[Amended 11-9-2020 by Ord. No. 02-2020; 2-8-2021 by Ord. No. 02-2021]
For the purpose of this chapter, words used in the present tense shall include the future. The singular number shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. The masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter. The word "shall" is always mandatory. The word "building" includes "structure" and shall be construed as if followed by the words "or any part thereof." The phrase "used for" includes "arranged for," "person" includes an individual, corporation, partnership, incorporated association, or any other legal entity. The word "includes" or "including" shall not limit the term to the specified example, but is intended to extend its meaning to all other instances of like kind and character. Except as defined within this chapter, all words and phrases shall have their normal meanings and usage.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACCESSORY SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM (ASES)
A solar collection system principally used to capture solar energy, convert it to electrical energy or thermal power, and supply electrical or thermal power for on-site use. An ASES consists of one or more free-standing ground, roof-mounted, or wall-mounted solar arrays or modules, or solar related equipment and is intended to primarily reduce on- site consumption of utility power or fuels. An ASES must be accessory to the principal use of the subject property.
[Added 10-10-2022 by Ord. No. 04-2022]
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
A building or structure subordinate and incidental to, and located on the same lot as, a principal building and used for an accessory use.
ACCESSORY USE
A use incidental and subordinate to and located on the same lot occupied by the principal use to which it relates.
AGRICULTURAL SERVICES
Business selling goods or services to a substantially agricultural clientele, including feed mills, seed sales, feed grinding services, and agricultural implement dealers. This category does not include slaughterhouses or dead animal reduction plants.
AGRICULTURE
The science and art of farming, the work of cultivating the soil, producing crops and livestock. Any agricultural use, including farming, dairying, pasturage, aquaculture, horticulture, floriculture, viticulture, horse keeping, animal and poultry husbandry, and forestry (including the harvesting of timber). Agriculture also includes the home sale of fruits, meats, vegetables and similar agricultural produce.
AIRPORT
A place licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Aviation, where fixed-wing aircraft land and take off on designated and/or improved runways, including hangars and facilities for refueling and repair and that may include accommodations for passengers.
AISLE
A paved area, of a minimum width specified by this chapter, which 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.
ALTERATION
As applied to a building or structure, means a change or rearrangement in the structural parts or exit facilities, or an enlargement, whether by extending on a side, front or rear or by increasing in height, or the moving from one location to another.
ALTERATION, STRUCTURAL
Any change in the supporting members of a building such as bearing walls, columns, beams, girders or foundations.
ALTERNATIVE FUEL SERVICE STATION
Any one of the following:
A. 
Electric vehicle charging stations;
B. 
Fast-filled compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle refueling station;
C. 
Hydrogen vehicle refueling station; and/or
D. 
Liquefied petroleum gas (propane) vehicle refueling station.
AMENDMENT
Any addition, deletion or revision of the ordinance text or map officially adopted by the Board of Supervisors after public hearings.
APARTMENT
A room or suite of rooms in a multifamily structure, which is designed for use as a single housekeeping unit and which contains a functional kitchen, bath and toilet facilities, permanently installed.
APPLICANT
A landowner or developer, as hereinafter defined, who has filed an application for development including his heirs, successors and assigns.
APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT
Every application, whether preliminary, tentative or final, required to be filed and approved prior to start of construction or development including but not limited to an application for a building permit, for the approval of a subdivision plat or plan for the approval of a development plan.
ARTERIAL STREET
A road or street whose primary function is to move traffic through intercity or interstate transit, including any road or street identified as such by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation map and classification system, or the Robinson Township Comprehensive Plan.
AUTO SALES AND SERVICE
A business engaged in the repair, maintenance and sales of motor vehicles licensed to travel the highways of the commonwealth.
BANK
Any institution that lends money or is engaged in a finance-related business, including but not limited to a bank, savings-and-loan association, mortgage or finance company or similar institution.
BASEMENT or CELLAR
A portion of a building partly or completely below grade. It shall be considered a building story if more than 50% of its clear height is above the average level of the adjoining ground.
BED-AND-BREAKFAST
A dwelling unit or portion thereof in which short-term lodging rooms, with or without the service of a morning meal only, are provided for compensation and where the operator lives on the premises or in adjacent premises.
BILLBOARD
Any structure or other outdoor surface used to display lettered, pictorial, sculptured or other matter which directs attention to a product, announcement, commodity or service provided off the premises.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
The Board of Supervisors of Robinson Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
BOAT
See "trailer (camping and recreational equipment)."
BOAT TRAILER
See "trailer (camping and recreational equipment)."
BOTTLE CLUB
An establishment operated for profit or pecuniary gain, which has a capacity for the assemblage of 20 or more persons and in which alcoholic liquors, alcohol or malt or brewed beverages are not legally sold but where alcoholic liquors, alcohol, or malt or brewed beverages are either provided by the operator or agents or employees of the operator for consumption on the premises or are brought into or kept at the establishment by the patrons or person assembling there for use and consumption.
BUFFER AREA
An arrangement of all-season vegetative material of sufficient height and density to conceal from view of property owners in adjoining residential districts the structures and uses on the premises on which the screen or buffer planting is located.
BUILDING
An independent and detached structure having a roof supported by columns or walls, intended for housing, shelter or enclosure of person, animals, or any other property.
BUILDING AREA
The total of areas taken on a horizontal plane at the main grade level of the principal building and all accessory buildings, exclusive of uncovered porches, patios, terraces and steps.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the finish grade.
BUILDING LINE (EQUIVALENT TO THE SETBACK LINE)
The line of that face of the building nearest the front line of the lot. This face includes porches, whether enclosed or not, patios and similar construction, but excludes steps.
BUILDING PRINCIPAL
A building in which is conducted the main or principal use of the lot on which said building is situated.
BULK FUEL STORAGE YARD
Any facility where:
A. 
Gasoline is stored in bulk for distribution by delivery truck;
B. 
Fuel, including but not limited to kerosene, home heating oil, diesel fuel, gasoline, or propane, is stored in large volume tanks for distribution to retail or wholesale establishments; or
C. 
The total combined on-site storage of fuel exceeds 20,000 gallons.
BULK REGULATIONS
The combination of controls which may establish the maximum size of a building and its location on the lot. Components of bulk regulations include size and height of building; location of exterior walls with respect to lot lines; building coverage, yard requirements; and amount of lot area provided per dwelling unit. Their purpose is to assure sufficient light, air and open space and to prevent overcrowding of the land.
BUSINESS SERVICE
Any business activity that renders service to other commercial or industrial enterprises.
CAR WASH
An area of land and/or structure with machine or hand-operated facilities used principally for the cleaning, washing, polishing or waxing of motor vehicles.
CARPORT
A structure to house or protect motor vehicles that is open to the weather for at least 40% of the total area of its sides.
CARTWAY
A portion of a road street or highway intended for vehicular travel.
CEMETERY
Property used for interring of dead persons or domestic pets, including mausoleums, columbariums, crematoriums and family plots on private property.
CHURCH
A building or structure or group of buildings or structures that, by design and construction, are primarily intended for conducting organized religious services and associated accessory uses.
CLINIC
An establishment where human patients are examined and treated by doctors, technicians, dentists or similar professional practitioners on an out-patient basis not involving overnight detaining.
CLUB
A building or portion thereof or premises owned or operated for a social, literary, political, educational and/or recreational purpose primarily for the exclusive use of members and their guests.
COMBINE CYCLE GAS TURBINE ELECTRIC GENERATION USING PROCESSED NATURAL GAS
A power plant wherein a gas turbine generator generates electricity and waste heat is used to make steam to generate additional electricity via a steam turbine.
