The meaning and construction of words as set forth shall apply throughout the Zoning Ordinance, unless where modified in a specific section or where the context of such words or phrases clearly indicates a different meaning or construction. For purposes of this Ordinance, certain terms or words used herein shall be interpreted as follows:

1.   The present tense includes the future tense, the singular number includes the plural, and the plural number includes the singular. The word “shall” is mandatory; the word “may” is permissive. The words “used” or “occupied” include the words “intended,” “designed,” or “arranged to be used or occupied.” The word “lot” includes the words “plot” or “parcel.”

2.   Unless the context clearly indicates the contrary, the following conjunctions shall be interpreted as follows:

   A.   “And” indicates that all connected items or provisions apply.

   B.    “Or” indicates that the connected items or provisions may apply singly or in any combination.

   C.   “Either ... or” indicates that the connected items or provisions shall apply singly but not in combination.

For the purposes of this Zoning Ordinance, certain terms and words are hereby defined. Certain sections contain definitions which are additional to those listed here. Where terms are not specifically defined, their ordinarily accepted meaning or meanings implied by their context shall apply.

1.   Abutting. Having lot lines or district boundaries in common, including property separated by a public street or alley. Used interchangeably with adjacent.

2.   Access. A way of approaching or entering a property from a public street.

3.   Accessory Buildings or Structure. A building or structure which is incidental to and customarily associated with a specific principal use or building on the same site.

4.   Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). A dwelling unit located within an owner occupied, single-family home or in an accessory structure subject to the regulations set forth in Section 610.

5.   Accessory Use. A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the main use or building and located on the same lot therewith. In no case shall such accessory use dominate, in area, extent or purpose, the principal lawful use or building.

6.   Addition. Any construction which increases the size of a building or structure in terms of site coverage, height, length, width, or gross floor area.

7.   Administration. Governmental offices providing administrative, clerical or public contact 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.

8.   Agriculture. The production, keeping or maintenance, for sale, lease, or personal use, of plants and animals useful to humans, including but not limited to: forages and sod crops; grains and seed crops; dairy animals and dairy products; poultry and poultry products; livestock, including beef cattle, sheep, swine, horses, mules, or goats, or any mutations or hybrids thereof including the breeding and grazing of any or all such animals; bees and apiary products; fur animals; trees and forest products; fruits of all kinds; vegetables; or lands devoted to a soil conservation or forestry management program.

9.   Agricultural Sales and Service. Establishments or places of business engaged in sale from the premises of feed, grain, fertilizers, farm equipment, 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 nurseries, hay, farm implement dealerships, feed and grain stores, and tree service firms.

10.   Alley. A public right of way which is used as a secondary means of access to abutting property.

11.   Alteration. Any construction or physical change in the internal arrangement of spaces, the supporting members, the positioning on a site, or the appearance of a building or structure.

12.   Alternative Energy Production Devices. The use of a site for the production of energy utilizing methods that do not involve the oxidation, combustion, or fission of primary materials. Typical uses include solar collector fields, geothermal energy installations, or water-powered mills or generating facilities, wind charges, windmills, or wind turbines.

13.   Amateur Radio Tower. A structure(s) for the transmission or broadcasting of electronic or electromagnetic signals by amateur radio operators.

14.   Animal Production. The raising of animals or production of animal products, such as eggs or dairy products on an agricultural or commercial basis on a site which is also used for crop production or where grazing of natural vegetation is the major feed source; or the raising of animals for recreational use. Typical uses include grazing, ranching, dairy farming, and poultry farming.

15.   Apartment. A housing unit within a building designed for and suitable for occupancy by only one household. Apartments are generally located within multi-family residential buildings.

16.   Attached. Having one or more walls in common with a principal building or connected to a principal building by an integral architectural element, such as a covered passageway; facade wall extension; or archway.

17.   Automotive and Equipment Services. Establishments or places of business primarily engaged in sale and/or service of automobiles, trucks, or heavy equipment. The following are considered automotive and equipment use types:

   A.   Automotive Rental and Sales: Sale or rental of automobiles, noncommercial trucks, motorcycles, motor homes, recreational vehicles or boats, including incidental storage, maintenance, and servicing. Typical uses include new and used car dealerships; motorcycle dealerships; and boat, trailer, and recreational vehicle dealerships.

   B.   Auto Services: Provision of fuel, lubricants, parts and accessories, and incidental services to motor vehicles; and washing and cleaning and/or repair of automobiles, non-commercial trucks, motorcycles, motor homes, recreational vehicles, or boats, including the sale, installation, and servicing of equipment and parts. Typical uses include service stations, car washes, muffler shops, auto repair garages, tire sales and installation, wheel and brake shops, and similar repair and service activities but exclude dismantling, salvage, or body and fender repair services.

   C.   Body Repair: Repair, painting, or refinishing of the body, fender, or frame of automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, motor homes, recreational vehicles, boats, tractors, construction equipment, agricultural implements, and similar vehicles or equipment. Typical uses include body and fender shops, painting shops, and other similar repair or refinishing garages.

   D.   Equipment Rental and Sales: Sale or rental of trucks, tractors, construction equipment, agricultural implements, mobile homes, and similar heavy equipment, including incidental storage, maintenance, and servicing. Typical uses include truck dealerships, construction equipment dealerships, and mobile home sales establishments.

   E.   Equipment Repair Services: Repair of trucks, tractors, construction equipment, agricultural implements, and similar heavy equipment. Typical uses include truck repair garages, tractor and farm implement repair services, and machine shops, but exclude dismantling, salvage, or body and fender repair services.

   F.   Vehicle Storage: Storage of operating or non-operating vehicles for a period of no more than 21 days. Typical uses include storage of private parking tow-aways or impound yards but exclude dismantling or salvage. Long-term storage of operating or non-operating vehicles beyond 21 days constitutes an Industrial Use Type.

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

19.   Basement. A level of a building below street level that has at least one-half of its height below the surface of adjacent ground. A basement used for independent dwelling or business purposes shall be considered a story for the purposes of height measurement.

20.   Bed and Breakfast. A lodging service that provides overnight or short-term accommodations to guests or visitors, usually including provision of breakfast.

