All words used in this chapter shall carry their customary dictionary
definitions as provided in the most recent edition of Webster's Collegiate
Dictionary, except where specifically defined herein. Words used in
the present tense shall include the future. The singular number shall
include the plural, and the plural the singular. The word "shall"
is always mandatory and not permissive; the word "may" is permissive.
The words "used" or "occupied," as applied to any land or structures,
shall be construed to include the words "intended, arranged or designed
to be used or occupied." The word "person" shall include the individual,
corporation, partnership, incorporated association or any other entity.
Words in the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender. The
words "includes" and "including" shall not limit the defined term
to the specific examples, but are intended to extend the terms meaning
to other instances of like kind and character.
The following words and phrases shall have the particular meaning
specified in the purpose of interpreting this chapter:
A means of providing vehicular or pedestrian entrance to
a property.
A use or structure, located on the same lot with the principal
use or structure, that is subordinate and incidental to the principal
structure or use of the property and that may occupy a separate structure
and/or area on or in the ground, including, but not limited to, storage
sheds or other storage structures, off-street parking, signs, off-street
loading, gazebos, children's playhouses, greenhouses for personal
use, garages, carports, swimming pools, decks, fences, patios, walls,
antennas and similar structures.
Any place to which the public is permitted or invited wherein
coin-operated, slug-operated, or for any form of consideration, 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.
An establishment having a substantial or significant portion
of its stock and trade in, or an establishment that 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, video cassettes or video reproductions, slides,
CD ROM discs or other computer software, and other visual representations
that 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 that are designed for
use in connection with specified sexual activities.
Any of the following described uses: adult arcade, adult
bookstore, adult novelty store, adult theater, escort agency, massage
establishment, nude model studio or sexual encounter or meditation
center, as described herein, and any other use of a premises, not
specifically defined herein, that includes or primarily offers to
its patrons or members retail goods, commercial services or entertainment
that is characterized by an emphasis on matter or activities depicting,
describing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified
anatomical areas.
See "adult theater."
One or more of the following:
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; or
An activity, live performance, display or dance of any type,
that 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, video cassettes, slides or other photographic
reproductions or visual presentations of any other kind that are characterized
by the depiction or description of specified sexual activities or
specified anatomical areas.
A hotel or motel presenting adult motion pictures by means
of closed circuit television, the material being presented having
as a dominant theme or presenting material distinguished or characterized
by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to sexual
conduct or nudity, as defined herein.
A theater (live, motion picture or mini-motion picture),
tavern, banquet hall, party room, conference center, restaurant, nightclub,
hall, auditorium, club, recreation center, indoor entertainment center
or other commercial establishment that, as one of its principal business
purposes, offers adult entertainment.
Any commercial establishment where more than 5% of the inventory
offered for sale or rental to the public consists of films, tapes,
DVDs or other visual media that depict nudity or sexual conduct.
Any principal or accessory use of land or structures for
farming, dairying, pasturage, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture,
arboriculture, or animal or poultry husbandry. Accessory uses permitted
in conjunction with agriculture may include barns, stables, corncribs,
silos and other uses or structures that are clearly related to an
agricultural operation.
The selling of crops and related products raised on a farm
to the general public.
A paved area of a minimum width specified by this chapter
that provides direct access to one or two rows of parking spaces and
connects those parking spaces with the driveways that provide circulation
through a parking area.
A facility comprised of one or more buildings, licensed by
the appropriate governmental authorities, to provide housing, security
and education/training programs for nonviolent offenders sentenced
to penal institutions with or without work release privileges.
See "zoning amendment."
An establishment for the medical or surgical treatment of
animals, including the boarding of hospitalized animals.
Any premises used for the care and protection of domestic
pets rescued by humane officers or volunteers whether on a permanent
basis or temporarily until the animals can be relocated and that may
or may not include a kennel.
A landowner or developer, as hereinafter defined, who has
filed an application for development, including his heirs, successors
and assigns.
A place where trees, shrubs and plants are cultivated for
scientific, educational or display purposes, including outdoor gardens
and greenhouses.
A public street that serves large volumes of high speed and
long-distance traffic. Streets classified as arterial in the Township
for the purposes of interpreting this chapter are: PA Route 48, PA
Route 51 and PA Route 136.
See "place of assembly."
A retail establishment that provides for one or more of the
following:
The servicing of motor vehicles and operations incidental thereto
and limited to the retail sale of petroleum products, and that may
include one or more of the following activities: retail sales and
installation of automotive accessories; automobile washing by hand;
undercoating and rustproofing; waxing and polishing of automobiles;
tire changing and repairing (excluding recapping); battery service,
changing and replacement, excluding repair and rebuilding; radiator
cleaning and flushing, excluding steam cleaning and repair; installation
of accessories; and state inspection; and/or
The following operations, if conducted within a "completely
enclosed building" as defined by this chapter: lubrication of motor
vehicles; replacement of exhaust systems; brake servicing limited
to servicing and replacement of brake cylinders, lines and brake shoes;
wheel balancing; the testing, adjustment and replacement of servicing
of carburetors, filters, generators, points, rotors, spark plugs,
voltage regulators, water and fuel pumps, water hoses and wiring;
and/or
The operation of a convenience food store, provided retail sale
of petroleum products is a part of the operation.
A business that sells alcoholic beverages for consumption
on the premises as the principal use and that may offer food for consumption
on the premises as an accessory use.
That portion of the foundation of a building between the
floor of the foundation and the floor of the first story of the building
having a portion of its height below grade, but at least 1/2 of its
height above the average grade of the adjoining ground.
A dwelling that is the principal residence of the operator
where no more than four sleeping rooms are offered to transient overnight
guests for compensation and where the only meal served and included
with the overnight accommodations is breakfast.
A paved or unpaved pathway used for walking or travelling
by bicycle for exercise or recreation where motorized vehicles are
prohibited except for emergency vehicles or maintenance vehicles.
Any off-premises sign with a changeable or permanent advertising
face that advertises an establishment, person, activity, product or
service that is unrelated to or not available on the premises on which
the sign is located.
The Board of Commissioners of the Township of Elizabeth,
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
The keeping of horses and ponies owned by persons other than
the owner of the stable, or the rental of horses owned by the owner
of the stable for a fee or other form of compensation, that may include
training of horses, riding lessons and riding facilities.
A public or private area at the shoreline with direct vehicular
access utilized for unloading boats and setting them afloat in the
water.
A retail business devoted to the selling and servicing of
motorized and nonmotorized pleasure craft, including the equipment
and accessories necessary to the towing, use and operation of the
boat.
An establishment where customers, patrons or members bring
or provide their own alcoholic beverages.
