For the purpose of promoting the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the Borough of Ambridge, the following regulations or restrictions shall be in full force and effect.
This chapter shall be known as the "Ambridge Zoning Ordinance of 1955."
[Amended 8-15-1987 by Ord. No. 1049; 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
In this chapter, words used in the singular number include the plural, words in the plural number include the singular; the word "building" includes the word "structure." "Shall" indicates a mandatory action; "shall not" indicates an action that is prohibited. "Encouraged" indicates an action that will enhance the character of the district; "discouraged" indicates an action that will neither enhance nor harm the character of the district. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings herein indicated:
ABANDONED SIGN
A sign which has not identified or advertised a current business, service, owner, product or activity for a period of at least 60 days.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
ACCESSORY BUILDING
A building subordinate to the main building on a lot and used for purposes customarily incidental to those of the main building.
ACCESSORY USE
A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use of building and located on the same lot with such principal use or building.
ADDRESS SIGN
A sign that designates the street number and/or street name for identification purposes, as designated by the United States Postal Service (also known as "nameplate sign").
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
ALLEY
A public way which affords only a secondary means of access to abutting property.
APARTMENT HOUSE
A building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence for two or more families living independently of one another, the height of which shall not exceed seven stories or 75 feet.
ARTISAN/MAKER SPACE
Work space for one or more artists, artisans, programmers or other creators characterized by small-scale, micro-industrial production, including the accessory sale of items produced on the premises.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
ASSISTED-LIVING FACILITY
A residential building or group of buildings designed to provide multifamily dwelling units for the 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 which 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 which includes certain design features associated with the needs of the elderly or disabled which are not customarily found in conventional dwelling units such as emergency call systems, handicapped-accessible design, common dining facilities, common laundry facilities, minimal housekeeping services, common leisure and recreational facilities, transportation and similar supporting services for the convenience of the residents.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
AWNING
A cloth, plastic, or other nonstructural covering that projects from a wall for the purpose of shielding a doorway or window. An awning is either permanently attached to a building or can be raised or retracted to a position against the building when not in use.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
AWNING SIGN
Any sign painted on, or applied to, an awning.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
BALLOON SIGN
Inflatable advertising devices such as giant characters or objects, hot air or flying balloons, fly guys/air dancers. For purposes of this chapter, this definition shall exclude latex helium balloons used temporarily in bunches, arches or sculptures.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
BANK
A financial institution that is open to the public and engaged in deposit banking and performs closely related functions such as investments, making loans and fiduciary activities.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
BANNER
Any cloth, bunting, plastic, paper, or similar nonrigid material attached to any structure, staff, pole, rope, wire, or framing which is anchored on two or more edges or at all four corners. Banners are temporary in nature and do not include flags.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
BAR
An establishment devoted primarily to the sales of alcoholic beverages to the public for on-premises consumption and licensed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for the same. This use may include the accessory use of serving food and/or selling alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption and applies to establishments that sell alcohol for on-premises consumption and do not meet the definitions of "brewpub," "micro-alcohol production" or "restaurant (sit-down)."
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
BASEMENT
A story, partly underground, the greater part of which is above grade. For the purposes of this chapter, a basement shall be counted as a story.
BOARDER
Any person who is supplied with sleeping or living accommodations with or without meals. A roomer shall be deemed to be a "boarder."
BOARDINGHOUSE
Any dwelling in which more than three persons, either individually or as families, are housed or lodged for hire with or without meals; a rooming house or furnished room house shall be deemed a "boardinghouse."
BREWPUB
An establishment engaged primarily in the retail sale of prepared food for consumption, which includes the brewing of beer as an accessory use. The brewing operation produces beer and ale by mashing, cooking and fermenting and does not include the production of any other alcoholic beverage.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
BUILDING AREA
The aggregate of the maximum horizontal cross-section areas of the buildings on a lot, excluding cornices, eaves, gutters or chimneys projecting not more than 18 inches, bay windows not extending through more than one story and not projecting more than five feet, one-story open porches projecting not more than 10 feet, steps and balconies.
BUILDING FRONTAGE
The maximum linear width of a building measured in a single straight line parallel, or essentially parallel, with the abutting public street or parking lot.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
BUILDING LINE
A line parallel to the street line or street lines at a distance therefrom equal to the depth of the front or side yard required for the district in which the lot is located.
