Unless another definition is clearly provided within the text of this document, the definitions listed below shall apply in the use of these regulations. All other words in this UDO shall have their customary dictionary definitions.

Abandon means to discontinue a use for more than a specified period of time or to vacate a right-of-way, easement, or other interest in real property.

Accessory use. See "Use, accessory."

Accidental Discharge means a discharge prohibited that occurs by chance and without planning or consideration prior to the occurrence.

Acre means land or water, or combination thereof, containing 43,560 square feet.

Addition to an Existing Building means any walled and roofed expansion to the perimeter of a building in which the addition is connected by a common load-bearing wall other than a firewall.

Adult entertainment establishment means a business in which, as the major activity, customers congregate primarily for the purpose of viewing or associating with employees who display anatomical areas designed to provide sexual stimulation or sexual gratification: human genitals, the immediate public region, or pubic hair; buttocks to the extent of exposing the immediate anal area; female breasts to points below the nipples; male genitals in a state of erection, even if covered with opaque clothing; all of the above anatomical areas when covered only by transparent or diaphanous clothing.

Adult media shop or adult bookstore means an establishment that rents or sells books, magazines, videotapes, slides, movies or other media that is consistent with any of the three tests listed below.

(1)

More than 40 percent of the gross floor area is devoted to materials depicting, describing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, as defined in this Section.

(2)

More than 40 percent of the stock in trade consists of materials depicting, describing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, as defined in this Section.

(3)

The establishment advertises or holds itself out in any forum as XXX, adult or as a sex shop or otherwise as a sexually-oriented business other than an adult motion picture theatre or adult entertainment establishment.

Adult motion picture theater means a place where motion pictures are shown or a section, department, or part of any business set aside for the showing of motion pictures, which has as its principal purpose the offering for viewing to adults of motion pictures which have as their dominant or primary theme matters depicting, describing, or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, as defined in this Section.

Advertise means to inform, to notify, to announce, to attract public attention by emphasizing desirable qualities in order to arouse a desire to purchase or invest.

Agriculture, limited means non-intensive agricultural activities that may be commercial in nature, and include such activities as apiculture, forestry, groves, private and commercial equestrian activities, private and commercial kennels, produce stands, veterinary offices, and wholesale greenhouses and nurseries.

Airport elevation means the highest point of the airport's useable runway system measured in feet above mean sea level (MSL).

Airport hazard means a structure or object of natural growth located on or in the vicinity of a public airport, or any use of land near such airport, which obstructs the airspace, required for the normal operation of aircraft in the vicinity of the airport or is otherwise hazardous to such operation of aircraft.

Airport means the Columbus Metropolitan Airport.

Airport zones means the approach, transitional, horizontal and conical zones. These zones apply to the area under the approach, transitional, horizontal, and conical surfaces defined in the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), Part 77. The surfaces are also referred to as "imaginary surfaces."

Airport, general means a public or private facility that is utilized for the landing and take-off of military, commercial or private aircraft, including all necessary facilities for maintenance, parking, repair and storage of airplanes; and facilities associated with commercial airline passengers.

Alley means a public or private minor right-of-way used primarily for service and vehicular access to the back or side of a property.

Alteration means, for purposes related to historic preservation, any act or process that changes one or more of the exterior architectural features of a structure, including, but not limited to, the erection, construction, reconstruction or removal of any structure.

Alteration means any change, addition, improvement, or modification to an existing structure.

Ambulance service means emergency medical care and transportation, including incidental storage and maintenance of vehicles.

Amusement park means commercially operated a building or facility with various devices for entertainment, booths for the sale of food and drinks, and similar types of amusement activities.

Amusement, indoor means an establishment which offers commercial recreational activities in an enclosed structure, including billiards parlors, bingo parlors and bowling alleys, and, but excluding movie theaters, health and fitness facilities, and indoor gun clubs or facilities.

Amusement, outdoor means an establishment which offers commercial recreational activities where all or part of such activities occur outdoors, including archery ranges, athletic fields, batting cages, golf driving ranges, miniature golf courses, swimming pools, tennis courts, but excluding go-cart tracks, gun clubs, and jet skiing.

Antenna means any device or combination of devices, whether rods, panels or dishes, designed to receive or transmit radio frequency signals for amateur radio or personal wireless services, including but not limited to cellular telephone, personal communications services (PCS), specialized mobile radio (SMR), enhanced specialized mobile radio (ESMR), private mobile radio (PMR) and paging.

Antique shop means an establishment engaged in the sale of items, which are in demand and have a value due to being rare, old, historic, of a collectible nature, or an expectation of increasing value. Antiques include art objects, coins, decorative objects, house wares, glassware, jewelry, stamps and similar items at least 100 years old.

Apiculture means the raising and caring of bees.

Applicant means any individual, corporation or person or their authorized representative applying for any development approval, permit or other form of approval required by the UDO.

Application means a petition for approval of a zoning change, development permit, building permit, hardship variance, special exception or appeal, or any other authorization for the use or development of a property under the requirements of this UDO.

Aquifer means any stratum or zone of rock beneath the surface of the earth capable of containing or producing water from a well.

Arborist means one who is versed in the art of arboriculture, including tree surgery, the prevention and cure of tree diseases and the control of insect pests.

Area of Shallow Flooding means designated AO or AH zone on the flood insurance rate map (FIRM) with base flood depths from one to three feet, or where a clearly deemed channel does not exist, where the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate, and where velocity flow may be evident.

Area of Special Flood Hazard means the land in the flood plain within a community subject to a 1 percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. In the absence of official designation by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Areas of Special Flood Hazard shall be designated by the local community.

Arena, coliseum, fairground and stadium mean an open or enclosed area, including an auditorium or gymnasium used for public sports, entertainment and similar public purposes or gatherings.

Arterial Street. See "Street, arterial."

Artisan or crafter means an individual engaged in the production of handmade goods, art, jewelry, and similar items, including but not limited to artists, candle and soap makers, caners, painters, photographers, potters, quilters, sculptors, stained glass makers, weavers and woodworkers.

Arts and crafts sales means the sale of products made by an artisan or crafter.

Assembly hall means a facility that is utilized for civic, education, political, religious or social purposes, and may include accessory kitchen and related facilities.

Assisted living facility (ALF) means any facility which offers residence, services, meals, and skilled care to the elderly, and may include one or more of the following types of services: (1) independent living; (2) assisted living; and (3) skilled nursing care.

Athletic courts means lighted or unlighted athletic facilities, including tennis, basketball, handball, and racquetball.

Attached Wireless Communication Facility is an antenna array that is attached to an existing building or structure and associated connection cables, and an equipment facility which may be located either inside or outside of the building or structure.

Auto/truck broker means a person who, for a commission or with the intent to make a profit or gain of money or other thing of value, negotiates or attempts to negotiate the sale of a motor vehicle on behalf of another. Such term shall not mean any person engaged in the solicitation, negotiation, or advertising of the sale of used motor vehicles or any owner of real property who allows the display of used motor vehicles on such property if the sale of such vehicles is made by a used car dealer or a financial institution.

Auto/truck fleet maintenance shops and garages means an establishment engaged in the repair, maintenance, service, storage, and general upkeep of fleet vehicles.

Auto/truck paint and body shop means a building used for painting, repainting, or retouching, or major repairs and adjustments of motor vehicles.

Auto/truck rental means an establishment engaged in the short- or long-term rental or leasing of autos, trucks, vans and similar vehicular equipment.

Auto/truck repair, major means an establishment engaged in the installation, repair and maintenance of vehicle engines, including electrical systems; fuel systems; general engine repair, rebuilding and replacement; mufflers and exhaust systems; transmissions and drive trains; vehicle reconditioning; and similar activities that involve the repair, overhaul, removal, adjustment, replacement, assembly or disassembly of parts of any motor vehicle.

Auto/truck repair, minor means an establishment engaged in the installation, maintenance and repair of air conditioning systems, audio systems, brakes, cooling systems, electrical systems, exhaust systems, fuel systems, oil and fluid changes, shock absorbers, tune-ups, and wheel alignment and balancing for automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles.

Auto/truck repair, minor means an establishment engaged in the installation, maintenance and repair of air conditioning systems, audio systems, brakes, cooling systems, electrical systems, exhaust systems, fuel systems, shock absorbers, tune-ups, and wheel alignment and balancing for automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles.

Auto/truck service station means an establishment engaged in the retail sale of gasoline and diesel products, auto parts and accessories, and tires sales and installation; auto cleaning and detailing; and minor vehicle repair.

Auto/truck tire sales and installation means an establishment that is engaged in the sales, installation, repair and maintenance of tires and accessories, and other minor repair services, including the sales, installation, repair or maintenance of the following: front end alignment; wheel balancing and similar tasks; batteries; shock absorbers and struts; oil and fluid changes; brake repair and replacement; and mufflers and tail pipes for automobiles, trucks, sport utility vehicles, and similar vehicles.

Auto/truck upholstery shop means an establishment engaged in the repair and replacement of upholstery to automobiles and motor vehicles.

Auto/truck wash and detail facility means an establishment that provides washing, waxing, and cleaning the interior of an automobile or motor vehicle.

Auto/vehicle/truck storage and maintenance facility means a facility engaged in the repair, maintenance or long-term storage of auto vehicles.

Bank and financial institution means an institution that is open to the general public and engaged in deposit banking, and that performs closely related functions such as making loans, investments, and fiduciary activities.

Banner means any sign having the characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentations applied to cloth, paper, or fabric of any kind with only such material for backing.

Banquet facility means an establishment the [that] provides to the general public, on a fee basis, a building for banquets, meals, parties, receptions and similar group events, including accessory kitchen facilities.

Bar and lounge means an establishment that is devoted primarily to the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises.

Base Flood means the flood having a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year (100-year flood).

Basement means a portion of a building partly underground or below the ground floor having a least one-half of its height above average grade.

Beautification Plan Tree is any tree or shrub planted in any one of the following circumstances: (a) as part of the Columbus Georgia Beautification Plan which was established by Resolution No. 576-08, as the same may be amended by future Councils (b) in the State right-of-way pursuant to a DOT Special Encroachment permit or with the permission of GDOT; (c) pursuant to a landscape plan which is part of a streetscape beautification program approval by the Columbus Consolidated Government and funded by governmental or private funding or (d) any planting done by or with the permission or acquiescence of the consolidated government on right-of-way of a city street or state highway.

Bed and breakfast or bed and breakfast inn means an establishment consisting of one or more buildings providing lodging, limited meals, and meeting and conference facilities for a fee.

Bed and breakfast homestay means an owner-occupied single-family dwelling providing lodging and limited meals for a fee.

Berm means a mound of earth between two and six feet high used to buffer or screen a land use.

Best management practices (BMPs) means a collection of structural measures and vegetative practices which, when properly designed, installed and maintained, will provide effective erosion and sedimentation control. The term "properly designed" means designed in accordance with the hydraulic design specifications contained in the "Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia" specified in O.C.G.A. § 12-7-6(b).

Beverage production and bottling means an establishment engaged in one or more of the following: processing, production, bottling, sales, or distribution of beverages.

Billboard means a sign with an area of 300 square feet or greater, which is supported by one or more columns, uprights or braces in or upon the ground and is not attached to a building and is not mobile or temporary. A billboard may include a multiple message sign that means a sign, display, or device that changes the message or copy on the sign electronically by movement or rotation of panels or slats.

Board of Historic and Architectural Review is a seven-member historical preservation commission established by the Columbus City Council in accordance Georgia Code 2-6102.

Boarding or rooming house means, in the case of boarding house, a dwelling in which more than two persons are lodged and served meals on a continuing basis for compensation; and in the case of a rooming house, a dwelling in which more than two persons are lodged without meals on a continuing basis for compensation.

Boat, trailer and marine sales means the sales, service and repair of new and used boats, boat trailers, marine hardware and related products.

Boat storage, wet or dry means an enclosed, partially enclosed or open facility utilized for the wet or dry storage of boats.

Bona fide agricultural purpose means a good faith commercial or domestic agricultural use of the land, any such determination of which shall be based upon, but not limited solely to, the following factors:

(1)

The length of time the land will be so utilized;

(2)

The productivity of land in its present use;

(3)

The relationship of the property to the comprehensive zoning plan; and

(4)

The current zoning classification of such lands as delineated on the official zoning map.

Breakaway Wall means a wall that is not part of the structural support of the building and is intended through its design and construction to collapse under specific lateral loading forces without causing damage to the elevated portion of the building or the supporting foundation system.

Buffer means land area used to visibly separate one use from another through screening and distance. See also "stream buffer" and "zoning buffer."

Building Code means the technical codes adopted or adopted as amended by the City under the Georgia Uniform Codes Act.

Building and construction trades office and shop means an establishment engaged in providing building and construction services, including air conditioning and heating, carpenters, contractors, electricians, masons, plumbers, roofers, and similar services.

