Offices or private firms or organizations which are primarily used for the provision of executive, management, or administrative services. Typical uses include administrative offices, and services including real estate, insurance, property management, investment, personal, travel, secretarial services, telephone answering, photocopy and reproduction, and business offices of public utilities, organizations and associations, or other use classifications when the service rendered is that customarily associated with administrative office services.

Offices, administrative, clerical, or public contract services that deal directly with the citizen, together with incidental storage and maintenance of necessary vehicles. Typical uses include federal, state, county, and city offices.

Establishments or places of business engaged in sale from the premises of feed, grain, fertilizers, pesticides, and similar goods or in the provision of agriculturally related services with incidental storage on lots other than where the service is rendered. Typical uses include hay, feed and grain stores, and tree service firms.

Establishments or places or [of] business primarily engaged in automotive related or heavy equipment sales or services. The following are automotive, and equipment use types:

Landing fields, aircraft parking and service facilities, and related facilities for operation, service, fueling, repair, storage, charter, sales, and rental or [of] aircraft, and including activities directly associated with the operation and maintenance of airport facilities and the provision of safety and security.

Use of a site for retail sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, including taverns, bars, cocktail lounges, and similar uses, that derive 75 percent or more of the establishment's gross revenue from the on-premise sale of alcoholic beverages.

Establishment that holds, and is limited to, a Texas Manufacturer's License (BA) or Brewer's Permit (B) in which beer is produced in a quantity that exceeds the maximum volume specified in the Texas Brewpub License (BA) as established in the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code.

Establishment that holds, and is limited to, a Texas Brewpub License (LP) along with a Wine and Beer Retailer's Permit (BG) as found in the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code in which beer is produced on the premises and may also include on-site consumption, sale, and distribution. Food sales or a restaurant may also be included as well.

Establishments primarily engaged in the provision of maintenance and custodial services to firms rather than individuals. Typical uses include janitorial, landscape maintenance, or window cleaning services.

A use providing education or training in business, commerce, language, or other similar activity or occupational pursuit, and not otherwise defined as a home occupation, college, or university, or public or private educational facility.

Establishments or places of business primarily engaged in the sale, rental or repair of equipment and supplies used by office, professional and service establishments to the firms themselves rather than to individuals, but excludes automotive, construction and farm equipment. Typical uses include office equipment and supply firms, small business machine repair shops, hotel equipment and supply firms.

Campground facilities providing camping and/or parking areas and incidental services for travelers in recreational vehicles or tents. Typical uses include recreational vehicle parks.

Land used or intended to be used for the burial of the dead and dedicated for cemetery purposes, including columbariums, crematoriums, mausoleums, and mortuaries when operated in conjunction with and within the boundary of such cemetery.

A use providing meeting, recreational, or social facilities for a private or nonprofit association, primarily for use by members and guests. Typical uses include private social clubs and fraternal organizations.

Establishment or places of business engaged in the preparation and retail sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, including taverns, bars[,] cocktail lounges, and similar uses other than a restaurant as that term is defined herein.

Educational institutions of higher learning which offer a course of study designed to culminate in the issuance of a degree as defined by the Education Code of the State of Texas.

Establishment or places of business primarily engaged in providing sports, entertainment, or recreation for participants or spectators. The following are commercial recreational use types:

Establishments primarily engaged in the provision of broadcasting and other information relay services accomplished through the use of electronic and telephonic mechanisms but excluding those classified as Major Utility Facilities. Typical uses include television studios, telecommunication service centers, telegraph service offices, film recording, sound recording, and cable television operations.

A recreational facility for use by residents and guests of a particular residential development, planned unit development, church, private primary educational facility, private secondary educational facility, club, or lodge, or limited residential neighborhood, including both indoor and outdoor facilities.

The use of a site for four or more dwellings units intended for separate ownership, together with common area serving all dwelling units.

Establishments or places of business primarily engaged in construction activities and incidental storage on lots other than construction sites as well as the retail or wholesale sale, from the premises, of materials used in the construction of buildings or other structures, but excluding retail sale of paint, fixture, and hardware, and those classified as one of the Automotive and Equipment Service use types. Typical uses include building materials stores, tool equipment rental or sales, building, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical contractors.

Establishments which provide services, primarily to individuals, of a convenient and limited nature, often in access-controlled facilities which make twenty-four-hour operation possible. Typical uses include the renting of private postal and safety deposit boxes to individuals and automated banking machines.

Establishments primarily engaged in the provision of repair services to individuals and households rather than firms but excluding Automotive and Equipment Service use types. Typical uses include appliance repair shops, watch or jewelry repair shops, or musical instrument repair shops.

A use providing bed care and in-patient services for persons requiring regular medical attention, such as nursing home, but excluding facilities providing surgical or emergency medical services, facilities providing care for alcoholism, drug addiction, mental disease, or communicable disease.

Storage services primarily for personal effects and household goods within enclosed storage areas having individual access, but excluding uses such as workshops, hobby shops, manufacturing, or commercial activity. Typical uses include mini-warehousing and mini-storage units.

A library, museum, or similarly registered nonprofit organizational use displaying, preserving, and exhibiting objects of community and cultural interest.

A publicly operated use providing housing and care for individuals legally confined.

Means premises where spirit is manufactured and includes every place therein where it is stored or wherefrom it is issued.

Facilities provided by an establishment or place of business for the purpose of allowing a customer or patron to transact business, whether it be pick-up, drop-off, ordering, or service, from a motor vehicle.

The use of site for two dwelling units, within a single building, other than a mobile home or modular home.

A use engaged in the preparation and retail sale of food and beverages, including sale of alcoholic beverages when conducted as an accessory or secondary feature and producing less than fifty (50) percent of the gross income. A general restaurant may include live entertainment with amplified sound. Typical uses include restaurants, coffee shops, dinner houses, dinner theater, and similar establishments with incidental alcoholic beverage service.

Services related to the eradication and control of rodents, insects, and other pests, with incidental storage on lots other than where the service is rendered.

Establishments primarily engaged in the provision of financial and banking services. Typical uses include banks, savings and loan institutions, loan and lending activities, and similar services.

A business that serves alcoholic beverages and has applied for and received a food and beverage certificate from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission because the business received 60 percent or less of its revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Establishments or places of business primarily engaged in the retail sale of food (with incidental sale of beer and wine) or household products for home consumption. Typical uses include groceries, delicatessens, meat markets, retail bakeries, and candy shops. Restaurants are specifically excluded from this definition.

Establishments engaged in undertaking services such as preparing the human dead for burial and arranging and managing funerals. Typical uses include funeral homes or mortuaries.

Shall mean a for-profit business located in a building or place that contains:

Agricultural use types include the on-site production of plant and animal products by agricultural methods.

Civic use types include the performance of utility, educational, recreational, cultural, medical, productive, governmental, and other uses which are strongly vested with public or social importance.

Commercial use types include the sale, rental, service, and distribution of goods, and the provision of services other than those classified as Industrial or Civic Uses.

Industrial use types include the on-site extraction or production of goods by methods not agricultural, and storage and distribution of products.

Residential use types include the occupancy of living accommodations on a wholly or primarily non-transient basis.

Sale or rental of commonly used goods, and merchandise for personal or household use. Typical uses include providing the following products or furniture stores, and establishments providing the following products or services: household cleaning and maintenance products, drugs, cards, stationery, notions, books, tobacco products, cosmetics, and specialty items, flowers, plants, hobby materials, toys, and handcrafted items; apparel, jewelry, fabrics, and like items; cameras, photography services, household electronic equipment, records, sporting equipment, kitchen utensils, home furnishing appliances, art supplies and framing, arts, and antiques, paint and wallpaper, carpeting and floor covering, interior decorating services, office supplies, bicycles, and auto parts (inside a building with no repair services).

The use of a site for residential occupancy of living accommodations by groups of more than six persons not defined as a family, on a weekly or longer basis. Typical uses include occupancy of fraternity or sorority houses, dormitories, residence halls, halfway houses, or boarding houses.

A use providing counseling, guidance, recuperative, or similar services to persons requiring rehabilitation assistance as a result of mental illness, alcoholism, detention, drug addiction, or similar condition, on a daytime care basis.

