All words used in this chapter shall carry their customary dictionary definitions as provided in the most recent edition of Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, except where specifically defined herein. Words used in the present tense shall include the future. The singular number shall include the plural, and the plural the singular. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not permissive; the word "may" is permissive. The words "used" or "occupied," as applied to any land or structures, shall be construed to include the words "intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied." The word "person" shall include the individual, corporation, partnership, incorporated association or any other entity. Words in the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender. The words "includes" and "including" shall not limit the defined term to the specific examples, but are intended to extend the term's meaning to other instances of like kind and character.
The following words and phrases shall have the particular meanings specified for the purpose of interpreting this chapter:
ABOVEGROUND STORAGE TANKS
Tanks or other containers that are above the ground, partially buried, bunkered, or in a subterranean vault meeting the requirements of Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) regulations (see 40 CFR 112) where such facilities have a total aboveground oil storage capacity of more than 1,320 gallons; single aboveground tanks with an oil storage capacity of more than 660 gallons; or facilities with a combined underground oil storage capacity greater than 42,000 gallons.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
ACCESS
A means of providing vehicular or pedestrian ingress and egress to and from a property.
ACCESSORY DWELLING
A dwelling unit, accessory to the principal residence of the landowner, for the housing of an employed caretaker or relatives who are in need of economic or health benefits provided by persons who are concerned about their well-being, while allowing them to live independently in an apartment converted within an existing single-family dwelling or detached garage or in a mobile home located on the same lot with an existing single-family dwelling.
ACCESSORY USE OR STRUCTURE
A use or structure, located on the same lot with the principal use or structure, that is subordinate and incidental to the principal structure or use of the property and that may occupy a separate structure and/or area on or in the ground, including, but not limited to, storage buildings or other storage structures, off-street parking, signs, off-street loading, gazebos, children's playhouses, greenhouses for personal use, garages, swimming pools, detached decks, fences and similar structures.
ACTIVE RECREATION, HIGH-IMPACT
See "recreation, active, high-impact."
ACTIVE RECREATION, LOW-IMPACT
See "recreation, active, low-impact."
ADJACENT; ADJOINING
Sharing common property lines uninterrupted by any alley, public street or private street right-of-way. A lot will not be deemed to be adjacent to or adjoining a second lot if the lots are separated by an alley, public street or private street right-of-way.
ADULT ARCADE
Any place where the public is permitted or invited wherein coin-operated or electronically, electrically or mechanically controlled still or motion-picture machines, projectors or other image-producing devices are maintained to show images to five or fewer persons per machine at any one time and where the images displayed are sexually explicit or depict nudity or sexual conduct, as defined herein.
ADULT BOOKSTORE OR VIDEO STORE
An establishment having a substantial or significant portion of its stock-in-trade, including, but not limited to, videocassettes, movies, books, magazines and other periodicals, distinguished or characterized by its emphasis on matters depicting, describing or relating to nudity or sexual conduct, as defined herein, or an establishment with a segment or section devoted to the sale or display of such material.
ADULT BUSINESS
An adult arcade, adult bookstore or video store, adult motel, adult mini motion-picture theater, adult motion-picture theater, adult live theater, adult newsrack, adult nightclub, body painting studio, bathhouse, escort service, massage parlor, or any other business establishment offering adult entertainment, as defined herein.
ADULT ENTERTAINMENT
Movies that are rated "X" by the Motion Picture Coding Association or videos, still or motion pictures, photographs, slides, films or other visual representations, books, magazines or other printed material or live dramatic, musical or dance performances that are sexually explicit or depict nudity or sexual conduct, as defined herein.
ADULT LIVE THEATER
Any commercial establishment that features live shows for public viewing in which all or some of the performers are displaying nudity or engaging in sexual conduct, as defined herein.
ADULT MINI MOTION-PICTURE THEATER
A completely enclosed building, as defined herein, with a capacity for accommodating fewer than 50 persons, used for presenting material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to nudity or sexual conduct, as defined herein, for observation by patrons therein.
ADULT MOTEL
A hotel or motel presenting adult motion pictures by means of closed circuit television, the material being presented having as a dominant theme or presenting material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to nudity or sexual conduct, as defined herein, for observation by patrons therein.
ADULT MOTION-PICTURE THEATER
An enclosed building, with a capacity for accommodating 50 or more persons, used for presenting material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to nudity or sexual conduct, as defined herein, for observation by patrons therein.
ADULT NEWSRACK
Any coin-operated machine or device that dispenses printed material substantially devoted to the depiction of nudity or sexual conduct, as defined herein.
ADULT NIGHTCLUB
Any nightclub, as defined herein, that offers adult entertainment, as defined herein.
AGRICULTURAL SALES
The sale of products raised, grown or produced on a farm, provided the sales are conducted on the farm property where the products are raised, grown or produced, and where products sold that are not raised, grown or produced on the farm shall be a minor percentage of the total sales.
AGRICULTURE
Any principal or accessory use of land or structures for farming, dairying, pasturage, agriculture, kennels, horticulture, floriculture, arboriculture, or animal or poultry husbandry, whether for profit or not. Accessory uses permitted in conjunction with agriculture may include barns, stables, corn cribs, silos and other uses or structures that are clearly related to an agricultural operation. The definition of "agriculture" shall not include boarding stables, commercial greenhouses, kennels, private stables, recreational farmettes or riding academies, which are separately defined and regulated by this chapter.
AISLE
A paved area of a minimum width specified by this chapter that provides direct access to one or two rows of parking spaces and connects those parking spaces with the driveways that provide circulation through a parking area.
ALTERATION
See "structural alteration."
AMENDMENT
See "zoning amendment."
APARTMENT IN COMBINATION WITH BUSINESS
A dwelling unit located in the same building with an office and/or retail business.
ARCHITECT
A registered professional architect, licensed as such by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
ARTERIAL STREET
See "street, arterial."
ASSEMBLY HALL
A room, hall or building used for lectures, meetings and gatherings, other than a religious convocation.
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY
A residential building or group of buildings designed to provide multifamily dwelling units for elderly or physically or mentally disabled persons who are independently mobile and are not in need of the level of service provided by a personal care boarding home, but that provides on-site supervision and assistance available to the residents on an occasional, as-needed basis, and where at least one meal each day is provided in a common dining area, and that includes certain design features associated with the needs of the elderly that are not customary in the construction of conventional dwelling units, such as emergency call systems, common dining facilities, common laundry facilities, minimal housekeeping services, common leisure and recreational facilities, transportation services and similar supporting services for the convenience of the residents.
AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATION
A retail establishment that provides for one or more of the following activities:
A. 
The servicing of motor vehicles and operations incidental thereto and limited to the retail sale of petroleum products and that may include one or more of the following activities: retail sales and installation of automotive accessories; automobile washing by hand; undercoating and rustproofing; waxing and polishing of automobiles; tire changing and repairing (excluding recapping); battery service, changing and replacement, excluding repair and rebuilding; radiator cleaning and flushing, excluding steam cleaning and repair; installation of accessories; and state inspections;
B. 
The following operations, if conducted within a completely enclosed building, as defined by this chapter: lubrication of motor vehicles; replacement of exhaust systems; brake servicing, limited to servicing and replacement of brake cylinders, lines and brake shoes; wheel balancing; and the testing, adjustment and replacement or servicing of carburetors, filters, generators, points, rotors, spark plugs, voltage regulators, water and fuel pumps, water hoses and wiring; and/or
C. 
The operation of a convenience food store, provided retail sale of petroleum products is a part of the operation.
BAKERY
A retail establishment that sells baked goods, including the baking of goods when prepared for retail sales on the premises only and not for distribution to another retail outlet.
BAR or TAVERN
A business, licensed by the commonwealth, 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.
BATHHOUSE
An establishment that provides baths of all kinds, including methods of hydrotherapy involving nudity or sexual conduct, as defined herein, but not including hydrotherapy treatment practiced by or under the supervision of a medical practitioner, such as a medical doctor, physician, chiropractor or similar professional licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
BED-AND-BREAKFAST
A dwelling that is the principal residence of the operator where no more than four sleeping rooms are offered to transient overnight guests for compensation and where the only meal served and included with the overnight accommodations is breakfast.
BEER DISTRIBUTOR
A commercial business licensed by the commonwealth to sell beer in quantity entirely for off-premises consumption.
BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTOR
An establishment licensed by the commonwealth for retail and wholesale sales by the case to businesses and the general public of beer and other malt beverages, soft drinks and snacks, but not including the sale of wine or liquor.
BILLBOARD
Any off-premises sign with a changeable or permanent advertising face that advertises an establishment, person, activity, product or service that is unrelated to or not available on the premises on which the sign is located.
BOARDING STABLE
The keeping of horses and ponies owned by persons other than the owner of the stable, or the rental of horses owned by the owner of the stable for a fee or other form of compensation, that may include training of horses, riding lessons and riding facilities.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
The Board of Supervisors of the Township of South Strabane, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
BODY PAINTING STUDIO
Any establishment that provides the service of applying paint or other substance, whether transparent or nontransparent, to or on the human body in a state of nudity, as defined herein.
BOUTIQUE WINERY
A use that may comprise a small vineyard area (less than one acre of land dedicated to wine growing/vineyard space) and a building or buildings used for wine production which includes the conversion of fruit juices (all or part of which are produced on the property) to wine, and to barrel age, bottle, store, distribute and sell said wine. Wine production, for the purposes of this chapter, also includes crushing, fermenting and refermenting, bottling, blending, bulk, case goods and bottle storage, aging, shipping, receiving, laboratory equipment and maintenance facilities, and administrative office functions. The use may also include ancillary uses related to the winery operations.
[Added 7-28-2020 by Ord. No. 1-2020]
BUFFER AREA
A landscaped area of a certain depth specified by this chapter that shall be planted and maintained in trees, grass, ground cover, shrubs, bushes or other natural landscaping material and shall consist of a mix of types and sizes of plant material that, within three years of planting, meets the standard of providing a compact year-round visual screen at least six feet in height, or an existing natural barrier, such as vegetation and/or topography, that duplicates the effect of the required buffer area, provided the natural barrier is maintained with vegetation or landscaping at all times.
BUILDING
A roofed structure, whether or not enclosed by walls, to be used for shelter, enclosure or protection of persons, goods, materials, animals, things or an area of land. (See also "completely enclosed building.")
