Accessory Apartment means a dwelling unit that exists either as part of a principal dwelling or as an accessory building and is secondary and incidental to the use of the property as single family residence.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Accessory Use or Accessory Building (Non-Residential) means a subordinate use or building customarily incident to and located on the same lot with the main use building.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Accessory Dwelling Unit is defined as a separate habitable living unit with a full kitchen, sleeping and bathroom facilities commonly found in a primary single-family dwelling. The main home and the ADU together are located on a single parcel of real estate. An ADU must be permanently affixed to the land, taxed as real property, and function as wholly self-sustaining unit.

An ADU can be attached or detached. It can be on top of a garage or a repurposed space. An ADU can be a basement or attic apartment. It can also be an addition to the main house that can either change the exterior envelope or use only existing space, a living space over a garage or a detached unit in a backyard.

ADUs must have an entrance that does not require the resident to go through the primary home to access the secondary unit. All ADUs must meet all applicable residential dwelling / building codes.

(Ord. 23-06, 05/30/2023)

Effective on: 5/30/2023

Airport means all airports and flight training schools, excluding those for the private use of an individual.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Amusement Arcade means the Business of video gaming as a primary or ancillary business use. Typically, the use of computers, video screens and similar devices to create games of skills, role-playing or chance. For example, video-poker machines for public or private clientele at a business establishment (s) or private clubs (s) facility would be considered an amusement video game arcade. This definition shall herein by reference included all manner of video gaming machines.  There shall be no gambling associated with an amusement arcade where cash is a prize. 

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Amusement Park means an establishment that operates attractions, such as mechanical rides, water rides, games, shows, theme exhibits, refreshment stands, and picnic grounds.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Animal Production & Support (excl. Swine & Feed Lots). The raising of animals on pasture land or production of animal products on an agricultural or commercial basis. Animal Production shall include those accessory uses and activities customarily associated with this type of operation, as determined by the Planning Director. Animal Production shall not include concentrated animal feeding operations, slaughterhouses or butcheries.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Animal Boarding or Shelter Any premises where any combination of dogs, cats or other household pets, totaling four or more animals, six months of age or older, are kept, boarded or bred for the intention of profit.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Apartment House means a building containing one or more apartments.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Apartment means a room or suite of rooms in a multiunit residential building, generally rented by the occupant, which provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and toilet in each separate unit.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Auction Sale – Livestock Only A public sale in which livestock is sold to the highest bidder. Includes public sales by direct auction, consignment auction, or online auction, using methods for ensuring each sale is conducted in an open, fair and competitive manner. Online auction companies shall be approved by the Chief Financial Officer in advance.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Automobile Repair, Minor means an establishment engaged in the sale of automotive fuels or oils, and the incidental repair and replacement of parts and motor services to automobiles, including oil change, tire sales, and alignment, but not including any operation specified under "Automobile Repair, Major.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Automobile Towing and Temporary Storage means a lot or building used for the storage of damaged, wrecked or impounded motor vehicles for a limited period of time, usually awaiting insurance adjustment, transport to a repair shop, or recovery by the owner operator.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Bar (Including Pub, Lounge, and Tavern) means a commercial establishment which is operated primarily for the dispensing of alcoholic beverages although, the sale of prepared food or snacks may also be permitted as an accessory to the principal use. See standards in UDO for location and operation. 

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Bed and Breakfast or Short Term Rental means a dwelling in which lodging, with or without meals, is provided for overnight guest for a fee.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Boarding House means a structure in which persons, either individually or as families, are lodged or housed for hire without eating, cooking and toilet facilities in each separate unit. A rooming house, guest house, or tourist home shall all be deemed a boarding house.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Bona Fide Farm means a property is being used for bona fide farm purposes, any of the following is sufficient evidence that the property is being used for bona fide farm purposes per NCGS § 160D-903: (1) A farm sales tax exemption certificate issued by the Department of Revenue. (2) A copy of the property tax listing showing that the property is eligible for participation in the present-use value program pursuant to G.S. 105-277.3. (3) A copy of the farm owner's or operator's Schedule F from the owner's or operator's most recent federal income tax return. (4) A forest management plan.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Brewpub/Microbrewery, Microwinery, Microdistillery, Microcidery means an eating or drinking establishment that produces malted, fermented, or distilled beverages. 

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Building Materials and Supply means a lumber, brick, stone dirt, carpet, plumbing materials, plaster, concrete, floor coverings, pool liners, roofing material, gutters, and other materials or substances accumulated as a result of new construction, repairs, remodeling, or additions to existing structures or accessory structures, or demolition of such.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Campground, Private means an area or tract of land on which accommodations for temporary occupancy are located or may be placed, including cabins, tents, and major recreational equipment, and which is primarily used for recreational purposes and retains an open air or natural character.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Car Wash means an establishment that provides washing and cleaning of passenger or recreational vehicles by hand, by use of automated equipment operated by one or more attendants, or by self-service facilities.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Cemeteries & Mausoleums means any publicly- or privately-owned land or buildings used for burial or memorials.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Club, Private means a building and related facilities owned and used on a regular or recurring basis for fraternal, social, educational, recreational, or cultural enrichment of its members, and whose members meet certain prescribed qualifications for membership.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Cluster Development means an alternate development form that permits certain reductions in lot size for single - family dwellings provided the overall density requirement is maintained.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Commercial Test Kitchen means a commercial kitchen that is involved in the sale of products to industrial, institutional, or commercial enterprises only. This business involves display areas but is generally not open to the public and products are not picked up on site.

(Ord. 24-36, 09/12/2024) 

Effective on: 9/12/2024

Community Amenity means a desirable or useful feature or facility of a building or place.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Concrete Batch Plant means an industrial facility used for the production of concrete or concrete products including facilities for combining and mixing materials including, but not limited to, sand, water, aggregate, ash, and cement, to form concrete.

