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Norwich City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 9

DEFINITIONS

9.1 - Use of Terms.

9.1.1

Definitions to be Applied. In the interpretation and enforcement of these Regulations, the words and phrases set forth in these Regulations shall be construed as defined in this Article, unless otherwise clearly qualified by their context.

9.1.2

Specific Terms. In the interpretation and enforcement of these Regulations, certain words contained herein shall be interpreted as follows:

.1

The word "shall" is mandatory and not discretionary.

.2

The word "may" is permissive.

.3

When not inconsistent with the context:

.1

Words in the present tense include the future and vice-versa.

.2

Words in the singular include the plural and vice-versa.

.3

Words in the masculine include the feminine and neuter and vice-versa.

.4

The words "occupied" or "used" include the words "designed, arranged or intended to be occupied or used."

.5

The words "zone," "zoning district," and "district" have the same meaning.

.6

The words "base zone" and "underlying zone" have the same meaning.

.7

The word "person" also includes a partnership, association, trust, corporation or other legal entity.

.8

"Filed" shall mean "submitted" and vice-versa.

.9

The "City" is the City of Norwich, Connecticut.

.10

The "Commission" is the Commission on the City Plan.

.11

"CGS" means the Connecticut General Statutes. All references in these Regulations to the CGS shall mean the most recently amended version of the statutes, unless specifically stated otherwise. For informational purposes and reader convenience, the version of certain statutes as of the time of adoption of these Regulations is reprinted herein. However, if the relevant statute was later amended, the versions reprinted herein may no longer be applicable. The reader should consult the current version of the statute when possible. Connecticut statutes may be searched "on line" at the following web address: cga.ct.gov

9.1.3

Terms Not Defined. In the interpretation and enforcement of these Regulations, words not defined in this Article shall be interpreted by the Commission or its designated agent. In connection with such interpretation, the Commission may consult one or more of the following:

.1

The State Building Code, as amended.

.2

The Connecticut General Statutes ("CGS").

.3

The Illustrated Book of Development Definitions (Rutgers University, Center for Urban Policy Research (Piscataway, NJ), as amended.

.4

Black's Law Dictionary.

.5

A comprehensive general dictionary.

9.2 - Defined Terms

For the purpose of these Regulations, the following words are defined below:

CONCEPT OF "ACCESSORY" AND "PRINCIPAL"
Accessory. Subordinate and customarily incidental to a principal building, structure, or use on the same property or a contiguous lot under the same ownership.
Accessory Apartment. See HOUSING RELATED TERMS
Accessory Building. See "Building, Accessory" @ BUILDING RELATED TERMS
Accessory Use. See "Use, Accessory" @ USE RELATED TERMS
Principal. The primary or predominant building, structure, use, or activity on a lot or parcel
Principal Building. See "Building, Principal" @ BUILDING RELATED TERMS
Principal Use. See "Use, Principal" @ USE RELATED TERMS

 

Agritourism - see FARM RELATED TERMS

Alcoholic beverages are alcohol, beer, spirits and wine.

ANIMAL RELATED TERMS
Animal day care is a business kept or maintained for the care, grooming, training, exercising and socialization of dogs or cats by a person other than the owner of the animal. Does not include overnight boarding. Overnight boarding may be permitted as part of a Commercial Kennel in accordance with Section 6.15.
Kennel is any lot on which four or more dogs or cats, six months old or older, are kept.
Kennel, Commercial is any kennel maintained and operated as a business for the grooming, boarding, daycare or training of dogs.
Livestock are animals commonly raised in an agricultural rather than a domestic environment, including but not limited to chickens, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, cattle, donkeys, llamas, emus, ostriches.

 

Antenna is a device used to receive or transmit electromagnetic waves. Examples include, but are not limited to, whip, panel and dish antennas.

Apartment is any building or portion thereof containing three or more dwelling units.

Apartment, accessory - See HOUSING RELATED TERMS

Apartment, garden is an apartment building not more than three stories in height.

Apartment, high-rise is an apartment building not more than seven or less than four stories in height.

Area of special flood hazard is the land within the City of Norwich that is subject to a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year or the base flood discharge and is synonymous with the phrase "floodplain," and the areas with the 100-year flood boundary.

Basement - see FLOOD RELATED TERMS

Base flood - see FLOOD RELATED TERMS

Base flood elevation (BFE) - see FLOOD RELATED TERMS

Base zone is a traditional zoning classification. The districts listed in the "Residence Districts" and "Business Districts" chapters are base zones.

