Article 3 — Interpretation and Definitions

A use or structure customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use or structure, and located on the same lot as such principal use or structure.

located within the 100-year flood plain; all water impoundments; and all lands proposed to be dedicated to a governing authority.

operated, slug-operated, or for any form of consideration an electronically, electrically or mechanically controlled still or motion picture machine, projector, video or laser disc player, or other image producing device is maintained to show images to five (5) or fewer persons per machine at any one time, and where the image is so displayed or distinguished or characterized by the depicting or describing of "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."

which, as one of its principal purposes, offers for sale or rental for any consideration, any one or more of the following:

and still be characterized as an adult bookstore, adult novelty store, or adult video store. Such other business purposes will not serve to exempt such commercial establishments from being categorized as an adult bookstore, adult novelty store, or adult video store so long as one of its principal business purposes is the offering for sale or rental for consideration as specified materials which are distinguished or characterized by the depiction or description of "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."

or "specified anatomical areas."

protective in nature, for adults which is offered for less than twenty-four hours per day including supervision, provision of meals, self care, planned and unplanned social and recreational indoor and outdoor activities and assistance with medications.

A hotel, motel or similar commercial establishment which:

A commercial establishment where, for any form of consideration, films, motion pictures, videocassettes, slides or other similar photographic reproduction are regularly shown which are consistently distinguished or characterized by the depiction or description of "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."

A public or private way within a block, generally giving access to the rear of lots or buildings and not used for general traffic circulation. (Adopted May 21, 2024;

Ordinance No. 2024-03)

Any change in the supporting members of a building; any addition toor reduction of a building; any change in use; or any relocation of a building.

Man-made trees, clock towers, bell steeples, light poles and similar alternative-design mounting structure.

The raising of soil crops or livestock in a customary manner, including all associated activities.

A characteristic of a development that increases the desirability of the development to a community or its marketability to the public. (Adopted May 21, 2024;

Ordinance No. 2024-03)

Establishments of licensed practitioners primarily engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine, dentistry or surgery for domestic animals.

Domestic animals include horses, fish, fur-bearing animals, rabbits, dogs, cats and other pets and birds, except poultry.

Any sign, or part of sign, that uses any movement or change of lighting or color to depict action or create a special effect or scene.

Any exterior apparatus designed for telephonic, radio or television communication through the sending and/or receiving of electromagnetic waves.

A room or suite of rooms in a multi-family residence arranged, designed, or occupied as a place of residence by a single family, individual, or group of individuals.

An individual who has a bachelor’s degree in Arboriculture or a related degree, four or more years of experience in the cultivation, care, and maintenance of trees, and certification by the International Society of Arboriculture.

A factory where manufactured parts are assembled into a finished product. (Added 5/15/12, Ordinance 2012-09)

detached and attached dwelling units and may offer private and semi-private settings designed for and principally occupied by senior citizens. Such facilities may include a congregate meal program in common dining areas, but shall exclude institutional care such as medical or nursing care, and must be licensed by the appropriate state agency.

(Adopted May 21, 2024; Ordinance No. 2024-03)

A land use where gasoline, oil, grease, batteries, tires and general automobile accessories may be provided, but where no part of the premises is used for the storage or dismantling of wrecked or junked vehicles, and where no major automotive repair takes place.

Any sign that is a part of or attached to an awning, canopy or other fabric, plastic or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window or outdoor service area. A marquee is not a canopy.

Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is intended to be hung either with or without frame, possessing characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentation applied to paper, plastic or fabric of any kind. Banners are either freestanding or wall signs. For purposes of this ordinance a banner is not considered a flag. (Amended 12/20/05; Ordinance 05-18)

The area below the first floor level in a building and having not more than one-half (1/2) of its height above ground.

Any light with one or more beams directed into the atmosphere or directed at one or more points not on the same zone lot as the light source; also, any light with one or more beams that rotate or move.

An owner or operator occupied residence with bedrooms providing overnight or otherwise temporary lodging for the general public for 96 hours or fewer. Typically, breakfast is the only meal served to guests. (Ordinance No. 2022-03, 12/08/22)

on or off a public right-of-way or meant to be seen by the public.