21.   Block. An area of land within a subdivision that is entirely bounded by streets, by streets and the exterior boundaries of the subdivision, or by a combination of the above with a watercourse or lake, and which has been designated as such on a plat for the purposes of legal description of a property.

22.   Block Face. The property abutting one side of a street and lying between the two nearest intersection streets, or between the one nearest intersecting street and a major physical barrier, including, but not limited to, railroads, streams, lakes, or the corporate limits of Mount Vernon.

23.   Board. The Board of Adjustment. A body, established by the City expressly for the purpose of granting relief from situations of hardship and to hear appeals as provided by this Ordinance.

24.   Broadcasting Tower. A structure(s) for the transmission or broadcasting of radio, television, radar, microwaves, electronic or electromagnetic signals, ordinarily exceeding the maximum height permitted in its zoning district, under governmental regulation or control.

25.   Bufferyard. A landscaped area intended to separate and partially obstruct the view of two adjacent land uses or properties from one another.

26.   Building. Any structure designed or intended for the support, enclosure, shelter, or protection of persons, animals, or property, but not including signs or billboards and not including structures or vehicles originally designed for transportation purposes.

27.   Building Coverage. The area of a site covered by buildings or roofed areas, excluding allowed projecting eaves, balconies, and similar features.

29.   Building Line. A line that is the required minimum distance from any lot line that establishes the area within which the principal structure must be erected or placed.

30.   Building Official. The designee of the City Council, who is responsible for the enforcement of the applicable building codes.

31.   Building Permit. A document that must be issued by the Building Official prior to erecting, constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, improving, removing, converting, or demolishing any building or structure regulated by this Ordinance or by the applicable building codes of the City of Mount Vernon. Issuance of a building permit follows review of plans by the Zoning Administrator to determine that the proposed use of building or land complies with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance.

32.   Business. Activities that include the exchange or manufacture of goods or services on a site.

33.   Business Center. A building containing more than one commercial business, or any group of non-residential buildings within a common development, characterized by shared parking and access.

34.   Business Support Services. Establishments or places of business primarily engaged in the sale, rental or repair of equipment, supplies and materials or the provision of services used by office, professional and service establishments to the firms themselves but excluding automotive, construction and farm equipment. Typical uses include office equipment and supply firms, small business machine repair shops or hotel equipment and supply firms, messenger and delivery services, custodial or maintenance services, and convenience printing and copying.

35.   Business or Trade Schools. 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.

36.   Campground. Facilities providing camping or parking areas and incidental services for travelers in recreational vehicles or tents, which accommodate each guest or visitor for no more than 7 consecutive days during any one month period.

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

38.   Certificate of Occupancy. An official certificate issued by the Building Official or his/her designee prior to occupancy of a completed building or structure, upon finding of conformance with the applicable building code and this Zoning Ordinance.

39.   Change of Use. The replacement of an existing use by a new use.

40.   Clubs. Uses providing meeting, recreational, or social facilities for a private, non-profit or non-commercial association, primarily for use by members and guests.

   A.   Clubs (Recreational): Clubs which provide indoor and/or outdoor athletic facilities, with or without social or meeting facilities. Typical uses include country clubs and private or nonprofit community or recreation centers.

   B.   Clubs (Social): Clubs which provide primarily social or meeting facilities. Typical uses include private social clubs and fraternal organizations.

41.   Cluster. A development design technique that concentrates buildings in specific areas on a site to allow remaining land to be used for recreation, common open space, or the preservation of historically or environmentally sensitive features.

42.   City. The City of Mount Vernon, Iowa.

43.   City Council. The City Council of Mount Vernon, Iowa.

44.   Cocktail Lounge. A use 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 in this section.

45.   Collector Street. A street connecting neighborhoods within the same communities, designed to carry traffic from local to arterial streets.

46.   College and University Facilities. An educational institution of higher learning which offers a course of study designed to culminate in the issuance of a degree certified by a generally recognized accrediting organization.

47.   Commercial Feedlots. The use of a site for the confined feeding or holding of livestock or poultry within buildings, lots, pens, or other close quarters which are not used for crop production or where grazing of natural vegetation is not the major feed source.

48.   Commercial Recreation. Private businesses, or other organizations which may or may not be commercial by structure or by nature, which are primarily engaged in the provision or sponsorship of sports, entertainment, or recreation for participants or spectators. Typical uses include driving ranges, theaters, private dance halls, billiard or bowling centers, game arcades, or private skating facilities.

49.   Common Area. An area held, designed, and designated for common or cooperative use within a development.

50.   Common Development. A development proposed and planned as one unified project not separated by a public street or alley.

51.   Common Open Space. Land within or related to a development that is not individually owned or dedicated for public use, designed and generally intended for the common use of the residents of the development.

52.   Communications Services. Establishments primarily engaged in the provision of broadcasting and other information relay services accomplished through the use of electronic and telephonic mechanisms but excludes those classified as Utilities. Typical uses include television studios, telecommunication service centers, telegraph service offices, or film and sound recording facilities. Broadcast towers, and their minor ancillary ground structures are classified as "Miscellaneous Use Types."

53.   Compatibility. The degree to which two or more different land use types are able to exist together in close proximity, with no one use having significant negative effects on any other use.

54.   Comprehensive Plan. The duly adopted Comprehensive Plan of the City of Mount Vernon.

55.   Conditional Use. A use with operating and/or physical characteristics different from uses permitted by right in a given zoning district which may, nonetheless, be compatible with those uses under special conditions and with adequate public review. Conditional uses are allowed in a zoning district only at the discretion of and with the explicit permission of the Board of Adjustment. Conditional uses are considered identical to Special Exception Uses as authorized by the Code of Iowa.

56.   Condominium. A real estate ownership arrangement that combines fee simple title to a specific unit and joint ownership in common elements shared with other unit owners. Types of units may include dwelling units, parking spaces, office spaces, or commercial spaces.

57.   Conservation Development. A development design technique that concentrates buildings in specific areas on a site to allow remaining land to be used for recreation, common open space, or the preservation of historically or environmentally sensitive features.

58.   Conservation Subdivision. Wholly or in majority, a residential subdivision that permits a reduction in lot area, setback, or other site development regulations, provided 1) there is no increase in the overall density permitted for a conventional subdivision in a given zoning district, and 2) the remaining land area is used for common space.

