For the purpose of the administration and enforcement of this ordinance, and unless otherwise stated in this ordinance, the following words shall have a meaning as indicated herein.

Words used in the present tense shall include the future tense; words used in the singular number shall include the plural number; words used in the plural shall include the singular number; the word "shall" is mandatory, not directory.

9.1 Accessory Building. A secondary residence, garage, or other building or structure subordinated to and not forming an integral part of the main or Principal Building on a lot or parcel but pertaining to the main building.

9.2 Advertising Signs. A surface whereon advertising material is set in public view, including reference to any use of premises whereon it is displayed or posted.

9.3 Alley. A narrow thoroughfare dedicated or used for public passageway up to 20 feet in width, which usually abuts the rear of the premises, or upon which service entrances or buildings abut, and is not generally used as a thoroughfare by both pedestrians and vehicles, is not used for general traffic, and is not otherwise officially designated as a street. A way which affords only a secondary means of access to abutting property.

9.4 Alterations. Any change in the arrangement of a building, including any work affecting the structural parts of a building; or an enlargement; or any change in wiring, plumbing, heating, or cooling system; and included the words "to alter" and "alter."

9.5 Apartment Building. A building which is used or intended to be used as a home or residence for more than two families living in separate quarter.

9.6 Arcade: An internal or external hallway formed by a series of arches supported by piers or columns.

9.7 Automotive Brokerage Business. A business providing service or assistance with the purchase or lease of a vehicle, trailer, or recreational vehicle. Service provided is limited to office use and brokered vehicles are not stored on the same property in which the business office is located.

9.8 Automotive Service and Repair. The alteration, repair or storage of new or used automobiles, including paint and body repair shops.

9.9 Automotive/Vehicular Sales. An open premises arranged, designed, or used for the storage and display for sale or lease of any motor vehicle type or any type of trailer.

9.10 Bed and Breakfast. Transient accommodation with rooms or suites available to guests in an owner-occupied principal residential unit.

9.11 Boat House. A house or shed for sheltering one or more boats.

9.12 Boundary of District. The centerline of a street or right-of-way or the centerline of any alleyway between the rear or side property lines, or, where no alley or passageway exists, the rear or side property lines or all lots bordering on any zoning district limits or any zoning district boundary shown on the maps adopted.

9.13 Buildable Area. That portion of any lot which may be used or built upon in accordance with the regulations governing the given zoning district within which the particular lot is located, once the various front, side and rear yard requirements required for the district have been subtracted form the total lot area.

9.14 Building. A building is any structure having a roof entirely separated form any other structure by space or by walls, having no communicating doors or windows or similar opening, and being erected for the purpose of providing support of shelter for persons, animals, things or property of any kind, and having a foundation to which it is anchored.

9.15 Building Height. The height of a building with a gabled or hip roof shall be the vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the finished building site to the top of the roof of the uppermost story or to the deck line of a mansard roof. The height of a building with a flat or nearly flat roof, less than seven degrees form the horizontal, shall be measured from the footing as stated above to the highest point of the roof.

9.16 Building Line. A line delineating the minimum allowable distance between the street right-of-way and the nearest exterior wall of a structure and/or column line of the nearest porch, carport, and similar projections.

9.17 Building Site. The ground area of a building or buildings together with all open spaces surrounded by said building or buildings.

9.18 Building Inspector. Any person hired by the City Council to inspect, determine compliance with, the render decisions concerning the compliance of structures and lots within the City of Springfield.

9.19 Business Services. Establishments primarily engaged in rendering services to business establishments on a fee or contract basis, including employment services, advertising, management and consulting services, and equipment rental.

9.20 Camper. A motor home, tent, trailer, or other self-contained vehicle designed for recreational purposes.

9.21 Care Homes. Includes rest and nursing homes, convalescent homes and boarding homes for the aged; established to renter nursing care for chronic or convalescent patients, but excludes facilities for care of active or violent patients such as feebleminded or mental patients, alcoholics, senile psychotics, or drug addicts.

