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Town of Delaware, NY
Sullivan County
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Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings herein indicated. Words used in the present tense shall include the future; the singular shall include the plural and the plural the singular. The term "occupied" or "used," as applied to any building or property, shall include "arranged, designed, constructed, altered, converted, rented, leased or intended to be used"; the word "shall" is mandatory and not optional.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following words, terms and phrases have the meanings herein indicated:
ACCESSORY USE OR STRUCTURE
A use of land or of a structure or portion thereof incidental and subordinate to the principal use of the land or building and located on the same lot with such principal use.
ACRE
Forty-three thousand five hundred sixty square feet.
ADULT BUSINESS
A.ย 
A use of a building or land for a business which has adult materials as a significant portion of its stock-in-trade or involves the sale, lease, trade, gift or display of drug paraphernalia. Adult materials include any literature, book, magazine, pamphlet, newspaper, paper, comic book, drawing, photograph, figure, image, motion picture, sound recording, article, instrument or any other written or recorded matter which depicts or describes any specified anatomical areas and/or specified sexual activities. Drug paraphernalia includes any objects, devices, instruments, apparatus or contrivances whose primary and traditionally exclusive use is involved with the illegal use of any and all controlled substances under New York State law.
B.ย 
For the purposes of this chapter, "adult businesses" shall also include any nightclub, bar, restaurant, arcade, theater or any other establishment that regularly features live performances that are characterized by the exposure of specified anatomical areas or by specified sexual activities, or films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides or other photographic reproductions in which a substantial portion of the total presentation time is devoted to the showing of material that is characterized by an emphasis upon the depiction or description of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, or where any specified sexual activities are conducted for economic gain or any other form of consideration.
(1)ย 
Specified anatomical areas. As used herein, "specified anatomical areas" means and includes any of the following:
(a)ย 
Less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, anus or female breasts below a point immediately above the top of the areolae; or
(b)ย 
Human male genitals in a discernible turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered.
(2)ย 
Specified sexual activities. As used herein, "specified sexual activities" means and includes any of the following:
(a)ย 
The fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, anus or female breasts;
(b)ย 
Sex acts, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, including intercourse, oral copulation, or sodomy;
(c)ย 
Masturbation, actual or simulated; or
(d)ย 
Excretory functions as part of or in connection with any of the activities set forth in Subsection B(2)(a) through (c) of this definition.
ADULT CARE FACILITY
See "health facility."
AGRICULTURE
The use of any parcel of land for economic gain in the raising of agricultural products, livestock, poultry and/or dairy products; or the operation of timber tracts, tree farms, forest nurseries, the gathering of forest products, or in performing forest services, but not including the operation of a sawmill or other wood manufacturing businesses. It includes necessary structures within the limits of the parcel and the storage of equipment necessary for production. It excludes agricultural-products-processing operations; riding academies, livery or boarding stables and dog kennels; and the disposal or use of sludge, septage or similar waste products.
AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS PROCESSING
An industry that involves the processing of raw agricultural products and transforming those products into a more refined, prepared or marketable state. It includes, but is not limited to, such uses as dairies and food canning and freezing operations, but does not include sawmills.
AGRICULTURAL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT
Establishments primarily engaged in supplying soil preparation services, crop services, landscaping, horticultural services, animal services and farm labor and management services, and farm machinery dealers.
AIRPORT
Any area of land or water, public or private, designed and set aside for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, including helicopters, and which may include facilities necessary for the housing and maintenance of aircraft.
ALTERATIONS
As applied to a building or structure, means a change or rearrangement in the structural parts or in the existing facilities; or an enlargement, whether by extending on a side or by increasing in height; or the moving from one location or position to another.
AMUSEMENT ARCADE
A building or part of a building in which five or more pinball machines, video games or other similar player-operated amusement devices are maintained.
AMUSEMENT PARK
A commercially operated park or facility with various devices for entertainment, including but not limited to rides, games, electronic games and similar devices, food stands and other associated facilities.[1]
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
A place where animals or pets are given medical or surgical treatment, and the boarding of animals for extended periods is part of the care given at the facility.
ANTIQUE AUTO
Any motor vehicle 25 years or older which has been restored to good operating and roadworthy condition and which has a valid antique vehicle registration as required by the motor vehicle laws of the State of New York.[2]
APPLICANT
An individual, trustee, executor, other fiduciary, corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization or other entity acting as a unit making application for a permit or approval in accord with this chapter.
BANK
See "service establishment."
BED-AND-BREAKFAST ESTABLISHMENT
A transient tourist-related business conducted in a dwelling in which more than three persons, either individually or as families, are housed or lodged for hire on a short-term basis with meals normally included as a part of the services rendered.
BOARDINGHOUSE or LODGING HOUSE
Any dwelling in which more than three persons, either individually or as families, are housed or lodged for hire with meals normally but not necessarily included as a part of the services rendered.