A use engaged in the basic processing and manufacturing of materials or products predominately from extracted or raw materials, or a use engaged in storage, or manufacturing processes utilizing flammable or explosive materials, or storage or manufacturing processes which potentially involve hazardous or commonly recognized offensive conditions.

The growing of horticulture and floricultural specialties, such as flowers, shrubs, or trees intended for ornamental or landscaping purposes, but excluding retail sales. Typical uses include wholesale plant nurseries and greenhouses.

Lodging services involving the provision of room and/or board. Typical uses include hotels, motels and inns.

Boarding and care services for dogs, cats, and similar small animals. Typical uses include boarding kennels, pet motels, or dog training centers.

Establishments primarily engaged in the provision of laundering, dry cleaning or dyeing services other than those classified as Personal Services. Typical uses include bulk laundry and cleaning plants, diaper services, or linen supply services.

A use engaged in the manufacture, predominantly from previously prepared materials, of finished products or parts, including processing, fabrication, assembly, treatment, and packaging of such products, and incidental storage, sales, and distribution of such products, but excluding basic industrial processing. Typical uses include winery, sheet metal shop, welding shop and machine shop.

Establishments or places of business engaged in retail sale for consumption off the premises of alcoholic beverages. Typical uses include liquor stores, bottle shops, or any licensed sale of liquor beer or wine for off-site consumption.

Services which are necessary to support principal development and involve only minor structures such as lines and poles which are necessary to support principal development.

A facility supporting maintenance, repair, vehicular or equipment servicing, material storage, and similar activities, including corporation yards, equipment service centers, and similar uses having characteristics of commercial services or contracting or industrial activities.

Generating plants, electrical switching facilities and primary substations, refuse collection or disposal facilities, water and wastewater treatment plants, and similar facilities.

The use of a site for residential occupancy of a manufactured home (or mobile home if on premises prior to the adoption of this Code) on a weekly or longer basis. Typical uses include mobile home parks or mobile home subdivisions. An incorporated city may prohibit the installation of a mobile home for use or occupancy as a residential dwelling within its corporate limits. Any such prohibition must be prospective and shall not apply to a mobile home previously legally permitted and used or occupied as a residential dwelling within the city. Permits for such use and occupancy must be granted by an incorporated city for the replacement of a mobile home within its corporate limits with a HUD-Code manufactured home. (Texas Revised Civil Statutes, Article 5221-f(4A)).

A use providing consultation, diagnosis, therapeutic, preventative, or corrective personal treatment services by doctors, dentists, medical and dental laboratories, physical therapists, optometrists, and similar practitioners of medical and healing arts for humans licensed for such practice by the State of Texas.

Military facilities of the federal and state governments.

A dwelling that is manufactured in two or more modules at a location other than the home site and which is designed as residence when the modules are transported to the home site, and the modules are joined together and installed on a permanent foundation system in accordance with the appropriate Code requirements. Modular residence construction shall be in accordance with the Texas Manufactured Housing Standards Act and shall include the plumbing, heating/air conditioning and electrical systems to be contained in the structure. The term modular home or residence shall not mean nor apply to a mobile home as defined in the Texas Manufactured Housing Standards Act, nor is it to include building modules incorporating concrete or masonry as a primary component.

The use of a site for three or more dwelling units, within one or more buildings.

Publicly owned and operated parks, playgrounds, recreation facilities, and open spaces.

A use engaged in the loaning of money on the security of property pledged in the keeping of the pawnbroker, and the incidental sale of such property.

Establishment or places of business primarily engaged in providing informational, instructional, personal improvement and similar services of a nonprofessional nature. Typical uses include photography studios, driving schools, health, or physical fitness studios, reducing salons, dance studios, handicraft and hobby instruction.

Establishments or places of business primarily engaged in providing frequently or recurrently needed services of a personal nature. Typical uses include beauty salons, barber shops, seamstresses, tailors, shoe repair shops, tanning salons, dry cleaning pick-up station services, and coin-operated laundries.

Retail sales, veterinary services, grooming, boarding when totally within a building, of dogs, cats, birds, fish, and similar small animals customarily used as household pets. Typical uses include pet stores, small clinics, dog bathing and clipping salons, and pet grooming shops but excluding uses for livestock and large animals.

A use providing professional or consulting services in the fields of law, architecture, design engineering, accounting, and similar professions.

Railroad yards, equipment servicing facilities, and terminal facilities.

A use located in a permanent or temporary building and providing regular organized religious worship and religious education incidental thereto, but excluding private primary or private secondary educational facilities, community recreational facilities, and parking facilities. A property tax exemption obtained pursuant to Property Tax Code of the State of Texas shall constitute prima facie evidence of religious assembly use.

Establishments primarily engaged in research of an industrial or scientific nature but excluding product testing. Typical uses include electronics research laboratories, space research and development firms, and pharmaceutical research.

A use involving the on-site extraction of surface or subsurface mineral products or natural resources. Typical uses include quarries, borrow pits, sand and gravel operations, oil and gas extraction, and mining operations.

Facilities for the conduct of public safety and emergency services, including police and fire protection services and emergency medical and ambulance services.

Places of business primarily engaged in the storage, sale, dismantling or other processing of used or waste materials which are not intended for reuse in their original forms. Typical uses include automotive wrecking yards, junkyards, or salvage yards.

An integrated grouping of commercial activity, primarily of a retail and personal service nature, in a building complex having the individual establishments joined by a common covered pedestrian mall or walkway.

A single-family dwelling constructed as part of a series of dwellings, all of which are either attached to the adjacent dwelling or dwellings by party walls or are located immediately adjacent thereto with no visible separation. Included under this use category is townhouse and condominium.

The use of a site for only one dwelling unit, other than mobile home or modular home.

Boarding, breeding, or raising of horses not owned by the occupants of the premises or riding of horses by other than the occupants of the premises or their nonpaying guests. Typical uses include boarding stables or public stables.

Stockyard services involving the temporary keeping of livestock for slaughter, market or shipping. Typical uses include stockyards and animal sales in auction yards.

The use of a site for two or more townhouse dwelling units, constructed with common or abutting walls each located on a separate ground parcel within the total development site, together with common area serving all dwelling units.

A facility for loading, unloading, and interchange of passengers, baggage, and incidental freight or package express between modes or [of] transportation, including bus terminals, railroad stations, airport terminals, and public transit facilities.

A commercial establishment that sells vaping products, including e-cigarettes, e-liquids, or related accessories, including flavored vaping products as defined herein. This definition shall be construed to include establishments known variously as retail tobacco stores, tobacco product shops, hookah cafes, tobacco clubs, tobacco bars, smoke lounges, smoke shops, vape lounges and similar establishments but shall not include an establishment which derives more than 50 percent of its gross revenue from food, beverage or gasoline fuel sales.

Veterinary services and hospitals for animals. Typical uses include pet clinics, dog and cat hospitals, and veterinary hospitals for livestock and large animals.

Establishments or places of business primarily engaged in wholesaling, storage, distribution and handling of materials and equipment other than live animals and plants. The following are wholesaling, storage and distribution use types:

Means any place or premises in which wine is manufactured from any fruit, or brandies are distilled as a byproduct of wine or other fruit, or cordials are compounded, except a place or premises that manufactures wine for sacramental purposes exclusively.

A permitted sign erected on property in conjunction with a particular use that has been discontinued for a period of 30 days or more.

Any motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer, or watercraft that is inoperative and left unattended on public or private property; or that has remained illegally on public or private property; or that has remained on public or private property and (a) does not display valid registration plates or (b) displays registration plates of another vehicle.

A portion of a roadway designed to allow vehicles to safely decelerate for turns onto intersecting streets or safely accelerate to merge with the prevailing traffic flow.

A residential use, structure, or building incidental to the principal permitted or conditionally approved use on a site, whether comprising a portion of the principal structure on the site or located within an accessory structure or building.

A building or use that is all of the following: a) constructed or located on the same zoning as the main building, or use served, except as may be specifically provided elsewhere in this Ordinance; b) clearly incidental to, subordinate in purpose to, and serving the principal use; and c) either in the same ownership as the principal structure, building or use or is clearly operated and maintained solely for the comfort, convenience, necessity, or benefit of the occupants, employees, customers, or visitors of the principal use.

