Zoning Code Portal | Definitions

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Abutting Having a common border with or being separated from such common border by an alley or easement.
Access A means of providing vehicular or non-vehicular egress from or ingress to a property, highway, or private roadway.
Access, direct A condition of immediate physical connection resulting from a highway, alley, or private road abutting a property.
Accessory dwelling unit A dwelling established in conjunction with and clearly subordinate to the principle dwelling unit. Accessory dwelling units are typically located at the rear of a lot and above an attached or detached alley-loaded garage that serves the primary residence.
Accessory use or structure A use or structure subordinate to, and serving, the principal use or structure on the same lot and customarily incidental thereto.
Acre 43,560 square feet.
Addition Any walled and roofed expansion to the perimeter and/or height of a building in which the addition is connected by a common load bearing wall. Any walled and roofed addition connected by a fire wall or is separated by independent perimeter load bearing walls is new construction.
Alley A public or private right-of-way usually of reduced width as compared to a street, primarily intended to provide a secondary means of access to the side or rear of an abutting property fronting upon another street right-of-way and not for the use of through traffic.
Animal unit A measure which represents a common denominator for the purpose of defining a husbandry or intensive agricultural land use. The animal unit measure relates to the maximum carrying capacity of one acre of land and is related to the amount of feed various species consume, and the amount of waste they produce. The following figure indicates the number of common farm species which comprise a single animal unit:
Figure 13-1-12: Animal Units
 
Type of Livestock # of Animals / Animal Unit
Horse (>2 yrs) 1
Colt (<2 yrs) 2
Cattle (> 2 yrs) 1
Cattle (< 2 yrs) 2
Calves (<1 yr) 5
Brood Sow or Boar 2
Hogs (hogs up to 220 lbs) 3
Sheep 10
Lambs 14
Chickens - Egg Layers 30
Chickens - Fryers 60
Turkeys 50
   

















Source: The Stockman's Handbook
Antenna Communications equipment that transmits and receives electromagnetic radio signals and is used in the provision of mobile services.
Note: This definition is based on the corresponding definition in s. 66.0404, Wis. Stats.
Appeal A means for obtaining review of a decision, determination, order, or failure to act pursuant to the terms of this Chapter as expressly authorized by the provisions of Section 13-1-202.
Arterial street See street, arterial.
Attached garage A defined area of a dwelling unit that is used to keep motor vehicles, trailers, and other household items. By definition, the attached garage shares a common wall with the living area. However, for the purpose of this definition, a single breezeway, not exceeding 40 feet, constitutes a connection between a single-family dwelling that does not have a garage area and an attached garage, provided the breezeway has a roof with a minimum width of 6 feet. The breezeway may be enclosed, partially enclosed, or open.
Average ground elevation The average level of the finished surface of the ground adjacent to the exterior walls of a building or structure.
Awning A sloped, roof-like feature that projects beyond the face of an exterior wall. An awning is typically placed above a door or window to provide protection from the sun and precipitation. An awning can be constructed of various materials, including metal, fabric, or plastic. An awning may be non-retractable or retractable so as to fold up against the building. (Also see marquee)
Basement A portion of a building located partly underground, but having one half or less of its floor to ceiling height below the average grade of the adjoining ground.
Bedroom A room in a residence marketed or designed primarily for sleeping.
Blanket variance A variance which is automatically granted by a provision of this Chapter in order to reduce the creation of legal nonconforming developments.
Boathouse  As defined in Section 30.121(1), Wis. Stats., a permanent structure used for storage of water craft and associated materials, and includes all structures which are totally enclosed, have roofs or walls, or any combination of structural parts.
Bufferyard Any permitted combination of distance, vegetation, fencing, and berming which results in a reduction of visual and other interaction with an adjoining property. 
Building A roofed structure intended for the shelter, housing, or enclosure of persons, animals, or chattels.
Building coverage The percentage of a lot covered by principal and accessory buildings, including all structures with a roof.
Building front The exterior wall of a building that faces the front lot line of the lot.
Building height The vertical distance from the average elevation of the adjoining ground level to (i) the top of the cornice of a flat roof, (ii) the deckline of a mansard roof, or (iii) the average height of a gable, gambrel, hip, or pitch roof. As used in this part, average roof height is the wall height plus one-half of the roof height. When one or more dormers with side walls exceeds 50 percent of the lineal wall width immediately below the dormer(s), the wall height extends from the ground to the top of such dormer wall.