BUILDING FOOTPRINT
The area of the lot, expressed in square feet, that is covered by the ground floor of a building, measured between exterior faces of walls. If the floor area of any upper floor exceeds the floor area of the ground floor by more than 10%, the upper floor shall be used to determine the building footprint.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the average of the elevations of the finished grade at the four corners of the building to the highest point of the roof for flat roofs, to the decklines of mansard roofs, and to the mean height between eaves and ridges for gable, hip and gambrel roofs.
BUILDING LINE, FRONT
A line parallel to or concentric with the front lot line, the minimum measurement of which is the front yard depth required by this chapter.
BUSINESS OR PROFESSIONAL OFFICES
[Amended 4-14-2015 by Ord. No. 2-2015]
A. 
BUSINESS OFFICEA business establishment which generally operates on a first-come, first-serve basis and which has relatively high pedestrian or customer traffic throughout the entire year, including utility payments, etc.
B. 
PROFESSIONAL OFFICEA business establishment which generally serves clients and operates on an appointment basis, with relatively low pedestrian or vehicular traffic, including offices of accountants, management services, services to businesses, architects, attorneys, consultants, designers, engineers, insurance agents, medical professionals, realtors, and the like.
BUSINESS SERVICES
Establishments engaged in providing services to business offices on a fee or contract basis, including, but not limited to, advertising and public relations; management and consulting services; employment services; building security and maintenance services; equipment servicing, rental/leasing and sales; computer and data processing services; mailing, photocopying, quick printing and fax services; sale of office supplies; and similar business services, but not including the rental, sale or repair of vehicles or heavy equipment.
CANDY OR ICE CREAM STORE
A retail establishment that sells candy and/or ice cream and which may include on-site processing of the products sold on the premises, but which shall not include on-site processing of products for delivery off the premises.
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.
CARRY-OUT RESTAURANT
See "restaurant, carry-out."
CARTWAY
That portion of the street right-of-way that is surfaced for vehicular use, excluding curbs and shoulders.
CAR WASH
A facility, whether automatic, semiautomatic or manual, for washing and polishing vehicles.
CASING HEAD
The lowest part of the wellhead that is almost always connected to the surface casing string, and provides a means of suspending and packing off the next casing string.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
CASING STRING
A long section of connected oilfield pipe that is lowered into a wellbore and cemented.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
CATERING SERVICE
A business that provides the preparation and serving of food for businesses, groups or individuals for special occasions, usually delivered for consumption off the premises, but which may include a rental hall if specifically authorized by this chapter in the list of authorized uses.
CEMETERY
Property used for interring of dead persons or domestic pets, including mausoleums, columbariums, crematoriums, and mortuaries operated in conjunction with and within the boundaries of such property, but not including a family plot, as defined herein.
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
A document issued by the Zoning Officer or his/her designated agent indicating that a premises for which a building permit and/or a zoning certificate has been issued is ready for occupancy and is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and the Uniform Construction Code (Ch. 95, Construction Codes, Uniform), if applicable.
[Amended 7-23-2019 by Ord. No. 3-2019]
CERTIFIED WATER STORAGE TANK
An aboveground assembly of fluid storage containers that are each certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or organization such as the ASA, American Petroleum Institute, ASTM International, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, or the American Water Works Association and used to hold fresh water and/or reuse water for use in oil and gas development and related operations.
[Added 11-24-2020 by Ord. No. 7-2020]
CHRISTMAS TREE
An assembly of valves, spools, and fittings used for an oil well, gas well, water injection well, water disposal well, gas injection well, condensate well, and other types of wells.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
CHURCH
A building or buildings, other than a dwelling, used primarily as a place of worship on a regular basis by a religious denomination, that may also include, as accessory uses, rooms for religious education, social and recreational activities and administrative offices, rectories, parsonages, convents, preschool programs and elderly or child day-care centers.
CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLE
A triangular area of unobstructed vision at the intersection of two streets or of a driveway and a street defined by line of sight a given distance from the intersection of the center lines of two streets or the center lines of the driveway and the street. (See illustration in Appendix A.[1])
CLINIC
See "medical clinic."
CLINIC, VETERINARY
See "veterinary clinic."
CLUB, PRIVATE
See "private club."
COLLECTOR STREET
See "street, collector."
COMMERCIAL
A business, enterprise, activity or other undertaking engaged in for a profit.
COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE
A retail business that sells flowers, plants, shrubs, trees and other natural flora and products that aid their growth and care and that may include a greenhouse and/or the growing of plant material outside on the lot.
COMMERCIAL SCHOOL
See "school, commercial."
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
A motor vehicle licensed by the Department of Transportation, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, having a gross vehicle weight in excess of 10,000 pounds; or any other vehicle either motorized, self-propelled or designed to be towed by another vehicle for use in commercial or industrial enterprises, such as air compressors, welding units and the like; or any and all earthmoving equipment, such as bulldozers, hi-lifts, backhoes, ditching equipment and the like.
COMMON OPEN SPACE
A lot or portion thereof or body of water or a combination thereof within a development site for the use and enjoyment of the residents of a development, including subsurface stormwater management facilities, but not including surface stormwater management facilities, streets, off-street parking areas and other areas set aside for facilities for the general public.
[Amended 7-23-2019 by Ord. No. 3-2019]
COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA
Any structure designed for transmitting or receiving wireless communications of video, voice, data and similar transmissions, including but not limited to omnidirectional or whip antennas, directional or panel antennas and satellite or microwave dish antennas, that may be mounted on an existing building, an existing public utility storage or transmission structure or an existing communications tower, excluding transmission and receiving devices licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) exclusively for private use by citizens.
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT BUILDING
A manned or unmanned structure that contains the equipment necessary to maintain and operate communications antennas and that covers an area on the ground in excess of 200 square feet.
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT CABINET
An unmanned structure that contains the equipment necessary to maintain and operate communications antennas and that covers an area on the ground of no more than 200 square feet.
COMMUNICATIONS TOWER
Any structure, whether freestanding or attached to a building, designed to support multiple communications antennas, including monopole, self-supporting and guyed towers, and one or more of the following mounts for antennas: rotatable platform, fixed platform, multipoint or side-arm mounts and pipe mounts for microwave dish antennas.
COMMUNITY CLUB
An organization comprised of residents in the neighborhood in which it is located, the primary purpose of which is the advancement of its members' interests in recreation, education, cultural or civic pursuits and activities.
COMPARABLE USE NOT SPECIFICALLY LISTED
A use which is not specifically listed in a particular zoning district, but which is determined by the Zoning Hearing Board, in accordance with the express standards and criteria set forth in this chapter, to be similar in characteristics and impacts to another use which is specifically listed in the same zoning district as a permitted use, conditional use or use by special exception.
COMPLETELY ENCLOSED BUILDING
A building designed and constructed so that all exterior walls shall be solid from the ground to the roofline, containing no openings except for windows and doors that are designed so that they may be closed and any other small openings required for the ventilation system.
COMPRESSOR
A device used alone or in series to raise the pressure of natural gas and/or by-products to create a pressure differential to move or compress a liquid, vapor or gas.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
COMPRESSOR STATION
A facility designed and constructed to compress natural gas, through the use of electric motors, that originates from an oil and gas well or collection of such wells and to operate as an upstream or midstream facility for delivery of oil and gas to a transmission pipeline, distribution pipeline, natural gas processing and/or treatment facility or underground storage field.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
CONDITIONAL USE
A use authorized by this chapter that may be granted only by the Board of Supervisors, following review by the Planning Commission and a public hearing, subject to express standards and criteria contained in this chapter.
CONFERENCE OR CONVENTION CENTER
A facility used for corporate, professional or organizational meetings, conferences, exhibitions, conventions, seminars and/or training and which may include supporting dining and lodging facilities and related recreational facilities as accessory uses.
CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION
A residential development in which the dwelling units are clustered on the portion of the site most suitable for development and the remaining property is preserved as undivided common open space.
CONSTRUCTION TRAILER, TEMPORARY
A structure designed, used or constructed to provide temporary offices for construction supervision on the site of an approved subdivision or land development during the time that a valid building permit or grading permit is in effect.
CONTRACTING BUSINESS
The administrative offices of a business that provides construction, remodeling, home improvement, land development and related services on a contractual basis and that may include the storage of materials, equipment and vehicles, provided all materials, equipment and vehicles are stored within a completely enclosed building. (See also "landscaping contractor.")
CONTRACTOR'S YARD
An establishment that may or may not include administrative offices for a business that provides landscaping, construction, remodeling, home improvement, land development and related services on a contractual basis, but that involves the outdoor storage of all or part of the materials, equipment or vehicles used in the business.
CONVENIENCE STORE
See "store, convenience."
CONVERSION APARTMENT
A dwelling unit created in an existing single-family dwelling by structurally adapting the structure in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
CORNER LOT
A lot at the intersection of, and fronting on, two or more street rights-of-way.
COUNTRY CLUB
See "golf or country club."
COUNTY
Washington County, Pennsylvania.
COVERAGE
See "lot coverage."
CUTOFF ANGLE
The angle formed by a line drawn from the direction of light rays at the light source and a line perpendicular to the ground from the light source, above which no light is emitted. (See Appendix B.[2])
DAY-CARE CENTER
A facility, licensed by the commonwealth, located within a building that is not used as a dwelling unit, for the care, on a regular basis, during part of a twenty-four-hour day, of children under the age of 16 or handicapped or elderly persons.
DAY-CARE HOME
See "family day-care home."
DAY SPA
A business establishment that provides one or more of the following services to customers who do not stay overnight on the premises: massage therapy, facials, body wraps, tanning, steam or sauna baths, herbal treatments, hairstyling, manicures, pedicures, nutritional counseling, yoga, exercise, aromatherapy, reflexology and relaxation therapy.
DECK or PATIO
Any uncovered outdoor living area, without a roof, constructed on or above the surface of the ground.
DELICATESSEN
A retail establishment, other than a restaurant, that sells ready-to-eat food products, such as cooked meats, sandwiches and prepared salads, primarily for consumption off the premises, but that may provide a few tables or a counter for on-premises consumption as an accessory use, and that may include off-premises catering.
DENSITY, DWELLING UNIT
See "dwelling unit density."
DEPTH OF LOT
See "lot depth."
