[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 200]
1. 
For purposes of this chapter, certain words shall be interpreted as follows:
A. 
Words used in the present tense shall also include the future.
B. 
The singular number shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular.
C. 
The phrase "used for" shall include "arranged for," "designed for," "intended for," "maintained for" and/or "occupied for."
D. 
The word "person" shall include an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, company, incorporated association, government entity, and/or any other similar entity. Such entities shall include a trustee, receiver, assignee, or similar representative.
E. 
The word "lot" shall include the words "plot" or "parcel" or "tract."
F. 
The words "include" or "including" shall not limit the term to the specified examples, but are intended to extend the meaning to all other instances of like kind and character.
G. 
The word "building" shall include structure or dwelling, and shall always be construed as if followed by the words "or part thereof."
H. 
The word "may" is permissive, and the words "shall" and "will" are always mandatory.
I. 
The words "he" or "she" or "they" are to be used interchangeably with the word "person."
J. 
The word "street" shall include "road," "highway," "avenue," "boulevard," "lane" or "expressway."
K. 
The word "stream" shall include "watercourse," "creek" or "river."
L. 
The word "Board" shall mean "Board of Supervisors."
M. 
The word "Township" shall mean "New Britain Township."
N. 
The word "commonwealth" shall mean "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 201]
1. 
Words and terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings given in this chapter. Unless expressly stated otherwise, any pertinent word or term not a part of this listing, but vital to the interpretation of this chapter, shall be construed to have one of the following meanings:
A. 
The legal definition of the word or term.
B. 
The meaning of the word or term as commonly accepted by practitioners, including civil engineers, surveyors, architects, landscape architects and/or planners.
C. 
The definition of the word or term as included in the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
[Ord. 2002-05-02, 5/20/2002, § 201; as amended by Ord. 2007-04-01, 4/26/2007]
ACCEPTED ENGINEERING STANDARDS
That which conforms to accepted principles, tests or standards of nationally recognized technical, scientific and/or engineering disciplines.
ACT 247
The Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) of July 31, 1968, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., as amended.
ACT 537
Sewage Facilities Act, 35 P.S. § 750.1 et seq., as amended.
AGENT
Any person legally authorized by an applicant to act on the applicant's behalf that while representing the applicant submits any plan to the Township for the purpose of obtaining plan approval.
AISLE
An access way by which vehicles ingress and egress parking spaces.
ALLEY
Limited roads that provide secondary access to homes or businesses, provide off-street parking and/or are used by service vehicles.
ANCHORING
The fastening of any structure (including a mobile home) to the ground (including to a mobile home pad) in order to prevent upset or damage due to wind, erosion, flooding or other natural forces.
APPLICANT
A landowner, equitable landowner or executor, including his or her heirs, successors and assigns who has filed an application for subdivision and/or land development for the purpose of obtaining approval.
APPLICATION FOR SUBDIVISION AND/OR LAND DEVELOPMENT
An application, whether preliminary or final, required to be filed and reviewed for approval prior to start of construction or development including, but not limited to, an application for a building permit, a subdivision plan or a land development plan.
ARCHITECT
A professional architect registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
ARCHITECT, LANDSCAPE
A professional landscape architect registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
AUTHORITY
A public organization created pursuant to the Municipal Authorities Act of 1945 (P.L. 292, No. 164) as amended.
BASIN, DETENTION
An impoundment basin designed to temporarily hold stormwater or surface runoff and discharge the stormwater or runoff at a controlled rate.
BASIN, RETENTION
A basin designed to retain stormwater runoff so that a permanent pool is created.
BERM
An earthen mound intended to partially or fully screen site elements between properties or uses.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPS)
Methods, measures or procedures used to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation to protect, maintain, reclaim and restore the quality of water.
BICYCLE LANE
A lane designated and delineated by signs, markings, striping and/or barriers, for the preferential or exclusive use by bicycles.
BICYCLE TRAIL
A path constructed for use by bicycles, which may be on a separate surface from that used for motor vehicles.