Building line A line on a lot, generally parallel to a lot line or public or private road right of way line, located a sufficient distance from either to provide the minimum yards required by this Chapter. The building line determines the area in which buildings are permitted subject to all applicable provisions of this Chapter. This is also referred to as a “setback.”
Building separation The narrowest distance between two buildings (see minimum building separation).
Building size The total gross floor area of a building (see maximum building size).
Building, accessory A building that is clearly incidental and subordinate to and customarily found with a principal use.
Building, principal A building in which the main or principal use of the lot is conducted.
Bulk (of a building) The combination of building height, size, and location on a lot.
Caliper The diameter of a tree, measured at a point 6 inches above the ground if the resulting measurement is not more than 4 inches. If the resulting measurement is more than 4 inches, the measurement is taken 12 inches above the ground.
Candlepower The amount of light that will illuminate a surface one-foot distant from a light source to an intensity of one foot-candle. The maximum (peak) candlepower is the largest amount of candlepower emitted by any lamp, light source, or luminary.
Canopy A permanent structure without walls for the purpose of shielding driveways, sidewalks, or service areas from elements. A canopy may be free-standing or attached to a building.
Carport An open sided, roofed vehicle shelter, usually formed by extension of the roof from the side of a building that meets the building code.
Cellar That portion of the building having more than one-half of the floor-to-ceiling height below the average grade of the adjoining ground.
Climax tree A tree that would occupy the uppermost canopy of a forest in a natural ecological situation (e.g. hickory, oak, maple, etc).
Collector street See street, collector.
Commercial vehicle Any motor vehicle used for business or institutional purposes or having painted thereon or affixed thereto a sign identifying a business or institution or a principal product or service of a business or institution. Agricultural equipment used as part of a permitted agricultural principal use shall not be considered as a commercial vehicle.
Community character The impression which an area makes in regard to the type, intensity, density, quality, appearance, and age of development.
Comprehensive plan The Comprehensive Plan of the Village of East Troy, Wisconsin, and as subsequently amended.
Conditional use A land use which requires a conditional use permit in order to develop.
Construction, start of See start of construction.
Day A day shall be designated as a period of time in terms of calendar days.
Deck A structure that has no roof or walls and is considered part of a building or structure.
Dedication The transfer of property interest from private to public ownership for a public purpose. The transfer may be of fee simple interest or of a less than fee simple interest, including an easement.
Density A term used to describe the number of dwelling units per acre.
Developer The legal or beneficial owner(s) of a lot or parcel of any land proposed for inclusion in a development.
Development The division of a parcel of land into two or more parcels; the construction, reconstruction, conversion, structural alteration, relocation, or enlargement of any buildings; any use or change in use of any buildings or land; any extension of any use of land; or any clearing, grading, or other movement of land, for which permission may be required pursuant to this Chapter.
Development option(s) The type of residential or nonresidential development as categorized by the proportion of the site devoted to permanently protected green space.
Development pad The area of land where site disruption will occur, including building areas, paved areas, yard and septic system areas, and other areas of non-native vegetation.
Directly illuminated sign A sign designed to give any artificial light directly through any transparent or translucent material from a source of light originating within or on such sign.
Drainage The removal of surface water or groundwater from land by drains, grading, or other means. Drainage includes the control of runoff to minimize erosion and sedimentation during and after development, and the means necessary for water supply preservation or prevention or alleviation of flooding.
Drainage system One or more artificial ditches, tile drains, or similar devices which collect surface runoff or groundwater and convey it to a point of discharge. 
Dwelling A building or one or more portions thereof, containing one or more dwelling units, but not including habitations provided in nonresidential uses such as lodging uses and commercial campgrounds.
Dwelling unit A room or group of rooms providing or intended to provide permanent living quarters for not more than one family.
Dwelling unit separation The narrowest distance between two dwelling units (see minimum dwelling unit separation).
Dwelling, attached A dwelling joined to another dwelling at one or more sides by a shared wall or walls.
Dwelling, detached A dwelling entirely surrounded by open space on the same lot.
Easement Written authorization, recorded in the Register of Deeds office, from a landowner authorizing another party to use any designated part of the land owner’s property for a specified purpose.
Electronic message display A sign message that can change by electronic means. (In contrast see static display)
Encroachment Any fill, structure, building, use, or development that advances beyond proper limits. 
