[Ord. 430, 7/16/2008; as amended by Ord. 438, 8/19/2009]
For the purposes of this chapter, certain terms and words used
herein are defined as follows:
A.Â
Words used in the present tense include the future tense.
B.Â
The singular number includes the plural, and the plural number includes
the singular.
C.Â
The word "person" or the word "developer" or the word "landowner"
includes a firm, association, partnership, trust, company or corporation
as well as an individual.
D.Â
The word "shall" is mandatory; the word "may" is permissive.
E.Â
The word "lot" includes "plot," "piece" or "parcel" of land.
F.Â
The word "used" or "occupied" includes the words "intended, arranged,
maintained or designed to be utilized or inhabited."
[Ord. 430, 7/16/2008; as amended by Ord. 438, 8/19/2009]
A.Â
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter
shall be considered minimum requirements, adopted for the promotion
of the public health, safety, morals and general welfare. Whenever
the requirements of this chapter are at variance with requirements
of any other lawfully adopted rules, regulations, codes, deeds of
restricting covenants or ordinances, then the most-restrictive requirements
or those imposing the highest standards shall govern.
B.Â
All requirements of this chapter shall apply uniformly to each class
or type of land or structure and particularly as follows:
(1)Â
No building, structure or land shall hereafter be used or occupied
and no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected,
constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered unless in
conformity with all the requirements of this chapter applicable to
the district in which such use, building or structure is located.
(2)Â
No building or other structure shall hereafter be erected or
altered so as to exceed height limitations, accommodate a greater
number of families, occupy a greater percentage of lot area or have
narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, side yards or open spaces
than are required by this chapter and its provisions for the particular
zoning district in question.
(3)Â
All yard, open space, and off-street parking or loading space
requirements of this chapter are exclusive; and unless specifically
defined, a use or structure cannot share a part of a yard or open
space or off-street parking or loading space required by this chapter.
(4)Â
No yard or lot existing at the time of passage of this chapter
shall be reduced in dimension or area below the minimum requirements
set forth herein. Yards or lots created after the effective date of
this chapter shall meet at least the minimum requirements established
by this chapter.
C.Â
Where any provision of this chapter incorporates by reference the
provisions of other chapters (or articles or sections thereof) of
the Richland Township Code, such referred-to and incorporated-by-reference
provisions shall be, for the purposes of this chapter, deemed to be
fully applicable to the activities and usages regulated by this chapter
in the same manner and to the same degree as if said referred-to and
incorporated provisions of such other chapters (or articles or sections
thereof) were set forth in at length herein in their entirety.
[Ord. 430, 7/16/2008; as amended by Ord. 438, 8/19/2009;
and by Ord. 450, 7/20/2011]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The driveway within a parking lot directly abutting parking
spaces and designed to provide a vehicular connection between the
spaces and the public street.
A structure clearly and customarily subordinate to and on
the same lot as the principal building and used exclusively for purposes
constituting an accessory use, including but not limited to private
garages, barns, utility sheds, greenhouses and buildings for housing
household pets, and excluding signs, antennas, communication towers,
communication facilities, telecommunications equipment buildings,
collocated/shared-use communication facilities and power-mounted/shared-use
communication facilities. Operable or inoperable vehicles or any portion
thereof shall not be considered accessory structures.
An activity carried on within a lot, whether within or not
in an accessory structure, that is not the principal permitted use
thereon but is customarily generally found incidental to the principal
use.
See "sexually oriented business."
See "sexually oriented business."
See "sexually oriented business."
A facility for housing and caring for recovering alcoholics.
Any land use not specified in the District Designations Table
of this chapter.[1]
A change in a structure involving the removal or addition
of a supporting member or a change to the structure's exterior that
increases or diminishes exterior dimensions or adds or removes openings
in the exterior walls.
Any addition, deletion or revision of this chapter, including
the Township Zoning Map officially approved by the governing body
after public hearings.
A video or mechanical amusement device, jukebox, pool table
or bowling alley pin-setting device, and/or electronic device, machine
or apparatus whatsoever, for the playing of games and amusement. See
the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board regulations for all definitions
and provisions associated with all other gaming-facility-related matters.
An apparatus designed for the purpose of emitting radio frequency
(RF) radiation, to be operated or operating from a fixed location
pursuant to Federal Communications Commission authorization, for the
provision of wireless service and any commingled information services.
[Added by Ord. 482, 11/18/2015; and amended by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022]
A suite of rooms or a single room in a building containing
at least two other dwelling units, each with its own cooking, food-storage,
bathing and toilet facilities and with access directly or by a common
hallway to the outside.
Multifamily dwellings of one or more stories which contain three
or more dwelling units.
Multistory dwellings of two or more stories which contain two
or more dwelling units per story and which are arranged with units
one above another, each unit having at least one entrance connected
to a common interior corridor and/or stairway.
Not to exceed a two-story multifamily dwelling and which
contains one-story units. Access is usually from a common hall, although
individual entrances can be provided. They are usually provided with
common landscaped open space (hence the name "garden") and on-site
parking.
A landowner or developer, hereinafter defined, who has filed
an application for development, including his heirs, successors or
assigns.
Every application, whether tentative or final, required to
be filed and approved prior to the start of construction or development,
including but not limited to an application for a building permit,
for the approval of a subdivision plat or plan or for the approval
of a development plan.
Any number of electrically connected photovoltaic (PV) modules
providing a single electrical output.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
See "life-care facility/senior living community."
See "vehicle sales, repair, service and/or maintenance."
A facility where breads, cakes, pastries and the like are
produced and/or sold.
A business in which money is kept for saving or commercial
purposes, invested, supplied for loans or exchanged.
The space enclosed by the foundation or ground-floor walls
of a building and partly below the average level of the adjacent ground.
A basement shall be counted as a story for the purposes of this chapter
if more than 1/2 the volume of its space is above the average ground
level.
A specialized lodging house, having predominately the character
of a single-family residence, where rooms are provided for overnight
transient guests, where meals may be served in conjunction with the
accommodations, and where the owner of such business establishment
resides on the premises.
A space, typically within a loading facility, exclusive of
driveways, aisles, maneuvering areas, ramps, columns, landscaping
areas, office, and work areas, for the temporary parking of a commercial
vehicle while loading or unloading goods or materials and which may
or may not abut upon a street, alley or other appropriate means of
access; or, within a mobile home park, a space reserved for a mobile
home.
A body, formed in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code,[2] granted jurisdiction under this chapter to render final
adjudications.
See "kennel."
See "microbrewery."
An eating establishment in which beer or malt beverages,
wine, and other alcoholic beverages are manufactured or brewed for
retail purchase only and which conforms to all of the following limitations:
[Added by Ord. 464, 4/3/2013; § IA]
The establishment derives at least 50% of its total annual gross
food and beverage sales from the sale of prepared meals or food.
No more than 50% of the total gross floor area of the establishment
shall be dedicated to the brewery function, winemaking or production
of alcoholic beverages, including but not limited to the brewhouse,
boiling and water treatment areas, bottling and kegging lines, malt
milling and storage, fermentation tanks, conditioning tanks and serving
tanks.
Production of beer, wine or other alcoholic beverages shall
not exceed 12,000 barrels per year.
A portion of land, together with a specified type and amount
of planting thereon, and any permissible structures, such as fences
or walls, which may be required between land uses to eliminate or
minimize conflicts between them.
Area of a lot behind the applicable building lines and within
which permitted buildings and structures may be erected, used and
maintained.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
Any roofed structure intended for the shelter, housing or
enclosure of persons or of property.
The Uniform Construction Code (UCC), or approved equivalent,
and any supplements thereto, as most recently adopted by Richland
Township.[3]
A building in which all exterior walls are solid, except
for fixed closed or operable windows and doors.
The vertical distance, measured between the average of the
highest and the lowest elevations at finished grade, of the structure
and, if a flat-roofed building, the top of the roof or a parapet wall,
or, if a sloped-roofed building, the average between the gutter and
ridge lines of the highest roof element on the building.
The person appointed by Richland Township to enforce the
Building Code and inspect buildings and properties for conformance
thereto.
A solar photovoltaic or nonphotovoltaic system that is constructed
as an integral part of a principal or accessory building or structure
and where the building-integrated system features maintain a uniform
profile or surface of vertical walls, window openings, and roofing.
Such a system is used in lieu of a separate mechanical device, replacing
or substituting for an architectural or structural component of the
building or structure that appends or interrupts the uniform surfaces
of walls, window openings and roofing. A building-integrated system
may occur within vertical facades, replacing view glass, spandrel
glass or other facade material; into semitransparent skylight systems;
into roofing systems, replacing traditional roofing materials; or
other building or structure envelope systems.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
A line enclosing the area of any lot within which construction
can occur, as determined by the zoning district in which the lot is
located. Steps, uncovered decks or patios not over 36 inches above
the surrounding ground level may be built outside the building line.
The setback distance from the front, side, and rear lot lines determines
the building line.
A solar photovoltaic or nonphotovoltaic system attached to
any part or type of roof on a building or structure that has an occupancy
permit on file with the Township and that is either the principal
structure or an accessory structure on a recorded lot. This system
also includes any solar-based architectural elements.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
A document issued by the Township attesting that a proposal
for construction meets all requirements of this chapter and other
applicable regulations of Richland Township and allowing the approved
construction to proceed.
A commercial establishment which provides services primarily
to businesses on a fee or contract basis. Business services typically
include establishments such as advertising and public relations, management
and consulting services, security and maintenance services, equipment
rental/leasing, document-reproduction-related services, and computer
and data processing services.
A structure, lot or portion of land used for the purpose
of cleaning or reconditioning the exterior and interior surfaces of
automotive vehicles, but not including an incidental one-bay washing
facility in a use where washing facilities are accessory to the operation
of vehicle sales and/or maintenance. A self-operated vehicular-laundering
facility not requiring attendants or employees, regardless of capacity,
is also considered to be a car wash. No vehicle repairs or sale of
petroleum, fuels or lubricants shall be performed in association with
any car wash.
