A public or private right-of-way providing the ability to enter, approach or pass to and from one area to another area.

A building subordinate to and located on the same lot with a main building, the use of which is clearly incidental to that of the main building or to the use of the land and which is not attached by any part of a common wall or roof to the main building.

A use of a building, lot or portion thereof which is customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use of the main building or the lot. Swimming pools and tennis courts shall be considered accessory uses.

The official charged with the administration and enforcement of this chapter.

A public right-of-way which affords pedestrian access and a secondary means of vehicular access to the side or rear of abutting property.

Crushed rock, gravel or similar surface.

A change in this chapter and/or the Zoning Map granted by the Town Council after review and comment by the Town Planning Commission and the required public hearing.

A multifamily structure originally intended, arranged or designed to be occupied by three or more families each in an individual dwelling unit and living independently of each other. The number of families in permanent residence shall not exceed the number of dwellings provided. Entranceways through the structure to the units may be either common or separate, and each lot on which the building is located shall be held in single ownership, even though individual units may be sold in accordance with this chapter. Such term shall not include row house or townhouse.

A licensed professional architect, registered in the Commonwealth of Virginia by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation as an architect.

See "junkyard."

A lot or portion thereof, other than automobile sales lot, held out or used for the storage or parking of six or more motor vehicles for a consideration, where service or repair facilities are not permitted. Such parking lot shall not be considered an accessory use nor shall it be used for the storage of dismantled or wrecked motor vehicles, parts thereof or junk.

A lot arranged, designed or used for the storage and display for sale of any new or used motor vehicle capable of independent operation or any type of temporary auto trailer and recreation vehicle, provided that the travel trailer and recreation vehicle is unoccupied, and where repair work is done wholly enclosed within a building. All vehicles to be sold must be operable, except for vehicles awaiting repair.

Any place of business with pumps and underground storage tanks, having as its purpose the servicing, at retail, of motor vehicles, but not including a paint or body shop, machine shop or vulcanizing shop.

A story partly underground and having 50% or more of the total exterior wall area exposed. It shall not be occupied for residential purposes until the remainder of the building has been completed. A basement shall be counted as a story for the purpose of height requirements, unless otherwise stated in this chapter.

A home occupation use of a single-family dwelling requiring a special use permit, consisting of rooms maintained for the purpose of providing overnight sleeping accommodations and breakfast for paying guests, and subject to the provisions of § 175-20L.

The property bound on all sides by one side of a street or a combination of street line, railroad right-of-way, unsubdivided land, river, live stream, streambed or any other barrier to the continuity of development.

The Board of Zoning Appeals of the Town of Edinburg, Virginia.

A building where, for compensation, lodging and meals are provided for at least three and not more than 13 persons. A boardinghouse is to be distinguished from a hotel. No provisions shall be made by the owner for cooking in individual rooms or suites.

A structure having a roof supported by columns or by walls and intended for the shelter, housing or enclosure of any person, animal or property of any kind.

An official designated by the County of Shenandoah to be responsible for certifying building inspection.

A building in which the principal use of the lot is conducted.

Any space outside a building and either attached thereto or freestanding, wholly or partly covered by a roof and used for the shelter of a parked motor vehicle. A carport shall have no enclosure, other than the wall of the building it is attached to and one other wall, exclusive of open screens. When freestanding, carports shall be treated as accessory buildings subject to all applicable provisions of the underlying zoning district in which the carport is located.

A portion of a building having less than 50% of the total exterior wall area exposed. All portions of the total exterior wall area exposed shall be counted for the purpose of height requirements but shall not be considered a story.

A place of burial of the human dead or remains of human dead.

The Circuit Court of Shenandoah County, Virginia.

An establishment where human patients who are not lodged overnight are admitted for examination or treatment by physicians or dentists.

Those associations or organizations of a fraternal or social nature not operated or maintained for profit. This shall not include a nightclub or other institution operated as a business.

See "Planning Commission."

An open tract, or parcel of land owned in undivided interest, not devoted to structures but directly related, and adjunct to a development, as herein provided.

The Comprehensive Plan of the Town of Edinburg, Virginia.

See "nursing home."

Shenandoah County, Virginia.

Percentage of the total lot area which may be occupied by all buildings or located under projections from buildings. Parking areas or patios constructed at ground level shall not be included in the calculation of coverage.