A sign, including the supporting sign structure, containing no more than two faces not to exceed 700 square feet per face, which is visible from a street or highway and advertises goods or services. (Adopted 12/20/05, Ordinance 05-18)

A roofed, open-sided or screened passageway connecting two structures, as a house and a garage.

A portion of a tract which is set aside to provide a visual separation from abutting tracts, uses or streams through the use of natural vegetation or other means including replanting or the provision of supplemental plantings or other visual screening elements or noise attenuation devices.

Zoning Ordinance.

Any structure having a roof and intended for shelter, housing or enclosure of persons, animals or property of any kind.

highest roof surface. See also, Tower height. (Ordinance 2022-03; 12/08/22)

The person, officer or official whom the Mayor and Council has so designated, or his or her designee.

A building in which the principal use of the lot is conducted.

A standard measure of tree size applied only to new or replacement plantings. Caliper is an American Association of Nurserymen standard for trunk measurement of nursery stock. Caliper of trunk shall be measured six (6) inches above the ground for up to and including four-inch caliper size, and twelve (12) inches above the ground for larger sizes.

An establishment used for washing and cleaning of passenger vehicles, recreational vehicles, and other light duty equipment, including facilities containing mechanical devices for washing and those that are self-service/coin operated. (Ordinance 2022-03; 12/08/22)

A burial ground.

The operation of a burial ground where burial sites are sold or exchanged for donations; however, this definition shall not include a cemetery maintained by and adjacent to a church.

A sign on which the message changes more than eight (8)

times per day.

Any institution, society, agency, or facility, whether incorporated or not, which either primarily or incidentally provides full-time care for children under 17 years of age outside of their own homes, subject to such exceptions as may be provided in rules and regulations of the Board of Human Resources. For purposes of these rules, a child caring institution means any institution, society, agency, or facility that provides such care to six or more children. (Added 3/21/06; Ordinance 06-05)

institution, or group that receives pay for group care, children remain less than 24 hours per day and provides care for 19 or more children, under 18 years of age and which is required to be licensed or commissioned by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. (Added 3/21/06; Ordinance 06-05)

temples, synagogues and related Sunday school or Church School facilities.

as lighters, cigar boxes and containers, cigar cutters and punchers. Such a business may also contain an area dedicated for individuals to smoke cigars. (Adopted May 21, 2024;

Ordinance 2024-03)

The City of Union City, Georgia.

The City Council of Union City, Georgia.

A person so designated by the City Council.

An activity which removes or disturbs the vegetative cover including trees.

An establishment where medical or dental patients are admitted for examination and treatment, but where there is no overnight lodging.

social, cultural, religious, fraternal, literary, political, and recreational or like activities operated for the benefit of its members and not open to the general public.

(Ordinance 2023-01; 05/16/23)

A place, structure, area or other facility used for providing religious, fraternal, social and/or recreational programs generally open to the public and designed to accommodate and serve significant segments of the community.

Any residence, whether operated for profitor not, that undertakes through its ownership or management to provide or arrange for the provision of daily personal services, supports, care, or treatment exclusively for two or more adults who are not related to the owner or administrator by blood or marriage and whose residential services are financially supported, in whole or in part, by funds designated through the Department of Human Resources, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Diseases. A Community Living Arrangement is also referred to as a “residence”. (Added 3/21/06; Ordinance 06-05)

Individual ownership units in a multi-family residential, commercial, and/or industrial structure(s) combined with joint ownership of common areas and facilities.

A small-scale retail store that offers for sale a limited line of groceries and household items and may also sell gasoline. (Amended 8/22/23; Ord. No.

2023-02)

A commercial car wash where the car moves on a conveyor belt during the wash. The driver of the vehicle can remain in the vehicle or wait outside of the vehicle. (Amended 8/22/23; Ord. No. 2023-02)

organized around a shared courtyard on a single lot. Each individual cottage home court shall be organized as a condominium under the Georgia Condominium Act, with all common elements being the responsibility of a condominium association. (Amended August 20, 2024; Ordinance No. 2024-Z-05)

An area of root space that is within a circle circumscribed around the trunk of a healthy tree using a radius of one (1) foot per inch DBH.