DEVELOPER
A landowner, agent of such landowner or tenant with the landowner's written permission who causes development to occur upon a lot and who is responsible for compliance of such development with the terms of this chapter and Chapter 206, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Code of the Township of South Strabane.
DEVELOPMENT
Any man-made change to an improved or unimproved land or water area, including but not limited to construction of buildings or structures or additions thereto, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations.
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
A graphic and written presentation of a proposed development, including a plat of subdivision and all provisions relating to use, location and bulk of buildings and other structures, intensity of use or density of development, streets, parking facilities, common open space and public facilities.
DIRECT VEHICULAR ACCESS
A curb cut onto an existing public street, the intersection of a public street proposed within a development with an existing public street or a private driveway within a development that intersects with an existing public street right-of-way. In the case of the requirement for direct vehicular access to an arterial or collector street, the point of access from a development site shall be onto the arterial or collector street without traversing any other public street right-of-way outside the development site. In the case of a regional commercial development, direct vehicular access may be satisfied by providing access by means of a public street or private driveway within another existing or approved regional commercial development that intersects with an existing arterial or collector street.
DISTILLERY
A use that may comprise of a license to operate a distillery that manufactures and sells bottled liquors produced on the premises and a building or buildings used for liquor production which includes the conversion of fruit juices (all or part of which are produced on the property) to distilled liquor, and to barrel age, distill, bottle, store, distribute and sell said liquor. Production, for the purposes of this chapter, also includes crushing, fermenting and refermenting, distilling, bottling, blending, bulk, case goods and bottle storage, aging, shipping, receiving, laboratory equipment and maintenance facilities, and administrative office functions. The use may also include ancillary uses related to the distillery operations. The distilling capacity shall not exceed 15,000 gallons per year.
[Added 8-28-2021 by Ord. No. 4-2021]
DISTRICT
See "zoning district."
DOMESTIC PETS
Animals, fish or birds customarily found in a dwelling and kept for company or pleasure, including no more than four dogs and/or cats; hamsters, rabbits, gerbils, parakeets, canaries and similar small animals or birds, excluding exotic animals as defined by Chapter 59, Animals, Article II, Exotic and Wild Animals, of the Code of the Township of South Strabane, as now or hereafter amended; and any horses, pigs (except for Vietnamese potbellied pigs) or other fowl or livestock customarily found on a farm.
DRILLING
Any vertical or horizontal digging or boring of a new well or reworking of an existing well with the intention to explore, develop or produce oil, gas or other hydrocarbons or to inject gas, water or any other fluids or substances into the earth.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
DRILLING AND STIMULATION EQUIPMENT
All parts and appurtenances to such structure and every piece of apparatus, machinery or equipment used, erected or maintained in connection with oil and gas drilling, as defined herein, as well as the completion and stimulation/workover equipment utilized to complete the well.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
DRIVE-THROUGH FACILITY
Any principal use or accessory use that involves a window, service lane, bay or other facility where customers are provided services either inside or outside their vehicles and where cars may or may not wait in line to access these services, including but not limited to drive-in or drive-through windows at fast-food restaurants, banks or other businesses, exterior automated teller machines (ATMs), quick oil change facilities, car washes and similar automotive services and other such facilities.
DRIVEWAY
A private vehicular way providing access between a street and a parking area or garage located on a lot.
DRY-CLEANING PICKUP STORE
A retail store where customers drop off and pick up clothing and household items for dry cleaning that does not involve any dry cleaning on the premises, but that may include tailoring or pressing on the premises.
DWELLING
Any building designed or used as permanent living quarters for one or more families, but not including hotels, motels or boardinghouses.
DWELLING, ACCESSORY
See "accessory dwelling."
DWELLING TYPES
The following dwelling types are included in this chapter:
A. 
SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGA detached residential building that is the only principal structure on the lot, designed exclusively for occupancy by one family, as defined herein, and containing one dwelling unit.
B. 
TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGA residential building that is the only principal structure on the lot, unless authorized by this chapter to be subdivided along the common wall for fee simple ownership of each dwelling unit, 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.
C. 
TRIPLEXA residential building designed exclusively for occupancy by three families living independently of each other, containing three dwelling units, each having independent access directly to the outside and having no other units above or below.
D. 
QUADRAPLEXA residential building designed exclusively for occupancy by four families living independently of each other, containing four dwelling units, each having independent access directly to the outside and having no other units above or below.
E. 
MULTIFAMILY DWELLINGA residential building designed exclusively for occupancy by three or more families living independently of each other and containing three or more separate dwelling units, including triplexes, quadraplexes, townhouses, garden apartments, mid-rise apartments and high-rise apartments.
F. 
GARDEN APARTMENTA multifamily residential building, no more than three stories in height, containing three or more dwelling units that share a common entrance to the outside, usually through a common corridor, and which dwelling units may have other dwelling units either above or below them.
G. 
HIGH-RISE APARTMENTA residential building, comprised of multifamily dwelling units, containing seven or more stories.
H. 
MID-RISE APARTMENTA residential building, comprised of multifamily dwellings, containing at least four, but no more than six, stories.
I. 
MODULAR DWELLINGA factory-fabricated single-family dwelling that is delivered to its site in at least two sections that are set upon a permanent foundation and the sections joined together. Such dwellings shall be certified as meeting the minimum standards for manufactured housing in Pennsylvania. Modular dwellings shall be permitted wherever single-family dwellings are allowed, provided they are installed on a permanent foundation and connected to all available utilities.
J. 
TOWNHOUSEA multifamily residential building, other than a triplex or quadraplex, no more than 2 1/2 stories in height that contains at least five, but no more than eight, dwelling units, each of which are separated from the adjoining unit or units by a continuous, unpierced vertical wall extending from the basement to the roof, each unit having independent access directly to the outside and having no other units above or below.
DWELLING UNIT
One or more rooms that are used as living quarters for one family and that have permanent facilities for sleeping, cooking and eating, as well as sanitary facilities.
DWELLING UNIT DENSITY
The number of dwelling units authorized by this chapter per acre of land.
EASEMENT
A grant of one or more property rights by the property owner to and for use by the public, a utility, a corporation or any other person, the use of which by the grantor shall not be inconsistent with the rights of the grantee.
EDUCATIONAL STUDIO
An establishment that provides training to individuals or groups in specialized recreational activities or avocations, including but not limited to dance, gymnastics, martial arts, photography, arts and crafts and similar pursuits.
EFFECTIVE DATE
The date on which this chapter is duly adopted by the Township or as specified in this chapter so adopted.
ENGINEER
A registered professional engineer, licensed as such by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
ENTERTAINMENT, INDOOR
See "indoor entertainment."
EQUIPMENT STORAGE YARD
An area of land devoted to the storage, whether temporary or permanent, of construction equipment, farm equipment or other heavy equipment or vehicles in excess of 26,000 pounds GVW.
EQUIPMENT TESTING TRACK
A paved pathway or course accessory to a recreational equipment center or facility, as defined herein, laid out for the purpose of demonstrating ATVs or other motorized recreational vehicles to prospective purchasers or training recent purchasers in the safety and handling of such vehicles.
ERECTED
Includes "built," "constructed," "reconstructed," "moved upon" or any physical operations on the land required for the building. Excavation, fill, drainage and the like shall be considered part of the erection.
ESCORT SERVICE
A business that provides a service by appointment or upon request where individuals leave one premises and go to another premises for a specified period of time for the purpose of engaging in nudity or sexual conduct as defined herein.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
The provision of distribution and collection systems by public utilities, regulated by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) or any agency, franchisee or authority of South Strabane Township, of underground or overhead gaslines, electrical lines, telephone lines, steam lines, or waterlines, sewers, fire alarm boxes, traffic signals, hydrants, cable TV (not including towers) and accessories in connection therewith, reasonably necessary to furnish adequate services within South Strabane Township to the general public.
FAMILY
A. 
An individual, or two or more persons related by blood, marriage, adoption or foster child care, including domestic servants or gratuitous guests thereof, or a group of not more than three unrelated persons living together without supervision in a dwelling unit, or not more than 12 persons living together in a group living arrangement with supervision, provided that the group living arrangement meets all of the following criteria:
(1) 
It provides nonroutine support services, including supervision, personal care, social or counseling services and transportation, to persons who need such assistance in order to use and enjoy a dwelling or to avoid being placed within an institution because of physical disability, old age, mental retardation, or other handicap or disability as defined by the Fair Housing Amendments Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.) or the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.).
[Amended 7-23-2019 by Ord. No. 3-2019]
(2) 
It provides for the joint occupancy of a dwelling unit where the residents maintain a common household and practice, on a permanent or long-term basis, a joint economic, social and cultural life.
(3) 
It does not involve the housing of persons on a transient basis.
(4) 
It does not involve the housing or treatment of persons accepted for residence in the group living arrangement on the basis of their status as criminal offenders, juvenile offenders or delinquents, or who would otherwise qualify for residence by virtue of having been found by any governmental tribunal, court or agency to be a danger to society or are on release or under the jurisdiction of the criminal justice system, a government bureau of corrections or similar institution.
(5) 
"Family" shall not include persons living together in a group care facility, personal care boarding home or transitional dwelling, as defined herein, or any other supervised group living arrangement for persons not protected by the Fair Housing Act or for any persons who constitute a direct threat to others or their physical property.
FAMILY DAY-CARE HOME
A facility regulated by the commonwealth located within a dwelling in which the operator resides where out-of-home care is provided, at any one time, for part of a twenty-four-hour day to four, five or six children who are not related to the operator and who are 15 years of age or younger, or the current definition as may be amended from time to time by the commonwealth, where such use is secondary to the use of the dwelling for living purposes and shall meet all applicable requirements for a home occupation.
[Amended 6-26-2012 by Ord. No. 2-2012]
FAMILY PLOT
Any property used for interring dead persons or domestic pets, the use of which is restricted to the members of a family, and which property is owned and operated by the members of that family.
FARM
A site of 10 acres or more used for the pursuit of agriculture, as defined herein.
FARMETTE
See "recreational farmette."
FAST-FOOD RESTAURANT
See "restaurant, fast-food."
FENCE
An artificially constructed barrier of wood, masonry, stone, wire, metal or any other manufactured or natural material or combination of materials erected for the enclosure of land and/or dividing one area of land from another. This definition shall not include agricultural fences erected for the purpose of enclosing livestock in areas properly used for agricultural purposes, nor shall it include retaining walls that are designed and approved in accordance with Chapter 109, Excavations, Filling and Grading, of the Code of the Township of South Strabane.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
A bank, savings-and-loan association or similar institution that lends money or is engaged in a finance-related business.
