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City of Providence
City of Providence Zoning Ordinance
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§ 1204

USE DEFINITIONS

1204 USE DEFINITIONS All uses within Section 1200 and Table 12-1 are defined in this section. Certain uses are defined to be inclusive of many uses. When a use meets a specific definition, it is regulated as such and is not regulated as part of a more inclusive use category.

Adult Use. A business that sells or disseminates explicit sexual material, and at which access to the public display of explicit sexual material is restricted to persons 18 years of age or older. An adult bookstore, adult cabaret, or adult motion picture theater are considered adult uses and are defined as follows: 1. Adult Bookstore/Retail. A business which offers for sale or rent any of the following: publications, books, magazines, periodicals, photographs, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, DVD, or other video reproductions, or other visual representations that depict or describe specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, or instruments, devices, or paraphernalia that are designed for use in connection with specified sexual activities. 2. Adult Arcade. A business where, for any form of consideration, one or more still or motion picture projectors, slide projectors or similar machines are used to show films, motion pictures, video cassettes, DVD, slides, computer generated graphics, or other photographic reproductions which are characterized by an emphasis upon the depiction or description of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas. 3. Adult Cabaret. A business that features dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers or similar entertainers, or live entertainment, in which persons regularly appear in a state of nudity, or where live performances are characterized by the exposure of specified anatomical areas or by specified sexual activities. Adult cabaret establishments specifically exclude minors, or minors are specifically prohibited by statute or ordinance, regardless of whether any such business is licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. 4. Adult Motion Picture Theater. A business used for presenting motion pictures that are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing, or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas for observation by patrons. 5. Adult Hotel/Motel. A hotel or motel or similar business establishment that rents, leases or lets any room for less than a six hour period, or rents, leases or lets any single room more than twice in a 24 hour period.

  • 6. The following definitions describe the sexually-oriented activities contained within the general definitions for the above adult uses: a. Sexually Oriented Devices. Any artificial or simulated specified anatomical area or other device or paraphernalia that is designed in whole or part for specified sexual activities.

    • b. Specified Anatomical Area. Less than completely and opaquely covered genitals, pubic region, buttock, and female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola, or human male genitals in a discernible turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered.

    • c. Specified Sexual Activities. Any activity that includes human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal; acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse, or sodomy; or fondling or erotic touching of human genitals, pubic regions, buttocks, or female breasts, even if completely or opaquely covered.

    • Amusement/Entertainment/Sports Facility
      Indoor. A facility for spectator and participatory uses conducted within an enclosed building, such as movie theaters, sports arenas, bowling alleys, tumbling centers, skating centers, roller rinks, and pool halls. Indoor amusement facilities do not include live performance venues. An indoor amusement facility may include concession stands.

    • Amusement/Entertainment/Sports Facility
      Outdoor. A facility for spectator and participatory uses conducted outdoors or within partially enclosed structures, such as stadiums, fairgrounds, batting cages, miniature golf courses, and amusement parks. An outdoor amusement facility may include concession stands. Animal Care Facility. An establishment which provides care for domestic animals, including veterinary offices for the treatment of animals, where animals may be boarded during their convalescence, pet grooming facilities, and pet boarding facilities, where animals are boarded during the day or for overnight stays. Animal care facilities do not include breeding facilities or kennels. Art Gallery. An establishment engaged in the sale, loan and/or display of paintings, sculpture, photographs, video art, or other works of art. Art gallery does not include a cultural facility, such as a library or museum, which may also display paintings, sculpture, photographs, video art, or other works. Arts Studio. An establishment where an art, type of art or activity is taught, studied, or practiced such as dance, martial arts, photography, music, painting, gymnastics, pilates, or yoga. An arts studio also includes private exercise studios that are only open for private sessions with trainers and/or classes.

    • Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
      Standalone. A freestanding machine used by bank and financial service patrons for conducting transactions including deposits, fund transfers, and withdrawals without contact with financial institution personnel. Bar. An establishment for the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. A smoking lounge or smoking bar is included within this use, whether alcohol is served or not. Snack foods or other prepared food may be available for consumption on the premises as a permitted ancillary use. Incidental Entertainment and Incidental Entertainment – Expanded are permissible accessory uses within a bar. Bed and Breakfast. A residential dwelling that provides lodging for a daily fee in guest rooms with no in-room cooking facilities. A bed and breakfast may include dining facilities. Billboard/Outdoor Advertising. A permanent sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered at a location other then the premises where the sign is located. Body Modification Establishment. An establishment that offers tattooing services, body piercing, and/or nonmedical body modification. Body modification establishment does not include an establishment that offers only ear piercing as an ancillary service.

    • Broadcasting Facility
      TV/Radio. A facility engaged in broadcasting and information relay services for radio and television signals, including studio facilities. A broadcasting facility may or may not include antennas to broadcast the signal. Cannabis Cultivator, or “marijuana cultivator.” An entity state registered/licensed to cultivate, process, and package cannabis, to deliver cannabis to cannabis establishments, and to transfer cannabis to other cannabis establishments, but not to consumers. Cannabis Establishment, or “marijuana establishment.” A cannabis cultivator, independent testing laboratory, cannabis product manufacturer, cannabis retailer, hybrid cannabis retailer, or any other type of state registered/licensed cannabis-related business.

    • Cannabis
      Hybrid Cannabis Retailer, or “hybrid compassion center” means a compassion center licensed by the state pursuant to chapter 28.6 of title 21 of the General Laws that is in good standing with the Department of Business Regulation and that has been authorized to sell non-medical or adult use cannabis to consumers pursuant to chapter 28.11 of title 21 of the General Laws. Cannabis Retailer, or “marijuana retailer.” An entity registered/licensed pursuant to chapter 28.11 of title 21 of the General Laws to purchase and deliver cannabis and cannabis products from cannabis establishments and to deliver, sell, or otherwise transfer cannabis and cannabis products to cannabis establishments and to consumers.

    • Cannabis
      Social Equity/Workers’ Cooperative Licensed Cannabis Retailer. A cannabis retailer that is a state registered and licensed Social Equity applicant or a Workers’ Collaborative as defined by and pursuant to chapter 28.11 of title 21 of the General Laws. Car Wash. An establishment for the washing and cleaning of passenger vehicles, recreational vehicles, or other light duty equipment, whether automatic, by hand, or self-service. Cemetery. Land and structures reserved for the interring of human remains or the interring of animal remains. Cemeteries may include structures for performing religious ceremonies related to the entombment of the deceased, mortuaries, including the sales of items related to the internment of remains, and related accessory structures, such as sheds for the storage of maintenance equipment. Community Center. A facility used as a place of meeting, recreation, or social activity, and not operated for profit, which is open to the public. Community center may also include ancillary day care facilities. Community Residence – Type I. A home or residential facility licensed by the state pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 24 of Title 40.1, where six or fewer children and/or adults with developmental disabilities reside in a family setting and may or may not receive supervised care. This does not include halfway houses or substance abuse treatment facilities. Community Residence – Type II. A home or residential facility where children and/or adults reside in a family setting and may or may not receive supervised care. This does not include halfway houses or substance abuse treatment facilities. This is limited to the following:

  • 1. A group home licensed by the state pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 24 of Title 40.1 or Chapter 17.4 of Title 23 providing care or supervision, or both, to not more than eight persons with disabilities or who are in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living.

  • 2. A residence for children providing care or supervision, or both, to not more than eight children including those of the care giver and licensed by the state pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 72.1 of Title 42.

