Page 35 - San Marcos, TX Development Code

8 C H A PT E R Definitions

the installation of piles, the Construction of columns or any 230. Streetscreen: a freestanding wall or a hedge along the
work beyond the state of Excavation; or the placement of a Frontage Line, or coplanar with the Facade. It may mask
manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent Construc- parking from the Thoroughfare, provide privacy to a side
tion does not include land preparation, including clearing, yard, and/or strengthen the spatial definition of the public
grading and filling; nor does it include the installation of realm. (Syn: Street Wall.)
Streets and/or walkways; nor does it include Excavation for
basement, footings, piers or foundations or the Erection of 231. Street Wall: A Street Wall is a vertical plane along the edge
temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the of properties abutting the public realm which is created by
property of Accessory Buildings including Garages or sheds building facades, landscaping, site walls and other design
not occupied as Dwelling Units or not a part of the main elements. A Street Wall helps define the public street by
Structure. For a substantial Improvement, the actual Start of providing enclosure and creating a human scale space.
Construction means the first Alteration of any wall, ceiling, Maintaining a strong Street Wall contributes to a positive
floor or other structural part of a Building, whether or not that pedestrian experience.
Alteration affects the external dimensions of the Building. 232. Structural Alteration: for purposes of Sign regulation, any
relocation, Replacement or enlargement of the structure of a
227. Steep Slope: areas that contain slopes 15 percent or greater Sign or change in the overall height, width, size or orientation
grade and that are characterized by increased runoff, erosion
and sediment hazards. of a Sign. Routine maintenance of nonstructural parts includ-
ing removable faces, Copy and electrical fixtures shall not be
228. Storm Sewer: any sewer or open Drainage channel designed considered Structural Alterations.
to carry stormwater and surface water, Thoroughfare wash 233. Structural Improvement: any Repair, Reconstruction,
and Drainage water.
rehabilitation, Addition or other Improvement of a Structure,
229. Story: a habitable level of a Building above grade, other than the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market
an Attic or a basement, that is included between the surface value of the Structure before the Start of Construction of the
of any floor and the surface of the next floor above it or, if Improvement. This term includes Structures that have
there is no floor above it, then the space between the floor incurred Substantial Damage, regardless of the actual Repair
and the ceiling above it. The definition of a Story does not work performed. The term does not, however, include either:
include parapets, gables and other normal roof Structures. a. Any project for Improvement of a Structure to correct
In cases where the Site has a significant slope, the number existing Violations of state or local health, sanitary or
of Stories of a Building shall be measured from the point safety code specifications which have been identified by
representing the average slope from front to back, or side to the chief Building Official and which are the minimum
side, of the Building.
Figure 8.2 Diagram of a two-story structure necessary to ensure safe living conditions; or
b. Any Alteration of a Historical Landmark, Historic
Building, or other Historic Structure, provided that the
Alteration shall not preclude the Structure’s continued
designation as a Historic Landmark, Historic Building, or
Historic Structure, as applicable.

234. Structure: any vertical Improvement Constructed, Erect-ed or
artificially built up or composed of parts and joined together
in a permanent manner. A Structure may or may not be
intended for habitation and includes without limitation, a
Building, park shed, bicycle storage facility, transit stop, tick-

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8:18 San Marcos Development Code Downtown Design Final Draft: March 2021