BLOCK
An area bounded by streets or by streets and natural or man-made features such as municipal boundary lines, railroads, public parks, watercourses, etc.
BOARD
The elected governing body of New Britain Township.
BOND
Any form of surety in an amount and form approved by the Board.
BUFFER
An area of trees, shrubs, ground cover, fence(s), wall(s), berm(s) or a combination of elements designed to separate the uses of abutting land and to buffer visual outlines of buildings, screen glare and noise and ease the transition between uses.
BUILDING
Any structure, whether built conventionally or in a manner generally referred to as "Mobile," "Modular" or "Manufactured" and having a roof supported by columns or walls, temporarily or permanently located on the land and intended for the shelter, housing or enclosure of persons, animals, processes, equipment, goods or materials of any kind.
BUILDING ENVELOPE
The area of a lot where structures are permitted according to the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
BUILDING SETBACK LINES
The rear line of the minimum front yard as defined by the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
BUILDING, ACCESSORY
A subordinate building on the same lot as a principal building or use. Any portion of a principal building used or intended to be used for an accessory use is not an accessory building.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL
A building in which the principal use of the lot is conducted.
CALIPER
The diameter of a tree trunk measured in inches, six inches above ground level for trees up to four inches in diameter and 12 inches above ground level for trees more than four inches in diameter.
CARTWAY
The portion of a street, alley, access drive or driveway, whether paved or unpaved, intended for vehicular use.
CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLE
An area of unobstructed vision at street intersections defined by lines of sight between points at a given distance from the intersection of the street right-of-way lines.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Maps, charts and text duly adopted by the Board as the official Comprehensive Plan for the Township.
CONDOMINIUM
An ownership arrangement, portions of which are designated for separate ownership and the remainder of which is designated for restricted ownership solely by the owners of those portions.
CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION
The community association that administers and maintains the common property and common elements of a condominium.
CONSTRUCTION
The act of building, renovating, repairing, extending, expanding, altering or relocating a building or structure, including the placement of mobile homes.
CONTIGUOUS LOTS
Lots where at least one boundary line of one lot touches a boundary line or lines of another lot.
CROSSWALK
A defined or marked pedestrian access way that traverses a street, road or parking area.
CULVERT
A structure under a road or pedestrian pathway designed to convey stormwater.
CURBLINE
A line formed by the face of the existing curb or in its absence, the outer edge of the shoulder, along which a curb would be otherwise located.
CUT
An excavation; the difference between a point on the original ground and a designated point of lower elevation on the final grade. Also, the material removed in an excavation.
DENSITY
The number of families, individuals, dwelling units, households or housing structures per unit of land.
DESIGN STORM
The magnitude of precipitation from a storm event measured in probability of occurrence (e.g., a fifty-year storm) and duration (e.g., twenty-four-hour storm) and used in computing stormwater management facilities.
DEVELOPER
Any applicant, landowner, equitable landowner with the permission of the landowner, who makes or causes to be made a subdivision of land and/or land development.
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The provisions for development, including a planned residential development, a plan of subdivision, all covenants relating to use, location and bulk of buildings and other structures, intensity of use or density of development, streets, and parking facilities, common open space, and public facilities. The phrase "provisions of the development plan" shall mean the written and graphic materials referred to in this definition.
DBH or DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT
The diameter of a tree 4.5 feet above ground on the uphill side of the tree (“breast height”). If a tree forks below breast height, each trunk is treated as a separate tree.
[Added by Ord. 2014-09-04, 9/15/2014]
DISTRICT
An area zoned in accordance with the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
DRAINAGE FACILITY
Any drainage swale, culvert, basin, storm sewer or other natural or man-made feature of land that is specifically designed to detain or convey stormwater runoff.
DRIPLINE
An imaginary line on the ground around a tree that defines the limits of the tree canopy.
DRIVEWAY RELATED TERMS
A. 
DRIVEWAYA private ingress/egress between a public street and a residential lot.
B. 