Building face or frontage means the length of the single front building elevation in which the primary entrance to the business is located. If more than one business is located in a single building then such length shall be limited to that portion which is occupied by each individual business.

Building height means, as applicable, the vertical distance from the grade to: (1) the highest point of a flat roof; or (2) the deck line of a mansard roof; or (3) the average height between eaves and ridge for a gable, hip or gambrel roof; or (4) the average height between high and low points for a shed roof.

Building means a structure having a roof supported by columns or walls.

Building Official means the director of inspections and code enforcement of Columbus, Georgia or his designated representatives.

Building supplies, retail means an establishment engaged in the retail sale of building and construction supplies, materials and products, including: appliances, building materials, doors and windows, electrical supplies, hand and power tools, hardware, home improvement items, kitchen cabinets, lumber, paint, plumbing supplies, and similar items.

Building supplies, wholesale means an establishment engaged in receiving and storage of bulk quantities of building and construction supplies and materials, and distribution and delivery of such materials to other wholesale or retail establishments. Building and construction materials include but are not limited to the following: appliances, building materials, doors and windows, electrical supplies, hand and power tools, hardware, home improvement items, kitchen cabinets, lumber, paint, plumbing supplies, and similar items.

Building, accessory means detached subordinate building or portion thereof, the use of which is incidental to and customary in connection with the main building or use and which is located on the same lot with such main building or use.

Bulk storage, flammable means a facility designed for the receipt, storage, sale and distribution of flammable, corrosive, explosive or similar hazardous materials.

Bulk storage, nonflammable means a facility designed for the receipt, storage, sale and distribution of nonflammable, noncorrosive, nonexplosive or similar nonhazardous materials.

Bus and railway passenger station means a location where commercial transportation for passengers, including bus, train or mass transit service arrives and departs on a scheduled basis.

Caliper means the diameter or thickness of the truck of a nursery-grown tree as measured at six inches above the top of the root mass.

Carport means structure open on three sides or four sides, designed to provide shelter for one or more motor vehicles.

Cemetery means property used for interring the dead, and may include a chapel, columbarium crematorium, or mausoleum.

Central business district (CBD) means areas zoned UPT and CRD by the Official Zoning Map.

Certificate of appropriateness means a document approving a proposal to make a material change in the appearance of a designated historic property or of a structure, site, or work of art located within a designated historic district.

Check cashing office means an establishment that cashes payroll, personal and other checks for the general public for a fee, and may include ancillary services such as wire transfer of money, issuance of cashier's checks and related services.

Child or children means, for the purposes of day care requirements of this UDO, any individual that is less than 17 years of age.

Chipmill means permanent or mobile equipment that chips, shreds, mulches or otherwise cuts trees, branches and vegetation for disposal.

City Arborist means the Manager of the Landscape and Forestry Division or designee.

City Code means all ordinances, laws and regulations adopted by the Council of Columbus.

City Engineer means the City Engineer or designee.

City Engineer means the duly designated Director of the Department of Engineering of Columbus, Georgia, licensed and registered in Georgia to perform the duties of Engineer, as herein specified or duly authorized agent.

City Land Planner means the individual employed within the Planning Department charged with reviewing subdivision plats and site plans.

City or City of Columbus means the Consolidated Columbus Government, Georgia, including the City of Columbus and Muscogee County.

Clean Water Act means the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended.

Clearing means the removal and proper disposal of exposed objectionable matter from an area, and may include but is not limited to trees, roots, grass, underbrush, rubble, any type of structures, etc.

Clinic and hospital, veterinary means a facility for diagnosis, care and treatment of animals on an outpatient basis.

Clinic, medical or dental means a facility for diagnosis, care and treatment of outpatients.

Club or lodge, membership means a building or facility owned and operated on a membership basis for fraternal, religious, social or recreational purposes.

Club or lodge, not for profit means a building or facility operated on a nonprofit basis for cultural, educational, fraternal, recreational, religious and/or recreational purposes.

Clubhouse means a not for profit facility housing an organization that is operated for athletic, civic, educational, fraternal, intellectual, recreational or social purposes. Clubhouse also means a facility that is operated as part of golf club, yacht club or similar activity. Clubhouse also means a facility operated as a common feature, such as a swimming pool or tennis court in a subdivision, development, or multifamily project.

Code means the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) of the Columbus Consolidated Government.

Cold storage and distribution means a facility designed for the receipt, storage, sale and distribution of foodstuffs and perishable goods that must remain frozen or refrigerated.

Columbarium means a structure that is used for the inurnment of human remains.

Commercial message means any sign wording, logo, or other representation that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a business, product, service, or other commercial activity.

Common area means an area, including all improvements, designed for the use and enjoyment of residents in or users of a residential or nonresidential structure.

Community facilities means public or private facilities such as assembly halls, union halls, conference halls and centers, stadiums or arenas, or auditoriums including accessory office or administrative space; nonprofit clubs and lodges; art galleries, museums, libraries, and theaters for live performances or films, videos, or other electronic medium; golf courses and clubhouses, excluding miniature golf; and public uses.

Compatibility means land uses that are congruous, similar, and in harmony with one another inasmuch as they do not create or foster undesirable health, safety, or aesthetic effects arising from direct association of dissimilar, contradictory, incongruous, or discordant activities, including but not limited to the impacts of intensity of use, traffic, hours of operation, aesthetics, noise, vibration, smoke, hazardous odors, radiation, function, and other land use conditions.

Computer assembly means a facility that is engaged in the assembly of computers and computer-related equipment, electronic equipment and similar equipment from parts already manufactured.

Concealed support structure means any freestanding structure constructed for the primary purpose of supporting one or more antennae but designed to resemble an architectural or natural feature of the specific environment, concealing or camouflaging the presence of the antennae. The term includes but is not limited to clock towers, campaniles, water towers, silos, light poles, flagpoles, and artificial trees.

Concrete batching and asphalt plant means a plant that is engaged in the production, distribution and sale of concrete or asphalt from materials that are delivered to the plant site.

Condition of Zoning Approval means a requirement adopted by the City Council at the time of approval of a zoning change, placing greater or additional requirements or restrictions on the property than provided in this Code in order to reduce an adverse impact of the zoning change and to further the protection of the public health, safety, or general welfare.

Consignment Shop means a retail establishment where the operator receives goods and merchandise, for display and sale, from another individual or party and will pay that individual or party only when the goods or merchandise are sold.

Construction or demolition debris means nonbiodegradeable waste resulting from road building; construction, demolition, remodeling or repair of structures; and similar improvements.

Contractor's storage yard and office means a facility or area for the storage of materials, equipment, and commercial vehicles utilized by building and construction contractors, craftsmen and tradesmen, and may include accessory offices related to such activities.

Convalescent or nursing facility means an establishment providing services to the elderly, illness, or infirm, including lodging, meals and custodial care or nursing care.

Convenience store, no gas sales means an establishment primarily engaged in the retail sale of convenience items, pre-packaged foods, beverages, tobacco and other foodstuffs needed on a regular basis, excluding the retail sale of gasoline and diesel fuels.

Convenience store, with gas sales means an establishment primarily engaged in the retail sale of convenience items, pre-packaged foods, beverages, tobacco and other foodstuffs needed on a regular basis, including the retail sale of gasoline and diesel fuels.

Convent, monastery or seminary means a facility that is used for residential and academic purposes by a religious institution.

Convention, civic or trade center means a building or facility designed for the assembly of persons and used for one or more of the following: conference, convention, display of goods and products, exhibitions, entertainment, recreation and sports.

Cooling Water means water used exclusively as a cooling medium in an appliance devise or apparatus.

Copy means the wording or pictorial graphics on a sign surface that are attached either in permanent or removable form.

Correctional facility means a federal, state, county or municipal facility for the accommodation of persons awaiting trial or persons serving a sentence following adjudication.

Council or City Council means the Council of Columbus.

County means Muscogee County, Georgia.

Crematorium means a structure utilized for the cremation of human remains.

Critical establishment period means the first two years after a tree is planted.

Critical root zone means an area on the ground around a tree that is within the drip line of a tree and/or 1.5 times DBH in feet radius.

Cryptocurrency mining means the operation of specialized computer equipment for the purpose of mining one or more blockchain-based cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin. This activity typically involves the solving of algorithms as part of the development and maintenance of a blockchain which is a type of distributed ledger maintained on a peer-to-peer network. Typical physical characteristics of cryptocurrency mining include specialized computer hardware for mining operations as well as equipment to cool the hardware and operating space. For the purposes of the associated regulations, cryptocurrency mining does not include the exchange of cryptocurrency or any other type of virtual currency nor does it encompass the use, creation, or maintenance of all types of peer-to-peer distributed ledgers.

Cultural Facility means a public, private, or not for profit facility that provides for the display, performance, or enjoyment of heritage, history, arts, or nature. This use includes but is not limited to: museums, arts performances venues, cultural centers, interpretive sites, libraries, museums, or botanical gardens, but does not include commercially-operated theaters.

Cutoff or cutoff fixture, directional lighting or luminaire means an outdoor light fixture that provides a cutoff or shielding of emitted light to minimize effect on adjacent property.

Cut means a portion of land surface or area from which earth has been removed or will be removed by excavation; the depth below original ground surface to excavated surface. Also known as "excavation."

Cutting means (1) for the purpose of tree protection, the detaching or separating of any limb, branch, or root from a tree; for the purpose of erosion control, the removal of any soil or other solid material from a natural ground surface.

Data processing means an establishment engaged in the processing of data, information and similar records via electronic and related methods.

Day care facility means an establishment providing day care for a period of less than 24 hours.

Day care means the for-profit or not-for-profit supervision and care, excluding medical care, of nonresidential children or elderly adults for a fee for a period of less than 24 hours.

Day Care, Type I (Day care, family home) means an establishment that provides day care for 5 or 6 children or adults within a residential dwelling.

Day Care, Type II (Day care, group home) means an establishment that provides day care for 7 to 18 children or adults.

Day Care, Type III (Day care center) means an establishment that provides day care for 19 or more children or adults.

Day labor employment office means an establishment providing temporary or permanent recruitment services for individuals seeking manual labor employment.

Day means, except as otherwise provided in this Unified Development Ordinance, a business day and shall not include weekends or holidays of the City.

Dead tree means a tree that does not contain any live tissue, i.e., green leaves or live limbs.

Deciduous means a plant with foliage that drops or dies at the end of a growing season.

Decorative elements/deluxes/ornamentation means a sign having the characters, letters, illustrations, or ornamentations applied to cloth, paper, or fabric of any kind with only such material for a backing. To include pennants, streamers, garland, garnish, rotating and/or fluttering devices designated to attract attention. This does not include banners.

Decorative lighting means lighting fixtures of limited height and illumination provided primarily to enhance areas with a public use or pedestrian orientation, or to highlight key architectural elements, landscaping, fountains and similar design elements of a building or project.

Demolition means the razing or destruction, whether entirely or in significant part, of a building, structure, site or object, and includes the removal of building, structure or object from its site or the removal or destruction of the facade or surface.

Density factor means, relating to tree preservation and replacement, a unit of measure used to prescribe the calculated tree coverage of a site.

Density means the number of dwelling units allowed based upon gross acreage of a site.

Department means, unless otherwise clearly indicated, the Planning Department, successor agency or as designated by the City Manager.

Design guidelines means a manual showing design features and examples of appropriate treatment of them that will preserve the historic and architectural character of a structure or district.

Design Professional means a person registered in the State of Georgia as a Landscape Architect or Professional Engineer.

Designation means a decision by the Council of Columbus to designate such property as a "historic property" or as a "historic district".

Development permit means an application to use, alter, construct upon, or otherwise change the use of land, and includes any applications for comprehensive plan future land use map change, rezoning, special exception use, variance, temporary use or special event, building permit, clearing or grading permit, or other permit or approval that allows the alteration of land or a structure.

Development permit means the authorization necessary to begin a land disturbing activity under the provisions of this ordinance. See also "site development permit."

DHR means the Georgia Department of Human Resources.

Diameter at Breast Height means the standard measure of tree size for trees existing on a site. The tree trunk is measured at a height of four and one-half feet above the ground, and if a tree splits into multiple trunks below that point, the trunk is measured at its most narrow point beneath the split.

Diameter, tree means the diameter of a tree measured as follows:

(1)

For existing preserved trees, at a point four and one-half feet above the ground;

(2)

For new replaced trees, at a point six inches above ground; and

(3)

For multiple trunk trees, as provided in the measure of diameter at breast height.

Director means, unless otherwise clearly identified, the Director of the Planning Department or designee, successor title or as designated by the City Manager.

Disabled means, for the purposes of regulating personal care facilities, a person with (1) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits the exercise of one or more major life activities and the ability to live independently; (2) a person with a record of such impairment; or (3) a person regarding as experiencing such impairment. This definition does not include a person [who] is undergoing treatment for current or former use of addictive or controlled substances; considered a threat to the health, safety and welfare of other persons; placed in a work release center for current or former convicts; placed in an alternative incarceration or correctional facility; or placed in a juvenile work release, halfway house, or other alternative incarceration or correctional facility.