BUSINESS SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT
An establishment engaged in rendering services to businesses and offices on a fee or contract basis, including, but not limited to: copy centers, retail printing and duplication services, computer rental and copying centers, and mailing services.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
CAFE/COFFEE SHOP
An informal restaurant without table service that primarily offers coffee, tea and other beverages, where light refreshments and limited-menu meals may also be sold.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
CANOPY
A structure other than an awning made of fabric, metal, or other material that is supported by columns or posts affixed to the ground and may also be connected to a building.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
CANOPY SIGN
Any sign that is part of, or attached to, a canopy.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
CARTWAY
That portion of the street right-of-way that is surfaced for vehicular use, excluding shoulders and curbs.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
CELLAR
A story of which 1/2 or more is below grade. For the purposes of this chapter, a cellar shall not be counted as a story.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN
A sign or portion thereof on which the copy or symbols change either automatically through electrical or electronic means or manually through placement of letters or symbols on a panel mounted in or on a track system.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC WASTE
All waste generated by or resulting from the production or use of antineoplastic agents, used for the purpose of stopping or reversing the growth of malignant cells. Chemotherapeutic waste shall not include any waste containing antineoplastic agents that are listed as hazardous waste under 25 Pa. Code § 75.261 (relating to criteria, identification and listing of hazardous waste).[1]
CHILD DAY CARE
A building other than the operator's primary place of residence where children receive child care from a state-licensed provider: 1) while unattended by a parent, legal guardian, or custodian; 2) for regular compensation; and 3) for more than four hours but less than 24 hours in each of 10 consecutive days per year, excluding intervening weekends and holidays.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
CIVIC/PUBLIC FACILITY
Any building held, used or controlled exclusively for public purposes by any public agency or public authority, regardless of the building's ownership; a building belonging to or used by the public for the transaction of public or quasi-public business.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
CLEARANCE
The distance above the walkway, or other surface if specified, to the bottom edge of a sign. This term can also refer to a horizontal distance between two objects.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
CLINIC
An establishment where human patients receive medical, dental, chiropractic, psychological and surgical diagnosis, treatment and counseling under the care of a group of licensed doctors, dentists or practitioners and their supporting staff, where said patients are not provided with room or board or kept overnight on the premises.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
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 designed and intended for the use or enjoyment of residents, visitors and employees of a development, not including streets, off-street parking areas and areas set aside for public facilities.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
COMMUNITY GARAGE
Building or group of buildings, one story in height, used exclusively for the storage of automobiles and not used for public parking or for making repairs thereto.
CONVERSION APARTMENT
A multifamily dwelling constructed by converting an existing dwelling into apartments for more than one family without substantially altering the exterior of the building.
COURT
An open, unoccupied space, other than a yard, on the same lot with a building.
COURT, INNER
A court enclosed on all sides by exterior walls of a building or by exterior walls and lot lines on which walls are allowable.
COURT, OUTER
A court enclosed on not more than three sides by exterior walls of a building or by exterior walls on lot lines on which walls are allowable.
DANGEROUS WASTE
Infectious wastes or chemotherapeutic wastes or hazardous wastes, or any combination thereof.
DENSITY BONUS
An increase in the maximum allowed density authorized in a planned unit development in exchange for including certain features in the development that are in excess of the minimum requirements.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
DIGITAL DISPLAY
The portion of a sign message made up of internally illuminated components capable of changing the message periodically. Digital displays may include but are not limited to LCD, LED or plasma displays.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
Signs designed to provide direction to pedestrian and vehicular traffic into and out of or within a site.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
DWELLING
A building designed or used exclusively as the living quarters for one or more families.
DWELLING UNIT
One or more rooms which are used as living quarters for one family and which have permanent facilities for sleeping, cooking and eating and sanitary facilities.
[Amended 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
DWELLING UNIT DENSITY
The number of dwelling units authorized by this chapter per acre of land.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
ELECTRIC SUBSTATION
An assemblage of equipment for purposes other than generation or utilization through which electric energy in bulk is passed for the purpose of switching or modifying its characteristics to meet the needs of the general public, provided that, in residential districts:
A. 
An electric substation shall not include rotating equipment, storage of materials, trucks or repair facilities or housing or repair crews.
B. 
The external design of the installation shall be subject to the approval of the Zoning Hearing Board.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
The provision of distribution systems by municipal or other government agencies regulated by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) or other governmental agencies of underground or overhead gas, electrical steam or water pipes, sewers, conduit, fire alarm boxes, traffic signals, fire hydrants and other similar equipment and accessories in connection therewith, reasonably necessary for the furnishing of adequate services by such public utilities or municipal or governmental agencies or for the public health and safety or general welfare.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
FAMILY
Any number of individuals living together as a single housekeeping unit.