BUFFER
A part of a required setback area (yard) which is used to provide separation between incompatible uses to effect a visual barrier, reduce noise, block physical passage between uses, and reduce noise, dust and litter. The separation may be effected by fencing, dense vegetative planting, the provision of additional setback distances, berms or a combination thereof; and, in general, widths of buffers are increased as the density or opaqueness of the barrier decreases.
BUILDING
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls and intended for the shelter, housing or enclosure of any individual, animal, process, equipment, services, goods or materials of any kind or nature.
BUILDING COVERAGE
The area of the lot covered or occupied by the total horizontal projected surface area of all buildings on the lot and including accessory buildings and structures.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the proposed finished grade within 20 feet of the building to the highest point of the roof.
BUILDING INSPECTOR
The administrative officer charged with the duty of enforcing the provisions of this chapter, which term shall be interchangeable with "Code Enforcement Officer" and "Zoning Officer."
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL
A building in which is conducted the main or principal use of the lot on which said building is situated.
CAGE-TYPE POULTRY HOUSE
A structure for the housing of poultry in elevated meshwork pens, in which all the processes relating to the raising of poultry are accomplished without the removal of the birds from such enclosures.
CAMPGROUND OR RECREATIONAL VEHICLE (RV) PARK
The division or redivision of a lot, tract or parcel of land, by any means, into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land, including changes in existing lot lines for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of lease, rent, sale or transfer of ownership, for the purpose of providing a site for travel trailers, truck campers, camper trailers, motor homes and tents for temporary occupancy. Campgrounds, recreational vehicle parks, primitive camping facilities and other similar facilities shall fall under this definition.
CAR WASH
Any building or premises, or portions thereof, used for washing automobiles for commercial purposes.
CARPORT
An open space for the storage of one or more vehicles in the same manner as a private garage, and which may be covered by a roof supported by columns or posts, except that one or more walls may be the walls of the main building of which the carport is an accessory building or extension.
CELL SITE
A tract or parcel of land that contains the cellular phone antenna, its support structure, accessory building(s), and parking, and may include other uses associated with and ancillary to cellular phone service.
CEMETERY
Land used or intended to be used for the burial of the dead and dedicated for cemetery purposes, including columbariums and mausoleums, but excluding crematoriums and funeral homes.
CHILD-CARE CENTER
Any establishment enrolling five or more children five years of age or younger and where tuition, fee or other form of compensation for the care of the children is charged. This definition is not intended to regulate child-care centers the regulation of which is preempted by New York State law.
CHURCH
A building used for public worship. (See "semipublic buildings and uses.")
CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLE
An area of unobstructed vision at a street intersection(s), defined by lines of sight between points at a given distance from the intersecting street right-of-way lines.
CLUB/LODGE, PRIVATE
An establishment operated for social, athletic, recreational or educational purposes but open only to members and not open to the general public.
CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT, RESIDENTIAL
A form of development for single-family residential development that permits a reduction in lot area and certain development standards, provided unit densities permitted under a conventional subdivision are maintained and the resultant land area is devoted to common open space.
COMMERCIAL ANTENNA SITE
A tract or parcel of land that contains a commercial antenna for communication service (such as for telephone, television, radio and two-way radios), its support structure, accessory building(s), and parking, and may include other uses associated with and ancillary to the transmission.
CONSTRUCTION
The construction, reconstruction, renovation, repair, extension, expansion, alteration or relocation of a building or structure, including the placement of manufactured homes.
CONTRACTING BUSINESSES AND TRADES
Any commercial activity which is associated with the construction or erection of buildings or structures at a project site, including but not limited to excavators, builders, plumbers, electricians, painters, well drillers, masons and similar trades.
COUNTRY CLUB
A recreational property owned and managed by a membership organization and including recreational facilities, restaurant and meeting rooms.
CREMATORIUM
A furnace or establishment for the incineration of corpses.
DECK
An elevated (more than six inches) attached accessory structure constructed of wood with no walls or roof. As an attached accessory structure, it must meet the required setbacks for the principal building.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner, agent of such owner, or tenant with the permission of such landowner, who makes or causes to be made a subdivision of land or a land development.
DEVELOPMENT
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, the placement of manufactured homes, streets and other paving, utilities, filling, grading, excavation, mining, dredging or drilling operations and the subdivision of land.
DWELLING
A building arranged, intended, designed or used as the living quarters for one or more families living independently of each other upon the premises. The term "dwelling" shall not be deemed to include hotel, motel, rooming house or tourist home.
A.ย 
SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHEDA building arranged, designed and intended to be used for and occupied exclusively by one family.
B.ย 
TWO-FAMILYA building arranged, designed and intended to be used for and occupied by two families living independently and having no cooking or bathroom facilities in common.