59.   Construction Batch Plant. A temporary demountable facility used for the manufacturing of cement, concrete, asphalt, or other paving materials intended for specific construction projects.

60.   Construction Sales and Services. Establishments or places of business primarily engaged in the retail or wholesale sale, from the premises, of materials used in the construction of buildings or other structures other than retail sale of paint, fixtures and hardware. This use type excludes those uses classified under Automotive and Equipment Services. Typical uses include building materials sales, or tool and equipment rental or sales.

61.   Construction Yards. Establishments housing facilities of businesses primarily engaged in construction activities, including incidental storage of materials and equipment on lots other than construction sites. Typical uses are building contractor's yards.

62.   Consumer Services. Establishments which provide services, primarily to individuals and households, but excluding Automotive Use Types. Typical uses include automated banking machines, appliance repair shops, watch or jewelry repair shops, or musical instrument repair shops.

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

64.   Convalescent Services. A use providing bed care and inpatient services for persons requiring regular medical attention but excluding a facility providing surgical or emergency medical services and excluding a facility providing care for alcoholism, drug addiction, mental disease, or communicable disease. Typical uses include nursing homes.

65.   Conventional Subdivision. A subdivision which literally meets all nominal standards of the zoning and subdivision ordinances for lot dimensions, setbacks, street frontage, and other site development regulations.

66.   Corporate Offices. Use of a site for administrative, processing, or research offices, which generally does not provide service to clientele from Mount Vernon and the surrounding region. Corporate offices are destinations for commuters drawn from a relatively wide region around Mount Vernon, as well as from the community itself. Typical uses include corporate headquarters offices, telemarketing, or information processing offices.

67.   County. Linn County, Iowa.

68.   Court. An approved private right-of-way which provides access to residential properties and meets at least three of the following conditions:

   A.   Serves twelve or fewer housing units or platted lots.

   B.   Does not function as a local street because of its alignment, design, or location.

   C.   Is completely internal to a development.

   D.   Does not exceed 600 feet in length.

69.   Courtyard. An open, unoccupied space, bounded on two or more sides by the walls of the building.

70.   Creative Subdivision. A subdivision which, while complying with the Subdivision Ordinance, diverges from nominal compliance with site development regulations in the zoning ordinance. Creative subdivisions imply a higher level of pre-planning than conventional subdivisions. They may be employed for the purpose of environmental protection or the creation of superior community design. Types of Creative Subdivisions include Conservation Subdivisions and Traditional Neighborhood Districts.

71.   Crop Production. The raising and harvesting of tree crops, row crops for field crops on an agricultural or commercial basis. This definition may include accessory retail sales under certain conditions.

72.   Cultural Services. A library, museum, or similar registered non-profit organizational use displaying, preserving and exhibiting objects of community and cultural interest in one or more of the arts and sciences.

734.   Custom Manufacturing. Establishments primarily engaged in the on-site production of goods by hand manufacturing, within enclosed structures, involving:

   A.   The use of hand tools

   B.   The use of domestic mechanical equipment not exceeding 2 horsepower

   C.   A single kiln not exceeding 8 KW or equivalent.

This category also includes the incidental direct sale to consumers of only those goods produced on site. Typical uses include ceramic studios, custom jewelry manufacturing, candle making shops.

74.   Day Care Services (Limited). This Use Type includes all classifications of day care facilities regulated by the State of Iowa that operate providing care for not more than six (6) children. This term includes nursery schools, preschools, day care centers for children or adults, and similar uses but excludes public and private primary and secondary educational facilities.

75.   Day Care Services (General). This Use Type includes all classifications of day care facilities regulated by the State of Iowa that operate providing care for more than six (6) children. This term includes nursery schools, preschools, day care centers for children or adults, and similar uses but excludes public and private primary and secondary educational facilities.

76.   Density. The amount of development per specific unit of a site.

77.   Detention Facilities. A publicly operated or contracted use providing housing and care for individuals legally confined, designed to isolate those individuals from the community.

78.   Drive-in Services. Uses which involve the sale of products or provision of services to occupants in vehicles.

79.   Detached. Fully separated from any other building or jointed to another building in such a manner as not to constitute an enclosed or covered connection.

80.   Driveway. A permanently paved, surfaced area providing vehicular access between a street and an off-street parking or loading area.

81.   Duplex Residential. The use of a legally-described lot for two dwelling units, each occupied by one family within a single building, excluding manufactured or mobile home units, but including modular housing units.

82.   Dwelling Unit. One or more rooms, designed, occupied or intended for occupancy as a separate living quarter, with cooking, sleeping, and sanitary facilities provided within the dwelling unit for the exclusive use of a single family, as defined herein, maintaining a household.

83.   Easement. A privilege or right of use granted on, above, under, or across a particular tract of land for a specific purpose by one owner to another owner, public or private agency, or utility.

84.   Emergency Residential Services. A facility or use of a building to provide a protective sanctuary for victims of crime or abuse, including emergency housing during crisis intervention for victims of rape, abuse, or physical beatings.

85.   Enclosed. A roofed or covered space fully surrounded by walls.

86.   Federal. Pertaining to the Government of the United States of America.

87.   Financial Services. Provision of financial and banking services to consumers or clients. Walk-in and drive-in services to consumers are provided on site. Typical uses include banks, savings and loan associations, savings banks, and loan companies. An ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) which is not accompanied on-site by an office of a its primary financial institution is considered within the Personal Services Use Type .

88.   Floor Area Ratio. The quotient of gross floor area divided by gross site area.

89.   Food Sales. Establishments or places of business primarily engaged in the retail sale of food or household products for home consumption. Food Sales establishments may include the sale of non-food items. However, The sales of non-food items may account for no more than the lesser of 25% of the sales area or 10,000 square feet of the Food Sales establishment. Typical uses include groceries, delicatessens, meat markets, retail bakeries, and candy shops.

   A.   Convenience Food Sales: Establishments occupying facilities of less than 10,000 square feet; and characterized by sales of specialty foods or a limited variety of general items, and by the sales of fuel for motor vehicles.

   B.   Limited Food Sales: Establishments occupying facilities of less than 10,000 square feet; and characterized by sales of specialty foods or a limited variety of general items, but excluding the accessory sale of fuel for motor vehicles. Typical uses include delicatessens, meat markets, retail bakeries, candy shops, small grocery stores.

