A.

For the purpose of interpreting this zoning ordinance, certain words and terms used herein shall be defined as follows:

1.

Words used in the present tense include the future tense. Words used in the singular include the plural; and words in the plural include the singular; words used in the masculine gender include the feminine and are intended to be gender-neutral.

2.

The word "shall" is always mandatory, and the word "may" is permissive.

3.

The word "building" includes the word "structure".

4.

The word "used" or "occupied," as applied to any land or building, shall be construed to include the words "intended," "arranged," or "designed to be used or occupied."

5.

The words "zone," "zoning district," and "district" have the same meaning.

6.

The word "erected" shall be deemed also to include "constructed," "reconstructed," "altered," "moved" or "placed."

7.

The word "land use" and "use of land" shall be deemed also to include "building use" and "use of building."

8.

The word "person" shall include the words "individual," "firm," "partnership," "corporation," "association," "organization," "trust," "company," or any other legal entity, as well as an individual.

9.

The phrase "used for" as applied to any land or building shall include the phrases "arranged for," "designed for," "intended for," "maintained for," or "occupied for."

10.

Unless indicated otherwise, reference to zoning districts refer to the "Official Zoning Map of City of Covington, Georgia."

B.

Rules of Precedence. The following rules set forth the order of precedence that determines which definition applies in a specific instance within the provisions of the zoning ordinance:

1.

When definitions are provided within an individual chapter, article or section of the zoning ordinance, those definitions are to be applied within said chapter, article, or section. If the same term or phrase is also defined in this section, the definition in subsection C of this section shall not apply in that instance.

2.

When no definitions are provided within an individual chapter, article, or section of the zoning ordinance, words and phrases used in the zoning ordinance shall have the meaning established by the definitions provided in this subsection C of this section.

3.

For words and phrases listed in the Table of Uses in Article I of Chapter 218 with a NAICS code, the NAICS definition shall be the legal definition. Said NAICS definitions, as amended, are incorporated by this reference to the extent utilized in the zoning ordinance.

4.

All remaining words used in the zoning ordinance are intended to have the commonly accepted definitions contained in a recent edition of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

C.

Definitions. As used in the zoning ordinance, the following terms shall have the meaning set forth below, except where otherwise specifically set forth in subsection B above.

"Abutting" means touching at one point or along a common side, boundary or property line. Two pieces of property that are separated by a street or right-of-way are adjacent, but not abutting.

"Accessible electric vehicle charging station" means an electric vehicle charging station where the battery charging station is located within accessible reach of a barrier-free access aisle and the electric vehicle to enable access by disabled persons.

Accessory Building. See "Building, Accessory."

Accessory Structure. See "Structure, Accessory."

Accessory Use. See "Use, Accessory."

"Acre" means a unit of area equal to forty-three thousand five hundred sixty (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 fire wall. Any walled and roofed addition that is connected by a fire wall or is separated by an independent perimeter load-bearing wall shall be considered new construction.

Adjacent Property. See "Property, Adjacent."

"Administrative official" means any member of the department of planning and zoning when exercising the duties authorized in the zoning ordinance.

Adult Entertainment Establishment. See Title 5, Chapter 5.08 of the city of Covington Municipal Code.

"Agriculture" means raising, harvesting or storing of products of the field or orchard; feeding, breeding or managing livestock or poultry; producing or storing feed for use in the production of livestock or poultry; growing plants, sod, and trees for sale; the production of horticultural, diary, poultry, eggs and apiarian products.

"Aggrieved party" means a person whose property will be specially damaged by a decision of a city official or board involved in the enforcement of the zoning ordinance.

"Airport" means a transportation terminal facility where aircraft take off and land, usually including hangars, facilities for refueling and repair, and various accommodations for passengers.

Airstrip, Private. "Private airstrip" means an area designated for the landing of private, noncommercial aircraft with no terminal facilities and no scheduled takeoffs and landings.

"Alley" means a required public thoroughfare which affords only a secondary means of access to the abutting property.

"Alteration" means any change, addition or modification in construction or type of occupancy; any change in the structural members of a building, such as walls, partitions, columns, beams, girders, doors, windows, means of ingress or egress, or any enlargement to, or diminution of a building or structure, whether horizontally or vertically, or the moving of a building from one location to another.

"Alternative tower structure" means man-made trees, clock towers, bell steeples, light and power poles, water storage tanks, outdoor advertising signs and similar alternative design mounting structures that effectively camouflage the presence of antennas or towers and are compatible with and resemble the scale of the surrounding natural setting and/or structures.

"Antenna" means any exterior apparatus designed for wireless telecommunication, radio, or television communications through the sending and/or receiving of electromagnetic waves.

Antenna, Amateur Radio. "Amateur radio antenna" means a freestanding or building-mounted device, intended for airway communication purposes by a person holding a valid amateur radio (HAM) or Citizens Band (CB) license issued by the Federal Communications Commission.

Antenna, Satellite. "Satellite antenna" means a specific device, the surface of which is used to transmit and/or receive radio frequency signals, microwave signals, or other signals transmitted to or from other antennas.

"Apartment" means a multifamily dwelling held through a lease or rental agreement.

Apartment, Efficiency. "Efficiency apartment" means an apartment consisting of two or fewer rooms, not including a separate bedroom.

"Appeal" means a request for a review to hear and decide where it was alleged there was an error in any order, requirement, permit, decision, determination, or refusal made by any officer of the city of Covington in the enforcement of the zoning ordinance.

"Application" means a completed document and completed associated documentation, including fees, filed by any person seeking approval to undertake any activity regulated by the city of Covington.

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

"Authorized use" means a use authorized in a zoning district pursuant to the zoning ordinance.

"Automobile" means a motorized vehicle with two axles and not more than six wheels, designed for carrying ten (10) passengers or less and used for the transportation of persons.

"Automobile impound lot" means a facility that provides temporary outdoor storage for automobiles that are to be claimed by title holders or their agents. No vehicle shall be stored at said facility for more than thirty (30) days and must remain mechanically operable and licensed at all times.

Automobile Repair Services, Major. "Major automobile repair services" means general repair, rebuilding, or reconditioning of engines, motor vehicles or trailers, including body work, framework, welding, and major painting services.

Automobile Repair Services, Minor. "Minor automobile repair services" means the replacement of any part or repair of any part of an automobile or light truck that does not require removal of the engine head or pan, engine transmission or differential; incidental body and fender work, minor painting and upholstering service.

"Automotive tire shop with repair and maintenance" means establishments primarily engaged in retailing new and/or used tired and tubes or retailing new tires in combination with automotive repair services.

"Average daily rates (ADR)" means a measure of the average rate paid for rooms sold, calculated by dividing room revenue by rooms sold.

ADR = Room revenue/rooms sold.

"Awning" means a shelter projecting over a window or door that is attached to the exterior wall of the building over a window or door that extends from the exterior wall of a building and is supported by or attached to a frame.

"Banquet hall" means an establishment which is rented for private functions such as banquets, weddings, anniversaries and other similar celebrations or events. Such use may, but shall not be required to, include: kitchen facilities for preparation or catering of food; the serving or sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption only during such events which are not open to the public; and outdoor gardens or reception facilities.

"Basement" means that portion of a building that is partly or completely below grade and has at least six and one-half feet vertical interior clearance from floor or grade to ceiling or underside of structure.

"Battery charging station" means an electrical component assembly or cluster of component assemblies designed specifically to charge batteries within electric vehicles.

"Battery electric vehicle" means any vehicle that is licensed and registered for operation on public and private highways, roads, and streets; either partially or exclusively, on electrical energy from the grid, or an off-board source, that is stored on-board via a battery for motive purpose. Any vehicle that operates exclusively on electrical energy from an offboard source that is stored in the vehicle's batteries, and produces zero tailpipe emissions or pollution when stationary or operating.

"Bed and breakfast" means an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling where between one and ten (10) rooms not containing kitchen facilities are rented to overnight guests on a daily basis for periods not to exceed two weeks.

"Berm" means an earthen mound designed to screen undesirable views, reduce noise, or fulfill other such purposes.

"Block" means a piece or parcel of land entirely surrounded by public highways or streets, other than alleys.

"Board of appeals and adjustments" means the board of zoning appeals and adjustments, as established in accordance with this title.

"Boarding house" means a building, other than a hotel or bed and breakfast, where, for compensation, meals, or lodging and meals, are provided for one or more persons who are not part of the operator's family.

"Brewery" means any place licensed by the state department of revenue to manufacture malt beverages.

"Brewpub" means a restaurant where malt beverages are manufactured. As a restaurant brewpubs may be licensed to sell distilled spirits, wine and malt beverages, yet must derive at least fifty (50) percent of its annual gross food and beverage sales from prepared meals or food.

Brewpubs must obtain a special license from the state department of revenue. A brewpub may not act as a wholesaler.

"Buildable area" means the area of a lot remaining after the minimum front, side and rear yard setback requirements of the zoning district has been met.

"Building" means any structure with a roof and enclosed on all sides.

Building, Accessory. "Accessory building" means a building detached from the principal building located on the same lot and customarily incidental and subordinate in area, extent, and purpose to the principal building or use.

Building Permit. See "Permit, Building."

"Building principal" means a building in which is conducted the main or dominant use of the lot on which such building is situated.

