As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ABANDONED SIGN
A sign which has not identified or advertised a current business, service, owner, product, or activity for a period of at least 180 days.
[Added 5-16-2018 by Ord. No. 1005]
ACCESSORY BUILDING
A building subordinate in size and location to the principal building on a lot and used for purposes customarily incidental to those located in the principal building.
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT
A self-contained dwelling unit that results from the creation of a dwelling unit within a detached accessory structure, and which is complete with food preparation and bathroom facilities, has direct access to the outdoors or to a hall from which there is direct access to the outdoors, and is accessory to the principal dwelling unit that exists on the property.
[Added 4-21-2022 by Ord. No. 1043]
ACCESSORY USE
A use located on the same lot with a principal use and incidental or subordinate to and in connection with the principal use.
[Amended 5-16-2018 by Ord. No. 1005]
ADDITION
An extension or increase in interior or exterior floor area of a principal building, including outdoor decks, or height of a building or structure.
ADDRESS SIGN
A sign, generally applied to a building wall that displays a building's address.
ADULT STORE
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
A. 
A business that is devoted to, marketed as, or primarily designed for or engaged in the sale or rental for any form of consideration, any one or more of the following:
(1) 
Books, magazines, periodicals or other printed matter or photographs, films, movies, digital files, video reproductions, slides, or other visual representations, either in print or electronic form, which depict or describe specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas. A business that possesses less than 5% of inventory/stock of such items in relation to the remainder of its inventory/stock, and is otherwise not devoted to, marketed as, or primarily designed for or engaged in the sale or rental of such adult items, shall not be considered an adult store; or
(2) 
Instruments, devices, games, toys, or paraphernalia which are designed for use in connection with specified sexual activities.
B. 
A business may have business purposes that do not involve the offering for sale or rental of material depicting or describing specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas and still be categorized as an adult store if such business otherwise meets this definition. Such other business purposes alone will not serve to exempt such commercial establishment from being categorized as an adult store.
ADULT THEATER
An enclosed building that is devoted to, marketed as, or primarily designed for or engaged in, whether as its primary use or as an accessory use, presenting material or performances, live or recorded, distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or related to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas for observation by patrons therein.
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
ADULT USES
The following uses: an adult store, adult theater, or cabaret.
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
ALLEY
A vehicular way located to the rear of lots providing access to service areas, parking, and accessory buildings or containing utility easements.
ALTERATION
As applied to a principal building, a change or rearrangement in structural parts visible on the exterior of the building, openings for windows and doors, or the moving of a building from one location to another.
ANIMATED SIGN
A sign which includes action, motion, or color changes, or the optical illusion of action, motion or color changes, including signs set in motion by movement of the atmosphere or made up of a series of sections that turn. An animated sign exists whenever such sign contains kinetic or illusionary motion.
[Added 5-16-2018 by Ord. No. 1005]
APARTMENT BUILDING
A building containing only multiple family dwelling units.
APEX
The highest point of a sign as measured from the point on the ground where its structure is located, or, if no sign structure is present, from the point on the ground directly below the sign itself.
ARCHITECTURAL ELEVATION
See "elevation, architectural."
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
AUTOMOBILE USES
The servicing, repair, renting, or sale of automobiles, including the sale and installation of lubricants, tires, batteries and similar vehicle accessories, which may also include facilities used for polishing, greasing, washing, painting, body work, or cleaning vehicles. The term shall also include automobile tag, title, and registration services, including the transfer and processing thereof.
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
AVERAGE BUILDING HEIGHT
The mean of the building height measurements taken at either two-foot intervals or at one-foot contour lines, measured as the distance between the level of the ground and the roof at that point.
[Added 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028]
AWNING SIGN
Lettering applied directly on the valance or other vertical portion of an awning.
BAIL BOND AGENCY
A business that charges a fee or premium to effectuate the release of an accused defendant or detainee from jail, detention, or incarceration, sells or issues surety bail bonds, or otherwise requests financial security in the form of money or personal or real property to ensure the appearance of a criminal defendant before the courts.
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
BALCONY
An above-grade platform enclosed by a railing, wall, or balustrade that projects from the wall of a building.
BAND SIGN
A sign that is attached flat on the exterior front, rear or side wall of any building or other structure (synonym: wall-mounted sign, fascia sign).
BASEMENT
Any area of a building having its floor below the mean level of ground at the primary frontage line. A basement can be used for any principal or accessory use permitted in the applicable zoning district.
[Added 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028]
BED-AND-BREAKFAST
A building used for the purpose of furnishing temporary lodging to guests, together with food service to such guests.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE (BMP)
Activities, facilities, designs, measures, or procedures used to manage stormwater impacts from earth disturbance to meet commonwealth water quality requirements, to promote groundwater recharge, and to otherwise meet the purposes of Chapter 441, Stormwater Management, this chapter, and/or other regulations. Best management practices are those that use methods recommended by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to protect and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological properties of watercourses and comply with the Borough's Code of Ordinances and DEP's guidance.
