A.

Words used in this Zoning Ordinance have their normal dictionary meaning unless they are otherwise defined. Use of General Terms.

1.

Use of "shall" and "may."

2.

"Shall" means mandatory…The word "shall" means that the directives or requirements are mandatory and may not be waived or modified. If used within the text, "will," and "must," also mean "shall."

3.

"May" means permissive….The word "may" means that the directives or requirements are permissive and are imposed at the option of the decision-maker. "Can" and "should" also mean "may."

4.

Use of "and" and "or."

5.

"And" means that each item identified shall be required.

6.

"Or" means any combination of one or more of the identified items may be required.

B.

Definition sources for words not defined within the Zoning Ordinance.

1.

Development terms not defined within any Article of the Zoning Ordinance shall have the meaning contained within The New Illustrated Book of Development Definitions, by Moskowitz and Lindbloom, published by the Center for Urban Policy Research of Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey.

2.

Terms not defined in any cited sources shall have the meaning as established in the current edition of the Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, published by Merriam-Webster, Inc.

C.

Definitions.

1.

Wherever a word is printed in ITALICIZED CAPITAL LETTERS, it is being used as defined herein.

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT. A separate, complete housekeeping unit with a separate entrance, kitchen, sleeping area, and full bathroom facilities, which is an attached or detached extension to an existing ATTACHED or DETACHED RESIDENTIAL structure.

ACCESSORY STRUCTURE/UNIT. A subordinate building, not including a garage, the use of which is incidental to, and reasonably related to, a main building on the same LOT or to the primary use of the property.

ADAPTIVE REUSE. The conversion of obsolescent or historic structure from its original or most recent use to a new use. For example, the conversion of a former school building to residential use or the conversion of an historic single family home to office use.

AESTHETIC FEATURE. A feature designed and/or installed to achieve a desirable appearance.

ALLEY. A public or private right-of-way for vehicles and pedestrians within a block that provides access to the rear of buildings, vehicle parking (e.g., garages), utility meters and recycling and garbage bins.

ALTERNATIVE TOWER STRUCTURE. Natural or man-made alternative design mounting STRUCTURES that camouflage or conceal the presence of antennas or telecommunication towers including but not limited to clock towers, bell towers, church steeples, light/power poles, electric transmission towers, and man-made trees (without accessory buildings/STRUCTURES).

APPLICANT. Any person who applies for a zoning action or development review and any attorney or other person representing or acting on behalf of a person who applies for a zoning action.

ARCHITECTURAL PLAN. A scale drawing of the structure or structure(s) including an elevation and site plan by a registered architect.

ART STUDIO. Work space for artists or artisans or hobbyists, including individuals practicing one of the fine arts or skilled in an applied art or craft, including the accessory sale of art produced on the premises.

ASSISTED LIVING. A special combination of housing, supportive services, personalized assistance, and health care designed to respond to the individual needs of those who need help with activities of daily living including meals, housekeeping, medication assistance, laundry, and regular check-ins. Such a facility includes a central or private kitchen, dining, recreational, and other facilities with separate bedrooms or living quarters.

ATTACHED RESIDENTIAL. A single-family dwelling unit, with a private entrance, which is part of a structure whose dwelling units are attached horizontally as a linear arrangement, and having a totally exposed front and rear wall to be used for access, light and ventilation. Also known as TOWNHOUSE, ROW HOUSE, MANSION FLAT or CONDOMINIUM but does not include a DUPLEX.

Figure 1. Attached Residential

AUDITORIUM. A building or structure designed or intended for use of the gathering of people as an audience to hear music, lectures, plays, and other presentations.

AUTO-ORIENTED. Development designed with an emphasis on customers who use autos to travel to the site, rather than those with an emphasis on pedestrian customers.

AWNING. A cantilevered, projected or suspended cover over the sidewalk portion of the STREET. Also, roof-like fabric coverings placed over the sidewalk, windows, or doors to provide protection from sun and rain. Permitted awning may be bubble or rectangular.

Figure 2. Bubble Awning

Figure 3. Rectangular Awning

BALCONY. An exterior platform attached to the front of a main building (on and forward it BUILD-TO-LINE). BALCONIES, where used, must be roofed and enclosed by balustrades (railings) and posts that extend up to the roof. BALCONIES aligned vertically on adjacent floors may post up to one another and share a single roof element. BALCONIES may not project within 5 feet of a property line.

BAY WINDOW. Generally, a U-shaped enclosure, extending the interior space of the building outward, beyond the exterior BUILD-TO-LINE.

BED AND BREAKFAST. An owner-occupied private residence that offers short term lodging accommodations in 6 or fewer rooms for rent and serves breakfasts at no extra cost to its lodgers.

BLOCK. An increment of land comprised of ALLEYS and LOTS circumscribed and not traversed by STREETS (PEDESTRIAN PATHWAYS excepted). BLOCKS shall be measured at the frontage LOT lines (along the BUILD-TO-LINE).

