Public spaces, buildings, and facilities that accommodate people with special needs or disabilities.

A subordinate building or structure on the same property as a principal building, such as a shed, garage, or carport.

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a detached dwelling unit that is permitted only on properties with a single detached principal dwelling unit. ADUs are a lesser size than the principal dwelling unit and include a kitchen, a sleeping area, and full bathroom facilities.

A use naturally and normally incidental to, subordinate to, and devoted exclusively to the principal use on the same property.

Conversion of a building into a use other than what it was designed for, such as changing a warehouse into gallery space or housing.

A dwelling or establishment that provides supervision, assistance, protection, or personal care and room and board to an adult. These facilities are typically licensed by the state. This does not include a licensed home for the aged, nursing home, or a mental hospital.

The ownership or control of airspace development rights over property, such as a building or balconies projecting over public right-of-way areas, such as streets.

A public or private right-of-way that provides access from a street to the rear or side yards of properties. Alleys are usually located at mid-block locations between two street and provide access to garages and yard areas. An alley is not considered a street.

Design features that are valued by the users of a building or public space, such as open space, clubhouses, landscaping, outdoor seating, and public art.

The federal law that requires public buildings and facilities, including transportation facilities and private property that is open to the public, to be accessible to persons with disabilities.

The person or entity requesting an approval under UDO. The owner of a property that is subject to an application for approval under UDO shall always be considered the applicant, although they may designate a representative to complete the application and communicate with the approving authority on their behalf.

The person, agency, committee, or entity responsible for reviewing and making a determination on an application under UDO.

The average number of vehicles passing a fixed point in a twenty-four-hour period; a conventional measurement of traffic volume.

A rooflike shelter of canvas or other material extending over a doorway that is meant to provide protection from precipitation and the sun.

An open-air outdoor portion of an upper floor that typically projects from a building wall, but may also be recessed with the building mass.

The portion of a building that is partly or wholly below finished grade. A basement shall not be counted as a floor or story.

An interior portion of a building that extends beyond the building's exterior wall and is not supported from below by vertical columns or piers.

An owner-occupied single detached dwelling unit licensed to provide overnight sleeping accommodations and to serve breakfast to paying guests.

The total number of bicycles that can be locked to the bike locking facilities provided on a site, per the manufacturer's specifications.

A sturdy, secured object designed for the locking and securing of bicycles.

The Board authorized by Section 601 of the Zoning Enabling Act[1] (or the equivalent section of a successor statute) to hear and approve variances, appeals, and interpretations, as described in Article 39-12 and in the Zoning Act. As authorized by the Zoning Act, the Board of Appeals may also be designated to perform other duties, such as the approval of special exceptions.

A dwelling with one kitchen where individual rooms are rented out for more than 30 days per occupant and the occupants of the dwelling do not live as a single family.

A structure with a roof, either temporary or permanent, that is used (or built) for the shelter or enclosure of persons, possessions, or property.

The placement, shape, and size of the ground floor of a structure on a property.

The vertical distance measured from grade to the highest point of the roof deck for flat roofs, to the deck line of mansard roofs, and to the average height between the eave and peak for gable, hip, and gamble roofs.

A private or public facility where people live on-site to receive care, treatment, supervision, or rehabilitation for physical, mental, social-emotional, social-economic or similar conditions. Examples include nursing home, home for the aged, convalescent home, rehab clinic.

Land used for the burial of the dead, including columbariums and mausoleums.

The elected legislative body of the City of Holland. The City Council is the approving authority for rezonings, text amendments, and additional applications.

The area at the intersection of two streets within a required setback, measured 20 feet on each street along the property line where there shall be no fence or planting over three feet in height to enable an unobstructed view of approaching traffic.

A planned unit development design that concentrates buildings in specific areas on a site to allow the remaining property to be used for recreation, common open space, and preservation of environmental resources. Units are grouped on smaller parcels than zoning would otherwise permit, but the overall allowable density for the larger site is maintained.

The use of property, or space within a building, for retail sales, office work, service provision, or similar businesses where goods or services are sold or provided directly to the consumer. As used in UDO, "commercial" shall not include industrial or manufacturing businesses.

A shared entrance for access to upper floor units and/or multiple ground floor tenants.