COMMERCIAL (BUSINESS)
Engaging in a business, enterprise, activity or other undertaking related to or connected with trade and traffic or commerce in general.
COMMERCIAL RECREATION, INDOOR
A facility that offers various indoor recreational opportunities for its patrons including such games as pool, billiards, bowling, video games and similar pursuits.
COMMERCIAL RECREATION, INTENSIVE
A facility which offers various outdoor recreational or spectator opportunities for its patrons including go-cart raceways, auto raceways, motor sports participation or spectator opportunities, outdoor concert performances, outdoor commercial shooting ranges, commercial hunting operations and similar pursuits. This definition does not include shooting ranges owned by or operated by any nonprofit conservation organization or sportsman's organization, any noncommercial target shooting conducted private or public land, or any traditional hunting activities carried out with Pennsylvania Game Commission regulations. If differs from outdoor commercial recreation in the intensive level of impacts, such as noise from motorized recreational vehicles or gun fire.
COMMERCIAL RECREATION, OUTDOOR
A facility which offers outdoor recreational opportunities for its patrons including such games as golf driving ranges, miniature golf, paintball, archery, tennis, team sports such as soccer or baseball, camps and clinics for sport instruction and similar pursuits. This term does not include recreation fields accessory to schools, churches, or community based nonprofit organization.
COMMON OPEN SPACE
A parcel or parcels of land or an area of water or a combination of land and water within a development site and designed and intended for the use or enjoyment of residents of a development, not including streets, off-street parking areas and areas set aside for public facilities.
COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA
Any structure or device used for the purpose of collecting or transmitting, electromagnetic waves, including but not limited to direction antennas (such as panels, microwave dishes) and satellite dishes and omnidirectional antennas (such as wind antennas).
COMMUNICATIONS TOWER
A reception and transmission tower intending for transmitting or receiving radio, television, telephone, digital or cellular communications, including all related appurtenances.
CONDITIONAL USE
A use permitted in a particular zoning district pursuant to the provisions in Article VI of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247, as amended,[1] and this chapter.
CONSTRUCTION
The construction, reconstruction, renovation, repair, extension, alteration or relocation of a building or structure, including the placement of mobile homes.
CONTRACTOR'S GARAGE OR STORAGE YARD
The business location is used for ancillary activities, such as storage of construction materials for use on such other sites, and service and repair of the contractor's vehicles and equipment. The key aspects of this business are that most of the services rendered are completed on a site other than the business location.
CONVENIENCE STORE
A retail store selling food products and household supplies for the convenience of the neighboring population.
CORPORATE OFFICE
An establishment primarily engaged in providing internal office administration services, as opposed to customer service, in a single building or a campus setting.
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
Any public or privately operated facility housing persons awaiting trial or persons serving a sentence after being found guilty of a criminal offense, including but not limited to jails, prisons and juvenile detention centers.
COVERAGE
The proportion of the lot area covered by buildings and structures, expressed as a percentage.
CREMATORIUM
An establishment containing a furnace designed to cremate or reduce to ashes human or animal remains of the deceased.
DAY-CARE CENTERS
See "day-care services."
DAY-CARE SERVICES
A. 
An establishment that provides care, protection and supervision for individuals on a regular basis away from their primary residence for less than 24 hours a day.
(1) 
FAMILY DAY-CARE HOMEFacilities in which child day care is provided at any one time to children who are not relatives.
(2) 
GROUP DAY-CARE HOMEFacilities in which care is provided for more than six but less than 12 children, at any one time, where the childcare areas are being used as a family residence.
(3) 
DAY-CARE CENTERSFacilities in which care is provided for children at any time, where the childcare areas are not used as a family residence.
B. 
Childcare for less than four children will not be considered as day care.
DECISION
Final adjudication of any board or other body granted jurisdiction under any land use ordinance or this act to do so, either by reason of the grant of exclusive jurisdiction or by reason of appeals from determinations. All decisions shall be appealable to the Court of Common Pleas of the county and judicial district wherein the municipality lies.
DECOMMISSIONING COST
The estimated cost to decommission the principal solar energy system and restore the project parcels minus the estimated salvage value of the PSES as reflected in the approved decommissioning plan.
[Added 10-10-2022 by Ord. No. 04-2022]
DETERMINATION
Final action by an officer, body or agency charged with the administration of any land use ordinance or applications thereunder, except the following:
A. 
The Township Board of Supervisors;
B. 
The Zoning Hearing Board; or
C. 
The Planning Commission, only if and to the extent the planning agency is charged with final decision on preliminary or final plans under Chapter 380, Subdivision and Land Development, or planned residential development provisions.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner, agent of such landowner or tenant with the permission of such landowner, who makes or causes to be made a subdivision of land or land development.
DEVELOPMENT
Any man-made changes to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, the placement of mobile homes, streets, and other paving, utilities, filling, grading, excavation, mining, dredging or drilling operations.
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The provisions for development, including a planned residential development, a plat of subdivision, all covenants relating to use, location and bulk of buildings and other structures, intensity of use or density of development, streets, ways and parking facilities, common open space and public facilities. The phrase "provisions of the development plan" when used in this chapter shall mean the written and graphic materials referred to in this definition.
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. The term does not include a health care medical marijuana organization under Chapter 19.4 of the Medical Marijuana Act.[2]
DUPLEX
See "dwelling."
DWELLING
A building or portion thereof providing complete housekeeping facilities for one family.
A. 
SINGLE-FAMILYA detached building designed for or occupied exclusively as a residence for one family.
B. 
DUPLEXA detached building designed for or occupied exclusively by two families living independently of each other, with separate entrances.
C. 
MULTI- OR MULTIPLE FAMILYA structure containing three or more separate dwelling units for families living independently of each other, but which may provide joint services and/or facilities.
D. 
EARTH HOMEA detached single-family dwelling unit expressly designed for partial underground construction.
E. 
DWELLING, MODULARA single-family dwelling which 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 and shall be at least 20 feet in width for the entire length when assembled and shall be attached to all available utilities.
F. 
DWELLING, TOWNHOUSEA multifamily dwelling structure, consisting of at least three single-family dwelling units that are attached side-by-side by unpierced party walls, maximum six units per structure.
G. 
DWELLING, ATTACHEDA single-family dwelling that is attached to or shares a common vertical wall with one or more other dwellings.
H. 
DWELLING, QUADRAPLEXFour attached dwellings in which each unit has at least two open space exposures and shares one or two vertical walls with adjoining units and where no more than two units may lack street frontage.
I. 
DWELLING, SEMIDETACHEDA single-family dwelling that is attached to or shares a common vertical with one other dwelling.
J. 
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHEDA dwelling unit, including a manufactured home, designed for and occupied by not more than one family and having no roof, wall or floor in common with any other dwelling unit.
K. 
GARDEN APARTMENTOne or more two- or three-story, multifamily structures, generally built at a gross density of 10 to 15 dwelling units per acre, with each structure containing 8 to 10 dwelling units and including related off-street parking and open space.
L. 
MID-RISE APARTMENTA multifamily residential building of four to eight occupiable stories above grade. The building must have 50% or more residential space.
M. 
MIXED-USE STRUCTUREA building that is developed into a variety of land uses, such as residential and retail. Such uses are designed to complement one another.
DWELLING UNIT
Any building or portion thereof that is designed and used exclusively for residential purposes by one family and includes complete kitchen and bathroom facilities for their exclusive use.
DWELLING, QUADRAPLEX
See "dwelling."
DWELLING, SEMIDETACHED
See "dwelling."
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED
See "dwelling."
EARTH HOME
See "dwelling."
EASEMENT
A right-of-way granted across private property generally for public utility lines or for access to other properties beyond, passage over which is guaranteed by the grantor to those using the easement.