9.22 [CBD] Store: a business with the primary function as a retailer of legalized cannabis products.

9.23 Centerline Highway. The line running parallel with the highway right-of-way which is half-way the distance between the extreme edges of the official right-of-way width as shown on maps approved by the City of Springfield.

9.24 Certificate of Occupancy. A certificate issued by the Zoning Administrator stating that the occupancy and use of land, building or structure referred to therein complies within the provisions of this ordinance.

9.25 Certified Survey. A survey, sketch, plat, map, or other exhibit is said to be certified when a written statement regarding its accuracy or conformity to specified standards is signed by the specified registered surveyor.

9.26 Church. A legally approved structure and its Accessory Buildings used and approved on permanent basis, primarily for the public worship of God.

9.27 City Council. The City Council of Springfield, which is the local governing authority for the City of Springfield.

9.28 Commercial Recreation. A recreation facility operated as a business and open to the public for a fee.

9.29 Club, Private. An organization of persons for same common purpose, such as-but not necessarily limited to-a fraternal; social, educational or recreational purpose; but not including clubs organized primarily for profit or to renter a service, which is customarily carried on as a business. Such organizations and associations must be incorporated under the laws of Georgia as a non-profit corporation and such corporations' major purpose shall not be for the purpose of serving alcoholic beverages to its members or others. This may be located on, or in connection with any commercial law.

9.30 Colonnade. A row of columns supporting an entablature and usually one side of a roof.

9.31 Commercial Entertainment and Amusement: a business that offers an activity or entertainment experience to patrons such as movie theaters, bowling alleys, miniature golf, game rooms, pool halls, amusement parks, concert venues, and additional uses similar to those listed.

9.32 Conditional Use. Those uses allowed within a district, only after specific requirements are met. The City Council at its discretion may require additional restraints, restrictions, qualifications, or limiting factors upon a specific use so that it becomes acceptable.

9.33 Cornice. Is any horizontal, moulded or otherwise decorated projection which crowns or finishes the part to which it is affixed.

9.34 Courtyard. An uncovered area partly or wholly enclosed by buildings or walls which may or may not have street access.

9.35 Density. The number of units or buildings per acre, or the number of people per unit, building, acre, or mile; the quantity of people, structures or units within a specified area.

9.36 Depth of Lot. The depth between the middle of the front street line and its rear line, measured along the median between the tow side lot lines.

9.37 Drive-In Commercial Use. An establishment by design, physical facilities; service, or packaging procedures encourages or permits customers to receive services or obtain goods while remaining in their motor vehicles.

9.38 Dwelling, Accessory Dwelling Unit. A secondary dwelling unit with its own kitchen, living area and separate entrance that shares the building lot of a larger, primary house.

9.39 Dwelling, Condominium. A building or series of buildings on the same lot or portions thereof containing more than one dwelling unit under separate ownership with joint ownership of common open spaces.

9.40 Dwelling, Duplex. A residential building designed for, or used as, the separate homes or residences of two separate and distinct families, but having the appearance of a single family dwelling house. Each individual unit in the duplex shall comply with the definition for a one family dwelling.

9.41 Dwelling, Group. A building or portion of a building occupied or intended for occupancy by several unrelated persons or families, but in which separate cooking facilities are not provided for such resident persons or families. The term "group dwelling" included-but is not limited to the terms rooming house, Y.M.C.A. or Y.W.C.A. A hotel, motel, or tourist home shall not be deemed to be a group dwelling as herein defined.

9.42 Dwelling, One Family. A private residential building used or intended to be used as a home or residence in which all living rooms are accessible to each other from within the building, and in which the use and management of all sleeping quarters, all appliances for sanitation, cooking, ventilating, heating, cooling, or lighting are designed for the use of one family only on a minimum of a single lot. This definition does not apply to mobile homes.

9.43 Dwelling, Limited Multifamily. Multifamily building with more than two, but less than five living units which is similar in architectural character to the surrounding neighborhood. Building may be single story, one and a half story or two story with or without basement living units, with a maximum of four living units on each floor.