ACCESS DRIVEAny nonresidential ingress/egress between a public street and a parking area within a lot.
DWELLING
A building containing one or more dwelling units.
DWELLING UNIT
Any room or group of rooms located within a residential building that form a single, habitable unit with facilities used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking and eating by one family.
EASEMENT
A right-of-way or other right, granted by a property owner for the use of a designated part of his or her property, for public, quasi-public or private purposes, including utilities, drainage facilities, natural or scenic area protection or access.
EMERGENCY ACCESS
A designated and identified ingress/egress for emergency apparatus.
ENGINEER
A licensed, professional civil engineer, registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
EQUIVALENT DWELLING UNIT OR EDU
A standardized measurement of the consumption, use or generation (such as water or sewage flows) equivalent to 350 gallons per day (gpd).
EROSION
The detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments or the wearing away of the land surface, by water, wind, ice, gravity or other natural processes.
ESCROW
Financial security deposited with the Township or financial institution to secure the promise to perform some future act.
EXCAVATION
Any act by which natural materials are dug into, cut, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced, relocated or bulldozed, as well as the conditions resulting therefrom.
FAMILY
A group of individuals not necessarily related by blood, marriage, adoption or guardianship, living together in a dwelling unit or an individual living in a dwelling unit as a single housekeeping unit.
FILL
Any act, by which natural materials are placed, pushed, dumped, pulled, transported or moved to a new location above the natural surface of the ground or on top of the stripped surface, as well as the conditions resulting therefrom. Also, the difference in elevation between a point on the original ground and a designated point of higher elevation on the final ground elevation.
FINANCIAL SECURITY
A letter of credit or cash escrow provided by the applicant to secure its promises regarding improvements associated with an approved subdivision and/or land development.
FIRE LANE
An emergency access that is an unobstructed, paved or improved surface area defined by pavement markings and signs and designed to provide access for fire-fighting equipment.
FLOODPLAIN RELATED TERMS
A. 
BASE FLOODThe flood that has been selected to serve as the basis upon which the floodplain management provisions of this and other ordinances have been prepared. For the purposes of this chapter, it shall be the one-hundred-year flood as referenced in the most current Flood Insurance Study and delineated on the most current Flood Insurance Rate Map of the Federal Insurance Administration.
B. 
FEMA AND FIAThe Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Insurance Administration who have jurisdiction over the National Flood Insurance Program and its related studies and regulations.
C. 
FLOODA temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of water on normally dry land areas.
D. 
FLOOD INSURANCE STUDYThe examination and determination of flood hazards by the FIA. The flood elevations contained in this study are used for floodplain management purposes as related to this and other ordinances.
E. 
FLOODPLAINA relatively flat or low land area adjoining a watercourse, which is subject to partial or complete inundation of water during a one-hundred-year flood, or any area subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation of surface water from any source. Also referred to as flood-prone area.
F. 
FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENTThe application of a program or activities that may consist of both corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damages.
G. 
ONE-HUNDRED-YEAR FLOODA flood that has one chance in 100 or a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any one year. For the purposes of this chapter, the one-hundred-year flood (base flood) as defined by the most current Federal Insurance Administration in the Flood Insurance Study.
FREEBOARD
The difference between the design flow elevation through the emergency spillway and the top of berm elevation.
FRONTAGE
That side of a lot abutting a street or right-of-way.
GARAGE
A building or parking structure, or part thereof, used or intended to be used for the parking and storage of vehicles.
GRADE
The slope of a street, parcel of land, utility line, pipe, etc., specified in a percentage.
GROUND COVER
Low growing plant materials set firmly in the ground to provide continuous plant cover of the ground surface that may include lawn, ivy and other low plant materials. Non-plant ground cover may include bark or wood chips, gravel, or stone, etc., provided they are maintained as a continuous, pervious cover.
GROUNDWATER
Natural, underground water supply.