FLOOR AREA, GROSS
The sum of all the horizontal floor areas of a building, measured between exterior faces of walls.
FLOOR AREA, HABITABLE
The floor area of all the rooms in a dwelling unit, excluding the floor area devoted to kitchen, bathroom and/or other cooking and sanitary facilities, closets, pantries, storage spaces, hallways, basements (whether finished or unfinished) and garages.
FLOOR AREA, NET
The total floor area of a building designed for tenant occupancy, or areas accessible to the customers, clients or general public, but excluding storage areas, equipment rooms, food preparation areas in a restaurant, and common areas, such as halls, corridors, stairwells, elevator shafts, rest rooms, interior vehicular parking and loading areas and similar common areas, expressed in square feet and measured from the center line of joint partitions and exteriors of outside walls.
FOOD STORE
See "store, food."
FOOTPRINT
See "building footprint."
FORESTRY
The management of forests and timberlands, when practiced in accordance with accepted silvicultural principles, through developing, cultivating, harvesting, transporting and selling trees for commercial purposes, that does not involve any land development.
FRONT BUILDING LINE
See "building line, front."
FRONT LOT LINE
See "lot line, front."
FRONT YARD
See "yard, front."
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, or a portion of the principal building, not accessible to the general public and designed or used for shelter or storage of private vehicles and personal property of the occupants of the principal building and that may include the shelter or storage of no more than one private vehicle owned and used by others.
GARAGE, PUBLIC
A building, other than a private garage, containing two or more parking spaces accessible to the general public, used for the storage or parking of motor vehicles or where such vehicles are kept for remuneration, hire or sale, but not including the repair of vehicles or the storage of dismantled or wrecked motor vehicles.
GARAGE, VEHICLE REPAIR
See "vehicle repair garage."
GARDEN APARTMENT
See Subsection F under "dwelling types."
GARDEN CENTER
A retail establishment that sells flowers, plants, shrubs, trees, other natural flora and the products that aid their growth and care, but that does not include any outdoor growing area.
GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORE
See "store, general merchandise."
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, driving range, putting green or other practice facilities, facilities for racquet sports, maintenance facilities and similar facilities as accessory uses.
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.
GREENHOUSE, COMMERCIAL
See "commercial greenhouse."
GROCERY STORE
See "store, grocery."
GROSS FLOOR AREA
See "floor area, gross."
GROUP CARE FACILITY
Any supervised long-term group living arrangement licensed by the commonwealth for any of the following:
A. 
Persons who do not meet the definition of "mentally or physically handicapped" provided in the Fair Housing Amendments Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act.[3]
B. 
Persons who do meet the definition of "mentally or physically handicapped" provided in the Fair Housing Amendments Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act living in an institutional setting and not maintaining a common household.
C. 
Persons who, whether handicapped or not, are criminal offenders, juvenile offenders or delinquents or who have been found by any governmental tribunal, court or agency to be a danger to society or who are under the jurisdiction of the criminal justice system, a governmental bureau of corrections or similar agency or institution.
HABITABLE FLOOR AREA
See "floor area, habitable."
HARDWARE STORE
See "store, hardware."
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Any material designated as a "hazardous material" under the terms and provisions of the Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Act of 1980 (35 P.S. § 6018.101 et seq.) and/or any regulations promulgated thereunder by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) and designated as "hazardous materials."
[Amended 7-23-2019 by Ord. No. 3-2019]
HEALTH CLUB
A commercial recreational enterprise or private club that has as a principal use a gymnasium, swimming pool or other sports facility and that may offer massages, whirlpool baths, steam rooms, saunas and/or medical facilities as accessory uses to the principal use.
HEAVY MANUFACTURING
See "manufacturing, heavy."
HEIGHT OF BUILDING
See "building height."
HEIGHT OF SIGN
The vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the finished grade around the sign to the highest point on the sign and its supporting structure, including the foundation of the sign, if it is elevated above the ground level.
HEIGHT OF STRUCTURE
For structures other than buildings or signs, the vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the finished grade around the structure to the highest point on the structure.
HEIGHT OF THE WIND-ENERGY SYSTEM
See "wind-energy system, height of the."
HIGH-RISE APARTMENT
See Subsection G under "dwelling types."
HIGH-TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES
The assembly of component parts or the production of finished products, excluding any process that involves toxic or highly volatile substances, including computer components and accessories; electrical parts, accessories and equipment; laboratory apparatus; robotics; optical instruments; precision instruments; surgical, medical and dental instruments and supplies; timers and timepieces; search, detection and navigational equipment; musical instruments; and photographic equipment and accessories.
HOME-BASED BUSINESS, NO-IMPACT
A business or commercial activity administered or conducted as an accessory use that is clearly secondary to the use of a dwelling for residential purposes and that involves no customer, client or patient traffic, whether vehicular or pedestrian, and no pickup, delivery or removal functions to or from the premises in excess of those normally associated with residential use.
HOME GARDENING
Raising flowers, ornamental plants, fruits and vegetables for personal use and enhancement of a residential lot.
HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE
See "store, home improvement."
HOME OCCUPATION
An accessory use of a service character that does not meet the definition of a "no-impact home-based business" conducted entirely within a dwelling by the residents thereof, which use is clearly secondary to the use of the dwelling for living purposes and does not, in any way, change the character of the dwelling.
HOSPITAL
An institution licensed by the commonwealth for the care of human patients suffering from physical or mental illnesses and that may or may not include facilities for major surgery and that may be publicly or privately operated.
HOTEL
See "motel or hotel."
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
Surfaces with a coefficient of runoff greater than 0.85, including all buildings, roofed areas, parking areas, driveways, streets, sidewalks and areas paved in concrete and asphalt, and any other areas determined by the Township Engineer to be impervious within the meaning of this definition.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE COVERAGE
The percentage of the total lot area covered by impervious surfaces, as defined herein.[4]
IMPROVEMENT
See "development."
INDEPENDENT LIVING FACILITY
A residential building or group of buildings designed to provide housing for elderly or senior citizens who are independently mobile and not in need of supervision, but that includes certain design features associated with the needs of elderly or senior citizens not customary in the construction of conventional multifamily dwellings, such as emergency call systems, handicapped facilities, minimal housekeeping and laundry services, common leisure and recreational services, personal services (beauty shop or barbershop or cleaner's valet), transportation services and similar support services for the convenience of the residents.
INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT
A commercial establishment located within a completely enclosed building, as defined by this chapter, where customers or patrons engage in nonathletic leisure activities as spectators or participants, including but not limited to theaters (live and motion-picture), bowling alleys, pool halls, virtual reality and simulation gaming parlors, video arcades, dance halls and similar facilities, but excluding any adult business, as defined herein.
JUNKYARD
Any premises devoted wholly or in part to the storage, buying or selling, salvaging, recycling or otherwise handling of or dealing in scrap metals, building materials, scrapped or used appliances or other household goods, fixtures, vehicles and vehicle parts, machinery and machinery parts or other forms of discarded materials.
JUVENILE INCARCERATION FACILITY
A facility operated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for up to 120 juveniles that provides for the twenty-four-hour incarceration and confinement of juveniles adjudicated to be delinquent by the Pennsylvania Juvenile Court System or juveniles requiring incarceration and confinement by virtue of having been determined to be prosecuted as adults while committing crimes as a juvenile and limited to juveniles to be incarcerated or confined for serious criminal offenses, and not including juveniles eligible to reside in a juvenile personal care home/child residential facility or other such less-restrictive residential setting.
JUVENILE PERSONAL CARE HOME/CHILD RESIDENTIAL FACILITY
A premises or part thereof for the housing of up to 50 juveniles, operated in a twenty-four-hour living setting, in which care is provided for one or more children who are not relatives of the facility operator, as governed by the Pennsylvania Code, Title 55, Public Welfare, Chapter 3800, Child Residential and Day Treatment Facilities.
KENNEL
An establishment for the boarding, breeding or training of domestic pets for compensation.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts or parcels for any purpose involving:
A. 
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings, whether proposed initially or cumulatively;
B. 
A single nonresidential building on a lot or lots, regardless of the number of occupants or tenure;
C. 
Any change of use or structural alteration that results in an increase in total lot coverage by structures and/or paving; or
D. 
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.
LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN
A plan prepared in accordance with the application requirements of Chapter 206, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Code of the Township of South Strabane, for approval of a land development, as defined herein.
LANDFILL
Any site licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) for the disposal of solid waste, other than hazardous waste, as defined and regulated by federal statute.
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/she is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner, or other person having a proprietary interest in land.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
A registered professional landscape architect, licensed as such by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
LANDSCAPING CONTRACTOR
A retail business that includes the growing and/or selling of flowers, plants, trees, shrubs and other natural flora and the products that aid their growth and care and that may include one or more of the following activities as accessory uses only: storage of decorative landscaping materials, such as landscaping ties, decorative rocks, marble chips, sandstone or limestone chips; storage of mulch, red dog, sand or gravel to be used in landscaping; and/or shredding, screening or storage of topsoil.
LANDSCAPING PLAN
A plan, prepared by a registered architect or a registered landscape architect, identifying each tree and shrub by size, type and scientific name, indicating balled and burlapped or bare root, and location. The plan shall include a planting diagram and such other diagrams or reports necessary to show the method of planting, staking and mulching, grass seeding specifications and mixtures and existing trees over 10 inches in diameter at breast height.
LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY
Areas of moderate to high susceptibility to landsliding produced by the influence of natural and/or man-made activity.
LAUNDROMAT
A retail business equipped with a number of individual clothes-washing machines and clothes dryers and that may include individual dry-cleaning machines for use by the general public, excluding laundry facilities provided as an accessory use in a multifamily residential building.
LIFE CARE COMMUNITY
A residential development that provides a continuum of care for the elderly, including three or more of the following uses: independent living facility, assisted living facility, personal care boarding home or nursing home, and that may or may not include conventional single-family dwellings and/or multifamily dwellings.
LIGHT MANUFACTURING
See "manufacturing, light."
LIGHT MANUFACTURING FACILITY
A business establishment engaged in light manufacturing that produces finished products or parts, predominantly from previously prepared materials, including processing, fabrication, assembly, treatment, packaging, incidental storage, sales, distribution of and office operations associated with such products, but excluding heavy manufacturing.
