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Sanitarium: (See, Private Institution and Rest Home)

Sea: The Pacific Ocean and all harbors, bays, channels, estuaries, salt marshes, sloughs, and other areas subject to tidal action through any connection with the Pacific Ocean, excluding non-estuarine rivers, streams, tributaries, creeks, and flood control and drainage channels. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Sea Cliff: For the purposes of this ordinance, “cliff” or “bluff” is limited to those features having vertical relief of ten feet (10') or more, and “sea cliff” is a cliff whose toe is or may be subject to marine erosion. (See also, “Bluff” and “Cliff.”) (Former Section CZ#A312-4)

Seawall: An upright structure designed to prevent erosion of a sea cliff by wave attack. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Secondhand Merchandise/Goods: Used common household items including clothing, personal effects, household furnishings, appliances, and office equipment and furnishings.

Section: A Section of the Zoning Regulations unless otherwise indicated. (Former Section CZ#A312-2)

Semi-Detached: (See, Building Type, Residential, Semi-Detached)

Senior Citizen Housing: Means a housing development consistent with the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Government Code Section 12900 et. seq., including 12955.9 in particular), which has been “designed to meet the physical and social needs of senior citizens,” and which otherwise qualifies as “housing for older persons” as that phrase is used in the federal Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (PL 100-430) and implementing regulations and as that phrase is used in California Civil Code Sections 51.2 and 51.3. (See, Section 313-112.1, Residential Density Bonus, for further discussion.) (Former Section CZ#A314-12.1(B)(14); Added by Ord. 2167, Sec. 25, 4/7/98)

Sensitive Habitat Areas: (See, Habitat Areas, Environmentally Sensitive)

Service Station, Auto: (See, Automobile Service, Gas or Filling Station)

Setback: A required specified distance between buildings or structures or structures and a lot line or lines, measured perpendicularly in a horizontal plane extending from the complete length of said lot line or lines. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Setback, Front Yard: The setback applicable in the front yard of a lot. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Setback, Rear Yard: The setback applicable in the rear yard of a lot. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Setback, Side Yard: The setback applicable in the side yard of a lot. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Setback, Stringline Method of Development: In a developed area where new construction is generally infilling and is otherwise consistent with the provisions of this ordinance, no part of a proposed new structure, including decks, shall be built closer to a wetland than a line drawn between the most seaward portions of the adjacent structures on adjacent lots. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Side Lot Line: (See, Lot Line, Side).

Side Yard: (See, Yard, Side).

Sign: A structure whether located inside or outside a building, which is visible from any lot line, and the primary purpose of which is the conveyance of an idea, advertisement, endorsement, identification, or information, by means of visual symbols, lettering, illustration, or any other means of directing attention or communication. A sign includes display surfaces together with such improvements as are utilized in supporting, maintaining, and illuminating the display surfaces, and is subject to the Sign Regulations of this Code. (See also, Section 313-87.3, Signs and Nameplates.) (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Sign, Area: The display surface space within a single continuous perimeter which contains or could contain words, letters, figures or symbols together with any frame, material or color forming an integral part of the display, but excluding support structures, faces of buildings, and incidental parts not drawing attention to the subject matter. The area of a sign shall be calculated by multiplying the maximum vertical dimension by the maximum horizontal dimension of such display surface space. With respect to double-faced signs, the area of both display surfaces shall be included in the total sign area. (See also, Section 313-87.3, Signs and Nameplates.) (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Slough, Nontidal: Any portion of a slough which is not inundated with sea water by the daily ebb and flow of the tides. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Snag: A standing dead tree or part thereof, regardless of species. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Solid Waste Disposal Site: (See, Civic Use Types, Solid Waste Disposal, in Section D: Use Types.)