C.ย 
MULTIPLEA building arranged, designed and intended to be used for and occupied by three or more families living independently and having no cooking or bathroom facilities in common, and including multiple-dwelling projects as defined in this chapter.
DWELLING UNIT
Rooms in a dwelling structure, including a kitchen, sleeping facilities, and a separate bath and toilet, designed as a household unit for extended periods of occupancy for living and sleeping purposes by not more than one family at a time.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
Public utility, facilities that do not require enclosure in a building, including the construction or maintenance of gas, electrical, steam, telephone, cable television, sewage treatment plants and collection systems or water distribution systems; including equipment such as poles, towers, wires, mains, drains, sewers, pipes, conduits, cables, fire alarm boxes, police call boxes, traffic signals, hydrants and other similar equipment.
FARM STAND
A booth or stall on a farm and from which produce and farm products are sold to the general public and which is operated by the owner of the property.
FISH HATCHERY
A facility where fish eggs are hatched and fish are raised.
FLEA MARKET
Sales activity held under an open structure or in an open area where stalls or sales areas are set aside, and rented or otherwise provided, and which are intended for use by various unrelated individuals to sell articles that are either homemade, homegrown, handcrafted, old, obsolete or antique, and which may include the selling of goods at retail by businesses or individuals who are generally engaged in retail trade. Flea markets shall not include any operation which involves the sale of any adult or pornographic material or any activity included in the definition of "adult business" contained in this chapter. Flea markets conducted entirely within an enclosed building shall be considered retail businesses.
FORESTRY ENTERPRISES
Establishments engaged in the operation of timber tracts, tree farms, forest nurseries, and the gathering of forest products, but excluding sawmills and other wood manufacturing businesses.
FUNERAL HOME
A building or part thereof used for human funeral services.
A.ย 
Such building may contain space and facilities for: 1) embalming and the performance of other services used in preparation of the dead for burial; 2) the performance of autopsies; 3) the storage of caskets, funeral urns and other related funeral supplies; and 4) the storage of funeral vehicles, but shall not include facilities for cremation.
B.ย 
Where a funeral parlor is permitted, a funeral chapel shall also be permitted.
GARAGE, PRIVATE PARKING
A building or portion thereof used only for the storage of automobiles by the families resident upon the premises or by individuals residing in the immediate vicinity of such storage facilities.
GASOLINE SERVICE STATION
A structure, building or area of land, or any portion thereof, that is used for the sale of gasoline and oil or any other motor vehicle fuel and/or other lubricating substance, which may or may not include facilities for lubricating, washing and sale of accessories, but not including the painting and/or body work thereof and other vehicle and equipment repair operations as defined by this chapter. Any business or industry dispensing gasoline and servicing vehicles only for its own use will not be deemed to be a gasoline service station.
GOLF COURSE
A tract of land for playing golf, improved with trees, greens, fairways, hazards, and which may include clubhouses and shag ranges; but it does not include miniature golf courses or golf ball driving ranges.
GREENHOUSE, COMMERCIAL
A structure, typically constructed of metal or wood framework and covered with glass or plastic, used for the propagation of plants for wholesale distribution, and including associated structures for office space and storage, but not including retail sales of any products or services.
GROSS FLOOR AREA
The sum of the total horizontal areas of the several floors of a building measured from the exterior face of exterior walls or from the center line of a wall separating two buildings, but not including interior parking spaces, loading space for vehicles, or any space where the floor-to-ceiling height is less than six feet.
GROUP HOME
A facility or dwelling unit housing persons unrelated by blood or marriage and operating as a group family household, which is a group of individuals living together in a dwelling unit as a single housekeeping unit under a common housekeeping management plan based on an intentionally structured relationship providing organization and stability and which is supervised by staff of an agency or nonprofit organization. This shall not include any such use the regulation of which is preempted by reason of state law.
HEALTH FACILITY
An establishment primarily engaged in providing services for human health maintenance, including hospital facilities, nursing homes and adult care facilities, personal care facilities and medical clinics and offices, whether publicly or privately operated. This shall not include group homes and any such use the regulation of which is preempted by reason of state law.
HOME GARDENING, HOME NURSERIES, AND HOME GREENHOUSES
An accessory structure or use for the raising of plants for noncommercial private consumption or use.
HOME OCCUPATION
Any use customarily conducted entirely within a dwelling and carried on by the inhabitants residing therein, providing that the use is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for dwelling purposes; the exterior appearance of the structure or premises is constructed and maintained as a residential dwelling; and no goods are publicly displayed on the premises. See ยงย 220-24.
HORSE
Any of various equine mammals used for riding and for drawing or carrying loads, including donkeys, horses and mules.
HOSPITAL
An institution providing primary health services and medical or surgical care to persons, primarily inpatients, suffering from illness, disease, injury, deformity and other abnormal physical or mental conditions, and including, as an integral part of the institution, related facilities such as laboratories, outpatient facilities or training facilities. (See "health facility.")
