Zoning Ordinance

BASEMENT: A story partly or wholly underground. For purposes of height measurement, a basement shall be counted as a story when more than one-half (1/2) of its height is above the average ground elevation or when subdivided and used for commercial activities.

BED AND BREAKFAST: A private home, inn, or other residential facility offering bed and breakfast accommodations and one (1) daily meal and having four (4) but not more than twelve (12) guest rooms furnished for pay, with guests staying not more than fourteen (14) days, and where the operator resides upon the premises or property or immediately adjacent to it. Guest rooms shall be established and maintained distinct and separate from the innkeeper’s quarters. Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-14-502.

BOARD: Athens Board of Zoning Appeals.

BOARDING HOUSE: A residential facility or a portion of a dwelling unit for the accommodation of person or families in a rooming unit, whether for compensation or not, who are in need of lodging, personal services, supervision, or rehabilitative services.

BUFFER STRIP: Requirements defined in Athens City Landscape Ordinance.

BUILDING: A structure having a roof supported by columns or walls for shelter, support, or enclosure of persons, animals, or chattels. When separated by division walls from the ground up without openings, each portion of such structure shall be deemed a separate building.

BUILDING OFFICIAL: The Zoning and Codes Officer or his authorized representative appointed by the Athens City Manager charged with the responsibility of enforcing the provisions of this zoning ordinance.

BUILDING, MAIN, OR PRINCIPAL: A building in which is conducted the principal use of the lot on which it is situated. In any residential district, any dwelling shall be deemed to be a main building of the lot on which it is situated.

BUILDING SETBACK LINE: A line delineating the minimum allowable distance between the property line and a building on a lot, within which no building or other structure shall be placed except as otherwise provided.

CAMPING GROUND: A parcel of land used or intended to be used, let, or rented for occupancy by campers or for occupancy by camping trailers, tents, or movable or temporary dwellings, rooms, or sleeping quarters of any kind.

CAR WASH: A building or portion of a building used for the washing two or more vehicles by means of mechanical apparatus or by hand by an individual whether for free or for compensation, this also includes but is not limited to auto detailing shops.

CENTRAL MIXING PLANT: A facility at which concrete is mixed on the premises.

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