Special Area: A designated area, subject to the provisions of the Special Area Regulations, as indicated by an alphabetical letter shown on the zoning maps. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Spillways: An alteration of a dike or levee above the level of mean high water for the purpose of drainage of flood waters. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Stable:

(a) Private: A detached accessory building for the shelter of horses or similar hoofed animals for the use of the residents and their non-paying guests. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

(b) Public: A stable other than a private stable where horses and other animals, used for recreational riding, performing, packing or similar purposes, are available for hire, or are sheltered or fed for compensation. Facilities for privately owned horses not sheltered or fed for compensation, horses less than 1 year of age, public horses kept exclusively for grazing purposes in open pasture, and horses used for breeding purposes are not public stables. (See, Agricultural Use Types, Stables and Kennels, in Section D: Use Types.) (Former Section CZ#A312-21; Ag Zone Amendments approved by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on 2/9/99)

State: The State of California. (Former Section CZ#A312-2)

State Board: The State Mining and Geology Board, in the Department of Conservation of the State of California. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Storage Garage: (See, Garage, Storage)

Storage of Non-operating Vehicles: (See, Vehicle Storage, Non-operating)

Stream, Anadromous Fish: Natural watercourse, largely located in the Coastal Zone, providing habitat for salmon, steelhead, coastal cutthroat trout and, in the Coastal Zone, limited to the following: In the North Coast Planning Area: McDonald Creek, Maple Creek; In the Trinidad Planning Area: Mill Creek, Luffenholtz Creek; In the McKinleyville Planning Area: Little River, Patrick Creek, Strawberry Creek, Widow White Creek, Mill Creek; and in the South Coast Planning Area: Telegraph Creek. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Stream Bed Skimming: All or any part of the process involved in the removal by any method of sand, gravel, rock or other earthen material from stream beds or stream channel bars normally subject to inundation during winter flows. Stream bed skimming includes, but is not limited to: (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

(a) On-site processing of extracted material, including screening, washing, crushing, stockpiling or batching.

(b) .The production and disposal of mining waste.

(c) .Processing and exploratory activities.

Stream Channel: That portion of a drainage course which extends to the stream transition lines on both sides. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Stream, Coastal: In the Coastal Zone, a natural water course as designated by a solid line or dash and three dots symbol shown on the largest scale United States Geological Survey map most recently published, or as corrected to reflect conditions as they actually exist on the ground as provided in the Streams and Riparian Corridors Protection regulations applicable in the Coastal Zone. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Stream Transition Line: That line closest to a stream where riparian vegetation is permanently established. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Street: A public or private right-of-way, not less than ten feet (10') in width, which provides a primary means of vehicular access to abutting property. When a road, street or highway does not have a clearly delineated right-of-way of record, either by deed or map, the boundary between the street and the abutting lots shall be deemed to run parallel to the centerline of the street, at a distance of twenty-five feet (25') from both sides of the centerline. (Former Section CZ#A312-21; Ord. 519, Sec. 261, 5/11/65)

Street, Centerline of: The center of an existing or planned road right-of-way, or as otherwise defined by the Humboldt County map of publicly maintained road systems. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Street, Public: A road open to the general public which is: (a) in the State or County road system; or (b) a road on which a public agency has a deeded, unlimited easement. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Street Line: The boundary between a street right-of-way and abutting property. (From Section INL#312-65; Ord. 519, Sec. 262, 5/11/65)

Stringline Method of Development Setback: (See, Setback, Stringline Method of Development)

Structural Alterations: Any change in the supporting members of a building such as foundations, bearing walls, columns, beams, floor or roof joists, girders or rafters, or changes in roof or exterior lines. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Structure: Anything constructed, the use of which requires permanent location on the ground or attachment to something having a permanent location on the ground, including swimming pools and signs. Recreational vehicles used for human occupation are considered structures. (Former Section CZ#A312-21; Amended by Ord. 1875, Sec. 1, 9/26/89; Amended by Ord. 2167, 4/7/98)

(a) “Structure” does not include decks and platforms thirty inches (30") or less in height, signs three feet (3') or less in height, driveways, patios, or parking spaces where the area is unobstructed from the ground up, or fences six feet (6') or less in height. (Former Section CZ#A312-21; Amended by Ord. 1875, Sec. 1, 9/26/89)

(b) For zoning setback purposes only, retaining walls six feet (6') or less in height are not considered structures. (Building permits may be required for retaining walls.) Decks and platforms thirty inches (30") or less in height must conform with setback standards of this code. (Former Section CZ#A312-21; Amended by Ord. 1875, Sec. 1, 9/26/89)

(c) Structures, unless exempt, may require a Coastal Development Permit in the Coastal Zone. (Former Section CZ#A312-21; Amended by Ord. 1875, Sec. 1, 9/26/89)