HOTEL
A facility offering temporary (generally for periods of two weeks or less) lodging accommodations to the general public, typically on the basis of daily or weekly rentals, and providing additional services such as restaurants, meeting rooms and recreational facilities.
INSURANCE OFFICE
See "service establishment."
INTENSIVE LIVESTOCK OPERATION
The fattening or raising of beef cattle, hogs, poultry or other animals for the purpose of obtaining meat, eggs or wool for marketing. Any livestock operation which involves the keeping of more than 250 beef cattle or 100 pigs or 250 sheep or 250 goats or 500 fur-bearing animals or 5,000 poultry shall be considered intensive. The keeping of dairy animals shall not be included in this definition or regulated by this chapter.
JUNK
Any scrap, waste, reclaimable material or debris, vehicles or parts thereof, whether or not stored or used in conjunction with dismantling, processing, salvage, storage, baling, disposal or other use or disposition.
JUNKYARD [3]
A.ย 
An area of land, with or without buildings, used for the storage, outside a completely enclosed building, of used and discarded materials, including but not limited to wastepaper, rags, metal, glass, building materials, house furnishings, machines, vehicles or parts thereof, with or without the dismantling, processing, salvage, sale or other use or disposition of the same.
B.ย 
The outside storage or deposit on a lot of two or more vehicles which do not have current licenses issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles shall be considered a junkyard. Agricultural vehicles such as tractors, mowers, etc., which are utilized as part of an active farming operation and contractors' construction equipment shall be exempt from this interpretation. Automobile sales lots managed by licensed automobile dealers and storage areas for recognized antique automobiles or other operable special purpose vehicles shall also be exempt.
KENNEL, PRIVATE
Any building or buildings and land designed or arranged for the care of dogs, cats or household pets belonging to the owner of the principal use, kept for purposes of show, hunting or as pets, and not involving the commercial sale or barter of animals, and/or the keeping of four or more dogs which are more than six months of age.
LANDOWNER
The legal or beneficial owners of land, including the holder of an option or contract to purchase (whether or not such option or contract is subject to any condition); a lessee if he is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of a landowner or other persons having a proprietary interest in land shall be deemed to be landowners for the purpose of this chapter.
LIVESTOCK
Any animals raised or kept for home consumptive use or profit, including but not limited to cattle, bison, sheep, goats, llamas, swine, fowl, rabbits and fur-bearing animals.
LOT
Land occupied or which could be occupied by a building and its accessory buildings, or by a dwelling group and its accessory buildings, together with such open spaces as are required under the provisions of this chapter, having not less than the minimum area and width required by this chapter and having its principal frontage on a street or on such other means of access as may be determined in accordance with the provisions of law to be adequate as a condition of the issuance of a zoning permit for a building on such land.
LOT AREA
The total number of square feet in the lot.
LOT COVERAGE
That portion or percentage of the lot area which is covered by buildings, roads, driveways, walkways, parking areas, or other impervious surfaces.
LOT DEPTH
The average of the depths of a lot at the two side lot lines.
LOT LINE, FRONT
The line separating the lot from a street.
LOT LINE, REAR
The lot line opposite and most distant from the front lot line.
LOT LINE, SIDE
Any lot line other than a front or rear lot line. A side lot line separating a lot from a street is called a side street lot line.
LOT WIDTH
The average of the width of a lot at the building setback line required by this chapter and the rear lot line.
MANUFACTURED HOME SALES
An establishment that sells and/or services manufactured and/or mobile homes.
MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRY
Establishments engaged in the basic mechanical, chemical or other transformation of extracted or raw materials or substances into new products or materials, including, but not limited to, the assembly of component parts; the manufacturing or transformation of products for use by other manufacturers; the blending of materials such as lubricating oils, plastics, resins or liquors; other basic industrial processes; and any facility involving processes resulting in the storage of hazardous materials or the generation of hazardous waste products or other environmentally regulated processes.
MANUFACTURING, LIGHT
Facilities involving generally unobtrusive processes not resulting in the storage of hazardous materials or the generation of hazardous waste products that require special permits or special handling or other environmentally regulated processes. Uses producing products predominately from previously prepared materials, finished products and parts, including, but not limited to, research, engineering or testing laboratories; assembly from components; fabrication of products; textile and clothing manufacturing; warehousing; distribution centers; furniture or other wood products production and the like, but excluding basic industrial processing.
MEDICAL OFFICE
An establishment where patients are admitted for examination and treatment by one or more physicians, dentists or psychologists and where patients are not usually lodged overnight. (See also "health facilities.")
MOBILE HOME
A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for permanent occupancy, office or place of assembly, contained in one unit or in two units designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated for repeated towing, which arrives at a site complete and ready for occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations, and constructed so that it may be used without a permanent foundation.
