Words and phrases shall be presumed to be used in their ordinary context unless such words or phrases are defined or interpreted differently in this article. Disputes concerning the definition or interpretation of a word or phrase shall be resolved by the Township Solicitor upon request by the Supervisors or Planning Commission.
For the purpose of this chapter, certain grammatical forms and words shall assume a wider interpretation than assumed in common usage. The following shall constitute a complete listing:
A. 
All present and future tenses shall be interchangeable;
B. 
All genders shall be interchangeable;
C. 
The singular and the plural shall be interchangeable;
D. 
The word "shall" is always mandatory;
E. 
The word "regulations" shall refer only to the controls imposed by this chapter and shall be interpreted strictly;
F. 
The word "standards" shall refer only to statements imposed by this chapter and shall be interpreted broadly.
The following words and phrases shall have particular meaning assigned by this article:
ACADEMIC CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER
An accredited medical school within this commonwealth that operates or partners with an acute care hospital within this commonwealth.
[Added 4-11-2017 by Ord. No. 360]
ACCESS DRIVE
A public or private thoroughfare that affords a means of access to an abutting property, parking area or street and case shall be no less than 20 feet in width.
[Added 6-9-2015 by Ord. No. 349]
ACCESSORY BUILDING
A building subordinate to the principal building on the property and used for purposes customarily incidental to those of the principal building.
ACCESSORY USE
A subordinate use which is clearly incidental and related to that of a main structure or main use of the land.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
AGRICULTURAL USE
The raising, breeding, keeping, or storage of plants and/or animals for commercial purposes, including but not limited to the following: farming, animal and poultry husbandry, dairying, pasturage, horticulture, floriculture, and viticulture.
ALLEY
A vehicular way open to the public which affords only a secondary means of access to an abutting property and which is not intended for general traffic circulation. An alley is not a street. Alley includes the entire right-of-way.
ALTERATIONS (TO A STRUCTURE)
Changes in the structural parts, in the exit facilities or interior partitioning arrangements, or in the use or occupancy, or the enlargement whether by extending side or height, or the moving of the structure from one location to another.
ANIMAL GROOMING FACILITY
An establishment for the grooming and aesthetic enhancement of domestic animals that does not include medical or surgical treatment, or overnight boarding facilities.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
ANTENNA AND SATELLITE DISH
Any device used for the transmission or reception of radio, television, wireless telephone, pager, commercial mobile radio service or any other wireless communications signals including, without limitation, omnidirectional or whip antennas and directional or panel antennas, owned or operated by any person or entity licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to operate such device.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
APARTMENT
See "dwelling, multiple-family."
APARTMENT HOTEL
A building consisting of guest rooms, suites of rooms, or dwelling units which are occupied more or less permanently, wherein the occupants are furnished so-called hotel services, including dining room and/or maid service.
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 or for the approval of a development plan.
ASSEMBLY OR FABRICATION FACILITY
Any building or part thereof where premanufactured parts are assembled or fashioned into a finished product for wholesale or retail sale.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
AUTOMOBILE
A self-propelled, free-moving vehicle, primarily for personal conveyance on a street or roadway.
[2]
AUTOMOBILE AND/OR TRAILER SALES AREA
An open area, other than a street or way, used for the display or sale of new or used automobiles or trailers and where minor and incidental repair work (other than body and fender) may be done.
AUTOMOBILE LAUNDRIES
An area of land and/or a structure with machine- or hand-operated facilities used principally for the interior and/or exterior cleaning, washing, polishing, or waxing of motor vehicles and whereas no repairs or sales of petroleum fuel or lubricants are performed.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
AUTOMOBILE REPAIR AND SERVICE SHOP
Any retail facility used to repair, service, and/or maintain automobiles direct to the motorist consumer, including major and minor repairs.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
AUTOMOBILE SALES AND RENTALS
A retail establishment which may include one or more of the following: an open area, other than a street, for the display and sale or rental of new or used automobiles, recreational vehicles and light-duty trucks; buildings which may contain offices and showrooms; an area within a completely enclosed building where reconditioning, preparation, accessory installation, repairs and/or servicing of vehicles is performed.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371; amended 8-24-2021 by Ord. No. 395]
AUTOMOBILE WRECKING
The dismantling or wrecking of used automobiles or trailers, or the storage, sale or dumping of dismantled, partially dismantled, obsolete or wrecked vehicles or their parts.
AWNING
A temporary or permanent structure extending out and over the upper part of a door, window or porch and serving as protection from sun or rain. A covering over a door, window or porch which extends more than 48 inches from the building and/or has supports extending below the center line or more than 12 inches above the opening that the covering is protecting, and/or supports extending beyond the building walls, shall not be considered an awning within the meaning of this definition and this chapter.
BASEMENT (or CELLAR)
Any area of the building having its floor below ground level on all sides.
BARS, TAVERNS, and SIMILAR ESTABLISHMENTS
An establishment where the principal business is the sale of alcoholic beverages to be consumed on site. Food preparation and the sale of to-go items may be provided as an accessory use clearly incidental to the sale of alcoholic beverages consumed on site.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
BED-AND-BREAKFAST
A detached dwelling which is the principal residence of the operator and in which a maximum of five sleeping rooms are provided for overnight guests for a period of not more than 14 consecutive nights in a thirty-day period, with or without breakfast meals, for compensation. This definition shall not include a group residence, motel, or hotel.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
BILLBOARD
See "sign."
BOARD, THE
The Zoning Hearing Board of the Township of Chartiers created by this chapter.
BUFFER
A strip of land which is planted and maintained in shrubs, bushes, trees, grass or other landscaping material and within which no structure or building (other than a permitted wall or fence) or vehicular use area is permitted.