Dispatch agency or office means an establishment that provides off-site services to households and businesses using telephonic or electronic communication, including such services as janitorial, limousine, pest control, and taxi.

Distribution and warehousing means a facility engaged in the wholesale receipt, storage and distribution of equipment, manufactured products, parts, processed foods, supplies and related items.

DNR means the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Dormitory, fraternity or sorority residence means a residential structure for students attending a public or private college, school, or university.

Drip line means a vertical line extending from the outermost branches of a tree to the ground.

Drive-in facility means an establishment designed and operated to allow customers to receive goods or services while remaining in their vehicles, including a drive-through, drive-up, or similar facility, with all parking located off a public street or right-of-way.

Drive-through menu board means an outdoor menu for drive-in windows.

Drainage structure means a device composed of a virtually non-erodible material such as concrete, steel, plastic or other such material that conveys water from one place to another by intercepting the flow and carrying it to a release point for stormwater management, drainage control or flood control purposes.

Dry cleaning and laundry plant means a plant engaged in the receipt, dry cleaning, pressing or laundering, and delivery of fabrics, textiles, wearing apparel, and similar items, utilizing commonly accepted professional practices and materials.

Dry cleaning and laundry station means a facility that provides service for the pickup or drop-off of items to be laundered or dry cleaned, but where laundry and dry cleaning do not occur onsite.

Dry cleaning and laundry, general means an establishment that provides onsite drying, dry cleaning, washing and laundry services.

Dwelling unit means any structure, or part thereof, that is designed to be occupied as living quarters by a single-family, containing separate bathing, kitchen, and sanitary, and sleeping facilities.

Dwelling, accessory means a secondary, subordinate dwelling that is attached to or detached from and located on the same lot as the principal structure.

Dwelling, condominium means a unit in a series or in multi-unit type structure which may be owned or leased by an individual, firm, or corporation who may have common use of all related activities associated with the structure.

Dwelling, loft means a residential dwelling that is located above the ground floor of a multistory nonresidential building.

Dwelling, manufactured means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which, in the traveling mode, is eight body feet or more in width, or 40 body feet or more in length, or, when erected on site, is 320 or more square feet and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities and includes the plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and electrical systems contained therein; except that such term shall include any structure which meets all the requirements of this paragraph except the size requirements and with respect to which the manufacturer voluntarily files a certification required by the secretary of Housing and Urban Development and complies with the standards established under The National Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. Section 5401, et seq.

Dwelling, mobile home means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which, in the traveling mode, is eight body feet or more in width or 40 body feet or more in length or, when erected on site, is 320 or more square feet and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities and includes the plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and electrical systems contained therein and manufactured prior to June 15, 1976.

Dwelling, multifamily means a building or buildings containing separate bathing, kitchen, sanitary, and sleeping facilities designed to be occupied by three or more families living independently of each other as a separate housekeeping unit.

Dwelling, second floor means a residential dwelling that is located above the ground floor of a two story nonresidential building.

Dwelling, single-family detached means an unattached building, containing separate bathing, kitchen, sanitary, and sleeping facilities designed to be occupied by not more than one family, not including manufactured and mobile homes.

Dwelling, townhouse means two or more attached single-family dwellings separated from one another by impermeable or opaque party walls and sharing a common roof structure that may extend from one dwelling to another.

Dwelling, duplex means a building containing separate bathing, kitchen, sanitary, and sleeping facilities designed to be occupied by not more than two families living independently of each other as a separate housekeeping unit.

Dwelling, zero lot line means a building containing separate bathing, kitchen, sanitary, and sleeping facilities designed to be occupied by not more than one family, with the building located in such a manner that one or more sides of the building directly on a lot line.

Elderly adult means an adult at least 62 years of age.

Elevated Building means a nonbasement building built to have the lowest floor of the lowest elevated area elevated above the ground level by means of fill; solid foundation perimeter walls; pilings, columns, posts and piers, shear walls; or breakaway walls adequately anchored so as not to impair the building during a base flood event.

Emergency care clinic means a facility, other than a hospital or medical clinic, which provides non-surgical emergency or ambulatory medical care on the basis of extended business hours during the day.

Employee residence means an accessory dwelling utilized by an employee working in the principal residential structure or the resident thereof.

Employment agency means an establishment providing employee recruitment services on a full time, part time, or temporary basis for professional, management, executive, administrative, and technical positions, but excluding day labor and labor pool offices for manual labor.

EPD means the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

EPD Director means the Director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Equestrian, commercial means barn, stable or similar structure that offers such services as horse livery, practice fields, stalls and riding instruction for a fee.

Equestrian, private means a barn, stable or similar structure that is utilized for horses owned, trained, and ridden by the residents.

Equipment sales, service and rental means an establishment that sells, services and rents construction equipment, household goods such as chairs and tables, lawn equipment, tools, and similar items.

Equipment storage, outdoors means a facility engaged in the short- or long-term outdoor storage of various types of equipment, including boats, campers, construction equipment and vehicles, farm equipment, recreational vehicles, trucks and similar types of equipment.

Erosion means the process by which land surface is worn away by the action of wind, water, ice, or gravity.

Erosion and Sediment Control Plan means a plan for the control of soil erosion and sedimentation resulting from a land disturbing activity and identifies all potential sources of pollution which may be expected to affect the quality of storm water discharges from the construction site or common development.

Evergreen means a plant with foliage that remains green year-round.

Exceptional Specimen Tree means any tree which upon application is determined by the Tree Board to be a unique and intrinsic value to the general public because of its size, age, historic association or ecological value or any tree designated a Georgia State Champion, United States Champion or World Champion by the American Forestry Association. The City Arborist shall keep a record of all specimen trees so designated and their location.

Existing construction means, for the purposes of flood damage prevention requirements, any structure for which the start of construction commenced before March 1, 1983.

Existing grade means the vertical location of the existing ground surface prior to cutting or filling.

Express or parcel delivery service means an establishment engaged in the delivery, receipt, and transmittal of documents, packages and parcels.

Extended stay hotel means a hotel, motel or inn containing ten or more sleeping rooms used for temporary occupancy of transients and containing cooking facilities in more than 50 percent of the individual rooms.

Exterior architectural features means the architectural style, general design, and general arrangement of the exterior of a building or other structure, including, but not limited to, kind or textures of the building material and siding; the type and style of all windows, doors, porches, roofs, foundations, signs, landscaping, fencing and other appurtenant architectural fixtures, features, details or elements relative to the foregoing.

Extermination service means an establishment engaged in providing residential and nonresidential insect, pest and vector control.

Facade means the side of a building below the eaves.

Facility means an area, building, lot, structure or other specific location in which one or more activities or uses occur.

Family means any number of individuals, not necessarily related, living together as a single housekeeping unit with kitchen facilities on the premises.

Farm equipment sales and service means an establishment engaged in the on-premises lease, rental, or retail sale of new or used farm equipment, with or without incidental service for minor repairs and maintenance.

Fill means a portion of land surface to which soil or other solid material has been added; the depth above the original ground.

Filling means the placement of any soil or other solid material, either organic or inorganic, on a natural ground surface or excavation.

Film and video studio means a studio engaged in the staging and production of film, motion picture, television, video, and related media.

Final stabilization means all land disturbing activities at a site have been completed and that for unpaved areas and areas not covered by permanent structures, 100% of the soil surface is uniformly covered in permanent vegetation with a density of 70% or greater, or equivalent permanent stabilization measures such as the use of rip rap, gabions, permanent mulches or geotextiles, have been used. For the purposes of this definition, permanent vegetation shall consist of: planted trees, shrubs, perennial vines; a crop of perennial vegetation appropriate for the time of year and region; or a crop of annual vegetation and a seeding of target crop perennials appropriate for the region. Final stabilization applies to each phase of construction.

Finished grade means the final elevation and contour of the ground after cutting or filling and conforming to the proposed design.

Flag means any fabric or banner containing distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols, used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision, or other entity. This includes official flags of states, counties, municipalities, foreign nations, nationally, or internationally recognized organizations and the official flag of any institution or business.

Flea market means an outdoor or enclosed commercial activity, open to the general public that offers goods for sale.

Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM) means an official map of a community, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where the boundaries of the areas of special flood hazard have been defined.

Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) means an official map of a community, on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency has delineated both the areas of special flood hazard or the risk premium zones applicable to the community.

Flood Insurance Study means the official report provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency evaluating flood hazards and containing flood profiles and water surface elevations of the base flood.

Flood or Flooding means a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from the: (1) overflow of inland or tidal waters; or (2) unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.

Floodplain means any land area susceptible to flooding.

Floodway means the channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than a designated height.

Floodplain, 100-year means, as provided in Chapter 5 of this Unified Development Ordinance, land in the floodplain subject to a one percent or greater statistical occurrence probability of flooding in any given year.

Floor means the top surface of an enclosed area in a building, including basement, i.e., top of slab in concrete slab construction or top of wood flooring in wood frame construction. The term does not include the floor of a garage used solely for parking vehicles or storage, or the floor area of an attic used exclusively for storage.

Food processing means an establishment engaged in the receipt, processing, packaging, and distribution of foodstuffs for human consumption, including the following: beverage production and bottling plants; breweries and microbreweries; canneries; fresh food and produce cleaning, processing, packing, and shipping facilities; meat cutting and packaging plants; processed foods, including bread, cookies, nuts, and snacks; and other similar establishments.

Forestry means the science, business and art of creating, conserving and managing forests on a continuous basis for both commodity and noncommodity purposes.

Foster care home means a private home used by a child-placing agency which has been approved by the child-placing agency to provide 24-hour care, lodging, supervision and maintenance for no more than six children who are unrelated to the foster parent or parents as defined in O.C.G.A. §49-5-60 (10).

Freeway means the highest type of arterial highway which has full control access giving preferential treatment to through traffic, and are typically multi-lane roadways with medians, grade separation at cross streets, ramp connections and frontage roadways for access to adjoining properties.

Fruit and vegetable market means an establishment engaged in the retail sale of fresh flowers, fruit, juices, plants, vegetables, and processed food such as bread, jams, jellies, and related items for human consumption.

Fuel station. A facility having pumps and underground storage tanks as which fuels for the use of motor vehicles are dispensed, sold, or offered for sale with no retail store, car wash, or similar uses.

Funeral home means an establishment that prepares humans for burial, and provides funeral-related activities such as management services, facilities for memorial services, and supplies such as caskets and urns.

Furniture and home furnishing sales means a retail establishment engaged in the sale of accessories, furniture, rugs, and related items for furnishing homes and offices.

Furniture repair and refinishing means an establishment that is engaged in the rebuilding, rehabilitation, renovation, repair and restoration of furniture, including antique furniture and furnishings.

Garage, private means an attached or detached accessory residential building, including a carport, used for the parking or storage of automobiles operated by the occupants of the residence.

Georgia Stormwater Management Manual means the most recent edition of the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual, Volume 2, first published August, 2001.

Gift shop and antique shop means an establishment engaged in the sale of antiques, collectible items, gifts, greeting cards, souvenirs, and similar items.

Golf course means a public or private outdoor recreational facility, providing for executive courses, nine hole courses, and regulation courses, including accessory uses such as club house, driving range, maintenance facilities, and restaurant or lounge.

Grading means altering the shape of the ground surfaces to a predetermined condition, and this includes stripping, cutting, filling, stockpiling and shaping, or any combination thereof and shall include the land in its cut or filled condition.

Grand opening means a promotional activity used by newly established businesses after occupancy to inform the public of their location and service available to the community. Grand opening does not mean an annual or occasional promotion of retail sales by a business.

Green space means any area retained as permanently vegetated land.

Greenhouse and nursery, retail means an establishment engaged in the sale of garden supplies, garden tools, plants, trees and related items to the public.

Greenhouse and nursery, wholesale means an establishment engaged in the commercial cultivation or growing of plants, trees and other vegetation for sale or distribution to other wholesale or retail businesses.

Grocery or food store means an establishment engaged in the sale of products for human consumption including but not limited to baked goods and breads; canned foods; dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables; fresh fish, meat and poultry; personal hygiene; and related items.

Groom's quarters means an accessory dwelling unit for an employee of a commercial or private equestrian use.

Ground cover means grasses or other plants grown to keep soil from being blown or washed away.

Ground elevation means the original elevation of the ground surface prior to cutting or filling.

Group foster home means a building or portion thereof that provides sleeping/lodging accommodations, whether operated for profit or not, for a total of more than six but 15 or fewer minor/juvenile persons not related by blood or adoption to the owner or operator on a transient or permanent basis, with or without meals but without separate cooking facilities for individual occupants. Each location must be licensed by the state agency having jurisdiction.

Grove means a stand of trees that produce citrus, fruits, nuts and similar edible or inedible products.

Guest cottage means a secondary, subordinate dwelling that is attached to or detached from and located on the same lot as the principal structure.