An unpaved pathway for riding horses for recreational purposes.
A landscaped area of a certain depth specified by this chapter
that shall be planted and maintained in trees, grass, ground cover,
shrubs, bushes or other natural landscaping material and shall consist
of a mix of types and sizes of plant material which, within three
years of planting, meets the standard of providing a compact year-round
visual screen at least six feet in height or an existing natural barrier,
such as vegetation and/or topography, that duplicates the effect of
the required buffer area, provided the natural barrier is maintained
with vegetation or landscaping at all times.
A roofed structure, enclosed by walls to be used for shelter,
enclosure or protection of persons, goods, materials and animals.
(See also "completely enclosed building.")
The vertical distance measured from the average elevation
of the finished grade at the front of the building to the highest
point of the roof for flat roofs, to the deck lines of mansard roofs,
and to the mean height between eaves and ridge for gable, hip and
gambrel roofs.
A line parallel to or concentric with the front lot line,
the minimum measurement of which is the front yard depth required
by this chapter.
The minimum distance between two buildings on the same lot,
measured from the outermost wall or projection, excluding bay windows,
chimneys, flues, columns, ornamental features, cornices and gutters
that project beyond the wall of the building no more than two feet.
Any office of recognized professions, other than medical,
such as lawyers, architects, engineers, real estate brokers, insurance
agents and others who, through training, are qualified to perform
services of a professional nature and other offices used primarily
for accounting, corresponding, research, editing or other administrative
functions, but not including banks or other financial institutions.
Establishments engaged in providing services to business
offices on a fee or contract basis, including, but not limited to,
advertising and public relations; management and consulting services;
employment services; building security and maintenance services; equipment
servicing, rental/leasing and sales; computer and data processing
services; mailing, photocopying, quick printing and fax services;
sale of office supplies; and similar business services; but not including
the rental, sale or repair of vehicles or heavy equipment.
A parcel of land used or intended to be used, let or rented
for occupancy by campers or trailers or providing cabins, tent spaces
or sleeping quarters of any kind.
A facility, whether automatic, semiautomatic or manual, where
the principal use is washing and polishing vehicles.
An attached or detached structure to house or protect motor
vehicles, that is open to the weather for at least 40% of the total
area of its sides.
That portion of the street right-of-way that is surfaced
for vehicular use, excluding curbs, shoulders and sidewalks.
Property used for interring of dead persons or domestic pets,
including mausoleums, columbariums, crematories and funeral homes
when operated in conjunction with and within the boundaries of the
cemetery.
A line that is usually at an equal distance from both edges
of the cartway or established right-of-way.
A document issued by the Zoning Officer indicating that a
premises for which a zoning certificate has been issued is ready for
occupancy and is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
The discontinuance of a use of a building or lot followed
by the establishment of a different use whether by the same owner
or tenant or by a new owner or tenant.
A building or buildings, other than a dwelling, used primarily
as a place of worship on a regular basis by a religious denomination
that may also include, as accessory uses, rooms for religious education,
social and recreational activities and administrative offices, rectories,
parsonages, convents, preschool programs and elderly or child day-care
centers.
A triangular area of unobstructed vision at the intersection
of two streets or of a driveway and a street defined by line of sight
a given distance from the intersection of the centerlines of two streets
or the centerlines of the driveway and the street. (See illustration
in Appendix A.[1])
See "medical clinic."
See "veterinary clinic."
See "private club."
A public street which, in addition to giving access to abutting
lots, intercepts local streets and provides a route for carrying considerable
volumes of local traffic to community facilities and arterial roads.
Streets classified as collector streets in the township for the purposes
of interpreting this chapter are: Blythedale Road, Boyds Hollow Road,
Broadlawn Drive, Constitution Boulevard, Fallen Timber Road, Greenock
- Buena Vista Road, Industry Road, Lovedale Road, Renzie Road, Ridge
Road, Rock Run Road, Round Hill Road, Simpson Howell Road, Smithfield
Street and Weigles Hill Road.
An establishment operated by a profit-making corporation,
partnership or other business entity for the pursuit of sports, amusement
and recreational activities, available to the general public for a
fee, where the principal use is conducted entirely within a completely
enclosed building, including, but not limited to, such principal uses
as health or racquet and/or swim clubs, fitness centers, roller or
ice rinks, karate schools, gymnasiums, arenas, sports courts or playing
fields, bowling alleys, amusement arcades, virtual reality and simulation
gaming parlors, billiard parlors, shooting ranges, dance halls, live
or motion picture theaters, but not including any adult business.
An establishment operated by a profit-making corporation,
partnership or other business entity for the pursuit of sports, amusement
and recreational activities, available to the general public for a
fee, where the principal use is outdoors, but which may include accessory
uses that are indoors, including, but not limited to, such principal
uses as miniature golf course, golf or batting practice facilities,
ice rinks, roller blade parks, swimming pools, sports playing fields,
ball parks, stadiums, amphitheaters, drive-in theaters, amusement
parks, racetracks and similar facilities.
See "recreation, commercial."
See "school, commercial."
A parcel or parcels of land or an area of water, or a combination
of land and water within a development site designed and intended
for the use or enjoyment of the occupants or residents of a development,
not including streets, parking areas or areas set aside for public
facilities.
Any structure designed for transmitting or receiving wireless
communications of video, voice, data and similar transmissions, including,
but not limited to, omnidirectional or whip antennas, directional
or panel antennas and satellite or microwave dish antennas that may
be mounted on an existing building, an existing public utility storage
or transmission structure or an existing communications tower, excluding
transmission and receiving devices licensed by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) exclusively for private use by citizens.
A manned or unmanned structure that contains the equipment
necessary to maintain and operate communications antennas and that
covers an area on the ground in excess of 200 square feet.
An unmanned structure that contains the equipment necessary
to maintain and operate communications antennas and that covers an
area on the ground of no more than 200 square feet.
Any structure, whether freestanding or attached to a building,
designed to support multiple communications antennas, including monopole,
self-supporting and guyed towers and one or more of the following
mounts for antennas: rotatable platform, fixed platform, multipoint
or side-arm mounts and pipe mounts for microwave dish antennas.
A building designed and constructed so that all exterior
walls shall be solid from the ground to the roof line, containing
no openings except for windows and doors which are designed so that
they may be closed and any other small openings required for the ventilation
system.
A use authorized by this chapter that may be granted only
by the Board of Commissioners following review by the Planning Commission
and a public hearing subject to express standards and criteria contained
in this chapter.
See "arboretum; conservatory."
The construction, reconstruction, renovation, repair, extension,
expansion, alteration or relocation of a building or structure, including
the placement of mobile homes.