A vertical line extending from the outer surface of a tree’s branch tips to the ground.

street.

A facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. It generally includes redundant or backup power supplies, redundant data communications connections, environmental controls (e.g., air conditioning, fire suppression) and security devices. (Added 5/15/12;

Ordinance 2012-09)

ending 30 minutes after sunset.

Diameter-at-breast-height is a standard measure of tree size, and is the trunk diameter measured in inches at a height of four and one-half (4 ½) feet above the ground.

If a tree splits into multiple trunks below four and one-half (4 ½) feet, then each trunk is measured as a separate tree. A tree which splits into multiple trunks above four and one-half (4 ½) is measured as a single tree.

Any tree which drops its leaves at the end of the growing season.

The numberof dwelling units per net acre.

acre.

A person or entity, limited to property owner or duly authorized representative thereof, who proposes to undertake or undertakes the division, development, or improvement of land and other activities covered by this Zoning Ordinance. The word Developer is intended to include the terms subdivider, property owner, and, when submitting platting documents, applicant. (Ordinance 2022-03;

12/08/22)

determine whether or not a proposed development complies with City ordinances.

A vertical line projected to the ground from the outermost edge ofthe tree’s canopy or shrub branch.

driplines.

Any location where products and/or services are distributed to or business is transacted with, a person seated in a motor vehicle. (Adopted 12/20/05;

Ordinance 05-18)

A building or portion of a building designed for residential purposes. A mobile or modular home shall not be included in this definition.

three or more families living independently of each other. (Adopted 9/17/02; Ordinance 02-12)

more attached units in which each unit extends from foundation to roof and which has a yard or public way on at least two (2) sides. Each unit is separated from any other unit by one (1) or more vertical common fire-resistance-rated walls. A townhouse shall have at least two (2) stories and may be either fee simple or condominium ownership. (Amended August 20, 2024; Ordinance No. 2024-Z-05)

separate from each other by an unpierced wall extending from ground to roof.

One or more rooms within a structure forming a separate, independent housekeeping establishment for use on a basis involving owner occupancy or rental on a weekly, monthly or longer basis, with provision for cooking, eating, sleeping and sanitation, and which is physically set apart from any other rooms or dwelling units in the same structure.

A person who, for consideration, agrees or offers to act as a companion, guide or date for another person, or who agrees or offers to privately modellingerie or to privately perform a strip tease for another person.

A person or business association, who furnishes, offers to furnish, or advertises to furnish escorts as one of its primary business purposes for a fee, tip or other consideration.

individuals who are otherwise homeless.

Any tree which retains its green foliage throughout the year.

Any hotel or motel in which fifty percent or greater of all guest rooms have facilities for both the storage and preparation of food and which are designed or utilized for weekly or monthly occupancy. (Adopted 10/16/01; Ordinance 01-12)

The Federal Aviation Administration.

One or more persons occupying a single dwelling unit provided that unless all members are related by blood, adoption or marriage, no such family shall contain over five (5) persons, but further provided that domestic servants employed on the premises may be housed on the premises without being counted as a separate family or families.

The term “family” does not include any organization or institutional group.

pay for supervision and care of fewer than 24 hours per day, without transfer of legal custody, at least three (3) but not more than six (6) children under 18 years of age who are not related to such person and whose parents or guardians are not residents of the same private residents. (Amended 3/21/06; Ordinance 06-05)

A parcel of land devoted to the raising of agricultural products and/or livestock.

The Federal Communications Commission.

time and listing all fees authorized by this Zoning Ordinance. (Amended May 21, 2024;

Ordinance No. 2024-03)

Any fabric or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns or symbols. For purposes of this ordinance a flag is not considered a banner. (Amended 12/20/05;

Ordinance 05-18)

of the structure under the roof, excluding any space where the floor-to ceiling height is less than six (6) feet.

basement, garage, carport, patios and open porches measured from the exterior face of the exterior walls of a dwelling.

permanently attached to the ground and wholly independent of any building for support.