(Ord. 24-41, 10/29/2024) 

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Congregate Care Facility means a facility providing shelter and services for ambulatory individuals at least 55 years of age who by reason of age, functional impairment, or infirmity may require meals, housekeeping, and personal care assistance. Congregate care facilities do not include nursing homes or similar institutions devoted primarily to the care of the chronically ill or the incurable.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Convention Center / Visitors Bureau means a facility used for business or professional conferences and seminars, often with accommodations for sleeping, eating and recreation.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Contractor’s Offices means any land, building, or structure used as the permanent place of business for a general contractor or tradesman, including the incidental storage of construction equipment and materials and company vehicles.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Correctional Institution means a publicly or privately operated facilities housing persons awaiting trial or persons serving a sentence after being found guilty of a criminal offense. Such uses may include cafeterias, housing for facility staff, outdoor storage and maintenance areas, recreational areas, agricultural facilities, and facilities for the production of goods or materials produced for sale.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Country Club and Golf Course means a recreational facility whose principal use is for playing the game of golf and whose ancillary uses and structures may typically include a pro-shop, swimming and tennis, dining and food-service, and maintenance buildings.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Crop Production The growing and harvesting of crops, such as grains, vegetables, fruits, trees, flowers, and other ornamental horticulture. Crop production does not include marijuana production.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Cottage Court A small collection of single-family detached homes each facing a centralized courtyard.

(Ord. 23-06, 05/30/2023)

Effective on: 5/30/2023

Cyber Café or Internet Café (Internet Cafes and Businesses) means internet café or cyber café is a place where people can get connected to the Internet while eating or have a cup of coffee using publicly accessible computer. While the main activity in the cyber café is the Internet, such as email, newsgroup and web site surfi1W, other applications usually available are office suite to Woe document, spreadsheet, games, such as online games and other utilities such as printing service, scanned and digital photo service. Some internet cafes also sell computer accessories and computer relates stuffs. People may have their food and drink at the computer table or at separate tables provided by the café. Modern cyber café also has wireless connection in their local area networking (LAN), where people can bring their own lap top and get connected to the Internet by paying a small fee.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Day Care Center means a facility providing care for six or more non-handicapped children, more than four hours per day, for payment of a fee, but without transfer or assignment of custody.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Drive-In Theater means a cinema which is also a drive-in establishment.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Duplex means a detached building constructed on-site in compliance with the North Carolina State Building Code and designed for two dwelling units.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Dwelling Single-Family means a detached building constructed on-site in compliance with the North Carolina State Building Code and designed for or occupied exclusively by one family

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Dwelling Unit means an enclosure of one or more rooms providing complete independent living facilities for one family, including permanent facilities for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation within the separate enclosure.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Electronic Gaming Establishment means a businesses or enterprises where persons utilize electronic machines (including but not limited to computers and gaming terminals) to conduct games of chance or sweepstakes, and where cash, merchandise or anything else of value is redeemed or otherwise distributed or placed on an account or other record, whether or not the value of such distribution is determined by electronic games played or by predetermined odds.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Entertainment, Indoor ​​​​​​means a use category containing uses varying in size, providing daily or regularly scheduled recreation-oriented activities in an indoor setting.

Uses in this use category include:  Amusement Arcade; Bowling Center; Electronic Gaming Establishments; Health Clubs & Fitness Centers; Indoor Recreational Facilities, Theaters (excluding drive-in); Reception Facility, Shooting Range/Archery Range; Weight Reducing Center, Non-Medical; and other uses meeting the definition of Indoor Entertainment according to the Director.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Entertainment, Outdoor means a use category containing uses providing daily or regularly scheduled recreation-oriented activities in an outdoor setting.

Uses in this use category include: Amusement Park; Motion Picture Theater, drive-in; Racetracks/Spectator Sports Arena (includes racing test tracks); and other uses meeting the definition of Outdoor Entertainment according to the Director.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Family Care Home means a home with support and supervisory personnel that provides room and board, personal care, and habilitation services in a family environment for resident persons with disabilities, in line with North Carolina General Statute 160D-907.

(Ord. 25-12, 04/22/2025)

Effective on: 4/22/2025

Family Child Care Home (FCCH) means a residential setting that offers temporary child care services as an accessory use of the dwelling. This service can accommodate children without transferring custody and is provided for a fee. Student capacity limits will be aligned with North Carolina General Statute 110-91(7)(b)(

(Ord. 25-12, 04/22/2025)

Effective on: 4/22/2025

Farmers' Market Any common facility or area where fruits, vegetables, meats, other local farm or consumable products, etc., are sold directly to consumers by producers, growers, and sellers at more than one stand operated by different persons.

Effective on: 4/22/2025

Farm Supply Product Sales Businesses that principally provide supplies for agricultural or equestrian use, including feed and seed stores, tack and equestrian product shops, and farm equipment sales and service.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Feedlot A small enclosure where cattle, swine, or sheep are confined, or such larger enclosure where food or water is supplied so as to encourage the frequent occupancy of a space by cattle, swine, or sheep at a density in excess of 10 head per acre; however, any such confinement of more than four head of cattle, swine, or sheep shall constitute a feedlot.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Financial Institution means any trust company, savings bank, industrial bank, savings and loan association, building and loan association, commercial bank, credit union, federal association, investment company, or other business association, which is chartered under federal or State law, solicits, receives or accepts money or its equivalent on deposit and loans money as a regular business. (Source: NCGS § 116B-10)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Firearms and Ammunition Sales This term means a business selling firearms and ammunition as a primary business.  This term does not apply to home occupations that allow for the sale of firearms as permitted and regulated by the ATF.

(Ord. 22-13, 04/26/2022)

Effective on: 4/26/2022

Florist and Nursery Supply ​​​​​​​means a place where plants are raised, acquired, and maintained for transplanting or sale. It may also include, either exclusively or in conjunction with the above activities, the sale of materials commonly used for landscaping purposes, such as soil, rock, bark, mulch and other materials determined by the Director to be landscaping materials. Sale or rental of small landscaping tools and supplies may be an accessory use. 

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Fortune Teller/Palm Reader means an establishment for a business that offers the services of predicting someone's future.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Fuel Sales means a place where vehicular fuel, stored only in underground tanks, is offered for sale to the public or where charging stations are made available for the charging of vehicles.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Funeral Home and/or Crematorium means an establishment with facilities for the preparation of the dead for burial or cremation, for the viewing of the body, and for funerals.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Garage means a building or portion thereof in which a motor vehicle containing gasoline, distillate or other volatile, flammable liquid in its tank is stored, repaired or kept.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Garage, Commercial means a building which provides for parking, storage, and repair of motor vehicles requiring the use of electrical equipment, open flame, welding, or the use of volatile, flammable liquids.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Garage Private means a building which provides for the storage of motor vehicles owned by tenants of buildings on the premises, and with maximum undivided space used for storage of not more than four automobiles, or trucks of one ton (907 kg) or less capacity, but not exceeding 850 sq. ft. (79m2). All other garages shall be considered public garages

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Garage Public means any garage other than a private garage.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Group Care Facility means a facility licensed by the State of North Carolina, (by whatever name it is called, other than "Family Care Home" as defined by this ordinance), with support and supervisory personnel that provides room and board, personal care, or habilitation services in a family environment.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Guest House means see "boarding house."

