Florence City Zoning Code

PART 7

Measurements and Words

Sec. 7-24.1.1 Open Space

The following qualify as open space for the purposes of this Unified Development Ordinance:

Outdoor Recreation Areas. All forms of outdoor recreation areas count as open space, including passive areas and nature reserves, ball fields, tennis courts, swimming pools, and golf courses.
Stormwater Facilities. Open air stormwater facilities count as open space. These facilities may be permitted in floodplains even though they are protected from being part of the developed portion of the site.
Bufferyards. The required bufferyards count as open space.
Required Landscape Areas. Required landscape areas, such as parking lot landscaping areas, count as open space. However, landscaping of private lots in residential subdivisions is not counted as open space.
Agriculture. Agriculture counts as open space in cluster or planned development options when it is part of the development plan.
Resource Protection Areas. All areas that are protected natural resources count as open space.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.2 Lot Width

Generally. Lot width is measured from one side lot line to the opposite side lot line at the front setback line. See Figure 7-24.1.2A, Measurement of Lot Width; Standard Lots.

Figure 7-24.1.2A Measurement of Lot Width; Standard Lots

Corner Lots. Lot width is measured from the interior side lot line to the side street lot line along the front building line, minus the difference between the street yard setback and the side yard setback. See Figure 7-24.1.2B, Measurement of Lot Width; Corner Lots.

Figure 7-24.1.2B
Measurement of Lot Width; Corner Lots

Irregular Lots. Lot width is the distance from one side lot line to the opposite side lot line along the tangent of the curve representing the front building line. See Figure 7-24.1.2C, Measurement of Lot Width; Irregular Lots. Generally, the front building line is the front setback line. However, if an alternative front building line has been established on the plat of a subdivision that is more distant than the front setback line from the front property line, then the lot width is measured at the alternative front building line.

Figure 7-24.1.2C
Measurement of Lot Width; Irregular Lots

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.3 Building Coverage

Building Coverage.

Generally. Building coverage is the total of enclosed floor areas measured between the exterior faces of building walls along a horizontal plane at the main grade level of the principal building and all accessory buildings.
Included. Enclosed floor area includes:
1. The area enclosed by building walls of principal and accessory buildings;
2. The area of enclosed porches; and
3. The footprint of parking structures.
Not Included. Enclosed floor area does not include:
1. Open porches, terraces, and decks;
2. Open gazebos and playground equipment;
3. Driveways, walkways, steps, and other paved surfaces; and
4. Outdoor pools and spas.

Building Coverage Ratio. Building coverage ratio is the percentage of the lot area that is covered by buildings (see Subsection A., above, for what qualifies as the lot area that is covered by buildings). See Figure 7-24.1.3, Building Coverage Ratio.

Figure 7-24.1.3
Building Coverage Ratio

In the illustration below, the principal building, including its enclosed front porch, and the accessory building are counted as building cover (these elements are shown in blue). The open porch at the back of the principal building, gazebo, driveway, walkway, and the pool are not counted). The total building coverage area is 1,450 square feet. The lot area is 5,000 square feet. The building coverage ratio is 1,450 sf. ÷ 5,000 sf. equals 29 percent.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.4 Setbacks

Generally. Setbacks are measured from lot lines towards the center of the lot, as follows:

Front setbacks are measured from the front lot line. The front lot line is the lot line that abuts the right-of-way from which the lot takes its address.
Rear setbacks are measured from the rear lot line. The rear lot line is the lot line that is opposite from the front lot line.
Side setbacks are measured from side lot lines. Side lot lines are lot lines that intersect with front lot lines.

Flag Lots. On flag lots existing at the time of the Unified Development Ordinance (new flag lots would not be permitted), setbacks are measured as provided in Subsection A., above, except that the front setback line is measured from the "shared lot line." See Figure 7-24.1.4, Setback Measurement.

Figure 7-24.1.4
Setback Measurement

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.5 Height

Buildings. Building height is calculated by measuring the vertical distance from the average finished grade along the front building line to:

The highest peak or ridge line of the roof for pitched roof styles; or
The top of the parapet for flat roof style.

Other Structures. Structure height is calculated by measuring the vertical distance from the average finished grade around the base of the structure to the highest point on the structure. This measurement applies to:

Structures without roofs (e.g., fences); and
Amateur radio antennae, whether mounted on a roof, the ground, or another structure.

Specialized Structures and Building Appurtenances.

Specialized structures and building appurtenances are not counted in the calculation of building height, provided that:
1. They project not more than:
  1. 15 feet above the highest point on the building for buildings that are 38 feet in height or higher; or
  2. Seven feet above the highest point on the building for buildings that are less than two stories in height
They occupy not more than 10 percent of the total roof area of the building; and
They are not used for human habitation, commercial, or industrial purposes, except as incidental to the operation of the building.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.6 Floor Area

Floor area is measured as the horizontal area of all habitable building floors in square feet, measured from the outside face of all exterior walls. No deduction shall apply for horizontal areas void of actual floor space (for example, elevator shafts and stairwells) unless specified in the applicable section as an exemption.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.7 Floor Area Ratio (FAR)

Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is calculated by dividing the sum of the total square feet of the climate controlled areas of a dwelling plus the total square feet of all accessory buildings located on the same lot as the dwelling by the lot's total square feet.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.8 Separation of Uses

In General. Separation of land uses, where required in this Unified Development Ordinance, is measured from the nearest property line of the existing site to the nearest property line of the proposed site.

Separation of Alcoholic Beverage Sales. Separation of uses of sales of alcoholic beverage sales for on-and off-premise consumption from specific uses as prescribed by the South Carolina Department of Revenue Alcohol Beverage Licensing (ABL) shall be measured in accordance with ABL Regulation 7-303.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.1 Base Site Area

Generally. Base site area is used to calculate gross density. See Section 7-24.2.4, Density.

Calculation. Base site area equals the total area of the parcel proposed for development (gross site area), minus the sum of the areas of the following:

Land within the planned right-of-way of existing streets or streets that are on the City's adopted Thoroughfare Plan.
Land that is within major utility rights-of-way that are wider than 50 feet.
Land that is cut off from development by railroads, limited access highways, waterbodies, or wetlands and is not proposed for development.
Land that has previously been set aside as protected open space (e.g., subject to a conservation easement, plat restriction, or condition of development approval.). See Figure 7-24.2.1, Illustrative Calculation of Base Site Area.

Figure 7-24.2.1
Illustrative Calculation of Base Site Area

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.2 Open Space Ratio (OSR) / Landscape Surface Ratio (LSR)

Generally. Open space ratio and landscape surface ratio are used to ensure that a certain percentage of a parcel proposed for development is open and landscaped.

Open Space Ratio.

Generally. Open space ratio (OSR) is the area of designated open space, inclusive of bufferyards, natural resource protection areas, and other commonly-owned open space (but not inclusive of individually owned yards) in a residential development, divided by the total area of the parcel proposed for residential development. OSR includes bufferyards, parking lot landscaping, foundation plantings, and natural resource protection areas.
Exclusion from Accruement. Open spaces that do not qualify for the calculation of OSR include any areas on private, buildable lots and any commonly-owned open space that are less than 320 contiguous square feet.
Calculation of Requirement. The amount of commonly-owned open space that is required in a residential development is calculated as the required OSR (see Division 2-3.2, District Development Standards) times the total area of the parcel proposed for development. See Figure 7-24.2.2A, Illustrative Measurement of Residential Open Space Ratio.
Relationship to Other Requirements. If the combination of individual open space requirements (e.g., protection of natural resources and provision of bufferyards) requires less open space than the OSR, then the OSR applies. If it requires more than the OSR, the greater requirement applies.

Figure 7-24.2.2A Illustrative Measurement of Residential Open Space Ratio
EXAMPLE: 6 acres of Common Open Space DIVIDED BY: 12 acre Area of Parcel Proposed for Development EQUALS: 50% OSR
Total Area of Parcel Proposed for Development: 12 acres

Landscape Surface Ratio (LSR)
1. Generally. Landscape surface ratio (LSR) is the area of designated landscaping and open space area on a nonresidential or mixed-use parcel proposed for development, divided by the area of the parcel proposed for development. LSR includes bufferyards, parking lot landscaping, foundation plantings, and natural resource protection areas. See Figure 7-24.2.2B, Illustrative Measurement of Nonresidential Landscape Surface Ratio.
2. Exclusion from Accruement. Open spaces that do not qualify for the calculation of LSR include any areas on private, buildable lots and any commonly-owned open space that are less than 320 contiguous square feet.
3. Relationship to Other Requirements. If the combination of individual landscaping and open space requirements (e.g., protection of natural resources, provision of bufferyards, parking lot landscaping) requires less landscaped or open space area than the LSR, then the LSR applies, and more landscaping is required. If the application of other landscaping standards requires more than the LSR, the greater requirement applies.

Figure 7-24.2.2B Illustrative Measurement of Nonresidential Landscape Surface Ratio
EXAMPLE: 5 acres of Bufferyards, Parking Lot Landscaping, and Drainage Facilities DIVIDED BY: 12 acre Area of Parcel Proposed for Development EQUALS: 41.7% LSR
Area of Parcel Proposed for Development: 12 acres

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.3 Net Buildable Area

Generally. Net buildable area is used to calculate net density. See Section 7-24.2.4, Density.

Calculation. Net buildable area is equal to the lesser of:

Base site area (calculated as provided in Section 7-24.2.1, Base Site Area) minus areas of open water (streams are measured to the ordinary mean high water mark) and delineated wetlands that were not already subtracted from the area of the parcel proposed for development to calculate the base site area (e.g., wetlands or open water areas that are within previously dedicated conservation easements, or cut off from development by a limited access highway, are not subtracted more than once); or
The total area of the parcel proposed for development minus the area of open space required for the development type in Division 2-3.2, District Development Standards. See Figure 7-24.2.3, Illustrative Calculation of Net Buildable Area.

Figure 7-24.2.3
Illustrative Calculation of Net Buildable Area

Using a 30 percent open space ratio for illustrative purposes, the net buildable area for the illustration on the left is calculated as base site area minus areas of open water and delineated wetlands; and the net buildable area for the right-hand illustration on the right is calculated as the total area of the parcel proposed for development minus the area of required open space.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.4 Density

Generally. Density is measured in two ways: gross density and net density. The maximum number of units that are allowed in a residential development shall not exceed the lesser of the results of the gross density and net density calculations for the parcel proposed for development.

Gross Density. Gross density is the number of dwelling units per acre of base site area (see Section 7-24.2.1, Base Site Area). An example calculation is provided in Figure 7-24.2.4, Illustrative Density Calculations.

Net Density. Net density is calculated by dividing the number of dwelling units by the net buildable area of the parcel proposed for development. An example calculation is provided in Figure 7-24.2.4, Illustrative Density Calculations.

Figure 7-24.2.4
Illustrative Density Calculations

EXAMPLE: 28 homes are planned for an 11 acre parcel.

GROSS DENSITY The parcel proposed for development is 11 acres. 2.5 acres (including forest and open water) were previously dedicated as a conservation easement and 0.2 acres within planned right-of-way of an abutting street. There are no areas within major utility corridors or cut off from development. Therefore, the Base Site Area is 11 minus 2.5 minus 0.2 equals 8.3 acres. Therefore, 28 homes divided by 8.3 acres equals a gross density of approximately 3.38 units per acre.

NET DENSITY The required Open Space Ratio (OSR) in this example is 50 percent. Therefore, the Net Buildable Area is the lesser of 50 percent times 11 acres (5.5 acres) or the Base Site Area minus open water and wetlands. Since the open water area was counted in the Base Site Area calculation (because it is subject to a conservation easement), it is not subtracted again. Accordingly, the Net Buildable Area is 5.5 acres (because 5.5 acres is less than 8.3 acres). The net density is 28 homes divided by 5.5 acres, or 5.10 units per acre.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.5 Lot Area

Lot area is the area within the lot lines. See Figure 7-24.2.5, Illustrative Lot Area Calculation.

Figure 7-24.2.5 Illustrative Lot Area Calculation
EXAMPLE The example at right is a rectangular lot. 80 feet Wide TIMES 125 feet Deep EQUALS 10,000 square feet Lot Area

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.6 Streamflow and Runoff

Hydrology Comparisons. All variables of pre-development and projected post-construction hydrology shall be compared in the required drainage study and report.

Runoff Frequencies. Minimum design frequencies for calculating rainfall runoff shall be as shown in Table 7-24.2.6A, Rainfall Runoff Frequencies.

Table 7-24.2.6.A Rainfall Runoff Frequencies
General Land Use Type	Frequency
Residential	five to 10 Years
Light Industrial and Commercial	10 to 25 Years
Heavy Industrial and High Value Commercial	25 to 50 Years
Flood Protection Works	50 to 100 years

Calculations for Runoff on Developments of 20 Acres or Less. Variance in design frequency shall depend upon the existing and expected density of development, the value of development, and the cost effectiveness of design. Minimum design frequency may be used if approved by the Director of Utilities. The formula and values as set out in Table 7-24.2.6B, Runoff Calculations, 20 Acres or Less shall be used for calculating all stream flow and runoff for the policies and regulations established by this Unified Development Ordinance. Runoff from drainage areas of 500acres or less may be determined by the "Rational Formula", Q=C x I x A, as follows:

Table 7-24.2.6B Runoff Calculations, 20 Acres or Less
Formula Symbol	Equals
Q	Stormwater runoff in cubic feet per second (cfs) at a specified point and time.
C	Coefficient representing the ratio of stormwater runoff to rainfall over the tributary area based on the imperviousness of the area, ground slope, and ground storage. Coefficients may vary from 0.15 to 0.95. Coefficients of less than 0.5 may be used if individual calculations are submitted with plans to the Director of Public Works and Utilities.
I	Average rainfall intensity in inches per hour over the tributary drainage area for the period of time equal to the time of concentration and given frequency of occurrence.
A	Equals the area to be drained in acres, determined by field surveys for areas less than one 100 acres, and by latest government quadrangle maps for larger areas.
B	Runoff from drainage areas greater than 500 acres will be determined by use of a hydrograph or other engineering methods as approved by the Director of Public Works and Utilities.

Calculations for Runoff on Developments Greater than 20 Acres. The rational formula may not be used for calculating flows for sizing stormwater detention / retention facilities, or for any drainage areas greater than 20 acres. In these cases, all hydrologic computations shall be accomplished using a volume-based hydrograph method acceptable to the Director of Public Works and Utilities.
Storm Sewers, Channels, Culverts, and Bridges. The size of closed storm sewers, open channels, culverts, and bridges may be determined by using the "Manning Formula," which may be modified for use with runoff determined by the "Rational Formula” to: Q=1.486RSA,as set out in Table 7-24.2.6C, Storm Sewers, Channels, Culverts, and Bridges.

Table 7-24.2.6C Storm Sewers, Channels, Culverts, and Bridges
Formula Symbol	Equals
Q	Discharge in cubic feet per second.
A	Cross-sectional area of water in conduit in square feet.
R	Hydraulic radius of water in conduit.
S	Mean slope of hydraulic gradient in feet of vertical rise per foot of horizontal distance.
N	Roughness coefficient.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-25.1.1 Word Usage

The word "shall" is mandatory; the word "may" is permissive. The particular shall control the general. Words used in present tense shall include the future, and words used in the singular include the plural, and plural the singular, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. All public officials, bodies and agencies to which reference is made are those of the City, unless otherwise indicated. The City of Florence shall be the City.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-25.1.2 Abbreviations and Acronyms

Set out in Table 7-25.1.2, Meaning of Acronyms and Abbreviations is the meaning of the acronyms and abbreviations used in this Unified Development Ordinance.

Table 7-25.1.2 Meaning of Acronyms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation or Acronym	Meaning
AB - NOI	Annual Blanket Notice of Intent
ac.	Acres
ADA	Americans with Disabilities Act
ADT	Average Daily Trips
ADU	Accessory Dwelling Unit
ANSI	American National Standards Institute
ARMS	Access and Roadside Management Standards
BMP	Best Management Practice
BR	Bedroom
CCRs	Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
CBD	Central Business District
CCF	Contractor Certification Form
c.f.s	Cubic Feet Per Second
CGP	Construction General Permit
C-SWPPP	Comprehensive – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
dbA	Decibels A Scale
D.B.H. or DBH	Diameter at Breast Height
DHEC	Department of Health and Environmental Control
DNL	Day-Night Average Sound Level
du	Dwelling Unit
EIFS	External Insulating Finishing System
FAA	Federal Aviation Administration
FAR	Floor Area Ratio
FCC	Federal Communications Commission
FEMA	Federal Emergency Management Agency
ft.	Feet
FHWA	Federal Highway Administration
FIRM	Flood Insurance Rate Map
GEP	Good Engineering Practices
IL - NOI	Individual Lot - Notice of Intent
in.	Inches
ITE	Institute of Traffic Engineers
LCP	Larger Common Plan
LDA	Land Disturbance Activity
LID	Low Impact Development
LOD	Limited of Disturbed
LSR	Landscape Surface Ratio
Max.	Maximum
MEP	Maximum Extent Practicable
Min.	Minimum
MS4	Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
N/A	Not Applicable
NFIP	National Flood Insurance Program
NLR	Noise Level Reduction
NOT	Notice of Termination
NPDES	National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
OSR	Open Space Ratio
OS-SWPPP	On-Site – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
POA	Property Owners’ Association
SCDOT	South Carolina Department of Transportation
SCNW	SC Navigable Waters
sf.	Square Feet
SWPPP	Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
TND	Traditional Neighborhood Development
TMDL	Total Maximum Daily Load
u/a	Units Per Acre
Unified Development Ordinance	Unified Development Ordinance
USACOE	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
VPD	Vehicles Per Day
WLA	Waste Load Allocation
WoS	Waters of the State
WSE	Water Surface Elevation