BLOCK CORNER. This refers to the outside corner of a BLOCK at the intersection of any two streets.

BONUS ROOM. A room in a house, located above the second story, which could be used as a multi-purpose area. A BONUS ROOM is not considered a STORY.

BLOCK. An increment of land comprised of ALLEYS and LOTS circumscribed and not traversed by STREETS (PEDESTRIAN PATHWAYS excepted). BLOCKS shall be measured at the frontage LOT lines (along the BUILD-TO-LINE).

BLOCK CORNER. This refers to the outside corner of a BLOCK at the intersection of any two streets.

BONUS ROOM. A room in a house, located above the second story, which could be used as a multi-purpose area. A BONUS ROOM is not considered a STORY.

BREWERY. An establishment approved by conditional use in which malt beverages are manufactured, including for consumption on premises, which is contiguous to or within 100 feet of an EATING ESTABLISHMENT, and not separated therefrom by a street or road (for safety reasons).

BUFFER. A stream, area of natural vegetation, or man-made construction that is intended to provide a visual and dimensional separation between different land uses.

BUILD-TO-LINE. The line to which the front facade of the BUILDING or PATIO is required to be built, stated as a distance behind the right-of-way.

BUILDABLE AREA. The area of a LOT that building(s) may occupy. The BUILDABLEAREA sets the limits of the building footprint now and in the future - additions to STRUCTURES must be within the designated area.

BUILDING. Any structure, either permanent or temporary for the support or shelter of any use or occupancy.

BUILDING, CORNER. This refers to the outside corner of a building where the primary BUILDING mass is within an angle less than 180 degrees.

BUILDING ENVELOPE. The three-dimensional area enclosed by the front, side, and rear SETBACKS and the maximum height.

BUILDING ENVELOPE STANDARD (BES). The area formed by the front, side and rear BUILDING SETBACK lines or BUILD-TO-LINE of a lot within which the principal building must be located.

BUILDING FACADE. The exterior side of a building which faces, and is most nearly parallel to a STREET. The facade shall include the entire building walls, including wall faces, PARAPETS, fascia, windows, doors, canopies, and visible roof structures of one complete elevation.

BUILDING INSPECTOR. The individual or office designated by the MAYOR and COUNCIL to serve as the BUILDINGINSPECTOR for Watkinsville, GA.

BUSINESS ENTITY. Any corporation, partnership, limited partnership, firm, enterprise, franchise, association or trust.

CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION. A contribution as defined in paragraph (7) of O.C.G.A. § 21-5-3. (See, also, O.C.G.A. § 36-67A-1.) The term, as defined in the Georgia Code Annotated [Official Code of Georgia Annotated], as amended through the end of 2006, is as follows:

"Contribution" means a gift, subscription, membership, loan, forgiveness of debt, advance or deposit of money or anything of value conveyed or transferred for the purpose of influencing the nomination for election or election of any person for office, bringing about the recall of a public officer holding elective office or opposing the recall of a public officer holding elective office, or the influencing of voter approval or rejection of a proposed constitutional amendment, a state wide referendum, or a proposed question which is to appear on the ballot in this state or in a county or a municipal election in this state. The term specifically shall not include the value of personal services performed by persons who serve without compensation from any source and on a voluntary basis. The term "contribution" shall include other forms of payment made to candidates for office or who hold office when such fees and compensation made can be reasonably construed as a campaign contribution designed to encourage or influence a candidate or public officer holding elective office. The term "contribution" shall also encompass transactions wherein a qualifying fee required of the candidate is furnished or paid by anyone other than the candidate.

CAR SALES, PRIMARILY INDOOR SHOWROOM. The on-site, primarily indoor automobile storage and display of passenger vehicles for sale with the provision for the outside display of up to four vehicles. This use requires a conditional use permit under 14.12 and 14.13.

CATERING SERVICE. A service housed in a permanent structure providing meals or refreshments off-premises for public or private entertainment for a fee.

CEMETERY. Land use for the burial of the dead, including crematoriums, mausoleums, necessary sales, and maintenance facilities. Mortuaries shall be included when operated within the boundary of such cemetery.

CIVIC USE. Meeting halls, libraries; schools, police and fire stations, post offices (retail operations only, no primary distribution facilities), places of worship, museums, cultural, visual and performing art centers; government functions open to the public, and other community uses as determined by MAYOR and COUNCIL and amendments thereof.