Effective on: 1/1/1901

​​​​​​​Heavy Industrial means a use category containing uses engaged in the manufacturing, assembly or processing of chemicals, animal products and metals; the activities of which are likely to have characteristics that discourage adjacency to residential uses. Factory production and industrial yards are located here. Sales to the general public are rare.

Uses in this use category include establishments that manufacture or process: Asphalt & Coal; Cement/Concrete (ready-mix) and Concrete Products; Chemicals; Clay & Brick; Concrete (dry mix); Food; Metals; Petroleum; Stucco and Synthetic Stone; and other uses meeting the definition of Heavy Industrial according to the Director. Other uses in this use category include: Salvage Yard; Sawmill; Slaughterhouse or Animal Processing.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Home Occupation with Accessory Building means a professional occupation conducted within a portion of a main dwelling unit and partly in one smaller accessory building, which does not adversely impact or change the residential character of the neighborhood and which is carried on continuously and regularly and meets applicable performance standards.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Home Occupation means a professional occupation conducted within a portion of a main dwelling unit, which does not adversely impact or change the residential character of the neighborhood and which is carried on continuously and regularly and meets applicable performance standards. "Home based business", see home occupation.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Hotel or Motel means a building which provides sleeping accommodations in six or more rooms, commonly available for pay on a daily basis to transient or permanent guests.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Hunting, Fishing, and Game Preserve (Commercial) means a parcel or parcels of land licensed by their respective states to offer hunting for a fee

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Junk Yard means a lot or group of contiguous lots used for the dismantling or the storage of wrecked or used automobiles or the storage, sale, or dumping of dismantled or wrecked cars or their parts, or for storage of appliances, machinery, and other salvage goods.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Landfill means a disposal facility or part of a disposal facility where waste is placed in or on land and which is not a land treatment facility, a surface impoundment, an injection well, a hazardous waste long-term storage facility or a surface storage facility. (Source: NCGS § 130A-290)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Lawn and Garden Supply Center means a facility for the sale of garden tools, equipment, and supplies operated in conjunction with a nursery and/or tree farm where the plant materials sold are limited to those grown on the premises.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Uses in this use category include establishments that manufacture or process: Abrasive Products; Apparel; Automobile Race Cars and Parts; Beverages & Tobacco; Brooms, Brushes, & Mops; Burial Caskets; Candles & Potpourri; Cloth;  Computers, Electronics, & Appliances; Cut Stone & Stone Products (excluding quarrying), Distilleries, Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Farm Products (Raw Material); Fasteners, Buttons, Needles & Pins; Furniture & Related Products; Gasket, Packing & Sealing Devices; Glass/Glass Products; Jewelry & Silverware; Lime & Gypsum Products (excluding quarrying); Manufactured Homes; Mineral Wool/Fiberglass Insulation; Musical Instruments; Office Supplies (excluding Paper); Paper/Paper Products; Plastics & Rubber; Signs; Sporting & Athletic Goods; Toys, Dolls & Games; Transportation Equipment; Wood Products; and other uses meeting the definition of Light Industrial according to the Director.

Other uses in this use category include: Contractors Office/Shop; Dental Laboratories; Industrial Launderers; Micromanufacturing; Mining/Extraction Industries; Printing and Related Support Activities; Publishing Industries; Sawmills; Scientific Research & Development Services; Textile Mills; Vending Machine Operators; and Winery or Cidery.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Liquor Sales (ABC Store) means a store that sells or offers to sell alcoholic beverages, as defined in NCGS § 18B-101. means a store that sells or offers to sell alcoholic beverages, as defined in NCGS § 18B-101.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Manufacturing means the processing of raw products and materials into items for sale.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Manufactured Home means a structure, used or intended to be used as a Dwelling Unit, transportable in one or more sections, which in the traveling mode is eight body feet or more in width, or 40 body feet or more in length, or, when erected on site, is 320 or more square feet; and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling, with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities, including the plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electrical systems contained therein. "Manufactured home" includes any structure that meets all of the requirements of this subsection except the size requirements and with respect to which the manufacturer voluntarily files a certification required by the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and complies with the standards established under the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. §5401, et seq. (Source: The Uniform Standards Code for Manufactured Homes Act," NCGS § 143-145). For purposes of this Ordinance, a "manufactured home" does not exclude homes based on age per NCGS 160D-910(f).

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Manufactured Home Park means a parcel of land under single ownership or management which is operated as a business engaged in providing a place where manufactured homes are installed for non-transient living or sleeping purposes and where sites or lots are set aside or offered for lease for use by manufactured homes for living or sleeping purposes. Accessory uses to manufactured home parks include caretaker quarters, laundry facilities, and facilities for parks and recreation.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Manufactured/Modular Home and Storage Building Sales means the sale of trailers or manufactured homes on a parcel of land but excluding the use of such facilities as dwellings either on a temporary or permanent basis.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Medical and Dental Office means an establishment where patients are admitted for examination and treatment by one or more physicians, dentists or psychologists and where patients are not usually lodged overnight.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

​​​​​​​Micromanufacturing means the retail or business-to-business production of artisan goods that are produced in small quantities using small hand tools or light machinery including, but not limited to, 3-D printers or computer numerical control routers. 

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Modular Home, Building means a dwelling unit or building constructed in accordance with the standards set forth in the North Carolina State Building Code and constructed of components substantially assembled in a manufacturing plant and transported to the building site for final assembly on a permanent foundation. Among other possibilities, a modular unit may consist of two or more sections transported to the site in a manner similar to a Mobile Home (except that the modular unit meets the North Carolina State Building Code), or a series of panels or room sections transported on a truck and erected or joined together on the site.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Multifamily Dwelling means a detached building constructed on-site in compliance with the Carolina State Building Code and designed for more than two dwelling units.  This includes duplexes, triplexes, or units that are not on individual lots.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Nightclub means a commercial establishment in which music, dancing, or live entertainment is conducted, and has hours of operation generally limited to weeknights and weekends. The sale of alcoholic beverages and/or meals for on-site consumption may also be a component of the operation. The establishment may require cover charges or membership fees. Any entertainment or service which satisfies any portion of the definition of "adult entertainment" either in this ordinance or in G.S. 14-202-10 shall be considered an "adult establishment" for zoning and permitting purposed.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Non-Conforming Use means any use which legally existed on the effective date of this ordinance, and which does not conform with each regulation of the zoning district in which it is located, including any non-conforming use legally recognized under a prior zoning ordinance.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Outdoor Display and Sales means the placement of products or materials (other than vehicles) for sale outside the entrance of a retail or wholesale sales establishment.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Outdoor Market means a marketplace, not confined to a building, with one or more individual stalls or vendors that sell products such as new or used goods, wares, merchandise, limited services, fresh food items, pre-packaged food items, and flowers or plants.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Outdoor Storage means an establishment that provides for outdoor storage of machinery and equipment, not including vehicles.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Overnight Accommodations means a use category containing uses with bedroom and bathroom units arranged for short-term stays of less than 30 days for rent or lease.

