A.Â
The provisions of this chapter shall be held to be the minimum requirements
to meet the purposes stated herein.
B.Â
Words used in the present tense include the future.
C.Â
The word "building" includes "structure" or any part thereof.
D.Â
The phrase "used for" includes "arranged for," "designed for," "intended
for," "maintained for," or "occupied for."
E.Â
The word "person" includes any individual, corporation, partnership,
incorporated association or any similar entity.
F.Â
The words "includes" or "including" shall not limit the provision
to the specified examples but are intended to extend the coverage
of the provision to all other instances of like kind and character.
G.Â
The words "shall" and "will" are mandatory and not discretionary,
and the word "may" is permissive.
H.Â
The singular shall include the plural, and the plural shall include
the singular.
Unless a contrary definition clearly appears, the words and
phrases defined in this section shall have the meanings provided below.
Any word not defined herein shall be used with a meaning of standard
usage unless otherwise defined by the Municipalities Planning Code.[1]
Where a building or land is abandoned for six consecutive months or more, whereby the owner discontinues the maintenance, use or any activity, the building or structure shall be declared abandoned and may be required to be removed. In the case of abandonment of a nonconforming use, Article X applies.
A subordinate building, the use of which is customarily incidental
to that of the principal building on the same lot.
A use of land or of a building or portion thereof customarily
incidental and subordinate to the principal use of the land or building
and located on the same lot with such principal use.
Adult entertainment uses include any of the following as defined
below:
ADULT ARCADEAny place to which the public is permitted or invited to operate still or motion-producing devices which show images to five or fewer persons per machine at any one time and where the image so displayed or distinguished or characterized depicts or describes specified anatomical areas or specific sexual activities.
Any commercial establishment which, as one of its principal
business purposes, offers for sale or rental for any form of consideration
any one or more of the following:
Books, magazines, periodicals or other printed matter, or photographs,
films, motion pictures, video cassettes or video productions, slides
or other visual representations which depict or describe specified
sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.
Instruments, devices or paraphernalia which are designed for
use in connection with specified sexual activities.
A commercial establishment may have other principal business
purposes that do not involve the offering for sale or rental of material
depicting or describing specified sexual activities or specified anatomical
areas and still be categorized as an adult bookstore, adult novelty
shop or adult video store. Such other business purposes will not serve
to exempt such commercial establishments from being categorized as
an adult bookstore, adult novelty shop or adult video store so long
as one of its principal business purposes is offering for sale or
rental for consideration the specified materials which depict or describe
specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas. Notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, a business engaged in the
sale of birth control devices, medications or products incidental
to the sale of other medications or products and not as its principal
business shall not be deemed to be an adult bookstore, adult novelty
shop or adult video store.
ADULT CABARET/DANCE HALL/PRIVATE CLUB/BAR/TAVERN/NIGHTCLUB/RESTAURANT OR SIMILAR COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTAny type of establishment offering adult entertainment which presents material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting or describing specific sexual activities or specified anatomical areas for observation by patrons therein. Such presentation or material may be live or through films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides or other means of photographic reproduction.
ADULT MOTION-PICTURE THEATERA structure used for presenting material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas for observation by patrons therein.
ADULT MOTELA hotel, motel or similar commercial establishment which offers accommodation to the public for any form of consideration, provides patrons with closed-circuit television transmission, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides or other photographic reproductions which are used for presenting material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting or describing specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.
PEEP SHOWSAny structure which houses a commercial establishment with the capacity for one or more persons, used for presenting material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting or describing specified sexual activity or specified anatomical areas for observation by parties therein.
SEXUAL ENCOUNTER SHOWA business or commercial enterprise that, as one of its primary business purposes, offers physical contact in the form of wrestling or tumbling between persons of the opposite sex or activities between two or more persons when one or more of the persons is in a state of nudity or seminudity.
