[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Harrisburg 7-8-2014 by Ord. No. 5-2014.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
CROSS REFERENCES
Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as reenacted and
amended.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Part Three,
7-300, composed of Ord. Nos. 112-1964, 17-1965, 79-1965, 13-1974,
29-1974, 30-1974, 13-1977, 26-1977, 19-1985, 6-1988, 25-1993, 26-1995,
10-1996, 61-1996 and 3-2012, as amended.
A.
For the purposes of this Zoning Code, words and terms used herein
shall be interpreted as follows:
(1)
Words in the present tense shall include the future tense.
(2)
"Used" or "occupied" as applied to any land or building includes
the words "intended, arranged, or designed to be used or occupied."
(3)
"Should" means that it is strongly encouraged but is not mandatory.
"Shall" is always mandatory.
(4)
"Sale" includes rental.
(5)
The singular shall also regulate the plural and vice versa,
unless stated otherwise.
(6)
If a word is not defined in this Zoning Code but is defined
in the City Subdivision and Land Development Code, as amended, the
definition in that Code shall apply. If a word is defined in both
this Zoning Code and another City ordinance, each definition shall
apply to the respective provisions of each applicable ordinance.
(7)
Any word or term not defined in this Zoning Code or in the City
Subdivision and Land Development Code, as amended, shall have its
plain and ordinary meaning within its context as determined by the
Zoning Officer. A standard reference dictionary may be consulted.
(8)
The words "such as," "includes," and "including" shall provide
examples. These examples shall not, by themselves, limit a provision
to the examples specifically mentioned if other examples would otherwise
comply with the provision.
(9)
The word "person" includes a firm, company, corporation, partnership,
trust, organization, or association, as well as an individual.
(10)
All provisions and terms shall be construed and interpreted
in accordance within the objectives of this Code and the purposes
of the applicable section.
(11)
All references to other laws and regulations shall be interpreted
to include the phrase "as amended."
(12)
In the case of any alleged difference in meaning or implication
between the text of this Code and any heading or illustration, the
text shall control.
A.
ABUT or ABUTTING
ACCESS DRIVE or ACCESSWAY
ACCESSORY DWELLING
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE (INCLUDES ACCESSORY BUILDING)
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE OR USE, RESIDENTIAL
ACCESSORY USE
ADJACENT
ADULT DAY-CARE CENTER
ADULT ESTABLISHMENT
ALLEY
ALTERATION OF BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
AMUSEMENT ARCADE
AMUSEMENT PARK
ANIMAL HOSPITAL/VETERINARIAN/KENNEL
ANIMAL STABLES
ANTENNA - STANDARD
APARTMENT
APPLICANT
APPLICATION
AUTO BODY SHOP AND/OR REPAIR GARAGE
AUTO, RV, BOAT, OR MANUFACTURED HOME SALES
AVERAGE
BASEMENT
BED-AND-BREAKFAST
BERM
BETTING USE
BILLBOARD
BOARD
BOARDINGHOUSE
BRING YOUR OWN BOTTLE CLUB or B.Y.O.B. CLUB
BUILDING
BUILDING COVERAGE
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL
BUILDING WIDTH
BUSINESS SERVICES
CARTWAY
CEMETERY
CHILD CARE
CHURCH
CITY
CITY COUNCIL or COUNCIL
CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLE
CLUB
CODE
COFFEE SHOP
COLLEGE or UNIVERSITY
COMMERCIAL
COMMERCIAL USE
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA
COMMUNICATIONS TOWER
COMMUNITY CENTER
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN or GENERAL PLAN
CONDOMINIUM
CONFERENCE CENTER
CONVENIENCE STORE
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, COMMUNITY
COUNTY
COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
D.E.P. or DEP
DAY CARE
CHILD
DAYS
DENSITY
DENSITY BONUS
DETACHED BUILDING
DEVELOPMENT
DISTILLERY, BREWERY, PICKLING PROCESS, OR SUGAR REFINERY
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRICT or ZONING DISTRICT
DORMITORY
DRIVE-THROUGH FACILITY
DRIVEWAY
DRY CLEANERS, LAUNDRIES, AND/OR LAUNDROMAT
DWELLING
DWELLING UNIT
DWELLING, ATTACHED, ROWHOUSE or TOWNHOUSE
DWELLING, DETACHED
DWELLING, MANUFACTURED HOME
DWELLING, MODULAR
DWELLING, MULTIFAMILY
DWELLING, SEMIDETACHED, TWIN DWELLING, or DUPLEX
EASEMENT
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT CENTER
EMPLOYEES
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
FAMILY
FARMERS MARKET
FENCE
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
FITNESS CENTER
FLEA MARKET
FLOOD
FLOOD ELEVATION, REGULATORY
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP or FIRM
FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY
FLOOD, ONE-HUNDRED-YEAR
FLOODPLAIN AREA
FLOODPROOFING
FLOODWAY
FLOOR AREA, GROSS
FLOOR, LOWEST
GARAGE SALE or YARD SALE
GARAGE, HOUSEHOLD
GLARE
GOVERNMENT FACILITY
GRADE
GRADE, HIGHEST ADJACENT
GREENHOUSE, GARDEN CENTER, or PLANT NURSERY
GROCERY STORE or SUPERMARKET
HARB
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
HEIGHT
HEIGHT, PREVAILING
HELIPORT
HELIPORT, EMERGENCY
HELIPORT, PRIVATE
HISTORIC DISTRICT, MUNICIPAL
HISTORIC STRUCTURE
(1)
(2)
(3)
HOME OCCUPATION
HOSPICE
HOSPITAL
HOTEL, EXTENDED-STAY
HOTEL or MOTEL
HOUSEHOLD PETS
IMPERVIOUS COVERAGE
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
INDUSTRIAL
INSTITUTIONAL
JUNK
JUNK VEHICLE
JUNK YARD
LAND DEVELOPMENT
LANDOWNER
LIGHTING, DIFFUSED
LOT
LOT, CORNER
LOT AREA
LOT AREA, AVERAGE
LOT WIDTH
LOTLINES or LOT LINES
MANUFACTURED HOME
MANUFACTURING and/or ASSEMBLY
MEDICAL OR DENTAL OFFICE
MEMBERSHIP CLUB
MINERAL EXTRACTION
MINOR REPAIR
MOTEL
MUNICIPALITIES PLANNING CODE
MUSEUM, CULTURAL OR SCIENCE CENTER, or PLANETARIUM
NATURAL AREA or WILDLIFE REFUGE
NIGHTCLUB or DANCE HALL
NONRESIDENTIAL
NONCONFORMING LOT
NONCONFORMING USE
OBSTRUCTION
OFFICE
OFFICIAL ZONING MAP
PARKING
PATIO
PAVED AREA
PENNDOT
PERMIT
PERMITTED BY RIGHT
PERSON
PERSONAL SERVICES
PETS, KEEPING OF
PLACE OF WORSHIP
PLANNING COMMISSION
PRINTING or BOOKBINDING
PROPERTY LINE
PUBLIC NOTICE
RACE TRACK
RECREATION, INDOOR
RECREATION, OUTDOOR
RECREATION, PUBLIC
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE STORAGE AREA
RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER
REPETITIVE LOSS
RESEARCH, ENGINEERING OR TESTING FACILITY OR LABORATORY
RESIDENTIAL LOT LINE
RESTAURANT
RETAIL STORE
RIGHT-OF-WAY, PUBLIC
ROOMING HOUSE
SATELLITE DISH ANTENNA or SATELLITE ANTENNA
SCHOOL, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOL or PRIVATE SECONDARY
SCHOOL
SCRAP METAL
SCRAP METAL PROCESSOR
SCREENING
SELF-STORAGE
SEMIDETACHED BUILDING
SETBACK LINE
SETBACK LINE, PREVAILING
SHOPPING CENTER
SIGN
SIGN AREA
SIGN, AWNING, CANOPY, or MARQUEE
SIGN, BANNER
SIGN, FREESTANDING
SIGN, HEIGHT OF
SIGN, ICONOGRAPHIC
SIGN, ILLUMINATED
SIGN, ILLUMINATED INTERNALLY
SIGN, ILLUMINATION DIRECT
SIGN, ILLUMINATION INDIRECT
SIGN, MONUMENT
SIGN, MURAL
SIGN, NEON
SIGN, OFF-PREMISES SIGN or BILLBOARD
SIGN, PORTABLE
SIGN, PROJECTING
SIGN, ROOF
SIGN, SANDWICH BOARD
SIGN, WALL
SIGN, WINDOW
SINGLE AND SEPARATE OWNERSHIP
SITE PLAN
SLOPE
SOLICITOR or CITY SOLICITOR
SOLID WASTE
SOLID WASTE FACILITY
SOLID WASTE LANDFILL or SANITARY LANDFILL
SOLID WASTE TRANSFER FACILITY
SOLID-WASTE-TO-ENERGY FACILITY
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
SPECIAL OCCASSION HOME
STATE
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
STORY
STORY, FULL
STORY, HALF
STREET
STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY, EXISTING OR LEGAL
STREET, ARTERIAL
STREET, COLLECTOR
STREET, MINOR
STRUCTURE
SUBDIVISION
SUBDIVISION CODE or SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, EMERGENCY
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, FACILITY
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, FAMILY
SWIMMING POOL, HOUSEHOLD OR PRIVATE
SWIMMING POOL, NONHOUSEHOLD
TARGET RANGE
TATTOO AND BODY PIERCING
TATTOO AND BODY PIERCING ESTABLISHMENT
THEATER
THEATER, OUTDOOR
TIRE STORAGE, BULK
TOWNHOUSE
TRADE SCHOOL
TREATMENT CENTER
TRUCKING COMPANY TERMINAL
U.S. or US
UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE (UCC)
UNREGISTERED VEHICLE
USE
USE, PRINCIPAL
VARIANCE
VETERINARIAN OFFICE
WAREHOUSE AND/OR WHOLESALE TRADE
WELDING SHOP
WETLANDS
YARD
YARD, FRONT or MINIMUM FRONT SETBACK
YARD, REAR or MINIMUM REAR SETBACK
YARD, SIDE or MINIMUM SIDE SETBACK
ZONING CODE
ZONING HEARING BOARD
ZONING MAP
ZONING OFFICER
The following words, terms, and phrases shall have the following
meanings, unless expressly stated otherwise or unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise:
Areas of contiguous lots that share a common lot line, except
not including lots entirely separated by a street or a perennial waterway.
See definition of "adjacent."
A "driveway."
A separate dwelling unit within the same principal structure
or detached and situated on the same lot as the principal structure.
A structure serving a purpose customarily incidental to and
subordinate to the principal use and located on the same lot as the
principal use. Accessory structures shall not be attached to the principal
building. An "accessory building" is any accessory structure that
meets the definition of a "building." A portion of a principal building
used for an accessory use shall not be considered an accessory building.
A use or structure that is clearly accessory, customary,
and incidental to a principal residential use on a lot, including
the following uses and uses that are very similar in nature: garage
(household), household swimming pool, storage shed, or greenhouse.
A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal
use or building and located on the same lot with such principal use
which does not exceed 25% of the gross floor area of the principal
use. An example would be a home occupation that is accessory to a
dwelling.
Two or more lots that share a common lot line or that are
separated from each other only by a public or private right-of-way
or waterway.
A use providing supervised care and assistance to persons
who are elderly and/or disabled and who require daily assistance.
This use may involve occasional overnight stays, but shall not primarily
be a residential use. The use shall involve typical stays of less
than a total of 60 hours per week per person. The adult day-care center
must be licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.
Any sexually oriented business and business used for adult
entertainment and includes: 1) any sexually oriented business; 2)
the conversion of an existing business, whether or not a sexually
oriented business, to any sexually oriented business; 3) the additions
of any sexually oriented business to any other existing sexually oriented
business; 4) the relocation of any sexually oriented business; and
5) a sexually oriented business or premises on which the sexually
oriented business is located.
A right-of-way having a right-of-way width of 20 feet or
less and that primarily provides secondary, service, or garage access
to the side or rear of lots.
A change or rearrangement in the load-bearing and non-load-bearing
structural members, resulting in the extension of any side or the
increase in height. The moving of the building or structure from one
location or position to another or the conversion of one use to another
by virtue of interior change shall also constitute an alteration of
building.
An indoor commercial use in which a primary activity on the
premises involves use of electronic machines for amusement or entertainment,
with such machines activated by the use of tokens or coins. This term
shall not include an adult establishment.
An outdoor facility, which may include structures and buildings,
where there are various devices for entertainment including rides,
booths for the conduct of games or sale of items, and buildings for
shows and entertainment.
A building used for the treatment, housing, or boarding of
small domestic animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, or birds by a
veterinarian. A kennel is a state-licensed facility containing indoor
and outdoor housing facilities for four or more dogs.
A building in which horses are kept for renumeration, hire,
exhibition, or sale.
A device, partially or wholly exterior to a building, which
is used for receiving any type of electronic signals (other than a
satellite dish antenna of greater than three feet dish diameter, which
is treated separately) or for transmitting short-wave or citizens'
band radio frequencies. This shall include antennas used by an amateur
ham radio operator or by a contracting business or utility to communicate
with its employees, but shall not include a "communications antenna."
This term includes any accessory supporting structures.
See "dwelling, multifamily."
The person(s), company, partnership, profit or nonprofit
corporation, or trust responsible for a particular application for
an approval or permit under this Code and his/her heirs, successors,
and assigns.
A written form supplied by the City staff for a City approval,
decision, or permit, including any accompanying site plan and additional
information and materials that the City requires the applicant to
submit.
An area where repairs, improvements, and installation of
parts and accessories for motor vehicles and/or boats are conducted.
An auto body shop and/or repair garage shall include, but not be limited
to, any use that involves major or minor mechanical or body work,
including welding.
An area, other than a street, used for the outdoor or indoor
display, sale, or rental of one or more of the following in operable
condition: motor vehicles, recreation vehicles, trailers, motorcycles,
trucks, construction vehicles, boats, or transportable manufactured
homes in a livable condition. This use may include an auto body shop
and/or repair garage as an accessory use provided that all requirements
of such use are complied with. This use shall not include a manufactured
home park or a junkyard, unless the requirements for such use are
also met.
The value that represents the sum of numbers divided by the
quantity of numbers.
An enclosed floor area partly or wholly underground. A basement
shall be considered a "story" if: a) the majority of the basement
has a clearance from floor to ceiling of 6.5 feet or greater; and
b) the top of the ceiling of the basement is an average of five or
more feet above the finished grade along the majority of the front
side of the building that faces onto a street.
An owner-occupied or manager-occupied establishment with
not more than two nonresident employees, and in which guest units
are rented on a nightly basis for periods not to exceed 14 days. Breakfast
shall be the only meal served for registered guests. Cooking facilities
for actual use by guests are prohibited.