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
A community association, other than a condominium association, that is organized in a development in which individual owners share common interests and responsibilities for costs and upkeep of common open space or facilities.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
Exterior surfaces which do not absorb water including all buildings, parking areas, driveways, roads, sidewalks, swimming pools and any area in concrete, asphalt, stone and similar materials. Also includes other areas determined to be imperious by the Township Engineer.
IMPROVEMENTS
Buildings for public use or quasi-public use, streets, parking areas curbs, gutters, sidewalks and other pedestrian facilities, streetlights, signs, water and sewer mains, stormwater management systems, utilities, recreation facilities, open space, shade trees, buffer or screen plantings and all other additions to land that are required by this chapter and the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27] or otherwise necessary to result in a complete subdivision and/or land development.
LAKE OR POND
A natural or artificial body of water that retains water year round.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Any of the following activities:
A. 
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots for any purpose involving:
(1) 
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings, whether proposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential building on a lot or lots regardless of the number of occupants or tenure; or
(2) 
The division or allocation of land or space, whether initially or cumulatively, between or among two or more existing or prospective occupants by means of, or for the purpose of streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building groups or other features.
B. 
A subdivision of land.
LAND DEVELOPMENT, MINOR
The expansion of an existing building or parking area.
LANDOWNER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of land, including the holder of an option or contract to purchase (whether or not such option or contract is subject to any condition), a lessee if he or she is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner or other person having a proprietary interest in land.
LIGHTING RELATED TERMS
A. 
CUTOFF FIXTUREAn outdoor light fixture shielded or constructed in such a manner that no more than 2% of the total light emitted by the fixture is projected above the horizontal plane of the fixture.
B. 
FOOTCANDLE (fc)A quantitative unit measuring the amount of light cast onto a given point, measured as one lumen per square foot.
C. 
FULL CUTOFF FIXTUREAn outdoor light fixture shielded or constructed in such a manner that it emits no light above the horizontal plane of the fixture.
D. 
GLAREThe effect produced by a light source within the visual field that is sufficiently brighter than the level to which the eyes are adapted, to cause annoyance, discomfort or loss of visual performance and ability.
E. 
ILLUMINATING ENGINEERING SOCIETY OF NORTH AMERICA (IESNA)A non-profit professional organization of lighting specialists that has established recommended design standards for various lighting applications.
F. 
LIGHT SOURCEThe element of a lighting fixture that is the point of origin of the lumens emitted by the fixture.
G. 
LUMENA quantitative unit measuring the amount of light emitted by a light source.
H. 
PHOTO CONTROLThe device that turns the luminaire on at dusk and off at dawn. Also called photo eye, photocell and or control.
I. 
SEMI-CUTOFF FIXTUREAn outdoor light fixture shielded or constructed in such a manner that it emits no more than 5% of its light above the horizontal plane of the fixture and no more than 20% of its light 10° below the horizontal plane of the fixture.
J. 
SHIELDEDFixtures that are shielded in such a manner that light emitted by the fixture, either directly from the lamp or indirectly from the fixture, are projected below a horizontal plane running through the lowest point on the fixture where light is emitted.
LOT
A designated parcel, tract, or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed, or built upon as a unit. Also, contiguous tracts, parcels or units of land held by a landowner and/or intended for use, development, lease or transfer of ownership and for which a single deed description is recorded or is intended to be recorded at the Office of the Recorder of Deeds for Bucks County.
LOT AREA
The area contained within the property lines of the individual parcels of land shown on a subdivision plan as required by this chapter, excluding any area within an existing or designated future street right-of-way and any area required as open space under the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27] and the area of any existing or proposed easement.
LOT LINE
Any boundary line of a lot.
A. 
FRONTThe lot line separating a lot from a street right-of-way. Also called "Street Line."
B. 
REARAny lot line that is parallel to or within 45° of being parallel to a street line.
C. 
SIDEAny lot line which is not a street line or rear yard line.
LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT
A change of a common lot line between two abutting lots from which an area of land is to be conveyed from one lot to the other, without creating an additional lot.