Streets that are designed and operated within a network that enables safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.

A flexible, generally full-color plan type that allows applicants to get preliminary feedback from staff and the Planning Commission on various details of a proposed project.

A condominium created pursuant to the Condominium Act, MCLA 559.101 et seq., whose units are defined in the master deed, but are not separate parcels of land (sites). Units within a traditional condominium may be intended for residential, commercial, or industrial uses.

A top of a wall or building element made evident by an assembly of projecting moldings that strike a definitive limit to that section of the building.

Courtyards are accessed with a sidewalk connected to the public sidewalk, and may be approved in all zone districts. Courtyards are also a component of the forecourt facade type in form-based code subdistricts that is an open space defined by building walls on three sides and open to the street on the fourth side. The courtyard is not covered by a roof and extends the entire height of the building.

The use of land for nonanimal agricultural purposes, including farming, pasturage, and orchards. Shall also include the cultivation of vegetables or fruit for commercial purposes on a property of one acre or greater.

The gross number of dwelling units per acre of land calculated by dividing the number of dwelling units on a site by the gross square footage of the site.

A tool that defines appropriate architectural and urban design elements desired or required in specific areas of the City; design guidelines are used in the review of development proposals in the Form-Based Code Zone District, Neighborhood Mixed Use Zone District, and planned unit developments.

The construction, reconstruction, remodeling or conversion of buildings or other site features on a property to change or enhance the use, increase the number of units, or repurpose the property.

Driveways, windows, and signage associated with a commercial use for the provision of goods and services directly to people in motor vehicles.

A surface consisting of asphalt, concrete, permeable pavement, grass pavers or another similar stable, dustless surface. Crushed concrete, crushed asphalt, gravel, and other similar materials are not considered a durable surface.

A building or portion thereof occupied wholly as the permanent residence or sleeping place by one or more people. A dwelling unit contains at a minimum a kitchen, sleeping area, and full bathroom facilities.

A grant of one or more of the property rights by a property owner to and/or for the use by the public or another person or entity.

The projecting overhang along the edge of a roof.

The portion of a building, structure, equipment, or sign that intrudes into a required setback, right-of-way or easement.

Less flexible than a concept plan, but not as concrete as a site plan, this plan type provides utility and stormwater details and dimension lines for all setbacks and street widths.

Influence of a development on the natural or built environment; environmental impact statements (EIS) are designed to measure the impact of a proposal and to recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.

A public or private utility or service that provides electricity, water, sewage removal, gas, communication services, or similar services.

Commercial use designed for temporary gatherings of people for entertainment, collaboration, celebration, or other reasons. Examples include: Banquet facilities, community centers, and meeting facilities.

A person or group of people meeting at least one of the following descriptions:

The individual parts of a street or other transportation corridor that are designed for a specific function, in order to allow for safe travel by automobiles, pedestrians, transit, and nonmotorized vehicles. Examples of Feature Zones include the Walking Zone, the Furnishing Zone, the Parking Zone, and the Vehicle Travel Zone.

A barrier, railing, buffer or other upright structure, typically of wood, metal or vinyl, enclosing an area of ground, marking a boundary, screening an activity, or creating a visual or physical barrier.

An indoor facility that provides opportunities for the safe shooting of firearms and/or arrows.

The total area of a building measured by taking the outside dimensions of the building at each floor level intended for occupancy or storage and measured from the exterior faces of the exterior walls. Garages shall not be included in gross floor area.

The area of a building just for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, closets, halls, storage, garages, and similar areas are not considered habitable.

An ordinance that regulates the form and scale of buildings in the private realm in relation to the public realm. The code is presented in written and diagrammatic form. The Form-Based Code (F) Zone District is organized by regulating maps and their designation of subdistricts, building types, building frontages, and building envelopes, and is located in Article 39-3 of UDO.

A building or part thereof used for human funeral services. The building may contain space and facilities for embalming and the performance of other services used in preparation of the dead for burial, the performance of autopsies, and other surgical procedures, the storage of caskets, funeral urns, and other related vehicles, and other accessory uses as authorized by state law.

The cultivation of vegetables, fruit, or vegetation on a property equal to or less than one acre.

