For the purpose of these regulations, the following
words shall have the meaning given therein. (Diagrams are provided
for illustrative purposes only.)
A building or structure, in addition to the principal building,
which is clearly subordinate to, and customarily incidental to, and
located upon the same lot as the principal building or on a contiguous
lot under the same ownership, except in the case of barns or sheds
used for the indoor storage of agricultural products or equipment,
which may require a special permit.
 |
A use, in addition to the principal use, which is clearly
subordinate to, and customarily incidental to, and located upon the
same lot as, the principal use or on a contiguous lot under the same
ownership. This use may require a special permit.
Recreation that is typically characterized by the participation
in organized sports programs, often requiring equipment and taking
place at prescribed places, sites, or fields. The term "active recreation"
includes swimming, bicycling, skateboarding, and playground activities;
court games such as tennis, basketball, and volleyball; field sports
such as baseball, softball, lacrosse, field hockey, football, and
soccer; or any combination thereof or similar or related uses. This
use requires a special permit from the Commission.
[Amended 2-7-2012]
A housing development where 100% of all dwelling units fully
comply with provisions of the United States Fair Housing Act as amended,
as it pertains to "housing for older persons" (age 55 and older).
This includes compliance with any and all rules promulgated by the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) which govern
the implementation of such act. This use requires a special permit.
Includes but is not limited to accessories, books, films,
videocassettes, or live entertainment for observation by patrons therein,
or magazines and other periodicals or any combination thereof which
are distinguished or characterized by their emphasis on matters depicting,
describing or relating to specific sexual activities or specified
anatomical areas.
Includes, without limitation, an adult live dancing establishment,
adult bookstores, adult motion-picture theaters, and adult mini motion-picture
theaters and further means any premises to which the public, patrons
or members are invited or admitted and which are so physically arranged
as to provide booths, cubicles, rooms, studios, compartments or stalls
separate from the common areas of the premises for the purposes of
viewing adult-oriented motion pictures, or wherein an entertainer
provides adult entertainment to a member of the public, a patron or
a member. An adult-oriented establishment includes, without limitation,
any adult entertainment studio or any premises that are physically
arranged and used as such, whether advertised or represented as an
adult entertainment studio, rap studio, exotic dance studio, encounter
studio, sensitivity studio, modeling studio, or any other term of
like import. An adult-oriented establishment includes an establishment
that has 10% or more of its stock or trade devoted to adult material.
This use requires a special permit.
Housing for which persons and families pay 30% or less of
their annual income, where such income is less than or equal to 80%
of the area median income or for the State of Connecticut, whichever
is less.
A fifty- to one-hundred-foot buffer required by the Commission
when a residential development is proposed adjacent to actively farmed
land and a fifty-foot minimum buffer for a farm used for the keeping
of pigs, fur-bearing animals, poultry, or wildlife for commercial
purposes. The planting of trees and shrubbery may be required as part
of an agricultural buffer. When a residential development is proposed
adjacent to actively farmed land, the following statement shall be
noted on the plans and on each property deed contained in the development:
"This property abuts or is in proximity to an active agricultural
or farming operation which is a permitted zoning use. Agricultural
operations sometimes emit noise, runoff, odor, dust and chemical spray
drift during either the day or night that are annoying or irritants
to some people."
 |
The cultivation of soil for the production of crops and the
raising of livestock.
A building or room the principal use of which is storage
and operation of up to three amusement devices, defined as any mechanical,
electric or electronic device used or designed to be operated for
entertainment or as a game by the insertion of a coin, token or other
article or by paying money to have it activated. For purposes of this
definition, each station of a device that provides multiple stations,
each of which allows separate games to be played, shall be considered
one amusement device.
An establishment where animals are given medical or surgical
treatment and are cared for during the time of such treatment. This
use requires a special permit.
A place offering the sale of antiques, defined as a work
of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object (not including appliances)
at least 50 years old. This use requires a special permit.
A segregated portion of a dwelling with bathroom and kitchen
facilities. An apartment requires a special permit.