Any open structure, terrace, or patio built on grade or elevated, whether attached or detached from the main building on a lot. When a privacy fence constructed in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 175-13 exists at the property line of a lot, a noncombustible terrace or patio may be built to the inside of said fence. Deck construction shall be located no closer than five feet to a privacy fence. The floor of an elevated deck built adjacent to a privacy fence shall not be visible above the top of the fence. It is permissible for the railing of an elevated deck to be visible above a privacy fence. When a privacy fence does not exist along a lot line, a deck, terrace or patio shall not be built closer than five feet to any side or rear adjacent lot lines or closer than 10 feet to any side or rear street line. No permanent roof structures, other than open lattice pergola type structures, shall be permitted on any deck, terrace or patio.

The number of dwelling units permitted on one acre of land specified herein.

The process of erecting or causing to be erected buildings or structures on a lot.

A portion of the Town of Edinburg within which, on a uniform basis, only certain uses of land and buildings are permitted as set forth in this chapter and within which certain lot areas and other uniform requirements are established.

Any place or premises used for sale, dispensing or serving food, refreshments or beverages in automobiles, including those establishments where customers may serve themselves and may eat or drink the food, refreshments or beverages in motor vehicles on the premises; a refreshment stand; a fast food or primarily carry-out establishment. Food may also be eaten inside.

A space or area providing access specifically designated and reserved on a lot for the movement of vehicles from one lot to another or from a lot to a public street.

A two-family residential structure, with each unit having its own exterior entrance and its own kitchen and bath facilities; the residential units may be arranged one above the other or be semidetached.

A building or portion thereof which is used or intended to be used exclusively for residential purposes and contains one or more dwelling units. A dwelling shall be constructed in accordance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code.

One room, or rooms connected together, constituting a separate independent housekeeping establishment for owner occupancy or rental or lease on a weekly, monthly or longer basis, and physically separated from any other rooms or dwelling units which may be in the same structure, and containing independent cooking and sleeping facilities. Each dwelling unit shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code.

A dwelling having any portion of each of two walls in common with adjoining dwellings.

A dwelling which is entirely freestanding on a lot.

A structure originally arranged or designed to be composed of three or more dwelling units, with the number of families in residence not exceeding the number of dwelling units provided.

One of two buildings, arranged or designed as dwellings located on abutting walls without openings, and with each building having a separate lot.

A residential dwelling unit other than a mobile home, designed for and occupied by one family.

A portable dwelling not necessarily attached to a permanent foundation. These units shall be used only as specified herein.

A residential building containing not more than two dwelling units within the single building, with such units arranged one above the other or side by side, and such structure designed for occupancy by not more than two families.

A grant by a property owner of the use of his land, or a portion thereof, by another party for a specific purpose. The initial property owner in the agreement may be compensated for the use of his property.

A licensed professional engineer, registered in the Commonwealth of Virginia by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation as an engineer.

One person, or a group of two or more persons, living together and occupying a dwelling unit, or part of a dwelling unit, as a separate housekeeping unit.

See "drive-in eating establishment."

A barrier, usually made of posts and wire, boards or masonry, intended to prevent escape or intrusion or to make a boundary. Trees, shrubbery or other foliage does not constitute a fence under this definition.

Sections of land which are subject to periodic flooding and inundation as defined or approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.[1]

The floor area of a building or buildings is the sum of the gross horizontal areas of the floors of all buildings on the lot, such area to be measured from the exterior faces of exterior walls. Floor area shall include the area of basements when used for residential, commercial or industrial purposes but not include a basement or portion of a basement used for storage or housing of mechanical or central heating equipment.

Lot width at the setback line.

An establishment used for human funeral services, which must include facilities on the premises for embalming and may or may not include facilities for the performance of autopsies, other surgical procedures or cremation.

A garage used for the storage of vehicles for occupants of lots in the same or adjacent block or blocks.

An accessory building used for the storage of vehicles by the occupants of a lot on which such building is located.

An accessory building, portion of a principal building or principal buildings used only for the storage of four or more vehicles by other than only those occupants of a lot on which such a building is located.

A multifamily dwelling, not exceeding three stories in height, containing three or more separate dwelling units, having either common or separate entranceways on a lot held in single ownership having yards in common, but which may also have other joint facilities and services. The term "garden apartment house" shall not be construed to include row house or townhouse.