A facility designed or used for the retail sale of liquid fuel that is stored in underground tanks and dispensed directly into vehicles or approved containers. Convenience stores may be associated with this use.

Uses owned and operated by a public entity. Examples include public parks, public parking lots, government administration buildings, post offices, and Holland Board of Public Works.

A reference plane representing the ground level adjoining a building or structure used for the purpose of regulating the height of a structure measured at the level of the ground adjacent to, or immediately below, or at the street center line closest to the structure.

An enclosed structure used for the growing and cultivation of flowers, shrubbery, vegetables, trees, and other horticultural goods.

An area, or group of areas not necessarily having contiguous boundaries that contain one structure or group of structures that are related by history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture, and require additional review prior to obtaining a building permit.

A business, occupation, or profession that results in a product or service that is clearly an accessory, incidental, and secondary use of a residential dwelling unit with no exterior evidence that a business is being conducted from the premises.

A home-based business, occupation, or profession that results in a product or service that is clearly an accessory, incidental, and secondary use of a residential dwelling unit, which has no employees that live off-site, which does not engage in any on-site retail sales (Type 1) or may engage in limited retail sales (Type 2).

An institution licensed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to provide in-patient and out-patient medical and surgical services for the sick and injured, and may include related facilities (i.e., laboratories, medical testing services, central service facilities, and staff offices).

Any hard-surfaced area that does not readily absorb water, including but not limited to, roofs, parking and driveway areas, sidewalks, and paved recreational areas. Synonymous with "nonpervious surface" and "impermeable pavement."

An institution that provides full-time or part-time education beyond high school. Examples include: universities, community colleges, vocational schools, including cosmetology and truck driving, and art schools.

A facility that provides a curriculum for Kindergarten through high school instruction. Accessory uses, such as gymnasiums, athletic fields, and cafeterias, shall be considered part of the K-12 school. This definition shall not include testing centers or tutoring centers, which shall be considered "services."

Any lot or premises where three or more dogs over six months of age are boarded and/or housed for compensation.

The treatment of the ground surface with live plant materials, such as: grass, ground cover, trees, shrubs, vines, and other horticultural vegetation. A required landscape site design may include decorative nonliving materials, such as wood chips, crushed stone, boulders, or mulch accessory to live plant material. Structural features, such as fountains, pools, statues, and benches, shall also be considered a part of "landscaping," but only if provided in combination with live plant material. Artificial plant materials and other items shall not be counted toward meeting the requirements for landscaping. Commonly used landscaping terms are defined as follows:

The following definitions shall apply to lighting:

A series of smaller buildings that are part of a glass facade of a larger structure or are commercial standalone perimeter structures positioned to break up the mass of the structure. Typically used in conjunction with parking structures.

A use that contains both a dwelling unit and a maker space or office within the same, single, leasable or for-sale unit.

A designated, off-street, paved area for the temporary parking of delivery vehicles while loading and unloading merchandise and materials.

A tract of land occupied, or intended to be occupied, or utilized by principal and accessory buildings, yards and/or open space.

A parcel of land, the dimensions and configuration of which are shown on a subdivision plat recorded in the offices of the County Register of Deeds and the City of Holland, or a lot or parcel described by metes and bounds, the accuracy of which is attested to by a land surveyor registered and licensed in the State of Michigan and is recorded with the County Register of Deeds and the City of Holland.

Commercial space designed to be used for small-scale, low-impact artisan production of wholesale goods, including but not limited to artwork, foodstuffs, beverages, jewelry, and other handcrafted small-batch products. Any use that in the opinion of the approving authority includes processes that cause negative impacts on surrounding properties due to noise, odor, dust, or vibration, shall be considered "manufacturing."

A dwelling unit substantially built, constructed, assembled, and finished at an off-site location from the premises where it is to be located.

The mechanical or chemical transformation of materials or substances into new products, including the assembling of component parts, the manufacturing of products, and the blending of materials.

A facility for storing, servicing, fueling, berthing, securing, and launching of private or commercial pleasure craft that may include the sale of fuel and incidental supplies for the boat owner, crews, and guests, and small boats for rental/launching.

