Definitions

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Alteration means an act 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.

Appurtenances means features other than primary or secondary structures which contribute to the exterior historic appearance of a property, including but not limited to paving, doors, windows, signs, materials, decorative accessories, fences and historic landscape features.

Certificate of appropriateness means a certificate issued by the historic district commission indicating approval of plans for alteration, construction, repair, removal or demolition of a structure or appurtenances of a structure within a historic district. Appropriate for the purposes of passing upon an application for certificate of appropriateness means not incongruous with those aspects of the structure, appurtenances or the district which the commission has determined to be historically or architecturally significant.

Construction means the act of adding to an existing structure or appurtenances to a structure, including but not limited to buildings, extensions, outbuildings, fire escapes and retaining walls.

Demolition means an act or purpose of destroying a structure or its appurtenances in part or in whole.

Historic district means a specific division of the town as designated by section 21-332. A historic district may include one or more structures.

In kind means any maintenance, repair, or replacement which does not result in any change of design, type of material or appearance of the structure or its appurtenances.

New construction means any new structure and/or substantial alteration or addition to an existing structure affecting the exterior appearance of the structure.

Removal means a relocation of a structure on its site or another site.

Repair means a change meant to remedy damage or deterioration of a structure or its appurtenances.

Structure means anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires permanent or temporary location on or in the ground, including but not limited to buildings, gazebos, billboards, outbuildings, decorative retaining walls and swimming pools.

(Ord. No. 90-6, § 1, 4-23-1990; Ord. No. 25-09, § 1, 10-20-2025)

Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.