As used in this article:
(1) "Approved" or "approval" means a final action by the local governing body or an exhaustion of all administrative remedies that results in the authorization of a site specific development plan or a phased development plan.
(2) "Building permit" means a written warrant or license issued by a local building official that authorizes the construction or renovation of a building or structure at a specified location.
(3) "Conditionally approved" or "conditional approval" means an interim action taken by a local governing body that provides authorization for a site specific development plan or a phased development plan but is subject to approval.
(4) "Landowner" means an owner of a legal or equitable interest in real property including the heirs, devisees, successors, assigns, and personal representatives of the owner. "Landowner" may include a person holding a valid option to purchase real property pursuant to a contract with the owner to act as his agent or representative for purposes of submitting a proposed site specific development plan or a phased development plan pursuant to this article.
(5) "Local governing body" means: (a) the governing body of a county or municipality, or (b) a county or municipal body authorized by statute or by the governing body of the county or municipality to make land-use decisions.
(6) "Person" means an individual, corporation, business or land trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest, or any legal entity as defined by South Carolina laws.
(7) "Phased development plan" means a development plan submitted to a local governing body by a landowner that shows the types and density or intensity of uses for a specific property or properties to be developed in phases, but which do not satisfy the requirements for a site specific development plan.
(8) "Real property" or "property" means all real property that is subject to the land use and development ordinances or regulations of a local governing body, and includes the earth, water, and air, above, below, or on the surface, and includes improvements or structures customarily regarded as a part of real property.
(9) "Site specific development plan" means a development plan submitted to a local governing body by a landowner describing with reasonable certainty the types and density or intensity of uses for a specific property or properties. The plan may be in the form of, but is not limited to, the following plans or approvals: planned unit development; subdivision plat; preliminary or general development plan; variance; conditional use or special use permit plan; conditional or special use district zoning plan; or other land-use approval designations as are used by a county or municipality.
(10) "Vested right" means the right to undertake and complete the development of property under the terms and conditions of a site specific development plan or a phased development plan as provided in this article and in the local land development ordinances or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
HISTORY: 2004 Act No. 287, Section 2, eff July 1, 2005.