15)

and in or on which one or more vehicles are houses or kept, not including exhibition or showroom storage of cars for sale.

for private storage of permitted motor vehicles.

vehicle repairs.

A freestanding, circular roofed structure open on all sides, but enclosed by a railing, and used for outdoor seating in residential zoning districts.

For the purpose of measuring sign height, grade shall be the natural ground level at a sign’s proposed location unless such ground level is lower than the centerline of the adjoining street; in which case, height shall be measured from the centerline elevation of the adjoining street.

Permanently protected land and water, including agricultural and forestry land, that is in its undeveloped, natural state or that has been developed only to the extent consistent with, or is restored to be consistent with, one or more of the following goals:

horizontal projected surface of all buildings, including covered porches and accessory buildings.

corporation that receives pay for group care, operates less than 24 hours per day and provides care for 7 to 18 children, under 18 years of age and which is required to be licensed or commissioned by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.

(Added3/21/06; Ordinance 06-05)

Living quarters situated within an attached or detached accessory building located on the same premises as the principal building.

An occupation involving the sale of goods or services within a dwelling by members of a family residing in the dwelling.

Any institution receiving in-patients, providing a staffed 24-hour emergency care facility, and authorized under Georgia Law to render medical, surgical and/or obstetrical care. The term “hospital” shall include asanitarium, with an approved Certificate of Need (CON) from the State Health Planning Agency, for the treatment and care of various forms of mental illness, but shall not include office facilities for the private practice of medicine, dentistry or psychiatry.

A facility offering transient lodging accommodations on a daily rate to the general public and providing additional services such as restaurants, meeting rooms and recreational facilities. The term “hotel” includes the term “motel”.

primarily toward such sign. Such sources cannot be a device that changes color, flashes or alternates.

A commercial car wash where the driver pulls into the bay and parks the car. The vehicle remains stationary while a machine moves back and forth over the vehicle to clean it, instead of the vehicle moving through the tunnel. (Amended 8/22/23; Ord. No. 2023-02)

A disposal facility accepting only wastes that will not or are not likely to cause production of leachate of environmental concern. Such wastes are limited to earth and earth-like products, concrete, cured asphalt, rock, bricks, yard trimmings, stumps, limbs, and leaves. This definition excludes industrial and demolition waste not specifically listed above. (Added 12/19/06; Ordinance 06-??)

maintains the services and facilities for institutional care and has a satisfactory agreement with a physician and dentist who will provide continuing supervision including emergencies; it otherwise complies with these rules and regulations. (Added 3/21/06;

Ordinance 06-05)

The area bounded by the city limits of Union City to the north and south and measured a distance of 200 feet from the right-of-way of either side of Interstate.

Property used for outdoor storage, keeping, abandonment, sale or resale of junk including but not limited to scrap metal, rags, paper or other scrap materials, used lumber, salvaged house wrecking and structural steel materials and equipment, or for the dismantling, demolition of abandonment of automobiles or other vehicles or machinery or parts thereof.

See Vehicle, abandoned.

Any location where more than three (3) dogs, cats or other animals are kept for commercial or non-commercial purposes. This definition does not include litters of animals of not more than six (6) months of age.

A small, freestanding structure requiring a building permit which has more than two.

Any land change which may result in soil erosion from water or wind and the movement of sediment into State water or onto lands within the State, including, but limited to, clearing, dredging, grading, excavating, transporting and filling of land, other than federal lands.

A permit issued to authorize clearing, dredging, grading, excavating, transporting, filling of land and/or other land disturbing activities.

Any additions to the natural features of a plot of ground to restore construction disturbance and to make it more attractive, as by adding lawns, trees and shrubs, etc., to the natural environment.

A maintained area of grass or ornamental planting materials.

A store primarily engaged in the off-premises sale of general alcohol, including beer, wine, and distilled spirits, and where other items (e.g., dry goods and food products) may be sold. (Amended 8/22/23; Ord. No. 2023-02)

Animals that are kept or raised, for use or profit, on a farm, including horses, cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, mules and rabbits. This term shall be deemed to specifically exclude dogs and cats.