CLUB. An organization and its premises catering exclusively to members and their guests for social, intellectual, recreational, or athletic purposes.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES. Vehicle designed or used for commercial, business, industrial, office or institutional purposes, typically but not always with six or more wheels, that include without limitation the following vehicles:

Food trucks; garbage trucks; tractor-trailers; semi-trailers; cement-mixers or trucks; dump trucks; construction equipment; FedEx and UPS vans and similar; towing and recovery vehicles; vehicles and trailers greater than 20 feet in length, seven feet in height or eight feet in width (dimension measurements include any installed accessories such as ladder racks, cranes, compressors, hose reels, welders, etc.); dual rear tire 5500 (or 550) series trucks with chassis cab and commercial truck bed instead of standard pickup truck bed and displaying DOT #; power/utility company trucks; buses; vehicles carrying commercial freight in plain view; vehicles with three or more axles.

Commercial vehicles include "special mobile equipment": commercial vehicles not designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons or property and only incidentally operated or moved upon a highway, including, but not limited to, scoopmobiles, forklifts, ditch-digging apparatus, well-boring apparatus, and road construction and maintenance machinery such as asphalt graders, bituminous mixers, bucket loaders, tractors other than truck tractors, leveling graders, finishing machines, motor graders, road rollers, scarifiers, earth-moving carryalls and scrapers, power shovels and draglines, and self-propelled cranes and earth-moving equipment.

COMMUNITY CENTER. A meeting place where people living in the same community may carry on cultural, recreational, or social activities.

COMMUNITY PARK. A publicly owned park serving city residents and usually including restrooms and lighted outdoor recreation facilities and other facilities such as swimming pools, recreation centers, on-site parking, and group picnic areas.

CONCEPT PLAN. The "City of Watkinsville CONCEPT PLAN September 2006" as adopted January 10, 2007, and as may be amended.

CONDOMINIUM. A single dwelling unit in a multi-unit dwelling or structure, which is separately owned and which may be combined with an undivided interest in the common areas and facilities of the property.

CONSERVATION AREA. Any parcel or area of undeveloped land conserved in its natural state for perpetuity through deeds or other legal means.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY. A community planned and operated to provide a continuum of care from INDEPENDENTLIVING through NURSING HOME. The facilities allow individuals to live within the same community as their needs progress through the spectrum of care.

CONVENIENCE STORE. A small retail establishment that is designed and stocked to sell primarily prepackaged food items, but may have beverages, periodicals, and other household supplies to customers who purchased only a relatively few items (in contrast to a supermarket). It is designed to attract and depends upon a large volume of stop-and-go traffic. Illustrative examples of convenience stores are those operated by "7-11," "Golden Pantry," and "Kangaroo." Gas pumps are an accessory use to a convenience store.

CONVENIENCE STORE/GAS STATION. A parcel that contains a combination service station, convenience stores, and fast food restaurant in one structure located on one parcel.

CORNER LOT. A LOT abutting two or more public streets or city maintained roads at their intersection.

CORNICE. The CORNICE is the uppermost section of moldings just below the roof.

Figure 4. Cornice

COSMETOLOGY/SALON. See RETAIL, SMALL SCALE.

COUNTRY CLUB. A club with recreation facilities for members, their families, and invited guests.

COURT. Any open space, unobstructed from the ground to the sky that is bounded on not more than three sides by the exterior walls of one or more buildings.

Figure 5. Court—Inner Court and Outer Court

COURTYARD. An uncovered area partly or wholly enclosed by buildings or walls used for outdoor dining.

DAYCARE CENTER.A BUILDING that receives for group care seven or more children under 18 years of age for less than 24 hours per day without transfer of legal custody.

DAYCARE HOME. A private dwelling operated by any person who receives pay for supervision and care, fewer than 24 hours per day, without transfer of legal custody of three to six children under 18 years of age who are not related to such person and whose parents or guardians are not residents in the same private dwelling.

DETACHED RESIDENTIAL. A SITE-BUILT home that meets local BUILDING codes, that contains one dwelling unit per lot and designed for residential use.

DEVELOPMENT. The construction, reconstruction, conversion, structural alteration, relocation, or enlargement of any structure; any excavation or land disturbance; and any use or extension of the use of land.

DEVELOPMENT REVIEW. The review of applications for a project development plan.

DEVELOPMENT REVIEW APPLICATION. An application to the city that contains an ARCHITECTURAL PLAN, a LANDSCAPE PLAN, and/or a TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS.

DWELLING UNIT. A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation constructed to meet the International Building Code as adopted and as may be amended.

EATING ESTABLISHMENT is limited to a "restaurant" defined under the Alcohol Ordinance (section 4-1 of this Code), selling prepared food for consumption by the public on premises, with a full service kitchen, prepared to serve food every hour the establishment is open, and derives at least 65 percent of gross receipts annually from the sale of prepared food.

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES, PRESCHOOL. A facility providing day care with educational services for children not yet attending elementary school.

ELECTRICAL SUBSTATION. An assemblage of equipment and appurtenant facilities designed for voltage transformation or voltage control of electricity. An electrical substation shall be secondary, supplementary, subordinate, and auxiliary to the main system.

