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Township of Londonderry, PA
Dauphin County
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[Ord. 1983-4, 12/5/1983, § 12.3(a)]
1. 
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meaning herein indicated.
2. 
Words used in the present tense include the future tense.
3. 
The singular includes the plural.
4. 
The word "person" includes an individual, a group of individuals, a corporation, a partnership, an incorporated association, or any other similar entity.
5. 
The word "lot" includes the word "plot" or "parcel."
6. 
The term "shall" is always mandatory.
7. 
The word "used" or "occupied" as applied to any land or building shall be construed to include the words "intended, arranged, or designed to be used or occupied."
[Ord. 1983-4, 12/5/1983; as amended by Ord. 1985-1, 6/3/1985; by Ord. 91-2, 11/4/1991; by Ord. 1992-3, 10/5/1992, § 1; by Ord. 1995-4, 11/6/1995, § 1; by Ord. 2001-2, 4/17/2001, § 1; by Ord. 2005-2, 2/7/2005; by Ord. 2008-2, 10/16/2008; by Ord. 2008-3, 10/6/2008; and by Ord. 2008-6, 11/3/2008]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACCESS DRIVE
A paved surface or unpaved surface other than a street, which provides vehicular access from a street or private road to a lot.
ACCESSORY BUILDING
A building detached from and subordinate to the main building and used for purposes customarily incidental to the main building.
ACCESSORY USE
A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use and located on the same lot as the principal use. Accessory use shall include dumpsters.
ADULT BOOKSTORE
An establishment having as a substantial or significant portion of its stock-in-trade, books, magazines, and other audiovisual media which are distinguished or characterized by their emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas" (as defined below), or an establishment with a segment or section devoted to the sale or display of such material.
ADULT DRIVE-IN PICTURE THEATER
An area open to the air and not enclosed within any building, used for presenting material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or related to "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas" (as defined below) for observation by patrons therein, which patrons observe such material from a location within automobiles or other motor vehicles, seated in autos or on outdoor seats.
ADULT MINI MOTION PICTURE THEATER
An enclosed building with a capacity for less than 50 persons used at any time for presenting material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas" (as defined below) for observation by patrons therein.
ADULT MOTION PICTURE THEATER
An enclosed building with a capacity of 50 or more persons used at any time for presenting material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas" (as defined below) for observation by patrons therein.
ADULT WALK-IN PICTURE THEATER
An area neither enclosed nor open to the sky (i.e., a pavilion, tent, etc.) where material presented is distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas" (as defined below) for observation by patrons therein.
AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES
Agricultural commodities as defined in the Right to Farm Act, 3 P.S. § 951 et seq.
[Added by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014]
AGRICULTURE
The tilling of the soil, the raising of crops, horticulture, gardening, and including the production, keeping or maintenance, for sale, lease or personal use, of plants and animals useful to man, including but not limited to: forages and sod crops; grains and seed crops; dairy animals and dairy products; poultry and poultry products; livestock, including beef cattle, sheep, swine, horses, ponies, mules or goats, or any mutations or hybrids thereof, including the breeding and grazing of any or all of such animals; bees and apiary products; fur animals; trees, tree farms, plant nurseries, horticulture, forestry, forest products; fruits of all kinds, including grapes, nuts and berries; vegetables; nursery, floral, ornamental and greenhouse products; or lands devoted to a soil conservation or forestry management program.
[Amended by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014]
ALLEY
A public thoroughfare other than a side street which affords only a secondary means of access to abutting property and not intended for general traffic circulation.
ALTERATIONS
As applied to a building or structure, any change or rearrangement in the total floor area, or an enlargement, whether by extending on a side or by increasing in height, or the moving from one location or position to another.
ALTERATIONS, STRUCTURAL
Any change in the supporting members of a building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams or girders.
AMENDMENT
A change in use in any district which includes revisions to the zoning text and/or the official Zoning Map, and the authority for any amendment lies solely with the Township Board of Supervisors.
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
A building used for the treatment, housing, or boarding of animals by a veterinarian.
APARTMENT CONVERSION
An apartment house created by altering an existing single-family dwelling and increasing the number of dwelling units for rental purposes.
APARTMENT HOUSE
A building arranged, intended or designed to be occupied by three or more families living independently of each other.
APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT
Every application, whether preliminary, tentative or final, required to be filed and approved prior to start of construction or development, including but not limited to an application for a building permit, for the approval of a subdivision plat or plan or for the approval of a development plan.
AREA, BUILDING
The total area taken on a horizontal plane at the main grade level of the main building and all accessory buildings, exclusive of uncovered porches, terraces and steps.
AREA, LOT
The area contained within the property lines of the individual parcels of land, excluding any area within the street right-of-way but including the area of any easement.
AUTO BODY SHOP
Any structure or building or part thereof that is used for the repair or painting of bodies, chassis, wheels, fenders, bumpers and/or accessories of automobiles and other vehicles of conveyance.
AUTOMOBILE GARAGE, MAJOR
A building on a lot designed and/or used primarily for mechanical and/or body repairs, storage, rental, servicing, or supplying of gasoline or oil to automobiles, trucks, or similar motor vehicles.
AUTOMOBILE GARAGE, MINOR
An accessory building for the storage of one or more automobiles and/or other vehicles accessory and incidental to the primary use of the premises, provided that no business, occupation, or service is conducted for profit therein nor space therein for more than one automobile is leased to a non-occupant of the premises.
AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATION
Any area of land, including any structures thereon, or any building or part thereof, that is used for the retail sale of gasoline, oil, other fuel, or accessories for motor vehicles, and which may include facilities used for polishing, greasing, washing, dry cleaning, or otherwise cleaning or minor servicing of such motor vehicles.
AUTOMOBILE WRECKING
The dismantling or wrecking of used automobiles or trailers, or the storage, sale or dumping of dismantled, partially dismantled, obsolete or wrecked vehicles or their parts.
BASEMENT
A story partly underground but having 1/2 or more of its height above the average level of the adjoining ground.
BED-AND-BREAKFAST
A single-family detached dwelling where between one and 10 rooms are rented to overnight guests, not to exceed 20 guests on a daily basis, for periods not exceeding two weeks.
[Added by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014]
BLOCK
An area bounded by streets.
BOARD
Any body granted jurisdiction under a land use ordinance or under this chapter to render final adjudications.
BOARDINGHOUSE
A building where, for compensation, lodging and meals are provided for at least three but not more than 15 persons.
BUILDING
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls and intended for the shelter, housing or enclosure of persons, animals, or chattels, and including covered porches or bay windows and chimneys.
BUILDING, DETACHED
A building surrounded by open space on the same lot.
BUILDING LINE
A line parallel to the front, side, or rear lot line set so as to provide the required yard.
BUILDING, MAIN
A building in which is conducted the principal use of the lot on which it is located.
BUILDING SETBACK LINE
The line within a property defining the required minimum distance between any enclosed structure and the adjacent right-of-way.
CAMP
Any one or more of the following, other than a hospital, place of detention, school offering general instruction, or a trailer camp:
1. 
Any area of land or water of a design or character used for seasonal, recreational or other similar temporary living purposes which may include any building or group of buildings of a movable, temporary or seasonal nature, such as cabins, tents, or shelters.
2. 
Any land and buildings thereon, used for any assembly of persons for what is commonly known as "day camp" purposes, whether or not conducted for profit and whether occupied by adults or children, either as individuals, families, or groups.
CAMPER AND CAMPER-TRAILERS
Portable living quarters designed and used only as temporary shelter and conveniences while parked in a camp or camping ground for seasonal recreational purposes, not serviced by permanent connections to any utility, water supply, sewage disposal to a ground facility, electric power lines or telephone lines.
1. 
Campers are of rigid construction containing sleeping quarters and other living facilities, and may be installed on a truck body, or may be self-propelled.
2. 
Camper-Trailers are those wheeled vehicles towed by a motor vehicle and either haul camping and tenting equipment, or are expandable into a cabin or tent structure.
CAMPING GROUND
A parcel of land used by campers for seasonal, recreational, or other similar temporary living purposes, in buildings of a movable, temporary, or seasonal nature, such as cabins, tents, or shelters, but not including mobile home camp/mobile home court, or mobile home park.
CARPORT
A covered space, open on two or more sides, for the storage of one or more vehicles and accessory to a main or accessory building.
CARTWAY
That portion of a street or alley which is improved, designed, or intended for vehicular use.
CELLAR
A story partly underground and having more than 1/2 of its clear height below the average level of the adjoining ground. A cellar shall not be considered in determining the required number of stories.
CHURCHES AND OTHER PLACES OF WORSHIP
The use of land and structures for religious worship, education and related activities; including chapels, cathedrals, temples, synagogues and the like.
CLEAR-SIGHT TRIANGLE
An area of unobstructed vision at street intersections. It is defined by lines of sight between points at a given distance from the intersection of the street center lines.
COMMERCIAL DAY CARE FACILITIES
A facility licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania involving the supervised care of more than five children under the age of 16 for periods of 12 hours or less.
COMMON ACCESS DRIVE
A paved or unpaved surface other than a street, which provides by mutual agreement vehicular access intended for the private use of more than one party for access to their respective properties.
COMMON OPEN SPACE
A parcel or parcels of land or an area of water, or a combination of land and water within a development site and designed and intended for the use or enjoyment of residents of a development, not including streets, off-street parking areas, and areas set aside for public facilities.
CONDITIONAL USE
A use permitted in a particular zoning district pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter and Article VI of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
CONDOMINIUM
Real estate, portions of which are designated for separate ownership and the remainder of which is designated for common ownership solely by the owners of those portions. Real estate is not a condominium unless the undivided interests in the common elements are vested in the unit.
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
A drug, substance or immediate precursor as defined in Schedules I through V of the Pennsylvania Controlled Substance, Drug Device and Cosmetic Act, 35 P.S. § 780-104, or any amendments thereto.
CONVALESCENT HOME
A facility that provides nursing, skilled nursing and/or extended care for the accommodation and treatment of the aged or for the treatment of chemical dependency, mental diseases or disorders, regardless of age, which facility is licensed by the appropriate agencies of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
COURT
An unoccupied open space, other than a yard, on the same lot with a building, which is bounded on two or more sides by the walls of such building.
COURT, INNER
A court that does not extend to a street, alley, yard or outer court.
COURT, OUTER
A court which extends to a street, alley, yard or other outer court.
COVERAGE
The percentage of the lot area covered by the building area.
CROSS-WALK
A right-of-way, publicly or privately owned, intended to furnish access for pedestrians.
CUL-DE-SAC
A street intersecting another street at one end and terminating at the other in a vehicular turn-around.
DAIRY
A commercial establishment for the manufacture or processing of dairy products.