The Town Council of Edinburg, Virginia.

Concrete, black top, macadam or similar surface.

The Director of the Shenandoah County Department of Health, or his designated deputy, or a representative of the Virginia Department of Health.

The vertical distance from the established grade of the center of the front of the building to the highest point of the roof surface of a flat roof, to the deckline for a mansard roof, and to mean height level between the eaves and ridge for hip, gable and gambrel roofs.

Any occupation within a dwelling and clearly incidental thereto carried on by a member or members of the family residing on the premises, provided that no person not a resident on the premises is employed, no stock is kept or commodities sold, no mechanical equipment is used except that which is normally used for purely domestic or household purposes, no advertising sign is displayed other than a name plate not exceeding two square feet in area on each face of said plate, and there is no exterior evidence that the building is being used for any purpose other than a dwelling, and there is no motor vehicle regularly operated from the premises that carries advertising.

A building designed or occupied as the temporary abiding place for 14 or more individuals who are, for compensation, lodged, with or without meals, and in which no provision is made for cooking in individual rooms or suites.

An establishment or place of business which is maintained, operated or used for storing, keeping, buying or selling junk or for the maintenance or operation of an automobile graveyard, and the term shall include garbage dumps and sanitary fills.

A building or part thereof where clothes or other household articles are washed or dry cleaned in self-service, coin-operated machines with a capacity for washing not exceeding 25 pounds dry weight and where such washed clothes and articles may also be dried or ironed, and no delivery service is provided in connection therewith.

A building, or part thereof, other than a laundromat, where clothes and other articles are washed, dried and ironed or dry cleaned, as a service to others.

See "club (private)."

A parcel of land occupied or to be occupied by a building and its accessory buildings or by a use and its accessory uses, together with such open spaces as are required under the provisions of this chapter, having at least the minimum area required by this chapter for a lot in the zone in which such lot is situated and having its principal frontage on a street which has been approved by the Town as acceptable into the Town street system.

The average of the horizontal distances between front and rear lines of a lot measured perpendicular to the street line.

A lot which has been recorded in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Shenandoah County, Virginia.

A lot abutting on two or more streets at their intersection.

Any lot other than a corner lot.

A lot, other than a corner lot, which has a frontage on two streets.

The horizontal distance between the side lines of a lot measured along the building setback lines.

An area directly related to required parking areas, designed to permit easy vehicular movement. Maneuvering space shall not be considered as part of any required parking space or loading space.

The processing and/or converting of raw, unfinished materials or products, or either of them, into articles or substances of different character, or for use for a different purpose.

A factory-fabricated transportable building designed to be used by itself or to be incorporated with similar units at a building site into a modular structure. The term is intended to apply to major assemblies, and does not include prefabricated panels, trusses, plumbing trees and other prefabricated subelements incorporated into a structure, and containing independent cooking and sleeping facilities and containing not less than 800 square feet of residential floor area. Such units shall meet the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code.

An establishment consisting of a group of living or sleeping accommodations with bathroom and closet space, located on a single lot, and designed for use by transient automobile tourists and each unit having its own parking space.

The otherwise legal use of a building, structure or tract of land that does not conform to the use regulations of this chapter for the district in which it is located either at the effective date of this chapter or as a result of subsequent amendments to this chapter.

An otherwise legally platted lot that does not conform to the minimum area or width requirements of this chapter for the district in which it is located at the effective date of this chapter or as a result of subsequent amendments to this chapter.

An otherwise legal building or structure that does not conform with the lot area, yard, height, lot coverage or other area regulations of this chapter, or is designed or intended for use that does not conform to the use regulations of this chapter for the district in which it is located either at the effective date of this chapter or as a result of subsequent amendments to this chapter.

An organization or group whose charter prohibits profit-making endeavors and which enjoys tax-exemption privileges.

A place containing beds for two or more patients, established to render live-in and/or nursing care for chronic or convalescent patients and which is properly licensed by the state, but not including child-care homes or facilities for the care of drug addicts, alcoholics or other patients requiring extensive and/or intensive care that is normally provided in a general hospital or other specialized hospitals. Such terms shall include group homes serving developmentally disabled persons.

Space provided for vehicular parking outside the dedicated street right-of-way.