EATING AND DRINKING PLACES
An establishment that offers food and beverages for sale and consumption either on or on and off the premises as the principal use and may serve alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises as an accessory use.
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTS
All statutes enacted by the commonwealth relating to the protection of the environment or the protection of public health, safety and welfare that are administered and enforced by the department or by another commonwealth agency, including an independent agency, and all federal statutes relating to the protection of the environment, to the extent those statutes regulate oil and gas operations.
EQUIPMENT SALES AND RENTAL
A business involved in the sale, rental, or service of motor vehicles and equipment.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
The erection, construction, alteration or maintenance by public utilities or municipal departments or commissions of underground gas, electrical, telephone transmission or distribution systems; and public water, public sanitary sewer and public storm sewer facilities including wires, mains, drains, sewers, pipes, conduits, cables, fire alarm boxes, traffic signals, hydrants and similar equipment and accessories in connection therewith; including buildings necessary for the furnishing of adequate services for the public health, safety and general welfare. "Essential services" do not include communications antenna, communications equipment buildings and communications towers.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES (WHOLESALE OR PRIVATE)
The erection, construction, alteration or maintenance by private utilities or otherwise private entities of underground or overhead gas, electrical, telephone transmission or distribution systems; water, sanitary sewer or storm sewer facilities including wires, mains, drains, sewers, pipes, conduits, cables, fire alarm boxes, traffic signals, hydrants and similar equipment and accessories in connection therewith: including buildings and structures necessary for the furnishing of adequate services for the public health, safety and general welfare. "Essential services (private or wholesale)" do not include communications antenna, communications equipment buildings and communications towers. All applications for essential services (wholesale or private) are subject to the conditions described in § 420-338.
FAMILY
One or more persons who live together in a single housekeeping unit and maintain a common household, as distinguished from a group occupying a boardinghouse. A family may consist of a single person or of two or more persons, whether or not related by blood, marriage or adoption. For purposes of the chapter, the term "family" shall not include nor shall it be interpreted to include a group care facility or similar functions or activities which provide room or board, or room and board, to one or more persons who are residents by virtue of receiving services, such as health, social rehabilitation, general supervision or similar services or functions or activities, irrespective of whether or not they are provided by governmental agencies, their licensed or certified agents, responsible nonprofit social service agencies or corporations, profit oriented organizations or businesses or private individuals.
FAMILY DAY-CARE HOME
See "day-care center."
FARM
A site of 10 acres or more used for the pursuit of agriculture, as defined herein.
FLEA MARKET
An occasional or periodic market held in an open area or structure where groups of individual sellers offer goods for sale to the public.
FLOODPLAIN
The area along a natural watercourse which may from time to time be overflowed by water there from.
FLOODWAY
The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas required to carry and discharge a flood of the 100-year magnitude.
FLOOR AREA
The sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors of a building, measured from the exterior faces of exterior walls, or from the center line of common walls separating buildings. For determining parking and loading space requirements under this chapter, the following areas shall not be included: cellar storage areas, elevator shafts and stairwells, floor area for mechanical equipment required to service the needs of the building, open terraces, breezeways and open porches.
FORESTRY
The management of forests and timberland 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.
FUNERAL HOME
A building used for the embalming of the deceased for burial, but not including cremation, and for the display of the deceased and ceremonies connected therewith before burial or cremation.
GARAGE, PRIVATE
An accessory building with area for housing motor driven vehicles, the property of and for the use of the occupants of the lot on which the garage is located.
GARAGE, PUBLIC
Any garage other than a private garage as defined herein, available to clients, operated for gain and which is used for storage, repair, rental, lubricating, washing and servicing or equipping of motor vehicles.
GARDEN APARTMENT
See "dwelling."
GAS STATION
An area of land, together with any structure thereon used for the retail sale of motor fuel and lubricants and incidental services.
GOLF COURSE
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. A golf course may be public or private.
GOLF OR COUNTRY CLUB
A recreational facility operated by a public or private entity that has as its principal use a golf course, as defined herein, and that may include one or more of the following accessory uses: a clubhouse and/or restaurant, locker rooms, pro shops, swimming pool and facilities for racquet sports.
GOVERNING BODY
The Board of Supervisors of Robinson Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
GROSS FLOOR AREA (GFA)
The total area of all floors of a building as measured to the outside surfaces of exterior walls and including halls, stairways, elevator shafts, attached garages, porches, balconies, basements, and usable rooms.
GROUP CARE FACILITY
Any residential facility which provides room, board, health care and/or other specialized services to two or more unrelated individuals, including children handicapped and/or elderly. The individuals must be living together as a single housekeeping unit under twenty-four-hour qualified supervision. This residence may be operated by a governmental agency, a Pennsylvania-certified agency or a nonprofit organization. Correctional institutions, jails and similar use shall not be included in this definition.
GROUP DAY CARE HOME
See "day-care center."
GROWER/PROCESSOR
A person, including a natural person, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other entity, or any combination thereof, which holds a permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Health under the Medical Marijuana Act[3] to grow and process medical marijuana. The term does not include a health care medical marijuana organization under Chapter 19.4 of the Medical Marijuana Act.[4]
HALFWAY HOUSE
A transitional residential facility licensed and operated by a government, contractor or social service agency that provides a supervised environment to residents who require psychiatric, correctional or behavioral treatment between periods of institutional and independent living.
HEAVY INDUSTRY
The manufacture, storage, processing, and treatment of materials which are potentially hazardous, or processes which produce significant amounts of smoke, notice, glare, or dust or odor as a primary or secondary effect of the principal use of the land or buildings. Heavy industry characteristically employs equipment such as smokestacks, tanks, distillation or reaction columns, chemical processing equipment, scrubbing towers, pickling equipment and waste-treatment lagoons. Heavy industry, although conceivably operable without polluting the environment, has the potential to pollute when equipment malfunctions or human error occurs. Examples of heavy industry are oil refineries, basic steel manufacturing plans (such as foundries, blast furnaces, and stamping mills), industries handling animal offal or hides, basic cellulose pulp-paper mills and similar fiberboard and plywood production, production of cement and bulk storage, and chemical plants such as petrochemical complexes. An incinerator structure or facility which, including the incinerator, contains 5,000 square feet or more, whether public or private, is heavy industry for purpose of this chapter, as in any electric power production plant which is a principal use, whether said power is generated by coal, natural gas, cogeneration or wind energy conversion when determined to be a principle use.
HEIGHT
The height of a building shall be measured from the mean level of the ground at the periphery of a building to a point midway between the highest and lowest points of the roof. Chimneys, spires, towers, tanks and similar projections shall not be included in calculating the height.
HOME OCCUPATION
An occupation, profession or limited commercial activity carried on in a dwelling unit or accessory structure to a dwelling unit which is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling unit as a residence and conducted by a member of the family occupying such dwelling unit.
HOSPITAL
Includes sanitarium, clinic, rest home, nursing home, convalescent home and any place utilized for the diagnosis, treatment or other care of humans which provides for overnight accommodation.
HOTEL or MOTEL
A building or a group of buildings in which lodging is provided and offered to the general public or to a select group of patrons for compensation.
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
A stimulation treatment routinely performed on oil and gas wells in low-permeability reservoirs. Specially engineered fluids are pumped at high pressure and rate into the reservoir interval to be treated, causing a vertical fracture to open. The wings of the fracture extend away from the well bore in opposing directions according to the natural stresses within the formation, such as grains of sand of a particular size, is mixed with the treatment fluid to keep the fracture open when the treatment is complete. Hydraulic fracturing creates high-conductivity communication with a large area of formation and bypasses any damage that may exist in the near well bore area.
HYDRO RECOVERY FACILITIES
See "water recycling/hydro recovery facilities."
