Menifee Zoning Code Ch. 9.300 Universal Definitions

Contents:

9.300.010 Purpose

9.300.020 “A” Definitions

9.300.030 “B” Definitions

9.300.040 “C” Definitions

9.300.050 “D” Definitions

9.300.060 “E” Definitions

9.300.070 “F” Definitions

9.300.080 “G” Definitions

9.300.090 “H” Definitions

9.300.100 “I” Definitions

9.300.110 “J” Definitions

9.300.120 “K” Definitions

9.300.130 “L” Definitions

9.300.140 “M” Definitions

9.300.150 “N” Definitions

9.300.160 “O” Definitions

9.300.170 “P” Definitions

9.300.180 “Q” Definitions

9.300.190 “R” Definitions

9.300.200 “S” Definitions

9.300.210 “T” Definitions

9.300.220 “U” Definitions

9.300.230 “V” Definitions

9.300.240 “W” Definitions

9.300.250 “X” Definitions

9.300.260 “Y” Definitions

9.300.270 “Z” Definitions

(2022-356, 10/05/2022)

This chapter provides definitions of terms and phrases used in this Development Code that are technical or specialized, or that may not reflect common usage. If any of the definitions in this chapter conflict with definitions in other provisions of the Municipal Code, these definitions shall control for the purposes of this Development Code. If a word is not defined in this chapter, or other provisions of the Municipal Code, the Community Development Director shall determine the most appropriate definition in compliance with Chapter 9.10 (Rules of Interpretation). State law definitions, as they may be amended from time to time, control over the definitions in this section.

Abandonment. A discontinuance of any use with intent to permanently discontinue such use.

Abatement. The method of reducing the degree and intensity of pollution, nuisances or violations.

Abut. To physically touch or border upon; to share a common property line.

Access. A way or means of physical entry to a property.

Accessory Dwelling Unit. An attached or a detached dwelling unit which provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons. It shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation on the same parcel as the primary dwelling unit is situated. An accessory dwelling unit also includes an efficiency unit, as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.1, and a manufactured home, as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 18007.

Accessory Use. See Use, Accessory.

Accessory Structure. See Structure, Accessory.

Acre. A measure of land area containing 43,560 square feet.

Acre, Gross. Gross acreage refers to the total number of acres of an area, including all roads, railroads, and flood control facilities.

(2025-417, 07/16/2025)

Effective on: 8/16/2025

Acre, Net. Gross acreage minus the acreage used for major public roads (classified as Collector roads and above), railroads, and flood control facilities.

(2025-417, 07/16/2025)

Effective on: 8/16/2025

Action. A decision on a permit application or other land use matter, made by the approval authority.

Addition. An extension or increase in floor area or height of an existing building or structure.

Adverse Impact. A condition that creates, imposes, aggravates or leads to inadequate, impractical, unsafe, unsightly or unhealthy conditions.

Agricultural Labor Housing. Living accommodations for employees and their immediate families employed for the exclusive purpose of agricultural pursuits either on the premises or off site. It includes single or multi-unit dwellings, including mobile homes and dormitories.

Agricultural Operations, Commercial. Use of land for the propagation, care, maintenance, production of food and fiber, including the growing of crops and/or the grazing of animals on natural or improved pastureland for the purpose of sale of goods and/or crops for profit. Agriculture uses include agricultural labor housing (see Agricultural Labor Housing).

Agricultural Operations, Noncommercial. Use of land for the propagation, care, maintenance, production of food and fiber, including the growing of crops and/or the grazing of animals on natural or improved pastureland for personal use. Agriculture uses include agricultural labor housing (see Agricultural Labor Housing).

Aisle. The traveled way by which cars enter and depart parking spaces.

Alcoholic Beverage Sales. An activity or business engaged primarily in the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-site or off-site consumption.

Alley. A service roadway providing a secondary means of public access to abutting property and not intended for general traffic circulation.

Alteration. Any change or rearrangement in the supporting members of an existing building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams, girders and all interior partitions; any change in doors, windows or means of ingress or egress; any enlargement or diminution of a building or structure, whether horizontally or vertically; or the moving of a building or structure from one location to another.

Amenity. Aesthetics or other characteristics of a development that increase its desirability to the community, such as swimming pools, tennis courts, security systems, views, landscaping or enhanced open space.

Amusement Park. Facilities or uses that provide participant recreation indoors or outdoors. Amusements parks may include a variety of recreational uses, including but not limited to go carts, amusement arcades, miniature golf courses, batting cages and other similar uses.

Annexation. The incorporation of a land area into an existing city or district resulting in a change in the boundaries of the city or district.

Apartment. A building, or group of buildings, in which all dwelling units in the building are owned by a single party and rented out to individual tenants.

Appeal. A request for a review of a decision or action taken on a proposed permit application or other land use matter by the approving authority.

Appeal Authority. The agency, board, group or legally designated individual empowered to review and deny, uphold, or refer back to the approval authority, an appeal of an action taken by an approval authority.

Applicant. The owner(s) or lessee(s) of property, or their authorized agent(s), or person(s) who have contracted to purchase property contingent upon their ability to obtain the required entitlements, and who requests in writing, on the appropriate forms, the approval of a permit, license, certificate or other entitlement from the City.

Application, Accepted. An application filed with and accepted for processing by the City in accordance with the requirements of this Title, containing all items required as stated on the applicable application form.

Application, Complete. An application that has been deemed complete in accordance with California Government Code Section 65943 (Permit Streamlining Act).

Approval Authority. The agency, board, group or other legally designated individual empowered to review and approve a proposed permit application or other land use matter.

Approved Plan. A final plan that has been approved by the appropriate authority.

Assisted Living Facility. See Residential Care Facility.

Attached. Any structure that has an interior wall or roof in common with another structure.

Auction. The sale of new and used merchandise offered to bidders by an auctioneer for money or other consideration.

Awning. A roof-like cover attached to and extending from the wall of a building to provide shielding of windows and/or entrances.

Balcony. A platform that projects from the wall of a building, typically above the first level, and is surrounded by a rail, balustrade or parapet.

Bar. Premises used primarily for the dispensing of alcoholic beverages by the drink for on-site consumption.

Battery. A single cell, stack, core building block, or a group of cells connected together electrically in series, in parallel, or a combination of both, which can charge, discharge, and store energy electrochemically. For the purposes of this chapter, batteries utilized in consumer products are excluded from these requirements.

(2023-369, 04/05/2023)

Effective on: 5/5/2023

Battery Management System. An electronic system that prevents storage batteries from operating outside their safe operating parameters and disconnects electrical power to the energy storage system or places it in a safe condition if potentially hazardous temperatures or other conditions are detected. The system generates an alarm and trouble signal for abnormal conditions.

(2023-369, 04/05/2023)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Battery Energy Storage Systems. A system consisting of electrochemical storage batteries, battery chargers, controls, power conditioning systems and associated electrical equipment, assembled together, capable of storing energy in order to supply electrical energy at a future time, not to include a stand-alone 12-volt car battery or an electric motor vehicle.

(2023-369, 04/05/2023)

Effective on: 5/5/2023

Battery Energy Storage Facility, Utility Scale. Stationary batteries that are connected to distribution/transmission networks or power-generation assets. Utility scale may also be referred to as “front-of-the-meter”, large-scale or grid-scale battery storage. Utility Scale systems are intended primarily to interact with the electric grid and are not intended to serve a specific end user “behind-the-meter”. Utility-scale systems increase flexibility in power systems, provide grid reliability support and enable an optimal use of variable electricity sources like photovoltaic and wind.

(2023-369, 04/05/2023; 2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Bed and Breakfast. A business operated in an owner-occupied residence offering short-term rental of overnight accommodations, which provides on-site breakfast service.

Bedroom. A private room for sleeping, separated from other rooms, and accessible to a bathroom without crossing another bedroom.

Berm. A mound of earth or the act of pushing earth into a mound.