A structure designed, used or constructed to provide temporary
offices for construction supervision on the site of an approved subdivision
or land development during the time that a valid building permit or
grading permit is in effect.
Solid waste resulting from the construction or demolition
of buildings and other structures, including but not limited to wood,
plaster, metals, asphaltic substances, bricks, block and unsegregated
concrete. The term also includes dredging waste. The term does not
include the following if they are separate from other waste and are
used as clean fill:
The administrative offices of a business that provides landscaping,
construction, remodeling, home improvement, land development and related
services on a contractual basis and that may include the storage of
materials, equipment and vehicles, provided all materials, equipment
and vehicles are stored within a completely enclosed building.
An establishment that may or may not include administrative
offices for a business that provides landscaping, construction, remodeling,
home improvement, land development and related services on a contractual
basis, but which involves the outdoor storage of all or part of the
materials, equipment or vehicles used in the business.
A retail store with a gross floor area of 7,500 square feet
or less, offering a limited selection of grocery, household and personal
items for quick purchase and that may include the dispensing of gasoline.
A lot at the intersection of, and fronting on, two or more
street rights-of-way.
See "lot coverage."
The angle formed by a line drawn from the direction of light
rays at the light source and a line perpendicular to the ground from
the light source, above which no light is emitted. (See Appendix B.)
A facility, licensed by the commonwealth, located within
a building that is not used as a dwelling unit, for the care, on a
regular basis, during part of a twenty-four-hour day of children under
the age of 16 or handicapped or elderly persons.
See "family day-care home."
Any uncovered outdoor living area, without a roof, in excess
of 24 square feet constructed on or above the surface of the ground.
See "dwelling unit density."
Any landowner, or agent of such landowner, or tenant, with
the permission of such landowner, who makes or causes to be made a
subdivision of land or a land development.
Any man-made change to an improved or unimproved land or
water area, including, but not limited to, construction of buildings
or structures or additions thereto, mining, dredging, filling, grading,
paving, excavation or drilling operations.
The written and graphic materials describing a development,
including a plat of subdivision, a planned residential development,
all covenants relating to use, location and bulk of buildings and
other structures, intensity of use or density of development, streets,
ways, parking facilities, common open space and public facilities.
A curb cut on a private driveway leading directly to a public
street right-of-way. In the case of the requirement for direct vehicular
access to an arterial or collector street, the point of access shall
be onto the arterial or collector street without traversing any other
public street right-of-way.
See "zoning district."
Animals, fish or fowl customarily found in a dwelling and
kept for company or pleasure, including, but not limited to, dogs
and cats, provided there is not a sufficient number to constitute
a kennel, as herein defined; hamsters, parakeets or canaries and similar
small animals or birds, but not including any exotic animals such
as lions, tigers, bears, ocelots or other feral cats or poisonous
snakes, alligators, monkeys or other animals normally found in a zoo;
nor any horses, pigs or other fowl or livestock customarily found
on a farm.
Any principal use or accessory use that involves a window,
service lane, bay or other facility where customers are provided services
either inside or outside their vehicles and where cars may or may
not wait in line to access these services, including, but not limited
to "drive-in" or "drive-through" windows at fast food restaurants,
banks or other businesses, exterior automated teller machines (ATMs),
quick oil change facilities, car washes and similar automotive services
and other such facilities.
A private vehicular way providing access between a street
and a parking area or garage located on a lot.
A building designed exclusively as living quarters for one
or more families, including single-family, two-family, triplex, fourplex,
modular and multifamily dwellings, group care facilities, personal
care boarding homes and transitional dwellings, but not including
hotels, motels or boarding houses.
The following dwelling types are included in this chapter:
SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGA detached residential building that is the only principal structure on the lot, designed exclusively for occupancy by one family, as defined herein, and containing one dwelling unit.
TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGA residential building that is the only principal structure on the lot, designed exclusively for occupancy by two families living independently of each other, and containing two dwelling units, each with a separate entrance directly to the outside, including double houses and duplexes.
TRIPLEXA residential building designed exclusively for occupancy by three families living independently of each other, containing three dwelling units, each having independent access directly to the outside and having no other units above or below, which units are attached at right angles to one another with the entrance to each unit facing a different direction.
FOURPLEXA residential building designed exclusively for occupancy by four families living independently of each other, containing four dwelling units, each having independent access directly to the outside and having no other units above or below, which units are attached at right angles to one another with the entrance to each unit facing a different direction.
MULTIFAMILY DWELLINGA residential building designed exclusively for occupancy be three or more families living independently of each other and containing three or more dwelling units, including triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, garden apartments, mid-rise apartments and high-rise apartments.
GARDEN APARTMENTA multifamily residential building no more than three stories in height containing three or more dwelling units that share a common entrance to the outside, usually through a common corridor, and which dwelling units may have other dwelling units either above or below them.
MID-RISE APARTMENTA multifamily residential building containing at least four but no more than six stories.
HIGH-RISE APARTMENTA multifamily residential building containing at least seven but no more than 10 stories.
GROUP CARE FACILITYA group living arrangement licensed by the commonwealth that provides room and board and specialized services to permanent residents that exceed the number authorized in the definition of family or that fail to meet the criteria for the group living arrangement established in the definition of family, including residents adjudicated by the Court system, but not including any short-term or transient residents as regulated by the definition of transitional dwelling or alternative housing and education facility for nonviolent offenders.
MODULAR DWELLINGA single-family dwelling that is delivered to its site in at least two sections that are set upon a permanent foundation and the sections joined together. Such dwellings shall be certified as meeting the minimum standards for manufactured housing in Pennsylvania. Modular dwellings shall be permitted wherever single-family dwellings are allowed, provided they are installed on a permanent foundation and connected to all available utilities.
PERSONAL CARE BOARDING HOMEA dwelling licensed by the commonwealth where room and board is provided to more than three permanent residents, who are not relatives of the operator, excluding any residents adjudicated by the Court system, and who are mobile or semimobile and require specialized services for a period exceeding 24 consecutive hours in such matters as bathing, dressing, diet and medication prescribed for self-administration, but who are not in need of hospitalization or skilled nursing or intermediate nursing care.
TOWNHOUSEA multifamily residential building, other than a triplex or fourplex, no more than 2Â 1/2 stories in height that contains at least three but no more than eight dwelling units, each of which are separated from the adjoining unit or units by a continuous, unpierced vertical wall extending from the basement to the roof, each unit having independent access directly to the outside and having no other units above or below.