ENTABLATURE. In classical architecture, the top of an Order, horizontally divided into cornice, frieze, and architrave, supported by a colonnade. Typical orders are Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Composite, and Tuscan.

Figure 6. Entablature

ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS. Any land area containing one or more of the following: steep slopes; floodplain; soils having high water tables; highly erodible soils; lands incapable of meeting minimum percolation standards; stream corridors; aquifer recharge or discharge areas; wetlands; and scenic view corridors.

EXPRESSION LINE. An EXPRESSION LINE delineates the division between the first story and second story of every facade on all principal buildings.

Figure 7. Expression Line

FASCIA. A flat horizontal band or member between moldings, especially in a classical ENTABLATURE.

FENESTRATION. The design and placement of windows in a building. FENESTRATION is measured as glass area (excluding window frame elements with a dimension greater than one inch) for conditioned space and as open area for parking structures or other un-conditioned, enclosed space.

FINANCIAL INTEREST. All direct ownership interests of the total assets or capital stock of a BUSINESS ENTITY where such ownership interest is ten percent or more.

FULL CUT-OFF TYPE FIXTURE. A luminaire or light fixture that, by design of the housing, does not allow any light dispersion or direct glare to shine above a 90-degree horizontal plane from the base of the fixture. FULL CUT-OFF [TYPE] FIXTURES must be installed in a horizontal position as designed, or the purpose of the design is defeated, and glare will result.

Figure 8. Full Cut-Off Type Fixture

FUNERAL HOME OR MORTUARY. A building used for the preparation of the deceased for burial and display of the deceased and rituals connected therewith before burial or cremation. A funeral home includes a funeral chapel.

FUTURE LAND USE MAP. The future land use map for Watkinsville, Georgia, 2026, adopted January 10, 2007, and as may be amended.

GARAGE (ATTACHED). A portion of the principal building to which there is legal vehicular access from a public right-of-way, designed for the storage of vehicles or boats of the residents of the dwelling unit.

GARAGE (DETACHED). A detached structure which is accessory to a single detached dwelling unit and to which there is legal vehicular access from a public right-of-way, or easement designed for the storage of vehicles or boats of the residents of the dwelling unit and is constructed in the same architectural style, with the same colors and materials as the dwelling. (Amended 5/8/2013)

GARAGE (REPAIR). A building and premises designed or used for the purpose of service or commercial repair of motor vehicles. All body work and painting shall be conducted within fully enclosed buildings. The storage of junk, wrecked vehicles, dismantled parts or supplies shall be solely for the purpose of repairing motor vehicles and NOT as a salvage or junkyard business. The storage of junk, wrecked vehicles, dismantled parts or supplies shall not be visible beyond the premises.

GAS STATION. A facility limited to retail sales to the public of gasoline, motor oil, lubricants, motor fuels, travel aides, and minor automobile accessories. In addition, such a facility may provide minor vehicle servicing, minor repairs, and maintenance, including engine rebuilding but not reconditioning of motor vehicles, collision services such as body, frame, or fender straightening and repair, or overall painting of automobiles.

GREEN ROOF. The roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and soil, or a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. The term does not include roofs which are merely colored green, as with green shingles. It also includes additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems. Container gardens on roofs, where plants are maintained in pots, are not included.

GREENSPACE. Land and water, permanently protected from any type of development.

GREENWAY. A linear park that provides passive recreational opportunities, pedestrian and/or bicycle paths, and/or for the conservation of OPEN SPACE or natural areas, as indicated in the CONCEPT PLAN.

GROUND FLOOR/GROUND STORY. A level of a BUILDING, the floor which is located not more than six inches below and 48 inches above the sidewalk elevation at the front of the BUILDING or, if no sidewalk, the level of the BUILDING the floor of which is located not more than two feet below nor six feet above finished grade.

HARDSCAPE. Landscaping consisting of inanimate elements of landscaping, especially any masonry work or woodwork. For instance, stone walls, concrete or brick patios, tile paths, wooden decks and wooden arbors would all be considered part of the hardscape.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT. The Oconee County Health Department.

HIGH INTENSITY LIGHT. A laser source light, or any similar high intensity light, used for outdoor advertising or entertainment.

HISTORIC STRUCTURE. Any structure that is: (a) listed in the National Register of Historic Places or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing in the National Register; (b) certified or preliminarily determined by the secretary of the interior as contributing to the historical significance of a registered historic district or a district preliminarily determined by the secretary to qualify as a registered historic district; (c) individually listed in the Georgia Register; (d) individually listed on a local inventory of historic places that has been certified by an approved state program as determined by the secretary of the interior; (e) is an outstanding example of a structure representative of its era; (f) is one of the few remaining examples of a past architectural style; (g) is associated with an event or persons of historic or cultural significance to the city, county, state, or region; (h) is a site of natural or aesthetic interest that is continuing to contribute to the cultural or historical development and heritage of the city, county, state, or the region.