Space logically and conveniently located for off-street pick-up and delivery service, scaled to the vehicles expected to be used and accessible to such vehicles at all times.

A parcel of land of varying size which is designated by the owner or owners thereof, and so indicated on the official records of the City, as a single unit of property.

maintained street.

or a corner lot having frontage on three (3) or more streets.

building line for a depth of at least 50 feet.

recorded subdivision plat approved in accordance with the Union City Subdivision Rules and Regulations, or in a legally recorded deed.

Manufactured housing means a structure, transportablein one (1) or more sections, which, in the traveling mode, is eight (8) body feet or more in width or 40 body feet or more in length or, when erected on a site, it is 320 or more square feet and which is built on a permanent chassis and is 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. For the purposes of this Ordinance, the term "mobile home" shall be construed to mean "manufactured housing" or "manufactured home."

Any lot where two (2) or more manufactured homes are installed for living purposes, including any land or structure used by occupants of manufactured homes on such premises.

A plot of ground within a manufactured home park designed to accommodate a single manufactured home.

building or extending along the projecting wall of the building, generally designed and constructed to provide protection from the weather. Any sign attached to a marquee, in any manner, or made a part of a marquee shall be considered a part of the marquee sign.

See Hotel.

attention through the structural movement of parts.

A painting or enlarged photograph that is applied directly on to a wall.

(Adopted 12/20/05; Ordinance 05-18)

Natural vegetation shall connote a generally undisturbed, maintenance-free, self-perpetuating stand of vegetation comprised of indigenous shrubs, flowers, wild grasses and trees.

The areas within the boundaries of a given lot which is devoted to natural vegetation.

Any lawfully erected sign which on the effective date of the Sign Ordinance fails to comply with requirements, of the Sign Ordinance.

A legally existing lot, building or structure which fails to comply with the provisions of this Ordinance as of the effective date of this Ordinance or as the result of subsequent amendments.

The following are considered nonresidential zoning districts within this ordinance: O-I, NC, GC, RSC, M-1 and M-2. (Adopted 12/20/05;

Ordinance 05-18)

Any place where a person who appears semi-nude, in a state of nudity, or who displays "specified anatomical areas" and is provided to be observed, sketched, drawn, painted, photographed or similarly depicted by other persons who pay money or any form of consideration. Nude modeling studios shall not include a proprietary school licensed by the State of Georgia, or a college, junior college or university supported entirely or in part by public taxation; a private college or university which maintains and operates educational programs in such junior college, or university supported entirely or partly by taxation; or in a structure:

The showing of the human male or female genitals, attached pubic area, vulva, anus, cleft of the anal cavity or anal cleavage with less than fully opaque covering, the showing of the female breast with less than opaque covering or any part of the nipple, or the showing of the covered male genitals in a discernible turgid state.

A facility which admits patients on medical referral only and for whom arrangements have been made for continuous medical supervision; it maintains the services and facilities for skilled nursing care, rehabilitative nursing care, and has a satisfactory agreement with a physician and dentist who will be available for any medical and/or dental emergency and who will be responsiblefor the general medical and dental supervision of the home; it otherwise complies with these rules and regulations. (Added 3/21/06; Ordinance 06-05)

An out-of-store marketing device is any facility which is outside of a primary building on a site zoned for commercial uses. Examples of out-of-store marketing devices include: fuel pumps, bank ATM units, newspaper racks, drink machines, ice boxes and phone booths.

The continuous keeping or storage of any finished or unfinished goods, materials, merchandise or equipment outside of a building for more than 24 hours. (Ordinance 2022-03; 12/08/22)

A zoning district that encompasses one (1) or more underlying zones and that imposes additional requirements above that required by the underlying zone.

generally reach a mature height of greater than forty (40) feet.

Any person owning, leasing, renting, occupying or managing any premises within the jurisdiction of the City. (Amended 8/22/23; Ord. No. 2023-02)

Any plot, lot or acreage shown as a unit on the latest county tax assessment records. (Ordinance 2022-03; 12/08/22)

An area or plot of ground used for the temporary storage or parking of motor vehicles either for compensation or to provide an accessory service to a business, industrial or residential use.

containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire or string, usually in a series, designed to move in the wind.

