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Glossary of Terms
All of these definitions were adapted from A Planners Dictionary from the American Planning Association.
Accessory use or structure:
A structure or use that is subordinate in area, extent, and purpose to the principal use; contributes to the comfort, convenience, or necessity of the principal use; and is located on the same parcel and in the same zoning district as the principal use.
Board of Zoning Appeals or Adjustment:
An appointed, quasi-judicial board which approves or denies applications for variances, special and conditional use permits and rezoning; decides appeals of administrative decisions.
Land use:
The type of use activity occurring on a parcel or within a building situated upon a land parcel; a system for classifying and designating the appropriate use.
Municipality:
Local government; an incorporated city, town, county, etc.
Permitted use:
Land use that is allowed without a special or conditional use permit as long as it conforms to other regulations of the zoning district; also called by-right or as-of-right.
Principal use or structure:
The primary or predominant use or building on a parcel.
Rezoning:
An amendment to the zoning map which changes the zoning classification of a parcel or an area.
Planning Commission:
An appointed commission responsible for advising the governing body on planning and zoning issues and reviewing applications for variances, special or conditional use permits and rezoning; may have rule making and regulatory authority.
Special or conditional use:
A land use specifically authorized by a zoning ordinance, but not permitted until after review and approval or certain conditions have been met.
Temporary use or structure:
A land use or moveable structure established for a short period of time that does not involve the construction, alteration of any permanent structure, or a permanent foundation or footing.
Value-added foods:
foods that are processed and packaged for retail sale either direct to consumers or wholesale.
Variance:
Permission to depart from the development code when, because of special circumstances applicable to the property, strict application of the provisions of the development code deprives such property of privileges enjoyed by other property in the vicinity that is under identical zoning.
Zoning:
The classification of land into districts by types of permitted land uses; the zoning code outlines permitted land uses by district along with development regulations and design standards.