[Amended 12-10-2020 by Ord. No. 9-2020]
A mound or ridge of landscaped earth designed to act as a
screen and buffer.
A use where lawful gambling activities are conducted, including
but not limited to off-track parimutual betting. This term shall not
include betting under the state lottery programs or betting under
the "small games of chance" provisions of state law, which shall instead
be regulated under the regulations applicable to the principal use
of the property (such as a "membership club").
A type of "off-premises sign." See definition of "sign, off-premises."
See "Zoning Hearing Board."
See "rooming house."
Any business facility, such as a dance hall or club, that
is not licensed by the State Liquor Control Board, wherein patrons
age 21 or older may after payment of an entry fee, cover charge, or
membership fee, consume alcoholic beverages which said patrons have
carried onto the premises; provided that a facility which is rented
for a limited period of time, not to exceed 12 hours, by individual(s)
or an organization for the purpose of a private party in which alcoholic
beverage are carried onto the premises shall not be considered a B.Y.O.B.
club under the term of these Codified Ordinances.
Any structure having a permanent roof and walls and that
is intended for the shelter, work area, housing, or enclosure of persons,
animals, vehicles, equipment, or materials and that has a total area
under roof of greater than 50 cubic feet. "Building" shall be interpreted
to include "or part thereof." See the separate definition of "structure."
Any structure involving a permanent roof (such as a covered porch
or a carport) that is attached to a principal building shall be considered
to be part of that principal building.
The percentage obtained by dividing: a) the maximum horizontal
area in square feet of all principal and accessory buildings and attached
structures covered by a permanent roof on a lot by b) the total lot
area of the lot upon which the buildings are located. See also "impervious
coverage."
The building in which the principal use of a lot is conducted.
Any building that is physically attached to a principal building shall
be considered part of that principal building.
The horizontal measurement between two vertical structural
walls that are generally parallel of one building, measured in one
direction that is most closely parallel to the required lot width.
For attached housing, this width shall be the width of each dwelling
unit, measured from the center of each interior party wall and from
the outside of any exterior wall. For detached buildings, this width
shall be measured from the outside of exterior walls.
Services that are primarily provided to businesses, such
as custom graphics, food catering, photocopying, custom printing,
notary publics, travel agencies, retail receipt, and packaging and
shipping of packages and related retail sales, and similar services.
The paved portion of a street designed for vehicular traffic
and on-street parking, but not including the shoulder of a street
without curbing.
Land and/or buildings used for the burial of the dead.
A use involving the supervised care of children under age
16 outside of the children's own home primarily for periods of less
than 18 hours during the average day. This use may also include educational
programs that are supplementary to state-required education, including
a "nursery school" or "head start" programs.
See "place of worship."
The City of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
The City Council of the City of Harrisburg.
An area of unobstructed vision at street intersections defined
by the center lines of the streets and by a line of sight between
points on their center lines at a given distance from the intersection
of the center lines.
See "membership club."
The City of Harrisburg Zoning Code.
An establishment which serves coffee, tea, and a limited
selection of incidental baked goods but is not a restaurant and does
not have a liquor license.
An institution of higher learning authorized to grant associate,
bachelors, masters, and/or doctorate degrees. For nondegree institutions,
see "trade school."
Intended to be for profit.
Includes, but is not limited to: business services, retail
sales, offices, personal services, auto sales, auto repair garages,
and other uses of a similar profit-making nonindustrial nature.
Any motor vehicle or trailer that is primarily used for business
purposes, including but not limited to making service calls, transporting
equipment used in a business or in accomplishing physical work as
part of a business (such as hauling material). This term shall not
include any of the following: emergency medical vehicles, fire trucks,
school buses, recreational vehicles for personal use, U.S. Postal
Service vehicles, municipally owned vehicles, vehicles clearly primarily
intended for agricultural uses, or vehicles actively engaged in the
construction or repair of streets, curbs, sidewalks, or utilities
in the immediate area.
Any device used for the transmission or reception of radio,
television, wireless telephone, pager, commercial mobile radio service,
or any other wireless communications signals, including without limitation
omnidirectional or whip antennas and directional or panel antennas,
owned or operated by any person or entity licensed by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) to operate such device. This definition
shall not include private residence mounted satellite dishes or television
antennas or amateur radio equipment, including without limitation
ham or citizen band radio antennas.
A structure other than a building, such as a monopole, self-supporting,
or guyed tower, designed and used to support communications antennae.
A noncommercial use that exists solely to provide leisure
and educational activities and programs to the general public.
The City of Harrisburg Comprehensive Plan, or any part thereof,
adopted by City Council.
A set of individual dwelling units or other areas of buildings
each owned by an individual person(s) in fee simple, with such owners
assigned a proportionate interest in the remainder of the real estate
which is designated for common ownership, and which was created under
the Pennsylvania Unit Property Act of 1963[1] or is/was created under the Pennsylvania Uniform Condominium
Act of 1980, as amended.
A principal or accessory building used for large business
or association meetings and which may include catering. A conference
center may also be termed a convention center.
A type of retail operation with a floor area usually less
than 2,500 square feet that primarily sells routine household goods,
limited groceries, and prepared ready-to-eat foods to the general
public, but that is not a restaurant or a grocery store. A convenience
store may have gas dispensing operations.
A facility owned or operated by the County of Dauphin, the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or the U.S. Government to incarcerate
persons who have been sentenced by a court of law or a parole board
to involuntarily spend time in such facility, or who are being incarcerated
while awaiting trial or sentencing, other than routine holding cells
within a government building.
A facility owned by a nonprofit or for-profit organization
that provides housing for offenders on a pre-release basis.
The County of Dauphin, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The Dauphin County Planning Commission.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection,
and its relevant bureaus.
See "child care."
Calendar days.
The total number of dwelling units proposed on a lot divided
by the "lot area," unless otherwise stated.
A density increase for residential units over the otherwise
allowed residential density under the applicable zoning and land use
designation on the date an application is deemed complete.
[Added 4-13-2021 by Ord. No. 6-2021]
A building which is not physically attached to any other
building.
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate,
including but not limited to the construction, reconstruction, renovation,
repair, extension, or alteration of buildings or other structures;
the placement of manufactured homes; streets and other paving; utilities;
filing, grading, and excavation; mining; dredging; drilling operations;
storage of equipment or materials; and the subdivision of land. The
term also includes any activities defined as "land development" under
the City of Harrisburg Subdivision and Land Development Code.
An industrial use that includes bottling and brewing of ales,
beers, and similar products and the distribution of such products
for wholesale purposes.
The processing of materials so as to sort out which finished
goods are to be transported to different locations, and the loading
and unloading of such goods. This use usually involves inventory control,
material handling, order administration, and packaging. Specifically,
a use that primarily involves either loading materials from tractor-trailers
onto smaller trucks or loading materials from smaller trucks onto
tractor-trailers shall be considered a "distribution" use.
A land area within the City within which certain uniform
regulations and requirements apply under the provisions of this Code.
A principal or accessory building that is used primarily
as living quarters and is occupied exclusively by bona fide full-time
faculty or students of an accredited college or university or state-licensed
teaching hospital or accredited public or private primary or secondary
school.
An establishment where at least a portion of patrons are
served while the patrons remain in their motor vehicles.
A privately owned, constructed, and maintained vehicular
access from a street to one or two principal buildings or their accessory
buildings, and which does not meet the definition of a street or an
alley.