Abutting and directly connected to or bordering.

Property that touches or is directly across a street from the subject property.

In the case of the granting of an administrative exception, an allowance for adjustment of a numerical standard by the City Manager or Board of Adjustment may be made, up to 10% from the minimum or maximum numerical standard. The standard is measured in decimal numbers, not percentages. For example, a 15-foot setback could be adjusted by +/- 1.5 feet. And a 35% impervious cover limit (0.35) could be adjusted upwards by 10% up to 38.5% or 0.10 x 0.35 = 0.385, instead of the original 35%.

Those decisions that are made by the City Manager.

That person designated by the City Council to administer and enforce the provisions of this Unified Development Code.

means, but is not limited to, an adult arcade, adult bookstore, adult cabaret, adult lounge, adult novelty shop, adult service business, or adult theater.

Farming activities, including but not limited to plowing, tillage, cropping, installation of best management practices, seeding, cultivating, and harvesting for production of food and fiber products (except commercial logging and timber harvesting operations), the grazing and raising of livestock, aquaculture, sod production, orchards, nursery, and other products cultivated as part of a recognized commercial enterprise.

Land carried on the Williamson County Appraisal District tax rolls as agricultural land, or which is used for the purpose of conducting agricultural activities.

The use of land for the production and primary processing of food and fibers for sale, including cultivating, dairying, horticulture, pasturing, floriculture, silviculture, viticulture, animal and poultry husbandry, and such incidental accessory facilities as greenhouses and nurseries, provided that the operation of such accessory facilities shall be clearly secondary to normal agricultural activities. Agriculture includes, but is not limited to, the related activities of tillage, fertilization, pest control, harvesting, and marketing. It also includes, but is not limited to, the activities of feeding, housing, and maintaining of animals such as cattle, dairy cows, sheep, goats, hogs, horses, and poultry and handling their byproducts.

The total number of units permitted by the City for a tract of land. Allowable Density is based on the Gross Density and then factoring in the lot standards from Table 5.1 [4-4]).

An amended plat is used to correct errors or omissions as long as it does not remove covenants Amended Plat - Any changes made to an approved preliminary or final plat. Also see grade elevation and grade-related terms.

A multifamily dwelling unit.

The grade of the finished ground level at the midpoint of each exterior surface of a sign, or that of a structure to which a sign has been attached.

A sign constructed on a single set of supports with messages visible on any side.

Any animated, rotating, fluttering or nonstationary device made of flexible materials designed to attract attention.

That portion of a building having more than one-half (1/2) of its height below lot grade elevation.

A house that is used as a lodging facility for paying guests. A Bed and Breakfast is generally a smaller lodging facility than a hotel.

Conservation practices or systems of practices and management measures that control soil loss and reduce water quality degradation caused by nutrients, animal waste, toxicants, and sediment. Agricultural BMPs include, but are not limited to, strip cropping, terracing, contour stripping, grass waterways, animal waste structures, ponds, minimal tillage, grass and naturally vegetated filter strips, and proper nutrient application measures. BMPs [sic]

An area of land bounded by streets, or by a combination of streets and public parks, cemeteries, railroad rights-of-way, banks of waterways, or municipal boundary lines.

The properties abutting on one side of a street and lying between two nearest intersecting or intercepting streets, or nearest intersecting or intercepting street, nonsubdivided land, watercourse, or municipal boundary.

The BOA reviews and makes recommendations of on [sic] an appeal of an Administrative Decision and Administrative Exception or Variance to a zoning decision.

A residential building or portion thereof, other than a motel, or hotel, which contains lodging rooms which that accommodate not more than 20 persons who are not members of the keeper’s family. Lodging with or without meals is provided for compensation on a weekly or monthly basis.

means a group of two (2) or more organizations where the same five (5) or fewer common owners own a controlling interest in each group and taking into account the ownership of each common owner only to the extent ownership is identical with respect to each organization, the common owners are in control of more than fifty (50) percent of each organization.

Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District

A strip or area of land, identified on a site plan or in a zoning ordinance, established to separate one type of land use from another land use. Normally, the area is landscaped or kept in open space use.

A building surrounded by an open space on the same lot.

The vertical distance measured from the finished grade elevation to the highest point of the underside of the building beams, in the case of a flat roof; to the deck line of a mansard roof; and to the mean level of the under side of rafters between the eaves and the ridge of a gable, hip, or gambrel roof.

An agent of the City who inspects building construction for plan/permit compliance.

A written authorization to construct, erect, or alter a structure or building as issued by the City Manager.

Any building which houses a primary or principal use of the land on which it is located.

A line measured a distance specified by this ordinance from the front, rear, and side lot lines on which no building or structure may be erected.

The diameter of a tree trunk measured at four feet above the root collar.

A roof-like structure of a permanent nature which may be freestanding or projected from a wall of a building or its supports.

Any type of building sign attached to, in any manner, or made a part of a canopy.

Canopy trees are trees that occupy the uppermost layer in a forest.

Land used for the burial of the dead, and dedicated for cemetery purposes, including columbaria, crematories, mausoleums, and mortuaries, when operated in conjunction with and within the boundary of such cemetery.

The certificate issued by the City Manager or designee that permits the use of a building or premises in accordance with the approved plans or permits and the provisions of law for the use and occupancy of the building in its several parts, together with any special stipulations or conditions of the building permit.

Any place, home or institution that receives nine (9) or more children under the age of fourteen (14) years, and not of common parentage, for care apart from their natural parents, legal guardians, or custodians, when received for regular periods of time for compensation, provided that this definition shall not include public or private schools organized, operated, or approved under Texas laws, custody of children fixed by a court of competent jurisdiction, children related by blood or marriage within the third degree to the custodial person, or to churches or other religious or public institutions caring for children within the institutional building while their parents or legal guardians are attending service, activities, or meetings.

The Mayor and City Council for the City of Liberty Hill.

The removal of trees and brush from the land not including the ordinary mowing of grass.

A building in which one or more specializing physicians and/or dentists have their offices. A clinic shall not include in-patient care (i.e., no overnight accommodation of patients).

A development concept which encourages and permits variations in residential developments by allowing deviation in lot size, type of dwelling, lot coverage and open space from that which is normally required in the applicable zoning district. Dwelling units are concentrated in a selected area or selected areas of the development tract in order to provide natural habitat or other open space uses (including agriculture) on the remainder.

shall mean owned by the same person or owned by persons within a parentsubsidiary group, brother-sister group, or a combination of those groups subject to the constructive ownership and attribution rules located in the Internal Revenue Code, I.R.C. section 1563(e).

shall mean a construction activity that is completed in separate stages, separate phases, or in combination with other construction activities. A common plan of development (also known as a “common plan of development or sale”) is identified by the documentation for the construction project that identifies the scope of the project, and may include plats, blueprints, marketing plans, contracts, building permits, a public notice or hearing, zoning requests, or other similar documentation and activities. A common plan of development does not necessarily include all construction projects within the jurisdiction of a public entity (e.g. a City or County). Construction of roads or buildings in different parts of the jurisdiction would be considered separate “common plans,” with only the interconnected parts of a project being considered part of a “common plan” (e.g. a building and its associated parking lot and driveways, a building complex, etc.). Where discrete construction projects occur within a larger common plan of development or sale, but are located one-half (1/2) mile or more apart, and the area between the projects is not being disturbed, each individual project can be treated as a separate plan of development or sale, provided that any interconnecting road, pipeline or utility project that is part of the same “common plan” is not included in the area to be disturbed.

Any radio, television or communication antenna or tower for uplink, downlink, relay, broadcast or reception of communication signals, but not including either mobile transmitters and receivers or any such facilities with a transmission power of less than seven (7) watts.

Community service is a use that can be allowed in a residential area with a special use permit. Community Service is for such uses for volunteer service organizations, church services, and other similar services for the benefit of the community (not necessarily a City service).

A sign that advertises or solicits support for a nonprofit community use, public use or social institution. Such signs may include, but shall not be limited to: seasonal holidays such as Christmas or Easter, school or religious activities, sports boosters, or events of community interest. Such signs shall be placed only by: units of local, state or federal governments; nonprofit organizations; schools, the chamber of commerce; or normally recognized religious organizations.

