Article 30: Definitions ..................................30-1 
30.010 Applicability.......................................30-1 
30.020 Definitions.........................................30-1 



1Article 30: Definitions 

 

30.010 Applicability 

 

As used in this Code, the words and phrases contained in 
this Article shall have the following meanings: 

 

30.020 Definitions 

 

Abut: Contiguous to, as shown in Concept Sketch 30-
Adjacent and Abutting. For example, two lots with a 
common property line or common property corner. However, 
"abut" does not apply to buildings, uses or properties 
separated by public right-of-way. See also "adjacent." 

 

Access: The place, means or way by which pedestrian or 
vehicles shall have ingress and/or egress to a property 
or parking space. 

 

(1) Primary: Provides the principal means of access to 
off-street parking areas and serves the general 
circulation needs of the property and development. 

 

(2) Secondary: Provides incidental access to the 
property. Service drives are typical of secondary 
access facilities. 

 

2Access Control Line: A line or narrow strip of land 
that is recorded on a plat or other legal document across 
which vehicular and other specified types of access are 
prohibited. 

 

122Access Management: Measures regulating access to 
streets, road and highways from public roads and private 
driveways. Measures may include but are not limited to 
restrictions on the siting of interchanges, restrictions 
on the type and amount of access to roadways, and use of 
physical controls, such as signals and channelization 
including raised medians, to reduce impacts of approach 
road traffic on the mail facility. 

 

Accessory Buildings: A building of less than 1,000 sq. 
ft. the use of which is subordinate to and consistent 
with the principal use of the property. 

 

Accessory Use: A use incidental, appropriate and 
subordinate to the principal use. See also "Principal 
Use." 

 


Access Way: An unobstructed way of specified width 
containing a drive or roadway which provides vehicular 
access and connects to a public street. 

 

Active Solar Energy System: See "Solar Energy System, 
Active." 

 

Adjacent: Contiguous to a property boundary at a 
property line or property corner, or contiguous to a 
property line or corner as extended across an abutting 
right-of-way for an alley or street, as shown in Concept 
Sketch 30-Adjacent and Abutting. 

 

 

 

 Concept Sketch 30 - Adjacent and Abutting 

 

 

 Adjoin: Same as adjacent. 

 

3Adult Business: Any person, group, firm, business, or 
organization (except non-profit corporations which are 
not open to the general public) which prohibits admission 
to all or a portion of the premises to any persons 
younger than 21 years of age. 

 

4Adult Use: A use of whatever character, conducted on 
the premises of an adult business, which use is conducted 
in the area in which any persons under 21 years of age 
are prohibited. 

 


Agriculture: The cultivation of tree crops, orchards, 
flower, berry and bush crops. Agricultural uses are of 
two types: 

 

(1) Intensive: Truck gardening and field crops; 
customary agricultural buildings, including plant 
nurseries and greenhouses; roadside stands only for 
display and sale of products raised on the premises; 
animals, including feed lots; public stables and 
riding academies. 

 

(2) Non-Intensive: Gardening; accessory gardening 
buildings, including plant greenhouses for plant 
propagation; animals, excepting feedlots, swine, 
poultry, rabbitry or kennels. 

 

Alley: A public way not over 30 feet wide providing a 
secondary means of access to private property. 

 

Alter, Alterations: A change, addition or modification 
in construction or use of a building or structure. 

 

Ambulance or Paramedic Service1: A service for 
transporting the injured or sick or for providing 
emergency medical services before or during 
transportation to a hospital or clinic. 

 

Amendment: A change in the text of the Code, or a change 
in the zone boundaries or district boundaries upon the 
zoning map or special district maps, or a change in the 
Comprehensive Plan text, Land Use Map or Urban Growth 
Boundary. 

 

Apartment House: See "Dwelling, Multi-." 

 

Appeal: A request that a final decision by the Director, 
Hearings Officer, Planning Commission or City Council be 
considered by a higher authority, either on the basis of 
a de novo hearing or with the inclusion of evidence in 
addition to the evidence considered by the maker of the 
initial decision. 

 

Applicant: The owner of affected property, or such 
owner's duly authorized representative. The City 
Attorney may ascertain the sufficiency of the 
representative's alleged authorization by the owner to 
act as applicant on the owner's behalf. 

 


Application: For purposes of this Code, application is 
defined as materials submitted, or required to be 
submitted under this Code. 

 

6Area of Shallow Flooding: A designated AO or AH zone on 
the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). The base flood 
depths range from one to three feet; a clearly defined 
channel does not exist; the path of flooding is 
unpredictable and intermittent; and, velocity flow may be 
evident. AO is characterized as sheet flow, and AH 
indicates ponding. 

 

7Area of Special Flood Hazard: The land in the 
floodplain within a community subject to a one percent or 
greater chance of flooding in any given year. 
Designation on maps always includes the letter A or V. 

 

Arterial Street: A major street which functions 
primarily to move large amounts of traffic and is 
identified as an arterial street on the official street 
map. 

 

8Athletic Clubs: Recreation facilities containing one or 
more athletic activities which are primarily indoor in 
character. 

 

Auto Service Station: Provision of fuel for any motor 
vehicles, together with performance of associated 
services for motor vehicles when performed as an 
accessory use. 

 

9Bankfull Stage: The stage or elevation at which water 
overflows the natural banks of streams or other waters 
and begins to inundate the upland. In the absence of 
physical evidence, the two-year recurrence interval flood 
elevation may be used to approximate the bankfull stage. 

 

10Base Flood: The flood having a one percent chance of 
being equaled or exceeded in any given year. Also 
referred to as the "100-year flood." Designation on maps 
always includes the letters A or V. 

 

Basement: A space wholly or partly underground and 
having more than one-half of its height, measured from 
its floor to its ceiling, below the average adjoining 
finished grade. 

 

11Beds or Banks: The physical container of the waters of 
this state lying below bankfull stage. 

 


12Bed and Breakfast Inn: A use providing temporary 
overnight lodging and a morning meal (breakfast), for 
which monetary compensation is paid and received. Bed 
and Breakfast does not include other similar service 
uses, such as eating and drinking establishments, 
religious services, clothing sales or distribution 
outlets, health or limited care for needy individuals, 
boarding homes, group quarters, transient quarters, or 
rescue missions. 

 

Berm: A man-made mound or small hill or earth used to 
deflect sound or used as a buffer in landscaping 
provisions to separate incompatible areas or to provide 
aesthetic enhancement in site design. 

 

Bicycle Parking Facilities1: Space and improvements 
dedicated exclusively for use of securing bicycles. They 
include, but are not limited to: marked spaces, 
structures including lockers, racks and enclosures, and 
areas providing maneuvering space for access to parking 
spaces and improvements. 

 

14Bikeway: A paved facility provided for use by cyclists. 
There are four types of bikeways: 

 

Shared Roadway: A type of bikeway where motorists 
and cyclists occupy the same roadway area. 

 

Shoulder Bikeways: A bikeway which accommodates 
cyclists on paved roadway shoulder. 

Bike Lanes: A section of the roadway designated for 
exclusive bicycle use. 

 

Bike Paths: Bike lanes constructed entirely 
separate from the roadway, alone or in conjunction 
with pedestrian ways. 

 

Block: An area of land containing one or more lots or 
parcels surrounded by streets, railroad rights-of-way, 
unsubdivided acreage or a combination thereof. 

 

Board: Josephine County Board of County Commissioners. 

 

Bond: Any form of security, including a cash deposit, 
surety bond, collateral, property, or instrument of 
credit in an amount and form satisfactory to the City. 

 

 

 

 


Buffer, Buffering: A landscaped area which provides a 
separation between potentially conflicting zoning 
districts, when developed as provided in Section 23.034, 
Type D. 

 

Building: Any structure used or intended for supporting 
or sheltering any use or occupancy. 

 

Building Envelope: That portion of a lot or development 
site exclusive of the areas required for front, side, and 
rear yards and other required open spaces and easements, 
and which is available for siting and constructing a 
building or buildings. 

 

Building Line: A line on a plat indicating the limit 
beyond which buildings or structures may not be erected, 
or the minimum distance as prescribed by this Code 
between the front property line abutting a street and the 
closest point of the foundation of any building or 
structure related thereto. 

 

Building Types: The description of buildings according 
to their placement and arrangement on a site or sites as 
follows: 

 

 (1) Nonresidential - That group of building types 
comprising the following: 

 

(a) Detached: A single main building, freestanding 
and structurally separated from other 
buildings. (See Concept Sketch 30-Building 
Types.) 

 

(b) Attached: Two or more main buildings placed 
side-by-side so that some structural parts are 
touching one another, located on a lot or 
development site or portion thereof. (See Code 
Concept Sketch 30-Building Types.) 

 

 (2) Residential - That group of building types 
comprising the following: 

 

(a) Single Detached-One: One dwelling unit, 
freestanding and structurally separated from 
any other dwelling unit or buildings, located 
on a lot or development site. (See Concept 
Sketch 30-Building Types.) 

 

 

 


(b) Single Detached-Two: Two dwelling units 
located on the same lot that are not attached 
in any manner. (See Concept Sketch 30-Building 
Types.) 

 

(c) Duplex: Two dwelling units placed so that some 
structural parts are in common and are located 
on a single lot or development site. (See 
Concept Sketch 30-Building Types.) 