DECISION
Final adjudication of any board or other body granted jurisdiction under any land use ordinance or this Chapter to do so, either by reason of the grant of exclusive jurisdiction or by reason of appeals from determinations. All decisions shall be appealable to the court of common pleas of the county and judicial district wherein the Township of Londonderry lies.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner, agent of such landowner, or tenant with the permission of such landowner, who makes or causes to be made a subdivision of land or a land development.
DEVELOPMENT
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, the placement of mobile homes, streets and other paving, utilities, mining, dredging, filling, grading, excavation, or drilling operations and the subdivision of land or land development.
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The provisions for development including a planned residential development, a plat of subdivision, all covenants relating to use, location and bulk of buildings and other structures, intensity of use or density of development, streets, ways and parking facilities, common open space and public facilities. The phrase "provisions of development plan" when used in this Chapter shall mean the written and graphic materials referred to in this definition.
DETERMINATION
Final action by an officer, body or agency charged with the administration of any land use ordinance or applications thereunder, except the following:
1. 
The Board of Supervisors;
2. 
The Zoning Hearing Board; or
3. 
The Planning Commission, only if and to the extent the Planning Commission is charged with final decision on preliminary or final plans under the subdivision and land development or planned residential development ordinances. Determinations shall be appealable only to the boards designated as having jurisdiction for such appeal.
DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
Any objects, devices, instruments, apparatus or contrivances, whose primary and traditional use is involved with the illegal use of any and all controlled substances under the laws of Pennsylvania. Drug paraphernalia includes, but is not limited to:
1. 
Kits used, intended for use, or designed for use in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing or harvesting of any species of plant which is a controlled substance or from which a controlled substance can be derived;
2. 
Kits used, intended for use, or designed for use in manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, or preparing controlled substances;
3. 
Isomerization devices used, intended for use, or designed for use in increasing the potency of any species of plant which is a controlled substance;
4. 
Testing equipment used, intended for use, or designed for use in identifying, or in analyzing the strength, effectiveness or purity of controlled substances;
5. 
Scales and balances used, intended for use, or designed for use in weighing or measuring controlled substances;
6. 
Dilutents and adulterants, such as quinine hydrochloride, mannitol, mannite, dextrose and lactose, used, intended for use, or designed for use in cutting controlled substances;
7. 
Separation gins and sifters used, intended for use, or designed for use in removing twigs and seeds from, or in otherwise cleaning or refining marijuana;
8. 
Blenders, bowls, containers, spoons, and mixing devices used, intended for use, or designed for use in compounding controlled substances;
9. 
Capsules, balloons, envelopes and other containers used, intended for use, or designed for use in packaging small quantities of controlled substances;
10. 
Containers and other objects used, intended for use, or designed for use in storing or concealing controlled substances;
11. 
Hypodermic syringes, needles and other objects used, intended for use, or designed for use in parenterally injecting controlled substances into the human body;
12. 
Objects used, intended for use, or designed for use in ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing marijuana, cocaine, hashish, or hashish oil into the human body, such as:
A. 
Metal, wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic, or ceramic pipes with or without screens, permanent screens, hashish heads or punctured metal bowls;
B. 
Water pipes;
C. 
Carburation tubes and devices;
D. 
Roach clips: meaning objects used to hold burning material, such as a marijuana cigarette, that has become too small or too short to be held in the hand;
E. 
Smoking and carburation masks;
F. 
Miniature cocaine spoons and cocaine vials;
G. 
Chamber pipes;
H. 
Electric pipes;
I. 
Air-driven pipes;
J. 
Chillums;
K. 
Bongs;
L. 
Ice pipes or chillers.
DUMP
A lot of land or part thereof used primarily for the disposal by abandonment, dumping, burial, burning, or other means, and for whatever purpose, of garbage, sewage, trash, refuse, junk, discarded machinery, vehicles or part thereof, or waste material of any kind.
DWELLING
A single unit providing complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.
DWELLING GROUP
A group of two or more single-family, two-family, or multifamily dwellings occupying a lot in one ownership.
DWELLING, MULTIFAMILY (APARTMENT)
A building used by three or more families living independently of each other, including apartment houses.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY, ATTACHED (TOWNHOUSE)
A building used by one family, and having two party walls in common with other buildings, exterior or end units having one party wall and one side yard.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY, DETACHED
A building used by one family, having only one dwelling unit, and having two side yards.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY, SEMIDETACHED
A building used by one family, having one side yard, and one party wall in common with another building.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY, DETACHED (DUPLEX)
A building used by two families, with one dwelling unit arranged over the other, and having two side yards.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY, SEMIDETACHED (DOUBLE DUPLEX)
A building used by two families, with one dwelling unit arranged over the other, having one side yard, and one party wall in common with another building.
EASEMENT, UTILITY
A right-of-way granted for limited use of land for public or quasi-public purpose.
ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS
The engineering specifications of the Township regulating the installation of any required improvement or for any facility installed by any owner, subject to public use.
FAMILY
One or more persons occupying one single dwelling unit and maintaining one common household unit, not including more than five persons who are not related to each other by blood, official foster relationship, marriage or adoption, or occupants of a club, institutional use, facility that's primary purpose is to house persons who have been adjudicated through the criminal justice system, and fraternity, lodging or boarding house. The term "family" may specifically include a maximum of five unrelated persons living within a permitted group home.
FAMILY FARM SUPPORT BUSINESS
A business that is customarily accessory to an on-site principal agricultural use and which meets all of the following additional requirements:
[Added by Ord. 2011-1, 2/7/2011; amended by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014]
1. 