HOME OCCUPATION. An occupation or profession conducted only by an occupant of a dwelling unit as a secondary use which is clearly incidental to the dwelling unit for residential purposes and is carried on wholly within the principal BUILDING or within a BUILDING accessory thereto, and does not change the residential character of the residence.

HOME OFFICE. An accessory use of a residential dwelling unit, where business or office activities are conducted, and only by an occupant of a dwelling unit as a secondary use which is clearly incidental to the dwelling unit for residential purposes and is carried on wholly within the principal BUILDING or within a BUILDING accessory thereto, and does not change the residential character of the residence. Typically, the office would be an ancillary use for a primary business or office use located elsewhere.

HOTEL (BOUTIQUE). Small, highly unique operations, unlike modern purpose built hotels, usually housed in HISTORIC STRUCTURES, in peaceful surroundings, with high standards of hospitality, and offering short-term lodging accommodation.

ICE BOX. An insulated metal chest into which bags of ice are placed for sale while payment for the bag(s) of ice is/are made inside the principal BUILDING.ICE BOXES are permitted outside only as an ancillary storage container to a grocery or CONVENIENCE STORE and must be located under a sheltered area attached to the principal BUILDING.

INDEPENDENT LIVING. A living arrangement that maximizes independence and self-determination, especially of disabled persons living in a community instead of in a medical facility. Core services provided by INDEPENDENT LIVING centers include: information and referral, independent living skills training, peer counseling, and individual and systems advocacy.

INDOOR RECREATION. A facility providing space for indoor family friendly: leisure, sports, games, fitness, or skills-based amusement activities, such as and similar to: indoor golf/mini-golf, indoor golf simulators, batting cages, climbing walls, arcades with games that emphasize skill over chance (and not involving games of chance or gambling), bowling, skating, trampoline facilities, kids birthday party places including bounce/inflatables, indoor playground, laser tag, escape rooms, or similar family friendly recreational uses conducted entirely within an enclosed building. This definition excludes any use not entirely consistent with foregoing and specifically without limitation excludes billiards, dice, cards, dominoes, sports betting, Vegas-style table games, games of chance, any form of gambling, commercial gambling, or gambling device, adult entertainment, bars/nightclubs (unless otherwise permitted), and outdoor amusement activities.

INDUSTRIAL SERVICES. Establishments providing the following non-polluting light industrial services including metal, machine, and welding shops; cabinetry and woodworking shops; furniture upholstery shops; and similar businesses engaging in custom fabrication and repair.

INFILL DEVELOPMENT. The development of a new BUILDING on scattered vacant sites in a built-up area.

INNER COURT. See "COURT."

INSTITUTIONAL USE. A nonprofit or quasi-public use, such as a religious institution, library, public or private school, hospital, or government-owned or government-operated structure or land used for public purpose.

LANDSCAPE PLAN. A scale drawing showing dimensions and details for vegetating a parcel subject to development.

LIGHT INDUSTRY. Establishments with 10,000 square feet or less of gross floor area otherwise meeting the definition of LIGHT INDUSTRY, LARGE-SCALE.

LIGHT INDUSTRY, LARGE-SCALE. Establishments with greater than 10,000 square feet gross floor area engaged in the non-polluting manufacture, predominantly from previously prepared materials, of finished products or parts including processing, fabrication, assembly, treatment, packaging, incidental storage, sales, or distribution of such products. Further, "light industrial" shall not include loud, dusty, polluting, odorous or other intensive industrial uses or those which tend to produce smoke, soot, or vibration, or those uses including without limitation mining and extracting industries, asphalt plants, concrete plants, cement plants, abattoirs, chicken houses, slaughterhouses, use or storage of flammable or explosive materials, use of radioactive materials, poisons, pesticides, or herbicides, or petrochemical industries, rubber refining, primary metal, or related or similar industries.

LIVE/WORK. A structure that is specifically built (or altered) to accommodate retail or office uses on the GROUND FLOOR and residential uses on the upper floors.

LOADING SPACE. A space within the principal use or on the same LOT that provides for standing, loading or unloading of trucks and other carriers.

LOT. A portion of, or parcel of land separate from other portions or parcels and having a separate tax parcel reference.

LOW-IMPACT AGRICULTURE. An accessory use to a residential use meeting the requirements of chapter 5.02.L.

LUMINESCENCE. The actual amount of visible light which is produced by a lamp as specified by the manufacturer.

MANSION FLAT. A structure which has the exterior appearance of a large house which contains two or more DWELLING UNITS with each DWELLING UNIT contained in its entirety on a single floor.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL. The MAYOR and COUNCIL of Watkinsville, GA.

MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. The spouse, mother, father, brother, sister, son, or daughter of a local government official.