[Added 4-14-2015 by Ord. No. 2-2015]
LOADING SPACE
An area within a principal building or on the same lot with the principal building designed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and used for the standing, loading or unloading of tractor-trailer trucks and other vehicles.
LOCAL STREET
See "street, local."
LOT
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law to be used, developed or built upon as a unit.
LOT AREA
The total area within the lot lines, excluding the area within any street right-of-way.
LOT, CORNER
See "corner lot."
LOT COVERAGE
That portion of the lot area covered by all principal and accessory structures, expressed as a percentage.
LOT DEPTH
The mean horizontal distance between the front lot line and the rear lot line.
LOT FRONTAGE
That portion of the lot that adjoins the street right-of-way or through which access is provided to a public street.
LOT LINE
A line of record bounding a lot that divides one lot from another lot or from a public or private street or other public space.
LOT LINE, FRONT
That lot line which is contiguous with the street center line or the street right-of-way line. In the case of a lot that has no frontage on a street, the front lot line shall be the lot line through which vehicular access is provided, regardless of which way the dwelling faces.
LOT LINE, REAR
That lot line that is generally opposite the front lot line.
LOT LINE, SIDE
Any lot line that is not a front lot line or rear lot line.
LOT, NONCONFORMING
See "nonconforming lot."
LOT OF RECORD
Any lot that, individually or as part of a subdivision, has been recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Washington County.
LOT, THROUGH
A lot that fronts on two parallel streets or that fronts on two streets that do not intersect at the boundaries of the lot.
LOT WIDTH
The straight-line distance between the point of intersection of the front building line with the side lot lines.
MANUFACTURING
The mechanical or chemical transformation of raw materials or substances into new products or other raw materials, including the assembling of component parts, the manufacturing of products and the blending of materials into finished or semifinished products.
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" or "high-technology industries."
MANUFACTURING, LIGHT
The assembly, processing or fabrication of certain materials and products where no process involved will produce noise, vibration, water pollution, fire hazard or noxious emissions that will disturb or endanger neighboring properties. Light manufacturing includes, but is not limited to, the production of the following goods: home appliances; electrical instruments; office machines; precision instruments; electronic devices; timepieces; jewelry; optical goods; musical instruments; novelties; wood products; printed material; lithographic plates; type composition; machine tools; dies and gauges; ceramics; apparel; lightweight nonferrous metal castings; film processing; light sheet metal products; plastic goods; pharmaceutical goods; and food products, not including animal slaughtering, curing or rendering of fats and similar activities.
MASSAGE PARLOR
Any establishment that provides services of massage or body manipulation, including exercises, heat and light treatments of the body, and all forms of physiotherapy, unless operated by a medical practitioner, chiropractor or professional physical therapist licensed by the commonwealth, not including any athletic club, health club, school, gymnasium, reducing salon, spa or similar establishment where massage or similar manipulation of the human body is offered as an incidental or accessory service to the principal service.
MEDIATION
A voluntary negotiating process in which parties to a dispute mutually select a neutral mediator to assist them in jointly exploring and settling their differences, culminating in a written agreement that the parties themselves create and consider acceptable.
MEDICAL CLINIC
Any establishment, including mobile diagnostic units, where human patients receive medical, dental, chiropractic, psychological and surgical diagnosis, treatment and counseling under the care of a group of licensed medical doctors and dentists and their supporting staff, where said patients are not provided with board or room or kept overnight on the premises, including outpatient surgery.
MEDICAL OFFICES
One or more administrative offices of individual doctors, dentists, chiropractors or other medical practitioners and their supporting staffs where human patients receive diagnosis, treatment and counseling.
MID-RISE APARTMENT
See Subsection H under "dwelling types."
MID-RISE STRUCTURE
Any nonresidential structure having at least four, but no more than six, stories.
MIDSTREAM FACILITY
An oil- and/or gas-related facility which typically hosts activities such as compressing, processing, storage and transportation of hydrocarbon liquids and/or natural gas where said activities are typically classified based upon their relationship to upstream and/or downstream facilities.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
MINE BORE HOLES
Facilities accessory to underground mining operations operating under a valid permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) for exploratory drilling.
MINE DISPOSAL AREA
An area on the surface of the earth where refuse from mining operations is stored under a valid permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP).
MINE PORTAL
An accessory facility that provides a means of ingress and egress to an underground coal mine operating under a valid permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP).
MINERAL REMOVAL
Any extraction of any mineral for sale or other commercial purpose that involves removal of the surface of the earth or exposure of the mineral or subsurface of the earth to wind, rain, sun or other elements of nature. The term "mineral" includes, but is not limited to, anthracite and bituminous coal, lignite, limestone and dolomite, sand, gravel, rock, stone, earth, slag, ore, vermiculite, clay and other mineral resources, excluding mining activities carried out beneath the surface of the earth by means of shafts, tunnels or other underground mine openings.
MINE VENTILATING SHAFT
A facility accessory to underground mining operations operating under a valid permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) that supplies air to the mine or exhausts air or gas from the underground mine, including the use of fans and fan buildings.
MINING
See "mineral removal."
MINI WAREHOUSE OR SELF-STORAGE FACILITY
A building or group of buildings in a controlled-access and fenced compound that contains various sizes of individual, compartmentalized and controlled-access stalls and/or lockers leased to the general public for a specified period of time for the dead storage of personal property.
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, that 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 that has been so designated and improved that it contains two or more mobile home lots for the placement of mobile homes.
MOBILE HOME SALES, SERVICE AND STORAGE
An establishment engaged in the retail sales of mobile homes, including the servicing and on-site storage of mobile homes offered for sale.
MODEL HOME
The temporary use of a dwelling unit in an approved plan that is under construction for the purpose of marketing dwelling units to be constructed.
MODULAR DWELLING
See Subsection I under "dwelling types."
MOTEL or HOTEL
An establishment that offers transient overnight lodging accommodations, including extended stays, to the general public and that also may provide additional supporting services, such as restaurants, meeting rooms, recreation, facilities and living quarters for a resident manager or proprietor.
MULTIFAMILY DWELLING
See Subsection E under "dwelling types."
MUNICIPALITIES PLANNING CODE (MPC)
Act of 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247, as reenacted and amended (53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.).
NATURAL GAS PROCESSING AND/OR TREATMENT PLANT
A facility designed and constructed to separate and/or remove materials such as water, water vapor, 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.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
NET FLOOR AREA
See "floor area, net."
NIGHTCLUB
A restaurant, or portion thereof, or any other establishment serving food and/or drink, whether or not the consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted or allowed on the premises, that offers, on a monthly or more frequent basis, live entertainment on a stage or bandstand and/or dancing to music, either live or recorded, and that has a maximum permitted occupancy authorized by the Uniform Construction Code (Ch. 95, Construction Codes, Uniform) of 50 or more persons.
[Amended 7-23-2019 by Ord. No. 3-2019]
NO-IMPACT HOME-BASED BUSINESS
See "home-based business, no-impact."
NONCONFORMING LOT
Any lot, the area or dimension of which was lawful prior to the adoption or amendment of this chapter, but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located by reasons of such adoption or amendment.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
Any sign that was lawfully erected and maintained prior to the adoption or amendment of this chapter that fails to conform to all applicable regulations and restrictions of this chapter.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE
A structure or part of a structure that does not comply with the applicable area and bulk provisions of this chapter or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such structure lawfully existed prior to the enactment of this chapter or an amendment thereto or prior to the application of this chapter or amendment to its location by reason of annexation. Nonconforming signs are included in this definition.
NONCONFORMING USE
A use, whether of land or of a structure, that does not comply with the applicable use provisions in this chapter or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such use was lawfully in existence prior to the enactment of this chapter or an amendment thereto or prior to the application of this chapter or amendment to its location by reason of annexation.
NUDITY
The showing of the human male or female genitals, pubic area or buttocks with less than a fully opaque covering, or the showing of the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any portion thereof below the top of the nipple, or the depiction of covered male genitals in a discernible turgid state.
NUISANCE
Any activity or condition that unreasonably annoys and disturbs a person, rendering the ordinary use of his/her property physically uncomfortable, and/or anything that essentially interferes with enjoyment of life and property or that may constitute a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Township.
NURSING HOME
An institution licensed by the commonwealth for the care of human patients requiring skilled nursing or intermediate nursing care, but not including facilities for major surgery or care and treatment of drug or alcohol addiction.
OCCUPANCY, CERTIFICATE OF
See "certificate of occupancy."
OFFICES, BUSINESS OR PROFESSIONAL
See "business or professional offices."
OFFICES, MEDICAL
See "medical offices."
OFFICIAL DATE OF FILING
The date of the Planning Commission meeting at which an application is first considered after filing of an application that is determined to be complete and properly filed.[5]
OIL AND GAS
Crude oil, condensate, natural gas liquids, drip gas, natural gas, coal bed methane gas, propane, butane and/or any other constituents or similar substances that are produced by drilling a well of any depth into, through and below the surface of the earth.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
OIL AND GAS DRILLING AND PRODUCTION
The removal of oil and gas resources from the ground by means of drilling, as defined herein, in accordance with a valid permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act (58 P.S. §§ 601.101 to § 602.605),[6] as now or hereafter amended.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
OIL AND GAS DRILLING SUBSURFACE ACTIVITIES (FACILITIES)
Activities performed under the surface of the ground that are part of the operation of oil and gas drilling and production, as defined herein, whether or not located on properties within the unit for a particular well site, but that are not included in the well site, including, but not limited to: horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing zones, underground production, gathering and transmission pipelines established in accordance with Public Utility Commission (PUC) and other applicable industry guidelines, water distribution lines and similar underground facilities incidental to oil and gas drilling.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
OIL AND GAS DRILLING, DEEP WELL
Oil and gas drilling, as defined herein, drilled to depths deeper than the base of the Elk Sandstone or its stratigraphic equivalent.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
OIL AND GAS DRILLING, SHALLOW WELL
Oil and gas drilling, as defined herein, drilled to depths shallower than the base of the Elk Sandstone or its stratigraphic equivalent.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
OPEN SPACE, COMMON
See "common open space."
OPERATOR
Any person, partnership, company or corporation and its subcontractors and agents who have an interest in land for the purpose of exploring or drilling for, producing or transporting oil or gas.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
OWNER
See "landowner."