A building arranged, intended or designed to contain three
or more dwelling units where the occupants are not transient in nature.
This use requires a special permit.
The hatching, raising, and breeding of fish or other aquatic
plants or animals for sale or personal use on a parcel of land containing
a minimum of five acres. This use requires a special permit.
Independent living residences with options for assistance
with activities of daily living, including but not limited to meal
service, housekeeping, maintenance, laundry, medical assistance, personal
assistance, and transportation as desired or needed. This use requires
a special permit.
An owner-occupied single-family dwelling in which breakfast
and lodging may be provided to overnight paying guests where the provision
of such services is subordinate to the principal use of the building
as a residence. This use requires a special permit.
A dormitory building with group sleeping accommodations,
used as an accessory building and use to a farm, for the seasonal
use of farm labor.
An owner-occupied building or structure where lodging and
meals for no more than two boarders are provided to long-term non-transient
residents only, for compensation, utilizing one central kitchen facility.
All elements of boarding house use shall be confined to the principal
building on the lot. No sign is permitted in connection with this
use.
Any structure having a roof and intended for the shelter,
housing or enclosure of persons, animals or materials. Any other structure
more than eight feet high shall be considered as a building, including
a fence or wall, excluding a public utility pole or a flagpole.
The vertical distance from the average finished grade measured
six feet out from the foundation to the highest point of a flat or
mansard roof, or to the mean level between the eave and ridge for
the highest roof surface for gable, hip or gambrel roofs.
 |
A line parallel to a street at a distance equal to the required
front yard or at a greater distance when otherwise established by
the Town of Suffield or when established by the owner and recorded
in the land records of the Town of Suffield. In the case of a back
or rear lot, the building line shall be established parallel to the
rear lot line of the front lot or as determined by the Commission.
 |
An official certificate or document issued by the Building
Official that authorizes performance of a specified activity which
the Zoning Enforcement Officer certifies conforms to these regulations.
See "accessory building."
See "principal building."
[Amended 1-4-2019]
A certificate issued by the Building Official for a use or
occupancy of a structure in whole or in part which requires the Zoning
Enforcement Officer's approval.
A letter issued by the Zoning Enforcement Officer certifying
that a building or land use conforms to the requirements of these
regulations.
Includes "group child care home" and "family child care home"
as defined in CGS § 19a-77, as amended, i.e., a facility
providing daytime care or instruction for seven or more children,
as long as no play equipment is located in any required setback area.
This use requires a special permit.
[Amended 1-4-2019]
An organization catering exclusively to members and their
guests, provided that the purpose of the club is not conducted primarily
for gain and that there are not conducted any commercial activities
except as required generally for the membership and purposes of this
club.
A development design technique that is encouraged under Article VI, flexible residential development regulations, that permits a reduction in lot area, frontage, and setback, and a reduction in associated infrastructure needs, provided there is no increase in the overall density permitted for a conventional development, in return for the preservation of open space to be used for passive and/or active recreation or agricultural purposes, and the preservation of historically or environmentally sensitive features.
 |
The Zoning and Planning Commission of the Town of Suffield,
Connecticut.
A residential or commercial development containing individually
owned dwelling units and commonly owned and shared areas and facilities
on a lot or lots owned in common.
Synonymous with the Town of Suffield's Inland Wetlands and
Watercourses Agency and/or the Town of Suffield's Conservation Commission.
A nonpossessory interest in real property imposing limitation
or affirmative obligations, the purposes of which include retaining
or protecting natural, scenic, or open space values of real property
assuring its availability for agricultural, forest, recreational,
or open space use.
A use involving the keeping of construction, excavation,
landscaping and/or yard maintenance equipment. This use requires a
special permit.
A medical institution providing shelter, clothing and food to resident patients as defined in CGS § 19a-490(o). For the purposes of these regulations, a convalescent, nursing or rest home use is a permissible use under § 315-47 (assisted living and personal care facilities; convalescent and nursing homes) in all zones. This use requires a special permit.