  • 3. A community transitional residence providing care or assistance, or both, to no more than six unrelated persons or no more than three families, not to exceed a total of eight persons, requiring temporary financial assistance, and/or to persons who are victims of crimes, abuse, or neglect, and who are expected to reside in that residence not less than 60 days nor more than two years. Residents will have access to and use of all common areas, including eating areas and living rooms, and will receive appropriate social services for the purpose of fostering independence, self-sufficiency, and eventual transition to a permanent living situation. Conservation Area. Designated open space that preserves and protects natural features, wildlife, and critical environmental features. A conservation area may include opportunities for passive recreation and environmental education. Contractor Storage Yard. Land and/or structures used primarily for the storage of equipment, vehicles, machinery, or building materials in the conduct of any building trade or building craft and in use by the owner or occupant of the lot in the conduct of his/her building trades or building craft. Country Club. An establishment open to members, their families, and invited guests organized and operated for social and recreation purposes with indoor and/or outdoor recreation facilities, dining facilities, meeting rooms, and similar uses. Cultural Facility. A facility open to the public that provides access to cultural exhibits and activities including, but not limited to, museums, cultural centers, non-commercial galleries, historical societies, and libraries. A cultural facility may include retail sales of related items and restaurants as ancillary uses.

  • Day Care
    Day Care Center. Any other day care that is not a family day care home.

  • Day Care
    Family Day Care Home. Any home other than the individual's home in which day care in lieu of parental care or supervision is offered at the same time to no more than a total of twelve individuals receiving day care. Drive-Through Facility. That portion of a business where business is transacted with customers in such a way that allows customers to remain in their vehicle. A drive through facility is approved separately as a principal use.

  • Dwelling
    Adaptive Reuse. A residential or mixed-use structure converted from a previously commercial, institutional, or industrial building, including offices, schools, religious facilities, medical buildings, mills, and malls.

  • Dwelling
    Multi-Family. A structure or development containing four or more dwelling units used for residential occupancy or the residential component of a mixed-use building. A multi-family dwelling does not include a rowhouse dwelling.

  • Dwelling
    Rowhouse. A structure consisting of two or more dwelling units, configured in a manner such that the dwelling units are aligned horizontally and separated by a party wall, and where the dwelling units are separated by lot lines at the party wall. A rowhouse is designed so that each unit has a separate street-facing exterior entrance and direct ground level access to the front yard. A rowhouse dwelling does not include a multi-family dwelling.

  • Dwelling
    Single-Family. A structure containing only one dwelling unit on a single lot.

  • Dwelling
    Two-Family. A structure containing two dwelling units on a single lot.

  • Dwelling
    Three-Family. A structure containing three dwelling units on a single lot.

  • Educational Facility
    Primary or Secondary. A public, private, or parochial facility that offers instruction at the elementary, junior high, and/or high school levels. A day care center and/or preschool may be included as part of an Educational Facility – Primary or Secondary as an ancillary use.

  • Educational Facility
    University or College. A facility for post-secondary higher learning that grants associate or bachelor degrees. The institution may also have research facilities and/or professional schools that grant master and doctoral degrees. Educational facilities – university or college include ancillary uses such as dormitories, cafeterias, restaurants, retail sales, indoor or outdoor recreational facilities, and similar uses.