A building that contains laundry and/or dry-cleaning equipment
or machinery which cleans fabrics, textiles, and clothes. See also
"personal services."
A building used as nontransient living quarters, but not
including a rooming house, hotel, motel, hospital, supportive housing
facility, or dormitory. A dwelling includes structures built on site
as well as modular dwellings and (HUD Code) manufactured homes dwellings.
A single habitable living unit occupied by only one "family."
A dwelling unit shall have its own toilet, bath or shower, bathroom
sink, sleeping facilities, refrigerator, kitchen sink, and only one
stove and/or oven, except that single room occupancy (SRO) units may
have either a shared kitchen or shared bathroom.
One dwelling unit that is attached to two or more dwelling
units, and with each dwelling unit being completely separated from
and attached to each other by unpierced vertical fire-resistant walls.
Each dwelling unit shall have its own outside access. Side yards shall
be adjacent to each end unit. Each attached dwelling or townhouse
is located on its own lot although the lot lines are shared on each
side of each attached dwelling.
One dwelling unit in one building accommodating only one
family and having open yard areas on all sides. The detached dwelling
is the only principal dwelling on a lot. A detached dwelling may be
a manufactured home. See also "accessory dwelling."
A type of single-family detached dwelling that is transportable
on a chassis in a single piece, or two substantial pieces designed
to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated
for towing. The manufactured home is constructed to the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development standards (HUD Code). The terms "mobile
home" and "manufactured home" have the same meaning. This term is
different from a "modular home."
A type of dwelling that meets a definition of single-family
detached dwelling, twin dwelling, townhouse, or apartment that is
substantially produced in two or more major sections off the site
and then is assembled and completed on the site, and that does not
meet the definition of a HUD Code "manufactured home" and that is
supported structurally by its exterior walls and that rests on a permanent
foundation, built to the International Code Council Building Code
(ICC) or Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC).
Two or more dwelling units within one building that do not
meet the definitions of "attached dwelling" or "semidetached dwelling."
For example, two or more units that are separated by only horizontal
floors shall be considered "multifamily." Multifamily dwellings often
share a common entrance and are almost always located on one lot.
One dwelling unit accommodating one family that is attached
to and completely separated by a vertical unpierced fire-resistant
wall to only one additional dwelling unit. One side yard shall be
adjacent to each dwelling unit. The semidetached dwelling is located
on its own lot although the lot line is shared on one side for both
dwellings.
Authorization by a property owner for the use by another
user for a specified utility, access, or purpose of any designated
part of the owner's property.
Any building or group of buildings occupied by medical practitioners
and related services for the purpose of providing emergency health
service to people on an outpatient basis.
The highest number of workers (including both part-time and
full-time, both compensated and volunteer, and both employees and
contractors) present on a lot at any one time, other than clearly
temporary and occasional persons working on physical improvements
to the site.
Utility or municipal uses, including electrical substations,
transformers, water towers, and sewage pumping stations, which are
necessary for the preservation of the public health and safety and
that are routine, customary, and appropriate to the character of the
area in which they are to be located. Essential services shall not
include a central sewage treatment plant, a solid waste disposal area
or facility, commercial communications towers, a power generating
station, septic or sludge disposal, offices, storage of trucks or
equipment, or bulk storage of materials.
One or more persons living together in a single dwelling
unit and functioning as a single housekeeping unit sharing household
expenses and sharing joint use of the entire dwelling unit and which
complies with the maximum occupancy standards of the International
Property Maintenance Code. See also the definition of a "dwelling
unit."
An outdoor and/or indoor market where fresh agricultural
products are available on a seasonal and permanent basis.
A man-made barrier placed or arranged as a line of demarcation,
an enclosure or a visual barrier that is constructed of wood, chain-link
metal, vinyl, or aluminum and/or plastic inserts. Man-made barriers
constructed principally of masonry, concrete, cinder block, or similar
materials shall be considered a "wall." The term "wall" does not include
engineering retaining walls, which are permitted uses as needed in
all districts. The terms "fence" and "wall" do not include hedges,
trees, or shrubs.
An establishment primarily involved with loans and monetary,
not material, transactions and that has routine interactions with
the public. See "drive-through facility."
A facility that offers indoor or outdoor recreational facilities,
such as the following: weight rooms, exercise equipment, nonhousehold
pool, gymnasium, tennis courts, martial arts, and racquetball courts.
Retail sales of various household items and/or clothing and/or
crafts by five or more vendors, with the vendors not being separated
into individual storefronts, and which does not routinely involve
sales every day of the week.
A temporary inundation of normally dry land areas.
That elevation which is two feet above the height of the
one-hundred-year flood at a given point or location.
The official map on which the Federal Emergency Management
Agency has delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and
the risk premium zones applicable to the City of Harrisburg.
The official report provided by the Federal Insurance Administration
that includes flood profiles, the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM),
the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map, and the water surface elevation
of the base flood.
The highest level of flooding that, on the average, is likely
to occur once every 100 years within the City, or that has a one-percent
chance of occurring each year.
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.
A combination of structural and nonstructural additions,
changes or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood
damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary
facilities, structures and their contents.
The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent
land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood
without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than
one foot.
The total area of a building measured by the sum of horizontal
areas of each floor.
The lowest floor of the lowest fully enclosed area, including
any basement. An unfinished, flood-resistant, partially enclosed area
used solely for the parking of vehicles or building access, in an
area other than a basement, shall not be considered to be the lowest
floor of a building, provided that such space is not designed and
built so that the structure is in violation of other requirements
of this chapter.
The accessory use of any lot for the occasional sale or auction
of only common household goods and furniture and items of a closely
similar character.
See "accessory structure or use, residential."
A sensation of brightness within the visual field which causes
annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance, visibility,
and/or ability to focus.
A use owned by a government, government agency, or government
authority for valid public health, public safety, recycling collection,
or similar governmental purpose. This term shall not include a "correctional
facility."
The average finished ground elevation adjoining the buildings.
The highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior
to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.
The indoor and/or outdoor raising of trees, plants, shrubs,
or flowers for sale, but not primarily including commercial forestry
for lumber. A plant nursery may include the growth of trees for sale
for internal decoration of homes.
A retail operation that sells different kinds of foods, including
fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as other household goods. This
term shall not include a "convenience store" or a "restaurant." A
grocery store may have gas-dispensing operations.
The Harrisburg Architectural Review Board.
Unless otherwise stated, materials and substances listed
in the latest edition of the Hazardous Substance List of the Pennsylvania
Department of Labor and Industry.
The vertical distance measured from the average elevation
of the proposed ground level along the front of the building to the
highest point of a structure. For a building with a defined and pitched
roof, an area equal to 20% of the building footprint may exceed the
maximum height to provide for the roof peak, provided such 20% is
not occupied by persons.
The average height of buildings on a block.
An area used for the takeoff and landing of helicopters,
together with any related support facilities such as for maintenance,
refueling, and storage. This chapter is not intended to regulate the
nonroutine emergency landing and takeoff of aircraft to pick up seriously
injured or ill persons.
A heliport that is accessory to a hospital and which is only
used for medical emergencies.
A heliport limited to a maximum total of 15 flights or takeoffs
in any seven-day period and that is not available for use by the general
public. This is also known as a "helistop."
