§ 15-603. Definitions.

Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this article shall be interpreted so as to give this article its most reasonable liberal application and to effectuate the intent of this article described above:

(a)

Board shall mean the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, Florida.

(b)

Boat ramp facility shall mean the boat ramp and any other improvements which may be required by state or local regulations or this article to be built in conjunction with a particular type of boat ramp.

(c)

Boat ramp shall mean any structure or clearing that extends to or waterward of the normal high water elevation or any structure or clearing upon which trailerable watercraft can be launched or retrieved. Provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, this definition shall not apply to a homeowner who clears land which is the site of his personal residence, in compliance with applicable regulations, without building any structure or dredging or filling, for the sole purpose of launching and retrieving his or her personal watercraft.

(d)

Boat ramp facility permit shall mean a permit issued by the Orange County Environmental Protection Department, upon authorization by the board, pursuant to the regulations contained herein, which permit, in conjunction with the required building permit(s), authorizes construction of a boat ramp facility. The permit shall automatically expire and reapplication shall be required in the event that construction of the boat ramp facility is not completed within one (1) year of issuance of such a permit.

(e)

Boat ramp facility sites shall mean a duly platted lot or parcel of record which is the location of any boat ramp facility.

(f)

Commercial boat ramp facility shall mean a boat ramp and any improvements required by state or local regulations to be built in conjunction therewith, the use of which is fee-based, open to equal public access, and intended to profit its owner, not including: (1) fees paid by any homeowner or condominium association for maintenance of common elements; or (2) fees imposed by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity. A commercial boat ramp facility shall also include any boat ramp used in connection with any commercial establishment where the boat ramp is used as an enhancement to the principal function of the basic facility, whether or not use of the boat ramp facility itself is fee-based or profit motivated, or both.

(g)

Companion boat mooring docks shall mean a single mooring boat dock required to be built in conjunction with any boat ramp, except for a private boat ramp. A companion boat mooring dock may be permitted as part of the boat ramp facility permit and shall not require a boat dock permit. However, the companion boat mooring dock shall require a separate building permit.

(h)

Person shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity not including the State of Florida.

(i)

Private boat ramp facility shall mean a boat ramp and, if applicable, any improvements required by state or local regulations to be constructed in conjunction therewith, other than a commercial boat ramp, which boat ramp and improvements are not the subject of unrestricted public access to waters, and which are intended to be used, and are in fact used, only by those persons living in the single-family residence located at the boat ramp facility site and their usual and customary guests who are either in the company of the resident or using the resident's watercraft. It is intended that this type of facility be limited in scope of use. It is further intended that any application for a private boat ramp facility or semi-private boat ramp facility which is approved as such, but is in fact routinely used by individuals other than usual and customary guests of a private resident who are either in the resident's company or using the resident's watercraft, shall be considered an illegal use and be subject to revocation upon majority vote by the board of county commissioners.

(j)

Projected property line shall mean a straight line continuation of, and extension to, the upland property line.

(k)

Prop clean-off area shall mean an area designated for removal of aquatic plants from boat motors and trailers, which area shall have a receptacle for depositing plant fragments or other aquatic debris.

(l)

Public boat ramp facility shall mean a boat ramp and any improvements required by state or local regulations to be constructed in conjunction therewith, which are the subject of unrestricted public access to waters.

(m)

Semi-private boat ramp facility shall mean a boat ramp facility (other than a commercial, public or private boat ramp) along with a companion boat dock and any other improvements required by state or local regulations to be constructed in conjunction therewith, which are intended for the use of, and are in fact used by, a group of residents living in a subdivision or multifamily development, as the case may be, wherein a boat ramp facility is located or their usual and customary guests, but only if in the company of such residents.

(n)

Unrestricted public access shall mean:

(1)

Open to any member of the general public at reasonable hours, free of charge; or

(2)

Operated by any governmental entity including, but not limited to, Orange County.

(o)

Waters shall mean and include, but is not limited to, rivers, lakes, streams, waterways, bays, springs, impoundments, inlets, canals, and all other waters or bodies of water, whether natural or artificial, located in any unincorporated areas of Orange County.

(Ord. No. 93-23, § 3, 9-7-93)