  • Educational Facility
    Vocational. A facility that offers instruction in industrial, clerical, computer, managerial, automotive, repair (electrical, plumbing, carpentry, etc.), or commercial skills, or a business conducted as a commercial enterprise, such as a school for general educational development or driving school. Educational facility vocational also applies to privately operated schools that do not offer a complete educational curriculum. Electric Vehicle Charging Station (Principal Use). A facility with battery charging station equipment where the primary purpose is the transfer of electric energy by conductive or inductive means to a battery or other energy storage device in an electric vehicle. Electric vehicle charging station also includes battery exchange stations for electric vehicles. Farmers Market. Temporary use of structures and/or land for the sale of a variety of fresh fruits, flowers, vegetables, or ornamental plants, and other locally produced farm and food products, including value-added products, directly to consumers from two or more famers or vendors that have taken such items on consignment for retail sale. Financial Institution/Bank. A bank, savings and loan, credit union, or mortgage office. Fraternity/Sorority. A structure used by a chartered fraternal or sororal membership organization or association, used as a residence and/or a dining and recreational facility for members of organizations or associations who are students at a university, which permits the organization or association to use its facilities because of the relationship of such organization or association to the body of students enrolled in such institution. Freight Terminal. A facility for freight pick-up or distribution by rail, air, truck, or shipping transport. Funeral Home. An establishment that prepares the dead for burial display and for rituals before burial or cremation, including chapels for the display of the deceased and the conducting of rituals before burial or cremation, and crematoriums. Gas Station. An establishment where fuel for vehicles is stored and dispensed from fixed equipment into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles. This may also include ancillary retail uses, an ancillary car wash facility (one stall), and solar and/or electric charging stations. Golf Course/Driving Range. A tract of land design with at least nine holes for playing a game of golf and improved with tees, greens, fairways, and hazards. A golf course may include a clubhouse, restrooms and shelters as ancillary uses. A driving range may be designed as a standalone facility or included as part of a golf course, which is defined as a tract of land equipped with distance markers, clubs, balls and tees for practicing the hitting of golf balls, and may include a snack-bar and pro-shop. Government Office. Offices owned, operated, or occupied by a governmental agency to provide a governmental service to the public. Government offices do not include public safety or public works facilities. Greenhouse/Nursery– Retail. An establishment where flowers, shrubbery, vegetables, trees, and other horticultural and floricultural products are propagated and sold, and may include gardening and landscape supplies and products such as hardware, garden tools and utensils, and paving stone and bricks. Group Quarters. A structure with two or more rooming units occupied, designed, or intended to be occupied by individuals who may share common areas and facilities, but do not form a single housekeeping unit, and do not provide compensation under a single lease for occupancy. Group quarters provide sleeping accommodations, but no in-room cooking facilities. Group quarters do not include halfway houses or community residences. Group quarters may or may not provide medical treatment or social services to occupants. Halfway House. A residential facility for adults or children who have been institutionalized for criminal conduct and who require a group setting to facilitate the transition to a functional member of society. Healthcare Institution. Facilities for primary health services and medical or surgical care to people, primarily inpatient, and including, as an integral part of the institution, related facilities such as laboratories, outpatient facilities, dormitories, or educational facilities, and ancillary uses such as cafeterias, restaurants, retail sales, and similar uses. Heavy Retail, Rental, and Service. Retail, rental, and/or service establishments of a heavier commercial character typically requiring permanent outdoor service or storage areas and/or partially enclosed structures. Examples of heavy retail, rental, and service establishments include large-scale home improvement centers with outdoor storage and display and rental components, lumberyards, truck rental establishments, and sales, rental, and repair of heavy equipment. Helipad. An area of land or portion of a structure used for the landing and take-off of helicopters with no facilities for service or permanent basing of such aircraft. Heliport. A designated landing area for discharging or picking up passengers or goods by helicopter or similar vertical lift aircraft, and includes terminal facilities for passengers, goods, aircraft servicing, or storage. Hotel/Motel. A facility that provides sleeping accommodations for a fee and customary lodging services. Related ancillary uses include, but are not limited to, meeting facilities, restaurants, bars, and recreational facilities for the use of guests.

  • Industrial
    Artisan. A manufacturing establishment for artisan-related crafts that are more intensive uses, such as small-scale metalworking, glassblowing, furniture making, pottery, leathercraft, hand-woven articles, and related items.

  • Industrial
    General. The manufacturing of products from processed or unprocessed raw materials, including processing, fabrication, assembly, treatment, and packaging of such products, and incidental storage, sales, and distribution of such products. This manufacturing may produce noise, vibrations, illumination, or particulate that is perceptible to adjacent land users but is not offensive or obnoxious. General industrial uses typically have ancillary outdoor storage areas. (See Section 1200.F for prohibited types of general industrial uses.)