Any system, whether publicly or privately owned, serving multiple lots, dwelling units, businesses, commercial or industrial establishments for the collection, transportation and disposal of sewage or industrial wastes of liquid nature, including various devices for the treatment of such sewage and industrial wastes.

A source of water and a distribution system, including treatment and storage facilities, whether publicly or privately owned, serving or providing potable water to multiple lots, dwelling units, businesses or commercial or industrial developments.

Evidence that people of ordinary prudence would rely on in conducting their own affairs.

The adopted City of Liberty Hill Drainage Master Plan.

The Comprehensive Plan of The City of Liberty Hill, as approved by the City Council, including any amendments. or extensions.

The adopted City of Liberty Hill Utility Plan.

A specific use that would not be appropriate generally or without restriction, the granting of which shall be based upon a finding by the Planning and Zoning Commission that certain conditions governing the proposed conditional use as detailed in this Ordinance Code exist, that the use conforms to the Comprehensive Plan and that it is compatible with the existing neighborhood.

The maps, drawings, and specifications indicating the proposed location and design of improvements to be installed in a subdivision/site plan.

Williamson County, Texas.

A public road or street which that is part of the Highway Maintenance System of Williamson County.

Features which that have been determined to be of critical importance to the protection of one or more environmental resources. They include such features as bluffs, springs, canyon rim rocks, caves, sinkholes and wetlands.

A region measured outward from the trunk of the tree representing the essential area of the roots that must be conserved or preserved for the tree’s livelihood. The CRZ is measured as one foot of radial distance outward from the trunk for every inch of the tree caliper, and may not be less than a radius of eight feet[.]

A drainage structure placed beneath an embankment typically with a span of less than twenty (20) feet.

Calendar day, unless otherwise specified.

A condition where the principal structure of a historic resource has become unsafe as a result of 1) the deterioration of the foundations, exterior walls, roofs, chimneys, doors, or windows, so as to create or permit a hazardous or unsafe condition to exist, or 2) the deterioration of the foundations, exterior walls, roofs, chimneys, doors, windows, the lack of adequate waterproofing, or the deterioration of interior features which that will or could result in permanent damage, injury, or loss of or loss to foundations, exterior walls, roofs, chimneys, doors, or windows.

The allowable, proposed or existing number of dwelling units per acre within a defined and measurable area. Floodplain and areas designated for stormwater detention and retention shall not be included in density calculations.

An increase in the number of units per acre not to exceed 120% of the Maximum Development Density (e.g., Maximum Density Bonus in Medium Density Residential is 4.8 units per acre).

To change the runoff characteristics of a parcel of land in conjunction with residential industrial, commercial, or institutional construction or alteration.

Land that is unconstrained by such conditions as steep slopes, floodways, floodplains, or adverse soil or water conditions that preclude development, and that does not have a significant environmental resource identified such as wetland, critical environmental features, or critical riparian habitats.

A person with freehold, possessor, or contractual interest in land proposed for development. See also “Subdivider” [sic].

The construction or substantial alteration of open lands, or agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, or transportation facilities or structures including any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including, but not limited to buildings and other structures, dredging, fill, grading, paving, clearing, excavation, dumping, extraction, or storage of equipment or materials. Development includes the process of subdivision.

Applications submitted to the City for consideration of a permit for construction.

Means, for the purposes of a forestation, reforestation, or payment of “fees-in-lieu” into a fund: A) the release of the development bond, if required; B) acceptance of the project’s streets, utilities, and public services by the responsible Department(s); or C) designation by the City Council (Planning and Zoning Commission) that a development project has been completed, or a particular stage of a staged development project, including a planned unit development, has been completed.

Any sign that is structurally unsound, has defective parts, or is in need of painting or maintenance.

A sign that is freestanding and whose primary purpose is to give directions to parking lots, exits, entrances, drive-through windows or similar locations.

A sign with two faces that are usually, but not necessarily, parallel.

A place of business operated for the retail sale of products, services, or entertainment. It is designed to allow its patrons to be served or accommodated while remaining in their motor vehicles. Such business may also be designed to accommodate pedestrian traffic.

A private access road, drive, or lane to an individual residence, which is contained within the lot or parcel and is not intended to serve any other lot or parcel of land.

A building, or portion thereof, designed or used exclusively for residential occupancy, including single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, and multiple-family dwellings (not including hotels and motels).

A dwelling that is joined to another dwelling at one or more sides by a wall or part [party] walls.

A dwelling that is entirely surrounded by open space on the same lot.

A building, or portion thereof, containing three (3) or more dwelling units.

A building containing one (1) dwelling unit only.

One room, or rooms connected together, constituting a separate, independent housekeeping establishment for human occupancy, or rental or lease on a weekly, monthly or longer basis, and physically separated from any other rooms or dwelling units which may be in the same structure, and containing independent cooking and sleeping facilities.

A right to land generally established in a real estate instrument or on a recorded plat to permit the use of land by the public, a legal entity, or particular persons for specified uses.

A more or less self-contained biological community together with the physical environment in which the community’s organisms occur.

An education facility is a public or private school (not a day care) for primary or secondary education. This also includes other educational services such as driver’s education, beauty school, etc.

A self-illuminated or externally illuminated sign or sign structure in which electric wiring, connections and/or fixtures are used, as part of the sign, to provide illumination.

A building with walls on all sides, where items are stored for a fee.

A bar preventing one from making an allegation or a denial that contradicts what one has previously stated as the truth.

Any act by which soil or rock is cut into, dug, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced, or relocated including the conditions resulting therefrom.

Any sign erected, mounted or displayed prior to the adoption of this subchapter[.]

The architectural style, design, and general arrangement of the exterior of a historic resource, including the color, nature, and texture of building materials, and the type and style of all windows, doors, light fixtures, signs, or other similar items found on, or related to, the exterior of a historic resource.

The unincorporated area that is contiguous to the corporate boundaries of the municipality and that is located within one-half mile of those boundaries (in the case of a municipality with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants). The ETJ increases as population increases.

The entire building wall (including street wall face, parapet, fascia, windows, doors, canopy and roof) on any completed building.

Applies to a Certificate of Design Compliance. In the case of a request of a Demolition of a Historical Site, the Front Facade of said historic building may remain after demolition as an easement to protect the facade in perpetuity.

Two or more persons occupying a dwelling unit and using common cooking facilities, provided that unless all members are related by blood or marriage, or legal adoption, no such shall contain more than four (4) nonrelated persons. Family members related by blood or marriage shall be a father, mother, son, daughter, grandfather, grandmother, grandson and granddaughter.

A private residence where eight (8) or fewer children receive care and supervision for periods of less than 24 hours per day.

A “Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plan” prepared by the Soil Conservation District.

A barrier made of wire, wood, metal, masonry, or other material used as a screen or enclosure for a yard or open space. It includes a wall, gate, or structure which that functions to enclose an open space or yard; however, a retaining wall, freestanding sign, or landscape structure is not considered a fence except for that portion which that functions as a fence.

A deposit of materials of any kind placed by artificial means.

A final plat is a subdivision or drawing intended for recordation in the plat records of the county in which the subdivision is located. Final plat submittal will normally be consolidated with construction plan/development permit submittal. There are three types of final plats.

A final plat that requires a preliminary plan and concurrent construction plans for streets and infrastructure of the Land Development Code. The preliminary plan must be approved prior to the final plat approval.

Fiscal surety is for the purpose of securing the estimated cost of completing capital improvements, should the City find it necessary to complete the improvements instead of the landowner or developer. Fiscal surety can be in the form of a line of credit or Assurance of Bonds.

A sign, other than a flag sign, that extends outward for more than six inches from the facade of any building, and is rigidly affixed thereto.

A sign with flashing, blinking or moving lights, regardless of wattage, whether directly or indirectly illuminated, except for time and temperature signs. This includes a sign that uses traveling lights, traveling lighted messages, or flashing lights.

A sign erected parallel to, attached within six inches of, and supported throughout its length by the facade of a building. A flat sign does not extend above that building.

See “Rules of Measurement” [Section 8.03]

Prolonging the flow time of runoff to reduce the peak discharge.

A sign supported by a sign structure secured in the ground, and which is wholly independent of any building, fence, vehicle or other support. Freestanding signs may have more than one section, one of which may be changeable.