BUILDING
A structure having a roof supported by columns or walls, for the housing or enclosure of persons, animals or chattels.
A. 
DETACHEDA building which has no party wall.
B. 
SEMIDETACHEDA building which has one party wall.
C. 
ATTACHEDA building which has two walls in common.
BUILDING AREA
The area of a horizontal section of a building at the ground floor elevation.
BUILDING, HEIGHT OF
The total number of stories in a building and the vertical distance measured from the curb level to the highest point of the roof adjacent to the street wall for flat roofs, to the deckline of mansard roofs, and to the mean height between eaves and ridges for gable or hip or gambrel or pent roofs.
BUILDING INSPECTOR
The duly authorized Building Inspector appointed by the Township or any authorized deputy thereof.
BUILDING SETBACK LINE
A line bounding the front yard and parallel to the front lot line. Also called the "front building line" and the "front yard line." See the illustrations at the end of Article III.[3]
BULK
Volume of a building.
CAREGIVER
The individual designated by a patient to deliver medical marijuana.
[Added 4-11-2017 by Ord. No. 360]
CARGO FACILITY
A freight terminal that utilizes multiple modes of transportation for the transfer and distribution of goods, materials and cargo.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
CARPORT
An open space for the storage of one or more vehicles in the same manner as a private garage, which may be covered by a roof supported by columns or posts, except that one or more walls may be the walls of the main building to which the carport is an accessory building or extension.
CARTWAY
Paved dimension of a public street or road.
CEMETERY
Land used or intended to be used for the burial of the dead and dedicated for cemetery purposes, including columbariums, crematories, mausoleums and mortuaries, when operated in conjunction with and within the boundary of such property.
[4]
CERTIFIED MEDICAL USE
The acquisition, possession, use or transportation of medical marijuana by a patient, or the acquisition, possession, delivery, transportation or administration of medical marijuana by a caregiver, for use as part of the treatment of the patient's serious medical condition, as authorized by certification by the commonwealth.
[Added 4-11-2017 by Ord. No. 360]
CLINICAL REGISTRANT
An entity that:
[Added 4-11-2017 by Ord. No. 360]
A. 
Holds a permit both as a grower/processor and a dispensary; and
B. 
Has a contractual relationship with an academic clinical research center under which the academic clinical research center or its affiliate provides advice to the entity, regarding, among other areas, patient health and safety, medical applications and dispensing and management of controlled substances.
COMMERCIAL SCHOOL
An educational establishment that provides specialized instruction and on-site training which does not satisfy the definition of an "education facility" of this chapter.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
COMMERCIAL USE
Any permitted land use that is not a single-family dwelling, two-family dwelling, quadplex, townhouse, or apartment.
[Added 6-9-2015 by Ord. No. 349]
COMMISSION
The duly authorized members of the Planning Commission as appointed by the Supervisors.
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 TOWERS
A structure, other than a building, such as a monopole, self-supporting or guyed tower, designed and used to hold and facilitate the operation of communications antennas. A communications tower shall include the appurtenant tower-mounted communication antennas and communications equipment structure.
[Amended 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
A facility that is publicly owned and operated, or owned and operated by a not for profit entity, including but not limited to libraries, museums, cultural facilities, municipal buildings, recreation facility, post offices, public works, fire departments, and the associated accessory uses.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
CONDITIONAL USE
A use which may be permitted by the Supervisors pursuant to public notice and hearing and recommendations by the Planning Commission and pursuant to express standards and criteria set forth in this chapter and pursuant to the requirements of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code[5] (Act 247, as amended).
CONDOMINIUM
A multifamily residential building where each dwelling unit in the building is individually owned and the owner of each unit has an undivided interest in the common areas and facilities of the building and surrounding grounds.
[Amended 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
CONSERVATION EASEMENT
An area or strip of land which shall remain in a natural state, free from improvement except for access road crossings and trails.
CONVENIENCE STORE
An establishment primarily engaged in the provision of frequently or recurrently needed goods for household consumption, such as prepackaged food and beverages, and limited household supplies and hardware. Neighborhood convenience stores shall not include fuel pumps or the selling of fuel for motor vehicles. Typical uses include neighborhood markets and country stores.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
CORNER LOT
See "lot, corner."
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
Any publicly 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 a jail, prison, halfway house, juvenile detention facility, or other facility where individuals are incarcerated or otherwise required to reside pursuant to court order under the supervision of paid staff and personnel. "Correctional facility" shall not apply to municipal buildings with holding cells as an accessory use.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
COUNTY
The County of Washington, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
COURT
An unoccupied open space, other than a yard, on the same lot with the building which is bounded on two or more sides by walls of such building.
COURT, INNER
A court enclosed on all sides by exterior walls of a building or by the exterior walls and lot line on which walls are allowable.
CURB LEVEL
The elevation of the established curb opposite a point midway between the extremes of the plane of the existing or proposed structure which faces the curb.
DAY-CARE FACILITY
A facility, other than a residential dwelling unit, where day care for the elderly or child care and educational instructions are provided for seven or more children under the age of 16 or any number of elderly persons, who are not relatives of the operator, at any one time for part of a twenty-four-hour day, operated for profit, and which is licensed by the Department of Public Welfare as a "day-care center." Day care for fewer than four children shall be permitted as a no-impact home-based business, and subject to the day-care home occupation conditional use standards and criteria.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
DENSITY
The quantity or number per unit of area.
DENSITY, BUILDING
Maximum number of dwelling units permitted per acre.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH)
The Department of Health of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any agency successor thereto.
[Added 4-11-2017 by Ord. No. 360]
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 a land development.
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.