"Building wall" means an exterior load-bearing or nonload-bearing vertical structure that encompasses the area between the final grade elevation and eaves of the building, and used to enclose the space within the building.

Campground. See "Recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds."

"Canopy" means an overhead roof or structure which provides shade or shelter from weather conditions.

"Caretaker dwelling or employee residence" means an accessory single-family dwelling unit placed on an occupied tract for use by an employee where the tract is owned by the employer as a part of the same operation or business. At least one of the occupants of the caretaker dwelling or employee residence must be employed on the premises or their presence must be necessary and essential for the orderly operation and security of the premises.

"Cellar" means that portion of a building that is partly or completely below grade and has a height less than six and one-half feet.

"Cemetery" means any plot of ground, churchyard, building, mausoleum, or other enclosure used for the burial of deceased persons.

Cemetery, Pet. "Pet cemetery" means property used for the interring of dead domestic animals.

Cemetery, Private. "Private cemetery" means any plot of ground, building, mausoleum, or other enclosure used for the burial of deceased persons of one collateral line of descent.

Center Line of Street. See "Street, Centerline of."

"Chain scale segments" are grouped primarily according to actual average room rates. An independent hotel, regardless of average room rate, is included as a separate chain scale category. The chain scale segments are luxury, upper upscale, upscale, and upper midscale. The class for a chain-affiliated hotel is the same as its chain scale. An independent hotel is assigned a class based on its ADR, relative to that of the chain hotels in their geographic proximity.

"Charging levels" means the standardized indicators of electrical force, or voltage, at which an electric vehicle's battery is recharged. The terms 1, 2, and 3 are the most common EV charging levels, and include the following specifications:

1.

Level 1 is considered slow charging and operates on a 15 to 20-amp breaker on a 120- volt AC circuit.

2.

Level 2 is considered medium charging and operates on a 40 to 100-amp breaker on 208 or 240-volt AC circuit.

3.

Level 3 is considered "fast" or "rapid" charging and typically operates on a 60 amp or higher breaker on a 480 volt or higher three phase circuit with special grounding equipment. Level 3 stations are primarily for commercial and public applications and are typically characterized by industrial grade electrical outlets that allow for faster recharging of electric vehicles.

"Cigar lounge" means a commercial establishment or designated area within a building, equipped with a mechanical ventilation or air filtration system, where the on-site purchase and smoking of cigars and pipe tobacco is permitted. Cigar lounges are intended for adult social and recreational use. Other services may include the sale of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and limited food items such as appetizers, finger foods, or desserts. Cigar lounges do not include establishments primarily engaged in the sale of cigarettes, vaping products, or cannabis-related products. All operations must comply with applicable local, state, and federal health and safety regulations.

"City" means the city of Covington, Georgia.

"Clinic" means a medical or dental establishment where patients, who are not lodged overnight, are admitted for examination and treatment.

Club, Private. "Private club" means a noncommercial establishment organized for a common purpose to pursue common goals, interests, or activities and usually characterized by certain membership qualifications, payment of fees and dues, regular meetings, and a constitution or bylaws.

"Code compliance verification form" is a document executed by a short-term vacation owner certifying that the short-term vacation unit complies with applicable zoning, building, health and life safety code provisions. No person shall allow occupancy or possession of any short-term vacation rental unit if the premises is in violation of any applicable zoning, building, health or life safety code provisions.

"Collateral" means belonging to the same ancestral stock but not in a direct line of descent.

"Colleges, universities and professional schools" means establishments primarily engaged in furnishing academic courses and granting degrees at baccalaureate or graduate levels.

"Co-location" means the placement of the antennas of two or more service providers upon a single tower or alternative tower structure.

"Columbarium" means a structure or building substantially exposed aboveground intended to be used for the interment of the cremated remains of deceased persons.

"Commercial use" means an occupation, place of employment, or enterprise that is carried on for profit by the owner, lessee, or licensee.

Composting Facility, Municipal Solid Waste. "Municipal solid waste composting facility" means an establishment converting municipal solid waste to humus through a controlled process of degrading organic matter by microorganisms.

Composting Facility, Yard Trimmings. "Yard trimmings composting facility" means an establishment converting yard trimmings to humus through a controlled process of degrading organic matter by microorganisms. This definition does not include composting conducted on a residential lot for home gardening purposes.

"Comprehensive plan" means any part or element of the overall plan for development adopted by the mayor and council as provided by O.C.G.A. Section 50-8-1 and DCA Regulations Chapter 110-3-2, Minimum Standards and Procedures for Local Comprehensive Planning, including the future land use map and all other maps, exhibits, and appendices.

"Conditional approval" means the imposition of conditions in the grant of an application for approval of a rezoning, special use permit, variance, concept plan, preliminary plat, or permit that are in addition to or different from the regulations set forth in this zoning ordinance and which are related to the promotion of the public health, safety, morals, or general welfare and designed to minimize the negative impact on surrounding property.

"Condominium" means an individual ownership unit combined with joint ownership of common areas of the building and grounds in accordance with all applicable provisions of the Georgia Condominium Act.

"Conservation easement" means a recorded agreement between a land owner and government agency or land trust that permanently protects open space or greenspace on the owner's land by limiting the amount and type of development that can take place, but continues to leave the remainder of the fee interest in private ownership.

"Construction/demolition waste" means waste building materials and rubble resulting from construction, remodeling, repair, and demolition operations on pavements, houses, commercial buildings and other structures. Such wastes include, but are not limited to asbestos containing waste, wood, bricks, metal, concrete, wall board, paper, cardboard, inert waste landfill material, and other nonputrescible wastes which have a low potential for groundwater contamination.

"Cottage court" means a development designed to accommodate five to twelve (12) single-family detached dwelling units organized around a shared internal courtyard.

"Cremation" means as described in O.C.G.A. Section 10-14-3 G, cremation includes any mechanical or thermal process whereby a deceased human being is reduced to ashes. Cremation also includes any other mechanical or thermal process whereby human remains are pulverized, burned, recremated, or otherwise further reduced in size or quantity.

"Cremation unit" means the equipment used for the mechanical or thermal process whereby a deceased human being is reduced to ashes. See cremation for complete definition.

"Crematory" means a location containing properly installed, certified apparatus intended for use in the act of cremation.

"Cul-de-sac" means a local street or road with one outlet and having an appropriate terminal for the safe and convenient reversal of traffic movement.

"Curb cut" means the opening along the curb line or edge of pavement of a public street at which point a driveway begins for vehicular ingress and egress from a parcel.

Day Care Center, Adult. "Adult day care center" means an establishment operated by any person with or without compensation for providing for the care, supervision, and oversight only during daytime hours of seven or more adults who are elderly, physically ill or infirm, physically handicapped or mentally handicapped.

Day Care Facility, Adult. "Adult day care facility" means any place operated by any person with or without compensation for providing for the care, supervision, and oversight only during day-time hours of six or fewer adults who are elderly, physically ill or inform, physically handicapped, or mentally handicapped.

Day Care Center, Child. "Child day care center" means an establishment operated by a person, society, agency, corporation or institution, or any group, wherein are received with or without pay, seven or more children under eighteen (18) years of age for group care for less than twenty-four (24) hours per day, without transfer of legal custody.

Day Care Facility, Child. "Child day care facility" means any place operated by any person with or without compensation providing for the care, supervision, and protection of six or fewer children who are under eighteen (18) years of age for group care for less than twenty-four (24) hours per day, without transfer of legal custody. For the purpose of computing the number of children within the child day care facility, all children who are related by blood, marriage, adoption or guardianship to the person or persons operating the facility shall be included.

"Deciduous" means landscaping that leaves annually.

"Density" means the total number of square feet of a building, or number of lots or dwelling units per acre of land unless specifically provided otherwise in the zoning ordinance.

Density, Gross. "Gross density" means the number of square feet of a building, or number of lots or dwelling units on a tract of land divided by the total acres of a parcel or tract of land prior to development or subdivision, including all streets or rights-of-way, open space, and excluding state waters, buffers, rivers, streams, and floodplain, and other unsubdivided or unused portions of the tract of land.

Density, Net. "Net density" means the number of square feet, lots or dwelling units on a tract of land, less area for streets, rights-of-way, open space, state waters, buffers, rivers, streams, floodplain as defined in Title 14, and other unsubdivided or unused portions of the tract of land.

"Developer" means a person who undertakes land development activities.

"Development" means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to, buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, clearing, grubbing, grading, paving, any other installation of impervious cover, excavation or drilling operations or and storage equipment or materials.

"Director" means the planning and zoning director, or designee, unless otherwise stated.

"Distillery" means a place licensed by the state department of revenue to manufacture distilled spirits.

District, Zoning. "Zoning district" means a tract of land or contiguous parcels of the city of Covington, Georgia within which the zoning regulations are uniform.

"Driveway" means a vehicular access, or curb cut that is in private ownership, except for that portion lying within the public right-of-way, and provides access primarily to one property.

"Drug rehabilitation center" means structures and land used for treatment of drug abuse where neither meals nor lodging is provided.

"Dry cleaning and laundry services" means a business that provides for the cleaning of laundry and dry cleaning, excluding self-service, and contains on the premises, equipment necessary for the processing of laundry and dry cleaning.

"Dumpster" means a portable container used for temporary storage of garbage, trash, or other refuse or receptacle material that has a capacity of one cubic yard or more.