MOBILE HOME LOT
Land occupied or to be occupied by a mobile home in a mobile home park, improved with the necessary utility connections and other appurtenances, and said lot being specifically designated by division from other lots in the mobile home park.
MOBILE HOME PARK
A parcel or contiguous parcels of land under single ownership, which has been planned and improved for the placement of two or more mobile homes for nontransient use.
MODEL HOME
A residential structure associated with a principal permitted commercial use and not intended for permanent occupancy, and used solely for demonstration purposes to inform potential purchasers of the types of homes available from the seller.
MODULAR HOME
A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for permanent occupancy, office or place of assembly, contained in one or more sections, which arrives at a site complete and ready for installation except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations, and which is installed on a permanent foundation and is not intended for repeated towing.
MOTEL
A facility offering temporary (generally for periods of two weeks or less) lodging accommodations to the general public, typically on the basis of daily or weekly rentals, with at least 25% of the rooms having direct access to the outside.
MULTIPLE-DWELLING PROJECT
Any development of a single parcel of property that includes one or more buildings containing three or more dwelling units. Any residential development which proposes the construction of two or more two-family dwellings on one parcel of property shall also be considered a multifamily project. Multifamily projects shall be treated as multiple dwellings for the purposes of this chapter.
MULTIPLE-OCCUPANT COMMERCIAL BUILDING
A building containing two or more independent, nonresidential uses or two or more commercial buildings on one lot; such uses also being permitted in the district where the multiple-occupant building is proposed.
NATURAL RESOURCE USE
The mining, removal or recovery by any means whatsoever (including, but not limited to, open excavations and quarries and subsurface mining) of soil, rock, minerals, mineral substances or organic substances other than vegetation from water or land, on or beneath the surface thereof; said substances including but not limited to coal, limestone, shale, dolomite, sandstone, sand, clay, gravel, rock, stone, earth, ore, peat, soil or other mineral. Such uses with an open face of one acre or less and used for noncommercial purposes shall not be considered "natural resource uses" under the terms of this chapter.
NATURAL RESOURCES PROCESSING
The refinement of minerals to specifications for sale, including, but not limited to, the crushing, screening, washing or grading of minerals; and the use of minerals in any manufacturing process, such as, but not limited to, concrete or cement batching plants, asphalt plants and manufacture of concrete and clay products.
NONCONFORMING LOT
See ยงย 220-52.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE
See ยงย 220-52.
NONCONFORMING USE
See ยงย 220-52.
NURSERY, COMMERCIAL
A commercial operation where trees and shrubs are grown for transplanting, for use as stocks for budding and grafting, or for sale.
NURSING HOME
Any premises containing sleeping rooms used by persons who are lodged and furnished with meals and nursing care. (See "health facility.")
OFFICE BUILDING
A building used primarily for conducting the affairs of a business, profession, service, industry or government, or like activity.
OPEN FACE
That area of a natural resource use where the extraction or removal of said natural resource is underway, and including any area of the property which has not been fully reclaimed and rehabilitated following resource removal.
OPEN SPACE
All areas of a cluster development, multifamily development or PUD District development not conveyed to individual owners of residential dwelling units and not occupied by buildings and required or proposed improvements, and used for recreation, resource protection, amenities and/or buffers. Open space may include, but is not limited to, lawns; decorative planting; active and passive recreation areas such as golf courses, swimming pools, tennis courts, riding and cycling paths and playgrounds; agricultural land and woodland.
PARKING AREA, PRIVATE
An open area for the same uses as a private garage.
PARKING AREA, PUBLIC
An open area, other than a street or other public way, used for the parking of automobiles and available to the public whether for a fee, free or as an accommodation for clients or customers.
PATIO
An open recreational area or structure, constructed no higher than six inches from the ground level and resting directly on the ground. It may be attached to or detached from the principal building and may be constructed using wood, masonry, pavement, stone or other material suitable for that purpose.
PERMANENT FOUNDATION
A cement, concrete, treated wood or cinder block walled foundation erected on a poured concrete footer. A solid concrete slab will also be considered a permanent foundation.
PERSON
An individual, trustee, executor, other fiduciary, corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization or other entity acting as a unit.
PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board of the Town of Delaware, Sullivan County, New York.
PORCH
An attached roofed patio or deck. With the exception of the wall adjoining the principal structure, all walls must be open or screened with a wall no higher than four feet above the floor level. A porch is considered an attached accessory structure and must meet those setback requirements for principal structures.
PRINT SHOP
A retail establishment that provides duplicating services using photocopy, blueprint and offset printing equipment, including collating of booklets and reports; but not including large-scale book, magazine or newspaper printing and publishing enterprises, which shall be considered manufacturing.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICE
The office of a member of a recognized profession maintained for the conduct of that profession.
PUBLIC USE
Any structure, building or use owned and operated by a government body or agency, including such things as public schools, parks, civic centers, municipal buildings; but excluding solid waste disposal facilities, institutional uses, nursing homes, hospitals and other use specifically defined by this chapter.