Bed and breakfast inn - see LODGING RELATED TERMS

Boardinghouse - see LODGING RELATED TERMS

Bollard - see LIGHTING RELATED TERMS

BUILDING RELATED TERMS
Building is any combination of materials forming any construction which requires location on the ground or attachment to something having location on the ground. The term "building" shall include the term "structure" as well as fences, walls, signs, swimming pools, porches and similar structures, but excluding antennae attached to and extending not more than 25 feet above the highest point of the building and utility poles.
Building, accessory is a building which is subordinate and customarily incidental to the principal building and/or use permitted on the same lot. A building shall be considered an accessory building unless it shares a common wall or common roof with the principal building. The term "accessory building" when used in connection with a farm shall include all structures customarily used for farm purposes. Except for farms, no accessory building shall be larger than the principal building.
Building area is the ground area enclosed by the walls of a building together with the area of all covered porches and other roofed portions.
Building height is the vertical distance measured from the average finished grade within ten feet of the walls of the building to the highest point of flat or mansard roofs including the top of a parapet or to the mean level between the eaves and ridge of gable, hip or gambrel roofs.
Building, principal is single building or structure, or interrelated group of buildings or structures, in which is conducted the principal use of the lot on which the building or structure is situated.
Building setback line is the line within a lot defining the minimum required distance between the principal building and any adjacent street or lot line.
Structure - for floodplain management purposes (section 3.4) only - a structure is a walled and roofed building which is principally above ground, including a manufactured home, a gas or liquid storage tank, or other man-made facilities or infrastructures.

 

Cafe - see RESTAURANT RELATED TERMS

Cellar is the portion of a building other than a basement that is located below ground level.

Certification is a signed approval by the Commission on the City Plan that a soil and erosion control plan complies with the applicable requirements of these regulations.

Certificate of zoning compliance (CZC) is approval issued by the zoning enforcement officer prior to the building inspector's issuance of a certificate of occupancy. The CZC is issued to ensure compliance with a site plan approved by the Commission on the City Plan or to ensure compliance with a zoning permit issued by the zoning enforcement officer.

Club is an association of persons which is the owner, lessee or occupant of an establishment operated solely for a recreational, social, fraternal, religious, political or athletic purpose whose activities are confined to the members and guests, are not extended to the general public, and include the establishment so operated, but does not include such club the chief activities of which is a service customarily carried on primarily for business or gain.

COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT RELATED TERMS
Water-dependent uses are those uses and facilities which require direct access to, or location in, marine or tidal waters and which therefore cannot be located inland, including but not limited to: Marinas, recreational and commercial fishing and boating facilities, finfish and shellfish processing plants, waterfront dock and port facilities, shipyards and boat building facilities, water-based recreational uses, navigation aids, basins and channels, industrial uses dependent upon water-borne transportation or requiring large volumes of cooling or process water and which cannot reasonably be located or operated at an inland site and uses which provide general public access to marine or tidal waters. (Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 22a-93-16)
Start of construction (for other than new construction or substantial improvements under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (Pub. L. 97-348)) includes substantial improvements and means the date the building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, placement or other improvement was within 180 days of the permit date. The actual start means either the first placement of permanent construction of a structure on a site, such as the pouring of slab or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns or any work beyond the stage of excavation, or placement of a manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading and filling; nor does it include the installation of streets and/or walkways; nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings, piers or foundations or the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main structure. For a substantial improvement, the actual start of construction means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, or other structural part of a building, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the building. This definition shall apply only to section 3.7 of these regulations.

 

Colleges, universities, educational institutions, including private trade schools are defined as public or private institutions of higher learning offering a course of studies leading to a degree or certification in a specific vocation or technical field. Such institutions may include accessory uses to support the principal institution. Examples of such accessory uses are: residential facilities for staff and/or students, sports fields and/or other structures for institutional events. It is the Commission's intent to encourage the development within this district of business and educational facilities that work together on educational and training programs.

Co-location - see TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELATED TERMS

Commercial Kennel - see ANIMAL RELATED TERMS

Community garden - see FARM RELATED TERMS

Community house is a building designed or intended to be used for essential community services that are not conducted for profit.

Corner lot - see LOT RELATED TERMS

Cost means, as related to substantial improvements, the cost of any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, alteration, repair or other improvement of a structure shall be established by a detailed written contractor's estimate. The estimate shall include, but not be limited to: the cost of materials (interior finishing elements, structural elements, utility and service equipment); sales tax on materials, building equipment and fixtures, including heating and air conditioning and utility meters; labor; built-in appliances; demolition and site preparation; repairs made to damaged parts of the building worked on at the same time; contractor's overhead; contractor's profit; and grand total. Items to be excluded include: cost of plans and specifications, survey costs, permit fees, outside improvements such as septic systems, water supply wells, landscaping, sidewalks, fences, yard lights, irrigation systems, and detached structures such as garages, sheds, and gazebos.

Cultivation of land - see FARM RELATED TERMS

Customer service establishment is an establishment which sells services in small quantities directly to the general public. Examples include, but are not limited to barber or beauty shop, collection station for laundry or dry cleaning, laundry facilities, photographic studio, shoe or hat repair, custom work by dressmaker, milliner or tailor, bicycle repair, printing, television or household appliance repair shop, computer repair shop, copy shop, day spa, and massage therapy.

Cut Sheets - see LIGHTING RELATED TERMS

DAYCARE RELATED TERMS
Day Care is a program of supplementary care provided to one or more persons on a regularly recurring, but part-time basis, in a place other than the recipient's own dwelling.
Day Care, Animal - see ANIMAL RELATED TERMS
Child Care Center is defined in CGS § 19a-77.
Family Child Care Home is defined in CGS § 19a-77.
Group Child Care Home is defined in CGS § 19a-77.

 

Designated agent is an official of the planning and neighborhood services department or the engineering department, and has the authority to review soil erosion and sediment control plans.