9.44 Dwelling, Multi-Family. A building containing three or more dwelling units, including apartments and townhouses.

9.45 Dwelling, Townhome: A multi-story house which is attached to one or more similar houses by shared walls.

9.46 Engineer. A person having an acceptable degree from a recognized institution of higher learning and recognized by the State of Georgia through licensure in a specific area of expertise who is capable of determining the correct manner in which to construct roads, streets, highways, water and sewerage systems, drainage systems, structures or other technically related areas.

9.47 Estate. Any residential site comprising five acres or more shall come within the meaning of the word "estate."

9.48 Factory-Built House. A dwelling unit that is constructed and assembled at a factory and transported to the building's site and placed on a prebuilt foundation. See Modular Home.

9.49 Family. One person, or a group of two or more persons living together, and interrelated by bond or consanguinity, marriage or legal adoption occupying a dwelling unit designed as a single family unit, with a single set of kitchen facilities. The person thus constituting a family may also include gratuitous guest and domestic servants.

9.50 Flood, Prone Areas. That land adjacent to a creek, stream, river, channel, canal or other body of water that is designated as a floodplain or flood prone area by a governmental agency.

9.51 Floor Area. The sum of the gross floor areas for each of the several stories under roof, measured from the exterior of a building or structure.

9.52 Floor Area Ratio. Floor area of building or buildings on pay lot divided by the area of the lot.

9.53 Frontage. The distance of width of a parcel of land abutting a public right-of-way and as measured upon such right-of-way.

9.54 Garage, Community. A structure or series of structures under one roof, and under one ownership, for the storage of vehicles by three or more owners or occupants of property in the vicinity where said structure has no public shop nor mechanical services in connection therewith.

9.55 Garage, Private. An accessory structure for the private use of the owner or occupant of Principal Building, situated on the same lot as the Principal Building for the storage of motor vehicles with no facilities for mechanical service or repair of a commercial or public nature for profit.

9.56 Garage, Public. A structure for the storage, care, repair, or refinishing of motor vehicles, or a structure containing a public shop, or where automotive mechanical service is provided.

9.57 Gas Station. A structure designated or used for the retail sale or supply of fuel, lubricants, air, water, and other operating commodities of motor vehicles and including the customary spacing and facilities for the installation of such commodities on, or in, such vehicles-but not including space or facilities or the storage, painting, repair, refinishing, body work, or other servicing of motor vehicles.

9.58 Group Dwellings. A nonprofit or for-profit boarding home for the sheltered care of persons with special needs, which, in addition to providing food and shelter, may also provide some combination of personal care, social or counseling services, and transportation; or a dwelling unit or part thereof, in which, for compensation, lodging and meals are provide; or a building used as group living quarters for a student body or religious order as an accessory use for a college boarding school, convent, monastery, or other similar institutional use.

9.59 Hazardous materials. Any substance that, because of the quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released into the workplace or the environment. The term includes but is not limited to hazardous substances and hazardous wastes.

9.60 Highway. Any public thoroughfare or paving 22 feet or wider including streets, which affords primary access to abutting property, and any thoroughfare of less width which is not classified as an alley (street).

9.61 Home Occupation. An occupation carried only within a home for gain or support, involving the sale of only those articles, products or services produced on the premises, conducted entirely within a dwelling unit and conducted primarily by persons residing in such dwelling unit, and involving no display of articles, products or advertising signs.

9.62 Hospital. An institution providing health services, primarily for in-patients, and medical and surgical care of the sick or injured-including as an integral part of the institution such related facilities as laboratories, outpatient departments, training facilities, central service facilities, and staff offices.

9.63 Hotel. A building occupied as the more or less temporary residence or individuals who are lodged, with or without meals, and in which there are ten or more sleeping rooms with entrances through a common lobby or office.

9.64 Kennels. Any establishment engaging in boarding, caring for and keeping of dogs, and/or cats for hire and commercial purposes.