Half-street means a right-of-way dedicated for a new street by a developer along such developer's perimeter property line equal to only one-half of the total right-of-way width required by this Code. Dedication of a "half street" presumes future dedication of a corresponding amount of right-of-way from adjoining land in order to provide the total right-of-way required for a proposed street. The dedication of additional right-of-way along an existing street is not considered a "half-street."

Hazardous waste disposal facility means a facility that is designed and operated to accept, process and dispose of products that are identified as hazardous waste or materials by federal, state or local agencies.

Hazardous waste means debris, materials, products, refuse or waste that, due to chemical, biological or physical properties, cannot be disposed of in a routine or common fashion due to potential threats to the health, safety and welfare of humans, natural and environmental resources or habitats. Wastes include but are not limited to corrosives, explosives, flammable materials, irritants, medical wastes, oxidizers, pesticides, poisons or other materials identified by applicable federal, state, or local legislation.

Health and fitness facility means an enclosed facility or spa providing equipment, classes, instruction and similar assistance for conducting a variety of activities designed to improve health and physical fitness, including, but not limited to, aerobic exercises and dancing, handball, racquetball, running, squash, weight lifting, swimming, weight reduction, and similar activities. Accessory uses, limited to patrons of the center, include babysitting, food and beverage service, and serving of alcoholic beverages.

Health services means offices or establishments engaged in the provision of health services to the public, including clinics as part of a planned office center; clinic, medical and dental; hospitals, including nursing schools and dormitories for nurses, interns, and attendants; medical and dental offices, and health services not otherwise classified elsewhere.

Height means that for the purposes of determining the height limits in all airport zones set forth in these regulations and shown on the airspace zoning map, the datum shall be mean sea level (MSL) unless otherwise specified.

Height of sign means the vertical distance measured from grade of the adjacent street or highway to the highest point of the sign or sign structure.

Helipad or helistop, accessory means an accessory area for the landing or take-off of helicopters or other aircraft capable of hovering.

Heliport means a means an area for the landing or take-off of helicopters or other aircraft capable of hovering and for support services.

Highest Adjacent Grade means the highest natural elevation of the ground surface, prior to construction, next to the proposed foundation of a building.

Historic district means a geographically definable area, urban or rural, which contains structures, sites, works of art, or a combination thereof which: (1) have a special character or special historical or ethnic heritage or esthetic interest or value; (2) represent one or more periods or styles of architecture typical of one or more eras in the history of Columbus, state, or region; and (3) cause such area, by reason of such factors, to constitute a visibly perceptible section of Columbus.

Historic property means a structure, site, or work of art, including the adjacent area necessary for the proper appreciation or use thereof, deemed worthy of preservation by reason of its value to Columbus, state, or region for one or more of the following reasons: (1) it is a landmark; or (2) it is an outstanding example of a structure representative of its era; or (3) it is one of the few remaining examples of a past architectural style; or (4) it is a place or structure associated with an event or person of historic, ethnic, or cultural significance to Columbus, state, or region; or (5) it is a site of natural or esthetic interest that is continuing to contribute to the cultural or historic development and heritage of Columbus, state, or region.

Holiday decoration means a temporary decoration for any special religious day or period.

Home occupation means one or more commercial or occupational uses performed by a resident or family member of a residential dwelling unit located in a residential zoning district.

Homeowners or property owners association means an association organized to own, maintain, and operate common facilities and to enhance and protect their common interests.

Hospice means a facility used for the care and treatment of terminally ill persons.

Hospital means a facility possessing all applicable licenses, and providing for the following: overnight care of one or more human patients; services to inpatients or outpatients; medical care to the sick and injured; and accessory facilities such as administrative offices, laboratories, outpatient services, training facilities, central service facilities, and staff facilities.

Hotspot means a land use or activity on a site that produces higher concentrations of trace metals, hydrocarbons or other priority pollutants than are normally found in urban stormwater runoff. Examples of hotspots include gas stations, vehicle service and maintenance areas, salvage yards, material storage sites, garbage transfer facilities, and commercial parking lots with high-intensity use.

Hotel, motel or inn means an establishment that provides lodging for a fee to transients, including extended stay facilities, and may include such amenities as bars and lounges, conference rooms, exhibition halls, meeting rooms, restaurants, and similar facilities.

Illicit connection means a connection to a municipal separate storm sewer system or connection to a combined sewer system without proper authority, or any connection that results in discharge that is not composed entirely of unpolluted stormwater runoff except discharges pursuant to a NPDES permit.

Improvements mean, in relation to nonconformities, structures, accessory structures and similar improvements constructed upon land, a lot or a parcel. Improvements shall not include the value of land, a lot or a parcel.

Intensity means the maximum number of nonresidential gross square feet allowed in a zoning district, based upon the maximum lot coverage and maximum building height.

Intersection sight distance: See "sight distance." means the clear view provided to a driver and oncoming vehicles at intersections.

Impermeable means a barrier or other feature, such as a layer of rock that water cannot pass through or be absorbed by.

Impervious surface means a man-made structure or surface that prevents the infiltration of stormwater into the ground below the structure or surface, such as a building, paved road or driveway, parking lot, deck, swimming pool or patio.

Indoor Cannabis Grow Facility means a facility permitted by the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission to produce and manufacture low THC oil issued pursuant to OCGA Section 16-12-211 (Class 1) and OCGA Section 16-12-212 (Class 2).

Junk, salvage or auto wrecking yard means a facility and associated land area for collection, disassembly disposal, sale, salvage or storage of discarded matter or waste material including abandoned, inoperative, or obsolete vehicles; construction debris; junk; scrap material and structural steel; and similar materials. This term includes a junk, scrap or auto wrecking yard.

Kennel, boarding or breeding means an establishment that provides boarding, breeding, grooming, keeping for sale, selling, trading, training and related services for six or more dogs over four months of age.

Kennel, private means the keeping of four or more dogs for noncommercial purposes by the resident of the property.

Laboratory, medical, dental or veterinary means an establishment to perform analysis of blood, tissue or other human or animal product, and may include the construction or repair of prosthetic devices performed at the written order of a licensed physician or dentist.

Lake means a body of water one acre or more in surface area, created either by a manmade or natural dam or other means of water impoundment.

Land development regulations means ordinances enacted by the Council for the regulation of any aspect of development and includes any zoning, rezoning, permitted use, special exception use, prohibited use, planned development district, zoning district, overlay zoning district, subdivision, building construction, or sign, landscape, parking, land use, or similar regulations controlling the development or use of land.

Land disturbing activity means any activity which may result in soil erosion from water or wind and the movement of sediments into state waters or onto lands within the state, including, but not limited to, clearing, dredging, grading, excavating, transporting, and filling of land but not including those practices as described as exempt under the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Article of Chapter 8.

Landmark means a structure or site listed in the National Register of Historic Places, U.S. Department of Interior, or designated by local ordinance in accordance with guidelines issued by the U. S. Department of Interior.

Large maturing tree means large maturing tree species that shall be a minimum of eight feet in height and have a caliper of at least two inches immediately after planting. These species shall have an average mature crown spread of at least 25 feet and a height of 35 feet when grown in Columbus, Georgia.

Laundry, coin operated means a business that provides washing, drying, dry cleaning, or ironing machines for hire, to be used by customers on the premises.

Lawnmower sales and service means an establishment engaged in the sale, service, and repair of lawn mowers, edgers, blowers, trimmers, and similar equipment used personally or professionally to maintain residential and nonresidential lawns.

Logo means an established identifying symbol or mark associated with a business or business entity.

Lot area means the area contained within the property lines of a lot, excluding space within any street right-of-way but including the area of any easement.

Lot coverage means the portion of the area of a lot, normally expressed as a percentage, occupied by all buildings or structures, measured from the exterior walls, that are roofed or otherwise covered and that extend more than three feet above the surface ground level, excluding screen enclosures and swimming pools, but including detached garages and accessory structures.

Lot frontage means that portion of a lot that abuts a public or private street.

Lot line, corner means a side lot line located on a street right-of-way.

Lot line, front means the lot line fronting the street right-of-way.

Lot line, interior means the lot line separating two lots.

Lot line, rear means the lot line opposite the front lot line.

Lot line, side means any lot line other than the front lot line or rear lot line.

Lot lines means the lines creating or forming the boundary of a lot.

Lot means a portion of a subdivision or any other parcel of land intended as a unit for transfer of ownership, or lease to, or separate use of, another, or for development. The word "lot" includes, but is not limited to, "plot" or "parcel."

Lot of record means a lot which is part of a subdivision approved in accordance with land subdivision requirements, a plat of which has been lawfully recorded in the records of the Clerk of the Muscogee County Superior Court; or a parcel of land, the deed of which was lawfully recorded in the same office prior to May 27, 1970.

Lot Size means the area contained within the property lines of a lot, excluding space within any street right-of-way but including the area of any easement.

Lot width means the shortest distance between side lot lines measured at the required front building line.

Lot, corner means a lot abutting upon two or more streets at their intersection.

Lot, depth means the average horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines.

Lot, double frontage means a lot other than a corner lot that has frontage upon two or more streets that do not intersect.

Lot, flag means a tract or lot of land of uneven dimensions in which the portion fronting on a street is less than the required minimum width required for construction of a building or structure on that lot.

Lot, interior means any lot other than a corner lot.

Lot, nonconforming means an lot that legally existed prior to the adoption this unified development ordinance or other, prior zoning code, but does not comply with current minimum lot size, lot depth or lot width requirements.

Lot, single tier means a lot that backs upon a limited access highway, a railroad, a physical barrier, a major arterial, a nonresidential use, and to which access from the rear of the lot is usually prohibited.

Lot, through. See "Lot, double frontage".

Lot, zero lot line means a lot specifically designed and subdivided for construction of a zero lot line dwelling.

Mail and packing store means an establishment that provides mail collection, mailboxes, packing, shipping, stamps and similar services or products for compensation.

Manager or City Manager means the appointed manager of the Columbus Consolidated Government or designee.

Manufactured and mobile home sales means an establishment that a display, sells, leases, and services manufactured or mobile homes.

Manufacturing, housing. See "Dwelling, manufactured."

Manufacturing, heavy means the initial processing or treatment of raw materials or manufacturing of products that normally require additional processing, fabrication, or assembly for ultimate use by the consumer.

Manufacturing, light means the manufacturing, fabricating or processing of finished products or parts, generally from materials previously prepared; and includes the incidental storage, sales, and distribution of such products and parts, but does not include heavy industrial processing of materials. Light manufacturing also includes the processing and manufacturing of food.

Marina, dock, pier or yacht club means a public, private or membership only marine facility for the mooring or storage of boats, and may include sale of marine products and fuel, boat and engine repair, rental or chartering of boats, and clubhouse for members, guests and visitors.

Marquee means any permanent roof-like structure projecting beyond a building or extending along and projecting beyond the wall of the building, generally designed and constructed to provide protection from the weather.

Massage therapy means therapeutic message provided by a licensed professional masseuse.

Material changes in appearance means a change that will affect the exterior architectural features or environmental features of a historic property or of any structure, site, or work of art within a historic district and may include any one or more of the following: (1) a reconstruction or alteration of the size, shape, or facade of a historic property, including relocation of any doors or windows or removal or alteration of any architectural features, details, or elements, excepting any painting of previously painted surfaces; or (2) demolition of a historic property; or (3) commencement of excavation; or (4) a change in the location of advertising visible from the public right-of-way on any historic property; or (5) the erection, alteration, restoration, or removal of any building or other structures within designated historic district, including walls, fences, steps, pavements, driveways, trees or other appurtenant features, excepting any painting of previously painted surfaces.

Mausoleum means an above ground structure used for the internment of human remains.

Mean Sea Level means the average height of the sea for all stages of the tide. It is used as a reference for establishing various elevations within the flood plain. For purposes of this Ordinance, the term "mean sea level" is synonymous with National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD).

Medical Cannabis Dispensary means a facility permitted by the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission to sell low THC oil to registered patients by a dispensing license.

Menu board means a freestanding sign usually hinged at the top, or attached in a sandwich manner, and widening at the bottom to form a shape similar to the letter "A". Such signs are usually designed to be temporary and are not considered permanent signs.

Microbrewery means an establishment in which not more than 10,000 barrels of beer or malt beverages are manufactured or brewed on the licensed premises in a calendar year and in which such manufactured or brewed beer or malt beverages may be sold for consumption on the premises and consumption off premises, subject to the limitations prescribed in O.C.G.A. § 3-5-24.1. As used in this definition, the term "barrel" shall be defined as set forth in O.C.G.A. § 3-5-1.

Microdistillery means an establishment in which not more than 10,000 barrels of distilled spirits are manufactured on the licensed premises in a calendar year and in which such manufactured distilled spirits may be sold for consumption on the premises and consumption off premises, subject to the limitations prescribed in O.C.G.A. § 3-4-24.2. As used in this definition, the term "barrel" shall be defined as set forth in O.C.G.A. § 3-4-1.