IMPOUNDMENT
A lined depression, excavation or pit used for temporary containment meeting the requirements of 25 Pa. Code § 78.56. Impoundments may be designated as either fresh water or reuse.
JUNK
Any discarded materials or articles, including, but not limited to, scrap metal, abandoned or junked motor vehicles or vehicle parts, machinery or machinery parts, papers, glass and related items, containers or partially dismantled structures or parts thereof. It shall also include a partially dismantled motor vehicle not bearing current registration plates and which is not in the process of ongoing and immediate repair. It shall not include refuse or garbage kept in a proper container for the purpose of prompt disposal.
KENNEL
Any structure, pen or area set aside for the breeding, boarding, show, grooming or keeping of dogs, cats or similar domestic animals. For purposes of this chapter, the keeping of five or more such animals for economic gain shall be deemed a commercial kennel.
LANDFILL
A disposal site in which refuse and earth or other suitable cover material are deposited and compacted in alternative layers of specified depth in accordance with an approved plan.
LANDOWNER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of land, including the holder of an option or contract to purchase (whether or not such option or contract is subject to any condition), a lessee if he is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner or other person having a proprietary interest in the land.
LANDSCAPING SUPPLY AND MATERIALS
A business primarily engaged in processing, selling and distributing indoor or outdoor grown plants and landscaping materials.
LIGHT INDUSTRY
Manufacturing in which there is no significant impact from noise, dust or odor, and impacts are limited to secondary effects related to vehicular traffic, incidental noise, or movement of materials. Light industries include, but are not limited to, food processing; wood products manufacturing (without chemical treatment); production of machine tools and similar metal working; manufacturing of plastic products; laboratories; testing and research facilities; printing; pharmaceuticals production; and similar facilities for assembling and fabricating.
LIGHT MANUFACTURING
The processing, handling or fabrication of materials and products where no processes are involved which will produce noise, vibration, air pollution, fire hazard, noxious emission, traffic or other factors which will disturb or endanger neighboring properties.
LOADING AREA or LOADING SPACE
An off-street space or berth on the same lot with a building or contiguous to a group of buildings, for the temporary stopping of commercial vehicles while loading or unloading merchandise or materials and which abuts upon an alley, street or other appropriate means of access, and which is not less than 12 feet wide, 45 feet in length and 15 feet in height.
LOT
A designated parcel, tract, or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed or built upon as a unit.
LOT AREA
The area contained within the property lines of the individual parcels of land, excluding space within any street or ultimate right-of-way, but including the area of any easement. Lot area shall be measured to the legal right-of-way line of the street.
LOT COVERAGE
The portion of a lot which is occupied by impervious surfaces, including but not limited to buildings, parking areas and sidewalks.
LOT DEPTH
The average distance between the street right-of-way line and the rear lot line, measured perpendicular or radial to the street right-of-way line. Lot depth shall be measured to the legal right-of-way line of the street. In the case of a double frontage lot, such distance shall be measured from each street right-of-way.
LOT FRONTAGE
Distance measured along the front lot line. When a lot fronts on a curved street, the frontage shall be determined by utilizing the arc length.
LOT LINE
A line of record bounding a lot that divides one lot from another lot or from a public or private street or any other public space.
LOT LINE, FRONT
A lot line separating the front of the lot from the street. On corner lots and double frontage lots, all lot lines which abut a street shall be front lot lines.
LOT LINE, REAR
A lot line which does not intersect a front lot line and is most distant from and most nearly parallel to a front lot line. Corner lots shall not have a rear lot line. For the purposes of this chapter, where the side lot lines of an interior lot meet in a point, the rear lot line shall be assumed to be a line not less than 10 feet long drawn within the lot between the two side lot lines, which is equidistant to the front lot line.
LOT LINE, SIDE
Any lot line which is not a front or rear lot line.
LOT OF RECORD
A lot the area or dimension of which was lawful prior to the adoption or amendment of this 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.
LOT WIDTH
In the case of an interior lot, the distance between the side lot lines. In the case of a corner lot, lot width shall mean the distance between each front lot line and its opposite side lot line. Such distance shall be measured along a straight line which is at right angles to the axis of a lot. When a lot abuts on a curved street the width shall be determined by utilizing the arc length.
LOT, CORNER
A lot abutting two or more street rights-of-way at their intersection.
LOT, COVERAGE
That percentage of the lot area covered by the principal and accessory structures.
LOT, DOUBLE FRONTAGE
A lot which is not a corner lot and abuts two or more streets, with possible vehicular access to both streets.
LOT, INTERIOR
A lot which is not a corner lot.
LOT, REVERSE FRONTAGE
A lot which is not a corner lot and abuts two or more streets, where vehicular access is permitted solely from one street.
MEDIATION
A voluntary negotiating process in which parties in 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.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY
An establishment that holds a permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to dispense medical marijuana.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA GROWER/PROCESSOR
A facility that holds a permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to grow and process medical marijuana.
MID-RISE APARTMENT
See "dwelling."
MINERAL REMOVAL
Mineral removal shall include all activity which removes from the surface or beneath the surface of the land some material mineral resource, natural resource or other element of economic value by means of mechanical excavation necessary to separate the desired material from an undesirable one; or to remove the strata or material which overlies or is above the desired material in its natural condition and position. Open pit mining includes but is not limited to the excavation necessary to the extraction of sand, gravel, topsoil, limestone, sandstone, coal, clay, shale and iron ore.
MINERALS
Any aggregate or mass of mineral matter, whether or not coherent. The term includes, but is not limited to, limestone and dolomite, sand and gravel, rock and stone, earth, fill, slag, iron ore, zinc ore, vermiculite and clay, anthracite and bituminous coal, coal refuse, peat and crude oil and natural gas.
MIXED-USE STRUCTURE
See "dwelling."
MOBILE HOME
A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for permanent occupancy, contained in one unit or in two or more units designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated for repeated towing, which arrives at a site complete and ready for occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations and constructed so that it may be used without a permanent foundation.
MOBILE HOME LOT
A parcel of land in a mobile home park, improved with the necessary utility connections and other appurtenances necessary for the erection thereon of a single mobile home.
MOBILE HOME PARK
A parcel or contiguous parcels of land which have been so designated and improved that they contain two or more mobile home lots for the placement thereon of mobile homes.
MODULAR DWELLING
See "dwelling."
MORTUARY
A building used for the embalming of the deceased for burial, including cremation, and for the display of the deceased and ceremonies connected therewith before burial or cremation.
MOTORIZED HOME
See "trailer (camping and recreational equipment)."
MULTI- OR MULTIPLE FAMILY
See "dwelling."
MUNICIPAL ENGINEER
A professional engineer licensed as such in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, duly appointed as the engineer for a municipality, planning agency or joint planning commission.
MUNICIPAL FACILITY
Buildings, structures and land uses owned and occupied by Robinson Township or any of its agencies and used to provide services to the residents of the Township. Municipal facilities may include, but not be limited to, Township administrative offices, public works buildings, storage yards, libraries, fire company buildings, senior centers and recreation facilities and buildings.
MUNICIPAL RECREATION
See "recreation."
NATURAL GAS
A fossil fuel consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbon gases, primarily methane, and possibly including ethane, propane, butane, pentane, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen sulfide and other gas species. The term includes natural gas from oil fields known as non-associated gas, coal beds, shale beds and other formations. The term does not include coal bed methane.
NATURAL GAS COMPRESSOR STATION
A facility designed and constructed to compress natural gas that originates from an oil and gas well or collection of such wells operating as a midstream facility for delivery of oil and gas to a transmission pipeline, distribution pipeline, natural gas processing plant, or underground storage field, including one or more natural gas compressors, associated buildings, pipes, valves, tanks and other equipment.
