<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 18-193. - Definitions.</div>
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            <p class="p0">
               For the purpose of this article, certain terms and words are hereby defined; 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 discretionary.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Abandonment</span> means to give up, discontinue, withdraw from. Any solar energy facility that ceases
               to produce energy on a continuous basis for 12 months will be considered abandoned.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Building</span> means any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls, and designated or
               intended for the shelter, support, enclosure or protection of persons, animals or
               chattels.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Decommissioning plan</span> means a document that details the planned shut down or removal of a solar energy
               facility from operation or usage.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Fence</span> means a continuous barrier extending from the surface of the ground to a uniform
               height of not less than six feet from the ground at any given point, constructed of
               dirt, wood, stone, steel, or other metal, or any substance of a similar nature and
               strength.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Gate</span> means a door or other device attached to a fence which, when opened, provides a means
               of ingress and egress of persons and things for which it was intended, and which,
               when closed, forms a continuous barrier as a part of the fence to which it is attached.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Improved area</span> means an area containing solar panels, electrical inverters, storage buildings and
               access roads.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Opaque fence</span> means a continuous opaque, unperforated barrier extending from the surface of the
               ground to a uniform height of not less than six feet from the ground at any given
               point, constructed of dirt, wood, stone, steel, or other metal, or any substance of
               a similar nature and strength which will hide the solar energy facility.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Public road</span> means 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 roads which provide
               access to residential areas. Setbacks for improved areas shall be measured from the
               road right-of-way.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Residence</span> means a building used as a dwelling for one or more families or persons.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Residential area</span> means any area within one-quarter mile of a solar energy facility having 20 or more
               lots within a recorded subdivision.
               </p>
            <p class="p0">
               <span class="ital">Solar energy facility [SEF]</span> means an energy facility, an area of land, or a structural rooftop principally used
               to convert solar energy to electricity, which includes, but is not limited to, the
               use of one or more solar energy systems. This definition shall only include stand-alone
               facilities that sell electricity to be used off site.
               </p>
            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. of 11-5-2014(1), Â§ 3; Ord. of 1-19-2016(1), Â§ 3; Ord. of 3-19-2024(1))
               </p></div>