Unified Development Ordinance - Currituck County Government

Chapter 10: Definitions and MeasurementSECTION 10.5: DEFINITIONSAbandonment10.5. DEFINITIONSABANDONMENTA nonconforming, use, structure, or sign which has been physically and objectivelydiscontinued, relinquished, or vacated for a consecutive period of 180 or more days withoutany intention of transferring rights to the property to another owner or lessee or of resumingthe use of the property regardless of intent of the owner, lessee, or previous occupant, or anyother affiliated parties and regardless of any condition or circumstance beyond the control ofsuch parties that prevent a continuation of the use or occupancy of the structure or property.ABUTTINGThe condition of two adjoining lots having a common property line or boundary includingcases where two or more lots adjoin a corner, but not including cases where adjoining lots areseparated by a street or alley.ACCENTThe use of an alternate material or color to a detail that is emphasized by contrasting with itssurroundings.ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITA secondary dwelling unit established in conjunction with and clearly subordinate to a principaldwelling unit, whether part of the same structure as the principal dwelling unit, or as adetached structure on the same lot.ACCESSORY STRUCTUREA structure that is subordinate in use and square footage to a principal structure or permitteduse. In the case of agricultural uses, accessory uses such as barns may exceed the size of theprincipal structure.For the purposes of Section 7.4, Flood Damage Prevention, accessory structure (appurtenantstructure)” means a structure located on the same parcel of property as the principalstructure and the use of which is incidental to the use of the principal structure. Garages,carports and storage sheds are common urban accessory structures. Pole barns, hay shedsand the like qualify as accessory structures on farms, and may or may not be located on thesame parcel as the farm dwelling or shop building.ACCESSORY USEA use that is customarily incidental, appropriate, and subordinate to the principal use of landor buildings and located on the same lot.ACCESSWAYA private drive constructed with a compacted, graded, and drained roadbed with a gravelsurface at least three inches deep, for access to lots.ACT OF GODAny event in which the damage to a nonconforming use or structure is outside of the controlof a single individual. Damage or destruction by hurricane, flood, earthquake, or lightning areconsidered acts of God.ACTIVE RECREATION USESUses or structures intended for specific active recreational uses such as play grounds, ballfields, tennis courts and other similar uses typically located in open space set-aside areas orparks.CURRITUCK COUNTY, NC UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE10.34