FARMER'S MARKET
An occasional or temporary market held in an open area or in a structure where fresh agricultural products are sold directly to the consumer generally by vendors who have raised the vegetables or produce or have taken the same on consignment for retail sale.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
FLAG
Any sign printed or painted on cloth, plastic, canvas, or other like material with distinctive colors, patterns or symbols attached to a pole or staff and anchored along only one edge or supported or anchored at only two corners.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
FRANCHISE ARCHITECTURE
A distinct architectural building style and/or elements trademarked or identified with a particular franchise, chain, or corporation that serves to enhance or promote brand identity through visual recognition.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on, or anchored in, the ground and that is independent and detached from any building or other structure. The following are subtypes of freestanding signs:
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
A. 
GROUND SIGNA sign permanently affixed to the ground at its base, supported entirely by a base structure and not mounted on a pole or attached to any part of a building (also known as "monument sign").
B. 
POLE SIGNA freestanding sign that is permanently supported in a fixed location by a structure of one or more poles, posts, uprights, or braces from the ground and not supported by a building or a base structure.
FRONT YARD
The required open space from the front of a main building to the front property line extending along the street line of any street on which the lot abuts.
FRUIT/VEGETABLE STAND
A temporary open-air stand or place for the seasonal selling of agricultural produce. A fruit/vegetable stand is portable and capable of being dismantled or removed from the sales site.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
GAS STATION CANOPY SIGN
Any sign that is part of, or attached to, the vertical sides of the gas station canopy roof structure. For the purposes of this chapter, gas station canopy signs shall be considered wall signs.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
GOVERNMENT/REGULATORY SIGN
Any signs for the control of traffic or for identification purposes, street signs, warning signs, railroad crossing signs, and signs of public service companies indicating danger or construction, which are erected by or at the order of a public officer, employee or agent thereof, in the discharge of official duties.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
GRADE
"Grade," with reference to a building, means, when the curb level has been established and the front of the building is 15 feet or less from the street line, the main elevation of the curb opposite such building; when the curb level has not been established or all the walls of the building are more than 15 feet from the street line, "grade" is the mean elevation of the ground adjoining the building on all sides.
GROSS FLOOR AREA
The sum of all the horizontal floor areas of a building, measured between exterior faces of walls expressed in square feet.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
HAZARDOUS WASTE
The same as hazardous waste under the federal regulations promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and codified at 40 CFR 261.3, which is incorporated by reference. All lists in 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart D and the Appendixes to Part 261 are also expressly incorporated by reference. The term "hazardous waste" as used herein also includes any substance or mixture containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at greater than 1/10 of 1% concentrations when such substance or mixture is not intended for beneficial use or reuse. Radioactive waste and by-products, as defined by the Code of Pennsylvania 1975, are expressly excluded from this definition.
HEIGHT
The height of a building means the vertical distance from grade to a point midway between the highest and the lowest points of the roof, provided that chimneys, spires, towers, elevator penthouses, tanks and similar projections shall not be included in calculating the height.
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
Signs or displays, including lighting, which are a nonpermanent installation celebrating national, state and local holidays, religious or cultural holidays or other holiday seasons (also known as "seasonal decorations").
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
HOME OCCUPATION
An occupation for gain or support, conducted only by members of a family residing on the premises, and conducted entirely within the dwelling or in an accessory building, provided that no article is sold or offered for sale except such as may be provided by members of the immediate family residing on the premises.
HOSPITAL
An institution licensed by the commonwealth for the care of human patients suffering from physical or mental illnesses, and which may or may not include facilities for major surgery and which may be publicly or privately operated.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
HOSPITAL WASTE
Waste of any sort generated by nursing homes, hospitals or clinics for the treatment of disease or like institutions or businesses. The term shall also include paper products, bedding, towels, containers or cleaning implements that have been exposed to infectious chemotherapeutic, pathological wastes, solid wastes, and/or hazardous wastes generated by nursing homes, hospitals or clinics for the treatment of disease, or like institutions or businesses.
HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY
A residential building containing multifamily dwelling units financed and designed for occupancy by persons aged 60 years or older, and conforming to all state and federal laws and regulations applicable to housing for the elderly.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
ILLUMINATION
A source of any artificial or reflected light, either directly from a source of light incorporated in or indirectly from an artificial source.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
A. 
EXTERNAL ILLUMINATIONArtificial light, located away from the sign, which lights the sign, the source of which may or may not be visible to persons viewing the sign from any street, sidewalk, or adjacent property.
B. 