A portion of the same lot or a portion of a subdivision which is landscaped with shrubs, planted with grass or developed and maintained for recreation purposes, excluding that portion of the lot or subdivision which is utilized for off-street parking purposes. This may include, but is not limited to, squares, greens, neighborhood parks and linear environmental corridors.

That space on the same lot and contiguous to the principal building or buildings, except as herein noted, which is either landscaped with shrubs or planted grass or is developed and maintained for recreation purposes, and excludes that portion of the lot which is utilized for off-street parking purposes.

Any projection, either roof, bay window or similar cantilevered construction, which extends beyond the foundation of a structure. No such construction shall project into any required yard more than three feet, and no such projection shall have a vertical surface whose area is more than 25% of the area obtained by multiplying the mean height of the structure by the length of the structure along the yard which is violated.

An area of not less than 10 feet wide by 20 feet long, for each automobile or motor vehicle, such space being exclusive of necessary drives, aisles, entrances or exits, and being fully accessible for the storage or parking of vehicles.

The Planning Commission of the Town of Edinburg, Virginia.

A porch structure or stoop that is attached to the main building and is otherwise unenclosed except for a roof, supported on one or more sides by the main building and by columns, pillars, or posts, and open screens. A porch or stoop shall not be closer than five feet to any side or rear adjacent lot line or closer than 10 feet to any side or rear street line and shall not project more than 10 feet into any front yard. Larger attached front porches require a special use permit. A porch or stoop attached to the main building at the time of the original construction shall be considered part of the main building and constructed in accordance with the applicable setback and yard provisions set forth in the underlying zoning district in which the building is located.

A structure used by a person or persons in offering a service which requires specialized knowledge gained by intensive academic preparation, such as medicine, law, engineering, dentistry and other like endeavors, except any funeral home or any establishment where goods are offered for sale.

Any person, firm, corporation, municipal department or board duly authorized to furnish and furnishing under federal, state or municipal regulations to the public electricity, gas, steam, communications, telegraph, transportation, water or like utilities.

The use of one travel lane on local streets with parking (usually an intermittent parking pattern) on both sides or on one side causing traffic in both directions to alternate the use of the travel lane.

Any building, other than a drive-in eating establishment, in which, for compensation, food or beverages are dispensed for consumption on the premises, including, among other establishments, cafes, tearooms, confectionery shops and refreshment stands.

A change in a plat of an approved or recorded subdivision or resubdivision if such change affects any street layout shown on such plat, affects any area reserved thereon for the public use or changes the size of any lot shown thereon, if any of the lots have been conveyed after the approval or recording of such plat. (See "subdivision.")[2]

Buildings for display and sale of merchandise at retail or for the rendering of personal services, but specifically exclusive of coal, wood, oil storage, lumberyards and contractors' storage yards.

A building other than a hotel where lodging is provided for three or more persons for compensation pursuant to previous arrangements but not open to the public or transients.

An additional dwelling unit located with the principal dwelling on the same lot in a freestanding building or above a residential garage.

A dwelling made of two or more modular units transported to the home site, put on a foundation and joined to make a single dwelling. This type of unit is included in the definition of "dwelling unit." Such units shall meet the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code.

The minimum distance by which any building or structure must be separated from the front lot line.

Any conglomeration of commercial activities sharing a parcel of land which is held in single ownership and sharing parking facilities.

Any residential use that falls within the definition of short-term rental as defined in § 15.2-983 of the Code of Virginia, as amended. These may be such that the owner does not reside on the property when guests are in residence, or where the owner of the property also resides on the same property during the period when guests are in residence.

Any person or entity that meets the definition of "operator" as defined in § 15.2-983 of the Code of Virginia, as amended.

Any display of any letter, words, numerals, figures, devices, emblems, pictures or any parts or combinations thereof, by any means whereby the same are made visible for the purpose of making anything known, whether such display be made on, be attached to or be part of a structure, surface or any other thing.

The entire area within a circle, triangle, parallelogram or trapezoid enclosing the extreme limits of writing, reproduction, emblem or any figure of similar character, together with any frame or other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the background against which it is placed, excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which such sign is placed. On double-faced signs, only one display face shall be measured in computing total sign area where sign faces are parallel and are at no point more than two feet from one another.

A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, activity or product sold, conducted or offered upon the premises where such sign is located.

A sign not exceeding two square feet in area on each side directing attention to a product, commodity or service available on the premises, but which product, commodity or service is clearly a secondary use of the dwelling.