An area of the City that has been officially designated by
City Council as a Municipal Historic District, and has been certified
by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Any structure that is:
Listed individually on the National or State Register of Historic
Places or has been preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the
Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the
National Register; or
Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the
Interior as contributing to the historic significance of a registered
historic district or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary
of the Interior to qualify as a registered historic district; or
Listed individually on a local inventory of historic places
within a program that has been certified by the State Historical and
Museum Commission.
A routine, accessory, and customary nonresidential use conducted
within or administered from a portion of a dwelling or its permitted
accessory building that is conducted solely by a permanent resident
of the dwelling.
A facility that provides support services for terminally
ill persons, but that does not primarily involve highly skilled medical
care. Such use may occur within a hospital, personal care center,
or group home. However, if the use involves care of persons with illnesses
that can be contagious through the air or casual conduct, the use
shall be limited to within a hospital or nursing home.
A use involving the diagnosis, treatment, or other medical
care of humans that includes, but is not limited to, care requiring
stays overnight. A medical care use that does not involve any stays
overnight shall be considered a "medical office." A hospital may involve
care and rehabilitation for medical, dental, or mental health. A hospital
may also involve medical research and training for health care professionals
and/or a hospice.
A building including rooms rented out to persons as clearly
transient and temporary living quarters for average maximum periods
of two months. Each unit shall have its own sleeping/living quarters,
kitchen, and bathroom. See also "bed-and-breakfast" and "hotel" definitions.
An extended-stay hotel may also include a restaurant, meeting rooms,
newsstand, gift shop, or swimming pool provided that such use(s) is
not the principal use of the property. The definition of a "hotel"
under state regulations shall not affect the definition of a "hotel"
under this Zoning Code.
A building or buildings including rooms rented out to persons
as clearly transient and temporary living quarters. Any such use that
customarily involves the housing of persons for periods of time longer
than 30 days shall be considered a "rooming house" and shall meet
the requirements of that use. See also "bed-and-breakfast" and "hotel,
extended-stay" definitions. A hotel or motel may also include a restaurant,
meeting rooms, nightclub, newsstand, gift shop, swimming pool, or
tavern, provided that such use(s) is not the principal use of the
property. The definition of a "hotel" under state regulations shall
not affect the definition of a "hotel" under this Zoning Code.
See "pets, keeping of."
The total area of all "impervious surfaces" on a lot (including
building coverage) divided by the total lot area.
The area covered by roofs, concrete, asphalt, or other man-made
cover which has a coefficient of runoff of 0.85 or higher. The City
Engineer shall decide any dispute over whether an area is "impervious."
Includes manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, and other
operations of an industrial nature, and not primarily of a commercial,
institutional, or residential nature.
A public or semipublic use such as government buildings,
educational facilities, community centers, and hospitals.
Any discarded, unusable, or abandoned man-made or man-processed
material or articles. Junk shall not include: routine solid wastes
that are temporarily and customarily stored in an appropriate container
while routinely awaiting collection and lawful disposal, toxic wastes,
vegetative yard waste, or items clearly awaiting imminent recycling
at an approved recycling facility.
Includes any vehicle or trailer that cannot be moved under
its own power, other than a vehicle clearly needing only minor repairs.
See also the definition of "unregistered vehicle."
Land or a structure used for the collection, storage, dismantling,
processing, and/or sale, other than within a completely enclosed building,
of material defined as "junk." Junk stored within a completely enclosed
building for business purposes shall be considered a warehouse. A
"scrap metal processor" is not considered a "junk yard."
Any of the following activities: 1) improvement of one lot
or two or more contiguous lots, tracts, or parcels for any purpose
involving a group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings
or a single nonresidential building on a lot; 2) division or allocation
of land or space between two or more existing occupants for the purpose
of streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building groups,
or other features; and 3) a subdivision of land.
The owner of a legal or equitable interest in land, including
the holder of a written, signed, and active option or contract to
purchase or a person leasing the property (if authorized under the
lease to exercise the right of the landowner and if such lease is
for a remaining period of at least 12 months) or authorized officers
of a partnership or corporation that is a "landowner."
The illumination that passes from the source through a translucent
cover or shade.
A separate parcel of land that is recorded or that will be
recorded after City final subdivision approval in the office of the
County Recorder of Deeds. A parcel under common ownership that is
completely separated into two parts by a public street shall be considered
to be one tract but two lots.
A lot located at the intersection of two or more streets
with a boundary line bordering on both streets.
The horizontal land area contained within the lot lines of
a lot (measured in acres or square feet). For the purposes of determining
compliance with the minimum lot area, areas within the "existing"
legal rights-of-way of any proposed or existing public or private
streets or alleys shall be excluded. See the definition of "lot area,
average" below.
The total of the "lot area" (see above) of each adjacent
lots in common ownership within a proposed subdivision or land development
divided by the proposed number of dwelling units.
The horizontal distance between the side lot lines measured
at the minimum prescribed front yard setback line, unless otherwise
stated.
The property lines bounding the lot. Wherever a property
line borders a public street, the lot line shall be considered to
be the existing street right-of-way line.
See under "dwelling types."
The making, with substantial use of machinery, of some physical
product for sale, and/or associated assembly, fabrication, cleaning,
testing, processing, recycling, packaging, conversion, production,
distribution, and repair, with substantial use of machinery, of products
for sale. This term shall not include the following: retail sales,
personal services, solid waste disposal facility, trucking company
terminal, mineral extraction, or petroleum or kerosene refining or
distillation.
A use involving the treatment and examination of patients
by state-licensed physicians or dentists, provided that no patients
shall be kept overnight on the premises. This use may involve the
testing of tissue, blood or other human materials for medical or dental
purposes.
An area of land or building routinely used by a recreational,
civic, social, fraternal, religious, political or labor union association
of persons for meetings and routine socializing and recreation that
are limited to members and their occasional guests, and persons specifically
invited to special celebrations, but which is not routinely open to
members of the general public and which is not primarily operated
as a for-profit business. This use shall not include an adult establishment,
an after-hours club, a target range for outdoor shooting of firearms,
rooming house, restaurant or retail sales unless that particular use
is permitted in that district and the requirements of that use are
met.
The removal from the surface or beneath the surface of the
land of bulk mineral resources using significant machinery. "Mineral
extraction" includes but is not limited to the extraction of gravel,
limestone, clay and similar materials.
The replacement of existing work with equivalent materials
for the purpose of its routine maintenance and upkeep, but not including
the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal
or cutting of any structural beam or bearing support, or the removal
or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement or parts
of a structure affecting the exitway requirements; nor shall minor
repairs include addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation
of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas,
oil, waste, vent, or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical
or other work affecting public health or general safety.
See "hotel."
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act of 1968,
P.L. 905, No. 247,[2] as reenacted and amended.
A building open to the general public that provides permanent
as well as changing exhibits on artistic, cultural, natural or scientific
subjects. The building may charge admission and may include as accessory
uses the sale of gift items as well as restaurants.
A noncommercial preservation of land for providing wildlife
habitats, forests or scenic natural features that involves no buildings
other than a nature education and/or study center and customary maintenance
buildings.
Any building used for on-site consumption of alcoholic or
nonalcoholic beverages where live entertainment, including disc jockeys
playing music. Nightclubs include "under 21" clubs which feature entertainment
as well as after-hours clubs.
For other than residential purposes.
A lot which does not comply with the minimum lot width or
area dimensions specified for the district where such lot is situated,
but was lawfully in existence prior to the effective date of this
Code, or amendments hereinafter enacted.
A use, whether of land or of a structure, which does not
comply with the applicable provisions in this Code or amendment(s),
where such use was lawfully in existence prior to the enactment of
this Code or applicable amendment(s).