DISTRIBUTION CENTER
Any building or part thereof where the process of directly marketing and supplying wholesale goods to a retailer or manufacturer is conducted.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
DOMESTIC PET
Any dog, cat, or other household pet normally and ordinarily kept in or permitted to be at large in the dwelling of its owner, but not including any animal of the bovine, equine, sheep, or hog families.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
DWELLING
A building, portion thereof or other structure used primarily for human habitation (whether permanent or seasonal), providing complete housekeeping facilities for a single family and which includes exclusive sleeping, cooking, eating and sanitation facilities and a separate entrance for each unit. The word "dwelling" shall not include hotels, motels, group residences, institutional facilities, nursing home or similar uses for group residence. Dwelling types shall include the following:
[Amended 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
A. 
ANCILLARY DWELLINGA small, self-contained dwelling located on the same lot as another single-family dwelling that may contain sleeping, cooking, eating, and sanitation facilities to be a self-sustaining dwelling unit. The ancillary dwelling can be attached to the main dwelling, integrated with the main dwelling, or a separate building to the main dwelling.
B. 
DUPLEX DWELLINGA residential building which is the only principal building on the lot, designed exclusively for occupancy by two families living independently of each other; and containing two dwelling units, each with a separate entrance directly to the outside, including double houses and duplexes.
C. 
MULTIFAMILY DWELLINGA building containing three or more dwelling units, including units that are located one over the other and/or side by side, but each an independent dwelling relative to utilities, facilities and access. This definition shall include apartments.
D. 
SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGA detached residential building which is the only principal structure on the lot, designed exclusively for occupancy by one family, as defined herein, and containing one dwelling unit.
E. 
TOWNHOUSE DWELLINGA residential building consisting of a series of at least three, but not more than 10 dwelling units, which shall not exceed three stories in height, attached to each other by continuous vertical walls without opening from basement to roof, with each dwelling unit having separate access to the outdoors not shared with the access of other dwelling units, and with each dwelling unit located or capable of being located on a separate lot.
DWELLING UNIT
One or more living or sleeping rooms with cooking and sanitary facilities for one family.
EARTH
Includes, but not limited to, soil, topsoil, clay, sand, gravel, rock or any combination thereof.
EATING ESTABLISHMENT AS AN ACCESSORY USE
An establishment where the sale and consumption of food is incidental and secondary to the principal use. Examples shall include employee cafeterias or dining rooms.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
EATING ESTABLISHMENT WITH DRIVE-THROUGH
An establishment which includes a principal building and adjoining parking area used for the purpose of furnishing food and beverages to the public normally for consumption outside the confines of the principal building, or in vehicles parked upon the premises, regardless of whether or not seats are provided inside for patrons.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
EATING ESTABLISHMENT WITHOUT DRIVE-THROUGH
An establishment where the principal business is the sale of food and beverages to the public in a ready-to-consume state, where the food preparation is completed in the on-site kitchen and the food is primarily consumed on-site.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
EDUCATION FACILITY
A public or private establishment approved and licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education to provide formal academic and/or vocational education at the elementary and secondary levels.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
The erection, construction, alteration, or maintenance by public utilities or municipal or other governmental agencies of underground or overhead gas, electrical, steam or water transmission or distribution, collection, communications, supply or disposal systems. The term shall not include communications towers.
EXCAVATION
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other similar material is dug into, cut, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced, relocated or bulldozed, and the conditions resulting therefrom.
FAMILY
An individual; two or more persons related by blood or marriage living together; or one or more persons maintaining, wholly or partly, other persons, all of them living together in one household, not embracing clubs, fraternities, boardinghouses or rooming houses or other groups of individual persons living together. A family may also include domestic servants and gratuitous guests. The foregoing restrictions do not apply to persons with disabilities as defined in the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.
FARMER'S MARKET
An establishment or premises where the retail sale of farm products and/or prepared foods produced by local growers occurs.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
FENCE
A barrier constructed of materials other than shrubbery erected for the purpose of protection, confinement, enclosure or privacy.
FILL
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, or rock is placed, pushed, dumped, pulled, transported or moved to a new location above the natural surface of the ground or on top of the stripped surface, including the conditions resulting therefrom; the difference in elevation between a point on the original ground and a designated point of higher elevation of the final grade; or the material used to make fill.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
A bank, savings-and-loan association and other similar institution that lends money or is engaged in a finance-related business.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
FITNESS CENTER
An indoor facility for personal exercise and physical conditioning, which includes uses such as sport courts, exercise equipment and/or locker rooms that may or may not include a Jacuzzi and/or sauna and retail shops as accessory uses. This use may also be referred to as a "health club."
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
FLEX SPACE
A building or buildings that can be divided for use by one tenant or multiple tenants primarily for office, light manufacturing, pilot manufacturing, research and development, warehousing, and associated administrative space.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
FORM OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA
The characteristics of the medical marijuana recommended or limited for a particular patient, including the method of consumption and any particular dosage, strain, variety and quantity or percentage of medical marijuana or a particular active ingredient.
[Added 4-11-2017 by Ord. No. 360]
FREIGHT TERMINAL
A building and adjacent loading area where cargo is stored and where commercial vehicles load and unload cargo on a regular basis, which may or may not include facilities for maintenance, fueling, storage or dispatching or the vehicles.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
FUEL SALES
The retail sale of motor vehicle fuel, including gasoline, diesel, and compressed natural gas. Fuel sales may include the retail sales normally associated with a convenience store. Fuel sales may also include food preparation, service, and consumption as an accessory use.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
GARAGE, COMMUNITY
A single building or a group of minor garages, erected for the use of adjacent property owners or residents of multiple-family dwellings, used for the storage of motor vehicles and not for repair or maintenance thereof.
