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Town of Cumberland, RI
Providence County
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[Ord. No. 08-31, 10-7-2009; Ord. No. 11-02A, § 1, 8-17-2011; Ord. No. 13-23-A, § 1, 2-19-2014]
For the purposes of this appendix, the following terms shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section. Where terms are not defined they shall have the meaning customarily assigned to them. The word "may" is discretionary; the word "shall" is mandatory.
ABUTTER
One whose property abuts, that is, adjoins at a border, boundary, or point with no intervening land.[1]
ACCESSORY BUILDING
In residential zones, a subordinate building that is located on the same lot as a principal building and that is used incidentally to the principal building or that houses an accessory use. Where a substantial part of the wall of an accessory building is part of the wall of the principal building, or where an accessory building is attached to the principal building in a substantial manner as by a roof, such accessory building shall be counted as part of the principal building.[2]
ACCESSORY USE
A use of land or of a building, or portion thereof, customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use of land or building. Such accessory use shall be restricted to the same lot as the principal use. Such accessory use shall not be permitted without the principal use to which it is related.
ADJACENT LOTS
Two or more lots of record, which have one common boundary or more.
AGGRIEVED PARTY
An aggrieved party, for purposes of this appendix shall be:
(a) 
Any person or persons or entity or entities who can demonstrate that their property will be injured by a decision of any officer or agency responsible for administering this appendix; or
(b) 
Anyone requiring notice pursuant to this appendix.
APPLICANT
An owner or authorized agent of the owner submitting an application or appealing an action of any official, board or agency.
APPLICATION
The completed form or forms and all accompanying documents, exhibits and fees required of an applicant by an approving authority for development review, approval, or permitting purpose.
APPURTENANCES
Features other than primary or secondary structures which contribute to the exterior appearance of a property including, but not limited to, paving, doors, windows, signs, materials, decorative accessories, fences, and landscape features.
BASEMENT
That portion of a building included between the upper surface of its floor and the upper surface of the floor next above, having more than 1/2 of its height above the average elevation of the finished lot grade adjoining the building.
BLOCK FRONTAGE
All the property fronting on one side of a street between intersecting or intercepting streets or between a street and right-of-way, waterway, end of dead-end street or Town boundary measured along the street line.
BUFFER
Land which is maintained in either a natural or landscaped state, and is used to screen and/or mitigate the impacts of development on surrounding areas, properties or rights of-way.
BUILDING
Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.
BUILDING ENVELOPE
The three-dimensional space within which a structure is permitted to be built on a lot and which is defined by regulations governing building setbacks, maximum height, bulk or other regulations, and/or any combination thereof.
BUILDING FRONTAGE
The width of a building abutting or parallel to the street line.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the grade, as defined herein, on the street frontage of the building, to the highest point of the roof structure. The distance excludes certain roof structures and is otherwise modified in § 5-7 of this appendix.
BUILDING OFFICIAL
The Building Official of the Town of Cumberland who is also the zoning enforcement officer.
CELLAR
That portion of a building included between the upper surface of its floor and the upper surface of the floor next above, having less than 1/2 its height above the average elevation of the finished lot grade adjoining the building.
COMMON OWNERSHIP
Either:
(a) 
Ownership by one or more individuals or entities in any form of ownership of two or more contiguous lots; or
(b) 
Ownership by an association (including a municipality) of one or more lots under specific development techniques.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Comprehensive Community Plan adopted by the Town and approved pursuant to G.L. § 45-22.2-1 et seq.
CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT
A type of land development project which allows the Town to guide growth to the most appropriate areas within a parcel of land to avoid impacts to the environment and to protect the character-defining features of the property (see Article 11).
DEMOLITION
An act or process that destroys a structure or its appurtenances, in part or in whole.
DENSITY
The number of households or dwelling units per unit of land.
DETACHED BUILDING
A building having no party wall in common with another building.