   C.   General Food Sales: Establishments selling a wide variety of food commodities and related items, using facilities larger than 10,000 but less than 40,000 square feet. Typical uses include grocery stores and locker plants.

   D.   Supermarkets: Establishments selling a wide variety of food commodities, related items, and often providing a variety of non-food goods and services, using facilities larger than 40,000 square feet. Typical uses include large grocery stores.

90.   Frontage. The length of a property line of any one premises abutting and parallel to a public street, private way, or court.

91.   Funeral Services. 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.

92    Garage. A structure primarily designed for parking and storage of automotive vehicles and related uses and may be attached (and therefore part of the principal building) or detached (and therefore an accessory building).

93.   General Industry. Enterprises engaged in the processing, manufacturing, compounding, assembly, packaging, treatment or fabrication of materials and products from prepared materials or from raw materials without noticeable noise, odor, vibration, or air pollution effects across property lines.

94.   General Offices. Use of a site for business, professional, or administrative offices who may invite clients from both local and regional areas. Typical uses include real estate, insurance, management, travel, or other business offices; organization and association offices; or professional offices.

95.   Grade. The horizontal elevation of the finished surface of ground, paving, or sidewalk adjacent to any building line.

   A.   For buildings having walls facing one street only, the grade shall be the elevation at the center of the wall facing the street.

   B.   For buildings having walls facing more than one street, the grade shall be the average elevation of the grades of all walls facing each street.

   C.   For buildings having no walls facing a street, the grade shall be the average level of the finished surface of the ground adjacent to the exterior walls of the building.

96.   Gross Floor Area. The total enclosed area of all floors of a building, measured to the inside surfaces of the exterior walls. This definition excludes the areas of basements, elevator shafts, airspaces above atriums, and enclosed off-street parking and loading areas serving a principal use.

97.   Ground Floor. The first floor of a building other than a cellar or basement.

98.   Group Care Facility. A government-licensed or approved facility which provides for resident care. Group Care Facilities include facilities which provide services in accordance with individual needs for the:

   A.   Adaptation to living with, or rehabilitation from, the handicaps of physical disability.

   B.   Adaptation to living with, or rehabilitation from, the handicaps of emotional or mental disorder; or developmental disabilities.

   C.   Rehabilitation from the effects of drug or alcohol abuse.

   D.   Supervision while under a program alternative to imprisonment, including but not limited to pre-release, work-release, and probationary programs.

   E.   Others who require direct adult supervision.

99.   Group Home. A facility licensed by the State of Iowa in which at least three but no more than eight persons, not including resident managers or house parents, who are unrelated by blood, marriage, or adoption, reside while receiving therapy, training, living assistance, or counseling for the purpose of adaptation to living with or rehabilitation from a physical or mental disability as defined by the relevant provisions of the Code of Iowa or by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988.

100.   Group Residential. The use of a site for a residence by more than four unrelated persons, not defined as a family, on a weekly or longer basis.

101.   Guidance Services. 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.

102.   Heavy Industry. Enterprises involved in the basic processing and manufacturing of products, predominately from raw materials, with noticeable noise, odor, vibration, or air pollution effects across property lines; or a use or process engaged in the storage of or processes involving potentially or actually hazardous, explosive, flammable, radioactive, or other commonly recognized hazardous materials.

103.   Height. The vertical distance from the established grade to the highest point of the coping of a flat roof, the deck line of a mansard roof, or to the average height between eaves and the ridge for gable, hip, shed, or gambrel roofs. For other cases, height shall be measured as the vertical distance from the established grade to the highest point of a structure as herein defined. Where a building or structure is located on a slope, height shall be measured from the average grade level adjacent to the building or structure.

104.   Health Care. A facility providing medical, psychiatric, guidance, or surgical service for sick or injured persons exclusively on an outpatient basis including emergency treatment, diagnostic services, training, administration and services to outpatients, employees, or visitors.

105.   Home Based Business/Home Occupation. An accessory occupational use conducted entirely within a dwelling unit by its inhabitants, which is clearly incidental to the residential use of the dwelling unit or residential structure and does not change the residential character of its site.

106.   Horticulture. The growing of horticultural and floricultural specialties, such as flowers, shrubs, or trees intended for ornamental or landscaping purposes. This definition may include accessory retail sales under certain conditions. Typical uses include wholesale plant nurseries and greenhouses.

107.   Hospital. A facility providing medical, psychiatric, guidance, or surgical service for sick or injured persons primarily on an inpatient basis, including emergency treatment, diagnostic services, training, administration, and services to patients, employees, or visitors.

108.   Housing Unit. See definition of Dwelling Unit.

109.   Impervious Coverage. The total horizontal area of all buildings, roofed or covered spaces, paved surface areas, walkways and driveways, and any other site improvements that decrease the ability of the surface of the site to absorb water, expressed as a percent of site area. The surface water area of pools is excluded from this definition.

110.   Kennels. Boarding and care services for dogs, cats and similar small mammals or large birds. Typical uses include boarding kennels, ostrich raising facilities, pet motels, or dog training centers.

111.   Landfill (Non-putrescible Solid Waste Disposal). The use of a site as a depository for solid wastes that do not readily undergo chemical or biological breakdown under conditions normally associated with land disposal operations. Typical disposal material would include ashes, concrete, paving wastes, rock, brick, lumber, roofing materials and ceramic tile.

112.   Landfill (Putrescible and Non-putrescible Solid Waste Disposal). The use of a site as a depository for any solid waste except hazardous and toxic waste as defined by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and/or the State of Iowa. Typical disposal material would include non-putrescible wastes; and putrescible wastes such as vegetation, tree parts, agricultural wastes (garbage) and manure.

113.    Landscaped Area. The area within the boundaries of a given lot, site or common development consisting primarily of plant material, including but not limited to grass, trees, shrubs, vines, ground cover, and other organic plant materials; or grass paver masonry units installed such that the appearance of the area is primarily landscaped.

   A.   Perimeter Landscaped Area: Any required landscaped area that adjoins the exterior boundary of a lot, site or common development.