Any establishment where body massage is regularly practiced on the human body by professionals licensed by the State of Michigan. For the purposes of UDO, massage clinics shall be considered "medical or dental clinics."

The scale and proportions of a building or object.

A comprehensive, long-range plan for a municipality. When referred to in UDO, the Master Plan shall refer to the most recently adopted Master Plan for the City of Holland.

A commercial use that provides medical or therapeutic care to patients. Examples include: doctor offices, urgent care clinics, medical treatment facilities, medical testing facilities, medical counseling facilities, dentist offices, outpatient surgery centers, ophthalmologists, massage clinics, medical administration offices, and veterinary clinics.

Provides a vertical mix of uses generally with ground floor commercial uses and upper floors for nonretail commercial or residential uses.

A building, structure, use, or property that lawfully existed at the time of the adoption of UDO (or an amendment to UDO that directly applied to the state of being in question) that does not conform to one or more of the regulations in UDO.

A building, structure, or portions thereof that lawfully existed at the effective date of UDO, or a subsequent amendment, which does not meet one or more regulations of the zone district in which it is located.

A lot of record that does not meet the dimensional requirements of UDO or amendments thereof.

A use that lawfully existed prior to the effective date of UDO or amendments thereof, that do not conform to one or more of the regulations in UDO.

A commercial use for the provision of services to customers or for administrative duties relating to an organization or business. The following uses shall not be included in this definition:

The keeping of industrial or commercial materials or equipment. Also, the conducting of manufacturing, deconstruction, or other industrial processes, outside of an enclosed structure.

Any person, agent, firm, partnership, or other entity recorded in the official records of the state, county or municipality as holding title to the property; or otherwise having control of the property, including the guardian of the estate of a person. This definition shall also include the executor or administrator of the estate of a person if ordered to take possession of real property by a court.

A dwelling unit that has been approved for principal residence exemption by the City of Holland Assessor.

The designated person or entity listed on the tax rolls maintained by the City of Holland for a structure or building. For a property owned by a partnership, limited liability company or corporation, each partner, member, trustee or shareholder shall be deemed to have an ownership interest for purposes of regulating short-term rental units.

A part of the building wall that extends above the roof, typically located on flat roof buildings. Parapet heights are measured from the roof deck to the top of the parapet.

See "lot."

The temporary storage of an operable, licensed motor vehicle. Parking may be limited in duration by a property owner, the City, or another entity with jurisdiction over a parking lot.

An area maintained in its natural condition or covered by a material that permits infiltration or percolation of water into the ground. Synonymous with "porous" or "permeable."

The Michigan Planning Enabling Act, Public Act 33 of 2008, as amended,[3] or any successor acts.

The Commission authorized by Section 11 of the Planning Act[4] (or the equivalent section of a successor statute), and Article III of Chapter 2 of the City Code of Ordinances to draft, administer, and enforce the City's Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance. The Planning Commission shall act as an approving authority or recommending authority under UDO.

A cluster of residential, commercial, and/or mixed-use buildings surrounding or surrounded by green or natural space.

A small park in an urban area.

A facility that converts one or more energy sources, including but not limited to water power, fossil fuels, or nuclear power, into electrical energy or steam.

The structure containing the primary use of the property.

Synonymous with the term "lot."

The boundaries of a lot are described as follows:

A meeting where the public shall be permitted to speak on an order of business on the meeting agenda.

A facility offering transient lodging accommodations at a daily or weekly rate to the general public, with services such as restaurants, meeting rooms, and recreational facilities. Examples include: hotels, motels, hostels, and extended-stay hotels that do not meet the definition of a "dwelling unit."

The area between the facade of a building and the corresponding facade of the building across the street, which is typically defined by the street right-of-way lines.

An entity authorized to provide utilities or infrastructure for the purpose of transportation, water, sewer, stormwater, gas, electric, communications, and other similar services.

An indoor facility for leisure, exercise, and/or entertainment. Examples include: bowling alleys, arcades, indoor playgrounds, fitness centers, sports arenas, and movie theaters.

An outdoor facility for leisure, exercise, and/or entertainment. Examples include: parks, golf courses, nature preserves, go-carts, batting cages, sports facilities, and ice rinks.