The smallest basic solar electric device which generates
electricity when exposed to light.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
A lot or portion of land that is reserved for the burying
of the deceased and that could contain mausoleums and columbaria but
not crematoriums.
The reassignment of a lot or group of contiguous properties
from one zoning district to a second zoning district.
See "place of worship/assembly."
A building or structure devoted to the indoor display of
motion pictures, not including a sexually oriented business.
The mounting of one or more WCFs, including antennas, on
a preexisting structure, or modifying a structure for the purpose
of mounting or installing a WCF on that structure.
[Added by Ord. 482, 11/18/2015; and amended by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022]
Wireless communications facilities collocated on existing
structures, such as, but not limited to, buildings, water towers,
electrical transmission towers, utility poles, light poles, traffic
signal poles, flagpoles and other similar structures that do not require
the installation of a new tower.
[Added by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022]
The Planning Commission of Richland Township.
A parcel of land within a development, not privately held
or occupied by public rights-of-way, which is guaranteed by the recorded
plan to remain in perpetuity and which is initially the responsibility
of the developer and subsequently of the association of residents
but shall not be used in the calculation, or considered as, a part
of the required open space. This shall include buildings such as clubhouses,
bathhouses and parking areas associated with such uses.
A lot or lots of land, an area of water, or a combination
of land and water within a development site 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 other public
facilities.
[4]An unmanned building or cabinet containing communications
equipment required for the operation of wireless communications facilities.
[Added by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022]
Any of the following:
[Added by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022]
A cable operator as defined in section 602(4) of the Cable Communications
Policy Act of 1984 [Public Law 98-549, 47 U.S.C. § 522(5)].
A provider of information service as defined in section 3(20)
of the Communications Act of 1934 [48 Stat. 1064, 47 U.S.C. §
153(24)].
A telecommunications carrier as defined in section 3(44) of
the Communications Act of 1934 [48 Stat. 1064, 47 U.S.C. § 153(51)].
A building housing activities of a civic, social, educational,
recreational, or cultural organization but without residential accommodations,
except for a manager, and provided that no sales of alcoholic beverages
are made to the public at large.
The community master plan created for the purposes of guiding
community development and as authorized by the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code.[5]
A use permitted in a particular zoning district by the Board
of Supervisors pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and Article
VI of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10601
et seq.
A space, defined by walls, floors and ceilings, purchased
and equipped as a dwelling unit, and including, as part of the purchase,
joint ownership with the other condominium owners on the lot of the
facilities used in common, together with responsibility for maintenance
of common ground/common open space.
The erection, reconstruction, renovation, repair, extension,
expansion, alteration, or relocation of a building or structure, including
the placement of mobile homes.
Any enterprise providing domestic commodities and services
pertaining to the person, their apparel or personal effects commonly
carried on or about the person, including but not limited to shoe
repair, tailoring, clothes cleaning, watch repairing, barbershops,
beauty parlors, massage therapy establishments and related activities.
A lot or portion of a lot used by a general contractor or
builder where equipment and materials are stored or where a contractor
performs shop or assembly work, but does not include a construction
site or any establishment otherwise defined or classified herein.
A health-care facility licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
that provides a high level of support services and twenty-four-hour
care by a registered nurse, room and board, and activities for residents
recovering from illness and those with chronic and/or long-term-care
illnesses. Cooking facilities are not available within individual
living units.
A business establishment (including gas and/or energy recharge
facilities) offering for sale food products, household items, and
other goods commonly associated with the same and generally having
a gross floor area of less than 10,000 square feet.
A business establishment (not including gas and/or energy
recharge facilities) offering for sale food products, household items,
and other goods commonly associated with the same and generally having
a gross floor area of less than 10,000 square feet.
A dwelling unit established from a portion of a dwelling
unit already existing as a single-family dwelling where each dwelling
is provided with all the facilities normally found in a dwelling unit,
including adequate heat, light, ventilation, cooking facilities, sanitary
facilities and means of egress.
A recreational facility which has as its principal use facilities
for playing golf and which may include one or more of the following
accessory uses: a clubhouse and/or restaurant, locker rooms, pro shop,
swimming pool, and facilities for racquet sports.
The percentage of the total area of a lot or lots occupied
by buildings/structures, but not including any permanently uncovered
paved areas, porches, patios or steps.
A building fitted with the proper equipment for the purposes
of the cremation of human remains and includes all facilities and
appliances incidental or ancillary thereto.
A local street intersecting another street at one end and
terminating in the form of a loop at the other end or a dead-end street
provided with a terminus in the form of a loop.
Any artificial barrier, together with its appurtenant works,
constructed for the purpose of impounding or storing water or a structure
for highway, railroad or other purposes which may impound water.
Any premises which is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department
of Welfare as a day-care center, where care is provided for any number
of adults, who are not relatives of the operator, at any one time
for part of a twenty-four-hour-day.
Any premises which is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department
of Welfare as a day-care center, where care is provided for seven
or more children under 16 years of age, for less than 24 hours per
day.
A residential dwelling in which care is provided for up to
six children, under 16 years of age, including any child residing
in the home, for less than 24 hours per day, provided that such establishment
is licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and/or Allegheny County,
as appropriate.
Final adjudication of any board or other body granted jurisdiction
under any land use ordinance or this chapter to do so, either by reason
of the grant of exclusive jurisdiction or by reason of appeals from
determinations. All decisions shall be appealable to the Court of
Common Pleas of the county and judicial district wherein the Township
lies.
The measurement of compactness of residential development
as to the number of dwelling units per 43,560 square feet of land.
A retail store offering a wide variety of merchandise that
is subdivided or segregated into departments, such as clothing, foodstuffs,
automotive/tools, housewares, furniture, gardening, and electronics,
and where such store may or may not have outdoor displays of merchandise
as an incidental use or activity.
The slowing, dampening or attenuating of runoff flows entering
the natural drainage pattern or storm drainage system by temporarily
holding water on a surface area, such as detention basins, reservoirs,
on rooftops, in streets, parking lots or within the drainage system
itself and releasing the water at a desired rate of discharge.
An area in which surface water runoff is temporarily stored
pending its release at a controlled rate.
Determinations shall be appealable only to the boards designated
as having jurisdiction for such appeal.
Any landowner or agent of such landowner or tenant with the
permission of such landowner who proposes, makes or causes to be made
a subdivision of land or land development.
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate,
including but not limited to the construction, reconstruction, renovation,
repair, expansion or alteration of buildings or other structures;
the placement of manufactured homes; streets and other paving; utilities;
filling, grading and excavation; mining; dredging; drilling operations;
storage of equipment or materials; and the subdivision of land.
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,
open space and public facilities. The phrase "provisions of the development
plan" shall mean the written and graphic materials referred to in
this definition.
The diameter of the tree trunk at a height of 4.5 feet above
the ground plane on the uphill side of the tree.
[7]Any building or structure or part thereof where the process
of directly marketing, supplying and/or transferring wholesale goods
to a retailer or manufacturer is conducted.
Any animal defined as such by the Richland Township Codified Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Animals.
Any "household pet" as defined by the Richland Township Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Animals.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. AO)]
A premises certified by an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for
the purpose of providing a supervised living arrangement in a homelike
setting for a period exceeding 24 consecutive hours to clients placed
there by the AAA; or services and activities performed by the Area
Agency on Aging which are necessary to seek out, assess and determine
the eligibility of applicants and prospective providers, to certify
domiciliary-care homes, and to arrange for, oversee and follow up
on the placement of clients into domiciliary-care homes and/or the
receipt of the domiciliary-care supplement by clients; or as otherwise
defined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
A depression across the ground surface that collects water
runoff from higher surrounding land and directs it to a stream or
other collection system.
The outermost edge of a roof, including eaves, overhangs
and gutters.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
A place of public assembly intended for the viewing of motion
pictures from the confines of a motor vehicle, not including a sexually
oriented business. Said use may include accessory uses and structures,
such as a snack bar, projector building, speaker stands and ticket
office.
A lot or portion of land operated for the purpose of developing
golfing skills, including a golf course with a maximum of nine holes.
Such lot or portion of the lot may be lit to enable night play.
A business establishment where clothing and textiles requiring
dry cleaning are dropped off or picked up for limited pressing, sewing
and/or repair but where no dry-cleaning equipment is stored and/or
operated.
A facility where dry-cleaning equipment is stored and/or
operated and where chemical solvents, steam and/or water are used
during the cleaning process for clothing and textiles within the facility.
A dwelling unit attached to one or more other dwelling units
by common party walls.
A dwelling unit completely surrounded by open land on the
same lot.
A dwelling unit designed and intended to be occupied by one
family only.
A building containing only two dwelling units, each entirely
separate from the other and each with its own access directly to the
outside.
A single room or a group of connected rooms, with its own
private bathing, toilet, cooking and food-storage facilities, in a
building for the exclusive use of one family.
A right-of-way or other right to use property granted by
the property owner to another for activities such as access, drainage,
utility or communications lines, slopes or other purposes.
Notice given by the Township through the Internet of the
time and place of a public hearing and the particular nature of the
matter to be considered at the hearing.
[Added by Ord. No. 509, 11/4/2020]
Any request for modification of an existing WCF that does
not substantially change the physical dimensions of such WCF, involving:
[Added by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022]
A condition that:
[Added by Ord. 482, 11/18/2015]
A building, structure and/or lot used for the maintenance,
fueling, storage, dispatching or parking of vehicles and/or equipment
utilized to provide private and/or public rescue or ambulatory services,
fire and/or police services.
A space which will remain dry during flooding, except for
the passage of some water vapor or minor seepage; the structure is
substantially impermeable to the passage of water.
The erection, construction, alteration or maintenance of
underground or overhead gas, electrical, steam or water transmission
or distribution systems, including poles, wires, mains, drains, sewers,
pipes, conduit, cables, fire alarm boxes, police call boxes, traffic
signals, hydrants, street signs, cable television or other telecommunications
transmission lines provided by public or private entities, and other
similar equipment and accessories in connection therewith, reasonably
necessary for the furnishing of adequate service by such public utilities
or municipal or other governmental agencies or for the public health
or safety or general welfare, but not including buildings.