GARAGE, MINOR
Either a one-story building or an integral part of a dwelling used for storage of at least one, but not more than three, motor vehicles owned and used by the owner or tenant of the lot on which it is erected for a purpose accessory to the use of the lot of which is rented by the owner or tenant of such a lot on a weekly or monthly basis for such storage of motor vehicles by others.
GARAGE, PUBLIC
Any building used for the storage and repair of motor vehicles not defined as a "minor garage" or "community garage."
GARDEN APARTMENT
An apartment located in a building containing not less than two nor more than 18 one-floor units, said building not to exceed three floors in height.
GRADE
The mean elevation of the ground adjoining a building on all sides as referenced from the center line of adjacent streets and measured at the midpoint of the street lot line.
GRADE, ESTABLISHED
The elevation of the center line of the street as officially established by the municipal authorities.
GRADING
Any excavation or filling or combination thereof.
GROUP CARE FACILITY
An establishment including, but not limited to, an assisted-living facility, independent living facility and personal care home, that provides room and board to persons who are residents by virtue of receiving supervised specialized services limited to health, social and/or rehabilitative services provided by governmental agencies, their licensed or certified agents, or any responsible nonprofit corporation meeting the minimum requirements of the sponsoring agency. Supervision shall be provided by responsible adults whose number shall be determined and certified by the sponsoring agency; however, no less than one responsible adult shall always be in the actual facility on a twenty-four-hour basis. The number of residents shall not exceed 14 persons, excluding supervisory adults and the children of supervisory adults. This category shall not include correctional facilities or other facilities operated by or under the jurisdiction of any government bureau of corrections or similar institution.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
GROUP RESIDENCE
A dwelling unit in a residential area where room and board are provided to six or fewer unrelated persons of any age who are permanent residents, who are mentally or physically handicapped and who are in need of supervision and specialized services, including necessary staff who may or may not reside in the dwelling and who provide health, social and/or rehabilitative services to the residents; such services being provided by a governmental agency, its licensed or certified agents or any other responsible nonprofit corporation meeting the minimum requirements of the sponsoring agency. This category shall not include facilities operated by or under the jurisdiction of any government bureau of corrections or similar institution.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
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 DOH to grow and process medical marijuana.
[Added 4-11-2017 by Ord. No. 360]
HEARING
An administrative proceeding conducted by a board pursuant to Section 909.1 of the MPC.[6]
HOME OCCUPATION
A business or commercial activity administered or conducted as an accessory use which is clearly secondary to the use as a residential dwelling, but which does not meet the requirements of a no-impact home-based business. Home occupations may install a 1/2 square foot nameplate sign on the subject property's mailbox only.
[Amended 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
HOSPITAL
An establishment that provides diagnostic health services and extensive medical, surgical and/or psychiatric services and/or treatment either through inpatient care or on an emergency outpatient basis.
[Amended 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
HOTEL
An establishment which provides transient lodging accommodations to the general public in sleeping units which each have independent access to a common interior corridor and which may provide such additional supporting services as restaurants, meeting and banquet rooms, recreation facilities, and living quarters for a resident manager or proprietor.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
IDENTIFICATION CARD
A document issued by the DOH that permits access to medical marijuana.
[Added 4-11-2017 by Ord. No. 360]
IMPROVEMENT
Any type of structure, excavation or paved section, or change thereof.
IMPROVEMENT SETBACK LINE
A line parallel to the front lot line between which line and the front lot line no improvements, as defined in this chapter, shall be permitted. See the illustrations at the end of Article III.[7]
INCINERATOR
An establishment for burning waste material, especially industrial waste, at high temperatures until it is reduced to ash.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT FACILITY
Any establishment which provides amusement, recreation or entertainment for the general public within a completely enclosed structure for a fee or admission charge including, but not limited to, bowling alleys, billiard and pool halls, and amusement arcade. A gaming enterprise, a nightclub, and/or a shooting range shall not be considered an indoor entertainment center.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
INDUSTRIAL PARK
An area of land developed for multiple industrial uses which are subject to the use regulations of the Industrial Zoning District. Each principal use within an industrial park must be divided through lease lines or parcel boundaries, and must conform to the area, bulk, and setback regulations of § 350-33.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
JUNKYARD
A lot, land or structure, or parts thereof, used primarily for the collecting, storage and sale of wastepaper, rags, scrap metal or discarded material or for the collecting, dismantling, storage and salvaging of machinery or vehicles not in running condition and for the sale of parts thereof.
[Amended 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
KEEPING OF LIVESTOCK AND HORSES (<10 ACRES)
Maintaining livestock and horses for private, noncommercial use on a tract of land less than 10 acres in size, and subject to § 350-41.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
KEEPING OF LIVESTOCK AND HORSES (>10 ACRES)
Maintaining livestock and horses for private, noncommercial use on a tract of land 10 acres or more, and subject to § 350-41.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
KENNEL
An establishment where six or more domestic pets that are six months or older are kept, bred, trained, or boarded at any one time, whether for profit or not. A kennel shall not be considered a no-impact home-based business, or a home occupation, or an accessory use to a residential dwelling, unless specifically permitted by this chapter.
[Amended 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
INSTITUTION
A building and land used partially for the human habitation of two or more unrelated individuals who occupy the facility for a common purpose other than housekeeping.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Any of the following activities:
A. 
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
(1) 
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings, whether proposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential building on a lot or lots regardless of the number of occupants or tenure; or
(2) 
The division or allocation of land or space, whether initially or cumulatively, between or among two or more existing or prospective occupants by means of, or for the purpose of, streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building groups or other features.
B. 
A subdivision of land.
C. 