DEVELOPMENT
The construction, reconstruction, conversion, structural alteration, relocation or enlargement of any structure; any mining, excavation, landfill or land disturbance; any change in use, or alteration or extension of the use of land.
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
The process whereby the Planning Board is authorized to review the site plans, maps and other documentation of a development to determine the compliance with the stated purposes and standards of this appendix (see Article 12).
DIRECTOR
Director of the Department of Planning and Community Development of the Town of Cumberland.
DISTRICT
See "Zoning district."
DRAINAGE SYSTEM
A system of the removal of water from land by drains, grading or other appropriate means. Such techniques may include runoff controls to minimize erosion and sedimentation during and after construction or development, the means for preserving surface and ground waters and the prevention and/or alleviation of flooding.
DRIVEWAY
That portion of a lot that consists of a travel lane used to access a parking area or garage and which is bounded on either side by an area that is not part of the parking area.
DWELLING UNIT
A structure or portion thereof providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation, and containing a separate means of ingress and egress.
EXTERIOR ALTERATION
An action that changes one or more of the exterior architectural features of a structure or its appurtenances, including, but not limited to, the erection, construction, reconstruction, or removal of any structure or appurtenance.
FAMILY
A person or persons related by blood, marriage or other legal means (see also "Household").
FRONT YARD
A yard extending across the width of the lot, bounded by the required side yards, the building frontage and the street, and which is open, unoccupied and unobstructed by buildings or structures from the ground to the sky, except as otherwise provided in this appendix.
GARAGE (PRIVATE)
A detached accessory building or portion of a principal building used for storage of vehicles, and provided that, if more than two vehicles are stored therein, the capacity does not exceed one vehicle for each 2,500 square feet of lot area.
GFA (GROSS FLOOR AREA)
The sum of the gross horizontal area of the several floors of a building measured from the exterior face of exterior walls, but not including interior parking spaces, loading spaces for motor vehicles, or any space where the floor to ceiling height is less than six feet.
GRADE
A reference plane representing the average of finished ground level adjoining the building at all exterior walls. When the finished ground level slopes away from the exterior walls, the reference plane shall be established by the lowest points within the area between the building and the lot line, or when the lot line is more than six feet from the building, between the building and a point six feet from the building.
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION (HDC)
The Historic District Commission of the Town of Cumberland.
HOME OCCUPATION
Any activity customarily carried out for gain by a resident, which is conducted as an accessory use in the resident's dwelling unit. (See § 6-6.)
HOUSEHOLD
One or more persons living together in a single dwelling unit, with common access to, and common use of, all living and eating areas and all areas and facilities for the preparation and storage of food within the dwelling unit. The term "household unit" shall be synonymous with the term "dwelling unit" for determining the number of such units allowed within any structure on any lot in a zoning district. Any individual household shall consist of any one of the following:
(a) 
A family, which may also include servants and employees living with the family, or
(b) 
A person or group of not more than three unrelated persons living together.
INCENTIVE ZONING
The process whereby the Planning Board may grant additional development capacity in exchange for the developer's provision of a public benefit or amenity as specified in this appendix.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Facilities and services needed to sustain residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and other activities.
LAND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
A project in which one or more lots, tracts or parcels of land are to be developed or redeveloped as a coordinated site for a complex of uses, units or structures, including, but not limited to, planned development and/or cluster or conservation development for residential, commercial, institutional, recreational, open space and/or mixed-used as may be provided for in this appendix. (See Article 12.)
LAND UNSUITABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT
Land which has severe or very severe limitations for development (see § 5-8).
LESS RESTRICTIVE ZONE
The order of zoning use district from less restrictive to more restrictive is: I-2, I-1, C-2, C-1, R-3, R-2, R-1, A-2, A-1, OS.
LOT
Either:
(a) 
The basic development unit for determination of lot area, depth, and other dimensional regulations, or
(b) 
A parcel of land whose boundaries have been established by some legal instrument such as a recorded deed or recorded map and which is recognized as a separate legal entity for purposes of transfer of title.