Development means any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to the construction of buildings or other structures; the construction of additions, alterations or substantial improvements to buildings or structures; the placement of buildings or structures; mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations, or storage of equipment; the storage, deposition, or extraction of materials; and the installation, repair or removal of public or private sewage disposal systems or water supply facilities.

Direct Light - see LIGHTING RELATED TERMS

Disturbed area - see EROSION CONTROL RELATED TERMS

Dwelling is a building designed or used as the living quarters for one or more families.

Dwelling unit is one or more rooms providing complete living, sleeping, and eating facilities for one family, including bathroom and kitchen facilities.

EROSION CONTROL RELATED TERMS
Disturbed area is an area where the ground cover is destroyed or removed leaving the land subject to accelerated erosion.
Erosion is the detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments by water, wind, ice or gravity.
Sediment is solid material, either mineral or organic, that is in suspension, is transported, or has been moved from its site of origin by erosion.
Sedimentation is the process of transporting sediment from its site of origin and/or forming of silt or other sediment due to earth-disturbing activities.
Soil is any unconsolidated material or organic material of any origin.
Soil erosion and sediment control plan is a scheme that minimizes soil erosion and sedimentation resulting from development and includes, but is not limited to, a map and narrative.

 

Family is any number of persons related by blood or marriage living in the same dwelling, or not more than five persons unrelated by blood or marriage living together as a single housekeeping unit, as distinguished from a group occupying a boardinghouse, rooming house, tourist home, club, fraternity, hotel/inn.

Family child care home - see DAYCARE RELATED TERMS

FARM RELATED TERMS
Agritourism is activities that attract visitors to a working farm. Activities include weddings, mazes, concerts, events (not including promotional events for products grown and/or processed on the premises or as part of the overall farm operation).
Community garden is a use in which land managed by a group of individuals is used to grow food or ornamental crops, such as flowers, for donation or for use by those cultivating the land and their households. Community gardens may be divided into separate plots for cultivation by one or more individuals or may be farmed collectively by members of the group and may include common areas maintained and used by group members.
Cultivation of land involves the improvement and preparation of land, by plowing or fertilizing, for raising crops; tillage.
Farm is a tract of land containing five acres or more, used in whole or in part for commercial agricultural purposes, which may include the raising and keeping of domestic and other animals. Includes agriculture, forestry, truck and nursery gardening, greenhouses not including a florist shop, dairy farming, livestock and poultry raising, but excluding the commercial raising of pigs and fur bearing animals.
Farmer's market is an event held primarily to promote the sale of agricultural products.
Farm stand is a retail stand that sells agricultural products grown or raised on premises by the producer.
Farm store is an accessory use related to a bona fide farm operation which offers for sale to the general public such food or plant products as fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, eggs, honey, maple syrup, dairy products, and seasonal items including Christmas trees, cemetery baskets, etc.
Farm worker dwelling is a dwelling located on a farm for the purpose of housing an employee of that farm operation and his/her family. Also included in this use type would be multi-family dwelling(s) for seasonal employees in connection with an orchard, winery or other agricultural use, which relies on seasonal employees who must be housed.
Home garden is a garden maintained by one or more individuals who reside in a dwelling unit located on the subject property to grow and harvest food and/or horticultural products for personal consumption or for sale or donation.
Urban farm is a use involving the growing, washing, packaging and storage of fruits, vegetables and other plant products for wholesale or retail sales.
• Indoor operation. All allowed activities must be conducted within completely enclosed buildings. Typical operations include greenhouses, vertical farming, hydroponic systems and aquaponic systems.
• Outdoor operation. Allowed activities are conducted in unenclosed areas or partially enclosed structures. May include indoor operations in conjunction with outdoor operations. Typical operations include growing beds, growing fields, hoophouses and orchards.
• Rooftop operation. All allowed activities occur on the roof of a principal building as a principal use or accessory use. Typical operations include growing beds and growing trays.
Winery is a building or buildings used to convert fruit juices into wine and to age, bottle, store, distribute and sell. A winery includes any and all of the following: a tasting room, on-site sales, conference room space, warehousing, maintenance facilities, sales and administrative offices and winery-related events and event space.

 