Uses in this use category include: Bed & Breakfast Inn; Hotel, Motel & Extended Stay Lodging; Short-Term Rental; and other uses meeting the definition of Overnight Accommodations according to the Director.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

​​​​​​​Parking, Commercial means a use category that provides parking as a primary use, for which a fee may or may not be charged.

Uses in this use category include: Parking Lot or Structure, Commercial; Parking Lot or Structure, Off-Site; Truck, Tractor Trailer, or Bus Storage; and other uses meeting the definition of Commercial Parking according to the Director.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Parking Lot means an area or tract or partial tract of land used for the storage or parking of vehicles.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Park-and-Ride Facility/Transit Terminal means a specially designated parking areas where commuting motorists park their vehicles and ride with other commuters who have a common destination. Ridesharing from the lots may be done by car pool, van pool, or public transit.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Passenger Terminal (Not Including Park-and-Ride Facilities) means a facility that receives and discharges passengers and at which facilities and equipment required for their operation are provided. Examples include terminals for bus, trolley, taxi, railroad, shuttle van, or other similar vehicular services.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Pawnshop means the location at which, or premises in which, a pawnbroker, as defined in NCGS § 91A- 2, regularly conducts business. (Source: Pawnbrokers Modernization Act of 1989, NCGS § 91A-2)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Pet Care Service (without outdoor kennels) means the retail sale of pets and other animals (except livestock) and the provision of pet or animal care services, such as grooming, training, sitting, boarding, and caretaking. Kennels related to the operation of the business may not be located outside of any building or buildings utilized for this business. This definition includes pet and pet supply stores but does not include veterinary services.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Pet Care Service (with outdoor kennels) means the retail sale of pets and other animals (except livestock) and the provision of pet or animal care services, such as grooming, training, sitting, boarding, and caretaking. Kennels related to the operation of the business may be located outside of the buildings utilized for this business. This definition includes pet and pet supply stores but does not include veterinary services.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Public/Religious Assembly Use means any cultural and community use, or religious assembly use including, but not limited to churches. 

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Public Commercial Multiple Recreational and Entertainment Uses Facility means any establishment whose main purpose is to provide the general public with multiple integrated amusing or entertaining activity where tickets are sold or fees are collected for the activity. Includes golf, swim, tennis clubs, courses for single occupant go-carting, courses for single occupant All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), zip-lines, drive-in movie theaters, playgrounds (recreational parks), campgrounds, individual detached single unit transient housing (cabins), playgrounds, picnic areas, water park amusements, carnival rides, amphitheater, firework displays, and amusement video game arcades. Two or more uses listed herein occur simultaneously. Excluded facilities or businesses are internet gaming, internet gambling, video poker, video gaming, and video gambling. No other uses are included by inference.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Reception Facility means a facility used to host gatherings of people, typically within large rooms, for meetings, parties, or other events.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recreational Vehicle (RV) means a portable structure designed to be transported over the highways, and containing living or sleeping accommodations, such structure being designed and actually used as a temporary dwelling during travel for recreation and pleasure purposes, and not exceeding eight feet in width.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recreational Vehicle (RV) Park means a unified development of recreational vehicle spaces, community facilities, and permitted permanent buildings which are combined to support two or more recreational vehicles used as living or sleeping quarters by the day, week, or month, whether a charge is or is not made.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Residential Care Facility means a building or facility used primarily to provide residential, social and personal care for children, the aged or others who suffer some limit on the ability for self-care but where medical care is not a major service. It includes such uses as adult day care facilities, home for the aged and other like use which are not otherwise specifically defined.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Resource Extraction means a use category containing uses that undertake the on-site extraction of surface or sub-surface mineral products or other natural resources. 

Uses in this use category include: borrow pit; mining operation; quarry; oil and gas extraction; sand and gravel operation and other uses meeting the definition of Resource Extraction according to the Director.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Restaurant means a use category containing uses serving food and beverages where all service takes place within an enclosed building or accessory outdoor eating or food dispensing areas.

Uses in this use category include: Baked Goods or Snack Shop; Catering Establishment; Coffee Shop; Ice Cream Shop; Restaurant, Full Service (dine-in only); Restaurant, Limited Service (delivery, carryout, drive-thru); and other uses meeting the definition of Restaurant according to the Director.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

​​​​​​​Restaurant, Limited-Service (delivery, carryout, drive-thru) means a business establishment within which the primary use is prepared food offered for sale in disposable containers and packaged for carryout.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Retail Repair, Sales, And Service means a use category containing establishments or individuals involved in the sale, lease, or rental of new or used products, or providing personal services or repair services to the general public. Refer to the definitions for repair-oriented, sales-oriented, and service-oriented uses.

Uses in this use category include: Art Dealer; Art Supply Store; Auction House; Book, Periodical & Music Store; Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Service; Cemetery Monument Dealer; Clothing & Clothing Accessories Store; Clothing Alterations/Repair Service; Footwear Repair; Consignment/Used Merchandise Store, Convenience Store (without gas sales); Electronic and Appliance Repair;  Electronics & Appliance Rental; Electronics, Camera & Appliance Stores; Florist; Formal Wear & Costume Rental; Funeral Home & Services; Furniture Store; Party Supply/Sporting Goods Rental;  General Merchandise Stores; Gift, Novelty & Souvenir Store; Grocery/Food Store; Hair, Nail & Skin Care Service, Hobby, Toy & Game Store; Jewelry, Luggage and Leather Goods Store; Liquor Sales (ABC store); Musical Instrument & Supplies Store; Personal and Household Goods Repair; Photocopy Services; Sports and Recreation Instruction; Shopping Center; and other uses meeting the definition of Retail Repair, Sales, And Service according to the Director.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Retail Display means describes any activity involving an outdoor display of retail goods and merchandise on premise of the site with the intended principle use to sell material goods.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Salvage Yard means any non-residential property used for the storage, collection, and/or recycling of any type of equipment, and including but not limited to vehicles, appliances and related machinery. 