REAL ESTATE OFFICE
See "service establishment."
RECREATION VEHICLE
A vehicular type of unit designed as temporary living quarters for recreational camping or travel use, which has either its own motive power or is mounted on or drawn by another vehicle. Included in this category are travel trailers of no more than 500 square feet in size, truck campers fitted to the chassis of a pickup truck, self-propelled motor homes and collapsible-wall camper trailers.
RECREATIONAL FACILITY, INTENSIVE USE
Boat rentals, canoe or other watercraft liveries, tourist recreational facilities, recreational vehicle campgrounds, golf courses, public recreational facilities, clubhouses, and other recreational uses likely to require significant amounts of parking, restaurant facilities, restroom facilities and other accessory services; not including lands used as access points only, whether publicly or privately operated, and not including major commercial recreational development, nor Town open space parks, playgrounds or ball fields. [See Note (2) on the Delaware River District Schedule of District Regulations in ยงย 220-9.][4]
RECREATIONAL FACILITY, PRIVATE
Parks, swimming pools, playgrounds, tennis courts and other recreational facilities owned and operated for private use or pecuniary gain, not including "recreational facility, intensive use" or "recreational facility, tourist."[5]
RECREATIONAL FACILITY, PUBLIC
Parks, swimming pools, playgrounds, tennis courts and other recreational facilities owned and operated by the Town, county, school district, state or federal government.
RECREATIONAL FACILITY, TOURIST
A recreational facility designed to provide overnight accommodations in permanently constructed buildings in combination with a variety of generally active recreational opportunities, such as hiking, horseback riding, ball games and swimming; including summer camps for youth; including restaurants and specialty shops used primarily for guests of the facility; and excluding campgrounds or RV parks.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARK
See "campground or recreational vehicle (RV) parks."
RECYCLABLES
Materials intended for reuse, remanufacture or reconstitution, and including for the purposes of this chapter only the following materials: aluminum beverage containers; glass beverage and food containers; plastic beverage, food and household product containers but not including plastic film or bags; bimetal food containers; newsprint, magazines and office paper and corrugated paper. Recyclables shall not include, except as specifically authorized by the Town in accord with this chapter, tires; large appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, washers and dryers; other scrap metal; used motor oil or any other material defined as "junk" or "solid waste" by this chapter.
RECYCLING FACILITY
A center for the collection and/or processing of recyclable materials. A recycling facility does not include storage containers or processing activity located on the premises of a residential, commercial or manufacturing use and used solely for the recycling of material generated by that residential property, business or manufacturer. Any facility accepting or processing waste or other discarded materials which are not recyclables as defined or authorized under this chapter shall be considered a junkyard or solid waste facility as regulated by this chapter.
A.ย 
RECYCLABLE COLLECTION FACILITYA center for the acceptance by donation, redemption or purchase of recyclable materials from the public.
B.ย 
RECYCLABLE COLLECTION FACILITY, SMALLA recyclable collection facility which occupies an area of not more than 500 square feet (including areas used for containers or other recyclable storage but not parking and loading areas) and may include mobile recycling units, kiosk-type units which may include permanent structures and/or unattended containers placed for the deposit of recyclables.
C.ย 
RECYCLABLE COLLECTION FACILITY, LARGEA recyclable collection facility which occupies an area of more than 500 square feet (including areas used for containers or other recyclable storage but not parking and loading areas) but not more than 20,000 square feet (including areas used for container or other recyclable storage, structure and parking and loading areas) and which may include permanent structures and limited recyclable processing for shipment or preparation to an end-user's specifications by such means as baling, briquetting, compacting, flattening, grinding, crushing, mechanical sorting, shredding or cleaning, but not including the remanufacturing or conversion of recyclables to new products or raw materials used for new products.
D.ย 
RECYCLING UNIT, MOBILEAn automobile, truck, trailer or van licensed by the Department of Transportation, which is used for the collection of recyclable materials or the bins, boxes or containers transported by trucks, vans or trailers which are used for the collection of recyclable materials.
E.ย 
RECYCLABLE PROCESSING FACILITYAny recycling facility which exceeds the area or processing limits of a large collection facility or which involves the remanufacturing or conversion of recyclables to new products or raw materials used for new products.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITY
A building in which scientific research, investigation, testing or experimentation is conducted, but involves no manufacture or sale of products, except as incidental to the main purpose of the facility.
RESTAURANT OR TAVERN
An establishment where food and drink is prepared, served and consumed primarily within the principal building.
RETAIL BUSINESS
An establishment engaged in selling goods or merchandise to the general public for personal or household consumption and rendering services incidental to the sale of such goods, and which is not otherwise listed as a use in the schedule of uses.[6]
RIGHT-OF-WAY
Land reserved for use as a street, drainage facility or other public, community or private use.