Environmental control facility Any facility, temporary or permanent, which is reasonably expected to abate, reduce or aid in the prevention, measurement, control or monitoring of noise, air or water pollutants, solid waste and thermal pollution, radiation or other pollutants, including facilities installed principally to supplement or to replace existing property or equipment not meeting or allegedly not meeting acceptable pollution control standards, or which are to be supplemented or replaced by other pollution control facilities.
Equipment compound When used in the context of telecommunication facilities, the area surrounding or adjacent to the base of an existing support structure within which is located mobile service facilities.
Note: This definition is based on the corresponding definition in s. 66.0404, Wis. Stats.
Erosion The detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments by water, wind, ice, and/or gravity.
Essential services Facilities that are: (a) Owned or maintained by public utility companies or public agencies; (b) Located in public ways or in easements provided for the purpose, or on a customer’s premises and not requiring a private right-of-way; (c) Reasonably necessary for the furnishing of adequate water, sewer, gas, electric, communication, or similar services to adjacent customers; and (d) Not including any cross-country line on towers.
Extraterritorial area The area outside of the Village limits in which the Village of East Troy may exercise extraterritorial powers of planning, land division, and/or zoning review.
Façade The entire building front including the parapet.
Fall zone When used in the context of telecommunication facilities, the area over which a mobile support structure is designed to collapse.
Note: This definition is based on the corresponding definition in s. 66.0404, Wis. Stats
Family An individual or two or more persons, each related by blood, marriage, or adoption or guardianship, living together as a single housekeeping unit; or a group of not more than four (4) persons not so related, maintaining a common household in which bathrooms, kitchen facilities, and living quarters are shared.
Farm building Any building, other than a dwelling unit, used for storing agricultural equipment or farm produce or products, having livestock or poultry, or processing dairy products.
Fixed houseboat As defined in Section 30.121(1), Wis. Stats., a structure not actually used for navigation which extends beyond the ordinary high water mark of a navigable waterway and is retained in place either by cables to the shoreline or by anchors or spud poles attached to the bed of the waterway.
Flag A pliable material suspended from a pole with the emblem or symbol of a nation, organization of nations, state, city, or other political subdivision, or of a religious, fraternal, or civic organization.
Floodfringe The portion of the floodplain outside of the floodway.
Floodplain The land area susceptible to inundation by water as a result of a flood.
Floodproofing Measures designed to prevent and reduce flood damage for those uses which cannot be removed from, or which of necessity must be created in the floodplain, ranging from structural modifications through installation of special equipment or materials to operation and management safeguards, such as the following: reinforcing of basement walls; underpinning of floors; permanent sealing of all exterior openings; use of masonry construction; erection of permanent watertight bulkheads, shutters, and doors; treatment of exposed timbers; elevation of flood vulnerable utilities; use of waterproof cement; adequate fuse protection; sealing of basement walls; installation of sump pumps; placement of automatic swing check valves; installation of seal tight windows and doors; installation of wire reinforced glass; location and elevation of valuable items; waterproofing, disconnecting, elevation or removal of all electrical equipment; avoidance of the use of flood vulnerable areas; temporary removal or waterproofing of merchandise; postponement of orders or rescheduling of freight shipments; operation of emergency pump equipment; closing of backwater seer valve; placement of plugs and flood drain pipes; placement of movable watertight bulkheads; and the shoring of weak walls or structures. Floodproofing of structures shall be extended at least to a point two feet above the elevation of the regional flood. Any structure that is located entirely or partially below the flood protection elevation shall be anchored to protect it from larger floods.
Floodway The floodway is the channel of a river or stream and those portions of the floodplain adjoining the channel required to carry the regional floodwaters.
Floor area The sum of the gross horizontal areas of the floors of a building, including interior balconies, mezzanines, basements, and attached accessory buildings, stairs, escalators, unenclosed porches, detached accessory buildings utilized as dead storage, heating and utility rooms, inside off-street parking or loading space. Measurements shall be made from the outside of the exterior walls and to the center of interior walls.
Floor area ratio (FAR) The ratio calculated by dividing the total floor area of all buildings on a site by the gross site area (see maximum floor area ratio).
Foot-candle A unit of illumination produced on a surface, all points of which are one foot from a uniform point source of one candle.
