43-3. Word Usage and Definitions.

  1. Words used in the present tense shall include the future; words used in the singular number shall include the plural number, and the plural the singular; and the word "shall" is mandatory and not directory.
  2. The following terms are defined for purposes of this Chapter:
    1. Automobile Graveyard - More than 3 wrecked, scrapped, ruined, dismantled or inoperable motor vehicles or motorized equipment which is not being restored to operation located on a land parcel used in conjunction with any establishment or more than 3 wrecked, scrapped, ruined, dismantled or inoperable motor vehicles or motorized equipment used in conjunction with said establishment but located on another land parcel shall be subject to this Chapter.
    2. Building - Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls and designed or intended for shelter, support, enclosure or protection of persons, animals or chattels.
    3. Establishment - Any real property on which or in which there is operated or maintained any commercial, industrial or service business or activity for profit.
    4. Farm - A singularly or jointly owned land parcel or contiguous parcels on which agricultural operations are conducted as the substantial use, to include cultivation of crops, the husbandry of livestock and forestry.
    5. Fence - A continuous, opaque, non perforated barrier extending from the surface of the ground to a uniform height of not less than 6 feet from the ground at all points, constructed of wood, stone, steel or other metal or any substance of a similar nature and strength.
    6. Garage - An establishment which is maintained or operated for the primary purpose of making mechanical and/or body repairs to motor vehicles and which is not used to store more than 6 motor vehicles that are not capable of being driven under their own power and are not being restored to operable condition, regardless of the length of time that individual motor vehicles are stored or kept at such property. There is no limit to the number of vehicles that may be stored on site that are being restored to operable condition.
    7. Gate - A door or other device attached to a fence which, when opened, provides a means of ingress and egress of persons and things and which, when closed, forms a continuous barrier as part of the fence to which it is attached.
    8. Housing Unit - A house, an apartment, a group of homes or a single room occupied or intended for occupancy as separate living quarters for 1 or more humans.
    9. Junk - Scrapped copper, brass, rope, rags, batteries, appliances, paper, rubber, dismantled or wrecked automobiles, dismantled or wrecked motorized equipment, or parts thereof, iron, steel and other scrap ferrous material.
    10. Junkyard - Any land parcel which is maintained, operated or used for storing, keeping, buying or selling junk in conjunction with any establishment located on the same or another land parcel or any establishment which is maintained, operated or used for storing, keeping, buying or selling junk regardless of the length of time that junk is stored or kept, or for maintenance or operation of an automobile graveyard. "Junkyard" shall not include the County-operated landfill.
    11. Land Parcel - A single tract or contiguous tracts of land under single or joint ownership.
    12. Motorized Equipment - Every device that is propelled or powered by nonhuman or mechanical power sources which is designed to accomplish any work.
    13. Motor Vehicle - Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon land, air or water which is propelled by nonhuman or mechanical power sources and every device designed to run upon land, air or water that is pulled or pushed by a device propelled by nonhuman or mechanical power.
    14. Public Road - Any road or highway which is now or hereafter designated and maintained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation as part of the state highway system whether primary or secondary, hard-surfaced or other dependable highways.
    15. Repair Shop, Motor Vehicle - An establishment which is maintained and operated for the purpose of making mechanical and/or body repairs to motor vehicles and which is not used to store more than 6 motor vehicles that are not capable of being driven under their own power and are not being restored to operable condition, regardless of the length of time that individual motor vehicles are stored or kept at such property. There is no limit to the number of vehicles that may be stored on site that are being restored to operable condition.
    16. Repair Shop, Other - An establishment which is maintained and operated for the purpose of making repairs to any appliances or equipment other than motor vehicles, which uses not more than 600 square feet of the real property to store such appliances or equipment that is not being restored to operable condition, regardless of the length of time individual appliances or equipment items are stored or kept at such property. There is no limit to the number of appliances or equipment items that may be stored on site that are being restored to operable condition.
    17. Residential Area - 25 or more housing units within a geographical area comprised of a 1/4 mile wide strip contiguous and parallel to the external boundaries of the tract of real property on which an automobile graveyard or junkyard is located.
    18. School - Any public or private institution for the teaching of children under 18 years of age which is recognized and approved by the North Carolina Board of Education.
    19. Service Station - Any establishment which is maintained and operated for the primary purpose of making retail sales of fuels, lubricants, air, water and other items for the operation and routine maintenance of motor vehicles, and/or for making mechanical repairs, servicing and/or washing of motor vehicles, and which is not used to store more than 6 motor vehicles that are not capable of being driven under their own power and are not being restored to operable condition, regardless of the length of time that individual motor vehicles are stored or kept at such property. There is no limit to the number of vehicles that may be stored on site that are being restored to operable condition.
    20. Vector - An organism that carries pathogens from 1 host to another.
    21. Vegetation - Evergreen trees, including, but not limited to, white pine and/or hemlock, evergreen shrubs or plants, that can reach a height of 6 feet within a period of 6 years from the date planted.
    22. Wire Fence - A continuous, translucent, perforated barrier extending from the surface of the ground to a uniform height of not less than 6 feet from the ground at all points, constructed of wire, steel or nylon mesh, or any substance of a similar nature and strength, but which perforations or openings are not larger than 16 square inches.