Crystal River City Zoning Code

a.

Graphics. The graphics, tables, and text utilized throughout this code are regulatory. In case of a conflict, text shall control over tables and graphics. Further tables shall control graphics.

b.

Defined Terms. The following terms shall have the following meanings.

Alley. A narrow thoroughfare between and especially behind buildings and further described in Table S2.

Applicant. A developer or an authorized agent of a developer.

Balcony. An open air cantilevered structure.

Awning. Mounted to a building and extends over doors, windows or patios to provide shelter from the sun and rain. Awnings may be of different materials, such as fabric or metal.

Bed and Breakfast Inn. An establishment primarily engaged in providing lodging and meals exclusively for registered guests, not the general public, using an on-site kitchen and dining area. The host or staff resides within the main building to prepare and serve meals, assist guests with local information, and offer hospitality typical of that given to houseguests. A host or staff member is continuously present whenever the business is actively serving guests.

Block. The aggregate of lots, passages, lanes, and Alleys bounded on all sides by streets.

Block Depth. A block measurement that is the horizontal distance between the front property line on a block face and the front property line of the parallel or approximately parallel block face.

Block Length. A block measurement that is the horizontal distance along the front and corner property lines of the lots comprising the block.

Canopy. A freestanding structure which may be constructed of cloth or of rigid materials, including but not limited to metal, wood, concrete, plastic or glass, which is attached to and supported by columns, poles or braces extended to the ground. Canopies are not affixed to a building.

Canopy Sign. A sign which is suspended from, is attached to, is supported from or forms a part of a canopy.

Change in Use. A change in use of property occurs whenever the essential character or nature of the activity conducted on a lot changes. This occurs whenever:

1.

The change involves a change from one principal use category to another.

2.

A land use within a planned unit development is added or amended which increases the overall intensity of development within the PUD.

3.

A business or enterprise, different in type and category, intends to operate from the same lot, property and/or space from the previously existing business or enterprise.

4.

A change in the status of property from unoccupied to occupied or vice versa does not necessarily constitute a change in use. Whether a change in use occurs shall be determined by comparing the two active uses of property without regard to any intervening period during which the property may have been occupied, unless the property has remained unoccupied for more than 180 consecutive days or has been abandoned.

5.

A change in ownership of a business or enterprise or a change in the name shall not be regarded as a change in use.

6.

The intent of these provisions is to provide for the elimination of nonconforming structures and uses.

Complete Street. A street designed to enable safe mobility for all users, whether traveling in motor vehicles, on bicycles, public transportation, or as a pedestrian.

Dedication. The intentional appropriation of land by the owner to the county for public use and/or ownership.

Density. The number of dwelling units located in an area of land, usually denoted as units per acre.

Dwelling Unit. A building or portion thereof, designed or used exclusively for residential occupancy, but not including hotels, lodging houses, motels, or mobile homes.

Easement. A legal interest in land, granted by the owner to another person or entity, which allows for the use of all or a portion of the owner's land for such purposes as access or placement of utilities.

Facade. The exterior face of a building, including but not limited to the wall, windows, windowsills, doorways, and design elements. The front facade is any building face adjacent to the front property line.

Frontage. The linear footage of property abutting a dedicated street or highway as measured along a lot or parcel of land. The length of the property line of any one parcel along a street on which it borders. For businesses in shopping centers it shall be measured along the front face of that portion of the building occupied by the business.

Grade. The average level of the finished surface of the ground story adjacent to the exterior walls of a building.

Greenhouse. Any building that is constructed of glass, plastic, or other transparent material in which plants are grown under climate-controlled conditions and includes hoop houses and other similar structures.

Gross Floor Area. The sum of all areas of a building, including accessory storage areas, working spaces, or living spaces and any basement floor area used for retailing activities, the production or processing or goods, or business offices. It shall not include attic space having headroom of seven feet or less and balconies, off-street parking and loading areas, enclosed porches, roof decks, roof gardens, or basement floor area other than specified above.

Height. The height of a building is defined as the vertical distance from the finished floor elevation to the top plate of the wall and the top of the building ridge or parapet. Within the floodplain, height is measured from either the base floodplain elevation or the finished floor elevation, whichever is lower.

Landscape Area. Area on a lot not dedicated to a structure, parking or loading facility, frontage buffer, side and rear buffer, or interior parking lot landscaping.

Live/Work Unit. A building consisting of a commercial and/or office component with a residential component. Typically, the ground floor is a non-residential use or studio and the residence is on the upper floors.

Lot. A parcel of land occupied or intended for occupancy by a use permitted in this article.

Lot, Corner. A parcel of land abutting at least two vehicular rights of-way, excluding an Alley, at their intersection.

Lot Coverage. The percentage of a lot developed with principal or accessory structures and impervious surfaces, such as driveways, sidewalks, and patios.

Lot, Flag. A parcel of land having its only access to the adjacent vehicular right-of-way, excluding an Alley, through a narrow strip of land.