Mining and extraction means the excavation of stones, rock, sand and gravel on a commercial basis, and includes the production of crushed stones, rock or gravel following excavation.

Mobile home park means a parcel of land that has been planned, designed and improved for the parking of mobile homes used as dwelling units.

Mobile home. See "dwelling, mobile home."

Model, residential means a permanent or temporary residential dwelling unit that is constructed for purpose of display to prospective buyers or renters.

Modification means a type of administrative appeal that may be granted by the City Arborist only where specifically authorized by this UDO.

Modification. See "alteration."

Moving, transfer and storage means an establishment engaged in packing, pickup, transfer and delivery of household goods and equipment from one location to another, and may include the short- or long-term storage of such goods and equipment.

Mulch means a layer of wood chips, pine straw, hay or other material placed on the surface of the soil around plants to retain moisture, prevent weeds from growing, hold soil in place and aid in plant growth.

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System means a conveyance or system of conveyances, including roads with drainage systems, highways, rights-of-way, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, manmade channels, storm drains, detention/retention ponds, and other stormwater facilities, which are owned and operated or maintained by the Columbus Consolidated Government.

National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) means as corrected in 1929, a vertical control used as a reference for establishing varying elevations within the flood plain.

Natural area means an area of natural vegetation that is generally undisturbed, un-maintained, and is self-perpetuating. It includes not only trees, but also native shrubs, ground covers, wildflowers, vines, and grasses.

New construction means as related to flood damage prevention means any structure for which the start of construction commenced after March 1, 1983, and includes any subsequent improvements to the structure. Any walled and roofed addition which is connected by a firewall or is separated by independent perimeter, load-bearing walls is new construction.

New development means land disturbing activities, structural development including construction, installation or expansion of a building or other structure, or creation of impervious surfaces on a previously undeveloped site.

Nonconforming use means any pre-existing structure, object of natural growth, or use of land which is inconsistent with the provisions of Chapter 11 of these development regulations or any amendments thereto, relating to airports.

Nursery and garden supply, retail means an establishment engaged in the sale of fertilizer; garden supplies; lawn mowers and similar equipment; lawn tools; plants, shrubs, trees and similar vegetation; and related items for the care of lawns and gardens.

Nursery, wholesale means an establishment engaged in the wholesale growth, sale and distribution of plants, shrubs, trees and similar vegetation.

Object means a material thing of functional, aesthetic, cultural, historic or scientific value that may be, by nature or design, movable yet related to a specific setting or environment.

Obstructions mean, in relation to an outdoor cafe, permanent streetscape amenities that impede or delay free pedestrian passage along a public sidewalk or space and shall include, but are not limited to, trees, postal boxes, planters, hydrants, light poles, and sign poles.

Office, business and professional means an establishment providing executive, management, and professional services to the public, including but not limited to the following: advertising, services, business offices of private companies, business offices of utility companies, public or nonprofit agencies, trade associations; employment offices, excluding day labor and labor pool services; professional or consulting offices for accounting, tax office, architecture, computer technology, design, engineering, landscape architecture, law, urban planning, and similar professions; property and financial management, real estate; secretarial and telecommunication services; travel agencies; and related services.

Office, medical or dental means an establishment offering patients medical services, examinations, and treatments, by professionals trained in healing or health-related practices, including: chiropodist, chiropractors, dental surgeons, dentists, naturopaths, optometrists, osteopaths, physicians, psychiatrists, surgeons, or any similar profession recognized and licensed by the State of Georgia.

Office, unclassified means any office use not specifically listed or defined in the United Development Ordinance.

Office, veterinary means an establishment offering medical, surgical and related care to animals, including boarding of animals.

Official Street Tree Planting Plan and Program means a plan and program adopted by the Council for the planting of trees along public streets, parks and other public places.

Oil change facility means operations that provided lubrication and/or checking, changing, or additions of those fluids and filters necessary to the maintenance of a vehicle. It is intended that these services will be provided while customers wait, generally within a 15- to 20-minute time period.

Opaque means impenetrable to view, or so obscuring to view that features, buildings, structures, and uses become visually indistinguishable.

Ornamental grass means a grass planted primarily for its ornamental value or for screening purposes.

Outdoor advertising and sign fabrication means an establishment engaged in the fabrication of signs and billboards outdoor advertising or for indoor advertising.

Outdoor cafe means an area adjacent to and directly in front of a ground-level eating or drinking establishment, operated by the operator of the establishment, located within the pedestrian area of the public right-of-way, and defined by "readily removable" railings or fencing or a combination of railings or fencing and landscaping in planter boxes which separates the encroachment area from the remainder of the public right-of-way, and is used exclusively for dining, drinking and circulation therein. The outdoor cafe is to be open to the sky with the exception that it may have a fixed or retractable awning or table umbrellas. An outdoor cafe may provide either waiter or waitress service or sell take-out items to be consumed in the outdoor dining area.

Outdoor storage means the outside or outdoor storage of goods, material, vehicles, and any other equipment associated with the principal use of a building.

Overlay zoning district means a zoning district that provides for specific regulations to be applied to a designated area in combination with the requirements of the underlying or base zoning district.

Owner means a person listed as such on the contemporaneous tax roll.

Package and liquor store means an establishment that sells alcoholic beverages.

Paint, glass and wallpaper store means a retail establishment that sells paint and related home improvement products.

Park means all public land set aside for open space and recreation purposes.

Parking garage, commercial means an above- or below-ground structure designed and utilized for the temporary storage of automobiles for a fee. Services shall be limited to auto washing and detailing.

Parking garage, private means an above- or below-ground structure designed and utilized for the temporary parking of automobiles associated with a specific use or building.

Parking lot [means] an impervious surface used for the parking, storage or display of motor vehicles, boats, recreational vehicles, etc.

Parking lot, commercial means an improved, grade level area that is used for the temporary parking of automobiles for a fee.

Pawn shop means a commercial use, operated by a pawnbroker, that is engaged in whole or in part in the business of lending money on the security of pledged goods, or in the business of purchasing tangible personal property on the condition that it may be redeemed or repurchased by the seller for a fixed price within a fixed period of time, or in the business of purchasing tangible personal property from persons or sources other than manufacturers or licensed dealers.

Perennial stream means a stream that flows throughout the whole year and may be identified as such on a United States Geologic Service Quad map.

Perimeter planting strip means any land area located within the boundary of a lot and required to be set aside and used for landscaping upon which only limited encroachments are authorized.

Permitted use means any use allowed as a matter of right in a zoning district, subject to administrative review and compliance with all requirements contained in this UDO.

Personal care home means any dwelling, whether operated for profit or not, which undertakes through its ownership or management to provide for or arrange for the provision of housing, food service, and one or more personal care services for two or more adults who are not related to the administrator by blood or marriage, as defined and licensed in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 31-7-12 as such Code Section may from time to time be amended.

Personal Care Home, Type I means a personal care home that provides personal care services, for not more than six adult clients that may or may not be disabled, excluding staff, within a long term residential, family-like setting.

Personal Care Home, Type II means a personal care home that provides personal care services for seven to 15 adult clients that may or may not be disabled, excluding staff, within a long term residential, family-like setting.

Personal care means the for-profit or not-for-profit provision of housing, food, and one or more personal services on a fee basis to two or more adults not related to the owner or operator by blood or marriage.

Personal care services include but are not limited to individual assistance with or supervision of self-administered medication, and essential activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, grooming, dressing and toileting.

Personal services means an establishment providing services of a personal nature that are necessary on a frequent or recurring basis. Personal services may include the accessory retail sale of items related to service rendered. Personal services typically include beauty and barbershops; clerical services; dog grooming; garment repair; informational, instructional, personal improvement, or services of a similar nature; fortune telling and similar psychic services; and dry cleaning drop-off and pick-up stations; limited repair services; manicurists; photography studios; spas; shoe repair and shoeshine parlors; tailoring; and tanning salons.

Persons means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, joint stock association or government entity, including trustees, receivers, assignees, or similar representatives thereof.

Pet day care means and includes every place kept or maintained for the care, grooming, training, exercising, and socializing of live dogs or cats only by a person other than the owner of the live animal. Pet day care does not include facilities that provide breeding or selling of animals, or facilities whose primary source of revenue is licensed veterinarian services.

Pharmacy or drug store means an establishment that dispenses prescribed drugs and medicines, and includes the retail sale of the following: books and offices supplies; convenience food and beverages; over the counter sale medical products; personal hygiene items; photography-related services; wedding chapels and related items.

Place of worship means a building, including a church, mosque or synagogue, used primarily as a place of public or private worship on a permanent basis by a recognized and established religious sect or denomination registered as a not-for-profit organization pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, as amended.

Place of worship, freestanding means a place of worship that is established as the principal use on a site, and is not located within building or development that includes two or more separate, distinct and different uses.

Planned development means an overlay zoning district created to encourage creativity and imagination in the planning and development or redevelopment of large tracts of land for various uses and activities associated with a planned community under one master plan that may include a mix of land use types at different levels of intensity. In addition, a planned development also is encouraged to provide one or more benefits to the residents of the City.

Planning Advisory Commission (PAC) means the advisory board appointed by the Council to review and make recommendations to the City Council and the Department of Community Development with regard to: a comprehensive plan or parts thereof for the development and redevelopment of the City; a zoning map; regulations for the subdivision of land within the city; a unified development ordinance for the City; and such other matters as may be required by ordinance or by direction of the City Council.

Planning Department means the department of the same name duly created by the Council of Columbus. References to action by the "Planning Department" shall mean action by that administrative official of the Columbus Consolidated Government Planning Department to whom responsibility for that action has been assigned by the Director of Planning.

Planning Division means the Planning Division of the Planning Department. References to action by the "Planning Division" shall mean action by that administrative official of the Columbus Consolidated Government Planning Division to whom responsibility for that action has been assigned by the Director of the Planning Department.

Planting season means the time period or season during which newly planted trees will have the best opportunity for survival, and consisting of that period from November 1 ^st of any year to March 31 ^st of the following year.

Pollution susceptibility means the relative vulnerability of an aquifer to being polluted from spills, discharges, leaks, impoundments, applications of chemicals, injections and other human activities in a recharge area.

Postdevelopment conditions means the conditions that exist following the completion of the development activity in terms of topography, vegetation, land use and rate, volume and direction of stormwater runoff.

Predevelopment conditions means those land use conditions that existed prior to the initiation of the development activity in terms of topography, vegetation, land use and rate, volume and direction of stormwater runoff.

Premises means the space or property defined by the perimeter building structure or parcel of land assigned to a single occupancy.

Presiding official means the person chairing a meeting of the Board of Historic Architectural Review, the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Council of Columbus, the Planning Advisory Commission, the Tree Board, the Uptown Facade Board, or similar board, in their official capacity.

Primary surface means a surface longitudinally centered on a runway. When the runway has a specially prepared hard surface, the primary surface extends 200 feet beyond each end of the runway. The widths are shown on the airport zoning map.

Print shop means an establishment engaged in printing, blueprinting and related copying of documents, including establishments that provide copiers, printers, and similar equipment for use by clients.

Private dog park means a piece of fenced property having dimensions of a minimum of 25,000 square feet and no more than 5,000 square feet of that is used by a private company to afford members or customers the opportunity to bring their dogs to an outdoor setting which may be serviced by accessory food, beverage, shopping, and restroom facilities

Private tree means any tree located on private property.

Produce stand means a temporary stand, structure, trailer or similar facility that is utilized to sell produce to passing motorists or pedestrians.

Prohibited use means any use that is not a permitted use, a special exception use, or recognized as a similar use in a zoning district, and shall not be established in such district.

Property means the real property, as a unit, which contains the premises and occupancies.

Protected state river means any perennial river or watercourse that has an average annual flow of at least 400 cubic feet per second. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has identified the Chattahoochee River as a protected river.

Protected tree means a Beautification Plan Tree, a Public Protected Tree, or an exceptional specimen tree.

Pruning means the elimination of live and dead branches from a tree's crown to improve tree structure, enhance vigor and maintain safety.

Public improvement means the construction, enlargement, extension or other construction of a facility intended for dedication to the City, including but not limited to a street, curb and gutter, sidewalk, cross drain, catch basin, traffic control and street name sign, or other roadway appurtenance other than a driveway apron connection; domestic water supply system main, fire hydrant, valve or other appurtenance other than a supply line to a building; or sanitary sewerage main or outfall, lift station, force main, manhole or other appurtenance other than a drain line from a building.

Public places means all lands owned by the City.

Public Protected Tree means any tree located on lands owned by the consolidated government, its authorities or other constituent units ("CCG entities") or any land upon which easements are imposed for the benefit of CCG entities, or upon which other ownership control may be exerted by CCG entities including rights-of-way, parks, public areas and easements for drainage, sewer, water and other public utilities, with a DBH of six inches or more.

Public transportation facilities means a single or multimodal transportation facility that provides transportation to the public on a fare basis, including bus and train stations.