SATELLITE DISH ANTENNA
A device incorporating a reflective surface that is solid, open mesh or bar configured and is in the shape of a shallow dish, cone, horn or cornucopia, used to transmit and/or receive radio or electromagnetic waves between earth and/or orbitally-based sources. Accessory to residential uses, such dishes shall not exceed four meters in diameter.
SAWMILL
An establishment for processing logs into finished or semifinished lumber, but which does not include major wood products industries or lumberyards.
SELF-STORAGE FACILITY
A building or buildings containing separated spaces to be leased or rented to individuals and/or businesses for the storage of personal belongings, goods or supplies.
SEMIPUBLIC USE
Buildings or uses operated by nonprofit, community-based organizations for the general use of Town residents, including churches, firehouses, ambulance buildings, private schools, libraries and the like, but excluding institutional uses such as nursing homes, hospitals, sanitariums and clinics. It shall also include essential services or public utilities that require enclosure within any structure or building.
SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT
Establishments engaged in providing services involving the care or needs of a person or his or her apparel, such as cleaning and garment services, beauty and barber shops, shoe repair, dry cleaning and laundries, fitness centers, photographers, and similar uses, and which is not otherwise listed as a use in the schedule of uses.[7]
SETBACK
An open unoccupied space which shall extend the full depth or width of a lot and which shall not be occupied by any portion of any building. Front setbacks shall be measured from the edge of the highway right-of-way and other setbacks from property lines.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL, CENTRAL
A sanitary sewage collection and treatment system in which sewage is carried from individual lots or dwelling units by a system of pipes to a central treatment and disposal facility or system, which may be publicly or privately owned and operated. A system designed to serve a two-family dwelling or two dwelling units located on the same property or adjacent properties shall not be considered as central sewerage, and in such a case all development standards will apply the same for each dwelling or unit as any single-family unit.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL, ON-SITE
A single system of piping, tanks or other facilities serving only a single lot and disposing of sewage in whole or in part into the soil.
SHED
An accessory structure, either attached or detached, used for the storage of tools, minor equipment, and materials.
SIGNS
See ยง 220-91 for definitions of "signs," "on-premises sign," off-premises sign" and "sign surface area."
[Amended 9-14-2016 by L.L. No. 3-2016]
SOLAR SYSTEM
Equipment that directly converts and then transfers or stores solar energy into usable forms of thermal or electrical energy, including solar panels, support structures, equipment, accessory buildings, fencing, access roads, signage and all other features connected therewith.
[Added 9-14-2016 by L.L. No. 3-2016]
SOLID WASTE or WASTE
Any garbage, refuse, industrial, lunchroom or office waste or other material, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous material, resulting from the operation of residential, municipal, commercial or institutional establishments and from community activities. The term shall also include any garbage, refuse, other discarded material or other waste, including solid, liquid, semisolid or containing gaseous materials resulting from industrial, mining, local facilities or any other by-product or effluent from an industrial, mining or water supply treatment facility, wastewater treatment facility or air pollution control facility or any other material defined by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as solid, liquid, municipal, medical, industrial, toxic or hazardous waste.
SOLID WASTE FACILITY, COMMERCIAL
Any facility or operation of a private individual or firm pursuant to the laws of the State of New York governing the management and disposal of solid waste, including, but not limited to, liquid, solid, toxic, hazardous and medical waste, and including, but not limited to, transfer stations, solid waste landfills, incinerators, medical waste disposal facilities, hazardous waste disposal facilities and radioactive waste disposal facilities.
SOLID WASTE FACILITY, PUBLIC
Any facility or operation of a public entity pursuant to the laws of the State of New York governing the management and disposal of solid waste, including, but not limited to, liquid, solid, toxic, hazardous and medical waste, and including, but not limited to, transfer stations, solid waste landfills, incinerators, medical waste disposal facilities, hazardous waste disposal facilities and radioactive waste disposal facilities.
SPECIAL USE
A use subject to Planning Board approval pursuant to ยงย 274-b of the New York State Town Law and permitted in a particular zoning district only on showing that such use in a specified location will comply with all conditions and standards for the location or operation of such use as may be reasonably imposed according to the requirements of this chapter.[8]
STABLE, COMMERCIAL
A structure or area used for the shelter, care and/or riding of donkeys, horses or mules for hire, remuneration or sale.
STABLE, PRIVATE
An accessory structure or use of land where horses are kept for the sole use of the residents of the principal structure and which may include the breeding, raising, keeping, training and boarding of horses, excluding the commercial hire of horses to the general public for riding or other purposes, and excluding other commercial uses.
STREET
A public or private thoroughfare which affords the principal means of access to abutting property, including avenue, place, way, drive, lane, boulevard, highway, road and any other thoroughfare except an alley. "Public rights-of-way" shall be those open to the general use of the public, not necessarily publicly dedicated.
