In the interpretation of this chapter, the rules and definitions contained in this article shall be observed and applied, except when the context clearly indicates otherwise.
A. 
Words used in the present tense shall include the future and words used in the singular number shall include the plural number, and the plural the singular.
B. 
The word "shall" is mandatory and not discretionary.
C. 
The word "may" is permissive.
D. 
The word "lot" shall include the words "plot," "piece," and "parcel."
E. 
The phrase "used for" shall include the phrases "arranged for," "designed for," "intended for," "maintained for," and "occupied for."
[Amended 6-12-1984 by Ord. No. 84-53; 2-9-1993 by Ord. No. 93-02-191; 1-10-1995 by Ord. No. 95-01-206]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALLEY
A public right-of-way primarily for vehicular traffic along the side or in the rear of properties which affords only a secondary means of access to abutting properties.
BLOCK
A tract of land bounded by streets, or by a combination of streets and public parks, cemeteries, railroad rights-of-way, bulkhead lines or shorelines of waterways, or corporate boundary lines of the County.
BUILDING
Any structure designed, built, or intended for the shelter, enclosure, or protection of persons, animals, chattel, or movable property of any kind.
BUILDING SETBACK LINE
A line within a lot or other parcel of land, so designated on the plat of the proposed subdivision, between which line and the adjacent boundary of the street upon which the lot abuts the erection of a building is prohibited.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The complete plan, or any of its parts, for the development of Stephenson County.[1]
COUNTY
The County of Stephenson, Illinois.
CROSSWALK
A public right-of-way located across a block to provide pedestrian access to adjacent streets or areas.
CUL-DE-SAC
A minor street having one open end and being permanently terminated by a vehicle turnaround.
EASEMENT
A grant by a property owner for the use of a strip of land by the general public, a corporation, or a certain person or persons for a specific purpose or purposes.
HIGHWAY
A right-of-way for vehicular traffic which traverses a nonurban area, usually a state or federal numbered route.
LOT
A portion of a subdivision or other parcel of land intended for transfer of ownership or for building development.
LOT, DOUBLE-FRONTAGE
A lot which has a pair of opposite lot lines along two substantially parallel streets and which is not a corner lot.
MINOR SUBDIVISION
The division of land into no more than two parcels or lots, any of which is less than five acres, which does not affect, involve, or relate to facilities (present or proposed) protecting the public health, safety, and welfare, or does not affect, involve or relate to the need for such in the future. For the purpose of this definition, the term "facilities" includes, but is not limited to, public streets, alleys, and ways for public utilities, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, streetlights, parks, playgrounds, school grounds or other public grounds, stormwater drainage, water supply and distribution, sanitary sewers, or sewage collection and treatment.
PARKWAY
A route intended to be used primarily by passenger vehicles and whose right-of-way is or is intended to be developed in a parklike character.
PLAN COMMISSION
See "Planning and Development Committee."
[2]
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
The words "Plan Commission" as used in this chapter refer to the Planning and Development Committee of the County of Stephenson, Illinois.
PLAT
A plan, map, drawing, or chart on which the subdivider's plan for the subdivision of land is presented and which he submits for approval and intends to record in final form.
PLAT, FINAL
The drawings and documents presented for final approval and as described in this chapter.
PLAT, PRELIMINARY
The drawings and documents presented for conditional approval and as described in this chapter.
ROADWAY
The paved area within a street right-of-way intended for vehicular traffic, including all curb and gutter facilities.
STREAM
A body of water flowing in a channel or bed.
STREET
An area which primarily serves or is intended to serve as a vehicular and pedestrian access to abutting lands or to other streets. The word "street" refers to the right-of-way or easement, whether public or private, and not to the roadway or paving or other improvement within the street right-of-way.[3]
STREET, MARGINAL ACCESS
A minor street which is parallel and adjacent to highways and primary thoroughfares and which provides access to abutting properties and protection to local traffic from fast, through-moving traffic on the highways and primary thoroughfares.
STREET, MINOR
A street intended primarily as access to abutting properties.
STREET, PRIVATE
Any street which is under the jurisdiction of an individual, corporation, or trustee, or any street which is privately owned or established.
STREET, PUBLIC
Any street which is shown on the subdivision plat and is or is to be dedicated for public use.
SUBDIVIDER
The person or persons responsible for preparing and recording the plats of the subdivision and for carrying out all appropriate requirements relating thereto as outlined in this chapter.
SUBDIVISION
The division of land into two or more parts, any of which is less than five acres, for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of transfer of ownership or building development, including all public streets, alleys, ways for public service facilities, parks, playgrounds, school grounds or other public grounds, and all the tracts, parcels, lots or blocks, and numbering of all such lots, blocks, or parcels by progressive numbers, giving their precise dimensions; provided, however, that the following shall not be considered a subdivision and shall be exempt from the requirements herein:
A. 
The division or subdivision of land into parcels or tracts of five acres or more in size which does not involve any new streets or easements of access.
B. 
The division of lots or blocks of less than one acre in any recorded subdivision which does not involve any new streets or easements of access.
C. 
The sale or exchange of parcels of land between owners of adjoining and contiguous land.
D. 
The conveyance of parcels of land or interests therein for use as right-of-way for railroads or other public utility facilities which does not involve any new streets or easements of access.
E. 
The conveyance of land owned by a railroad or other public utility which does not involve any new streets or easements of access.
F. 
The conveyance of land for highway or other public purposes or grants or conveyances relating to the dedication of land for public use or instruments relating to the vacation of land impressed for a public use.
G. 
Conveyances made to correct descriptions in prior conveyances.
H. 
The sale or exchange of parcels or tracts of land existing on July 17, 1959, into no more than two parts and not involving any new streets or easements of access.
I. 
The sale of a single lot of less than five acres from a larger tract when a survey is made by an Illinois Registered Land Surveyor, provided that this exemption shall not apply to the sale of any subsequent lots from the same larger tracts of land, as determined by the dimensions and configuration of the larger tract on October 1, 1973, and provided also that this exception does not invalidate any local requirements applicable to the subdivision of land.
SUBDIVISION, RURAL
Any subdivision other than an urban subdivision.
SUBDIVISION, URBAN
Any subdivision within 1 1/2 miles of the corporate limits of a city or village, any subdivision within 1,000 feet of an existing sewer or water main, any subdivision containing multiple-family units, or any subdivision in which parcels average less than 100 feet in width at the building line and/or contain average lot area of less than 20,000 square feet.
THOROUGHFARE, PRIMARY
A street of considerable continuity which serves or is intended to serve as a principal traffic artery between the various sections of the County, and is so designated as a primary thoroughfare on the Comprehensive Plan.[4]
THOROUGHFARE, SECONDARY
A street which carries traffic from minor streets to the primary thoroughfare system, or between primary thoroughfares, and is so designated as a secondary thoroughfare on the Comprehensive Plan.[5]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
[2]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. IV).
[3]
Editor's Note: The definition of "street, approved," which immediately followed this definition, was deleted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. IV).
[4]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. IV).
[5]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. IV).