[Ord. 512, 3/26/1990, § 14.2.1]
Words used in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural include the singular. The word "person" indicates a corporation, an incorporated association and a partnership as well as an individual. The word "building" indicates "structure" and shall be construed as if followed by the words "or part thereof." The word "street" indicates "avenue," "highway," "road," and "lane;" and "watercourse" includes "drain," "ditch" and "stream." The word "may" is permissive; the words "shall" and "will" are mandatory subject to the provisions of § 22-202 of these regulations.
[Ord. 512, 3/26/1990, § 14-2.1; as amended by Ord. 524, 12/31/1991]
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALLEY
A strip of land over which there is a right-of-way, municipality or privately owned, on with no dwellings or store fronts, serving as the secondary means of access to two or more properties.
APPLICANT
A landowner or developer, as hereinafter defined, who has filed an application for development, including his heirs, successors and assigns.
APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT
Every application, whether preliminary, tentative or final, required to be filed and approved prior to start of construction or development, including but not limited to an application for a building permit, for the approval of a subdivision plot or plan or for the approval of a development plan.
BASE FLOOD
The flood which has been selected to serve as the basis upon which the floodplain management provisions of this chapter and other ordinances have been prepared; for purposes of this chapter, the one-hundred-year flood, as referenced in the current Flood Insurance Study, West Norriton Township, prepared by the Federal Insurance Administration, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
BASE FLOOD ELEVATION
The one-hundred-year flood elevation, as referenced in the Flood Insurance Study, prepared by the Federal Insurance Administration, United States Department of the Housing and Urban Development.
BLOCK
An area usually bounded by streets or streets and natural or man-made features.
BOARD
The Board of Commissioners of West Norriton Township.
BUILDER
A person, who is not necessarily the owner of the land or agent of the same, who, by contract or other agreement, is charged with the responsibility of construction of buildings or other structures or of making any construction improvements on any parcel of land.
BUILDING SETBACK LINE
The line which establishes the minimum depth of front yard required by the particular zoning district as measured from the ultimate right-of-way line, between which line and the ultimate right-of-way line of the street on which the lot abuts a building may not be erected.
CARTWAY
The portion of a street or alley intended for vehicular use.
COMMON OPEN SPACE
A 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 development, not including streets, off-street parking areas, and areas set aside for public facilities.
CONSTRUCTION
The construction, reconstruction, renovation, repair, extension, expansion, alteration or relocation of a building or structure, including the placement of mobile homes.
CROSSWALK
A right-of-way for pedestrian travel across a block connecting two of the bounding streets.
CUL-DE-SAC
A street with access at one end and terminated at the other end by a paved vehicular turnaround.
CUT
A. 
An excavation.
B. 
The difference between a point on the original ground and the designated point of lower elevation on the final grade.
C. 
Also, the material removed in excavation.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner, agent of such landowner or tenant with the permission of such landowner, who makes or causes to be made a subdivision or land development. Written evidence of authorization, satisfactory in form to the Township Solicitor, shall be filed with the application and plan when signed by an agent of the registered owner.
DEVELOPMENT
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, the placement of mobile homes, streets and other paving, utilities, mining, dredging, filling, grading, excavation or drilling operations.
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The provisions for development including a planned residential development, a plat of subdivision, all covenants relating to use, location and bulk of buildings and other structures, intensity of use or density of development, streets, ways and parking facilities, common open space and public facilities. The phrase "provisions of development plan" when used in this chapter shall mean the written and graphic materials referred to in this definition.
DRAINAGE
The flow of water or liquid waste and the methods of directing such flow, whether natural or artificial.
DRIVEWAY
A private street providing for vehicular and pedestrian access between a public street and a parking area within a lot or property.
EASEMENT
A right-of-way or other right granted for the use of private land for certain public, quasi-public or private purposes.
ENDORSEMENT
The review stamp of the Montgomery County Planning Commission.
ENGINEER
A professional engineer licensed as such in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, duly appointed as the Engineer for West Norriton Township.
EROSION
The removal of surface materials by the action of natural elements.
EXCAVATION
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other similar material is dug into, cut, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced, relocated or bulldozed, and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.
FILL
A. 
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other material is placed, pushed, dumped, pulled, transported or moved to a new location above the natural surface of the ground or on top of stripped surface, and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.
B. 
The difference in elevation between a point on the original ground and a designated point of higher elevation on the final grade.
C. 
The material used to make a fill.
FLOOD
A temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas.
FLOODPLAIN
That area defined in Part 22, Floodplain Control Ordinance, as the "Floodplain District"; the "floodplain" definition contained therein is made part of this chapter by reference.
