8-10-1: PURPOSE AND GENERAL RULES OF INTERPRETATION:

   A.   Purpose: This Chapter describes the general rules of interpretation and provides definitions for those terms used in the Ada County Zoning Ordinance.

   B.   Language:

      1.   Terminology: When used in this Title, all 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, unless the natural construction of the sentence indicates otherwise. The word "shall" is mandatory, and the word "may" is permissive.

      2.   Number Of Days: Whenever a number of days is specified in this Title, or in any permit, condition of approval, or notice issued or given as provided in this Title, the number of days are construed as calendar days, except that those time limits shall extend to the following working day when the last of the specified number of days falls on a weekend or Ada County holiday.

      3.   Section Headings: Section headings or captions are for reference purposes only and shall not be used in the interpretation of this Title.

      4.   References: All references to state or federal laws and/or regulations shall refer to such laws and/or regulations as they may be amended over time.

   C.   Measurements:

      1.   Structure height is measured as the vertical distance from the average contact ground level at the front wall of a building to the highest point of the coping of a flat roof, the deck line of a mansard roof, or the average height of the highest gable of a pitch or hip roof.

      2.   Linear distance is measured in a horizontal line. It is not measured along an inclined surface or line. For uses that have a separation standard, the distance is measured from the nearest customer entrance of the proposed use to the nearest property line of the specified use. This measurement is conducted in a radial fashion by the specified number of feet (e.g., 300 feet, 1,000 feet). Illumination levels are measured with a calibrated photoelectric photometer or similar device capable of accurate measurement of light.

      3.   Noise levels are measured at the property line with a calibrated noise meter or similar device capable of accurate measurement of sound. See Figure 8-10-1-1 Noise Measurement.

   Figure 8-10-1-1 Noise Measurement

   D.   District Boundaries: Where uncertainty exists about the location of any district boundary shown on the official zoning map, the following rules are used to resolve the uncertainty:

      1.   Where a district boundary approximately follows a property line, that property line is construed as the district boundary.

      2.   Where a district boundary approximately follows a street, alley, or railroad line, that street, alley, centerline, or the extension of that line, is construed as the district boundary. Where a street or alley is officially vacated and that street or alley has not been given a zoning designation, the land that was formerly in the vacated street or alley shall have the same designation as the abutting property on either side of the centerline of the vacated street or alley.

      3.   Where a district boundary approximately follows a watercourse, the centerline of the watercourse is construed as that boundary. If a change watercourse shoreline, the boundary is construed as moving with the actual centerline.

      4.   Where a district boundary does not obviously coincide with any of the above lines (property; street, alley, or railroad line; watercourse), or where it is not designated by dimensions, it is located along nearest section, a quarter section, or a sixteenth section line.

(Ord. 1002, 10-28-2025)