MICROBLADING. Microblading of the eyebrow means a form of cosmetic tattoo artistry where ink is deposited superficially in the upper three layers of the epidermis using a handheld tool made up of needles known as a microblade to improve or create eyebrow definition, to cover gaps of lost or missing hair, to extend the natural eyebrow pattern, or to create a full construction if the eyebrows have little to no hair.

State Law reference— Definitions—Tattoo studios, O.C.G.A. § 31-40-1.

MINI WAREHOUSE. A BUILDING consisting of self-contained units for the storage of items.

MUNTINS. Wood strips that hold the panes of glass in a glazed door or window.

Figure 9. Muntin

MUSEUM. A room or BUILDING for exhibiting a collection of books, artistic, historical or scientific objects.

NATURAL AREA. Land and water that has substantially retained its natural character or land and water that, although altered in character, is important as habitat for plant, animal, or marine life, for the study of its natural features, or for enjoyment of its natural features.

NATURAL GRADE. The elevation of the ground level in its natural state, before construction, filling, or excavation.

NEIGHBORHOOD PARK OR PLAYGROUND. Neighborhood space, lawn, park or playground that is primarily unpaved. These shall not include active recreation STRUCTURES such as ball fields and courts, but may include PLAYGROUND equipment for children.

NEWSPAPER OR PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT. A commercial printing operation involving a process that is considered printing, imprinting, reproducing, or duplicating images and using printing methods including but not limited to offset printing, lithography, web offset, flexographic, and screen process printing.

NON-CONFORMING USE. A use or activity that was lawful and active 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 district.

NURSING HOME. A skilled nursing facility providing 24-hour medical nursing bed-care 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.

OFF-STREET PARKING. An area exclusive of a public or private thoroughfare where motor vehicles may be stored for temporary, daily or overnight parking.

OFFICE, BUSINESS. Establishments providing direct services to consumers, such as insurance agencies, banks, real estate offices, medical offices, and commercial mailing facilities (but not including bulk mailing distribution centers or offices that are incidental and accessory to the business or sales activity that is the principal use).

OFFICE, CORPORATE. An establishment primarily providing internal office administration services as opposed to customer service in a single BUILDING or a campus setting; for example, the headquarters, regional offices or the administrative offices for a corporation. Generally, the majority of traffic comes from employees and not the general public.

OFFICE, PROFESSIONAL. Government office or the office of a member of a recognized profession in the following categories: architectural, engineering, planning, law, accounting, insurance, real estate, medical, dental, optical, or similar profession.

OPEN SPACE. Undeveloped land or water used for recreation, resource protection, or buffers.

OPERATOR means owner with 50 percent plus ownership.

OPPONENT. Any person who opposes a rezoning action or any attorney or other person representing or acting on behalf of a person who opposes a rezoning action.

OVERLAY DISTRICT. A district that applies supplementary regulations to land of a specific zoning district or land-use category.

PARAPET. A parapet is a low wall extending above a platform, terrace, or roof. Parapets are often decorative and extend the wall above the roof line.

Figure 10. Parapet hiding the sloping roof

PATIO. A level surface area directly adjacent to a principal BUILDING which has an average elevation of not more than 30 inches above a finished grade, usually made of concrete, brick, or other masonry material, without a roof, and, intended for outdoor lounging or dining. Includes COURTYARD.

PEDESTRIAN PATHWAY. Interconnecting paved ways that provide pedestrian and bicycle passage.

PERSONAL CARE HOME. A facility providing assistance with meals, dressing, movement, bathing, or other personal needs or maintenance, or general supervision of the physical and mental well-being of a person who is incapable of maintaining a private, independent residence, or who is incapable of managing his/her person.

PLANNED GROUP DWELLING. Two or more detached dwelling units located on a lot that is in single ownership having yards, courts or facilities in common.

PLANNING COMMISSION. Either the Oconee County PLANNING COMMISSION or the Watkinsville PLANNING COMMISSION, whichever is charged by the MAYOR and COUNCIL with the review and recommendation of applications under this Ordinance to the MAYOR and COUNCIL.

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY (PORTRAITURE). The capture by means of photography of the likeness of a person or a small group of people (a group portrait), in which the face and expression is predominant. The objective is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the subject. Like other types of photography, the focus of the photograph is the person's face, although the entire body and the background may be included. A portrait is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a person in still position. A portrait often shows a person looking directly at the camera. Unlike many other photography styles, the subjects of portrait photography are often non-professional models. Family portraits commemorating special occasions, such as graduations or weddings, may be professionally produced or may be vernacular and are most often intended for private viewing rather than for public exhibition. However, many portraits are created for public display ranging from fine art portraiture, to commercial portraiture such as might be used to illustrate a company's annual report, to promotional portraiture such as might be found on a book jacket showing the author of the book. (Added 8/11/2010)

PRINCIPAL BUILDING. A BUILDING in which the primary use of the lot on which the BUILDING is located is conducted.