Public tree means any tree located on property belonging to the City.

Public uses are buildings or structures, activities, and uses of land that are owned, operated and maintained by a federal, state, local, or other governmental entity, and may include but is not limited to the following: active or passive parks; administrative offices; airports; arenas, coliseums, fairgrounds and stadiums; boat storage, wet or dry; employee residences associated with public uses; libraries; convention, civic or trade centers; colleges or universities; correctional facilities; fire stations; maintenance yards; marina, dock, pier or yacht club; recreation centers; police stations or substations, and similar facilities.

Publishing, printing and binding means an establishment engaged in blueprinting, printing and binding, publishing, typesetting, and similar activities for commercial, industrial, retail, service, and similar clients.

Railroad yard means an area designed for a variety of railroad-related purposes including multiple tracks to allow makeup of trains, separation of trains, storing of railroad stock and switching of freight and passenger rolling stock.

Readily removable means, in relation to an outdoor cafe, that railings, fencing, and furniture shall not be leaded, cemented, nailed, bolted, power riveted, screwed in, or affixed, even in a temporary manner, to the public sidewalk or a public open space area.

Recharge area means any portion of the earth's surface where water infiltrates into the ground to replenish an aquifer.

Recording studio means a studio engaged in the staging, production and recording of various forms of music, music videos, and similar types of productions.

Recreation center, private means a facility that provides recreational services for a fee, including swimming pools, tennis courts, and similar uses.

Recreation center, public means a property or building, owned by the city or other governmental agency, open to the general public for educational and recreational purposes, and may include swimming pools, tennis courts, activity buildings, and similar uses.

Recreation, temporary means events with a limited time period such as community fairs, carnivals and similar events located on public or private property.

Recreational equipment, major means a vehicular or portable structure transportable on a mobile chassis, designed to be used as a temporary dwelling, or conveyance for recreational and vacation uses, including such equipment as travel trailers, pickup campers, coaches, motorized dwellings, tent trailers, boats, boat trailers, and other similar recreational equipment.

Recreational establishment means any recreational use that requires large, open space facilities (such as a warehouse). These recreational uses include, but are not limited to, crossfit, rock climbing, physical training, baseball/softball facilities, gymnastics, tennis centers and similar uses.

Recreational facility means clubhouses, parks, swimming pools, tennis courts, trails and similar facilities constructed for the common enjoyment of residents in a development or subdivision.

Recreational vehicle means a camper, trailer, pickup camper, bus, or other vehicle with or without motor power, designed and constructed to travel on public thoroughfares without special permit in accordance with the vehicle code of the State of Georgia, and utilized for transient lodging.

Recreational vehicle park means a facility designed specifically to accommodate overnight or short term parking of recreational vehicles and may include accessory recreational or commercial activities.

Recycling collection box means an attended or unattended facility located throughout the community to accept donation or delivery of recyclable goods, including glass, cardboard, newspaper, paper, plastic and similar materials.

Recycling collection center means a facility that accepts, classifies, stores and distributes recyclable materials for ultimate reuse.

Recycling collection facility means a facility that accepts recycled materials and processes or treats such materials, such as glass, cardboard, newspaper, paper, plastic and similar materials, and returns them into a condition where they may be used again for production of other goods.

Redevelopment means structural development including construction, installation or expansion of a building or other structure; creation or addition of impervious surfaces; replacement of impervious surface not part of routine maintenance; and land disturbing activities associated with structural or impervious development. Redevelopment does not include such activities as exterior remodeling.

Rehabilitation means the act or process of returning a property to a state of utility through repair or alteration which makes possible an efficient contemporary use while preserving those portions or features of the property which are significant to its historical, architectural, and cultural values.

Removal means any relocation of a structure on its site or to another site, or the physical removal of a tree.

Repair services, accessory means on premises repair services that support the principal use or activity and are clearly incidental to the principal use.

Repair services, general means repair of large items offered to individual and businesses, including major appliances, lawn maintenance equipment, sheet metal, upholstery, electronic equipment, electrical equipment, furniture repair and refinishing, heavy equipment, mechanical equipment, plumbing equipment; carpentry repair, sign repair, and repair of similar types of equipment or services.

Repair services, limited means small-scale repair services offered to individuals and households for such items as household electronic equipment; household equipment such as vacuum cleaners and small appliances; jewelry; watches and clocks; and similar types of equipment.

Replacement tree means a new tree planted on a site to meet minimum site density factor requirements, regardless of whether trees existed prior to any development.

Residential zones means areas zoned RE10, RE5, RE1, RT, SFR1, SRF2, SFR3, RMD, RMF1, and RMF2 on the Official Zoning Map.

Restaurant, accessory means a secondary use establishment that serves only a principal use such as a university or college, hotel or motel, institutional facility, office, retail, or similar large-scale use.

Restaurant, general means an enclosed public eating place, that may include open air or sidewalk dining, where meals are ordered from a menu and provided for compensation, including but not limited to a cafeteria, coffee shop, diner, dining room, lunchroom, and tea room.

Restaurant, specialty means establishment selling a limited variety of food and beverages that generally are prepared to order and consumed on-premises, and are typified by ice cream shops, health food shops, coffee shops, doughnut and bakery shops, delicatessens, and similar types of establishments.

Restaurant, take out means establishment that provides ready-to-eat food to be consumed off the premises.

Restoration means the act or process of accurately recovering the form and details of a property and its setting as it appeared at a particular period of time by means of the removal of later work or by the replacement of missing earlier work.

Resubdivision means a combination or recombination of previously recorded lots or tracts of contiguous land for purposes of creating a new lot or lots.

Retail sales, general means establishments engaged in retail sales and rental of products, including antique stores; apparel for women and men; appliance sales; auto parts store; bicycle sales; book and stationary stores; business machines and office equipment sales; camera and photography sales and service; candy, nuts, and confectionery sales; drug stores and pharmacies; fabric stores; floor covering sales; farm and garden supply stores; food stores, excluding convenience stores; furniture stores, gift, novelty, and souvenir stores; hobby toy, and game shops; home furnishings, and equipment; hardware sales; household goods; jewelry stores; lawn and garden sales, including lawnmowers; leather goods and luggage stores; liquor and package sales; marine equipment sales, excluding boats and personal water craft; music and musical instrument sales; newsstand and cigar sales; office supplies; optical goods; pet shops; shoe stores; specialty merchandise, including artist's supplies, orthopedic and artificial limbs, sporting goods; tobacco shops; and similar uses as may be determined by the Director.

Retirement home means a multifamily residential facility that provides independent living for elderly residents.

Rhythm of spacing of buildings on streets means the relationship of spaces between buildings on a street should be retained when constructing new buildings or additions.

Right-of-way means a strip of land over which the City has the right by ownership to construct a public street, sidewalk, or use for public utilities.

Road frontage means the number of linear feet fronting a road with access from property.

Roadway drainage structure means a device such as a bridge, culvert or ditch, composed of a virtually non-erodible material such as concrete, steel, plastic or other such material that conveys water under a roadway by intercepting the flow on one side of a traveled way consisting of one or more defined lanes, with or without shoulder areas, and carrying water to a release point on the other side.

Roofline means the juncture of the roof and the perimeter wall of the structure.

Runway means a defined area on an airport prepared for landing and takeoff or taxiing of aircraft along its length.

Sanitary landfill means a public or private facility for the disposal of construction or demolition debris, and nonhazardous and nonmedical agricultural, commercial, industrial, institutional or residential waste.

Sanitary sewer system means the complete sanitary sewer system of the City which discharges sewage directly or indirectly into the sewage treatment plant, including sanitary sewer pipelines, manholes and flushing inlets and appurtenances to the foregoing, but shall exclude any portion or facilities of the sewage treatment plant.

School, public or private means a facility operated by a public or private entity, for educational, technical or training purposes, including pre-kindergarten, elementary and secondary schools.

School, vocational and nonacademic means a school that provides regularly scheduled classes and instruction in business, commercial, self-improvement, technical, vocational subjects, including automotive and aircraft mechanical and technological skills, building and construction trades, business skills, computer technology, electronics, medical and dental technologies, personal services, art, music, or karate schools and so forth, and related crafts and skills.

Screening means a method of visually shielding or obscuring one abutting or nearby structure or use from another by opaque fencing, walls, berms, densely planted vegetation, natural topography or the like.

Secondary permittee means an individual builder, utility company, or utility contractor that conducts a construction activity within a common development.

Secondary uses means those restricted uses that may be allowed within certain office, retail, hotel or motel, or institutional uses, including the following: barber and beauty shops, bookstores, cafeterias and restaurants, convenience food stores, drugstores and pharmacies, florists, gift shops, newsstands and cigar or tobacco shops, laundry and dry cleaning pickup/drop-off facilities, laundry facilities for residents, mail services, personal services oriented to the residents or tenants of the building, and print shops.

Sediment means solid material, both organic and inorganic, that is in suspension, is being transported or has been moved from its site of origin by air, water, ice or gravity as a product of erosion.

Sedimentation means the process by which eroded material is transported and deposited by the action of water, wind, ice, or gravity.

Self-permitting means the process permitted by Chapter 8 involving single-family residential construction.

Self-storage facility means a structure consisting of individual, self-contained units leased for storage of business, commercial, or personal goods and belongings.

Setback means the distance from the property line to the nearest part of the applicable building, structure, or sign, measured perpendicularly to the property line.

Shelter, homeless. See "transient lodging."

Shelter, temporary means a for-profit or not-for-profit facility that provides emergency or temporary housing or protective sanctuary for victims of spouse abuse, child abuse, and such crimes as rape, assault, or other forms of personal attack.

Shooting range, indoor means an enclosed facility utilized for practice, training, and education in the use of firearms and archery, including target practice and competitions.

Shooting range, outdoor means an outdoor facility utilized for archery, target practice, skeet and trap shooting, mock war games, and competitions.

Short-term rental unit means an accommodation for transient guests where, in exchange for compensation, a residential dwelling unit, either the primary structure or any approved accessory dwelling is provided for lodging for a period of time not to exceed 30 consecutive days. Such use may or may not include an on-site manager. For the purposes of this definition, a residential dwelling shall include all single family and multi-family housing types and shall exclude group living or other lodging uses, as described in Chapter 3 and defined in Chapter 13, respectively, of the Unified Development Ordinance of the Columbus Consolidated Government. A short-term rental unit may not include a motor vehicle as defined in Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. Such units shall be permitted and licensed in accordance with the requirements of Article 9 of Chapter 4 of this UDO.

Shrub means a woody plant, smaller than a tree, consisting of several small stems from the ground or small branches near the ground.

Sign means any structure, housing, device, figure, statuary, painting display, message placard, other contrivance, or any part thereof, which is designed, constructed, created, engineered, used to advertise, or to provide data or information in the nature of advertising for any of the following purpose: to designate, identify, or indicate the name of the business of the owner or occupant of the premises upon which the advertising display is located; or, to advertise the business conducted, services available or rendered, or the goods produced, sold, or available for sale, upon the property where the advertising display is erected.

Sign area means the entire face of a sign, including the surface and any framing projections, or molding but not including the support structure. Individual channel-type letters mounted on a building shall be measured by the area enclosed by four straight lines or lining each word.

Sign, abandoned means any sign that is located on property which becomes vacant and is unoccupied for a period of three months or more, or any sign which pertains to a time, event, or service which no longer applies, shall be deemed to have been abandoned, regardless of whether abandonment was intended.

Sign, animated means any sign of which all or any part thereof visibly moves in any fashion whatsoever; and any sign which contains or uses for illumination any light, lights, lighting device or devices which changes color, flash, alternate, show movement, motion, or change the appearance of said or any part thereof automatically.

Sign, awning or canopy means any sign 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, bench means a sign painted or attached to any portion of a bench.

Sign, changeable copy means a sign designed to allow the changing of copy through manual, mechanical, or electrical means, including time and temperature. A trivision sign is a changeable copy sign.

Sign, construction means a temporary sign erected on the parcel on which construction is taking place, thereby limited to the duration of the construction. This sign shall include the names of the architects, engineers, landscape architects, contractors, or similar artisans, and the owner, financial supporters, sponsors, and similar individuals or firms having a major role or interest with respect to the structure or project.

Sign, directional means directional messages, principally for pedestrian or vehicular traffic, such as "one way," "entrance," or "exit."

Sign, directory means a sign for listing the tenants or occupants and their suite numbers of a building or center.

Sign, double-faced means a single structure designed with the intent of providing copy on both sides.

Sign, flappers/moving means a sign which swings or bends from a frame which is typically used for advertising, such as oil products, cigarettes, the Lottery, etc.

Sign, flashing means a sign that contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source or flashing illumination.

Sign, ground means an outdoor sign supported by one or more uprights, posts, poles or bases in or upon the ground and independent of support from any building. Sometimes called a "detached," "freestanding" or "pole" sign.

Sign, identification means a sign providing the name, address, and logo of a building or establishment on the premises where the sign is located as a mean of identifying said building or establishment.