Table 7-25.1.2 Meaning of Acronyms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation or Acronym	Meaning
AB - NOI	Annual Blanket Notice of Intent
ac.	Acres
ADA	Americans with Disabilities Act
ADT	Average Daily Trips
ADU	Accessory Dwelling Unit
ANSI	American National Standards Institute
ARMS	Access and Roadside Management Standards
BMP	Best Management Practice
BR	Bedroom
CCRs	Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
CBD	Central Business District
CCF	Contractor Certification Form
c.f.s	Cubic Feet Per Second
CGP	Construction General Permit
C-SWPPP	Comprehensive – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
dbA	Decibels A Scale
D.B.H. or DBH	Diameter at Breast Height
DHEC	Department of Health and Environmental Control
DNL	Day-Night Average Sound Level
du	Dwelling Unit
EIFS	External Insulating Finishing System
FAA	Federal Aviation Administration
FAR	Floor Area Ratio
FCC	Federal Communications Commission
FEMA	Federal Emergency Management Agency
ft.	Feet
FHWA	Federal Highway Administration
FIRM	Flood Insurance Rate Map
GEP	Good Engineering Practices
IL - NOI	Individual Lot - Notice of Intent
in.	Inches
ITE	Institute of Traffic Engineers
LCP	Larger Common Plan
LDA	Land Disturbance Activity
LID	Low Impact Development
LOD	Limited of Disturbed
LSR	Landscape Surface Ratio
Max.	Maximum
MEP	Maximum Extent Practicable
Min.	Minimum
MS4	Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
N/A	Not Applicable
NFIP	National Flood Insurance Program
NLR	Noise Level Reduction
NOT	Notice of Termination
NPDES	National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
OSR	Open Space Ratio
OS-SWPPP	On-Site – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
POA	Property Owners’ Association
SCDOT	South Carolina Department of Transportation
SCNW	SC Navigable Waters
sf.	Square Feet
SWPPP	Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
TND	Traditional Neighborhood Development
TMDL	Total Maximum Daily Load
u/a	Units Per Acre
Unified Development Ordinance	Unified Development Ordinance
USACOE	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
VPD	Vehicles Per Day
WLA	Waste Load Allocation
WoS	Waters of the State
WSE	Water Surface Elevation

Table 7-25.1.2 Meaning of Acronyms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation or Acronym	Meaning
AB - NOI	Annual Blanket Notice of Intent
ac.	Acres
ADA	Americans with Disabilities Act
ADT	Average Daily Trips
ADU	Accessory Dwelling Unit
ANSI	American National Standards Institute
ARMS	Access and Roadside Management Standards
BMP	Best Management Practice
BR	Bedroom
CCRs	Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
CBD	Central Business District
CCF	Contractor Certification Form
c.f.s	Cubic Feet Per Second
CGP	Construction General Permit
C-SWPPP	Comprehensive – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
dbA	Decibels A Scale
D.B.H. or DBH	Diameter at Breast Height
DHEC	Department of Health and Environmental Control
DNL	Day-Night Average Sound Level
du	Dwelling Unit
EIFS	External Insulating Finishing System
FAA	Federal Aviation Administration
FAR	Floor Area Ratio
FCC	Federal Communications Commission
FEMA	Federal Emergency Management Agency
ft.	Feet
FHWA	Federal Highway Administration
FIRM	Flood Insurance Rate Map
GEP	Good Engineering Practices
IL - NOI	Individual Lot - Notice of Intent
in.	Inches
ITE	Institute of Traffic Engineers
LCP	Larger Common Plan
LDA	Land Disturbance Activity
LID	Low Impact Development
LOD	Limited of Disturbed
LSR	Landscape Surface Ratio
Max.	Maximum
MEP	Maximum Extent Practicable
Min.	Minimum
MS4	Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
N/A	Not Applicable
NFIP	National Flood Insurance Program
NLR	Noise Level Reduction
NOT	Notice of Termination
NPDES	National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
OSR	Open Space Ratio
OS-SWPPP	On-Site – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
POA	Property Owners’ Association
SCDOT	South Carolina Department of Transportation
SCNW	SC Navigable Waters
sf.	Square Feet
SWPPP	Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
TND	Traditional Neighborhood Development
TMDL	Total Maximum Daily Load
u/a	Units Per Acre
Unified Development Ordinance	Unified Development Ordinance
USACOE	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
VPD	Vehicles Per Day
WLA	Waste Load Allocation
WoS	Waters of the State
WSE	Water Surface Elevation

Table 7-25.1.2 Meaning of Acronyms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation or Acronym	Meaning
AB - NOI	Annual Blanket Notice of Intent
ac.	Acres
ADA	Americans with Disabilities Act
ADT	Average Daily Trips
ADU	Accessory Dwelling Unit
ANSI	American National Standards Institute
ARMS	Access and Roadside Management Standards
BMP	Best Management Practice
BR	Bedroom
CCRs	Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
CBD	Central Business District
CCF	Contractor Certification Form
c.f.s	Cubic Feet Per Second
CGP	Construction General Permit
C-SWPPP	Comprehensive – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
dbA	Decibels A Scale
D.B.H. or DBH	Diameter at Breast Height
DHEC	Department of Health and Environmental Control
DNL	Day-Night Average Sound Level
du	Dwelling Unit
EIFS	External Insulating Finishing System
FAA	Federal Aviation Administration
FAR	Floor Area Ratio
FCC	Federal Communications Commission
FEMA	Federal Emergency Management Agency
ft.	Feet
FHWA	Federal Highway Administration
FIRM	Flood Insurance Rate Map
GEP	Good Engineering Practices
IL - NOI	Individual Lot - Notice of Intent
in.	Inches
ITE	Institute of Traffic Engineers
LCP	Larger Common Plan
LDA	Land Disturbance Activity
LID	Low Impact Development
LOD	Limited of Disturbed
LSR	Landscape Surface Ratio
Max.	Maximum
MEP	Maximum Extent Practicable
Min.	Minimum
MS4	Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
N/A	Not Applicable
NFIP	National Flood Insurance Program
NLR	Noise Level Reduction
NOT	Notice of Termination
NPDES	National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
OSR	Open Space Ratio
OS-SWPPP	On-Site – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
POA	Property Owners’ Association
SCDOT	South Carolina Department of Transportation
SCNW	SC Navigable Waters
sf.	Square Feet
SWPPP	Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
TND	Traditional Neighborhood Development
TMDL	Total Maximum Daily Load
u/a	Units Per Acre
Unified Development Ordinance	Unified Development Ordinance
USACOE	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
VPD	Vehicles Per Day
WLA	Waste Load Allocation
WoS	Waters of the State
WSE	Water Surface Elevation

Effective on: 1/1/1901

(A)

(J)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

(Q)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

(X)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

100-Year Frequency Storm

100-Year Frequency Storm means a storm that is capable of producing rainfall expected to be equaled or exceeded on the average of once in 100 years. It also may be expressed as a probability to exceed with a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Effective on: 1/1/1901

A

Agricultural structure means a structure used solely for agricultural purposes in which the use is exclusively in connection with the production, harvesting, storage, drying, or raising of agricultural commodities, including the raising of livestock. Agricultural structures are not exempt from the provisions of this ordinance.

Effective on: 1/15/2018

A

Agricultural Support/Rural Services means uses that support agricultural uses, including:

Farm supply services and feed stores;
Farm equipment dealers; and
Grain storage.

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Agriculture

Bed and Breakfast

Bed and Breakfast means a place of lodging that:

Provides five or fewer rooms for short-term rental; and
Is limited to two consecutive week stays.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Best Management Practices (BMPs) means a wide range of management procedures, schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices which have been demonstrated to effectively control or reduce the discharge of pollutants directly or indirectly to stormwater, receiving waters, or stormwater conveyance systems. BMPs also include treatment practices, operating procedures, and practices to control site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or water disposal, or drainage from raw materials storage. See also Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs).

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Block

Block means a parcel of land that is surrounded on all sides by streets highways, parks, other publicly owned areas, or railroad rights-of-way or by physical barriers such as water bodies or public open spaces. Blocks are normally, but not necessarily, divided into lots.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Building Envelope

Building Envelope means the area on a lot that is bounded by setback lines, on which development of a principal building is permitted.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

XX

See also Alcoholic Beverage Sales, Onsite Consumption. A tavern, public house, restaurant, or hotel which produces on the permitted premises a maximum of 2,000 barrels (62,000 gallons) a year of beer for sale on the premises and is compliant with SC Code of Laws Title 61.

Effective on: 11/4/2020

B

Brewery

Child Care Center means a facility, by whatever name known, that is maintained for the whole or part of a day for the care of five or more children who are 18 years of age or younger and who are not related to the owner, operator, or manager thereof, whether the facility is operated with or without compensation for such care and with or without stated educational purposes. The phrase "child care center" includes, but is not limited to facilities commonly known as:

Day care centers;
School-age child care centers;
Before and after school programs;
Nursery schools;
Kindergartens;
Preschools;
Day camps;
Summer camps; or
Centers for developmentally disabled children.

Bowling alleys and pool rooms;
Indoor sports arenas
Movie theaters and live theaters;
Indoor skating rinks (ice or roller); and
Video arcades.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Commercial Amusement, Outdoor

Commercial Amusement, Outdoor means uses that provide commercial amusement outdoors (except sexually oriented businesses), including, but not limited to:

Outdoor arenas or stadiums (including, but not limited to, amphitheaters, sports stadiums, concert facilities, rodeos, and racing facilities);
Amusement parks or theme parks;
Fairgrounds;
Miniature golf establishments;
Golf driving ranges;
Water slides; and
Batting cages.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Commercial and Industrial Water Use

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Crime Against Morality and Decency

Crime Against Morality and Decency means, for the purposes of this Unified Development Ordinance, a crime defined by S.C. Code of Laws, Title 16, Chapter 15, Offenses Against Morality and Decency, except for the crimes of:

Seduction under promise of marriage; and
Adultery or Fornication.

Effective on: 11/4/2020

Donation Receptacles

Donation Receptacle

Elevation, Building, when not referring to the position of the building in three-dimensional space, means the principal vertical planes of the building. Buildings typically have four elevations: a front elevation (or front façade), two side elevations, and a rear elevation.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Encroachment

Encroachment means:

Generally:
1. A building or structure, or part thereof, that is located:
  1. Between a lot line and the nearest required setback line for the building or structure; or
  2. In an easement which does not allow for the building or structure; or
2. A part of a building or structure that crosses a lot line:
  1. Into another lot under separate ownership; or
  2. Onto a right-of-way.
  3. An addition to or change to the physical condition of a specified type of flood hazard area that results in the blockage, diversion or displacement of floodwaters.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Flood or Flooding

Flood or Flooding means a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry lands areas from:

The overflow of waters; and/or
The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Geothermal Heating and Cooling System

Geothermal Heating and Cooling System means a system of pipes used to heat and cool buildings by exchanging heat with the ground. There are four types of systems:

Vertical loop systems use pipes that are oriented vertically by insertion into a bore hole that extends deep into the ground.
Horizontal loop systems use pipes that are oriented horizontally, installed in trenches that are typically five or more feet deep.
Lake loop systems use pipes that extend into waterbodies, where they exchange heat with the water instead of the ground.
Open loop systems extract groundwater and then discharge it into a drainage ditch or waterbody.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Governing Body (Governing Authority)

Governing Body (Governing Authority) means the City Council of the City of Florence.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Group Home

Group Home means a structure which provides residential, non-institutional housing for a group of six or more unrelated individuals or related and unrelated individuals, where physical assistance and/or other supportive services are provided by professional support persons at least one of whom lives in the residence. A group home shall have no more than twelve residents, inclusive of supervisory personnel, except as otherwise provided in this Code.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Hazardous Waste Disposal

Hazardous Waste Disposal means any final action to abandon, deposit, inter, or otherwise discard hazardous waste after its use has been achieved or a use is no longer intended or any discharging of hazardous waste into the environment.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Hazardous Waste Disposal Site

Hazardous Waste Disposal Site means all contiguous land, including publicly-owned land, under common ownership which is used for hazardous waste disposal; except that such phrase does not include any site which is in compliance with an approved reclamation plan contained in a permit issued by the State of South Carolina.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Heavy Industry

Heavy Industry means:

Primary processing or manufacturing or repair operations not specifically defined elsewhere in this Section, which involve:
1. An outside storage area that is larger than the area of the first floor of buildings on the same lot;
2. A material risk of environmental contamination, explosion, or fire;
3. Perceptible ground vibration;
4. Perceptive noise or dust;
5. Emission of objectionable odors;
6. More than 12 trips by semi-trailer trucks per day; or
7. Processing of minerals (except precious and semi-precious stone cutting for jewelry or precision instruments such as lasers or watches), ores, or fossil fuels; or
Industries that are required to undergo New Source Review under the Federal Clean Air Act, or are subject to construction or operation permits pursuant to Title V of the Federal Clean Air Act.
For illustrative purposes, heavy industrial uses include, but are not limited to:
1. Coal cleaning plants with thermal dryers; coke oven batteries; carbon black plants (furnace process); petroleum refineries; petroleum storage and transfer units (except retail gasoline stations); and bulk fuel dealers;
2. Facilities used in the primary or secondary production of metals (e.g., primary zinc, copper, or lead smelters; primary aluminum ore reduction plants; iron and steel mills; sintering plants; secondary metal production plants; and blacksmith shops);
3. Portland cement plants;
4. Sawmills and pulp mills;
5. Incinerators with the capacity to charge more than 250 tons of refuse per day;
6. Lime plants; phosphate rock processing plants; sulfur recovery plants; and hydrofluoric, sulfuric, or nitric acid plants;
7. Fossil fuel combustion (boilers or electricity generation) totaling more than 250 million BTUs per hour of heat input;
8. Fabrication of building materials such as countertops, drywall, and cut stone;
9. Fabrication of vehicles, manufacturing equipment, durable goods, or pre-fabricated homes or home components;
10. Auto or marine body, paint, or upholstery shops;
11. Drycleaner processing plants that use PERC or comparable petrochemical solvents;
12. Meat or seafood processing plants;
13. Manufacture of glass products (e.g., window panes, bottles and jars), except hand-blown products;
14. Manufacture of plastic products (except assembly of parts that are manufactured elsewhere);
15. Plasma arc welding, cutting, gouging, surfacing, or spraying; gas welding (but not brazing); arc welding with equipment that is rated at more than 200 amps; TIG welding; and other heavy welding procedures (e.g., for structural steel, automotive body, or heavy equipment manufacture or repair);
16. Hot mix asphalt plants;
17. Regional wastewater utilities;
18. Fossil fuel power plants, waste-to-energy plants, and biomass plants that produce more than 100 megawatts of electricity;
19. Fossil fuel power plants.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Heavy Retail

Heavy Retail means retail and/or service activities that have regular outside service or outside storage areas, larger than average enclosed floor areas devoted to commercial use, or partially enclosed structures, as listed below:

Permanent retail operations that are located outside of enclosed buildings, except nurseries;
Home centers;
Lumber and other building materials;
Lawn, garden equipment, and related supplies stores;
Warehouse clubs and super stores;
Recreational equipment rental where the equipment is stored outside;
Heavy truck or recreational vehicle leasing or sales;
Manufactured home sales; and
Industrial or construction equipment leasing or sales.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Helistop

Helistop means an area used for the take-off and landing of private helicopters for the purpose of picking up and discharging of passengers or cargo. The use of the helistop is restricted to specific users or purposes (e.g., tenants of a corporate park; a hospital trauma center; etc.), and the term does not include facilities for general helicopter aviation use.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Highest Adjacent Grade

Highest Adjacent Grade means the highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Historic District

Historic District means an area designated by City Council, upon the recommendation of the Board of Historical Review, and pursuant to the provisions of this Unified Development Ordinance.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Historic Property

Historic Property means any place (including an archaeological site or the location of a significant historical event), building, structure, work of art, fixture or similar object that has been individually designated by City Council or designated as a contributing property within a historic district by City Council.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Historic Structure

Historic Structure means any structure that is:

Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of the Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register;
Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historical significance of a registered historic district or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district;
Individually listed on a state inventory of historic places in states with historic conservation programs which have been approved by the Secretary of the Interior; or
Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities which historic conservation programs that have been certified either:
1. An approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior; or
2. Directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs.

Facilities, other than group homes, in which residents live in an institutional environment and are, generally, under the care or control of staff;
In-patient drug and alcoholism hospitals and rehabilitation centers, in which residents have institutional care, or are treated by staff in an institutional setting, rather than living independently; and
Any sheltered care, group care, group home, or residential substance abuse facility with more than eight total occupants.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Institutional Use –

Institutional Use – Public, semipublic, and private elementary schools, high schools, civic buildings, community buildings and uses, and public utility uses including substations, government buildings, churches, museums, art galleries, fire houses, post offices, police stations, reservoirs, libraries, parks, essential services, hospitals and similar uses.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Intensive Agriculture

Intensive Agriculture means:

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) of any size,
Concentrated aquatic animal production facilities, ;
Any use where animals are tightly confined in buildings or outdoor pens or pastures with more than one animal equivalent unit per acre, including feedlots, hog farms, and poultry operations; or
Any other agricultural use that is required to obtain a discharge permit under the Federal Clean Water Act because of animal or poultry wastes.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Itinerant Vendor Sales

Itinerant Vendor Sales means any person or business entity establishing a temporary place of business in the City for a time period of 30 calendar days or less. Businesses established for a time period exceeding 30 days are not included and are permanent. The phrase shall include, but is not limited to:

Outdoor sales booths;
Truckload sales;
Sales from other vehicles; and
Outdoor display.

Sales of items include the following durable goods but are not limited to:

Rugs;
Paintings/posters;
Toys;
Used or new household items; and
Sunglasses and other apparel.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Light Automobile Service / Gas Station

Light Automobile Service / Gas Station means:

Gasoline service stations (including gasoline service stations that are associated with grocery stores and warehouse clubs);
Gasoline convenience marts (a gasoline service station with a convenience store);
Quick service oil, tune-up, brake, inspections, and/or muffler shops in which:
1. Repairs are made in fully enclosed bays;
2. Repairs are of a type that is typically completed in less than two hours (e.g., oil changes, brake service, tire rotation and balancing, glass repair, tire replacement, fluid checks and replacement, muffler service, spark plug replacement, state inspections and comparable services); and
3. Vehicles are generally not stored on-site, and on the occasion when overnight storage is necessary, vehicles are stored indoors; or
Any combination of 1., 2., or 3., above.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Light Industry

Light Industry means uses that involve research and development, assembly, compounding, packaging, testing, or treatment of products from previously prepared materials, with limited outside storage and limited external impacts or risks; or wholesale uses; or rental or sale of large items that are stored outside. For illustrative purposes, light industry uses include:

Assembly, testing, or refurbishing of products, instruments, electronics, office and computing machines, and fixtures from pre-manufactured components;
Offices of general contractors, specialty subcontractors, or tradesmen which include:
1. Bay door access to indoor storage of tools, parts, and materials;
2. Parking of commercial vehicles; or
3. Outdoor storage areas that are smaller than the area of the first floor of the building that are used for storage of materials or vehicles that are less than 12 feet in height. 3.
Communications facilities, except wireless telecommunications facilities;
Data centers, server farms, telephone exchange buildings, and telecom hotels;
Food production and packaging other than meat and seafood processing and restaurants;
Furniture making or refinishing;
Manufacture of textiles or apparel;
Screen printing of apparel;
Printing and publishing, except copy centers (which are commercial and personal services), and except printing presses that require a Stationary Source permit or Title V permit for air emissions (which are heavy industry);
Research and development, scientific testing, and product testing;
Disassembly of consumer electronics and / or appliances into component parts, where all operations and storage are within an enclosed building;
Manufacture or compounding of pharmaceutical products, dietary supplements, health and beauty products, and herbal products; and
Packaging of products.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

L

Limited Storage means an area used for storage and intended to be limited to incidental items that can withstand exposure to the elements and have low flood damage potential. Such an area must be of flood resistant or breakaway material, void of utilities except for essential lighting and cannot be temperature controlled. If the area is located below the base flood elevation in an A, AE and A1-A30 zone it must meet the requirements of Section 4-12.6 of this ordinance.