PULPWOOD OR LOG YARD. Areas where wood is hauled for temporary storage before transfer to trucks.

RECREATION CENTER/FACILITY. A facility dedicated for recreational purposes, to primarily serve the residents of the community. It may include indoor and/or outdoor facilities: club house, pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, gymnastics, skating, playgrounds, playing fields, and similar your and family oriented recreational facilities. (Added 1/14/2009)

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION, COMMUNITY. A religious institution with a seating capacity of between 300 and 600 persons in the sanctuary or main activity area and additional gross floor area associated with religious institution offices, culinary, nursery and toiletry areas, and group meeting rooms.

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION, MEGA (Also known as "mega-churches"). A large religious institution with a seating capacity of more than 600 persons in the sanctuary or main activity area and that may also include additional gross floor area for offices, culinary, nursery and toiletry areas, and group meeting rooms. Mega-churches often encompass one or more accessory uses including child-care, schools and after-school programs, overnight accommodations, retail sales, soup kitchens, thrift shops, community shelter, recreational facilities, and other such uses.

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION, NEIGHBORHOOD. A religious institution with a seating capacity of less than 300 persons in the sanctuary or main activity area and additional gross floor area is limited to offices, culinary, nursery and toiletry areas, and group meeting rooms.

RESTAURANT, CAFE. An informal restaurant housed in a permanent structure primarily offering coffee, tea, and other beverages, and where light refreshments and limited menu meals may also be served to no more than 30 customers concurrently.

RESTAURANT, FINE. An establishment housed in a permanent structure where food and drink are prepared and served to 50 or more customers concurrently. Customer turnover rates are typically one hour or longer. Such establishments serve dinner but generally do not serve breakfast.

RESTAURANT, OUTDOOR CUSTOMER DINING AREA. Any outdoor dining area that is associated with a CAFE, FINE, SMALL or SPECIALTY RESTAURANT.

RESTAURANT, SMALL. An establishment housed in a permanent structure engaged in the preparation of food and beverages and containing no more than 2,000 gross square feet, characterized primarily by table service in non-disposable containers to no more than 40 customers concurrently.

RESTAURANT, SPECIALTY. An establishment housed in a permanent structure whose primary business is the on premise sale of a single specialty type of food or beverage that is not considered a complete meal (e.g., candy, coffee, or ice cream). The sale of other food, beverages, or merchandise is incidental to the sale of the specialty food or beverage.

RESTORATION. Returning a property as nearly as possible to its appearance at a given date in time.

RETAIL, LARGE SCALE. A store 5,000 square feet and above that provides goods directly to the consumer. This definition does not include bulk retail which involves a high volume of sales of products in a warehouse setting. Large scale retail is auto-oriented. (Amended 4/09/2008)

RETAIL, SMALL SCALE. A store 5,000 square feet or fewer gross floor area carrying goods for consumer or household use: excluding, however, animal sales or service; BUILDING materials and/or supplies, sales or rental. Food sales/groceries allowed with department of Agriculture or Oconee County Environmental Health Department approval when applicable. Outside food sales/markets are not allowed. (Amended 3/14/2012)

RIGHT-OF-WAY. That area, distinguished from an easement, which is owned in fee-simple by the city or other government, for the present or future use of utilities, roads, streets, and highways, together with its drainage facilities and other supporting uses and structures.

ROW HOUSE. A group of attached residences, separated by vertical fire walls, in which each residence has its own front and rear yards and has appropriated to it the entire BUILDING between the fire walls.

SCHOOL, PRIVATE. A private institution for the teaching of children or adults including primary and secondary schools, colleges, professional schools, dance schools, business schools, trade schools, art schools, and similar facilities.

SCHOOL, PUBLIC. A public institution for the teaching of children or adults including primary and secondary schools.

SENIOR LIVING. Living arrangements comprised of INDEPENDENT LIVING, ASSISTED LIVING, NURSING HOME, and/or CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY.

SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT. Any establishment whose primary activity is the provision of assistance, as opposed to products.

SETBACK. The minimum horizontal distance between the LOT and property RIGHT-OF-WAY line and the nearest front, side or rear line of the BUILDING, including terraces or any covered projections but excluding steps.

SHARED PARKING. The use of the same off-street parking spaces for two or more distinguishable uses where peak parking demand of the different uses where peak parking demand of the difference uses occur at different times or, where various uses are visited without moving the automobile; and, where the number of parking spaces is a net decrease from the combined total of each use's individual off-street parking requirements if required separately.

SIGHT DISTANCE TRIANGLE. The area of a CORNER LOT bounded by the RIGHT-OF-WAY line connecting the two points on the property lines 30 feet from the intersection of the property lines.