"Dwelling" means a building or portion thereof designed, arranged or used principally for residential occupancy (not including buildings designed for transient use such as hotels and motels), and which complies with the provisions of the zoning ordinance and the International Building Code.

Dwelling, Accessory. "Accessory dwelling" means a secondary dwelling established in conjunction with, and clearly subordinate to, a primary dwelling unit on the same lot, whether a part of the same structure as the primary dwelling unit or in a detached structure.

Dwelling, Multifamily. "Multifamily dwelling" means a building designed, constructed, altered or used for more than two adjoining dwelling units, with each dwelling having a separate entrance and a party wall and/or party floor or ceiling connecting it with at least one other dwelling unit. This includes Walk-Up Flats and Stacked Flats."

Dwelling, Principal "Principal dwelling" means the building that is used as the primary residence on a lot.

Dwelling, Single-family. "Single-family dwelling" means a dwelling structure that is designed for the use of one family.

Dwelling, Single-family Attached. "Attached single-family dwelling" means a building that accommodates two single-family dwelling units joined at one or more points by one or more party walls or other common facilities (not including the walls of an enclosed courtyard or similar area) and with property lines separating each dwelling unit.

Dwelling, Single-family Detached. "Detached single-family dwelling" means a freestanding building designed for or containing one dwelling unit.

Dwelling, Townhouse. "Townhouse dwelling" means a structure comprised of at least three but no more than six individual, fee simple single-family attached dwelling units. Such dwelling units extend from foundation to roof and are attached horizontally in a linear arrangement, contiguous to each other only by the sharing of a fire wall.

Dwelling, Two-family (Duplex). "Two-family (duplex) dwelling" means a single building designed for and containing two dwelling units located on one lot or one parcel of land.

"Dwelling unit" means one or more rooms, designed, occupied or intended for occupancy as a separate living quarter, with cooking, sleeping and sanitary facilities provided within the dwelling unit for the exclusive use of a single housekeeping unit. Does not include rooms in a hotel, motel, boarding house, bed and breakfast, or extended stay hotel.

Dwelling, Single-family Zero Lot Line. "Single-family zero lot line dwelling" means a single-family dwelling unit with no required side and/or front setback on one side so as to allow the dwelling unit to be built on the property line.

"Easement" means an acquired legal right for the specific use of land owned by others.

Easement, Access. "Access easement" means an easement created for the purpose of providing vehicular or pedestrian access to or across a property.

"Electric, petroleum or gas substation" means facilities devoted to the distribution of electricity, gas or petroleum.

"Electric vehicle" means any vehicle that is licensed and registered for operation on public and private highways, roads, and streets; either partially or exclusively, on electrical energy from the grid, or an off-board source, that is stored on-board via a battery for motive purpose. "Electric vehicle" includes: (1) a battery electric vehicle; and (2) a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

"Electric vehicle charging station" means a public or private parking space that is served by battery charging station equipment that has as its primary purpose the transfer of electric energy (by conductive or inductive means) to a battery or other energy storage device in an electric vehicle. An electric vehicle charging station equipped with level 1 or level 2 charging equipment is permitted outright as an accessory use to any principal use and if elected to be constructed by the contractor and approved by the city, a canopy covering site.

"Electric vehicle charging station—Residential" means an electric vehicle charging station that is privately owned and restricted access to the occupant of the dwelling and the occupant's guests.

"Electric vehicle charging station—Private restricted use" means an electric vehicle charging station that is privately owned and restricted access (i.e. executive parking, designated employee parking, multi-family tenant parking).

"Electric vehicle charging station—Public use" means an electric vehicle charging station that is (1) publicly owned and publicly available (i.e. commuter parking, public library parking lot, on-street parking); or (2) privately owned and available to visitors of the use (i.e. shopping center parking, commercial charging station).

"Electric vehicle infrastructure" means conduit/wiring, structures, machinery, and equipment necessary and integral to support an electric vehicle, including battery charging stations and rapid charging stations.

"Electric vehicle parking space" means any marked parking space that identifies the use to be exclusively for the parking of an electric vehicle.

"Energized outlet" means a connected point in an electrical wiring installation at which current is taken to charge an electric vehicle.

"Equestrian training and sales facility" means establishments providing equestrian training and the sale of horses, mules, donkeys, and other equines and related tack or feed.

"Existing construction" means any structure for which the start of construction commenced before the effective date of the zoning ordinance.

Existing Manufactured Home Park or Subdivision. See "Manufactured Home Park, Existing."

"Expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision" means the preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed including the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads.

"Facade" means the exterior of a building extending the entire width of the building elevation.

"Family" means a group of individuals related by blood, marriage, adoption, or guardianship, or not more than six persons not so related, living together in a dwelling unit as a single housekeeping unit based on an intentionally structured relationship providing organization and stability.

Farming, Commercial. "Commercial farming" means any primary use of a tract or parcel of land for the purpose of raising for sale any types of agriculture products, nursery stock, including, but not limited to, soil crops, fish, fowl, silviculture or livestock.

"Fence" means any structure forming a physical barrier or enclosure which is so constructed that at least fifty (50) percent of the vertical surface is open to permit the transmission of light, air and vision through said surface in a horizontal plane.

"Fenestration" means an opening in the surface of a structure or building, primarily achieved through the use of glass.

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

"Floodplain" means any land area susceptible to flooding, which would have at least a one percent probability of flooding occurrence in any calendar year based on: (a) the basin being fully developed as shown on the current land use plan, or (b) the regulatory floodplain as defined by the National Flood Insurance Program (FEMA). The more restrictive (wider) of either (a) or (b) shall be used.

"Floor" means the lower horizontal finished surface of each story in a building that is intended to support the contents of the building and its occupants.

Floor Area, Gross. "Gross floor area" means the sum of the gross horizontal areas of the total number of finished floors of a fully enclosed building measured from the exterior faces of the exterior walls or from the centerline of walls separating two buildings; excluding cellar space, carports and garages, and any space where the floor-to-ceiling height is less than six and one-half feet.

Floor Area, Heated. "Heated floor area" means the gross floor area of a dwelling or other building that is heated and intended for daily human activity, including hallways, stairs, and interior storage areas and closets.

"Floor area ratio" means the gross floor area of all buildings or structures on a lot divided by the total lot area.

Floor, Lowest. "Lowest floor" means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area, including basement. An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage, in an area other than a basement area, is not considered a building's lowest floor, provided that such enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of other provisions of the zoning ordinance.

Floor, Party. "Party floor" means a floor in a multi-story building that is designed to provide required fire separation between two adjoining dwelling units that are constructed one above the other.

"Flush toilet" means a sanitary flushable fixture in general use for the disposal of human excrement.

"For-rent single-family detached development" means a platted subdivision of single-family detached dwellings with more than ten (10) percent of the dwellings therein occupied, or intended to be occupied, by tenants rather than owners.

"Forestry" means establishments primarily engaged in the operation of timber tracts, tree farms, forest nurseries, the gathering of forest products, or in performing forest services.

"Front plane of house" means the forward most plane of the façade of the main structure of the single-family dwelling on the first level of the above grade floor containing habitable space.

"Front porch, covered" means an entrance located at the front of the single-family dwelling with covered roof and a minimum dimension of six feet deep by eight feet wide.

Frontage, Building. "Building frontage" means the width in linear feet of each exterior wall of a building that faces a street or public way.

Frontage, Road. "Road frontage" means the distance on which a parcel of land adjoins a public street or street right-of-way, including proposed streets within a subdivision of land approved by the city of Covington.

"Future land use map" means a map prepared as part of the city of Covington comprehensive plan prepared pursuant to O.C.G.A. 50-8-1 and Chapter 110-3-2, Minimum Standards and Procedures for Local Comprehensive Planning that divides land into a series of land use categories listed in Section 16.04.050 and serves as guidance for rezoning decisions made pursuant to this title.

Garage, Attached. "Attached garage" means a garage that shares a common roof with a dwelling unit or that adjoins a dwelling unit with a common wall along a distance of at least ten (10) feet.

Garage, Two-Car. "Two-car garage" means a permanent enclosed structure having a paved floor area designed with adequate floor area, access and egress for two standard automobiles.

Garbage. See "Solid waste."

"Gasoline station with convenience store" means a gasoline station that includes a retail store that sells a limited line of groceries and household items.

"Governing authority" means the mayor and council of the city of Covington, Georgia.

"Grade" means a reference plane representing the average of finished ground level adjoining the building at all exterior walls. When the finished ground level slopes away from the exterior walls, the reference plane shall be established by the lowest points within the area between the building and the lot line or between the building and a point six feet from the building, whichever is closer.

Grade, Percentage of. "Percentage of grade" means the rise or fall of a slope in feet and tenths of a foot for each one hundred (100) feet of horizontal distance.

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

"Grasscrete" or "grasspave" means a paving systems primarily used for parking that utilize porous elements which facilitate the drainage of stormwater runoff.

"Greenhouse" means a building whose roof and sides are made largely of glass or other transparent or translucent material and in which the temperature and humidity can be regulated for the cultivation of plants for subsequent sale or personal enjoyment.

"Greenspace" means permanently protected areas of a site that are preserved in a natural or vegetated state.

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

"Guest house" means an attached or detached accessory building that provides living quarters for guests, may or may not contain a kitchen or cooking facility.