FLOODPROOFING
Any combination of structural and nonstructural additions, changes or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary facilities, structures and their contents. Such measures are set forth in floodproofing regulations published by the Office of the Chief Engineers, United States Army, publication number EP 1165 2 314 (June 1972 and as subsequently amended). "Floodproofing" measures for all new construction and substantial improvements of structures shall satisfy the requirements of the Completely Dry Spaces (W1) and Essentially Dry Spaces (W1) classes referenced in these regulations. In said publication where reference is made to "below (or above) the BPD (base flood datum)," it shall be interpreted as meaning below (or above) the base flood elevation.
GRADE
A slope of a street or other public way, specified in percent, and shown on plans as specified herein.
IMPROVEMENT
Grading, paving, curbing, guttering, streetlights, street signs, fire hydrants, water mains, gas mains, sanitary sewers, on-site sewage disposal facilities, storm drains, inlets and appurtenances, culverts, bridges, sidewalks, crosswalks, monuments, telephone and electric lines, shade trees and all construction appurtenances incidental thereto; also wells and parking areas.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Any of the following activities:
A. 
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts or parcels of land 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.
C. 
"Land development" does not include development which involves:
(1) 
The conversion of an existing single family detached dwelling or single family semidetached dwelling into not more than three residential units, unless such units are intended to be a condominium;
(2) 
The addition of an accessory building, including farm building, on a lot or lots subordinate to an existing principal building; or
(3) 
The addition or conversion of buildings or rides within the confines of an enterprise which would be considered an amusement park. For the purposes of this subsection, an amusement park is defined as a tract or area used principally as a location for permanent amusement structures or rides. This exclusion shall not apply to newly acquired acreage by an amusement park until initial plans for the expanded area have been approved by the proper authorities.
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 is authorized under the lease may exercise the rights of the "landowner" or other person for a property.
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.
LOT AREA
The area contained within the property lines of the individual parcels of land as shown on a subdivision plan, excluding any area within any right-of-way, but including the area of any easements.
MOBILE HOME
A 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, and constructed so that it may be used without a permanent foundation.
MOBILE HOME LOT
A parcel of land in a mobile home park, improved with the necessary utility connections and other appurtenances necessary for the erection thereon of a single mobile home.
MOBILE HOME PARK
A parcel or contiguous parcels of land which has been so designated and improved that it contains two or more mobile home lots for the placement thereon of mobile homes.
MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY
A body politic and corporate created pursuant to the Act of May 2, 1945 (P.L. 382, No. 164), known as the "Municipalities Authority Act of 1945."
OFFICIAL MAP
The Official Map of current adoption showing the exact location of the lines of existing and proposed public streets, including the ultimate width of the corridor for such streets, watercourses and public grounds for the whole of the Township of West Norriton Township, provided that proposed streets, watercourses or public grounds shall not, in and of itself, constitute a taking or acceptance of any land by West Norriton Township.
ONE-HUNDRED-YEAR FLOOD
A flood that has one chance in 100, or a one-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year; for the purposes of this chapter, the "one-hundred-year flood" (base flood) as defined by the Federal Insurance Administration, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, in the Flood Insurance Study, West Norriton Township. Within the approximated floodplain, the one-hundred-year flood elevation shall be established as a point on the boundary of the approximated floodplain nearest to the construction site in question.
PLAN
A. 
PLAN, IMPROVEMENT CONSTRUCTIONA plan prepared by a registered engineer, showing the construction details of streets, drains, sewers, bridges, culverts and other improvements as required by these regulations, showing the horizontal details, profile and typical cross section to be constructed or installed.
B. 
PLAN, LAND DEVELOPMENTA tentative, preliminary or final plan, including written and graphic material, showing the provision for development of a subject tract when plans of subdivision would not be applicable.
C. 
PLAN, PRELIMINARYA plan prepared by a registered engineer or a registered surveyor, showing existing features of the land and proposed street and lot layout within and adjacent to a subdivision.
D. 
PLAN, RECORDA plan prepared for recording by a registered engineer or surveyor, showing the ultimate width of streets, the lot lines, easements and any other relevant information pertaining to the subdivision required by this chapter.
E. 
PLAN, TENTATIVEA rough draft showing proposed streets and lots related to topography, to be used as the basis for informal discussion between the representatives of the Planning Commission and subdivider, developer or builder.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of the Township of West Norriton.
PLAT
The map or plan of a subdivision or land development, whether preliminary or final.
PUBLIC GROUNDS
Includes:
A. 
Parks, playgrounds, trails, paths and other recreational areas and other public areas;
B. 
Sites for schools, sewage treatment, refuse disposal and other publicly owned or operated facilities; and
C. 
Publicly owned or operated scenic and historic sites.
PUBLIC HEARING
A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the Board of Commissioners or Planning Commission, intended to inform and obtain public comment, prior to taking action in accordance with this chapter.
PUBLIC MEETING
A forum held pursuant to notice under the Act of July 3, 1986 (P.L. 388, No. 84), known as the "Sunshine Act," 53 P.S. § 271 et seq.