[Amended 1-4-2019]
Customary home office or occupation for gain
carried on entirely within the dwelling by residents thereof, provided
that:
The use is clearly incidental to the use of
the dwelling for dwelling purposes;
The use does not change the residential character
of the dwelling in any visible manner;
The use does not create objectionable noise,
odor, vibrations, or unsightly conditions noticeable off the premises;
The use does not create interference with radio
and television reception in the vicinity;
The use does not create a health or safety hazard;
No nonresident help is employed for that purpose;
No trading in merchandise is carried on;
No personal physical service of any kind is
performed;
No external or internal alterations or construction
features not customarily found in a home are required (i.e., no outside
storage of materials); and
No commercial-type vehicle shall be used in
connection with the home occupation.
Commercial operations such as massage therapists,
tearooms, antique shops, barbershops, beauty shops, etc., are not
to be considered customary home occupations.
[Amended 10-9-2009]
A public or private street or connected series of streets with its only means of entrance or exit through one common point. A dead-end street or dead-end-street system shall be limited to 1,200 feet as measured from the edge of the connecting street to the center of the proposed cul-de-sac unless waived by the Commission for severe topographic reasons or for the purpose of fulfilling Subdivision Regulation § 310-8A when said street has public water and has no more than a total of 13 lots in the R-90 Zone, 15 lots in the R-45 Zone, or 20 lots in the R-25 Zone.
An advisory board to the Commission authorized by CGS Chapter
124, § 8-2j, as amended, charged with reviewing applications
in accordance with the regulations set forth for the Town Center Village
District and the West Suffield Center Village District.
An uninterrupted contiguous area, which does not contain
wetlands, watercourses, water bodies, or areas with slopes in excess
of 20%.
A vehicular lane with storage in a line of approach to a
bank facility or retail pharmacy only, which permits bank customers
to conduct banking business or pharmacy customers to purchase prescription
drugs. This use requires a special permit.
[Amended 10-9-2009]
Any access from a street used, designed, or intended to be
used for vehicular ingress and egress to any building, structure,
use, or lot. Each lot shall have access through its required lot frontage
except when the Commission approves a common driveway. The Commission
may approve a common driveway for up to two houses when it finds that
each lot is capable of supporting its own driveway with access through
the required lot frontage and that in the opinion of the Commission
a common driveway is desirable for traffic and safety concerns. Only
one common driveway is permitted on a lot. The common driveway must
serve one of the lots on which it is located, and a common driveway
maintenance agreement shall be filed in the Land Records, the contents
of which are acceptable to Commission counsel.
[Amended 9-28-2005]
A building designed and used exclusively as living quarters
for one or more families. The terms "dwelling," "attached dwelling,"
"detached dwelling" and "dwelling unit" shall not be deemed to include
hotel, motel, boarding or rooming house, convalescent or nursing home,
mobile home trailer, tourist home or tent. In the case of buildings
having two or more portions divided by party walls forming a complete
separation above the basement, each such portion shall be considered
to be a separate dwelling.
A building having any portion of a wall in common with another
dwelling.
A building with open spaces on all sides.
A building containing more than one dwelling unit. This use
requires a special permit.
A building containing one dwelling unit only.
A building or portion thereof providing complete housekeeping
facilities for one family.
The removal, excavation or mining of minerals, sand, gravel,
clay, bedrock, peat, loam or topsoil for commercial purposes. This
use requires a special permit.
A plan required by these regulations to minimize soil erosion
and sedimentation resulting from development, and administered by
the Town of Suffield Conservation Commission.
One person or two or more persons, related by blood, foster
relationship, marriage or adoption, and, in addition, any domestic
servants or gratuitous guests thereof; or one or more persons who
need not be so related, and, in addition, domestic servants or gratuitous
guests thereof, who are living together in a single, nonprofit dwelling
unit and maintaining a common household with single cooking facilities.
A roomer, boarder or lodger shall not be considered a member of the
family.