"Habitable space" means a space within a single-family dwelling intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking, or eating that is thermal conditioned (heated).

"Halfway house" means a licensed home for inmates on release from more restrictive custodial confinement or initially placed in lieu of such more restrictive custodial confinement, wherein supervision, rehabilitation, and counseling are provided to mainstream residents back into society, enabling them to live independently.

"Hardscape" means the man-made surface of a sidewalk or plaza including elements such as bricks, stone pavers or concrete but excluding asphalt.

"Hardship" means a condition of significant practical difficulty in using a lot because of physical problems relating solely to the size, shape or topography of the lot in question which are not economic difficulties and which are not self-imposed.

"Hazardous material" means any substance that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released into the workplace or the environment.

"Hazardous waste" means any solid waste which has been defined as a hazardous waste in regulations, promulgated by the administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the federal act, which are in force and effect on February 1, 1988, codified as 40 C.F.R. Section 261.3.

"Height" means the vertical distance of a structure other than a building measured from the average elevation of the finished grade surrounding the structure to the highest point of the structure. When referring to a telecommunications antenna it shall mean the vertical distance from the base of the antenna to the highest point of the tower or any appurtenance attached to it.

Height, Building. "Building height" means the vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the finished grade at the front of the building to the highest point of the roof if a flat roof; to the deck line of mansard roofs; and to the mean height level between eaves and ridge of gable, hip, and gambrel roofs. The term does not include steeples, cupolas, decorative towers, antennas and mechanical equipment attached to a building. For all single-family residential detached buildings and structures, building heights shall be measured from the highest point of the front threshold of the existing or previously existing house on the property. The newly built threshold shall be built at the equivalent elevation as the existing or previously existing threshold. If a previous house site either cannot be determined or did not exist on the lot, the height calculation shall be measured from the preconstruction elevation of the proposed front yard footing.

Height, Telecommunications Facility. "Telecommunications facility height" means the vertical distance from grade to the highest point of the tower and its appurtenances, grade being the average level of the pre-existing or finished surface of the ground adjacent to the exterior of the tower, whichever is lower. When referring to a telecommunications antenna it shall mean the vertical distance from the base of the antenna to its highest point.

"Home occupation" means an occupation customarily carried on by an occupant of a dwelling unit as a secondary use, which is clearly incidental to the use of the dwelling unit for residential purposes, and operated in accordance with all applicable provisions.

"Homeless shelter" means a location providing charitable, non-profit, short-term housing and/or room and board accommodations for the homeless for which there is no charge, monetary or other to the person being provided such temporary housing. Locations shall provide sleeping facilities and/or personal sanitation facilities and may include the provision of meals, medical care and/or counseling service that require daily registration for occupancy. On-site supervision of homeless persons using the facilities and services made available shall be provided for the purpose of enforcement of the rules and regulations pertaining to the operation of the place of use and not for the purpose of attending to the personal care needs of the persons served with respect to the supervision of self-administered medication, or with the essential activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, dressing and toileting. Homeless shall have the definition proscribed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at 24 C.F.R. § 576.2, as now or hereafter amended.

"Hospital" means an establishment providing physical or mental health services, in-patient or overnight accommodations, and mental or surgical care of the sick or injured. Includes health clinics and sanatoriums.

"Hotel" means a building in which short-term (less than twenty-one (21) days) lodging or board and lodging is provided and offered to the public for compensation and in which ingress and egress to and from each sleeping room is generally made through the interior of the building.

"Hotel, extended stay" means any building containing six or more guestrooms rented or leased for sleeping purposes for periods of less than forty-five (45) consecutive days but in excess of one week, and that contain kitchen facilities for food preparation, including, but not limited to, refrigerators, stoves, and ovens.

"Hotel, full service" means upscale, upper upscale and luxury properties with a wide variety of onsite amenities, such as restaurants, meeting spaces, water play features, exercise rooms or spas.

"Hotel, limited service, upper midscale" are properties that offer limited facilities and amenities (i.e. restaurant, golf, pool, spa or casino), typically without a full-service restaurant. These hotels are classified as upper midscale.

"Impervious" means a material that water cannot pass through or be absorbed by.

"Impervious cover or surface" means areas which significantly prevent or impede the natural infiltration of stormwater into the soil. Common impervious surfaces include, but are not limited to, rooftops, buildings, streets, roads, sidewalks, walkways, patio areas, driveways, parking lots, concrete and asphalt surfaces, storage areas, compacted gravel and soil surfaces, awning, and other fabric or plastic coverings, and other surfaces which prevent or impede the natural infiltration of stormwater runoff which existed prior to development. Impervious surface also includes unpaved graded aggregate base (GAB) or crusher run.

"Industrial activity" means activities subject to NPDES industrial permits as defined in 40 C.F.R. Section 122.26(b)(14).

"Industrial park" means a tract of land subdivided and developed according to a comprehensive development plan in a manner which provides a landscaped setting for two or more industrial establishments.

"Junk" means any scrap, waste, reclaimable material, or debris, whether or not stored, for sale or in the process of being dismantled, destroyed, processed, salvaged, stored, baled, disposed, or other use or disposition.

"Junked vehicle" means any wrecked or nonoperable dismantled or abandoned automobile, truck, boat, motorcycle, or similar device.

"Junkyard" means a parcel of land, including any primary or accessory structures thereon, that is used for buying, selling, storing, baling, packaging, disassembling or handling waste or scrap material. "Scrap material" may include, without limitation, vehicles, machinery, equipment not in operable condition, metal, glass, paper, plastic, rags or rubber tires. Any lot on which three or more inoperable vehicles are stored shall be deemed a junkyard.

Kennel, Hobby. "Hobby kennel" means an accessory use for the keeping of up to seven dogs or cats or other small animals or any combination thereof (except litters of animals of not more than six months of age) is carried on for the purpose of showing, training, or breeding. Such use specifically excludes any operation for which a fee or other compensation is charged and also excluded any commercial use.

Kennel, Pet Boarding. "Pet boarding kennel" means any use where up to twenty-one (21) dogs or cats or other small animals or any combination thereof (except litters of animals of not more than six months of age) are maintained for boarding, grooming, sitting, training, breeding, or similar purpose for a fee or other compensation is carried on.

"Kindergarten" means a school for pre-elementary school children ranging in age from four through six years.

"Kiosk" means a freestanding structure upon which temporary information and/or posters, notices, and announcements are posted or displayed electronically.

"Kitchen facilities" means a room used to prepare food containing, at a minimum, a sink and a stove, oven or microwave oven.

"Landfill" (see solid waste handling facility) means construction and demolition debris landfill, hazardous waste landfill, industrial waste landfill, inert waste landfill, monofill, sanitary landfill and private landfill. The term "landfill" shall not include approved on-site disposal of inert waste at a building, land disturbing, or development site.

Landfill, Construction and Demolition Waste. "Construction and demolition waste landfill" means a landfill in which construction/demolition waste is disposed. Construction/demolition waste means waste building materials and rubble resulting from construction, remodeling, repair and demolition operations on pavements, houses, commercial waste, wood, bricks, metal, concrete, wallboard, paper, cardboard, inert waste landfill material and other nonputrescible wastes which have a low potential for groundwater contamination.

Landfill, Inert Waste. "Inert waste landfill" means a disposal facility regulated by department of natural resources accepting only wastes that will not cause production of leachate (a liquid that has passed through or emerged from solid waste and contains soluble, suspended, or miscible materials removed from such wastes) of environmental concern. Only the following waste may be deposited in the inert landfill: earth and earth-like products, concrete, cured asphalt, rock, bricks, yard trimmings, stumps, limbs, and leaves. This definition specifically excludes any transfer stations, recycling stations, household materials or the storage of these items to be taken to another location.

Landfill, Private. "Private landfill" means a privately owned and operated landfill for the purpose of profit. This may be each or all of the above types of landfills.

Landfill, Sanitary (Municipal). "Sanitary (municipal) landfill" means disposal sites, approved by the mayor and council, and owned by a municipality or by a political subdivision of the state, where putrescible solid wastes are disposed of in a manner that minimizes environmental hazards by spreading, compacting to the smallest volume, and applying earth cover thereon.

"Landscape strip" means a 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.

"Landscaping business" means establishments primarily engaged in providing landscape care and maintenance services and/or installing trees, shrubs, plants, lawns, or gardens.

"Landing area" means the area of an airport or private airstrip used for landing, taking-off or taxiing of aircraft.

"Laundromat" means a business that provides self-service, coin-operated washing, drying and/or ironing machines for clothing and similar laundry.

"Library" means a public facility for the use, but not sale, of literary, musical, artistic or reference material.

"Liquified petroleum gases" means as defined in O.C.G.A. Section 10-1-262, any material that is composed predominantly of any of the following hydrocarbons, or mixtures of the same: propane, propylene, butane (normal butane or isobutane), and butylenes.

"Litter" means sand, gravel, slag, brickbats, rubbish, waste material, tin cans, refuse, garbage, trash, debris, dead animals, discarded materials of every kind and description or paper products of every kind and description including, but not limited to, advertising materials, newspapers, promotional papers, letters, bills, publications or other writings.