The length of all the property fronting on one side of a street between the two nearest intersecting streets, measured along the line of the street; or if dead-ended, then all of the property abutting on one side between an intersection street and dead end of the same.

A type of multifamily housing. Dwelling units share a common outside access. Ownership is not a factor in this type of unit, and may be either rental or condominium.

A map or plat designed to illustrate the general design features and street layout of a proposed subdivision which is proposed to be developed and platted in sections.

The City will maintain an electronic mapping system in National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929 elevation. Surveys and plats submitted for review and Flood Elevation Certificates are required to be referenced to NGVD. The GIS interface for the City is ArcView (an ESRI Product).

Global Positioning System - a technology used to identify exact geographical coordinates for use in surveying and planning.

A measurement determined by averaging the elevations of the finished ground at all corners and/or other principal points in the perimeter wall of the building.

Any stripping, excavating, filling, including hydraulic fill, stockpiling or any combination thereof. Grading does not include plowing, disking and cultivating for lawn establishment or renovation.

The total area of all floors of a building measured to the outside surfaces of the exterior walls.

The number of dwelling units allowed per the base zoning district multiplied by the total site acreage. This number will be affected by Lot Standards in Table 5.1 [4-4].

The total amount of acreage of raw land.

A credit guarantee that a prospective developer provides to the City of Liberty Hill to provide assurances to the City that the work on the development (particularly infrastructure improvements) will be made according to original plans as approved.

Health Officer for Williamson County.

The vertical dimension measured from finished grade to the highest point of the thing being measured. See also: Building Height.

A permit issued, or to be issued, by the City Manager, authorizing work on a historic resource within a designated historic district or landmark.

A historic resource comprised of 2 or more properties which that are significant as a cohesive unit and contribute to historical, architectural, archeological, or cultural values, which has been identified by the Historic Preservation Commission and duly classified pursuant to the procedures of the Texas Historical Commission. A historic district includes all property within its boundaries, and may overlay any zoning district.

Any individual historic resource that is significant and contributes to historical, architectural, archeological, or cultural values, which has been identified by the Texas Historical Commission and duly classified.

An area of land, building, structure, or object, or a group or combination thereof, including appurtenances and environmental setting which that may be significant in national, state, or local history, architecture, archeology, or culture.

An accessory use as a personal service or profession or use customarily conducted within a dwelling carried on by a resident thereof, which does not change the residential character of the dwelling.

The coordinate number and street name assigned to any structure or parcel of land.

Any sign that is directly lighted by an external source.

Any sign that transmits light through its face or any part thereof[.]

A person who is the applicant’s father, mother, son, daughter, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, or granddaughter.

A material, that does not allow infiltration.

All buildings, roads, parking and driveways, paving, patios, decks, stoops, porches, steps, walkways, piers, or swimming pools constructed on a lot which that [sic] reduce the infiltration capacity of the land or result in increased stormwater runoff. Wooden decks and walkways (or portions thereof) shall be credited by fifty (50) percent of there [sic] the total square footage.

Not capable of being put into practice or of being done or accomplished.

A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as “no parking,” “entrance,” “loading only,” “telephone,” an address, and other similar directives limited to four square feet.

A special or exclusive type of planned industrial area designed and equipped to accommodate a community of industries, providing them with all necessary facilities and services in attractive surroundings among compatible neighbors. Industrial parks may be promoted or sponsored by private developers, community organizations or government organizations.

The passage or movement of water into the soil surface. Also means, potable or nonpotable water from dripping or leaking pipes, valves, plumbing or fixtures, or seep water, rain water or stormwater entering in sewer lateral lines on private property through cracks, pipe joints, openings or other defects in the lateral line[.]

A sign that is either expanded to its full dimensions or supported by gases contained within the sign, or sign parts, at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.

A sign designating only the direction of ingress or egress of a parking area or driveway, such as “in,” “entrance,” “exit,” “one way,” “do not enter” or “no exit.”

A sign displayed inside a building that is not within five feet of windows or doors.

A stream which that has a period of zero flow for at least one week during most years. Where flow records are available, a stream with a 7Q2 flow of less than 0.1 ft³/s is considered intermittent.

A “bona fide intrafamily transfer” means a transfer to a member of the owner’s immediate family of a portion of the owner’s property for the purpose of establishing a residence for that family member.

Any facilities owned and maintained in common by the inhabitants of the development, including, but not limited to, drives, water systems, sewer systems, parking areas, open space, club houses, amenities, and developed recreation areas.

An open area where waste or scrap materials (including but not limited to scrap iron and other metals, paper, rags, rubber tires, and bottles) are bought, sold, exchanged, stored, baled, packed, disassembled, or handled. A “junk or salvage yard” includes an auto wrecking yard, but does not include uses established entirely within enclosed buildings.

The raising of fish or shellfish in any natural or man-made, enclosed or impounded, water body.

Any activity that removes the vegetative ground cover.

Any one of the types of landfills regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), including but not limited to municipal solid waste, industrial rubble, and land clearing debris landfills.

Any combination of trees, ground cover, shrubs, vines, flowers or lawn planted in the ground or in ground-level containers.

A landscaped area or areas within the shortest line defining the perimeter or exterior boundary of the parking or loading area, or similar paved area, excluding driveways or walkways, providing access to the facility (as applied to parking and loading facilities or to similar paved areas).

A landscaped area adjoining and part of the landscaped interior[.]

A plan, showing dimensions and details for planting in a landscaped area.

A trafficway including toll roads for through traffic, in respect to which owners or occupants of abutting property or lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from the same, except as may be permitted by the public authority having jurisdiction over such trafficway.

A space within the main building or on the same lot which that provides for the standing, loading, or unloading of trucks or other vehicles.

A trademark or company name symbol.

A portion of a subdivision or tract of land having frontage on a street or road which that is intended for development and which meets the requirements as a legal building site per this Ordinance Code.

The area of a horizontal plane bounded by the front, side, and rear lot lines, but not including any area occupied by the waters of a recorded river or stream segment.

A lot situated at the intersection of two (2) or more streets. On a corner lot, the front lot line is defined as that lot line which contains the narrowest of all street frontages abutting a public street or public/private right-of-way. However, for lots abutting any street designated as minor collector or higher in classification, all lot lines abutting such higher order streets shall be deemed front lot lines.

The mean horizontal distance between the front lot line and rear lot line of a lot, measured within the lot boundaries.

A lot other than a corner or reversed corner lot.

That boundary of a lot that is along an existing or dedicated public street, or, where no public street exists, is along a public way.

Any boundary of a lot that is not a front lot line or a side lot line but generally running parallel to, and opposite of, a front lot line.

Any boundary of a lot that is not a front lot line or a rear lot line but generally running perpendicular to the front or rear lot lines.

A parcel of land which that has been legally subdivided and recorded in the official public records of Williamson County.

A corner lot, the street side lot line of which is substantially a continuation of the front lot line of the first lot to its rear.

A lot having a pair of opposite lot lines along two (2) more or less parallel public streets, and which is not a corner lot. On a “through lot,” both street lines shall be deemed front lot lines.

The horizontal distance between the side lot lines of a lot measured at the narrowest width within the first thirty (30) feet of lot depth immediately in back of the front yard setback line.

A single tract of land located within a block under contiguous ownership that meets the lot requirements for a permitted use as set forth in Chapter 4 and 5 of this Code.

The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area of a building or structure, including the basement. An unfinished enclosure constructed of flood-resistant materials used solely for parking of vehicles, storage, or building access in an area other than a basement is not the lowest floor, as long as it is supplied with water equalizing vents.

A structure constructed on or after June 15, 1976, according to the rules of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, transportable in one or more sections, which, in the traveling mode, is eight (8) feet or more in width or forty (40) body feet or more in length, or when erected on-site, is three hundred and twenty (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, and includes the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems. The term does not include a recreation vehicle as that term is defined by 24 C.F.R. Section 3282.8(g).

Any permanent roof-like structure projecting beyond a building or extending from a facade, along and projecting beyond the wall of the building, generally designed and constructed to provide protection from the weather.

Any sign attached to, in any manner, or made a part of a marquee.