[Amended by Ord. 482, 11/18/2015]
Federal Aviation Administration.
[Added by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022]
A building, structure, lot or portion of land used for the
temporary exhibition of music, amusements, art, goods, wares, foodstuffs,
vehicles, and the like, which are displayed and made available for
sale. The term "fairground" shall also include carnivals or festivals
and shall not have exhibitions open to the public for more than 15
consecutive days in any given month.
An individual, or two or more persons related by blood, marriage,
or adoption or foster child care, including domestic servants or gratuitous
guests thereof, or a group of not more than three unrelated persons
living together without supervision in a dwelling unit or not more
than five persons living together in a group living arrangements with
supervision, provided that the group living arrangements meet all
of the following criteria:
They provide nonroutine support services, including supervision,
personal care, social or counseling services and transportation, to
persons who need such assistance in order to use and enjoy a dwelling
or to avoid being placed within an institution, because of a physical
disability, old age, mental retardation, or other handicap or disability
as defined by the Fair Housing Amendments Act or the Americans with
Disabilities Act;
They provide for the joint occupancy of a dwelling unit where
the residents maintain a common household and practice, on a permanent
or long-term basis, a joint economic, social and cultural life;
They do not involve the housing of persons on a transient basis;
and
They do not involve the housing or treatment of persons accepted
for residence in the group living arrangement on the basis of their
status as criminal offenders, juvenile offenders or delinquents or
who would otherwise qualify for residence by virtue of having been
found by any governmental tribunal, court or agency to be a danger
to society or are on release or under the jurisdiction of the criminal
justice system, a government bureau of correction or similar institution.
"Family" shall not include persons living together in a group-care
home, halfway house, personal-care home, as defined herein, or any
other supervised group living arrangement for persons not protected
by the Fair Housing Amendments Act or the Americans with Disabilities
Act or any persons who constitute a direct threat to others or their
physical lot.
An establishment or premises where the retail sale of farm
or agricultural products and/or prepared foods produced by local farms
or growers occurs for a period of more than 30 consecutive days.
See "restaurant."
Federal Communications Commission.
[Added by Ord. 482, 11/18/2015; and amended by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022]
A highly mechanized intense cattle-feeding operation involving
large numbers of animals in a relatively small area, with little or
no grazing land.
A fully exposed, freestanding barrier made of wire, wood,
metal, masonry, or other material used as a screen or enclosure for
a yard, field or other open space area, including a retaining wall
less than 30 inches in height that functions to enclose an open space
or yard.
A directly or indirectly illuminated sign or portion thereof
that exhibits changing light or color effects by any means, so as
to provide intermittent illumination, or which changes light intensity
in sudden transitory bursts and creates the illusion of intermittent
flashing light by streaming, or graphic bursts showing movement, or
any mode of lighting that resembles zooming, twinkling or sparkling.
An indoor and/or outdoor business establishment used for
the sale of assorted new and used goods by auctioneers, commercial
vendors or by individuals for no more than three consecutive days
in any given week.
A building or structure that can be subdivided for use by
multiple tenants primarily for light industrial, warehousing and associated
office/administrative space.
A temporary inundation of water on normally dry land areas.
A relatively flat or low land area which is subject to partial
or complete inundation from an adjoining or nearby stream, river or
watercourse and/or any area subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation
of surface waters from any source. See also "identified floodplain
area."
Any combination of structural and nonstructural additions,
changes or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood
damage to real estate or improved lots, water, and sanitary facilities,
structures, and their contents.
The designated area of a floodplain required to carry and
discharge floodwaters of a given magnitude. For the purposes of this
chapter, the floodway shall be capable of accommodating a flood of
the one-hundred-year magnitude.
A business, including a catering business, that prepares
food for consumption off-premises, has no on-site seating, and is
not open to the public for dining.
[Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. AO)]
The retail sales of foodstuffs and associated merchandise
packages for consumption after preparation off the premises where
sold, and not including any restaurant or take-out establishment.
The management of woodlands and timberlands when practiced
in accordance with accepted silvicultural principles, through developing,
cultivating, harvesting, transporting and selling trees for commercial
purposes, and does not involve any land development.
An imaginary line across the front of a lot between side
lot lines, parallel to the street right-of-way line and distant from
it the depth of the required front yard for the zoning district in
which the lot is located.
A building used for the embalming of the deceased prior to
burial, but not including cremation, and for the viewing of the deceased
and ceremonies connected therewith before burial or cremation.
A business establishment used for the manufacture and repair
of furniture or other similar wood products.
A business establishment where furniture merchandise or other
wood products are displayed for retail sale to consumers.
A business establishment, licensed and regulated by the Pennsylvania
Gaming Control Board (PGCB), where machines, tables, electronic devices,
and/or equipment are installed for gaming use or play or as defined
for such by the PGCB.
An accessory building in a residential zoning district that
may or may not be attached or physically connected to the principal
building of a lot, for storing vehicles operated by the residents
of the dwelling building on the same lot but not itself containing
any dwelling units.
See "apartment, garden."
See "convenience store, including gas and/or energy recharge
station."
A pierced or bored hole in the ground used to extract a naturally
occurring commodity such as petroleum oil or natural gas.
An arrangement of tees, fairways and greens for playing a
minimum of 18 holes of golf, but not including golf driving ranges,
miniature golf or other facilities suitable for night play.
The elected Board of Supervisors of Richland Township.
A retail establishment that sells produce, dry goods, meats,
baked goods, dairy items, frozen foods and the like. The term "grocery
store" includes supermarkets, food stores, green grocers, dairies,
and delicatessens but does not include convenience stores.
A solar photovoltaic or nonphotovoltaic system mounted on
a structure, pole or series of poles constructed specifically to support
the photovoltaic system and not attached to any other structure.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
A facility which houses six or more residents and provides
twenty-four-hour supervision and rehabilitation services for developmentally
disabled individuals (mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy,
epilepsy or other similar conditions) and is licensed by the Pennsylvania
Department of Public Welfare.
A group residence for those who have completed treatment
at a rehabilitation facility, whether criminal in nature or not, but
are not yet ready to return to independent living in the community
and where residents participate in structured programs designed to
ease successful reintegration into society.
A business establishment specializing in the supply of small-scale
construction equipment and tools.
The vertical distance measured from the ground level, including
any base pad, to the highest point on a tower-based WCF, including
antennas mounted on the tower and any other appurtenances.
[Added by Ord. 482, 11/18/2015]
A designated area usually with a prepared surface used for
takeoff and landing of helicopters.
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 state inventory of historic places
in states with historic preservation programs which have been approved
by the Secretary of the Interior.
Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places
in communities with historic preservation programs that have been
certified either:
See "no-impact home-based business."
A business establishment specializing in the sale of building
supplies and construction materials for new construction, repair or
remodeling. A home improvement center may include an outdoor display/storage
area for merchandise or an area for landscape nursery.
A business carried on entirely within a building whose principal
use is a single-family dwelling but does not meet the requirements
of a no-impact home-based business.
A formally incorporated nonprofit association made up of
the lot owners and/or residents of a fixed area, which will assure
responsibility for costs and upkeep of semiprivate community facilities.
Care which provides for physical, social, emotional and spiritual
needs of patients experiencing life-threatening illness and their
families, where such care may be delivered in the home or in an inpatient
setting and is provided by a medically directed interdisciplinary
team of professionals and volunteers and where such care meets the
standards of the Pennsylvania Hospice Network.
A health-care facility (including sanitariums) that provides
for the short-term care of patients suffering from physical or mental
illnesses, but not including narcotics addiction or those found to
be criminally insane, and which may or may not include facilities
for major surgery and which may be publicly or privately operated.
A business establishment which provides transient lodging
accommodations to the general public in sleeping units, where each
unit has independent access and where such establishment may provide
such additional supporting services as restaurants, meeting rooms,
recreation facilities and living quarters for a resident manager or
proprietor.
Equipment used to heat, cool or ventilate a structure.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
A floodplain area specifically identified as being inundated
by the one-hundred-year flood.
A surface area that prevents or retards the infiltration
of water into the soil and/or a hard surface area that causes water
to run off the surface of the ground in greater quantities or at an
increased rate of flow from the conditions prior to development, construction,
building or installation.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
An enclosed building or structure that utilizes equipment
to control the combustion and thermal degradation of solid waste material
and that is subject as such to the regulations of the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection.
The technical and practical link between the solar generator
and the grid providing electricity to the greater community.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
Any lot, building or structure or part thereof used for the
storage, collection, recycling, resource recovery, salvage, processing,
purchase, sale or abandonment of wastepaper, rags, scrap metal or
other scrap or discarded goods, materials, machinery, vehicular parts,
or two or more unregistered, inoperable motor vehicles or other types
of junk. In no district shall this use be considered to be accessory
or incidental to another use.
A publicly or privately owned building or structure for the
temporary detention for delinquent juveniles.
Any dwelling or establishment where more than four dogs or
four cats, or any combination thereof exceeding four animals, which
are six months old or older are kept, bred, trained or boarded, whether
for profit or not.
A unit of electrical power, equal to 1,000 watts, which constitutes
the basic unit of electrical demand. A watt is a metric measurement
of power (not energy) and is the rate (not the duration) at which
electricity is used. One thousand kilowatts are equal to one megawatt
(MW).
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
A building or portion of a building designed for scientific
or technical investigation, experiment, observation or study.
Any of the following activities:
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts
or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
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
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.
Subdivision of land.
"Land development" does not include development which involves:
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;
The addition of an accessory building, including a farm building,
on a lot or lots subordinate to an existing principal building; or
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.
A lot or portion of land utilized as a disposal site employing
an engineering method of disposing of solid wastes in a manner that
minimizes environmental hazards by spreading, compacting to the smallest
volume, and applying cover material over all solid wastes, subject
to permitting by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's
Waste Management, Municipal Waste Program, the United States Environmental
Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy.