Is conducted on property which is located in the A Agricultural District, on property that continues to be used for principal agricultural purposes;
2. 
Is principally owned and operated by at least one of the owners or lessees of such property or a member of the immediate family of such an owner or lessee, and the owner and operator or lessee and operator of the family farm support business resides on the property; and
3. 
Meets the additional requirements for such use that are provided in § 1601, which are intended to limit the use to a small scale with limited site coverage.
FAMILY FARM SUPPORT BUSINESS, GENERAL
A type of family farm support business that meets the requirements for such use in § 1601. General family farm support businesses are distinguished from light family farm support businesses by the number of nonresident employees and/or the type of use.
[Added by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014]
FAMILY FARM SUPPORT BUSINESS, LIGHT
A type of family farm support business that meets the requirements for such use in § 1601. Light family farm support businesses are distinguished from general family farm support businesses by the number of nonresident employees and/or the type of use.
[Added by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014]
FARM
Any parcel of land which is used for gain in the raising of agricultural products, livestock, poultry, and dairy products. It includes necessary farm structures within the prescribed limits and the storage of equipment used. It excludes the raising of fur-bearing animals, riding academies, livery or boarding stables and dog kennels.
FENCE
An artificially constructed barrier of any material or combination of materials erected to enclose or screen areas of land.
FLAG LOT
A parcel of land created by a subdivision which includes a narrow projection or "flagpole" to the public right-of-way; a lot in which the frontage at the street right-of-way line is not less than 25 feet and not more than 50 feet but the required width is attainable in the interior of the lot.
FLOOD FRINGE
That portion of the one-hundred-year floodplain outside the floodway.
FLOODPLAIN
1. 
A relatively flat or low land area adjoining a river, stream, or watercourse, which is subject to partial or complete inundation;
2. 
An area subject to unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.
FLOODWAY
The designated area of a floodplain required to carry and discharge floodwaters of a given magnitude. For the purposes of this chapter, the floodway shall be capable of accommodating a flood of the one-hundred-year magnitude without increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot at any point.
FLOOR AREA, HABITABLE
The sum of the horizontal areas of all rooms used for habitation, such as living room, dining room, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms; but not including public hallways, stairways, cellars, attics, or service rooms, nor unheated areas such as enclosed porches.
FLOOR AREA OF A BUILDING
The sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors of a building and its accessory buildings on the same lot, excluding cellar or basement floor areas not used as primary living or sleeping quarters. All dimensions shall be measured between exterior faces of walls.
FLOOR AREA RATIO
The ratio of floor area of a building to its lot area. When a floor area ratio of 0.4 is specified, the floor area of a building constructed on a lot of 10,000 square feet is limited to a maximum of 4,000 square feet. The number of stories being optional, the building area may be 4,000 square feet for one story, 2,000 square feet per story for two stories, and so forth.
GARAGE, PRIVATE
An enclosed space for the storage of one or more vehicles, provided that no business, occupation, or service is conducted for profit therein nor space therein for more than one car is leased to a nonresident of the premises.
GARAGE, PUBLIC
Any garage other than a private garage, and which is used for storage, repair, rental, servicing, or supplying of gasoline or oil to motor vehicles.
GARDENING
The cultivation of herbs, fruits, flowers, or vegetables, excluding the keeping of livestock.
GOVERNING BODY
The Board of Supervisors of Londonderry Township.
GRADE, FINISHED
The completed surfaces of lawns, walks, and roads, brought to grades as shown on official plans or designs relating thereto.
GROUP HOME
A dwelling unit operated by a responsible individual, family or organization with a program to provide a supportive living arrangement for individuals where special care is needed by the individual served due to age, emotional, mental or physical handicap. This definition shall expressly include facilities for the supervised care of developmentally disabled persons and all persons subject to protection under the Federal Fair Housing Act amendments of 1988. Group homes must be licensed where required by any appropriate government agencies, and a copy of such license must be delivered to the Zoning Officer prior to the initiation of the use.
1. 
It is the express intent of the Township to comply with all provisions of the Federal Fair Housing Act, as amended, and regulations promulgated thereunder, in the construction of this term.
2. 
"Group home" shall not include a treatment center.
HEAD SHOP
Any business, the operation of which involves the sale, lease, trade, gift or display for sale of any and all types of drug paraphernalia.
HEIGHT OF BUILDING
The vertical distance measured from the mean level of the ground surrounding the building to a point midway between the highest and lowest point of the roof, but not including chimneys, spires, towers, elevator penthouses, tanks, and similar projections. (See "General Regulations.")
HOME CRAFTS
Business activities whereby the commodity for sale is completely manufactured and may be sold on the site by the resident craftsman. Home crafts may include, but are not limited to, the following: artists, sculptors, dressmakers, seamstresses and tailors, and may include such activities as model-making, rug weaving, lapidary work and furniture making.
HOME OCCUPATION
Any use customarily conducted entirely within a dwelling or in a building accessory thereto and carried on by the residents therein, provided that the use is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for dwelling purposes. (More fully defined in "General Regulations," § 1602).
HOSPITAL
An institution, licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a hospital, which renders inpatient and outpatient medical care on a 24 hours per day basis; and provides primary health care services and medical/surgical care to persons suffering from illness, disease, injury, deformity and other abnormal physical or mental conditions. A hospital use can also include attached and detached accessory uses, provided that all accessory uses are contained upon the hospital property.