Land development shall not include:
(1) 
The addition of an accessory farm building on a lot or lots subordinate to an existing principal farm building; or
(2) 
The addition or conversion of buildings or rides within the confines of an enterprise which would be considered an amusement park. For the purposes of the definition, an "amusement park" is defined as a tract or area used principally as a location for permanent amusement structures or rides. This exclusion shall not apply to newly acquired acreage by an amusement park until initial plans for the expanded area have been approved by proper authorities.
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 land.
LANDSCAPE CENTER
Any land used to raise trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plants for wholesale or retail purposes or for transplanting.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
LIFE CARE FACILITY
A facility for the transitional residency of elderly and/or disabled persons, progressing from independent living in single-family units to congregate apartment living where residents share common meals and culminating in a full health and continuing care nursing home facility.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
LIVESTOCK BUFFER
A buffer within which livestock are not permitted.
LOADING SPACE
An off-street space or berth, abutting upon a street or way or other appropriate means of access, intended for the temporary parking of a commercial vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise or materials, which space or berth is not less than 10 feet in width and sufficient in length, measured perpendicularly to the street or way, to insure that no vehicle using the space shall extend beyond a property line, but in no case less than 25 feet in length.
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 a lot, excluding space within any street right-of-way or alley right-of-way, but including the area of any easement.
LOT, BUILDABLE AREA OF
That portion of a lot bounded by the required front, rear, and side yards.
LOT, BUILDING LINES OF
The lines that bound the buildable area of the lot, including front and rear and side building lines. The front, rear, and side building lines are the same as the front, rear, and side yard lines.
LOT, CORNER
A lot abutting two or more streets at their intersection.
LOT COVERAGE
The percentage of the lot area covered by buildings.
LOT DEPTH
The mean distance from the street right-of-way line at the front of a lot to the extreme rear lot line of the lot measured parallel to the mean direction of the side lines thereof.
LOT, THROUGH
A lot other than a comer lot with frontage on more than one street.
LOT WIDTH
The horizontal distance between the side lot lines of a lot or, in the case of a corner lot, between the side lot line and front lot line which is opposite the side lot line, measured along the front yard line. See the illustrations at the end of Article III.[8]
MAJOR EXCAVATING, GRADING OR FILLING
Any operation, other than work in connection with the foundation for a structure, involving:
A. 
Material alteration of the ground surface so as to affect streets and recreation sites and other public facilities or physically affect private property within 1,000 feet of the intended operation; or
B. 
A volume of earth movement exceeding an average of 1/2 of a cubic yard per square foot of site area or 16,000 cubic yards, whichever is the lesser; or
C. 
A change in ground elevation exceeding 15 feet.
MAJOR TRAFFIC THOROUGHFARE
A main traffic artery designated on the Township Master Plan of Streets.
MANUFACTURING, HEAVY
The mechanical or chemical transformation of raw materials or substances into new products or other raw materials or any manufacturing process not included in the definition of "light manufacturing."
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
MANUFACTURING, LIGHT
The processing and fabrication of certain materials and products where no process involved produces noise, vibration, air pollution, fire hazard or noxious emission which will disturb or endanger neighboring properties. "Light manufacturing" includes the production of the following goods: home appliances; electrical instruments; office machines; precision instruments; electronic devices; timepieces; jewelry; optical goods; musical instruments; novelties; wood products; printed material; lithographic plates; type composition; machine tools; dies and gauges; ceramics; apparel; lightweight metal castings; film processing; light sheet metal products; plastic goods; pharmaceutical goods; and food products, but not animal slaughtering or curing nor rendering of fats.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
MASSAGE THERAPY ESTABLISHMENT
Any business or part thereof where massage services are provided by a person having graduated from a massage therapy training program approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools, or equivalent agency if trained in another state, by a person certified through a massage therapy certification exam approved by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, by a person certified through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, or by a person who is a practitioner or higher level member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP), or International Massage Association (IMA).
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
MASTER PLAN OF STREETS
A document developed and maintained by the Township which classifies all roads in the Township according to the following criteria:
A. 
ARTERIAL ROUTESRoads designated to carry high volumes of traffic between communities of geographic areas.
B. 
COLLECTOR ROUTESRoads designed to carry traffic to and from arterial routes.
C. 
CONNECTOR ROUTESRoads that carry traffic between collector routes.
D. 
LOCAL STREETSStreets that are designed to carry traffic to and from each land parcel in the Township.
MEDICAL CLINIC
An establishment, excluding a medical office and business or professional office, where two or more medical professionals licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health provide diagnostic health, medical, surgical and/or psychiatric services and/or treatment to the general public, where patients are not provided with board or kept overnight, and shall include such uses as reception areas, waiting areas, consultation rooms, X-ray and minor operating rooms and a dispensary, provided that all such uses have access only from the interior of the building or structure.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Marijuana for certified medical use as legally permitted by the Medical Marijuana Act of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Act 16 of 2016.
[Added 4-11-2017 by Ord. No. 360]
MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT
The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act, 35 P.S. § 10231.101 et seq., as amended.
[Added 4-11-2017 by Ord. No. 360]
MEDICAL MARIJUANA DELIVERY VEHICLE OFFICE
Any facility used to house delivery vehicles for supplying marijuana plants or seeds to one or more grower/processor and/or dispensary.
[Added 4-11-2017 by Ord. No. 360]
MEDICAL 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 Department of Health of the Commonwealth to dispense medical marijuana.
[Added 4-11-2017 by Ord. No. 360]
MEDICAL MARIJUANA ORGANIZATION OR FACILITY
A dispensary or a grower/processor of marijuana for medical purposes as permitted in the Medical Marijuana Act.