  • Industrial
    Light. The manufacturing from previously prepared materials of finished products or parts, including processing, fabrication, assembly, treatment and packaging of such products, and incidental storage, sales, and distribution of such products, provided all manufacturing activities are contained entirely within a building, and noise, odor, smoke, heat, glare, and vibration resulting from the industrial activity are confined entirely within the building. A light industrial use may also include a showroom, ancillary sales of products related to the items manufactured or stored on-site, or ancillary outdoor storage. Light industrial includes metal fabrication and aquaculture/aquaponic facilities. (See Section 1200.F for prohibited types of general industrial uses.) Industrial Design. An establishment where the form, usability, physical ergonomics, marketing, brand development and sales of various products are researched and developed. An industrial design establishment may create prototypes of products, but shall not manufacture products for direct sale and distribution from the premises. Landfill. A facility for the disposal of inert, non-hazardous industrial materials that are not biodegradable, and are not economically and beneficially reusable at the time of their disposal, or for the disposal of non-hazardous household/commercial solid waste.

  • Live Entertainment
    Ancillary Use. A live performance, performed by one or more persons including, but not limited to, musical acts, theatrical plays, performance art, stand-up comedy, disc jockeys (DJs), and magic, included as part of the operation of a bar, restaurant, amusement facility, or similar use. As an ancillary use, the other principal use(s) operating on the site shall be active and open to the public while the performance is occurring and during hours when no performance is scheduled. Live Entertainment - Ancillary Use shall be approved separately as a principal use. Live Entertainment - Ancillary Use does not include:

  • 1. Any adult use.

  • 2. Nightclub.

  • 3. Temporary Entertainment.

  • 4. Incidental Entertainment.

  • 5. Incidental Entertainment - Expanded Live Performance Venue.
    A facility for the presentation of live entertainment, including musical acts, theatrical plays, stand-up comedy, and similar performances. Performances are scheduled in advance and tickets are required for admission and shall be available for purchase in advance, though tickets may be purchased at the venue’s box office on the day of the performance. A live performance venue is only open to the public when a live performance is scheduled. A live performance venue may include classroom space utilized during hours it is not open to the public for a performance. A live performance venue may include concession stands, including sale of alcohol, but only when it is open to the public for a performance. A live performance venue does not include any adult uses or nightclubs. Lodge/Meeting Hall. A facility operated by an organization or association for a common purpose, such as, but not limited to, a meeting hall for a fraternal or social organization or a union hall, but not including clubs organized primarily for-profit or to render a service which is customarily carried on as a business.

  • Marina
    Commercial. Facilities for docking or storage of commercial boats that may provide services. No lodging for the occupants, other than the manager or owner of the commercial marina, or entertainment are permitted.

  • Marina
    Recreational. Facilities for docking or storage of pleasure boats or providing services to pleasure boats and the occupants thereof, including minor servicing and repair to boats while in the water, sale of fuel and supplies, or provision of lodging, food, beverages, and entertainment as accessory uses. A yacht club is considered a recreational marina. Materials Processing. Facilities for:

  • 1. The processing of cement, salt, rock, sand, gravel, and stone; or 2.
    The storage, temporary or otherwise, of unprocessed metal, processed metal, wastepaper, rags, or other junk materials; or 3. The purchase or sale, by weight across an on-site scale, of unprocessed metal, processed metal, wastepaper, rags, or other junk materials; or 4. The sorting, baling, separating, shearing, shredding, or torch preparation of metal or any other form of scrapmetal processing, including automobile flattening and crushing. Medical/Dental Office. A facility operated by one or more physicians, dentists, chiropractors, psychiatrists, physiotherapists, or other licensed practitioners of the healing arts for the examination and treatment of persons solely on an outpatient basis. Medical/dental offices also include alternative medicine clinics, such as acupuncture and holistic therapies, and physical therapy offices for physical rehabilitation. Micro-Brewery. A facility for the production and packaging of malt beverages of low alcoholic content for wholesale distribution, with a capacity of less than 15,000 barrels per year and may include a tasting room. A tasting room allows customers to taste samples of products manufactured on site and purchase related sales items. Micro-Distillery. A facility for the production and packaging of alcoholic beverages in quantities not to exceed twelve 12,000 gallons per year and may include a tasting room. A tasting room allows customers to taste samples of products manufactured on site and purchase related sales items. Micro-Winery. A facility for the production and packaging of any alcoholic beverages obtained by the fermentation of the natural contents of fruits or vegetables, containing sugar, including such beverages when fortified by the addition of alcohol or spirits, in quantities not to exceed 25,000 gallons per year and may include a tasting room. A tasting room allows customers to taste samples of products manufactured on site and purchase related sales items. Movie Studio. Facilities for the production of motion pictures and film, including stages, exterior sets, film laboratories, sound recording facilities, construction, repair and storage facilities, caretaker and temporary housing, related commercial vehicles, and accessory fabrication activities. Neighborhood Commercial Establishment. A commercial use within a primarily residential neighborhood that is non-residential in its original construction and/or use. Nightclub. An establishment that provides entertainment, including live music and disc jockeys (DJs), and an area for dancing by patrons of the establishment. A nightclub has as its primary source of revenue the sale of alcoholic beverages and/or cover charges. Portions of the floor area may be set up for alcohol service, including a bar counter, with or without stools, and other seating areas. A nightclub is only open to the public when it is providing such entertainment and admission (cover charge) is generally charged for admittance. Office. An establishment that engages in the processing, manipulation, or application of business information or professional expertise. Such an office may or may not offer services to the public. An office is not materially involved in fabricating, assembling, or warehousing of physical products for the retail or wholesale market, nor engaged in the repair of products or retail services. An office does not include financial institution/bank, government office, or industrial design. Outdoor Dining. A seating area that is located outdoors and contiguous to a restaurant or bar, typically in addition to an indoor seating area. Outdoor dining shall be approved separately as a principal use. Outdoor Market. A retail market located outdoors that rents space to individual vendors who sell their merchandise. Park/Playground. A non-commercial facility that serves the recreational needs of residents and visitors. Park/playground includes, but is not limited to, playgrounds, ballfields, football fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, dog parks, skateboard parks, passive recreation areas, and park district field houses. Park/playground may also include non-commercial indoor or outdoor amusement facilities, such as zoos and amphitheaters, and ancillary restaurant and retail establishments. Parking Lot. An open, hard-surfaced area, other than a street or public way, used for the storage of operable vehicles, whether for compensation or at no charge. Parking Structure. A structure of one or more levels or floors used for the parking or storage of operable vehicles, whether for compensation or at no charge. Passenger Terminal. A facility for the handling, receiving, and transferring passenger traffic for aircraft, rail, buses, and watercraft. Personal Service Establishment. An establishment that provides frequent or recurrent needed services of a personal nature. Typical uses include, but are not limited to, beauty shops, barbershops, tanning salons, electronics repair shops, nail salons, laundromats, health clubs, dry cleaners, and tailors. Place of Worship. A facility where persons regularly assemble for religious purposes and related social events, and may include group housing for persons under religious vows or orders. Places of worship may also