Federal Emergency Management Agency - see FLOOD RELATED TERMS

FLOOD RELATED TERMS
Base flood is the flood having a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year, also referred to as the 100-year flood, as published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as part of a Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and depicted on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
Base flood elevation (BFE) is the elevation of the crest of the base flood or 100-year flood measured as the height in relation to mean sea level expected to be reached by the waters of the base flood at pertinent points in the floodplains of coastal and riverine areas.
Basement is any area of the building having its floor subgrade (below ground level) on all sides.
Cost, as related to substantial improvements, means the cost of any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, alteration, repair or other improvement of a structure shall be established by a detailed written contractor's estimate. The estimate shall include, but not be limited to: the cost of materials (interior finishing elements, structural elements, utility and service equipment); sales tax on materials, building equipment and fixtures, including heating and air conditioning and utility meters; labor; built-in appliances; demolition and site preparation; repairs made to damaged parts of the building worked on at the same time; contractor's overhead; contractor's profit; and grand total. Items to be excluded include: cost of plans and specifications, survey costs, permit fees, outside improvements such as septic systems, water supply wells, landscaping, sidewalks, fences, yard lights, irrigation systems, and detached structures such as garages, sheds, and gazebos.
Development is any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to the construction of buildings or structures; the construction of additions, alterations or substantial improvements to buildings or structures; the placement of buildings or structures; mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment; the storage, deposition, or extraction of materials; and the installation, repair or removal of public or private sewage disposal systems or water supply facilities.
Existing manufactured home park or subdivision is a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured home are to be affixed (including, as a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed before June 15, 1978, the effective date of the floodplain management regulations adopted by the community.
Expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision is the preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufacturing homes are to be affixed (including the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads).
Federal Emergency Management Agency is the federal agency that administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Finished living space, as related to fully enclosed areas below the base flood elevation (BFE), is a space that is, but is not limited to, heated and/or cooled, contains finished floors (tile, linoleum, hardwood, etc.), has sheetrock walls that may or may not be painted or wallpapered, and other amenities such as furniture, appliances, bathrooms, fireplaces and other items that are easily damaged by floodwaters and expensive to clean, repair or replace.
Flood or flooding. A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from:
 • The overflow of inland or tidal waters.
 • The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.
 • Mudslides (i.e., mudflows) which are proximately caused by flooding as defined above and are akin to a river of liquid and flowing mud on the surfaces of normally dry land areas, as when earth is carried by a current of water and deposited along the path of the current.
The collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or other body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels or suddenly caused by an unusually high water level in a natural body of water, accompanied by a severe storm, or by an unanticipated force of nature, such as flash flood or an abnormal tidal surge, or by some similarly unusual or unforeseeable event which results in flooding as defined above.
Flood insurance rate map (FIRM) means an official map of a community, on which are delineated both the special hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.
Flood insurance study (FIS) is the official study of a community in which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has conducted an examination, evaluation and determination of flood hazards and, if appropriate, corresponding water surface elevations.
Floodplain violation means a failure of a structure or other development to be fully compliant with the community's floodplain management regulations. A structure or other development without required permits, lowest floor elevation documentation, flood-proofing certificates or required floodway encroachment calculations is presumed to be in violation until such time as that documentation is provided.
Floodway means the channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the surface elevation more than one foot. For the purposes of these regulations, the term "regulatory floodway" is synonymous in meaning with the term "floodway".
Functionally dependent use or facility is a use or facility that cannot perform its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water. The term includes only docking facilities, port facilities that are necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, and ship building and ship repair facilities. The term does not include seafood processing facilities, long-term storage, manufacturing, sales or service facilities.
Historic structure is any structure that is (a) Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of the Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register; (b) Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historic significance of a registered historic district or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district; (c) individually listed on a state inventory of historic places in states with historic preservation programs which have been approved by the Secretary of the Interior; or (d) Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified either: (1) By an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior or (2) Directly by the Secretary of the Interior in States without approved programs.
Lowest floor is the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement). An unfinished or flood resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage, in an area other than a basement area is not considered a building's lowest floor, provided that such an area meets the design requirements specified in Section 3.4.7.6 of this regulation.
Manufactured home is a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when attached to the required utilities. The term also includes park trailers, travel trailers, recreational vehicles and other similar vehicles or transportable structures placed on a site for 180 consecutive days or longer and intended to be improved property.
Manufactured home park or subdivision is a parcel or contiguous parcels of land divided into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.
Market value means that the market value of the structure shall be determined by the property's tax assessment, minus land value; or, an independent appraisal by a professional appraiser.
Mean sea level means, for purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program, the North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) of 1988 or other datum, to which base flood elevations shown on a community's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) are referenced.
New construction for purposes of floodplain management means structures for which the "start of construction" commenced on or after June 15, 1978, the effective date of the floodplain management regulations, and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures. This definition shall apply only to section 3.7 of these regulations.
New manufactured home park or subdivision. A manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed on or after June 15, 1978, the effective date of the floodplain management regulation adopted by the community.
Recreational vehicle means a vehicle which is (a) built on a single chassis; (b) 400 square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection; (c) designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck; and (d) designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as a temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.
Riverine means relating to, formed by or resembling a river (including tributaries), stream, brook, etc.
Special flood hazard area (SFHA) means the land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one-percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. SFHAs are determined utilizing the base flood elevations (BFE) provided on the flood profiles in the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for a community. BFEs provided on Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) are only approximate (rounded up or down) and should be verified with the BFEs published in the FIS for a specific location. SFHAs include, but are not necessarily limited to, the land shown as Zones A, A1—30, AE, AO, AH on a FIRM. The SFHA is also called the area of Special Flood Hazard.
Start of construction means, for other than new construction or substantial improvements under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (P.L. 97-348), includes substantial improvement and means the date the building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition placement, substantial improvement or other improvement was within 180 days of the permit date. The actual start means either the first placement of permanent construction of a structure on a site, such as the pouring of slab or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns, or any work beyond the stage of excavation, or the placement of a manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading and filling; nor does it include the installation of streets and/or walkways; nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings, piers, or foundations or the erections of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main structure. For a substantial improvement, the actual start of construction means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor or other structural part of a building, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the building.
Structure is a walled and roofed building which is principally above ground, including a manufactured home, a gas or liquid storage tank, or other man-made facilities or infrastructures.
Substantial damage means damage of any origin sustained by a structure, whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its pre-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
Substantial improvement means any combination of repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, alterations, additions or other improvements to a structure, taking place during a two-year period, in which the cumulative cost equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the "start of construction" of the improvement. This term includes structures that have incurred "substantial damage", regardless of the actual repair work performed. For purposes of this definition "substantial improvement" is considered to occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor or other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure. The term does not, however, include either (1) any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local, code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions; or (2) any alteration of a "historic structure", provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a "historic structure".
Variance means a grant of relief by a community from the terms of the floodplain management regulation that allows construction in a manner otherwise prohibited and where specific enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship.
Water surface elevation is the height, in relation to the North American Vertical Datum (NAVD), of 1988 (or other datum, where specified), of floods of various magnitudes and frequencies in the floodplains of coastal or riverine areas.