A sign on the premises bearing the name of a subdivision, the name of a group housing project or of a school, college, park, church or other public or quasi-public facility or a professional or firm name plate, but bearing information pertaining only to the premises on which such sign is located.

Any sign of any material and any character whatsoever, which is placed (including erection, construction, posting, painting, printing, tacking, nailing, gluing, sticking, carving or other fastening, affixing or making visible in any manner) for outdoor advertising purposes in any way whatsoever.

A sign applying to a seasonal or other brief activity, such as but not limited to summer camps, horse shows, auctions or sale of land.

A permit granted by Town Council, upon review and recommendation of the Planning Commission, for a use permitted by the Council to occupy land and/or a building erected thereon for a specific purpose not yet permitted by right, but in accordance with standards or conditions and procedures included in this chapter or adopted by the Town Council.

That portion of a building other than a cellar or mezzanine included between the surface of any floor and the floor next above it, or if there is not a floor above it, then the space between the floor and the ceiling next above it. A mezzanine shall be deemed a full story when it covers more than 33% of the area of the story beneath the mezzanine or if the vertical distance from the floor next below it to the floor next above it is 24 feet or more.

A space under a sloping roof, which has the line of intersection of roof decking and wall face not more than three feet above the top floor level, and in which space not more than 2/3 of the floor area is finished off for use.

The dividing line between a street or road right-of-way and the contiguous property.

A public thoroughfare, except an alley or driveway, which affords vehicular traffic circulation and principal means of access to abutting property.

Any change in the supporting members of a building or structure, such as bearing walls, partitions, columns, beams or girders, or any change in the width or number of exits, or any substantial change in the roof.

See "building."

Any structure of any kind or character erected or maintained for outdoor advertising purposes, upon which any outdoor advertising sign may be placed, including also outdoor advertising statuary.

See Chapter 141, Subdivision of Land.

A licensed professional surveyor, registered in the Commonwealth of Virginia by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation as a surveyor. This term shall also include land surveyors.

A building designed and/or used primarily for the commercial exhibition of motion pictures to the public or used for the performance of plays, acts or dramas by actors and/or actresses.

A dwelling in which overnight accommodations are provided or offered for three or more transient guests, including bed-and-breakfast inns.

At least three and not more than five attached dwelling units forming a continuous structure, each unit being separated by unpierced common or party walls going to the roof of said unit and conforming with the Uniform Statewide Building Code. Said unpierced common or party walls shall be void of windows or means of ingress or egress from the basement to the roof with individual exterior entrances at grade and with not more than four abutting houses or dwelling units having the same front yard setback.

A vehicular, portable structure built on a chassis as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreation and vacation, provided that its gross weight does not exceed 4,500 pounds, or provided further that, being of any weight, its body length does not exceed 29 feet.

The purpose or activity for which land or buildings thereon are designed or arranged or for which land or buildings are occupied or maintained.

A relaxation of the terms of this chapter where such variance will not be contrary to the public interest and where, owing to conditions peculiar to the property and not the result of the action of the applicant, a literal enforcement of this chapter will work undue hardships on the property owner. A variance is authorized only for height, area and size of structure or size of yards and open spaces. Establishment or expansion of a use otherwise prohibited shall not be allowed by variance, nor shall a variance be granted because of the presence of nonconformities in the zoning division or district or adjoining divisions or districts, nor solely for the economic benefit of the person requesting such variance.

An open space of a generally uniform width or depth on the same land with a building or group of buildings, which open space lies between the building or group of buildings or other specified points and the nearest lot line and is unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward, except as otherwise provided herein.

A yard extending across the full width of the lot and lying between the adjacent street right-of-way line and the building setback line.

A yard extending across the full width of the lot and lying between the rear property line of the lot and a line drawn generally parallel to the rear lot line at such distance as may be specified herein for any district.

A yard between the side lot line and a line drawn generally parallel thereto at such distance as may be specified herein for any district and extending from the setback line to the rear yard line. On a corner lot, the side yard adjacent to a street shall extend the full depth of every such lot.

See "Administrator."

The Official Zoning Map of the Town of Edinburg, Virginia, and all amendments thereto.

A permit issued by the Zoning Administrator to the applicant before the applicant may proceed with any work affected by any provisions of this chapter or begin any uses of land and/or structures as permitted by this chapter.