Lot, Interior. A parcel of land abutting a vehicular Right-of-way, excluding an Alley, along one (1) Property Line; surrounded by Lots along the remaining Property Lines.

Lot, Through. Also referred to as a double frontage lot. An interior lot having frontage on two approximately parallel vehicular rights of-way, excluding an Alley.

Lot Area. The computed area contained within the property lines; it is typically denoted in square feet or acres.

Lot Depth. The distance measured from the midpoint of the front line to the midpoint of the opposite rear line of the lot. Refer to Figure (D1) Lots.

Lot Width. The horizontal distance between the Side Property Lines, measured at the Front Property Lines.

Maximum Coverage, Open Space. The maximum amount of impervious coverage is provided per Open Space Type and includes, but is not limited to, parking facilities, driveways, sidewalks, paths, and structures as permitted.

Maximum Percentage of Open Water Body. The maximum amount of area within an Open Space Type that may be covered by an open water body, including, but not limited to, ponds, and lakes.

Mean high water: The average height of the high water over a nineteen-year period. For shorter periods of observation, it means the average height of water after corrections are applied to eliminate known variations and to reduce the result to the equivalent of a mean nineteen-year value. The mean high water line along the shores of land immediately bordering on navigable waters is recognized and declared to be the boundary between the foreshore owned by the state in its sovereign capacity and upland subject to private ownership.

Mean high water line: The intersection of the tidal plane of mean high water with the shore.

Memorial Park. A park designed for contemplation or recreation, commemorating the death of an individual or of many people through a natural or other disaster, or through military action.

Mews. See passageway definition.

Multiple Occupancy Complex. A commercial use, i.e. any use other than residential or agricultural, consisting of a parcel of property, or parcel of contiguous properties, existing as a unified or coordinated project, with a building or buildings housing more than one occupant.

Nonconformance. A structure, use, lot, or site characteristic that was legally constructed, platted or operated prior to the effective date of or Amendment to this code, but which Amendment to this code would prohibit.

Occupancy. The portion of a building or premises owned, leased, rented, or otherwise occupied for a given use.

Open Space Type. The permitted and regulated types of Open Spaces in this code.

Open Water. A pond, lake, reservoir, or other water feature with the water surface fully exposed.

Outbuilding. Roofed accessory structure(s) located within the designated portion of the yard.

Outdoor Light Fixture. An outdoor illuminating device, outdoor lighting or reflective surface, lamp or similar device, permanently installed or portable, used for illumination, decoration, or advertisement. Such devices shall include, but are not limited to, lights used for: (a) Buildings and structures; (b) Recreational areas; (c) Parking lot lighting; (d) Landscape lighting; (e) Architectural lighting; (f) Signs (advertising or other); (g) Street lighting; (h) Product display area lighting; (i) Building overhangs and open canopies; and (j) Security lighting.

Owner. The owner of property, the tenant, agent, or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure, or property upon which a sign may be located.

Parking. An open area intended for the parking of vehicles.

Parcel or Parcel of Land. A contiguous quantity of land in possession of, owned by, or recorded as property of the same claimant person in the public records of Citrus County, Florida, as of the effective date of this chapter.

Passageway, Pedestrian. A pathway designed for use by pedestrians; it can be located mid-block allowing pedestrian movement from one street to another without traveling along the block's perimeter.

Permanent. Designed, constructed and intended for more than short-term use.

Pervious Surface. Also referred to as pervious material. A material or surface that allows for the absorption of water into the ground or plant material, such as permeable pavers or a vegetated roof.

Plat. A map, drawing, or delineated representation of the division or subdivision of lands, being a complete and exact representation of the division or subdivision and other information in compliance with the requirements of all applicable provisions of any applicable ordinance and Part I, article 177, Florida Statutes.

Porch. An open air roofed structure.

Primary Street. A street designated on the Regulating Plan that receives priority over other streets in terms of setting front property lines and locating building entrances.

Principal Use or Structure. Also referred to as the principal building. A building that contains the dominant use of the lot. It is typically located toward the front of the lot.

Property Line. Also referred to as lot line. A boundary line of a parcel of land or lot.

Property Line, Rear. The boundary of a lot that is approximately parallel to the front property line; this line separates lots from one another or separates a lot from an Alley.

Property Line, Side. The boundary of a lot that is approximately perpendicular to the front and rear property lines; it is not adjacent to the public right-of-way.

Prohibited Tree. All tree species listed by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council as a Category I invasive.

Protected Tree. All non-prohibited trees twelve (12) inches DBH or more.

Resort housing units. Dwelling units, other than hotels and motels, made available to persons for temporary occupancy. "Made available for temporary occupancy" means rented or occupied for time periods of less than three (3) consecutive months in duration. Where resort housing units are a permitted use, there is no limit to the frequency of change or length of stay of occupants or tenants, except that rentals of less than a one-week period are not permitted. Where resort housing units are not a permitted use, dwelling units may not be made available for rental or occupancy for periods of less than three (3) consecutive months, provided that such restriction shall not apply to temporary, non-paying guests of lawful occupants. The following shall be prima facie evidence that a dwelling unit is being used as a resort housing unit:

A.