The following shall be considered a recreational vehicle:

Any expansion, addition, renovation, or major change to an existing building, structure or aspect of development. "Redevelopment" can also mean the reconstruction of a previously developed multiproperty area to have new character, using new construction and renovation of existing buildings.

A use where people regularly assemble for religious activity. Examples include: a church, synagogue, temple, mosque, or similar religious facility. Accessory uses such as K-12 schools, event venues, or offices, may be approved as part of the religious institution.

The modernization or updating of an existing structure. Rehabilitation and restoration are types of renovation.

A use within an engineering or testing laboratory that does not involve the mass manufacture, fabrication, processing, or sale of products.

The use of property, or space within a building, for the purpose of human habitation that meets the requirements and definitions of UDO and the Building Code to be considered one or more "dwelling units."

A parcel of land containing one to four dwelling units on that parcel, not necessarily contained in the same building.

A commercial use where the principal business is the sale of food and beverages to customers. Examples include: full-service restaurants, fast-food restaurants, cafes, bars, and microbreweries/distilleries/wineries. The City may determine that the manufacturing portion of the use is sufficiently large enough to be considered a manufacturing use.

A commercial use that sells goods of merchandise to the public on-site. Examples include: grocery/convenience/beverage stores, clothing/shoe/accessory stores, book/music/video/electronics stores, hardware stores, and art galleries with art for sale.

The process described in UDO for changing the designation of a parcel to a different zone district.

A street, alley or other thoroughfare or easement permanently established for the passage of persons or vehicles and under the legal authority of the municipality or agency having jurisdiction over said passage. The right-of-way includes all elements between the legally designated right-of-way lines, regardless of whether a portion of the right-of-way overlaps with private property. Within the right-of-way, the City (or other entity with jurisdiction over the right-of-way) may build or allow to be built, infrastructure and amenities to serve the public interest, including: streets, nonmotorized pathways, roadways, walkways, parking spaces, signage, traffic signals, landscaping, and amenities (i.e., benches, tables, garbage cans, etc.).

The top edge of a roof or building parapet, whichever is higher, excluding cupolas, chimneys or other minor projections.

The size and shape of a building or other element of the built environment, relative to its surroundings and to the people who interact with it. Example: Pedestrian scale is based on comfortable walking dimensions and automobile scale is designed to be experienced from a moving automobile.

A method of visually shielding or obscuring an abutting or nearby structure, property or use from another by using fencing, walls, berms, gates, building features, or plantings of sufficient height, length, and opacity to form a visual barrier.

Enclosed space for rent to the general public to store nonperishable goods.

A commercial use offering technical or specialized services. Examples include: law offices, engineering services, small electronics repair, real estate brokerages, and hair salons.

The minimum and maximum horizontal distance that a building, structure, or parking lot shall be from any property line. If there are two or more principal buildings on a property, the closest building to the property line shall be subject to the setback requirement.

A retail, event, indoor recreation, or personal service business where 25% of the floor area is dedicated to, 25% or more of the inventory is composed of, or 25% of the gross revenues derive from items or activities predominantly characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing, or relating to specified anatomical areas or sexual activities.

A facility that provides overnight housing accommodations for people who are homeless, displaced from housing, victims of violence or abuse, have an emergency, are in a transitional state, and other similar situations. The facility may provide temporary or semipermanent housing in a setting that is not considered a single dwelling unit or single-family home. The facility may also offer services to the occupants or the public, such as counseling, educational classes, vocational training, food service, etc.

A dwelling unit for rent in part or in its entirety for less then 30 consecutive days per occupant and shall be in compliance with Chapter 14 of the City of Holland Code of Ordinances.

A device, structure, fixture, or placard using graphics, symbols and/or written copy, designed specifically for the purpose of identifying an establishment, product, service or activity. The following are definitions of types of signs and terms related to signage:

The location of a development or redevelopment project that may include one or multiple properties.

A condominium created pursuant to the Condominium Act, MCLA 559.101 et seq. whose units are separate parcels of land (sites) on which structures for independent occupation are erected. Units within a site condominium may be intended for residential, commercial, or industrial uses.

Any building, structure, work of art, landscaping, parking lot, or other item constituting an increase in the value of a property.