LOT AREA
The total area within the boundaries of a lot, excluding any street right-of-way, usually reported in acres or square feet.
LOT BUILDING COVERAGE
That portion of the lot that is or may be covered by buildings and accessory buildings.
LOT COVERAGE
That portion of the lot that is or may be covered by impervious surfaces including all buildings, structures and paved surfaces such as driveways and parking areas, and any other surface that restricts water from infiltrating into the ground. In residential zone, paved driveways of up to 320 feet should not be included. Gravel driveways, walkways and patios constructed using permeable pavements are not included as impervious surfaces.
LOT DEPTH
The distance measured from the front lot line to the rear lot line. For lots where the front and rear lot lines are not parallel, the lot depth is an average of the depth.
LOT FRONTAGE
That portion of a lot abutting a street. Where all lot frontage is not contiguous, then only the largest single portion of such lot frontage will be considered with regard to minimum frontage requirements.
LOT LINE
A line of record, bounding a lot, which divides one lot from another lot or from a public or private street or any other public or private space and shall include:
(a) 
FRONTAny lot line separating a lot from a street right-of-way;
(b) 
REARThe lot line opposite and most distant from the front lot line, or in the case of triangular or otherwise irregularly shaped lots, an assumed line at least 10 feet in length entirely within the lot, parallel to and at a maximum distance from the front lot line; and
(c) 
SIDEAny lot line other than a front or rear lot line. On a corner lot, or irregularly shaped lot, there may be more than one front lot line, and consequently, more than one rear lot line.
LOT WIDTH
The horizontal distance between the sidelines of a lot measured at right angles to its depth along a straight line parallel to the front line at the minimum front setback line.
LOT, CORNER
A lot at the junction of and fronting on two or more intersecting streets.
LOT, THROUGH
A lot which fronts upon two parallel or approximately parallel streets, or which fronts upon two streets which do not intersect at the boundaries of the lot.
MIXED-USE
A mixture of land uses within a single development, building or lot. Under no circumstances shall a second principal use be regarded as accessory to another. Each use of the property, whether or not combined with another, must be permitted in the zoning district and must each comply with all dimensional and other zoning requirements.
MOBILE HOME
A structure designed or used for residential occupancy built upon or having a frame or chassis to which wheels may be attached by which it may be moved upon a street or highway, and whether or not such structure actually has, at any given time, such wheels attached, or is jacked up or skirted, or attached to a permanent slab foundation is located on jacks or on a permanent foundation and connected to utilities.
MODIFICATION
Permission granted and administered by the Building Official to grant a dimensional variance, other than lot area requirements, but not to exceed 10% of each of the applicable dimensional requirements (see § 18-5).
MORE RESTRICTIVE ZONE
The order of zoning use district from more restrictive to less restrictive is: OS, A-1, A-2, R-1, R-2, R-3, C-1, C-2, I-1, I-2.
NONCONFORMANCE
A building, structure or parcel of land, or use thereof, lawfully existing at the time of the adoption or amendment of this appendix and not in conformity with the provisions of the ordinance or amendment (see Article 16).
OVERLAY DISTRICT
A district that is superimposed on one or more district or parts of districts and that imposes specified requirements in addition to, but not less than, those otherwise applicable for the underlying zone and or which allows alternate uses.
OWNER
Any person, agent, firm or corporation who, alone, jointly or severally with others:
(a) 
Shall have legal or record title to any property; or
(b) 
Shall have charge, care or control of any property as agent, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian.
PARKING AREA AISLES
A portion of paved area consisting of lanes providing access to parking spaces.
PARKING SPACE
A portion of paved area set aside for the parking of one vehicle.
PERMITTED USE
A use by right, which is specifically authorized in a particular zoning district.
PERSON
Includes "corporation," "partnership," "association," and "individual."