   B.   Interior Landscaped Area: Any landscaped area within a site exclusive of required perimeter landscaping.

114.   Laundry Services. Establishments primarily engaged in the provision of laundering, 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.

115.   Light Industry. Establishments engaged in the manufacture or processing of finished products from previously prepared materials, including processing, fabrication, assembly, treatment, and packaging of such products, and incidental storage, sales, and distribution. These establishments are characterized by having no major external environmental effects across property lines and include no unscreened or unenclosed outdoor storage. Typical uses include commercial bakeries, dressed beef processing plants, soft drink bottling, apparel assembly from fabrics, electronics, manufacturing, print shops and publishing houses.

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

117.   Livestock Sales. The use of a site for the temporary confinement and exchange or sale of livestock. Typical uses include sales barns.

118.   Loading Area. An off-street area used for the loading or unloading of goods from a vehicle in connection with the use of the site on which such area is located.

119.   Lodging. Lodging services involving the provision of room and/or board, but not meeting the classification criteria of Bed and Breakfasts. Typical uses include hotels, apartment hotels, and motels.

120.   Lot. A parcel of property with a separate and distinct number or other identifying designation which has been created, assigned and recorded in the Office of the Linn County Recorder and may consist of: (a) a single lot of record or (b) a combination of complete lots of record. Each individual lot is subject to the provisions of a particular base Zoning District, and shall have a minimum frontage of 20 feet, except as provided in an approved Planned Unit Development and/or Creative Subdivision (see illustrations below.

   A.   Corner Lot: A lot located at the junction of at least two streets, private ways or courts or at least two segments of a curved street, private way or court, at which the angle of intersection is no greater than 135 degrees.

   B.   Double Frontage Lot: A lot, other than a corner lot, having frontage on two streets, private ways or courts. Primary access shall be restricted on a double frontage lot to the minor of the two streets or to the front line as determined at time of platting or as defined by this ordinance. (Also known as a Through Lot)

   C.   Interior Lot: A lot other than a corner lot.

   D.   Common Development Lot: When two or more contiguous lots are developed as part of a Planned Unit Development, these lots may be considered a single lot for purposes of this ordinance.

121.   Lot Area. The total horizontal area within the lot lines of a lot.

122.   Lot Depth. The mean horizontal distance measured between the front and rear lot lines.

123.    Lot Line. A property boundary line(s) of record that divides one lot from another lot or a lot from the public or private street right-of-way or easement. Once established, lot lines may not be redefined due to a change of address which would result in a new definition of the prior defined lot lines.

   A.   Front Lot Line: The lot line separating a lot and a public or private street right-of-way or easement.

      (a)    For an interior lot, the lot line separating the lot from the right-of-way or easement.

      (b)    For a corner lot, the shorter lot line abutting a public or private street or easement. In instances of equal line dimension, the front lot line shall be determined by the Zoning Administrator, or as may be noted on the final plat.

      (c)    For a double frontage lot, the lot lines separating the lot from the right-of-way or easement of the more minor street. In cases where each street has the same classification, the front lot line shall be determined by the Building Official at the time of application for the original building permit for the lot, or as may be noted on the final plat.

   B.   Rear Lot Line: The lot line which is opposite and most distant from the front line.

   C.   Side Lot Line: Any lot line that is neither a front or rear lot line. A side lot line separating a lot from a street, private way or court is a street side lot line. A side lot line separating a lot from another lot or lots is an interior side lot line.

124.   Lot Width. The horizontal distance measured between the side lot lines of a lot, at right angles to its depth along a straight line parallel to the front lot line at the minimum required setback line.

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

126.   Manufactured Home Dwelling. A factory-built structure built under authority of 42 U.S.C. §5403, that is required by federal law to display a seal from the United States department of housing and urban development, and was constructed on or after June 15, 1976.

127.   Manufactured Home Residential. Use of a site for one or more manufactured home dwellings, as defined.

128.   Medical Offices. Use of a site for facilities which provide diagnoses and outpatient care on a routine basis, but which does not provide prolonged, in-house medical or surgical care. Medical offices are operated by doctors, dentists, or similar medical practitioners licensed for practice in the State of Iowa.

129.   Mixed Use Building. A building or structure that incorporates two or more use types within a single building or structure, provided that each use type is permitted within the individual Base Zoning District in which the building or structure is to be located.

130.   Mixed Use Development. A single development which incorporates complementary land use types into a single development.

131.   Mobile Homes. Any vehicle without motive power used or so manufactured or constructed as to permit its being used as a conveyance upon the public streets and highways and so designed, constructed, or reconstructed as will permit the vehicle to be used as a place for human habitation by one or more persons; but shall also include any such vehicle with motive power not registered as a motor vehicle in Iowa. A “mobile home” is not built to a mandatory building code, contains no state or federal seals, and was built before June 15, 1976.

132.   Mobile Home Park. A site, lot, field, or tract of land upon which three or more mobile homes or manufactured homes, or a combination of any of these homes, are placed on developed spaces and operated as a for-profit enterprise with water, sewer or septic, and electrical services available. The term “mobile home park” shall not be construed to include manufactured or mobile homes, buildings, tents, or other structures temporarily maintained by any individual, educational institution, or company on their own premises and used exclusively to house their own labor or students.

133.   Mobile Home Subdivision. A development subdivided, planned, and improved for the placement of mobile home units on lots for uses by the individual owners of such lots. Mobile Home Subdivisions may include common areas and facilities for management, recreation, laundry, utility services, storage, storm shelter, and other services; but do not include mobile home sales lots on which unoccupied mobile homes are parked for the purpose of display, inspection, sale, or storage.

134.   Modular Home. A factory-built structure which is manufactured to be used as a place of human habitation, is constructed to comply with the Iowa state building code for modular factory-built structures, as adopted pursuant to Iowa Code section 103A.7, and must display the seal issued by the state building code commissioner.

135.   Multi-Family Residential. The use of a site for three or more dwelling units not otherwise defined as townhouse units. The Multi-Family Residential use type includes:

   A.   Multi-Family Residential (Small-scale): Use of a site for between 3 and 8 units in one building within a single development.

   B.   Multi-Family Residential (Large-scale): Use of a site for more than 8 units in one building within a single development.