PARKING AREA
A portion of a lot designated for the parking of motor vehicles in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.[7]
PARKING GARAGE, PUBLIC
See "public parking garage."
PARKING LOT, PUBLIC
See "public parking lot."
PARKING SPACE
A portion of a garage or parking area designated for the parking of one motor vehicle in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
PASSIVE RECREATION
See "recreation, passive."
PERIMETER SETBACK
The distance specified by this chapter from the entire boundary of a site proposed for a development, as required by this chapter.
PERSON
An individual, proprietorship, partnership, corporation, association or other legal entity.
PERSONAL CARE BOARDING HOME
A dwelling or institution licensed by the commonwealth where room and board is provided to more than three permanent residents who are not relatives of the operator and who are mobile or semimobile and require specialized services for a period exceeding 24 consecutive hours in such matters as bathing, dressing, diet and medication prescribed for self-administration, but who are not in need of hospitalization or skilled nursing or intermediate nursing care.
PERSONAL SERVICES
Any enterprise providing 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, but not including any adult business, as defined herein.
PERSONAL WIND-ENERGY SYSTEM
See "wind-energy system, personal."
PET GROOMING
A retail business that offers services for the bathing, trimming and conditioning of domestic pets and that may offer the sale of pet care products as an accessory use.
PET SERVICES
A business establishment that sells pet food and other pet care products to the general public and that may offer pet grooming, a kennel and/or limited veterinary services as accessory uses, or a business establishment that offers care, during part of a twenty-four-hour day, of domestic pets as a principal use and that may sell food or other pet care products as an accessory use.
PILOT MANUFACTURING
An establishment or part thereof used to test concepts and ideas, determine physical layouts, material flows and processes, types of equipment required, costs and other information necessary prior to undertaking full-scale production.
PLACE OF ASSEMBLY
An indoor or outdoor space without fixed seating used for public gatherings for religious, recreational, educational, cultural, political, social or entertainment purposes.
PLANNED INDUSTRIAL PARK
A development comprised of authorized industrial uses on a site that is under single ownership and control at the time of application for zoning approval and that is planned and developed as a single unit wherein several buildings or lots utilize a common means of access and may share other common facilities, such as parking and signs.
PLANNED OFFICE PARK
A site under single ownership and control at the time of application for zoning approval that is developed as a unit for two or more buildings containing medical offices or clinics or professional or business offices in a campus environment, utilizing common means of access, parking and loading facilities and uniform signage, and that may include other shared features.
PLANNED RESEARCH OR TECHNOLOGY PARK
A site under single ownership and control at the time of application for zoning approval that is developed as a unit for two or more buildings containing high-technology industries and/or research and development establishments in a campus environment, utilizing common means of access, parking and loading facilities and uniform signage, and may include other shared features.
PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
An area of land under single ownership and control at the time of application for zoning approval and developed as a single entity for a number of dwellings, the plan for which does not necessarily correspond in lot size, bulk, type of dwelling unit or use, density or intensity, lot coverage or required open space to any one district in this chapter.
PLANNED SHOPPING CENTER
A site of less than 100 acres under single ownership and control at the time of application for zoning approval that is developed as a unit for two or more retail businesses in one or more buildings and designed with shared parking, loading and access facilities and uniform signage.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of South Strabane Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
PORCH
A roofed or uncovered accessory structure without enclosing walls, having an area of more than 24 square feet, that is attached to or part of the principal building and that has direct access to and from the principal building. (See also "stoop.")
PRESCHOOL FACILITY
An establishment that offers private educational services to children who are under the minimum age for education in public schools.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
The building or structure in which the principal use is conducted.
PRINCIPAL USE
The primary or predominant use to which the property is or may be devoted and to which all other uses on the premises are accessory.
PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT
An establishment engaged in commercial or job printing, including offset printing, engraving, photolithographing, and publishing and binding books, newspapers, pamphlets and other printed materials.
PRIVATE
Owned, operated or controlled by an individual, group of individuals, association or corporation, not for profit, and restricted to members and their guests.
PRIVATE CLUB
Any establishment other than a sportsmen's club, as defined herein, operated by a private organization for social, recreational, educational, fraternal or sororal purposes, that is open only to members and their guests and not to the general public.
PRIVATE GARAGE
See "garage, private."
PRIVATE SCHOOL
See "school, public or private."
PRIVATE STABLE
The keeping of horses and/or ponies for personal use and enjoyment of the residents of the lot, not involving any profit-making activity.
PRIVATE STREET
See "street, private."
PRIVATE-USE HELIPAD
A helicopter landing pad, licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Aviation, and regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration, that is owned by a private entity and restricted to use by helicopters owned by such entity.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICES
See "business or professional offices."
PROTECTED STRUCTURE
A dwelling intended for human occupancy. The term shall not include any structure whose owner has signed a notarized waiver relieving an operator from measures applicable to said dwelling as established in this chapter or other applicable provisions of the Code of the Township of South Strabane.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
PUBLIC
Owned, operated or controlled by a government agency, federal, state, county or local.
PUBLIC BUILDING
A building operated by a government agency or a nonprofit organization affiliated with government, the use of which provides services to the public, such as municipal buildings, public works buildings, administrative offices, public safety and emergency medical services, libraries, museums, community centers, recreation centers, senior centers and similar facilities.
PUBLIC GARAGE
See "garage, public."
PUBLIC MEETING
A forum held pursuant to notice under the Act of July 3, 1986 (P.L. 388, No. 84), known as the "Sunshine Act." (65 Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq.).
[Amended 7-23-2019 by Ord. No. 3-2019]
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 OR PRIVATE OPEN SPACE
The aggregate portion of those lots comprising a regional commercial development which is not occupied by buildings, parking areas, driveways, or street or loading areas, regardless of whether such space is designated for public or private use.
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SCHOOL
See "school, public or private."
PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE
A parking area that is located in a parking structure or parking garage, that is the principal use on the lot and that may be operated by either a public agency or private entity, whether for profit or not, and that is available for use by the general public, usually for a fee.
PUBLIC PARKING LOT
A parking area on the surface of the ground that is the principal use on the lot, that may be operated by either a public agency or private entity, whether for profit or not, and that is available for use by the general public, usually for a fee.
PUBLIC STREET
See "street, public."
PUBLIC UTILITY BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
Any administrative building, maintenance building, garage or other building intended for human occupancy or storage of movable equipment, owned or operated by a utility company regulated by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), or any building or structure owned or operated by a utility company regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC) or any governmental agency or municipal authority that is necessary for the generation, treatment, regulation or intermunicipal distribution of essential services, as defined herein, including, but not limited to, long-distance transmission facilities, such as electrical power lines or high-pressure natural gas or petroleum lines, switching facilities, substations, treatment plants, reservoirs, water towers, transmission towers and similar facilities.
QUADRAPLEX
See Subsection D under "dwelling types."
RADIO AND TELEVISION TRANSMITTER
The equipment necessary to send radio or television signals to individual receivers located within a broadcast area as licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
RATED CAPACITY OF WIND-ENERGY SYSTEM
See "wind-energy system, rated capacity of."
REAR LOT LINE
See "lot line, rear."
REAR YARD
See "yard, rear."
RECREATION, ACTIVE, HIGH-IMPACT
Indoor or outdoor leisure-time pursuits that draw in excess of 200 spectators and/or participants at any one time and any indoor or outdoor leisure-time pursuits that draw fewer than 200 spectators or participants that have operational characteristics that have a significant impact on surrounding properties, including but not limited to motocross or dirt bike trails, paintball facilities, arenas, amusement parks, water parks, racetracks, betting parlors, gaming facilities, casinos, ski resorts, campgrounds, fairs, truck and tractor pulls, off-road vehicle courses and trails, amphitheaters and similar uses that have significant environmental, noise, traffic or lighting impacts. (See also "boarding stable," "golf course," "golf or country club," "health club," "indoor entertainment," "private stable," "riding academy," "shooting range" and "sportsmen's club," which are excluded from this definition because they are separately defined and regulated by this chapter.)
RECREATION, ACTIVE, LOW-IMPACT
Indoor or outdoor leisure-time pursuits that draw fewer than 200 spectators and/or participants at any one time, including activities that involve individuals, groups of individuals or teams, usually requiring the use of special equipment and/or a prescribed site, field or facility, including but not limited to soccer fields; football, baseball and softball fields; basketball courts, tennis courts, handball or racquetball courts; driving ranges, putting courses or other golf practice ranges or facilities; swimming pools, community centers and similar facilities of a size and operational character that they have a low impact on surrounding properties. (See also "boarding stable," "golf course," "golf or country club," "health club," "indoor entertainment," "private stable," "riding academy," "shooting range" and "sportsmen's club," which are excluded from this definition because they are separately defined and regulated by this chapter.)
RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT CENTER OR FACILITY
One or more retail stores, including indoor and outdoor display areas, primarily devoted to the sale of any of the following items: equipment and supplies for boating, camping, hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreational activities and recreational vehicles, as defined herein, and which may include as accessory uses one or more of the following: participation in activities utilizing any of the items offered for sale, a nature center, a museum, a golf practice range or facility, outdoor trap and skeet shooting and archery ranges, indoor firing ranges, testing tracks for all-terrain and other recreational vehicles and outdoor display of recreational vehicles offered for sale.
RECREATIONAL FARMETTE
The raising of horses, livestock and/or poultry on property that does not meet the minimum lot area requirements for agriculture where said use is accessory to a single-family dwelling and is limited to the personal use and enjoyment by the residents, and further provided that the raising of animals is not the principal economic activity of the residents, and shall not include any exotic animals as defined in Chapter 59, Animals, Article II, Exotic and Wild Animals, of the Code of the Township of South Strabane, as hereafter amended. The definition of "recreational farmette" may include a private stable, as defined herein, but shall not include a boarding stable, commercial greenhouse, kennel or riding academy, which are separately defined and regulated by this chapter.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
A single-axle or multiple-axle structure mounted on wheels or otherwise capable of being made mobile, either with its own motive power or designed to be mounted on or drawn by an automotive vehicle, for the purpose of travel, camping, vacation and recreational use, including but not limited to travel trailers, mobile homes, motor homes, tent trailers, boats, boat trailers, pickup campers, horse trailers, snowmobiles, jet skis, wave runners, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.