Buffer Area. A strip of land established to protect one type of land use from another land use. A buffer may include a physical separation in the form of a specified distance, landscaping, berms or other screens which block vision, noise or other negative impacts.

Buildable Area/Building Envelope. The area of a lot remaining after the minimum setback and open space requirements have been met; the area within which primary and accessory structures may be located, unless an encroachment into the setback is otherwise permitted.

[Figure]

Building. Any structure having a roof, or fully enclosed by walls, and intended for the shelter, housing or enclosure of persons, animals or property.

Building, Accessory. See Structure, Accessory.

Building Height. Building height shall be measured in accordance with Section in 9.195.040.A (Height Measurement).

Building Permit. Written permission issued by the City for the construction, repair, alteration or addition to a structure or building.

Building, Primary. A building in which the principal use is conducted.

Business Services. Rendering services to business establishments on a fee or contract basis, including printing and copying, blueprint services, advertising and mailing, office-related equipment rental and leasing, commercial research, development and testing, photo finishing and model building.

Can Sign. A sign in which the sign copy is placed on a transparent face, which is attached to an enclosed box or can, usually made of metal, that has an internal light source.

(2022-351, 09/21/2022)

Effective on: 10/21/2022

Canopy. A fixed roofed structure of any material projecting from and connected to a building, column or post or supported by a frame extending from a building and/or post.

Caretaker Residence. Separate or attached living quarters, usually including kitchen facilities, for employees living on-site, and accessory to the primary use.

Car-share Vehicle. A motor vehicle that is operated as part of regional fleet by a public or private car sharing company or organization and provides hourly or daily service.

(2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Carport. A permanently roofed structure with not more than two enclosed sides, used or intended to be used for motor vehicle shelter and storage.

Cemetery, Mausoleum, Crematory. Property used for the preparation and/or interring of the dead.

Certificate of Compliance. A document issued by the City and recorded by the County Recorder certifying that a specified real property complies with the provisions of the Subdivision Map Act (Government Code Sections 66410 et seq.).

Certificate of Use/Occupancy. A document issued by a governmental authority allowing the occupancy or use of a building and certifying that the structure has been constructed in compliance with all the applicable municipal codes and ordinances.

Change of Use. A conversion of use that substantially differs from the previous use of a building or land.

Charging Levels, Electric Vehicles. The standardized voltage at which an electric vehicle battery is recharged.

Level 1 Charging provides charging through a 120V AC plug and does not require the installation of additional charging equipment.

Level 2 Charging provides charging through a 240V (residential) or 208V plug and requires the installation of additional charging equipment.

Level 3 Charging provides fast charging through a 480V AC input and requires highly specialized, high-powered equipment as well as special equipment in the electric vehicle itself.

Church. See Religious Facility.

City. The City of Menifee, including land as may be annexed from time to time.

Cluster Development. Development in which a number of dwelling units are placed in closer proximity than usual, or are attached, with the purpose of retaining an open space area.

Collection Container. Any unattended drop-off box, container, receptacle, or similar facility that is operated by a person, organization for the primary purpose of receiving or storing collected items, including household goods, clothing, or other salvageable personal items. Collection Containers do not provide a cash refund for collected items and do not include reverse vending machines.

College. An educational institution authorized by the state, awarding associate or higher degrees.

Commercial Use. An activity involving the sale of goods or services for profit.

Commission. The Planning Commission of the City of Menifee.

Common Open Space. Land within or serving as a part of a development, not individually owned or dedicated for public use, which is designed and intended for the common use or enjoyment of the occupants of the development and may include such accessory structures and improvements as are necessary and appropriate.

Community Care Facility. A facility licensed to provide a living environment for unrelated residents who operate as the functional equivalent of a family, or in a group setting, including such supervision and care by support staff as may be necessary to meet the physical, emotional and social needs of aged persons, physically disabled or handicapped persons, developmentally disabled persons, nondangerous mentally ill persons, or children as defined in the appropriate statutes. Community care facilities include but are not limited to the following: day care center, group residential facility, congregate care facility, and residential care facility.

Community Center. A building used for recreational, social, educational and cultural activities, open to the public or a designated part of the public, usually owned and operated by a public or nonprofit group or agency; a building or structure owned and operated by a governmental agency and used to provide a governmental service to the public.

Community Development Department. The Community Development Department of Menifee, which is responsible for implementing the City's vision and goals for community development and land use as established in the General Plan and Development Code.

Community Development Director. The Community Development Director of the City of Menifee or his/her designee. Also includes Planning Director.

Community Garden. The use of land for and limited to the cultivation and tillage of soil for the production, growing, and harvesting of any agricultural, floricultural, or horticultural commodity for public use and access.

Conditional Use. A use permitted in a particular zone district upon showing that such use will comply with all the conditions and standards as specified in the Development Code and authorized by the approval authority.

Conditional Use Permit. A permit for land use classifications with unusual site development features or operating characteristics requiring special consideration so that they may be designed, located and operated compatibly with uses on adjoining properties and the surrounding area.

Condominium. A building, or group of buildings, in which dwelling units, offices or floor area are owned individually, and the structure, common areas and facilities are owned by all the owners on a proportional, undivided basis.

Congregate Care Facilities. Establishments that provide 24-hour medical, respite, convalescent or chronic care to individuals who, by reason of advanced age, chronic illness, infirmity or disability, are unable to care for themselves on an intermediate or long-term basis, and licensed by the State of California, including, but not limited to, rest homes and convalescent hospitals, but not residential care facilities, hospitals or clinics.

Small. A facility that houses six or fewer persons.

Large. A facility that houses seven or more persons.

Contiguous Property. Those properties which touch property lines of any parcel, including those properties which touch said property lines of a subject parcel when such lines are projected across public or private rights-of-way, easements, roads or streets, including property owned by a public agency in fee title.

Convenience Store. Any small retail establishment offering for sale prepackaged food products, household items, newspapers, magazines, sandwiches and/or prepared foods for off-site consumption.

County. Unless otherwise specified, the County of Riverside, California.

Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs). A term used to describe restrictive limitations that may be placed on property and its use, and which usually are made a condition of holding title or lease.

Coverage, Lot. That portion of the lot that is covered by buildings, sidewalks, driveways or other impervious surface, expressed as a percentage of total lot area.

Coverage, Building. The area of a parcel covered by a structure or structures, expressed as a percentage of the total lot area.

[Figure]

Day Care Centers. Establishments providing nonmedical care for persons on a less than 24-hour basis other than in a family day care home (see Family Day Care Home). This classification includes nursery schools, preschools, and day-care facilities for children or adults, and any other day-care facility licensed by the State of California.

Days. Shall always be consecutive calendar days, unless otherwise stated.

Decommissioning Plan. A plan to retire the physical facilities of the Project, including decontamination, dismantlement, rehabilitation, landscaping and monitoring. The plan contains detailed information on the proposed decommissioning and covers the schedule, type and sequence of decommissioning activities; waste management, storage and disposal of the waste from decommissioning; the timeframe for decommissioning and site rehabilitation.

(2023-369, 04/05/2023)

Effective on: 5/5/2023

Dedication. The transfer of property, such as streets and roads or other public usage, to a public agency or utility for specific purposes.

Density. The number of dwelling units, households or housing structures per unit of land. Consistent with the City of Menifee General Plan, areas where the lots are over half an acre, density is calculated by using gross acres; all other areas utilize adjusted gross (net) acres to determine the maximum number of units allowed in a given area.

(2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Density Transfer. The transfer of all or part of the permitted density from one parcel to another parcel.

Detached. Any building or structure that does not have a wall or roof in common with any other building or structure.

Developer. The legal or beneficial owner or owners of property to be developed or being developed, including the holder of an option or contract to purchase or other person(s) having enforceable proprietary interests in such property.

Development. Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations, or storage of equipment or materials.

Development Agreement. A contract between the City and a developer through which the developer receives vested rights to construct a project subject to specific requirements benefiting the community.