LOT, CORNER
A lot that has an interior angle of less than 135° at the intersection of two street lines or at the corner of a street and an emergency access drive. A lot abutting upon a curved street or streets shall be considered a corner lot if the tangent to the curve at the points beginning within the lot or at the points of intersection of the side lot lines with the street lines intersect at an angle of less than 135°.
LOT, LANE
A lot that does not meet the required minimum lot width at the minimum front yard line, but has direct access to a public street through a narrow strip of land which is part of the same lot.
LOT, REVERSE FRONTAGE
A lot that extends between two streets of differing classifications, with vehicular access provided from the lesser street.
MARKER (LOT PIN)
A metal pin of at least 3/4 inches diameter and at least 30 inches in length, meeting the current Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors requirements.
MATURE TREE
A tree having a caliper of greater than 12 inches measured 14 inches above the ground or a height of 25 feet or greater.
MINOR SUBDIVISION
A subdivision of land that would divide one existing lot into two lots, both of which will comply with all requirements of the Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
MOBILE HOME RELATED TERMS
A. 
MOBILE HOMEA transportable single-family dwelling intended for permanent occupancy contained in one unit or in two or more units designed to be joined into one integral unit, capable of again being separated for repeated towing, which arrives at a site complete and ready for occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations, constructed so that it may be used without a permanent foundation and built under U.S. HUD standards and not BOCA standards. A mobile home need not meet local building codes, but shall meet the standards of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as indicated in the Structural Engineering Bulletin(s) which shall be provided to the township by the applicant.
B. 
MOBILE HOME LOTA parcel of land in a mobile home park improved with the necessary utility connections and other appurtenances (accessory attachments) necessary for the placement thereon of a single-family mobile home.
C. 
MOBILE HOME PARKA parcel or contiguous parcels of land that has been so designated and improved that it contains two or more mobile home lots for the placement thereon of mobile homes.
D. 
MOBILE HOME STANDThat part of a mobile home lot that has been reserved and prepared for the placement of a mobile home.
MODULAR HOME
A single-family residence or multifamily dwelling intended for permanent occupancy which is not designed to be towed or transported after installation and made by assembling one or more factory-built three-dimensional sections into an integral living unit. The construction materials and specifications of a modular home shall conform to those of a conventionally built home.
MONUMENT
A permanent survey reference point consisting of concrete, with a metal dowel insert, having a top width of four inches, a bottom width of six inches, a depth of 24 inches.
MULTIFAMILY
Three or more dwelling units within a building that are separated by only horizontal floors or by a combination of horizontal floors and vertical walls.
OFF-SITE
Located outside the boundary lines of the lot that is being subdivided or developed.
OFFICIAL MAP
A map adopted by the Board pursuant to Article IV of Act 247.
OPEN SPACE
Land used for recreation, agriculture, resource protection or amenity. Open space is freely accessible to all residents of a development, except in the case of deed-restricted private open space or agricultural lands, where access may be restricted.
A. 
OPEN SPACE, COMMONA parcel or parcels of land, or an area of water, or a combination of land and water within a development site and designed and intended for the use or enjoyment of residents of a specific development, not including streets, off-street parking areas and areas set aside for public facilities.
B. 
OPEN SPACE, PUBLICOpen space owned and maintained by a public agency for the use and enjoyment of the general public.
OUTDOOR STORAGE
The keeping or storing of any goods, material, merchandise, or vehicles in an unenclosed area in the same place for more than 24 hours.
PARKING SPACE
An area used for parking of one vehicle.
PEAK DISCHARGE
The maximum rate of flow of stormwater runoff at given point and time.
PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY
A pathway designed for pedestrians, and separated from any bicycles or motor vehicle lanes. Pedestrian walkways provide access through residential developments and open space, and connect to institutional, commercial, industrial, recreational facilities or other residential areas. Pedestrian walkways may also provide facilities for walking as a recreational or educational activity.
PENNSYLVANIA MUNICIPALITIES PLANNING CODE (MPC)
See Act 247.