Each Zoning District has a maximum number of units per acre that can be placed on a tract. This number ONLY provides the maximum number of units allowed on the site. The Net Yield is the total number of units that can be placed on a site after having factored in (see below) environmental constraints, right-of-way, drainage areas, impervious cover limitations, minimum lot size standards, all setbacks, and maximum lot coverage.

The act of exploring for or recovering stone, soil, peat, sand, gravel, limestone, coal, granite or other mineral resources from the ground for sale or for use off the property where it is recovered; it does not include removal of loose, surface stone, excavation related solely to agricultural activities or preparation of individual building sites.

For the purposes of these regulations, a minor plat subdivision is defined as a subdivision:

A development project that includes two or more types of uses.

A structure that was constructed before June 15, 1976, transportable in one or more sections, which [sic], transportable in one or more sections, which, in the traveling mode, is eight (8) feet or more in width or forty (40) body feet or more in length, or when erected on-site, is three hundred and twenty (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, and includes the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems.

Any site, lot, parcel, or tract of land that is improved, used, or intended for the accommodation of mobile homes that are used for living purposes.

A sign which is attached directly to the ground or is supported by a sign structure that is placed on or anchored in the ground and is independent from any building or other structure.

The same as hotel, except it is designed to accommodate any number of guests, the building or buildings are designed primarily to serve tourists traveling by automobile, and ingress and egress to rooms need not be through a lobby or office.

Any passenger vehicle, truck, truck-trailer, or semi-trailer propelled or drawn by mechanical power.

Any electrical sign having a continuous message flow across its surface by utilizing lights or other electrical impulses that form various words and/or designs, including but not limited to time and temperature signs.

A commercial sign identifying more than one business or organization located on the premises.

Components and processes present in or produced by nature, including but not limited to, soil types, geology, slopes, vegetation, surface water, drainage patterns, aquifers, recharge areas, climate, floodplains, aquatic life, and wildlife.

The ground surface in its original state before grading, stripping, excavation, landscaping, or filling.

Those plant communities that develop in the absence of human activities.

A condition where landforms or biological communities, or both, have developed by natural process in the absence of human intervention.

shall mean a traffic impact analysis for developments taking access from public streets that would result in a trip generation of more than an average of five hundred (500) trips per day based upon the latest edition of the ITE Trip Generation Manual or more net new daily vehicle trips or if the application is for a public or private primary, intermediate, or secondary educational facilities.

Net Site Area includes only the portions of a site that lie in an uplands zone and have not been designated for wastewater irrigation. Net Site Area is the aggregate of:

The total number of units allowed (not yet permitted) based on the Preliminary Yield and Lot Standards for a tract.

National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 elevation reference points set by the National Geodetic Survey based on mean sea level. Surveys submitted for review and Flood Elevation Certificates are required to be referenced to NGVD.

Except as otherwise defined herein, any sign with a valid permit that was erected or displayed prior to the effective date of this subchapter, or any subsequent amendment hereto, and does not conform with one or more of its provisions.

A structure that was lawfully erected but which does not conform to the currently applicable requirements and standards prescribed in the regulations for the district in which the structure is located by reason of adoption or amendment of this Code.

Any use of land, buildings, or structures, lawfully existing at the time of the enactment of this Code, or of any amendment hereto, governing use for the zoning district in which such use is located, which does not comply with all regulations of this its [sic] amendments.

Pollution generated by diffuse land use activities rather than from an identifiable or discrete source or facility. It is conveyed to waterways through natural processes, such as rainfall, storm runoff, or groundwater seepage rather than by deliberate discharge. Nonpoint source pollution is not generally corrected by “end-of-pipe treatment,” but rather, by changes in land management practices.

Resources that are not naturally regenerated.

Material which that is capable of causing injury to living organisms by chemical reaction or is capable of causing detrimental effects upon the physical or economic well-being of individuals.

For the purposes of this Ordinance Code, noxious plants include: poison ivy, poison oak, kudzu and other plants that cause harm either because they are capable of causing harm to humans and animals by chemical reaction or are nonnative invasive species which that overwhelm native species and determined to be undesirable by the county or the state.

A use of property or course of conduct that interferes with the legal rights of others by causing damage, annoyance, or inconvenience.

Any land used to raise or store trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plants for sale, facilities for the display and sale of those items and/or of gardening supplies, and accessory greenhouses, storage buildings, or customer parking areas.

Any use of, or activity upon, the premises.

Any matter or material that yields an odor which that most persons find to be offensive.

Any sign located, or proposed to be located, at any place other than upon the property of the business or other activity identified on such a sign. For purpose of this subchapter, easements and other appurtenances shall be considered outside such property. Community service signs, as approved by the City Council, are exceptions to this definition.

Structures or actions that compensate for undesirable impacts.

A site or portion of a site located off of a public road devoted to the loading or unloading of motor vehicles or trailers, including loading berths, aisles, access drives, and landscaped areas.

The space located off of a public road, designed, intended, used or required to park one passenger vehicle.

Any sign located or proposed to be located at any place, if otherwise permitted by this subchapter, within the property boundaries for the business or other activity identified on such sign.

A piece or tract of land that remains within a subdivision but which that does not meet the minimum requirements of the Ordinance Code for a lot and is therefore not usable as a building site.

A tract of land designated on a subdivision plat for future development, or not designated for any specific purpose, that has not been evaluated for compliance with the requirements of this Ordinance Code for adequate facilities or zoning requirements and is, therefore, not usable as a legal building site. Outparcels may be the subject of a record plat or resubdivision provided the lot(s) created meet all requirements of the Ordinance Code prior to plat approval.

A vertical false front or wall extension above the roof line.

In the context of subdivision platting, a parcel is either a tract of land platted for a designated purpose other than as a legal building site (e.g. to meet the open space requirements of the Ordinance Code; to provide a well site, to provide a sewerage disposal parcel), or a tract of land that may meet zoning requirements for area, width, depth, etc., but is not intended for development due to environmental constraints, density restrictions or other legal encumbrances.

A contiguous legally-created lot, parcel, outlot, outparcel or residue owned and recorded as the property of the same persons, or controlled by a single entity.

The party responsible for a sign shall be:

A stream containing surface water throughout an average rainfall year, as shown on the most recent 7.5 minute topographic quadrangle published by the United States Geologic Survey.

A type of Fiscal Surety that can be used to guarantee site improvements.

A sign for which a valid permit has been issued.

The federal government, the State, a county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the State, or any of their units, or an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, executor, Manager, fiduciary, or representative of any kind, or any partnership, firm, association, public or private corporation, or any of their affiliates, or any other entity.

A project developed pursuant to a subdivision or site plan, proposed to be developed in sections.

The soils, topography, land slope and aspect, and local climate that influence the form and species composition of plant communities.

A Planned Unit Development District (PUD) is intended to provide a development that is more sensitive to the natural environment, creates an improved sense of place, or otherwise enhances the standard pattern of development in Liberty Hill. Development is required to provide a higher level of amenity to its users or residents than would be required under the normal standards of this code. A PUD may be used to permit new or innovative concepts in land use not permitted by other zoning districts in this code or to permit development projects that existing districts do not easily accommodate. This district is appropriate in areas where the Comprehensive Plan reflects the specific uses proposed in the PUD or mixed use as a land category. Rezoning to the PUD district requires a specific PUD ordinance and a General Development Plan from the property owner. See Section 3.6(6) [3.07.05] for further information on PUD applications and applicability. Generally a PUD is understood as a parcel of land or contiguous parcels of land of a size sufficient to create its own environment, controlled by a single landowner or by a group of landowners in common agreement as to control, to be developed as a single entity, the environment of which is compatible with adjacent parcels and the intent of the zoning district or districts in which it is located; the developer or developers may be granted relief from specific land use regulations and design standards, and may be awarded certain premiums in return for assurance of any overall quality of development, including any special feature which that will be of exceptional benefit to the community as a whole and which that would not otherwise be required by this Ordinance Code.

As used in this Ordinance Code, plat shall be a map of a tract of land showing boundaries of individual lots, outlots, parcels, and outparcels, and streets, easements and rights-of-way prepared in accordance with this Ordinance Code as an instrument for recording in the official Public Records of Williamson County.