HOTEL
A facility which allows lodging to boarders for compensation, which contains more than eight rooms with less than 25% of all rooms having direct access to the outside without the necessity of passing through the main lobby of the building, which may provide meals and other services as part of the compensation. The hotel may include restaurants, newsstands, gift shops, club rooms, ballrooms and other accessory uses related to the operation of the facility.
IMMEDIATE PRECURSOR
A substance which, under the regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, is a principal compound commonly used or produced primarily for use, and which is an immediate chemical intermediary used or likely to be used, in the manufacture of a controlled substance.
INDUSTRIAL PARK
A tract of land laid out in accordance with an overall plan for a group of industries with separate building sites designed and arranged on streets with utility services, setbacks, side yards, landscaped yards, and covenants controlling the architecture and use.
INSTITUTIONAL USE
Any use dedicated to public care and/or service of including but not limited to those within the following classifications:
1. 
Residential institutions: includes but is not limited to dormitories, homeless shelters, orphanages, and community care facilities for handicapped individuals, as defined in Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended, by the Fair Housing Act of 1988, housing more than five individuals.
2. 
Health-care institutions: includes but is not limited to hospitals, nursing homes, convalescent homes, health clinics, and treatment centers, including drug and alcohol rehabilitation or treatment facilities.
3. 
Primary and secondary educational institutions: includes but is not limited to public, parochial or private schools for primary and secondary education.
4. 
Postsecondary educational institutions: includes but is not limited to colleges and universities.
5. 
Day-care institutions: includes but is not limited to day-care facilities for adults and nursery schools providing care for more than five adults or children.
6. 
Post-adjudicatory facilities: includes but is not limited to a facility that's primary purpose is to house persons who have been adjudicated through the criminal justice system, halfway houses, criminal justice centers, or juvenile detention or rehabilitation centers.
JUNKYARD
As defined in the ordinance regulating and licensing junk dealers and establishments, Ord. 75-5, 12/5/1975 [Chapter 13, Part 1].
KENNEL
A structure where three or more animals (except relating to a farm) are kept, boarded, raised, bred, treated or trained, with or without compensation, including but not limited to dog or cat kennels.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Any of the following activities:
1. 
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
A. 
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings, whether proposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential building on a lot or lots regardless of the number of occupants or tenure; or
B. 
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.
2. 
A subdivision of land.
3. 
"Land development" does not include development which involves:
A. 
The conversion of an existing single-family detached dwelling or single-family semidetached dwelling into not more than three residential units, unless such units are intended to be a condominium;
B. 
The addition of an accessory building, including farm building, on a lot or lots subordinate to an existing principal building; or
C. 
The addition or conversion of buildings or rides within the confines of an enterprise which would be considered an amusement park. For the purposes of this subsection, an "amusement park" is defined as a tract or area used principally as a location for permanent amusement structures or rides. This exclusion shall not apply to newly acquired acreage by an amusement park until initial plans for the expanded area have been approved by the proper authorities.
LANDOWNER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of land, including the holder of an option or contract to purchase (whether or not such option or contract is subject to any conditions), a lessee having a remaining term of not less than 40 years, or other person having a proprietary interest in land, shall be deemed to be a landowner for the purposes of this chapter.
LAUNDERETTE
A business premises equipped with individual clothes washing and/or drying machines for the use of retail customers, exclusive of laundry facilities provided as an accessory use in an apartment house or hotel.
LIVESTOCK
Animals, which include, but may not be limited to, horses, cattle, hogs, sheep and deer.
LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY, INTENSIVE RAISING OF
[Added by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014]
1. 
This term shall mean a use comprised of the raising of livestock and/or poultry involving a total average of three or more "animal equivalent units" (see definition herein) of live weight per acre of livestock or poultry.
2. 
An "animal equivalent unit (AEU)" is 1,000 pounds' live weight of livestock or poultry animals, regardless of the actual number of individual animals comprising the unit. This weight is calculated on an annualized basis. These units shall be calculated as provided under the State Nutrient Management Act regulations and accompanying standards prepared by the Penn State University Cooperative Extension Service.
3. 
These zoning intensity provisions shall be based upon the total acreage of one or more adjacent lots (which may be separated by a road) under common ownership, operation or lease and are not based upon the acreage that is available for disposal of wastes.
LODGING HOUSE
A building where, for compensation, rooms are provided for at least three but not more than 15 persons, and in which no table board is furnished (also known as a "rooming house").
LOT
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed or built upon as a unit.
LOT, CORNER
A lot at the junction of and abutting on two or more intersecting streets, or at the point of abrupt change of a single street, where the interior angle is less than 135° and the radius of the street center line is less than 100 feet.
LOT, INTERIOR
A lot other than a corner lot.
LOT LINES
The lines bounding a lot as defined herein. Where a lot abuts a public right-of-way, the lot line for regulatory purposes shall be the right-of-way line.
LOT WIDTH
The horizontal distance between the side lines of a lot measured at right angles to its depth along a straight line parallel to the front street line at the minimum required building line.
MASSAGE
Any method of pressure on or friction against, or stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping, pounding, vibrating, or stimulating of, the external parts of the human body with the hands or with the aid of any mechanical or electrical apparatus or appliances, with or without such supplementary aids as rubbing alcohol, liniments, antiseptics, oils, powders, creams, lotions, ointment, or other such similar preparations commonly used in the practice of massage, under such circumstances that it is reasonably expected that the person to whom the treatment is provided or some third party on his or her behalf will pay money or give any other consideration or any gratuity therefore.