NATURAL GAS METERING STATION
A facility that provides for an interconnection between natural gas transmission pipelines including equipment for the filtration, measurement, pressure management and control of natural gas flows, communication, access and associated activities, but does not involve any engines or other equipment for the compression (i.e., increasing of pressure) of natural gas.
NATURAL GAS PROCESSING PLANT
A facility that is not a natural gas compressor station that is designed and constructed to remove materials such as ethane, propane, butane, and other constituents or similar substances from natural gas to allow such natural gas to be of such quality as is required or appropriate for transmission or distribution to commercial markets but not including facilities or equipment that are/is designed and constructed primarily to remove water, water vapor, oil or naturally occurring liquids from natural gas, which includes dew point control facilities.
NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS
Small-scale retail enterprises intended to benefit neighborhood residents or tourists. Limited retail businesses are distinguished from other retail businesses by having a smaller size of less than 5,000 square feet gross floor area and confining all commercial activities indoors. They may not include a sexually oriented business or gasoline sales.
NO-IMPACT HOME-BASED BUSINESS
A. 
A business or commercial activity administered or conducted as an accessory use that is clearly secondary to the use as a residential dwelling and which involves no customer, client or patient traffic. The business or commercial activity must satisfy the following requirements:
(1) 
The business activity shall be compatible with residential use of the property and surrounding residential uses.
(2) 
There shall be no outside appearance of a business use.
(3) 
The business activity may not generate any solid waste or sewage discharge, in volume or type, which is not normally associated with residential use in the neighborhood.
(4) 
The business may not involve any illegal activity.
B. 
If the business meets all such requirements, it shall be considered a lawful accessory use to a dwelling.
NONCONFORMING LOT
A 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 reason of such adoption or amendment.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE
A structure or part of a structure manifestly not designed to comply with the applicable use or extent of use provisions in this chapter or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such structure lawfully existed prior to the enactment of this chapter or amendment or prior to the application of this chapter or amendment to its location by reason of annexation. Such nonconforming structures include, but are not limited to, nonconforming signs.
NONCONFORMING USE
A use, whether of land or of structure, which does not comply with the applicable use provisions in this chapter or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such use was lawfully in existence prior to the enactment of this chapter or amendment or prior to the application of this chapter or amendment to its location by reason of annexation.
NURSING HOME
Any institutional building licensed by the commonwealth for the inpatient care of persons requiring full-time, intermediate or skilled nursing care within the context of a planned program of care and administrative management and/or nursing care and related medical or other health services, but not requiring hospitalization.
OCCUPANCY PERMIT
A statement, based on an inspection, signed by the Zoning Officer, setting forth either that a building or structure complies with this chapter, or that a building, structure or parcel of land may lawfully be employed for specified use or both.
OFFICIAL MAP
A map adopted by ordinance pursuant to Article IV of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[5]
OIL
Hydrocarbons in liquid form at standard temperature of 60° F. and pressure 14.7 PSIA, also referred to as petroleum.
OIL AND GAS IMPOUNDMENTS
Water and other fluid storage or impoundment areas used exclusively for oil and gas operations. This definition does not include temporary water or fluid storage operations of a duration of less than six months.
OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
Includes the following:
A. 
Well location assessment, including seismic operations, well site preparation, construction, drilling, hydraulic fracturing and site restoration associated with an oil or gas well of any depth;
B. 
Water and other fluid storage or impoundment areas used exclusively for oil and gas operations;
C. 
Construction, installation, use, maintenance and repair of:
(1) 
Oil and gas pipelines;
(2) 
Natural gas compressor stations; and
(3) 
Natural gas processing plants or facilities performing equivalent functions; and
D. 
Construction, installation, use, maintenance and repair of all equipment directly associated with activities specified in Subsection C(1), (2) and (3) of this definition, to the extent that:
(1) 
The equipment is necessarily located at or immediately adjacent to a well site, impoundment area, oil and gas pipeline, natural gas compressor station or natural gas processing plant; and
(2) 
The activities are authorized and permitted under the authority of a federal or commonwealth agency.
OIL AND GAS SUBSURFACE FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES
Activities performed under the surface of the ground that are part of the operation of oil and gas drilling, as defined herein, located on properties within the unit for a particular drill site, but that are not included in the well site, including, but not limited to, horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing zones, underground gathering and transmission pipelines and similar underground facilities incidental to oil and gas development.
OIL AND GAS WELL SITE DEVELOPMENT
Includes the following: well location assessment, including seismic operations, well site preparation, construction, drilling, temporary water or fluid storage operations of a duration of less than six months, hydraulic fracturing and site restoration associated with an oil and gas well of any depth.
OPEN SPACE
An area of land or water on a development site in which no structures are permitted and which is set aside for the use and enjoyment of the general public or the owners and tenants of property which adjoins the open space.
PARKING AREA
Any public or private area, under or outside of a building or structure, designed and used for parking motor vehicles including parking lots, garages, private driveways and legally designated areas of public streets.
PARKING SPACE
An off street space having a minimum dimension of nine feet by 18 feet, whether inside or outside of a structure, for the temporary standing of automobile vehicles to be used exclusively as a parking stall for one automobile.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, association, club, firm or partnership.
PERSONAL CARE HOME
A facility giving geriatric care in a home-like setting and licensed as such by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
PERSONAL SERVICES
An establishment primarily engaged in the provision of frequently or recurrently needed services of a personal nature. Typical uses include, but are not limited to, beauty and barbershops, tanning salons, tailors, laundry/dry cleaning dropoff and pickup stations, licensed massage therapists, health and fitness studios, driving schools, hobby and handicraft instruction.
PICKUP CAMPER
See "trailer (camping and recreational equipment)."
PIPELINE
All parts of those physical facilities through which gas, hazardous liquids, fresh water, salt water, or chemicals move in transportation, including but not limited to pipe, valves and other appurtenance attached to pipe, whether or not laid in public or private easement or public or private right-of-way within the Township, including, but not limited to, gathering lines, production lines, and transmission lines. This definition does not include pipelines associated with franchise utilities.
PLACE OF WORSHIP
A place of religious instruction or public gathering and worship, which may include incidental instruction and charitable activities, but not including a school or day-care services or any form of halfway house.
PLANNED BUSINESS PARK
An area of land to be developed for office and business activities that incorporates open space which may not correspond in lot size, density or lot coverage and required open space to the regulations in any one district created, from time to time, under provisions of this chapter.
PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
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 or use, density or intensity, lot coverage and required open space to the regulations established in any one district created from time to time under the provisions of a municipal zoning ordinance.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of Robinson Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
POLE TOWER
A communications tower shall be considered one which is of monopod configuration with a single tower structure in contact with the ground and supported by oblique guy wires.
PRINCIPAL SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM (PSES)
A solar collection system principally used to capture solar energy, convert it to electrical energy or thermal power, and supply electrical or thermal power primarily for off-site use. Principal solar energy systems consist of one or more free-standing ground or roof-mounted solar collector devices, solar related equipment and other accessory structures and buildings including light reflectors, concentrators, and heat exchangers; substations; electrical infrastructure; transmission lines and other appurtenant structures.
[Added 10-10-2022 by Ord. No. 04-2022]
PRINCIPAL USE
The major or dominant use of a lot.
PRIVATE CLUB
Any establishment, other than a sportsmen's club, operated by a legally chartered organization for social, recreational, educational, fraternal or sororal purposes, which is open only to members and their guests and not to the general public.
PRIVATE RECREATION
See "recreation."
PROFESSIONAL OFFICE
An office or business conducted by an individual or association dealing with medicine, law, accounting, real estate, architecture, engineering, finance or related services.