(Adopted 12/20/05; Ordinance 05-18)

Any individual association, company, corporation, firm, organization or partnership, singular or plural, of any kind.

Any dwelling, whether operated for profit or not, which undertakes through its ownership or management to provide or arrange for the provision of housing, food service, and one or more personal services for two or more adults who are not related to the owner or administrator by blood or marriage. (Amended 3/21/06;

Ordinance 06-05)

of pet supplies or the sale or adoption of domestic animals, excluding exotic animals and farm animals. (Adopted May 21, 2024; Ordinance No. 2024-03)

A shop or store specializing in the selling of prescription medicines and also offering for sale other medicines and medical supplies. (Adopted May 21, 2024;

Ordinance No. 2024-03)

A map indicating the subdivision or resubdivision of lands, intended to be filed for record. (Ordinance 2022-03; 12/08/22)

The Union City Planning and Zoning Commission.

Any outdoor area containing equipment designed for recreational use by children. (Adopted May 21, 2024; Ordinance No. 2024-03)

own wheels. (Amended 12/20/05; Ordinance 05-18)

The preliminary drawing or drawings, described in the Subdivision Regulations of the City of Union City, indicating the proposed manner or layout of the subdivision or addition to be submitted to the City for approval as specified in said Subdivision Regulations. (Ordinance 2022-03; 12/08/22)

In manufacturing activities, the changing of materials to a different condition for either use or sale by the industry.

Any person, group of persons, firm or firms, corporation or corporations, or any other legal entity having legal title to or sufficient proprietary interest in the land comprising the subdivision or addition, or any representative or agent thereof, who has express written authority to act on behalf of such owner. The term includes developer. (Ordinance 2022-03; 12/08/22).

All land which falls outside the buildable area of a parcel, all areas of the parcel required to remain open space, the dripline area beneath a tree or clusters of trees to be retained, and/or all areas required as landscaping strips or buffers according to the provisions of the Union City Zoning Regulations, or conditions of zoning approval.

The act to trim damaged, diseased, or dead branches or limbs or otherwise cut branches or limbs in a way that improves its health, productivity, or appearance, but does not harm the tree or unnecessarily reduce the overall size of the tree so as to retain or enhance the symmetrical appearance or natural shape of the tree or shrub.

Trees, shrubs, bushes and all other woody vegetation on property owned, leased, or controlled by the City, to which the public has free access.

Mains and service lines, fire hydrants, valves, etc., and appurtenances owned and operated by Union City, or, when approved by the Mayor and Council, a private water system operating under the direct supervision of the Department of Natural Resources.

A facility engaged in the collection, separation, storage and processing (baling, compacting, grinding or shredding) of household and office type recyclable materials only (aluminum and tin cans, cardboard, glass containers, magazines, newspaper, paper, plastic containers and telephone books) to facilitate the shipment of such materials to and industrial end users.

A group of commercial establishments, planned, developed, owned, and managed as a unit, with off-street parking provided on the property. Such shopping center is designed to serve a minimum surrounding population of 100,000 persons, occupy a minimum site area of 30 acres, contain one or more large major department stores and have minimum gross floor area of 500,000 square feet.

Any benefited property containing not more than one single family home, duplex, triplex, quadplex, condominium or manufactured home. (Amended 8/22/23; Ord. No. 2023-02)

The following are considered residential zoning districts within this ordinance: R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-6, RMD-1, RM and MHP. (Adopted 12/20/05; Ordinance 05-18)

An establishment engaged in the selling of goods and merchandise to the general public for personal or household consumption and rendering services incidental to the sale of such goods. (Ordinance 2022-03; 12/08/22)

A non-building, structural wall supporting soil loads and live and dead surcharge of loads to the soil, such as additional soil, structures and vehicles.

A sign erected and constructed wholly on and over the roof of a building, supported by the roof structure, and extending vertically above the highest portion of the roof.

waste refuse and garbage, then covering with layers of earth.

