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Index of Terms

Revised Definitions of Terms/Broad Use Terms Used in Statutory Plans

Important Note :

This set of definitions is generally used by the Town Planning Board as a basis in interpreting the various planning terms used in statutory plans. It does not form part of the plan and the definitions are liable to revision.

The notes under the 'Remarks' column shall be deemed to be part of the definitions and should be read in conjunction with the definitions.

Any enquiries on these definitions should be directed to the Planning Enquiry Counter of the Planning Department (Tel No. 22315000),17/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong.

Use Definition Remarks
Abattoir Means any premises or place habitually used for the slaughter of animals for human consumption. As defined under section 2 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132). A public slaughterhouse is as designated under section 76A(1) of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132). A private slaughterhouse means any other slaughterhouse.
Agricultural Use Means any land used for the growing of crops and plants, and rearing of animals and fish for the purpose of providing food and other products including horticulture, aquaculture, fruit growing, seed growing, market gardens, nursery grounds, dairy farming, the breeding and keeping of poultry and livestock, grazing land, meadow land, fish ponds and paddy fields.

It includes any structure or premises ancillary to and directly connected with the agricultural activities, such as cowshed, green house and structure for the storage of machinery, tools, carts, trolleys, seeds and fertilizers; but excludes any structure or premises for domestic purposes.

 

It also includes ancillary activities directly related to commercial crop farming and aquaculture endorsed by the Director of Agriculture,Fisheries and Conservation with or without structures, such as the sale of simple cooked food made from crops grown and aquatic products reared on the farms, and provision of guided tours or workshops aiming at promoting agricultural education.

 

It also includes fish pond culture and the use of land for growing shrubs or trees where that use is ancillary to the predominant arable, pastoral or fish farming use, but excludes hobby farming and fishing ground which are regarded as some types of ‘Place of Recreation, Sports or Culture’.

 

For cultivation, soil may be deposited or placed on land. The thickness of such deposition or placement of soil shall not exceed 1.2 metres above the original ground level.

[‘Fish Pond Culture’ and ‘Plant Nursery’ subsumed under this term unless otherwise specified]