[Amended 1-4-2019]
A tract of land containing five or more acres used in part
or wholly for agricultural purposes. In the case of a portion of a
farm used for the keeping of pigs, fur-bearing animals, poultry, or
wildlife for commercial purposes, an agricultural buffer with a minimum
width of 50 feet from all property lines is required.
A structure used for the sale of agricultural and homemade
products which are produced on the premises, set back a minimum of
20 feet from the front lot line and 50 feet from any street intersection,
and not to exceed 10 feet in height unless part of an existing structure.
An accessory building and use to an active farm for the sale of agricultural and home made products. This use requires a special permit (see § 315-60).
[Amended 11-17-2008]
A seasonal weekly event sponsored by the Town of Suffield.
This use requires a special permit.
A residential development consisting of at least 10 acres
with five or more lots that allows smaller lots than those normally
required by the underlying zoning district regulations in order to
permanently conserve natural, scenic, or historic resources; provide
open spaces for active or passive use; and reduce infrastructure costs
and impervious surfaces. (See also "cluster development.")
A tract of land laid out for playing a game of golf, including
miniature golf, driving ranges, and associated buildings. This use
requires a special permit.
The final elevations of lawns, driveways, walks and roads
constructed as shown on official plans or designs relating thereto.
A building made mainly of glass or other transparent or translucent
material in which the temperature or humidity can be regulated for
the cultivation of plants.
[Amended 10-9-2009]
The sum of the horizontal area of all floors of a building,
measured by exterior dimensions.
An incorporated organization operating under recorded land
agreements through which each lot or unit owner is automatically a
member and each lot or unit is automatically subject to a proportionate
share of the expenses for the organization's activities.
A building or group of buildings providing lodging for persons,
with or without meals, and intended, designed, and used primarily
for the accommodation of transients. This use requires a special permit.
The manufacture, fabrication, processing, or reduction of
an article, substance or commodity in such a manner as to change the
form, character, or appearance thereof.
Research and development activities, and the manufacturing
or processing and/or treatment of finished or semifinished products
from previously manufactured materials, which activities are conducted
wholly within an enclosed building.
Any worn-out, cast-off or discarded article or material that
is ready for destruction or has been collected or stored for salvage
or conversion to some use.
The keeping of five or more dogs over the age of six months.
This use requires a special permit. Commercial kennels as defined
in CGS § 22-344 are prohibited.
A plan that is prepared by and contains the seal of a landscape
architect registered by the State of Connecticut that includes a list
and count of all trees and shrubs to be planted, by common and botanical
names, size (caliper, height, and time until maturity) at planting,
and height and spread at maturity.
A plan required for nonresidential uses and residential uses
that require a special permit which provides specific outdoor illumination
measures and specifications.
Domestic animals, including alpaca, cows, goats, horses,
lamas and sheep.
A plot or parcel of land occupied or approved to be occupied
by a building(s) which meets the minimum requirements for lot frontage,
lot depth, and lot area of the zone in which it is located or which
meets the definition of nonconforming lot as defined in these regulations.
The actual area, in square feet, enclosed by the boundaries
of the lot.
A lot having two adjacent sides facing a street or streets
so that the interior angle of the intersection is not more than 120°;
also a lot having two adjacent sides forming tangents of a curve with
an inside radius greater than 50 feet, all of which face a street
or streets.
That percentage of the total lot area covered by buildings
and all other impervious surfaces, including most parking areas.
 |
The mean horizontal distance between the front and rear lot
lines, measured in the general direction of the side lot lines.
The distance between lot side lines measured along the street
line. In the case of lots having frontage on or adjacent to a street
curve, required lot frontage shall be measured at the building line.
The required minimum lot frontage shall be measured as a continuous,
unbroken line.
[Amended 9-28-2005]
The property lines bounding a lot as defined herein.
 |
In the case of a lot abutting upon only one street, the property
line separating the lot from the street.
The lot line which is generally opposite the front lot line;
if the rear lot line is less than 10 feet in length, or if the lot
comes to a point at the rear, the rear lot line shall be deemed to
be a line parallel to the front line not less than 10 feet long, lying
wholly within the lot and farthest from the front line.