Garage (residential) A detached accessory building or portion of the principal building, including a carport, which is used primarily for storing passenger vehicles, trailers, or one truck of a rated capacity not in excess of ten thousand (10,000) pounds. Garages do not include temporary enclosures. 
Glare The brightness of a light source which causes eye discomfort.
Green space ratio (GSR) The percentage of the gross site area which is preserved as permanently protected green space. Green space ratio is calculated by dividing the area of permanently protected green space by the gross site area (see minimum green space ratio).
Gross density The result of dividing the number of dwelling units located on a site by the gross site area (see maximum gross density).
Gross floor area The total floor area on all levels of a building.
Gross site area (GSA) The total area of a site available for inclusion in calculations of the maximum permitted density or intensity of development.
Hearing notice Publication or posting meeting the requirements of Chapter 985, Wis. Stats. A Class 1 notice, published once at least 10 days prior to public hearing, is the minimum required for appeals. A Class 2 notice, published twice, once each week consecutively, the last at least 10 days before the public hearing, is the minimum required for all zoning ordinances and amendments including map amendments. 
Height See building height. 
Impervious surface Areas designed and installed to prohibit infiltration of stormwater. Homes, buildings, and other structures with roofs, as well as concrete, brick, stone, asphalt, gravel, and similar paved surfaces are considered impervious. 
Impervious surface ratio A measures of the intensity of land use, determined by dividing the total of all impervious surfaces on a site by the gross site area. 
Increase in regional flood height A calculated upward rise in the regional flood elevation, equal to or greater than 0.01 foot, resulting in comparison of existing conditions and proposed conditions which is directly attributable to manipulation of mathematical variables such as roughness factors, expansion and contraction coefficients, and discharge.
Indirectly illuminated sign A sign that is illuminated from a source outside of the actual sign.
Intensity A term used to describe the amount of gross floor area or landscaped area on a lot or site compared to the gross area of the lot or site.
Lakeshore Those lands lying within the following distances from the ordinary high water mark of navigable waters: 1,000 feet from a lake, pond, or flowage; 300 feet from a river, stream, or to a landward side of the floodplain, whichever distance is greater. Lakeshores shall not include those lands adjacent to farm drainage ditches where: such lands are not adjacent to a navigable stream or river; those parts of such drainage ditches adjacent to such lands were not navigable streams before ditching or had no previous stream history; and such lands are maintained in non-structural agricultural use
Land use The type of development and/or activity occurring on a piece of property.
Landscape surface area ratio (LSR) The percentage of the gross site area or lot area which is preserved as permanently protected landscaped area.
Landscaped area The area of a site which is planted and continually maintained in vegetation, including grasses, flowers, herbs, garden plants, native or introduced groundcovers, shrubs, bushes, and trees. The landscaped area includes the area located within planted and continually maintained landscaped planters.
Lot A parcel of land that is: (a) undivided by any street or private road; (b) occupied by, or designated to be developed for one building or principal use; and (c) contains the accessory buildings or uses customarily incidental to such building, use, or development, including such open spaces and yards as designed and arranged or required by this Chapter for such building, use, or development.
Lot area The area contained within the property boundaries of a recorded lot.
Lot depth The average distance between the front lot line and the rear lot line of a lot.
Lot frontage Lot width measured at the street lot line. When a lot has more than one street lot line, lot width shall be measured, and the minimum lot width required by this Chapter shall be provided at each such line.
Lot line A lot line is the property line (including the vertical plane established by the line and the ground) bounding a lot except that where any portion of a lot extends into the public right of way or a proposed public right-of-way, the line of such public right-of-way shall be the lot line for applying this Chapter.
Lot line, front A lot line which abuts a public or private street right-of-way. In the case of a lot which has two of more street frontages, the lot line along the street from which the house is addressed shall be the front lot line. (See also lot line, street side).
Lot line, rear In the case of rectangular or most trapezoidal shaped lots, that lot line which is parallel to and most distant from the front lot line of the lot. In the case of an irregular, triangular, or gore shaped lot, a line 20 feet in length, entirely within the lot, parallel to and at the maximum possible distance from the front line shall be considered to be the rear lot line. In the case of lots which have frontage on more than one road or street, the rear lot line shall be selected by the property owner.
Lot line, side Any boundary of a lot which is not a front lot line, a street side lot line, or a rear lot line.
Lot line, street side Any lot line which abuts a public or private street right of way which is not the front lot line (see also lot line, front).