Air Cargo Handling System and Facility Means any facility which provides for the handling of the movement and loading/unloading of air cargo. It includes cargo staging and loading/unloading apron.
Air Catering Facility and Service Means any premises where in-flight meals are prepared. It includes areas for the processing and storage of food and beverage, meal preparation and laundry/washing.
Airfield Means an area designed, equipped, set apart or used for affording facilities for the landing and departure of aircraft. Adapted from the interpretation of 'Aerodrome' in the Civil Aviation Ordinance (Cap. 448). It includes not only the runway and taxiway system, but also specified side clearance limits, runway safety areas, clear landing zones at the runway ends, land required for associated lighting, visual aids and landing approach aids.
Air Mail Centre Means any premises equipped with facilities for the receipt and sorting of mail from inbound flights, sorting of transshipped air mail, and the delivery of air mail to outbound flights.  
Air Passenger and Freight Handling and Processing System/Facility Means any premises or structure which is designed and equipped with facilities for the handling and processing of air passengers, baggage and freight.  
Air Passenger Terminal and Concourse Means a purpose-built premises designed, equipped and commonly used for the transition of passengers and baggage between surface transport modes and air travel, including all passenger processing facilities such as check in, immigration, security screening, baggage reclaim, and customs. It includes retail facilities.
Airport Apron Means the part of the airport provided for the stationing of aircraft for the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers, and the loading/unloading of cargo and parking. As defined under section 1 of Schedule 14 of the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 of the Civil Aviation Ordinance (Cap. 448). It includes aprons for business aviation, passenger aircraft, cargo aircraft maintenance.
Air Traffic Control Tower and Centre Means any premises or structure where authorized traffic controllers give instructions, clearance, or advice by means of radio signals to aircraft which are manoeuvring, landing, taking off, or flying within the Hong Kong airspace. Adapted from the interpretation of 'Air Traffic Control Unit' in section 98 of the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 in the Civil Aviation Ordinance (Cap. 448).
Airport Runway Means an area, whether or not paved, which is provided for the take-off or landing run of aircraft. As defined under section 1 of Schedule 14 of the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 of the Civil Aviation Ordinance (Cap. 448).
Airport Supporting and Servicing Facility Means any premises or structure with a functional relationship with airline activities at the airport. It includes facilities which are required for the airfield and overall airport to function, specifically, airport maintenance, rescue and fire fighting, sea rescue, police, air traffic control and meteorological facilities. It also includes facilities for business aviation, air cargo handling, aircraft maintenance, in-flight catering, ground support equipment maintenance, aviation fuel storage, and air mail centre.
Airport Taxiway Means a defined path within the airport established for the taxiing of aircraft and intended to provide a link between one part of the airport and the other. It includes airport stand taxi lane, apron taxiway and rapid exit taxiway.
Ambulance Depot Means a purpose-built premises where ambulances and personnel are accommodated ready for immediate turn out to render ambulance aid to the sick and injured and to convey them promptly to medical attention. It includes facilities under the management of the Fire Services Department and other voluntary agencies.
Amenity Planting Means the planting of trees, shrubs, flowers etc. to make a place pleasant and contribute to the general amenity and attractiveness of the area. It includes such areas as the centres of roundabouts, central dividing strips in roads, areas of footways and road reserves, particularly interchanges or beneath flyovers, that are not required for vehicular or pedestrian movement, and area along drainage channels. It also includes steep slopes, mostly abutting roads, which are properly turfed to enhance general amenity and serve as environmental buffer. Some amenity planting areas may be used for passive recreation. ['Amenity Area', 'Forest Plantation' and 'Tree Plantation' subsumed under this term]
Amusement Park Means any land with some structures or machineries such as swings, merry-go-rounds, shoot galleries and race track, etc. for enjoyment of the public. [Subsumed under 'Place of Entertainment']
Ancestral Hall Means a place for common worship or remembrance of the ancestors of the villagers. It includes Tsz Tong, but excludes columbarium. [Subsumed under 'Religious Institution' unless otherwise specified]
Animal Boarding Establishment Means any place or premises providing food and accommodation, training or recreation facilities for or undertaking breeding of animals other than livestock. It includes kennels, cattery and stable. It also includes boarding establishment for animals with or without a license granted under the Public Health (Animals) (Boarding Establishment) Regulations (Cap. 139I).
Animal Pound Means any place or premises used to detain or to impound animals found at large without any person having the charge thereof, appear to be lost or to be doing damage. See Pounds Ordinance (Cap. 168) [Subsumed under 'Animal Quarantine Centre']
Animal Quarantine Centre Means any place or premises declared to be a quarantine centre or an observation centre under section 34 of the Rabies Ordinance (Cap. 421). ['Quarantine Station and Quarantine Lairage for Animals' and 'Animal Pound' subsumed under this term]
Apron Control Centre Means any place or premises designed and equipped with facilities for regulating activities and movement of aircraft and vehicles on airfield and aprons. It includes facilities such as apron tower, apron services, airfield operations and bird control.
Art Studio Means any premises purely used as a working place for the creation of paintings, sculptures, pottery and other pictures or objects which are the subject of art and as a venue for rehearsal for art performance. It excludes any premises to be used for teaching art subjects which will be regarded as a type of school use, or for domestic purposes. For Art Studio (excluding those involving direct provision of services or goods), it means any art studio which would not involve uses/activities that would attract visiting members of the general public by providing direct services or goods, such as hobby classes, seminars and sales of goods, or providing rehearsal facilities for any party other than the operator, owner and tenant(s) of the premises. [Subsumed under ‘Place of Recreation, Sports or Culture’ unless otherwise specified]