Development Code. A set of land use regulations, as contained in Title 9 of the Menifee Municipal Code, adopted by the City which prescribes standards and regulations for land use and development.

Development Rights. The legally established right to develop land by a party.

Director. The Community Development Director of the City of Menifee or his/her designee.

Discretionary Decision. An action taken by a governmental agency that calls for the exercise of judgment in deciding whether to approve and/or how to carry out a project.

District. A zone or geographic area in the municipality within which certain zoning or development regulations apply.

Drainage. Surface water runoff; the removal of surface water or groundwater from land by drains, grading or other means, which include runoff controls to minimize erosion and sedimentation during and after construction or development.

Drainage Area. A geographical area, formed by topography, which collects and directs surface runoff from precipitation to natural or man-made channels.

Drive-through. Any portion of a building or development intended to allow service direct from the building through a window, kiosk or automated delivery system to vehicle occupants. Such facilities include but are not limited to food service windows, automatic teller machines or similar service systems.

Driveway. A roadway providing direct access for vehicles between a street or highway and an area containing parking spaces, loading, storage or refuse collection areas.

Dwelling. A structure or portion thereof which is used for human habitation, including provision for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.

Single Family, Attached. A dwelling unit designed for occupancy by one household, located on a single lot and typically grouped together with similar units. They may be attached through vertical party wall(s) to one or more dwellings on abutting lots or may be joined by carports or garages.

Single Family, Detached. A dwelling unit designed for occupancy by one household and located on a separate lot from any other dwelling, except permitted accessory dwelling units. This classification includes individual manufactured housing units installed on a foundation system pursuant to Section 18551 of the California Health and Safety Code

Duplex. A single building on a lot that contains two dwelling units or two single-unit dwellings on the same lot. Duplex does not include a single family dwelling with an accessory dwelling unit on the same lot, which is an accessory residential unit as defined by State law and this Title (see Accessory Dwelling Unit).

Multiple Family. A single building on a lot that contains three or more dwelling units or three or more single-unit dwellings on the same lot, or any combination thereof.

Easement. A right to cross or otherwise use land for a specified purpose.

Eave. The projecting lower edges of a roof overhanging the wall of a building.

Educational Institution. An institution conducting academic instruction at the preschool, elementary school, junior high school, high school or college level.

Elevation. A vertical distance above or below a fixed reference level; a dimensioned drawing of the front, rear or side of a building showing features such as windows, doors and relationship of grade to floor level.

Emergency Shelter. A temporary, short-term residence providing housing with minimal supportive services for families or individuals experiencing homelessness, where occupancy is limited to 180 days or less, as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 50801. Medical assistance, counseling, and meals may be provided.

Emission. A discharge of pollutants into the air or water.

Employee Housing. Employee housing shall have the same meaning ascribed in Health and Safety Code Section 17008.

(2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Encroachment. The placement or construction of a fence, building, structure or other improvement or use on another’s property or on a public right-of-way.

Expansion. The creation or use of additional land or floor area for a specific use or activity.

Extension. An increase in the amount of time that a permit or approval may be valid.

Façade. The exterior walls of a building exposed to view.

Family. Family means any individual or group of individuals living together in a dwelling unit as a single housekeeping unit. Family does not include larger institutional group living situations, such as in a boarding house or hotel/motel/long-term stay.

(2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Family Day Care Home. State-licensed facilities that provide nonmedical care and supervision of minor children for periods of less than 24 hours within a single-family dwelling.

Small. The occupant of the residence provides care and supervision for up to eight or fewer children, when specific conditions are met in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 1597.44.

Large. The occupant of the residence provides care and supervision for between nine and up to 14 children, when specific conditions are met in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 1597.465.

Farm Operations, Commercial. See Agricultural Operations, Commercial.

Farm Operations, Noncommercial. See Agricultural Operations, Noncommercial.

Farmers’ Market. An outdoor market where farmers and other producers of agricultural and related foodstuffs and products (including, but not limited to, bread, cheese and hand-made crafts such as seasonal goods, ornaments, hand-dipped or rolled candles, hand-made soap) may bring the products for sale to the general public. Meat, poultry, fish and similar foods will be allowed only to the extent there is proper refrigeration.

Farmworker. A person whose primary income is earned through permanent or seasonal agricultural labor.

(2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Farmworker Housing. Farmworker Housing has the same meaning as “Employee Housing” as set forth in this Code.

(2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Fence. An exterior physical barrier erected to enclose, screen or separate areas.

Flag. The symbol, insignia or display of a governmental or nonprofit organization when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion or used as an advertising mechanism. As used in commercial promotion or used as an advertising mechanism, see Flag in Section 9.305.050 (Signs and Related Terms Defined).

Floor Area, Gross. The sum of all areas of the floors of a building or structure from the exterior face of exterior walls, or from the centerline of a wall separating two buildings but excluding any space where the floor-to-ceiling height is less than 6 feet.

Floor Area, Net. The total of all floor areas of a building, excluding stairwells and elevator shafts, equipment rooms, interior vehicular parking or loading, and all floors below the first or ground floor, except when used or intended to be used for human habitation.

Floor Area Ratio. The net floor area of all buildings on a parcel to the total adjusted lot square footage of that parcel. FAR calculations do not include floor areas for parking structures or outdoor open storage.

[Figure]

Footprint, Building. The outline of a building at all of those points where it meets the ground.

Frontage. See Lot Frontage or Yard, Front. As used in signage calculation, see Business Frontage in Section 9.305.050 (Signs and Related Terms Defined).

Funeral Home, Mortuary. A building used for the preparation of the deceased for burial or cremation and the display of the deceased and ritual connected therewith before burial or cremation.

Garage. A building or a parking structure, or part thereof, used or intended to be used for the parking and storage of vehicles.

Garage, Private. A garage used exclusively for the parking and storage of vehicles owned by residents of nearby dwelling units and their guests, which is not operated as a commercial enterprise and is not available to the general public and which is owned, leased or cooperatively operated by such residents.

General Plan. The City of Menifee General Plan as adopted by the City Council.

Glare. The effect produced by brightness sufficient to cause annoyance, discomfort or loss of visibility.

Golf Driving Range. A commercial recreational use, or accessory use to a golf course, where persons may practice long distance shots. Such facilities are generally outdoor uses.

Governing Body. The local governing unit empowered to adopt and implement regulations to provide for the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizenry.

Government(al) Agency. Any department, commission, independent agency or instrumentality of the United States, or a state, county, incorporated local municipality, authority, district or any other agency so recognized as a governmental unit.

Government Facility. Offices and support facilities for any seat of any federal, state, county or City agency, or special district providing services to the general population.

Greenhouse. A building with roof and sides made largely of transparent or translucent material used for the cultivation of plants.

Ground Floor. The first floor of a building other than a cellar or basement.

Group Residential Facilities. Shared living quarters without separate kitchen or bathroom facilities for each room or unit, offered for rent for permanent or semi-transient residents on a weekly or longer basis. Facilities are typically licensed by the State of California. This classification includes clean and sober living facilities, other types of organizational housing, private residential clubs and farmworker housing, but excludes bed and breakfasts, dormitories, fraternity and sorority houses, boarding homes, rest homes, hotels, motels and residential care facilities.

Small. A facility that houses six or fewer persons.

Large. A facility that houses seven or more persons.

Guest Living Quarter. A building, generally detached from a primary building, which contains no cooking facilities, and which is used principally for temporarily housing members of the single family household and their nonpaying guests. Guest living quarters also may be known as casitas. A guest living quarter is not an accessory dwelling unit.

Habitable Structure. A structure which includes habitable space for living, sleeping, eating and cooking. Closets, halls, storage or utility space, and similar areas are not considered habitable space.

Handicapped Person. A person who may be classified as having a physical impairment that manifests itself in one or more of the following ways: non-ambulatory; semi-ambulatory; visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing; having faulty coordination; and having reduced mobility, flexibility, coordination or perceptiveness due to age or physical or mental conditions.