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Live-Work

Live-Work means a dwelling unit that provides space that is designed for one or more commercial uses that are permitted in a particular zoning district. Access between the dwelling unit and the commercial space is provided within the unit.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Local Governing Body

Local Governing Body means the City, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Construction Board of Appeals, or the City of Florence Design Review Board.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Lot

Lot means a parcel of land whose boundaries have been established by a legal instrument such as a recorded deed, court order, or a recorded plat, which is recognized as a separate legal entity for purposes of transfer of title.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Lot Line

Lot Line means a line, including property line or a lease line, dividing one lot from another or from a street or other public place. There are four types of lot lines: front, rear, side, and street:

Front lot line means the lot line that follows the street right-of-way line of the street from which the lot takes access; or, where more than one street yard could safely provide this access, the street from which the address is assigned.
Rear lot line means the lot line opposite the front lot line.
Side lot line means the lot line that runs generally perpendicular or at angles to the street or any line that is not a front, street, or rear lot line.
Street side lot line means any side lot line that is also a street right-of-way line.

Nonstructural Development means any use of property that does not involve a structure. Nonstructural development may include, but is not limited to, the construction or installation of or use of a property for parking lots, utilities, detention ponds, fences, trails, pathways, outdoor storage, cultivation of vegetation or placement of fill.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Non-Substantial Improvements

Non-Substantial Improvements means any repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which is less than 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the start of construction of the improvement. This phrase includes structures which have incurred Substantial Damage, regardless of the actual repair work performed. For the purposes of this definition, substantial improvement is considered to occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure. The phrase does not, however, include either:

Any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
Any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a State Inventory of Historic Places.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

NPDES Permit

NPDES Permit means the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit issued to the City pursuant to Section 402 of the Federal Clean Water Act.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Nude Model Studio

Nude Model Studio means any place where a person who appears semi-nude, in a state of nudity, or who displays specified anatomical areas, is provided to be observed, sketched, drawn, painted, sculptured, photographed, or similarly depicted by other persons. Nude Model Studio does not include a proprietary school licensed by the State of South Carolina or a college, junior college or university supported entirely or in part by public taxation; a private college or university which maintains and operates educational programs in which credits are transferable to a college, junior college, or university supported entirely or partly by taxation; or a business in a structure:

That has no sign visible from the exterior of the structure and no other advertising that indicates a nude or semi-nude person is available for viewing; and
Where in order to participate in a class a student must enroll at least three days in advance of the class; and
Where no more than one nude or semi-nude model is on the premises at any one time.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Nudity or State of Nudity

Nudity or State of Nudity means the appearance or display of specified anatomical areas.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Nursery or Greenhouse (Wholesale or Retail)

Nursery or Greenhouse (Wholesale or Retail) means an enterprise that conducts the retail and / or wholesale sale of plants whether grown on or off the premises. The terms also include, as an accessory use, the sale of a limited selection of items (e.g., soil, planters, pruners, mulch, lawn or patio furniture, garden accessories, etc., but not power equipment) that are directly related to the care and maintenance of landscapes.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Nursing Home

Nursing Home means a residential facility that is maintained primarily for the care and treatment of inpatients under the direction of a physician. The patients in such a facility require supportive, therapeutic, or compensating services and the availability of a licensed nurse for observation or treatment on a twenty-four-hour basis. Nursing care may include but is not limited to terminal care; extensive assistance or therapy in the activities of daily living; continual direction, supervision, or therapy; extensive assistance or therapy for loss of mobility; nursing assessment and services which involve assessment of the total needs of the patient, planning of patient care, and observing, monitoring, and recording the patient's response to treatment; and monitoring, observing, and evaluating the drug regimen. "Nursing home" includes intermediate nursing facilities for the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Obstruction

Obstruction means any physical barrier, structure, material or impediment in, along, across or projecting into a watercourse that may alter, impede, retard or change the direction or velocity of the flow of water, or that may, due to its location, have a propensity to snare or collect debris carried by the flow of water or to be carried downstream. Obstruction shall include, but not be limited to, any dam, wall, wharf, embankment, levee, dike, pile, abutment, protection, excavation, channelization, bridge, conduit, culvert, building, wire, fence, rock, gravel, refuse, fill, structure, and vegetation in, along, across or projecting into a watercourse.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Office, General

Office, General means uses in which professional, outpatient medical, or financial services are provided. The term includes:

Accounting, auditing and bookkeeping;
Advertising and graphic design;
Architectural, engineering, and surveying services;
Attorneys and court reporters;
Banks, mortgage companies; and financial services;
Call centers;
Computer programming;
Corporate headquarters;
Counseling services;
Data processing and word processing services;
Detective agencies;
Government offices;
Insurance;
Interior design;
Medical, dental, and chiropractic offices;
Real estate sales;
Research and development that does not include on-site manufacturing;
Retail catalog, internet, and telephone order processing, but not warehousing; and
Virtual office services.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Parking (Stand-Alone Lot) and Transit Facilities

Parking (Stand-Alone Lot) and Transit Facilities means:

Parking that is not accessory to a specific use, where a fee is typically charged. A facility that provides both accessory parking for a specific use and regular fee parking for people not connected to the use is also classified as a Parking Facility. This includes small structures intended to shield attendants from the weather.
Terminals used for the ticketing, loading, and unloading of bus or train passengers. Food and beverage sales conducted during normal terminal operations are included as accessory uses.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Place of Public Assembly

Place of Public Assembly means a place where the people assemble for civic, educational, cultural, or day care purposes. This use includes the following:

Places of worship; theaters; conference centers;
Cultural or arts centers; museums; and aquariums;
Libraries;
Pre-schools;
Elementary, middle, and high schools;
Adult day care; and
Child care centers.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Planned Cluster

Planned Cluster means a residential development that consists of a variety of lot sizes and more than one housing type. The housing type may include:

Single family detached;
Patio home;
Duplex;
Townhouse;
Multiplex; and
Multifamily.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Planned Residential

Planned Residential means a residential development in the RU district; or the residential portion of a mixed use development in the AC, CBD, and DS districts; that consists of more than one housing type. The housing type may include:

Townhouse; and
Multifamily.

Reconstruction means to rebuild a structure without increasing its footprint, when the structure has been:

Partially or completely destroyed by any cause (i.e., fire, wind, flood), or
Partially or completely torn down. Reconstruction that also meets the definition of redevelopment is considered redevelopment.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recreation, Indoor

Recreation, Indoor means uses that provide recreation opportunities indoors for the public (open to the community) or residents of a subdivision or development, which are not commercial in nature. Specifically excluded from the definition are health and exercise clubs and commercial amusement uses. This phrase includes:

Community recreation centers;
Gymnasiums;
Indoor swimming pools; or 4.
Tennis, racquetball, or handball courts.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recreation, Outdoor

Recreation, Outdoor means uses that provide recreation opportunities outdoors for the public (open to the community) or residents of a subdivision or development, which are not commercial in nature (except for golf courses or skate parks, which may be commercial in nature). The phrase "recreation, outdoor" includes public areas for active or passive recreational activities including, but not limited to:

Jogging, cycling, tot-lots, playing fields, playgrounds, outdoor swimming pools, and tennis courts;
Golf courses (regardless of ownership or membership);
Skate parks, manned or unmanned;
Arboretums, wildlife sanctuaries, forests, and other natural areas which may be used for walking or hiking; or
Other passive recreation-oriented parks, including picnic areas, and garden plots.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recreational Facilities

Recreational Facilities means facilities or equipment that are used for private or public recreational or natural resource purposes that have a relatively low flood damage potential and do not involve a structure. This includes, without limitation: bicycle, equestrian or pedestrian trails and paths; benches; ball fields; tennis and basketball courts; interpretive facilities; and golf courses.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recreational Vehicle

Recreational Vehicle means a vehicle which is:

Built on a single chassis;
400 square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projections;
Designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck; and
Designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recycling, Drop-Off

Recycling, Drop-Off means a facility or land use, regardless of name or title, at which recoverable resources, such as newspapers, magazines, glass, metal, plastic materials, tires, grass and leaves, and similar items, except hazardous waste and medical waste are collected, cleaned, sorted, stored, flattened, shredded, dismantled, crushed, bundled, or separated by size, grade, quality, or type, and compacted, baled, or packaged for shipment or delivery for the eventual manufacture of new products.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recycling and Salvage

Recycling and Salvage means any land or structure used for collection, sorting, aggregation, and re-sale (or transfer) of recyclable materials or for the aggregate storage of inoperable man-made equipment, machinery, scrap, or other used or discarded materials having a total cubic volume of at least 700 cubic feet, for the purposes of recycling, re-using, or re-selling components. The phrase does not include "waste transfer stations," (even if they include a separate space for collection of recyclable materials), and does not include facilities where the materials are actually recycled into raw materials (such uses are typically heavy industry). This phrase also does not include yards that are primarily used for storage of materials, but does include:

Recycling centers;
Composting facilities;
Vehicle recycling or scrap metal processing; and
Collection, dismantlement, storage, and salvage of inoperable vehicles, boats, trucks, farm vehicles or equipment, or other types of heavy machinery.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Redevelopment

Redevelopment means any modification, expansion, or addition that increases the gross floor or site area of an existing building, structure, site, or parking facility, irrespective of whether a change in land use occurs. Redevelopment is further defined as follows:

Major Redevelopment means a modification, expansion, or addition that increases the gross floor or site area of an existing building, structure, site, or parking facility by at least 15 percent or 3,000 square feet, whichever is less.
Minor Redevelopment means a modification, expansion, or addition that increases the gross floor or site area of an existing building, structure, site, or parking facility by less than 15 percent or 3,000 square feet, whichever is more.

Restaurant, No Drive-In or Drive-Through

Restaurant, No Drive-In or Drive-Through

means an establishment engaged predominately in the preparation and serving of meals to customers for consumption on-site or off-site, but does not include drive-in or drive-through facilities (but may include designated parking spaces for "curbside pickup" of food ordered in advance if the curbside pickup is a clearly subordinate function to the restaurant's operations). For the purposes of this definition, “predominately” means that the establishment has a “commercial kitchen” so defined within this Division and that food sales constitute at least 50% of the regular source of business to the licensed establishment. These establishments include:

Full-service restaurants;
Limited-service eating facilities; and
Special foodservices.

Copy centers;
Social services, except those defined elsewhere in this Unified Development Ordinance;
Repair services and shops, except automobile, truck, large appliance, and heavy equipment repair;
Parcel service drop-off locations and mailbox services; and
Laundry and dry-cleaning services with customer pick-up and drop-off (does not include wholesale or centralized dry cleaner processing plants.

Effective on: 6/14/2019

Shrub

Shrub means:

A woody plant of less size than a tree, and usually with several stems from the same root;
Perennial plants that reach at least three feet in height; and
Ornamental grasses that reach at least three feet in height.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sidewalk Sales and Farmers' Markets

Sidewalk Sales and Farmers' Markets means sales that are conducted by either the store owner or occupant, outside their store, or by one or more commercial farms, on:

A public sidewalk;
A private sidewalk;
Pedestrian areas adjacent to a sidewalk, such as pedestrian plazas.

Single-Family (also called "Single-Family Detached") means dwelling units that are:

Located in individual buildings that are constructed on:
1. Individual lots; or
2. Land that is designated as a limited common element in a declaration of condominium.
Separated from each other by outside walls; and
Intended for the use of a single housekeeping unit.

The term also includes modular homes.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Single-Family Attached

Single-Family Attached means:

More than two dwelling units that are designed so that individual units have individual ground-floor access and are separated from each other by unpierced common walls from foundation to roof (e.g., side-by-side duplexes and all types of townhomes); or
More than two dwelling units that are designed so that individual units:
1. May or may not have individual exterior doors, but provide no direct access between the first floor and second floor unit (access may be through a common interior foyer that provides access to both units or through separate exterior doors); and
2. Are separated from each other by a floor (e.g., over-under duplexes).

A.
Shops where smoking tobacco and other products is permitted, such as a cigar shop or hookah bar;
B.
Shops that principally sell paraphernalia associated with the use of illicit drugs, such as water pipes, roach clips, glass pipes, pipe screens, vaporizers, rolling papers, rolling machines, scales or balances, blacklight-responsive posters, incense, cigarette lighters, whipped-cream chargers and taps, and products claimed to give false negative results for drugs on urinalysis tests;
C.
Consignment stores;
D.
Thrift stores;
E.
Retail stores that stock some sexually related goods but not at the volume where they are classified as a sexually oriented business;
F.
Movie rental stores and theaters that offer some sexually explicit movies but not at the volume where they are classified as sexually oriented businesses;
G.
Pawn shops;
H.
Bail bonds;
I.
Payday loans and check cashing stores; and
J.
Title loans.

[Ord. # 2024-12, Amending Sec. 1-2.8.4.S and definition of Specialty Use related to Tattoo Facilities, 07/08/2024]

Effective on: 7/15/2024

Specified Anatomical Areas

Specified Anatomical Areas means and includes any of the following:

Less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, anus, or female breasts below a point immediately above the top of the areolae; or
Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Specified Criminal Act

Specified Criminal Act means any offense which involves unlawful sexual behavior. Specified criminal act also includes any offense involving soliciting for prostitution, prostitution, patronizing a prostitute, pandering, pimping, public indecency, or the distribution or possession of obscene materials.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Specified Sexual Activities

Specified Sexual Activities means and includes any of the following:

The fondling or other intentional touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, anus, or female breasts;
Sex acts, actual or simulated, including intercourse, oral copulation, masturbation, or sodomy;
Flagellation, mutilation or torture for purposes of sexual arousal, gratification, pleasure, or abuse; 4. Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation, arousal, or tumescence; or
Excretory functions as part of or in connection with any of the activities set forth in list items 1 through 4 of this definition.

Quantitative control, a system of vegetative or structural measures, or both, that control the increased volume and rate of stormwater runoff caused by manmade changes to the land;
Qualitative control, a system of vegetative, structural, or other measures that reduce or eliminate pollutants that might otherwise be carried by stormwater runoff.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Stormwater Management and Sediment Control Plan

Stormwater Management and Sediment Control Plan means a set of drawings, other documents, and supporting calculations submitted by a person as a prerequisite to obtaining a permit to undertake a land disturbing activity, which contains all of the information and specifications required by an implementing agency.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) means a document which describes the best management practices and activities to be implemented by a person or business to identify sources of pollution or contamination at a site and the actions to eliminate or reduce pollutant discharges to stormwater, stormwater conveyance systems, and/or receiving waters to the maximum extent practicable. A stormwater pollution prevention plan means the same as a stormwater management and sediment control plan.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Stormwater Runoff

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

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Street(s)

Street(s) means a public right-of-way affording primary access to abutting property. For the purposes of this chapter, the term "street" shall also mean boulevard, road, lane and other public ways. Streets are divided into the following categories:

Major Streets: Those streets designated by the Florence Area Transportation Study and those streets designated as major at the time of development as determined by the Public Works and Utilities Department and approved by the Planning Commission. Such streets are designed primarily for the movement of large volumes of traffic from one area to another. Major street includes the terms limited-access highway, freeway, thoroughfare, expressway, arterial street and commercial collector street.
1. Arterial Streets: Arterials are the highest order inter-regional streets. They are designed to carry relatively high traffic volumes. The function of arterials is to promote the free flow of traffic. Therefore, parking and direct residential access are usually not available. Collector streets feed arterials, and arterials feed regional roads such as expressways and freeways. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) for arterials is approximately 3,000 - 5,000+ vehicles per day (vpd).
2. Collector Streets (Commercial): The highest order of commercial streets. Distributes traffic between lower-order commercial streets and higher-order streets such as arterials. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) for commercial collector streets is approximately 3,000 - 5,000 vehicles per day (vpd).
3. Expressways: Divided highways usually having two or more lanes in each direction, with partial control of access. Preference is given to through traffic, but there may be access connections with selected public roads at the same grade and some driveways.
4. Freeways: Divided highways usually having two or more lanes in each direction, with full control of access. Preference is given to through traffic.
5. Thoroughfares: Any major street.
Minor Streets: A street used primarily for providing direct access to and from abutting property (individual lots) that are internal to a subdivision. Minor street includes the terms residential collector street, minor local street, cul-de-sac, marginal access street, alley and looped drive.
1. Collector Streets (Residential): The highest order of residential streets. Collects and distributes traffic from local residential roadways, such as minor streets or cul-de-sacs, to streets that are designed to carry higher volumes of traffic, such as arterials and other major streets. Carries large traffic volume at fairly high speeds. The function of residential collectors is to promote free traffic flow. Therefore, there is typically no direct access to homes from this level street. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) for residential collector streets is approximately 2,000 - 5,000 vehicles per day (vpd).
2. Cul-De-Sacs: Minor local streets having only one open end and being terminated by a vehicle turnaround. Design of turnaround may vary. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) is approximately 250 vehicles per day (vpd).
3. Local Streets (Sub-Collector Streets): These middle-order facilities are located in subdivisions and neighborhoods and primarily serve abutting land uses. Traffic volumes are typically moderate, with motorists having origin or destination within the immediate neighborhood. These streets feed into collector streets, which then feed into arterials. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) is approximately 1,000 - 2,000 vehicles per day (vpd).
4. Looped Drive: A street that terminates on the same road at two different points, or a street that terminates on itself.
5. Marginal Access Streets: Minor streets which are parallel to and located on the side of an arterial, expressway, freeway, or other major street for service to abutting land uses. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) is approximately 500 - 1,000 vehicles per day (vpd).

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Structure

Structure means, anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires its permanent location on the ground (or its attachment to something having a permanent location on the ground), including but not limited to: garden walls, fences, signs, kiosks, swimming pools, or similar uses. The term "structure" does not include the word "building" unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. With regard to floodplain management, a structure is a walled and roofed building, a manufactured home, including a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground.