 

(d) Single Attached: Two dwelling units attached 
side-by-side with some structural parts in 
common at a common property line. (See Concept 
Sketch 30-Building Types.) 

 

(e) Multi-Dwelling: A structure or complex of 
structures containing at least three dwelling 
units in any vertical or horizontal 
arrangement, located on a lot or development 
site. (See Concept Sketch 30-Building Types.) 

 

 (3) The following commonly used terms are not 
considered building types for purposes of this 
Code: 

 

(a) Cluster

 

(b) Condominium 

 

(c) Townhouse

 

(d) Apartment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

Concept Sketch 30 - Building Types


Building Official: The City Building Official. 

 

Building, Principal: A building within which is 
conducted a principal use permitted on a lot. 

 

15Calendar Year: The period of time from January 1 to 
December 31 inclusive. 

 

Carport: A structure consisting of a roof with its 
supports and which is entirely open on two or more sides 
and is used for sheltering a motor vehicle. 

 

Cemetery: Land use or intended to be used for the burial 
of the dead and dedicated for cemetery purposes, and 
which may include columbaria, crematories, mausoleums and 
mortuaries. 

 

Church: The building and premises used for the conduct 
of regular religious services; church shall not include 
schools, other than premises used for religious 
instruction during regular religious services. See also 
"Schools." 

 

City Engineer: The City Engineer of the City of Grants 
Pass or his designee. 

 

City Manager: See "Manager." 

 

16City Surveyor: An individual appointed to the office of 
Grants Pass City Surveyor who is responsible for 
performing the duties of such office in lieu of the 
County Surveyor as described by law. 

 

Clearance: The highest point of the grade below a sign 
to the lowermost point of the sign. 

 

17Clinic: A building for the diagnosis and treatment of 
human patients, for periods not exceeding 24 hours, by a 
health care provider licensed by the State of Oregon, 
including doctors, dentists, surgeons, chiropractors, 
physical therapists, psychologists, and health 
counselors. 

 

Code: Shall mean the City of Grants Pass Development 
Code. 

 

Collector Street: A major street which transports 
traffic from local streets to the arterial street system 
and is identified as such on the official street map. 

 


Commercial: See "Trade Retail." 

 

Compatible: To be used in determining the suitability of 
land uses within a zone and is not intended as an 
absolute term meaning no interference or adverse impacts 
of any type with adjacent uses. Compatible may include 
being made compatible through screening, fencing, traffic 
pattern and site plan design, restriction of building 
openings, building design, building setbacks or other 
design solutions. 

 

 Comprehensive Land Use Plan/Comprehensive Plan: An 
official document which establishes the future land use 
pattern and land use goals and policies for the City. 

 

Condominiums: A type of residential development offering 
individual ownership of units and common ownership of 
open spaces and other facilities and regulated, in part, 
by State Law (ORS Chapter 100). 

 

Council: The Grants Pass Council. 

 

18County Recorder: The Josephine County Clerk. 

 

19County Surveyor: An individual appointed or elected to 
the office of Josephine County Surveyor and who is 
responsible for performing the duties of such office as 
described by law. 

 

Courtyard: A landscape area enclosed by two or more 
walls. 

 

Coverage, Building: That percentage of the total lot 
area covered by buildings. 

 

Criteria: General rules or tests on which a judgment or 
decision can be based. 

 

Cul-de-sac: A short street which has one end open to 
traffic and is terminated by a vehicle turn-around. 

 

Cul-de-sac Bulb: The circular radius at the end of a 
cul-de-sac. 

 

Day(s): Shall mean calendar days, unless working days 
are specified, which shall mean Monday through Friday, 
exclusive of official City holidays. 

 

 

 


20Day Care: Care, supervision and guidance on a regular 
basis provided to five or more persons during part of the 
day, under appropriate local and State licensing. Day 
care is of two types: 

 

(1) Family: Day care provided for fewer than 13 
children (under 13 years of age), including children 
of the provider, in the living area of the 
provider's home, regardless of full-time or part-
time status, which meets the requirements of ORS 
418.805 through 418.885. 

 

(2) Group: Day care provided in a place other than the 
recipient's home, excluding Family Day Care. 

 

Dedication: The designation of land by its owner for any 
general or public use. 

 

De Novo: A new hearing, usually without consideration of 
any previous hearing testimony. 

 

Density: The number of residential dwelling units per 
acre of land. 

 

21Destination Resort: As defined in Goal 8, Recreational 
Needs, Oregon's Statewide Planning Goals, as may be 
amended from time to time (OAR 660, Division 15). 

 

Development: Any man-made change to improved or 
unimproved real estate, including but not limited to 
construction, installation or change of a building or 
other structure, land division and partition, 
establishment or termination of a right of access, 
storage on the land, drilling and site alteration such as 
that due to land surface mining, dredging, paving, 
excavation or clearing. 

 

22Development, Existing: Development existing or 
authorized by City permit at the time of application for 
a Solar Access Permit. 

 

Development Permit: A permit issued by the Director for 
a development which is in compliance with this Code and 
the Comprehensive Plan. 

 

Development Plan: Any plan adopted by the City Council 
for the guidance of growth and improvement of the City. 
The Council may make adjustments in any such plan from 
time to time to meet unanticipated problems and 
conditions affecting landowners or the public. 




Development Site: A tract of land either undivided or 
consisting of two or more contiguous lots of record 
which, on the effective date of this Ordinance or 
subsequently, came under single or common ownership and 
continued to be so owned at the time a Development Permit 
was applied for. 

 

Director: Director of the City Community Development 
Department, or his/her designee. 

 

23Disabled Person: An individual who has a physical or 
mental impairment which constitutes or results in a 
functional limitation to one or more major life 
activities for the individual. 

 

District: A portion of territory of the Urban Growth 
Boundary within which certain uniform regulations and 
requirements of this Code apply. 

 

Dividing Land: See "Land Division." 

 

Drainageway: A natural or manmade watercourse which has 
the specific function of transmitting natural stream 
water or storm runoff water from a point of higher 
elevation to a point of lower elevation and which conveys 
significant seasonal concentrations of water over the 
surface of the land. 

 

Driveway: The driving surface that provides access 
internal to a lot or parcel, which has access to the 
public or private street that constitutes frontage. A 
driveway does not constitute frontage. A driveway 
services only one lot or parcel, except where there are 
provisions for shared driveways and cross access 
easements. See definition of “Streets, Private.” 

 

Duplexes: A building under single or common ownership 
designed or used exclusively for the occupancy of two 
families living independently of each other and having 
separate housekeeping facilities for each family. See 
also "Building Type." 

 

24Dwelling, Accessory: A dwelling unit attached to a 
commercial building and on the same lot as a commercial 
use in a commercial zone. 

 

 

 

 


Dwelling, Multi-: A building under single or common 
ownership designed and used for occupancy by three or 
more families, all living independently of each other, 
and having separate housekeeping facilities for each 
family. See also "Building Type." 

 

Dwelling, Single Family: A building designed or used 
exclusively for the occupancy of one family and having 
housekeeping facilities for only one family, and if 
attached, under separate ownership from any attached 
dwelling. See also "Building Type." 

 

 25Dwelling Unit, Existing Residential: A residential 
dwelling unit that is currently certified for occupancy, 
that was constructed as a new residential dwelling unit 
in accordance with the standards in effect at the time of 
its construction. 

 

Dwelling Unit, Residential: One or more habitable rooms 
which are occupied or which are intended or designed to 
be occupied by one family with one housekeeping 
facilities for living, sleeping, cooking and eating. 

 

Easement: A recorded interest in land owned by another 
that entitles its holder to a specific limited use or 
enjoyment. 

 

Eating/Drinking Establishments: Uses providing 
facilities for consumption of prepared food and/or 
licensed beverages. 

 

26Elevation, Average: The average of the lot elevation on 
the northerly side of a structure and the lot elevation 
on the southerly side of a structure. 

 

Employees: All persons, including proprietors, working 
on the premises during the largest shift at peak season. 

 

27Family: Any of the following: 

 

 (1) An individual or group of persons not to exceed 
fifteen in number, related by blood, marriage 
or adoption; 

 

 (2) An individual or group of disabled persons, not 
to exceed fifteen in number. 




 

 

 

 (3) An individual or a group of not more than five 
persons (excluding servants) who need not be 
related by blood, marriage or adoption, living 
together in a dwelling unit. 

 

Fenestration: The arrangement or design of windows and 
doors in a building. 

 

Final Action: A final determination made by the review 
body and accompanied by adopted findings, if required, 
and signed by the review body or its designee. See also 
"Oral Action" and "Findings." 

 

Findings: Written statements of fact, conclusions and 
determinations based on the evidence presented in 
relation to the Decision Approval Criteria and accepted 
by the review body in support of a decision. 

 

28Flag Lot: A lot that has frontage on and primary access 
to a street by means of a flag pole (See Concept Sketch 
30 - Flag Lot and Flag Pole). 

 



 Concept Sketch 30 - Flag Lot and Flag Pole 

 

 

 

 


29Flag Pole: That portion of a lot that is a narrow strip 
of land to provide primary frontage and access to the 
main body of the lot. A flag pole has a width at all 
points that is less than 50 feet or the width of the lot, 
whichever is less. The width of the flag pole at any 
point is less than the depth of the flag pole from the 
street right-of-way to that point (See Concept Sketch 30 
- Flag Lot and Flag Pole). 