INTERNAL ILLUMINATIONA light source that is concealed or contained within the sign and becomes visible in darkness through a translucent surface. Message center signs, digital displays, and signs incorporating neon lighting shall not be considered internal illumination for the purposes of this chapter.
C. 
HALO ILLUMINATIONA sign using a three-dimensional message, logo, etc., which is lit in such a way as to produce a halo effect (also known as "back-lit illumination").
INCIDENTAL SIGN
A sign that displays general site information, instructions, directives, or restrictions that are primarily oriented to pedestrians and motor vehicle operators who have entered a property from a public street. These signs shall not contain any commercial advertising.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
INCIDENTAL WINDOW SIGN
A sign displayed in the window displaying information such as the business' hours of operation, credit institutions accepted, commercial and civic affiliations, and similar information. Such signs shall be informational only and shall not contain a commercial message.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
INDEPENDENT-LIVING FACILITY
A residential building or group of buildings designed to provide multifamily dwelling units for the elderly or physically or mentally disabled persons who are independently mobile and are not in need of the supervision and level of service provided by an assisted-living facility or personal-care boarding home, but which may provide at least one meal each day in a common dining area and which may include certain design features associated with the needs of the elderly or disabled which are not customarily found in conventional dwelling units such as common dining facilities, common laundry facilities, minimal housekeeping services, common leisure and recreational facilities, transportation and similar supporting services for the convenience of the residents.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
INDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
A commercial or nonprofit recreational land use conducted entirely within a building, including arcade, arena, athletic and health clubs, auditorium, bowling alley, dance studio, fitness center, movie theater, museum, performance theater, pool or billiard hall, skating rink, swimming pool, tennis court or similar use.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
INFECTIOUS WASTE
Waste that contains or may contain any disease-producing microorganism or material. Infectious wastes include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. 
Those wastes that are generated by hospitalized patients who are isolated in separate rooms in order to protect others from their severe and communicable disease.
B. 
All cultures and stocks of etiologic agents.
C. 
All waste blood and blood products.
D. 
Tissues, organs, body parts, blood and body fluids that are removed during surgery or autopsy of septic cases or patients with infectious disease.
E. 
Wastes that were in contact with pathogens in any type of laboratory work, including collection containers, culture dishes, slides, plates and assemblies for diagnostic tests, and devices used to transfer, inoculate and mix cultures.
F. 
Sharps, including hypodermic needles, suture needles, disposable razors, syringes, pasteur pipettes, broken glass and scalpel blades.
G. 
Wastes that were in contact with the blood of patients undergoing hemodialysis at hospitals or independent treatment centers.
H. 
Carcasses and body parts of all animals which were exposed to zoonotic pathogens.
I. 
Animal bedding and other wastes that were in contact with diseased or laboratory research animals or their excretions, secretions, carcasses or body parts.
J. 
Waste biologicals (e.g., vaccines) produced by pharmaceutical companies for human or veterinary use.
K. 
Food and their products that are discarded because of contamination with etiologic agents.
L. 
Discarded equipment and equipment parts that are contaminated with etiologic agents and are to be discarded.
LEGIBILITY
The physical attributes of a sign that allow for an observer's differentiation of its letters, words, numbers or graphics.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
LIFE-CARE COMMUNITY
A development designed to provide a continuum of care for elderly residents that contains residential uses, including one or more of the following: single-family dwellings, multifamily dwellings, independent-living facility or assisted-living facility, in conjunction with a personal-care boarding home and/or nursing home.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
LIGHT INDUSTRIAL
A use comprising the manufacturing, compounding, storage, assembly and/or treatment of finished or semi-finished products from previously prepared materials, which activities are conducted wholly within an enclosed building. Finished or semi-finished products may be temporarily stored outdoors pending shipment. This use also includes research and development activities.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
LIVE/WORK UNIT
A single unit (studio, loft or one-bedroom) consisting of both a commercial or office and a residential component that are occupied by the same resident. The live/work unit shall be the occupant's primary dwelling.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
LOT
The parcel of land on which a main building and any accessory buildings are placed, together with the required open spaces. The area of a lot shall be measured to the street line only.