A system that provides for collection of sanitary sewage via a pipe network, transportation to a common collecting point for treatment to required Department of Natural Resources criteria prior to release.

A building(s) containing separate, individual self-service units for rent or lease for personal or business use designed to allow private access by the tenant for storing or removing personal property. The conduct of sales, business, or any activity other than storage shall not occur within any individual storage unit. May include accessory sales of boxes, tape and other packing-related materials. Does not include truck rental. (Ordinance 2022-03; 12/08/22)

The showing of the female breast belowa horizontal line across the top of the areola at its highest point or the showing of the male or female buttocks. This definition shall include the entire lower portion of the human female breast, but shall not include any portion of the cleavage of the human female breast, exhibited by a dress, blouse, skirt, leotard, bathing suitor other wearing apparel provided the areola is not exposed in whole or in part.

The area designated by this Ordinance in which a structure may not be erected, as measured from the property boundaries of the lot or from the buffer line if a buffer is required. The distance between the building and any lot line or from the buffer line if a buffer is required.

A business or commercial enterprise that, as one of its principal business purposes, offers for any form of consideration:

An adult arcade, adult bookstore, adult novelty store, adult video store, adult cabaret, adult motel, adult motion picture theater, adult theater, escort agency, nude modeling studio, sexual encounter center or massage parlor.

Two (2) or more commercial establishments planned and managed as a single unit with off-street parking and loading facilities provided on the property.

A woody plant or bush of relatively low height (2-6 feet) distinguished from a tree by having several stems rather than a single trunk.

variation thereof and which is usually two-sided. (Amended 12/20/05; Ordinance 05-18)

Any device, fixture, placard or structure affixed to or supported by a stationary object, building or the ground that uses any color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol or writing to advertise, announce the purpose of, or identify the purpose of a person or entity, or to communicate information of any kind to the public. (Amended 12/20/05;

Ordinance 05-18)

A sign permit reviewed, approved and issued by the Zoning Administrator.

Any existing, healthy, living tree twelve (12) inches DBH or greater in size.

A plan of a specific parcel of land, prepared to scale, showing accurately all buildings, existing or proposed, in relation to the parcel of land, and containing proposed floor area and coverage area for each structure and all impervious surface areas, to be used in determining compliance with the requirements, along with other essential site elements such as parking facilities necessary to comply with the minimum requirements fo the proposed use, locations of all buildings and structures, means of access, and areas to be landscaped, together with any other requirements of the zoning ordinance. (Ordinance 2022-03; 12/08/22)

A sketch preparatory to the preliminary or final plan, to enable the property owner to save time and expense in obtaining city staff review and comment as to the form of the plat and the objectives of these regulations. (Ordinance 2022-03;

12/08/22)

An establishment which sells tobacco and/or promotes the smoking of tobacco products on its premises. The term “smoking lounge” includes, but is not limited to, cigar lounges, hookah cafes, tobacco lounges, tobacco clubs, or tobacco bars.

A permit which authorizes to begin construction of soil erosion and sediment control measures and structures prior to beginning major clearing and grading while taking the adequate steps to limit the soil erosion, control the movement of sediment from the site and follow the best management practices as required by the City of Union City Ordinances.

Means:

Means any one of the following:

Any tree or grouping of trees which has been determined to be of high value because of its species, size, age or location. General criteria for the determination of specimen trees or stands are as follows:

The part of the building that fills the structural bay on the front façade at ground level. (Ordinance 2022-03; 12/08/22)

That portion of a building included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the next floor above it, or if there is not floor above it, then the space between such floor and the next ceiling above. Attic or daylight basement space is construed as one-half (1/2) story. A fully underground basement is not a story.

A roadway for vehicular traffic which may or may not be publicly owned.

accordance with the wishes of the owner.

public, whether or not is owned by a public agency.

streets or thoroughfares within the City.

Anything constructed or erected which requires a fixed location on, above, or below the surface of land or water, or which is attached to something having a fixed location above, or below the surface of land or water. By way of example and not limitation, structure includes buildings, manufactured homes, industrialized buildings, signs, swimming pools and fallout shelters, but does not include walls or fences.