9.65 Lot. Parcel of land shown on a recorded plat or on the Zoning Map, or any piece of land described by a legally recorded deed.

9.66 Lot, Corner. Any lot situated at the junction of a abutting on two or more intersections or intercepting streets or public highways. If the angle or intersection of the direction lines of two highways is more than 135 degrees, the lot fronting on said intersection is not a corner lot.

9.67 Lot, Interior. Any lot which is not a corner lot that has frontage only on one street other than an alley.

9.68 Lot Lines, Front. In the case of a lot abutting upon only one street, the front lot line is the line separating such lot form such street. In the case of a corner lot, the part of the lot having the narrowest frontage on any street shall be considered the front lot line. In the case any other lot line for the purpose of this ordinance, provided it is so designated by the Building and Zoning Official.

9.69 Lot Lines, Rear. The rear lot line is that boundary which is opposite and most distant from the front lot line. In the case of a lot pointed at the rear, or any odd-shaped lot, the rear lot line shall be determined by the Building and Zoning Official.

9.70 Lot Lines, Side. A side lot line is any lot boundary lines not a front lot line or a rear lot line. A side lot line separating a lot from a street is an exterior side lot line. A side lot line separating a lot from another lot or lots, is an interior side lot line.

9.71 Lot, Through. Any lot having frontage on two parallel or approximately parallel streets or other thoroughfares.

9.72 Mapped Streets. A mapped street is any approved street shown on an official map or the projection of any existing street through an unsubdivided parcel of land, whether the street is dedicated or in existence or not.

9.73 Manufactured Home. A dwelling unit fabricated in an off-site manufacturing facility for installation or assembly at the building site, bearing a label certifying that it is built in compliance with the Federal Manufacturing Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. § 5401 et seq.).

9.74 Mobile Home. A dwelling manufactured prior to June 15, 1976, which is transportable in one or more sections; in the traveling mode, is eight body feet or more in width or 40 body feet or more in length, or when erected on site, is 320 or more square feet in floor area; is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities; and includes the plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and electrical systems contained therein. All mobile homes must be installed in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 8-2-160, et. seq. Such unit shall be considered a mobile home whether or not the wheels have been removed and whether or not the wheels have been removed and whether or not set on jacks, skirts, masonry blocks or other foundations.

9.75 Motel or Motor Hotel. A building or group of two or more buildings designed to provide sleeping accommodations for transient or overnight guests. Each building shall contain a minimum of ten residential units or rooms, which generally have direct, private openings to a street, drive, or patio, etc.

9.76 Non-Conforming Lot. Any lot which is smaller than the minimum dimensions, area, or other regulations of the district in which the lot is located.

9.77 Non-Conforming Use. Use of any property or premises in any manner which does not comply with the regulations provided for the district in which the property or premises is situated, if such use was originally legally established at the effective date of this ordinance or any amendment thereof.

9.78 Parking Space. That area required for the parking or storage of one automobile, including necessary aisle or driveway space providing access thereto.

9.79 Pediment. The triangular end of a gable, or a triangular ornamental element resembling it.

9.80 Personal Services. Establishment primarily engaged in providing services involving the care of a person or his or her personal goods or apparel, including beauty shops, barber shops, shoe repair, laundry, and cleaning and pressing services.

9.81 Pet grooming business. A business providing grooming of a domestic animal, including bathing, cutting of hair, trimming of nails, and other services generally associated with the act of grooming but shall exclude veterinary services, breeding, boarding, and overnight accommodation.

9.82 Principal Building. The building situated or to be placed nearest the front property line and the use permitted by the zone classification in which it is located.

9.83 Professional Services. The conduct of business in any of the following or related categories: law; architecture; surveying; accounting; engineering; real estate; insurance; medicine; dentistry; optometry; osteopathy; chiropractic; optician; planning, or consulting of the nature of the aforestated categories and which do not include outside storage space for business vehicles or equipment.

9.84 Public Body. Any government or governmental agency of the City of Springfield, Effingham County, the State of Georgia, or the United States Government.