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Structural soil

Structural soil is tree planting backfill material as described in planting notes and illustrated in the planting details.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Subdivider

Subdivider means any person who causes:

A parcel of land to be subdivided into two or more lots;
A single lot to be created from two or more lots; or
A modification to the configuration of lots, easements, servitudes, or rights-of-way on an approved plat.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Subdivision

Subdivision means all divisions of a tract or parcel of land into two or more lots for any purpose. The term includes all division of land involving a new street or a change in existing streets, re-subdivision and, where appropriate, relates to the process of subdividing, or to the land or area subdivided.

The following exception is included within this definition only for the purpose of requiring that the Planning Commission or Department of Urban Planning and Development staff be informed, and have record of such subdivision: The division of land into parcels of five acres or more where no new streets and/or new utility line extensions are involved, and each individual lot/parcel fronts on a public road. Plats of such exceptions indicate such facts on the plats.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Substantial Change

Substantial Change means any change to the use of property that alters the operational characteristics of the use such that it increases the required parking, or results in increased vehicular or pedestrian traffic that may change the impacts of light, noise, odor, or any other noticeable change in the nature or character of the use.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Substantial Damage

Substantial Damage means damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred. Such repairs may be undertaken successively, and their costs counted cumulatively. Please refer to the definition of "substantial improvement."

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Substantial Hardship

Substantial Hardship, as it relates to hardship in meeting the Unified Development Ordinance's historic conservation provisions, means hardship, caused by unusual and compelling circumstances, based on one or more of the following:

The property cannot reasonably be maintained in the manner dictated by the ordinance;
There are no other reasonable means of saving the property from deterioration, or collapse; or
The property is owned by a nonprofit organization and it is not feasible financially or physically to achieve the charitable purposes of the organization while maintaining the property appropriately.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Substantial Improvement

Substantial Improvement

- any repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the start of construction of the improvement. This term includes structures that have incurred repetitive loss or substantial damage, regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include either:

a) any project of improvement to a structure to correct existing violations of State or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions or,
b) any alteration of a historic structure, provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a historic structure.

Townhome means three or more attached dwelling units that are arranged in rows with common side walls.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Trailer

Trailer means a non-motorized transport vehicle with a tongue that is connected by a hitch ball and hauled by an automobile or truck.

Commercial Trailer means a trailer used for commercial purposes, which may include, but is not limited to, a utility trailer, concession trailer, auto hauler, horse or livestock trailer, dump or dump body trailer, day freight trailer, refrigerated dry freight trailer, tank trailer, transfer box, gooseneck trailer, logging trailer, lowboy trailer, pole trailer, flatbed trailer, bulk commodity trailer, or semi-trailer.
Residential Trailer means a trailer used for non-commercial purposes that has a bed surface of no longer than 15 feet, measured from front to back edge.

Farm products;
Combustible or hazardous materials, and
Wholesale clubs that are open to the public for membership;

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Works

Works as used in the Floodplain Management Regulations means structures in engineering (such as bridges, docks, or embankments) intended for watershed protection and similar uses.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Yard

Yard means the area between a lot line and a building. Yards are designated by the lot line to which they relate (e.g., an interior side yard is located between the interior side lot line and the building).

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Zoning Map

Zoning Map means the Official Zoning Map, adopted pursuant to Section 1-2.2.2, Official Zoning Map.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Florence City Zoning Code

PART 7

Measurements and Words

Sec. 7-24.1.1 Open Space

The following qualify as open space for the purposes of this Unified Development Ordinance:

Outdoor Recreation Areas. All forms of outdoor recreation areas count as open space, including passive areas and nature reserves, ball fields, tennis courts, swimming pools, and golf courses.
Stormwater Facilities. Open air stormwater facilities count as open space. These facilities may be permitted in floodplains even though they are protected from being part of the developed portion of the site.
Bufferyards. The required bufferyards count as open space.
Required Landscape Areas. Required landscape areas, such as parking lot landscaping areas, count as open space. However, landscaping of private lots in residential subdivisions is not counted as open space.
Agriculture. Agriculture counts as open space in cluster or planned development options when it is part of the development plan.
Resource Protection Areas. All areas that are protected natural resources count as open space.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.2 Lot Width

Generally. Lot width is measured from one side lot line to the opposite side lot line at the front setback line. See Figure 7-24.1.2A, Measurement of Lot Width; Standard Lots.

Figure 7-24.1.2A Measurement of Lot Width; Standard Lots

Corner Lots. Lot width is measured from the interior side lot line to the side street lot line along the front building line, minus the difference between the street yard setback and the side yard setback. See Figure 7-24.1.2B, Measurement of Lot Width; Corner Lots.

Figure 7-24.1.2B
Measurement of Lot Width; Corner Lots

Irregular Lots. Lot width is the distance from one side lot line to the opposite side lot line along the tangent of the curve representing the front building line. See Figure 7-24.1.2C, Measurement of Lot Width; Irregular Lots. Generally, the front building line is the front setback line. However, if an alternative front building line has been established on the plat of a subdivision that is more distant than the front setback line from the front property line, then the lot width is measured at the alternative front building line.

Figure 7-24.1.2C
Measurement of Lot Width; Irregular Lots

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.3 Building Coverage

Building Coverage.

Generally. Building coverage is the total of enclosed floor areas measured between the exterior faces of building walls along a horizontal plane at the main grade level of the principal building and all accessory buildings.
Included. Enclosed floor area includes:
1. The area enclosed by building walls of principal and accessory buildings;
2. The area of enclosed porches; and
3. The footprint of parking structures.
Not Included. Enclosed floor area does not include:
1. Open porches, terraces, and decks;
2. Open gazebos and playground equipment;
3. Driveways, walkways, steps, and other paved surfaces; and
4. Outdoor pools and spas.

Figure 7-24.1.3
Building Coverage Ratio

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.4 Setbacks

Generally. Setbacks are measured from lot lines towards the center of the lot, as follows:

Front setbacks are measured from the front lot line. The front lot line is the lot line that abuts the right-of-way from which the lot takes its address.
Rear setbacks are measured from the rear lot line. The rear lot line is the lot line that is opposite from the front lot line.
Side setbacks are measured from side lot lines. Side lot lines are lot lines that intersect with front lot lines.

Figure 7-24.1.4
Setback Measurement

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.5 Height

Buildings. Building height is calculated by measuring the vertical distance from the average finished grade along the front building line to:

The highest peak or ridge line of the roof for pitched roof styles; or
The top of the parapet for flat roof style.

Structures without roofs (e.g., fences); and
Amateur radio antennae, whether mounted on a roof, the ground, or another structure.

Specialized Structures and Building Appurtenances.

Specialized structures and building appurtenances are not counted in the calculation of building height, provided that:
1. They project not more than:
  1. 15 feet above the highest point on the building for buildings that are 38 feet in height or higher; or
  2. Seven feet above the highest point on the building for buildings that are less than two stories in height
They occupy not more than 10 percent of the total roof area of the building; and
They are not used for human habitation, commercial, or industrial purposes, except as incidental to the operation of the building.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.6 Floor Area

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.7 Floor Area Ratio (FAR)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.8 Separation of Uses

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.1 Base Site Area

Generally. Base site area is used to calculate gross density. See Section 7-24.2.4, Density.

Calculation. Base site area equals the total area of the parcel proposed for development (gross site area), minus the sum of the areas of the following:

Land within the planned right-of-way of existing streets or streets that are on the City's adopted Thoroughfare Plan.
Land that is within major utility rights-of-way that are wider than 50 feet.
Land that is cut off from development by railroads, limited access highways, waterbodies, or wetlands and is not proposed for development.
Land that has previously been set aside as protected open space (e.g., subject to a conservation easement, plat restriction, or condition of development approval.). See Figure 7-24.2.1, Illustrative Calculation of Base Site Area.

Figure 7-24.2.1
Illustrative Calculation of Base Site Area

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.2 Open Space Ratio (OSR) / Landscape Surface Ratio (LSR)

Generally. Open space ratio and landscape surface ratio are used to ensure that a certain percentage of a parcel proposed for development is open and landscaped.

Open Space Ratio.

Generally. Open space ratio (OSR) is the area of designated open space, inclusive of bufferyards, natural resource protection areas, and other commonly-owned open space (but not inclusive of individually owned yards) in a residential development, divided by the total area of the parcel proposed for residential development. OSR includes bufferyards, parking lot landscaping, foundation plantings, and natural resource protection areas.
Exclusion from Accruement. Open spaces that do not qualify for the calculation of OSR include any areas on private, buildable lots and any commonly-owned open space that are less than 320 contiguous square feet.
Calculation of Requirement. The amount of commonly-owned open space that is required in a residential development is calculated as the required OSR (see Division 2-3.2, District Development Standards) times the total area of the parcel proposed for development. See Figure 7-24.2.2A, Illustrative Measurement of Residential Open Space Ratio.
Relationship to Other Requirements. If the combination of individual open space requirements (e.g., protection of natural resources and provision of bufferyards) requires less open space than the OSR, then the OSR applies. If it requires more than the OSR, the greater requirement applies.

Figure 7-24.2.2A Illustrative Measurement of Residential Open Space Ratio
EXAMPLE: 6 acres of Common Open Space DIVIDED BY: 12 acre Area of Parcel Proposed for Development EQUALS: 50% OSR
Total Area of Parcel Proposed for Development: 12 acres

Landscape Surface Ratio (LSR)
1. Generally. Landscape surface ratio (LSR) is the area of designated landscaping and open space area on a nonresidential or mixed-use parcel proposed for development, divided by the area of the parcel proposed for development. LSR includes bufferyards, parking lot landscaping, foundation plantings, and natural resource protection areas. See Figure 7-24.2.2B, Illustrative Measurement of Nonresidential Landscape Surface Ratio.
2. Exclusion from Accruement. Open spaces that do not qualify for the calculation of LSR include any areas on private, buildable lots and any commonly-owned open space that are less than 320 contiguous square feet.
3. Relationship to Other Requirements. If the combination of individual landscaping and open space requirements (e.g., protection of natural resources, provision of bufferyards, parking lot landscaping) requires less landscaped or open space area than the LSR, then the LSR applies, and more landscaping is required. If the application of other landscaping standards requires more than the LSR, the greater requirement applies.

Figure 7-24.2.2B Illustrative Measurement of Nonresidential Landscape Surface Ratio
EXAMPLE: 5 acres of Bufferyards, Parking Lot Landscaping, and Drainage Facilities DIVIDED BY: 12 acre Area of Parcel Proposed for Development EQUALS: 41.7% LSR
Area of Parcel Proposed for Development: 12 acres

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.3 Net Buildable Area

Generally. Net buildable area is used to calculate net density. See Section 7-24.2.4, Density.

Calculation. Net buildable area is equal to the lesser of:

Base site area (calculated as provided in Section 7-24.2.1, Base Site Area) minus areas of open water (streams are measured to the ordinary mean high water mark) and delineated wetlands that were not already subtracted from the area of the parcel proposed for development to calculate the base site area (e.g., wetlands or open water areas that are within previously dedicated conservation easements, or cut off from development by a limited access highway, are not subtracted more than once); or
The total area of the parcel proposed for development minus the area of open space required for the development type in Division 2-3.2, District Development Standards. See Figure 7-24.2.3, Illustrative Calculation of Net Buildable Area.

Figure 7-24.2.3
Illustrative Calculation of Net Buildable Area

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.4 Density

Figure 7-24.2.4
Illustrative Density Calculations

EXAMPLE: 28 homes are planned for an 11 acre parcel.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.5 Lot Area

Lot area is the area within the lot lines. See Figure 7-24.2.5, Illustrative Lot Area Calculation.

Figure 7-24.2.5 Illustrative Lot Area Calculation
EXAMPLE The example at right is a rectangular lot. 80 feet Wide TIMES 125 feet Deep EQUALS 10,000 square feet Lot Area

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.6 Streamflow and Runoff

Hydrology Comparisons. All variables of pre-development and projected post-construction hydrology shall be compared in the required drainage study and report.

Runoff Frequencies. Minimum design frequencies for calculating rainfall runoff shall be as shown in Table 7-24.2.6A, Rainfall Runoff Frequencies.

Table 7-24.2.6.A Rainfall Runoff Frequencies
General Land Use Type	Frequency
Residential	five to 10 Years
Light Industrial and Commercial	10 to 25 Years
Heavy Industrial and High Value Commercial	25 to 50 Years
Flood Protection Works	50 to 100 years

Calculations for Runoff on Developments of 20 Acres or Less. Variance in design frequency shall depend upon the existing and expected density of development, the value of development, and the cost effectiveness of design. Minimum design frequency may be used if approved by the Director of Utilities. The formula and values as set out in Table 7-24.2.6B, Runoff Calculations, 20 Acres or Less shall be used for calculating all stream flow and runoff for the policies and regulations established by this Unified Development Ordinance. Runoff from drainage areas of 500acres or less may be determined by the "Rational Formula", Q=C x I x A, as follows:

Table 7-24.2.6B Runoff Calculations, 20 Acres or Less
Formula Symbol	Equals
Q	Stormwater runoff in cubic feet per second (cfs) at a specified point and time.
C	Coefficient representing the ratio of stormwater runoff to rainfall over the tributary area based on the imperviousness of the area, ground slope, and ground storage. Coefficients may vary from 0.15 to 0.95. Coefficients of less than 0.5 may be used if individual calculations are submitted with plans to the Director of Public Works and Utilities.
I	Average rainfall intensity in inches per hour over the tributary drainage area for the period of time equal to the time of concentration and given frequency of occurrence.
A	Equals the area to be drained in acres, determined by field surveys for areas less than one 100 acres, and by latest government quadrangle maps for larger areas.
B	Runoff from drainage areas greater than 500 acres will be determined by use of a hydrograph or other engineering methods as approved by the Director of Public Works and Utilities.

Calculations for Runoff on Developments Greater than 20 Acres. The rational formula may not be used for calculating flows for sizing stormwater detention / retention facilities, or for any drainage areas greater than 20 acres. In these cases, all hydrologic computations shall be accomplished using a volume-based hydrograph method acceptable to the Director of Public Works and Utilities.
Storm Sewers, Channels, Culverts, and Bridges. The size of closed storm sewers, open channels, culverts, and bridges may be determined by using the "Manning Formula," which may be modified for use with runoff determined by the "Rational Formula” to: Q=1.486RSA,as set out in Table 7-24.2.6C, Storm Sewers, Channels, Culverts, and Bridges.

Table 7-24.2.6C Storm Sewers, Channels, Culverts, and Bridges
Formula Symbol	Equals
Q	Discharge in cubic feet per second.
A	Cross-sectional area of water in conduit in square feet.
R	Hydraulic radius of water in conduit.
S	Mean slope of hydraulic gradient in feet of vertical rise per foot of horizontal distance.
N	Roughness coefficient.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-25.1.1 Word Usage

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-25.1.2 Abbreviations and Acronyms

Set out in Table 7-25.1.2, Meaning of Acronyms and Abbreviations is the meaning of the acronyms and abbreviations used in this Unified Development Ordinance.

Table 7-25.1.2 Meaning of Acronyms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation or Acronym	Meaning
AB - NOI	Annual Blanket Notice of Intent
ac.	Acres
ADA	Americans with Disabilities Act
ADT	Average Daily Trips
ADU	Accessory Dwelling Unit
ANSI	American National Standards Institute
ARMS	Access and Roadside Management Standards
BMP	Best Management Practice
BR	Bedroom
CCRs	Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
CBD	Central Business District
CCF	Contractor Certification Form
c.f.s	Cubic Feet Per Second
CGP	Construction General Permit
C-SWPPP	Comprehensive – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
dbA	Decibels A Scale
D.B.H. or DBH	Diameter at Breast Height
DHEC	Department of Health and Environmental Control
DNL	Day-Night Average Sound Level
du	Dwelling Unit
EIFS	External Insulating Finishing System
FAA	Federal Aviation Administration
FAR	Floor Area Ratio
FCC	Federal Communications Commission
FEMA	Federal Emergency Management Agency
ft.	Feet
FHWA	Federal Highway Administration
FIRM	Flood Insurance Rate Map
GEP	Good Engineering Practices
IL - NOI	Individual Lot - Notice of Intent
in.	Inches
ITE	Institute of Traffic Engineers
LCP	Larger Common Plan
LDA	Land Disturbance Activity
LID	Low Impact Development
LOD	Limited of Disturbed
LSR	Landscape Surface Ratio
Max.	Maximum
MEP	Maximum Extent Practicable
Min.	Minimum
MS4	Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
N/A	Not Applicable
NFIP	National Flood Insurance Program
NLR	Noise Level Reduction
NOT	Notice of Termination
NPDES	National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
OSR	Open Space Ratio
OS-SWPPP	On-Site – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
POA	Property Owners’ Association
SCDOT	South Carolina Department of Transportation
SCNW	SC Navigable Waters
sf.	Square Feet
SWPPP	Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
TND	Traditional Neighborhood Development
TMDL	Total Maximum Daily Load
u/a	Units Per Acre
Unified Development Ordinance	Unified Development Ordinance
USACOE	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
VPD	Vehicles Per Day
WLA	Waste Load Allocation
WoS	Waters of the State
WSE	Water Surface Elevation

Table 7-25.1.2 Meaning of Acronyms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation or Acronym	Meaning
AB - NOI	Annual Blanket Notice of Intent
ac.	Acres
ADA	Americans with Disabilities Act
ADT	Average Daily Trips
ADU	Accessory Dwelling Unit
ANSI	American National Standards Institute
ARMS	Access and Roadside Management Standards
BMP	Best Management Practice
BR	Bedroom
CCRs	Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
CBD	Central Business District
CCF	Contractor Certification Form
c.f.s	Cubic Feet Per Second
CGP	Construction General Permit
C-SWPPP	Comprehensive – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
dbA	Decibels A Scale
D.B.H. or DBH	Diameter at Breast Height
DHEC	Department of Health and Environmental Control
DNL	Day-Night Average Sound Level
du	Dwelling Unit
EIFS	External Insulating Finishing System
FAA	Federal Aviation Administration
FAR	Floor Area Ratio
FCC	Federal Communications Commission
FEMA	Federal Emergency Management Agency
ft.	Feet
FHWA	Federal Highway Administration
FIRM	Flood Insurance Rate Map
GEP	Good Engineering Practices
IL - NOI	Individual Lot - Notice of Intent
in.	Inches
ITE	Institute of Traffic Engineers
LCP	Larger Common Plan
LDA	Land Disturbance Activity
LID	Low Impact Development
LOD	Limited of Disturbed
LSR	Landscape Surface Ratio
Max.	Maximum
MEP	Maximum Extent Practicable
Min.	Minimum
MS4	Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
N/A	Not Applicable
NFIP	National Flood Insurance Program
NLR	Noise Level Reduction
NOT	Notice of Termination
NPDES	National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
OSR	Open Space Ratio
OS-SWPPP	On-Site – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
POA	Property Owners’ Association
SCDOT	South Carolina Department of Transportation
SCNW	SC Navigable Waters
sf.	Square Feet
SWPPP	Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
TND	Traditional Neighborhood Development
TMDL	Total Maximum Daily Load
u/a	Units Per Acre
Unified Development Ordinance	Unified Development Ordinance
USACOE	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
VPD	Vehicles Per Day
WLA	Waste Load Allocation
WoS	Waters of the State
WSE	Water Surface Elevation