Any dam, wharf, embankment, levee, dike, pile, abutment,
projection, excavation, channel rectification, bridge, conduit, culvert,
building, wire fence, rock, gravel, refuse, fill, structure or matter
in, along, across, or projecting into any channel, watercourse or
regulatory flood hazard area which may impede, retard or change the
direction of the flow of water, or that is placed where the flow of
water might carry the same downstream to the damage of life or property.
A use that involves administrative, clerical, financial,
governmental or professional operations and operations of a similar
character. This use shall include neither retail nor industrial uses,
but may include business offices, medical or dental offices, clinics
or laboratories, photographic studios and/or television or radio broadcasting
studios.
The map as adopted and amended by City Council which designates
the location and boundaries of zoning districts.
Off-street parking stalls and aisles for vehicle movement
unless otherwise stated.
An outdoor area that is not covered by a permanent roof and
that is used as an accessory recreation area by the occupants of a
building.
All areas covered by stone and/or impervious surfaces, other
than areas covered by buildings, bicycle paths and pedestrian sidewalks.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, or its successor,
and its subparts.
A document issued by the proper City authority authorizing
the applicant to undertake certain activities.
A use that is allowed within a specific zoning district and that does not require a special exception permit or a conditional use permit. Uses that are permitted by right may have to meet specific criteria covered under Chapter 7-309.
An individual, partnership, public or private association
or corporation, firm, trust, estate, municipality, governmental unit,
public utility or any other legal entity whatsoever, which is recognized
by law as the subject of rights and duties.
An establishment that provides a service oriented to personal
needs of the general public and which does not primarily involve retail
or wholesale sales or services to businesses. Personal services include
appliance repair, bicycle repair, haircutting, hairstyling, nail salons,
custom dressmaking, custom dry-cleaning dropoff stores, laundromats,
photography studios, shoe repair shops, massage therapy conducted
by a trained message therapist, and uses that the applicant proves
to the Zoning Officer are closely similar. The term "personal services"
shall not include any "adult establishment" or "tattoo and body piercing
establishment" as herein defined.
The keeping of domestic animals that are normally considered
to be kept in conjunction with a dwelling for the pleasures of the
resident family. This shall include dogs, cats, small birds, gerbils,
rabbits and other animals commonly sold in retail pet shops.
Buildings, churches, monasteries, mosques, religious retreats,
seminaries shrines, synagogues and temples used primarily for religious
and/or spiritual worship and that are operated for nonprofit and noncommercial
purposes. A place of worship may include one dwelling unit as an accessory
use. Any additional residential uses shall only be permitted if the
requirements for such uses are met.
The Planning Commission of the City of Harrisburg which is
a "planning agency" under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning
Code[3] and is responsible for reviewing amendments to the City
of Harrisburg Zoning Code, subdivision and land development plans,
and the Comprehensive Plan, and providing recommendations to the City
Council on the same. The Planning Commission also provides recommendations
to the Zoning Hearing Board on special exceptions and variances.
Includes printing, publishing, lithographing, photocopying,
bookbinding and similar uses.
See "lot line."
Notice required by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning
Code[4] and the City of Harrisburg Zoning Code.
A use primarily involving driving of motor vehicles other
than upon driving on a public street, and involving speeds routinely
exceeding 40 miles per hour that involves some element of timekeeping
or other competition.
Any leisure time activities that include structured activities
and equipment that take place within an enclosed structure and may
include such activities as exercise, rollerskating, soccer, bowling,
and swimming.
Any leisure time activities that usually include structured
activities and equipment that take place in the open and may include
such activities as soccer, baseball, and football.
Land and/or facilities that are owned by the City of Harrisburg
or another government entity, and available for use by the general
public for leisure and recreation.
A vehicle which is built on a single chassis and not more
than 400 square feet and is designed to be self-propelled or permanently
towed by a light-duty truck. The vehicle is designed as temporary
living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use.
An outdoor area used for the storage of three or more recreational
vehicles. Retail sales or major repair work shall only be allowed
if those uses are permitted in that zoning district.
A use for collection and temporary storage of more than 500
pounds of common household materials for recycling, but that does
not involve processing or recycling other than routine sorting, baling
and weighing of materials. This term shall not include the indoor
storage of less than 500 pounds of household recyclables and their
customary collection, which is a permitted by right accessory use
in all zoning districts, without additional regulations. A recycling
collection center is also a permitted by right accessory use to a
public or private primary or secondary school, a place of worship,
a City-owned use, an emergency services station or a college or university.
This term shall not include "junk yard" or "scrap metal processor."
Flood-related damages sustained by a structure on two separate
occasions during a ten-year period for which the cost of repairs at
the time of each such flood event, on average, equals or exceeds 25%
of the market value of the structure before the damages occurred.
A facility for carrying out investigation in the natural,
physical, or social sciences, or engineering and development as an
extension of investigation with the objective of creating end products.
The lot line of a lot that contains an existing primarily
residential use on a lot of less than 30,000 square feet, or is zoned
as a Residential District and is not occupied by a principal nonresidential
use.
An establishment that sells ready-to-consume food or drink
and that routinely involves the consumption of at least a portion
of such food on the premises. A restaurant may also specialize in
take-out service. A restaurant may also be a delicatessen where food
is already prepared or requires minimum preparation and is predominantly
take-out food. A restaurant may include the accessory sale of alcoholic
beverages and/or operate as a BYOB restaurant. A restaurant may also
include a micro- or craft brewery. A restaurant shall not include
a use meeting the definition of a "nightclub" or an "after-hours club,"
unless the requirements for such use are also met. See "drive-through
facility."
A use in which merchandise is sold or rented to the general
public, but not including the following: sales of automobiles, recreational
vehicles, boats, or manufactured homes, adult establishment, manufacturing,
car wash, auto station, auto body shop and/or repair garage, convenience
store, grocery store, or any restaurant.
The area dedicated or deeded for public use, including sidewalks,
streets, and alleys.
An accessory residential use where the owner of the primary
residence provides individual rooms which are rented on a weekly or
monthly basis and where sanitary and kitchen facilities are shared.
The occupants do not act as a common household. The term "boardinghouse"
shall have the same meaning for the purposes of this Code. This term
shall not include "supportive housing."
A reflector, usually parabolic in shape, that receives electronic
signals from a satellite, and that does not meet the definition of
a "communications antenna."
An educational institution primarily for persons between
the ages of five and 19 that primarily provides state-required or
largely state-funded educational programs. This term shall not include
"trade schools" (such as privately operated schools of trade, vocation
or business).
Includes iron, steel or nonferrous metals that are the co-products
of a manufacturing or fabricating process, or are generated by a business
entity as a result of its maintenance operations, and are in the hands
of either the generator of the material or a scrap metal processor;
or items made principally from iron, steel and nonferrous metals that
have reached the end of their useful lives and are in the hands of
a scrap metal processor waiting to be processed into prepared grades
for sale for remelting purposes; or prepared grades of iron, steel
and nonferrous metals which are awaiting sale for remelting to a consumer
such as a steel mill, foundry, refinery or smelter, or are in the
hands of a consumer awaiting remelting.
A facility from a fixed location that utilizes machinery
and equipment for processing and manufacturing iron, steel or nonferrous
metallic scrap into prepared grades and whose principal product is
scrap iron, scrap steel, or nonferrous metallic scrap for sale for
remelting purposes.
