A. "Approval of development" means, in cases where no subdivision is involved, the issuance of any necessary development permits pursuant to city ordinances, regulations or state statutes or regulations, or, in the case of subdivisions as defined in the Subdivision Map Act (California Government Code Section 66410ff) and the Petaluma subdivision ordinance (Petaluma Municipal Code Title 20), approval of a final map by the city council.

B. "Developer" means a sole proprietorship, limited or general partnership, joint venture, corporation or combination of any of such entities, or any other legal entity engaged in the development of real property.

C. "Development" means the construction or installation of any improvements upon a parcel or parcels of real property for which a permit or permission is required under the Petaluma zoning ordinance (Ordinance No. 1072 NCS, as amended, or any successor thereto), or the Petaluma building code, or any subdivision as defined in the Petaluma subdivision ordinance (Petaluma Municipal Code Title 20) and the Subdivision Map Act (California Government Code Section 66410ff).

D. "District" means a public improvement benefit district as the same is defined in this chapter.

E. "Improvement" means a public improvement which is found to be reasonably necessary in order to accommodate new development or a combination of new and existing developments as projected by the Petaluma general plan, and which would confer a substantially greater benefit upon properties within a district than upon the public as a whole.

F. "Owner" means a person or group of persons, general or limited partnership, joint venture, corporation, or a combination of any of such entities or any other legal entity which possesses any estate or interest in real property.