Sign, illegal means a sign that does not comply with all ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of its construction and erection. A sign that was legally erected, but whose use has ceased, or the structure upon which the display is placed has been abandoned by its owner, not maintained or not used to identify or advertise an ongoing business for a period of not less than three months; a sign that was legally erected which later became nonconforming as a result of the adoption of an ordinance; a sign which is a danger to the public or is unsafe; a sign which is a traffic hazard not created by relocation of streets or highways or by acts of the City of Columbus, Georgia.

Sign, illuminated means a sign that emits or reflects, either directly or indirectly, artificial light from any source.

Sign, incidental means a small sign limited to information and directions related to the permitted use on the lot or building on which the sign is located, and containing no direct illumination. Examples of incidental signs would include "no smoking," "restroom," "no soliciting," "no trespassing," "open," "closed," signs indicating hours of business, and similar information.

Sign, inflatable means an inflatable balloon, blimp, or object used for advertising.

Sign, marquee means any sign attached to, in any manner, or made a part of a marquee.

Sign, message center means a sign designed to allow the changing of copy through manual, mechanical or electrical means, including time and temperature. A trivision sign is a message center sign.

Sign, multiple-sided means any sign having more than two geometric surfaces upon which copy is placed.

Sign, nonconforming means any advertising sign which was lawfully erected and maintained prior to such time as it came within the purview of this chapter and any amendments thereto, and which fails to conform to all applicable regulations and restrictions of this chapter.

Sign, non-illuminated means a sign that does not emit or reflect artificial light from any source either directly or indirectly.

Sign, ornamentation means a sign having the characters, letters, illustrations, or ornamentations applied to cloth, paper, or fabric of any kind with only such material for a backing. To include pennants, streamers, garland, garnish, rotating and/or fluttering devices designated to attract attention.

Sign, permanent means a sign permanently affixed to a building or to the ground.

Sign, portable means a sign mounted on a trailer type frame with or without wheels or skids designed to be transported and not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure.

Sign, projecting means any sign affixed to a building wall or structural and extending beyond the building wall, structure or building line or property line.

Sign, promotional means a sign erected on a temporary basis to promote the sale of new products, new management, new hours of operation, a new service, or to promote a special sale.

Sign, real estate means an on-site sign pertaining to the sale or lease of the premises.

Sign, revolving means any sign erected or constructed as to periodically change the direction toward which any plane containing the sign surface area is oriented.

Sign, roof means an erected or constructed above or placed upon or over a roof of a building which is wholly or partly supported by such building. This does not include a mansard or facade sign.

Sign, subdivision means any sign designed to identify a subdivision or neighborhood.

Sign, temporary means a sign intended to be displayed for a limited period of time.

Sign, vehicle means a sign, which is attached to or painted on a vehicle that is parked on, or adjacent to any property, the principal purpose of which is to attract attention to a product sold or an activity or business located on such property.

Sign, V-shaped means a sign constructed in the form of a "V" with an angle no greater than 45 degrees and at no point separated by a distance greater than five feet.

Sign, monument means an independent sign affixed to the ground and supported from grade to the bottom of the sign with the appearance of having a solid base.

Site means, for the purposes of historic preservation activities, the location of a significant event, a prehistoric or historic occupation or activity or a building or structure, whether standing, ruined or vanished, where the location itself maintains historical, cultural, or archaeological value regardless of the value of any existing structure.

Site development permit means a permit issued giving authorization to begin land disturbing activities for all non-exempt land disturbing activities other than those requiring a UDP (Utility Development Permit) or MLD (Minor Land Disturbance Permit) as defined in Chapter 10 of this UDO.

Site plan means a plan provided that reflects existing and proposed conditions on a site that is intended for construction. This may include but is not limited to topography, structures or additions, grading, drainage, erosion control measures, trees to be saved or planted to comply with the applicable standards of these land development regulations, best management practices, parking requirements, streets and other type improvements.

Slope means the degree of deviation of a surface from the horizontal, usually expressed in percent or degrees.

Small maturing tree means a small maturing tree species that shall be a minimum of five feet in height and have a caliper of at least one and one-half inches immediately after planting. These species shall have an average mature crown spread of at least 15 feet and a height of 25 feet when grown in Columbus, Georgia.

Soil and Water Conservation District Approved Plan means an erosion and sedimentation control plan approved in writing by the Pine Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District.

Soil and Water Conservation District means the Pine Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District.

Special event means a temporary event which may occur for one or more days, including but not limited to outdoor festivals, craft shows, carnivals and similar outdoor amusements, plant sales, parades on public rights-of-way, seasonal sales of merchandise including fireworks and Christmas trees, concerts, and any other event open to and expected to attract both residents and non-residents of the City.

Special exception use means a use which would not be appropriate generally or without restriction throughout a zoning district but which, if controlled as to number, area, location, or relation to the neighborhood, would not be detrimental to the public health, safety, welfare, morals, order, comfort, convenience, or appearance, and which may contain conditions of approval required by the Council.

Specified anatomical area means one or more of the following:

(1)

Less than completely and opaquely covered: human genitals, pubic region;

(2)

Buttocks;

(3)

Female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola; or

(4)

Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered.

Specified sexual activities means as follows:

(1)

Fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, public region, buttocks, anus, or female breast;

(2)

Acts of human analingus, bestiality, buggery, cunnilingus, coprophagy, fellation, flagellation, masochism, masturbation, pederasty, pedophilia, sadism, sadomasochism, sexual intercourse, or sodomy, whether actual or simulated;

(3)

Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation, arousal, or tumescence; or

(4)

Excretory functions as part of or in connection with any of the activities set forth above.

Stabilization means the process of establishing an enduring cover of vegetation by the installation of temporary or permanent structures for the purpose of reducing to a minimum the erosion process and the resultant transport of sediment by wind, water, ice or gravity.

Start of construction means, for the initiation of new construction or a substantial improvement, the date the development permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction or substantial improvement was within 180 days of the permit date.

State general permit means the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System general permit or permits for stormwater runoff from construction activities as is now in effect or as may be amended or reissued in the future pursuant to the state's authority to implement the same through federal delegation under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. Section 1251, et seq., O.C.G.A. § 12-5-3(f).

State waters means any and all rivers, streams, creeks, branches, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, drainage systems, springs, wells and other bodies of surface or subsurface water, natural or artificial, lying within or forming a part of the boundaries of the State which are not entirely confined and retained completely upon the property of a single individual, partnership or corporation.

Stormwater conveyance means stormwater features designed for the movement of stormwater through the drainage system, such as pipes, inlets, manholes, ditches, depressions, swales, streams, etc.

Stormwater management facilities means constructed or natural components of a stormwater drainage system, designed to perform a particular function, or multiple functions, including, but not limited to pipes, swales, ditches, culverts, street gutters, detention basins, retention basins, constructed wetlands, infiltration devices, catch basins, oil/water separators, sediment basins, natural systems and modular pavement.

Stormwater Management Manual means the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual, Volume 2, published August 2001, and as may be amended from time to time.

Stormwater management means the collection, conveyance, storage, treatment and disposal of stormwater runoff in a manner to meet the objectives of this chapter and which shall include a system of vegetation or structural measures, or both that controls the increased volume and rate of stormwater runoff and water quality impacts caused by manmade changes to the land.

Stormwater runoff means the direct response of a land surface to precipitation and includes the surface and subsurface runoff that enters a ditch, stream storm drain or other concentrated flow during and following precipitation.

Stormwater runoff means the surface and subsurface runoff that enters a ditch, stream, storm drain or other concentrated flow during and following precipitation.

Story means that portion of a building included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the next floor above it, or if there be no floor above it, then the space between such floor and the ceiling next above it.

Stream buffer means the area of land immediately adjacent to the banks along State waters to be maintained in an undisturbed and natural state of vegetation which facilitates the protection of water quality and aquatic habitat.

Street means any vehicular way, other than an alley, that:

(1)

Is an existing federal, state, county or municipal roadway;

(2)

Is constructed as shown upon a plat approved pursuant to law and is open to vehicle travel;

(3)

Is constructed and open to vehicle travel as approved by other official action of the City Council; or

(4)

Is constructed and open to vehicle travel and shown on a plat duly filed and recorded in the Clerk's Office, Muscogee County Superior Court prior to the effective date of this Ordinance. Land between the street lines, whether improved or unimproved, shall be considered part of the street.

Street, arterial means, unless otherwise defined by an adopted transportation plan or the Comprehensive Plan, a street connecting two or more towns or communities, connecting two highways of equal or greater capacity, or serving as the primary access to a large land area.

Street, collector means, unless otherwise defined by an adopted transportation plan or the Comprehensive Plan, a public street whose function is to collect traffic from neighborhoods and local streets and which connects to another public street of equal or greater classification.

Street, limited access means a street providing for traffic movement for expeditious movement for large volumes of through traffic between areas and across the city and not intended to provide land access service.

Street, local—commercial or industrial means, unless otherwise defined by an adopted transportation plan or the Comprehensive Plan, any public street, except an alley, collector, or arterial, and which has a primary function to provide direct access to adjoining properties and which serves a limited area such as an industrial park or commercial subdivision.

Street, local—residential means, unless otherwise defined by an adopted transportation plan or the Comprehensive Plan, any public street, except an alley, collector, or arterial, and which has a primary function to provide direct access to adjoining properties and which serves a limited area such as a neighborhood or a single subdivision.

Street, low volume local means a local street that carries or is expected to carry fewer than 300 vehicle trips per day.

Street, marginal access [means] A residential or nonresidential street parallel and adjacent to a major thoroughfare and which provides access to abutting properties with protection from through traffic.

Street, private means a road or street that has not been accepted for maintenance by the City and that is not owned and maintained by a federal, state, City, or another public entity.

Structural erosion and sedimentation control measures means measures, identified in the publication Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia for the stabilization of erodible or sediment-producing areas by utilizing the mechanical properties of matter for the purpose of either changing the surface of the land or storing, regulating or disposing of runoff to prevent excessive sediment loss. Examples of structural erosion and sedimentation control practices are riprap, sediment basins, dikes, level spreaders, waterways or outlets, diversions, grade stabilization structures, sediment traps and land grading.

Structure means anything constructed or erected, the long-term or temporary use of which requires permanent location on or in the ground, or which is attached to something having permanent location in or on the ground, including but not limited to the following: buildings, fences, gazebos, advertising signs, billboards, radio and television antennae, including supporting towers, and swimming pools.

Structure, legal nonconforming means a building or structure that does not conform to the regulations for the district in which it is situated but which is legal because of its existence prior to the requirements of these land development regulations.

Subdivision means division of a tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, building sites or other divisions for the purpose of either immediate or future sale, lease or building development, including all divisions of land involving a new street or a change in existing streets.

Substantial damage means damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before damage occurred.

Substantial improvement means any combination of repairs, reconstruction, alteration, or improvements to a building, taking place during a five year period, in which the cumulative cost equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the building prior to improvement. The market value of the building should be: (1) the appraised value of the building prior to the start of the initial repair or improvement; or (2) in the case of damage, the value of the building prior to the damage occurring. This term includes structures that have incurred "substantial damage," regardless of the actual amount of the actual repair work performed. For the purposes of this definition, "substantial improvement" is 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 building, as indicated in the definition above. The term does not, however, include those improvements of a building required to comply with existing health, sanitary or safety code specifications which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions, which have been pre-identified through enforcement of this UDO and not solely triggered by an improvement or repair project.

Tattoo and body piercing shop means an establishment that provides either of both of the following: (1) puncturing the skin with a needle or similar instrument and inserting indelible ink or colors so as to leave a permanent mark or design on the skin; or (2) creating an opening in the body to allow the insertion of jewelry or other decoration.

Taxidermy means an establishment that prepares, stuffs, and mounts the skins or surfaces of animals or fish so as to create lifelike replicas.

Technology park means an area that utilized an overall planned development approach to create a unified site that supports light manufacturing, wholesaling and warehousing activities and office parks as the predominant use.

Telecommunications and digital exchange means all or a portion of a structure that consolidates or connects the equipment and communication facilities of one or more telecommunications service providers, including wireless, non-wireless, digital and analog communications.

Television and radio studio means a studio for the staging, broadcasting, production or transmission of live or recorded television or radio shows.

Temporary building or structure means a structure used during construction of a residential or nonresidential project, and may be used as a sales model for residential projects.

Temporary use or special event means a use or event that is scheduled for a limited period of time and includes such activities as outdoor festivals, craft shows, carnivals and similar outdoor amusements, flea markets, plant sales, parades on public rights-of-way, seasonal sales of merchandise including fireworks and Christmas trees, concerts, and any similar other event.

Temporary wireless communication facility means portable equipment without permanent foundation that is used for a limited period while a permanent facility is under construction, under repair or during a special public event or emergency. Also called a Cell on Wheels (COW).