[Amended 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
BICYCLE PARKING SPACE
A flat area where one bicycle may be securely stored and conveniently accessed and removed without requiring the movement of other parked bicycles, vehicles, or other objects.
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
BICYCLE PARKING, LONG-TERM
Bicycle parking that is primarily intended for bicyclists who need bicycle parking for more than three hours and is fully protected from the weather.
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
BICYCLE PARKING, SHORT-TERM
Bicycle parking primarily intended for bicyclists who need bicycle parking for three hours or less.
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
BLADE SIGN
A sign mounted on the building facade, projecting at an angle of 90° (synonym: projecting sign).
BLOCK
A unit of land, being a lot or a group of lots, bounded by streets, public parks, railroad rights-of-way, watercourses, boundary lines of the Borough, or by any combination thereof on all sides.
[Amended 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
BLOCK FACE
A unit of land for which the properties have a mailing address for that street within a range of 100 of each other, such as 0 to 99, 100 to 199, 200 to 299; and including only properties on the same side of the street. A block face is generally bounded by streets, open space, railroad rights-of-way, and rear lot lines on all sides, but the numbering of the lots shall prevail as a determiner of the block face boundaries.
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
BOROUGH
The Borough of Narberth, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
BOROUGH COUNCIL
The duly elected Council members for Narberth Borough who have completed their oath of office and are actively serving their terms.
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
BOROUGH ENGINEER
The professional engineer or engineering firm licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, duly appointed as the engineer for the Borough of Narberth.
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
BUFFER AREA
Space on a lot adjacent to the boundary of a property or district without structures.
BUILDING
Any structure having enclosed walls and roof, intended for support or sheltering a use or occupancy, and attached to the land, including mobile homes.
[Amended 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
BUILDING COVERAGE
The building footprint(s) of all principal and accessory buildings on a lot expressed as a percentage of the total lot area.
BUILDING FOOTPRINT
A term used to describe the extent and location of all exterior walls, and the area therein contained, of a building on a lot. For the purposes of this chapter, vertical party walls located on a lot line shall be treated as the limits of building footprint. Decks, porches, and other extensions of a building fixed to the ground shall likewise be included in the total.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The building height shall be measured as the distance between the mean level of the ground as defined for a particular zoning district and a point midway between the highest and the lowest points of the roof.
[Amended 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028]
CABARET
An adult club, restaurant, theater, hall or similar place which may or may not serve alcoholic beverages and features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, or similar entertainers exhibiting specified anatomical areas or performing specified sexual activities, or dancing, performing or acting in a lewd, sexually erotic, exciting, or stimulating manner for patrons or viewers who tip, pay or give any monetary consideration directly or indirectly to such featured dancers or entertainers for such featured entertainment.
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
CARPORT
A structure erected over a driveway, entirely open on at least three sides exclusive of the necessary supporting columns and other customary architectural features.
CARTWAY
The paved portion of a street or alley designed for vehicular use.
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
CHANNEL LETTERS
Three dimensional letters mounted individually to a rail or surface.
CHAPTER
Unless otherwise specified, the term "chapter" shall refer to Chapter 500, Zoning, of Narberth Borough's duly adopted Code of Ordinances, as amended.
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
CHECK CASHING BUSINESS
A business which is not an accredited bank or financial institution subject to federal and state regulations that charges either a flat fee or a fee based on a percentage of the face value of a check to be cashed or processed by such establishment.
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
CHILD-CARE CENTER
A facility which is licensed to provide care for seven or more children at any one time, where the child-care areas are not being used as a family residence.
CHILD-CARE FACILITY
A facility whose owner maintains a certificate of compliance with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare in which children, unrelated to the operator, receive child-care services according to standards of Pennsylvania State law (Title 55 Public Welfare, Part V, Subpart D, Article 1) as defined; child-care centers, group child-care homes, or family child-care homes.
CIVIC INSTITUTIONAL BUILDING
A building originally designed for civic or institutional use, regardless or its current use. This use shall include buildings designed to be used for the assembly of people, governmental administration, emergency services, and libraries, or similar governmental, educational, or cultural functions.
[Amended 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
CIVIC USE
A public or governmental use such as a park, library, or municipal offices. See also "institutional use."
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
CLEARANCE
The height above the walkway, or other surface specified, of the bottom edge of an element.
COMMERCIAL BUILDING
A building with one or more office, professional service, or light industrial use, and no residential uses.
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Real estate, wherein portions are designated for separate ownership and the remainder of which is designated for common ownership by the owners of those portions or a homeowners' association and organized in accordance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Condominium Act (68 Pa.C.S.A. § 3101 et seq.) or the Uniform Planned Community Act (68 Pa.C.S.A. § 5101 et seq.).
[Added 5-16-2018 by Ord. No. 1005]
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Any nonresidential, charitable or nonprofit use provided to the general public, such as a community social group, food pantry, counseling agency, or similar service, and the meeting halls, offices, and facilities that support that use.
[Amended 5-16-2018 by Ord. No. 1005]
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Narberth Borough's most recent duly adopted Comprehensive Plan, as amended.