PROJECT ABANDONMENT
The PSES has not for 12 continuous months (i) generated electric energy and delivered such energy to the utility grid; (ii) been decommissioned in accordance with this Zoning Order; and (iii) such cessation of operations is not attributable to an event beyond the reasonable control of property owner or applicant, as the case may be.
[Added 10-10-2022 by Ord. No. 04-2022]
PROTECTED STRUCTURE
Any occupied residence, commercial business, school, religious institution, or other public building located within 1,000 feet of the surface location of a well that may be impacted by noise, sound, emissions, light, or other negative attributes of drilling operations including, but not limited to, oil and gas development activities as defined herein generated from drilling or hydraulic fracturing activity at a well site.
PUBLIC AND ACCREDITED PRIVATE SCHOOLS
A place of general instruction, publicly funded or recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
PUBLIC GROUNDS
Includes:
A. 
Parks, playgrounds, trails, paths and other recreational areas and other public areas;
B. 
Sites for schools, sewage treatment, refuse disposal and other publicly owned or operated facilities; and
C. 
Publicly owned or operated scenic and historic sites.
PUBLIC HEARING
A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the Township Board of Supervisors or Planning Commission, intended to inform and obtain public comment prior to taking action in accordance with this chapter.
PUBLIC MEETING
A forum held pursuant to notice under 65 Pa.C.S.A. Chapter 7 (related to open meetings).
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Township. Such notice shall state the time and place of the hearing and the particular nature of the matter to be considered at the hearing. The first publication shall not be more than 30 days and the second publication shall not be less than seven days from the date of the hearing.
PUBLIC PARKS AND RECREATION
An enterprise other than a municipal facility, as defined herein, 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, or batting practice facilities, ice rinks, tennis courts, swimming pools and similar facilities. "Public parks and recreation" excludes golf courses, golf or country clubs, as defined herein.
PUBLIC UTILITY OFFICE
An office for activities conducted by an entity providing pipeline, gas, electrical, telephone, telegraph, water or sewage service.
RECREATION
A. 
MUNICIPAL RECREATIONDeveloped or undeveloped open spaces and/or structures and facilities which are provided by a governmental body for public use for the purposes of play, amusement or relaxation. Such uses may include sports facilities, parks, assembly buildings, passive areas, gardens and related amenities.
B. 
PRIVATE RECREATIONDeveloped and undeveloped open spaces and/or structures and facilities which are provided by individuals or private organizations for the use of specified individuals or groups of individuals sharing common relationships or associations for the purpose of play, amusement or relaxation. Such uses may include sports facilities, parks, assembly buildings, passive areas, gardens and related amenities.
C. 
SHOOTING RANGEAn area designed and improved to encompass shooting stations or firing lines, target areas, berms and baffles and other related components.
SOLAR ARRAY
A grouping of multiple solar modules with the purpose of harvesting solar energy.
[Added 10-10-2022 by Ord. No. 04-2022]
SOLAR CELL
The smallest basic solar electric device which generates electricity when exposed to light.
[Added 10-10-2022 by Ord. No. 04-2022]
SOLAR ENERGY
Radiant energy (direct, diffuse and/or reflective) received from the sun.
[Added 10-10-2022 by Ord. No. 04-2022]
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar photovoltaic cell, module, panel, shingle, or array, or solar hot air or water collector device, which relies upon solar radiation as an energy source for collection, inversion, storage, and distribution of solar energy for electricity generation or transfer of stored heat.
[Added 10-10-2022 by Ord. No. 04-2022]
SOLAR GRAZING
The practice of grazing livestock on the same area of land occupied by a PSES.
[Added 10-10-2022 by Ord. No. 04-2022]
SOLAR MODULE
A grouping of solar cells with the purpose of harvesting solar energy.
[Added 10-10-2022 by Ord. No. 04-2022]
SOLAR RELATED EQUIPMENT
Items including a solar photovoltaic cell, module, or array, or solar hot air or water collector device panels, lines, pumps, batteries, mounting brackets, framing and possibly foundations or other structures used or intended to be used for collection of solar energy.
[Added 10-10-2022 by Ord. No. 04-2022]
RECREATIONAL CAMPGROUND
An area or tract of land on which accommodations for temporary occupancy are located or may be placed, including cabins, tents, recreational vehicles, and accessory buildings and structures for the use of campers.
REPORT
Any letter, review, memorandum, compilation or similar writing made by any body, board, officer or consultant other than a solicitor to any other body, board, officer or consultant for the purpose of assisting the recipient of such report in the rendering of any decision or determination. All reports shall be deemed recommendatory and advisory only and shall not be binding upon the recipient, board, officer, body or agency, nor shall any appeal lie therefrom. Any report used, received or considered by the body, board, officer or agency rendering a determination or decision shall be made available for inspection to the applicant and all other parties to any proceeding upon request and copies thereof shall be provided at cost of reproduction.
RESEARCH AND LABORATORIES
Any establishment which carries on investigation in the natural, physical, computer or social sciences or engineering and development as an extension of such investigation with the objective of creating end products.
RESTAURANT
An establishment where the principal business is the sale of food and beverages in a ready-to-consume state, where there is no service to a customer in an automobile and where the design or principal method of operation consists of one or more of the following:
A. 
A sit-down restaurant where customers, normally provided with an individual menu, are generally served food and beverages in nondisposable containers by a restaurant employee at the same table or counter at which the food and beverages are consumed; or
B. 
A cafeteria or cafeteria-type operation where food and beverages generally are served in nondisposable containers and consumed within the restaurant.
RETAIL SALES
The sale on the premises of commodities and/or services directly to consumers, but not including the manufacturing or processing of any products.
RETAIL SALES BUILDING
Establishment engaged in selling goods or merchandise to the general public for personal or household consumption and rendering services incidental to the sale of such goods.
RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Any age-restricted development, which may be in any housing form, including detached and attached dwelling units, apartments and residences, offering private and semiprivate rooms.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
Land legally dedicated for public purposes, including but not limited to a street, alley or interior walk.
SALVAGE
Any discarded material or article, and shall include, but not be limited to, scrap metal, scrapped or abandoned motor vehicles, machinery, equipment, paper, glass, containers and structures. It shall not include, however, refuse or garbage kept in a proper container for the purpose of prompt disposal. For the purpose of this chapter, a proper container shall mean a solid plastic or metal container, with a sealable lid, specifically designed for the storage of waste matter.
SALVAGE YARD
Any place where any junk is stored, disposed of, or accumulated. This definition shall include recycling centers, recycling yards, and salvage businesses and the storage of four vehicles lacking current inspection or registration for a period exceeding 10 days. However, it does not include municipal recycling centers where no materials are stored in an exterior environment.
SAWMILL
An operation or facility which has, as its predominant purpose, the sawing or planting of logs or trees into rough slabs.
SCREEN PLANTING
An evergreen hedge at least six feet high at time of planting, planted in such a way that it will block a line of sight throughout the year. The screening may consist of either one or multiple rows of bushes or trees and shall be at least four feet wide. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to maintain a screen planting, replacing trees as needed. The Zoning Officer may require replacement of screening trees.
SCREENING
A fence, screen planting, or wall provided in such a way that it will block a line of sight.
SELF-SERVICE/STORAGE FACILITY
A building or group of buildings consisting of individual, self-contained units leased or rented for self-service storage of personal property.
SERVICE AND REPAIR BUSINESS
A form of equipment service or repair, may include woodworking enterprises, repair services such as welding, vehicle or machinery repair, and incidental fabrication or retail sales of items.
SERVICE STATION
Buildings and premises where the primary use is the supply and dispensing at retail of motor fuels, lubricants, batteries, tires and motor vehicles.