136.   Nonconforming Development. A building, structure, or improvement that was lawful prior to the adoption, revision or amendment of the zoning ordinance but that fails, by reason of such adoption, revision, or amendment, to conform to the present requirements of the zoning ordinance. No action can be taken which would increase the non-conforming characteristics of the building, structure, or improvement.

137.   Nonconforming Lot. A lot which was lawful prior to the adoption, revision, or amendment of this zoning ordinance but that fails by reason of such adoption, revision, or amendment to conform to the present requirements of the zoning ordinance. No action can be taken which would increase the non-conforming characteristics of the lot.

138.   Nonconforming Sign. A sign that was legally erected prior to the adoption, revision, or amendment of this zoning ordinance but that fails by reason of such adoption, revision, or amendment to conform to the present requirements of the zoning ordinance.

139.   Nonconforming Structure. A structure that was lawful prior to the adoption, revision or amendment of the zoning ordinance but that fails, by reason of such adoption, revision, or amendment, to conform to the present requirements of the zoning ordinance. No action can be taken that would increase the non-conforming characteristics of the structure, except in conformance with the Design Standards of the City of Mount Vernon.

140.   Nonconforming Use. A land use that was lawful prior to the adoption, revision or amendment of the zoning ordinance but that fails, by reason of such adoption, revision, or amendment, to conform to the present requirements of the zoning ordinance. No action can be taken that would increase the non-conforming characteristics of the land use.

141.   Nuisance. See Section 50.02, Chapter 50, Code of Ordinances.

142.   Open Space. Area included on any site or lot that is open and unobstructed to the sky, except for allowed projections of cornices, overhangs, porches, balconies, or plant materials.

143.   Off-Street Parking. Parking use types include surface parking of motor vehicles on a temporary basis within a privately or publicly owned off-street parking facility.

144.   Outdoor Storage. The storage of materials, parts, or products that are related to the primary use of a site for a period exceeding three days.

145.   Overlay District. A district established by this Ordinance to prescribe special regulations to be applied to a site only in combination with a base district.

146.   Owner. An individual, firm, association, syndicate, partnership, or corporation having sufficient proprietary interest in land, property or structure.

147.   Park and Recreation Services. Publicly-owned and operated parks, playgrounds, recreation facilities including publicly-owned community centers, and open spaces.

148.   Parking Facility. An area on a lot and/or within a building, including one or more parking spaces, along with provision for access circulation, maneuvering, and landscaping, meeting the requirements of this Zoning Ordinance. Parking facilities include parking lots, private garages, and parking structures. Vehicle storage is distinct from parking, and is governed by provisions of Article 9.

149.   Parking Spaces. An area on a lot and/or within a building, intended for the use of temporary parking of a personal vehicle. This term is used interchangeably with “parking stall”. Each parking space must have a means of access to a public street. Tandem parking stalls in single-family detached, single-family attached, and townhome residential uses shall be considered to have a means of access to a public street.

150.   Parking Structure. The use of a site for a multilevel building which provides for

the parking of motor vehicles on a temporary basis, other than as an accessory to a principal use on the same site.

151.   Paved. Permanently surfaced with poured concrete, concrete pavers, or asphalt.

152.   Permanent Foundation. A permanent frost-free perimeter foundation is one having footings below the frost line and a continuous foundation wall of concrete, concrete block, wood, or stone. The permanent foundation for a manufactured home, however, may be a pier footing foundation system designed and constructed to be compatible with the structure and the conditions of the site; provided, however, (1) the footings for the pier foundations are placed below the frost line and (2) the manufactured home is skirted with construction materials giving the appearance of a poured concrete, cement block or stone foundation to insure visual compatibility with surrounding residential structures. Ground level additions to a dwelling unit that are served by the dwelling unit’s principal heating source require permanent frost-free perimeter foundations. Other enclosed additions to dwelling units may have a pier footing foundation system provided (1) the footings for the pier foundations are placed below the frost line and (2) no pier footing foundations are placed in the front yard of the lot upon which the dwelling is situated. A permanent foundation shall not include footings for steps, porches, decks or stoops.

153.   Permitted Use. A land use type allowed as a matter of right in a zoning district, subject only to special requirements of this Zoning Ordinance.

154.   Personal Improvement Services. Establishments primarily engaged in the provision of informational, instructional, personal improvements and similar services of a non-professional nature. Typical uses include driving schools, health or physical fitness studios, music schools, reducing salons, dance studios, handicraft and hobby instruction.

155.   Personal Services. Establishments or places of business primarily engaged in the provision of services of a personal nature. Typical uses include beauty and barber shops; seamstress, tailor, or shoe repair shops; photography studios; television or electronics repair; or dry cleaning stations serving individuals and households.

156.   Pet Services. Retail sales, incidental pet health services, and grooming and 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 animal clinics, dog bathing and clipping salons, and pet grooming shops, but exclude uses for livestock and large animals.

157.   Planning Commission. The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Mount Vernon, as authorized pursuant to Chapter 414, Code of Iowa.

158.    Planned Unit Development. A development of land which is under unified control and is planned and developed as a whole in a single development operation or programmed series of development stages. The development may include streets, circulation ways, utilities, buildings, open spaces, and other site features and improvements.

159.   Porch. A roofed or unroofed open structure projecting from an exterior wall of a building and having no enclosed features more than thirty inches above its floor other than wire screening and a roof with supporting structure.

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

161.   Premises. A lot, parcel, tract or plot of land, contiguous and under common ownership or control, together with the buildings and structure thereon.

162.   Primary Educational Facilities. A public, private, or parochial school offering instruction at the elementary school level in the branches of learning study required to be taught in schools within the State of Iowa.

163.   Principal Use. The main use of land or structures as distinguished from an accessory use.

164.   Private Garage. A building for the storage of motor vehicles where no repair service facilities are maintained and where no motor vehicles are kept for rental or sale.

165.   Projections (into yards). Parts of buildings such as architectural features that extend beyond the building’s exterior wall.

166.   Property Line. See “Lot Line.”

167.   Public Assembly. Facilities owned and operated by a public agency or a charitable non-profit organization accommodating major public assembly for recreation, sports, amusement, or entertainment purposes. Typical uses include civic or community auditoriums, sports stadiums, convention facilities, fairgrounds, incidental sales, and exhibition facilities.