SITE-BUILT. A BUILDING constructed on-site with approved BUILDING materials, inspected periodically during construction, and constructed according to locally adopted BUILDING codes.

SPECIAL EVENT FACILITY—RESIDENTIAL. A residence meeting the criteria set out in chapter 10.02a, hosting special events for compensation, operated by the owner with a 50 percent or larger ownership interest, under prescribed conditions of use.

SPECIAL EVENT FACILITY—NON-RESIDENTIAL. A non-residential facility meeting the criteria set out in chapter 10.02b, available to host special events for compensation, such as wedding showers, birthday parties, receptions, and/or to provide meeting space for community events.

STORY. That portion of a building measured from the NATURAL GRADE and included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above it, or if there is no floor above it, then the space between the floor and the ceiling next above it. A BONUS ROOM is not considered a STORY.

STREET. A public or private thoroughfare which affords ingress and egress to abutting property.

STREET FACADE. The portions of a facade which face and are most closely parallel to the STREET FRONTAGE.

STREET FRONTAGE. A property line which abuts a public right-of-way that provides public access to or visibility to the premises.

STREET LIGHT. Lighting on poles, with either underground or overhead service, along a street for purposes of illuminating public or private ways.

STREET TREES. Any tree located within the public RIGHT-OF-WAY or easement for vehicular access, or associated public utility easements.

SWIMMING POOL, PRIVATE. A swimming pool where access is restricted to its membership and their guests.

SWIMMING POOL, PUBLIC. A swimming pool to which the general public has access.

THROUGH LOT. A lot with frontage on two public streets and/or city maintained roads that does not intersect at a point abutting the property.

TOWNHOUSE. A single dwelling unit in a TOWNHOUSE group, located or capable of being located on a separate lot, and being separated from the adjoining dwelling unit by an approved wall extending from the foundation through the roof and structurally independent of the corresponding wall of the adjoining unit.

TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS. An analytical and informational document professionally prepared by a licensed professional traffic engineer or civil engineer in connection with a specific proposed development application that forecasts, describes, and suggests ways of off-setting the traffic effects of the proposed new activities with the city.

UPPER FLOOR RESIDENTIAL. A studio, one-bedroom, or MULTI-bedroom dwelling unit located on any floor other than the basement, ground or street level floor.

VARIANCE. A minimal relaxation or modification of the strict terms of the height, area, placement, SETBACK, YARD, BUFFER, landscape strip, parking or loading regulations as applied to specific property when, because of particular physical surroundings, shape, or topographical condition of the property, not due to the fault of the owner of said property, compliance would result in a particular hardship upon the owner, as distinguished from a mere inconvenience or a desire to make a profit.

VENDING MACHINE. A coin-operated device, which dispenses a product or service without an attendant.

VETERINARY CLINIC OR HOSPITAL. A facility maintained by or for the use of a licensed veterinarian in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of animal diseases where the animals are limited to dogs, cats, or other companion animals. The overnight care of animals is prohibited except when necessary in the medical treatment of the animal.

WALL PACK. A building-mounted luminaire installed for the purpose of lighting the adjacent ground areas, walkways, streets and/or parking lots.

WAREHOUSE. Storage, wholesale, and distribution of manufactured products, supplies, and equipment, excluding bulk storage of materials that are inflammable or explosive or that present hazards or conditions commonly recognized as offensive.

WHERE CLEARLY VISIBLE FROM THE STREET. A building element more than 30 feet behind the required BUILD-TO-LINE is by definition not clearly visible from the street. Also, common and/or party walls are by definition not clearly visible from the street.

WHOLESALE ESTABLISHMENT. An establishment primarily engaged in selling and/or distributing merchandise to retailers, to industrial, commercial, institutional, or professional business users, or to other wholesalers; or acting as agents or brokers and buying merchandise for, or selling merchandise to, such individuals or companies.

WHOLESALE ESTABLISHMENT WITH WAREHOUSE. The display, storage, and sale of goods to other firms for resale, as well as activities involving significant movement and storage of products or equipment, including warehousing.

XERISCAPE. Water- conserving, drought-tolerant landscaping.

YARD. An OPEN SPACE at grade between a BUILDING and the adjoining LOT lines, unoccupied and unobstructed by any portion of a structure from the ground upward. In measuring a YARD for the purpose of determining the width of a side YARD, the depth of a front YARD, or the depth of a rear YARD, the minimum horizontal distance between a lot line and the main BUILDING shall be used.

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR. The individual(s) or office or designee(s) assigned with the duty of administering the Zoning Ordinance within Watkinsville, Georgia.

(Amd. of 9-15-2021, § 1; Amd. of 2-16-2022, § 1; Amd. of 2-16-2022, § 1; Amd. No. 2025.03.002, § 1, 3-19-2025; Amd. No. 2025.10.002, 10-15-2025)