"Livestock" means any animal raised for food, raw materials or pleasure, and customarily kept on a farm including, but not limited to, beef and dairy cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, horses, mules, donkeys, goats, turkeys, bison, llama, emus and pot-bellied pigs.

"Loading space" means a space within the principal building or on the same lot, providing for the standing, loading or unloading of trucks, and other carriers.

"Lot" means a portion, plot, or parcel of land separated from other portions, plots, or parcels by a graphic description as on a subdivision plat of record or survey map and intended for transfer of ownership or for building development.

"Lot area" means the total area within the boundaries of a lot.

"Lot coverage" means the percentage of the total area of a lot that is occupied by buildings.

"Lot of record" means a lot, the plat for which has been lawfully recorded in the office of the clerk of the Superior Court of Netwon County, or a lot, the deed of which has been lawfully recorded in the office of the clerk of the Superior Court of Newton County.

"Lot remnant" means any portion or portions of a lot not suitable for building upon because of size or topography and remaining after the transfer of other portions of said lot to adjoining lots or rights-of-way.

"Lot width" means the width of a lot at the required front setback line measured parallel to the street right-of-way or in the case of a curvilinear street, parallel to the chord of the arc between the intersection of the side lot lines and the street right-of-way line.

Lot, Conforming. "Conforming lot" means a lot that meets all requirements of the zoning ordinance and is not a nonconforming lot.

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

Lot, Double Frontage. "Double frontage lot" means a lot other than a corner lot abutting two streets.

Flag Lot. "Lot, flag" or "panhandle lot" means a prohibited lot not meeting minimum frontage requirements and where access to the lot from a public road is achieved by a narrow strip of land.

Lot, Interior. "Interior lot" means a lot with a single street frontage.

Lowest Floor. See "Floor, Lowest."

"Manufactured home" means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which, in the traveling mode, is eight body feet or more in width or forty (40) body feet or more in length, or, when erected on site, is three hundred twenty (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 and complies with the standards established under this title. Manufactured homes shall be constructed in accordance with the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 as amended, 42 U.S.C. 5401, et seq.

Manufactured Home, Other. "Other manufactured home" means any manufactured home not meeting the definition of dwelling, single-family.

"Massage studio" means a studio or other location where a massage therapist qualified to practice massage therapy under state law practices massage therapy. This excludes any adult regulated uses, including, but not limited to, adult entertainment establishments.

"Massage therapy" means the profession regulated by the state in which the practitioner applies massage techniques (not sexual in orientation) with the intent of positively affecting the health and wellbeing of the client, and may adjunctively:

1.

Apply allied modalities, heat, cold, water and topical preparations not classified as prescription drugs;

2.

Use hand held tools or devices designed as t-bars or knobbies; and

3.

Instruct self-care and stress management.

"Materials recovery facility (MRF)" means a solid waste handling facility that provides for the extraction from solid waste of recoverable materials, materials suitable for use as a fuel or soil amendment, or any combination of such materials.

"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 floodplain. This term is synonymous with National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) or the North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) of 1988.

Mineral Extraction. See "Mining."

"Mining" means the extraction of minerals, including solids, such as coal and ores; liquids, such as crude petroleum; and gases, such as natural gases. The term mining includes quarrying; groundwater diversion; soil removal; milling, such as crushing, screening, washing, and flotation; and other preparation customarily done at the mine site as part of a mining activity.

"Mini-warehouse" means a building or group of buildings that contain(s) individual, compartmentalized stalls or lockers used for storage, including accessory office, but not including retail sale on the premises, commercial repair or other services, manufacturing, outside storage, or any other commercial use.

"Mixed-use building" means a building containing a mix of uses.

"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 forty (40) body feet or more in length or, when erected on site, is three hundred twenty (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. Mobile homes are not allowable as permanent residences in the city.

"Motel" means a building or a group of buildings containing sleeping accommodations for short-term (less than twenty-one (21) days) rental primarily to the motoring public and in which ingress and egress to and from each sleeping room is generally on the outside of the building.

"Motor Vehicle Sales." "Motor vehicle sales" means an open area, other than a right-of-way or public parking area, used for display, sale, or rental of new or used motor vehicles in operable condition.

"Motor Vehicle Sales, Online." "Online motor vehicle sales" means a business that sells motor vehicles via the internet and has a license with the Georgia Secretary of State for used motor vehicle sales. This use is prohibited from keeping any motor vehicle inventory for sale onsite or from doing any repairs to vehicles onsite.

"Museum" means a building having public significance by reason of its architecture or former use or occupancy or a building serving as a repository for a collection of objects of interest, intended to be used by the public for viewing and which may include as an accessory use the sale of goods to the public.

"New development" means a land development activity on a site.

"Nonconforming characteristic(s) of building or structure" means a building or structure, legally existing on the effective date of the zoning ordinance, but which fails to comply with one or more of the regulations adopted under the terms of the zoning ordinance which are applicable to said building or structure, including, but not limited to, setbacks, lot frontage, lot area, building height, off-street parking or loading, buffers, landscaping or any other applicable development regulation.

"Nonconforming lot" means a lot of record that meets the definition of "Nonconforming, legal" or a lot of record lawfully created and recorded in the office of the clerk of the Superior Court of Newton County prior to adoption of this zoning ordinance.

"Nonconforming use of land," or "nonconforming use of land and building(s)," or "nonconforming use of land and structure(s)" means a use of land and building(s) or a use of land and structure(s), in combination, legally existing on the effective date of the zoning ordinance, but that is not an authorized use of land and building(s) or land and structure(s), in combination, under the terms of this zoning ordinance in the district in which such use is located.

"Nonconforming use requiring special use permit" means a use of land, or land and building(s) or structure(s) in combination, legally existing on the effective date of the zoning ordinance, but which is not an authorized use as of right under the terms of the district in which such use is located but rather is authorized only upon approval of a special use permit by the mayor and council.

Nonconforming, Legal. "Legal nonconforming" means a lot of record, structure or use that does not comply with the current requirements of the zoning ordinance, but was lawfully established and authorized in accordance with former regulations of the city of Covington prior to the adoption, revision, or amendment of the requirements in the zoning ordinance making the lot of record, structure, or use noncompliant.

"Non-electric vehicle" means any motor vehicle that is licensed and registered for operation on public and private highways, roads, and streets that does not meet the definition of electric vehicle.

"Nursery" means establishments primarily engaged in retailing nursery and garden products, such as trees, shrubs, plants, seeds, bulbs, and sod, which are predominantly grown elsewhere. These establishments may sell a limited amount of a product they grow themselves.

"Nursing home" means an institution or a distinct part of an institution that is licensed or approved to provide health care under medical supervision for twenty-four (24) or more consecutive hours to two or more patients who are not related to the institution's management or its members by marriage, blood, or adoption.

Occupied Structure. See "Structure, Occupied."

Office, Professional. "Professional office" means a land use that includes one or more buildings that are primarily used for services rendered by occupations with specialized knowledge or expertise such as architects, engineers, lawyers, doctors, bankers, realtors, financial and insurance services, and similar services, as opposed to buildings used for manufacturing, storage or sale of goods.

"Office-warehouse" means a structure which may include space for an office for administration or sales and related space for temporary storage or assembly or repair of goods, equipment or products.

"Opaque" means the complete obstruction of fenestration primarily utilized for screening and buffering for the purposes of completely eliminating the view of any element of structure that is intended to be unseen.

"Open space" means areas that are primarily undeveloped and reserved to provide separation, resource protection, scenic enjoyment, recreation, or amenity to abutting developed property.

"Open yard storage business" means any commercial or noncommercial activity except a materials recovery facility or recycling center, which involves the sale, storage, wrecking, dismantling, processing or sorting of waste, discarded or salvaged paper, rags, machinery, equipment or other junk, including automobiles, trucks and similar motor vehicles; where those materials are commonly stored in an open area outside any building as defined in this section; provided, however, that businesses engaged predominantly in the repair or sale of new or used motor vehicles and other machines shall not be included in the term "open yard storage business" if those vehicles and machines are in operating condition and ready for sale or, if non-operational, those vehicles or machines are stored in a building as defined in this section.

"Outdoor display" means the arrangement of objects, items, and products not in a fixed position nor permanently secured to the ground and capable of rearrangement, designed for the purpose of advertising or identifying goods and merchandise within the principal structure.

"Outdoor recreation facilities" means facilities including greenways, trails, bikeways, paths, tennis courts, ball fields, playfields, courts, golf courses, swimming pools, clubhouses, lockers, bicycle facilities, equestrian facilities, beaches, docks, seating areas, amphitheaters, stages, band shells, community buildings, fountains, plazas, patios, decks, lawns, picnic shelters and picnic areas, landscaping and land containing outdoor recreation structures and facilities.

"Outdoor recreation, commercial" means any establishment whose main purpose is to provide the general public with facilities for active, outdoor recreational activities and entertainment where tickets are sold or fees are collected for participation in the activity. Outdoor commercial recreation facilities include, but are not limited to: outdoor fairs and amusement parks, water slides and parks, golf driving ranges and miniature golf courses, baseball batting cages, paintball facilities, tracks for motor sports, and other similar activities.

"Outdoor storage" means the keeping of any goods, material, supplies, merchandise, or items for repair (including vehicles) in the same outdoor location for more than twenty-four (24) hours.

"Overlay district" means a zoning district that encompasses one or more underlying zones and that may vary the requirements, uses, and standards of the underlying zone.