The legal or beneficial owner(s) 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
persons having a proprietary interest in the land.
A building, lot or portion of land that is used to propagate
and/or store trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plants for wholesale
or retail purposes or for transplanting.
A building or structure utilized for the storage and sharing
of books, media and information with the general public and which
may or may not include areas for public meeting and the like.
A health-care facility for the transitional residency of
senior and/or disabled persons, providing for a progression of residential
living types, such as from independent living in single-family units
to assisted and/or congregate living and culminating in a full health
and continuing-care nursing home facility, where any portion of the
facility may include common dining and recreation areas and which
provides supportive services, not primarily medical in nature, to
facility residents for activities of daily living. A life-care facility/senior
living community may include a licensed adult day-care program; such
facility shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local
laws, ordinances and regulations relating to housing for the elderly.
This term shall not include nursing homes, domiciliary-care, convalescent
homes, personal-care facilities, or group-care homes.
A building or structure where the processing and fabrication
of certain materials and products occurs without producing noise,
vibration, air pollution, fire hazard or noxious emissions that could
disturb or endanger neighboring lots. "Light manufacturing" includes
the production of the following goods: home appliances, electrical
instruments, office machines, precision instruments, electronic devices,
timepieces, jewelry, optical goods, musical instruments, novelties,
wood products, printed material, lithographic plates, type composition,
machine tools, dies and gauges, ceramics, apparel, lightweight metal
castings, film processing, light sheet metal products, plastic goods,
pharmaceutical goods, and food products, but not animal slaughtering
or curing nor rendering of fats.
A business establishment, including a beer distributor or
bottle shop, licensed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and
whose principal business is the retail sale of soft drinks, beer and
alcohol beverages in sealed containers and not for consumption on
the premises.
A portion of a lot set aside for the shipping and receiving
of goods and not used for any other purpose or interfering with other
vehicular or pedestrian circulation on the lot.
A highly structured therapeutic residential mental health
treatment facility, licensed by the Department of Public Welfare as
an LTSR, and designed to serve persons 18 years or older who are eligible
for hospitalization but can receive adequate care in an LTSR.
[Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. AO)]
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.
The horizontally projected area of a lot computed exclusive
of any portion of the right-of-way of any public or private street.
A lot that abuts streets on two adjacent sides, with the
streets intersecting at one corner of the lot.
A lot surrounded by another lot or lots on all sides and
where access to such lot is by means of a narrow strip of lot or easement.
The narrow strip of lot or easement shall be termed as the "flagpole"
portion of the lot.
The minimum straight-line distance between the points where
the side lot line intersects the front lot line. If the fronting street
is curved, frontage is measured as the minimum linear distance of
the arc that connects the points where the side lot lines intersect
the front lot line.
The boundary line, or part of such line, describing the periphery
of a lot. The front lot line abuts the street to which the lot has
access, and the rear lot line is the boundary most distant from the
front lot line.
A lot recorded, as part of a subdivision plan or on a separate
deed, with the Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds, pursuant to statutes
governing recording.
The distance between opposite side lot lines taken at the
minimum front yard setback distance on each side lot line. Arc distances
shall be utilized for all curved lots unless otherwise defined by
the Township Engineer.
The lowest floor of the lowest fully enclosed area (including
basement). An unfinished, flood-resistant, partially enclosed area,
used solely for parking of vehicles, building access and incidental
storage, in an area other than a basement, is not considered the lowest
floor of a building, provided that such space is not designed and
built so that the structure is in violation of the applicable nonelevation
design requirements of this chapter.
A facility where logs or partially processed timbers are
sawn, shaved, stripped, chipped or otherwise processed to produce
wood products for sale. The term "lumber mill" includes the storage
and bulk sale of processed wood products.
Notice given by the Township by first-class mail of the time
and place of a public hearing and the particular nature of the matter
to be considered at the hearing.
[Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. AO)]
A portion of a loading area set aside so vehicles may enter
and leave the loading area moving in a forward direction.
A dwelling unit fabricated in an off-site manufacturing facility
for installation or assembly at the building site, bearing a label
that it is built in compliance with the Federal Manufacturing Housing
Construction and Safety Standards. All manufactured homes shall be
placed upon a permanent foundation and shall be in accordance with
the Township's current building code.[8]
The processing and fabrication of any article, substance
or commodity.
Any business or part thereof where massage services are provided
but where the requirements of a massage therapy establishment cannot
be met.
Any business or part thereof where massage services are provided
by a person having graduated from a massage therapy training program
approved by the authorizing board within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
or equivalent agency if trained in another state; by a person certified
through a massage therapy certification examination approved by the
National Commission for Certifying Agencies; by a person certified
through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and
Bodywork; or by a person who is a practitioner or member of either
the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), Associated Bodywork
and Massage Professionals (ABMP), or the International Massage Association
(IMA).
A building or structure where two or more licensed medical
professionals provide diagnostic health, medical, surgical and/or
psychiatric services and/or treatment diagnosis and treatment to the
general public without overnight accommodation and which may include
uses such as reception areas, waiting areas, consultation rooms, x-ray
and minor operating rooms, and a dispensary, provided that all such
uses have access only from the interior of the building or structure,
and provided further that any facility for methadone treatment or
other narcotic treatment programs approved by the Pennsylvania Department
of Health shall be considered a medical clinic use.
Marijuana for certified medical use as set forth in Act 16
of 2016.[9]
[Added by Ord. 493, 5/17/2017]
Use of the premises by a natural person, corporation, partnership,
association, trust or other entity, or any combination thereof, holding
a permit issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of
Health, to dispense medical marijuana.
[Added by Ord. 493, 5/17/2017]
The use of the premises by a person, including a natural
person, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other entity,
or any combination thereof, holding a permit from the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania Department of Health, to grow and/or process medical
marijuana where all growing and processing activities are conducted
indoors.
[Added by Ord. 493, 5/17/2017]
A building or structure where the brewing and production
of beer and related products occurs on site in accordance with the
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. The term "microbrewery" may or
may not include a restaurant or area for consumption of such beverages.
A small wireless communications facility that:
[Added by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022]
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 constricted so that it may be used without a permanent foundation.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. AO)]
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.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. AO)]
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.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. AO)]
The improvement, upgrade or expansion of existing wireless
communications facilities or base stations on an existing wireless
support structure or the improvement, upgrade, or expansion of the
wireless communications facilities located within an existing equipment
compound, if the improvement, upgrade, expansion or replacement does
not substantially change the physical dimensions of the wireless support
structure.
[Added by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022]
The smallest protected assembly of interconnected PV cells.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013][10]
A politic and corporate body created pursuant to the Act
of May 2, 1945 (P. L. 382, No. 164), known as the "Municipalities
Authority Act of 1945."[11]
An individual or group of buildings, structures or lots utilized
for municipally owned and/or operated service facilities for the benefit
of the health and welfare of the citizens of Richland Township and
the public at large.
A channel or surface where a recurring flow of water is dictated
by existing geography.
A facility designed and constructed to compress natural gas
that originates from an oil or gas well or collection of such wells
operating as a midstream facility for delivery of oil and gas to a
transmission pipeline, distribution pipeline, natural gas processing
plant, or underground storage field, including one or more natural
gas compressors, associated buildings, pipes, valves, tanks and other
equipment.
A midstream facility used to remove materials such as ethane,
butane, and other constituents or similar substances from natural
gas to allow such natural gas to be of such quality as is required
or appropriate for transmission or distribution to commercial markets,
but not including facilities or equipment used primarily to remove
water, water vapor, oil or naturally occurring liquids from natural
gas. "Midstream" is used to refer to a plant supporting more than
one well pad.
A measure of the proposed dwelling units to be constructed
on a given site divided by the acreage of the site, excluding required
open space and road rights-of-way.
An agreement with a local electric utility that allows customers
to receive a credit for surplus electricity generated by certain renewable
energy systems.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
A business establishment offering alcoholic beverages for
consumption on the premises, which may also serve food, and where
the principal use is dancing, music performances or entertainment,
either live or recorded, typically characterized by closely packed
tables around a stage and/or dance floor.
A business or commercial activity administered or conducted
clearly secondary to the use as a residential dwelling and which involves
no customer, client or patient traffic, whether vehicular or pedestrian,
or pickup, delivery or removal functions to or from the premises in
excess of those normally associated with residential use. The business
or commercial activity must satisfy the following requirements:
The business activity shall be compatible with the residential
use of the lot and surrounding residential uses.
The business shall employ no employees other than family members
residing in the dwelling.
There shall be no display or sale of retail goods and no stockpiling
of inventory of a substantial nature.
There shall be no outside appearance of a business use, including
but not limited to parking, signs or lights.
The business activity may not use any equipment or process which
creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors or electrical or electronic
interference, including interference with radio or television reception,
which is detectable in the neighborhood.
The business activity may not generate any solid waste or sewage
discharge in volume or type which is not normally associated with
residential use in the neighborhood.
The business activity shall be conducted only within the dwelling
and may not occupy more than 25% of the habitable floor area.
The business may not involve any illegal activity.
A freestanding structure exceeding the Township's maximum
building height of the specific zoning district in which it is located
and not classified as a communication tower, steeple or silo.
A lot with an area or dimension which was lawful prior to
the adoption or amendment of this chapter but which fails to conform
to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located
by reason of such adoption or amendment.
A structure or part of a structure manifestly not designed
to comply with the use or extent-of-use provisions of this chapter
or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such structure
lawfully existed prior to the enactment of this chapter or amendment
or prior to the application of this chapter or amendment to its location
by reason of annexation. Such nonconforming structures include but
are not limited to nonconforming signs.
A use, whether of land or of structure, which does not comply
with the applicable use provisions in this chapter or amendment heretofore
or hereafter enacted, where such use was lawfully in existence prior
to the enactment of this chapter or amendment or prior to the application
of this chapter or amendment to its location by reason of annexation.