PENNSYLVANIA SECOND CLASS TOWNSHIP CODE
Act of May 1, 1933 (P.L. 103, No. 69) reenacted and amended November 9, 1995 (P.L. 350, No. 60), as amended.
PERVIOUS SURFACE
Any material that permits full or partial absorption of stormwater into previously unimproved land.
PLAN
A graphic representation of a proposal for subdivision and/or land development, including necessary written notes. Includes sketch plans, preliminary plans, final plans, minor plans, plans for Zoning Hearing Board variances and special exceptions and conditional use plans.
PLAN OF SUBSTITUTION
A plan that replaces the originally submitted plan.
PLAT
The map or plan of a subdivision and/or land development, whether preliminary or final.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
A contract between an applicant and the Township whereby the applicant reimburses the Township for professional expenses as a result of an applicant's plan.
PUBLIC HEARING
A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the Board or Township Planning Commission, intended to inform or obtain public comment, prior to taking action in accordance with this chapter.
PUBLIC MEETING
A forum held pursuant to notice under 65 Pa.C.S.A. Chapter 7 (relating to open meetings).
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Township. Such notice shall state the time and place of the hearing and the particular nature of the matter to be considered at the hearing. The first publication shall be no more than 30 days and the second publication shall be no less than seven days from the date of the hearing.
RECREATION RELATED TERMS
A. 
ACTIVE RECREATION AREAAny land that is set aside for use as active recreation including, but not limited to, tennis, shuffle board, play field, playground and/or tot lot.
B. 
PASSIVE RECREATION AREAAn area for outdoor recreational activities not considered active recreation. These include, but are not limited to, walking, picnicking, bird watching, arts and crafts, nature study, board games and other similar activities.
C. 
RECREATIONAny activity, whether structured or not, in which individuals voluntarily engage during their leisure.
RELEASE RATE
The level of control of the post-development peak rate of runoff to be achieved for a particular site, expressed as a percentage of the predevelopment peak rate of runoff.
RESERVE STRIP
A parcel of land whose primary function is to separate a street from adjacent properties, while not being used or capable of being used as a building lot, open space or recreation area or for legitimate environmental protection purposes.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
A strip of land over which rights are provided for various purposes including vehicular access and travel, storm drainage, and utilities. The land within a right-of-way shall not be included in the dimensions or areas of a lot.
RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE
A line that forms the boundaries of a right-of-way.
RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE, ULTIMATE
The dividing line between a lot and the outside limit of a street ultimate right-of-way. Also called a "Street Line".
RIGHT-OF-WAY, STREET
A right-of-way for street purposes.
RIGHT-OF-WAY, ULTIMATE
The street right-of-way projected as necessary for adequate handling of anticipated maximum traffic volumes, according to the Township Street Classification Map. The ultimate right-of-way is the legal right-of-way where it has been offered for dedication and accepted by the Township or other authority.
SEDIMENT
Solid material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension or has been moved from its site of origin by the forces of water, air or gravity.
SETBACK
The distance between a building and any lot line or other feature.
SETBACK LINE
The line that is required by this chapter or the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27] to be a minimum distance from a property line or other feature.
SEWAGE FACILITIES PLAN
A comprehensive plan for the provision of adequate sewage facilities adopted by the Board and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Also called "Act 537 Plan." See Act 537.
SEWAGE FACILITIES PLANNING MODULE
An application submitted to the Township and other agencies for the purposes of revising the Township's Sewage Facilities Plan.
SEWAGE RELATED TERMS
A. 
SEWAGEAny substance that contains any of the waste products or other discharge from the bodies of human beings or animals and any noxious or deleterious substances being harmful or inimical to public health or to animal or aquatic life or to the use of water for domestic supply or for recreation or which constitutes pollution under the Act of June 22, 1987, (P.L. 1987, 394), known as the "Clean Streams Law," as amended.
B. 
SANITARY SEWERA pipe that conveys sewage, and into which storm, surface and/or ground waters are not permitted.
C. 