Table 7-25.1.2 Meaning of Acronyms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation or Acronym	Meaning
AB - NOI	Annual Blanket Notice of Intent
ac.	Acres
ADA	Americans with Disabilities Act
ADT	Average Daily Trips
ADU	Accessory Dwelling Unit
ANSI	American National Standards Institute
ARMS	Access and Roadside Management Standards
BMP	Best Management Practice
BR	Bedroom
CCRs	Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
CBD	Central Business District
CCF	Contractor Certification Form
c.f.s	Cubic Feet Per Second
CGP	Construction General Permit
C-SWPPP	Comprehensive – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
dbA	Decibels A Scale
D.B.H. or DBH	Diameter at Breast Height
DHEC	Department of Health and Environmental Control
DNL	Day-Night Average Sound Level
du	Dwelling Unit
EIFS	External Insulating Finishing System
FAA	Federal Aviation Administration
FAR	Floor Area Ratio
FCC	Federal Communications Commission
FEMA	Federal Emergency Management Agency
ft.	Feet
FHWA	Federal Highway Administration
FIRM	Flood Insurance Rate Map
GEP	Good Engineering Practices
IL - NOI	Individual Lot - Notice of Intent
in.	Inches
ITE	Institute of Traffic Engineers
LCP	Larger Common Plan
LDA	Land Disturbance Activity
LID	Low Impact Development
LOD	Limited of Disturbed
LSR	Landscape Surface Ratio
Max.	Maximum
MEP	Maximum Extent Practicable
Min.	Minimum
MS4	Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
N/A	Not Applicable
NFIP	National Flood Insurance Program
NLR	Noise Level Reduction
NOT	Notice of Termination
NPDES	National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
OSR	Open Space Ratio
OS-SWPPP	On-Site – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
POA	Property Owners’ Association
SCDOT	South Carolina Department of Transportation
SCNW	SC Navigable Waters
sf.	Square Feet
SWPPP	Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
TND	Traditional Neighborhood Development
TMDL	Total Maximum Daily Load
u/a	Units Per Acre
Unified Development Ordinance	Unified Development Ordinance
USACOE	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
VPD	Vehicles Per Day
WLA	Waste Load Allocation
WoS	Waters of the State
WSE	Water Surface Elevation

Table 7-25.1.2 Meaning of Acronyms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation or Acronym	Meaning
AB - NOI	Annual Blanket Notice of Intent
ac.	Acres
ADA	Americans with Disabilities Act
ADT	Average Daily Trips
ADU	Accessory Dwelling Unit
ANSI	American National Standards Institute
ARMS	Access and Roadside Management Standards
BMP	Best Management Practice
BR	Bedroom
CCRs	Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
CBD	Central Business District
CCF	Contractor Certification Form
c.f.s	Cubic Feet Per Second
CGP	Construction General Permit
C-SWPPP	Comprehensive – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
dbA	Decibels A Scale
D.B.H. or DBH	Diameter at Breast Height
DHEC	Department of Health and Environmental Control
DNL	Day-Night Average Sound Level
du	Dwelling Unit
EIFS	External Insulating Finishing System
FAA	Federal Aviation Administration
FAR	Floor Area Ratio
FCC	Federal Communications Commission
FEMA	Federal Emergency Management Agency
ft.	Feet
FHWA	Federal Highway Administration
FIRM	Flood Insurance Rate Map
GEP	Good Engineering Practices
IL - NOI	Individual Lot - Notice of Intent
in.	Inches
ITE	Institute of Traffic Engineers
LCP	Larger Common Plan
LDA	Land Disturbance Activity
LID	Low Impact Development
LOD	Limited of Disturbed
LSR	Landscape Surface Ratio
Max.	Maximum
MEP	Maximum Extent Practicable
Min.	Minimum
MS4	Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
N/A	Not Applicable
NFIP	National Flood Insurance Program
NLR	Noise Level Reduction
NOT	Notice of Termination
NPDES	National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
OSR	Open Space Ratio
OS-SWPPP	On-Site – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
POA	Property Owners’ Association
SCDOT	South Carolina Department of Transportation
SCNW	SC Navigable Waters
sf.	Square Feet
SWPPP	Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
TND	Traditional Neighborhood Development
TMDL	Total Maximum Daily Load
u/a	Units Per Acre
Unified Development Ordinance	Unified Development Ordinance
USACOE	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
VPD	Vehicles Per Day
WLA	Waste Load Allocation
WoS	Waters of the State
WSE	Water Surface Elevation

Effective on: 1/1/1901

(A)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Adult Entertainment

Adult Entertainment means any exhibition, display, activity or dance that involves the appearance or exposure to view of specified anatomical areas.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Adult Motel

Adult Motel means a hotel, motel or similar commercial establishment which:

Offers accommodations to the public for any form of consideration and provides patrons with closed-circuit television transmissions, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or other photographic reproductions or mechanically, electronically, chemically, or digitally reproduced visual materials which are characterized by an emphasis upon the depiction, display or exhibition of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas; and has a sign visible from the public right-of-way which advertises the availability of this adult type of photographic reproduction; or
Offers a sleeping room for rent for a period of time that is less than ten (10) hours; or
Allows a tenant or occupant of a sleeping room to sub-rent the room for a period of time that is less than ten (10) hours.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Adult Motion Picture Theater

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Adult Theater

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Agent

Agent means an authorized person, firm, or corporation acting for or on behalf of a subdivider, developer, or owner.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

A

Effective on: 1/15/2018

A

Agricultural Support/Rural Services means uses that support agricultural uses, including:

Farm supply services and feed stores;
Farm equipment dealers; and
Grain storage.

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Agriculture

The term does not include intensive agriculture, nor does it include the accessory use of land for personal gardens within required setbacks.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Airport

Airport means aircraft take-off and landing fields and flight training schools; or airstrips for personal aircraft for the private use of an individual.

Approved or Approval

Effective on: 1/1/1901

A

Effective on: 1/15/2018

A

Area of special flood hazard means the land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one percent or greater chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Asphalt or Concrete Plant

Asphalt or Concrete Plant means a concrete or asphalt batch plant that is assembled on a site for the construction of a particular improvement.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Assisted Living Facility

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Base Flood

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

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Base Flood Elevation

Base Flood Elevation means the elevation for which there is a one-percent chance in any given year that flood levels will equal or exceed it.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

B

Basement means any enclosed area of a building that is below grade on all sides.

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Bed and Breakfast

Bed and Breakfast means a place of lodging that:

Provides five or fewer rooms for short-term rental; and
Is limited to two consecutive week stays.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Block

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Building Envelope

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Certificate of Historical Appropriateness

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Child Care Center

Day care centers;
School-age child care centers;
Before and after school programs;
Nursery schools;
Kindergartens;
Preschools;
Day camps;
Summer camps; or
Centers for developmentally disabled children.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Child Care, In-Home

Effective on: 1/1/1901

City

City means the incorporated are of the City of Florence.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

City Code

City Code means the Code of Ordinances, City of Florence, South Carolina.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

City Staff

City Staff means members of the Department of Urban Planning and Development who are authorized by the Director to process or decide applications for development approval.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Clean Water Act

Clean Water Act means The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.), and any subsequent amendments thereto.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Commercial Amusement, Indoor

Commercial Amusement, Indoor means uses that provide commercial amusement indoors (except sexually oriented businesses), including, but not limited to:

Bowling alleys and pool rooms;
Indoor sports arenas
Movie theaters and live theaters;
Indoor skating rinks (ice or roller); and
Video arcades.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Commercial Amusement, Outdoor

Commercial Amusement, Outdoor means uses that provide commercial amusement outdoors (except sexually oriented businesses), including, but not limited to:

Outdoor arenas or stadiums (including, but not limited to, amphitheaters, sports stadiums, concert facilities, rodeos, and racing facilities);
Amusement parks or theme parks;
Fairgrounds;
Miniature golf establishments;
Golf driving ranges;
Water slides; and
Batting cages.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Commercial and Industrial Water Use

Commercial and Industrial Water Use means water use integral to the production of goods and/or services by any establishment having financial profit as their primary aim.

Comprehensive Plan

Comprehensive Plan means the official plan or any part thereof for the City of Florence and the Planning Commission, adopted in accordance with the provisions of the 1994 Planning Enabling Act.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Conditionally Approved or Conditional Approval

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Conformity / Conforming

Conformity / Conforming means meeting all applicable codes and requirements for a proposed development.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Construction Activity

Construction Activity means activities subject to NPDES construction permits. Such activities include but are not limited to clearing and grubbing, grading, excavating, and demolition.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Construction Yard, Temporary

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Cottage

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Crime Against Morality and Decency

Seduction under promise of marriage; and
Adultery or Fornication.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Critical Facilities

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Deck

Deck means an exterior floor supported on at least two opposing sides by an adjacent structure, and/or posts, piers or other independent supports.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Detention Structure

Detention Structure means a permanent stormwater management structure whose primary purpose is to temporarily store stormwater runoff and release the stored runoff at controlled rates.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Developer

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Development

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Development, Major

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Disposal

Disposal means facilities for the disposal of non-nuclear waste or fill, or the composting of organic wastes. The term includes landfill and composting facility.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

XX

Effective on: 11/4/2020

Donation Receptacles

Donation Receptacle

Driveway means a private access-way, primarily for vehicles, leading from a street to a parking or loading area.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Duplex

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Easement

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective Date

Effective Date means the date that this Unified Development Ordinance first became effective.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Electrical Substation

Electrical Substation means a subsidiary station of an electricity generation, transmission, and distribution system where voltage is transformed.

Five-Hundred Year Floodplain

Five-Hundred Year Floodplain means the land in a drainage-way within a community subject to a two-tenths (0.2) percent or greater chance of flooding in a given year.

Floodplain Management Administrator means the Director, who is appointed by the City Manager, which includes any successor(s) of similar title(s), or a designee.

Freeboard means the elevation above the base flood elevation to which a structure must be elevated, as set forth in the applicable requirements of this Unified Development Ordinance.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Front Building Line

Front Building Line means a horizontal line across the portion of the primary facade of a building that is closest to the street.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Garage Sale

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Geothermal Heating and Cooling System

Geothermal Heating and Cooling System means a system of pipes used to heat and cool buildings by exchanging heat with the ground. There are four types of systems:

Vertical loop systems use pipes that are oriented vertically by insertion into a bore hole that extends deep into the ground.
Horizontal loop systems use pipes that are oriented horizontally, installed in trenches that are typically five or more feet deep.
Lake loop systems use pipes that extend into waterbodies, where they exchange heat with the water instead of the ground.
Open loop systems extract groundwater and then discharge it into a drainage ditch or waterbody.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Governing Body (Governing Authority)

Governing Body (Governing Authority) means the City Council of the City of Florence.

Permanent retail operations that are located outside of enclosed buildings, except nurseries;
Home centers;
Lumber and other building materials;
Lawn, garden equipment, and related supplies stores;
Warehouse clubs and super stores;
Recreational equipment rental where the equipment is stored outside;
Heavy truck or recreational vehicle leasing or sales;
Manufactured home sales; and
Industrial or construction equipment leasing or sales.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Helistop

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Highest Adjacent Grade

Highest Adjacent Grade means the highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Historic District

Historic District means an area designated by City Council, upon the recommendation of the Board of Historical Review, and pursuant to the provisions of this Unified Development Ordinance.

Impacts mean a change in the extent or elevation of the floodplain by development.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Impervious Surface

Effective on: 1/1/1901

I

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Institutional Residential

Facilities, other than group homes, in which residents live in an institutional environment and are, generally, under the care or control of staff;
In-patient drug and alcoholism hospitals and rehabilitation centers, in which residents have institutional care, or are treated by staff in an institutional setting, rather than living independently; and
Any sheltered care, group care, group home, or residential substance abuse facility with more than eight total occupants.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Institutional Use –

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Intensive Agriculture

Intensive Agriculture means:

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) of any size,
Concentrated aquatic animal production facilities, ;
Any use where animals are tightly confined in buildings or outdoor pens or pastures with more than one animal equivalent unit per acre, including feedlots, hog farms, and poultry operations; or
Any other agricultural use that is required to obtain a discharge permit under the Federal Clean Water Act because of animal or poultry wastes.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Itinerant Vendor Sales

Outdoor sales booths;
Truckload sales;
Sales from other vehicles; and
Outdoor display.

Sales of items include the following durable goods but are not limited to:

Rugs;
Paintings/posters;
Toys;
Used or new household items; and
Sunglasses and other apparel.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Kennel

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Land Disturbing Activity

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Landowner

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Letter of Map Amendment Based on Fill (LOMA-F)

Letter of Map Amendment Based on Fill (LOMA-F) means a letter from FEMA stating that a structure or parcel of land that has been elevated by fill would not be inundated by the base flood.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Letter of Map Change (LOMC)

Letter of Map Change (LOMC) means all letters of SFHA changes from FEMA including LOMR, LOMR-F, LOMAs and Physical Map Revisions (PMR).

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Letter of Map Revision (LOMR)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Light Automobile Service / Gas Station

Light Automobile Service / Gas Station means:

Gasoline service stations (including gasoline service stations that are associated with grocery stores and warehouse clubs);
Gasoline convenience marts (a gasoline service station with a convenience store);
Quick service oil, tune-up, brake, inspections, and/or muffler shops in which:
1. Repairs are made in fully enclosed bays;
2. Repairs are of a type that is typically completed in less than two hours (e.g., oil changes, brake service, tire rotation and balancing, glass repair, tire replacement, fluid checks and replacement, muffler service, spark plug replacement, state inspections and comparable services); and
3. Vehicles are generally not stored on-site, and on the occasion when overnight storage is necessary, vehicles are stored indoors; or
Any combination of 1., 2., or 3., above.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Light Industry

Assembly, testing, or refurbishing of products, instruments, electronics, office and computing machines, and fixtures from pre-manufactured components;
Offices of general contractors, specialty subcontractors, or tradesmen which include:
1. Bay door access to indoor storage of tools, parts, and materials;
2. Parking of commercial vehicles; or
3. Outdoor storage areas that are smaller than the area of the first floor of the building that are used for storage of materials or vehicles that are less than 12 feet in height. 3.
Communications facilities, except wireless telecommunications facilities;
Data centers, server farms, telephone exchange buildings, and telecom hotels;
Food production and packaging other than meat and seafood processing and restaurants;
Furniture making or refinishing;
Manufacture of textiles or apparel;
Screen printing of apparel;
Printing and publishing, except copy centers (which are commercial and personal services), and except printing presses that require a Stationary Source permit or Title V permit for air emissions (which are heavy industry);
Research and development, scientific testing, and product testing;
Disassembly of consumer electronics and / or appliances into component parts, where all operations and storage are within an enclosed building;
Manufacture or compounding of pharmaceutical products, dietary supplements, health and beauty products, and herbal products; and
Packaging of products.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Lot, Through means a lot with a rear lot line that is coterminous with a street right-of-way. Lots with rear lot lines that abut alleys are not through lots.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

L

Lowest Adjacent Grade (LAG) means an elevation of the lowest ground surface that touches any deck support, exterior walls of a building or proposed building walls.

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Lowest Floor

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Lumen

Lumen means a unit of measurement of the quantity of light that falls on an area of one square foot every point of which is one foot from the source of one candela.

Mobile Food Vendor means a person who sells food and/or beverages from a non-permanent venue such as a truck, cart, or trailer.

Effective on: 6/14/2019

Model Homes and On-site Real Estate Offices

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Multifamily

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Multiplex

Multiplex means a residential building that is constructed to look like a large single-family detached residence.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

N

North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) of 1988 means vertical control, as corrected in 1988, used as the reference datum on Flood Insurance Rate Maps.

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Natural Drainage-way

Natural Drainage-way means a channel that becomes a tributary to carry water to a larger body of water during rain events.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Natural Waterway

Effective on: 1/1/1901

N

New Construction means structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date.

Nonstructural Development

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Non-Substantial Improvements

Any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
Any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a State Inventory of Historic Places.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

NPDES Permit

NPDES Permit means the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit issued to the City pursuant to Section 402 of the Federal Clean Water Act.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Nude Model Studio

That has no sign visible from the exterior of the structure and no other advertising that indicates a nude or semi-nude person is available for viewing; and
Where in order to participate in a class a student must enroll at least three days in advance of the class; and
Where no more than one nude or semi-nude model is on the premises at any one time.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Nudity or State of Nudity

Nudity or State of Nudity means the appearance or display of specified anatomical areas.

O

Effective on: 4/5/2018

Outstanding Resource Waters

Outstanding Resource Waters means an exceptional recreational and/or ecological resource and suitable for drinking water source with minimal treatment.

Photovoltaic Array (also called "PV Arrays" or "Solar Arrays") means an array of solar cells that convert energy from sunlight directly into electricity.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Place of Public Assembly

Place of Public Assembly means a place where the people assemble for civic, educational, cultural, or day care purposes. This use includes the following:

Places of worship; theaters; conference centers;
Cultural or arts centers; museums; and aquariums;
Libraries;
Pre-schools;
Elementary, middle, and high schools;
Adult day care; and
Child care centers.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Planned Cluster

Planned Cluster means a residential development that consists of a variety of lot sizes and more than one housing type. The housing type may include:

Single family detached;
Patio home;
Duplex;
Townhouse;
Multiplex; and
Multifamily.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Planned Residential

Townhouse; and
Multifamily.