168.   Railroad Facility. Railroad yards, equipment servicing facilities, and terminal facilities.

169.   Recreational Vehicle - A vehicle towed or self-propelled on its own chassis or attached to the chassis of another vehicle and designed or used for temporary dwelling, recreational, or sporting purposes. Recreational vehicles include, but are not limited to, travel trailers; campers; motor coach homes; converted buses and trucks, boats, and boat trailers.

170.   Recycling Collection. Any site which is used in whole or part for the receiving or collection of any post-consumer, nondurable goods including, but not limited to glass, plastic, paper, cardboard, aluminum, tin, or other recyclable commodities.

171.   Recycling Processing. Any site which is used for the processing of any post-consumer, nondurable goods including, but not limited to glass, plastic, paper, cardboard, aluminum, tin, or other recyclable commodities.

172.   Regulation. A specific requirement set forth by this Zoning Ordinance which must be followed.

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

174.    Remote Parking. A supply of off-street parking at a location not on the site of a given development.

175.   Research Services. Establishments primarily engaged in research of an industrial or scientific nature. Typical uses include electronics research laboratories, space research and development firms, testing laboratories, or pharmaceutical research labs.

176.   Resource Extraction. A use involving on-site extraction of surface or subsurface mineral products or natural resources, excluding the grading and removal of dirt. Typical uses are quarries, borrow pits, sand and gravel operations, mining.

177.   Restaurants. A use engaged in the preparation and retail sale of food and beverages; including the sale of alcoholic beverages when conducted as a secondary feature of the use, producing less than 50 per cent of the establishment's gross income.

   A.   Restaurant (Drive-in or Fast Food): An establishment which principally supplies food and beverages in disposable containers and is characterized by high automobile accessibility and on-site accommodations, self-service, and short stays by customers.

   B.   Restaurant (General): An establishment characterized by table service to customers and/or accommodation to walk-in clientele, as opposed to Drive-in or Fast Food Restaurants. Typical uses include cafes, coffee shops, and restaurants.

178.   Restricted Businesses. Any business activity which offers the opportunity to view sexual activities or view or touch anatomical areas for entertainment purposes in a manner that offends contemporary standards in the community of Mount Vernon, depicts or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. This category includes the sale or viewing of visual or print materials that meet these criteria. Typical uses include retail services or stores which are distinguished by an emphasis on activities or materials that emphasize sexual content; businesses which offer live performances characterized by exposure of specified anatomical areas; and adult theaters.

179.   Retail Services. Sale or rental with incidental service of commonly used goods and merchandise for personal or household use but excludes those classified more specifically by these use type classifications. Typical uses include department stores, apparel stores, furniture stores, or 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, photograph services, household electronic equipment, records, sporting equipment, kitchen utensils, home furnishing and appliances, art supplies and framing, arts and antiques, paint and wallpaper, hardware, carpeting and floor covering; interior decorating services; office supplies; mail order or catalog sales; bicycles; and automotive parts and accessories (excluding service and installation). General Retail Services include:

   A.   Limited Retail Services: Establishments providing retail services, occupying facilities of 3,000 square feet or less. Typical establishments provide for specialty retailing or retailing oriented to Mount Vernon and its surrounding vicinity.

   B.   Medium Retail Services: Establishments providing retail services, occupying facilities between 3,001 and 10,000 square feet in a single establishment or multi-tenant facility. Typical establishments provide for specialty retailing or general purpose retailing oriented to Mount Vernon and its surrounding vicinity.

   C.   Large Retail Services: Establishments providing retail services, occupying facilities between 10,001 and 20,000 square feet in a single establishment or multi-tenant facility. Typical establishments provide for specialty retailing or general purpose retailing oriented to Mount Vernon and its surrounding vicinity.

   D.   Mass Retail Services: Establishments providing retail services, occupying facilities over 20,000 square feet in a single establishment or multi-tenant facility. Typical establishments provide for specialty retailing or general purpose retailing oriented to Mount Vernon and the eastern part of the Cedar Rapids metropolitan region.

180.   Retirement Residence. A building or group of buildings which provide residential facilities for more than four residents. A retirement residence may provide a range of residential building types and may also provide support services to residents, including but not limited to food service, general health supervision, medication services, housekeeping services, personal services, recreation facilities, and transportation services. The retirement residence may accommodate food preparation in independent units or meal service in one or more common areas. Retirement residences may include additional health care supervision or nursing care.

181.   Salvage 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, junk yards, or paper salvage yards.

182.   Safety Services. Facilities for conduct of public safety and emergency services including police and fire protection services and emergency medical and ambulance services.

183.   Secondary Educational Facilities. A public, private, or parochial school offering instruction at the junior high or high school level in the branches of learning and study required to be taught in the schools of the State of Iowa.

184.   Screening. The method by which a view of one site from another adjacent site is shielded, concealed, or hidden. Screening techniques include fences, walls, hedges, berms, or other features as may be permitted by the landscape provisions of this ordinance.

185.   Setback, general. The allowed distance between a front, side or rear lot line and the corresponding front, side or rear building line.

186   Sign. A symbolic, visual device fixed upon a building, vehicle, structure, or parcel of land, which is intended to convey information about a product, business, activity, place, person, institution, candidate, or political idea.

187.   Single-Family Residential. The use of a site for one dwelling unit, occupied by one family. Mobile home units are not a single-family use type. See below categories for such units.

   A.   Single-Family Residential (Detached): A single-family residential use in which one dwelling unit is located on a single lot, with no physical or structural connection to any other dwelling unit.

   B.   Single-Family Residential (Attached): A single-family residential use in which one dwelling unit is located on a single lot and is attached by a common vertical wall to only one other adjacent dwelling unit on another single lot.

188.   Site. The parcel of land to be developed or built upon. A site may encompass a single lot; or a group of lots developed as a common development under the special and overlay districts provisions of this ordinance.

189.   Site Plan. A plan, prepared to scale, showing accurately and with complete dimensioning, the boundaries of a site and the location of all buildings, structures, uses, and principal site development features proposed for a specific parcel of land; and any other information that may be reasonably requested by the City in order that an informed decision can be made on the associated request.