 

Footcandle - see LIGHTING RELATED TERMS

Front lot - see LOT RELATED TERMS

Full Cutoff or Fully-Shielded Fixture - see LIGHTING RELATED TERMS

Furniture store - see SALES RELATED TERMS

Garden apartment - see HOUSING RELATED TERMS

Glare - see LIGHTING RELATED TERMS

Hazardous materials, substances, and waste means any material, substance or waste that is toxic, reactive, corrosive or ignitable, and may be determined to pose a present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, or disposed of, or otherwise managed, including hazardous substances, materials and wastes as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, title 40 CFR, parts 261, 302.4 and 300.6, as amended, and title 49 CFR, subchapter C, part 171, as amended.

High-rise apartment - see HOUSING RELATED TERMS

Home Garden - see FARM RELATED TERMS

Garage, private is a building or part thereof accessory to a principal building and providing for the storage of automobiles and in which no occupation or business for profit is carried on.

Garage, public or storage is a building or part thereof other than a private garage for the storage of motor vehicles and in which repairs or service station activities are or may be carried on.

Grading is the excavating, grubbing, filling (including hydraulic filling) or stockpiling of earth materials or any combination thereof, including the land in its excavated or filled condition.

Grill - see RESTAURANT RELATED TERMS

HID - High Intensity Discharge - see LIGHTING RELATED TERMS

Historic structure is any structure that is:

• (a) Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of the Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register;

• Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historic significance of a registered historic district or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district;

• Individually listed on a state inventory of historic places in states with historic preservation programs which have been approved by the Secretary of the Interior; or

• Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified either:

• By an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior; or

• Directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs.

HOME-BASED BUSINESS RELATED TERMS
Home-based business is any occupation which is customarily or properly conducted for compensation entirely within a dwelling by the occupant thereof.
This definition includes, but is not limited to, the office, studio or workshop of an architect, artist, computer or Internet-based business, dentist, dressmaker, economist, engineer, insurance agent, lawyer, musician, photographer, physician, psychologist, real estate broker, serviceman or a dwelling also used for preserving or cooking for compensation. Such uses as restaurants, tearooms, funeral homes, dancing schools, public garages, clinic, hospital, animal hospitals, commercial kennel, antique shop, barber shop, beauty parlor, tea room or similar use shall not considered incidental and accessory to a residential use and shall not be deemed a home-based business.
Home office/studio - see section 6.1.1
Major home occupation - see section 6.1.2
Minor home occupation - see section 6.1.3

 

Horizontal Illuminance - see LIGHTING RELATED TERMS

Hospital means any facility licensed by the State of Connecticut engaged primarily in providing services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human health conditions including but not limited to in- and out-patient treatment, clinical and diagnostic facilities.

Hotel, motel or inn - see LODGING RELATED TERMS

HOUSING RELATED TERMS
Accessory apartment is a complete self-contained housekeeping unit, with sleeping area, kitchen and bathroom facilities, on a lot with, and subordinate to, a single-family residence that is the principal use. The size of the an accessory apartment shall be limited to one-third of the size of the principal dwelling unit or 900 square feet, whichever is less.
Garden apartment is an apartment building not more than three stories in height.
High-rise apartment is an apartment building not more than seven or less than four stories in height.
Multi-family dwelling is a building with 3 or more residences.
Single-family dwelling is a building designed for and occupied exclusively as a dwelling unit for one (1) family and having no party wall in common with an adjacent dwelling. Where a private garage or accessory structure is attached to such building, it shall be considered as a part thereof.

 

HPS - High Pressure Sodium - see LIGHTING RELATED TERMS

Interior lot - see LOT RELATED TERMS

IsoFootcandle diagram - see LIGHTING RELATED TERMS

Junk is any worked out, cast-off, or discarded article or material which is ready for destruction or has been collected or stored for salvage or conversion to some use. Any article or material which, unaltered or unchanged and without further recondition can be used for its original purpose as readily as when new shall not be considered junk.

Junkyard is the use of any lot or portion thereof, whether inside or outside a building, for the storage, keeping or abandonment of junk.