Health Studio. An establishment that provides exercise facilities for use on-site.

Home-Operated Business. A commercial or service activity conducted at a dwelling, incidental and accessory to the residential use of the dwelling, which does not change the character of the dwelling or surrounding area by generating more traffic, noise, odor, or storage of material than would be normally associated with a residential zone.

Home Occupation. Related activities to the home-operated business that are conducted entirely within the residence.

Home-Based Business. Related activities to the home-operated business may be conducted outside or within a partially enclosed structure.

Homeowners Association. An association of owners in a condominium, planned unit development or residential subdivision established to provide management of property in which they own an undivided, common interest.

Hospitals and Clinics. State-licensed facilities providing medical, surgical, psychiatric, or emergency medical services to sick or injured persons. This classification includes facilities for inpatient or outpatient treatment, including substance-abuse programs as well as training, research, and administrative services for patients and employees. This classification excludes animal hospitals and veterinary clinics.

Hospital. A facility providing medical, psychiatric, or surgical services for sick or injured persons primarily on an in-patient basis, and including ancillary facilities for outpatient and emergency treatment, diagnostic services, training, research, administration, and services to patients, employees, or visitors.

Clinic. A facility providing medical, psychiatric, or surgical service for sick or injured persons exclusively on an out-patient basis including emergency treatment, diagnostic services, administration, and related services to patients who are not lodged overnight. Services may be available without a prior appointment. This classification includes licensed facilities such as blood banks and plasma centers, and emergency medical services offered exclusively on an out-patient basis. This classification does not include private medical and dental offices that typically require appointments and are usually smaller scale. This classification includes substance abuse treatment and recovery programs which are not residential in nature and which exclusively administer counseling services.

Substance Abuse Treatment Clinic. A non-residential facility that administers medication, or supervises the self-administration of medication, for substance abuse treatment.

Hotel. A lodging facility offering transient accommodations to the general public, typically on a less than monthly basis, and which may provide additional services, such as restaurants, meeting rooms and recreational facilities.

Household. See Single Housekeeping Unit.

(2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Impact. The effect of any direct man-made actions or indirect repercussion of man-made actions on existing physical, social or economic conditions.

Impervious Surface. A surface through which water cannot penetrate, such as roof, road, sidewalk or paved parking lot.

Individual Property Owner. Means a natural person holding fee title individually or jointly in the person’s own name or a beneficiary of a trust that holds fee title. “Individual property owner” does not include any corporation or corporate person of any kind (partnership, LP, LLC, C corp., S corp., etc.) except for a community land trust (as defined by Revenue and Taxation Code Section 402.1 (a)(11)(C)(ii)) or a qualified nonprofit corporation (as defined by Revenue and Taxation Code Section 214.15).

(2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Individual with a Disability. Someone who has a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more major life activities, anyone who is regarded as having such impairment, or anyone with a record of such impairment.

Industrial. The manufacture, production, processing and/or storage of consumer goods. See also Manufacturing.

(2022-351, 09/21/2022)

Effective on: 10/21/2022

Infrastructure. Public facilities needed to sustain industry, residential, commercial and other land use activities.

Intensification of Use. A change to the existing use of a property which results in a change or increase in vehicular or pedestrian traffic or an increase in parking requirement, or induces additional environmental impacts, including but not limited to noise, light, glare, vibration, traffic, water quality, air quality or aesthetics.

Intensity of Use. The number of dwelling units per acre for residential development and floor area ratio (FAR) for residential or nonresidential development such as commercial, office and industrial development.

Intersection. The location where two or more roadways cross at the same grade.

Junk. Any scrap, waste, reclaimable material or debris, whether or not stored, for sale or in the process of being dismantled, destroyed, processed, salvaged, stored, baled or disposed of.

Junk Yard. The use of any lot or parcel of land for outside storage, wrecking, dismantling or salvage of any used or secondhand materials, including but not limited to lumber, auto parts, household appliances, pipe, drums, machinery or furniture.

Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit. A dwelling unit that is contained entirely within a single-family dwelling or attached garage and does not exceed five hundred square feet in size.

(2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Kitchen. Any room, all or part of which is designed and/or used for storage, refrigeration, cooking and the preparation of food. The presence of a range or oven, or utility connections suitable for servicing a range or oven, shall normally be considered as establishing a kitchen.

Landscape Plan. A plan on which is shown: proposed landscape species (such as number, spacing, size at time of planting, and planting details), proposals for protection of existing vegetation during and after construction, proposed treatment of hard and soft surfaces, proposed decorative features, grade changes, buffers and screening devices, and any other information that can reasonably be required in order that an informed decision can be made by the approval authority.

Land Use. A description of how land is occupied or utilized.

Land Use Permit. A permit issued by the City pursuant to the Menifee Municipal Code allowing a specific activity to be conducted on an individual property.

Legislative Act. The means by which the legislative arm of government renders decisions, such as minute actions, resolutions and ordinances.

Live Entertainment. Entertainment provided by or one or more professionals and utilizing sound amplification equipment, but not including, a single vocalist or piano player with a microphone, karaoke or open-mike amateur type performances and not including adult uses.

Living Area. Means the interior habitable area of a dwelling unit, including basements and attics, but does not include a garage, patios, screened enclosures, or any accessory structures.

(2025-417, 07/16/2025)

Effective on: 8/16/2025

Living Space. Means a space in a dwelling intended for human habitation, including living, sleeping, eating, cooking, or sanitation.

(2025-417, 07/16/2025)

Effective on: 8/16/2025

Loading Space. An off-street space or berth used for the loading or unloading of cargo, products or materials from vehicles.

Lot. Any parcel of real property approved by a record of survey, plat, parcel map, subdivision map, or certificate of compliance, or any parcel legally created or established pursuant to the applicable zoning or subdivision regulations in effect prior to the effective date of application of this Code to such parcel.

Corner. A lot or parcel of land abutting upon two or more streets at their intersection or upon two parts of the same street forming an interior angle of less than 135 degrees.

Flag. A lot which utilizes a narrow strip as its means of providing frontage on a street and/or providing access to the lot.

Interior (Typical). A lot other than a corner lot.

Reverse Corner Lot. A lot, the rear of which abuts the side of another lot.

Substandard. A parcel of land that has less than the required minimum area or dimensions.

Through. A lot that fronts upon two streets that do not intersect at the boundaries of the lot.

[Figure]

Lot Area, Gross. The total area within the lot lines of a lot, including any adjacent street rights-of-way.

Lot Area, Net. The total area within the lot lines of a lot, excluding any street rights-of-way.

Lot Coverage. See Coverage, Lot.

Lot Depth. The average distance measured from the front lot line to the rear lot line.

Lot Frontage. The length of the front lot line measured at the street right-of-way line. For flag lots, that portion of a lot, not including the pole portion, that is generally parallel to the access street.

Lot Line. A line of record bounding a lot that divides the lot from another lot or from a public or private street or any other public space.

Front. The lot line parallel to the street. On a corner lot, the shorter lot line abutting a street or the line designated as the front lot line by a subdivision or parcel map. On a flag lot, the interior lot line most parallel to the nearest street from which access is obtained.

Interior. A lot line which does not abut a street.

Rear. The lot line which intersects a side lot line and which is most distant from and most closely parallel to the front lot line.

Side. Any lot line other than a front or rear lot line.

Lot Width. The horizontal distance between the side lines, measured at the required front setback line.

Lot of Record. A lot that exists as shown or described on a recorded plat or deed in the records of the County Recorder.

Low Barrier Navigation Center. See Supportive Housing – Lower Barrier Navigation Center.

(2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Manufactured Home. A factory-built structure that is manufactured or constructed under authority of 42 U.S.C. Sec. 5403, National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974, and/or California law and is to be used as a place for human habitation. The structure is manufactured either in whole or in substantial part at an off-site location, transported to the site, assembled on-site, and placed on a permanent foundation. For the purpose of this Development Code, a manufactured home shall be considered the same as any site-built, single-family detached dwelling. Manufactured home is not inclusive of a mobile home unless the mobile home has been converted to real property and is taxed as a site-built dwelling.