Lot of record A platted lot or lot described in a certified survey map or in a metes and bounds description which has been approved by the Village or by Walworth County, and has been recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds.
Lot width The maximum horizontal distance between the side lot lines of a lot, measured parallel to the front lot lines and at the rear of the required front yard setback (see minimum lot width).
Lot, corner A lot situated at the junction of and abutting on two or more intersection streets, or a lot at the point of deflection in alignment of a continuous street, the interior angle of which does not exceed 135 degrees.
Lot, interior A lot other than a corner lot.
Lot, through A lot which has a pair of opposite lot lines abutting two substantially parallel streets (one or more of which may be a portion of a cul-de-sac). Except for through lots which abut an arterial or nonresidential collector street, through lots shall be prohibited under the provisions of this Chapter.
Manufactured home A type of housing unit that is largely assembled in factories and then transported to sites of use.
Marquee A flat, roof-like feature that projects beyond the face of an exterior wall. A marquee is typically placed above a door or window to provide protection from the sun and precipitation. (Also see awning and canopy.
Marquee sign A sign attached to and made part of a marquee.
Maximum building size (MBS) The largest permitted total gross floor area a building may contain (see building size).
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) The largest amount of floor area permitted on a lot (see floor area ratio).
Maximum gross density (MGD) The maximum number of dwelling units permitted per acre of Gross Site Area (see gross density).
Maximum height The highest portion of any structure (see building height).
Minimum building separation The narrowest permitted building separation.
Minimum dwelling unit separation The narrowest permitted dwelling unit separation.
Minimum landscape surface ratio (LSR) The lowest permitted landscape surface ratio (see landscape surface ratio).
Minimum lot area (MLA) The minimum size lot permitted within the specified zoning district and development option.
Minimum lot width The smallest permissible lot width for the applicable dwelling unit type or nonresidential development option.
Minimum setback The narrowest distance permitted from a street, side, or rear property line to a structure.
Minimum site area (MSA) The minimum gross site area in which the specified development option may occur (see gross site area).
Minor structures Structures not requiring a building permit (e.g. swing set, clothesline, etc.).
Mixed occupancy A building that contains multiple independent businesses, offices, and/or residences.
Mixed-use Some combination of residential, commercial, industrial, office, institutional, and/or other land uses within a district or development.
Mobile service  A radio communication service carried on between mobile stations or receivers and land stations, and by mobile stations communicating among themselves, and includes (i) both one-way and two-way radio communication services; (ii) a mobile service which provides a regularly interacting group of base, mobile, portable, and associated control and relay stations (whether licensed on an individual, cooperative, or multiple basis) for private one-way or two-way land mobile radio communications by eligible users over designated areas of operation; and (iii) any service for which a license is required in a personal communications service established pursuant to the proceeding entitled "Amendment to the Commission's Rules to Establish New Personal Communications Services" (GEN Docket No. 90-314; ET Docket No. 92-100), or any successor proceeding.
Note: This definition is based on the corresponding definition in s. 66.0404, Wis. Stats.
Mobile service facility The set of equipment and network components, including antennas, transmitters, receivers, base stations, power supplies, cabling, and associated equipment, that is necessary to provide mobile service to a discrete geographic area, but does not include the underlying support structure.
Note: This definition is based on the corresponding definition in s. 66.0404, Wis. Stats.
Mobile service provider A person who provides mobile service.
Note: This definition is based on the corresponding definition in s. 66.0404, Wis. Stats.
Monument sign A free-standing sign that is supported by a base extending from the ground surface to the bottom, or to nearly the bottom, of the sign face.
Municipal water supply The municipal water supply of the Village of East Troy.
Mural A painting or other artwork applied to and made integral with the surface of an exterior wall or other large permanent surface that depicts a scene or event of natural, social, cultural, or historical significance as recognized by the Plan Commission.
Navigable water All natural inland lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, sloughs, flowages, and other waters within the territorial limits of Wisconsin, including the Wisconsin portion of boundary waters, which are navigable under the laws of Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has declared navigable all bodies of water with a bed differentiated from adjacent uplands and with levels of flow sufficient to support navigation by a recreational craft of the shallowest draft on an annually recurring basis. For the purposes of this Chapter, rivers and streams will be presumed to be navigable if they are designated as either continuous or intermittent waterways on the United States Geological Survey quadrangle maps until such time that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has made a determination that the waterway is not, in fact, navigable.