9.85 Public Use. Use of any land, water, or buildings by a municipality, public body or board, commission or authority, county, state or federal government, or any agency thereof for a public service or purpose.

9.86 Repairs. Restoration of portions of a building to it conditions as before decay, wear or damage, but not including alteration of the shape or size of any portion.

9.87 Residential. The term "residential" or "residence" is applied herein to any lot, plot, parcel, tract, area, or piece of land and/or any building used exclusively for family dwelling purposes or intended to be used, including concomitant uses specified herein.

9.88 Restaurant. A building, room or rooms where food is prepared and served to a group of families, a club, or to the public and for consumption within the enclosed structure.

9.89 Rezoning. The change in zoning classification of any parcel or parcels of land from one zoning district to another.

9.90 Right-Of-Way Line. The outside boundaries of a highway right-of-way, whether such right-of-way be established by usage, dedication or by the official right-of-way.

9.91 Rooming House. (The terms rooming house, boarding house, tourist home, cooperative house and lodging house are used synonymously in this ordinance.) A building, other than a hotel or dormitory, where, for compensation and by prearrangement for definite periods, lodging or lodging and meals are provided for more than three persons not related to the owners of the structure.

9.92 Rooming Unit. Any room or group of rooms, forming a single habitable unit used for living and sleeping, but which does not contain cooking or eating facilities.

9.93 Setback. The minimum horizontal distance between the right-of-way line, rear or side lines of the lot and the front, rear or side walls and/or column lines of the building. When two or more lots under one ownership are used, the exterior property line so grouped shall be used in determining offsets.

9.94 Shopping center. A group of retail stores or shops under single ownership or management established as a shopping entity with common parking facilities, ingress and egress, loading or/and unloading facilities.

9.95 Sign. Any device or material composed of lettered or pictorial matter, designed primarily to inform or attract the attention of persons and used to advertise or promote the interests of a person, organization, or business.

9.96 Sign Area. The entire face of a sign, including the advertising surface and any framing, trim, or molding but not including the supporting structure.

9.97 Sign, Separate Use. Any sign which directs attention to a business, organization, commodity, service, or other activity that is conducted, sold, or offered elsewhere than on the premises on which the sign is located.

9.98 Site. An area designated as a separate and distinct parcel of land on a legally recorded subdivision plat or in a legally recorded deed.

9.99 Solar Farm. An array of solar panels that is not an accessory to other uses on the property provided that the array meets all applicable buffer requirements; no new roads may be created for this use. The structures must meet all wind load requirements as referenced in the building code.

9.100 Storage Facility. Any land or building used for storage and/or sale of paper, rags, scrap metals, other scrap or discarding materials, or for the dismantling, storage or salvaging of automobiles or other vehicles not in running condition or parts thereof (including used tires), or of machinery or parts thereof, but not to be used as a dump.

9.101 Storage Materials. Old and dilapidated automobiles, trucks, tractors, and other such vehicles and parts (including used tires), wagons and other kinds of vehicles and parts thereof, scrap building material, scrap piping, bottles, glass, old iron, machinery, rags, paper, excelsior, hair, mattresses, beds or bedding, or nay other kind of scrap or waste materials which is stored, kept, handled, or displayed within the City limits.

9.102 Story. That portion of a building included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above it; or if there be no floor above it, then the space between the floor and ceiling next above it.

9.103 Street. A dedicated and accepted public right-of-way for vehicular traffic which affords the principal means of access to abutting properties.

9.104 Structural Alterations. Any change in the shape of size of any portion of a building or of the supporting members of a building or structure such as walls, columns, beams, arches, girders, floor joists, or roof joists.

9.105 Structure. Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires rigid location on the ground or attachment to something having a permanent location on the ground-provided, however, that utility poles, fences and walls (other than building walls) shall not be considered to be structures.

9.106 Stucco. A mixture of cement, sand, and lime smoothed over adobe brick or frame construction.

9.107 Surveyor. A person who is registered with the State of Georgia and licensed to determine or delineate the form, extent. Position, distance or shape of a tract of land by taking linear and angular measurements, and by applying the principals of geometry and trigonometry.