"Owner" means the legal or beneficial owner of a site, including but not limited to, a mortgagee or vendee in possession, receiver, executor, trustee, or other person, firm or corporation, in control of the site.

"Owners of record" means the owner(s) of property as specified on the deed to the lot of record.

"Parcel" means any tract of land that has a deed and is shown as a unit on the latest county tax assessment records.

"Parking and storage of large vehicles" means a business where the primary use of the property is where truck/trailers are temporarily stored, maintained or based.

"Parking lot" means any area designed for temporary (less than forty-eight (48) hours) storage of passenger motor vehicles of the motoring public in normal operating condition. Overnight parking of tractor-trailer trucks (i.e. large vehicles) is not included in this use—see "Parking and storage of large vehicles."

"Parking structure" means a covered or sheltered structure of two or more stories designed, constructed and used for the parking of automobiles.

Parking, Off-street. "Off-street parking" means a temporary (less than forty-eight (48) hours) storage area for a motor vehicle that is directly accessible to an access aisle and that is not located on a dedicated street right-of-way.

Parking, On-street. "On-street parking" means areas along curbs of a street that are authorized for temporary (less than forty-eight (48) hours) storage of automobiles belonging to owners, tenants, customers, or visitors of adjacent or nearby properties.

"Parks and playgrounds" means public or community land, open spaces, or recreation areas including such areas represented on a plat of a subdivision as dedicated, reserved or to be reserved, for recreational purposes.

"Paved" means an area which is covered by asphalt, concrete, brick, or pavers meeting the specifications of the department of public service and engineering. Pervious paving materials are subject to approval by the director.

"Pawn shop" means a business that loans money on deposit of personal property on condition of selling the same back to the pledgor or depositor, or loans money with personal property taken as collateral security for repayment of the loan.

"Pedestrian way" means a crosswalk or other areas designed and marked exclusively for pedestrian traffic.

"Permit" means the authorization necessary to conduct a land-disturbing activity, land development activity, building construction, or other activity regulated by the city of Covington that requires an official authorization as provided in the zoning ordinance.

Permit, Building. "Building permit" means a permit issued by the planning and zoning department to the owner that is required for undertaking any construction, alteration, addition or repair of a structure.

Permitted Use. See "Authorized use."

"Permittee" means any entity that has submitted a notice of intent.

"Person" means any individual, partnership, firm, company, agency, association, joint venture, public or private corporation, organization, society, trust, estate, commission, board, public or private institution, utility, cooperative, state agency, municipality or other political subdivision of this state, any interstate body or any other legal entity.

"Personal care home" means building(s) in which is provided housing, meals, and twenty-four (24) hour continuous watchful oversight for one or more ambulatory adults and which is licensed as a personal care home by the Office of Regulatory Services of the State of Georgia Department of Human Resources, including:

1.

Personal Care Home, Congregate. A personal care home which offers care to sixteen (16) or more persons.

2.

Personal Care Home, Family. A personal care home which offers care to at least four, but not more than six persons.

3.

Personal Care Home, Group. A personal care home which offers care to at least seven but not more than fifteen (15) persons.

"Personal care services, other" means establishments primarily engaged in providing personal care services (except nonpermanent makeup, or non-medical diet and weight reducing services).

"Personal care services, massage wellness spas/centers, other" means establishments that focus on promoting and enhancing overall well-being, relaxation, and self-care. Services include massage therapy, aromatherapy, facials and skincare, or others as described at NAICS Code 812199.

"Personal services" means establishments primarily engaged in providing services involving the care of a person or his or her personal goods or apparel. Personal services include, but are not limited to, laundry, including cleaning and pressing service, beauty shops, barbershops, manicure, shoe repair, tanning salons and health clubs, clothing rental, tailor shops, and domestic services, but specifically excluding adult entertainment.

Pet, Household. "Household pet" means a domestic animal, not including fish or livestock, which is cared for by members of a household for companionship up to a total of three such animals.

"Place of worship" means a lot or building wherein persons assemble for religious worship.

Plan, Concept. "Concept plan" means written and graphic documents submitted to the director for review that document the intent of a developer in a conceptual form, indicating the types, general arrangement and density of uses, extent and pattern of subdivision, and the relationship of the intended uses to surrounding tracts.

"Planned center" means one or more commercial land uses or establishments developed under unified control, to be planned, developed, operated, and maintained as a whole, having one or more structures with appurtenant common areas.

"Planning commission" means the city of Covington planning commission.

"Playschool" means a school for pre-kindergarten children ranging in age from three to four years.

"Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle" means any vehicle that is licensed and registered for operation on public and private highways, roads, and streets; either partially or exclusively, on electrical energy from the grid, or an off-board source, that is stored on-board via a battery for motive purpose. An electric vehicle that (1) contains an internal combustion engine and also allows power to be delivered to drive wheels by an electric motor; (2) charges its battery primarily by connecting to the grid or other off-board electrical source; (3) may additionally be able to sustain battery charge using an on-board internal-combustion-driven generator; and (4) has the ability to travel powered by electricity.

"Premises" means any building, lot, parcel of land, or portion of land whether improved or unimproved including adjacent sidewalks and parking strips.

"Principal use" means the principal purpose for which a lot or the principal building thereon is designed, arranged or intended, and for which it is or may be used, occupied or maintained.

Private Road. See "Road, Private."

Private Street. See "Street, Private."

"Privy" means a structure (and necessary appurtenances) used for the sanitary disposal or storage of human wastes without the aid of water carriage; the term does not include chemical, composting, portable or incinerator toilets.

"Professional" means when used in connection with "use" and "occupancy" of a use or occupancy by persons generally engaged in rendering personal, executive, sales, or administrative services or activities, including accountants, architects, professional engineers and land surveyors, doctors, lawyers, insurance offices, real estate offices, religious organizations, stock brokers and administrative agencies considered professional in character. The term, however, does not include repairs or sales of tangible personal property stored or located within the structure nor any use that would create any loud noise or noxious odors within the city of Covington.

"Project" means the entire proposed development, regardless of the size of the area of land to be disturbed.

Property, Adjacent. "Adjacent property" means property that is either abutting or on the opposite side of a common street, right-of-way, or easement that separates it from the subject property. In order for the parcels on opposite sides of an easement or right-of-way to be adjacent, it must be possible for a projected property line of one parcel to cross the street and intersect the property line of the adjacent parcel. Properties separated by a railroad track or freeway are not abutting or adjacent.

"Property interest" means the ownership of property, including any percentage of ownership less than total ownership.

"Protective covenants" means recorded restrictions imposed by private parties running with the title to the land and specifying the manner in which land may be used, developed, or improved with the intent of protecting and preserving the physical and economic integrity of any given area. Protective covenants are not enforced by the city of Covington.

"Public entity" means a federal, state, county or municipal government, or any agency, authority or public utility of such government that is legally established to provide public services to the citizens of Covington.

"Public facilities" means a use conducted by, or a facility or structure owned or managed by a unit of government, and intended to provide for needs of the public.

"Public hearing" means an official session of any elected or appointed board advertised according to law.

"Public improvement" means any street, park, water line, sanitary drainage system or similar improvement installed to serve abutting or nearby private or public property constructed by either a private entity or a public agency and ultimately owned and maintained by a public entity.

"Public street" means right-of-way dedicated to or owned by a public government agency for the purpose of providing principal access to abutting property.

"Public uses" means buildings, structures and uses of land by a unit of government, including but not restricted to government administration, water treatment facilities, streets, libraries, public schools, parks, playgrounds, recreation centers and fire stations.

"Public utility" means any publicly, privately, or cooperatively owned line, facility or system for producing, collecting, transmitting or distributing communications, power, electricity, light, heat, gas, oil products, water, steam, waste, stormwater not connected with highway drainage, and other similar services and commodities, including publicly owned fire and police and traffic signals and lighting systems, which directly or indirectly serve the public or any part thereof.

"Quarry" means a mine where rock, ore, stone, sand, and similar materials are excavated for sale or for off-site use. Quarry includes rock crushing, asphalt plants, the production of dimension stone, and similar activities.

"Real property" means any tract or parcel of land and, if developed, any buildings or structures located on the land.

"Recreation center" means a building or portion of a building designed and equipped for the conduct of sports, exercise, leisure time activities or other recreational activities, operated for profit or not-for-profit and which can be open only to bona fide members and guests of the organization or open to the public for a fee.

"Recreational vehicle" means a vehicle that is:

1.

Built on a single chassis;

2.

Four hundred fifty (450) square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection;

3.

Designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a truck or car;

4.

Designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.

"Recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds" means any area that is occupied or intended for occupancy by transients using recreational vehicles, mobile trailers or tents as temporary living quarters for recreation, education or vacation purposes and is open to the public.

"Recycling collection center" means a facility utilized to be a collection point where only recyclable materials including, but not limited to, household plastics, glass, paper and aluminum are collected and/or sorted prior to delivery to a permanent disposal site or shipment to others for dismantling, grinding, shredding, reuse or processing into new products.

"Rehabilitation center" means a facility operated for the purpose of assisting in the rehabilitation of disabled persons which provides one or more of the following types of services:

1.

Testing, fitting, or training in the use of prosthetic devices;

2.

Prevocational or conditioning therapy;

3.