The use of trees, shrubs, plant material, fencing, walls,
or berms that minimize the visual impact of a land use on abutting
land uses.
A building or group of buildings divided into individual
separate access units which are rented or leased for the storage of
personal and small business property.
A building which is attached to only one other building,
and which is attached on only one side.
The line within a lot defining the required minimum distance
between any structure to be erected or use to be developed and the
adjacent future street right-of-way or exterior lot line (when the
property is not abutted by a right-of-way). Such line shall be measured
at right angles from and parallel to the front lot line. Any building
setbacks shall be measured from the foundation, exterior wall or other
component of a structure that is closest to the right-of-way line
or lot line from which the setback is being measured. Setback distances,
unless stated otherwise, are for both accessory and principal structures.
For a building setback measured from a private street, the setback
shall be measured from the existing right-of-way of such a street,
if a right-of-way exists. If a private street does not have a right-of-way,
the setback shall be measured from the edge of the cartway.
The average setback for properties on the blocks.
A group of retail and other establishments that is owned
and managed by a single property owner. A shopping center may also
include a mix of permitted personal service, retail, office and/or
commercial recreation uses.
Any object, device, display, or structure or part thereof,
situated outdoors or indoors, which is used to advertise, identify,
display, direct, or attract attention to an object, person, institution,
organization, business, product, service, event, or location by any
means, including words, letters, figures, design, symbols, fixtures,
colors, illumination, or projected images.
The area which is equal to multiplying the greatest height
by the greatest length of the area containing advertising and/or symbols
and does not include structural members.
Any commercial- or business-related messages, images, symbols
or wording applied to an awning, canopy, or marquee. An awning, canopy,
or marquee sign shall be subject to the requirements and restrictions
for projecting signs.
Any sign intended to be hung either with or without frames,
possessing characters, letters or illustrations applied to fabric.
A sign which is self-supporting upon the ground or which
is primarily supported by poles attached to the ground.
The vertical distance measured from the average ground level
surrounding a sign to the highest point of the sign and its supporting
structure.
A graphic or symbol representing the form and/or features
of a person, place or object with a commercial- or business-related
message or intent.
A sign that is directly lighted by an artificial light, either
internal or external.
A sign with illumination from within the sign that shines
through and illuminates the sign face, as opposed to a sign illuminated
by a source in front of or shining from the outside of the sign face.
A sign that is illuminated by light directed toward or across
it or by backlighting from a source outside of the sign.
A sign that is lighted from lights on or directed toward
the sign.
A freestanding sign which shall be permanently attached,
by an approved means, directly to a landscape planter or pedestal
base, as distinguished from the support of a pole or poles.
A painting which contains a commercial- or business-related
message and is painted directly onto the exterior wall(s) of a building.
Any sign comprised of glass tubing containing a larger proportion
of neon or other similar gas. A neon sign may be a wall sign, a projecting
sign, or a window sign.
A sign advertising, identifying, or directing the public
to a business, merchandise, service institution, residential area.
Any sign that is designed to be transported, including but
not limited to a sign with wheels removed; with chassis or support
constructed without wheels; designed to be transported by trailer
or wheels; attached temporarily or permanently to the ground, structure,
or other signs; menu and sandwich boards, searchlight stands; and
tethered inflatable signs.
A sign attached to a building face or wall that extends out
from the wall and may be partially or totally in the public right-of-way
or in private property.
Any sign that is mounted on the roof of a building or that
is wholly dependent upon a building for support and that projects
above the top walk or edge of a building with a flat roof, the eave
line of a building with a gambled or gable or hip roof, or the deck
line of a building with a mansard roof.
A movable two-sided hinged sign that is usually placed on
the sidewalk during business hours.
A sign mounted flat on a wall of a building and which does
not project from such wall. A wall sign includes individual letter
signs.
A sign that can be read from an exterior lot line and which
is attached to a window or transparent door or that can be read through
a window or transparent door and that is constructed of paper or similar
nonpermanent material or is painted on the window or door.
The ownership of a lot by one or more persons, partnerships
or corporations, which ownership is separate and distinct from that
of any abutting or adjoining lot.
An accurately scaled development plan that illustrates existing
conditions on a parcel of land as well as depicting details of a proposed
development.
The vertical change of an area of land divided by the horizontal
change, measured in percent.
Unless otherwise stated, the Solicitor or Assistant Solicitor
for the City of Harrisburg as appointed by the Mayor.
Any garbage, refuse, sewage sludge or other discarded material,
including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous material resulting
from industrial, institutional, public, household, commercial or mining
activities. For the purposes of this Code, the following materials
shall not be considered to be solid waste: portions of trees or shrubs,
leaves, mulch and rocks; substances legally disposed of into the air
or water through a federal or state pollution discharge permit; customary
residual wastes from a permitted mineral extraction use; materials
of a character such as paper, plastic, aluminum and metal that have
been separated from the waste stream that is clearly awaiting imminent
recycling; or prepared grades of iron, steel and nonferrous metals
which are awaiting sale for remelting to a consumer such as a steel
mill, foundry, refinery or smelter, or are in the hands of a consumer
awaiting remelting.
Land or structures where solid waste is processed, incinerated
or disposed of. This shall only include the following facilities,
each of which shall be required to have all permits required by the
state in place prior to initiation of the use: sanitary landfill,
solid waste transfer facility, or solid-waste-to-energy facility.
The following uses for the purposes of this chapter shall not be considered
to be a solid waste disposal facility: junkyard; recycling collection
center; scrap metal processor; leaf composting; clean fill; or septage
or sludge application.
A type of "solid waste disposal area" involving the depositing
of solid waste on land, compacting the waste, covering the waste with
soil and then compacting the soil, and which has a permit to operate
as a sanitary landfill from the State.
A type of "solid waste facility" which receives and temporarily
stores solid waste at a location other than the generation site, and
which facilitates the bulk transfer of accumulated solid waste to
a facility for further processing or disposal, and which may or may
not involve the separation of recyclables from solid waste.
A type of "solid waste facility" that utilizes waste (such
as municipal waste, sludge or any other nonhazardous commercial, residential
or industrial materials) as a fuel to produce usable energy (such
as steam or electricity) in bulk to be marketed for reuse to offset
disposal costs.
A use which may be permitted if the Zoning Hearing Board
grants permission following a public hearing and findings of fact
consistent with this Code, provided the use complies with the conditions
and standards required by this Code.
A detached dwelling that is an owner-occupied residence which
is available for private rental for occasions such as business meetings,
weddings, and private parties. The rental use must be secondary and
subordinate to the residential use.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its agencies.
The management of stormwater to minimize the negative effects
of surface water runoff.
The portion of a building between the surface of any floor
and the surface of the floor next above it, or if there is no floor
above it, then the space between the floor and the ceiling above the
floor of such story. A story is not a basement.
Any level having an average vertical clearance from floor
to ceiling of 6.5 feet or greater shall be considered a full story,
except as provided for in the definition of "basement."
Any level of a building having an average vertical clearance
from floor to ceiling of less than 6.5 feet.
A public or private thoroughfare which provides the principal
means of vehicle access to one or more lots. The terms "street," "highway,"
and "road" have the same meaning and are used interchangeably.
The officially established ownership or interest for streets
that either the City or the state presently have in the land, or will
own or hold after the completion of any proposed subdivision, land
development or development of a use under this Code, whether by dedication
or otherwise. See "right-of-way, public."
A major street or highway with fast or heavy traffic of considerable
continuity which provides intracounty or intermunicipal traffic. Generally,
these streets should accommodate operating speeds of 35 miles or more
per hour.