TRANSITIONAL DWELLINGA dwelling unit occupied on a short term basis by persons other than those assigned by a court of law, who are referred by a public, semipublic or nonprofit agency, and managed by a public, semipublic or nonprofit agency responsible for the occupants' care, safety, conduct, counseling and supervision for a specified period of time, including alcoholic recovery, shelters for battered persons and their children, maternity homes, community reentry services following incarceration, and other such short-term supervised assignments, but not including correctional facilities or alternative housing and educational facilities for nonviolent offenders, as defined herein.
Two or more rooms designed for or occupied by one family
only and containing sleeping facilities, cooking and food storage
facilities, and, in a separate room, toilet, and tub or shower, with
hot and cold water supply, all for the exclusive use of the family
occupying the dwelling unit.
The number of dwelling units authorized by this chapter per
acre of land.
A right-of-way or other right to use property granted by
the property owner to another, such as for access, drainage, utility
lines, slope or other purposes.
Retail businesses selling food and drink for consumption
on the premises, including bars or taverns, fast service restaurants
and full service restaurants.
An establishment that provides training to individuals or
groups in specialized recreational activities or avocations, including,
but not limited to dance, gymnastics, martial arts, photography, arts
and crafts and similar pursuits.
An area of land devoted to the storage, whether temporary
or permanent, of construction equipment, farm equipment or other heavy
equipment or vehicles in excess of 26,000 pounds GVW, all of which
are operable.
A 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.
A person or business association who furnishes, offers to
furnish or advertises to furnish escorts as one of its primary business
purposes for a fee, tip or other consideration.
The provision of distribution and collection systems by public
utilities, regulated by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) or any
agency, franchisee or authority of Elizabeth Township of underground
or overhead gas, electrical, telephone, steam, or water lines, sewers,
fire alarm boxes, traffic signals, hydrants, cable TV (not including
towers) and accessories in connection therewith, reasonably necessary
to furnish adequate services within Elizabeth Township to the general
public.
An individual, or two or more persons related by blood, marriage,
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 arrangement with
supervision, provided that the group living arrangement meets all
of the following criteria:
It provides nonrouting 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 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;
It provides 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;
It does not involve the housing of persons on a transient basis;
It does 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 corrections or similar institution.
Family shall not include persons living together in a group
care facility, personal care boarding home or transitional dwelling,
as defined herein, or any other supervised group living arrangement
for persons not protected by the Fair Housing Act or for any persons
who constitute a direct threat to others or their physical property.
A facility, licensed or approved by the commonwealth, as
required by the laws of the commonwealth, located within a dwelling
in which the operator resides, for the care on a regular basis during
part of a twenty-four-hour day of not more than six children under
16 years of age, including care provided to children who are relatives
of the provider, where such use shall be secondary to the use of the
dwelling for living purposes and shall meet all applicable requirements
for home occupation.
Any lot or group of contiguous lots under single ownership
on which agriculture is carried on as defined by this chapter, and
shall include the residence or residences of owners, occupants or
employees and any accessory farm buildings located on such land.
A structure designed for the purpose of enclosing space or
separating parcels of land. The term "fence or wall" shall not include
retaining walls that are designed and approved in accordance with
the Township Grading Ordinance.[2]
A bank, savings and loan association or similar institution
that lends money or is engaged in a finance-related business.
A building owned and operated by a public agency or a nonprofit
corporation used for the storage of fire trucks, fire-fighting equipment,
ambulances and other emergency medical equipment and the training
of firefighters, paramedics and other medical rescue personnel and
that may or may not include offices, meeting rooms, exercise rooms,
sleeping quarters for the employees or volunteers, kitchen facilities
and a social hall.
See "health club or fitness center."
The sum of all the horizontal floor areas of a building,
measured between exterior faces of walls.
The total floor area of a building designed for tenant occupancy
or accessible to the customers, clients or general public, excluding
storage areas, equipment rooms and common areas such as halls, corridors,
stairwells, elevator shafts, restrooms, interior vehicular parking
and loading areas and similar common areas, expressed in square feet
and measured from the centerline of joint partitions and exteriors
of outside walls.
The management of forests and timberlands when practiced
in accordance with accepted silvicultural principles, through developing,
cultivating, harvesting, transporting and selling trees for commercial
purposes which does not involve any land development.
See Subsection D under "dwelling types."
See "building line, front."
See "lot line, front."
A building used for the embalming of deceased human beings
for burial and for the display of the deceased and ceremonies connected
therewith before burial or cremation and which may include a crematory
as an accessory use.
An accessory building or a portion of the principal building,
not accessible to the general public and designed or used for shelter
or storage of private vehicles and personal property of the occupants
of the principal building.
A building, other than a private garage, containing two or
more parking spaces accessible to the general public used for the
storage or parking of motor vehicles, or where such vehicles are kept
for remuneration, hire or sale, but not including the repair of vehicles
or the storage of dismantled or wrecked motor vehicles.
See "vehicle repair garage."
See Subsection F under "dwelling types."
A retail establishment that sells flowers, plants, trees
and other natural flora and products that aid their growth and care
and which may include a greenhouse or the growing of plant material
outside on the lot.
A retail business that offers a sampling of a wide variety
of merchandise categories, including, but not limited to, automotive,
apparel, garden center, cards and gifts, crafts, groceries, drugs
and sundries, jewelry, hardware, household home decorating items,
furnishings, pet supplies, small appliances, sporting goods, toys
and similar products.
A recreational facility that has a course, with a minimum
of nine regulation-size holes for playing golf as its principal use
and that may have a clubhouse, locker rooms, restaurant, swimming
pool, pro shop, facilities for racquet sports, maintenance facilities
and similar facilities as accessory uses.
The sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors
of a building measured between exterior faces of walls.
See Subsection I under "dwelling types."
Total floor area of all rooms in a dwelling excluding laundry,
kitchen, bathrooms, closets, pantries or other storage areas, hallways,
garage and basement recreation areas.
Any of the following materials or substances: acetone, ammonia,
benzene, calcium carbide, carbon disulfide, celluloid, chlorine, hydrochloric
acid, hydrocyanic acid, magnesium, nitric acid, nitric oxides, petroleum
products, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulphur, sulphur products,
pesticides, insecticides, fungicides and all poisons, flammable gases
and radioactive substances.
A commercial recreational enterprise or private club that
has as a principal use a gymnasium, swimming pool or other sports
facility and that may offer massages, whirlpool baths, steam rooms,
saunas and/or medical facilities as accessory uses to the principal
use.
The mechanical or chemical transformation of raw materials
or substances into new products or other raw materials or any manufacturing
process not included in the definition of "light manufacturing" or
"high technology industries."
See "building height."
The vertical distance measured from the average elevation
of the finished grade around the structure to the highest point on
the structure.