Net developable area (NDA) The area of a site which may be disturbed by development activity. Net developable area is the result of subtracting required resource protection area (RPA) from the gross site area. 
Nonconforming building or structure Any building or other structure which was lawfully existing under ordinances or regulations preceding this Chapter, but which would not conform to this Chapter if the building or structure were to be erected under the provisions of this Chapter.
Nonconforming development A lawful development approved under ordinances or regulations preceding the effective date of this Chapter, but which would not conform to this Chapter if the development were to be created under the current provisions of this Chapter.
Non-conforming sign A sign that at the time of construction or placement conformed to the then existing regulations including size, location, and other dimensional standards, but is now inconsistent with this Chapter.
Nonconforming use An active and actual use of land, buildings, or structures which was lawfully existing prior to the enactment of this Chapter, which has continued as the same use to the present, and which does not comply with all the applicable regulations of this Chapter.
Noxious matter or materials Material capable of causing injury to living organisms by chemical reaction, or is capable of causing detrimental effects on the physical or economic well being of individuals.
Nursery An operation in which trees are raised as a crop to be replaced with more trees after harvesting. 
Official map The map adopted and designated by the Village as being the “Official Map” pursuant to Section 62.23(6) Wisconsin Statutes which shows current and proposed municipal improvement sites and rights of way.
Official zoning map The map adopted and designated by the Village as being the “Official Zoning Map.” See Section 13-1-22.
Off-premise sign A sign advertising goods, products, facilities, patronage to a business location, or directs persons to a different location from where the sign is located. 
On site Located on the lot in question, except in the context of on site detention, when the term means within the boundaries of the development site as a whole.
Opacity The degree to which vision is blocked by bufferyard. Opacity is the proportion of a bufferyard’s vertical plane which obstructs views into an adjoining property.
Ordinary high water mark The point on the bank or shore of a body of water up to which the presence and action of surface water is so continuous as to leave a distinctive mark, such as by erosion, destruction or prevention of terrestrial vegetation, predominance of aquatic vegetation, or other easily recognized characteristics.
Other permanently protected green space Permanently protected green space areas which are not constrained by one of the protected natural resources (i.e. wetlands, floodplains, steep slopes, lakeshores, and woodlands). Examples include portions of private lots, outlots, or parcels commonly held by a property owners association which are deed restricted from site disruption. 
Overlay zoning district A zoning district which imposes uniform restrictions on all properties within its area which are in addition to the restrictions specific to the standard zoning districts. 
Owner The person, persons, or entity having the right of legal title to a lot or parcel of land.
Parapet The extension of a false front or wall above the roofline. 
Parcel The area within the boundary lines of a lot.
Performance standard Criterion established to control and limit the impacts generated by, or inherent in, uses of land or buildings. 
Permanently protected green space An area in which site disruption and/or development is strictly limited.
Plan Commission The Plan Commission of the Village of East Troy.
Planned development A planned development is a designed grouping of varied and compatible land uses, such as housing, recreation, commercial, and industrial parks, all within one contained development or subdivision.
Porch A covered platform, usually having a separate roof, at an entrance to a dwelling, or an open or enclosed gallery or room, which is not heated or cooled, that is attached to the outside of a building. 
Portable sign A sign that is not permanent, affixed to a building, structure, or to the ground. Portable signs include but are not limited to “A-frame” menu and sandwich board signs.
Portable storage container A portable, weather-resistant storage container designed and used for the temporary storage or shipment of materials, household goods, wares, or merchandise. 
Principal building See building, principal.
Principal use Any and all of the primary uses of a property treated as a use permitted by right or as a conditional use (rather than as an accessory use or a temporary use). 
Projecting sign A sign extending more than 18 inches, but less than four feet, from the face of a wall or building; such sign may not extend more than three feet into the right-of-way.
Protected natural resources Resources such as floodways, floodfringes, floodplain, conservancy areas, wetlands, woodlands, steep slopes, and lakeshores which are protected by the provisions of this Chapter. 
Public improvement Any improvement, facility, or service, together with customary improvements and appurtenances thereto, necessary to provide for public needs, such as: streets, roads, alleys, or pedestrian walks or paths; storm sewers; flood control improvements; water supply and distribution facilities; sanitary sewage disposal and treatment; and public utility and energy services.
