Elkton

SIGN, AREA — The entire area encompassing all writing, reproduction, emblem, or any figure of similar character of a sign, together with any frame or other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the background against which it is placed; excluding the necessary supports, or lights on which the sign is placed. The support structure for the sign shall not be included in the sign area calculations as long as the support structure does not contain lettering or other details that would normally be construed as signage. On double-faced signs, whose sign faces are parallel and are at no point more than two feet from one another, only one display face shall be measured in computing total sign area. Square footage shall be calculated by multiplying the height at the highest point by the width at the widest point, regardless of the shape of the sign face.

FLOOD HAZARD AREA — The maximum area of the floodplain which is likely to be flooded once every 100 years or for which mud slides can be reasonably precipitated. These areas are defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Hazard Mapping or Rate Study Mapping September 3, 1992.

FLOODPROOFING — A combination of structural provisions, changes, or adjustments to properties and structures subject to flooding required for new construction in the floodplain by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Section 135.6.

Definitions of signs, standing spaces, and half stories.

Unless district boundary lines are fixed by dimensions, and where uncertainty exists with respect to the boundaries of any of the aforesaid districts as shown on the Official Zoning Map, the following shall apply...

Any territory hereafter annexed to the Town of Elkton shall continue to be subject to the county zoning classifications and regulations as such territory was subject at the time of annexation until otherwise changed by rezoning.

The regulations established herein within each district shall be minimum regulations and shall be uniformly applied to each class of structure or land, except as hereinafter provided.

A permitted use is one which is allowed in the district... A special exception is one which may be allowed when the Elkton Town Council... finds as a fact that the proposed use or uses and conditions are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan...

No building shall hereafter be erected, constructed, or altered so as to exceed the height limit, to accommodate or house a greater number of families, or to occupy a greater percentage of the lot area than is required or specified in the regulations herein for the district in which it is located.

No part of a yard or other open space required for any building... shall be included as part of a yard or other open space similarly required for another building. Every part of a required yard or court shall be open from its lowest point to the sky unobstructed, except as otherwise provided herein, for the ordinary projection of sills, cornices, buttresses, ornamental features, chimneys, flues, and eaves provided such projections shall not extend into the required yard areas for a distance exceeding two feet.

Gardening shall be exempt from zoning permit requirements in any district allowing residential uses, provided that such gardening shall not be objectionable by reason of odor, dust, noise, pollution, soil erosion, sedimentation, or drainage.

If such construction does not commence within 30 days after this chapter becomes effective, or if construction is discontinued for a period of six months or more, further construction shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter for the district in which the operation is located.

Where a lot is devoted to a permitted principal use, customary accessory uses and structures are authorized, including but not limited to the following: (1) Living quarters of persons principally employed on the premises. (2) Travel trailers, which may be stored within the minimum yard requirements, and occupancy therein shall be prohibited.

Minimum lot size: 2,500 square feet for each unit with public water and sewer. 21,000 square feet with other facilities. Maximum density is 12 units per acre. Setback: 30 feet. Side yard: One side: 10 feet. Rear yard: 25 feet. Maximum height: 35 feet.

Accessory buildings and uses: 20 feet from main building. Side yard: 10 feet. Rear yard: 10 feet. Height: 35 feet. Accessory buildings over one story in height shall be at least 10 feet from any lot line. All accessory buildings shall not exceed the main building in height.

multiple-family development special use permits may be approved for dwellings of more than 12 units per acre up to 17 units per acre or more than 12 units per building if the following conditions...

multiple-family development special use permits may be approved for dwellings of 18 units per acre up to 20 units per acre if the following conditions... The applicant has demonstrated that the proposed multiple-family development will be a multiple-family senior dwelling, as defined in this chapter.

The project area must be five acres or more, owned by one person or the application shall be filed jointly by the owners of all land within the project area.

Minimum open space shall be not less than 30% of the total project area exclusive of buildings, streets, alleys, roads, parking areas, walks, patios, and other similar improvements but inclusive of swimming pools and other active and passive recreational areas.

Generally, two parking spaces should be provided for each dwelling unit.