SETBACK LINE
A line established by this chapter generally parallel with and measured from the street, right-of-way; no structure may be located above ground between the street right-of-way and this line except as may be provided under the provisions of this chapter. This line is also referred to as a "building line."
SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESS
The definition for this term and for all uses included under this term shall apply as are provided in Title 68, Part II, Subpart E, Chapter 55, Section 5502 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, as amended. Such definitions in Pennsylvania Statutes are hereby included by reference, including but not limited to, the definitions for "adult bookstore," "adult entertainment," "adult mini-motion picture theater," "adult motion picture theater," "sexual activities," "specified anatomical areas," and "specified sexual activities."
SHOOTING RANGE
See "recreation."
SHOOTING RANGE FACILITY
A public or private facility, including individual shooting ranges, safety fans or shortfall zones, structures, parking areas and other associated improvements, designed for the purpose of providing a place for the discharge of various types of firearms or the practice of archery. Does not include incidental target practice areas on private property.[6]
SHOPPING CENTER
A group of commercial establishments planned, constructed and managed as a total entity with customer and employee parking provided on site, provision for goods delivery separated from customer access, aesthetic considerations and protection from the elements.
SIGN ADVERTISING
A sign which directs attention to a profession, business, activity, commodity, service or entertainment other than one conducted, sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located or within the building to which such sign is fixed.
SIGN AREA
The area of a sign on which copy is placed that is contained by a single rectangular box to include all letters or graphics, but not support structures or architectural embellishes.
SIGN CANOPY
A sign painted, stamped perforated, stitched or otherwise applied to a canopy. The applicable size limitations shall be calculated by taking the area enclosed within a rectangle that is needed to completely encompass each letter, number or insignia.
SIGN, ANIMATED
A sign that relies on flashing lights or movement of some element or all of the sign to reinforce its message.
SIGN, AWNING
A sign painted on or attached to a fixed or movable framework which is attached directly to a building wall.
SIGN, BANNER
A temporary or permanent decorative sign made of fabric or fabric-like material which may be freely hanging or attached at all corners bearing to insignia of any government, religious, charitable or fraternal organization.
SIGN, BILLBOARD
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located.
SIGN, BUSINESS
A sign which directs attention to a profession or business conducted or to a commodity, service, activity or entertainment sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located or in the building to which such sign is affixed.
SIGN, COMMUNITY DIRECTORY
An accessory bulletin or announcement board describing the public events of a community organization, institution or public facility or describing the names and locations of community businesses.
SIGN, CONSTRUCTION
A sign located on a construction site which identifies the project name and which provides other information pertinent to the project developer(s), contractor(s), consultant(s) and lender(s).
SIGN, DIRECTIONAL
An informational sign indicating direction, entry, exit, loading or service areas, fire lanes, parking and other information incidental to the primary use and not itself advertising that use.
SIGN, ELECTRONIC
A sign or portion thereof that displays electronic images with or without text information, defined by a small number of matrix elements using different combinations within the display area where the message change sequence is accomplished immediately or by means of fade, repixalization or dissolve modes. Electronic signs include computer programmable, microprocessor controlled electronic or digital displays.
SIGN, FACE
The area or display surface used for the message.
SIGN, FREESTANDING
A sign supported on its own structure attached to the ground and not to a building.
SIGN, GROUND/MONUMENT
A sign erected, constructed or maintained directly upon the ground or upon supports placed in the ground.
SIGN, HISTORICAL AND MEMORIAL
Plaques, signs, tablets or markers which document or honor historical events, or the historical or memorial significance of persons or buildings.
SIGN, IDENTIFICATION
A sign giving the nature, logo, trademark or other identifying symbol, address or any combination of the name, symbol and address of a building, business, development or establishment on the premises where it is located.
SIGN, ILLUMINATED
A sign that is artificially illuminated, either internally, indirectly or externally, by means of electricity or gas.
SIGN, INDIRECTLY ILLUMINATED
A sign which is stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times and which is shielded to concentrate illumination of the sign face.
SIGN, INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED
A sign which is lighted by means of lamps or devices internal to the sign, either behind the face of the sign or is an integral part of the sign structures and advertising effect.
SIGN, MARQUEE
Permanent covering over a building's main entrance, attached along one side to a building and with exposed edges capable of receiving a sign.
SIGN, NAME AND ADDRESS
A sign displaying the name and street number of the resident, business or building for each premises, but not to include any commercial activity.
SIGN, OFF-PREMISES
A sign that identifies or communicates a commercial or noncommercial message related to an activity conducted, a service rendered or a commodity sold at a location other than the premises or lot where the sign is located or a belief held by a person or persons living at a location other than on the premises or lot where the sign is located.
SIGN, ON-PREMISES
A sign that identifies or communicates a commercial or noncommercial message related to an activity conducted, a service rendered or a commodity sold on the premises or lot upon which the sign is located or a belief held by a person living on the premises or lot upon which the sign is located.
SIGN, ON-PREMISES INFORMATION
Sign regulating on-premises traffic, parking or other functional information.
SIGN, POLITICAL
A sign designated and intended to influence the vote of the electorate on a law, statute, ordinance, amendment, rule, regulation or other measure or on the nomination or election of a candidate for any public office.
SIGN, PORTABLE
Any sign not permanently mounted on a building or in the ground, including signs on wheels, even when wheels are removed.
SIGN, PROJECTING
A sign projecting at a 90° angle from the face of the building and securely attached to the building. The applicable size limitations shall be calculated by taking the area of the sign frame.
SIGN, PUBLIC SERVICE
A sign located for the purpose of providing a public service message or directions toward a use not readily visible from a public street.
SIGN, REAL ESTATE
A sign advertising a property for sale, for rent or having been sold or rented and erected by a broker or other person interested in the sale or rental.
SIGN, ROOF
Any sign erected and maintained wholly upon and projecting over the roof surface or parapet on any building.
SIGN, STRUCTURE
Any structure which supports, has supported or is capable of supporting a sign, including decorative cover.
SIGN, TEMPORARY
A sign intended to remain in place for a specific short period of time, at the end of which it must be removed by the person erecting it, including construction signs, garage sale signs, grand opening signs, celebration signs and signs advertising special sales or business promotions.
SIGN, WALL-MOUNTED
A sign mounted, attached or painted on a building.
SIGN, WINDOW
A permanent sign painted on or attached to the inside or outside glass of a window or glass-paneled door, including decals or suspended within a window.
SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING
See "dwelling."
SITE PLAN
The proposed development or improvement plan for any residential, commercial or industrial parcel or property within the Township. Plans must include the following and any other information requested by the Township:
A. 
A plan prepared by a registered surveyor, engineer or architect which contains the following information:
(1) 
Name of applicant and landowner;
(2) 
Name of development, if any;
(3) 
Evidence of preparation by a licensed architect, landscape architect or engineer;
(4) 
Graphic and written scale;
(5) 
North arrow;
(6) 
Dates of preparation and revisions of site plan;
(7) 
A site location map;
(8) 
All calculations related to base site area, resource protection land, permitted site density for residential buildings, permitted impervious service ratio and permitted floor areas for nonresidential uses and all other site capacity calculations as required in this chapter.