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Scientific Research & Development Services means a business that engages in research, or research and development, of innovative ideas in technology-intensive fields. Examples include research and development of computer software, information systems, communication systems, transportation, geographic information systems, multi-media and video technology. Development and construction of prototypes may be associated with this use.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

School, Public, or Private Elementary or Secondary means a public, private or parochial school offering instruction at the elementary school level in the branches of learning and study required to be taught in the public schools.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

​​​​​​​Self-Service Storage means a use category containing facilities providing separate storage areas for personal or business use designed to allow private access by the tenant for storing or removing personal property.

Uses in this use category include: Boat Storage; Mini-Warehousing/Self-Storage Leasing; and other uses meeting the definition of Self-Service Storage according to the Director.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Service Station means a lot or building where gasoline, oil, grease and automobile accessories are supplied and dispensed to the motor vehicle trade, or where battery, tire and other similar repair services are rendered.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sexually-Oriented Business means a use category containing any businesses or enterprises that have as one of their principal business purposes or as a significant portion of their business an emphasis on matter and conduct depicting, describing, or related to anatomical areas and sexual activities specified in NCGS § 14-202.10. A "Sexually-Oriented Business" includes any Adult Establishment. (Source: NCGS § 160D-902).

Adult Establishment and other uses meeting the definition of Sexually-Oriented Business according to the Director.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Shopping Center means a group of at least tour commercial establishments located on a tract of land containing at least two acres and planned, developed and managed as a single unit. A shopping mall.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Single-Family Attached Dwelling means two or more single-family dwelling units, each with its own outside entrance and individual lot, which are joined together by a common or party wall which is shared by two or more individual dwelling units along the lot line.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Single-Family Detached Dwelling means a residential building containing not more than one dwelling unit to be occupied by one family, not physically attached to any other principal structure. For regulatory purposes, this term does not include manufactured homes, recreational vehicles, or other forms of temporary or portable housing. Manufactured buildings constructed for use as single-family dwelling units (manufactured home dwellings) are treated similar to single-family detached dwellings.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Solar Farms means a facility used to convert solar energy into electrical power for interconnection with the power grid for primarily off-site energy consumption. Also referred to as a Solar Energy Generation Facility, Solar Power Plant or Solar Photovoltaic Farm.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Swine Farm means a tract of land devoted to raising 250 or more animals of the porcine species. (Source: NCGS § 106-802, Swine Farm Siting Act)

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Swimming Pool A swimming pool and any fence requirements shall be as defined by the North Carolina Building Code, as amended and adopted by the City of Kings Mountain.  

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Tiny Home A tiny home shall mean either a home built to North Carolina State Building Code standards for single-family homes that is less than 600 sq. ft. or a manufactured structure that is not classified as a manufactured home.  The regulations governing each are found within the UDO. 

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Tobacco Store or Vaping Shop means an indoor area operated primarily for the retail sale of tobacco, tobacco products, and smoking devices or accessories, and which derives not less than 65% of its gross receipts from the sale of tobacco and tobacco products. An area shall not be considered a tobacco shop if (1) any of its gross receipts are derived from the sale of cereal malt beverages or alcoholic liquor; or (2) it is located within another business, in whole or in part, that is not exempt from the provisions of this Ordinance; or (3) it has an entrance useable by the public that is located within a business that is not exempt from the provisions of this Ordinance; or (4) the purchase of any tobacco or tobacco product is required for admission into the business.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Tattoo Parlor means an establishment whose principal business activity, either in terms of operation or as held out to the public, is the practice of one or more of the following: (1) placing of designs, letters, figures, symbols, or other marks upon or under the skin of any person, using ink or other substances that result in the permanent coloration of the skin by means of the use of needles or other instruments designed to contact or puncture the skin.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Temporary Vendor means a retail display or food vendor operating in one location not to exceed a specific number of consecutive days.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Title Loan and Check Cashing Services means a consumer loan transaction, including a loan made and secured by a vehicle. It shall not include a purchase money consumer loan or a loan made.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Truck Stop, Travel Plaza means a facility providing services to the trucking industry, including but not limited to the dispensing of fuel, repair shops, automated washes, restaurants, restrooms, scales, and overnight parking facilities.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Truck, Tractor Trailer, or Bus Storage means a parcel of land in which two or more spaces are designed, occupied or intended for occupancy by trucks, tractor trailers, or busses and not for transient dwelling purposes.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Use means the primary purpose for which land or a building is arranged, designed or intended, or for which either land or a building is or may be occupied or maintained. Refer to § 156.30, Land Use Standards (Administrative and Special)
for a listing of various commercial, industrial and residential types of uses.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

University or College means a community college, college, university, vocational, technical or trade schools, language school, business school, training center, beauty school, culinary school, and comparable advanced or continuing education facilities. The phrase does not include fitness centers, sports instruction, swimming instruction, or martial arts instruction.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Utility Strip means the area just outside of the right of way on a public or private road where providers have underground utilities such as electricity, gas, water, and sewer.

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024) 

Effective on: 10/29/2024

​​​​​​​Vehicle Sales and Service means a use category containing establishments related to direct sales of and service to passenger vehicles, light, medium, and heavy trucks and equipment, and other motor vehicles such as motorcycles, boats, and recreational vehicles.

Uses in this use category include: Automobile Repair, Major; Automobile Repair, Minor; Automotive Parts, Tires, and Accessories Sales; Automobile Sales, Rental & Leasing; Automobile Sales, New & Used; Car Wash; Truck Stop or Travel Plaza; and other uses meeting the definition of Vehicle Sales and Service according to the Director.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Veterinarian, Large Animal means an animal hospital or clinic that provides services for horses and other livestock.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Veterinarian, Small Animal (Dogs, Cats, and Exotic Pets) means a use in which medical care is provided for household pets. The phrase does not include medical care for wild animals or livestock.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Warehousing and Storage means a use category containing buildings used for the rental of space to the public for the storage of merchandise, commodities or personal property and where access is under the control of the building management, but excluding the warehousing and storage of explosive, corrosive noxious materials, such as dust, fumes or noise that could be dangerous, injurious, distasteful, pernicious or obnoxious to man, other organisms or properties.

Uses in this use category include: Electronic Shopping & Mail-Order House; Farm Products, Warehousing and Storage; Lumber, Warehousing and Storage; General & Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage; and other uses meeting the definition of Warehousing and Storage according to the Director.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Waste Related Use means a use category containing establishments that receive solid or liquid wastes from others for treatment or transfer to another location and uses that manufacture or produce goods or energy from the large-scale composting of organic material.