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
CONDOMINIUM
Real estate, wherein portions are designated for separate ownership and the remainder of which is designated for common ownership solely by the owners of those portions and organized in accordance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Condominium Act. (68 Pa.C.S.A. § 3101 et seq.).
CONTRIBUTING RESOURCE
A building or other physical feature that has been designated as a contributing resource pursuant to Chapter 315, Historic Districts, of the Borough Code.
[Added 5-19-2022 by Ord. No. 1045]
CORNER LOT
See "lot, corner."
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
COTTAGE
A detached house serving as a single-family dwelling and meeting the established locational and dimensional requirements for a cottage.
COURTYARD
A frontage type with an open space along and extending from the primary frontage line.
CURB
The edge of the vehicular pavement that may be raised or flush to a swale and may incorporate the drainage system.
[Amended 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028]
CURB LINE
A line formed by the edge of the nearest curb facing the vehicular lanes. In the absence of a curb, the curb line shall be measured from the nearest edge of the cartway, along which a curb would be otherwise located.
[Added 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028; amended 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
DETACHED HOUSE
A separate or disconnected house designed as a dwelling for fewer than three families.
DRIVEWAY
A privately owned, constructed, and maintained vehicular accessway from a public or private right-of-way to one or more off-street parking or loading spaces, including spaces within a garage.
[Amended 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028; 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
DRY CLEANER
An establishment engaged in one or more of the following, including: dry-cleaning services, laundering services, drop-off and pickup sites for dry-cleaning and/or laundering services, and/or specialty cleaning services for garments and other textile items, whether or not the establishment provides all, some or none of the services on the premises.
[Added 11-20-2018 by Ord. No. 1010]
DWELLING, MULTIPLE-FAMILY
A building or floors permanently occupied by more than two families on one lot, where living areas are completely separated by walls from each other. Common areas, such as laundry facilities, hallways, storage areas, and shared entrance(s) may exist within the structure.
DWELLING, ONE-FAMILY
A building permanently occupied by one family on one lot.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY
A building permanently occupied by two families located on one lot, where living areas are completely separated by walls from each other and each unit has a separate entrance to the outside.
DWELLING UNIT
Any room or group of rooms located within a residential building and forming a single, habitable unit with facilities used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, bathing, cooking and eating by one family.
[Added 4-21-2022 by Ord. No. 1043]
EAVE
The lower edge of a roof that overhangs a wall or porch at the extent of a building's foundation, or in the case of flat roofs, the point where the roof meets an exterior vertical wall.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV)
A motor vehicle that derives all or part of its power from electricity received by plugging the vehicle into an outlet and storing electricity in its batteries. EVs include but are not limited to all-electric vehicles (AEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV).
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION (EVCS)
A public or private parking space that is served by battery charging station equipment that has as its primary purpose the transfer of electric energy (by conductive or inductive means) to a battery or other energy storage device in an EV.
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
ELEVATION
A vertical distance above or below a fixed reference level.
[Amended 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
ELEVATION, ARCHITECTURAL
A flat scale drawing of the front, rear, or side of a building.
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
ENCROACH
To break the plane of a vertical or horizontal regulatory limit with a structural element, so that it extends into a setback or above a height limit.
ENCROACHMENT
Any structural element that breaks the plane of a vertical or horizontal regulatory limit, extending into a setback or above a height limit.
ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
Any building or portion of a building designed for assembly and viewing of live or recorded performing arts.[1]
EXTERIOR ALTERATION
The alteration of any exterior features of a building, such as roof pitch or the size of door and window openings that are visible from any frontage.
FACADE
Any exterior structural walls of a building.
[Amended 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
FACADE AREA
The facade area shall be calculated as the cumulative area of the front facade of a building when viewed as an architectural elevation, including the area of the front facade and the area of all exterior walls that are substantively parallel to the front facade and within six feet of a plane extending the width of the frontage upwards to the maximum height of the building.
[Added 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028; amended 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
FACADE, FRONT
Any exterior walls of a building located at or near the primary frontage line.
[Amended 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056; 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
FACADE, SECONDARY
Specific to corner lots, all aboveground exterior walls of a building's exterior walls which face the adjacent street not faced by the front facade.
[Added 11-20-2018 by Ord. No. 1010; amended 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028]
FAMILY
Any number of individuals living and cooking together as a single housekeeping unit, provided that not more than four of such number are unrelated to all of the others by blood, marriage, or legal adoption, unless a reasonable accommodation is required for compliance with the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.
[Amended 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
FAMILY CHILD-CARE HOME
Any premises or dwelling unit other than the child's own home where the child-care areas are being used as a family residence, operated for profit or not for profit, in which child care is provided at any one time on a regular basis to four, five, or six children, who are not relatives of the caregiver.
FENCE
A structure made of posts, rails, or the like which is a visible barrier that serves as a boundary marker or means of protection, confinement, or separation.
[Amended 11-20-2018 by Ord. No. 1010]
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
An institution (other than a retail bank) that is organized primarily for the purpose of investing and trading of stocks, bonds and other investments, insurance, and advising clients on financial matters.