MASSAGE PARLOR
Any establishment having a source of income or compensation derived from the practice of massage and which has a fixed place of business where any person, firm, association or corporation engages in or carries on the practice of massage.
MEDICAL AND DENTAL CLINICS
Facilities which render outpatient medical or dental care on an up to twenty-four-hour per day basis; providing primary health services and medical/dental/surgical care to persons suffering from illness, disease, injury, deformity and other abnormal physical, dental or mental conditions.
MOBILE HOME
A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for permanent occupancy, contained in one unit, or in two or more units designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated for repeated towing, which arrives at a site complete and ready for occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations, and constructed so that it may be used without a permanent foundation.
MOBILE HOME LOT
A parcel of land in a mobile home park, improved with the necessary utility connections and other appurtenances necessary for the erection thereon of a single mobile home.
MOBILE HOME PARK
A parcel or contiguous parcels of land which has been so designated and improved that it contains two or more mobile home lots for the placement thereon of mobile homes.
MOTEL
A building or group of buildings, whether detached or in connected units, used as individual sleeping or dwelling units, with or without eating facilities, designed with separate entrances, primarily for transient automobile travelers and providing for accessory off-street parking facilities. The term "motel" includes buildings designated as tourist courts, tourist cabins, motor lodges, and similar terms.
MODULAR HOME
A prefabricated home usually designed and built in sections which is transported to the building site and erected with the sections being joined together as one permanently attached self-contained unit.
MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY
A body politic and corporate created pursuant to the Act of May 2, 1945 (P.L. 382, No. 164), known as the "Municipalities Authority Act of 1945."
MPC
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended.[1]
NONCONFORMING LOT
A lot the area or dimension of which was lawful prior to the adoption or amendment of this Chapter, but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located by reason of such adoption or amendment.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE
A structure or part of a structure manifestly not designed to comply with the use or extent of use provisions of this Chapter or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such structure lawfully existed prior to the enactment of this Chapter or amendment or prior to the application of this Chapter or amendment to its location by reason of annexation. Such nonconforming structures include, but are not limited to, nonconforming signs.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
A sign which does not conform to the regulations of the district in which it is located.
NONCONFORMING USE
A use, whether of land or of structure, which does not comply with the applicable use provisions in this Chapter or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such use was lawfully in existence prior to the enactment of this Chapter or amendment, or prior to the application of this Chapter or amendment to its location by reason of annexation.
NURSERY, HORTICULTURE
Any lot or parcel of land used to cultivate, propagate, and grow trees, shrubs, vines, and other plants including the buildings, structures, and equipment customarily incidental and accessory to the primary use.
NURSING OR CONVALESCENT HOME
A building designed and used for the full-time care of human beings, which may include housing, lodging, meals and nursing care subject to the regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare for such use.
OBSCENE MATERIALS
Any literature, book, magazine, pamphlet, newspaper, story paper, paper, comic book, writing, drawing, photograph, figure, image, motion picture, sound recording, article, instrument, or any other written or printed matter which:
1. 
Depicts or describes in a patently offensive manner sexual conduct, sexual excitement or sadomasochistic abuse or (in the case of articles or instruments) is designed for use in achieving artificial sexual stimulation;
2. 
Taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; and
3. 
Taken as a whole, does not have serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.
OPEN SPACE
The unoccupied space open to the sky on the same lot with the building.
PARK
A tract of land designated and used by the public for active and passive recreation.
PARKING SPACE
The space within a building, or on a lot or parking lot, for the parking or storage of one automobile.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Londonderry Township Planning Commission, appointed by the Board of Supervisors in accordance with the Second Class Township Code of Pennsylvania and the Municipalities Planning Code, Act No. 247, as amended.[2]
PLAT
A map, plan, or layout showing the subdivision of land and indicating the location and boundaries of individual properties.
PORCH
A covered area in excess of four feet by five feet or 20 square feet in area at a front, side, or rear door.
PREMISES
Any lot, parcel, or tract of land and any building constructed thereon.
PRIME AGRICULTURAL SOILS
Land in Soil Capability Classes I, II, and III, as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and published in the Dauphin County Soil Surveys.
[Added by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014]
PRIVATE ROAD
A legally established right-of-way, other than a street, which provides the primary vehicular access to a lot.
PRURIENT INTEREST
Is to be judged with reference to average adults unless it appears from the nature of the material or the circumstances of its dissemination, distribution or exhibition that it is designed for clearly defined deviant sexual groups, in which case the predominant appeal of the matter shall be judged with reference to its intended recipient group.[3]
PUBLIC HEARING
A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the Board of Supervisors or Planning Commission, intended to inform and obtain public comment, prior to taking action in accordance with this chapter.
PUBLIC MEETING
A forum held pursuant to notice under the Act of July 3, 1986 (P.L. 388, No. 84), known as the "Sunshine Act," 53 P.S. § 271 et seq.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Township of Londonderry. 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 PUMPING STATION
A public water pumping station, or sewer pumping station for public sanitary sewer systems, serving the residents and businesses of the Township.
[Added by Ord. No. 2020-03, 7/21/2020]
PUBLIC UTILITY FACILITIES
Public utilities transmission distribution facilities, including substations and the like. The term "public utility facilities" shall also include public pumping stations as defined in this Part.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2020-03, 7/21/2020]
REPORT
Any letter, review, memorandum, compilation or similar writing made by any body, board, officer or consultant other than a solicitor to any other body, board, officer or consultant for the purpose of assisting the recipient of such report in the rendering of any decision or determination. All reports shall be deemed recommendatory and advisory only and shall not be binding upon the recipient, board, officer, body or agency, nor shall any appeal lie therefrom. Any report used, received or considered by the body, board, officer or agency rendering a determination or decision shall be made available for inspection to the applicant and all other parties to any proceeding upon request, and copies thereof shall be provided at cost of reproduction.