include ancillary day care facilities and/or classrooms for weekly religious instruction. Plant Agriculture. The growing of plants for food or fiber, to sell or consume. Power Plant. An industrial facility for the generation of electric power. A power plant does not include electricity generated from solar or wind. Prison/Correctional Institution. A facility for the detention, confinement, treatment, and rehabilitation of persons arrested or convicted for the violation of civil or criminal law. Public Safety Facility. A facility operated by and for the use of public safety agencies, such as the fire department and police departments, including the dispatch, storage, and maintenance of police and fire vehicles. Public safety facilities include kennels for canine units of public safety agencies. Public Works Facility. A facility operated by the municipal public works department to provide city services, including dispatch, storage, and maintenance of municipal vehicles. Racetrack. A measured course where animals or automobiles are entered in competition against one another or against time, including tracks used only for training purposes. Reception Facility. A facility that provides hosting and rental services of a banquet hall or similar facilities for private events including, but not limited to, wedding receptions, holiday parties, and fundraisers, with food and beverages that are prepared and served on-site or by a caterer to invited guests during intermittent dates and hours of operation. Live entertainment may be provided as an ancillary use as part of an event. A reception facility is not operated as a restaurant with regular hours of operation. Rehabilitation Center. A facility for treatment of alcohol or drug addiction that is licensed, certified, or accredited by the appropriate local, state, or federal agencies, in which unrelated persons are provided housing, food, treatment, and supportive services. Research and Development. A facility where research and development is conducted in industries that include, but are not limited to, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical instrumentation or supplies, communication, and information technology, electronics and instrumentation, and computer hardware and software. Research and development facilities shall not exceed Biosafety Level Three as regulated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute of Health. A research and development establishment may create prototypes of products, but shall not manufacture products for direct sale and distribution from the premises. Residential Care Facility. A licensed group care facility that provides 24-hour medical or non-medical care of persons in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living, or for the protection of the individual. A residential care facility includes nursing homes, assisted living, and continuum of care facilities. Restaurant. An establishment where food and drinks are provided to the public, primarily for on-premises consumption by seated patrons. If the establishment also serves alcoholic beverages, a full menu of food and drinks shall also be prepared on premises. Incidental Entertainment and Incidental Entertainment - Expanded are permissible accessory uses within a restaurant. Retail Goods Establishment. An establishment that provides physical goods, products, or merchandise directly to the consumer, where such goods are typically available for immediate purchase and removal from the premises by the purchaser. Sale of alcohol products is regulated separately as retail sales of alcohol. Retail Sales of Alcohol. Retail sales of alcoholic beverages in factory original containers for consumption offpremises, when licensed by the Board of Licenses. Self-Storage Facility. A facility for the storage of personal property where individual renters control and access individual storage spaces. Ancillary retail sales of related items, such as moving supplies, and facility offices may also be included. Ship and Boat Building/Repair. An establishment for the manufacturing, repair, storage, and sale of ships and boats. Ship and boat building/repair does not include the leasing of dry dock or marina storage for individual boat owners. Solar Energy System (Principal Use). An energy system operated by a public, private, or cooperative company for the generation, transmission, distribution, storage, or processing of solar energy for the purposes of space heating and cooling, electricity generation, and/or water heating. Slaughterhouse. A facility where livestock is confined, slaughtered, and processed in preparation for distribution. A slaughterhouse does not include facilities exclusive for the killing of fowl. Specialty Food Service. A business that specializes in the sale of certain food products, such as a delicatessen, bakery, candy maker, meat market, catering business, cheesemonger, coffee roaster, or fishmonger, and may offer areas for ancillary retail sales or restaurants that serve the products processed on-site. Specialty food service also includes preparation, processing, canning, or packaging of food products where all processing is completely enclosed and there are no outside impacts. Stock Yard/Feeding Pen. Facilities for the feeding, breeding, raising, and/or holding of livestock.