Any lot line that is not a front lot line or a rear lot line,
as defined herein.
A structure with a frame consisting of tubular metal, plastic,
wood or any other framing material and covered with plastic or other
membrane fabric material. Also known as a "hoop house." Not to be
construed as a greenhouse (see the definition of "greenhouse" in this
section).
[Amended 10-9-2009; 1-4-2019]
A structure capable of being transported on wheels or on
a flatbed trailer designed to permit temporary office occupancy in
connection with a permitted construction project. A mobile office
or trailer cannot be used for dwelling purposes.
Any building or structure legally in existence at the time
of the adoption of these regulations, or legally existing prior to
an amendment to these regulations, which does not conform to all the
applicable requirements of these regulations.
[Amended 1-4-2019]
A lot legally existing at the adoption of these regulations,
or legally existing prior to an amendment to these regulations, which
does not conform to the minimum lot area or frontage requirements
for the zone in which it is located.
A use legally existing at the adoption of these regulations,
or legally existing prior to an amendment to these regulations, which
does not conform to the use regulations for the zone in which it is
located.
Land permanently preserved through deed or conservation restriction
in its natural state and/or developed for recreational or farming
use as approved by the Commission.
Wherever the term "owner of record" is used in these regulations
in conjunction with a public hearing or public notice, it shall mean
the owner whose name appears in the land records found in the Assessor's
office at the time when the mailing list for said hearing or notice
is prepared.
The Town of Suffield Master Plan adopted by the Commission
that details current and future community development plans.
Chickens, turkeys, pheasants, ducks, and other birds customarily
raised for their meat and/or eggs for commercial purposes.
A lot or parcel and all buildings, uses, and structures located
therein.
That single building or interrelated group of buildings in
which is conducted the principal use of the lot on which the building
is situated.
The primary purpose or function for which a premises is used,
designed, or intended to be used.
Any vehicle which can be registered for highway use or boat,
which is capable of being occupied with sleeping and/or cooking accommodations,
on a temporary basis and may or may not contain sanitary facilities.
A space in a suitable and permanent building kept, used, maintained,
advertised and held out to the public to be a place where meals are
regularly served. A restaurant may include a cocktail lounge or bar
as long as no more than 50% of the gross floor area is devoted to
such use and it is clearly adjunct to the primary function of serving
food and operates under a liquor permit as provided in the CGS as
amended and complies with all Liquor Control Commission regulations
appertaining thereto.
Other establishments serving food and nonalcoholic drink in
an enclosed structure, providing seats for their customers either
at a counter or at separate tables. Outdoor window counter service
is prohibited. Any type of service of food and drink intended for
consumption on the premises outside of the enclosed structure is prohibited,
unless the Commission grants a special permit as an accessory use.
This use requires a special permit.
A change in a map of an approved or recorded subdivision
or resubdivision if such change:
The sale of goods or services directly to the consumer, with the exception of those uses listed in § 315-38, Prohibited uses, or similar uses. This use requires a special permit.
Any structure or part thereof or any device (including but
not limited to letters, words, emblems, numerals, pictures, sculptures,
figures, or any combination thereof) used for visual communication
for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof to the attention of
the public. Merchandise or facsimile merchandise shall not be considered
a sign.
 |
Same as "building permit."
A sign affixed to the ground by its own support and/or foundation.
A sign attached to a building extending in whole or in part
more than 12 inches beyond said building.
A sign attached to or painted on the exterior wall of a building
and not projecting away from said wall more than 12 inches.
A sign affixed to the interior or exterior of a window and
visible from outside the building.
A detailed plan required when seeking a permit by the Commission in accordance with § 315-116B.
A use of a structure or lot or any action upon a premises
that may be permitted by these regulations only upon application to,
and the approval of, the Zoning and Planning Commission in accordance
with these regulations. These uses have been deemed by the Commission
to require restrictions or conditions placed upon them which, if controlled
as to number, area, location, or relation to the neighborhood, would
promote public health, safety, appearance, or general welfare. The
procedure for obtaining a special permit includes that abutters be
notified and a public hearing held. Completion of a site plan is required
for obtaining a special permit. Special permits may be issued by the
Commission for a specified time period.