Tennis center or club means a public, private or membership only sport facility offering tennis courts, sale of tennis-related products, tennis education and clubhouse for members, guests and visitors.

Terminal, truck, freight, rail or water means a facility for the receipt, transfer, short-term storage or delivery of goods and materials transported by a variety of modes.

Theater, drive-in means an outdoor facility utilized for showing films, movies, videos, and similar electronic presentations.

Theater, indoor means a building or structure utilized for showing films, movies, videos, and similar electronic presentations or for the presentation of live dramatic, dance, musical, and similar productions.

Theater, outdoor means an outdoor facility utilized for the presentation of live dramatic, dance, musical, and similar productions.

Timber harvesting means the felling, loading and transporting of timber products such as pulpwood, and may include both clear cutting and selective cutting of timber.

Tire retreading and recapping means a facility that is engaged in the retreading, recapping and general refurbishment of used tires.

Topping means the severe cutting back of branches to a stub, bud, or a lateral branch not large enough to assume the terminal role.

Tower means any structure designed and constructed primarily for the support of one or more antennae and including guyed, self-support (lattice) and monopole types, excluding concealed support structures.

Towing service means an establishment that provides for the removal and temporary storage of disabled vehicles.

Toxic chemical means any chemical deemed by the City Arborist to be damaging to the tree or the soil on public lands.

Trademark means a word or name that, with a distinctive type or letter style, is associated with a business or business entity in the conduct of business.

Transient lodging means a public or private facility that provides short-term housing and meals for poor, transient, or needy individuals.

Transitional Housing Facility, Type I means group housing for individuals and juveniles undergoing some form of treatment, therapy, medical care, counseling, guidance or other similar assistance for current or former use and abuse of addictive or controlled substances, including legal or illegal drugs and chemical, alcohol, tobacco, any similar substance, any other chemical or substance, or any combination thereof.

Transitional Housing Facility, Type II means group housing for individuals and juveniles that are under some form of judicial or correctional control, direction, guidance or counseling, including but not limited to the following categories: (1) work release programs for current or former convicts, (2) alternative incarceration or correctional programs, (3) halfway housing, (4) prerelease programs, (5) pre-sentencing programs, or (6) any similar type of non-traditional incarceration or control program.

Transmission lines, electrical means overhead or underground lines for the bulk transmission of electricity between generating or receiving plants and major delivery points such as a major utility substations.

Tree density standard (TDS) means the minimum number of Tree Density Units per acre, which must be achieved on a property.

Tree density unit (TDU) means a credit assigned to a tree, based on the diameter of the tree, in accordance with tables contained in Article 6 of Chapter 4 of this Unified Development Ordinance.

Tree master plan means a plan prepared by the Tree Board that guides the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal, or disposition of trees on public lands.

Tree means a usually tall, woody plant, distinguished from a shrub by having comparatively greater height and includes a large maturing tree and a small maturing tree.

Tree permit means that consent given in writing by the City Arborist to a person, private firm or agency to maintain, remove or do any work requiring a permit involving any tree within the public right-of-way or other public property.

Tree planting standards and specifications means the design standards and specifications adopted for the planting or maintenance of trees.

Tree protection area (TPA) means any portion of a site wherein are located existing trees which are proposed to be preserved in order to comply with applicable requirements of these land development regulations, and shall include nothing less than the total area beneath the tree canopy as defined by the dripline of the tree or group of trees collectively.

Tree protection or planting plan (TP/PP) means a plan that identifies tree protection areas where existing trees are to be protected and preserved, and replacement trees planted on a property to meet minimum requirements, as well as methods of tree protection to be undertaken on the site and other pertinent information.

Tree save area means all areas designated for the purpose of meeting tree density requirements or preserving natural buffers.

Tree, street means any existing tree or any tree to be planted on the street right-of-way.

Tree thinning means selective cutting or thinning of trees only for the clear purpose of good forestry management in order to protect said forest from disease or infestation and in no way shall be construed as including clear cutting.

Tree, mature means an existing hardwood, pine or other valuable tree that is at least four inches in diameter as measured four feet above grade and has attained the capability of flowering and reproducing.

Trout streams means all streams or portions of streams within the watershed as designated by the Game and Fish Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources under the provisions of the Georgia Water Quality Control Act, O.C.G.A. § 12-5-20 et seq. Streams designated as primary trout waters are defined as water supporting a self-sustaining population of Rainbow, Brown or Brook trout. Streams designated as secondary trout waters are those in which there is no evidence of natural trout reproduction, but are capable of supporting trout throughout the year. First order trout waters are streams into which no other streams flow except springs.

Undisturbed vegetation means natural vegetation in a generally untouched, maintenance free, self-perpetuating stand comprised of indigenous trees, shrubs, herbs, flowers or grasses.

University or college means an institution of higher learning offering undergraduate or graduate degrees, and including all academic, support, residence, maintenance, administrative, laboratory, scientific, athletic, and similar buildings or facilities.

Upholstery shop means an establishment engaged in the repair and replacement of upholstery to household, nonresidential and office furniture.

Use means the purpose or activity for which land or buildings are designed, arranged, or intended or for which land or buildings are occupied or maintained.

Use means the specific purpose for which land, a structure or a building is designed, arranged, intended or for which it is or may be occupied or maintained. Unless otherwise indicated by the text of this UDO, "use" shall mean "principal use" and not "accessory use."

Use, accessory means use subordinate in nature, extent or purpose to the principal use of a building or lot, and customarily incidental thereto. Unless otherwise indicated by the text of this UDO, "use" shall mean "principal use" and not "accessory use."

Use, legal nonconforming means a use of a building or land that does not conform to the regulations for the district in which it is situated but which is legal because of its existence prior to the requirements of the zoning ordinance.

Use, noncommercial means a use serving a public purpose, such as a governmental office or facility, place of worship, private or public school and similar uses.

Use, principal means the main use of a building or lot. Unless otherwise indicated by the text of this UDO, "use" shall mean "principal use" and not "accessory use."

Used/second hand merchandise shop means an establishment wholly or predominantly engaged in the sale of ordinary used, secondhand or junk merchandise, including but not limited to books, clothes, electronic and mechanical equipment and parts, furniture, household goods, jewelry, shoes, tools of all kinds, toys, and similar items that are donated, purchased or otherwise acquired for resale.

Utility easement means the right-of-way acquired by a utility or governmental agency or private agency to locate utilities, including all types of pipelines, television cable, telephone and electric cables.

Utility substation, minor means one or more elements means of utility distribution, collection, or transmission networks or facilities, which provide utility service to a relatively limited geographical area.

Utility, major means one or more elements means of utility distribution, collection, or transmission networks or facilities that provides utility services to a regional or subregional geographic area, including electrical substations.

Utility, minor or minor utility structures means minor utility improvements or structures providing for public safety, public utilities, and similar elements to promote the public welfare are permitted, including such improvements as drainage facilities; fire hydrants; ground-mounted utilities support structures and poles for cable television, electricity, natural gas, telephone, and related services; lift or pump stations; postal collection boxes; public or private streets; water and sewer lines; and similar public improvements.

Utility plant means utility plants, including sewer and water treatment plants, electrical generation facilities, and natural gas distribution plants.

Utility, public means a firm or organization, including any agency of a federal, state or local government or agency, that provides utility services, including cable television, electricity, natural gas, sanitary sewer, water, and similar services, to the public.

Value means, for the purposes of addressing damaged, destroyed or nonconforming structures, the value of all buildings and related improvements, as determined by the latest official ad valorem property tax, excluding the value of the land, lot or parcel.

Variance, hardship means the application of a requirement, standard or provision of this UDO will result in a hardship to the property or owner that is substantially unwarranted by the protection of the public health, safety or general welfare, and the need for consistency among all properties similarly zoned.

Variance, special exception means a method for requesting relief from the following requirements of this UDO: minimum building setbacks; maximum building height; minimum lot width; minimum separation between agricultural and nonagricultural uses; public street frontage; buffers and screening; signage, in accordance with a uniform sign plan; parking requirements; roadway widths; storm water management requirements; and soil erosion and sedimentation requirements.

Variance, use means a grant of authority to establish a use that is otherwise prohibited within the zoning district.

Video game and amusement parlor means any establishment containing four or more coin-or token-operated video and amusement games, skill machines or devices or any combination of such machines that are available for the use of the public.

Video sales and rental means an establishment engaged in the rental or sale of videotapes, video games, and similar materials.

Wall, opaque means a solid wall or fence constructed of brick, concrete, masonry, metal, stone, wood or other similar material that provides 100 percent screening.

Warehousing and distribution, general means an establishment engaged in the receipt, storage and distribution of goods, equipment, supplies and products.

Water supply reservoir means a governmentally owned impoundment of water for the purpose of providing water to one or more governmentally owned drinking water systems. This definition specifically excludes the multipurpose reservoirs owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Water supply watershed means the area upstream of a governmentally owned public drinking water supply intake or reservoir.

Watercourse means any natural or artificial watercourse, stream, river, creek, channel, ditch, canal, conduit, culvert, drain, waterway, guilty, ravine, or wash in which water flows either continuously or intermittently and which has a definite channel, bed and banks, and including any area adjacent thereto subject to inundation by reason of overflow or floodwater.

Wetlands means those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas.

Wetlands, protected means those wetlands identified on the National Wetlands Inventory maps prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or otherwise approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers based on competent studies prepared by a registered and qualified professional engineer.

Wireless Communications. Wireless communications shall mean any personal wireless services as defined in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which includes FCC licensed commercial wireless telecommunications services including cellular, personal communication services (PCS), specialized mobile radio (ESMR), private mobile radio (PRMR), paging, and similar services that currently exist or that may in the future be developed.

Wireless Communication Facility (WCF). A WCF is any unstaffed facility for the transmission and/or reception of wireless telecommunications services, usually consisting of an antenna array, connection cables, and equipment facility, and a tower structure or other structure used to achieve the necessary elevation.

Wireless Communication Facility Concealed Support Structure. The use of design techniques used to blend buildings or structures into the existing surroundings to camouflage or disguise the appearance of the WCF. Concealed support structures on unimproved property must be designed to resemble natural vegetation such as a monopine or man-made structure such as a streetlight.

Wholesale, general means an establishment that involves the inventory, sale and distribution of large or relatively large quantities of goods to retailers for resale to consumers or to other wholesalers.

Yard means an open space on the same lot with a building, unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward, except by trees or shrubbery or driveway or as otherwise provided herein.

Yard, front means the area across the full width of the lot extending from the front line of the lot to the front line of the building, excluding steps and unenclosed porch or terrace and any driveway. Measurement of the front yard shall be determined by the distance between the nearest front lot line and the nearest building line.

Yard, rear means the area extending across the full width of the lot and measured between the rear line of the lot and rear line of the main building, excluding any driveway. Measurement of the rear yard shall be determined by the distance between the rear lot line and the nearest building line.

Yard, side corner means the lot area between a main building and the side lot line, extending from the front yard to the rear yard, the width of which is the minimum horizontal distance between a street right-of-way and any structure or any projections thereto.

Yard, side means an open, unoccupied space on the same lot with a building between the building and the side line of the lot, extending from the front building line to the rear yard, or to the rear line of the lot where no rear yard is required. It shall be determined by the average distance between the building line and the side property line, except that an existing structure on an irregular lot may be measured at the front building line.

Zoning buffer means an area required by the unified development ordinance or as a condition of zoning, special exception use or variance approval for a specific property.

Zoning ordinance means the action by the Council of Columbus Georgia rezoning a property.

(Ord. No. 05-32, § 1, 4-5-05; Ord. No. 07-54, § 1, 8-21-07; Ord. No. 07-75, § 1, 11-20-07; Ord. No. 08-16, § 1, 5-13-08; Ord. No. 08-66, § 1, 11-25-08; Ord. No. 09-4, § 1, 1-27-09; Ord. No. 09-22, § 1, 6-2-09; Ord. No. 10-4, § 1, 1-26-10; Ord. No. 10-41, § 1, 8-24-10; Ord. No. 10-52, § 1, 11-9-10; Ord. No. 12-53, § 4, 12-4-12; Ord. No. 14-19, §§ 3, 4, 5-27-14; Ord. No. 15-52, § 1, 10-27-15; Ord. No. 15-55, § 4, 11-17-15; Ord. No. 18-45, § 3, 10-9-18; Ord. No. 19-005, § 2, 2-26-19; Ord. No. 19-011, § 1, 3-26-19; Ord. No. 19-013, § 2, 3-26-19; Ord. No. 19-017, § 7, 4-9-19; Ord. No. 20-030, § 3, 6-23-20; Ord. No. 21-017, § 2, 3-30-21; Ord. No. 21-023, § 2, 5-25-21; Ord. No. 23-007, §§ 1, 6, 1-31-23; Ord. No. 23-008, § 1, 1-31-23; Ord. No. 23-051, § 1, 10-24-23; Ord. No. 24-020, § 3, 4-23-24; Ord. No. 24-061, § 1, 10-22-24)