 

Flood: Any high stream flow which overtops the natural 
or artificial bank of any part of a stream or river that 
covers land not usually under water. The Intermediate 
Regional or Base Flood (often referred to as the 100-year 
flood) is a flood with a one percent chance of occurrence 
in any given year. This flood is mapped by the Army 
Corps of Engineers and is used by the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency and the City of Grants Pass for 
purposes of regulating development within flood 
boundaries. 

 

Flood Fringe: The area bordering the floodway and within 
the floodplain and which acts as a reservoir of flood 
waters. 

 

Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM): The official map on 
which the Federal Emergency Management Agency has 
delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and 
the risk premium zones applicable to the community. 

 

Flood Insurance Study: The official report provided by 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency that includes 
flood profiles, the Flood Boundary-Floodway Map and the 
water surface elevation of the base flood. 

 

Floodplain: The combined area of the floodway and flood 
fringe as defined herein. 

 

Floodway: The minimum area necessary for the passage of 
floodwaters, including the channel and adjacent land 
areas which must be reserved in order to discharge the 
100-year flood without cumulatively increasing the water 
surface elevation more than one foot; or any area 
designated as a floodway on the Floodway Map, whichever 
is more restrictive. 

 

Flood Area: The gross area, under roof, of all of the 
floors of a building, measured from the interior of 
exterior walls, excluding only space devoted to off-
street parking or loading. 

 


30Forestry: Any commercial activity relating to the 
growing or harvesting of forest tree species, including, 
but not limited to: 

 

(a) Reforestation; 

 

(b) Construction and maintenance of roads specifically 
for the growing or harvesting of forest tree 
species; 

 

(c) Harvesting of forest tree species; 

 

(d) Application of chemicals as part of growing or 
harvesting forest tree species; and 

 

(e) Disposal of slash. 

 

Frontage: That portion of a property which abuts a 
street right-of-way. 

 

122Functional Classification: The description of streets 
by the relative importance of the movement and access 
functions. See “Streets” for specific descriptions of 
each street classification. 

 

Future Street Plan: An approved street plan indicating 
the location of future streets within undeveloped or 
partially developed portions of the Urban Growth 
Boundary. 

 

Garage, Private Parking: A structure having one or more 
tiers of height used for the parking of automobiles for 
the tenants, employees or owners of the property for 
which the parking spaces contained in or on said garage 
are required by this Code and which are not open for use 
by the general public. 

 

Garage, Public Parking: A publicly or privately owned 
structure having one or more tiers of height, used for 
the parking of automobiles and open for use by the 
general public, either free or for remuneration. Public 
parking garages may include parking spaces for customers, 
patrons or clients which are required by this Code, 
provided said parking spaces are clearly identified as 
free parking space(s) for the building or use. 

 

Garage, Repair: A building used for the care and repair 
of motor vehicles, including major and minor work such as 
body and fender work or engine and transmission overhaul, 
and incidental storage or parking of vehicles. 




Goals: Statements identified as such in the 
Comprehensive Plan. 

 

Governmental Bodies: Shall mean City, County, State and 
Federal Boards, Councils, Commissions and Agencies and 
the like. See also "Review Bodies." 

 

31Government Buildings: All buildings and structures 
defined in ORS 446.210 through 446.280 used by the public 
which are constructed, purchased, leased or rented in 
whole or part by the use of State, County or Municipal 
funds, or the funds of any political subdivision of the 
State; and to the extent not required otherwise by 
federal law or regulations or not beyond the power of the 
State to regulate, all buildings and structures used by 
the public which are constructed, purchased, leased or 
rented in whole or in part by the use of federal funds. 

 

Grade, Finish: The final grade of paving, sidewalk or 
landscaped area at any given point upon completion of 
construction. 

 

32Group Care Home: Facilities licensed by the State of 
Oregon and the appropriate governing bodies providing 
convalescent or chronic care for periods exceeding 24 
hours for elderly or physically dependent persons, or 
providing care and training on a daily basis for 
physically or mentally handicapped persons, for sixteen 
or more persons not related by blood, marriage or 
adoption to the administrator of such care and training. 

 

Group Quarters: The residential occupancy of living 
units by groups of more than five persons who are not all 
related by blood, marriage or adoption, and where the 
communal kitchen and/or dining facilities are provided. 

 

33Habitable Floor: Any floor usable for living purposes, 
which includes working, sleeping, eating, cooking or 
recreation, or a combination thereof. A floor used only 
for storage purposes is not a "habitable floor." 

 

Half Street: Half of the width of a street, usually 
along the side of a subdivision where the remaining 
portion of the street could be provided in another 
subdivision. 

 

 

 

 


34Handcrafted Manufacturing: Merchandise produced using 
non-power equipment and tools, except for low-impacting 
household appliances, such as sewing machines, jigsaws, 
small drills and sanders. In no case can the equipment 
and/or material used in production result in noise, 
vibration or air or water quality impact in excess of 
locally adopted standards. 

 

Hearings Officer: A contracted individual empowered with 
certain decision-making authority by this Code. 

 

124Height of Building: The vertical distance above a 
reference datum measured to the highest point of the 
roof. The reference datum shall be selected by either of 
the following, whichever yields a greater height of 
building. 

 

(1) The elevation of the highest adjoining sidewalk or 
ground surface within a 5-foot horizontal distance 
of the exterior wall of the building when such 
sidewalk or ground surface is not more than 10 feet 
above lowest grade. 


When a building has a covered porch, covered deck, 
or other unenclosed covered space without an 
exterior wall, the outermost point of the unenclosed 
space shall be considered an exterior wall. 

 


(2) An elevation 10 feet higher than the lowest grade 
when the sidewalk or ground surface described in 
Item 1 is more than 10 feet above lowest grade. 





The height of a stepped or terraced building is the 
maximum height of any segment of the building. 

 

 

HEIGHT OF BUILDING 

 




TERRACED BUILDING 

 

 

35Helipad, Medical: A landing and takeoff place for a 
helicopter for emergency medical services, such as 
patient transport. 

 

Homeowners Association: An incorporated, non-profit 
organization operating under recorded land agreements 
through which each lot owner of a Planned Unit 
Development or other described land area is automatically 
subject to a charge for a proportionate share of 
maintaining a common property. 

 

36Home Occupation: An accessory use of a dwelling unit 
for gainful employment involving the manufacture, 
provision, or sale of goods and/or services. The primary 
use of the dwelling unit is residential. 

 

Hospitals: Institutions devoted primarily to the 
rendering of healing, curing and/or nursing care which 
maintain and operate facilities for the diagnosis, 
treatment and care of two or more non-related individuals 
suffering from illness, injury or deformity, or where 
other healing curing and/or nursing care is rendered over 
a period exceeding 24 hours. 

 

Hospital, Small Animal: See Veterinary Clinic. 

 

Hotel (Motel, Motor Hotel, Tourist Court): A building or 
group of buildings used for transient residential 
purposes containing rental units which are used, rented 
or hired out for sleeping purposes. 

 


Indoor Recreation Area: A room or rooms within an 
enclosed building which is designed and used for 
recreational purposes by the public and/or occupants of a 
residential development. Activities provided for within 
an indoor recreation area many include, but are not 
limited to, the following: indoor swimming pools, 
saunas, gymnasiums, exercising rooms, dance floors, 
tennis or handball courts, and games such as pool, ping- 
pong, shuffleboard, etc. 

 

Industrial: The on-site production of goods excluding 
agriculture. Industrial uses are one of three types: 

 

(1) Indoor: Those light industrial uses that can be 
accomplished within a wholly enclosed building, that 
require no outside production and little or no 
outside storage of materials. Indoor Industrial 
uses refer to industrial production of previously 
processed or prepared materials, as follows: 

 

(a) Production, processing, assembling, packaging 
or treatment of food products from previously 
processed materials; or 

 

(b) Production, processing, assembling and 
packaging of finished products from previously 
prepared materials; or 

 

(c) Manufacturing and assembly of electronic 
instruments and equipment and electrical 
devices. 

 

(2) Outdoor: Those heavier industrial uses that require 
open air production, processing and storage of 
materials. Outdoor Industrial uses refer to: 

 

(a) The manufacturing, processing or assembling of 
semi-finished or finished products from raw 
materials. 

 

(b) The retail or wholesale trade in bulk of 
hazardous materials. 

 

(3) Prohibited: Those industrial uses within the City 
of Grants Pass, as follows: 

 

(a) Manufacturing of explosives. 

 

Intensity of Use: See "Land Intensity of Use." 

 


Irrigation System: Method of supplying water which can 
be manually or mechanically-controlled to a needed area. 

 

Itinerant Use: A temporary use offering the sale of 
goods, merchandise or services from a vehicle, trailer, 
cart or other temporary apparatus. 

 

Kennels: A lot or premises on which three or more adult 
dogs are kept, whether by the owners of the dogs or by 
persons providing facilities and care, whether or not for 
compensation. An adult dog is one that has reached the 
age of six months. 

 

Kitchen: Any room used or intended or designed to be 
used for preparation of food and storage of food, 
including any room having a sink, and either a 3/4-inch 
gas opening or provision for a range or stove. 

37Laboratory, Medical: A laboratory that provides the 
processing and/or manufacture of medical products on an 
individual basis from another medical source, usually a 
health care provider. This includes, but is not limited 
to, a dental, blood, foot, radiology, and pharmaceutical 
laboratories. 