As used in the "adult entertainment use" definition, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ADULT ENTERTAINMENTLive or non-live entertainment containing sexual activities or displaying or presenting specified anatomical areas. This definition is a broad overall definition which includes the activities of adult arcades/cabarets/dance halls/private clubs/bars/gentlemen's bars/taverns/adult bookstores, adult video stores, adult mini motion-picture theaters and peep shows, adult motels and sexual encounter centers as part of its definition for "adult entertainment."
NUDITYThe appearance of the specified anatomical area without any covering on the body area.
SEMINUDITYState of dress in which clothing partially or transparently covers the specified anatomical areas.
SPECIFIED ANATOMICAL AREASHuman genitals, pubic region, anus, buttocks, female breasts below the top of the areola or human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered.
SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIESActivities which include any of the following:
A material used to provide the top layer of a parking lot
which will not suffer significant deterioration during inclement weather.
Modifications to an existing structure that are of a cosmetic
nature, replacement of utilities, or rearrangement of non-load-bearing
partitions.
Any change or rearrangement in the supporting members of
an existing building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams, girders,
or interior partitions, as well as any change in doors, windows, means
of ingress and egress, or any change in use from one district classification
to another, or any enlargement to or diminution of a building or structure,
or the moving of a building from one location to another.
Any device or mechanism used in the collection, transmission,
routing or receiving of telecommunications transmissions, radio signals
or radio frequency energy, including but not limited to use by or
provisions of wireless communications, cellular communications and
personal communications services.
Any pole, telescoping mast, tower, tripod or any other structure
which supports or has attached to it an antenna or antennae.
A dwelling unit located in a building containing three or
more dwelling units.
A structure containing three or more dwelling units.
A building or portion of a building used as a place of work
by an artist, photographer or artisan.
A structure containing facilities for washing automobiles
and automatic or semiautomatic application of cleaner, brushes, rinse
water, and heat for drying.
The replacement or repair of any automobile part that does
not require removal of the engine head or pan, engine transmission,
or differential but may include incidental body and fender work, minor
painting, and upholstery service.
General repair, rebuilding, or reconditioning of engines,
motor vehicles, or trailers, including bodywork, welding, and major
painting service.
A space having 1/2 or more of its floor-to-ceiling height
below the average level of the adjoining grounds and with a floor-to-ceiling
height of not less than 6Â 1/2 feet.
An establishment wherein cosmetology is offered or practiced
on a regular basis for compensation including, but not limited to,
day spas, hair salons, nail salons, and barbershops.
Overnight accommodations and a morning meal in a dwelling
unit (B & B) provided to transients for compensation.
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered at a location
other than the premises on which the sign is located.
A portion of the Borough comprising all of the lot areas
on both sides of a street between two street corners; provided, however,
that where one street comes to an end at its junction with another
street, then the lines of the street which ends shall be projected
to comprise a corner for the purpose of this definition.
See "roomer."
The Borough of Lansdowne, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
The governing body of the Borough of Lansdowne, Delaware
County, Pennsylvania.
A strip of required yard space not occupied by any building
or structure adjacent to the boundary of a property or district, not
less in width than is designated in this chapter and which is landscaped
as provided for in this chapter.
A structure or appendage to a structure which is affixed
to the land, contains one or more floors and which has a roof supported
by walls.
The proportion of the total lot area covered by the building
and any accessory buildings. Calculations of building coverage shall
include sun parlor, foyers, porches and breezeways.
The vertical distance measured from the average level of
the ground surrounding the structure to the top of the highest point
of the roof for flat roofs and to the ridge of the gable, hip and
gambrel roofs. Chimneys, spires, towers, steeples, mechanical equipment,
tanks, vessels, antennas and similar projections of the buildings
not intended for human occupancy shall not be included in calculating
the height, unless specifically stated otherwise in this chapter.
A line, generally parallel to the street right-of-way line,
which establishes the actual location of the front wall of the principal
building on the lot.
A line parallel to the street right-of-way line, at a distance
that is at least equal to the depth of the front yard required for
the district in which the lot is located.