Public sewer Includes the Village of East Troy sewer system and other forms of sewer systems approved by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and maintained by a public agency authorized to operate such systems.
Railroad right of way A strip of land with tracks and auxiliary facilities for track operation, but not including freight depots or stations, loading platforms, train sheds, warehouses, car or locomotive shops, or car yards.
Recorded lot See lot of record.
Recreational vehicle A motorized wheeled vehicle used for camping or other recreational activities.
Regional flood A flood which is representative of large floods known to have generally occurred in the state. The flood frequency of the regional flood is once every 100 years; this means that in any given year, there is a 1 percent chance that the regional flood may occur or be exceeded. 
Required resource protection area (RPA) The area of a site which may not be disturbed by development activity and which must also be reserved as permanently protected green space. The required resource protection area is the result of subtracting the net developable area (NDA) from the gross site area (GSA).
Restrictive, more (less) A regulation imposed by this Chapter is more (less) restrictive than another if it prohibits or limits development to a greater (lesser) extent or by means of more (less) detailed specifications.
Roof sign A sign erected upon or over the roof or parapet of any building.
Scale (of development) A term used to describe the gross floor area, height, or volume of a single structure or group of structures.
Search ring When used in the context of telecommunication facilities, a shape drawn on a map to indicate the general area within which a mobile service support structure should be located to meet radio frequency engineering requirements, taking into account other factors including topography and the demographics of the service area.
Note: This definition is based on the corresponding definition in s. 66.0404, Wis. Stats.
Sedimentation The deposition of soil that has been transported from its site of origin by water, ice, wind, gravity, or other natural means as a result of erosion.
Setback The shortest distance between the exterior of a building or structure and the nearest point on the referenced lot line (see minimum setback).
Shorelands Lands within the following distances from the ordinary high water mark of navigable waters; 1,000 feet from a lake, pond or flowage; and 300 feet from a river or stream or to the landward side of the floodplain, whichever distance is greater.
Sign A sign shall include anything that promotes, calls attention, or invites patronage (or anything similar to the aforementioned) to a business, location, or product.
Site area See gross site area.
Solid fence Any fence which cannot be seen through. Such fences include basket-weave fences, stockade fences, plank fences, and similar fences.
Standard zoning districts Zoning districts which primarily regulate the use of land and intensity or density of such use. See Article B.
Start of construction The date the building permit is issued, provided the actual start of activity was within 365 calendar days of the permit date. The actual start of activity means either the first placement of permanent construction of a structure on the site such as the pouring of a slab or footings, the installation of piles, or the construction of columns. Permanent construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading and filling; nor does it include the installation of streets and/or walkways; nor does it include excavation for basement, footings, piers, or foundations; nor does it include the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or part of the main structure.
Steep slope Steep slopes are areas which contain a gradient of 12 percent or greater.
Story That portion of a building included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above; or if there is no floor above, the space between the floor and the ceiling next above. Neither a basement nor a cellar shall be counted as a story.
Street Unless specifically designated otherwise by the Village, any public or private way that is dedicated or permanently open to pedestrian and vehicular use.
Street, arterial Street which provides primary access to and through an area. It has a secondary function of providing access to abutting land and to collector and local streets.
Street, collector Street which disperses traffic throughout an area and provides access to abutting properties. 
Street, local Street which provides access to individual properties. 
Street, local residential A local street serving primarily to collect traffic originating directly from residential driveways and private residential courts and streets.
Street, residential collector A collector street serving primarily residential land uses which primarily serves to connect local residential streets to collector or arterial streets.
Structure Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires a more or less permanent location on the ground, or attached to something having a permanent location on the ground, excepting public utility fixtures and appurtenances.
Substandard lot A lot of record which lawfully existed prior to this Chapter, which would not conform to the applicable regulations if the lot were to be created under the current provisions of this Chapter.
Substantial modification When used in the context of telecommunication facilities, the modification of a mobile service support structure, including the mounting of an antenna on such a structure, that does any of the following:
(a) For structures with an overall height of 200 feet or less, increases the overall height of the structure by more than 20 feet, except as provided below.
(b) For structures with an overall height of more than 200 feet, increases the overall height of the structure by 10 percent or more, except as provided below.
(c) Measured at the level of the appurtenance added to the structure as a result of the modification, increases the width of the support structure by 20 feet or more, unless a larger area is necessary for collocation, except as provided below. 