Kennel - see ANIMAL RELATED TERMS

Lamp - see LIGHTING RELATED TERMS

Legal Nonconforming - see NONCONFORMING RELATED TERMS

LIGHTING RELATED TERMS
Bollard is short, thick post or pole with integrated lighting components used for illuminating walkways.
Cut Sheets are product information sheets, or digital files from a lighting manufacturer that describes and illustrates a light fixture and its electrical, mechanical and performance specifications. (Specifications include: cutoff type, lamp type, lumen rating, etc.)
Direct Light is light emitted directly from the light source (bulb/lamp/diode), off of the reflector, or through the refracting lens or diffuser of a light fixture.
Footcandle is a standard unit of measure used to describe the density of light at a given point. A unit of illuminance, equal to one lumen per square foot.
Full Cutoff or Fully-Shielded Fixture is a light fixture designed to control the view of direct light, in which the light source is enclosed, and hidden from view on all sides except the downward light-emitting opening.
Glare is excessive brightness that interferes with vision.
HID - High Intensity Discharge is an efficient, long-life lamp type that is often used for commercial lighting. HID light fixtures feature high output and long bulb life. HID fixtures use a dedicated lamp & ballast system for a given light output rating.
Horizontal Illuminance is the light density measured on a horizontal plane. In site plans, horizontal illuminance is typically measured at the ground surface.
HPS - High Pressure Sodium is the orange-colored, high intensity discharge (HID) lamp type.
IsoFootcandle diagram is a computer-calculated diagram, which estimates the brightness levels that will be produced by a proposed lighting installation at a given site. The diagram depicts light density levels (horizontal illuminance levels), measured in footcandles, which are plotted at equidistant points across the ground level of a proposed site plan.
Lamp is the light source of a light fixture, as in the light bulb, or diode.
Light Pollution is that portion of artificial lighting which is directed or cast outward or upward and does not illuminate the ground or structure for which the lighting was designed or intended.
Light Trespass is light pollution affecting adjoining or nearby property.
Lumen is a standard unit of measure used to describe the light output of a light source (a unit of luminous flux). Manufacturer's specifications for lamps and light fixtures list the rate lumen output for the product.
Luminaire is a light fixture composed of a housing, lamp, electronics and wiring.
Max:Min Ratio (Uniformity Ratio) is the ratio between the brightest illuminance (footcandle) level and the lowest level of a site lighting plan.
Metal Halide (MH) is the white-colored, high intensity discharge (HID) lamp type.
Over-lighting is excessive exterior lighting, which exceeds industry-recognized, recommended practice guidelines for site lighting.
Uplight is wasted illumination from a light fixture that is directed skyward where it serves no purpose and contributes to light pollution.

 

Livestock - see ANIMAL RELATED TERMS

LODGING RELATED TERMS
Bed and breakfast inn is an existing single-family owner-occupied dwelling in which the owner rents not more than eight rooms to provide overnight accommodations for transients and which may include the serving of breakfast only. Maximum length of stay per guest may not exceed 14 days within a 90-day period.
Boardinghouse is a dwelling in which the owner resides and rents rooms and furnishes meals for compensation to one or more persons, but not in excess of five persons.
Hotel, motel or inn is a building designed and used primarily for temporary occupancy by transients, which provides or offers accommodations for a consideration for six or more persons exclusive of employees living on the lot, and which may provide rooms for public assembly and may include the serving of food.
Transient person is any individual who resides in any dwelling, dwelling unit, bed and breakfast inn, boarding, rooming or lodging house, hotel, motel, or inn for a period of less than six months within any 12-month period.

 

LOT RELATED TERMS
Corner lot is a lot having two adjacent sides facing a street or streets so that the interior angle of the intersection is not more than 120 degrees.
Front Lot lines are all the boundary lines dividing the lot from the street or streets.
Interior lot is a lot other than a corner or through lot.
Lot is a plot or parcel of land occupied or capable of being occupied by a principal building and the accessory buildings or uses customarily incidental to it, including such open spaces as are required by these regulations.
Lot area is the gross horizontal area contained within the property lines of a lot.
Lot area required is the product of multiplying the average width of a lot by a lot depth not greater than three times such width, regardless of the depth of the lot.
Lot coverage is the percentage of the lot area that is covered by the building area.
Lot depth is the average horizontal distance measured between the front and rear lot lines.
Lot width is the horizontal distance between side lot lines measured parallel to the front lot line and along the building setback line.
Lot line is any boundary of a lot.
Rear lot shall be a building lot that meets the criteria of section 4.3.11 of these regulations and does not meet the minimum lot width adjacent to a street.
Rear lot lines are all the boundary lines between the side lot lines and generally opposite to the front lot line.
Side lot lines are all the boundary lines extending from the street which divide separate lots abutting the street.
Through lot is a lot extending between and fronting on two generally parallel and opposite streets.

 

Lowest floor means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including the basement).

Lumen - see LIGHTING RELATED TERMS

Luminaire Max:Min Ratio (Uniformity Ratio) - see LIGHTING RELATED TERMS

Manufactured or mobile home means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities. The term also includes park trailers, travel trailers, recreational vehicles and similar transportable structures placed on a site for 180 consecutive days or longer and intended to be improved property.