9.108 Subdivision. "Subdivision" means all divisions of a tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, buildings sites, or other divisions for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale, legacy, or building development and includes all division of land involving a new street or a change in existing streets, and includes resubdivision and, where appropriate, to the process of subdividing or to the land or area subdivided; provided, however, that the following exceptions are included within this definition only for the purpose of requiring that the local governing authority be informed and have record of such subdivision:

(a)

The combination or recombination of portions of previously platted lots where the total number of lots is not increased and resultant lots are equal to the standards of the governing authority.

(b)

The division of land into parcels of five acres or more where no new street is involved.

Plats of such exception shall be received as information by the City Council, which shall indicate such fact on the plats.

9.109 Tabby. A collection of oyster shells, mixed with sand, lime and water to produce a durable, cement-like material.

9.110 Trailer. A non-self-propelled vehicle or conveyance permanently equipped to travel upon the public highways new or used goods, products or equipment; or is used as a selling, advertising or display device.

9.111 Transom. Small, usually rectangular or fanlight window over a door.

9.112 Trash. Cuttings from vegetation, refuse, paper, bottles, and rags.

9.113 Use. The purpose for which land or a building is arranged, designed or intended, or for which either land or a building is or may be occupied or maintained.

9.114 Use Buffer. A transitional area of land between two distinct land use types used to lessen the impact of one land use type on another.

9.115 Vape Shop: a business with the primary function as retailer of products related to inhalation of aerosolized vapors, also known as "vapes" or "e-cigarettes".

9.116 Variance. A modification of the strict terms of this ordinance granted by the City Council where such modification will not be contrary to the public interest; and where, owing to conditions peculiar to the property and not as the result of any action on the part of the property owner, a literal enforcement of the ordinance would result of any action on the part of the property and where such modification will not authorize a principal or accessory use or the property which is not permitted within the Zoning District in which the property is located.

9.117 Vending Machines. A machine which for payment of money dispenses products or services. For the purpose of this ordinance, vending machine shall not refer to:

a.

Automatic Teller Machines (ATM's), either free standing or in connection with a banking location.

b.

Indoor Non-electric vending machines whose purpose is to dispense food items, such as candy or gum, toys, or novelty items with not more than ten (10) such dispensing units are located in one stand.

c.

Coin operated laundry machines

d.

Indoor Amusement machines or devices

e.

Machines that vend, but do not require payment such as: Free newspapers or magazines

9.118 Vehicle. A conveyance for persons or materials.

9.119 Waterfront. Any site shall be considered as waterfront property provided any or all of its lot lines abut on or are contiguous to any body of water including creek, canal, river, or any other body of water natural or artificial, including marshland-not including a swimming pool whether said lot line is front, rear, or side.

9.120 Wetlands. Wetlands are areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.

9.121 Wrought Iron. Is commercially pure iron. In contrast to steel, it has very low carbon content. It is tough, malleable, ductile and easily welded.

9.122 Yard. An open space on the same lot with a building; said space lies between the building and nearest lot or street line.

9.123 Yard, Front. That area of open space to the front of the platted lot, the area immediately adjacent to the street side of the lot. If streets bound on two sides of the lot, the narrower portion fronting on a street shall be declared the front. See lot lines, front.

9.124 Yard, Rear. The area of open space that is opposite the area delineated as the front. That area of greatest distance from the street. See lot lines, rear.

9.125 Yard, Side. That area of open space that is immediately adjacent to the side lot lines. See lot lines, side.

9.126 Zoning Ordinance. An officially adopted ordinance, composed of narrative and map, that regulates the manner, type, size and use to which a piece of property may be put.

(Ord. No. 2019-04, § 1, 4-9-2019; Ord. No. 2021-03, § 1, 4-13-2021; Ord. No. 2023-29, § 1, 1-9-2024; Ord. No. 2024-19, § 1, 11-12-2024; Ord. No. 2025-03, § 5, 3-11-2025)