[Added 4-11-2017 by Ord. No. 360]
MEDICAL OFFICE
An establishment where one or more licensed medical professionals, provide diagnosis and treatment by appointment to the general public, without surgical procedures or pharmacy, where patients are not provided with board or kept overnight, and shall include such uses as reception areas, offices, consultation rooms, and X-ray, provided that all such uses have access only from the interior of the building or structure.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
MINERAL EXTRACTION
Mineral extraction 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. Oil and gas extraction, excavation for the purposes of grading a building lot or roadway and the removal of grass or sod for landscaping, or the removal of materials from a lot for use on that same lot, shall not be considered mineral extraction.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
MIXED USE
A tract of land or a building where a combination of residential and/or commercial uses permitted within a district are combined.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
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 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 erections thereon of a single mobile home.
MOBILE HOME PARK
A parcel or contiguous parcels of land which has been so designated and improved that it contains two or more mobile home lots for the placement thereon of mobile homes.
MORTUARY
A funeral home that does not include a crematory as a principal or accessory use.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
MOTEL
An establishment which provides transient lodging accommodations to the general public in units which each have independent access directly to the outside and which may provide such additional supporting services as restaurants, meeting and banquet rooms, recreation facilities, and living quarters for a resident manager or proprietor.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
MPC
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of 1968, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., and as it may be amended.
NO-IMPACT HOME-BASED BUSINESS
A business or commercial activity administered or conducted as an accessory use which is clearly secondary to the use as residential dwelling and which 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, and which otherwise complies with the following requirements:
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
A. 
The business activity shall be compatible with the residential use of the property and surrounding residential uses;
B. 
The business shall employ no more than one employee other than family members residing in the dwelling;
C. 
There shall be no display or sale of retail goods and no stockpiling or inventory of a substantial nature;
D. 
There shall be no outside appearance of a business use including, but not limited to, parking, signs or lights; except that the name of the business may be indicated on the residence mailbox, as long as the mailbox sign does not exceed one square foot in area;
E. 
The business activity shall not use any equipment or process which creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical or electronic interference, including interference with radio or television reception, which is detectable in a neighborhood;
F. 
The business activity shall not generate any solid waste or sewage discharge, in volume or type, which is not normally associated with residential use in the neighborhood;
G. 
The business activity shall be conducted only within the dwelling and may not occupy more than 25% of the habitable floor area;
H. 
The business shall not involve any illegal activity; and
I. 
The business shall not supersede any deed, restriction, covenant, or agreement restricting the use of the land, nor any master deed, bylaw, or other document applicable to a common interest ownership community.
NOISE
Sound pressure in excess of 65 decibels as measured as at a property line or public right-of-way.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
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 reasons 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 of 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.
NONRESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES
Any structure covering a maximum area of 150 square feet, with such a structure having a minimum width or length of eight feet.
[Added 7-3-2001 by Ord. No. 284][9]
NURSING HOME
An establishment, licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, engaged in providing a patient nursing and health-related personal care, utilizing in whole or part licensed and/or registered nurses, excluding hospital services and excluding day-to-day personal care which is not health care by licensed or registered nurses.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
OFFICE
A building or part of a building in which one or more persons are employed in the management, direction or conducting of business or where professionally qualified persons and their staff serve clients who seek advice or consultation, and which may include the administrative offices. A business or professional office shall not include a medical office.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
OFFICE, BUSINESS
Business offices with more than 2,000 square feet of net leasable area, but no more than 14,000 square feet of net leasable area per building. For the purposes of the business office use, net leasable area shall include all area within a building less any common areas, common hallways, and common bathrooms.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
OFFICE, NEIGHBORHOOD
A neighborhood office establishment not exceeding 2,000 square feet of net leasable area within a single building. For the purposes of the neighborhood office use, net leasable area shall include all area within a building less any common areas, common hallways, and common bathrooms.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
OPEN LAND USES
Any function conducted in an unsheltered area not involving the removal of natural resources.
OPEN SPACE LAND
Land that is restricted in use to public or private recreational use.
OUTDOOR STORAGE
The storage of materials, equipment, containers, and/or trailers outside of a completely enclosed building, but not including storage of materials or motorized vehicles defined as a junkyard.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
PARKING AREA
An open space, other than a street or way, used for the parking of only automobiles.
PARKING PERIMETER RADIUS
The required radial distance in which all off-street parking spaces must be located.
PARKING SPACE
A space in a garage or parking area, not less than nine feet wide and 20 feet long, reserved for the parking of only one automobile.
PAVED AREA
A percentage which, when multiplied by the lot area, will determine the permitted ground area which may be covered with an impervious surface.
PERSON
Any individual or group of individuals, partnership, or corporation.
PERSONAL SERVICES
Any enterprise providing domestic commodities and services pertaining to the person, their apparel or personal effects commonly carried on or about the person including, but not limited to, shoe repair, tailoring, clothes cleaning, watch repairing, barbershops, beauty parlors and related activities.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
PHARMACY
A retail store not exceeding 7,000 square feet of gross floor area which primarily sells prescription drugs, patient medicines, and surgical and sickroom supplies.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT (PRD)
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 area, 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 this chapter.
[Amended 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of the Township.
PLAT
The map or plan of a subdivision or land development, whether preliminary or final.
PORCH
A roofed, open structure projecting from the front, side or rear wall of a building.
PRIVATE
Any procedure or establishment limited to members of an organization or to other persons specifically invited or permitted where no advertisement or inducement has been made to the general public.
PRIVATE IMPROVEMENTS
All streets, sidewalks, walkways, streetlights, street signs, gutters, curbs, sewers, water lines, and other utilities or related facilities, but not including driveways and parking areas, to be operated and maintained by a private entity.
PRIVATE, NONCOMMERCIAL USE OR STRUCTURE
A use or structure on a lot in a residential zone from which the inhabitants of the lot derive no commercial benefit through the sale of goods or services related to the use or structure.