[12]A facility, including a preschool and/or kindergarten, licensed
as such by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Board of Private
Academic Schools, designed to provide daytime care and educational
instruction for compensation to children three to six years of age
who are not related to the operator.
A facility licensed as such by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
that provides long-term inpatient care by licensed nurses or physicians.
Any wall, dam, wharf, embankment, levee, dike, pike abutment,
projection, excavation, channel, rectification, culvert, building,
fence, stockpile, refuse, fill, structure, or matter in, along, across,
or projecting into any channel, watercourse, or flood-prone area which
may impede or change the direction of the flow of water either in
itself by catching or collecting debris carried by such water or which
is placed where the flow of water might carry the same downstream
to the damage of life and property.
A certificate issued by the Zoning Officer attesting to the
fact that all requirements of this chapter and other applicable regulations
have been met and that the construction for which the permit applies
may be occupied.
To utilize a lot for its intended and approved permanent
use.
As defined herein, offices shall be limited to the following:
BUSINESS OFFICEAn office which generally operates on a first-come, first-served basis and which has relatively high pedestrian or customer traffic, including advertising agencies, manufacturing representatives, personnel agencies, travel and ticket agencies and the like.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICEAn office which generally serves clients and operates on an appointment basis, with relatively low pedestrian or vehicular traffic, including offices of accountants, architects, attorneys, consultants, designers, engineers, insurance agents, medical professionals, realtors, and the like.
PUBLIC SERVICE OFFICEAn office of a governmental agency, social service organization, notary, public or private utility, political organization or the like.
MEDICAL OFFICEA building or a series of buildings or rooms where one or more licensed medical professionals provide diagnosis and treatment to the general public without overnight observation. A medical office may include such uses as reception areas, offices, examination rooms and x-ray rooms, provided that all such uses have access only from the interior of the building. A medical office shall not include a pharmacy or surgical suites.
LOW-INTENSITY MEDICAL OFFICESuch facility that contains a total of four or fewer examination rooms (not including laboratories and/or x-ray rooms).
HIGH-INTENSITY MEDICAL OFFICESuch facility that contains more than four examination rooms (not including laboratories and/or x-ray rooms).
An area wholly outside any public right-of-way, constructed
to accommodate the storage of vehicles as required by this chapter
and connected to a public street by a driveway or access aisle.
The drilling and operation of oil or gas wells. The oil and
gas well use shall be deemed to be located at the well site. For the
purposes of this chapter, a "well site" shall consist of the graded
pad and appurtenant area occupied by the facilities, structures and
equipment necessary for or incidental to the drilling, production
or operation of an oil or gas well at the site, including well site
preparation, well site construction, drilling, hydraulic fracturing,
site restoration, water and other fluid storage, impoundment and transportation
located at the site and used for such activities and installation
of associated equipment, the site preparation, construction and installation,
maintenance and repair of oil and gas pipelines and associated equipment
and other equipment and activities at the site associated with drilling
for, production of and transportation of oil and gas, but excluding
any structure, facility or use constituting a natural gas compressor
station or a natural gas processing plant or any other facility used
primarily to refine or process gas or oil. The underground activities
and processes used and the migration of gas or oil from a subsurface
area to a gas or oil well site at the surface shall not in and of
themselves constitute an oil or gas well and are allowed to occur
in all zoning districts. The term "oil and gas well" may be interchangeably
used for the purposes of this chapter with the term "gas and oil well."
A flood that, on the average, is likely to occur once every
100 years (i.e., that has a one-percent chance of occurring each year,
although the flood may occur in any year).
A parcel or parcels of land or an area of water or a combination
of land and water designed and intended for the use or enjoyment of
residents, not including buildings, graded slopes greater than 25%,
streets, off-street parking areas and areas set aside for public facilities
such as stormwater control facilities, wastewater treatment plants
or other utilities necessary to service the development. Open space
is further defined in two specific categories as follows:
NATURAL RECREATION AREAOpen space which is left in its natural predevelopment state with only passive recreation allowed, such as trails.
ACTIVE RECREATION AREAOpen space which accommodates facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, ballfields and the like.
The applicant for approval of a gas and oil well and also
any "well operator" or "operator," as defined in the Oil and Gas Act.
A building or structure used for the organization, separation
and/or classification of packages and the like for distribution to
residents and/or businesses within and/or outside of the Township.
A low wall extending above the roof of a flat-roofed building,
usually as an extension of the vertical walls.
A building, structure, lot or portion of land for the temporary
parking of vehicles where drivers and/or passengers of such vehicles
utilize mass transportation or shuttle service during a portion of
a day.
A building with multiple stories of off-street parking spaces
where vehicles are temporarily stored with or without a nominal fee.
Features situated within and/or bordering parking lots that
typically include a combination of plant and landscaping materials.
Parking islands are elevated slightly above the grade of the parking
lot and feature a curbed edge in accordance with Township construction
standards.
An open-air area utilized to meet the parking requirements
of this chapter, including the parking aisles that provide access
to parking spaces, but not including any streets or driveways that
provide access to the parking lot.
Features situated within and/or bordering parking bays that
include a combination of plant and landscaping materials and are generally
located at the grade of the parking lot. Medians may or may not feature
a curbed edge.
An area meeting the requirements of this chapter for the
storage of one vehicle off the street and adjacent to a driveway or
access lane.
A study to determine the peak demand in number of spaces for a particular use. A parking study may be required by the Township to determine the number of spaces to be provided for a use in which a parking space ratio is not provided under Table 7, Minimum Parking and Loading Requirements, in Part 9, Minimum Parking and Loading Requirements, of this chapter.
A flat, paved area not more than three feet above the surrounding
ground level at any point and without a permanent covering.
Minimum or maximum levels of performance designed to soften
the impact of potentially deteriorating conditions upon adjacent lots
in particular and the environment in general.
A public or privately owned establishment, other than an
adult movie theater or movie house, devoted to live comedic, drama
or musical performances.
An activity that is expressly allowed to occur on a lot because
of the lot's location in a particular zoning district.
A facility, licensed by the Department of Public Welfare,
as a personal care home, which houses and provides twenty-four-hour
personal-care services for the elderly, blind, or disabled who are
not in need of hospitalization or skilled nursing care.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. AO)]
Individuals, corporations, companies, associations, joint-stock
companies, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations
and other entities established pursuant to statutes of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, provided that person does not include, or apply to,
the Township or to any department or agency of the Township.
[Added by Ord. 482, 11/18/2015]
A business establishment which primarily sells prescription
drugs, patient medicines and surgical and sickroom supplies. The term
"pharmacy" may also include the provision of a limited selection of
housewares and foodstuffs.
A semiconductor-based device that converts light directly
into electricity.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
A building, structure, lot or portion of land that is designed
for the assembly or collection of persons at any one time, or adapted
or used for the purpose of assembly, where persons may congregate
for civic, political, religious, educational, social, recreation and
amusement purposes.
A building, structure, lot or portion of land where people
regularly observe, practice or participate in religious or spiritual
services, meetings or activities, not to include day-care centers,
preschools, nursery schools or kindergarten, except in those districts
where such uses are specifically permitted.
A lot or portion of land controlled by a single landowner
and developed as a single entity for a combination of nonresidential
uses, the design for which does not necessarily correspond to the
standard lot area, bulk, type of dwelling unit or use, density or
intensity, lot coverage or required open space regulations established
in any one base zoning district under the provisions of this chapter.
A lot or portion of land, controlled by a single landowner,
to be developed as a single entity for a number of dwelling units,
or combination of residential and nonresidential uses, the development
plan for which does not correspond to the standard lot size, bulk,
type of dwelling, or use, density or intensity, lot coverage and required
open space regulations established in any one base zoning district
under the provisions of this chapter.
A layout of lots and streets, as in a subdivision of a lot,
with the boundaries of lots and streets indicated.
An attachment to a building covered by a rigid permanent
roof but without permanent side walls.
A portable, weather-resistant receptacle or structure designed
and used for the storage or shipment of household goods, wares, building
materials or merchandise. The term "portable storage container" shall
not include:
A building owned and/or occupied by the Postal Service of
the United States of America for the purpose of collecting and/or
distributing mail to the public.
A publicly or privately owned production facility that generates
energy for distribution, storage or sale. The term "power plant" shall
include co-generation and biomass facilities but shall not include
wind turbines.
The structure on a lot containing the principal permitted
use, whether conforming to this chapter or not, and thus making all
other buildings/structures on the lot accessory.
The single primary use to which an individual lot may be
devoted in accordance with the requirements for the zoning district
where the lot is located, with all other uses on the lot accessory.
A for-profit or not-for-profit business establishment operated
by a private organization for social, recreational, educational or
fraternal purposes but open only to members and their guests and not
to the general public.
A street, including the entire right-of-way, which is privately
owned and maintained through private agreement and which is intended
for private use. A private street provides access to several lots
or lots which do not have access to a public street and which require
access to a public street through the private street.
A privately operated service for a defined portion of residents
or businesses that elect not to utilize public utilities for the distribution
of water, gas, electricity, oil or steam, or collecting sanitary sewage
and consequently provide the means or portion of the means to support
and maintain such privately operated systems.
Includes:
A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the Township
Supervisors or Planning Commission, intended to inform and obtain
public comment, prior to taking action in accordance with this chapter.
A forum held pursuant to notice under the Sunshine Act, 65 Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. AO)]
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.
A lot or portion of land specifically defined or set aside
for use by and for the general public in both active or passive recreational
uses, and includes all landscaping, facilities and apparatus, playing
fields, utilities, buildings and other structures that are consistent
with the general purposes of public parkland, whether or not such
recreational facilities are publicly operated or operated by other
organizations pursuant to arrangements with the public authority owning
the park.
Any administration, service, support or maintenance building
or structure operated by a utility, as regulated by the Public Utility
Commission, which does not meet the definition of an "essential service
facility."
An improved vehicular right-of-way dedicated to public use
and open to the public as a part of the Township circulation system
and approved and accepted by the Board of Supervisors or other level
of government for maintenance.