The assembly of component parts or the production of finished
products, excluding any process that involves toxic or highly volatile
substances, including computer components and accessories; electrical
parts, accessories and equipment; laboratory apparatus; robotics;
optical instruments; precision instruments; surgical, medical and
dental instruments and supplies; timers and timepieces; search detection
and navigational equipment; musical instruments and photographic equipment
and accessories.
See Subsection H under "dwelling types."
An accessory use of a service character other than a no-impact
home-based business, conducted entirely within a dwelling by the residents
thereof, which use is clearly secondary to the use of the dwelling
for living purposes and does not, in any way, change the character
of the dwelling.
See "no-impact home-based business."
The science and art of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers
and ornamental plants.
An establishment licensed by the commonwealth for the care
of human patients suffering from physical or mental illnesses, and
that may or may not include facilities for major surgery and that
may be publicly or privately owned.
See "animal hospital."
See "motel/hotel."
Surfaces with a coefficient of runoff greater than 0.85,
including all buildings, roofed areas, parking areas, driveways, streets,
sidewalks and areas paved in concrete and asphalt and any other areas
determined by the Township Engineer to be impervious within the meaning
of this definition.
The percentage of the total lot area covered by impervious
surfaces, as defined herein.
See "development."
Any premises devoted wholly or in part to the storage, buying
or selling, salvaging, recycling or otherwise handling or dealing
in scrap metals, building materials, scrapped or used appliances or
other household goods, fixtures, vehicles and vehicle parts, machinery
and machinery parts or other forms of discarded materials.
A structure and/or premises where dogs and/or cats are kept,
bred, trained or boarded for profit.
The 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,
whether proposed initially or cumulatively; or
A single nonresidential building on a lot or lots regardless
of the number of occupants or tenure, including any change of use
or structural alteration that results in an increase in total lot
coverage by structures and/or paving of 5,000 square feet or more;
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.
A plan prepared in accordance with the application requirements
of the Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance[3] for approval of a land development, as defined herein.
A construction/demolition waste landfill or a municipal waste
landfill.
A facility using land exclusively for the disposal of construction/demolition
waste. The term includes land affected during the lifetime of the
operations, including, but not limited to, areas where disposal activities
actually occur, support facilities, borrow pits, offices, equipment
sheds, air and water pollution control and treatment systems, access
roads, associated onsite contiguous collection, transportation and
storage facilities, closure and post-closure care and maintenance
activities and other activities in which the natural land surface
has been disturbed as a result of or incidental to the operation of
the facility.
A facility using land for disposing of municipal waste. The
facility includes land affected during the lifetime of the operations
including, but not limited to, areas where disposal or processing
activities actually occur, support facilities, borrow areas, offices,
equipment sheds, air and water pollution control and treatment systems,
access roads, associated on-site and contiguous collection, transportation
and storage facilities, closure and post-closure care and maintenance
activities and other activities in which the natural land surface
has been disturbed as a result of or incidental to operation of the
facility. This term does not include a construction/demolition waste
landfill.
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of land, including
the holder of an option or contract to purchase (whether or not such
option or contract is subject to any condition), a lessee if he is
authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner,
or other person having a proprietary interest in land.
A plan prepared by a person knowledgeable in the characteristics
of plant materials and the proper techniques for installing and maintaining
them, including a registered architect or landscape architect or a
member of the American Nurserymen's Association, identifying each
tree and shrub by size, type and scientific name; the location of
each, including a planting diagram; and such other diagrams or reports
as are necessary to show the method of planting, staking and mulching,
grass seeding specifications and mixtures and existing trees to be
preserved, if any.
The processing and fabrication of certain materials and products
where no process involved will produce noise, vibration, water pollution,
fire hazard or noxious emissions which will disturb or endanger neighboring
properties. Light manufacturing includes, but is not limited to, 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 nonferrous metal castings,
film processing, light sheet metal products, plastic goods, pharmaceutical
goods, food products, not including animal slaughtering, curing or
rendering of fats, and similar activities.
An area within a principal building or on the same lot with
the principal building designed in accordance with the requirements
of this chapter and used for the standing, loading or unloading of
tractor-trailer trucks.
Any street in the Township not defined by this chapter as
an arterial or collector street.
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by
a plat or otherwise as permitted by law to be used, developed or built
upon as a unit.
The total area within the lot lines, excluding the area within
any street right-of-way.
That portion of the lot area covered by all principal and
accessory structures expressed as a percentage.
That portion of the lot that adjoins the street right-of-way
or through which access is provided to a public street.
A line of record bounding a lot which divides one lot from
another lot or from a public or private street or other public space.
That lot line which is generally opposite the front lot line.
Any lot line which is not a front lot line or rear lot line.
That lot line which is contiguous with the street right-of-way
line or in the case where the lot line is contiguous with the street
centerline, the front lot line shall be considered to be coterminous
with the street right-of-way line. In the case of a lot which has
no frontage on a street, the front lot line shall be the lot line
through which vehicular access is provided, regardless of which way
the dwelling faces.
Any lot which, individually, or as part of a subdivision,
has been recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Allegheny
County.
The straight line distance between the point of intersection
of the front building line with the side lot lines.
See "corner lot."
A factory built single-family dwelling that meets the National
Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act (42 U.S.C.
§ 5401) of 1976 intended for permanent occupancy and having
a minimum floor area of 720 square feet.
The mechanical or chemical transformation of raw materials
or substances into new products or other raw materials, including
the assembling of component parts, the manufacturing of products and
the blending of materials into finished or semifinished products.
See "heavy manufacturing."
See "light manufacturing."
A facility for the storing, servicing, fueling, berthing
and securing of boats that may or may not include eating, sleeping
and convenience retail facilities for boat owners, crew and guests.
Any establishment or business which provides the services
of massage and body manipulation, including exercises, heat and light
treatments of the body, and all forms and methods of physiotherapy,
unless operated by a medical practitioner, chiropractor or professional
physical therapist licensed by the commonwealth. This definition does
not include an athletic club, health club, school, gymnasium, reducing
salon, spa or similar establishment where massage or similar manipulation
of the human body is offered as an incidental or accessory service.
A voluntary negotiating process in which parties to a dispute
mutually select a neutral mediator to assist them in jointly exploring
and settling their differences, culminating in a written agreement
which the parties themselves create and consider acceptable.
Any establishment, including mobile diagnostic units, where
human patients receive medical, dental, chiropractic, psychological
and surgical diagnosis, treatment and counseling under the care of
a group of licensed medical doctors and dentists and their supporting
staff, where said patients are not provided with board or room or
kept overnight on the premises.
One or more administrative offices of individual doctors,
dentist, chiropractors or other medical practitioners and their supporting
staffs where human patients receive diagnosis, treatment and counseling.