FLASHING SIGN
A sign which permits light to be turned on or off intermittently, or any illuminated sign on which such illumination is not kept stationary or constant in intensity or color at all times when such sign is in use, including an LED (light-emitting diode) or digital sign. A flashing or message sign occurs whenever such signs include lights or messages which change, flash, blink or turn on and off intermittently, with the exception of such signs which are limited exclusively to time and temperature displays, with no other text or image.
[Added 5-16-2018 by Ord. No. 1005]
FLOOR AREA
The sum of the gross horizontal areas of all floors in a building, measured from the exterior face of exterior walls, or from the center line of a wall separating two buildings. The gross floor area shall include, but is not limited to, atriums, balconies, and other similar interior horizontal areas. The gross floor area shall not include basement areas used exclusively for storage, nor shall it include permitted outdoor or display areas.
[Added 4-21-2022 by Ord. No. 1043]
FRONT LANDING
In the case of buildings with raised entrances, the exterior plane that is connected to and at the same elevation as the first floor of the structure.
FRONTAGE
The area between the front building facade and the curb line, inclusive of its built and planted components. In case of a corner lot or through-block lot, any facade that faces a street shall be considered to have a frontage between the building facade and vehicular lanes.
[Amended 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
FRONTAGE BUILD-OUT
The percentage of a lot width that is occupied by a front building facade at the primary frontage line at ground level. In case of a corner lot or through-block lot, frontage build-out may be required on other frontages that face a street. Any facade that faces a street shall be considered to have a frontage between the building facade and curb line.
[Amended 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028; 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
FRONTAGE LINE
A line parallel or tangent to a street located at a distance equal to the required setback. In the case of an existing building, the frontage line shall be at the existing building facade facing the street.
[Amended 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028; 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
FRONTAGE LINE, PRIMARY
A line parallel or tangent to the street that the front facade faces, located at a distance equal to the required front setback. In case of an existing building, the primary frontage line shall be at the existing front facade.
[Amended 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028; 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
FRONTAGE LINE, SECONDARY
Specific to corner lots, a line parallel or tangent to the secondary street that the secondary facade faces, located at a distance equal to the required setback. In case of an existing building, the secondary frontage line shall be at the existing secondary facade.
[Added 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028; amended 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
FRONTAGE TYPE
A required architectural feature or set of features that is incorporated into the front facade of all principal buildings.
[Added 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028; amended 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
FUELING STATION
An establishment that accommodates or is designed to accommodate the sale of gasoline, diesel fuel, ethanol, or any other fuel for vehicles by dispensing it directly into vehicles or approved containers.
FUNERAL HOME
A building used for the preparation of the deceased for burial and the display of the deceased and rituals connected therewith before burial or cremation. A funeral home shall not include a crematorium.
[Amended 5-16-2018 by Ord. No. 1005]
GABLE
A triangular portion of an end wall between the edges of a sloping roof.
GALLERY
A use within a building where works of art are displayed and sold to the public as a regular business activity.
GAMBREL ROOF
A symmetrical four-sided roof that overhangs a facade and has vertical gable ends. The upper slope is positioned at a shallower angle than the lower slope.
[Amended 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
GARAGE
An enclosed accessory building with a door or part of a principal building used for parking spaces.
GENERAL OFFICE
An office use not otherwise defined as professional office or medical office in this chapter. This use shall include neither retail nor industrial uses, but may include business or vocational training.
GROSS FLOOR AREA
See "floor area."
[Amended 4-21-2022 by Ord. No. 1043]
GROUP CHILD-CARE HOME
A facility in which care is provided for more than six but fewer than 12 children at any one time, where the child-care areas are being used as a family residence.
GUN SHOP
A retail store that is engaged in the selling, leasing, purchasing, or lending of any firearms or ammunition.
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
HABITABLE
Areas within buildings suitable for living for work authorized with a certificate of occupancy by the Building Inspector.
HEDGE
Any continuous line of vegetation which serves as a boundary marker or means of protection or confinement.
HOOKAH BAR
Any establishment that is devoted to, marketed as, or designed for, whether as its primary use or as an accessory use, the on-premises use of smoking through a water pipe with a smoke chamber, a bowl, a pipe and a hose, commonly referred to as a "hookah," and also known as narghile, argileh, shisha, hubble-bubble and goza, or any similar device used for on-premises smoking. The term "hookah bar" includes, but is not limited to, establishments variously known as hookah parlors, hookah cafes, and hookah lounges.
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
IMPERVIOUS COVER
Any area that is covered by material placed on or above the ground that prevents the natural percolation of water. Examples include, but are not limited to, structures (including eaves, roofs, and roof overhangs); paved parking spaces, driveways, and streets; buildings, sidewalks, patios and decks, sport courts, and similar surfaces. Pervious materials, such as gravel, crushed stone, or pavers, without an improved infiltration facility, shall be regarded as impervious cover. Hardscaped areas such as pervious asphalt that are designed to properly infiltrate stormwater and approved by the Borough Engineer may be counted as pervious surface.
[Amended 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028; 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
IMPERVIOUS COVERAGE
The amount of impervious cover on a lot expressed as a percentage of the total lot area.