RECREATION, PASSIVE
Outdoor leisure-time pursuits involving activities that usually involve individuals or small groups of individuals, rather than organized teams, and that provide relaxation and refreshment through furnishing a visual and/or psychological release from the pressure of everyday life, including, but not limited to bridle trails, trails with exercise stations, nordic ski trails, hiking, biking, walking, fishing, picnicking, children's playgrounds, table games, observation areas, bird watching, botanical gardens, historical or archaeological sites, scenic areas, native preserves and similar facilities for relaxing in a natural environment.
REGIONAL COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
A site of 100 acres or more, under single ownership and control at the time of application for conditional use approval, that is to be developed for a mix of commercial and/or entertainment uses, that, because of its size and scope, draws visitors from outside the immediate area and is designed to minimize the points of access to the regional highway network and is designed with shared access, parking and loading facilities.
REPAIR SHOP
A service establishment providing maintenance and repairs of personal and household items that can be carried in by hand, including personal effects (such as jewelry, watches, bicycles), small household appliances, office equipment, small gasoline engines and similar items, but not including repair of large appliances, motorized vehicles or heavy equipment.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Any establishment, including laboratories, that carries on investigation in the natural, physical or social sciences, or engineering and development as an extension of such investigation, with the objective of creating end products and that may include supporting storage and transportation facilities, but not including the mass production of such products.
RESTAURANT
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.
RESTAURANT, CARRY-OUT
A restaurant where refreshments, beverages, meals or frozen desserts or the like are served for consumption primarily outside of the premises and where no more than 12 permanent seats are provided.
RESTAURANT, FAST-FOOD
A restaurant principally devoted to the retail sale of prepared or premeasured food items where such food items are ordered by the customer at a window, counter or vehicle rather than from a table, and that is designed to facilitate quick service and takeout orders.
RESTAURANT, SIT-DOWN
An establishment where orders are placed with waitpersons by customers seated at tables and food and beverages are served at the table by waitpersons and where the usual length of stay is one hour or more. A sit-down restaurant may or may not serve alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises as an accessory use and may or may not offer takeout service as an accessory use, but shall not include a pickup window or drive-through window.
RETAIL BUSINESS
Any establishment not otherwise specifically defined in this chapter that sells, on the premises, commodities and/or services directly to consumers, but not including the manufacturing or processing of any products.
RETENTION FACILITY, FRESHWATER
A temporary facility consisting of an aboveground certified water storage tank(s) situated upon the ground used to store freshwater for commercial or industrial use.
[Added 11-24-2020 by Ord. No. 7-2020]
RETENTION FACILITY, WASTEWATER
A facility, accessory to a principal commercial or industrial use, consisting of aboveground certified water storage tank situated upon the ground used to store wastewater created by an operation located on the same lot.
[Added 11-24-2020 by Ord. No. 7-2020]
RIDING ACADEMY
An establishment where horses are boarded and cared for and where instruction in riding, jumping and showing is offered for a fee and where horses may be hired for riding.
SALES OFFICE
A temporary use for the purpose of marketing the dwelling units in a residential development or the leasable space or other occupancy in a nonresidential development.
SCHOOL, COMMERCIAL
A privately operated, for-profit establishment providing technical or skilled training, vocational or trade educational courses and programs.
SCHOOL, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE
An accredited institution of learning that offers elementary- and secondary-level instruction or that offers associate, bachelor or higher degrees in the several branches of learning required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
SEAT
The area required for one individual to sit on as regulated by the Township Building Code, Ch. 95, Construction Codes, Uniform.
[Amended 7-23-2019 by Ord. No. 3-2019]
SELF-STORAGE FACILITY
See "mini warehouse or self-storage facility."
SERVICE STATION, AUTOMOBILE
See "automobile service station."
SEXUAL CONDUCT
Patently offensive representations or descriptions of ultimate sexual acts, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, and patently offensive representations, descriptions or acts of masturbation, excretory functions, homosexuality, sodomy, sexual intercourse or physical contact with a person's clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks or, if such person be female, breasts.
SIDE LOT LINE
See "lot line, side."
SIDE YARD
See "yard, side."
SIGN
Any structure or device used to attract attention by word or graphic display.
SIGN, HEIGHT OF
See "height of sign."
SIGN, NONCONFORMING
See "nonconforming sign."
SIGN, SURFACE AREA OF
The surface area of a sign shall be measured as described below. For two-sided signs, only one sign face is counted in computing the surface area.
A. 
In the case of an advertising panel, the surface area of the sign shall be the total area enclosed by one continuous line connecting the extreme points or edges of the advertising panel containing the writing, representation, character, emblem or other communication material.
B. 
In the case of freestanding letters, figures or characters mounted on a wall or other surface, the surface area of the sign shall be the entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the writing, representation, character, emblem or other communication material.
C. 
In the case of freestanding ground or pole signs or monument signs, the area shall not include the main supporting structure; however, logos, ornamental attachments and framework around or connections between advertising panels shall be included.
D. 
In the case of letters that are painted on or affixed to an awning, canopy or marquee, the surface area of the sign shall be the area of the geometric shape formed by outlining the height and width of all the letters, including the space between the letters.
SIGN TYPES
See definitions for various types of signs in Article XVIII.
SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING
See Subsection A under "dwelling types."
SINGLE OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL
One legal entity, including an individual, partnership, corporation, incorporated association or similar legally constituted body, or joint owners who enter into an agreement for development of a site, provided that, in each case, such entity or owner has exclusive responsibility for making decisions about the development of property for which each is the landowner.
SIT-DOWN RESTAURANT
See "restaurant, sit-down."
SITE
One or more contiguous lots, properties or parcels proposed for development that, when combined for development, meet the minimum area and bulk requirements of the zoning district in which they are located for the intended use.
[Amended 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
SITE AREA
The total area within the boundary lines of a site proposed for development, expressed in acres or square feet.
SKILLS PRACTICE OR COMPETITION AREA
A recreational facility accessory to a recreational equipment center or facility, as defined herein, designed primarily to instruct the general public in the use of equipment offered for sale and to promote interest in the use of products offered for sale by sponsoring competitive events for various skill levels.
SLOPE
The degree of rise or descent of the land surface, calculated by dividing the number of feet of vertical rise/descent in elevation by the number of feet of horizontal distance, expressed as a percentage.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
See "use by special exception."
SPORTS COURT
A private outdoor recreational facility accessory to a dwelling for personal use by the residents comprised of an all-weather surface designed for regulation play of tennis, basketball, handball or similar games.
SPORTSMEN'S CLUB
A legally chartered organization for the pursuit of hunting, fishing, marksmanship and related activities, that may or may not include a clubhouse, and that has a roster of membership and a regular calendar of activities limited to members and their guests.
SPUD
The actual start of drilling of a gas well.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
STABLE, BOARDING
See "boarding stable."
STABLE, PRIVATE
See "private stable."
STOOP
A covered or uncovered structure, without enclosing walls, located at a front, side or rear door to a dwelling unit, not exceeding 24 square feet in area.
STORAGE BUILDING
An accessory structure, as defined herein, not intended for human occupancy, used exclusively for storage of personal property owned by the residents of the dwelling to which the structure is accessory.
STORE, CONVENIENCE
A retail establishment, with a gross floor area of 5,000 square feet or less, offering a limited selection of grocery, household and personal items for quick purchase and that may include the dispensing of gasoline.
STORE, FOOD
A retail establishment that has a gross floor area less than 10,000 square feet and that offers for sale specialty or gourmet food items or meats or groceries that are packaged and are not available for consumption on the premises.
STORE, GENERAL MERCHANDISE
A retail store selling a wide variety of products, including but not limited to apparel, home furnishings, lawn and garden supplies, outdoor equipment and supplies, automotive, hardware, home improvement, beauty and health products, cards and gifts, office supplies, and may offer limited quantities of food products.
STORE, GROCERY
A retail establishment that has a gross floor area of 10,000 square feet or more that primarily sells meat, food and household products, but that may also include as accessory uses a pharmacy, a florist, a travel agency, a video rental store (excluding an adult video store), a coffee shop, a delicatessen, banking and copy/fax services.
STORE, HARDWARE
A retail store that primarily sells tools and supplies for plumbing, carpentry, electrical, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning maintenance and repairs and that may also offer the sale of lawn and garden maintenance and other household products.
STORE, HOME IMPROVEMENT
A retail store that maintains a large inventory of supplies and tools for construction, remodeling, decorating and maintenance of residences and small businesses and that sells directly to consumers and contractors.
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 any floor and the ceiling next above it, excluding cellars.
STREET
A public or private recorded right-of-way that affords primary means of vehicular access to abutting property, but not including alleys.
STREET, ARTERIAL
A public street that serves large volumes of high-speed and long-distance traffic. Streets classified as "arterial" in the Township include Interstate 70, Interstate 79, U.S. Route 19, U.S. Route 40 and Race Track Road.
STREET, COLLECTOR
A public street that, in addition to giving access to abutting lots, intercepts local streets and provides a route for carrying considerable volumes of local traffic to community facilities and arterial roads. Streets classified as "collector" in the Township include Cameron Road, Country Club Road, Davis School Road, East Beau Street, Floral Hill Drive, Lakeview Drive, Locust Avenue Extension, Manifold Road, North Main Street Extension, Oak Spring Road, Vance Station Road and Zediker Station Road.
STREET LINE
The legal right-of-way line that forms the dividing line between the street and the lot.
STREET, LOCAL
Any street in the Township not defined by this chapter as an "arterial street" or a "collector street."
STREET, PRIVATE
A street, including the entire private right-of-way, that is privately owned and maintained and that is intended for private, rather than public, use.
STREET, PUBLIC
A public right-of-way dedicated and open for public use that has been adopted by the Township, county, commonwealth or governmental body.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATION
A change or rearrangement of the structural parts or in the means of ingress and egress, or an enlargement or diminution of the structure, whether by extending on the side or increasing the height or depth, or the moving from one location or position to another.
STRUCTURE
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
STRUCTURE, HEIGHT OF
See "height of structure."
STRUCTURE, NONCONFORMING
See "nonconforming structure."
SUBDIVISION
The division of a lot, tract or parcel of land by any means into two or more lots, tracts or parcels or other division of land, including any changes in existing lot lines, for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of lease, partition by the court for distribution to heirs or devisees, transfer of ownership or building or lot development; provided, however, that the subdivision by lease of land for agricultural purposes into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new street or easement of access or any residential dwelling, shall be exempted.