Uses in this use category include: Landfill, Demolition; Solid Waste Collection and/or Disposal (Hazardous or Non-Hazardous); Salvage/ Yard; and other uses meeting the definition of Waste-Related Use according to the Director.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Wholesale Trade means a use category of containing establishments involved in the sale, lease, or rent of products to industrial, institutional or commercial enterprises only. The uses emphasize on-site sales or order-taking and often include display areas. The business may or may not be open to the general public. Products may be picked up on-site or delivered to the customer.

Uses in this use category include: Alcoholic Beverage Supply, Auction House (General Merchandise), Building Material Supply (with no outdoor storage), Building Material Supply (with outdoor storage),    Catering Services,  Clothing, Piece Goods & Shoe Supply, Coal & Ore Supply (with outdoor storage), Electronic Equipment and Parts Supply, Equipment Rental & Leasing (with indoor storage), Equipment Rental & Leasing (with outdoor storage), Farm Supply Product Sales (with indoor storage), Farm Supply Product Sales (with outdoor storage), Florist & Nursery Supply (with indoor storage), Florist & Nursery Supply (with outdoor storage), Hardware, Plumbing & Heating Supply, Jewelry Supply, Lawn & Garden Supply (with no outdoor storage or display), Lawn & Garden Supply (with outdoor storage or display), Lumber & Construction Materials (w/ indoor storage), Lumber & Construction Materials (with outdoor storage), Metal & Pipe Supply (with indoor storage), Metal & Pipe Supply (with outdoor storage), Music & Musical Instrument Supply, Nurseries, Paint, Varnish & Paint Supplies, Paper/Paper Product Supply, Pharmaceutical and Drug Supply, Professional & Commercial Equipment Supply, Tobacco/Tobacco Product Sales, and other uses meeting the definition of Wholesale Trade according to the Director.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Zoo means a place where live animals are kept and exhibited to the public. The animals may also be studied, given medical treatment, and bred. The term "zoo" does not include uses that sell live animals.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Alley means a narrow roadway which affords only a secondary means of access to the abutting property and is not intended for general traffic circulation.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Arterial Street means a Federal and/or State highway designed primarily for the movement of large volumes of vehicular traffic from one area to another; a Thoroughfare.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Building Main means the principal structure in which the primary use of the property is undertaken.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Building Occupancy means see "Use".

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Building Setback Line means see "Setback".

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Building, Height of means the vertical distance measured at the front of the building from the lowest ground level finished floor elevation, excluding basements, to the highest point of the building not exempted by the applicable height regulations of this ordinance.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Certificate of Appropriateness means a statement is issued by the city which states that the work proposed by the applicant is consistent with the architectural and historic guidelines for the historic district in which the property is located.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Charity / Non-Profit means a community or faith based organization operating as a vendor as a means of fundraising as related to the organization's mission and regular model of operation.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

City Manager means the city Manager of the city of Kings Mountain.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Clear Zone means the traversable area adjacent to the traveled roadway that is available for an errant vehicle to use if it leaves the roadway. the width of the clear zone is defined in the AASHTO Roadside Design Manual, and varies based on traffic volume, roadside geometry, and speed.

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024) 

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Collector Street means a public way designed primarily to connect Residential Streets with Arterial Streets and/or to provide direct connection between two or more Arterial Streets and which may be designed to carry significant volumes of vehicular traffic having neither origin nor destination on the Street.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Commercial/Industrial Street means a public way designed primarily to connect Minor commercial/Industrial streets with Arterial Streets and/or to provide direct connection between two or more Arterial Streets and which may be designed to carry significant volumes of vehicular traffic having neither origin nor destination on the street.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Common Open Space means the open space land held in common ownership by property or unit owners in a development, normally provided for in the declaration or restrictive covenants and normally in common use.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

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

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Dedication means a gift, by the owner, of a right to use of land for a specified purpose or purposes. Because a transfer of property rights is entailed, Dedication must be made by written instrument and is completed with an acceptance.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Downtown means lots facing South Railroad Avenue, South Battleground Avenue, Cherokee Street, and South Piedmont Avenue between West King Street and West Gold Street.

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024) 

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Easement means a grant of one or more of the property rights by the property owner of a portion of Land for a specified purpose and use by the public, a corporation or other entities.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Family Subdivision means a division of land solely among direct lineal descendants (children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren) and direct lineal ascendants (father, mother, grandfather, and grandmother); and brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Family means any number of persons related by blood, adoption or marriage or no more than four persons not related by blood, adoption or marriage, living together as a single housekeeping unit sharing the same domestic facilities. It does not include congregate residential care facilities; family care and group care facilities; foster homes for children; homes for the aged and infirmed; family-care homes for the aged and infirmed; day care centers; and family day care homes; shelter homes for children and/or families including foster shelter homes and group shelter homes; adult day care centers; day nurseries; preschool centers; hospitals; nursing homes; sanitariums; and dormitories, fraternal organizations, or other organized social or institutional residential situations.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Food Vendor means describes any activity involving an outdoor food vendor on the premise or site with the intended principle use to sell food and/or non-alcoholic beverages in coordination with the rules and regulations established by the Cleveland County and Gaston County health departments.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Frontage means the property abutting on one side of a street measured along the street right-of-way line.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Gambling Gambling for purposes of this ordinance shall be as defined by the State of North Carolina. 

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Handicapped Person means a person with a temporary or permanent physical, emotional or mental disability including but not limited to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, hearing and sight impairments, emotional disturbances and orthopedic impairments, but does not include mentally ill persons who are dangerous to others as defined in section 122-58.2(1)b of the General Statutes of North Carolina, or any amendment thereto.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Landowner means any owner of a legal or equitable interest in real property, including the heirs, devise, successors, assigns and personal representative of such owner. The owner may allow a person holding a valid option to purchase, to act as his agent or representative for purposes of submitting a proposed site specific development plan in the manner allowed by this chapter.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Lighting, Full Cut-Off means a light fixture that directs light downward, where no light is emitted at or above a horizontal plane drawn through the bottom of the fixture, preventing it from spreading in unwanted directions.