[10]
PRIVATE OR SEMI-PRIVATE CLUB
Any establishment operated by a private organization for social, recreational, educational, fraternal or social purposes, but open only to members and their guests and not to the general public.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
PUBLIC BUILDING
A building or structure owned by a government agency and used for public purposes.
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 the public notice by the Supervisors or Planning Commission intended to inform and obtain public comment, prior to taking action in accordance with the Municipalities Planning Code.[11]
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
All streets, sidewalks, walkways, streetlights, street signs, gutters, curbs, sewers, water lines, and other utilities or related facilities, but not including driveways and parking areas, to be dedicated to or maintained by a public agency, or any such existing facilities accepted by a public agency.
PUBLIC MEETING
A forum held pursuant to notice under the Act of October 15, 1998 (P.L. 729, No. 93), 65 Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq., known as the "Sunshine Act."[12]
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality. 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 that seven days from the date of the hearing.
PUBLIC UTILITY BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
Facilities that transmit and/or distribute to the general public electric power, cable television and telephone communications.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
RECREATIONAL FACILITY, PRIVATE
A building, structure, or open space designed for recreational purposes and limited to members of an organization and to their guests and not accessible to the general public. Such facilities include, but are not limited to, country clubs, golf courses, tennis courts, and swim clubs.
RECREATIONAL FACILITY, PUBLIC
A building, structure, or open space designed for recreational purposes and open to the general public. Such facilities include parks, nature trails, public swimming pools and other similar facilities.
REGISTRY
The registry established by the DOG for all medical marijuana organizations and practitioners.
[Added 4-11-2017 by Ord. No. 360]
RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION
An institution of any denomination where people regularly observe, practice or participate in religious or spiritual services, meetings, or activities.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
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 DEVELOPMENT, PILOT MANUFACTURING, and LABORATORIES
Any establishment which carries on investigation in the natural, physical, or social sciences and engineering and development as an extension of such investigation with the objective of creating end products. This may include testing concepts and ideas and determining the physical layouts, material flows and processes, types of equipment required, costs and other information necessary prior to undertaking full-scale production, and which may include the conduct of small-scale product runs under simulated production conditions.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT
A business establishment located entirely within an enclosed building which sells goods, services or merchandise to the general public for personal, household or office consumption and which shall not include wholesaling, manufacturing or processing of the goods offered for sale. An adult-oriented business shall not be considered a retail store.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
RIGHT-OF-WAY
Land reserved or dedicated for use as a street, pedestrianway, or other means of public or private transportation or for an electric transmission line, oil or gas pipeline, water main, sanitary or storm sewer, or other special use. A right-of-way includes the entire area reserved or dedicated for the use.
SANITARY LANDFILL
A planned and systematic method of refuse disposal whereby nontoxic waste material is placed in the earth in layers, then compacted and covered with earth or other approved cover material at the end of each day's operation.
SCHOOL
Any building or grounds, or portion thereof, used exclusively for the education of humans or for uses attendant to the education of humans.
SECURITY, MAINTENANCE
Method for developer to secure structural integrity and functioning of public improvements in accordance with the design and specifications depicted on the final plan approved by the Township, for a period of time following the date of acceptance by the Supervisors of dedication of such improvements. The maintenance security shall be in the form of a performance bond, federal or commonwealth chartered lending institution irrevocable letter of credit and restrictive or escrow accounts in such lending institutions or such other security as may be acceptable to the Supervisors. Such financial security shall be posted with a bonding company or federal or commonwealth chartered lending institution chosen by the party posting the financial security, provided that said bonding company or lending institution is authorized to conduct such business within the Commonwealth.
SECURITY, PERFORMANCE
Method for developer to guarantee proper installation of public and private improvements specified in the final application. The performance security shall be in the form of a performance bond, federal or commonwealth chartered lending institution irrevocable letter of credit and restrictive or escrow accounts in such lending institutions or such other security as may be acceptable to the Supervisors. Such financial security shall be posted with a bonding company or federal or commonwealth chartered lending institution chosen by the party posting the financial security, provided that said bonding company or lending institution is authorized to conduct such business within the Commonwealth.
SEWER
A public or private sewer treatment system and a pipe collection system.
SHOPPING CENTER
A group of commercial businesses developed, owned and maintained as a single entity and sharing a common parking lot.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
SIGN
Any surface, fabric or device bearing lettered, pictorial or sculptured matter designed to convey information visually and exposed to public view, or any structure or medium (including billboard or poster panel) designed to carry the above visual information, or to attract attention.
SIGN, AREA OF
The entire surface on each plane or planes on which the letters, numbers, words, symbols or pictorial matter appears and shall include any border.
SIGN, ILLUMINATED
The term "illuminated," as used in § 350-34 of this chapter, shall indicate lighting by means of lamps or other lighting devices constructed within or outside or away from the sign, but which is an integral part of the advertising effect.
SIGN, NONCONFORMING
A sign, lawfully existing on the effective date of this chapter or subsequent amendment hereto, which does not completely conform to the sign regulations applicable in the district in which it is located.
SIGN, OVERHANGING
Any sign suspended from a building, a pole or other object irrespective of any restraining bracing.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
A use which may be permitted in a district upon review and approval by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with Article XI of this chapter and the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code[13] (Act 247, as amended).
STORAGE, ENCLOSED
The keeping of goods or equipment, accessory to a permitted use, in a building with a roof and walls on all sides.
STORAGE GARAGE/FACILITY
A building or group of buildings with controlled access that contains various sizes of individual compartmentalized rooms, stalls and/or lockers for the storage of the customer's goods and belongings. This shall not apply to uses which legally allow customary indoor and outdoor storage as an accessory use.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
STORAGE, OUTSIDE
The keeping of goods or equipment, accessory to a permitted use (not including registered parked automobiles), in an unenclosed, outdoor area.