 

Land, Intensity of Use: Relative measure of development 
impact defined by such characteristics as the number of 
dwelling units per acre, amount of traffic generated and 
amount of site coverage. 

 

Land, Parcel of: Any quantity of land capable of being 
described with such definiteness that its location and 
boundaries may be established, which is designated by its 
owner or developer as land to be used or developed as a 
unit, or which has been used or developed as a unit. 

 

Landscaping: Includes ground cover, trees, grass, 
bushes, shrubs, flowers and garden areas and any 
arrangement of fountains, patios, decks, street furniture 
and ornamental concrete or stonework areas. 

 

Landscape Coverage: The degree to which living plant 
materials cover any given landscaped area, as measured no 
higher than six inches from the finish grade of the 
landscaped area. 

 

Loading Space: An off-street space or berth on the same 
lot with a main building or contiguous to a group of 
buildings for the temporary parking of commercial 
vehicles while loading or unloading. 

 


Lodge: A lodge, club or fraternal organization, except 
those carried on as a business for a profit, and 
excepting Group Care and Group Quarters uses. 

 

38Lot: Either a discrete unit of land for planning, 
zoning, use, and development purposes, or subdivision 
lot, as the context dictates. 

 

Lot Area: The total horizontal area within the lot lines 
of a lot. 

 

39Lot, Authorized: A lot which is recognized by the City 
of Grants Pass as a discrete unit of land for planning, 
zoning, use, and development purposes. 

 

Lot, Corner: A lot situated at the intersection of two 
intersecting streets, where the interior angle of such 
intersection does not exceed 135 degrees. 

 

Lot Coverage: The percent of a development site area 
covered by the vertical projection of any structures or 
buildings. 

 

40Lot Depth: The average minimum horizontal distance 
between the rear lot line and the front lot line, unless, 

 

(1) the rear lot line is enclosed within a floodway, 
required stream setback, or similar area not to be 
used for building and the applicant chooses to 
designate the setback or floodway line to be the 
rear lot line; or 

 

(2) the lot is a flag lot, in which case the lot depth 
shall be the average minimum horizontal distance 
between the two lot lines most distant from one 
another. 

 

Lot, Interior: A lot other than a corner lot and having 
frontage on only one street. 

 

Lot Line: The property line bounding a lot. 

 

Lot Line, Exterior: Any Side or Rear Lot Line abutting a 
street or alley. 

 

 

 

 

 


Lot Line, Front: A property line which abuts the street. 
Where two or more property lines abut a street, one shall 
be the Front Lot Line and all others shall be Exterior 
Side or Exterior Rear Lot lines, as appropriate. The 
choice of Front Lot line shall be the applicant's. 

 

Lot Line, Rear: The record lot line or lines most 
distant from and generally opposite the front lot line, 
except that in the case of a triangular lot or lot with 
more than four sides, it shall mean a straight line 10 
feet in length which is a) parallel to the front lot line 
or its chord and b) intersects the other lot lines at 
points most distant from the lot line. (See Concept 
Sketch 30-Rear Lot Line.) 

 

Lot Line, Side: Any lot boundary not a front or rear lot 
line. 

 

 

 

 

Concept Sketch 30 - Rear Lot Line 

 

 

41Lot of Record: See "Lot, Authorized." 

 

42Lot, Tax: A unit of land that has been assigned a lot 
number by the Josephine County Assessor, that may or may 
not be an authorized lot. 

 

Lot, Through: A lot of record which has both a front and 
rear lot line abutting a street. 

 

43Lot, Unauthorized: A lot which is not recognized by the 
City of Grants Pass as a discrete unit of land for 
planning, zoning, use, and development purposes. 

 

44Lot Width: The diameter of the largest circle that can 
be inscribed within the property lines of a lot (See 
Concept Sketch 30 - Lot Width). 

 




Concept Sketch 30 - Lot Width 

 

45Lowest Floor: The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed 
area (including basement). An unfinished or flood-
resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of 
vehicles, building access or storage in an area other 
than a basement area, is not considered a building's 
lowest floor, provided that such enclosure is not built 
so as to render the structure in violation of the 
applicable non-elevation design requirements of this 
Code. 

 

Maintenance: See Repair/Maintenance. 

 

Major Zone District: The primary zone designation of 
property within the City such as R-1, GC or BP. 

 

Manager: The City Manager of the City of Grants Pass or 
his designee. 

 

46Manufactured Dwelling: A residential trailer, mobile 
home, or manufactured home. 

 

47Manufactured Dwelling Park: Any place where four or 
more manufactured dwellings are located within 500 feet 
of one another on a lot, tract, or parcel of land under 
the same ownership, the primary purpose of which is to 
rent or lease space or keep space for rent or lease to 
any person for a charge or fee paid or to be paid for the 
rental or lease or use of facilities or to offer space 
free in connection with securing the trade or patronage 
of such person. "Manufactured Dwelling Park" does not 
include a lot or lots located within a subdivision which 
are being rented or leased for occupancy by no more than 
one manufactured dwelling per lot. 




48Manufactured Home: A structure constructed for movement 
on the public highways that has sleeping, cooking and 
plumbing facilities, that is intended for human 
occupancy, that is being used for residential purposes 
and that was constructed in accordance with federal 
manufactured housing construction and safety standards 
and regulations in effect at the time of construction. 

 

Manufactured Home Space or Lot: A plot of ground within 
a manufactured dwelling park designed for the 
accommodation of one manufactured home, its accessory 
structures, parking spaces and required yard areas. 

 

49Manufactured Housing Park: A manufactured dwelling 
park. 

 

50Medical Office: A business office directly associated 
with a licensed health care provider or providers for 
activities directly related to the health care, such as 
supplying, billing, and record keeping, but not providing 
diagnosis or treatment of patients. 

 

51Mobile Home. A structure constructed for movement on 
the public highways that has sleeping cooking and 
plumbing facilities, that is intended for human 
occupancy, that is being used for residential purposes 
and that was constructed between January 1, 1962, and 
June 15, 1976, and met the construction requirements of 
Oregon mobile home law in effect at the time of 
construction. 

 

52Mobile Home Park: A manufactured dwelling park. 

 

53Modular Home: A factory-fabricated transportable 
building designed to meet the Uniform Building Code, to 
be used by itself or incorporated with similar structures 
or units at a building site into a modular structure. 
The term is intended to apply to major assemblies and 
does not include buildings constructed at a site from 
prefabricated parcels, trusses and other prefabricated 
supplements. A "Modular Home" is not considered a 
"Manufactured Home." 

 

Mortuary: Mortuaries, crematories, and funeral and 
interment enterprises, where human bodies are kept prior 
to cremation or interment. 

 

Motel, Tourist Court: See "Hotel". 

 


Motor Vehicle and Trailer Sales Area: A lot used for 
display, sale or rental of new or used motor vehicles or 
trailers. 

 

Non-Conforming Building: Any building which lawfully 
exists prior to the effective date of this Code but 
which, due to the requirements adopted herein, no longer 
complies with the height, yard, area and/or coverage 
regulations, off-street parking requirements or other 
provisions of this Title. 

 

Non-Conforming Lot: A parcel of land which lawfully 
existed as a lot on the effective date of this Code, or 
which is legally created after the effective date of this 
Code, but which in either case does not conform to the 
lot area and/or lot dimension standards for the zone in 
which it is located. 

 

Non-Conforming Use: Any use which lawfully existed on 
the effective date of this Code but which, due to the 
requirements adopted herein, no longer complies with the 
schedule of permitted uses. 

 

54Noon: Noon solar time, when the sun reaches its highest 
position in the sky on January 21. 

 

55Northern Lot Line: A lot line or lines less than 45 
degrees southeast or southwest of a line drawn east-west 
and intersecting the northernmost point of the lot, or, 
is no such line exists, the lot line the fewest degrees 
southeast or southwest of this east-west line. If the 
northern lot line adjoins an unbuildable area or areas 
(e.g. streets, alleys, public rights-of-way, parking 
lots, common areas) other than a required yard area, the 
northern lot line shall be northerly edge of the 
unbuildable area. (See Concept Sketch 30-Northern Lot 
Line.) 

 

 

Concept Sketch 30 - Northern Lot Line 




 

56North-South Lot Dimension: A distance that represents 
the general length of the north-south axis of a lot. It 
is calculated as one-half the sum of the distances 
between: (A) the northernmost point on the northern lot 
line and the southernmost point of the southern lot line, 
and (B) the southernmost point on the northern lot line 
and the northernmost point on the southern lot line. The 
north-south lot dimensions of flag lots shall be measured 
excluding the flag pole portion of the lot. (See Concept 
Sketch 30-North-South Lot Dimension.) 



 Concept Sketch 30 - North-South Lot Dimension 

 

Nursing Home: See "Group Care Home." 

 

Nuisance: A use, development or building on a parcel 
which is found to be dangerous, or a potential threat to 
the health, welfare and safety of the community, and 
which may be cited by the City Manager for civil action. 

 

 122ODOT: Oregon Department of Transportation. 

 

Offices: All offices maintained by business, 
professional and financial organizations and individuals 
for the performance of their business or profession, 
excepting repair/maintenance. Office uses are three 
types: 

 

(1) Professional: Office uses for the practice of a 
profession, including any office performing personal 
or business services, excepting repair/maintenance 
services. Professional office uses include medical 
and dental clinics, but do not include small animal 



clinics, and do not include laboratories not 
incidental to medical/dental office or clinic 
operation. 