A service, often privately operated, for the general population
distributing water, gas, electricity, oil or steam, or collecting
sanitary sewage by means of a network of overhead or underground conduits
and requiring at various locations, to maintain efficiency of the
system, pumping, regulating, transformer, switching or other devices
or structures, but not including business offices.
A building, structure, lot or portion of a lot utilized for
the provision of maintenance and construction of public facilities
as conducted by the Township.
A residential building that is subdivided by two common party
walls creating four distinct but attached dwelling units where each
dwelling unit has direct access to the outdoors.
An activity operated as a business and open to the public,
that normally charges a fee/admission/donation, whether or not for
profit, for the provision of recreation or entertainment for the general
public, including but not limited to theaters, dance halls, bowling
alleys, billiard and pool halls, video and other coin-operated game
parlors, miniature golf courses, indoor rifle ranges, indoor archery
ranges, go-kart tracks and automobile racetracks/speedways, and not
including establishments that feature gaming and/or adult-oriented
entertainment. A small-scale facility equals 10,000 square feet or
less; a large-scale facility equals greater than 10,000 square feet.
A vehicle, with or without an engine for operation and with
or without wheels, that is utilized for leisure and/or travel purposes
and not for use as a dwelling.
A residential dwelling unit attached to a place of worship
or situated on the lot and used primarily by religious leaders.
An individual duly registered to practice architecture, engineering,
land surveying or landscape architecture, respectively, in the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
A health-care facility that provides for the physical reconditioning
of patients and where overnight facilities may be provided.
Any equipment serving or being used in conjunction with a
wireless communications facility or wireless support structure, including
but not limited to utility or transmission equipment, power supplies,
generators, batteries, cables, equipment buildings, cabinets and storage
sheds, shelters or similar structures.
[Added by Ord. 482, 11/18/2015; and amended by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022]
A production facility where the primary activities conducted
relate to animals being slaughtered, butchered, processed and/or dressed
for bulk or retail sale and where the incidental production of residual
materials such as oil and meal may or may not occur. The term "rendering
facility" does not include a tannery or a farm.
Any letter, review, memorandum, compilation or similar writing
made by any body, board, officer or consultant, other than a solicitor,
to any other body, board, officer or consultant for the purpose of
assisting the recipient of such report in the rendering of any decision
or determination. All reports shall be deemed recommendatory and advisory
only and shall not be binding upon the recipient, board, officer,
body or agency, nor shall any appeal lie therefrom. Any report used,
received or considered by the body, board, officer or agency rendering
a determination or decision shall be made available for inspection
to the applicant and all other parties to any proceeding upon request,
and copies thereof shall be provided at the cost of reproduction.
The number of necessary off-street parking spaces needed
to serve a specific use on the same lot as the use.
A production facility which carries on investigation in the
natural, physical or social sciences or engineering and development
as an extension of such investigation with the objective of creating
end products and which may include the initial manufacturing of developed
products as an accessory use.
Shall be limited to the following:
HIGH-TURNOVER RESTAURANTA retail use which serves ready-to-eat food, desserts or beverages available upon a short waiting time, generally in disposable containers or wrappers for immediate consumption on or off the premises, typically including a public service area with counter and queuing areas and no or limited table service.
LOW-TURNOVER RESTAURANTAn establishment which, as the principal use, offers food and beverages for the consumption on the premises with table service by wait persons, and where the usual length of stay is one hour or more. A low-turnover restaurant may or may not serve alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises as an accessory use and may or may not offer takeout service as an accessory use but shall not include a pickup window or drive-through window.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. AO)]
TAKE-OUT RESTAURANTA retail use which serves ready-to-eat food, desserts or beverages available upon a short waiting time, generally in disposable containers or wrappers for immediate consumption off the premises, typically including a public service area with counter and queuing areas and no table service.
A business establishment located entirely within an enclosed
building which sells goods, services or merchandise to the general
public for personal, household or office consumption and which shall
not include wholesaling, manufacturing or processing of the goods
offered for sale.
A strip of land dedicated to, reserved for and/or improved
for public or private use, providing access to a lot or lots that
abut it and connecting to other public ways, or an easement across
a private lot for the passage of public utilities or the disposal
of stormwater.
A building where, for compensation and by prearrangement,
typically for a week or more at a time, lodging, with or without meals,
is provided for three or more people who require no services beyond
food or lodging, and where no cooking facilities are provided in individual
rooms, but not to include hotels or motels.
A device designed or used for the reception of television
or other electronic communications signals broadcast or relayed from
an earth satellite.
A place of instruction, operated by a public, private, nonprofit
or religious organization, having regular sessions, with regularly
employed instructors and meeting all of the requirements of the Pennsylvania
Department of Education for providing primary, secondary, postsecondary,
undergraduate and/or graduate collegiate education. This definition
shall not include privately operated, for-profit trade, vocation,
avocation or business schools.
A facility where persons are instructed, taught or trained
a specific trade, vocation, avocation or business discipline. The
term "commercial school" shall include but not be limited to activities
such as dancing, music, sports/recreation, business and technical
training.
Any lot designed and used for the purpose of renting or leasing
individual storage spaces to tenants who are to have access to such
space for the purpose of storing and removing personal property.
A state of dress in which clothing covers no more than the
genitals, pubic region and areola of the female breast, as well as
portions of the body covered by supporting straps or devices.
Persons age 55 years of age or older.
A building, without overnight sleeping facilities or accommodations,
that is used to provide daytime care, education, entertainment and
dining services to elderly persons.
Minimum distances prescribed for each zoning district established
by this chapter, measured from the street right-of-way line, side
and rear lot lines to parallel lines within the lot, describing the
limits of construction on the lot and defining the required front,
side and rear yards.
ADULT ARCADEAny place to which the public is permitted or invited wherein coin-operated, slug-operated, or for any form of consideration, or electronically, electrically, or mechanically controlled still- or motion-picture machines, projectors, video or laser disc players, or other image-producing devices are maintained, not located within viewing booths, to show images to five or fewer persons per machine at any one time, and where the images so displayed are distinguished or characterized by the depicting or describing of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.
ADULT BOOKSTORE or ADULT NOVELTY STOREAn establishment having a substantial or significant portion of its stock and trade in, or an establishment which as one of its principal business purposes offers for sale or rental, any of the following:
Books, magazines, periodicals or other printed matter, or photographs,
films, motion pictures, videocassettes or video reproductions, slides,
CD ROM discs or other computer software, and other visual representations,
which are distinguished or characterized by their emphasis on matter
depicting, describing or relating to specified sexual activities or
specified anatomical areas, and in conjunction therewith may have
viewing booths or other facilities for the presentation of adult entertainment
for observation by patrons; or
Instruments, devices, or paraphernalia which are designed for
use in connection with specified sexual activities.
ADULT BUSINESSAn adult arcade, adult bookstore, adult novelty store, adult cabaret, adult theater, escort agency, nude model studio or sexual encounter or mediation center.
An exhibition of any adult-oriented motion pictures, meaning
those distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting,
describing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified
anatomical areas;
A live performance, display or dance of any type which has as
a significant or substantial portion of the performance any actual
or simulated performance of specified sexual activities or exhibition
and viewing of specified anatomical areas or persons in a state of
nudity; or
Films, motion pictures, videocassettes, slides or other photographic
reproductions or visual presentations of any other kind which are
characterized by the depiction or description of specified sexual
activities or specified anatomical areas.
ADULT THEATERA theater, tavern, banquet hall, party room, conference center, restaurant, nightclub, hall, auditorium, club, recreation center, indoor amusement center or similar commercial establishment which, as one of its principal business purposes, offers adult entertainment.
EMPLOYEEA person who performs any service on the premises of an adult business on a full-time, part-time or contract basis, whether or not the person is denominated an employee, independent contractor, agent or otherwise and whether or not said person is paid a salary, wage or other compensation by the operator of said business. "Employee" does not include a person exclusively on the premises for repair or maintenance of the premises or equipment on the premises or for the delivery of goods to the premises.
ESCORTA person who, for consideration, agrees or offers to act as a companion, guide, or date for another person or who agrees or offers to privately model lingerie or to privately perform a striptease for another person.
ESCORT AGENCYA person or business association who or which furnishes, offers to furnish, or advertises to furnish escorts as one of its primary business purposes for a fee, tip, or other consideration.
ESTABLISHIncludes any of the following:
The opening or commencement of any adult business as a new business;
The conversion of an existing business, whether or not a adult
business, to any adult business;
The addition or change of any adult business to any other existing
adult business or to a non-adult business; or
The relocation of any adult business.
LICENSEEA person in whose name a license to operate an adult business has been issued, as well as the individual listed as an applicant on the application for a license; and in the case of an employee, a person in whose name a license has been issued authorizing employment in an adult business.
NUDE MODEL STUDIOAny place where a person who appears in a state of nudity or who displays specified anatomical areas is provided to be observed, sketched, drawn, painted, sculpted, photographed, or similarly depicted by other persons who pay money or any form of consideration. "Nude model studio" shall not include a proprietary school licensed by the State of Pennsylvania or a college, junior college or university supported entirely or in part by public taxation; a private college or university which maintains and operates educational programs in which credits are transferable to a college, junior college, or university supported entirely or partly by taxation; or a structure:
That has no sign visible from the exterior of the structure
and no other advertising that indicates a nude person is available
for viewing;
Where in order to participate in a class a student must enroll
at least three days in advance of the class; and
Where no more than one nude model is on the premises at any
one time.
NUDITY or A STATE OF NUDITYThe showing of any part of the human male or female genitals, pubic area, vulva, anus, anal cleft or cleavage with less than a fully opaque covering, the showing of the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any part of the nipple, or the showing of the covered male genitals in a discernibly turgid state.
SEXUAL ENCOUNTER OR MEDIATION CENTERA business, agency or person which, for consideration, provides for commercial purposes a place where persons, not all members of the same family, may congregate, assemble or associate for the purpose of engaging in specified sexual activities or exposing specified anatomical areas as defined herein.