A facility licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health
to use the drug methadone in the treatment, maintenance and detoxification
of persons.
See Subsection G under "dwelling types."
Any extraction of any mineral for sale or other commercial
purpose which involves removal of the surface of the earth or exposure
of the mineral or subsurface of the earth to wind, rain, sun or other
elements of nature. The term "mineral" includes, but is not limited
to, anthracite and bituminous coal, lignite, limestone and dolomite,
sand, gravel, rock, stone, earth, slag, ore, vermiculite, clay and
other mineral resources, excluding mining activities carried out beneath
the surface of the earth by means of shafts, tunnels or other underground
mine openings.
A building or group of buildings in a controlled access and
fenced compound that contains various sizes of individual, compartmentalized
and controlled access stalls and/or lockers leased to the general
public for a specified period of time for the dead storage of personal
property.
A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for permanent
occupancy, contained in one unit, or in two or more units designed
to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated
for repeated towing, which arrives at a site complete and ready for
occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations,
and constructed so that it may be used without a permanent foundation.
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.
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 of mobile homes.
The temporary use of a dwelling unit in an approved plan
that is under construction for the purpose of marketing dwelling units
to be constructed.
See Subsection J under "dwelling types."
An establishment which offers transient overnight lodging
accommodations, including extended stays, to the general public and
which also may provide additional supporting services such as restaurants,
meeting rooms, recreation facilities and living quarters for a resident
manager or proprietor.
See Subsection E under "dwelling types."
An establishment operated by a public agency or a nonprofit
organization devoted to the procurement, preservation, study and display
of documents, artifacts, memorabilia or other objects of social, historical
or cultural significance.
Electric power generating plants and ancillary systems and
structures as required for steam and combustion turbines, fuel cells,
energy storage systems and other technologies as required to produce
and manage electric power on a utility scale of 10 megawatts or more
for wholesale and/or retail consumption using natural gas energy sources.
Ancillary systems include but are not limited to water supply, treatment
and storage infrastructure, wastewater treatment, storage and discharge,
fuel supply infrastructure, temporary backup fuel supply, electric
substations, cooling systems, emission controls, stormwater management,
security systems, administration, and warehouse and maintenance facilities.
[Added by Ord. No. 940, 12/20/2018]
An indoor or outdoor place devoted to the study of the history
and sciences related to the physical environment.
An area of land protected either by governmental ownership
or by conservation easements where human activities are limited and
the existing natural habitats and environment are protected from man-made
changes.
A paved or unpaved pathway through a natural area used for
observing birds, animals and plant materials in their natural habitat
or environment.
See "floor area, net."
A business or commercial activity administered or conducted
as an accessory use which is clearly secondary to the use as a residential
dwelling and which involves no customer, client or patient traffic
(whether vehicular or pedestrian), nor any pick-up, delivery or removal
functions to or from the premises in excess of those normally associated
with residential use.
Any lot, the area or dimension of 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 reasons of such adoption or amendment.
Any sign which was lawfully erected and maintained prior
to the adoption or amendment of this chapter, which fails to conform
to all applicable regulations and restrictions of this article.
A structure or part of a structure which does not comply
with the applicable area and bulk provisions of this chapter or amendment
heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such structure lawfully existed
prior to the enactment of this chapter or an amendment thereto, or
prior to the application of this chapter or amendment to its location
by reason of annexation. Nonconforming signs are included in this
definition.
A use, whether of land or of a 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 an amendment thereto, or prior
to the application of this chapter or amendment to its location by
reason of annexation.
Any place where a person who appears in a state of nudity,
or who displays specified anatomical areas and is provided to be observed,
sketched, drawn, painted, sculptured, 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 education programs in which credits are
transferable to a college, junior college or university supported
entirely or partly by taxation; or in 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; and
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.
The 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 discernible turgid state.
An institution licensed by the commonwealth for the care
of human patients requiring skilled nursing or intermediate nursing
care, but not including facilities for major surgery or care and treatment
of drug or alcohol addiction.
See "business or professional offices."
See "medical offices."
The removal of oil and natural gas resources for sale or
other commercial purposes, including the structures and equipment
necessary to accomplish the removal.
See "common open space."
Any display of merchandise outside an enclosed building which
is offered for sale, regardless of whether the purchase is completed
indoors or outdoors.
See "landowner."
A portion of a lot designated for the parking of motor vehicles
in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
A portion of a garage or parking area designated for the
parking of one motor vehicle in accordance with the requirements of
this chapter.
An authorized use specifically allowed as a matter of right
subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of this chapter
and land development plan approval, if applicable, and review and
approval by the Zoning Officer.
An individual, proprietorship, partnership, corporation,
association or other legal entity.
See Subsection K under "dwelling types."
Any enterprise providing services to a person, their apparel
or personal effects commonly carried on or about their person, including,
but not limited to, shoe repair, tailoring, clothes cleaning, watch
repair, beauty shops, barber shops, tanning and nail salons and the
like.
A business establishment that sells pet food and other pet
care products to the general public and that may offer pet grooming
and limited veterinary services as accessory uses; or a business establishment
that offers services for the bathing and conditioning of domestic
pets or the care during part of a twenty-four-hour day of domestic
pets as a principal use and which may sell food or other pet care
products as an accessory use; provided the uses shall not include
an animal hospital or kennel, as otherwise regulated by this chapter.
An indoor or outdoor space without fixed seating used for
public gatherings for religious, recreational, educational, cultural,
political, social or entertainment purposes.
An area of land, controlled by a 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 in lot size, bulk, type of dwelling, use, intensity,
lot coverage and required open space to the otherwise applicable zoning
district regulations.
A site under single ownership and control which is developed
as a unit for two or more retail businesses in one or more buildings
and designed with shared parking, loading and access facilities and
uniform signage.
The Planning Commission of Elizabeth Township, Allegheny
County, Pennsylvania.
A roofed or uncovered accessory structure without enclosing
walls with an area of more than 24 square feet that is attached to
or part of the principal building and which has direct access to and
from the principal building.
An establishment which offers private educational services
to children who are under the minimum age for education in public
schools.
The building structure in which the principal use is conducted.
The primary or predominant use to which the property is or
may be devoted, and to which all other uses on the premises are accessory.
An establishment engaged in commercial or job printing, including
offset printing, engraving, photolithographing, and publishing and
binding books, newspapers, pamphlets and other printed materials.
Owned, operated and controlled by an individual, group of
individuals, association or corporation, not for profit, and restricted
to members and their guests.
Any establishment operated by a private organization for
social, recreational, educational, fraternal or sororal purposes,
which is open only to members and their guests and not to the general
public.
See "garage, private."