A plan prepared to scale, showing accurately and with complete dimensioning, the boundaries of a site and the location of all buildings, structures, uses, and principal site design features proposed for a specific parcel of land.

A device that provides the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for space heating, cooling, or power generation, including both the solar panels and all accessory structures.

Half of the true cash value of a structure as set by either the county or the state.

A setback of an exterior wall of an upper story behind the exterior walls of the floors below.

The distance between any two adjacent floors or floor lines, measured as the distance between the finished floor and finished ceiling (or bottom of exposed structure).

Any street meeting the definition of "urban major" or "commercial, mixed-use corridor, or industrial major" in Article 39-10.

This is a required site plan sheet when a new or reconstructed street is proposed. The street design plan shall include a street cross-section depicting the three street realms and the feature zones proposed. This plan shall also include construction specifications.

The three street realms are the people, parking, and travel realms. Each realm is comprised of feature zones.

The narrowest street frontage of a property, as measured along the right-of-way which runs along a parcel's front property line. If there are two street frontages of equal length, the Zoning Administrator shall determine a front street.

A street designated as "local" on the City of Holland Act 51 Map.

A street designated as "major" on the City of Holland Act 51 Map or a street within the City of Holland that is under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Any street frontage of a property that does not meet the definition of "street, front."

The distinguishing character of a particular street as created by its width, degree of curvature, paving materials, design of the street furniture, and forms of surrounding buildings.

Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires location on the ground or attachment to something on the ground. Examples include: principal and accessory buildings, towers, decks, fences, walls, antennas, swimming pools, and signs.

Used when the property is proposed to be divided pursuant to the subdivision provisions of the Michigan Land Division Act into platted lots.

An analysis of the volume of traffic anticipated to be generated by a given land use or development proposal. The study includes the impacts of additional volume, such as congestion, accidents, and changes to the street network's level of service.

The presence and percentage of glass to allow the interior of a building to be viewed from the street. Transparent glass is not heavily tinted or glazed and shall be measured by the following:

A use primarily for loading and unloading trucks.

This chapter, including all 14 articles, and all subsequent amendments that may be adopted by City Council.

Design accessible to all people, regardless of age, disability, etc.

The purpose for which land, lots, or buildings are designed, arranged, intended, or occupied, maintained, let, or leased.

A modification of the literal provisions of UDO when granted by the Board of Appeals when strict enforcement of UDO would cause practical difficulties owing to circumstances unique to the individual property where the variance is granted.

Every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported on a street. Devices exclusively moved by human power, used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks, and mobile homes, are not considered vehicles.

An enclosed building where the following services may be carried out: general repairs, engine rebuilding, collision services, and painting of vehicles.

A building or premises used primarily for the sale of new or used automobiles and other motor vehicles. Examples include: new and used car sales, recreational vehicle sales, motorcycle/powersport sales, construction equipment sales, and boat sales.

A building or portion thereof or an area of land where automobiles are washed.

A truck, camper, trailer, tent, stand or similar mobile structure used to sell food, merchandise, goods, wares or services from a fixed location.

Storage, wholesale, and distribution of manufactured products, supplies, and equipment.

Storage, wholesale, and distribution of manufactured products, supplies, and equipment.

Land characterized by the presence of water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances does support, wetland vegetation or aquatic life, and is commonly referred to as a "bog," "swamp," or "marsh."

On-premises sales of goods primarily to customers engaged in the business of reselling the goods.

A facility that produces energy by converting wind energy to electricity by means of wind turbines, including the wind turbine and all accessory structures; also known as "wind energy conversion system (WECS)." The following are definitions of types of wind energy facilities, and terms associated with them:

A freestanding facility, building, pole, tower, or structure used to provide commercial cellular telecommunication services, that consists of antennas, equipment and storage, and other accessory structures.

The open area between a building and a property line, as determined by the actual construction on a property. A required setback is the area of the yard that shall not be built on, as required by the minimum setback requirement. The types of yards are as follows:

An area designated for a certain set of regulations under UDO due to a distinct character or purpose.

Regulation of development through land use classifications and dimensional standards.

The Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, Public Act 110 of 2006,[5] as amended, or any successor acts.

The Official Map distinguishing zone district boundaries.