SPECIFIED ANATOMICAL AREASHuman genitals, pubic region, anus, buttocks, female breast(s) below a point immediately above the top of the areola, or human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely covered.
SPECIFIED CRIMINAL ACTIVITYAny of the following offenses:
Prostitution or promotion of prostitution; dissemination of
obscenity; sale, distribution or display of harmful material to a
minor; sexual performance by a child; possession or distribution of
child pornography; public lewdness; indecent exposure; indecency with
a child; engaging in organized criminal activity; sexual assault;
molestation of a child; gambling; distribution of a controlled substance;
or any similar offenses to those described above under the criminal
or penal code of other states or countries;
For which:
Less than two years have elapsed since the date of conviction
or the date of release from confinement imposed for the conviction,
whichever is the later date, if the conviction is of a misdemeanor
offense;
Less than five years have elapsed since the date of conviction
or the date or release from confinement for the conviction, whichever
is the later date, if the conviction is of a felony offense; or
Less than five years have elapsed since the date of the last
conviction or the date of release from confinement for the last conviction,
whichever is the later date, if the convictions are of two or more
misdemeanor offenses or combination of misdemeanor offenses occurring
within any twenty-four-month period.
The fact that a conviction is being appealed shall have no effect
on the disqualification of the applicant or a person residing with
the applicant.
SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIESAny of the following:
The fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic
region, buttocks, anus, or female breasts;
Sex acts, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, including
intercourse, oral copulation, masturbation, or sodomy; or
Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal.
TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OR CONTROL OF AN ADULT BUSINESSIncludes any of the following:
The sale, lease or sublease of the business;
The transfer of securities which constitute a controlling interest
in the business, whether by sale, exchange, or similar means; or
The establishment of a trust, gift, or other similar legal device
which transfers the ownership or control of the business, except for
transfer by bequest or other operation of law upon the death of the
person possessing the ownership or control.
VIEWING BOOTHSBooths, stalls, partitioned portions of a room, cubicles, stalls, compartments, rooms or other enclosures which are available to members of the public, patrons or members for viewing:
Films, movies, videos, or visual reproductions of any kind depicting
or describing specified sexual activities or specified anatomical
areas; or
Persons who appear in a state of nudity or who offer performances
or presentations characterized by the exposure of specified anatomical
areas or by specified sexual activities.
An accessory structure, secured to the ground via a slab
or foundation, whose principal use is for storage of equipment and/or
materials.
A totally enclosed building that is equipped for the practice
of shooting, including archery, where no activity associated with
shooting is conducted outside the building.
[Amended by Ord. 456, 3/7/2012, § IIA]
The stopping sight distance or intersection sight distance
for design, as defined by the following:
STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCEThe length of highway over which an object is visible to the driver at all times. For the purposes of measuring the available stopping distance at a particular location, the driver's eye height is assumed to be 3.5 feet above the roadway surface, and the object height is assumed to be two feet above the roadway surface.
INTERSECTION SIGHT DISTANCE FOR DESIGNThe maximum length of highway along which a driver stopped at an intersection or driveway can continuously see another vehicle approaching on another roadway or driveway. For the purpose of measuring the available intersection sight distance, the height of both the driver's eye and the approaching vehicle should be assumed to be 3.5 feet above the road surface. In addition, the driver's eye should be assumed to be 10 feet from the near edge of the intersecting roadway, or the near edge of the closest travel lane in the event there is parking permitted on the intersecting roadway, if measured from a driveway and 15 feet from the near edge of the intersecting roadway, or the near edge of the closest travel lane in the event there is parking permitted on the intersecting roadway, if measured from a local road.
Any writing, printing, painting, display, emblem, drawing,
electronic display, computerized display or other device designed
to be viewed by the public, designed and intended for a structure
or placard for visually communicating a message to the public.
ABANDONEDA sign structure that has ceased to be used, and which the owner intends no longer to use, for the display of sign copy.
ARCADEA sign suspended beneath a ceiling of an arcade, a roof or a marquee containing only the name of a business for the purpose of assisting pedestrian traffic traveling under the arcade, roof or marquee to identify the location of establishments within a shopping center or similar building.
AWNINGA sign displayed on or attached flat against the surface or surfaces of an awning.
BILLBOARDA sign with a changeable message or display which pertains to a business, organization, event, person, place, service or product not principally located or sold on the premises upon which said sign is located.
CHANGEABLE-COPYA sign which is permanently affixed to a building or on a freestanding sign structure that is designed so that characters, letters or illustrations can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or surface of the sign.
COMMUNITYA temporary sign, generally of a decorative, festive and/or informative nature, announcing activities, promotions or events having broad community interest, often hung from a light pole or building.
DIRECTIONALAn on-premises sign which directs and/or instructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic on the premises relative to parking areas, entrances, exits, loading areas, public telephones and similar information and which shall contain no advertising other than the business name or logo.
FLASHINGSee "flashing sign."
FREESTANDING IDENTIFICATIONA sign, supported by one or more uprights, poles or braces permanently placed in the ground, which identifies the business or group of businesses located on the site.
GRAPHIC AREAThat area enclosed by one continuous line connecting the extreme points of the edges of a sign. The area shall be determined using the largest sign area or silhouette visible at any one time from any one point. This area shall not include the main supporting sign structure, but all other ornamental attachments, inner connecting links, etc., which are not part of the main supports of the sign. For two-sided signs, only one face is counted in computing surface area.
GROUNDA freestanding sign, the bottom edge of which is no more than 18 inches above the adjacent ground level.
INCIDENTALAny temporary sign with a surface of 12 square feet or less.
ON-PREMISESA sign erected, maintained or used in the outdoor environment to display messages related to activities on the lot on which it is displayed.
POLEA freestanding sign erected on a pole or pylon, the bottom edge of which is high enough to provide visibility for motorists and allow for safe pedestrian circulation underneath it.
PORTABLEAny sign, with or without wheels, not permanently attached to the ground, a building or a building surface.
ROOF SIGNA sign erected and maintained upon or above the roof of any building and supported solely on the roof structure.
TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT DISPLAYA banner, flag or pennant, constructed of durable material and erected for a specified period of time, whose sole purpose is to advertise a promotion, special event, grand opening or the like. Said display shall be affixed to the building.
TEMPORARYA sign that is transitory in nature, used to display either commercial or noncommercial messages.
WALL IDENTIFICATIONA sign, attached to and erected parallel to the face of an outside wall of a building and projecting outward no more than eight inches from the wall of the building, which identifies the business or group of businesses located in the building.
The face of an embankment or cut section or any ground whose
surface makes an angle with the plane of the horizon. Slopes are usually
expressed in a percentage based upon vertical differences in feet
per 100 feet of horizontal distance.
The equipment and network components, including antennas,
transmitters and receivers, used by a wireless provider that meet
the following qualifications:
[Added by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022]
Each antenna associated with the deployment is no more than
three cubic feet in volume.
The volume of all accessory equipment associated with the wireless
facility, whether ground-mounted or pole-mounted, is cumulatively
no more than 28 cubic feet. Any accessory equipment used solely for
the concealment of the small wireless communications facility shall
not be included in the calculation of accessory equipment volume under
this paragraph.
A public or nonprofit organization providing one or more
social services for an individual or family, including counseling,
referral, temporary or disaster relief, welfare service or similar
human support services.
Structural/architectural element that provides protection
from weather that includes awnings, canopies, porches or sunshades
and that is constructed with the primary covering consisting of solar
photovoltaic or nonphotovoltaic modules, and may or may not include
additional solar photovoltaic or nonphotovoltaic related equipment.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
A solar collection system consisting of one or more building-
and/or ground-mounted systems, solar collectors and solar related
equipment that rely upon solar radiation as an energy source for purposes
of water heating, space heating or spacing cooling, and not for electricity
generation.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
Items including a solar photovoltaic cell, panel or array,
lines, collectors, plates, tubes, pipes, mounting brackets, framing
and foundations used for or intended to be used for collection of
solar energy.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
A solar collection system consisting of one or more building-
and/or ground-mounted systems, solar photovoltaic cells, panels or
arrays and solar related equipment that rely upon solar radiation
as an energy source for collection, inversion, storage and distribution
of solar energy for electricity generation. A solar PV system is a
generation system with a nameplate capacity of not greater than 50
kilowatts if installed at a residential service or not larger than
3,000 kilowatts at other customer service locations and does not produce
excess on-site energy greater than currently permitted by Pennsylvania
Public Utility Commission guidelines.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
A use permitted in a particular zoning district pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. §§ 10601 et seq. and 10901 et seq. Special exceptions that may be permitted in zoning districts are listed in Part 7 of this chapter.
Camouflaging methods applied to wireless communications towers,
antennas and other facilities which render them more visually appealing
or blend the proposed facility into the existing structure or visual
backdrop in such a manner as to render it minimally visible to the
casual observer. Such methods include, but are not limited to, architecturally
screened roof-mounted antennas, building-mounted antennas painted
to match the existing structure and facilities constructed to resemble
trees, shrubs, and light poles.
[Added by Ord. 482, 11/18/2015]
The vertical space between a floor and the floor of the level
next above or next below when the dimension between floors is at least
six feet, or if no floor is next above, then the ceiling next above.
A water conveyance which lacks substrates associated with
flowing waters and flows only in direct response to precipitation
in the immediate watershed or in response to melting snowpack and
which is always above the local water table.
A body of water flowing in a channel or bed composed primarily
of substrates associated with flowing water which, during periods
of the year, is below the local water table and obtains its flow from
both surface runoff and groundwater discharges.
A body of water flowing in a channel or bed composed primarily
of substrates associated with flowing waters and capable, in the absence
of pollution or other man-made stream disturbances, of supporting
a benthic macroinvertebrate community which is composed of two or
more recognizable taxonomic groups of organisms which are large enough
to be seen by the unaided eye and can be retained by a United States
Standard No. 30 sieve (28 meshes per inch, .595 mm openings) and live
at least part of their life cycles within or upon available substrates
in a body of water or transport system.