Audio-visual Recording Studio Means any premises used for the production of audio and video records and small-scale production of motion pictures. [Subsumed under 'Office']
Aviary Means any place used for keeping birds for display to the public. It is usually within a park or garden.
Aviation Fuel Pipeline Reserve Means a reserve which is required for the laying or installation, whether above or under ground, of aviation fuel pipelines.  
Aviation Fuel Storage Facility Means any facility which safely stores and distributes aviation fuel to aircraft. It includes storage tanks, pumping systems, and tanker loading station.
Bank Means any premises wherein a company carries on a banking business or a business of taking deposits, and holds a valid license or registered under section 16 of the Banking Ordinance (Cap. 155). Adapted from interpretations in the Banking Ordinance (Cap. 155). It includes branches of a bank and a deposit-taking company, and automated teller machine. [Subsumed under 'Shop and Services' ]
Bank (Automated Teller Machine Only) Means any premises exclusively used for installation of electronic transaction device used by a bank to provide electronic banking facilities to its customer. Adapted from the interpretation of 'Automatic Teller Machine' in the Banking Ordinance (Cap. 155). [Subsumed under 'Shop and Services' except where separately permitted under the covering Notes]
Barbecue Spot Means any place where meat and other food are roasted or broiled on a spit over an open fire for consumption on the spot, which is for the use and enjoyment of the general public. It may include such facilities as public convenience, refreshment kiosk and ground level parking space. It excludes barbecue sites which are privately owned and/or commercially operated.
Barber Shop Means any premises used by a person or persons whose business is cutting and dressing hair, shaving and trimming beards. [Subsumed under 'Shop and Services']
Beauty Parlour Means any premises where people can go to get a shampoo, permanent wave, manicure, facial or other beauty and body treatments. [Subsumed under 'Shop and Services']
Boating Centre Means any mooring areas and land areas where people can hire a boat for sailing for recreation purpose. It may include boat storage shed and ancillary boat repair/maintenance workshop. [Subsumed under 'Place of Recreation, Sports or Culture' unless otherwise specified]
Broadcasting, Television and/or Film Studio Broadcasting studio means any premises or station operated by the holder of a license granted under section 13C of the Telecommunications Ordinance (Cap. 106) for the purpose of providing sound broadcasting services for general reception by means of radio waves. Television studio means any premises or station operated by the holder of a licence granted under section 8 of the Broadcasting Ordinance (Cap. 562) for the purpose of producing television programme and providing television broadcasting services. Film studio means any place or premises where motion pictures are produced for entertainment, educational and commercial purpose. It excludes small-scale audio-visual production firms which are regarded as a type of 'Office' use.
Burial Ground Means an area outside the gazetted cemeteries in the New Territories designated by the Director of Lands in consultation with the Director of Home Affairs reserved for burying of the indigenous villagers and locally based fishermen.  
Cable Car Route and Terminal Building Cable car route means any specified thoroughfare, usually separated from the road or footpath, reserved for the use and operation of cable car. Terminal building means any building at the end of the route used for the administration and operation of the cable car. It may include restaurants and retail shops.
Canteen Means any premises where food or drinks are sold for consumption on the premises exclusively to persons working in the building or on the site where the premises are located, or exclusively to members of a particular organization and the premises are located within the compound of the organization. It includes a canteen within a factory, an education institution or other organizations. [Subsumed under 'Eating Place' unless otherwise specified]
Caretaker's Office or Quarters Means any premises used by caretakers and watchmen employed to provide services to the main building or lot.  
Cargo Handling and Forwarding Facility Means any premises or structure which provides facilities for the processing of inbound, transshipment and outbound cargo and/or freight forwarding facilities including the necessary logistics support such as packaging, labelling and final assembly of goods for distribution. It includes such facilities as cargo storage area; import and export processing area; cargo working area; equipment manoeuvring, storage and maintenance area; air courier facilities; customs and excise offices; loading/unloading docks; and logistics centre. ['Cargo Handling Facility', 'Cargo Working Area', 'Container Freight Station', 'Logistics Centre' and 'Freight Forwarding Services Centre' subsumed under this term unless otherwise specified]
Cargo Working Area Means any place which provides berthing and parking services for vessels, lorries or container vehicles, for the loading or unloading of cargo or cargo containers into or from any vessel or vehicle. See Port Control (Cargo Working Areas) Ordinance (Cap. 81) and Port Control (Cargo Working Areas) Regulations. It includes cargo handling area. [Subsumed under 'Cargo Handling and Forwarding Facility']
Catering Services Means any premises where meals are prepared for bulk distribution to retailers. This can be interpreted as a kind of 'service trades'. [Subsumed under 'Shop and Services' or 'Industrial Use' depending on the scale of operation]
Cement Manufacturing Means any plant, structure or premises in which cement is manufactured, processed and packaged.  
Clinical Laboratory Means any premises used for clinical research, experiment and testing of biological specimens related to the human body. The operation of a clinical laboratory should not involve the use of radioactive, explosive and hazardous chemicals nor produce noxious or harmful fumes or chemical wastes. [Subsumed under 'Shop and Services']