 

(2) Business: Office uses provided for the conduct of 
business other than professional, excepting 
repair/maintenance services, and not involving 
retail or wholesale trade on the premises. See also 
"Trade, Wholesale." 

 

 (3) Limited: Professional or Business Offices, but only 
when abutting GC or CBD Zoning Districts by either 
(a) an interior side lot line or (b) an interior 
side and interior rear lot line. (See Concept 
Sketch 30-Limited Office.) 

 

Concept Sketch 30 - Limited Office 

 

 

57Open Space, Recreational: Area on a lot that is 
suitable for recreational use such as play, picnics, 
gardens, or sports. While recreational open space 
generally contains pervious surfaces, it may include 
impervious surfaces necessary to the recreational 
activity such as decks or sports courts. Recreational 
open spaces may be any of the following: 

 

(1) lawn or similar living ground cover that allows 
active recreational use. This does not include 
areas covered with decorative rock, landscaping 
bark, shrubs, or similar materials. 

 

(2) decks, patios, balconies, picnic areas, gazebos, or 
similar facilities that are designed solely for 
recreation. 

 


(3) active recreation facilities such as playgrounds, 
swimming pools, and sports courts. 

 

(4) walking, jogging, biking, or similar trails, 
including adjoining natural areas. This does not 
include trails within a required exterior yard. 

 

(5) cultivated gardens. 

 

58Open Space, Pervious: Area on a lot with surfaces 
permeable to water. This includes required landscaped 
yards, buffer areas, other landscaped areas, ponds, 
creeks, and other natural areas. It does not include 
streets, accessways, parking areas, areas covered by 
structures, decks, or areas covered by asphalt, concrete, 
or decorative rock. 

 

Oral Action: The initial determination made by the 
review body at a public meeting or hearing, subject to 
the Final Action and adoption of findings. See also 
"Final Action" and "Findings." 

 

Outdoor Storage: The keeping, in an unroofed area, of 
non-explosive materials, merchandise, goods and/or 
vehicles in the same place for more than 24 hours. 
Storage shall be screened with a solid fence or wall and 
shall not encroach into any required setback. 

 

Owner: Where used in relationship to real property, the 
legal owner of record or, where there is a recorded Land 
Sales Contract in force, the purchaser thereunder. 

 

Parapet or Parapet Wall: That part of any wall above the 
roof line as defined in Uniform Building Code, Oregon 
Edition. 

 

59Parcel: A partition parcel, a property line adjustment 
parcel, or a discrete unit of land for planning, zoning, 
use, and development purposes, as the context dictates. 

 

Parking Area, Commercial: Privately or publicly owned 
property other than streets or alleys, on which parking 
spaces are defined, for use by the general public, either 
free or for remuneration, and not provided as part of a 
parking requirement for some other use. 

 

Parking Area, Private: Privately or publicly owned 
property, other than streets and alleys, on which parking 
spaces are defined, designated or otherwise identified 
for use by the tenants, employees or owners of the 


property for which the parking area is required and not 
open for use by the general public. 

 

Parking Area, Public: Privately or publicly owned 
property other than streets or alleys, on which parking 
spaces are defined, designated or otherwise identified 
for use by the general public, provided as a part of a 
parking requirement for an adjoining land use. 

 

60Parking Space: The minimum gross area available for the 
parking of an automobile as required by this Code. 

 

61Parking, Voluntary: A private parking area provided in 
a residential zone for use by a business or use on an 
adjacent lot in a commercial or industrial zone. Parking 
is provided voluntarily and is in excess of any parking 
spaces required by this Code. The number of spaces is 
not more than 50 percent of the number of spaces required 
for the use, or ten spaces, whichever is greater. 
Voluntary parking is of two types: 

 

(1) Local Impact: Voluntary parking involving ten or 
fewer spaces with no access to a street in a 
residential zone. 

 

(2) Area Impact: Voluntary parking involving more than 
ten spaces or access to a street in a residential 
zone. 

 

62Partition: Either an act of partitioning of land or an 
area or tract of land partitioned. 

 

63Partition Parcel: A single unit of land that is created 
by a partitioning of land. 

 

64Partition Land: To divide land into two or three 
parcels of land within a calendar year, but does not 
include: 

 

(1) A division of land resulting from a lien 
foreclosure, foreclosure of a recorded contract for 
the sale of real property or the creation of 
cemetery lots. 

 

(2) A property line adjustment. 

 

(3) The division of land resulting from the recording of 
a subdivision or condominium plat. 

 


(4) A sale or grant by a person to a public agency or 
public body for state highway, county road, city 
street or other right-of-way purposes provided that 
such road or right-of-way complies with the 
Comprehensive Plan and ORS 215.213 (2)(q) to (s) and 
215.283 (2)(p) to (r). However, any property 
divided by the sale or grant of property for state 
highway, county road, city street or other right-of-
way purposes shall continue to be considered a 
single unit of land until such time as the property 
is further subdivided or partitioned. 

 

65Partition Plat: A final map and other writing 
containing all the descriptions, locations, 
specifications, provisions and information concerning a 
partition. 

 

66Party: Any person, organization, or governmental body, 
including the applicant, that appeared at a public 
hearing by submitting written or oral testimony 
concerning a particular application or matter, or who 
submitted written testimony concerning a particular 
matter or application during a noticed public comment 
period prior to a land use decision or limited land use 
decision. 

 

Passive Solar Energy System: See "Solar Energy System, 
Passive." 

 

 122Pedestrian Connection: A continuous, unobstructed, 
reasonably direct route between two points that is 
intended and suitable for pedestrian use. Pedestrian 
connections include but are not limited to sidewalks, 
walkways, pedestrian ways, stairways and pedestrian 
bridges. 

 

67Pedestrian Connector Route: A right-of-way dedicated 
and constructed to accommodate pedestrian travel between 
rights-of-way or properties. 

 

68Pedestrian Way: An access, trail, sidewalk, or similar 
path that accommodates pedestrian travel. 

 

69Pedestrian Way, Private: A pedestrian way that is 
located on private property. 

 

 

 

 

 


122Performance Standards: A measure of the quality of 
traffic operations at an intersection or roadway segment. 
Performance standards can include level of service, 
volume to capacity ratio, average stopped delay, and 
other methods of measurement. 

 

Person: An individual, corporation, governmental agency, 
business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, 
two or more people having a joint or common interest, or 
any other legal entity. 

 

70Personal Services: Services, the primary function of 
which is to enhance the appearance, health, or hygiene of 
individuals. Providing these personal services for the 
convenience of walk-in customers is the primary function. 
The sale of any product is accessory to these services. 
Typical uses include beauty and barber shops, 
professional masseuses, shoe repair shops, and coin 
operated laundries. Personal services do not include 
medical or dental offices or clinics. 

 

71Pharmacy: A retail store where medicines are compounded 
and sold. Not more than 25 percent of the floor area may 
be devoted to retail sale or rental of goods other than 
medicines, durable medical goods, or medical related 
products. 

 

Planned Unit Development: A land development project 
comprehensively planned as an entity via a unified site 
plan which permits flexibility in building siting, 
mixtures of building types and land uses (provided those 
land uses are permitted in the underlying zone), usable 
open spaces and the preservation of significant natural 
features. 

 

72Planning Commission: The Urban Area Planning 
Commission, except that the Historical Buildings and 
Sites Commission may be substituted for the Planning 
Commission in Section 2, Procedures, and Section 10, 
Appeals, when referencing action by the Historical 
Buildings and Sites Commission under the Procedures or 
Appeals Sections. 

 

73Plat: A final subdivision plat, replat, partition plat, 
property line adjustment plat or map. 

 

Pre-Existing Lot: See "Authorized Lot." 

 

74Preliminary Plan: See "Tentative Plan." 

 


Premises: A lot, parcel or tract of land occupied, or to 
be occupied, by a building or unit or group of buildings 
and their accessory buildings. 

 

Principal Use: The main use to which the premises are 
devoted and the primary purpose for which the premises 
exist. See also "Accessory Use." 

 

Private Driveway: A driveway to serve residential 
premises. 

 

75Property: A unit or tract of land. 

 

76Property Consolidation: The creation of one unit of 
land where more than one unit of land previously existed. 

 

77Property Line: The legally recognized division line 
between two units of land. 

 

78Property Line Adjustment: The relocation of a common 
property line between two abutting properties, when 
recorded with the County Recorder by the appropriate 
parties, when such adjustment is done in accordance with 
the applicable standards in effect at the time of 
recordation. 

 

79Property Line Adjustment Parcel: A unit of land created 
by a property line adjustment. 

 

80Property Line Vacation: The removal of the property 
lines separating two units of land resulting in the 
consolidation of abutting properties. 

 

81Public Building: All buildings and structures used by 
the public that are constructed, purchased, leased or 
rented in whole or in part by the use of private funds, 
where the building or structure has a ground area of more 
than 4000 square feet or is more than 20 feet in height 
from the top surface of the lowest flooring to the 
highest interior overhead finish of the building or 
structure. 

 

 Public, Major: Government or publicly owned facilities 
which have substantial impact, including materials 
storage or equipment repair facilities, warehouses, 
detention and correction institutions, open air utility 
substations and pumping stations. 