Advertising a unit as being available for rental for periods of less than three (3) consecutive months; or

B.

Recording or filing land use covenants, condominium declarations, cooperative documents, public offering statements, or other legal documents which sanction, authorize or approve rental or occupancy of a unit for periods of less than four (4) consecutive weeks; or

C.

Creation of timeshare estates or periods of less than three (3) consecutive months.

For the purposes of this definition, a "dwelling unit" is a room or rooms connected together, constituting a separate, independent housekeeping establishment containing sleeping, kitchen and sanitary facilities.

Right-of-way (ROW). A strip of land acquired by the state, county or any municipality by reservation, dedication, forced dedication, prescription, or condemnation, and intended to be occupied or occupied by a road, crosswalk, sidewalk, bike path, electric transmission lines, oil or gas pipeline, water pipeline, sanitary sewer, stormwater, or other similar uses.

Roof Line. A horizontal line intersecting the highest point or points of a roof.

Scale. The relative size of a building, street, sign, or other element of the built environment. Setback. The horizontal distance from a property line inward, beyond which a structure may be placed. Structures or other impervious surfaces are not permitted within a setback, unless specifically permitted in this code (e.g. sidewalks).

Sign. Any writing, pictorial presentation, number, illustration, or decoration, flag, banner or pennant, or other device which is used to announce, direct attention to, identify advertise or otherwise make anything known. The term sign shall not be deemed to include the terms "building" or "landscaping" or any architectural embellishment of a building not intended to communicate information, nor any holiday lights or decorations.

Size, Open Space. The minimum and maximum acreage of the Open Space Type is measured within the parcel lines of the property.

Story. A habitable level within a building measured from finished floor to finished floor.

Story, Ground. Also referred to as ground floor. The first floor of a building that is level to or elevated above the finished grade on the frontage, excluding basements or cellars.

Story, Half. A story either in the base of the building, partially below grade and partially above grade, or a story fully within the roof structure with transparency facing the street.

Story, Upper. Also referred to as upper floor. The floors located above the ground story of a building.

Street. A strip of land or way subject to vehicular traffic (as well as pedestrian traffic) which provides direct or indirect access to property, including, but not limited to, alleys, avenues, boulevards, courts, drives, highways, lanes, places, roads, terraces, trails or other thoroughfares.

Street Face. The facade of a building that faces a right-of way.

Street Frontage. Minimum percentage of vehicular right-of-way frontage required. The minimum percentage of the Open Space perimeter, as measured along the outer parcel line, that shall be located directly adjacent to a vehicular right-of-way, excluding alley frontage. This requirement provides access and visibility to the Open Space. Buildings oriented toward open spaces with qualified frontage types and sidewalks may serve as frontage in lieu of streets. For example, a mewss open space.

Structure, Principal. Also referred to as the principal building. A building that contains the dominant use of the Lot. It is typically located toward the front of the Lot in the front Build-to Zone or behind the Front Yard

Substantial Improvement. Any repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds a total of fifty (50) percent of the market value of the structure. Market value is determined before improvement, repair, or reconstruction is started. Substantial improvement occurs when the first alteration of any structural part of the building commences, whether or not the alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure. The term does not, however, include any project to comply with state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which are necessary solely to assure safe living conditions. The term does not include alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the State Inventory of Historic Places.

Swale. A low lying, naturally planted area with gradual slopes that facilitate the transport, absorption, and/or filtration of stormwater.

Title Opinion. The written opinion of an attorney licensed in the State of Florida or a certification by an abstractor or a title company dated no earlier than 30 days prior to the submittal showing all persons or entities with an interest of record in the property, including but not limited to the record fee owners, easement holders, mortgage and lien holders, leasehold interest holders, judgment interest holders, and parties with any interest in the land by reason of probate or other legal proceedings. The report shall include the tax identification number for the property and copies of documents such as deed, easements, etc., referenced in the title opinion.

Thoroughfare Type. The permitted and regulated types of streets in this code. Refer to the Thoroughfare Types section for more information and a list of the permitted Thoroughfare Types. Transect. A cross-section or cutaway showing a continuum of human habitats ranging from conservation lands to a comparatively intense city core.

Transect Zone. A description of the existing or intended characteristics of a zone within the transect so that land uses and thoroughfares are consistent and contribute to the context.

Tree Canopy. The uppermost area of spreading branches and leaves of a tree.

Tree, Canopy: a tree at maturity having a minimum height of 40ft and a minimum crown width of 30ft.

Tree, Understory: a shade tolerant species 15-50 ft in height at maturity which may grow under the crowns of larger trees.

Use. Also referred to as land use. A purpose or activity that may occur within a building or on a lot.

Water Body. A body of water, such as a river, pond, or lake that may be man-made or naturally occurring.

Zoning District. A designation given to each lot within the jurisdiction that dictates the standards for development on that lot. May be referred to as "Zoning".