PLANNING BOARD
Planning Board of the Town of Cumberland.
PRE-APPLICATION CONFERENCE
A review meeting of a proposed development held between applicants and the department of planning and development and/or the Planning Board, before formal submission of an application for a permit or for development approval.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING
In residential zones, the primary building on a lot or a building that houses the principal use.
PRINCIPAL USE
The primary or predominant use of any lot. There may be more than one principal use in commercial, industrial and mixed-use developments.
REAR YARD
A yard extending across the width of the lot, bounded by the required side yards, the rear of the building and the rear lot line.
REMOVAL
Relocation of a structure on its site or to another site.
REPAIR
A change meant only to remedy damage or deterioration of a structure or its appurtenances.
SETBACK LINE OR LINES
A line or lines parallel to a lot line at the minimum distance of the required setback for the zoning district in which the lot is located that establishes the area within which the principal structure must be erected or placed.
SIDE YARD
A yard extending from the side of the building to the side lot line, the length of which is measured from the front lot line to the rear lot line.
SIGN
Any object, device or structure, or part thereof, which is used to advertise, identify, display, direct or attract attention to any object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event or location by any means, including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or images.
SITE PLAN
The development plan for one or more lots on which is shown the existing and/or the proposed conditions of the lot.
SOLID FUEL OUTDOOR FURNACE
Any mechanical system designed to be located on the exterior of a building intended to provide heat and/or hot water to the building to which the furnace is attached through the burning of a solid fuel.
SPECIAL USE
A regulated use which is permitted pursuant to a special use permit issued by the Zoning Board of Review (see Article 18). Formerly referred to as a special exception.
STORY
That portion of a building included between the upper surface of any floor and the upper surface of the floor next above; also, any portion of a building used for human occupancy between the topmost floor and the roof. A basement may be counted as a story but a cellar shall not be so counted.
STREET
A public right-of-way established by or maintained under public authority, a private way open for public uses, and a private way plotted or laid out for ultimate public use, whether or not constructed. A public or private thoroughfare used, or intended to be used, for passage or travel by motor vehicles.
STREET LINE
The line dividing a lot from any street, except a limited or controlled access highway to which the lot has no access.
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, including, but not limited to, buildings, gazebos, towers, signs, billboards, outbuildings and swimming pools.
SUBSTANDARD LOT OF RECORD
Any lot lawfully existing prior to December 13, 1962, or lawfully existing at the time of adoption or amendment of this appendix and not in conformance with the dimensional and/or area provisions of the ordinance or amendment (see Article 16).
TOWN
The Town of Cumberland.
TOWNHOUSE
Single-family dwelling units constructed in a series including two or more units sharing a common wall. A Townhouse may also be referred to as a single-family attached unit.
USE
The purpose or activity for which land or buildings are designed, arranged or intended, or for which land or buildings are occupied or maintained.
VARIANCE
Permission to depart from the literal requirements of this appendix; an authorization for the construction or maintenance of a building or structure, or for the establishment or maintenance of a building or structure, or for the establishment or maintenance of a use of land, which is prohibited by this appendix (see Article 18).
ZONING CERTIFICATE
A document signed by the zoning enforcement officer, which acknowledges that a use, structure, building or lot either complies with or is legally nonconforming to the provisions of this appendix, or is a duly authorized variance or special use permit, or otherwise interprets this appendix in accordance with Article 18 of this appendix.
ZONING MAP
The Cumberland Zoning Plats which are a part of this appendix and which delineate the boundaries of all mapped zoning districts, specials districts, and overlay districts within the physical boundary of the Town as provided in § 3-4 of this appendix.
ZONING DISTRICT
The basic unit in zoning to which a uniform set of regulations applies, or a uniform set of regulations for a specified use.
[1]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "accessory apartment," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 4-7-2021 by Ord. No. 21-01A.
[2]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "accessory dwelling unit," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 4-7-2021 by Ord. No. 21-01A.