INFILTRATION FACILITY
A structure or landscape feature that promotes the movement of water into the soil, where it is absorbed by plant roots, evaporated into the atmosphere, or percolates downward to recharge groundwater.
[Amended 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
INSTITUTIONAL USE
A use that serve public or community benefit, including but not limited to: museum; community art, education, health, and recreation; day care; public school; private school; college; university; and place of worship. Properties used for municipal operations are excluded. Institutional uses may be operated by public, private, or not-for-profit organizations.
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
LIVING AREA
Interior spaces of dwellings that include areas for cooking, sleeping, and bathing shared by one family.
LOT
A designated tract, parcel, or unit of land held by a landowner and/or intended for use, development, lease, or transfer of ownership and for which a deed description is recorded or is intended to be recorded at the Office of the Recorder of Deeds for Montgomery County.
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
LOT AREA
The total area of a lot as described on a deed filed with the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds for a particular tax parcel less the area dedicated for public or private vehicular and pedestrian rights-of-way.
LOT, CORNER
A lot which has contiguous frontage on two intersecting streets.
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
LOT LAYER
An area of a lot defined by its distance and limit from the curbline to include both the surface of the lot and the areas above.
[Amended 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028; 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
LOT LINE
A line defining the limits of a property exclusive of areas dedicated to public or private rights-of-way.
MANUFACTURING
The mechanical or chemical transformation of materials or substances into new products, including assembly or component parts and the production or refining of goods, materials or substances into new products.
MARIJUANA DISPENSARY
A person, including a natural person, corporation, partnership, association, trust, or other entity, or any combination thereof, which holds a permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to dispense medical marijuana or otherwise legally dispenses marijuana. The term does not include a health care medical marijuana organization under Chapter 19 of the Medical Marijuana Act.
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
MARQUEE
A projecting structural feature of a building that provides shelter and sign space.
MEDICAL OFFICE
A place where medical or dental care is furnished to persons or animals on an outpatient basis by one or more doctors, dentists or veterinarians, without overnight boarding of animals or outside runs.
MESSAGE BOARD
A sign with changeable text.
MIXED-USE BUILDING
A multistory building that includes two or more uses (as defined by this chapter) from the following list:
[Amended 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
A. 
Residential.
B. 
Office or professional service.
C. 
Retail and light industry.
D. 
Civic or institutional.
MOBILE HOME
A single-family detached dwelling intended for permanent occupancy, which may not meet local building codes but does meet the standards of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, as indicated by the Structural Engineering Bulletin(s) provided to Borough Council by the applicant. It shall be contained in one unit (called a "single-wide") or in two or more units designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated for repeated towing (called a "double-wide"), 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 with or without a permanent foundation. The term shall include any roofed addition such as extra rooms, covered patios, porches, etc.
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
MOBILE HOME PARK
A parcel of land under single ownership which has been planned and improved for the placement of mobile homes for nontransient use consisting of two or more mobile home lots.
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
MULTIFAMILY HOUSE
A building occupied by between two and five dwelling units organized as a single structure with or without a shared entrance to some or all of the dwellings.
[Amended 11-20-2018 by Ord. No. 1010]
MUNICIPALITIES PLANNING CODE
Pennsylvania Act 247 of July 31, 1968, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., as amended. Also referred to as the "MPC" or "Act 247" or the "Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code." This Act establishes the authority for the municipal land use controls in Pennsylvania.
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
MUSEUM
A use within a building where works of art or objects of interest are displayed and viewed by the public, but not offered for sale on a regular basis.
NAMEPLATE
A sign consisting of either a panel or individual letters applied to a building, listing the names of businesses or building tenants.
NO-IMPACT HOME-BASED BUSINESS
A business or commercial activity administered or conducted as an accessory use that is clearly secondary to the use as a residential dwelling and that involves no customer, client or patient traffic, whether vehicular or pedestrian, pickup, delivery or removal functions to or from the premises, in excess of those normally associated with residential use, further defined by Act 247, the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
NONCONFORMING BUILDING
A structure or part of a structure that does not comply with the applicable provisions in a zoning ordinance or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such structure lawfully existed prior to the enactment of such ordinance or amendment.
NONCONFORMING LOT
A lot, the area or dimension of which was lawful prior to the adoption or amendment of a zoning ordinance, but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located by reasons of such adoption or amendment.
NONCONFORMING USE
A use, whether of land or of a building, which does not comply with the applicable use provisions in the zoning ordinance or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such use was lawfully in existence prior to the enactment of such ordinance or amendment.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
An outdoor sign whose message directs attention to a specific business, product, service, event or activity, or other commercial or noncommercial activity, or contains a noncommercial message about something that is not sold, produced, manufactured, furnished, or conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located.
OUTDOOR DISPLAY CASE
A sign consisting of a lockable metal or wood-framed cabinet with a transparent window or windows, mounted onto a building wall or freestanding support.
PARCEL
A legally described piece of land owned and recorded as the property of a single person or entity.