Physical, corrective, or occupational therapy;

4.

Adjustment training or evaluation or control of special disabilities; or a facility in which a coordinated approach is made to the physical, mental, and vocational evaluation of disabled persons and an integrated program of physical restoration and prevocational training is provided under competent professional supervision and direction.

Required Yard. See "Yard, Required."

"Research and development" means a business that engages in research, or research and development, of innovative ideas in technology-intensive fields. Development and construction of prototypes may be associated with this use.

"Reservoir" means a governmentally owned impoundment of water for the primary purpose of providing water to one or more governmentally owned public drinking water systems. This excludes the multipurpose reservoirs owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

"Reservoir boundary" means the edge of a water supply reservoir defined by its normal pool level.

"Restaurant" means an establishment in which the primary purpose is preparing, serving, and consuming food and beverages.

Restaurant, Fast-Food. "Fast-food restaurant" means an establishment that offers quick food service, which is accomplished through a limited menu of items, and in which orders are not generally taken at the customer's table, and food is generally served in disposable wrapping or containers.

Retaining Wall. See "Wall, Retaining."

"Rezoning action" means legislative action by the mayor and council pursuant to this title adopting an amendment to the official zoning map that has the effect of rezoning real property from one zoning classification to another.

"Right-of-way" means a strip of land dedicated to, designated, reserved, or purchased by the city of Covington for the purpose of pedestrian or vehicular access or utility line installation.

"Right-of-way line" means the dividing line between a lot, tract or parcel of land and a contiguous right-of-way.

Road, Private. "Private road" means any privately owned and maintained access way serving two or more parcels of land that is intended to provide access for motorized vehicles, including safety and emergency equipment and that is not dedicated to the city or maintained by the city.

Road, Public. "Public road" means any right-of-way set aside for public travel as defined in O.C.G.A. Section 32-1-3(24).

"Salvage yard." See "Junkyard."

"Sand pit" means a surface mine or excavation used for the removal of sand, gravel, or fill dirt for sale or for use off-site.

"Sanitary sewer" or "sewer" means a sewer that carries liquid and water-carried wastes from residences, commercial buildings, industrial plants, and institutions together with minor quantities of groundwater, storm waters and surface waters that are not admitted intentionally.

"Sawmill" means a facility where logs or partially processed boards are sawn, split, shaved, stripped, chipped, or otherwise processed to produce wood products, not including the processing of timber for use on the same lot by the owner or resident of that lot.

"School" means a public or private facility that provides a curriculum of elementary or secondary academic instruction.

"Screening" means a method of shielding, obscuring or buffering one use or building from another use or building by fencing, walls, densely planted vegetation, natural vegetation, including a transitional buffer or other means; a visual and acoustical barrier which is of such nature and density that provides year-round maximum capacity from the ground to a height of at least six feet.

"Septic tank" means an approved watertight tank designed or used to receive sewage from a building sewer and to affect separation and organic decomposition of sewage solids, and discharging sewage effluent to an absorption field or other management system.

"Setback" means with respect to a stream, river, lake, or impoundment, the area extending beyond any riparian buffer applicable to the stream, river, lake, or impoundment in which certain structures, including buildings, septic tanks and septic tank drainfields, are prohibited.

"Setback" means the shortest distance between an adjacent street curb line, property line or lot line and the nearest wall of the building or structure on a lot as prescribed in the zoning ordinance.

Sewage. See "Wastewater."

"Sewage treatment system" means a system that provides primary treatment and disposal, including absorption field components, devices and appurtenances intended to be used for disposal of sewage by soil absorption, but does not include a conventional or chamber septic tank system.

"Sewer" means a pipe or conduit that carries wastewater or stormwater.

"Shopping center" means a group of commercial establishments, planned, and developed as a unit, with common off-street parking provided on the property.

"Short-term vacation rental" means an accommodation for transient guests where, in exchange for compensation, a residential dwelling unit is provided for lodging for a period of time not to exceed thirty (30) consecutive days. Such use may or may not include an on-site manager. For the purposes of this definition, a dwelling shall include all housing types but shall exclude boarding houses, group living or other lodging uses, as defined in Chapter 16.08, as amended.

"Short-term vacation rental agent" means a natural person designated by the owner of a short-term vacation rental on the short-term vacation rental certificate application. Such person shall be available for and responsive to contact at all times and someone who is customarily present at a location within the city for purposes of transacting business.

"Short-term vacation rental occupants" means guests, tourists, lessees, vacationers or any other person who, in exchange for compensation, occupy a dwelling unit for lodging for a period of time not to exceed thirty (30) consecutive days.

"Sidewalk-level" means any floor of a building with a finished-floor elevation less than or equal to five feet above the adjacent sidewalk or less than or equal to five feet below the adjacent sidewalk.

Sign, Nonconforming. "Nonconforming sign" means a sign that was existing legally on the effective date of the enactment or amendment of the zoning ordinance but that does not meet all the requirements of the zoning ordinance or amendments thereto.

"Smith Travel Research (STR) Chain Scales Report" means the leading lodging industry data and benchmarking firm that reflects equivalent average daily rates (ADR) across lodging chains within a particular market or geography.

"Solid waste" means any garbage or refuse; sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility; and other discarded material including solid, semisolid, or contained gaseous material resulting from industrial, commercial, mining, and agricultural operations and community activities, but does not include recovered materials; solid or dissolved materials in domestic sewage; solid or dissolved materials in irrigation return flows or industrial discharges that are point sources subject to permit under 33 U.S.C. Section 1342; or source, special nuclear, or byproduct material as defined by the Federal Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended.

"Solid waste handling" means the storage, collection, transportation, treatment, utilization, processing, or disposal of solid waste or any combination of such activities.

"Solid waste handling facility" means any facility the primary purpose of which is the storage, collection, transportation, treatment, utilization, processing, or disposal, or any combination thereof, of solid waste as approved by department of natural resources.

"Solid waste transfer station/materials recovery facilities" means any facility the primary purpose of which is the collection, temporary storage, or transportation, or any combination thereof, of municipal solid waste (defined as solid waste derived from households, including garbage, trash, and sanitary waste in septic tanks, and includes solid waste from single-family and multifamily residences, hotels and motels, bunkhouses, campgrounds, picnic grounds, day use recreation areas, and commercial establishments, but does not include solid waste from mining, agricultural or silvicultural operations, or industrial processes or operations, per the Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act, O.C.G.A. Section 12-8-20 et seq.) and that may provide for the extraction of recoverable materials, materials suitable for use as a fuel or soil amendment, or any combination of such materials.

"Special events" means amusement, recreational, entertainment or community interest activities such as but not limited to carnivals, rodeos, horse shows, shooting and athletic events, art shows and community fairs.

"Specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, local" means establishments primarily engaged in providing local, specialized trucking. Local trucking establishments provide trucking within a metropolitan area that may cross state lines. Generally, the trips are same-day return.

"Specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long distance" means establishments primarily engaged in providing long-distance specialized trucking. These establishments provide trucking between metropolitan areas that may cross North American country borders.

"Stacked flat" means a building designed to accommodate thirteen (13) or more multifamily dwelling units vertically and horizontally integrated.

Start of Construction. See "Construction, Start of."

"State" means the state of Georgia.

Storage Tank, Bulk. "Bulk storage tank" means an aboveground container used for the storage of large volumes of liquids, solids or gases, which may or may not include such flammable materials as petroleum.

"Storm shelter" means a structure or portion of a structure intended to provide protection to human life during periods of danger from storms or other emergencies.

"Story" means that portion of a building having a height greater than six feet between the surface of the floor occupied and the ceiling above it, not including cellars, basements, mechanical rooms and parking floors that do not extend more than three feet above finished grade or mechanical rooms, tanks or structures not designed for occupancy that are placed on the roof of a building and occupying less than ten (10) percent of the area of the floor below.

"Street" means a way for vehicular traffic, whether designated as an avenue, boulevard, road, highway, expressway, lane, alley or other way.

"Street Categories" means the following definitions intended to distinguish between different categories of streets:

1.

"Freeways" are high-capacity streets from which access to abutting property is prohibited, and which are intersected at specific locations by major and collector streets.

2.

"Major thoroughfares" are those which are used primarily for fast or heavy traffic. The term shall include all street designations shown on the major thoroughfare plan for the city.

3.

"Arterial and collector streets" are those which carry traffic from minor streets to the system of major streets and highways, including the principal entrance streets of a residential development and streets for circulation within such a development.

4.

"Arterial streets" are intended generally, but not exclusively, to provide service through industrial, commercial, and high density multiple-family complexes.

5.

"Collector streets" are intended generally, but not exclusively, to provide service through residential areas, including low density multiple-family complexes.

6.

"Minor streets," including loop streets and cul-de-sacs, are those which are used primarily for access to the abutting properties, and for streets within a NR3 or NM district.

7.

"Subdivision streets" are generally intended to provide service to the abutting properties and to provide access to collector streets. Street, dead end: A street that must be exited at the same point as is entered but not a cul-de-sac.

8.

"Downtown streets" are those streets bounded on the north by Central of Georgia Railroad, south by Conyers Street, east by Elm Street and west by Emory Street.

Street, Centerline of. "Centerline of street" means a line that is halfway between the right-of-way lines of a street.

"Street curb" means the edge of street or a line of concrete or asphalt that forms part of the gutter at the edge of a street.