A plat prepared by a licensed surveyor or registered engineer and submitted to the City for final approval which that is duly acknowledged by the owners or proprietors of the land, or by some duly authorized agent of such owners or proprietors, in the manner required for the acknowledgement of deeds and which that is to be filed for record in the office of the county clerk of Williamson County.

A tentative drawing made by a licensed surveyor or registered engineer for inspection purposes only, showing the entire tract of land for which subdivision is sought. The drawing shall accurately describe all of said subdivision or addition by metes and bounds, locating the same with respect to an original corner of the original survey of which it is a part and giving dimensions thereof of said subdivision or addition, and dimensions of all streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other portions of same intended to be dedicated to public use, or for the use of purchasers or owners of lots fronting thereon or adjacent to.

A sign that is mounted on one or more freestanding poles or other supports so that the bottom edge of the sign face is not in direct contact with a solid base or the ground.

A sign relating to: a political party, the election of a person to public office, or a matter to be voted upon at an election called by a public body.

Any sign not permanently affixed to a building or structure, or not permanently attached to a mobile vehicle.

Postal services, including post offices, bulk mail processing or sorting centers, operated by the United States Postal Service.

In existence prior to the effective date of a specific regulation or Ordinance Code.

Preliminary Yield is the number of residential units [that] can fit on the Developable Land. This does not yet factor lot standards found in Table 5.1 [4-4].

A zoning location, together with all buildings and structures thereon.

A main or primary use of land, as distinguished from an “accessory use”. More than one principal use may exist on a tract if done so completely in accordance with this Ordinance Code.

The cutting and removal of trees for personal use, generally restricted to clearing of fewer than ten (10) trees on a site.

A private access, drive, or lane to more than one residence which that is contained within the lot or parcel and which is not dedicated to the public.

Any proposal for new or changed use, or for new construction, alteration, or enlargement of any structure, that is subject to the provisions of this Ordinance Code.

Any temporary sign, on premises, that may identify the project under construction by providing any of the following information: the project name, address and/or telephone number, the architect, the contractor, the developer, the financing organization, the subcontractor and/or materials vendor.

Any sign affixed to a wall of a building in a nonparallel manner.

The lines bounding a zoning area, as defined herein.

Any street, avenue, boulevard, highway, sidewalk, alley, drain, or similar place which that is owned or controlled by a governmental entity. Also, a strip of land used, or intended to be used, wholly or in part, by said governmental entity.

The entire system of sewage collection, treatment, and disposal. Also applies to all effluent carried by sewers whether it is sanitary sewage, industrial wastes, or stormwater runoff.

Any transmission line or electric generating station; or water, sewer, electric, gas, telephone, and television or data cable service line.

Shore-dependent recreation facilities or activities provided by public agencies which that are available to the general public.

As defined by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. (TCEQ)

See “Right-of-Way”.

A temporary sign erected by the owner, or his agent, advertising for the rental, leasing or sale of the real property upon which the sign is located.

A lot or parcel of land in a zoning district where permitted, on which development rights transferred from a sending parcel, are used.

The reasonable rehabilitation of disturbed land for useful purposes, and the protection of the natural resources of adjacent areas, including water bodies.

A vehicle built on a single chassis that is four hundred (400) square feet or less at the longest horizontal projection, self propelled or towable, and designed primarily for temporary living while traveling or camping.

An enclosed building where recyclable materials separated from other waste materials, including, but not limited to, scrap metals, paper, textiles, glass, and plastics, are received for the purpose of processing for upgrading, particle size reduction, volume reduction, removal of undesired materials, baling, packing, disassembly, handling, or storage.

The process of developing land which that is or has been developed.

A resource that can renew or replace itself and, therefore, with proper management, can be harvested indefinitely.

A residential structure occupied as a dwelling place of one or more persons in which the use and management of sleeping quarters and all appliances for cooking, ventilation, heating, or lighting are under one person’s control.

Any sign erected at a private residence identifying its address or the resident’s name.

Any dedicated area where a street, highway, thoroughfare, parkway, road, avenue, alley or other vehicular use facility is or will be constructed for public use.

A habitat that is strongly influenced by water and which that occurs adjacent to streams and/or wetlands.

A permanent structure used for the display and sale of locally produced agricultural products.

A sign erected over or on, and wholly or partially dependent upon, the roof of any building for support.

Any sign that revolves around one or more fixed axis.

Any waste materials, except garbage, including but not restricted to, paper, rags, boxes, cartons, wood excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass, crockery, dust, and the residue from the burning of combustible materials.

A condition where surface water is present for extended periods, especially early in the growing season, and when surface water is absent, the water table is often near the land surface.

Soils or other materials transported by wind or surface water as a product of erosion.

A nonbranched woody plant, less than twenty-four (24) inches in height and having a diameter of less than one-half (1/2) inch measured at two (2) inches above the root collar.

The removal of single, scattered, mature trees or other trees from uneven-aged stands by frequent and periodic cutting operations.

The careful and planned removal of trees, shrubs, and plants using specific standards and protection measures under an approved forest conservation plan.

means, but is not limited to, an Adult arcade, Adult bookstore, adult novelty store, or adult video store, Adult cabaret, Adult motel, Adult motion picture theater, Adult theater, Escort agencies, Nude model studios, and Sexual encounter centers as defined in the City of Liberty Hill Code of Ordinances, Chapter 5, Article 5.05, Sexually Oriented Businesses, Section 5.05.003, Definitions.

A grouping of retail business and service uses on a single site with common parking facilities.

A movable sign not affixed or attached to the ground or to any building or structure.

Any device or representation that is used to visually communicate its subject to others. Customary displays of merchandise, objects or materials placed, without lettering, behind a store window are neither signs nor parts of signs.

The square foot area enclosed by the perimeter of the sign. Sign area shall include all lettering, wording, and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background on which they are displayed, any frame around the sign and “cutouts” or extensions. However, sign area shall not include any sign structures that are esthetically pleasing.

A supporting structure erected, used or intended for identification or to attract attention, with or without a sign thereon, situated upon or attached to the premises, upon which any sign may be fastened, affixed, displayed or applied, provided, however, this definition shall not include a building, fence, wall or earthen berm.

Areas that erode two (2) feet or more per year.

A business or organization being the sole business occupant of a premises.

Any tract, lot or parcel of land or combination of tracts, lots or parcels of land, which are in one ownership, or are contiguous and in diverse ownership and where development is to be performed as part of a unit, subdivision, or project as shown on an application.

A sign (made of any material) that is tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued or otherwise attached to trees, poles, stakes, fences or other objects, with the subject matter appearing thereon not being applicable to the use of the premises upon which such sign is located.

The overburden and reject materials as piled or deposited during surface mining.

The prevention of soil movement by any of various vegetative and/or structural means of soil movement.

Any stable for the housing of horses or mules, operated for remuneration, hire, sale, or stabling, or any stable, not related to the ordinary operation of a farm.

An accessory building, not related to the ordinary operation of a farm, for the housing of horses or mules owned by a person or persons living on the premises and which horses or mules are not for hire or sale.

The date of issue of the building permit for any development, including new construction and substantial improvements, provided that the actual start of the construction or improvement was within three hundred and sixty-five (365) days of permit issuance. The actual start of construction is the placement of slab or footings, piles, columns, or actual placement of a manufactured home. For substantial improvement, the start of construction is the first alteration of any structural part of the building.

A slope of over fifteen percent (15%) grade or greater incline, which is characterized by increased runoff, erosion and sediment hazards for slopes.

For quantitative control, a system of vegetative and structural measures that control the increased volume and rate of surface runoff caused by man-made changes to the land; and for qualitative control, a system of vegetative, structural, and other measures that reduce or eliminate pollutants that might otherwise be carried by surface runoff.

Part of a building between any floor and the floor next above, and if there be no floor above, then the ceiling above. A basement is a story if its ceiling is five (5) feet or more above the finished grade, or if it is used for business purposes, or if it contains any dwelling units other than one (1) dwelling unit for the caretaker of the premises.

All lands lying within a measured distance from the top of each bank of a perennial or intermittent stream, intended to protect the stream, its water quality, and riparian habitat.

A public or private right-of-way which that affords a primary means of vehicular access to abutting property, whether designated as a street, avenue, highway, road, boulevard, lane[,] throughway, or however otherwise designated, but does not include driveways to buildings.