Manufacturing. means a use engaged in the manufacture, predominately from previously prepared materials, of finished products or parts, including processing, fabrication, assembly, treatment and packaging of such products, and incidental processing of extracted or raw materials. They are characterized by having grade level bay doors with a ratio of approximately 1:15,000-20,000 square feet.

(2022-337, 03/16/2022)

Handcraft Manufacturing. On-site production, within an enclosed structure, of goods by hand manufacturing that involves the use of hand-tools and small-scale, light mechanical equipment (e.g., drills and saws; hammers and chisels; paint brushes and sprayers; pottery wheels and kilns; sewing machines; spinning wheels; welding) and that has no negative external impacts on surrounding properties. Handcraft manufacturing also includes the incidental direct sale to consumers of those goods produced on-site. Handcraft manufacturing does not include specialized retail uses (see Retail, Specialized).

Light-Intensity Manufacturing. The manufacturing, assembling, processing, storage or packaging of products, including:

1. The manufacturing of electric and electronic circuits and instruments and devices, such as, but not limited to, radio and television, phonographic equipment, calculators, computers, semi-conductors and transistors, and similar uses.
2. The manufacturing, assembly, processing, storage, or packaging of products from previously prepared materials such as, but not limited to, cloth plastic, paper, leather, and precious or semi-precious metals or stones.
3. The manufacturing of pharmaceutical products.

Light-intensity manufacturing does not include such operations as saw and planing mills, any manufacturing uses involving primary production of wood, metal or chemical products from raw materials and similar uses, uses involving the manufacturing, processing, storage or packaging of petroleum, and heavy agricultural products or other hazardous materials, or vehicle-dismantling yards, scrap and waste yards.

Medium-Intensity Manufacturing. Any manufacturing, storage, and distribution that does not include hazardous wastes or result in large truck usage/parking on the site.

Heavy-Intensity Manufacturing. The manufacturing, assembly, processing, storage, or packaging of products involving chemicals, petroleum, and heavy agricultural products or other hazardous materials.

Membership Club. A group of people organized for a common purpose to pursue common goals, interests or activities and usually characterized by certain membership qualifications, payment of fees and/or dues, regular meetings, and a constitution and bylaws.

Membership Organization. A group of people formally organized for a common interest, usually cultural, religious or entertainment, with regular meetings, rituals and formal written membership requirements.

Metal Shipping Container. Any metal container designed, built as, or formerly used for transporting seagoing cargo not to exceed the maximum dimensions of ten by ten by 40 feet.

Ministerial Decision. An action taken by a governmental agency that calls for only objective determinations in deciding whether to approve and/or how to carry out a project.

Mitigation. Methods used to alleviate or lessen the impact of development.

Mobile Food Truck. Motorized vehicles that function as transportable retail food and beverage facilities. This use includes mobile food trucks that provide sales to the general public of food and beverage (pre-packaged or prepared and served from the vehicle or an attached trailer) for consumption on or off of the premises.

Mobile Home. A trailer that is transportable in one or more sections, was built before the enactment of 42 U.S.C. Sec. 5403, National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974, which became effective June 15, 1976, is over eight feet in width and 40 feet in length, and is sited with or without a permanent foundation. Mobile home does not include recreational vehicle, commercial coach, or factory built housing.

Mobile Home Park. Any area or tract of land where two or more lots are rented or leased, held out for rent or lease, or were formerly held out for rent or lease and later converted to a subdivision, cooperative, condominium or other form of resident ownership, to accommodate mobile homes used for human habitation. The rental paid for a mobile home shall be deemed to include rental for the lot it occupies.

(2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Model Home Complex. Residential units and a temporary sales office used to illustrate the design of the units to potential homebuyers.

Modification. A change or alteration to an approved permit or plan.

Motel. An establishment providing transient sleeping accommodations with most rooms having direct access to the outside without the necessity of passing through the main lobby of the building.

Motor Vehicle. A vehicle that is self-propelled by a motor or engine.

Multiple Family Dwelling. See Dwelling, Multiple Family.

Museum. A building or room, or any grouping thereof, open to the public, used to exhibit works of art or displays of historic objects, scientific objects or memorabilia.

Nightclub. An establishment dispensing liquor with or without meals and in which music, dancing or entertainment is featured.

Noise Attenuation. Reduction of noise level using a substance, material or surface, such as earth berms and/or solid concrete walls.

Nonconforming Lot. A lot, the area or dimensions of which was lawful and legally established prior to the adoption, revision or amendment of the Development Code but that fails by reason of such adoption, revision or amendment to conform to the present requirements of the Code.

Nonconforming Structure or Building. A structure or building, the size, dimension or location of which was lawful and legally established, prior to the adoption, revision or amendment of the Development Code but that fails by reason of such adoption, revision or amendment to conform to the present requirements of the Code.

Nonconforming Use. A use or activity that was lawful and legally established prior to the adoption, revision or amendment of the Development Code, but that fails by reason of such adoption, revision or amendment to conform to the present requirements of the Code.

Nuisance. An interference with the enjoyment and legal use of property, including any act, condition or thing that is illegal and/or interferes with the rights of the public generally.

Occupancy or Occupied. The residing of an individual(s) overnight in a dwelling unit or the storage or use of equipment, merchandise or machinery in any building.

Occupancy Permit. See Certificate of Use/Occupancy.

Off-Site. Located outside the lot lines of the lot in question.

Off-Site Improvements. Improvements required as a result of development and including but not limited to curb, gutter, sidewalk, road widening and upgrading, stormwater facilities and traffic improvements.

Off-Site Parking. Parking provided for a specific use but located on a site other than the one on which the specific use is located.

Outdoor Sales. The display and sale of products and services outside of a building or structure.

Outdoor Storage. The keeping, in an unenclosed area, of any goods, junk, material, merchandise or vehicles in the same place for more than 24 hours.

Parade. A parade, demonstration, procession, march, review, ceremony, rally or exhibition which is conducted in, on, upon or along any portion of any public street, sidewalk or other public property owned or controlled by the city which would impede, obstruct, impair or interfere with the free use of the public street, sidewalk or other public property, often to support or oppose a specific issue.

Parapet. The extension of the main walls of a building above the roof level.

Park. A tract of land designated and used by the public for active and/or passive recreation.

Park and Ride. A system where participants drive to a central location to carpool or gain access to public transportation to another location.

Parking Lot. An off-street, ground-level open area, usually improved, for the temporary storage of motor vehicles.

Parking, Shared. Joint use of a parking area for more than one use.

Parking Space. A clearly defined location for the parking of a motor vehicle in a public or private parking area.

Parking Space, Covered. An accessible and usable covered space of not less than 10 by 20 feet for storage of automobiles. Such covered parking space to be so located on the lot as to meet the requirements of this Title for an accessory building or, if attached to the primary building, to be so located as to meet all the requirements of this Title for a primary building.

Parkway. The area of a public street between the curb and the adjacent property line or physical boundary definition such as fences or walls, which is used for landscaping and/or passive recreational purposes.

Party Wall. A dividing partition between two adjoining buildings (or units) that is shared by the tenants of each residence or business.

Passageway. A pedestrian pathway that is unobstructed clear to the sky and extends from a street to one entrance of the accessory dwelling unit.

Permit. Written governmental permission issued by an authorized official, empowering the holder thereof to do some act not forbidden by law but not allowed without such authorization.

Permitted Use. Any use allowed in a zone district and subject to the restrictions applicable to that zone district.

Personal Services. Establishments providing non-medical services to individuals as a primary use. May also include accessory retail sales of products related to the services provided. Examples of such uses may include, but are not limited to, shoe repair, barber shops, hair salons, mailing centers, ticket sales, travel agencies, tattoo & piercing parlors, etc.