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
PARKING LOT
Any area that is used for the storage of motor or other vehicles. The term shall include parking spaces and parking drive aisles, but not the driveway that connects the parking lot to the street. The terms "parking lot" and "parking area" are interchangeable.
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
PARKING SPACE
An area of a street, parking lot, or garage, whether public or private, intended and used for the storage of one motor vehicle. With respect to parking spaces on lots, a driveway(s) or parking aisles shall provide access to and from the street and be considered separate from the parking spaces.
[Amended 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
PARTY WALL
A continuous vertical wall that is shared by and completely separates two adjacent buildings and shall be located on a lot line.
[Amended 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
PATIO
An open area typically with a hard surface placed upon the ground adjacent or attached to a principal building having no enclosing walls, roof or shelter from the weather.
PAWNSHOP
A business which is engaged to any extent in any of the following business or activities:
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
A. 
The lending of money on the deposit or pledge of personal property, other than chosen in action, securities or written evidence of indebtedness;
B. 
The purchase of personal property either from an individual, another pawn business or any other business with an expressed or implied agreement or understanding to sell it back at a subsequent time at a stipulated price or negotiated price;
C. 
The purchase of personal property either from an individual or another pawn business with an expressed intent of offering the property for resale;
D. 
The lending of money upon personal property, goods, wares or merchandise pledge, stored or deposited as collateral security; or
E. 
The purchase of precious metals by or on behalf of a "cash for gold" or similar operation, excluding the purchase of precious metals at wholesale and excluding a business with a primary purpose being the sale of jewelry.
PAYDAY LENDER
A business where a lender will extend, or will negotiate, arrange, aid or assist a consumer in procuring a "payday loan," "cash advance loan," "check advance loan," or otherwise offer or assist with a short-term credit or a cash advance secured or facilitated by a consumer's personal check that is held for future deposit or by electronic access to the consumer's bank account. The term includes any form of such lending, notwithstanding the presence of some other element introduced to disguise the true nature of the transaction, such as the sale or provision of a good, service or commodity incidental to the advance of funds and notwithstanding the fact that the transaction is conducted in person, by mail, internet or telephone, or through any other means. The term shall not include loans made by the customer's employer or an agent of such employer or by a federally or commonwealth-charted bank, thrift or credit union.
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
PERSONAL CARE
An establishment which offers specialized nonmedically related services generally related to personal needs where the customer area is not separated from the service area. Personal care services include barbershops, beauty shops, hair salons, waxing and hair removal services, nail salons, laundromats, and other similar establishments. These businesses may or may not offer sales of goods in conjunction with personal care services.
[Added 11-20-2018 by Ord. No. 1010; amended 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1058]
PERSONAL EXPRESSION SIGN
An on-premises sign that expresses an opinion, interest, position, or other noncommercial message.
[Added 5-16-2018 by Ord. No. 1005]
PERSONAL SERVICE
Such use shall include businesses which typically offer services in conjunction with the sale of goods. Such uses differ from other retail in that the customer area is separated from the service area, and some form of laboratory, fabrication area, repair area or processing area is necessary. Such use includes but is not limited to photography studio, copying service, tech service repair shops and other similar establishments.
[Amended 11-20-2018 by Ord. No. 1010]
PILASTER
A slightly projecting column that is built into or applied to the face of a wall.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The duly appointed Narberth Borough Planning Commission.
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
PLANTING STRIP
An area of land separating the passable area of a sidewalk from the curb, and consisting of grass, landscaping, trees, and/or utilities as permitted for each location.
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
PORCH
A roofed area that is attached to and has direct access to the principal building.
PORTICO
A roofed area that is attached to and has direct access to the principal building, typically smaller than a porch.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING
The building on a lot that is the largest on a lot and houses the principal use(s).
PRINCIPAL ROAD
A road bordering a property that existing buildings on the block face.
PRINCIPAL USE(S)
The main use(s) of land or structures, as distinguished from an accessory use.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICE
A use that involves the administrative, clerical, real estate, financial, governmental, certain professional operations, or operations of a similar character that are not reasonably expected to result in regular, frequent client/customer visits to the office space. The following uses are specifically excluded from the definition of office use for purposes of this section and shall not be permitted: medical and dental offices, clinics, laboratories, retail, call-centers, vocational training centers, child care, industrial, consumer banking, temporary lodging, photographic studios and/or television or radio broadcasting studios, and personal service or therapeutic uses, including psychological and psychiatric uses.
[Amended 5-16-2018 by Ord. No. 1005]
PROPERTY LINE
The recorded boundary of a lot as described in the deed.
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
REAR STREET
The street or road bordering a property that is on the opposite side of the lot from the principal street.
[Added 5-19-2022 by Ord. No. 1045; amended 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
REGULATED USES
The following uses: bail bond agency, check cashing business, gun shop, hookah bar, pawnshop, payday lender, shooting range, smoke shop, tattoo parlor, any store or restaurant that sells or offers products containing Delta-8 THC (or Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol) or kratom, and/or any business that permits or sanctions off-track betting or gambling on horse racing outside a racetrack.
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
RESTAURANT
A store where prepared food or drink is sold to patrons and consumed on the premises in an area dedicated for this purpose.
