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Municode r a�` 1 "1 1 1 Sec. 78-1. - Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning. Unless specifically defined in this section, the words and phrases used in this chapter shail have the meaninqs qiven to them in chaqter 82. Basement means that portion of a building that is partly or completely below the existing ground level. A basement shall be considered as a story for purposes of determining the number of stories in a building, when the finished surface of the floor above the basement is more than six feet above the existing ground level for more than 50 percent of the basemenYs perimeter. The perimeter of the basement does not include portions of the house or garage that do not have a lower level but are merely "unexcavated". Artificially raising the grade adjacent to the foundation of a structure (by filling or by a combination of filling and retaining walls) above the surrounding natural terrain shall not be allowed as a method for converting a defined story to a defined basement, regardless of any other benefits to the property of such action. Finished grade that increases more than one foot from existing ground level shall be considered as artificially raising the grade. However. artificialiv raisinq the Qrade when such action merely restores a previously excavated site to its original natural grade may used as a method for converting a defined story to a defined basement. Basement, walkout, means a basement having an entrance at grade level. Boardinghouse means a building other than a motel or hotel where, for compensation and by prearrangement for definite periods, meals or lodgings are provided for three or more persons, but not to exceed eight persons. Building means any structure having a roof which may provide shelter or enclosure of persons, animals or chattel; and when the structure is divided by party walis without opening, each portion of such building so separated shall be deemed a separate building. Building height means the vertical distance between the highest adjoining ground level at the building or ten feet above the lowest ground level, whichever is lower, and the top of the cornice of a flat roof, or the deck line of a mansard roof, or the uppermost point on a round or other arch-type roof, or the median height of the highest gable of a pitched or hipped roof. Topographic changes which elevate the adjoining ground level above the existing terrain shall not be considered in determining building height. For a pitched or hipped roof situation, regardless whether the highest living space in a building is a half-story or full story, if the highest living space contains windows (excluding skylights) the upper measur ing point for defining building height shall be the median height of the top of the highest window and the highest peak of the roof. htt„•//1;hrarv.municode.com/print.aspx?clientID=13094&HTMRequest=http%3 a%2f%2fli... 4/23/2012