(Ord. 24-41, 10/29/2024) 

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Lot Interior means any lot other than a corner lot.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Lot Width means the distance from side lot line to side lot line measured at the minimum front yard setback parallel to the front property line. For lots with a radial side line(s), lot width may be measured at a front yard setback of up to 15 feet greater than the minimum required front yard setback. In such case the point where the minimum lot width is measured shall become the front yard setback for that lot.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Lot Lines means the line forming the perimeter or boundary of the lot.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Lot means a parcel of land, the boundaries of which are established by some legal instrument such as a deed or a recorded plat (but not tax maps) and which is recognized as a separate tract for purposes of transfer of title greater than three years.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Lot of Record means a legally created lot which is a part of a subdivision, a plat of which has been recorded in the office of the register of deeds, or a legally created lot which is described by metes and bounds, the description of which has been so recorded, prior to the effective date of this ordinance, or the date this ordinance becomes effective on any lands hereafter included in the zoning jurisdiction of Kings Mountain.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Lot, Corner means a lot adjacent to or abutting on two streets at their intersection.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Lot, Through means an interior lot having frontage on two streets.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Lott Depth means the depth of a lot is the distance measured in the mean direction of the sidelines of the lot from the midpoint of the front line to the midpoint of the opposite or main rear line of the lot.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Net Residential Area (Net Land) means that portion of a development or project sites designated for residential lots and related common open space areas excluding dedicated public rights-of-way.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Neighborhood Amenity is a specific improvement or contribution on accessible open space that enhances the quality of life for a neighborhood and includes, but is not limited to, public spaces, playgrounds, trails, sport courts, and/or other facilities, which meet a range of social, environmental, cultural, recreational and infrastructure needs of the community. A minimum of one amenity meeting the small neighborhood amenity standards as defined in section 156.50.08 must be installed per approved subdivision.

(Ord. 23-24, 08/29/2023) 

Effective on: 8/29/2023

Nude or State of Nudity means 1. the appearance of a human anus, male genitals or female genitals; or 2. a state of dress which fails to opaquely cover a human anus t male genitals or female genitals.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Open Space means any land area not occupied by building, structures, parking spaces, storage areas, open or enclosed balconies, patios, porches or decks, excluding, however, any land encroaching or located within a right-of-way or easement is not considered open space. Open area in any required setback or land used for sidewalks, landscaping and grassing shall be considered open spaces.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Overlay District means a zoning district which overlay and combines with one of the principal zoning districts established by the Ordinance. In such case the property involved is subject to the requirement of both districts.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Planned Unit Development means a tract of land under single corporation, firm, partnership or association ownership, or otherwise under unified ownership, planned and developed as integral unit in a single development scheme or a well defined series of development operations in accordance with an approved site plan.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Planning and Zoning Board means the planning and zoning Board of the city of Kings Mountain, North Carolina.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Property means all property subject to zoning regulations and restrictions and zone boundaries within the zoning jurisdiction of the City.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Recreation or Travel Trailer means a vehicular, portable, structure built on a chassis designed to be used as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational and vacation uses, permanently identified as a travel trailer by the manufacturer of the unit.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Required Drainage Channel means the theoretical stream bed section which is required to discharge the runoff from a one-hundred-year storm.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Reservation means an obligation, shown on a plat or site plan, to keep property free from development and available for public acquisition for a stated period of time. It is not a Dedication or conveyance.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Reserve Strip means a strip of land (usually only a few feet wide) owned privately, and set as ide around a subdivision in order to prevent access to adjacent property by way of subdivision Streets.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Residential Street means those Streets whose primary function is to provide direct access to residential property. Minor residential streets typically collect traffic from not more than 100 dwelling units. Commercial-Industrial. Those streets whose primary function is to provide direct access to commercial-industrial property. Cul-de-sac. A short Minor Street having one end open to traffic and the other end permanently terminated with a vehicular turnaround. Street, Half. A proposed vehicular travelway intended to be developed by constructing one-half of a required width of a street with the remainder to be provided at some future date. Street, Private. A vehicular travelway not accepted as a public Street.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Reverse Frontage Lot means a through lot which is not accessible from one of the parallel or non-intersecting streets upon which it fronts.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Screen means a devise such as a fence or planting area used to visually separate property.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Seasonal means temporary retail or food vendors business operating on recurring basis, example: Christmas tree lot or ice cream sold during the summer months.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Setback means the horizontal distance from the property line or street right-of-way line to the nearest part of the applicable building, structure, sign, or use, measured perpendicularly to the line.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Sign means a type of advertisement used by companies and individuals to attract or inform others about a business, event, or cause. Signs can be attached or freestanding, permanent or temporary. 

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024)

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Sign, Attached means a sign that is affixed or mounted on the exterior of a building, including but not limited to, wall signs, projecting signs, and awning signs. Some, like wall signs and projecting signs, require plans designed by a North Carolina Professional Engineer. Generally only one attached sign shall be permitted per business.

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024)

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Sign, Awning means a sign painted or printed onto a canopy or awning advertising a business on site. 

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024)

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Sign, Campaign means any sign advertising one or more candidates, political parties, or issues, to be voted upon on a definite election day.

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024)

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Sign, Freestanding means any sign that is not affixed or attached to a building and is securely and permanently mounted in the ground. These include pylon signs and monument signs. Generally only one freestanding sign shall be permitted per business. 

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024)

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Sign, Government means a temporary or permanent sign erected and maintained for any government purpose.

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024)

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Sign, Incidental means a sign used in conjunction with equipment or other functional elements of a use or operation. These include, but are not limited to, drive through window menu boards, signs for ATM's, gas pumps, handicap parking, and vending machines.

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024)

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Sign, Memorial or Plaque means a sign memorializing a person, event, structure, or site.

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024)

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Sign, Nonconforming means any sign that was lawfully erected and maintained in compliance with applicable code provisions at the time of build, but does not meet the provisions as they currently are.

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024)

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Sign, Projecting means a wall sign that extends perpendicular to the wall facing, and acts as an identifying sign for an on-premise business. These are typically found in businesses in a downtown area so pedestrians can easily identify upcoming businesses.

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024)

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Sign, Public Interest means a sign that displays information pertinent to the safety or legal responsibilities of the general public such as warning and no trespassing signs.

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024)

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Sign, Pylon means a freestanding sign, sometimes called a pole sign, that is usually supported by one or two poles, commonly made with an aluminum or steel frame with a rigid or flexible face. They display messages on one side or two sides and can be illuminated. 

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024)

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Sign, Vehicular means a sign wrapped on a vehicle advertising a product or to direct people to a business located on the same or nearby property.

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024)

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Sign, Wall means a permanent sign directly attached to an exterior wall of a building with its exposed face parallel to the plane of the building on which the sign is affixed. A sign directly painted on walls shall be deemed a wall sign.