RETAIL BANK
A financial or fiduciary institution, including a savings and loan, finance company, credit union and other similar institutions; that has routine interactions with the public and may include automatic teller machines.
RIDGE
The horizontal line along which the tops of the rafters of a roof meet.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
A strip of land occupied or intended to be occupied at some future date by streets, signs, sidewalks, parking meters, electric vehicle charging stations, planting strips, trails, railroads, transmission lines, pathways, utility poles, electrical lines, oil and gas pipelines, water lines, sewer lines, utility improvements, vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic improvements, and other similar facilities.
[Amended 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
ROOF, PRIMARY
Any roof plane whose rafters rest on a load-bearing exterior wall at the height of a first or second floor eave or overhanging a wall or porch.
ROOF, SECONDARY
Any roof plane that is not a primary roof, such as dormer or porch roofs.
ROW HOUSE
A single-family dwelling that shares one or two vertical party walls on a lot line with another dwelling of the same type along the primary frontage line in a group of such dwellings numbering no less than three.
SCHOOL
A building designed and used for human educational purposes, including only the following: preschool, nursery school, elementary and secondary schools, colleges, universities, junior colleges and vocational and technical schools. A school may be either private or public.
SETBACK (FRONT, SIDE, OR REAR)
The area of a lot measured from a lot line to a facade or other exterior wall of the building that is maintained clear of permanent structures, not to include portions of the structure authorized as an encroachment. In Zoning Districts 3a, 3b, 3c, and 5a, the required front setback for new buildings shall be measured from the curbline and shall adhere to the median setback measurements in Table (13).[2]
[Amended 11-20-2018 by Ord. No. 1010; 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028; 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
SHADE TREE
A street tree. See "tree, street."
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
SHARED PARKING
Any off-street parking shared by two or more uses.
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
SHARED PARKING RATIO
An accounting of parking spaces that are available to more than one use on a lot or shared between adjoining lots.
SHED AWNING
An awning with two short sides in addition to the main canopy.
SHINGLE SIGN
A small blade sign usually mounted on the ground floor level displaying a building's professional tenant directory.
SHOOTING RANGE
A place that is designed or intended for the safe discharge, on a regular and structured basis, of firearms for the purpose of target practice or target shooting competitions.
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
SHOPFRONT
A frontage type on the first floor that is primarily transparent and faces a frontage line.
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
SIDEWALK
The paved area for pedestrians adjoining the street within or adjoining the dedicated public right-of-way not including the width of the curb.
SIDEWALK SIGN
A moveable freestanding sign that is typically double-sided, placed at the entrance to a business to attract pedestrians.
SIGN
Any device, structure, fixture, painting, emblem, or visual that uses graphics, colors, illumination, symbols, numbers, or letters for the purpose of communicating a message. Sign includes the sign faces as well as any sign supporting structure.
[Added 5-16-2018 by Ord. No. 1005]
SIGNBAND
The horizontal signage area on a valance or marquee.
SMALL RESTAURANT
A store where prepared food is sold to patrons and consumed on premises in an area dedicated for this purpose that is less than or equal to 500 square feet.
SMOKE SHOP
A retail sales or wholesale establishment primarily engaged or marketed as selling tobacco, tobacco products/accessories, and/or vaping products and accessories. A retail sales or wholesale establishment which maintains 20% or more of its total merchandise as tobacco, tobacco products/accessories, and/or vaping products or accessories shall be considered a tobacco store/smoke shop for the purposes of this chapter. For the purposes of this chapter, a retail or wholesale establishment which holds itself out as, or otherwise promotes or markets itself as, a "tobacco store," a "smoke shop," a "vape shop," a " cigar shop" or a similar establishment, shall also be considered a tobacco store/smoke shop for the purposes of this chapter. Examples of vaping products and accessories referred to in this chapter include, without limitation, e-cigarette or vape cartridges or refills, vaporizers, vape pens, vapor products, hookah pens, electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, e-cigs, e-pipes, and any other electronic nicotine delivery system "ENDS"). ENDS shall be deemed noncombustible tobacco products. Tobacco products and accessories as referred to in this chapter shall include, without limitation, any substance containing tobacco leaf, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco or dipping tobacco, matches, lighters, grinders, hookahs, pipes, chewing tobacco, cigarette rolling machines or papers, ashtrays, pipe tools, pipe supplies and pipe accessories.
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
SPECIFIED ANATOMICAL AREAS
Less than completely and opaquely covered:
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
A. 
Human genitals or pubic region;
B. 
Buttocks or anus; and/or
C. 
Female breasts below a point immediately above the top of the areola.
SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIES
Includes the following:
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
A. 
The fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, anus or female breasts;
B. 
Sex acts, actual or simulated, including intercourse, oral copulation or sodomy;
C. 
Stimulation of human genital organs; or
D. 
Masturbation, actual or simulated.
SPECIMEN TREE
See "tree, specimen."
[Added 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
STOOP
A frontage type, usually elevated above grade, which connects the front door of a building to a sidewalk.