A street which is intended to connect minor streets to arterial
streets. They may serve intracounty and intramunicipal traffic. They
may serve as traffic corridors connecting residential areas with industrial,
shopping and other services. Generally, a collector street will accommodate
operating speeds of 25 to 25 miles per hour.
A street which provides direct access to abutting land and
connections to higher classes of roadways. Traffic volumes will be
low and travel distances are generally short. Minor streets should
be designed for operating speeds of 25 miles per hour or under.
Any man-made object having a stationary location on, below
or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land. The following
specifically shall be considered to be structures: buildings, signs,
communications towers, porches or decks that are covered by a permanent
structure; swimming pools (whether above or below ground); storage
sheds and garages. A ground level parking lot shall not by itself
be considered to be a structure, provided that all other requirements
of this Code are met.
The division or redivision of a lot, tract, or parcel of
land by any means into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other
divisions of land including changes in existing lot lines.
The City of Harrisburg Subdivision and Land Development Code,
Part 7-500, as amended.
Any reconstruction, 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 (or
repetitive loss) regardless of the actual repair work performed. The
term does not, however include either: 1) a 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 officials and which are the minimum
necessary to assure safe living conditions; or 2) an alteration of
an historic structure provided that the alteration will not preclude
the structure's continued designation as an historic structure.
Housing provided to individuals or families on a temporary
or permanent basis that may have services on site or off site provided
to the residents. Supportive housing provides stable housing for persons
that are not able to live independently, either on a temporary or
permanent basis and may include housing for persons with disabilities,
assisted living and nursing homes for the elderly, as well as individuals
and families that are homeless. Supportive housing includes housing
provided to persons covered under the Federal Fair Housing Act, as
amended. Supportive housing may include administrative offices and
other accessory uses.
Housing that is provided for individuals and families for
a period of up to three months and includes emergency shelter for
homeless persons.
Supportive housing provided to persons who need continuing
services and are not able to live independently. Facility supportive
housing may include single-room occupancy units, assisted living,
nursing homes, continuing care retirement facilities, or other facilities
that provide supportive living environments for the residents. Some
types of permanent supportive housing, such as nursing homes, must
be licensed by the State of Pennsylvania.
Supportive housing for disabled persons living as a common
household with staff persons.
A man-made area with walls of man-made materials intended
to enclose water at least 30 inches deep for bathing or swimming and
that is intended to serve the residents of only one dwelling unit
and their occasional guests.
A man-made area with walls of man-made materials intended
to enclose water at least 30 inches deep for bathing or swimming and
that does not meet the definition of a "household" swimming pool.
This includes: a "semipublic" pool that serves only residents of a
development or members of a club and their occasional guests or a
"public" pool intended to serve the general public.
The use of land or a structure for archery and/or discharging
of firearms for the purpose of target practice and competitions.
Either the process of marking or coloring the skin of any
person by the insertion of coloring matter under or in the skin so
as to form indelible marks or figures or the process of breaching
the skin or mucous membrane for the purpose of insertion of any object
including, but not limited to, jewelry for cosmetic purposes.
Any building or room or portion thereof where the work of
tattooing or body piercing is practiced or where the business of tattooing
is conducted, or any part thereof, including temporary structures,
booths and mobile units.
A building or part of a building devoted to the showing of
motion pictures or theatrical or performing arts productions as a
principal use, but not including an outdoor drive-in theater or adult
establishment.
An outdoor area devoted primarily to the showing of motion
pictures or theatrical productions to patrons seated in motor vehicles
or outdoors.
The storage of 250 tires or less on a lot, except for manufacture
or wholesale or retail sales of new tires.
See "dwelling types."
A facility that is primarily intended for education of a
work-related skill or craft or a hobby, and does not primarily provide
state-required education to persons under age 16. Examples include
a dancing school, martial arts school, cosmetology school or ceramics
school.
A nonresidential facility that provides treatment and/or
counseling for substance abuse.
A use involving a large variety of materials, including materials
owned by numerous corporations, being transported to a site to be
unloaded primarily from tractor-trailer trucks and reloaded onto tractor-trailer
trucks. A use that primarily involves either loading materials from
tractor-trailers onto smaller trucks or loading materials from smaller
trucks onto tractor-trailers shall be considered a "distribution"
use.
The United States of America.
The statewide building code adopted by the Pennsylvania General
Assembly in 1999 applicable to new construction in all municipalities
whether administered by the municipality, a third party or the Department
of Labor and Industry.
Any motor vehicle or trailer that does not display a license
plate with a current registration sticker and does not have a valid
state safety inspection sticker. This term shall not apply to vehicles
(such as licensed antique cars) for which state regulations do not
require an inspection sticker. The term also shall not include motor
vehicles displaying a license and inspection stickers that have each
expired less than 90 days previously.
The purpose, activity, occupation, business or operation
for which land or a structure is designed, arranged, intended, occupied
or maintained. Uses specifically include but are not limited to the
following: activity within a structure, activity outside of a structure,
any structure, recreational vehicle storage or parking of commercial
vehicles on a lot.
A dominant use(s) or main use on a lot, as opposed to an
accessory use.
A departure from the provisions of the ordinance relating
to setbacks, side yards, frontage requirements, and lot size, that
if applied to a specific lot, would significantly interfere with the
use of the property. A variance can be granted by the Zoning Hearing
Board provided that the unique circumstances of the lot create a hardship
on the property owner that prevents complete conformance with the
ordinance. The hardship relates to the physical characteristics of
the property, and without the variance, the property becomes unusable.
Any variance shall only be granted within the limitations of the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code.[5]
A building routinely used for the treatment of animals and
related accessory housing or boarding of sick animals.
A building or group of buildings primarily used for the indoor
storage, transfer and distribution of products and materials, but
not including retail uses or a truck terminal, unless such uses are
specifically permitted in that zoning district. "Wholesale" means
sales that primarily involve transactions with other businesses and
their agents and not to the general public.
A shop where materials, such as metals, are joined together
for fabrication or sculptural purposes.
An area inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater
at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under
normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically
adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally
include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.
An area not covered by buildings and that is on the same
lot as the subject structure or use and which is measured inward from
a lot line. Regulations of specific districts prohibit principal and
accessory structures within specified required minimum yard setbacks.
A "yard" measured from along the front lot line and that
extends the full width of the lot from side lot line to side lot line.
A "yard" extending the full width of the lot and which is
always measured from along the rear line and which establishes the
minimum setback for the subject structure, and which stretches between
the side lot lines parallel to the rear lot line.
A "yard" which establishes the minimum setback for the closest
portion of the subject structure, and which is measured from along
the entire length of the side lot line, and which extends from the
front lot line to the rear lot line.
The City of Harrisburg Zoning Code, Part 7-300, as amended.
The City of Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board which is a quasi-judicial
body appointed by City Council to make final decisions on special
exceptions, variances, and to hear appeals of decisions by the Zoning
Officer in the Planning Bureau.
The Official Zoning Map of the City of Harrisburg Dauphin
County, Pennsylvania.
The City employee charged with the duty of enforcing the
provisions of the Zoning Code, and his/her designees and assistant(s).
[1]
Editor's Note: Editor's Note: The Pennsylvania Unit Property
Act of 1963 was repealed 7-2-1980 by P.L. 286, No. 82. See now the
Uniform Condominium Act, 68 Pa.C.S.A. § 3101 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[4]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[5]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