The division of a lot, tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, tracts or parcels, or other divisions of land for sale, development or lease.

Any sign which is suspended from the eave or soffit of the building. (Amended 12/20/05; Ordinance 05-18)

Any sign that is used temporarily and is not permanently mounted.

A structure without any foundation or footings and that is removed when the designated time period, activity or use for which the temporary structure was erected has ceased.

thoroughfares and arterial thoroughfares.

Any structure that is designed and constructed primarily for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas, including self-supporting lattice towers, guy towers or monopole towers. The term includes radio and television transmission towers, microwave towers, common-carrier towers, cellular telephone towers, and the like.

or other structure, even if said highest point is an antenna.

temporary or permanent, and restricted to such uses as a temporary construction office, sales office and/or storage facility, temporary operations office pending construction of a permanent facility and the like.

dwelling for travel, recreation and vacation uses, which is identified on the unit by the manufacturer as a "camper" or "travel trailer", is not more than eight (8) feet in body width, is less than 4,500 pounds in gross weight, and does not exceed 28 feet in length.

Any self-supporting, woody perennial plant usually having a single trunkwith a caliper size of not less than one (1) inch, and normally expected to attaina height of at least fifteen (15) feet.

A detailed plan designed to protect and preserve trees before, during and after construction, meeting the requirements set forth in the Tree Protection and Landscape Enhancement Ordinance.

The severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three (3)

inches in diameter within the tree's crown to such a degree so as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree.

A tree or woody plant which is of lesser height and spread than surrounding evergreens or deciduous trees, but which still provides shade and a degree of protection to the earth and vegetation beneath it. Examples include dogwood, cherry, red bud, sassafras, crabapple, pear, serviceberry, and American holly. (Amended 8/22/23;

Ord. No. 2023-02)

under certain specified conditions.

matter of right.

emergency department, often on an unscheduled, walk-in basis. (Adopted May 21, 2024;

Ordinance No. 2024-03)

be used.

Any premises dedicated to the display, sale, distribution, delivery, offering, furnishing, or marketing of tobacco, tobacco products, or tobacco paraphernalia; provided, however, that any grocery store, supermarket, convenience store or similar retail use that only sells conventional cigars, cigarettes, or tobacco as an ancillary sale shall not be defined as a “vape shop or other tobacco store.”

A modification of the terms of this Ordinance granted by the Union City Planning and Zoning Commission in accordance with criteria set forth herein.

discarded, is in an unhealthy condition, does not bear a current license plate with an appropriate decal affixed thereto or is incapable of being moved under its own power, unless said vehicle is stored within a completely enclosed building.

A business establishment primarily involved in the sale of automobiles, trucks, farm equipment, heavy construction equipment, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles or trailers, or other vehicles, excluding mobile homes.

and confined within the limits of an outside wall of any building or structure, which is supported by such wall or building, and which displays onlyone sign surface. No wall sign shall extend more than six (6) inches from any wall, building or structure.

A building in which at least 75% of the gross floor area is devoted to retention of goods, merchandise, supplies or other materials produced on site or received in shipment for ultimate sale or shipment elsewhere.

Any sign, picture, symbol or combination thereof, that is placed inside a window or upon the windowpanes or glass either inside or outside the building and is visible from the exterior of the structure. (Amended 12/20/05; Ordinance 05-18)

A required open space on a lot that is left unoccupied with structures and facilities except as permitted in this Ordinance.

use, extending the full width of the lot and located between the street line and the front line of the building projected to the side lines of the lot. In the case of corners, all sides of the building facing the street are considered the front.

building or use, unoccupied except by an accessory building or use, extending the full width of the lot and located between the rear line of the lot and the rear line of the building or use projected to the side lines of the lot.

use, located between the building or use, and the side line of the lot an extending from the rear line of the front yard to the front line of the rear yard.

A parcel of land in single ownership that is of sufficient size to meet minimum zoning requirements for lot area, coverage and use, and that can provide such yards and other open spaces as required by the zoning ordinance.

The person designated by the Mayor and Council to administer the enforcement of this Ordinance.

The Zoning Ordinance of the City of Union City, Georgia.