(2025-417, 07/16/2025)

Effective on: 8/16/2025

Physically Disabled. A person who has a permanent loss of, or loss of use of, a part of the body, or permanent impairment of a body function, resulting in actual disability and a diminished ability to compete in an open market.

Planning Department. See Community Development Department.

Planning Director. See Community Development Director.

Plat. A map representing a tract of land showing the boundaries and location of individual properties and streets; a map of a subdivision or site plan.

Plaza. An open space which is improved and landscaped, usually surrounded by streets and/or buildings.

Plot. A single unit parcel of land; a parcel of land that can be identified and referenced to a recorded plat or map.

Plot Plan, Minor. The process established to provide for administrative review of projects that, because of their limited size and scope, have minor aesthetic, land use or traffic implications and do not create any significant impact on public utilities or services.

Plot Plan, Major. The process established to examine proposed development to ensure a high standard of quality for buildings, landscaping, parking and general site design. Such review enables the City to maintain stability in property values and prevent deterioration of property and aesthetics throughout the community.

Porch. A roofed open area, which may be screened, usually attached to or part of and with direct access to or from a building.

Prezoning. The process or action by which cities are able to designate that portion of an unincorporated area for future annexation, with specific zoning districts which will apply upon annexation of the property to the City.

Primary Building. See Building, Primary.

Primary Use. See Use, Primary.

Private Recreational Facilities. Facilities including but not limited to country clubs, tennis and swim clubs, golf courses, racquetball and handball facilities, and commercial uses which are commonly associated and directly related to these uses.

Processing. A method that changes a material’s nature, chemical composition, or physical qualities.

Professional Office. The office of a member of a recognized profession maintained for the conduct of that profession.

Prohibited Use. See Use.

Project, Non-Subdivision. The total development, not including subdivision of land, within the boundaries as defined on the plan for development.

Project. The total development, including subdivision of land, within the boundaries as defined on the plan for development.

Projection. That part of a building or structure which extends beyond the main wall of a building.

Property. A piece or parcel of land or real estate, including buildings and easements.

Public Property. Property owned by a governmental agency or held open to the public, including, but not limited to, parks, streets, sidewalks and alleys.

Public Areas. Parks, playgrounds, trails, paths, recreation areas, open spaces, scenic and historic sites, schools and other buildings and structures for public use.

Public Improvement. Any improvement or facility, together with the right-of-way necessary to provide transportation, drainage, utilities or other facilities that are usually owned, operated and/or maintained by a government agency.

Public Right-of-Way. An area or strip of land, either public or private, on which an irrevocable right of passage has been recorded for the use of vehicles or pedestrians or both.

Public Utility. An agency that provides electricity, gas, communications, transportation, water, sewage collection or other similar service deemed necessary for the public health, safety and welfare. See also Utility Service.

Reasonable Accommodation. In the land use and zoning context, reasonable accommodation means providing individuals with disabilities or developers of housing for people with disabilities with flexibility in the application of land use and zoning and building regulations, policies, practices and procedures, or even waiving certain requirements, when it is necessary to eliminate barriers to provision of housing or service opportunities.

Recreation, Active. Leisure-time activities, usually of a formal nature and often performed with others, requiring equipment and taking place at prescribed places, sites or fields.

Recreation, Passive. Activities that involve relatively inactive or less energetic activities, such as walking, sitting, picnicking, card games, chess, checkers and other table games.

Recreational Vehicle. A vehicle which is either:

1. A motor home, travel trailer, truck camper or camping trailer, with or without motive power, designed for human habitation for recreational, emergency or other occupancy, that meets all of the following criteria:
2. It contains less than 320 square feet of internal living room area, excluding built-in equipment, including but not limited to wardrobe, closets, cabinets, kitchen units or fixtures, and bath or toilet rooms.
3. It contains 400 square feet or less of gross area measured at maximum horizontal projection.
4. It is built on a single chassis.
5. It is self-propelled, truck-mounted or permanently towable on the highways without a permit.
6. A park trailer, as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 18009.3.

Recommending Authority. The person or body granted authority to review and make a recommendation for final action to the approving authority on a proposed permit or approval.

Recyclable Material. Reusable material, including but not limited to metals, glass, plastic, paper and wood, intended for reuse, remanufacture or reconstitution for the purpose of being used in an altered form. Recyclable material does not include hazardous or potentially hazardous material as may be defined by the County of San Bernardino Division of Environmental Health Services, California Department of Toxic Substances Control and/or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Recyclable materials may include used motor oil.

Recycling Collection Facility. An attended facility for the acceptance, by donation, redemption or purchase, of recyclable materials from the public.

Recycling Processing Facility. A facility for the collection and processing of recyclable material. Processing means the preparation of material for efficient shipment, or to an end-user’s specifications, by such means as baling, briquetting, compacting, flattening, grinding, crushing, mechanical sorting, shredding, cleaning and remanufacturing.

Religious Facility. A building or structure, or groups of buildings or structures, that are primarily intended for conducting organized religious services and associated accessory uses. Church includes mosque, temple, synagogue, cathedral or similar religious institutions.

Research and Development. Facilities for scientific research, and design. Development and testing of computer software, and electronic, magnetic, optical and mechanical components in advance of product manufacturing, that are not associated with a manufacturing facility on the same site. Also includes chemical and biotechnology research and development.

(2022-337, 03/16/2022)

Effective on: 4/15/2022

Residential Care Facilities. Facilities that are licensed by the State of California to provide permanent living accommodations and 24-hour primarily nonmedical care and supervision for persons in need of personal services, supervision, protection or assistance for sustaining the activities of daily living. Living accommodations are shared living quarters with or without separate kitchen or bathroom facilities for each room or unit. This classification includes facilities that are operated for profit as well as those operated by public or not-for-profit institutions, including hospices, nursing homes, convalescent facilities, assisted living facilities, and group homes for minors, persons with disabilities and people in recovery from alcohol or drug addictions. This use classification excludes transitional housing and social service facilities.

Small. A facility providing care for six or fewer persons.

Large. A facility providing care for more than six persons.

Elderly. A housing arrangement chosen voluntarily by the resident or by the resident’s guardian, conservator or other responsible person; where residents are 60 years of age or older; and where varying levels of care and supervision are provided as agreed to at the time of admission or as determined necessary at subsequent times of reappraisal. This classification includes continuing care retirement communities and life care communities licensed for residential care by the State of California.

Resorts, Group Quarters, Group Camp. Any facility, place or building for the purpose of recreational activities, which may include overnight accommodations or camp areas.

Restaurant. An establishment where food and drink are prepared and served.

Retail Sales. The selling of goods or merchandise not specifically listed under another land use, to the general public for personal or household consumption and rendering of services incidental to the sale of goods.

General. Retail establishments that sell goods or merchandise to the general public for profit. General retail stores may include specialized retail stores (see Retail, Specialized) but does not include adult businesses, medical marijuana dispensaries, or secondhand stores.

Specialized. Retail establishments that sell goods or merchandise to the general public for profit but that are focused exclusively on a limited line of related products. Examples include, but are not limited to, bicycle shops, flower shops, book stores, music stores, gift shops, etc.

Reverse Vending Machine. An automated mechanical device which accepts one or more types of empty beverage containers and issues a cash refund or other type of redemption bonus. A reverse vending machine may sort and process containers mechanically provided that the entire process is enclosed within the machine.

Rezoning. An amendment to the map and/or text of a zoning ordinance to effect a change in the nature, density, intensity or regulation of uses allowed on a designated parcel or land area; an amendment to procedures regarding implementation of zoning regulations.

Ridgeline. A relatively narrow elevation that is prominent because of the steep angle at which it rises; an elongated crest, or series of crests, with or without individual peaks, significantly higher than the adjoining ground.

Right-of-Way. See Public Right-of-Way.