[Amended 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
STORE
Any retail establishment which derives the majority of its gross receipts from selling any merchandise to patrons and includes areas for the display and storage of goods for on-site sale.
[Amended 5-16-2018 by Ord. No. 1005]
STORMWATER
The surface runoff generated by precipitation, snow, or ice melt reaching the ground surface.
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Procedures, infrastructure, and techniques to control water that runs off the surface of the land from precipitation, snow, or ice melt reaching the ground surface.
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY
Any structure, natural or man-made, that, due to its condition, design, or construction, conveys, stores, or otherwise affects stormwater runoff. Typical stormwater management facilities include, but are not limited to, detention and retention basins, open channels, storm sewers, pipes, and infiltration structures.
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
STORY
A habitable floor within a principal building, not to include basements or attics; or in the case of accessory buildings where the accessory use is located.
STREET LINE
The line of dedication in the case of a dedicated street and a line 25 feet each side of the center line in the case of a private road.
STREET or ROADWAY
A general term used to describe a right-of-way, publicly or privately owned, serving as a means of vehicular, pedestrian, and other travel, furnishing access to abutting properties and space for sewers and public utilities. The word "street" includes road, roadway, highway, avenue, boulevard, lane, circle, or expressway. It shall also include the terms "place" or "park" when they are used to reference a paved transportation accessway meeting the definition here. The terms "street," "road," and "roadway" may be used interchangeably. The term "street" does not necessarily include the term "Alley."
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
STREET TREE
See "tree, street."
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
STREET, PRINCIPAL
The street or road bordering a property and onto which a building's front facade faces.
[Added 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028]
STREET, SECONDARY
For corner properties, the street or road onto which a building's secondary facade faces.
[Added 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028]
STRING COURSE
A thin continuous projecting course of brickwork or stone that runs horizontally around a building, typically to emphasize the junction between floors.
STRUCTURE
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
A. 
Any object made by humans having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
B. 
Any form or arrangement of building materials providing support, bracing, tying, anchoring or other protection against the forces of the elements.
STRUCTURED PARKING
Parking spaces in a decked configuration developed at, above or below grade either as an integral part of a principal building or as an accessory building; not including single-level parking within a basement, a garage or the first level of a structure.
[Amended 2-4-2021 by Ord. No. 1028]
STUDIO
An establishment in which fine art or crafts are manufactured and sold to customers, or fine arts training classes are held.
SUBDIVISION
The division, redivision or union of a lot, tract or parcel of land by any means into a new lot, tract or parcel, or multiples thereof, including changes in existing lot lines for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of lease, partition by the court for distribution, transfer of ownership, or of building or land development.
[Amended 5-16-2018 by Ord. No. 1005]
SUN SHADE
A permanently affixed, nonmoveable, and durably constructed shield or canopy projecting from an exterior wall of a building designed to permit maximum solar heating during the shortest day of the year and maximum solar cooling during the longest day of the year.
TATTOO PARLOR
A business which is engaged in any extent in providing customers with tattoos. For purposes of this definition, a "tattoo" is an indelible mark, figure or decorative design introduced by insertions of dyes or pigments into or under the subcutaneous portion of the skin or by the production of scars upon the body of a live human being.
[Added 6-16-2022 by Ord. No. 1048]
TEMPORARY LODGING
A dwelling rented or otherwise used by a family for no more than 30 days in one year.
[Amended 5-16-2018 by Ord. No. 1005]
TEMPORARY MARKET
A transient gathering of retail businesses in a location such as a parking lot or building.
TERRACE
A frontage type usually elevated above grade and open for seating.
[Amended 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
THROUGH-BLOCK LOT
A lot, other than a corner lot, which has frontage on two or more streets, or a corner lot with frontage on three or more streets.
[Added 4-21-2022 by Ord. No. 1043]
TREE, SHADE
A "street tree."
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
TREE, SPECIMEN
A tree that is particularly impressive or an unusual example of its species due to its size, shape, age, or any other trait that epitomizes the character of that species, as determined by the Narberth Borough Shade Tree Commission.
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
TREE, STREET
Any tree with a portion extending within the lines of the ultimate right-of-way of any street or planted in an alternate location as permitted by the Borough's Code of Ordinances.
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1059]
TREE PIT
An excavated opening in the sidewalk for planting trees.
TWIN HOUSE
A pair of single-family dwellings designed as a single structure with substantially similar halves that shares a vertical party wall on a lot line along the primary frontage line.
VALANCE
The portion of an awning that hangs perpendicular to the sidewalk.
WALL
A solid structure used to enclose an area or to retain an adjoining slope.
[Added 11-20-2018 by Ord. No. 1010]
WINDOW SIGN
A sign placed or painted on the interior of a shopfront window or the window of a business door.
YARD SIGN
A permanent freestanding sign in the frontage, including a supporting post or posts.
YARDS (FRONT, SIDE, OR REAR)
The area between a building facade and the lot line.
[Amended 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056]
[1]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "expression line," which immediately followed, was repealed 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 1056.
[2]
Editor's Note: See § 500A-6, Table (13), Front Yard Setbacks by Block.