 

 

 


82Public, Minor: Government, public or semi-public 
facilities and utilities which have a local impact upon 
surrounding properties, including libraries, museums, 
fire stations, reservoirs and wholly-enclosed pumping 
stations or utility sub-stations. It also includes 
municipal water or sewage treatment plants when separated 
from any adjacent residential development by a minimum 50 
foot wide Type B landscaped buffer. 

 

Public Need: A conclusion based on presentation of 
factual evidence which demonstrates that a particular 
request for a change is in the best public interest for 
economic, social, and environmental reasons. 

 

123Public Park: A tract(s) of land set apart and devoted 
to the purposes of pleasure, recreation, ornament, light 
and air for the general public and under the management 
or control of a public agency. Parks may include 
playgrounds, recreation facilities, athletic fields, 
courts and open space. Uses generally occur outdoors, but 
buildings for indoor uses and enclosed spaces may be 
permitted by the Review Body as Accessory Uses. Parks are 
classified as Mini-Neighborhood, Neighborhood, Community, 
and Metropolitan Parks in accordance with the definitions 
found in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan for the 
City of Grants Pass Urban Growth Boundary. 

 

Quasi-Judicial Action: An action which involves the 
application of adopted policy to a specific development 
application or amendment, as provided by this Code. 

 

 Ramada: A structure having a roof extending over a 
manufactured home or manufactured home space which is 
designed for protection of the manufactured home from sun 
and rain. 

 

 122Reasonably Direct: A route that does not deviate 
unnecessarily from a straight line or involve a 
significant amount of out-of-direction travel for likely 
users. 

 

Recreation, Commercial: Provision of sports, recreation 
and entertainment for both participants and spectators, 
provided both indoors and outdoors. Specifically 
excluded from this category are Residential Recreation 
uses. Commercial Recreation uses are of two types: 

 

(1) Local Impact: Uses catering primarily to 
participants, with only incidental spectator use, 


conducted within an enclosed building with a 
capacity of 300 persons or less. 

 

(2) Area Impact: Uses catering primarily to spectators 
of an event; uses conducted outdoors, or conducted 
within an enclosed building with a capacity of over 
300 persons. 

 

Recreation, Residential: Provision of recreation 
facilities for participants, with only incidental 
spectator use, such that compatibility with residential 
uses can be maintained. Provided primarily outdoors, 
with only incidental and accessory indoor uses. 
Residential recreation uses are of two types: 

 

(1) Local Impact: Facilities for the private use of an 
individual family and non-paying guests, including 
members of a PUD. 

 

(2) Area Impact: Facilities for use of the general 
public or membership of a private organization where 
not a part of a PUD. 

 

83Recreational Resort: As defined in Section 14.142 of 
the Josephine County Zoning Ordinance, as may be amended 
from time to time (Acknowledged Plan, December 1985). 

 

84Recreational Vehicle: A boat, camper, motor vehicle or 
portable vehicular structure capable of being towed on 
the highways by a motor vehicle, designed and intended 
for casual or short-term human occupancy for travel, 
recreational and vacation uses. If identified in some 
manner as a recreational vehicle by the manufacturer or 
registered as such with the State, it is prima facie a 
recreational vehicle. 

 

Rental Unit: Any housing unit, which is occupied 
pursuant to a lawful rental agreement, oral or written, 
expressed or implied, which was not owned as a 
condominium unit or cooperative unit on the effective 
date of this Code. A condominium housing unit in a 
converted rental building for which there has been no 
acceptance of sale on the effective date of this Code 
shall be considered a rental unit. 

 

Repair/Maintenance: A use whose primary function is the 
repair and maintenance of equipment, machines, and/or 
vehicles. Repair/Maintenance uses are of two types: 

 


(1) Commercial: Repair and maintenance of household and 
personal machines and equipment, of light business 
machines and equipment, and of cars, pickup trucks 
and mobile homes. 

 

(2) Industrial: Repair and maintenance of heavy 
business machines and equipment, large contractor 
and farm equipment, and of motorcycles, heavy trucks 
and truck and trailer tractors. A 
repair/maintenance use with any industrial component 
shall be designated as an Industrial 
Repair/Maintenance use. 

 

85Replat: The act of platting the lots, parcels and 
easements in a recorded subdivision or partition plat to 
achieve a reconfiguration of the existing subdivision or 
partition plat or to increase or decrease the number of 
lots in the subdivision. 

 

Reserve Strip: A strip of property, usually one foot in 
width, overlaying a dedicated street which is reserved to 
the City for control of access until such time as 
additional right-of-way is accepted by the City for 
continuation or widening of the street. 

 

86Residential Care: Services such as supervision, 
protection, assistance while bathing, dressing, grooming 
or eating, management of money, transportation, 
recreation and the providing of room and board. 

 

Residential Dwelling Unit: See "Dwelling Unit, 
Residential." 

 

87Residential Facility: A facility licensed by the State 
of Oregon which provides residential care alone or in 
conjunction with treatment or training, or a combination 
thereof, for six to fifteen individuals who need not be 
related. Staff persons required to meet State licensing 
requirements shall not be counted in the number of 
facility residents, and need not be related to each other 
or to any resident of the residential facility. 

 

88Residential Home: A home licensed by the State of 
Oregon which provides residential care alone or in 
conjunction with treatment or training, or a combination 
thereof, for five or fewer individuals who need not be 
related. Staff persons required to meet State licensing 
requirements shall not be counted in the number of 
facility residents and need not be related to each other 
or to any resident of the residential home. 




89Residential Trailer: A structure constructed for 
movement on the public highways that has sleeping, 
cooking and plumbing facilities, that is intended for 
human occupancy, that is being used for residential 
purposes and that was constructed before January 1, 1962. 

 

Restaurant: An establishment where meals are prepared 
and served to the public for consumption either on or off 
the premises. 

 

Retirement Housing. Housing for an older person as 
defined in the Fair Housing Act. 

 

90Revegetation Fee: Fees collected for the purchase and 
improvement of trees in public open spaces. 

 

91Review Body: The Director, Hearings Officer, Planning 
Commission, Historical Buildings and Sites Commission or 
City Council, whichever has authority for making a 
determination under the various provisions of this Code. 

 

Right-of-way: The area between boundary lines of a 
street. 

 

92Rip Rap: The act of facing a streambank with rock or 
similar substances to control erosion. 

 

93Road: A street 

 

Roadway: The portion or portions of a street right-of-
way improved for vehicular traffic. 

 

94Sale or sell: Every disposition or transfer of land in 
a subdivision or partition or an interest or estate 
therein. 

 

School: Facilities for the instruction of children, 
youth and adults. School uses are of two types: 

 

(1) Public: Public, private or parochial, kindergarten, 
primary, secondary and high schools and colleges, 
including accessory administrative uses, but not 
child care facilities, except when operated in 
conjunction with a school. 

 

(2) Technical: Technical, business, trade, dancing, 
music or sports schools, including accessory 
administrative uses. 

 


Service Station: An establishment selling fuel and oil 
for vehicles; selling, servicing and installing tires, 
batteries, accessories and related products; furnishing 
minor repair and service when conducted entirely within 
an enclosed building, and at which incidental services 
are conducted. "Minor repair and service," as used in 
this definition, shall be understood to exclude 
activities such as painting, bodywork, steam cleaning, 
and/or tire recapping. 

 

Service Driveways: Any driveway constructed, installed, 
maintained in or over any portion of the public right-of-
way for the purpose of ingress and egress of vehicles 
from the street to the property abutting the street. 

 

Setback: The minimum allowable horizontal distance from 
a given point or line of reference, which for purposes of 
this Code shall be the property line, unless otherwise 
stated, to the nearest vertical wall of a building or 
structure, fence, or other elements as defined by this 
Code. 

 

Shade: A shadow, except a shadow caused by a narrow 
object, including but not limited to such narrow objects 
as a utility pole, antenna, wire, flagpole or reasonable-
sized chimney or flue. 

 

Shade Point: The point on a structure that would cast 
the highest shadow at the northern lot line at noon on 
January 21. (See Concept Sketch 30-Shade Point and Shade 
Point Height.) 



 Concept Sketch 30 - Shade Point and Shade Point Height 

 

Shade Point Height: The vertical distance between the 
shade point and the finished grade at that point. If the 
shade point is on a ridgeline that runs generally north-


south, then the shade point height is one-foot less than 
what otherwise would be the shade point height. (See 
Concept Sketch 30-Shade Point and Shade Point Height.) 

 

95Significant size tree: A tree which is greater than 12" 
diameter measured 4.5 feet from the base or a Madrone 
which is greater than 24" diameter measured 4.5 feet from 
the base. 

 

Site: That parcel of real property in common ownership, 
notwithstanding that the particular application may be 
for development of a portion of the site only. 
Conveyance of less than fee title to different persons, 
such as by ground lease, shall not operate to prevent the 
requiring of site design review of the entire parcel. 

 

Site Plan: A plan, prepared to scale, showing accurately 
and with complete dimensions, all the uses proposed for a 
parcel of land and other information as required by 
specific sections of this Code. 

 

96Solar Access Permit: A document that describes the 
maximum permitted height of non-exempt vegetation on 
properties to which the permit applies to protect solar 
access on the property of the permit applicant, to the 
extent authorized by the City. A Solar Access permit 
shall include, but is not limited to, the legal 
description of the properties benefited and restricted by 
the Permit and copy of the sun chart, solar access permit 
height limitations, and information listed in The Solar 
Access Permit Height Limitations (Solar Envelope) of the 
solar energy system. 