RESIDENTIAL HOTEL
A hotel used by 16 or more permanent guests only and not by transients.
RESTAURANT
An establishment that serves prepared food primarily on nondisposable tableware, but can provide for incidental carry-out service so long as the area used for carry-out services does not exceed 5% of the total patron seating area nor 80 square feet (whichever is less). Caterers shall be included in this definition.
RESTAURANT, DRIVE-THRU OR FAST-FOOD
An establishment that serves prepared food generally packaged in paper wrappers and/or disposable plates and containers. Such food can be consumed either on or off the site.
RIDING ACADEMY
An establishment where horses are kept for instruction of riding or driving, or are stabled for compensation, or which may be incidental to the operation of any club, association, ranch, or similar establishment.
ROADSIDE PRODUCE STAND, TEMPORARY
A temporary structure intended to sell produce that was locally grown on a farm located within the Township. The term "produce" shall include fruits, vegetables, flowers, baked goods and similar items.
[Added by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014]
SADOMASOCHISTIC ABUSE
Flagellation or torture by or upon a person who is nude or clad in undergarments, a mask or bizarre costume, or the condition of being fettered, bound or otherwise physically restrained on the part of one so clothed.
SALDO
The Londonderry Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, as amended [Chapter 22].[4]
SANITARY LANDFILL
A lot or part thereof used primarily for the disposal by abandonment, dumping, burial, burning, or any other means and for whatever purposes, of garbage, sewage, trash, refuse, junk, discarded machinery, vehicles, or parts thereof, or waste material of any kind.
SCHOOL
Any place offering instruction in any branch of knowledge under the supervision of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or a lawfully constituted ecclesiastical governing body, person, partnership or corporation meeting the requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania including colleges, elementary schools, nursery schools, parochial schools, private schools, secondary schools and vocational schools.
SCREEN PLANTING
A plant material of sufficient height and density to screen the view, in adjoining districts, of the structures and uses on the premises upon which the screen planting is located.
SEXUAL CONDUCT
Actual or simulated acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse or any touching of the clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic areas or buttocks of the human male or female or the breasts of the female, whether alone or between members of the same or opposite sex, or between humans and animals.
SEXUAL EXCITEMENT
The condition of human male or female genitalia when in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal.
SHOPPING CENTER
A group of at least three retail, restaurant, service or other commercial establishments with a minimum total building area of 100,000 square feet that is planned, developed, owned, operated and managed as a single property with common facilities for access and parking.
SIGN
Any structure or device for visual communication that is used for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof to the attention of the public.
SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
A scaled graphical depiction of the proposed development of a lot, parcel or tract of land describing all covenants assigned, as well as accurately depicting the use, location, and bulk of all buildings and structures, intensity of use or density of development, streets, driveways, rights-of-ways, easements, parking facilities, open space, public facilities and utilities, setbacks, height of buildings and structures, and other such data necessary for Township officials to determine compliance with this Chapter and appropriate provisions of other such ordinances, as they may apply (see to "development").
SLAUGHTER HOUSE
An establishment where livestock is butchered.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
A use permitted in a particular zoning district pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter and Articles VI and IX of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. §§ 10601 et seq., 10901 et seq.
SPECIFIED ANATOMICAL AREAS
1. 
Less than completely and opaquely covered:
A. 
Human genitals, pubic region,
B. 
Buttock, and
C. 
Female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola; and
2. 
Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered.
SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIES
1. 
Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal.
2. 
Acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse or sodomy.
3. 
Fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttock or female breast.
STABLE, PRIVATE
A building in which horses are kept for private use and not for hire, remuneration, exhibition, or sale.
STABLE, PUBLIC
A building in which horses are kept for remuneration, hire, exhibition, or sale.
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 be no floor above it, then the space between any floor and the ceiling next above it.
STREET
Includes street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, parkway, lane, alley, viaduct or any other ways used or intended to be used by vehicular traffic or pedestrians whether public or private.
STREET LINE
The dividing line between the street and the lot. The right-of-way line.
STREET, MAJOR
1. 
ARTERIAL STREETA major street or highway with fast or heavy traffic of considerable continuity and used primarily as a traffic artery for intercommunications among large areas.
2. 
COLLECTOR STREETA major street or highway which carries traffic from minor streets to arterial streets including the principal entrance streets of a residential development and streets for circulation within such a development.
3. 
LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAYThose streets which carry large volumes of traffic at comparatively high speeds with access at designated public roads and not from abutting properties.
STREET, MINOR
A street used primarily for access to abutting properties.
STRUCTURE
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
SUBDIVISION
The division or redivision of a lot, tract or parcel of land by any means into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land, including changes in existing lot lines for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of lease, partition by the court for distribution to heirs or devisees, transfer of ownership, or building or lot development; provided, however, that the subdivision by lease of land for agricultural purposes into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new street or easement of access or any residential dwelling, shall be exempted.
SWIMMING POOL, PRIVATE
Any reasonably permanent pool or open tank, not located within a completely enclosed building, and containing or normally capable of containing water to a depth at any point greater than 1 1/2 feet. Farm ponds and/or lakes are not included, provided that swimming was not the primary purpose for their construction.