MANUFACTURING RELATED TERMS
Advanced Manufacturing is the use of innovative technologies to create products. Advanced manufacturing can include production activities that depend on information, automation, computation, software, sensing, and networking.
Food Manufacturing is the commercial production and packaging of foods and beverages. A food manufacturer is responsible for the purity and proper labeling of the product and includes breweries and commercial bakeries which are primarily engaged in the manufacturing of baked goods for sale and distribution by other businesses. A restaurant or retail bakery is not considered a food manufacturer.
Manufacturing is the process of turning raw materials or parts into finished goods through the use of tools, human labor, machinery, and chemical processing, including, similar uses specified under CGS §32-9p(d), the definition of a Manufacturing Facility. Commercial cultivation, micro-cultivation, manufacturing, and production of plant-based products, and food or beverages, may be permitted as Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing, Food Manufacturing, Precision Manufacturing, and Research and Development.
Precision Manufacturing is the machining of individual pieces that requires identical parts to be created in large quantities for industries such as medical and aeronautical.
Research and Development (R&D) includes activities directed toward the innovation, introduction, and improvement of products and processes.
Research Laboratories means a facility or a specially designated area of a facility used primarily for research, development, and testing activity, and not primarily involved in the production of goods for commercial sale.

 

Market value of a structure, as related to substantial improvement and substantial damage, - see FLOOD RELATED TERMS

Mean sea level means, for purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program - see FLOOD RELATED TERMS

Metal Halide (MH) - see LIGHTING RELATED TERMS

Mixed use - see USE RELATED TERMS

Multi-family dwelling - see HOUSING RELATED TERMS

New construction for purposes of floodplain management - see FLOOD RELATED TERMS

NONCONFORMING RELATED TERMS
Nonconforming is an adjective used to describe a use, activity, building, structure, or lot that does not conform to the current requirements of these Regulations.
Nonconforming building is a building which does not conform to all the applicable provisions of these regulations and which is legally in existence at the time of passage of these regulations or is legally established through the granting of a variance by the zoning board of appeals.
Nonconforming, Legal is the situation where a nonconforming use, activity, building, structure, or lot lawfully existed prior to the time:
• These Regulations became effective, or
• An amendment hereto which created the nonconformity became effective.
Nonconforming lot. A parcel of land that fails to meet the area, shape, or frontage or any other applicable requirement of these Regulations pertaining to lots.
Nonconforming use is a use of land or building which is not a use permitted by the provisions of these regulations for the district in which such land or building is situated and which is legally in existence at the time of passage of these regulations or is legally established through the granting of a variance by the zoning board of appeals.

 

Off-track branch offices and teletracks are facilities operated by the state commission on special revenues pursuant to CGS Chapter 226.

Open space is unoccupied space open to the sky on the same lot as the principal building.

Over-lighting - see LIGHTING RELATED TERMS

Parking area is an open space used for parking motor vehicles exclusively and in which no gasoline or motor vehicle accessories are sold or no other business is conducted.

Permitted use - see USE RELATED TERMS

Principal use - see USE RELATED TERMS

Professional office/workspace is the office and interrelated area used by a member of a recognized profession including doctors or physicians, dentists, optometrists, ministers, architects, surveyors, engineers, consultants, public accountants, lawyers, artists, computer and word processing experts, graphic designers, authors, musicians and other recognized professional occupations. The issuance of a state or local license for regulation of any gainful occupation need not be deemed indicative of professional standing..

Rear lot - see LOT RELATED TERMS

Rear lot lines - see LOT RELATED TERMS

Recreational vehicle means a vehicle which is:

• Built on a single chassis;

• 400 square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection;

• Designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck; and

• Designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as a temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.

Regulatory floodway - see FLOOD RELATED TERMS

Research and development - see MANUFACTURING

Resort means a development in excess of ten acres that is principally intended to provide vacationers, visitors or seasonal residents with recreational and relaxation facilities such as golf courses, cross-country skiing trails, fishing docks or piers, boat/canoe/kayak launches and/or conference facilities.

RESTAURANT RELATED TERMS
Cafe is a grill not necessarily serving food.
Grill is a place where alcoholic liquor is sold under a restaurant permit issued by the state liquor control commission, and where music, dancing or performance for the entertainment of customers may be allowed.
Restaurant is a business enterprise containing a kitchen and seats whose primary function is the preparation and selling of food and/or beverages to the patron in a ready-to-consume state on the premises.

 

Resubdivision is a change in a map of an approved or recorded subdivision or resubdivision if such change (a) affects any street layout shown on such map, (b) affects any area reserved thereon for public use or (c) diminishes the size of any lot shown thereon and creates an additional building lot, if any of the lots shown thereon have been conveyed after the approval or recording of such map.

Retail store - see SALES RELATED TERMS

Riverine - see FLOOD RELATED TERMS

Rooming or lodging house is an owner or non-owner occupied dwelling in which the owner, leasee or tenant rents rooms and or dwelling units to any number of transient persons and may or may not furnish meals. Three-quarter and off-campus housing facilities are included in this definition.