The term does not include single family nor patio home types, unless certain standards and limitations are met.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Planning Commission (Commission)

Planning Commission (Commission) means the Planning Commission designated by City Council.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Planning Commission Secretary

Planning Commission Secretary means that person employed to serve the Planning Commission in a staff capacity.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Plat (plan)

Plat (plan) means a map or drawing upon which the developer's plan for a subdivision is presented. The term includes a sketch plan, a development plan, and a final plat.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Plot (Manufactured Home Plot)

Plot (Manufactured Home Plot) means a lot in a manufactured home subdivision or a lease lot in a manufactured home park.

Private Club

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Private Improvement

Private Improvement means any improvement required by a development plan which is not deemed by the City to be a public improvement.

Receiving Waters means bodies of water that receive runoff or wastewater discharges, such as rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries, and ground water.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Reconstruction

Reconstruction means to rebuild a structure without increasing its footprint, when the structure has been:

Partially or completely destroyed by any cause (i.e., fire, wind, flood), or
Partially or completely torn down. Reconstruction that also meets the definition of redevelopment is considered redevelopment.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recreation, Indoor

Community recreation centers;
Gymnasiums;
Indoor swimming pools; or 4.
Tennis, racquetball, or handball courts.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recreation, Outdoor

Jogging, cycling, tot-lots, playing fields, playgrounds, outdoor swimming pools, and tennis courts;
Golf courses (regardless of ownership or membership);
Skate parks, manned or unmanned;
Arboretums, wildlife sanctuaries, forests, and other natural areas which may be used for walking or hiking; or
Other passive recreation-oriented parks, including picnic areas, and garden plots.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recreational Facilities

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recreational Vehicle

Recreational Vehicle means a vehicle which is:

Built on a single chassis;
400 square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projections;
Designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck; and
Designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recycling, Drop-Off

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recycling and Salvage

Recycling centers;
Composting facilities;
Vehicle recycling or scrap metal processing; and
Collection, dismantlement, storage, and salvage of inoperable vehicles, boats, trucks, farm vehicles or equipment, or other types of heavy machinery.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Redevelopment

Major Redevelopment means a modification, expansion, or addition that increases the gross floor or site area of an existing building, structure, site, or parking facility by at least 15 percent or 3,000 square feet, whichever is less.
Minor Redevelopment means a modification, expansion, or addition that increases the gross floor or site area of an existing building, structure, site, or parking facility by less than 15 percent or 3,000 square feet, whichever is more.

Restaurant, No Drive-In or Drive-Through

Restaurant, No Drive-In or Drive-Through

Full-service restaurants;
Limited-service eating facilities; and
Special foodservices.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Re-subdivision

Re-subdivision means any combination of previously recorded lots or tracts of contiguous land for the purpose of creating additional lots or revising lot lines, including eliminating lot lines.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Riparian Buffer

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Runoff

Runoff means a portion of the precipitation on the land which reaches the drainage system.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Seasonal Sales

Seasonal Sales means sales of seasonal items by occupants of a commercial or institutional parcel. Seasonal sales are not itinerant vendor sales.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Secondary Drainage Channel

Secondary Drainage Channel means all drainage channels which drain an area of less than 200 acres and the primary benefit is to the development.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

S

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Self-Storage Facility

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Semi-Nude

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Services

Services used alone means commercial services, personal services, and professional services.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Services, Commercial

Services, Commercial means non-medical services that are, typically provided to the general public without the requirement of an appointment or membership, such as:

Copy centers;
Social services, except those defined elsewhere in this Unified Development Ordinance;
Repair services and shops, except automobile, truck, large appliance, and heavy equipment repair;
Parcel service drop-off locations and mailbox services; and
Laundry and dry-cleaning services with customer pick-up and drop-off (does not include wholesale or centralized dry cleaner processing plants.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Setback

Setback means a minimum distance that is required from a lot line to a building, structure, or sign, as the context requires.

Sidewalk Sales and Farmers' Markets means sales that are conducted by either the store owner or occupant, outside their store, or by one or more commercial farms, on:

A public sidewalk;
A private sidewalk;
Pedestrian areas adjacent to a sidewalk, such as pedestrian plazas.

Sidewalks sales conducted by other entities are itinerant vendor sales.

Sign, Awning, Canopy, or Marquee

Sign, Awning, Canopy, or Marquee means a sign that is mounted or painted on or attached to an awning, canopy, or marquee.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sign, Building

Sign, Building means any sign attached to any part of a building.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

S

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

S

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sign, Permanent

Sign, Permanent means a sign attached to a building, structure or the ground in some manner and made of materials intended for more than short term use.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sign, Political

Sign, Political means a temporary sign announcing or supporting political candidates or issues in connection with any national, state, or local election.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sign, Portable

Sign, Portable means a sign designed to be transported, but not limited by means of wheels.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sign, Projecting

Single-Family (also called "Single-Family Detached") means dwelling units that are:

Located in individual buildings that are constructed on:
1. Individual lots; or
2. Land that is designated as a limited common element in a declaration of condominium.
Separated from each other by outside walls; and
Intended for the use of a single housekeeping unit.

The term also includes modular homes.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Single-Family Attached

Single-Family Attached means:

More than two dwelling units that are designed so that individual units have individual ground-floor access and are separated from each other by unpierced common walls from foundation to roof (e.g., side-by-side duplexes and all types of townhomes); or
More than two dwelling units that are designed so that individual units:
1. May or may not have individual exterior doors, but provide no direct access between the first floor and second floor unit (access may be through a common interior foyer that provides access to both units or through separate exterior doors); and
2. Are separated from each other by a floor (e.g., over-under duplexes).

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Single-Family Cluster

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Site Specific Development Plan

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Skate Park

Skate Park means a public facility that is designed for use by persons riding skateboards, in-line skates, or roller blades.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Source Water Protection Areas

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Specialty Use

A.
Shops where smoking tobacco and other products is permitted, such as a cigar shop or hookah bar;
B.
Shops that principally sell paraphernalia associated with the use of illicit drugs, such as water pipes, roach clips, glass pipes, pipe screens, vaporizers, rolling papers, rolling machines, scales or balances, blacklight-responsive posters, incense, cigarette lighters, whipped-cream chargers and taps, and products claimed to give false negative results for drugs on urinalysis tests;
C.
Consignment stores;
D.
Thrift stores;
E.
Retail stores that stock some sexually related goods but not at the volume where they are classified as a sexually oriented business;
F.
Movie rental stores and theaters that offer some sexually explicit movies but not at the volume where they are classified as sexually oriented businesses;
G.
Pawn shops;
H.
Bail bonds;
I.
Payday loans and check cashing stores; and
J.
Title loans.

[Ord. # 2024-12, Amending Sec. 1-2.8.4.S and definition of Specialty Use related to Tattoo Facilities, 07/08/2024]

Effective on: 7/15/2024

Specified Anatomical Areas

Specified Anatomical Areas means and includes any of the following:

Less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, anus, or female breasts below a point immediately above the top of the areolae; or
Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered.

Street(s)

Major Streets: Those streets designated by the Florence Area Transportation Study and those streets designated as major at the time of development as determined by the Public Works and Utilities Department and approved by the Planning Commission. Such streets are designed primarily for the movement of large volumes of traffic from one area to another. Major street includes the terms limited-access highway, freeway, thoroughfare, expressway, arterial street and commercial collector street.
1. Arterial Streets: Arterials are the highest order inter-regional streets. They are designed to carry relatively high traffic volumes. The function of arterials is to promote the free flow of traffic. Therefore, parking and direct residential access are usually not available. Collector streets feed arterials, and arterials feed regional roads such as expressways and freeways. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) for arterials is approximately 3,000 - 5,000+ vehicles per day (vpd).
2. Collector Streets (Commercial): The highest order of commercial streets. Distributes traffic between lower-order commercial streets and higher-order streets such as arterials. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) for commercial collector streets is approximately 3,000 - 5,000 vehicles per day (vpd).
3. Expressways: Divided highways usually having two or more lanes in each direction, with partial control of access. Preference is given to through traffic, but there may be access connections with selected public roads at the same grade and some driveways.
4. Freeways: Divided highways usually having two or more lanes in each direction, with full control of access. Preference is given to through traffic.
5. Thoroughfares: Any major street.
Minor Streets: A street used primarily for providing direct access to and from abutting property (individual lots) that are internal to a subdivision. Minor street includes the terms residential collector street, minor local street, cul-de-sac, marginal access street, alley and looped drive.
1. Collector Streets (Residential): The highest order of residential streets. Collects and distributes traffic from local residential roadways, such as minor streets or cul-de-sacs, to streets that are designed to carry higher volumes of traffic, such as arterials and other major streets. Carries large traffic volume at fairly high speeds. The function of residential collectors is to promote free traffic flow. Therefore, there is typically no direct access to homes from this level street. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) for residential collector streets is approximately 2,000 - 5,000 vehicles per day (vpd).
2. Cul-De-Sacs: Minor local streets having only one open end and being terminated by a vehicle turnaround. Design of turnaround may vary. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) is approximately 250 vehicles per day (vpd).
3. Local Streets (Sub-Collector Streets): These middle-order facilities are located in subdivisions and neighborhoods and primarily serve abutting land uses. Traffic volumes are typically moderate, with motorists having origin or destination within the immediate neighborhood. These streets feed into collector streets, which then feed into arterials. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) is approximately 1,000 - 2,000 vehicles per day (vpd).
4. Looped Drive: A street that terminates on the same road at two different points, or a street that terminates on itself.
5. Marginal Access Streets: Minor streets which are parallel to and located on the side of an arterial, expressway, freeway, or other major street for service to abutting land uses. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) is approximately 500 - 1,000 vehicles per day (vpd).

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Structure

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Structural soil

Structural soil is tree planting backfill material as described in planting notes and illustrated in the planting details.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Subdivider

Subdivider means any person who causes:

A parcel of land to be subdivided into two or more lots;
A single lot to be created from two or more lots; or
A modification to the configuration of lots, easements, servitudes, or rights-of-way on an approved plat.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Subdivision

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Substantial Change

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Substantial Damage

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Substantial Hardship

The property cannot reasonably be maintained in the manner dictated by the ordinance;
There are no other reasonable means of saving the property from deterioration, or collapse; or
The property is owned by a nonprofit organization and it is not feasible financially or physically to achieve the charitable purposes of the organization while maintaining the property appropriately.

T

Transitional Area means an area located on a roadway of four or greater travel lanes, containing a mixture of commercial and residential uses within the surrounding area.

Effective on: 4/5/2018

Truckload Sale

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Turning Radius

Turning Radius means the radius (distance from center to edge) measurement of the smallest circle a vehicle can make while turning.

Utility Line User means a property owner who connects to a utility line constructed by another property owner within 20 years of the date the City accepts the utility line.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Utility Pole

Effective on: 1/1/1901

V

Variance - is a grant of relief from a term or terms of this ordinance.

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Vehicle Sales, Rental, and Service

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Vehicle Wash

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Vested Property Right

Vested Property Right means the right to undertake and complete the development and use of property under the express terms and conditions of a site specific development plan.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Water Surface Elevation

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Wetland

Zoning Map

Zoning Map means the Official Zoning Map, adopted pursuant to Section 1-2.2.2, Official Zoning Map.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Florence City Zoning Code

PART 7

Measurements and Words

Sec. 7-24.1.1 Open Space

The following qualify as open space for the purposes of this Unified Development Ordinance:

Outdoor Recreation Areas. All forms of outdoor recreation areas count as open space, including passive areas and nature reserves, ball fields, tennis courts, swimming pools, and golf courses.
Stormwater Facilities. Open air stormwater facilities count as open space. These facilities may be permitted in floodplains even though they are protected from being part of the developed portion of the site.
Bufferyards. The required bufferyards count as open space.
Required Landscape Areas. Required landscape areas, such as parking lot landscaping areas, count as open space. However, landscaping of private lots in residential subdivisions is not counted as open space.
Agriculture. Agriculture counts as open space in cluster or planned development options when it is part of the development plan.
Resource Protection Areas. All areas that are protected natural resources count as open space.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.2 Lot Width

Generally. Lot width is measured from one side lot line to the opposite side lot line at the front setback line. See Figure 7-24.1.2A, Measurement of Lot Width; Standard Lots.

Figure 7-24.1.2A Measurement of Lot Width; Standard Lots

Corner Lots. Lot width is measured from the interior side lot line to the side street lot line along the front building line, minus the difference between the street yard setback and the side yard setback. See Figure 7-24.1.2B, Measurement of Lot Width; Corner Lots.

Figure 7-24.1.2B
Measurement of Lot Width; Corner Lots

Irregular Lots. Lot width is the distance from one side lot line to the opposite side lot line along the tangent of the curve representing the front building line. See Figure 7-24.1.2C, Measurement of Lot Width; Irregular Lots. Generally, the front building line is the front setback line. However, if an alternative front building line has been established on the plat of a subdivision that is more distant than the front setback line from the front property line, then the lot width is measured at the alternative front building line.

Figure 7-24.1.2C
Measurement of Lot Width; Irregular Lots

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.3 Building Coverage

Building Coverage.

Generally. Building coverage is the total of enclosed floor areas measured between the exterior faces of building walls along a horizontal plane at the main grade level of the principal building and all accessory buildings.
Included. Enclosed floor area includes:
1. The area enclosed by building walls of principal and accessory buildings;
2. The area of enclosed porches; and
3. The footprint of parking structures.
Not Included. Enclosed floor area does not include:
1. Open porches, terraces, and decks;
2. Open gazebos and playground equipment;
3. Driveways, walkways, steps, and other paved surfaces; and
4. Outdoor pools and spas.

Figure 7-24.1.3
Building Coverage Ratio

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.4 Setbacks

Generally. Setbacks are measured from lot lines towards the center of the lot, as follows:

Front setbacks are measured from the front lot line. The front lot line is the lot line that abuts the right-of-way from which the lot takes its address.
Rear setbacks are measured from the rear lot line. The rear lot line is the lot line that is opposite from the front lot line.
Side setbacks are measured from side lot lines. Side lot lines are lot lines that intersect with front lot lines.

Figure 7-24.1.4
Setback Measurement

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.5 Height

Buildings. Building height is calculated by measuring the vertical distance from the average finished grade along the front building line to:

The highest peak or ridge line of the roof for pitched roof styles; or
The top of the parapet for flat roof style.

Structures without roofs (e.g., fences); and
Amateur radio antennae, whether mounted on a roof, the ground, or another structure.

Specialized Structures and Building Appurtenances.

Specialized structures and building appurtenances are not counted in the calculation of building height, provided that:
1. They project not more than:
  1. 15 feet above the highest point on the building for buildings that are 38 feet in height or higher; or
  2. Seven feet above the highest point on the building for buildings that are less than two stories in height
They occupy not more than 10 percent of the total roof area of the building; and
They are not used for human habitation, commercial, or industrial purposes, except as incidental to the operation of the building.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.6 Floor Area

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.7 Floor Area Ratio (FAR)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.1.8 Separation of Uses

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.1 Base Site Area

Generally. Base site area is used to calculate gross density. See Section 7-24.2.4, Density.

Calculation. Base site area equals the total area of the parcel proposed for development (gross site area), minus the sum of the areas of the following:

Land within the planned right-of-way of existing streets or streets that are on the City's adopted Thoroughfare Plan.
Land that is within major utility rights-of-way that are wider than 50 feet.
Land that is cut off from development by railroads, limited access highways, waterbodies, or wetlands and is not proposed for development.
Land that has previously been set aside as protected open space (e.g., subject to a conservation easement, plat restriction, or condition of development approval.). See Figure 7-24.2.1, Illustrative Calculation of Base Site Area.

Figure 7-24.2.1
Illustrative Calculation of Base Site Area

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.2 Open Space Ratio (OSR) / Landscape Surface Ratio (LSR)

Generally. Open space ratio and landscape surface ratio are used to ensure that a certain percentage of a parcel proposed for development is open and landscaped.

Open Space Ratio.

Generally. Open space ratio (OSR) is the area of designated open space, inclusive of bufferyards, natural resource protection areas, and other commonly-owned open space (but not inclusive of individually owned yards) in a residential development, divided by the total area of the parcel proposed for residential development. OSR includes bufferyards, parking lot landscaping, foundation plantings, and natural resource protection areas.
Exclusion from Accruement. Open spaces that do not qualify for the calculation of OSR include any areas on private, buildable lots and any commonly-owned open space that are less than 320 contiguous square feet.
Calculation of Requirement. The amount of commonly-owned open space that is required in a residential development is calculated as the required OSR (see Division 2-3.2, District Development Standards) times the total area of the parcel proposed for development. See Figure 7-24.2.2A, Illustrative Measurement of Residential Open Space Ratio.
Relationship to Other Requirements. If the combination of individual open space requirements (e.g., protection of natural resources and provision of bufferyards) requires less open space than the OSR, then the OSR applies. If it requires more than the OSR, the greater requirement applies.

Figure 7-24.2.2A Illustrative Measurement of Residential Open Space Ratio
EXAMPLE: 6 acres of Common Open Space DIVIDED BY: 12 acre Area of Parcel Proposed for Development EQUALS: 50% OSR
Total Area of Parcel Proposed for Development: 12 acres

Landscape Surface Ratio (LSR)
1. Generally. Landscape surface ratio (LSR) is the area of designated landscaping and open space area on a nonresidential or mixed-use parcel proposed for development, divided by the area of the parcel proposed for development. LSR includes bufferyards, parking lot landscaping, foundation plantings, and natural resource protection areas. See Figure 7-24.2.2B, Illustrative Measurement of Nonresidential Landscape Surface Ratio.
2. Exclusion from Accruement. Open spaces that do not qualify for the calculation of LSR include any areas on private, buildable lots and any commonly-owned open space that are less than 320 contiguous square feet.
3. Relationship to Other Requirements. If the combination of individual landscaping and open space requirements (e.g., protection of natural resources, provision of bufferyards, parking lot landscaping) requires less landscaped or open space area than the LSR, then the LSR applies, and more landscaping is required. If the application of other landscaping standards requires more than the LSR, the greater requirement applies.

Figure 7-24.2.2B Illustrative Measurement of Nonresidential Landscape Surface Ratio
EXAMPLE: 5 acres of Bufferyards, Parking Lot Landscaping, and Drainage Facilities DIVIDED BY: 12 acre Area of Parcel Proposed for Development EQUALS: 41.7% LSR
Area of Parcel Proposed for Development: 12 acres

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.3 Net Buildable Area

Generally. Net buildable area is used to calculate net density. See Section 7-24.2.4, Density.