The line which defines the placement of the building from
the street on which the building fronts. The build-to line of the
building forms the street wall line. On a corner lot, the build-to
line is located on each side of a lot abutting a street. A build-to
line may have a recess or projection up to four feet in order to promote
variations of building placement on a block.
A building or portion of a building where the sale of non-tangible
goods or real estate is sold to the general public. Business offices
include real estate, insurance, securities and travel offices.
A secondary or higher educational facility primarily teaching
usable skills that prepares students for jobs in a trade or business
and meeting the state requirements as a business, trade, or vocational
school.
Any building or premises used for washing motor vehicles.
Includes but is not limited to the antenna, antenna support
structures and cell sites.
A line midway between and parallel to the right-of-way lines
of a street or railroad.
A statement signed by the Zoning Officer indicating that
a building or structure is in conformity with all applicable codes
of the Borough and stating its zoning classification.
A facility that is licensed to provide care for seven or
more children unrelated to the operator, where the child-care areas
are not being used as a family residence.
An organization catering exclusively to members and their
guests for recreational, social, athletic, educational, political,
patriotic or cultural purposes.
A parcel or parcels of land or an area of water within a
development site which is designed and intended for the use or enjoyment
of all residents of the development for active or passive recreational
purposes and which is maintained by an association or similar entity
representing residents. The common open space area is exclusive of
areas used for buildings, parking, loading and streets.
Uses of different character which are capable of being located
near each other in harmony and without conflict. Some of the elements
which affect compatibility include the absence of a nuisance, density
of development, the ratio of floor area to lot size, extent of pedestrian
and vehicular traffic generated, volume of goods handled and impact
upon physical development.
A comprehensive long-range plan intended to guide the growth
and development of a community or region and one that includes analysis,
recommendations and proposals for the community's population, economy,
housing, transportation, community facilities, land use and related
areas.
A change in the use of a building such as the change of a
residential or retail use to offices. Such change may be accomplished
without subdivision or the introduction of a newer owner. Where the
use and dimensional regulations of the chapter permit, such conversion
may be accomplished by appropriate alteration upon the issuance of
the necessary permits.
Any landowner, agent of such landowner, or tenant with the
permission of such landowner who makes or causes to be made subdivision,
land development, or any other development.
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate,
including but not limited to buildings or other structures, streets,
and other paving, utilities, dredging, filling, grading, excavation,
or drilling operations and the subdivision of land.
A building or unit designed and constructed for residential
use
A building containing three or more dwelling units, including
units that are located above ground-floor retail or service uses.
A single-family dwelling unit within a building, which unit
has at least one party wall in common with other dwelling units in
the same row; a townhouse or row house. After the effective date of
this chapter, no such building shall be constructed with more than
six attached units.
A building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence
for only one family with yards on all sides of the dwelling.
Two dwelling units, each accommodating one family, which
are attached side by side by means of a party wall, with each dwelling
unit having only one side yard.
A building designed or occupied exclusively as a residence
for two families living independently of one another. The usual arrangement
is for one unit to be located above the other.
A grouping of rooms designed, occupied, or intended for occupancy
as separate living quarters, with cooking, sleeping, and sanitary
facilities provided within the dwelling unit for the exclusive use
of a single family maintaining a household.
Any number of individuals living together as a single housekeeping
unit when said individuals are related by blood, marriage, or adoption,
or are registered as domestic partners pursuant to the codified ordinances
of the Borough of Lansdowne, including foster children; or any number
of individuals living together as a single housekeeping unit with
single kitchen facilities where not more than two of such individuals:
i) are unrelated by blood, marriage, or adoption; ii) are not registered
as domestic partners; or iii) are not foster children. For the purposes
of this chapter, "family" does not include any society, club, fraternity,
sorority, association, lodge, federation, or like organizations; or
any group of individuals who are living in a group arrangement as
a result of criminal offenses.
A home, other than the child's own home, operated for profit
or not-for-profit, in which child care is provided at any one time
to four, five, or six children unrelated to the operator.
Representing the gross floor area of all buildings or structures
on a lot divided by the total lot area.