PUBLIC SANITARY SEWER SYSTEMA sewer system and treatment facility owned, operated or maintained by a municipality or municipal authority approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under a permit issued pursuant to the Clean Streams Law, 35 P.S. 691.1, et seq., as hereafter amended, supplemented, modified or reenacted by the General Assembly of Pennsylvania. Public sewers shall also include capped sewers.
D. 
INDIVIDUAL ON-LOT SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMA system of pipes, tanks or other facilities serving one dwelling unit and collecting, treating and disposing of sewage into the soil or into waters of the commonwealth.
E. 
COMMUNITY ON-LOT SEWAGE SYSTEMA system of pipes, tanks or other facilities serving two or more dwelling units and collecting, treating and disposing of sewage into the soil or into waters of the commonwealth.
F. 
CONVENTIONAL SEWAGE SYSTEMA system employing the use of demonstrated on-lot sewage treatment and disposal technology in a manner specifically recognized by the regulations promulgated under Act 537.
G. 
INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTIAL SPRAY IRRIGATION SYSTEM (IRSIS)A nonconventional sewage disposal system permitted under Act 537, serving one dwelling unit, which treats and disposes of sewage using a system of pipes, treatment tanks and soil renovation through spray irrigation.
H. 
SMALL FLOW TREATMENT FACILITY (SFTF)A nonconventional sewage disposal system permitted under Act 537, serving one dwelling unit, which treats and disposes of sewage flows not greater than 2,000 gallons per day for final disposal to a watercourse.
I. 
REPLACEMENT AREAA portion of a lot that is deed-restricted and sized to allow the installation of an individual sewage disposal system and is reserved in the event that originally installed system fails.
SIGHT DISTANCE
The required length of roadway visible to the driver of a passenger vehicle at any given point on the roadway when the view is unobstructed by traffic, as regulated by Pennsylvania Code, Title 67, Chapter 441, as amended.
SITE
A parcel or parcels of land intended to have one or more buildings or intended to be subdivided into one or more lots.
SITES OF HISTORIC, GEOLOGIC OR BOTANIC INTEREST
Areas that have been included in comprehensive plans, studies or surveys and have significant value to the community worthy of preservation, as determined by the Board.
SLOPE
The face of an embankment or cut section. Any ground whose surface makes an angle with the plane of the horizon. Slopes are usually expressed in a percentage or ratio of horizontal distance as compared to vertical distance.
SOIL SURVEY
The Soil Survey of Bucks and Philadelphia Counties, Pennsylvania, 1975, prepared by the Soil Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, as amended.
SOILS, FLOODPLAIN (ALLUVIAL)
Areas subject to periodic flooding and listed in the Soil Survey of Bucks and Philadelphia Counties.
SPECIMEN TREE
Any tree with a caliper that is 75% or more of the record tree of the same species in the commonwealth.
STORM SEWER
A pipe that conveys stormwater runoff.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
The control and management of stormwater to minimize the detrimental effects of surface water runoff.
STORMWATER RUNOFF
The surface water discharge of a given watershed after a rain event that does not enter the soil, but runs off the surface of the land.
STREET
A public or private right-of-way serving primarily as a means of vehicular and pedestrian access, which may also be used for utilities and/or stormwater control. A "street" includes all the land between the street lines. Streets are further classified as follows:
A. 
ARTERIALA street that may have multi through lanes, which serves large volumes of traffic having relatively long trip lengths.
B. 
MAJOR COLLECTORSA street that provides access to abutting properties and connects neighboring communities, which serves to distribute traffic to lower classified streets, with limited access to properties.
C. 
MINOR COLLECTORA street that provides access to abutting properties and connects neighboring communities, which serves to distribute traffic to lower classified streets, with more emphasis on access to properties.
D. 
LOCAL STREETA street used primarily as the principal means of access to adjacent properties, having relatively short trip lengths.
E. 
SINGLE ACCESS LOOP STREETA street that does not terminate in a cul-de-sac, but loops back to intersect with itself in a "P" configuration.
F. 