(9) 
Drawn on a sheet no less than 24 inches by 36 inches to no greater than 100 feet scale upon which is delineated and clearly identified the location, extent and area in acres, if applicable, of the following:
(a) 
Property lines for the site and adjacent parcels;
(b) 
Resource protection land identified by location, area and type;
(c) 
Site area, unrestricted site area;
(d) 
Proposed buffer yards;
(e) 
Location and dimensions of existing and proposed public and private roads, streets, driveways, walks and paths;
(f) 
Existing and proposed structures with proposed density and approximate height of structures indicated for each proposed type of structure and use;
(g) 
Proposed location and dimensions of all yards and open spaces;
(h) 
Existing contours and proposed grading plan in compliance with Chapter 247, Grading and Excavation, drawn to no greater than five feet contours;
(i) 
General proposals for the disposition of stormwater runoff in compliance with this chapter and with Chapter 369, Stormwater Management;
(j) 
Proposals for the disposition of sanitary wastes and the provision of water supplies;
(k) 
All applicable area or uses regulated or mandated by this chapter, including but not limited to off-street parking, off-street loading, exterior lighting, signs, and outdoor storage.
SOLID WASTE LANDFILLS
Any site licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) for the disposal of solid waste, other than hazardous waste, as defined and regulated by federal statute.
SOUND BARRIERS
Any structure that absorbs sound and mitigates noise, including, but not limited to, solid walls, insulation structures and sound absorption walls or structures.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
A use permitted in a particular zoning district pursuant to the provisions of Article VI and IX of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247, as amended.[7]
SPECIALIZED ANIMAL RAISING AND CARE
For the purposes of this chapter, specialized animal raising and care shall include:
A. 
Pens or structures for the raising and care of fur-bearing animals, game birds, exotic animals or similar operations, when the density exceeds one animal units per acre.
B. 
Licensed kennels or kennels with five or more canines per acre of greater than six months of age.
C. 
The keeping of exotic wildlife as defined and regulated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The phrase "exotic wildlife" includes, but is not limited to, all bears, coyotes, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars, wolves and any crossbreed of these animals which have similar characteristics in appearance or features. The definition is applicable whether or not the birds or animals were bred or reared in captivity or imported from another state or nation.
D. 
For the purposes of this section, "animal unit" shall be defined as one bovine or equine animals, two swine, four sheep or goats, or 50 birds or small mammals.
SPORTSMEN'S CLUB
A nonprofit entity formed for conservation of wildlife or game, and to provide members with opportunities for hunting, fishing or shooting. Activities limited to pistol range, skeet shoot, trap and skeet, and rim-fire rifles.
STORY
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 the floor and the ceiling next above it.
STREET
Includes street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, parkway, lane, alley, viaduct and any other ways used or intended to be used by vehicular traffic or pedestrians whether public or private.
STREET LINE
The line defining the edge of the legal width of a dedicated street right-of-way.
STRUCTURE
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
SUBDIVISION
The division or redivision of a lot, tract or parcel of land by any means into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land including changes in existing lot lines for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of lease, partition by the court for distribution to heirs or devisees, transfer of ownership or building or lot development; provided, however, that the subdivision by lease of land for agricultural purposes into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new street or easement of access or any residential dwelling, shall be exempted.
SURFACE MINING ACTIVITY
The surface activity of a mineral extraction operation, including sites previously mined and reclaimed. It shall not include engineering or deep mine activity or other operations which are carried out below the surface of the earth without disturbing vegetation, overburden or soil.
TAVERN
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.
TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR WELL SITE WORKERS
Housing for employees of the oil and gas industry that is occupied on a temporary basis related to the development cycle of the well pad. This development may occur on a single parcel or multiple parcels.
TOWNHOUSE DWELLING
See "dwelling."
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Robinson, a Second Class Township in Washington County, Pennsylvania.
TRAILER (CAMPING AND RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT)
Includes travel trailers, pickup camper, tent trailers, motorized homes and recreational equipment as follows:
A. 
TRAVEL TRAILERA portable structure, including tent trailers, built on a chassis, designed to be towed and used as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational and vacation purposes and permanently identified as a travel trailer by the manufacturer of the trailer.
B. 
PICKUP CAMPERA structure designed primarily to be mounted on a pickup or other truck chassis with sufficient equipment to render it suitable for use as a temporary dwelling, travel, recreational or vacation purposes.
C. 
MOTORIZED HOMEA portable dwelling designed and constructed as an integral part of a self-propelled vehicle.
D. 
BOATA vessel designed to travel on water,
E. 
BOAT TRAILERA trailer designed to haul a boat as defined above.
TRAVEL TRAILER
See "trailer (camping and recreational equipment)."
TRUCK TERMINAL
Land and buildings used as a relay station for the transfer of a load from one vehicle to another or one party to another. The terminal cannot be used for permanent or long-term accessory storage for principal land uses at other locations. The terminal facility may include storage areas for trucks and buildings or areas for the repair of trucks associated with the terminal.
USE
The purpose of the activity for which the land or building thereon is designed, arranged or intended or for which it is occupied or maintained. The term "permitted use" or its equivalent shall not be deemed to include any nonconforming use.
USE MIXED
The occupancy of a building or of a lot for more than one use, such as both a business and a residential use, both an industrial and a residential use, etc.
VARIANCE
Relief granted pursuant to the provisions of Articles VI and IX of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247, as amended.[8]
VETERINARY CLINIC
An establishment operated by a veterinary medical doctor(s) certified in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the medical or surgical treatment of domestic, agricultural or zoological animals but excluding the boarding and grooming of animals not subjected to medical or surgical treatment.
WAREHOUSE
An establishment, conducted within an enclosed building that is engaged in the storage of materials, equipment or products that will be distributed to wholesalers or retailers.
WATER RECYCLING/HYDRO RECOVERY FACILITIES
The treatment, cleaning and reuse of water related to oil and gas activity.
WELL SITE
The area occupied by all equipment or facilities necessary for or incidental to drilling, production or plugging a well.
WHOLESALE BUSINESS
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.
WHOLESALE USE
A business primarily engaged in selling merchandise to retailers, institutional, commercial or professional business customers or other wholesalers, rather than to the general public which includes the warehousing of merchandise and which may include distribution of such merchandise on the site of the principal business.
YARD
A space on the same lot with a principal structure, open, unoccupied and unobstructed by structure, except as may be otherwise provided in this chapter:
A. 
YARD, FRONTA yard extending across the full width of the lot, unoccupied other than by steps, walks, terraces, driveways, lamp posts and similar improvements, the depth of which is the least distance between the front lot line and the building line.
B. 
YARD, REARA yard extending across the full width of the lot between the rear of the principal building and the rear lot line, unoccupied other than by steps, walks, terraces, driveways, lampposts and similar improvements.
C. 
YARD, SIDEA yard between the principal structure and the side lot line, extending from the front yard or from the front line where no front yard is required, to the rear yard. The width of the required side yard is measured horizontally, at 90° with the side lot line, from the nearest part of the principal building.
ZONING CERTIFICATE
A document signed by the Zoning Officer, as required by this chapter, which acknowledges that a use, structure, building or lot either complies with or is legally nonconforming to the provisions of this chapter or is an authorized variance or modification therefrom.
ZONING HEARING BOARD
The Board assigned the duties of judging various appeals of persons aggrieved by the interpretation of this chapter and further, assigned to consider the qualifications of special exceptions under the terms and conditions specified in this chapter.
ZONING MAP
The Zoning Map or maps which are part of this chapter, together with all amendments subsequently adopted.
ZONING OFFICER
The individual authorized by the Board of Supervisors to be the administrator of the day to day application of the provisions contained in this chapter.
ZONING PERMIT
A document signed by the Zoning Officer indicating that the application for permission to construct, alter or add is approved and is approved and in accordance with the requirements and terms of this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10601 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 10231.1904.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 10231.101 et seq.
[4]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 10231.1904.
[5]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10401 et seq.
[6]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "shopping center," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 1-10-2022 by Ord. No. 01-2022.
[7]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10601 et seq. and § 10901 et seq., respectively.
[8]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10601 et seq. and § 10901 et seq., respectively.