School. Any institution of learning for public or private, which offers instruction in those courses of study required by the California Education Code or which is maintained pursuant to standards set by the California Board of Education. This definition includes a nursery school, kindergarten, elementary school, junior high school, senior high school or any special institution of education.

School, Commercial. Any building or part thereof which is designed, constructed or used for education or instruction in any branch of knowledge or art form for commercial purposes.

School, Private. Any building or group of buildings the use of which meets state requirements for elementary, secondary or higher education and which use does not secure the major part of its funding from any governmental agency.

School, Secondary. Any school licensed by the state, authorized to award diplomas for secondary education.

School District. A district that serves as a unit for state financing and administration of elementary and secondary schools.

Screening. A method of visually shielding or obscuring a structure or use from another by fencing, walls, berms or densely planted vegetation.

Secondhand Store. Retail establishment that buys and sells used products, including books, clothing, furniture and household goods, jewelry, appliances, musical instruments, business machines and office equipment, tools, motors, machines, instruments, firearms, or any similar secondhand articles or objects.

Senior Center. An assembly building intended to provide nonresidential services for senior citizens.

Senior Citizen. Any retired person over the age of 55 or any person over the age of 62 years.

Setback, Building. The required distance between the building and any lot line. See Figure 9.195.030-1 (Setback Designations).

Front. The required distance between the building and the front lot line.

Rear. The required distance between the building and the rear lot line.

Side. The required distance between the building and the interior side lot line.

Street Side. The required distance between the building and the side lot line adjacent to a public right-of-way.

Setback Line. The line that establishes the area of the property within which structures or other designated uses may be erected or placed.

Self-Storage. A storage facility in which individual units are rented to the public. The term includes mini-storage and mini-warehouse.

Shooting Range. An area or structure specially designed for the safe discharge and use of rifles, shotguns, pistols, silhouettes, skeet, trap, or any similar firearm for the purpose of sport shooting or military/law enforcement training.

Short-Term Rentals. A transient vacation rental or use in which overnight accommodations are provided in dwelling units to guests for compensation, for periods of less than 30 days.

Sidewalk. A paved, surfaced or leveled area paralleling and usually separated from the street, used as a pedestrian walkway.

Sight Visibility Area. The area established in accordance with the Public Works Department Standard 81 "Intersection Sight Distance."

Similar Use. A use that has the same characteristics as the specifically cited uses in terms of the following: trip generation and type of traffic, parking and circulation, utility demands, environmental impacts, physical space needs and clientele.

Single Family Dwelling. See Dwelling, Single Family.

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Single Housekeeping Unit. One household where all the members have common access to and common use of all living, kitchen, and eating areas within the dwelling unit, and household activities and responsibilities such as meals, chores, expenses, and maintenance of the premises are shared or carried out according to a household plan or other customary method. If all or part of the dwelling unit is rented, the lessees must jointly occupy the unit under a single rental agreement or lease, either written or verbal.

(2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Single Room Occupancy (SRO). A residential facility containing housing units that may have individual or shared kitchen and/or bathroom facilities and are guest rooms or efficiency units as defined by the California Health and Safety Code. Each housing unit is offered on a monthly rental basis or longer.

Site. A parcel of land or contiguous parcels where land alterations or activities, including grading, clearing or construction, are performed or proposed.

Slope. The land gradient described as the vertical rise divided by the horizontal run and expressed in terms of percentage.

Slope percentage = Rise x 100 = % Run

Slope Ratio = Run = (x) ft run to 1 ft rise = x: 1 Rise

Steep Slope. Land with a natural gradient of at least 25 percent (25 feet of vertical distance for every 100 feet of horizontal distance) and a vertical elevation of at least 50 feet.

Solar Farm. A solar facility which is developed for purposes of generating solar power for purchase or sale, regardless of size or scale. Power generated from such fields is supplied to an electric distribution system for use by a utility service or energy provider with electric energy for wholesale or retail sale or use. A commercial solar field can be one of several solar technologies including but not limited to concentrating solar power (CSP), photovoltaics (PV) or concentrating photovoltaics (CPV). A solar farm does not include small-scale solar systems designed to provide electricity directly to a user on the same site, where the system is designed only to service the peak energy demand of the on-site user.

Specific Adverse Impact. Has the same meaning as in Government Code Section 65589.5(d)(2), which is a significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions, as they existed on the date the application was deemed complete and does not include (1) inconsistency with the zoning ordinance or general plan land use designation or (2) the eligibility to claim a welfare exemption under Revenue and Taxation Code Section 214 (g).

(2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Specific Plan. A plan for the long-range development of properties, consistent with the local general plan, regulating such things as uses permitted, density allowances, and distribution of uses and services, and including a program for the implementation of the plan.

Stable, Horse. Riding academy, or any place where horses are rented or held for rent to the public, or where such horses are stabled, kept, or maintained for a fee, or where horses are boarded or cared for by a person or persons other than their owner.

Staff. The staff of the various departments or divisions of the City of Menifee.

Standard. A rule or measure establishing a level of quality or quantity that must be complied with or satisfied; requirements of this Code regarding building and development specifications such as minimum lot area, height limit, frontage, landscaping and floor area ratio.

Story. That portion of a building included between the upper surface of any floor and the upper surface of the floor next above, except that the topmost story shall be that portion of a building included between the upper surface of the topmost floor and the ceiling or roof above. If the finished floor level directly above a usable or unused under-floor space is more than 6 feet above grade, as defined herein, for more than 50 percent of the total perimeter or is more than 12 feet above grade at any point, such usable or unused under-floor space shall be considered a story.

Story, First. The lowest story in a building which qualifies as a story, as defined herein, except that a floor level in a building having only one floor level shall be classified as a first story, provided such floor level is not more than 4 feet below grade for more than 50 percent of the total perimeter, or not more than 8 feet below grade at any point.

Street Improvements. Any or all concrete curbs, gutters, sidewalks, driveway approaches and drainage structures; asphalt curbs; asphalt paving; connecting pavement; and related improvements such as back–filling and preparation of the road surface to rough grade, and the placement of paving.

Street, Private. A street that has not been accepted by the City or other governmental entity.

Structure. Anything constructed or erected which requires location on the ground or attached to something having a location on the ground, but not including fences or walls used as fences 6 feet or less in height. All buildings are structures.

Structure, Accessory. A structure which is detached from the main building on a parcel or lot, the use of which is incidental to that of the primary building. An accessory structure includes but is not limited to a detached garage, gazebo, greenhouse, storage shed, studio, pool house, cabana, barn, pole barn, stable or workshop.

Structure, temporary. A structure without a foundation which is capable of being moved.

Subdivision. The division, by any subdivider, of any unit or units of improved or unimproved land, or any portion thereof, as defined in Section 66424 of the Subdivision Map Act.

Supportive Housing. Dwelling units with no limit on the length of stay, that are occupied by the target population as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 50675.14, and that are linked to on-site or off-site services that assist the supportive housing resident in retaining the housing, improving their health status, and maximizing their ability to live and, where possible, work in the community.

Supportive Housing – Lower Barrier Navigation Center. Per Government Code Section 65660(a), a “Low Barrier Navigation Center” is a Housing First, low-barrier, service-enriched shelter focused on moving people into permanent housing that provides temporary living facilities while case managers connect individuals experiencing homelessness to income, public benefits, health services, shelter, and housing. “Low Barrier” means best practices to reduce barriers to entry, and may include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. The presence of partners if it is not a population-specific site, such as for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, women, or youth.
2. Pets.
3. The storage of possessions.
4. Privacy, such as partitions around beds in a dormitory setting or in larger rooms containing more than two beds, or private rooms.

(2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Supportive Services. “Supportive Services” include, but are not limited to, a combination of subsidized, permanent housing, intensive case management, medical and mental health care, substance abuse treatment, employment services, and benefits advocacy.

