center Hall House
5.15.8.N. River House
5.15.8.O. Civic Building
5.15.8.P. Church Buildings
5.15.8.Q. Manufactured Homes
5.15.8.R. Carports
Article 6 Sustainable Development Incentives
6.1 Introduction and the Growth Framework Map
6.1.1 Intent
6.1.2 Applicability
6.1.3 Approval Authority
6.1.4 Calculation of Fee(s), Refund(s), Waiver(s)
6.2 Design Parameters
6.3 Sustainable Neighborhood Design
6.3.1 Intent
6.3.2 Applicability
6.3.3 Standards
6.3.4 Incentives
6.4 Sustainable Building Design
6.4.1 Intent
6.4.2 Applicability
6.4.3 Standards
6.4.4 Incentives
6.5 Workforce/Affordable Housing
6.5.1 Intent
6.5.2 Applicability
6.5.3 Standards
6.5.4 Incentives
6.6 Development Agreement Transfer of Development Rights
6.6.1 Intent
6.6.2 Applicability
6.6.3 Standards
6.6.4 Incentives
Article 7 Nonconformities
7.1 Purpose
7.2 Applicability
7.2.1 Legal Nonconformities
7.2.2 Illegal Nonconformities
7.3 Burden of Proof
7.4 Repairs and Maintenance
7.4.1 Repairs and Normal Maintenance
7.4.2 Public Safety
7.5 Nonconforming Uses
7.5.1 Continuation of Nonconforming Uses
7.5.2 Abandonment of Nonconforming Uses
7.5.3 Accessory Nonconforming Use
7.5.4 Single Family Dwelling Unit Exception
7.6 Nonconforming Structures
7.6.1 Nonconforming Structures
7.6.2 Nonconforming Façade Design
7.6.3 Expansion of Nonconforming Structures
7.7 Nonconforming Sites
7.7.1 Nonconforming Sites
7.8 Nonconforming Lots
7.9 Nonconforming Sites Resulting from Right-Of-Way Dedication or Acquisition
7.10 Nonconforming Signs
7.10.1 Nonconforming Signs
7.10.2 Continuance
7.10.3 Signs Made Nonconforming Due to Condemnation
Article 8 Penalties and Enforcement
8.1 Intent
8.2 Applicability
8.3 Violations
8.4 Enforcement Responsibility; Complaints
8.5 Enforcement Actions by the Town
8.6 Enforcement Actions by Others
8.7 Contempt and Penalty
8.8 Signs
8.9 Tree Protection and Replacement
8.9.1 Tree Replacement
8.9.2 Permit Suspension
Article 9 Definitions and Interpretation
9.1 General Interpretation
9.1.1 Rules of Construction.
9.1.2 Graphics, Commentary, and Notes.
9.1.3 Intent, Applicability, and Standards.
9.1.4 Computations of Time.
9.1.5 Conflicts.
9.2 Defined Terms
100 Year Flood
Access
Accessory Use
Addition (to an existing building)
Affordable Housing
Alleé
Appurtenances
Arcade
As-built/Record Drawings
Awning
Balcony
Baluster
Balustrade
Baseflood
Basement
Best Management Practices (BMP)
Better Site Design
Better Site Planning
Bicycle Facilities
Bicycle Lane or Bike Lane
Bicycle Path or Bike Path
Block
Buffers:
Build-to Line
Build-to Zone
Building
Building, Principal:
Building, Frontage
Building Height
Caliper
Certificate of Appropriateness
Channel
Clean Water Act
Clear and Convincing Evidence
Clearing
Clear–cutting
Colonnade
Commercial Message
Conditional Uses
Contributing Resource
Contributing Structure
Cornice
Critical Line
Cupola
Curb Radius
DBH or dbh
Density
Department
Detention
Developer
Development:
Disconnected Impervious Areas or Disconnected Impervious Surfaces
Discharge Rate
District
Easement
Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan
Existing Conditions
Existing Grade
Expression Line
Extreme Flood Protection
Façade
Family:
Fee-in-lieu
Fence
Flag
Flood Hazard District
Flood
Flooding
Floodplain
Floor-Area Ratio
Freeholder
Frontage
Frontage Line
Frontage Street
Garden Wall
Grade
Grading