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 not be more than 30 days and the second publication shall not be less than seven days from the date of the hearing.
RESERVE STRIP
A parcel of land separating a street from adjacent properties.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
A strip of land occupied or intended to be occupied by a street, alley, crosswalk, sanitary or storm sewer, stream, drainage ditch or for another special use. The usage of the term "right-of-way" for land plotting purposes in the Township of West Norriton shall mean that every "right-of-way" established and shown on a final record plan is to be separate and distinct from the lots or parcels adjoining such "right-of-way" and not included within the dimensions or areas of such lots or parcels. These "rights-of-way" that involve maintenance by the Township of West Norriton shall be dedicated to public use by the subdivider of the plan on which such "rights-of-way" are established.
RUNOFF
The surface water discharge or rate of discharge of a given watershed after a fall of rain or snow that does not enter the soil but runs off the surface of the land.
RUNOFF FROM A FULLY DEVELOPED AREA UPSTREAM
The surface water runoff that can be reasonably anticipated upon maximum development of that area of the watershed located upstream from the subject tract, as permitted by prevailing zoning.
SEDIMENTATION
The process by which mineral or organic matter is accumulated or deposited by moving wind, water or gravity. Once this matter is deposited (or remains suspended in water), it is usually referred to as "sediment."
SIGHT DISTANCE
The distance of unobstructed view along the center line of a street from the driver's sight height of five feet to the farthest visible point four inches above the street surface.
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 based upon vertical difference in feet per 100 feet of horizontal distance.
SOIL STABILIZATION
Chemical or mechanical treatment designed to increase or maintain the stability of a mass of soil or otherwise to improve its engineering properties.
SOIL SURVEY
A report entitled "Soil Survey of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania," published April 1967, by the Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, which is available in the Township or through the Extension Service, Agricultural Agent, the Pennsylvania State University, Creamery, Pennsylvania.
STREET
Includes street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, parkway, lane, alley, viaduct or any other ways used or intended to be used by vehicular traffic or pedestrians whether public or private.
A. 
RESIDENTIALA street used primarily as the principal means of access to adjacent residential properties.
B. 
SECONDARYA street connecting local residential streets to each other or community facilities and to the major street serving only neighborhood traffic.
(1) 
Secondary feeder roads serve to connect residential streets to collector roads and to community facilities with light traffic volumes.
(2) 
Secondary collector roads serve to connect feeder roads and residential streets to other feeder roads, community facilities and major highways with medium traffic volumes.
C. 
MAJORA street connecting district centers or communities, serving large volumes of fast-moving through traffic, preferably located outside or bounding the residential neighborhood.
D. 
HALF STREETA street of less than the required right-of-way and cartway width.
E. 
MARGINAL ACCESS STREETA street parallel and adjacent to a major street providing access to abutting properties by a cartway separated from the major streets by a reserve strip.
STREET LINE
The dividing line between the street and the lot. The "street line" shall be the same as a legal right-of-way, provided that:
A. 
The street right-of-way line shall not be less than 25 feet from the center line of any road or street; and
B. 
Where a future right-of-way width for a road or street has been officially established, the street right-of-way line shall be the side line of the future right-of-way so established.
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, tract or parcel of land by any means into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land 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; provided, however, that the subdivision by lease of land for agricultural purposes into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new street or easement of access or any residential dwelling, shall be exempted.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT
Any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure either before the improvement or repair is started or, if the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred. For the purposes of this definition, "substantial improvement" is considered to occur when the first alteration of a wall, ceiling, floor or other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure. The term does not, however, include either:
A. 
Any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing State or local health, sanitary or safety code specifications which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
B. 
Any alteration of a structure listed on a National Register of Historic Places or a State Inventory of Historic Places.
SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED
Where in the judgment of the Township Engineer, at least 90% (based on the cost of the required improvements for which financial security was posted pursuant to the requirements of this chapter) of those improvements required as a condition for final approval have been completed in accordance with the approved plan, so that the project will be able to be used, occupied or operated for its intended use.
SWALE
A low-lying stretch of land characterized as a depression used to carry surface water runoff.
TOPSOIL
Surface soils and subsurface soils which presumably are fertile soils and soil material, ordinarily rich in organic matter or human debris. "Topsoil" is usually found in the uppermost soil layer called the "A Horizon."
ULTIMATE RIGHT-OF-WAY
The expected future right-of-way width computed from the center line of an established right-of-way.
ULTIMATE RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE
The line parallel to the center line of any public street which defines the boundary of the ultimate right-of-way as defined above.
WATERCOURSE
A stream of water, river, brook, creek or a channel or ditch for water, whether natural or man-made.
WATER SURVEY
An inventory of the source, quantity, yield and use of groundwater and surface-water resources within the Township.