Calculation. Net buildable area is equal to the lesser of:

Base site area (calculated as provided in Section 7-24.2.1, Base Site Area) minus areas of open water (streams are measured to the ordinary mean high water mark) and delineated wetlands that were not already subtracted from the area of the parcel proposed for development to calculate the base site area (e.g., wetlands or open water areas that are within previously dedicated conservation easements, or cut off from development by a limited access highway, are not subtracted more than once); or
The total area of the parcel proposed for development minus the area of open space required for the development type in Division 2-3.2, District Development Standards. See Figure 7-24.2.3, Illustrative Calculation of Net Buildable Area.

Figure 7-24.2.3
Illustrative Calculation of Net Buildable Area

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.4 Density

Figure 7-24.2.4
Illustrative Density Calculations

EXAMPLE: 28 homes are planned for an 11 acre parcel.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.5 Lot Area

Lot area is the area within the lot lines. See Figure 7-24.2.5, Illustrative Lot Area Calculation.

Figure 7-24.2.5 Illustrative Lot Area Calculation
EXAMPLE The example at right is a rectangular lot. 80 feet Wide TIMES 125 feet Deep EQUALS 10,000 square feet Lot Area

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-24.2.6 Streamflow and Runoff

Hydrology Comparisons. All variables of pre-development and projected post-construction hydrology shall be compared in the required drainage study and report.

Runoff Frequencies. Minimum design frequencies for calculating rainfall runoff shall be as shown in Table 7-24.2.6A, Rainfall Runoff Frequencies.

Table 7-24.2.6.A Rainfall Runoff Frequencies
General Land Use Type	Frequency
Residential	five to 10 Years
Light Industrial and Commercial	10 to 25 Years
Heavy Industrial and High Value Commercial	25 to 50 Years
Flood Protection Works	50 to 100 years

Calculations for Runoff on Developments of 20 Acres or Less. Variance in design frequency shall depend upon the existing and expected density of development, the value of development, and the cost effectiveness of design. Minimum design frequency may be used if approved by the Director of Utilities. The formula and values as set out in Table 7-24.2.6B, Runoff Calculations, 20 Acres or Less shall be used for calculating all stream flow and runoff for the policies and regulations established by this Unified Development Ordinance. Runoff from drainage areas of 500acres or less may be determined by the "Rational Formula", Q=C x I x A, as follows:

Table 7-24.2.6B Runoff Calculations, 20 Acres or Less
Formula Symbol	Equals
Q	Stormwater runoff in cubic feet per second (cfs) at a specified point and time.
C	Coefficient representing the ratio of stormwater runoff to rainfall over the tributary area based on the imperviousness of the area, ground slope, and ground storage. Coefficients may vary from 0.15 to 0.95. Coefficients of less than 0.5 may be used if individual calculations are submitted with plans to the Director of Public Works and Utilities.
I	Average rainfall intensity in inches per hour over the tributary drainage area for the period of time equal to the time of concentration and given frequency of occurrence.
A	Equals the area to be drained in acres, determined by field surveys for areas less than one 100 acres, and by latest government quadrangle maps for larger areas.
B	Runoff from drainage areas greater than 500 acres will be determined by use of a hydrograph or other engineering methods as approved by the Director of Public Works and Utilities.

Calculations for Runoff on Developments Greater than 20 Acres. The rational formula may not be used for calculating flows for sizing stormwater detention / retention facilities, or for any drainage areas greater than 20 acres. In these cases, all hydrologic computations shall be accomplished using a volume-based hydrograph method acceptable to the Director of Public Works and Utilities.
Storm Sewers, Channels, Culverts, and Bridges. The size of closed storm sewers, open channels, culverts, and bridges may be determined by using the "Manning Formula," which may be modified for use with runoff determined by the "Rational Formula” to: Q=1.486RSA,as set out in Table 7-24.2.6C, Storm Sewers, Channels, Culverts, and Bridges.

Table 7-24.2.6C Storm Sewers, Channels, Culverts, and Bridges
Formula Symbol	Equals
Q	Discharge in cubic feet per second.
A	Cross-sectional area of water in conduit in square feet.
R	Hydraulic radius of water in conduit.
S	Mean slope of hydraulic gradient in feet of vertical rise per foot of horizontal distance.
N	Roughness coefficient.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-25.1.1 Word Usage

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sec. 7-25.1.2 Abbreviations and Acronyms

Set out in Table 7-25.1.2, Meaning of Acronyms and Abbreviations is the meaning of the acronyms and abbreviations used in this Unified Development Ordinance.

Table 7-25.1.2 Meaning of Acronyms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation or Acronym	Meaning
AB - NOI	Annual Blanket Notice of Intent
ac.	Acres
ADA	Americans with Disabilities Act
ADT	Average Daily Trips
ADU	Accessory Dwelling Unit
ANSI	American National Standards Institute
ARMS	Access and Roadside Management Standards
BMP	Best Management Practice
BR	Bedroom
CCRs	Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
CBD	Central Business District
CCF	Contractor Certification Form
c.f.s	Cubic Feet Per Second
CGP	Construction General Permit
C-SWPPP	Comprehensive – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
dbA	Decibels A Scale
D.B.H. or DBH	Diameter at Breast Height
DHEC	Department of Health and Environmental Control
DNL	Day-Night Average Sound Level
du	Dwelling Unit
EIFS	External Insulating Finishing System
FAA	Federal Aviation Administration
FAR	Floor Area Ratio
FCC	Federal Communications Commission
FEMA	Federal Emergency Management Agency
ft.	Feet
FHWA	Federal Highway Administration
FIRM	Flood Insurance Rate Map
GEP	Good Engineering Practices
IL - NOI	Individual Lot - Notice of Intent
in.	Inches
ITE	Institute of Traffic Engineers
LCP	Larger Common Plan
LDA	Land Disturbance Activity
LID	Low Impact Development
LOD	Limited of Disturbed
LSR	Landscape Surface Ratio
Max.	Maximum
MEP	Maximum Extent Practicable
Min.	Minimum
MS4	Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
N/A	Not Applicable
NFIP	National Flood Insurance Program
NLR	Noise Level Reduction
NOT	Notice of Termination
NPDES	National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
OSR	Open Space Ratio
OS-SWPPP	On-Site – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
POA	Property Owners’ Association
SCDOT	South Carolina Department of Transportation
SCNW	SC Navigable Waters
sf.	Square Feet
SWPPP	Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
TND	Traditional Neighborhood Development
TMDL	Total Maximum Daily Load
u/a	Units Per Acre
Unified Development Ordinance	Unified Development Ordinance
USACOE	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
VPD	Vehicles Per Day
WLA	Waste Load Allocation
WoS	Waters of the State
WSE	Water Surface Elevation

Table 7-25.1.2 Meaning of Acronyms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation or Acronym	Meaning
AB - NOI	Annual Blanket Notice of Intent
ac.	Acres
ADA	Americans with Disabilities Act
ADT	Average Daily Trips
ADU	Accessory Dwelling Unit
ANSI	American National Standards Institute
ARMS	Access and Roadside Management Standards
BMP	Best Management Practice
BR	Bedroom
CCRs	Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
CBD	Central Business District
CCF	Contractor Certification Form
c.f.s	Cubic Feet Per Second
CGP	Construction General Permit
C-SWPPP	Comprehensive – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
dbA	Decibels A Scale
D.B.H. or DBH	Diameter at Breast Height
DHEC	Department of Health and Environmental Control
DNL	Day-Night Average Sound Level
du	Dwelling Unit
EIFS	External Insulating Finishing System
FAA	Federal Aviation Administration
FAR	Floor Area Ratio
FCC	Federal Communications Commission
FEMA	Federal Emergency Management Agency
ft.	Feet
FHWA	Federal Highway Administration
FIRM	Flood Insurance Rate Map
GEP	Good Engineering Practices
IL - NOI	Individual Lot - Notice of Intent
in.	Inches
ITE	Institute of Traffic Engineers
LCP	Larger Common Plan
LDA	Land Disturbance Activity
LID	Low Impact Development
LOD	Limited of Disturbed
LSR	Landscape Surface Ratio
Max.	Maximum
MEP	Maximum Extent Practicable
Min.	Minimum
MS4	Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
N/A	Not Applicable
NFIP	National Flood Insurance Program
NLR	Noise Level Reduction
NOT	Notice of Termination
NPDES	National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
OSR	Open Space Ratio
OS-SWPPP	On-Site – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
POA	Property Owners’ Association
SCDOT	South Carolina Department of Transportation
SCNW	SC Navigable Waters
sf.	Square Feet
SWPPP	Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
TND	Traditional Neighborhood Development
TMDL	Total Maximum Daily Load
u/a	Units Per Acre
Unified Development Ordinance	Unified Development Ordinance
USACOE	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
VPD	Vehicles Per Day
WLA	Waste Load Allocation
WoS	Waters of the State
WSE	Water Surface Elevation

Table 7-25.1.2 Meaning of Acronyms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation or Acronym	Meaning
AB - NOI	Annual Blanket Notice of Intent
ac.	Acres
ADA	Americans with Disabilities Act
ADT	Average Daily Trips
ADU	Accessory Dwelling Unit
ANSI	American National Standards Institute
ARMS	Access and Roadside Management Standards
BMP	Best Management Practice
BR	Bedroom
CCRs	Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
CBD	Central Business District
CCF	Contractor Certification Form
c.f.s	Cubic Feet Per Second
CGP	Construction General Permit
C-SWPPP	Comprehensive – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
dbA	Decibels A Scale
D.B.H. or DBH	Diameter at Breast Height
DHEC	Department of Health and Environmental Control
DNL	Day-Night Average Sound Level
du	Dwelling Unit
EIFS	External Insulating Finishing System
FAA	Federal Aviation Administration
FAR	Floor Area Ratio
FCC	Federal Communications Commission
FEMA	Federal Emergency Management Agency
ft.	Feet
FHWA	Federal Highway Administration
FIRM	Flood Insurance Rate Map
GEP	Good Engineering Practices
IL - NOI	Individual Lot - Notice of Intent
in.	Inches
ITE	Institute of Traffic Engineers
LCP	Larger Common Plan
LDA	Land Disturbance Activity
LID	Low Impact Development
LOD	Limited of Disturbed
LSR	Landscape Surface Ratio
Max.	Maximum
MEP	Maximum Extent Practicable
Min.	Minimum
MS4	Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
N/A	Not Applicable
NFIP	National Flood Insurance Program
NLR	Noise Level Reduction
NOT	Notice of Termination
NPDES	National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
OSR	Open Space Ratio
OS-SWPPP	On-Site – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
POA	Property Owners’ Association
SCDOT	South Carolina Department of Transportation
SCNW	SC Navigable Waters
sf.	Square Feet
SWPPP	Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
TND	Traditional Neighborhood Development
TMDL	Total Maximum Daily Load
u/a	Units Per Acre
Unified Development Ordinance	Unified Development Ordinance
USACOE	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
VPD	Vehicles Per Day
WLA	Waste Load Allocation
WoS	Waters of the State
WSE	Water Surface Elevation

Table 7-25.1.2 Meaning of Acronyms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation or Acronym	Meaning
AB - NOI	Annual Blanket Notice of Intent
ac.	Acres
ADA	Americans with Disabilities Act
ADT	Average Daily Trips
ADU	Accessory Dwelling Unit
ANSI	American National Standards Institute
ARMS	Access and Roadside Management Standards
BMP	Best Management Practice
BR	Bedroom
CCRs	Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
CBD	Central Business District
CCF	Contractor Certification Form
c.f.s	Cubic Feet Per Second
CGP	Construction General Permit
C-SWPPP	Comprehensive – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
dbA	Decibels A Scale
D.B.H. or DBH	Diameter at Breast Height
DHEC	Department of Health and Environmental Control
DNL	Day-Night Average Sound Level
du	Dwelling Unit
EIFS	External Insulating Finishing System
FAA	Federal Aviation Administration
FAR	Floor Area Ratio
FCC	Federal Communications Commission
FEMA	Federal Emergency Management Agency
ft.	Feet
FHWA	Federal Highway Administration
FIRM	Flood Insurance Rate Map
GEP	Good Engineering Practices
IL - NOI	Individual Lot - Notice of Intent
in.	Inches
ITE	Institute of Traffic Engineers
LCP	Larger Common Plan
LDA	Land Disturbance Activity
LID	Low Impact Development
LOD	Limited of Disturbed
LSR	Landscape Surface Ratio
Max.	Maximum
MEP	Maximum Extent Practicable
Min.	Minimum
MS4	Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
N/A	Not Applicable
NFIP	National Flood Insurance Program
NLR	Noise Level Reduction
NOT	Notice of Termination
NPDES	National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
OSR	Open Space Ratio
OS-SWPPP	On-Site – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
POA	Property Owners’ Association
SCDOT	South Carolina Department of Transportation
SCNW	SC Navigable Waters
sf.	Square Feet
SWPPP	Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
TND	Traditional Neighborhood Development
TMDL	Total Maximum Daily Load
u/a	Units Per Acre
Unified Development Ordinance	Unified Development Ordinance
USACOE	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
VPD	Vehicles Per Day
WLA	Waste Load Allocation
WoS	Waters of the State
WSE	Water Surface Elevation

Effective on: 1/1/1901

(A)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Adult Entertainment

Adult Entertainment means any exhibition, display, activity or dance that involves the appearance or exposure to view of specified anatomical areas.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Adult Motel

Adult Motel means a hotel, motel or similar commercial establishment which:

Offers accommodations to the public for any form of consideration and provides patrons with closed-circuit television transmissions, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or other photographic reproductions or mechanically, electronically, chemically, or digitally reproduced visual materials which are characterized by an emphasis upon the depiction, display or exhibition of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas; and has a sign visible from the public right-of-way which advertises the availability of this adult type of photographic reproduction; or
Offers a sleeping room for rent for a period of time that is less than ten (10) hours; or
Allows a tenant or occupant of a sleeping room to sub-rent the room for a period of time that is less than ten (10) hours.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Adult Motion Picture Theater

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Adult Theater

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Agent

Agent means an authorized person, firm, or corporation acting for or on behalf of a subdivider, developer, or owner.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

A

Effective on: 1/15/2018

A

Agricultural Support/Rural Services means uses that support agricultural uses, including:

Farm supply services and feed stores;
Farm equipment dealers; and
Grain storage.

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Agriculture

The term does not include intensive agriculture, nor does it include the accessory use of land for personal gardens within required setbacks.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Airport

Airport means aircraft take-off and landing fields and flight training schools; or airstrips for personal aircraft for the private use of an individual.

Approved or Approval

Effective on: 1/1/1901

A

Effective on: 1/15/2018

A

Area of special flood hazard means the land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one percent or greater chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Asphalt or Concrete Plant

Asphalt or Concrete Plant means a concrete or asphalt batch plant that is assembled on a site for the construction of a particular improvement.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Assisted Living Facility

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Base Flood

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

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Base Flood Elevation

Base Flood Elevation means the elevation for which there is a one-percent chance in any given year that flood levels will equal or exceed it.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

B

Basement means any enclosed area of a building that is below grade on all sides.

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Bed and Breakfast

Bed and Breakfast means a place of lodging that:

Provides five or fewer rooms for short-term rental; and
Is limited to two consecutive week stays.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Block

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Building Envelope

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Certificate of Historical Appropriateness

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Child Care Center

Day care centers;
School-age child care centers;
Before and after school programs;
Nursery schools;
Kindergartens;
Preschools;
Day camps;
Summer camps; or
Centers for developmentally disabled children.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Child Care, In-Home

Effective on: 1/1/1901

City

City means the incorporated are of the City of Florence.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

City Code

City Code means the Code of Ordinances, City of Florence, South Carolina.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

City Staff

City Staff means members of the Department of Urban Planning and Development who are authorized by the Director to process or decide applications for development approval.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Clean Water Act

Clean Water Act means The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.), and any subsequent amendments thereto.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Commercial Amusement, Indoor

Commercial Amusement, Indoor means uses that provide commercial amusement indoors (except sexually oriented businesses), including, but not limited to:

Bowling alleys and pool rooms;
Indoor sports arenas
Movie theaters and live theaters;
Indoor skating rinks (ice or roller); and
Video arcades.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Commercial Amusement, Outdoor

Commercial Amusement, Outdoor means uses that provide commercial amusement outdoors (except sexually oriented businesses), including, but not limited to:

Outdoor arenas or stadiums (including, but not limited to, amphitheaters, sports stadiums, concert facilities, rodeos, and racing facilities);
Amusement parks or theme parks;
Fairgrounds;
Miniature golf establishments;
Golf driving ranges;
Water slides; and
Batting cages.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Commercial and Industrial Water Use

Commercial and Industrial Water Use means water use integral to the production of goods and/or services by any establishment having financial profit as their primary aim.

Comprehensive Plan

Comprehensive Plan means the official plan or any part thereof for the City of Florence and the Planning Commission, adopted in accordance with the provisions of the 1994 Planning Enabling Act.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Conditionally Approved or Conditional Approval

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Conformity / Conforming

Conformity / Conforming means meeting all applicable codes and requirements for a proposed development.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Construction Activity

Construction Activity means activities subject to NPDES construction permits. Such activities include but are not limited to clearing and grubbing, grading, excavating, and demolition.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Construction Yard, Temporary

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Cottage

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Crime Against Morality and Decency

Seduction under promise of marriage; and
Adultery or Fornication.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Critical Facilities

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Deck

Deck means an exterior floor supported on at least two opposing sides by an adjacent structure, and/or posts, piers or other independent supports.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Detention Structure

Detention Structure means a permanent stormwater management structure whose primary purpose is to temporarily store stormwater runoff and release the stored runoff at controlled rates.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Developer

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Development

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Development, Major

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Disposal

Disposal means facilities for the disposal of non-nuclear waste or fill, or the composting of organic wastes. The term includes landfill and composting facility.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

XX

Effective on: 11/4/2020

Donation Receptacles

Donation Receptacle

Driveway means a private access-way, primarily for vehicles, leading from a street to a parking or loading area.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Duplex

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Easement

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective Date

Effective Date means the date that this Unified Development Ordinance first became effective.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Electrical Substation

Electrical Substation means a subsidiary station of an electricity generation, transmission, and distribution system where voltage is transformed.

Five-Hundred Year Floodplain

Five-Hundred Year Floodplain means the land in a drainage-way within a community subject to a two-tenths (0.2) percent or greater chance of flooding in a given year.

Floodplain Management Administrator means the Director, who is appointed by the City Manager, which includes any successor(s) of similar title(s), or a designee.