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.
See Appendix A for the Richland Township Roadway Classification System.[13]
Collector Street System. The collector street system provides
both land access service and traffic circulation within residential
neighborhoods and commercial and industrial areas. It differs from
the arterial system in that facilities on the collector system may
penetrate residential neighborhoods, distributing trips from the arterials
through the area to their ultimate destinations. Conversely, the collector
street also collects traffic from local streets in residential neighborhoods
and channels it into the arterial system. In the central business
district and in other areas of similar development and traffic density,
the collector system may include the entire street grid. The collector
street system may also carry local bus routes.
Local Street System. The local street system comprises all facilities
not in one of the higher systems. It primarily permits direct access
to abutting lands and connections to the higher-order systems. It
offers the lowest level of mobility and usually contains no bus routes.
Service to through-traffic movement usually is deliberately discouraged.
Major Arterials. The principal arterial system serves the major
centers of activity, the highest traffic volume corridors, and the
longest trip desires and carries a high proportion of the total area
travel even though it constitutes a relatively small percentage of
the total roadway network. The system should be integrated both internally
and between major connections.
Minor Arterials. The minor arterial street system interconnects
with and augments the principal arterial system. It accommodates trips
of moderate length at a somewhat lower level of travel mobility than
principal arterials do. This system distributes travel to geographic
areas smaller than those identified with the higher system.
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location
on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
Damage from any cause sustained by a structure whereby the
cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition would
equal or exceed 50% or more of the market value of the structure before
the damage occurred.
Of a sexually oriented business, the increase in floor areas
occupied by the business by more than 25%, as the floor areas exist
on the date of enactment of this chapter.
Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or other improvement
of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market
value of the structure before the start of construction of the improvement.
This term includes structures which have incurred substantial damage,
regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not,
however, include either:
Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing
violations of state or local health, sanitary or safety code specifications
which have been identified by the local Code Enforcement Official
and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions;
or
Any alteration of an historic structure, provided that the alteration
will not preclude the structure's continued designation as an historic
structure.
A modification substantially changes the physical dimensions
of a support structure if it meets the criteria established by 47
CFR 1.6100.
[Added by Ord. 482, 11/18/2015; and amended by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022]
A business establishment which provides on-site alcoholic
beverage sales for drinking on the premises, where food is served
only as accessory to the principal use, where live entertainment (non-sexually-oriented)
may also be provided, and where minors are not admitted unless accompanied
by a parent or guardian.
By virtue of engineering or spectrum usage, the proposed
placement for a WCF or its design or site location can be implemented
without a material reduction in the functionality of the WCF.
[Added by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022]
Any structure that is used for the primary purpose of supporting
one or more antennas, including, but not limited to, self-supporting
lattice towers, guy towers and monopoles, and the accompanying antenna
and related equipment.
[Added by Ord. 482, 11/18/2015; and amended by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022]
A dwelling unit sharing not more than two common party walls
with adjacent dwelling units but with direct access at grade to the
outside. A townhouse shall not include a quad-plex.
Richland Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
[Added by Ord. 482, 11/18/2015]
A number of photovoltaic or nonphotovoltaic modules mounted
such that they track the movement of the sun across the sky to maximize
energy production, either with a single-axis or dual-axis mechanism.
[Added by Ord. 466, 11/6/2013]
A business establishment primarily engaged in processing,
selling and distributing plants and landscaping materials to industrial,
commercial, institutional or professional users or to other wholesalers.
A facility designed for the storage, transfer and distribution
of bulk goods and foodstuffs and may include incidental uses such
as repair facilities, administrative offices and dormitories.
A building, structure, lot or portion owned and/or operated
by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission that provides restroom, wayfinding,
vending, dining, fueling and/or vehicle washing facilities.
See "all other uses."
Relief granted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter
and the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101
et seq.
A business establishment providing temporary use of automobiles,
noncommercial trucks, motor homes and/or recreational vehicles for
a fee. Such use may or may not include the storage of vehicles, car
washing and/or gassing facilities.
A business establishment that services motor vehicles with
all types of repair work, including engine and transmission repairs,
body work, painting or similar activities.
A business establishment devoted to the sale of automobiles,
noncommercial trucks, motorcycles, motor homes, recreational vehicles
or boats.
A business establishment for the sale of automobiles, noncommercial
trucks, motorcycles, motor homes, recreational vehicles or boats that
includes gasoline sales. Typical uses include new and used car dealerships,
motorcycle dealerships, and boat, trailer and recreational vehicle
dealerships, with or without repair and/or maintenance services.
A business establishment for the sale of automobiles, noncommercial
trucks, motorcycles, motor homes, recreational vehicles or boats that
does not include gasoline sales. Typical uses include new and used
car dealerships, motorcycle dealerships, and boat, trailer and recreational
vehicle dealerships, with or without repair and/or maintenance services.
A business establishment owned and operated by a veterinary
medical doctor(s), certified in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
for the medical or surgical treatment of domestic, agricultural or
zoological animals, but excluding the boarding and grooming of animals
not subjected to medical or surgical treatment.
A portion of land where fruit is propagated and harvested
for the purpose of making wine, vinegar or other related products.
A building or structure used for the storage and handling
of freight or merchandise, but not including the maintenance, repair
or fueling of commercial vehicles.
A vessel for the use of water storage by a public or private
authority, agency or corporation for the purpose of providing water
supply.
[14]An area that is inundated or saturated by surface water or
groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and
that under normal circumstances does support, a prevalence of vegetation
typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. This definition
shall include and be limited to wetlands as defined by:
A business establishment primarily engaged in selling merchandise,
dry goods and foodstuffs to retailers, institutional, commercial or
professional business customers or other wholesalers, rather than
to the general public, which includes the warehousing of merchandise
and which may include distribution of such merchandise on the site
of the principal business.
A facility designed for the production, bottling, distribution
and sale of wine and other related products as regulated by the Pennsylvania
Liquor Control Board.
Transmissions through the airwaves, including, but not limited
to, infrared line-of-sight, cellular, PCS, microwave, satellite, or
radio signals.
[Added by Ord. 482, 11/18/2015]
Any person that applies for a wireless communications facility
building permit, zoning approval and/or permission to use the public
right-of-way (ROW) or other Township-owned land or property.
[Added by Ord. 482, 11/18/2015]
The Antennas, nodes, control boxes, towers, poles, conduits,
ducts, pedestals, electronics and other equipment used for the purpose
of transmitting, receiving, distributing, providing, or accommodating
wireless communications services.
[Added by Ord. 482, 11/18/2015]
A freestanding structure, such as a tower-based wireless
communications facility or any other support structure that could
support the placement or installation of a wireless communications
facility if approved by the Township.
[Added by Ord. 482, 11/18/2015]
A facility used for the manufacturing and/or assembly of
cabinets or other wood products for bulk or retail sale to consumers.
The area of a lot between lot lines and setback lines, the
extent of which is specified for each zoning district by this chapter,
and within which buildings with permanent roofs, or any portion thereof,
cannot be built.
The area of a lot between the right-of-way line of the street
abutting the lot and the front setback line and extending laterally
between the side lot lines.
The area of a lot between the rear lot line and rear setback
line and extending between the side lot lines.
The area of a lot between the side lot lines and side setback
lines on each side of a lot and extending between the front and rear
yards.
A document which is required prior to the commencement of
a use, where said document identifies that the proposed use of a lot(s)
and the completion of any erection, construction, reconstruction,
alteration, conversion or installation of any structure or building
is consistent with the requirements of this chapter and that any requested
variances have been officially granted by the Township.
The combination of controls and requirements that define
the activities that may occur in a zoning district.
A contiguous area of land on all parts of which the same
uniform controls and requirements for development apply.
The perimeter line completely enclosing a zoning district.
A body appointed by the Board of Supervisors to examine and
decide appeals from any decision of the Zoning Officer, to hear and
take evidence on any challenge to the validity of any section of this
chapter or the Zoning Map, to consider and take action on appeals
for variances, and to hear and decide applications for special exception
uses, as well as to hear and render final adjudication in any other
matters as authorized in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning
Code.
The official plan of zoning districts in the municipality,
a part of this chapter, showing precisely the boundaries and title
of each zoning district.[15]
A person retained by Richland Township to enforce the regulations
of this chapter, with power to issue permits and to halt illegal construction.
A document duly ordained for Richland Township by the Board
of Supervisors to regulate the use of land and structures throughout
the entire municipality and subject to prudent change from time to
time by official action of the Board of Supervisors.
Overlay districts are not independent zoning districts but
are regulations to be applied over and above the zoning regulations
otherwise controlling upon a tract of land, as enabled by and described
in § 605 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[16]
A document issued by the Zoning Officer attesting that a
proposal for the erection of accessory structures, fences, walls,
signs and/or other similar minor construction on a lot meets all requirements
of this chapter and other applicable regulations of Richland Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: The District Designations Table is included as an attachment to this chapter as Table 1.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[4]
Editor's Note: The former definitions of "communications antenna,"
"communications facility" and "communications tower," which immediately
followed this definition, were repealed by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022.
[5]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[7]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "distributed antenna
systems (DAS)," added by Ord. No. 482, 11/18/2015, which immediately
followed this definition, was repealed by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022.
[9]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 10231.101 et seq.
[10]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "monopole," added
by Ord. No. 482, 11/18/2015, which immediately followed this definition,
was repealed by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022.
[11]
Editor's Note: See 53 Pa.C.S.A. § 5601 et seq.
[12]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "non-tower wireless
communications facility (non-tower WCF)," added by Ord. No. 482, 11/18/2015,
which immediately followed this definition, was repealed by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022.
[13]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[14]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "WBCA," added by Ord.
482, 11/18/2015, which immediately followed this definition, was repealed
by Ord. No. 518, 5/18/2022.
[15]
Editor's Note: The Zoning Map is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[16]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10605.