The preparation, packaging, separation, shrink wrapping and
vacuum sealing of food items for the purpose of later consumption;
or the preparation, cooking, and baking of raw food items, generally
in large quantities, for transport to off-site locations for consumption.
Any building located within a development site which is separate
from any group or cluster development on such site and which shall
comply with the regulations of the district in which it is located.
Any area of land, including structures thereon, or any building
or part thereof that is used for the sale of gasoline or other motor
vehicle fuel or accessories and which may include facilities for lubricating,
washing or otherwise servicing motor vehicles, but which shall not
include painting or body and fender repairs.
A property and/or place of business where flammable or combustible
liquids used as motor fuels are stored and dispensed from fixed equipment
into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles by a person other than the service
station attendant.
The effect produced by light from a luminaire with an intensity
sufficient to cause annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance
and visibility.
A group of mentally or physically disabled residents, living
together as the functional equivalent of a family, i.e., sharing kitchen
and bathroom facilities, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The intent of a group living arrangement is to provide residency in
a residential setting. The maximum number of residents shall not exceed
seven, excluding supervisors. These facilities shall not be used to
accommodate persons paroled from penal institutions, or persons who
currently use illegal drugs, persons who have been convicted of the
manufacture or sale of illegal drugs, or persons with or without disabilities
who present a direct threat to the persons or property of others.
[Amended 7-21-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-02]
Any substance or material that, by reason of its toxic, caustic,
corrosive, abrasive, or otherwise injurious properties, may be detrimental
or deleterious to the health of any person handling or otherwise coming
into contact with such material or substance.
A building or structure or any portion thereof that is used
for the storage, manufacture, or processing of highly combustible
or explosive products or materials that are likely to burn with extreme
rapidity or that may produce poisonous fumes or explosions; for storage
or manufacturing that involves highly corrosive, toxic, or noxious
alkalies, acids, or other liquids or chemicals producing flame, fume,
or poisonous, irritant, or corrosive gases; and for the storage or
processing of any materials producing explosive mixtures of dust or
that result in the division of matter into fine particles subject
to spontaneous ignition.
Any structure that is:
Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places
(a listing maintained by the Department of the Interior) or preliminarily
determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements
for individual listing on the National Register;
Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the
Interior as contributing to the historical significance of a registered
historic district or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary
to qualify as a registered historic district;
Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places
in communities with historic preservation programs that have been
certified either:
Historic resources identified in the Official Historic Resource
Survey of Lansdowne Borough, adopted by resolution July 16, 2008.
A use customarily carried on within a dwelling by the inhabitants
thereof which is incidental and subordinate to the use of the dwelling
for living purposes and does not change the residential character
of the building. A home occupation shall not be interpreted to include
a barbershop, beauty shop, tearoom, tourist home or kennel.
An institution providing primary health services and medical
or surgical care to persons, primarily inpatients, suffering from
illness, disease, injury, deformity, and other abnormal physical or
mental conditions and including as an integral part of the institution
related facilities, such as laboratories, outpatient facilities, training
facilities, medical offices, and staff residences.
A facility offering transient lodging accommodations to the
general public and which may include additional facilities and services,
such as restaurants, meeting rooms, entertainment, personal services,
and recreational facilities.
Any use that poses a health hazard, a significant threat
from fire, or involves the use of hazardous materials in any way that
could endanger persons or property in the event of accidental discharge
or combustion.
Any use whose impact is not heavy, as herein defined.
The coverage of the lot or tract area by materials that prevent
the percolation of water into the soil and generate stormwater runoff,
such as buildings, streets, paved parking areas, driveways, and any
other similar surfaces.
Industrial processes where the finished item, material or product does not exceed 15 cubic feet, which are conducted in an enclosed building and comply with all performance standards listed in Article VI, General Regulations. No deliveries shall be made in trucks having more than one axle.
A nonprofit, religious, or public use, such as a religious
building, library, public or private school, hospital, or government-owned
or operated building, structure, or land used for public purpose.