190.   Smoke Shop. Any premises where sales of tobacco, cigarettes or alternative nicotine products, as defined by Iowa Code chapter 453A; CBD, marijuana, synthetic cannabinoid, Kratom or other psychoactive products; vapor products; and/or related paraphernalia, accessories, or delivery systems account for more than ten percent (10%) of gross sales or ten percent (10%) of the dedicated product display area.

191.   Special Exception. A use specified in these regulations identifying specific conditions, limitations or restrictions, and which is subject to review for approval, or denial by the Board of Adjustment according to the provisions set forth in this Ordinance.

192.   Stables and/or Riding Academies. The buildings, pens and pasture areas used for the boarding and feeding of horses, llamas, or other equine not owned by the occupants of the premises. This use includes instruction in riding, jumping, and showing or the riding of horses/equine for hire.

193.   State. The State of Iowa.

194.   Story. The portion of a building included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the next floor above it; if there is no floor above it, the space between such floor and the next ceiling above it. A half story is a story under a sloped roof, the wall heights of which on at least two opposite, exterior walls are less than four feet.

195.   Street. A right of way, dedicated to public use, which affords a primary means of access to the abutting property. This definition is intended to be inclusive of the term as defined in Iowa Statute.

196.   Street, Intersecting and Principal. In regard to a site, the principal street shall be the street to which the majority of lots on a block face are oriented; the intersecting street shall be a street other than a principal street.

197.   Street, Local. A street which is used primarily for access to the abutting properties.

198.   Street, Major. A street carrying traffic between neighborhoods, connecting neighborhoods with major activity centers or accommodating major through traffic. Major streets are designated as collectors, arterials, or expressways by the Comprehensive Plan or the street planning map.

199.   Structure. Any object constructed or built, as required by the building code, and attached or anchored permanently or semi-permanently to the ground in such a way as to prevent routine movement.

200.   Surplus Sales. Businesses engaged in the sale, including sale by auction, of used items or new items which are primarily composed of factory surplus or discontinued items. Surplus sales uses sometimes include regular outdoor display of merchandise. Typical uses include flea markets, auction houses, factory outlets, or merchandise liquidators.

201.   Townhouse. A dwelling unit having a common wall with or abutting one or more adjacent dwelling units in a townhouse structure, with its own front and rear access to the outside, and neither above nor below any other dwelling unit.

202.   Townhouse Residential. The use of a site for three or more attached dwelling units, each occupied by one family and separated by vertical side walls extending from foundation through roof without openings. Each townhouse unit must have at least two exposed exterior walls.

203.   Townhouse Structure. A building formed by at least two and not more than twelve contiguous townhouses with common or abutting walls.

204.   Trade Services. Establishments or places of business primarily engaged in the provision of services that are not retail or primarily dedicated to walk-in clientele. These services often involve services to construction or building trades and may involve a small amount of screened, outdoor storage in appropriate zoning districts. Typical uses include shops or operating bases for plumbers, electricians, or HVAC (heating , ventilating, and air conditioning) contractors.

205.   Transportation Terminal. Facility for loading, unloading, and interchange of passengers, baggage, and incidental freight or package express, including bus terminals, railroad stations, public transit facilities.

206.   Truck Terminal. A facility for the receipt, transfer, short term storage, and dispatching of goods transported by truck.

207.   Uptown Residential. The use of upper levels above street level of a building within the Town Center and Central Business Districts of the City of Mount Vernon for single- or multi-family residential uses.

209.   Use. The conduct of an activity, or the performance of a function or operation, on a site or in a building or facility.

210.   Utilities. Any structures or facilities, other than lines, poles, lift stations, and other incidental facilities, used for the production, generation, transmission, delivery, collection, or storage of water, sewage, electricity, gas, oil, energy media, communications, electronic or electromagnetic signals, or other services which are precedent to development and/or use of land.

211.   Variance. A device used by the Board of Adjustment which grants a property owner relief from certain provisions of a Zoning Ordinance when, because of the particular physical surroundings, shape, or topographical condition of the property, compliance would result in particular hardship upon the owner, as distinguished from a mere inconvenience or a desire to make more money and which condition is not of the owner’s own making.

212.   Vehicle Storage. Short-term storage of operating or non-operating vehicles for a period of no more than 21 days. Typical uses include storage of private parking tow-aways or impound yards but exclude dismantling or salvage. Long-term storage beyond 21 days constitutes an Industrial Use Type.

213.   Vehicle Storage (Long-term). Long-term storage of operating or non-operating vehicles for a period exceeding 21 days. Typical uses include storage of private parking tow-aways or impound yards but exclude dismantling or salvage. Long-term storage of 21 days or less constitutes a Commercial Use Type.

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

215.   Warehousing (Enclosed). Uses including storage, distribution, and handling of goods and materials within enclosed structures. Typical uses include wholesale distributors, storage warehouses, and van and storage companies.

216.   Warehousing (Open). Uses including open air storage, distribution, and handling of goods and materials. Typical uses include monument yards, grain elevators, and open storage.

217.   Yard; Required. That portion of a lot which lies between a lot line and the corresponding building setback line or the required landscape area. This area shall be unoccupied and unobstructed by permitted uses, accessory uses or conditional uses, or anything specifically regulated by this ordinance (see illustrations below).

   A.   Front Yard: The space extending the full width of a lot between the principal building foundation line and the front lot line. For a corner lot, the front yard shall normally be defined as that yard along a street which meets one of the following two criteria:

      (a)   The yard along the blockface to which a greater number of structures are oriented; or

      (b)   The yard along a street that has the smaller horizontal dimension.

   B.   Rear Yard: The space extending the full width of a lot between the principal building foundation line and the rear lot line.

   C.   Side Yard: The space extending from the front yard to the rear yard between the principal building and the side lot line.

   D.   Street Side Yard: On a corner lot, the space extending from the front yard to the rear lot line, between the principal building and the street side lot line.

218.   Zoning Administrator. The designee of the City Council primarily responsible for the interpretation, administration, and enforcement of the Mount Vernon Zoning Ordinance.

219.   Zoning District. A designated specified land classification, within which all sites are subject to a unified group of use and site development regulations set forth in this Zoning Ordinance (includes base districts and overlay districts).

220.   Zoning Map. The map delineating the boundaries of districts which, along with the zoning text, comprises the Zoning Ordinance.