Duluth UDC (unnumbered, p.385: Definitions — B)

Banner. See “Sign, Banner.” Basal Area. The cross-sectional area expressed in square inches, of a tree trunk at diameter breast-height (DBH) expressed herein in terms of “units” per acre. Base Flood. The flood having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year, also known as the one hundred-year flood. 384 | P a g e Article Fourteen. Interpretation and Definitions Base Flood Elevation or BFE. The highest water surface elevation anticipated at any given point during the base flood. Basement. The lower level of a building having a floor-to-ceiling height of at least 6½ feet and a portion of its floor subgrade (below ground level) on at least one side. Beacon. A stationary or revolving light that flashes or projects illumination, single or multi-colored, in any manner that is intended to attract or divert attention however, this term is not intended to include any kind of lighting device that is required or necessary under the safety regulations described by the Federal Aviation Administration or similar agencies. Best Management Practices (BMPs). Sound conservation and engineering practices that prevent and minimize erosion and resultant sedimentation, consistent with, and no less stringent than, those practices contained in the Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia published by the Commission as of January 1 of the year in which the land-disturbing activity was permitted. Block. A piece or parcel of land entirely surrounded by public streets (other than alleys), railroads, or other rights- of-way, or boundaries of the development within which the block is located. Board (DNR). The Board of Natural Resources. Branch. A secondary shoot or stem arising from one of the main axes (i.e. trunk or leader) of a tree or woody plant. Branch Collar. A swollen, specialized area of tissue where a branch joins a trunk or another branch. Buffer: 1. Construction Buffer. A type of buffer which is temporary and remains in effect during the construction of a project. 2. Natural Buffer. Buffers that contain deciduous or perennial vegetation, including evergreen shrubs and trees suitable to local growing conditions that provide an opaque visual screen during all seasons of the year. 3. Stream Buffer. The area of land immediately adjacent to the banks of a stream in its existing or enhanced state of vegetation. 4. Structural Buffer. A buffer that creates a visual screen through construction of a solid wooden fence, decorative masonry wall, earthen berm, or combination of fence or wall with an earthen berm, which may be supplemented with vegetation, so as to present an opaque visual separation when viewed from one side to the other throughout the year. 5. Watershed Buffer. A natural or enhanced vegetated area with no or limited minor land disturbances, such as trails and picnic areas, located adjacent to reservoirs or perennial streams within a water supply watershed. 6. Zoning Buffer. Land area used to visibly separate one use from another through screening and distance to shield or block noise, light, glare, or visual or other conditions, to block physical to non-similar areas, or to reduce air pollution, dust, dirt, and litter. Buildable Area of Lot. The area of lot within the setback lines as defined by this Development Code. Building. Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls and intended for the shelter, housing, or enclosure of any individual, animal, process, equipment, goods or material of any kind. Building Canopy. See under “Canopy”. 385 | P a g e Article Fourteen. Interpretation and Definitions Building Height. The height of a building is the vertical distance measured from the mean elevation of the finished lot grade at the front of the building to the highest point on the deck line of a mansard roof, the highest edge on a shed roof, or the ridge of a hip, gambrel or gable roof. For flat roofs, the height shall be measured to the top of the roof or parapet along the exterior building wall, whichever is higher. Building Line. A line formed by the outer face of the exterior wall of a building, or portion thereof, and the surface of the ground. Building, Main. A building in which is conducted the principal use of the lot on which it is situated. Also referred to as a “Principal Building.” Building Sign. A sign that is fastened to, (in any manner), projects from, or is placed upon the exterior wall, or a window, door, or roof of a building. The term “building sign” includes, but is not limited, to the following: 1. Awning Sign. A sign imposed, mounted, or painted on an awning. 2. Building Marker. A sign composed of concrete, bronze, or other permanent material that is built into the surface of the building at the time of its construction. 3. Canopy Sign. A sign imposed, mounted, or painted on a canopy, as defined herein. 4. Mansard Sign. A sign imposed, mounted, or painted on the fascia portion of a mansard roof. 5. Marquee Sign. Any sign attached flat against or on a permanent marquee of a building. 6. Projecting Sign. A sign affixed flat to a wall and extending more than 6 inches from the surface of such wall, or any sign attached to and extending at an angle from a wall surface (usually perpendicular). 7. Roof Sign. A sign that is mounted on, applied to, or otherwise structurally supported by the roof of a building (other than the fascia portion of a mansard roof). 8. Under-Canopy Sign. A display attached to the underside of a marquee or building canopy and protruding over a pedestrian walkway. 9. Wall (or Façade) Sign. A sign that is fastened to, painted, on or placed directly on the exterior wall of a building façade or building canopy, with the sign face parallel to the wall or canopy face. 10. Window Sign. A sign that is applied, painted, or placed on, behind, or inside a windowpane or a glass door and intended to be viewed from outside the building. Building Story. See “Story, Building.” Business Park. One or more buildings located on a property in common ownership, management, or operation, of units that are owned, leased, or rented primarily for office, institutional, or light industrial purposes.