STORY
That part of a building between a floor and any floor or roof next above, used for human occupancy. A basement shall be considered a story if more than 1/3 of the perimeter walls are five feet or more above the average exterior grades.
[14]
STORY, HALF
A story with a cubic content of not more than 50% of the cubic content of the first story of the building.
STREET
Includes street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, parkway, lane, viaduct and any other ways, except alleys used or intended to be used by vehicular traffic or pedestrians, whether public or private. "Street" includes the entire right-of-way.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS
Any change in the supporting members of a building or structure, such as bearing walls, partitions, columns, beams or girders, or the piercing of exterior walls.
STRUCTURE
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
STRUCTURE, ACCESSORY
A detached subordinate structure, the use of which is clearly incidental to the main structure or to the use of 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.
SUPERVISORS
The elected Supervisors of the Township.
SUPPLY YARD
A commercial establishment storing or offering for sale building supplies, steel supplies, coal, heavy equipment, feed and grain and similar goods. "Supply yards" do not include the wrecking, salvaging, dismantling or storage of automobiles, similar vehicles and junk. The term "supply yard" shall not be construed to include supply yards conducted as an accessory use in association with the operation of a legally permitted use.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
SUPPORTING RETAIL
Selected retail stores, which are compatible with and support the principal uses authorized in a business or industrial parks.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
SWIMMING POOL
An open public or private swimming facility containing over 24 inches of water.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
TEMPORARY OUTDOOR SEATING
A dining area with seats and tables located outdoors of a licensed food establishment (restaurant) that has indoor seating and which is located entirely outside the exterior walls of a building.
[Added 6-9-2015 by Ord. No. 349]
TERRACE
A natural embankment between a building and its lot lines. The height of a terrace shall be the difference in elevation between the lot line and the finished grade at the line of the building.
TOURIST COURT
A group of attached or detached buildings containing only individual sleeping rooms or living units (except in the case of quarters for resident manager or proprietor) with separate accessory facilities, designed for temporary use by automobile tourists or transients, including auto courts, motels or motor lodges and the like.
[15]
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Chartiers, Washington County, Pennsylvania, having its municipal office at 2 Buccaneer Drive, Houston, Pennsylvania 15342.
TRUCK
An automotive vehicle used for hauling.
[16]
TRUCK TERMINAL
A freight terminal for loading, unloading, and processing freight being transported to and from the facility using trucks of any size.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
USE OF A BUILDING
Any and every use or activity conducted within a building or an accessory thereto.
VETERINARY SERVICES
An establishment owned and operated by a veterinarian 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 subject to medical or surgical treatment.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
WALL PROJECTING SIGN
A sign attached or affixed to a wall of a building or structure and protruding from the wall surface in such a way that more than one face of the sign is visible.
[Added 6-9-2015 by Ord. No. 349]
WAREHOUSING
An establishment for the storage and handling of freight or merchandise, but not including the maintenance or fueling of commercial vehicles. This shall not apply to uses which legally allow customary warehousing of goods, supplies, and materials as an accessory use.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
WATER
A public or private water distribution system.
WHOLESALE BUSINESSES
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.
[Added 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371]
YARD
That portion of the lot which is unoccupied and open to the sky and extends from the lot line to the yard line. See the illustrations at the end of Article III.[17]
YARD, FRONT
A yard extending across the full width of the lot and abutting the front lot line, the required depth of which yard is a prescribed minimum distance between the front lot line and a line parallel thereto on the lot. See the illustrations at the end of Article III.
YARD LINE
A line drawn parallel to the corresponding lot lines at a distance specified for the required depth of yard in each respective case. See the illustrations at the end of Article III.
YARD LINE, FRONT
A yard line bounding the front yard and parallel to the front lot line. See the illustrations at the end of Article III.
YARD LINE, REAR
A line bounding the rear yard and parallel to the rear lot line. See the illustrations at the end of Article III.
YARD LINE, SIDE
A line bounding the side yard and parallel to the side lot lines. See the illustrations at the end of Article III.
YARD, REAR
For all lots except corner lots, a yard extending across the full width of the lot and abutting the rear lot line, the required depth of which yard is a prescribed minimum distance between the rear lot line and a line parallel thereto on the lot. For corner lots, a yard abutting the rear lot line and extending between the front yard and side lot line, the required depth of which yard is a prescribed minimum distance between the rear lot line and a line parallel thereto on the lot. See the illustrations at the end of Article III.
YARD, SIDE
A yard abutting a side lot line extending from the front yard to the rear yard, the required width of which yard is a prescribed minimum distance between the side lot line and a line parallel thereto on the lot. See the illustrations at the end of Article III.
ZONING OFFICER
The Township official authorized by the Supervisors as the Chartiers Township Zoning Officer.
Illustration of Zoning Terms Relating to Lots, Yards, Streets and Alleys
Illustration of Lot Types and Yards
[1]
Editor's Note: For defined terms relating to floodplain management, see § 350-76E, Definitions.
[2]
Editor's Note: The frmer definition of "automobile and gasoline service station," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371..
[3]
Editor's Note: Said illustrations immediately follow the definition of "Zoning Officer."
[4]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "church, cathedral or temple," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371.
[5]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[6]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10909.1.
[7]
Editor's Note: Said illustrations immediately follow the definition of "Zoning Officer."
[8]
Editor's Note: Said illustrations immediately follow the definition of "Zoning Officer."
[9]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "office building," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371.
[10]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "professional office," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371.
[11]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[12]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
[13]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[14]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
[15]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "townhouse," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371.
[16]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "use, accessory," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. 371.
[17]
Editor's Note: Said illustrations immediately follow the definition of "Zoning Officer."