Grading Plan
Greenspace
Gross Acre
Habitable Space
Hedge or Hedgerow
Historic Integrity
Historic Resource
Home Occupation
Household
Hydrologic Soil Group (HSG)
Illicit Connection
Illicit Discharge:
Impaired Waters
Impervious Surface
Improper Disposal
Improvement:
Infill Development
Infiltration
Infiltration Practice
Inspection and Maintenance Agreement and Covenant
Land Disturbance or Land Disturbing Activity
Larger Common Plan of Development:
Limits of Disturbance (LOD)
Liner Building
Lintel
Local Fire Official
Lot
Lot of Record
Low Impact Development
Low Speed Recreational Vehicle
Maintenance
Major Substantial Improvement:
Marquee
Mass Grading
Material
Maximum Extent Practicable (MEP)
Maximum Extent Technically Feasible
MS4
Mullions
Non-commercial Message
Nonconforming Use
Nonpoint Source Pollution
Nonstructural Stormwater Management Practice or Nonstructural Practice
NPDES
Nuisance
Off-Site
On-Site
Open Space
Outfall
Overbank Flood Protection
Owner
Parapet
Pathway
Permanent Structure
Person:
Pollutant:
Post-development
Pre-development
Primary Entrance
Principal Façade (For purposes of placing buildings along build-to lines or build-to zones)
Project
Porch
Property
Proportion
Public Parking
Real Property
Receiving Waters
Recharge
Redevelopment
Regional Stormwater Management Facility or Regional Facility
Regulation
Retention
Right-of-Way
Riparian Buffer
Roadway/ Street
Roadway / Street,Private
Roadway / Street, Public
Runoff
Runoff Reduction
Setback
Shared Parking
Sharrows
Shed
Shopfront:
Sign
Sign, Animated
Sign, Banner
Sign, Canopy
Sign, Changeable Copy
Sign, Freestanding
Sign, Nonconforming
Sign, Portable
Sign, Projecting
Sign, Roof
Sign, Suspended
Sign, Temporary
Sign, Wall
Sign, Window
Sign Area
Single Household Unit
Silviculture
Special Exception
Special Watershed Protection Area
Stoop
Stop Work Order
Stormwater
Stormwater Hotspot
Stormwater Management
Stormwater Management Facility
Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP)
Stormwater Retrofit
Stormwater System
Streetwall
Street Frontage
Structural BMP
Structural Stormwater Management Practice
Structure, Accessory
Structure, Alteration
Structure, Garden
Structure
Subdivision:
Stucco
Surety
TotaI Impervious Surface
Transient Guest
Tree
Tree, Hardwood
Tree, Large
Tree,Medium
Tree, Small
Tree protection zone (TPZ)
Turret
Undercroft
Upland:
Use
Variance
Vegetation
VernacularArchitecture
Volume
Waiver
Watercourse
WaterQuality
Water Quality Design Storm Event
Water Quantity
Watershed Management Plan
Watershed Protection Area
Wetland Delineation:
Wetlands
Workforce Housing
9.3 Interpretation of Dimensional Standards
9.4 Description of Uses of Land and Buildings
9.4.1 Residential Uses
9.4.2 Agriculture/Conservation Uses
9.4.3 Commercial Services
9.4.4 Lodging
9.4.5 Office
9.4.6 Health/ Human Care
9.4.7 Recreation/ Entertainment
9.4.8 Civic/ Institutional
9.4.9 Industrial
9.5 Interpretation of Maps and Boundaries
9.6 Resources, Guides, Manuals and Industry Standards
Appendices
Appendix A: Planned Unit Development for Bluffton Village
Cover Page
Vicinity Map
Building Type and Maximum Square Footage
Regulating Map
Building Types
Corner Buildings
Vista Buildings
Civic Buildings
Street Front Buildings
Building Elements/Guidelines
Materials
Signage
Placement of Signs
Size of Signs
Sign Materials
View Chapter