One which grows aggressively, spreads, displaces other plants
and has generally been introduced from other continents. Lacking natural
predators, disease, or other natural controls, these plants can dominate
large areas, diminish and/or limit biodiversity, are expensive to
control and are directly responsible for the extinction and loss of
natural plants that have evolved in communities with other plants,
wildlife, insects and microorganisms. The Pennsylvania Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources maintains a periodically updated
list of invasive plants that is available to the general public.
[Added 8-21-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-03]
An area landscaped with grass, ground cover, shrubs, or similar plantings placed where required by this chapter and permanently maintained. See Article VI, General Regulations.
An establishment providing washing, drying, or dry-cleaning
machines on the premises for rental use to the general public.
An off-street space or berth for the loading or unloading of commercial vehicles. Such spaces shall comply with Article VIII, Parking.
A parcel of land on which a main building and any accessory
building are or may be placed, together with the required open space
and setbacks.
The total horizontal area within the lot lines of a parcel.
A lot bounded by intersecting streets on at least two sides.
Both yards adjacent to streets shall be considered front yards.
The distance along a straight line measured from the midpoint
of the front lot line to the midpoint of the rear lot line.
A line of public record bounding a lot that divides one lot
from another lot or from a public or private street or any other public
space.
The line separating the lot from the street right-of-way.
Any lot line, except the front lot line, which is parallel
to, or within 45° of being parallel to, the front lot line, and
does not intersect any street line, except in the case of corner lots.
Any lot line that is not a front or rear lot line.
The smallest allowable lot area as established by the chapter
on which a use or structure may be located in a particular district.
The horizontal distance between the side lot lines measured
at right angles to the lot depth at the building setback line.
The development of a neighborhood, tract of land, building,
or structure with a variety of complementary and integrated uses,
such as, but not limited to, residential, office, manufacturing, retail,
public, and recreation, in a compact urban form.
A building designed or converted to accommodate two or more
commercial tenants. Each tenant shall operate a use that is permitted
in the district where the building is located.
One that occurs naturally in an area without human intervention
and that was growing in the area prior to the time of European settlement.
Such plants are adapted to the local climate and tend to be more drought-,
disease- and insect-resistant than introduced varieties, and they
help preserve the balance and beauty of natural ecosystems. For purposes
of this chapter, the range of native plants shall be the Lower Delaware
Valley, Piedmont-Coastal Plain areas; provided, however, that native
plants from outside but close to that general area will satisfy the
requirements of this chapter with the approval of the Township's plant
expert.
[Added 8-21-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-03]
A business or commercial activity administered or conducted as an accessory use which is clearly secondary to the use as a residential dwelling and which involves no customer, client or patient traffic, whether vehicular or pedestrian, pickup, delivery or removal functions to or from the premises, in excess of those normally associated with residential use. Specific requirements are contained Article VI, General Regulations.
A building or structure that does not comply with the provisions
of this chapter, as amended, where such building or structure lawfully
existed prior to the effective date of this chapter or of amendments
thereafter.
Any lawful lot that does not conform to one or more of the
applicable provisions of the district in which it is located either
on the effective date of this chapter or of amendments thereafter.
A use, whether of land or a structure, which does not comply
with the applicable provisions of this chapter, where such use was
lawfully in existence prior to the effective date of this chapter
or amendments thereafter.
A generally invasive plant that once declared noxious becomes
illegal to sell, transport, plant or otherwise propagate within the
commonwealth. Lists of noxious weeds are periodically updated and
are available from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources.
[Added 8-21-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-03]
BUSINESS OFFICEA building or portion of a building where the sale of nontangible goods or real estate is sold to the general public. Business offices include real estate, insurance, securities and travel offices.
GENERAL OFFICEA building or portion of building where administrative or clerical services are conducted or where duties not involving the sale of services are performed. General offices include administrative offices for industry, employment offices, and other similar offices, not including municipal or governmental offices or client-based social service providers.