Freeboard means the elevation above the base flood elevation to which a structure must be elevated, as set forth in the applicable requirements of this Unified Development Ordinance.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Front Building Line

Front Building Line means a horizontal line across the portion of the primary facade of a building that is closest to the street.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Garage Sale

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Geothermal Heating and Cooling System

Geothermal Heating and Cooling System means a system of pipes used to heat and cool buildings by exchanging heat with the ground. There are four types of systems:

Vertical loop systems use pipes that are oriented vertically by insertion into a bore hole that extends deep into the ground.
Horizontal loop systems use pipes that are oriented horizontally, installed in trenches that are typically five or more feet deep.
Lake loop systems use pipes that extend into waterbodies, where they exchange heat with the water instead of the ground.
Open loop systems extract groundwater and then discharge it into a drainage ditch or waterbody.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Governing Body (Governing Authority)

Governing Body (Governing Authority) means the City Council of the City of Florence.

Permanent retail operations that are located outside of enclosed buildings, except nurseries;
Home centers;
Lumber and other building materials;
Lawn, garden equipment, and related supplies stores;
Warehouse clubs and super stores;
Recreational equipment rental where the equipment is stored outside;
Heavy truck or recreational vehicle leasing or sales;
Manufactured home sales; and
Industrial or construction equipment leasing or sales.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Helistop

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Highest Adjacent Grade

Highest Adjacent Grade means the highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Historic District

Historic District means an area designated by City Council, upon the recommendation of the Board of Historical Review, and pursuant to the provisions of this Unified Development Ordinance.

Impacts mean a change in the extent or elevation of the floodplain by development.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Impervious Surface

Effective on: 1/1/1901

I

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Institutional Residential

Facilities, other than group homes, in which residents live in an institutional environment and are, generally, under the care or control of staff;
In-patient drug and alcoholism hospitals and rehabilitation centers, in which residents have institutional care, or are treated by staff in an institutional setting, rather than living independently; and
Any sheltered care, group care, group home, or residential substance abuse facility with more than eight total occupants.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Institutional Use –

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Intensive Agriculture

Intensive Agriculture means:

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) of any size,
Concentrated aquatic animal production facilities, ;
Any use where animals are tightly confined in buildings or outdoor pens or pastures with more than one animal equivalent unit per acre, including feedlots, hog farms, and poultry operations; or
Any other agricultural use that is required to obtain a discharge permit under the Federal Clean Water Act because of animal or poultry wastes.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Itinerant Vendor Sales

Outdoor sales booths;
Truckload sales;
Sales from other vehicles; and
Outdoor display.

Sales of items include the following durable goods but are not limited to:

Rugs;
Paintings/posters;
Toys;
Used or new household items; and
Sunglasses and other apparel.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Kennel

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Land Disturbing Activity

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Landowner

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Letter of Map Amendment Based on Fill (LOMA-F)

Letter of Map Amendment Based on Fill (LOMA-F) means a letter from FEMA stating that a structure or parcel of land that has been elevated by fill would not be inundated by the base flood.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Letter of Map Change (LOMC)

Letter of Map Change (LOMC) means all letters of SFHA changes from FEMA including LOMR, LOMR-F, LOMAs and Physical Map Revisions (PMR).

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Letter of Map Revision (LOMR)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Light Automobile Service / Gas Station

Light Automobile Service / Gas Station means:

Gasoline service stations (including gasoline service stations that are associated with grocery stores and warehouse clubs);
Gasoline convenience marts (a gasoline service station with a convenience store);
Quick service oil, tune-up, brake, inspections, and/or muffler shops in which:
1. Repairs are made in fully enclosed bays;
2. Repairs are of a type that is typically completed in less than two hours (e.g., oil changes, brake service, tire rotation and balancing, glass repair, tire replacement, fluid checks and replacement, muffler service, spark plug replacement, state inspections and comparable services); and
3. Vehicles are generally not stored on-site, and on the occasion when overnight storage is necessary, vehicles are stored indoors; or
Any combination of 1., 2., or 3., above.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Light Industry

Assembly, testing, or refurbishing of products, instruments, electronics, office and computing machines, and fixtures from pre-manufactured components;
Offices of general contractors, specialty subcontractors, or tradesmen which include:
1. Bay door access to indoor storage of tools, parts, and materials;
2. Parking of commercial vehicles; or
3. Outdoor storage areas that are smaller than the area of the first floor of the building that are used for storage of materials or vehicles that are less than 12 feet in height. 3.
Communications facilities, except wireless telecommunications facilities;
Data centers, server farms, telephone exchange buildings, and telecom hotels;
Food production and packaging other than meat and seafood processing and restaurants;
Furniture making or refinishing;
Manufacture of textiles or apparel;
Screen printing of apparel;
Printing and publishing, except copy centers (which are commercial and personal services), and except printing presses that require a Stationary Source permit or Title V permit for air emissions (which are heavy industry);
Research and development, scientific testing, and product testing;
Disassembly of consumer electronics and / or appliances into component parts, where all operations and storage are within an enclosed building;
Manufacture or compounding of pharmaceutical products, dietary supplements, health and beauty products, and herbal products; and
Packaging of products.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Lot, Through means a lot with a rear lot line that is coterminous with a street right-of-way. Lots with rear lot lines that abut alleys are not through lots.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

L

Lowest Adjacent Grade (LAG) means an elevation of the lowest ground surface that touches any deck support, exterior walls of a building or proposed building walls.

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Lowest Floor

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Lumen

Lumen means a unit of measurement of the quantity of light that falls on an area of one square foot every point of which is one foot from the source of one candela.

Mobile Food Vendor means a person who sells food and/or beverages from a non-permanent venue such as a truck, cart, or trailer.

Effective on: 6/14/2019

Model Homes and On-site Real Estate Offices

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Multifamily

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Multiplex

Multiplex means a residential building that is constructed to look like a large single-family detached residence.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

N

North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) of 1988 means vertical control, as corrected in 1988, used as the reference datum on Flood Insurance Rate Maps.

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Natural Drainage-way

Natural Drainage-way means a channel that becomes a tributary to carry water to a larger body of water during rain events.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Natural Waterway

Effective on: 1/1/1901

N

New Construction means structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date.

Nonstructural Development

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Non-Substantial Improvements

Any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
Any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a State Inventory of Historic Places.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

NPDES Permit

NPDES Permit means the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit issued to the City pursuant to Section 402 of the Federal Clean Water Act.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Nude Model Studio

That has no sign visible from the exterior of the structure and no other advertising that indicates a nude or semi-nude person is available for viewing; and
Where in order to participate in a class a student must enroll at least three days in advance of the class; and
Where no more than one nude or semi-nude model is on the premises at any one time.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Nudity or State of Nudity

Nudity or State of Nudity means the appearance or display of specified anatomical areas.

O

Effective on: 4/5/2018

Outstanding Resource Waters

Outstanding Resource Waters means an exceptional recreational and/or ecological resource and suitable for drinking water source with minimal treatment.

Photovoltaic Array (also called "PV Arrays" or "Solar Arrays") means an array of solar cells that convert energy from sunlight directly into electricity.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Place of Public Assembly

Place of Public Assembly means a place where the people assemble for civic, educational, cultural, or day care purposes. This use includes the following:

Places of worship; theaters; conference centers;
Cultural or arts centers; museums; and aquariums;
Libraries;
Pre-schools;
Elementary, middle, and high schools;
Adult day care; and
Child care centers.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Planned Cluster

Planned Cluster means a residential development that consists of a variety of lot sizes and more than one housing type. The housing type may include:

Single family detached;
Patio home;
Duplex;
Townhouse;
Multiplex; and
Multifamily.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Planned Residential

Townhouse; and
Multifamily.

The term does not include single family nor patio home types, unless certain standards and limitations are met.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Planning Commission (Commission)

Planning Commission (Commission) means the Planning Commission designated by City Council.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Planning Commission Secretary

Planning Commission Secretary means that person employed to serve the Planning Commission in a staff capacity.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Plat (plan)

Plat (plan) means a map or drawing upon which the developer's plan for a subdivision is presented. The term includes a sketch plan, a development plan, and a final plat.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Plot (Manufactured Home Plot)

Plot (Manufactured Home Plot) means a lot in a manufactured home subdivision or a lease lot in a manufactured home park.

Private Club

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Private Improvement

Private Improvement means any improvement required by a development plan which is not deemed by the City to be a public improvement.

Receiving Waters means bodies of water that receive runoff or wastewater discharges, such as rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries, and ground water.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Reconstruction

Reconstruction means to rebuild a structure without increasing its footprint, when the structure has been:

Partially or completely destroyed by any cause (i.e., fire, wind, flood), or
Partially or completely torn down. Reconstruction that also meets the definition of redevelopment is considered redevelopment.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recreation, Indoor

Community recreation centers;
Gymnasiums;
Indoor swimming pools; or 4.
Tennis, racquetball, or handball courts.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recreation, Outdoor

Jogging, cycling, tot-lots, playing fields, playgrounds, outdoor swimming pools, and tennis courts;
Golf courses (regardless of ownership or membership);
Skate parks, manned or unmanned;
Arboretums, wildlife sanctuaries, forests, and other natural areas which may be used for walking or hiking; or
Other passive recreation-oriented parks, including picnic areas, and garden plots.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recreational Facilities

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recreational Vehicle

Recreational Vehicle means a vehicle which is:

Built on a single chassis;
400 square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projections;
Designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck; and
Designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recycling, Drop-Off

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recycling and Salvage

Recycling centers;
Composting facilities;
Vehicle recycling or scrap metal processing; and
Collection, dismantlement, storage, and salvage of inoperable vehicles, boats, trucks, farm vehicles or equipment, or other types of heavy machinery.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Redevelopment

Major Redevelopment means a modification, expansion, or addition that increases the gross floor or site area of an existing building, structure, site, or parking facility by at least 15 percent or 3,000 square feet, whichever is less.
Minor Redevelopment means a modification, expansion, or addition that increases the gross floor or site area of an existing building, structure, site, or parking facility by less than 15 percent or 3,000 square feet, whichever is more.

Restaurant, No Drive-In or Drive-Through

Restaurant, No Drive-In or Drive-Through

Full-service restaurants;
Limited-service eating facilities; and
Special foodservices.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Re-subdivision

Re-subdivision means any combination of previously recorded lots or tracts of contiguous land for the purpose of creating additional lots or revising lot lines, including eliminating lot lines.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Riparian Buffer

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Runoff

Runoff means a portion of the precipitation on the land which reaches the drainage system.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Seasonal Sales

Seasonal Sales means sales of seasonal items by occupants of a commercial or institutional parcel. Seasonal sales are not itinerant vendor sales.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Secondary Drainage Channel

Secondary Drainage Channel means all drainage channels which drain an area of less than 200 acres and the primary benefit is to the development.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

S

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Self-Storage Facility

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Semi-Nude

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Services

Services used alone means commercial services, personal services, and professional services.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Services, Commercial

Services, Commercial means non-medical services that are, typically provided to the general public without the requirement of an appointment or membership, such as:

Copy centers;
Social services, except those defined elsewhere in this Unified Development Ordinance;
Repair services and shops, except automobile, truck, large appliance, and heavy equipment repair;
Parcel service drop-off locations and mailbox services; and
Laundry and dry-cleaning services with customer pick-up and drop-off (does not include wholesale or centralized dry cleaner processing plants.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Setback

Setback means a minimum distance that is required from a lot line to a building, structure, or sign, as the context requires.

Sidewalk Sales and Farmers' Markets means sales that are conducted by either the store owner or occupant, outside their store, or by one or more commercial farms, on:

A public sidewalk;
A private sidewalk;
Pedestrian areas adjacent to a sidewalk, such as pedestrian plazas.

Sidewalks sales conducted by other entities are itinerant vendor sales.

Sign, Awning, Canopy, or Marquee

Sign, Awning, Canopy, or Marquee means a sign that is mounted or painted on or attached to an awning, canopy, or marquee.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sign, Building

Sign, Building means any sign attached to any part of a building.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

S

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

S

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sign, Permanent

Sign, Permanent means a sign attached to a building, structure or the ground in some manner and made of materials intended for more than short term use.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sign, Political

Sign, Political means a temporary sign announcing or supporting political candidates or issues in connection with any national, state, or local election.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sign, Portable

Sign, Portable means a sign designed to be transported, but not limited by means of wheels.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sign, Projecting

Single-Family (also called "Single-Family Detached") means dwelling units that are:

Located in individual buildings that are constructed on:
1. Individual lots; or
2. Land that is designated as a limited common element in a declaration of condominium.
Separated from each other by outside walls; and
Intended for the use of a single housekeeping unit.

The term also includes modular homes.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Single-Family Attached

Single-Family Attached means:

More than two dwelling units that are designed so that individual units have individual ground-floor access and are separated from each other by unpierced common walls from foundation to roof (e.g., side-by-side duplexes and all types of townhomes); or
More than two dwelling units that are designed so that individual units:
1. May or may not have individual exterior doors, but provide no direct access between the first floor and second floor unit (access may be through a common interior foyer that provides access to both units or through separate exterior doors); and
2. Are separated from each other by a floor (e.g., over-under duplexes).

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Single-Family Cluster

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Site Specific Development Plan

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Skate Park

Skate Park means a public facility that is designed for use by persons riding skateboards, in-line skates, or roller blades.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Source Water Protection Areas

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Specialty Use

A.
Shops where smoking tobacco and other products is permitted, such as a cigar shop or hookah bar;
B.
Shops that principally sell paraphernalia associated with the use of illicit drugs, such as water pipes, roach clips, glass pipes, pipe screens, vaporizers, rolling papers, rolling machines, scales or balances, blacklight-responsive posters, incense, cigarette lighters, whipped-cream chargers and taps, and products claimed to give false negative results for drugs on urinalysis tests;
C.
Consignment stores;
D.
Thrift stores;
E.
Retail stores that stock some sexually related goods but not at the volume where they are classified as a sexually oriented business;
F.
Movie rental stores and theaters that offer some sexually explicit movies but not at the volume where they are classified as sexually oriented businesses;
G.
Pawn shops;
H.
Bail bonds;
I.
Payday loans and check cashing stores; and
J.
Title loans.

[Ord. # 2024-12, Amending Sec. 1-2.8.4.S and definition of Specialty Use related to Tattoo Facilities, 07/08/2024]

Effective on: 7/15/2024

Specified Anatomical Areas

Specified Anatomical Areas means and includes any of the following:

Less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, anus, or female breasts below a point immediately above the top of the areolae; or
Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered.

Street(s)

Major Streets: Those streets designated by the Florence Area Transportation Study and those streets designated as major at the time of development as determined by the Public Works and Utilities Department and approved by the Planning Commission. Such streets are designed primarily for the movement of large volumes of traffic from one area to another. Major street includes the terms limited-access highway, freeway, thoroughfare, expressway, arterial street and commercial collector street.
1. Arterial Streets: Arterials are the highest order inter-regional streets. They are designed to carry relatively high traffic volumes. The function of arterials is to promote the free flow of traffic. Therefore, parking and direct residential access are usually not available. Collector streets feed arterials, and arterials feed regional roads such as expressways and freeways. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) for arterials is approximately 3,000 - 5,000+ vehicles per day (vpd).
2. Collector Streets (Commercial): The highest order of commercial streets. Distributes traffic between lower-order commercial streets and higher-order streets such as arterials. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) for commercial collector streets is approximately 3,000 - 5,000 vehicles per day (vpd).
3. Expressways: Divided highways usually having two or more lanes in each direction, with partial control of access. Preference is given to through traffic, but there may be access connections with selected public roads at the same grade and some driveways.
4. Freeways: Divided highways usually having two or more lanes in each direction, with full control of access. Preference is given to through traffic.
5. Thoroughfares: Any major street.
Minor Streets: A street used primarily for providing direct access to and from abutting property (individual lots) that are internal to a subdivision. Minor street includes the terms residential collector street, minor local street, cul-de-sac, marginal access street, alley and looped drive.
1. Collector Streets (Residential): The highest order of residential streets. Collects and distributes traffic from local residential roadways, such as minor streets or cul-de-sacs, to streets that are designed to carry higher volumes of traffic, such as arterials and other major streets. Carries large traffic volume at fairly high speeds. The function of residential collectors is to promote free traffic flow. Therefore, there is typically no direct access to homes from this level street. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) for residential collector streets is approximately 2,000 - 5,000 vehicles per day (vpd).
2. Cul-De-Sacs: Minor local streets having only one open end and being terminated by a vehicle turnaround. Design of turnaround may vary. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) is approximately 250 vehicles per day (vpd).
3. Local Streets (Sub-Collector Streets): These middle-order facilities are located in subdivisions and neighborhoods and primarily serve abutting land uses. Traffic volumes are typically moderate, with motorists having origin or destination within the immediate neighborhood. These streets feed into collector streets, which then feed into arterials. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) is approximately 1,000 - 2,000 vehicles per day (vpd).
4. Looped Drive: A street that terminates on the same road at two different points, or a street that terminates on itself.
5. Marginal Access Streets: Minor streets which are parallel to and located on the side of an arterial, expressway, freeway, or other major street for service to abutting land uses. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) is approximately 500 - 1,000 vehicles per day (vpd).

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Structure

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Structural soil

Structural soil is tree planting backfill material as described in planting notes and illustrated in the planting details.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Subdivider

Subdivider means any person who causes:

A parcel of land to be subdivided into two or more lots;
A single lot to be created from two or more lots; or
A modification to the configuration of lots, easements, servitudes, or rights-of-way on an approved plat.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Subdivision

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Substantial Change

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Substantial Damage

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Substantial Hardship

The property cannot reasonably be maintained in the manner dictated by the ordinance;
There are no other reasonable means of saving the property from deterioration, or collapse; or
The property is owned by a nonprofit organization and it is not feasible financially or physically to achieve the charitable purposes of the organization while maintaining the property appropriately.

T

Transitional Area means an area located on a roadway of four or greater travel lanes, containing a mixture of commercial and residential uses within the surrounding area.

Effective on: 4/5/2018

Truckload Sale

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Turning Radius

Turning Radius means the radius (distance from center to edge) measurement of the smallest circle a vehicle can make while turning.

Utility Line User means a property owner who connects to a utility line constructed by another property owner within 20 years of the date the City accepts the utility line.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Utility Pole

Effective on: 1/1/1901

V

Variance - is a grant of relief from a term or terms of this ordinance.

Effective on: 1/15/2018

Vehicle Sales, Rental, and Service

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Vehicle Wash

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Vested Property Right

Vested Property Right means the right to undertake and complete the development and use of property under the express terms and conditions of a site specific development plan.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Water Surface Elevation

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Wetland

Zoning Map

Zoning Map means the Official Zoning Map, adopted pursuant to Section 1-2.2.2, Official Zoning Map.

Effective on: 1/1/1901