A vehicle without means of propulsion that can be used for
hauling or storing of materials or goods and is capable of being readily
moved by a tractor or other vehicle. This use may require a special
permit.
That portion of a building or structure between the surface
of a floor and the surface of the next floor above or, in its absence,
the next ceiling above.
The property line separating the street right-of-way from
adjoining property, not the paved or traveled roadway.
A street with an average traffic volume in excess of 5,000
vehicles per day and which accommodates traffic movement between arterial,
collector, and local streets.
A street with an average traffic volume between 1,000 and
5,000 vehicles per day.
Any street which is a state highway and any street or road
accepted by Town Meeting and deeded to the Town of Suffield. This
includes land dedicated as a public right-of-way and accepted by the
Town or the state.
[Amended 2-7-2012]
Anything constructed or erected, including a building, the
use of which requires location on or under the ground, or attachment
to something having location on the ground, excluding flagpoles, public
utility poles, and underground services.
A division of land into three or more parts or lots made
subsequent to the adoption of subdivision regulations by the Commission,
for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale or building
development, expressly excluding development for municipal, conservation,
or agricultural purposes.
The Town of Suffield Subdivision Regulations adopted by the
Zoning and Planning Commission and which must be adhered to in order
to subdivide or resubdivide property in the Town of Suffield.
A dwelling unit attached to another dwelling unit at one
or both sides by party walls, extending from the lowest floor level
to the roof with no openings between units.
A large transport vehicle designed to be hauled by a truck
or tractor.
Any structure or part thereof that is intended to be, or
is, used to house one family, business, industry or corporate entity
for the purpose of carrying out the business appurtenant thereto.
See "accessory use."
[Amended 1-4-2019]
See "principal use."
[Amended 1-4-2019]
A relaxation of the terms of the Zoning Regulations where
such a variance will be in harmony with the general purpose and intent
of the regulations and with due consideration for conserving the public
health, safety, convenience, welfare and property values solely with
respect to a parcel of land where, owing to conditions especially
affecting such a parcel but not affecting generally the district in
which it is situated, a literal enforcement of such regulations would
result in exceptional difficulty or unusual hardship so that substantial
justice will be done and the public safety and welfare secured. A
variance may only be issued by a vote of the Zoning Board of Appeals
after proper application and notice.
[Amended 1-4-2019]
A use engaged in selling and/or distributing of merchandise,
where goods are received and/or stored for delivery to others. This
use requires a special permit.
Those areas designated and defined as inland wetlands by
the Conservation Commission, pursuant to its regulations.
An accessory building and use to an active farm that is used
for growing, bottling, and the production of wine and wine products.
[Amended 11-17-2008]
An open space on the same lot with a structure that lies
between said structure and the nearest lot line and which is unoccupied
except as may be specifically authorized in these regulations. In
measuring a yard, as hereafter provided, the line of structure shall
be deemed to mean a line parallel to the nearest lot line, drawn from
a point of a structure nearest to such lot line. Such measurement
shall be taken at right angle from the line of the structure, as defined
herein, to the nearest lot line.
 |
A yard extending across the full width and/or length of the
lot and lying between the front lot line and the nearest line of a
structure.
A yard extending across the full width of the lot and lying
between the rear lot line and the nearest line of the building.
A yard between the side line of a lot and the nearest line
of the building and extending from the front yard to the rear yard
or, in the absence of either such yards, to the front or rear lot
line as the case may be.
The Town body whose responsibility is to hear appeals from
decisions of the Zoning Officer and to consider requests for variances
to these regulations.
A specific area of land designated on the Town of Suffield
Zoning Map having separate requirements as established by these regulations.
The individual(s) designated by the Commission as the Town
official responsible for administering and enforcing the requirements
of these regulations.