THEATER
A building or part of a building devoted to the showing of moving pictures or theatrical productions on a commercial basis.
THEATER, OUTDOOR DRIVE-IN
An open lot or part thereof with its appurtenant facilities devoted primarily to the showing of moving pictures or theatrical productions on a commercial basis to patrons seated in automobiles or on outdoor seats.
TND OPEN SPACE
Land areas that are free of buildings, except for Township-approved noncommercial recreation buildings, and which are permanently restricted against future subdivision and uses other than TND open space by a conservation easement enforceable by the Board of Supervisors and which meet the requirements for TND open space in Part 14 of this chapter. In order to be used to meet a requirement for TND open space, land shall be required to meet all of the following standards:
1. 
It is designed, intended and suitable for active or passive recreation by residents of a development or the general public;
2. 
It is covered by a system that ensures perpetual maintenance, if not intended to be publicly owned; and
3. 
It does not use any of the following areas to meet minimum TND open space requirements:
A. 
Existing street rights-of-way.
B. 
Vehicle streets or driveways providing access to other lots.
C. 
Land beneath a building(s) or land within 20 feet of a building (other than accessory buildings and pools clearly intended for noncommercial recreation).
D. 
Off-street parking (other than that clearly intended for noncommercial recreation).
E. 
Area(s) needed to meet a requirement for an individual building lot.
F. 
Areas that are directly under electric transmission lines or towers that are designed for a capacity of 35 kilovolts or greater, unless the applicant proves to the satisfaction of the Board of Supervisors as part of the conditional use application that such areas will be landscaped and improved with interconnected recreation trails so as to be attractive and usable as TND open space.[5]
TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT or TND
A type of development involving a mix of housing types and preserved open space and which may include certain nonresidential uses and which meets the requirements of Part 14 of this chapter.
TRADITIONAL USE
A use which is primary and inherent as opposed to secondary and incidental, and is associated with certain knowledge or beliefs derived from statements of contemporary persons handed down through a considerable period of time.
TRAILER COACH—MOBILE HOME
Any portable living or mobile vehicle or structure designed or used for living purposes, regardless of whether the wheels, rollers, or skids are attached or unattached, not including those:
1. 
Displayed for sale.
2. 
Utilized as an office in a commercial activity.
3. 
Campers or camper-trailers parked in camps or camping grounds.
TRAILER COACH—MOBILE HOME PARK
A tract of land, including any building, structure, tent, vehicle, or enclosure used or intended for use as a part of the equipment of such area:
1. 
Where two or more trailer coaches or mobile homes are parked; or
2. 
Which is used by the public as a parking space for two or more trailer coaches or mobile homes.
TRAVEL TRAILER
A vehicular portable structure designed as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational and vacation uses, which:
1. 
Is titled and/or licensed as a travel trailer; and
2. 
Is not more than eight feet in body width; and
3. 
Is of any body weight provided its length does not exceed 29 feet; or is of any length provided its gross weight, factory-equipped for the road, does not exceed 4,500 pounds.
USE
The specific purpose for which land or a building is designated, arranged, intended or for which it is or may be occupied or maintained.
VARIANCE
Relief granted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and Articles VI and IX of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
VINEYARD
Ground planted with grapevines cultivated for the purpose of producing wine. A vineyard is used exclusively for the production of grapes and/or other crops which may be made into wine. The term "vineyard" shall not include a winery, which is a separate use.
[Added by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014]
WATERCOURSE
A stream of water, river, brook, creek, or a channel or ditch for water, whether natural or man-made.
WATER SURVEY
An inventory of the source, quantity, yield and use of groundwater and surface water resources within the Township of Londonderry.
WINDOW
An opening to the outside, other than a door, which provides all or part of the required natural light, natural ventilation, or both, to an interior space.
WINERY
A place where wine is produced, bottled and sold. A winery processes grapes and other fruit products or vegetables to produce wine or similar spirits, but not malt or distilled beverages. Processing includes crushing, fermenting, blending, aging, storage, bottling, administrative office functions for the winery, warehousing and wholesale sales. Any other activities associated with a winery, including but not limited to retail sales, shall be limited as set forth elsewhere in this chapter.
[Added by Ord. 2014-1, 10/6/2014]
YARD
An unoccupied space, other than a court, open to the sky, on the same lot with a building or structure.
YARD, BUFFER
An extra width yard between zones.
YARD, FRONT
A yard extending the full width of the lot and situated between the street line and the front building line. The depth of the front yard shall be measured between the front building line and the street line.
YARD, REAR
A yard extending the full width of the lot and situated between the rear lot line and the rear building line. The depth of the rear yard shall be measured between the rear lot line and the rear building line.
YARD, SIDE
A yard between the side building line and the side lot line extending from the front yard to the rear yard. Any lot line not a rear lot line or a front lot line shall be deemed a side lot line.
ZONING HEARING BOARD
A group of three or five Township residents appointed by the Township Supervisors as required by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act No. 247, as amended, when the Zoning Ordinance is enacted.
ZONING OFFICER
The Londonderry Township Zoning Officer appointed by the Board of Supervisors in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act No. 247, as amended.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[3]
Editor's Note: The definition of "public grounds," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 10/6/2014 by Ord. 2014-1.
[4]
Editor's Note: The definition of "sanatarium/sanatorium," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 10/6/2014 by Ord. 2014-1.
[5]
Editor's Note: The definition of "tourist home," which immediately flollowed this definition, wasr repealed 10/6/2014 by Ord. 2014-1.