See "recreation, private."
The keeping of horses and/or ponies for personal use and
enjoyment of the residents of the lot, not involving any profit-making
activity.
A street, including the entire private right-of-way, which
is privately owned and maintained and which is intended for private,
rather than public, use.
See "business or professional offices."
Owned, operated or controlled by a government agency, federal,
state, county or local.
See "garage, public."
A forum held pursuant to notice under the Act of July 3,
1986 (P.L. 388, No 84), known as the "Sunshine Act."[4]
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 parking area which is located in a parking structure or
parking garage, which is the principal use on the lot and which may
be operated by either a public agency or private entity, whether for
profit or not, and which is available for use by the general public,
usually for a fee.
A parking area on the surface of the ground which is the
principal use on the lot, which may be operated by either a public
agency or private entity, whether for profit or not, and which is
available for use by the general public, usually for a fee.
See "recreation, public."
Any administrative building, maintenance building, garage
or other structure intended for human occupancy or storage of movable
equipment or any part of the essential public utility installation,
as defined herein, other than the general transmission distribution
system provided by public utilities regulated by the Public Utilities
Commission (PUC) or any agency, franchisee or authority of Elizabeth
Township which is reasonably necessary to furnish adequate services
to the general public both within Elizabeth Township and outside the
Township, including, but not limited to, long-distance transmission
facilities such as electrical power lines or high pressure natural
gas or petroleum lines, switching facilities, substations, treatment
plants, reservoirs, water towers, transmission towers and similar
facilities.
See "commercial indoor recreation."
See "commercial outdoor recreation."
An enterprise operated by an individual or nonprofit association
or corporation, other than a public entity, for the pursuit of sports
and recreational activities, which may be advertised to the general
public, but the use of which is limited to members and their guests
including, but not limited to, such establishments as country clubs,
golf courses, sportsman's club, golf practice facilities, playing
fields, tennis or racquet clubs, swimming pools and similar facilities.
An enterprise owned and operated by a public entity, available
to the general public, whether or not an admission fee is charged,
including either indoor or outdoor facilities for the pursuit of sports,
recreation or leisure activities, including, but not limited to, parks,
playgrounds, playing fields, golf courses, golf or batting practice
facilities, ice rinks, tennis courts, swimming pools and similar facilities.
Retail stores and services that are directly related to the
needs of persons using the recreational facilities on public hiking
or biking trails, Round Hill Regional Park or similar public recreation
facilities, including, but not limited to, concession stands, ice
cream stores, delicatessens or other food services, bicycle rental,
bicycle repair, pro shops, sporting goods rental or sales and similar
uses.
A service establishment providing maintenance and repairs
of personal and household items that can be carried in by hand, including
personal effects (such as jewelry, watches, bicycles), small household
appliances, office equipment, small gasoline engines and similar items,
but not including repair of large appliances, motorized vehicles or
heavy equipment.
Any establishment, including laboratories, 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 supporting storage
and transportation facilities.
An establishment where food and beverages are served for
consumption either on or off the premises and where the primary method
of operation involves the serving of food in edible or disposable
containers.
An establishment where food and beverages are served to customers
at a table or counter by a restaurant employee and where customers
are given an individual menu and/or are offered buffet service which
includes a complete meal. Full-service restaurants may also offer
take-out service as a secondary and minor portion of their operations.
Any establishment not otherwise specifically defined in this
article that sells on the premises commodities and/or services directly
to consumers, but not including the manufacturing or processing of
any products.
A residential development designed primarily or exclusively
for occupancy by elderly or retired persons and that features one
or more of the following special services associated with the needs
of elderly or retired persons such as transportation, limited nursing
facilities, dispensaries, common dining facilities, minimum maintenance,
laundry service, recreation programs, personal services (such as beauty
and barber shops, or cleaner's valet service), florist and/or gift
shop, doctor's offices, branch bank, postal service and similar services
or facilities.
An establishment where horses are boarded and cared for and
where instruction in riding, jumping and showing is offered for a
fee and where horses may be hired for riding.
Land reserved or dedicated for use as a street, crosswalk
or other means of travel, or other public or private purposes, including
existing and future rights-of-way.
A temporary use for the purpose of marketing the dwelling
units in a residential development or the leasable space or other
occupancy in a nonresidential development.
Any premises devoted to the dismantling or wrecking of used
motor vehicles, trucks, trailers, farm equipment or mobile homes or
the storage, sale, crushing or dumping of dismantled or partially
dismantled, obsolete or wrecked vehicles or their parts, but not including
the reassembly of any vehicles or equipment for resale.
A privately operated, for-profit establishment providing
technical or skilled training, vocational or trade educational courses
and programs.
An accredited institution of learning which offers elementary
and secondary level instruction or which offers associate, bachelor
or higher degrees in the several branches of learning required by
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The area required for one individual to sit on as regulated
by the Township Building Code.
See "mini-warehouse or self-storage facility."
See "automobile service station."
Patently offensive representations or descriptions of ultimate
sexual acts, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, and patently
offensive representations, descriptions or acts of masturbation, excretory
functions, homosexuality, sodomy, sexual intercourse or physical contact
with a person's clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks,
or, if such person be female, breast.
A 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 sexual conduct or exposing specified anatomical areas
as defined herein.
See "planned shopping center."
Any structure or device used to attract attention by word
or graphic display.
See definitions for various types of signs in Article XVII.
The area enclosed by one continuous line, connecting the
extreme points or edges of an advertising panel containing letters;
or the sum of the areas of each letter, in the case of freestanding
letters which are mounted on a building wall, rather than painted
on or affixed to an advertising panel. In the case of freestanding
pole or ground signs, this area shall not include the main supporting
sign structure, but shall include all other ornamental attachments
and connecting features which are not part of the main supports of
the sign. In the case of letters which are painted on or affixed to
an awning or canopy, rather than mounted on a wall or affixed to an
advertising panel, the area of the signs shall be the area of the
geometric shape formed by outlining the height and width of all of
the letters, including the space between the individual letters. For
two-sided signs, only one face is counted in computing the surface
area.
See Subsection A under "dwelling types."
A tract of land or one or more contiguous lots proposed for
development.
The total area within the boundary lines of a site proposed
for development, expressed in acres or square feet.
The degree of rise or descent of the land surface calculated
by dividing the number of feet of vertical rise/descent in elevation
by the number of feet of horizontal distance, expressed as a percentage.
See "use by special exception."
Human 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.
Any of the following:
A surfaced outdoor area accessory to a dwelling or dwellings,
used for playing sports, including, but not limited to, tennis, handball,
basketball and similar sports.
See "boarding stable."
See "private stable."