SALES RELATED TERMS
Furniture store is a building containing a minimum of 20,000 square feet of which 90 percent of the floor space is primarily designated and used for the display and sale of major household and occasional furnishings directly to ultimate consumers.
Retail store is a store selling goods in small quantities directly to ultimate consumers, excluding furniture stores containing a minimum of 20,000 square feet.
Wholesale sales is the sale of goods, principally in large quantities, for purposes of resale.

 

Sediment - see EROSION CONTROL RELATED TERMS

Sedimentation - see EROSION CONTROL RELATED TERMS

Side lot lines - see LOT RELATED TERMS

SIGN RELATED TERMS
Sign, business is a sign which directs attention to a business, product, activity or service conducted, sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located.
Sign, animated is a sign which rotates, moves or in any way simulates motion, except that would not include clocks.
Sign, flashing is an illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not kept stationary or constant in intensity at all times when in use. Illuminated signs which indicate the time, temperature, date or similar public service information shall not be considered "flashing signs."
Sign, outdoor, advertising is a sign which directs attention to a business, product, activity or service which is generally conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than upon the premises where such sign is located.
Sign, off-premises advertising structure is a structure that shall not contain more than 2 signs per facing nor more than 4 signs in total which is used, or may be used, to advertise a business that is not located on the lot.
Sign is any material, structure, device or part thereof for visual communication which is used for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof to the attention of the public. Furthermore, the word "sign" shall include any billboard, model, banner, lettering, insignia, or representation used as, or which is in the nature of, an announcement, declaration, display, illustration, advertisement or attraction.
Sign, variable message is sign on which message copy is changed manually in the field through the utilization of attachable letters, symbols and other similar characters.

 

Single-family dwelling - see HOUSING RELATED TERMS

Soil - see EROSION CONTROL RELATED TERMS

Soil erosion and sediment control plan - see EROSION CONTROL RELATED TERMS

Special flood hazard area (SFHA) - see FLOOD RELATED TERMS

Start of construction - see COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT RELATED TERMS

Story is that part of a building other than a cellar located between any floor and the ceiling or roof above it.

STREET RELATED TERMS
Street is any public or private thoroughfare which affords the principal means of access to abutting property or a proposed public thoroughfare shown upon a subdivision plan duly approved by the Commission on the City Plan of the City of Norwich.
Street line is the line separating the street right-of-way from adjoining property.

 

Structure - see BUILDING RELATED TERMS

Subdivision is the division of a tract or parcel of land into three or more parts or lots made subsequent to the adoption of subdivision regulations by the Commission, for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale or building development expressly excluding development for municipal, conservation or agricultural purposes. Every resubdivision shall also be deemed to be a subdivision.

Substantial damage - see FLOOD RELATED TERMS

Substantial improvement - see FLOOD RELATED TERMS

Swimming pool is a solid framed structure with a surface area of 150 square feet or more or a depth in excess of two feet that is designed or intended to hold water for swimming purposes.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELATED TERMS
Co-location is the locating of wireless communication facilities of more than one provider on a single site.
Tower is a structure intended to support equipment used to receive or transmit electromagnetic waves. Examples of towers include self-supporting lattice, guyed and monopole.
Wireless telecommunication facility is the equipment and structures involved in receiving or transmitting electromagnetic waves associated with wireless telecommunication services.
Wireless telecommunication services are services associated with the transmission and/or reception of wireless telecommunications. These services may include, but are not limited to, cellular, personal communication services, specialized mobilized radio and paging.

 

Tower - see TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELATED TERMS

Transient - see LODGING RELATED TERMS

Through lot - see LOT RELATED TERMS

Urban Farm - see FARM RELATED TERMS

USE RELATED TERMS
Use is the specific purpose for which land or a building is designed, arranged, intended, or for which it is or may be occupied or maintained.
Use, accessory is a use which is customarily and clearly incidental and subordinate to the principal use of a lot or a building and located on the same lot therewith.
Use, mixed is a building, or lot that contains both residential and non-residential uses.
Use, nonconforming - see NONCONFORMING RELATED TERMS
Use, permitted. The term "permitted use" or its equivalent includes all uses authorized by these Regulations by Use Permit, Site Plan Approval, or Special Permit, except non-conforming uses.
Use, principal is the primary purpose or function for which a premises is used, designed, or intended to be used.

 

Uplight - see LIGHTING RELATED TERMS

Variance means an exception to these regulations granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals in accordance with section 7.10.

Variable message sign - see SIGN RELATED TERMS

Water-dependent uses - see COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT RELATED TERMS

Wholesale sales - see SALES RELATED TERMS

Winery - see FARM RELATED TERMS

Wireless telecommunication facility - see TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELATED TERMS

Wireless telecommunication services - see TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELATED TERMS

YARD RELATED TERMS
Yard, front is the required unoccupied space between the building line and the street line extending the full width of the lot.
Yard, rear is the required unoccupied space between the rear building line and the rear line of the lot and extending the full width of the lot.
Yard, side is the required unoccupied space situated between the side building line and the side line of the lot and extending from the front yard to the rear yard or to a side yard.

 

(Ord. No. 1744, Exh. B, 4-17-17; Ord. No. 1811, 4-4-22; Ord. No. 1850, 12-4-23)