§ 9.100.030. Definitions.

The following words and phrases, when used in the chapter, shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:

Corner lot means a lot or parcel of land situated at the junction of and abutting on two intersecting streets.

Court means a tennis, handball, badminton, volleyball, racquetball and sport court.

Fence means an enclosing structure made of wire, wood, metal, masonry or other materials, having uniformly spaced openings in its vertical surface with a total area of openings equal to 40 percent or more of the total vertical area of the structures. Typical fences are wire fences, ornamental iron fences, wood picket fences, wood lattice fences, wood rail fences and masonry block or brick fences.

Finished ground surface means the ground surface within a yard which has been surfaced with concrete, brick, stones, bituminous materials, crushed rock, gravel, sand or similar materials, or on which grass, flowers, shrubbery or trees have been planted, or which has been graded in preparation for surfacing or planting.

Front yard means a yard between the front line of the lot and the front line of the main building and which extends across the entire width of the lot; provided, however, that upon vacant property the front yard shall be the yard between the front line of the lot and the front yard setback line ascribed to such lot, and which extends across the entire width of the lot.

Lot means a parcel of land recorded as a lot or otherwise approved by the City Council as a building site for the construction of one main building.

Rear yard means a yard between the rear line of the lot and the rear line of the main building which extends across the entire width of the lot. Where a public alley exists at the rear lot line, one-half, but not to exceed ten feet, of such alley may be considered to be a portion of such rear yard; provided, however, that upon vacant property the rear yard shall be the yard between the rear line of the lot and the rear yard setback line ascribed to such lot, and which extends across the entire width of the lot.

Required yards means those portions of a lot or building site upon which no portion of a main building is permitted to be constructed by the provisions of this title, relating to zoning.

Retaining wall means a structure made of wood, metal, masonry or other materials designed to withstand pressure exerted by earth or by water or by both.

Side street line of a corner lot means the side line of a corner lot along the side of the lot abutting on a street.

Side yard means a yard between the side line of the lot and the side line of the main building and which extends from the front yard to the rear yard; provided, however, that upon vacant property the side yard shall be the yard between the side line of the lot and the side yard setback line ascribed to such lot, and which extends across the entire width of the lot.

Yard means that portion of the same lot or building site upon which a building is situated, which remains open and unoccupied except by stairways, porches, landing places, cornices, canopies, eaves, chimneys, fireplaces, detached accessory buildings and garages.

Yard wall means an enclosing structure made of wood, metal, masonry or other material, having openings in its vertical surface with a total area of openings equal to less than 40 percent of the total vertical area of the structure. Typical yard walls are wood panel walls, grapestake walls, plastic-screen walls, monolithic concrete walls and masonry block or brick walls. Any fence covered or partially covered with any view-obscuring material shall be considered a wall for the purpose of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 297, § 9.06.030.030, 3-20-2007)