Columbarium Means any place or vault with niches or urns that contain the ashes of cremated bodies. ['Garden of Remembrance' and 'Funeral Services Centre' subsumed under this item and under 'Crematorium']
Commercial Bathhouse Means any premises maintained or intended to be maintained for the use, on payment of a fee, of persons requiring a bath, as set out in the Commercial Bathhouses Regulation of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132). Adapted from the interpretation of 'Bathhouse' in Commercial Bathhouses Regulation of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132).
Construction, Utility and Other Industrial Support Workshop Means any place or premises for the assembly and repair of construction, utility and industrial equipment. [Subsumed under 'Industrial Use']
Container Freight Station Means any land or premises used for the temporary storage and the stuffing and stripping of containers. [Subsumed under 'Cargo Handling and Forwarding Facility']
Container Storage/ Repair Yard Means any site, usually with a greater part of the site uncovered, for the storage and repair of containers.  
Container Vehicle Park/Container Vehicle Repair Yard Means any place for the parking of container related vehicles, including container trailers and tractors, and for the repair and maintenance of such container related vehicles.  
Cooked Food Centre Means any place of structure owned by the Government or within public housing estates that is reserved for/used by market stall operators to prepare and sell cooked food, drinks, other light refreshments or fruits to the public. [Subsumed under 'Eating Place' unless otherwise specified]
Correctional Institution Means any land or premises used for minimum and maximum security prisons, drug treatment centres, training centre, detention centres, reception centres, correctional institutions, and other institutions managed by the Correctional Services Department. It may include recreational, education, medical and religious facilities, workshops, staff quarters and other ancillary facilities for the inmates and staff of the institutions.
Country Park Means any land designated as country park or special area under the Country Parks Ordinance (Cap. 208).  
Creative Industries It generally refers to any establishment or operation that exploits and deploys creativity, skill and intellectual property to produce and distribute products and services of social and cultural meaning. It includes the use of any premises for the accommodation of advertising firms; public relations agencies; market research companies; architectural and landscape design firms; jewellery manufacturing workshops; art studios; design and media production firms; audio-visual recording studios; venues for performances and theatrical entertainment; printing, publishing and allied industries; information technology and telecommunications industries; web design and internet application firms; and broadcasting, television and/or film studios. It excludes cinema and movie theatre, which is regarded as a type of ‘Place of Entertainment’. It also excludes museum, which is regarded as a type of ‘Place of Recreation, Sports or Culture’.
Crematorium Means any place or premises designed or adapted for the purpose of burning human remains. As defined under section 2 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132). ['Garden of Remembrance' and 'Funeral Services Centre' subsumed under this term and under 'Columbarium']
Dangerous Goods Godown Means any premises designed for the storage of any Dangerous Goods as specified under section 3 of the Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap. 295), such storage not being directly ancillary to the main use of the building.  
Data Processing Centre Means any premises for data processing services. [Subsumed under ‘Information Technology and Telecommunications Industries ’]
Design and Media Production Means any premises for media design and production work. It excludes free-standing broadcasting, television and/or film studio. [Subsumed under 'Office']
Driving School Means any place designated as a driving school under section 88K of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) for conducting driving instruction courses.  
Driving Test Centre Means any place, structure or premises under the management of the Transport Department used for the administration and execution of motor vehicle driving test. [Subsumed under 'Government Use']
Eating Place Means any premises used for the carrying on of any business where the primary purpose is the sale of food or drinks mainly for consumption on the premises. It includes a canteen, cooked food centre, food court, pub, cafeteria, coffee shop, tea house, restaurant, alfresco dining facility and private kitchen. ['Canteen', 'Cooked Food Centre' and 'Restaurant' subsumed under this term unless otherwise specified]
Eco-lodge Means a low-rise, low-density and nature-dependent resort-type accommodation that meets the principles of eco-tourism and adopts best practice/green architecture/sustainable principles in design, construction and operation. It excludes residential dwellings for long-term accommodation purposes.
Educational Institution Means any place or premises used for post-secondary education, such as studies, training and/or research in technology, science, commerce, arts or any other subjects of learning. It includes post-secondary colleges, universities, and schools providing post-secondary educational courses.
Electric Power Station Means any premises in which electricity is generated by friction, induction or chemical change. It excludes electricity substation which is regarded as a type of 'Public Utility Installation'.
Environmental Improvement Works Means any works that are implemented for improving the general environment of the area. The works are usually co-ordinated or implemented by Government for improving the general environment. The works include amenity planting, river training, drainage construction, paving and construction of van track/village road, etc.
Exhibition or Convention Hall Means any premises designed for the holding of exhibitions, trade fair or conventions, either permanently or temporarily, for the benefit of the public or members of the trade who are admitted either free or on payment. It includes trade mart but excludes showroom. ['Trade Mart' subsumed under this term]
Exhibition Support Centre It means any premises for the provision of design services, manufacturing and construction of equipment for exhibition, but excludes exhibition or convention hall. [Subsumed under 'Industrial Use']
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