(d) It should be noted that placement of buildings, structures and vegetation along public roads is also regulated by Chapter 1 of Division 4 of this Title III of the Code (Visibility Obstruction Regulations), at Section 341 and following. (Former Section CZ#A312-21; Amended by Ord. 1875, Sec. 1, 9/26/89)

Structure for Human Occupancy: Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy, which is expected to have a human occupancy rate of more than 2,000 person-hours per year. The number of person hours is calculated by adding all hours spent by all persons who will be occupying the premises during any one typical 12-month period. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Structure, Nonconforming: All or a portion of a building, structure or facility, or a use thereof, which was lawfully erected, altered, established or maintained, but which, because of the application of these regulations to it, no longer conforms to the specific regulations applicable to the zone in which it is located. (See, Section 313-131, Nonconforming Uses, and Section 313-132, Nonconforming Structures.) (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Structure, Shoreline Protection: Revetments, breakwaters, bulkheads, graving yards, groins, seawalls, and other such construction which alters natural shoreline processes. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Subdivision: The division, by any subdivider, of any unit or units of improved or unimproved land or any portion thereof, shown on the latest equalized county assessment roll as a unit or as contiguous units, for the purpose of sale, lease or financing, whether immediate or future, except for leases of agricultural land for agricultural purposes. Property shall be considered as contiguous units, even if it is separated by roads, streets, utility easements or railroad rights-of-way. “Subdivision,” includes a condominium project, as defined in Section 1350 of the Civil Code, a community apartment project, as defined in Section 11004 of the Business and Professions Code, or the conversion of five or more existing dwelling units to a stock cooperative, as defined in Section 11003.2 of the Business and Professions Code. Any conveyance of land to a governmental agency, public entity or public utility shall not be considered a division of land only for purposes of computing the number of parcels; such conveyances are subject to all other land division requirements. As used in this section, “agricultural purposes” means the cultivation of food or fiber or the grazing or pasturing of livestock. See, Government Code Section 66424. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

It should be noted that any division, by lease or otherwise, of agricultural or timber production lands may be subject to state or local laws, or land conservation contracts (see, for example, Government Code Section 51100 and following (timberland generally), Section 51119.5 relating to division of timber lands, and Section 51230 relating to agricultural preserves).

Subordinate: Subordinate, in the context of defining a subordinate structure, means a structure of lesser bulk and less prominence, as determined by considering the combined effect of yard setbacks, ground coverage, height and form. (From Section INL#312-67.1; Ord. 1633, Sec. 5, 3/13/84)

Substitution of Use (Activities): The replacement of an existing use by a new use, or a change in the nature of an existing use, but not including a change solely of ownership, tenancy, or management, where the previous business activity or other type of use is substantially unchanged. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Surface Mining: (See, Extractive Use Types, Surface Mining, in Section D: Use Types.) (See also, other various definitions of words and phrases related to surface mining operations, and Section 313-61.2, Surface Mining and Reclamation, in this Chapter.)

Surface Mining Operations: (See also, Section 313-61.2, Surface Mining and Reclamation.) Surface mining “operations” mean: (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

(a) All or any part of the process involved in the mining of minerals on mined lands by removing overburden and mining directly from the mineral deposits, open-pit mining of minerals naturally exposed, mining by the auger methods, dredging and quarrying or surface work incidental to an underground mine. Surface mining operations shall include, but are not limited to:

(1) Inplace distillation, retorting or leaching.

(2) The production and disposal of mining waste.

(3) Prospecting and exploratory activities.

(b) Borrow pitting, stream bed skimming, segregation and stockpiling of mined minerals and recovery of same.

c.Earth moving activities which result in excavations, fills, grades, or embankments which will not be beneficially modified by the construction of structures, landscaping, or other land improvement, and which do not of themselves constitute engineered works.

Swap Lot: A building, structure, enclosure, lot or other area into which persons are admitted to display, exchange, barter, sell or bargain for new or used merchandise. (Also called “Flea Market” or “Flea Mart.”) (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Swap Meet: The activity carried on in a swap lot. (Former Section CZ#A312-21)

Swimming Pool: Any confined body of water which exceeds two feet (2') in depth, which is located either above or below the existing finished grade of the site, and which is designed, used or intended to be used for swimming, bathing or therapeutic purposes. (Former Section CZ#A312-21) (Ord. 2717, § 5, 6/27/2023)