(d) Increases the square footage of an existing equipment compound to a total area of more than 2,500 square feet.
(e) An activity is not a substantial modification under subs. (a) and (b) above, if a greater height is necessary to avoid interference with an existing antenna. Furthermore, an activity is not a substantial modification under sub. (c) above, if a greater protrusion is necessary to shelter the antenna from inclement weather or to connect the antenna to the existing structure by cable.
Note: This definition is based on the corresponding definition in s. 66.0404, Wis. Stats.
Support structure An existing or new structure that supports or can support a mobile service facility, including a mobile service support structure, utility pole, water tower, building, or other structure.
Note: This definition is based on the corresponding definition in s. 66.0404, Wis. Stats.
Swale A linear depression in land running downhill or having a marked change in contour direction in which sheet runoff would collect and form a temporary watercourse.
Temporary sign A sign erected or displayed for a limited period of time, or displayed only during regular business hours and removed for storage at other times. Examples include banners and decorative type displays. For purposes of this Chapter, a portable sign is not a temporary sign.
Temporary use A land use which is present on a property for a limited and specified period of time. 
Unnecessary hardship The circumstance where special conditions affecting a particular property, which were not self-created, have made strict conformity with restrictions governing areas, setbacks, frontage, height, or density unnecessarily burdensome or unreasonable in light of the purposes of the ordinance.
Urban service area Those areas in and around existing communities which are most suitable for urban development and capable of being provided with a full range of urban services.
Urban services Those additional public services normally provided or needed in urban areas, including public water supply and distribution systems, sanitary sewerage systems, police and fire protection, solid waste collection, urban storm drainage systems, streets with curbs and gutters, street lighting, neighborhood facilities such as parks and schools, and urban transportation facilities such as sidewalks and trails, on-street bicycle lanes, taxi service, and mass transit.
Use The purpose or activity for which land or any building thereon is designed, arranged, or intended, or for which it is occupied or maintained.
Use, accessory See accessory use.
Use, conditional See conditional use.
Use, principal See principal use.
Utility pole In the context of telecommunication facilities, a structure owned or operated by an alternative telecommunications utility, as defined in s. 196.01 (1d), Wis. Stats.; a public utility, as defined in s. 196.01 (5), Wis. Stats.; a telecommunications utility, as defined in s. 196.01 (10), Wis. Stats.; a city, village, town, or county; or a cooperative association organized under ch. 185, Wis. Stats.; and that is designed specifically for and used to carry lines, cables, or wires for telecommunications service, as defined in s. 182.017 (1g)(cq), Wis. Stats.; for video service, as defined in s. 66.0420 (2)(y), Wis. Stats.; for electricity; or to provide light.
Note: This definition is based on the corresponding definition in s. 66.0404, Wis. Stats.
Variance Permission to depart from the literal requirements of this Chapter, granted pursuant to Section 13-1-211.
Wall sign A sign attached to, erected, or painted on the wall of a building or structure, and projecting not more than 16 inches from such wall, including wall overhangs and canopies that are within 25 percent of vertical.
Well field A piece of land used primarily for the purpose of locating wells to supply a municipal water system. 
Wetland An area that is saturated by surface water or groundwater, with vegetation adapted for life under those soil conditions. See also Section 23.32(1), Wis. Stats.
Wetland alteration Any filling, flooding, draining, dredging, ditching, tiling, excavating, temporary water level stabilization measures or dike and dam construction in a wetland area.
Window sign A sign affixed to a window or placed inside of a building within 16 inches of an exterior window.
Woodland Areas of trees whose combined canopies cover a minimum of 80 percent of an area of one acre or more, as shown on USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps for the Village of East Troy and its environs.
Yard A required open space on a lot, which is unoccupied and unobstructed by a structure from its lowest ground level to the sky, except as expressly permitted in this Chapter. A yard shall extend along a lot line and at right angles to such lot line to a depth or width specified in the setback regulations for the district in which such lot is located.
Yard, front A yard extending along the full width of the front lot line between side lot lines and extending from the abutting front street right of way line to the face of the building.
Yard, rear A yard extending along the full width of the rear lot line between the side lot lines and extending from the rear lot line to the face of the building.
Yard, side A yard extending along the side lot line between the front and rear yards, from the side lot line to the face of the building.
Zoning administrator The person authorized and charged by the Village with the administration of this Chapter.
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