STRUCTURE
A combination of materials to form a construction for use, occupancy or ornamentation, whether installed on, above or below the surface of land or water.
STRUCTURE, PERMANENT
Anything constructed, the use of which requires permanent location on the ground or attachment to something having a permanent location on the ground.
STRUCTURE, PORTABLE
Anything constructed that is not permanently affixed to the ground but is designed to be moved from place to place.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATION
Any change in the structural members of a building, such as walls, columns, beams or girders; or any addition to any structure.
STUDIO
A commercial establishment for the teaching of dancing, singing, painting, sculpting, photography, acting or other art forms.
SUBDIVISION
The division or redivision of a lot, tract or parcel of land by any means into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land, including changes in existing lot lines for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of lease, transfer of ownership, or building or lot development. For the purposes of regulation under the Town of Delaware Subdivision Law, see the definition in Chapter 186, Subdivision of Land, as amended.
SWIMMING POOL, PRIVATE
Any permanent pool or open tank not located within a completely enclosed building and containing or normally capable of containing water to a depth at any point greater than 1ย 1/2 feet. Farm ponds and/or lakes are not included, provided that swimming was not the primary purpose for their construction.
TEMPORARY OFFICE
A portable structure used for a period of one year or less as an operational office for a construction site or in association with an approved commercial use.
THEATER
A building or room or outdoor facility for the presentation of plays, films, other dramatic performances, or music.
TRUCK WASH
Any building or premises or portion thereof used for washing trucks with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 5,000 pounds.
USE
The specific purpose for which land or a building is designed, arranged, intended or for which it is or may be occupied or maintained. The term "permitted use" or its equivalent shall not be deemed to include any nonconforming use.
VARIANCE
Permission granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals for an adjustment to some regulation, which, if strictly adhered to, would result in an unnecessary hardship.
VEHICLE
Any device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway or upon any land, including, but not limited to, automobiles, trucks, vans, buses, utility trailers, tractors, truck tractors, recreational vehicles, motor homes, travel trailers, motorcycles, machinery, trailers, farm machinery and implements, and other wheeled equipment, boats, and aircraft.
VEHICLE, ANTIQUE
Any motor vehicle 25 years or older which has been restored to good operating and roadworthy condition and which has a valid antique vehicle registration as required by the motor vehicle laws of the State of New York.
VEHICLE, COLLECTOR
Any motor vehicle of limited manufactured production from the present to 24 years old, in good operating and roadworthy condition, and which has a valid vehicle registration as required by the motor vehicle laws of the State of New York.
VEHICLE, MOTOR
All vehicles propelled or drawn by power other than muscular power, originally intended for use on public highways.
VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT SALES OPERATION
The use of any building, land area or other premises for the display and sale of new and used automobiles of operable condition; panel trucks or vans; mobile homes or trailers; recreation vehicles or farm or construction equipment, including any warranty repair work and other repair service as an accessory use. No business or facility which generates less than 50% of its gross sales from the actual sale of new or used vehicles or equipment of the type herein described (excluding parts and repairs) shall be considered a vehicle and equipment sales operation.
VEHICLE OR EQUIPMENT REPAIR OPERATION
An establishment engaged in the service and/or repair of any motor vehicle as its principal use, including but not limited to auto body shops, repair garages, truck repair garages and agriculture equipment repair.
VETERINARY CLINIC
A place where animals or pets are given medical or surgical treatment and the keeping of animals is limited to short-term care incidental to the clinic use, and no outdoor kennels or pens are on the premises except for occasional exercising of animals.
WAREHOUSE
Terminal facilities operated for a specific commercial establishment or group of establishments in a particular industrial or economic field and used for the storage of goods and materials.
WATER SUPPLY, CENTRAL
A public or private utility system designed to supply and transmit drinking water from a common source to two or more dwelling units or uses in compliance with New York State Department of Health regulations.
WATER SUPPLY, ON-SITE
A system for supplying and transmitting drinking water to a single dwelling or other use from a source located on the same lot and in compliance with New York State Department of Health regulations, if such compliance is required.
WHOLESALE BUSINESS
Establishments or places of business primarily engaged in selling 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.
WINERIES, CIDERIES, MICROBREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES
Craft-based light-manufacturing facilities where alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages are made and packaged for retail and/or wholesale sales.
[Added 12-14-2016 by L.L. No. 5-2016]
YARD
An open unoccupied space which shall extend the full depth or width of a lot and which shall not be occupied by any building. Front yards shall be measured from the edge of the road right-of-way and other yards from property lines.
NOTE: The definitions in this chapter are supplemented by those contained in other Town laws. Where there is any conflict between definitions or provisions contained in this chapter and other laws, the definitions or provisions contained herein shall apply insofar as they affect this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
[3]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
[4]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of District Regulations is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[5]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
[6]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of District Regulations is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[7]
Editor's Note: The Schedule of District Regulations is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[8]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).