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024)

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Sign, Window means a painted or printed sign in a building window intended to be seen primarily or entirely from outside the building. These can be in addition to an affixed wall sign. 

(Ord. 24-42, 10/29/2024)

Effective on: 10/29/2024

Site Specific Development Plan means a plan which has been submitted to the City by a landowner describing with reasonable certainty the type and intensity of use for a specific parcel or parcels of property.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Solar Farm Overlay (Zone) means one of the land use category named zoning districts enabled by the overlay district provisions of the City of Kings Mountain Zoning Ordinance and regulating development by effectively adding requirements and standards to those of the underlying residential, business, or industrial zoning districts.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Solar Farm Overlay District means a mapped area of the category called Solar Farm Overlay (Zone) which may be as small as a portion of one parcel. By inference the regulations of the zoning ordinance apply to the district as mapped on the City of Kings Mountain Zoning Map.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Stacking Space means a space to store an automobile off-street while waiting in line for a drive- through service such as an automatic teller service.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Storm, 100-Year means the surface runoff resulting from a rainfall of an intensity expected to be equal led or exceeded, on the average, once in 100 years and of a duration which will produce the maximum peak rate of runoff for the watershed of interest under average antecedent wetness conditions.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Storm, 10-Year means the surface runoff resulting from a rainfall of an intensity expected to be equal led or exceeded, on the average, once in 10 years and of a duration which will produce the maximum peak rate of runoff for the watershed of interest under average antecedent wetness conditions.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Storm, 25-Year means the surface runoff resulting from a rainfall of an intensity expected to be equal led or exceeded, on the average, once in 25 years and of a duration which will produce the maximum peak rate of runoff for the watershed of interest under average antecedent wetness conditions.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Street Private means a vehicular travel way not dedicated as a public street.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Street Public means a public right-of-way for vehicular travel which has been constructed and then dedicated to and accepted by the City of Kings Mountain or the North Carolina Department of Transportation for public use or which has been otherwise obtained by such agencies for such use or which is proposed to be constructed and then dedicated to and accepted by such agencies as a public right-of-way for vehicular traffic for public use pursuant to the Code.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Street means a public right-of-way for vehicular travel which has been constructed and then dedicated to and accepted by the city of Kings Mountain or the North Carolina Department of Transportation for public use or which has been otherwise obtained by such agencies for such use or which is proposed to be constructed and then dedicated to and accepted by such agencies as a public right-of-way for vehicular traffic for public use pursuant to this Ordinance. street classifications are as follows:

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Street Yard means the space adjacent to the right of way in front of nonresidential lots where landscaping may be required. 

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Streetline means the line where the edge of the right-of-way of a street meets the abutting property.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Structural Alterations means any change, except for the repair or replacement, in the supporting members of a building such as load bearing walls, columns, beams or girders.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Structure means anything constructed or erected which requires location on the ground or attached to something having location on the ground.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Subdivider means a person engaging in the act of subdividing property.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Subdivision Administrator means the Planning Director of the city of Kings Mountain.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Subdivision means all divisions of a tract or parcel of land into two or more Lots, building sites, or other divisions for the purpose of sale or building development (whether immediate or future) and shall include all divisions of land involving the Dedication of a new street or a change in existing Streets; but the following shall not be included within this definition nor be subject to the regulations of this Ordinance; provided, however, that any document or plat to be recorded pursuant to any such exclusion shall bear the notation "No approval required" and the signature of the subdivision Administrator or his designated agent before being presented for filing with the office of the Register of Deeds: (1)The combination or recombination of portions of previously subdivided and recorded Lots where the total number of Lots is not increased and the resultant Lots are equal to or exceed the standards of this Ordinance; (2) The division of land into parcels greater than 10 acres where no street right-of-way Dedication is involved; (3) The public acquisition by purchase of strips of land for the widening or opening of Streets or the provision of public utilities; (4) The division of a tract in single ownership whose entire area is no greater than two acres into not more than three Lots, where no Street right-of-way Dedication is involved and where the resultant Lots are equal to or exceed the standards of this Ordinance; and (5) The division of land into burial plots where no Street right-of-way Dedication is involved.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Temporary means a period of time not to exceed a specific number of consecutive days, which are detailed in the permit and fees section.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Territorial Jurisdiction means the city Limits and the Extraterritorial Area of the city of Kings Mountain as now or may be hereafter established.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Thoroughfare Plan means the Thoroughfare plan as adopted by the city council of the city of Kings Mountain and as may from time to time be amended.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Through Lot means a lot abutting two streets that do not intersect at the corner of the lot.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Townhouse means a single-family dwelling unit constructed in a series or group of attached units with property lines separating each such unit.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Vested Right or Zoning Vested Right means the right to undertake and complete the development and use of the property under the terms and conditions of an approved site specific development plan.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Video Gaming Machine means a video gaming machine means a slot machine as defined in G.S. 140306(a) and other forms of electrical, mechanical, or computer games such as by way of illustration: 1 A video poker game or any other kind of video playing card game. 2 A video bingo game. 3 A video craps game. 3 A video keno game. 4 Eight liner. 5 Pot-of-gold. 6 A video game based on or involving the random or chance matching different pictures, word, numbers, or symbols not dependent on the skill or dexterity of the player.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Yard Front means a yard extending across the full width of the lot and extending from the closest front wall of the building to the property line or established edge of a right-of-way, whichever is closer.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Yard means an open space located on the same lot with a building, unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward, except by trees, shrubbery or as otherwise provided herein. A yard is the area created by a setback.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Yard Rear means a yard extending across the full width of the lot and extending from the closest rear wall of the main building to the rear of the property.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Yard Side means a yard which extends from the closest side wall of a building to the nearest side property line or the established edge of the street right-of-way, whichever is closer, if the lot is a corner lot.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Zero Lot Line Development means an alternate form of dimensional requirements that allows a dwelling unit to have one side setback of zero feet. This definition does not include townhouses.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Zoning Enforcement Officer means an employee of the city of Kings Mountain who is assigned primary responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the zoning ordinance.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Zoning Permit means a permit issued by the city conferring the right to undertake and complete the development of and use of property as set forth in 156.100.04, Zoning Permit.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Zoning Permit with Vested Rights means a permit issued by the city concerning the right to undertake and complete the development of and use of property under the terms and conditions of an approved site specific development plan as set forth in 156.90.01.N, Vested Rights.

Effective on: 1/1/1901