Anything constructed or erected, other than a fence or retaining wall, which requires location on the ground or if attached to something having a location on the ground, including but not limited to, buildings, advertising boards, poster boards, mobile homes, manufactured homes, gas and liquid storage tanks, garages, barns, and sheds.

Subdivision means the division of a lot, tract, or parcel of land into two or more lots, plats, sites, or other division of land for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale or of building development provided that this definition of a subdivision shall not include a bona fide division or partition of agricultural land not for development purposes.

Minor subdivisions in which all lots are fifteen (15) acres or larger.

Any subdivision not defined as a minor, or farmstead, subdivision.

The division of a parcel or lot of record which that creates one (1) to five (5) lots or any number of farmsteads, which do not have frontage on a public road, or private right-of-way.

Subdivision Preliminary Plan is a map or drawing of a proposed subdivision plan which upon approval establishes an agreement to the layout. This agreement includes the location and width of proposed streets, lots, blocks, floodplains, and easements. A preliminary plan approval is required prior to final plat approval, except under certain conditions[.]

Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.

Any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the market value of the structure (less land value) either: (a) before the improvement or repair is started; or (b) if the structure has incurred substantial damage and been restored, before the damage occurred. Substantial improvement occurs when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the building commences. The minimum repairs needed to correct previously identified violations of local health, safety, or sanitary codes, and alterations to historic structures which that do not preclude their continued designation as historic structures are not considered substantial improvements.

A type of building sign that is suspended from the underside of a predominantly horizontal plane surface and is supported by such surface.

A sign installed on an arm, mast or spar that is also not permanently fastened to an adjacent wall or an upright pole.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (formerly Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission TNRCC)

An electrical sign utilizing lights going on and off periodically to display the current time and temperature in the community.

The existing configuration of the earth’s surface including the relative relief, elevation, and position of land features.

One of a group of attached, single-family dwellings that are designed as single structures, with each dwelling unit separated by firewalls, fire separations, or similar party walls. No more than two (2) dwellings units shall be contained within said separation.

A Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) is a human scale, walkable community with moderate to high residential densities and a mixed use core. Compared with conventional suburban developments, TNDs have a higher potential to increase modal split by encouraging and accommodating alternate transportation modes. TNDs also have a higher potential for capturing internal trips, thus reducing vehicle miles traveled. That the development encourage walking and biking, enhance transit service opportunities, and improve traffic safety through promoting low speed, cautious driving while fully accommodating the needs of pedestrians and bicyclists.

An outdoor facility or enclosed building that receives municipal solid waste and/or rubble from collection vehicles and reloads the materials into trailers or other containers for the purpose of transporting it to a processing or final disposal facility.

A plant community whose species are adapted to the diverse and varying environmental conditions that occur along the boundary that separates aquatic and terrestrial areas.

Anything that is built, installed, or established to facilitate or provide a means of transport from one place to another.

Texas Department of Transportation

A sign suspended from a building and located under a permanent canopy projecting from a building.

All sites above floodplains and away from them.

Upper story residential is a secondary use to a commercial use, where the commercial use is on the first floor and the upper story is used for residential purposes. This is allowed with a Special Use Permit.

The purpose or activity for which the land or building thereon is designed, arranged or intended, or for which it is occupied or maintained.

A public corporation, company or special district organized to provide a service to the subdivision. As used herein, “utility” shall include, but not be limited to, electric, gas, or telephone companies and water and sanitation districts.

The termination of, or termination of an interest in, an easement, right-of-way, or public dedication of land.

A grant of relief to a person from the requirements of this Ordinance Code when specific enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship. A variance, therefore, permits construction or development in a manner otherwise prohibited by this Ordinance Code. The Board of Adjustment (BOA) shall review Variance requests.

Every device, including major parts thereof, in, on, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn on a transportation facility, except devices moved by human or animal power, or devices used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks.

A permanent or temporary sign affixed to a vehicle. The primary purpose of this display is to attract the public’s attention to the subject matter identified on the sign, rather than to serve the customary purpose of a vehicle.

Capable of being seen (whether or not legible) by a person of normal height and visual acuity while walking or driving on a public road.

A facility where sand and gravel is are [sic] washed during processing.

Ashes, discarded wood, abandoned, discarded, or unused objects or equipment such as furniture, appliances, cans, or containers; garbage or refuse of any kind, whether liquid or solid; or any accumulation of any foul, decaying, or putrescent substances.

Any natural or artificial stream, river, creek, ditch, channel, canal, conduit, culvert, drain, waterway, gully, ravine or wash, in and including any area adjacent thereto, which is subject to inundation by reason of overflow or flood water.

Birds that frequent and often swim in water, nest, and raise their young near water, and derive at least part of their food from aquatic plants and animals.

All land lying within an area which that drains into a river, river system, or other watercourse.

Land transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. Classification of areas as wetlands shall follow the “Classification of Wetlands and Deep-Water Habitats of the United States” as published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS/OBS-79/31).

A strip of land having vegetation that provides habitat and a safe passageway for wildlife.

Any sign painted on, applied to, projected upon or within the exterior or interior of a building glass area, including doors, or located within five feet of the interior of a building glass area, including doors, whose identification, message, symbol, insignia, visual representation, logo type, or any other form of information can be read from off premises or from the public right-of-way. Merchandise displays shall not be considered window signs.

A “yard” extends along a lot line, and to a depth or width specified in the yard requirements for the zoning district in which such zoned area is located. Also, the area between the lot line and the building setback line.

A district that is fixed on the base zoning area only upon City Council approval of a specific development application meeting the requirement of this Ordinance Code.

A special district that is placed over the base zoning area which imposes additional restrictions.

A written statement or certificate issued by the City Manager (or his designee) authorizing buildings, structures, or uses in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance Code.

The build-to line shall be measured from an exterior wall to the property line such that the accuracy of the building placement shall be within a foot, as authorized.

The building height shall be measured from finished grade to the highest point on a flat roof or a mansard or the midpoint between the cornice and the eave on a pitched roof.

The number of dwelling units divided by the gross area of the lot reflected as a number of units per acre.

The sum of the gross horizontal areas of all floors of the building measured from the exterior faces of the exterior walls, or from the centerline of walls separating two buildings but excluding areas where the floor to ceiling height is less than six (6) feet. The “floor area” of structures devoted to bulk storage of materials, including, but not limited to grain elevators and petroleum storage tanks, [and] multilevel storage racks shall be determined on the basis of height in feet, i.e., ten (10) feet in height shall equal one (1) floor.

The Gross Floor Area minus the area of stairwells, elevator shafts, equipment rooms, interior vehicular parking or loading, areas devoted exclusively to storage; and minus all floors below the first floor level, except when these used for human habitation or service to the public. Net floor area shall be used for calculating parking requirements.

The gross floor area of the building or buildings on a zoning area divided by the total area of such zoning area. The “floor area ratio” requirements, as set forth under each zoning district, shall determine the maximum floor area allowable for the building or buildings (total floor area of both principal and accessory buildings) in direct ratio to the gross area of the zoning area.

The total horizontal area included within the lot lines of a site.

The total land area covered by all principal and accessory structures on a site, including projections, shall be considered in determining lot coverage except the following: Eaves projecting less than 2.5 feet from a building. Trellises and similar structures which that do not have solid roofs. Uncovered and unenclosed decks, porches, landings, balconies, and stairways (the portion of which is less than thirty (30) inches above grade).

The horizontal distance from the midpoint of the front lot line to the midpoint of the rear lot line or to the most distant point on any other lot line where there is no rear lot line.

The average horizontal distance between the side lot lines measured at right angles to the lot depth from the required front yard setback and from the required rear yard setback or from the rearmost point of the lot depth in cases where there is no rear lot line.

The minimum distance, extending across the full width of the lot, between the property line and the nearest exterior wall or structure. Rules for setback averaging are shown in the diagrams.

Wall area shall be measured by calculating the continuous uninterrupted wall area (not including windows) on the elevation where a sign is to be placed.

Yards include the required setbacks and open space for individual lots. No yard for one lot shall be considered a yard for another lot as well, except in planned developments. Yards shall be measured from the property line of the site or street line to the nearest exterior wall of a structure.