 

97Solar Access Permit Height Limitations: A series of 
contour lines rising in four-foot increments at an angle 
to the south not less than 27 degrees from the horizon 
(the altitude of the sun on January 21 at noon) and 
extending at an angle not greater than 55 degrees (the 
azimuth of the sun on March 21 and September 21 at 9 AM 
and 3 PM, respectively) east and west of true south, 
parallel to and beginning at the bottom edge of a solar 
energy system for which a Solar Access Permit is 
requested. 

 

98Solar Building Line: A line designated on a lot south 
of which residential structures are precluded. The 
purpose of this line is to allow construction of a higher 
shade point on the lot to the south than would otherwise 
be allowed (See Concept Sketch 30-Solar Building Line). 




 Concept Sketch 30 - Solar Building Line 

 

99Solar Energy System: A device or combination of devices 
or elements that rely on direct sunlight as any energy 
source, including but not limited to a substance or 
device that collects sunlight for the following uses: 
heating or cooling of a structure or building; heating or 
pumping of water; or, generating electricity. A solar 
energy system may be used for purposes in addition to 
collecting solar energy, including but not limited to 
serving as a structural member or part of a roof or a 
building or structure and serving as a window or wall. A 
south-facing wall of a habitable structure is a solar 
system to the extent it is unshaded. 

 

100Solar Front Line: A line used to determine the solar 
orientation of a lot. It is the same as the front lot 
line, except in the following cases: 

 

(1) For a curved front lot line, a line that connects 
the endpoints of the curve. 

 

(2) For a lot with more than one frontage, the exterior 
lot line that runs closest to east-west. 

 

(3) For a flag lot, the side or rear property line, 
exclusive of the flagpole, that runs closest to 
east-west. (See Concept Sketch 30-Solar Front Line) 

 




Concept Sketch 30 - Solar Front Line 

 

 

101Solar Heating Hours: The hours and dates during which 
solar access is protected under a Solar Access Permit, 
not to exceed those hours and dates when the sun is lower 
than 27 degrees altitude or greater than 55 degrees east 
or west of true south. 

 

102Solar Setback: A line parallel to the northern lot 
line which is the minimum distance that the shade point 
of a structure shall be set back from the northern lot 
line. 

 

103Solar Sunchart: A photograph or photographs, taken in 
accordance with guidelines issued by the Director, which 
plot the position of the sun during solar heating hours. 
The sunchart shall contain, at a minimum, the southern 
skyline as seen through a grid which plots solar altitude 
for a 42-degree northern latitude in 10-degree increments 
and solar azimuth measured from true, south in 15-degree 
increments. If the solar energy system is less than 20 
feet wide, a minimum of one sunchart shall be taken from 
the center of the bottom edge of the system. If the 
solar energy system is wider than 20 feet, a minimum of 
two suncharts shall be taken, one from each end of the 
bottom edge of the system. 

 


104Solar Energy Systems, Active: Utilizes heat collection 
which is separate from the area being heated, with a 
mechanical method of transferring heat between the two 
areas. 

 

105Solar Energy System, Passive: Requires no external 
energy input to collect and disperse solar heat. In new 
building design this means utilizing site design, 
building orientation, window placement, insulation, 
vegetation, etc. to heat and cool a building. Passive 
solar systems may also include the addition of such solar 
collectors as greenhouses, water traps, improved 
insulation or other weatherization techniques. 

 

106Southern Building Line: A line establishing the 
southernmost location for a structure on a lot. 

 

107Southern Lot Line: A lot line or lines less than 45 
degrees southeast or southwest of a line drawn east-west 
and intersecting the southernmost point of the lot, or, 
if no such line exists, the lot line the fewest degrees 
southeast or southwest of this east-west line. 

 

Special Purpose District: Overlay zone designations 
which set forth specific land use regulations in addition 
to the standards of the underlying Zoning District. 

 

Staff: An employee or employees of the City of Grants 
Pass. 

 

Stand: A hard-surfaced area within a manufactured home 
space or lot designed for placement of a manufactured 
home. 

 

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 top story shall be that 
portion of a building included between the upper surface 
of the top floor and the ceiling above. If the finished 
floor level directly above a basement or cellar is more 
than six feet above finish grade, such basement or cellar 
shall be considered a story. 

 

Story, Half: A basement or cellar, except as provided in 
this Code, which has less than six feet of its height 
above finish grade. 

 

 

 

 


Street Plug: An area of land that is dedicated to the 
public for a future street or other specified purpose, 
over which current access is prohibited or specifically 
limited. 

 

Streets, Public: Those designated on the City of Grants 
Pass Official Street Map. 

 

(1) Cul-de-sac: A local street with only one outlet and 
having an appropriate terminal for safe and 
convenient turnaround of vehicles. 

 

(2) Hammerhead street. A dead-end street that 
terminates in a turn-around other than a circular 
cul-de-sac, usually shaped like a “T” or a “Y”. 
Typically these are private streets, and are used 
only where use of a circular cul-de-sac is 
impractical. 

 

(3) Loop Street. A local access street with outlets 
that begin and end on the same street. Typically, 
they serve 100 dwelling units or less, and are less 
than 1200 lineal feet in length. 

 

(4) Local: A street intended to provide direct access 
to other streets from individual properties and 
allow traffic movement within a neighborhood. 

 

(5) Local Collector: A street intended to move traffic 
from local roads to collectors or arterial. A local 
collector services a neighborhood or large 
subdivision. 

 

(6) Collector: A street intended to collect and 
transport traffic from a varying number of local 
neighborhoods to arterials, and having a minimal 
number of controlled access points, and which may 
have two or more travel lanes. 

 

(7) Arterial: A street intended to transport large 
quantities of traffic in an efficient, rapid manner, 
and having a minimal number of controlled access 
points. 

 

122Streets, Private: A private street constitutes frontage 
and may serve more than one lot or parcel. Private 
streets may be accessed by driveways. See definition of 
“Driveway”. 

 

 


108Structure: Anything built or constructed, an edifice 
or building of any kind, or any piece of work 
artificially built up or composed of parts joined 
together in some definite manner. This includes, but is 
not limited to, carports, swimming pools, hot tubs, 
permanent signs, above ground gas or liquid storage 
tanks, fences, railings, sheds, manufactured homes, 
antennae, satellite dishes, well pump houses, mechanical 
equipment, and portable buildings. It also includes 
tents, awnings, stands, carts, and tables, except those 
used temporarily for an itinerant use. It does not 
include portable items solely for sale or temporary 
storage on the premises, including manufactured homes, 
portable buildings, and vehicles. 

 

109Subdivide Land: To divide land into four or more lots 
within a calendar year. 

 

110Subdivision: Either an act of subdividing land or an 
area or tract of land subdivided. 

 

111Subdivision Lot: A single unit of land that is created 
by a subdivision of land. 

 

112Subdivision Plat: A final map and other writing 
containing all the descriptions, locations, 
specifications, dedications, provisions and information 
concerning a subdivision. 

 

Tax Lot: See "Lot, Tax." 

 

113Tentative grading plan: A grading plan submitted 
with the application and used for public review. It 
shall be drawn at a scale of either 1:50 or 1:100 and 
indicate intervals of 5 feet. It shall indicate cuts, 
fills, and retaining walls, and shall be replaced with a 
final grading plan. 

 

114Tentative Plan: A map showing the proposed layout of a 
property line adjustment, partition, subdivision, or 
planned unit development. 

 

Tourist Court, Motel: See "Hotel." 

 

Townhouse: Two or more common wall single family 
dwelling units, each unit of which is built upon an 
individually owned subdivided or partitioned lot or 
parcel. 

 


115Trade, Retail: The distribution, retail sale and/or 
rental of goods. Retail trade may include Wholesale 
trade and Handcrafted Manufacturing, but only as an 
accessory use to retail trade, when retail trade is the 
dominant use. In no case shall retail trade include 
manufacturing or assembly, except in the case of 
handcrafted items crafted for sale. 

 

(1) Ground Floor Level: Handcrafted Manufacturing or 
Wholesaling uses shall not exceed more than 25% of 
floor area. Not more than two handcrafted power 
machines may be operating at the same time. 

 

(2) Other than Ground Floor: No area restriction. Not 
more than one handcrafted power machine for every 
400 square feet of floor area may be operating at 
the same time. 

 

Retail Trade may include those offices necessary to the 
function of the retail trade operation. Retail trade 
does not include bulk fuel oil or bulk vehicle fuel 
sales; sale of explosives, and/or live animal sales other 
than small domestic pets. Retail Trade uses are of two 
types, as follows: 

 

(1) Indoor: Retail Trade uses which do not require more 
than 5% of the enclosed square footage for outdoor 
uses accessory to the enterprise, other than 
parking. 

 

(2) Outdoor: Retail Trade uses which require more than 
5% of the enclosed square footage for outdoor uses 
accessory to the enterprise, other than parking. 

 

Trade, Wholesale: The distribution and sale of goods at 
wholesale. Wholesale trade may include retail trade as 
an accessory use when wholesale trade is the dominant 
use. Wholesale trade does not include storage and/or 
sale of bulk fuel oil, bulk fuel, explosives or other 
hazardous material, or sale of live animals other than 
small domestic pets, when such sales are made from the 
premises. Wholesale Trade by brokerage only, with no 
display or storage of merchandise on the premises, shall 
be considered a Business Office use. 

