§ 24-2. Definitions.

As used in this chapter/article, the following terms shall have the meanings given herein.

Berms. Maximum slope permitted is three-to-one (3:1). Berms must be completely covered with shrubs, sod or other landscape quality living ground cover.

Buffer yard. A land area, together with a specified type and quantity of planting and/or structures thereon, required between abutting land uses to eliminate or minimize the impacts of one (1) or both such land uses on each other.

Caliper. A measurement of the size of a tree equal to the diameter of its trunk six (6) inches above the top of the root ball.

Certificate of completion. An official document issued by the county evidencing that facilities constructed in support of a subdivision have been completed in a form and manner acceptable to the county.

Certificate of occupancy (C.O.). Certificate of occupancy shall mean an official document evidencing that a building satisfies the requirements of the county for the occupancy of the building.

Change of use. Change of use shall mean a change from one (1) zoning use classification to another.

Encroachment. The protrusion of a vehicle into a vehicular accessway, pedestrian way or landscaped area.

Ground cover. Plants used in mass to replace lawn or create variety in landscape design, usually not having a mature height over two (2) feet tall and as listed in the Florida Friendly Plant List. This term does not include turf, turf grass, or sod.

Hedge. A close planting of shrubs which forms a compact, dense, living barrier which protects, shields, separates or demarcates an area from view and which is eighty (80) percent opaque within twelve (12) months from planting. Material used shall be a minimum of five (5) gallon plants and not be less than thirty (30) inches in height at the time of planting.

Landscape architect. Landscape architect shall have the meaning as ascribed in F.S. (2009) ch. 481, pt. II.

Landscape plan. A scaled plan that clearly delineates vehicular use areas, and displays and describes all landscaping, to include method of irrigation and maintenance of the landscaped areas.

Landscaping. The use of plants, construction and grading to create a desired effect. Landscaping elements may consist of, but are not limited to, turf and other ground covers, shrubs, vines, hedges, trees, berms and complementary structural landscape features such as rock, fountains, sculpture, decorative walls and tree wells.

Low impact development techniques. Land planning and engineering designed with a goal to maintaining and enhancing the predevelopment (or redevelopment) hydrologic regime of urban and developing watersheds.

Masonry wall. A wall and footing constructed of masonry material and meeting the requirements of the Southern Building Code.

Qualified professional. For projects other than single-family and two-family dwellings on individual lots, qualified professionals can be an engineer, architect or landscape architect registered in the state or any nurseryman, nursery stock dealer, or agent as defined by F.S. ch. 581, who is required under ch. 581 to hold a valid license issued by the division of plant industry of the department of agriculture and consumer services and who does hold a valid license to engage in the selling of nursery stock in this state, insofar as he engages in the preparation of plans or drawings as an adjunct to merchandising his product, so long as he does not use the title, term or designation "landscape architect," landscape architectural," "landscape architecture," "L.A.," "landscape engineering," or any description tending to convey the impression that he is a landscape architect unless he is registered as provided in F.S. ch. 481, or is exempt.

Reuse water. Water that has received at least secondary treatment and is reused after flowing out of a wastewater treatment system.

Service area. An equipment area, loading area or dock, trash collection area, trash compaction area, truck parking area, recycling area, or other similar service function area.

Shade tree or canopy tree. Acceptable species shall mean a tree species which features a minimum mature canopy spread of at least twenty-five (25) feet, as described in the Florida Friendly Plant List. At the time of installation, each shade tree must be a minimum of ten (10) feet tall, with a minimum caliper of three (3) inches as measured twelve (12) inches above the root ball. Depending on the proposed location and growing conditions, other tree species not listed in the Florida Friendly Plant List may be considered by the Orange County Zoning Manager or designee.

Site plan review. Site plan review refers to commercial site plan review (chapter 30, Orange County Code).

Turf, turf grass or sod. A mat layer of monocotyledonous plants such as Bahia, Bermuda, Centipede, Paspalum, St. Augustine, and Zoysia.

Understory trees. Acceptable species shall mean a tree species which features a maximum mature canopy spread of no more than twenty (20) feet, as described within the Florida Friendly Plant List. At the time of installation, each understory tree must be a minimum of seven (7) feet tall, with a minimum caliper of two (2) inches as measured six (6) inches above the root ball. Depending on the proposed location and growing conditions, other tree species not listed in the Florida Friendly Plant List may be considered by the Orange County Zoning Manager or his/her designee.

Vehicular use area. Any ground surface area (paved or unpaved) used for storage, display, temporary parking and/or maneuvering of vehicles by employees or customers, either for compensation or to provide an accessory service to a commercial, industrial or residential use, excluding single-family and duplex residences.

Water-efficient landscaping. Landscaping that maximizes the conservation of water, via the application of one (1) or more of the principles of Xeriscape ^TM .

Xeriscape™ or Florida friendly landscaping. A set of design and maintenance principles which reduce nonpoint source pollution and promote good horticultural practice and economic and efficient use of water. The terms Xeriscape and Florida friendly landscape may be used interchangeably in this Code; however, for purposes of determining or certifying when Florida friendly landscaping is used in landscape planning the term shall be more specifically defined in that section of Code so as to be consistent with F.S. (2009) § 373.185(1)(b).

Zoning manager. The manager of the Orange County Zoning Division, or his authorized designee.

(Ord. No. 92-42, § 1, 12-15-92; Ord. No. 2001-14, § 3, 6-19-01; Ord. No. 2009-25 , § 1, 9-22-09)