SUPPLY YARD
A commercial establishment engaged in storing and selling building supplies, industrial supplies or feed and grain primarily to businesses, rather than the general public.
SURFACE AREA OF SIGN
See "sign, surface area of."
SURVEYOR
A professional surveyor registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
SWIMMING POOL
Any body of water, excluding farm ponds, or any receptacle for water having a depth at any point greater than 18 inches or that has a height of three feet or more and, in either case, a surface area greater than 100 square feet, used or intended to be used for swimming or bathing and constructed, installed or maintained outside any building, including aboveground and in-ground swimming pools.
TAVERN
See "bar or tavern."
TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION TRAILER
See "construction trailer, temporary."
TEMPORARY STORAGE TRAILER OR CONTAINER
A metal or fiberglass receptacle without wheels or, if with wheels, rendered immobile, intended to be used for the seasonal storage of materials, supplies or inventory accessory to an authorized principal use conducted on the same lot.
TEMPORARY USE OR STRUCTURE
Any use or structure that is intended to be used either on a seasonal basis, during the time of construction and completion of an approved development or for any other period of time that is six months or less.
THROUGH LOT
See "lot, through."
TOWNHOUSE
See Subsection J under "dwelling types."
TOWNSHIP
The Township of South Strabane, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY
An analysis, prepared, signed and sealed by a qualified traffic engineer, undertaken in accordance with the requirements in Chapter 206, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Code of the Township of South Strabane, analyzing the expected trip generation expected to result from a proposed development and providing recommendations for improvements to streets and/or traffic control devices within the site or immediately adjacent to the boundaries of the site.
TRANSITIONAL DWELLING
A dwelling unit occupied on a short-term basis by persons assigned by a court of law, or who are self-referred, or referred by a public, semipublic or nonprofit agency, and managed by a public, semipublic or nonprofit agency responsible for the occupants' care, safety, conduct, counseling and supervision for a specified period of time, including alcoholic recovery, shelters for battered persons and their children, maternity homes, community reentry services following incarceration, prison assignment, house arrest or other court-ordered treatment, and other such short-term supervised assignments.
TRIPLEX
See Subsection C under "dwelling types."
TRUCK AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT RENTAL, SALES AND SERVICE
An establishment engaged in the rental, sale and/or service of vehicles in excess of 26,000 pounds GVW and/or any other heavy equipment, including, but not limited to, construction or farm equipment, whether or not the equipment is classified as a "motor vehicle."
TRUCK TERMINAL
A facility to accommodate the fueling, routine maintenance and storage of trucks and other motorized equipment and trailers and that may provide warehousing and transfer facilities as accessory uses.
TWO-FAMILY DWELLING
See Subsection B under "dwelling types."
USE
The purpose, business or activity for which any land or structure is utilized.
USE BY SPECIAL EXCEPTION
A use authorized by this chapter that may be granted only by the Zoning Hearing Board following a public hearing, subject to express standards and criteria contained in this chapter.
USE, NONCONFORMING
See "nonconforming use."
USE, PRINCIPAL
See "principal use."
VARIANCE
A departure from the specific regulations of this chapter that may be granted by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the criteria established by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247, as amended, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.) for a particular piece of property that, because of special circumstances applicable to it, cannot be developed in compliance with the literal terms of this chapter without undue physical hardship.
[Amended 7-23-2019 by Ord. No. 3-2019]
VEHICLE ACCESSORIES SALES AND INSTALLATION
An establishment engaged in the retail sales and installation of accessories for trucks, automobiles and motorcycles, including but not limited to such items as tires, hubcaps, mirrors, seat covers, floor mats, tonneau covers, truck caps, windshield wipers, trim packages, running boards and the like, but not including any mechanical parts.
VEHICLE, COMMERCIAL
See "commercial vehicle."
VEHICLE RENTAL, SALES AND SERVICE
The rental, sales and service of automobiles, motorcycles and trucks under 26,000 pounds GVW and that may include the sale of trucks of 26,000 pounds GVW or greater as a minor percentage of total inventory, but not including any heavy equipment or any other vehicle or equipment that is not classified as a "motor vehicle" under the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code.
VEHICLE REPAIR GARAGE
A building, or part thereof, used for the servicing and repair of motor vehicles, including engine overhaul, bodywork and recapping/retreading of tires, and where all storage of parts and dismantled vehicles and all repair work are conducted entirely inside a completely enclosed building, as defined by this chapter.
VETERINARY CLINIC
An establishment for the medical or surgical treatment of animals, including the boarding of hospitalized animals, excluding outdoor kennels.
VIDEO STORE
A retail establishment offering videocassettes, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs™ or other prerecorded movies or video games for sale or rent and that may offer, as an accessory use, the sale of related snack items.
WAREHOUSE CLUB
A membership club that sells a variety of food, automotive and household products in bulk to individual and business members.
WAREHOUSING AND DISTRIBUTION
A building used for the storage and handling of freight or merchandise, but not including the maintenance or fueling of commercial vehicles. Warehousing that is incidental to retail sales and that does not constitute in excess of 30% of the total floor area of the retail establishment shall be excluded from this definition.
WASTEWATER
Water which has been previously used for industrial, municipal, domestic or other purposes including those associated with fracturing, drilling flowback, and other drilling-related activities.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
WATER, FRESH
Water withdrawn from a surface water or groundwater source, or from a public water supply system, located within this Commonwealth other than wastewater or brackish water. The term does not include water collected directly from precipitation in rain barrels, cisterns or similar containers.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
WATER, GROUND
Water that is located within the saturated zone below the water table and is available to supply wells and springs.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
WATER, SURFACE
Water open to the atmosphere or subject to surface runoff. The term does not include "finished water," as defined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
WELL HEAD LOCATION
The precise point of entry into the ground where spudding takes place and is indicated by the casing head or the Christmas tree for the well.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
WELL PAD
That area upon which the well heads are located. Said well pad is intended to include the production facility pad area.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016]
WELL SITE
All of the area occupied by the drilling equipment, as defined herein, and all surface facilities including roads, structures, water and other retention facilities (freshwater and/or wastewater) and associated equipment, including tanks, meters and other permanent or temporary structures and equipment incidental to oil and gas drilling and production, as defined herein, including facilities and equipment necessary for site preparation, site construction, drilling, hydraulic fracturing, site restoration, production and operation of the well upon completion of drilling.
[Added 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016; amended 11-24-2020 by Ord. No. 7-2020]
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.
WIDTH OF LOT
See "lot width."
WIND-ENERGY SYSTEM, HEIGHT OF THE
The distance measured from the natural grade or finished grade at the base of the tower to the tip of the rotor blade at its highest point.
WIND-ENERGY SYSTEM, PERSONAL
A wind-energy conversion system which has a rated capacity of no more than 60 kw, consisting of a wind turbine, a tower, base and associated control or conversion electronics, including collection, distribution and storage equipment, intended for private use to reduce on-site consumption of utility power, allowing for distribution of excess energy into the public utility's electrical grid for credit.
WIND-ENERGY SYSTEM, RATED CAPACITY OF
The maximum rated output of electric power production equipment specified by the manufacturer and typically found on a nameplate on the equipment.
WIND-ENERGY SYSTEM TOWER
The vertical structure that supports the rotor blades, electrical generator or other components of a personal wind-energy system.
WIND FARM
An area of land containing a number of wind turbines used for generating power for distribution to or by a public utility or for private commercial or industrial purposes.
WIND TURBINE
A device consisting of a rotor with two or more blades that converts kinetic wind energy into rotational energy that drives an electrical generator.
WOODPILE
A stack of wood cut into length to burn and neatly stacked and stored for fuel or recreational purposes.
[Added 7-27-2021 by Ord. No. 3-2021]
YARD
A required open space located on a lot that is unobstructed by any portion of a principal structure, other than certain projections expressly permitted by this chapter.
YARD, FRONT
A yard extending between side lot lines across the full lot width from the street right-of-way line to a line parallel to the front lot line known as the "front building line," the minimum horizontal distance required by this chapter.
YARD, REAR
A yard extending across the rear of the lot between the required side yard lines parallel to the rear lot line, the minimum horizontal distance required by this chapter.
YARD, SIDE
A yard extending from the required front building line to the rear lot line parallel to the side lot line, the minimum horizontal distance required by this chapter.
ZONING AMENDMENT
A change to the text of this chapter or to the Zoning District Map proposed for adoption by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to the procedures specified in this chapter.
ZONING CERTIFICATE
A document issued by the Zoning Officer or his/her designated agent indicating that approval of a conditional use has been granted by the Board of Supervisors or approval of a use by special exception has been granted by the Zoning Hearing Board or approval has been granted by the Zoning Officer for a permitted use by right pursuant to the procedures of this chapter, indicating compliance with all applicable requirements of this chapter, which approval is prerequisite to the issuance of a building permit and/or certificate of occupancy.
ZONING DISTRICT
An area accurately defined as to boundaries and location on the Zoning District Map and within which area only certain types of land uses are permitted and within which other types of land uses are excluded, as set forth in this chapter.
ZONING DISTRICT MAP
The official map delineating the zoning districts of South Strabane Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, together with all amendments subsequently adopted, that is incorporated in and made a part of this chapter by reference thereto.[8]
ZONING HEARING BOARD
The Zoning Hearing Board of the Township of South Strabane, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
ZONING OFFICER
That person appointed by the South Strabane Township Board of Supervisors and charged with the responsibility of administering and enforcing this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is included at the end of this chapter.
[2]
Editor's Note: Appendix B is included at the end of this chapter.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq. and 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq., respectively.
[4]
Editor's Note: The former definitions of "impoundment, freshwater," and "impoundment, wastewater," which immediately followed, were repealed 11-24-2020 by Ord. No. 7-2020.
[5]
Editor’s Note: The former definition of “oil and gas wells,” which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 6-28-2016 by Ord. No. 2-16.
[6]
Editor's Note: 58 P.S. §§ 601.101 to 601.605 was repealed by 2012, Feb. 14, P.L. 87, No. 13, § 3(2), effective 4-16-2012. See now 58 P.S. §§ 3201 to 3274.
[7]
Editor's Note: A duplicate definition of the term "parking area" was deleted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
[8]
Editor's Note: The Zoning District Map is on file in the Township offices.