 

116Transient Quarters: A private, non-profit organization 
providing temporary housing, food, clothing and other 
support services primarily to adult, transitory 
individuals. 

 


122Transportation Facilities: Any physical facility that 
moves or assists in the movement of people or goods, but 
excluding electricity, sewage and water systems. A plan 
or land use regulation amendment significantly affects a 
transportation facility if it: 

 

(1) Changes the functional classification of an existing 
or planned transportation facility; 

 

(2) Changes standards implementing a functional 
classification system; 

 

(3) Allows types or levels of land uses which would 
result in levels of travel access which are 
inconsistent with the functional classification of a 
transportation facility; or 

 

(4) Would reduce the performance standards of the 
facility below the minimum acceptable level 
identified in the Transportation System Plan. 

 

 122Transportation System Management Measures: Techniques 
for increasing the efficiency, safety, capacity or level 
of service of a transportation facility without 
increasing its size. 

 

Urban Area: Lands within the Grants Pass Urban Growth 
Area. 

 

Use: The purpose for which land or a building is 
arranged, designed or intended, or for which either land 
or a building is, or may be, occupied or maintained. 

 

117Vegetation, Exempt: Existing vegetation that is shown 
on a sunchart to shade a Solar Energy System during solar 
heating hours, and existing deciduous vegetation to the 
extent that it shades a Solar Energy System used solely 
for space heating, or formerly non-exempt vegetation that 
has been allowed to grow more than 10 feet into the 
skyscape protected by a Solar Access Permit. 

 

118Vegetation, Non-Exempt: Vegetation other than exempt-
vegetation. 

 

119Veterinary Clinics: Facilities providing for 
veterinary care to animals, where overnight accommodation 
is limited to emergency care and treatment, where animals 
are treated and kept indoors, and where laboratories are 
incidental to the operation of the clinic. 

 

Vision Clearance Area: A triangular area located at the 
intersection of two streets, a street and a railroad, or 
a street and a driveway; defined by a line across the 


corners, the ends of which are on the street or alley 
lines, an equal and specified distance from the corner. 
(See Concept Sketch 30-Vision Clearance area.) 

 

 

Concept Sketch 30 - Vision Clearance Area 

 

Visual Obstruction: Any fence, hedge, tree, shrub, 
device, wall or structure between the elevations of 2 1/2 
feet and 8 feet above the adjacent curb height or above 
the elevation of gutter line of street edge where there 
is no curb, as determined by the City Engineer, and so 

located at a street, drive, or alley intersection as to 
limit the visibility of pedestrians or persons in motor 
vehicles on said streets, drives, or alleys. 

 

Water-Dependent Use: A use or activity which can be 
carried out only on, in or adjacent to water areas 
because the use requires access to the water body for 
water-borne transportation, recreation, energy production 
or source of water. 

 

120Waters of this State: Natural waterways, including all 
bays, estuaries, any stream which flows during a portion 
of every year and supports aquatic life, rivers, creeks, 
lakes and other bodies of water in this State. (See OAR 
141-85-100)(24)). 

 

Water-Oriented Use: Any use which receives a 
demonstrable benefit from being located with a view to 
the river. Examples might include restaurants, 
residential structures and commercial structures when 
river views are incorporated into the design of the 
river. 

 

 

 


Water-Related: Uses which are not directly dependent 
upon access to a water body, but which provide goods or 
services that are directly associated with water-
dependent land or waterway use, and which, if not located 
adjacent to water, would result in a public loss of 
quality in the goods or services offered. 

 

121Wetlands: Those areas that are inundated or saturated 
by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration 
that are sufficient to support a prevalence of vegetation 
typically adapted to life in saturated soil conditions. 

 

Wrecking Yard, Motor Vehicles and Building Materials: 
Any premises used for the storage, dismantling or sale of 
either used motor vehicles, trailers, machinery and/or 
building materials, or parts. 

 

Yard: An open space unobstructed from the ground upward 
except as otherwise provided in this Code. 

 

Yard, Exterior Side: A yard extending from the front 
yard to the rear lot line on the street side of a corner 
lot. (See Concept Sketch 30-Yard, Exterior Side.) 

 

 

Concept Sketch 30 - Yard, Exterior Side 

 

 

Yard, Front: A yard extending across the full width of 
the lot, the depth of which is the minimum horizontal 
distance between the front lot line and a line parallel 
thereto at the nearest point of the main building. (See 
Concept Sketch 30-Yard, Front.) 

 

 

 




Concept Sketch 30 - Yard, Front 

 

 

Yard, Rear: A yard extending across the full width of 
the lot between the rear main building and the nearest 
point of the rear lot line. (See Concept Sketch 30- 
Yard, Rear.) 

 

Concept Sketch 30 - Yard, Rear 

 

 

Yard, Side: A yard between the main building and the 
side lot line extending from the Front Yard or front lot 
line where no front yard is required, to the rear yard. 
The width of the required Side Yard shall be measured 
horizontally from the nearest point of the side lot line 
to the nearest part of the main building. (See Concept 
Sketch 30-Yard, Side.) 

 

 

Concept Sketch 30 - Yard, Side 

 

Zoning District: A classification of land in which only 
uses specified by this Code are allowed, except for non-
conforming uses, and for which specific requirements are 
set forth pertaining to height, yard, area, coverage, 
landscaping, parking and other land use restrictions. 




1. Revised 2/2/83 

2. Added 3/16/94 

3. Added 3/21/94 

4. Added 3/21/94 

5. Added 12/4/96 

6. Added 4/6/88 

7. Added 4/6/88 

8. Added 6/1/90 

9. Revised 3/6/96 

10. Added 4/6/88 

11. Revised 3/6/96 

12. Added 8/7/85 

13. Added 5/25/93 

14. Revised 5/25/93 

15. Added 2/16/94 

16. Added 2/16/94 

17. Added 12/4/96 

18. Added 2/16/94 

19. Added 2/16/94 

20. Revised 12/19/90 

21. Added 1/15/92 

22. Added 3/8/85 

23. Added 12/19/90 

24. Added 2/7/96 

25. Added 12/19/90 

26. Added 3/8/85 

27. Revised 12/19/90 

28. Revised 2/16/94 

29. Revised 2/16/94 

30. Added 4/3/91 

31. Added 4/3/91 

32. Revised12/19/90 

33. Added 4/6/88 

34. Added 10/19/88 

35. Added 12/4/96 

36. Revised 7/4/92 

37. Added 12/4/96 

38. Revised 2/16/94 

39. Added 2/16/94 

40. Revised 2/16/94 

41. Revised 2/16/94 

42. Revised 2/16/94 

43. Added 2/16/94 

44. Revised 2/16/94 

45. Added 4/6/88; Revised 3/6/96 

46. Revised 10/7/92 

47. Revised 10/7/92 

48. Revised 10/7/92 


49. Revised 10/7/92 

50. Added 12/4/96 

51. Revised 10/7/92 

52. Revised 10/7/92 

53. Revised 10/7/92 

54. Added 3/8/85 

55. Added 3/8/85 

56. Revised 1/3/96 

57. Added 3/6/96 

58. Added 3/6/96 

59. Revised 2/16/94 

60. Revised 3/6/96 

61. Added 8/17/88; Revised 3/6/96 

62. Revised 2/16/94 

63. Added 2/16/94, Revised 11/15/95 

64. Added 2/16/94 

65. Added 2/16/94 

66. Added 2/16/94 

67. Added 5/25/93 

68. Added 5/25/93 

69. Added 5/25/93 

70. Added 2/7/96 

71. Added 12/4/96 

72. Added 8/2/84; Revised 3/6/96 

73. Revised 2/16/94 

74. Added 2/16/94 

75. Added 2/16/94 

76. Revised 2/16/94 

77. Added 2/16/94 

78. Revised 2/16/94 

79. Added 2/16/94 

80. Added 2/16/94 

81. Added 4/3/91 

82. Revised 6/4/97 

83. Added 1/15/92 

84. Revised 3/6/96 

85. Added 2/16/94 

86. Added 12/19/90 

87. Added 12/19/90 

88. Added 12/19/90 

89. Revised 10/7/92 

90. Added 5/31/97 

91. Added 8/2/84; Revised 3/6/96 

92. Added 8/2/84; Revised 3/6/96 

93. Added 2/16/94 

94. Added 2/16/94 

95. Added 5/31/97 

96. Added 3/8/85 

97. Added 3/8/85 


98. Added 1/3/96 

99. Added 3/8/85 

100. Added 1/3/96 

101. Added 3/8/85 

102. Revised 1/3/96 

103. Added 3/8/85 

104. Added 3/8/85; Revised 1/3/96 

105. Added 3/8/85; Revised 1/3/96 

106. Added 3/8/85 

107. Added 1/3/96 

108. Revised 4/6/88; Revised 5/12/95 

109. Revised 2/16/94 

110. Revised 2/16/94 

111. Added 2/16/94, Revised 11/15/95 

112. Added 2/16/94 

113. Added 5/31/97 

114. Revised 3/6/98 

115. Revised 3/6/98 

116. Added 3/23/84 

117. Added 3/8/85; Revised 1/3/96 

118. Added 1/3/96 

119. Revised 1/6/93 

120. Added 8/24/84 

121. Revised 1/8/92 

122. Added 9/4/02 

123. Added 8/6/03 

124. Revised 2/4/04 (Ordinance 5213)