Office. See Administrative Services.

Off-Premises Sign. A sign, such as a billboard, which displays a message which is not incidental to the lawful use of the property on which it is located.

On-Premises Sign. A sign that carries advertisements or information incidental to a lawful use of the premises on which it is located, including signs indicating the business transacted at, services rendered, goods sold or produced on the premises, or name of the person, firm or corporation occupying the premises.

Open Air Parking Lot. An area for parking vehicles that is not enclosed by walls or roof. Parking areas on the roofs of buildings or parking garages are considered open air parking lots.

Open Easement. An easement for a pipeline or pipelines, cables, wires, or lines, which defines the entire tract or parcel over which the facilities cross, without specifically locating the easement. This type of easement is also commonly known as blanket or floating easement.

Open House Sign. A sign that advertises residential property for sale, lease, or rent, the purpose of which is to direct potential buyers or lessees to the residential premises for sale or rent and where the real estate agent, property manager, or owner is physically in attendance at the premises for sale, lease, or rent.

Open Record Hearing. A hearing that creates the City’s record through testimony and submission of evidence and information under procedures prescribed by the City by ordinance or resolution. An open record hearing may be held prior to the City’s decision on a project permit to be known as an “open record pre-decision hearing.” An open record hearing may be held on an appeal, to be known as an “open record appeal hearing,” if no open record pre-decision hearing has been held on the project permit.

Open Space. Any land area, the preservation of which in its present use would (1) conserve and enhance natural or scenic resources; or (2) protect streams or water supply; or (3) promote conservation of soils, wetlands, beaches, or tidal marshes; or (4) enhance the value to the public of abutting or neighboring parks, forests, wildlife preserves, nature reservations or sanctuaries; or (5) enhance recreation or gathering opportunities. Open space can consist of active or passive open space.

Open Space, Active. Open space which may be improved and set aside, dedicated, designated or reserved for recreational or gathering facilities, such as swimming pools, play equipment for children, ball fields, court games, picnic tables, plazas, etc.

Open Space, Passive. Open space which is essentially unimproved and set aside, dedicated, designated, or reserved for public or private use or for the use and enjoyment of owners, occupants.

Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM). The mark that will be found on all lakes and streams by examining the bed and banks and ascertaining where the presence and action of waters are so common and usual, and so long continued in all ordinary years, as to mark upon the soil a character distinct from that of the abutting upland, in respect to vegetation, as that condition exists on June 1, 1971, as it may naturally change thereafter, or as it may change thereafter in accordance with permits issued by a local government or the department, provided that in any area where the ordinary high water mark cannot be found, the ordinary high water mark adjoining fresh water shall be the line of mean high water. (SMP)

Other Adult Entertainment Facility. Any commercial establishment not defined herein where adult entertainment is regularly conducted or sexually oriented materials are displayed, or available in any form, for any type of consideration, provided however that a public library, and a school, university, or similar educational or scientific facility shall not be considered an adult entertainment facility. In addition, a commercial establishment that offers access to telecommunications networks as its principal business purpose shall not be considered an adult entertainment facility unless the access it provides is for the primary purpose of displaying or presenting visual images that are distinguished or characterized by a predominant emphasis on matters depicting, describing, or simulating any specified sexual activities or any specified anatomical areas.

Outdoor Retail Display. Outdoor display of items for sale or lease, including goods that by their nature are seasonal, such as fruits, vegetables, Christmas trees, pumpkins, lawn accessories, planting materials, etc.

Outdoor Storage. The storage of any materials not for sale or lease that are stored for a period greater than 24 hours, including but not limited to items used in business operations, production, awaiting shipment, or repair (including vehicles) that are not in an enclosed building.

Outdoor Storage - Bulk. Outdoor storage that has a large size, mass, or volume, is not easily carried, and that requires a mechanical device to be moved.

Outdoor Storage - Non-Bulk. Outdoor Storage that is distinguished from bulk items by being smaller in size, mass or volume; is easily carried; and does not require a mechanical device to be moved.

Outfall. A structure used for the discharge of a stormwater or sewer system into a receiving water. (SMP)

Out-of-Kind Mitigation. Replacement of critical areas with substitute critical areas whose characteristics do not closely approximate those destroyed or degraded by a regulated activity.

Owner Occupancy. Occupancy by a property owner, as reflected in title records, who makes his or her legal residence at the site, as evidenced by voter registration, vehicle registration, or similar means, and actually resides at the site more than nine months out of any given year.