CLIENT-BASED SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERA type of general office consisting of a facility that provides on-site assistance to persons with limited ability for self-care. This term includes a facility that provides assistance for psychological, psychiatric, and/or medical problems, employment, welfare and other similar forms of assistance.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICEA building or portion of a building where a member of a recognized profession sells services to the general public. Professional offices include doctor, lawyer, engineer, accountant offices and other similar offices.
MUNICIPAL OR GOVERNMENTAL OFFICEA building or portion of a building occupied by a governmental entity which shall include offices for the Borough, the county, the state and/or for the federal government, excluding client-based social service providers.
A temporary storage area for a motor vehicle that is directly
accessible to an access aisle and that is not located on a dedicated
street right-of-way.
Any parcel or area of land or water, essentially unimproved
and set aside, dedicated, designated, or reserved for public or private
use or enjoyment or for the use and enjoyment of owners, occupants,
and their guests.
Land within or related to a development, not individually
owned or dedicated for public use, that is designed and intended for
the common use or enjoyment of the residents of the development and
their guests and that may include such complementary structures and
improvements as are necessary and appropriate.
A reasonably level space, having a surface slope not exceeding 6%. Such space shall have an area as listed Article VIII, Parking, which shall be exclusive of passageways, driveways, or other means of circulation or access.
A building or structure consisting of more than one level
and used to store motor vehicles on a short-term, temporary basis.
A right-of-way for pedestrians, separate from vehicular traffic
and including access ramps, stairs, and routes through buildings and
other areas that are available for public use.
A horticulturist registered under the laws of Pennsylvania
and skilled in the use of native vegetation.
[Added 8-21-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-03]
Pennsylvania Act 247 of 1968 (P.L. 805) as amended, also
cited as 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., or any subsequent act
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that replaces, supplements, or
repeals any or all of the provisions of Act 247.
Written municipal permission issued by the appropriate local
official empowering the holder thereof to do some act not forbidden
by law, but not permitted without such authorization.
Establishments primarily engaged in providing services involving
the care of a person or his or her personal goods or apparel. Personal
services include laundry, dry cleaning, dressmakers, copy centers,
beauty salons, shoe repair, and tailors.
A registered landscape architect (RLA) or Pennsylvania certified
horticulturist (PCH) registered under the laws of Pennsylvania.
[Added 8-21-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-03]
A building or use which is the primary building or use on
a lot as distinguished from a building or buildings relating to an
accessory, incidental or subordinate use. The primary purpose for
which land, a building or a subordinate structure, or the use thereof,
is designed, arranged, or intended.
A place designed and equipped for the conduct of sports,
leisure time activities and other customary and usual recreational
activities.
A landscape architect registered under the laws of Pennsylvania
and skilled in the use of native vegetation.
[Added 8-21-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-03]
Any restaurant where the design or method of operation involves
the serving of the food or beverage, which is not normally delivered
to the customer's table, by an employee of the restaurant. This includes
all establishments where over 30% of the business involves the sale
of refreshments or beverages taken out and consumed in places other
than the interior of the restaurant or where any food or drink is
served or dispensed by means of a drive-through window. Notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, a coffee shop shall not
be deemed to be a fast-food restaurant unless such coffee shop serves
or dispenses food or drink by means of a drive-through window.
Any premises used for the sale, dispensing and/or serving
of food, refreshments, or beverages where the customer is normally
involved with an individual menu and is served by a restaurant employee
at the table, booth, or counter at which said items are consumed.
Any store or shop in which commodities are sold directly
to the consuming public.
The line that forms the boundary of a right-of-way.
Land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription, condemnation
or other legal manner and occupied, or intended to be occupied, by
a street, crosswalk, electric transmission line, oil or gas pipeline,
waterline, watercourse, or similar uses.
A scale for grading the density of smoke as published by
the United States Bureau of Mines or any chart, recorder, indicator,
or device that is approved by the Bureau or appropriate state department
as the equivalent for the measurement of smoke density.
The line the marks the lowest point of the roof.
The line that marks the highest point of the roof. This term
is applicable to roofs other than flat roofs.