"Street fronting" means any building, sidewalk or landscaping element that is directly facing and adjacent to any public street and not facing the interior rear or side lot line adjacent to a neighboring property.

Street, Half. "Half street" means a street or road adjacent to a subdivision tract boundary where only half the required right-of-way and road improvements are provided within the proposed subdivision and the responsibility for the other half is undecided or is left to the adjacent property owner.

"Street jog" means the incidence where two streets or two portions of a single street are separated by a relatively short distance, usually at their intersection with another street.

Street, Private. "Private street" means any privately owned and maintained access way serving two or more lots or parcels that is intended to provide access for motorized vehicles, including safety and emergency equipment, that is not dedicated to the city or maintained by the city.

Street, Public. See "Road, Public."

Street, Stub. "Stub street" means an extension of the right-of-way of a street in a subdivision extending to the property boundary of the tract being developed and intended to provide continuity of the street pattern between subdivisions or between the individual phases of the same subdivision.

"Structure" means any fixed object that is constructed or erected on the ground or attached to something on the ground, including, but not limited to, towers, fences, posts, walls and walled or roofed buildings, but not including tents, flags, balloons, or vehicles.

Structure, Accessory. "Accessory structure" means a structure detached from the principal building located on the same lot and customarily incidental and subordinate in area, extent, and purpose to the principal building or use. Where a structure is attached to the main building in a substantial manner, as by a wall, such structure shall be considered part of the main building.

Structure, Occupied. "Occupied structure" means a building with one or more rooms intended for use by humans for dwelling, commerce, industry, or public services, and including buildings intended for the installation, storage, or use of equipment, merchandise, or machinery related to such use, subject to regulations and permitting procedures of the zoning ordinance.

"Subdivider" means any person, firm, corporation or duly authorized agent or other legal entity who undertakes the subdivision of land as defined in this chapter.

"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 fifty (50) percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred. Market value may be determined from tax appraisal or other estimate provided by a certified professional appraiser.

"Swimming pool" means a facility designed and intended for water contact activities that serves the public, a club or other membership-based organization.

Swimming Pool, Home. "Home swimming pool" means a facility designed and intended for water contact activities that serves a single-family dwelling.

"Tattoo and body piercing parlor/studio" means an establishment that specifically provides the service of body piercing and/or tattooing.

"Telecommunications tower" means any structure that is designed and constructed primarily for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas, including self-supporting lattice towers, guy towers and monopole towers. The term includes radio and television transmission towers, microwave towers, common carrier towers, cellular communications towers, and other similar structures.

"Temporary structure" means a structure without any foundation or footings that is removed when the designated time period, activity, or use for which the temporary structure was erected has ceased.

"Temporary use" means land uses established for a limited duration with the intent to discontinue such use within a designated time period.

Temporary Use, Accessory. "Accessory temporary use" means a use meeting the definition of an accessory use, building or structure that is established for a limited duration with the intent to discontinue such use within a designated time period.

Temporary Use, Commercial Retail. "Commercial retail temporary use" means commercial uses established for a limited duration with the intent to discontinue such use within a designated time period.

"Tire store, retail." See "automotive tire shop with repair and maintenance."

"Tobacco stores" means establishments primarily engaged in retailing cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, pipes, and other smokers' supplies including vape and e-cigarettes products where product is not consumed on premises.

"Tower" or "telecommunications tower" means any structure that is designed or constructed primarily for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas, including self-supporting lattice towers, guy towers, or monopole towers. The term includes radio and television transmission towers, microwave towers, common-carrier towers, cellular telephone towers, alternative tower structure, but not including amateur radio antennas.

"Townhouse" means a single-family dwelling unit that is erected in a row as part of a single building consisting of three or more dwellings on adjoining lots, each being separated from the adjoining unit or units by an approved fire-resistant party wall or walls extending from the basement or cellar floor to the roof along the dividing lot line.

"Transitional housing facility" means a building or buildings in which is provided long-term but not permanent living accommodations for one or more persons who have no permanent residence and are in need of short-term housing assistance, and in which may also be provided meals and social services including counseling and substance abuse recovery assistance.

Truck, Heavy. "Heavy truck" means trucks, including truck tractors, and similar vehicles with two or more rear axles.

Truck, Light. "Light truck" means trucks and similar vehicles with single rear axles.

"Truck parking, dispatch" mean a business where the primary use of the property is where trucks/trailers are temporarily stored, maintained or based.

"Truck stop" means a prohibited use that includes any building, premises, or land in which or upon which a business, service, or industry involving the maintenance, servicing, storage, or repair of heavy trucks and similar commercial vehicles is conducted or rendered, including the dispensing of motor fuel or other petroleum products primarily for such heavy trucks and similar commercial vehicles and the sale of accessories or equipment for heavy trucks and similar commercial vehicles, as well as overnight accommodations, showers, overnight customer parking, or restaurant facilities for the use of crews of heavy trucks and similar commercial vehicles.

"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, Accessory. "Accessory use" means a use of land or a building, or portion thereof, customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use of the land or building and located on the same lot with such principal use.

Use, Civic. "Civic use" means a use of land or a building for the primary purpose of a governmental service or a community-wide service.

"Variance" means a grant of relief of the terms of the zoning ordinance pursuant to Chapter 16.12 that will not be contrary to the public interest and where, owing to conditions peculiar to the property (and not the applicant), a literal enforcement of the regulations would result in unnecessary and undue hardship.

Variance, Administrative. "Administrative variance" means the grant of relief of the terms of the zoning ordinance that is subject to review and action by the department pursuant to Chapter 16.12.

"Vehicle" means a mechanical device with wheels or treads for transporting people and/or loads. Vehicles include automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, cranes, earth moving equipment, trailers, and other similar conveyances.

Vehicle, Commercial. "Commercial vehicle" means a vehicle greater than thirty (30) feet in length with six or more wheels, including the cab portion of a tractor-trailer with or without the trailer, but not including light duty delivery trucks, motor homes, travel trailers, or school buses.

"Veterinary services" means establishments where animals or pets are given medical treatment and are cared for during the time of such treatment. Use as a kennel shall be limited to short-time boarding and shall be only incidental to such hospital use.

"Walk-up flat" means a building designed to accommodate three to twelve (12) multifamily dwelling units.

"Wall" means any structure forming a physical barrier or enclosure which is so constructed that fifty (50) percent or more of the gross vertical surface is closed and prevents the passage of light, air and vision through said surface in a horizontal plane.

Wall, Foundation. "Foundation wall" means a wall constructed on footings or piers and designed to bear the load of a building or major structure.

Wall, Retaining. "Retaining wall" means a structure constructed and erected between lands of different elevations to protect structures and/or to prevent erosion, and not used as a foundation.

"Well" means an excavation or opening into the ground by which groundwater is sought or obtained.

"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.

Window, Drive-through. "Drive-through window" means an opening in the wall of a building or structure designed and intended to be used to provide for sales to and/or service to patrons who remain in their vehicles.

"Yard" means an open space between the property line and the wall of the principal building, on the same lot, such space being open, unoccupied and unobstructed by buildings or structures from ground to sky except for authorized landscaping, driveways, parking, sidewalks, signs, lighting standards, encroachments and accessory buildings that are expressly permitted.

Yard, Front. "Front yard" means a yard extending the full width of the lot or parcel and situated between the street curb line of the abutting street and the front yard line of the principal building or structure.

Yard, Rear. "Rear yard" means a yard extending the full width of the lot or parcel and extending from the rear line of the lot to the rear yard line of the principal building or structure.

Yard, Required. "Required yard" means a yard situated between a lot line or property line and the setback line established by the zoning district for the principal building or structure.

Yard, Side. "Side yard" means a yard extending the full depth of a lot or parcel and situated between the side yard line and side property line of the lot or parcel and the side of the building facing such property line.

"Zoning district" means one or more sections of the city as set forth in the zoning ordinance and delineated and designated on the zoning maps, within which the zoning regulations are uniform.

"Zoning maps" means one or a series of numbered maps of the city, depicting the locations of zoning classifications set forth in the zoning ordinance and other expository material, each of which is entitled "Official Zoning Map of the Covington, Georgia," and referenced to an index map.

"Zoning ordinance" means the adopted set of zoning regulations in this title of this Covington Code of Ordinances.

(Ord. dated 10-15-12(2), § 1; Ord. dated 8/16/12, §§ 1, 2; Ord. dated 9/19/11, §§ 1, 2; Ord. dated 4/4/11, § 1; Ord. dated 6/30/08 (part); Ord. dated 1/18/17(3), § 1; Ord. dated 3/5/18(1), § 1; Ord. dated 4/2/18(1), § 1; Ord. dated 4/2/18(2), § 1; Ord. dated 11/12/19, § 1; Ord. dated 7/6/20, §§ 1—3; Ord. dated 11/2/20, §§ 1—3; Ord. dated 3/7/22, § 1; Ord. dated 5/2/22, § 5; Ord. dated 5/2/22, § 1; Ord. dated 6/6/22, § 1; Ord. dated 9/19/22, § 1; Ord. dated 6/5/23, § 1; Ord. dated 2/19/24, § 1; Ord. dated 4/1/24, § 1; Ord. dated 9/3/24, § 1; Ord. dated 11/4/24, §§ 1, 2)