A covered or uncovered porch located at a front, side or
rear door to a dwelling unit not exceeding 24 square feet in area.
That portion of a building included 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 any floor and the ceiling
next above it, excluding cellars.
A public or private recorded right-of-way which affords primary
means of vehicular access to abutting property, but not including
alleys.
The legal right-of-way line which forms the dividing line
between the street and the lot.
A public right-of-way dedicated and open for public use which
has been adopted by the Township, County, commonwealth or other governmental
body.
A change or rearrangement of the structural parts or in the
exit facilities, or an enlargement or diminution of the structure,
whether by extending on the side or increasing the height or depth,
or the moving from one location or position to another.
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location
on or in land or water whether or not affixed to the land.
See "height of structure."
The division of a lot, tract or parcel of land by any means
into two or more lots, tracts or parcels or other division of land
including any changes in existing lot lines for the purpose, whether
immediate or future, of lease, partition by the Court for distribution
to heirs or devisees, transfer of ownership or building or lot development;
provided, however, that the subdivision by lease of land for agricultural
purposes into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new
street or easement of access or any residential dwelling, shall be
exempted.
A commercial establishment engaged in storing and selling
building supplies, industrial supplies or feed and grain primarily
to businesses, rather than the general public.
Any body of water or receptacle for water having a depth
at any point greater than two feet and a surface area greater than
100 square feet, used or intended to be used for swimming or bathing
and constructed, installed or maintained outside any building.
See "bar or tavern."
See "construction trailer, temporary."
Any use or structure that is intended to be used either on
a seasonal basis, during the time of construction and completion of
an approved development or for any other period of time that is six
months or less.
See Subsection L under "dwelling types."
The Township of Elizabeth, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
A study prepared by a qualified traffic engineer in accordance
with the technical requirements specified in the Township Subdivision
and Land Development Ordinance[5] analyzing the expected trip generation from a proposed
development using the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
current standards and the impact of the traffic generated by the proposed
development on the capacities and levels of service of all streets
and intersections in the vicinity of the site.
See "biking/hiking trail," "bridle trail," "nature trail."
See Subsection M under "dwelling types."
See Subsection C under "dwelling types."
An establishment engaged in the rental, sale and/or service
of vehicles in excess of 26,000 pounds GVW and/or any other heavy
equipment, including, but not limited to, construction or farm equipment,
whether or not the equipment is classified as a motor vehicle.
A facility to accommodate the fueling, routine maintenance
and storage of trucks and other motorized equipment and trailers and
which may provide warehousing and transfer facilities, as accessory
uses.
See Subsection B under "dwelling types."
The purpose, business or activity for which any land or structure
is utilized.
A use authorized by this chapter which may be granted only
by the Zoning Hearing Board following a public hearing subject to
express standards and criteria contained in this chapter.
A departure from the specific regulations of this chapter
which may be granted by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with
the criteria established by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning
Code (Act 247, as amended)[6] for a particular piece of property which because of special
circumstances applicable to it, cannot be developed in compliance
with the literal terms of this chapter without undue physical hardship.
An establishment engaged in the retail sales and installation
of accessories for trucks, automobiles and motorcycles, including,
but not limited to, such items as tires, hubcaps, mirrors, seat covers,
floor mats, tonneau covers, truck caps, windshield wipers, trim packages,
running boards and the like, but not including any mechanical parts.
The rental, sales and service of automobiles, motorcycles
and trucks under 26,000 pounds GVW, but not including any heavy equipment
or any other vehicle or equipment which is not classified as a "motor
vehicle" under the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code.[7]
A building, or part thereof, used for the servicing and repair
of motor vehicles, including engine overhaul, body work and recapping/retreading
of tires and where all storage of parts and dismantled vehicles and
all repair work are conducted entirely inside a "completely enclosed
building," as defined by this chapter.
Structures and appurtenant facilities to permit the introduction
of air, or evacuation of air and other gases, from underground coal
mines, and whether or not there shall be incorporated in said structures
and appurtenant facilities emergency escape facilities for men, and
also whether or not certain of the functions permitted for bore holes
shall also be incorporated.
An establishment where animals are examined and treated by
veterinarians and which may include indoor kennels for temporary boarding
of animals during treatment.
Booths, stalls, partitioned portions of a room, cubicles,
compartments, rooms or other enclosures which are available to members
of the public, patrons or members for viewing (1) films, movies, videos
or visual reproduction of any kind depicting or describing "specified
sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas," or (2) 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," as defined by this chapter.
A building used for the storage and handling of freight or
merchandise, but not including the maintenance or fueling of commercial
vehicles. Warehousing which is incidental to retail sales and which
does not constitute in excess of 30% of the total floor area of the
retail establishment shall be excluded from this definition.
An establishment engaged in selling merchandise to retailers,
institutional, commercial or professional business customers or other
wholesalers, rather than to the general public, or acting as a broker
for such merchandise sales.
A required open space located on a lot which is unobstructed
by any portion of a principal structure, other than certain projections
expressly permitted by this chapter.
A yard extending between the side lot lines across the full
lot width from the front lot line to a line parallel to the front
lot line known as the front building line, the minimum horizontal
distance required by this chapter.
A yard extending across the rear of the lot between the required
side yard lines parallel to the rear lot line, the minimum horizontal
distance required by this chapter.
A yard extending from the required front building line to
the rear lot line parallel to the side lot line, the minimum horizontal
distance required by this chapter.
A change to the text of this chapter or to the Zoning District
Map proposed for adoption by the Board of Commissioners pursuant to
the procedures specified in this chapter.
A document issued by the Zoning Officer indicating that approval
of a conditional use has been granted by the Board of Commissioners,
or approval of a use by special exception has been granted by the
Zoning Hearing Board or approval has been granted by the Zoning Officer
for a permitted use by right, pursuant to the procedures of this chapter
indicating compliance with all applicable requirements of this chapter,
which approval is prerequisite to the issuance of a building permit
and/or certificate of occupancy, but which does not include approval
of the structural integrity of the proposed construction or the materials
or methods of construction proposed.
An area accurately defined as to boundaries and location
on the Zoning District Map and within which area only certain types
of land uses are permitted and within which other types of land uses
are excluded, as set forth in this chapter.
The official map delineating the zoning districts of Elizabeth
Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, together with all amendments
subsequently adopted which is incorporated in and made a part of this
chapter by reference thereto.
The Zoning Hearing Board of the Township of Elizabeth, Allegheny
County, Pennsylvania.
That person appointed by the Elizabeth Township Board of
Commissioners and charged with the responsibility of administering
and enforcing this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said appendix is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[4]
Editor's Note: See 65 Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq.
[6]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[7]
Editor's Note: See 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq.