An antenna together with all attachments and parts, the purpose of which is to receive communication from orbiting satellites. Such antennas shall comply with Article VI, General Regulations.
Any building or part thereof that is designed, constructed,
or used for education or instruction in any branch of knowledge.
A method of visually shielding or buffering one abutting or nearby structure or use from another by fencing, berms, or densely planted vegetation. Specific standards are contained in Article VI, General Regulations.
The distance between the street right-of-way line or a lot
line and any building on a lot or tract.
A group of commercial establishments planned, constructed
and managed as a total entity, including both attached buildings and
freestanding buildings with customer and employee parking provided
on site.
A paved, surfaced, or leveled area, paralleling and usually
separated from the traveled way, used as a pedestrian walkway.
An outdoor area set up and maintained for the purpose of
selling, offering for sale, and serving food or beverages for immediate
consumption on site by an adjoining restaurant or other business which
sells, offers for sale, and serves food and/or beverages for immediate
consumption.
The outdoor display of merchandise for sale by a business
use.
See Article VII, Signs, for definitions.
Special permission granted by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the provisions of Article XI, Zoning Hearing Board, only in specified circumstances and only upon the compliance with specified conditions.
Land with a gradient in excess of 15%.
A public or private way used or intended to be used as a
means of vehicular and/or pedestrian travel and access to abutting
properties and space for public utilities that is improved in compliance
with all Borough requirements for public or private streets.
The space formed by buildings located close to the street,
which is embellished with sidewalks, street trees, streetlights, curbs,
on-street parking, and cartways. The streetscape is framed by buildings
which create the "outdoor room" character of the street.
The wall of a building adjoining a sidewalk at the edge of
the street right-of-way; or architectural elements such as walls,
pillars, and colonnades, in lieu of a building wall, when an existing
building is already set back from the street wall line.
Anything constructed or erected with a fixed location on
the ground or attached to something having a fixed location on the
ground.
The workshop of an artist, sculptor, photographer, or craftsperson.
Any body of water, tank, or receptacle of water having a depth at any point of greater than two feet used or intended to be used for swimming or bathing solely by the owner, his or her family and guests of the household and constructed, installed, established, or maintained outside any building in or above the ground upon any premises as an accessory use to the residence. Such swimming pools shall comply with Article VI, General Regulations.
A building containing single-family attached dwelling units
(townhouse units) in which each townhouse unit is attached only by
a party wall or walls to one or two other townhouse units. Townhouse
buildings erected after the effective date of this chapter shall contain
not more than six attached units.
An area, lot, parcel, site, or property which is the subject
of a subdivision and/or land development.
A building constructed prior to 1950 in Lansdowne Borough,
typically two or three stories in height, adjoining or located close
to the sidewalk.
A moveable structure located at or near a work or construction
site for storage or other purpose related to or supporting construction
or office activity, except in the General Business District.
A moveable structure located in an industrial district used
for office, storage or similar purposes.
Development concentrated around and oriented to transit stations
in a manner that promotes transit riding or passenger rail use. The
term does not refer to a single real estate project, but represents
a collection of projects, usually mixed use, at a neighborhood scale
that are oriented to a transit node.
A secondary or higher educational facility primarily teaching
usable skills that prepares students for jobs in a trade or business
and meeting the state requirements as a business, trade, or vocational
school.
An unobstructed open space on the same lot with a principal
building that extends from a street line or lot line inward to the
principal building.
A yard extending the full width of the lot, the depth of
which extends from the front lot line to the nearest point of the
principal building.
A yard extending the full width of the lot, the depth of
which extends from the rear lot line to the nearest point of the principal
building.
A yard extending between the inside lines of the front and
rear yards and extending in width from the side lot line to the nearest
point of the principal building.
An ordinance that divides the Borough or other unit of local
government into areas or zones that specify allowable uses for real
property and size and locational restrictions for buildings within
these areas.
Written permission issued by the Zoning Officer or other
appropriate municipal official empowering the holder thereof to erect
or alter a building or structure, including signs and fences, change
the use of a building or land and change or extend a nonconforming
use.