  • Storage Yard
    Outdoor. The storage of material outdoors as a principal use of land for more than 24 hours. Items stored within an outdoor storage yard shall be owned, consigned, or leased by the owner of the storage yard. However, boats and recreational vehicles that are not owned, consigned, or leased by the owner of the storage yard may also be stored on-site. Tank Farm. The storage of chemicals, petroleum products, ethanol products, hazardous materials, and similar substances in aboveground or belowground storage containers designed for wholesale distribution. This does not include liquefied natural gas or liquified propane gas. Temporary Contractor’s Office. A temporary structure utilized as a watchman’s quarters, construction office, equipment shed, or sales center during the construction of a new development. Temporary Emergency Housing. A temporary shelter for citizens during seasonal or emergency events, such as extreme temperature, flooding, or natural disaster. Temporary Mobile and Manufactured Homes. A mobile or manufactured home located on a residential lot when the residence is rendered uninhabitable by virtue of a casualty for the use and occupancy of the former occupants of the residence only. Temporary Mobile Food Sales. A mobile food establishment where food or alcohol preparation and service is housed in a truck or trailer, container, or a non-motorized mobile food cart. Temporary Entertainment. Periodic live indoor or outdoor performance, performed by one or more persons including, but not limited to, musical acts, theatrical plays, performance art, stand-up comedy, disc jockeys (DJs), and magic. Temporary Entertainment event includes fireworks shows, horse shows, animal shows, carnivals/circuses, temporary worship services, and other similar events. Temporary Outdoor Sales. Temporary uses, which may include temporary structures, where goods are sold, such as consignment auctions, arts and crafts fairs, flea markets, rummage sales, temporary vehicle sales, and holiday sales, such as Christmas tree lots and pumpkin sales lots. This temporary use category does not include outdoor sales related to a retail goods establishment where such goods are part of the establishment’s regular items offered for purchase. Temporary Outdoor Storage Container. Temporary self-storage containers delivered to a residence or business owner to store belongings, and then picked up and returned to a warehouse until called for. Temporary Parking Lot (Principal Use). A principal use parking lot that is permitted for a temporary period subject to certain use standards. Transitional Shelter. A facility that provides temporary or transitional shelter for the homeless in general or for specific populations of the homeless. Utility. Facilities that produce and/or transmit basic services, such as gas, sewer, or water, including large-scale developments such as electrical substations, high voltage transmission lines, and water towers and tanks. Utilities do not include public works facilities. Utility does not include wind energy systems, solar energy systems, and power plants. Vehicle Repair/Service. An establishment that that provides services and repairs to motor vehicles, motorcycles, and other recreational vehicles. Vehicle repair/service does not include repair of heavy equipment, which is considered part of heavy retail, rental, and service. Vehicle Operations Facility. A facility for the dispatch, storage, and maintenance of emergency medical care vehicles, taxicabs, school buses, utility vehicles, and livery vehicles. Vehicle operations facility does not include a public works or public safety facility. Vehicle Dealership/Rental. An establishment that sells or leases new or used automobiles and recreational vehicles, or rents automobiles and vans, including incidental parking and servicing of vehicles. A vehicle dealership/rental establishment may maintain an inventory of the vehicles for sale or lease either on-site or at a nearby location, and may provide on-site facilities for the repair and service of the vehicles owned by the establishment. Vehicle dealership/rental does not include truck rental establishments or rental of heavy equipment, which is considered part of heavy retail, rental, and service. Warehouse. An enclosed facility for the storage and distribution of manufactured products, supplies, and/or equipment. Waste Incineration Facility. A facility that disposes of, treats, processes, or recycles solid waste or medical waste through combustion, gasification, or pyrolysis, or exposes solid waste or medical waste to temperatures above 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Waste Facility. A facility for the processing of waste, including sewage disposal facilities or solid waste transfer station, operated by a state or municipal agency. Wholesale Establishment. A business where goods are sold to either retailers, or to industrial, commercial, institutional, or other professional business users, or to other wholesalers and related subordinated services. Wind Energy System (Principal Use). An energy system operated by a public, private, or cooperative company for the generation, transmission, distribution, or processing of wind energy. Wireless Telecommunications. Towers, antennas, and facilities used to transmit and receive signals that facilitate wireless telecommunications. The following definitions describe the wireless telecommunications infrastructure described within the general definition for wireless telecommunications:

  • 1. Antenna.
    A specific device, the surface of which is used to transmit and/or receive signals transmitted to or from other antennas. This does not include satellite dish antennae.

  • 2. Facility.
    An un-staffed structure used to house and protect the equipment necessary for processing telecommunications signals, which may include air conditioning equipment and emergency generators.

  • 3. Tower.
    A structure designed and constructed to support one or more wireless telecommunications antennae and including all appurtenant devices attached to it.