(2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Swap Meet. Any indoor or outdoor place, location, or activity where new or used goods are offered for sale or exchange to the general public by a multitude of vendors, usually in compartmentalized spaces. The term swap meet is interchangeable with and applicable to flea markets, auctions, open air markets or other similar activities, but the term does not include a supermarket, department store or typical retail operations.

Target Population. Persons with low incomes who have one or more disabilities, including mental illness, HIV or AIDS, substance abuse, or other chronic health condition, or individuals eligible for services provided pursuant to the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 4500) of the Welfare and Institutions Code) and may include, among other populations, adults, emancipated minors, families with children, elderly persons, young adults aging out of the foster care system, individuals exiting from institutional settings, veterans and homeless people.

Temporary Use. Special events which, by their nature, are non-recurring and which continue for a limited period of time. Temporary uses may occur indoors or outdoors, on improved or unimproved property and should be consistent with the zone for that property and its uses.

Terrace. A level, landscaped and/or surfaced area, also referred to as a patio, directly adjacent to a primary building at or within 3 feet of finished grade and not covered by a permanent roof.

Tot Lot. An improved and equipped play area for small children usually up to elementary school age.

Toxic Substances. Any combination of contaminants, including disease-carrying agents, that, after discharge and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation or assimilation into any organism, can cause death or disease, mutations, deformities or malfunctions in such organisms, or their offspring, and that adversely affect the environment.

Tract Map. A map showing a subdivision of five or more parcels for which a tentative and final map are required by the Subdivision Map Act, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Subdivision Map Act, and designed to be filed for recordation in the Office of the County Recorder.

Transit. The conveyance of persons or goods from one place to another by means of a public transportation system.

Transitional Housing. Dwelling units configured as rental housing developments but operated under program requirements that call for the termination of assistance and recirculation of the assisted unit to another eligible program recipient at some predetermined future point in time, which shall be no less than six months from the beginning of assistance.

Transportation Station. A place where transfer between modes of transportation takes place; a terminating point where goods are transferred from a truck to a storage area or to another form of transportation.

Two Unit Development. The development of two primary units or, there is already a primary dwelling unit on the lot, the development of a second primary dwelling unit on a legally subdivided lot.

(2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Underground Facility. Any facility or structure built completely below grade to be used for storing personal property of the property owner such as a root cellar or a wine cellar or serving as a shelter or bunker for safety purposes in the event of a disaster, either natural or man-made. No underground facility may be rented for any purpose.

Urban Lot Split. The subdivision of an existing, legally subdivided lot into two lots in accordance with the requirements of Government Code Section 66411.7 pursuant to a ministerial approval process.

(2024-384, 02/07/2024)

Effective on: 3/8/2024

Use. The purpose or activity for which land or buildings are designed, arranged or intended or for which land or buildings are occupied or maintained.

Use, Accessory. A use incidental to and customarily associated with a specific primary use, located on the same lot or parcel.

Use, Primary. The principal or predominant use of any lot or parcel.

Utility. See Public Utility.

Utility Services. The generation, transmission and/or distribution of electricity, gas, communications and water; the collection and treatment of sewage and solid waste; and the provision of mass transportation.

Variance. A grant of relief from the requirements of this Code which permits construction in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited by this Code.

Vehicle Body Repair, Paint or Restoration. A commercial use often referred to as a body and fender shop through which damaged or wrecked vehicles are repaired or restored.

Vehicle Dismantling. See Vehicle Wrecking.

Vehicle Leasing and Rental. A business whose primary purpose is to provide vehicles to serve customer transportation needs. Such vehicles may include automobiles, trucks, bicycles, motorcycles, trailers and/or recreational vehicles.

Vehicle Repair, Major. A facility which provides heavy repair of vehicles and/or trucks including but not limited to body and fender repair, automotive painting, transmission and/or engine rebuilding, or other repair services which include the removal of major automotive mechanical components of a vehicle.

Vehicle Repair, Minor. A facility which provides light repair of vehicles and/or light trucks, including but not limited to engine tune-up, oil change, brake repair and replacement, muffler replacement, and the sale and/or installation of tires, batteries and accessories.

Vehicle Sales. A facility for the display and sale of new or used automobiles, light trucks, vans, trailers or recreation vehicles and including any vehicle preparation or repair work conducted as an accessory use in designated buildings.

Vehicle Storage Lot. A parcel or parcels of land utilized for long-term or short-term vehicle storage, including cars, motorcycles, trucks, light trucks and/or recreational vehicles.

Vehicle Wrecking. The dismantling and parting out of motor vehicles or trailers, or the storage and/or sale of dismantled or wrecked motor vehicles or their parts.

Veterinary Clinic. A place where animals are given medical care and where the boarding of animals is limited to short-term care incidental to the medical care.

Wall. The vertical exterior surface of a building; vertical interior surfaces that divide a building’s space into rooms; fences made of block or stucco, or similar permanent material.

Warehouse.

Fulfilment Center. Is a facility whereby a building is primarily used to receive, process, and fulfill numerous consumer orders associated with electronic commerce ("e-commerce" retailers) or similar high capacity and high frequency orders and deliveries. The use includes the indoor storage of goods, products, and similar items and is typically characterized by a high intensity and a high frequency of truck traffic and may include multiple shifts of employees.

Warehousing, logistics and distribution facility. Means warehouse/distribution facilities used for the storage and/or consolidation of manufactured goods (and to a lesser extent, raw materials and includes bulk storage of materials, which are flammable, or explosive or create hazardous or commonly recognized offensive conditions) before their distribution to retail locations or other warehouses. Warehouse/distribution centers are generally having a land coverage ratio of approximately 45-60 percent, and a dock-high loading doors, could be on opposing sides of the building (cross dock facility); significant movement and storage of products, materials, or equipment; truck activities frequently outside of the peak hour of the adjacent street system; and freeway access, including:

• Freight yards/forwarding terminals
• Warehousing distribution/high cube distribution centers
• Moving agencies
• Parcel delivery terminals
• Railroad freight stations
• Shipping/receiving yards
• Truck terminals

(2022-337, 03/16/2022)

Effective on: 4/15/2022

Watercourse. A lake, river, creek, stream, wash, arroyo, channel or other topographic feature on or over which waters flow at least periodically. Watercourse includes specifically designated areas in which substantial flood damage may occur.

Wheel Stops. Permanent devices that block the front wheels of a vehicle in a parking stall.

Yard. The open space between a lot line and the required building setback line within which no structure shall be located except as otherwise provided in this Code. Yards shall be unobstructed from the ground to sky. See Figure 9.160.030-1 (Setback Designations).

Front. A yard extending across the full width of the lot between the side lot lines and between the front lot line and the front setback line. The front lot line shall be deemed to be the existing nearest right-of-way line of the abutting street, road or highway, unless a different right-of-way line for future use shall have been precisely fixed by law or ordinance, or by formal action of the City Council pursuant to law or ordinance, in which event the front lot line shall be deemed to be such different right-of-way line. In the event of multiple adjacent rights-of-way in residential zones, the front of the lot shall be that portion of the lot adjacent to the lowest classification of roadway as established in the General Plan Circulation Element. For all other land use districts, the front of a lot with multiple adjacent rights-of-way shall be that portion of the lot adjacent to the highest classification of roadway as established in the General Plan Circulation Element (unless otherwise established by the General Plan). In the event that more than one adjacent right-of-way are of the same classification, building orientation shall determine the front yard in all zones.

Rear. A yard extending across the full width of the lot between the side lot lines and measured between the rear lot line and the rear setback line. Where a rear yard abuts a street, it shall meet the front yard requirements of the district.

Side. That portion of a lot adjacent to a property line that is not a front or rear yard as defined herein.

Street Side. A side yard adjacent to a public right-of-way.

Zone. The delineation of districts and the establishment of regulations governing the use, placement, spacing and size of land and buildings.

Zone District. A designated section of the City for which prescribed land use requirements and building and development standards are uniform.

Zoning Map. The map or maps that are a part of a zoning ordinance that delineate the boundaries of zone districts.