THROUGH STREETA street that has more than one point of intersection with any other street, as contrasted with a cul-de-sac or loop street, which has only one point of intersection with another street.
G. 
CUL-DE-SAC STREETA street with a single means of ingress and egress that is permanently closed at one end, with a left side turnaround configuration.
STREET CLASSIFICATION MAP
A plan showing existing streets located within the Township according to their functional street classification.
STREET LINE
The dividing line between a lot and a street. Also called "Ultimate Right-of-Way Line" or "Ultimate Right-of-Way."
STRUCTURE
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
SUBDIVISION
The division or redivision of a lot by any means into two or more lots, including changes in existing lot lines for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of lease, partition by the court for distribution to heirs or devisees, transfer of ownership or building or lot development.
SURVEY
The process of precisely ascertaining the area, dimensions and location of a piece of land. Also, the process of determining characteristics of persons, land, objects, buildings or structures by sampling, census, interviews, observations or other methods.
SURVEYOR
A licensed, professional land surveyor, registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
SWALE
A depression in the ground that conveys stormwater runoff.
TOPSOIL
Soils which normally are fertile, ordinarily rich in organic matter or humus debris and usually darker and richer than subsoil.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS
The officials of New Britain Township, according to the Second Class Township Code.
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM INVENTORY
A technical evaluation of the traffic and transportation impacts associated with a proposed subdivision and/or land development.
TRIP
A single or one-way vehicle movement to or from a lot or study area. "Trips" can be added together to calculate the total number of vehicles expected to enter or leave a specific land use or site over a designated period of time.
UTILITIES
Those services customarily rendered by public utility corporations, municipalities or municipal authorities, including but not limited to electricity, gas, telephone, cable television, water, sewage, etc. Also includes the structures and appurtenances used in connection with the supplying of such services including, but not limited to, buildings, wires, pipes, poles, towers, etc.
UTILITY EASEMENT
The right-of-way acquired by a utility service provider or governmental agency to locate utilities.
WATER SUPPLY
A. 
PRIVATE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMA system for supplying and distributing water to a single lot or dwelling unit.
B. 
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMAny water supply and distribution system that is owned and managed by the Township, the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority, North Wales Water Authority, North Penn Water Authority, or Philadelphia Suburban Water Company or other approved water purveyor, which services more than a single community or subdivision and may be interconnected with other water supply systems.
WATERCOURSE
Any natural or artificial stream, river, creek or canal in which water flows in a definite direction or course, either continuously or intermittently and has a definite channel, bed and banks and includes any area adjacent thereto subject to inundation by reason of overflow or flood water.
WETLAND
Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, including swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas. The term includes but is not limited to wetland areas listed in the Pennsylvania State Water Plan, the United States Forest Service Wetlands Inventory of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management Plan and/or a wetland area designated by a river basin commission. Wetlands shall be determined by current standards established by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
WOODLANDS (FOREST)
Areas or stands containing 10 or more large trees (trees with a caliper greater than 10 inches’ DBH) forming a continuous canopy; or land containing mature trees (trees with an average caliper of five inches’ DBH or greater) that form a continuous canopy covering an area of 1/4 acre or more, as measured from the dripline of the outer trees.
[Amended by Ord. 2014-09-04, 9/15/2014]
YARD
An area unobstructed from the ground up except for permitted projections and plantings, on the same lot with a building, extending along a lot line or street line and inward to the building.
A. 
YARD, FRONTA yard between a building and a street line and extending the entire length of the street line. In the case of a corner lot, the yards extending along all streets are front yards. In the case of a lot other than a corner lot that fronts on more than one street, the yards extending along all streets are front yards.
B. 
YARD, REARA yard between a building and a rear lot line and extending the entire length of the rear lot line.
C. 
YARD, SIDEA yard between a building and a side lot line, extending from the front yard to the rear yard. In the case of a lot having no street frontage or a lot of odd shape, any yard that is not a front yard or a rear yard shall be considered a side yard.
ZONING ORDINANCE
The New Britain Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27], as amended, as adopted by the Board.