MARQUEE
A permanent structure, other than a roof or canopy, attached to, supported by, and projecting from a building and providing protection from the elements.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
MARQUEE SIGN
Any sign attached to a marquee for the purpose of identifying a use or product. If attached to a theater, performing arts center, cinema, or other similar use, it may also advertise films or productions.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
MESSAGE CENTER SIGN
A type of illuminated, changeable copy sign that consists of electronically changing alphanumeric text often used for gas price display signs and athletic scoreboards.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
MICRO-ALCOHOL PRODUCTION
A low-volume craft brewing, distilling or wine production facility. This shall not apply to any facility annually producing more than 15,000 barrels of beer or 20,000 gallons of wine, spirits or cider.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
MIXED-USE STRUCTURE
A single building containing more than one type of land use or a single development of more than one building in which the different types of land uses are in close proximity, planned as a unified complementary whole and functionally integrated to the use of shared vehicular and pedestrian access and parking areas.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
MULTIFAMILY DWELLING
A building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence for more than two families living independently of one another.
MURAL
A large picture/image (including but not limited to painted art) which is painted, constructed or affixed directly onto a vertical building wall, which may or may not contain text, logos, and/or symbols.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
NEIGHBORHOOD STORE
A building, lot or premises performing a local neighborhood retail purpose, to include drugstore, grocery store or neighborhood meat market and personal service shop.
NET FLOOR AREA
The total floor area of a building designed for tenant occupancy or that is accessible to the customers, clients or general public, excluding storage areas, equipment rooms and common areas such as halls, corridors, stairwells, elevator shafts, restrooms, interior vehicular parking and loading areas and, in the case of a restaurant, excluding food preparation areas, measured from the center line of joint partitions and exteriors of outside walls and expressed in square feet.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
NO-IMPACT HOME-BASED BUSINESS
A business or commercial activity administered or conducted as an accessory use which is clearly secondary to the use as a residential dwelling and which involves no customer, client or patient traffic, whether vehicular or pedestrian, pickup, delivery or removal functions to or from the premises, in excess of those normally associated with residential use. The business or commercial activity must satisfy the following requirements:
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
A. 
The business activity shall be compatible with the residential use of the property and surrounding residential uses.
B. 
The business shall employ no employees other than family members residing in the dwelling.
C. 
There shall be no display or sale of retail goods and no stockpiling or inventory of a substantial nature.
D. 
There shall be no outside appearance of a business use, including, but not limited to, parking, signs or lights.
E. 
The business activity may not use any equipment or process which creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors or electrical or electronic interference, including interference with radio or television reception, which is detectable in the neighborhood.
F. 
The business activity may not generate any solid waste or sewage discharge, in volume or type, which is not normally associated with residential use in the neighborhood.
G. 
The business activity shall be conducted only within the dwelling and may not occupy more than 25% of the habitable floor area.
H. 
The business may not involve any illegal activity.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
A sign that was legally erected and maintained at the effective date of this chapter, or amendment thereto, that does not currently comply with sign regulations of the district in which it is located.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
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 or treatment of drug or alcohol addiction.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
OFFICE, BUSINESS
An establishment providing direct services to consumers, such as real estate agencies, insurance agencies, travel agencies and ticket sales, chambers of commerce, credit bureaus, abstract and title agencies or insurance companies, stockbrokers, and the like. It is characteristic of a business office that retail or wholesale goods are not shown on the premises to customers. Retail and wholesale sales and inventories are not permitted under this definition.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
OFFICE, CLINICAL
An area used exclusively by physicians, dentists and similar personnel for the treatment and examination of patients solely on an outpatient basis, provided that no overnight patients shall be kept on the premises.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
OFFICE, PROFESSIONAL
Administrative, executive, professional, research or similar organizations having only limited contact with the public on the premises.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
An outdoor sign whose message directs attention to a specific business, product, service, event or activity or other commercial or noncommercial activity, or contains a noncommercial message about something that is not sold, produced, manufactured, furnished, or conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located (also known as a "billboard" or "outdoor advertising").
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
ON-PREMISES SIGN
A sign whose message and design relate to an individual business, profession, product, service, event, point of view, or other commercial or noncommercial activity sold, offered, or conducted on the same property where the sign is located.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
PERMANENT SIGN
A sign attached or affixed to a building, window or structure, or to the ground in a manner that enables the sign to resist environmental loads, such as wind, and that precludes ready removal or movement of the sign and whose intended use appears to be indefinite.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
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.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
PERSONAL EXPRESSION SIGN
An on-premises sign that expresses an opinion, interest, position or other noncommercial message.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
PERSONAL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS
Establishments engaged in rendering services to the public on a fee or contract basis, including but not limited to: barbershop or hairdresser, shoe repair, tailor, nail salon, tanning salon, dry cleaning (pickup locations only); does not include medical or dental services.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT
An area of land to be developed as a single entity for a combination of residential and nonresidential uses, the development plan for which does not correspond in lot size, bulk, use, density, lot coverage and required open space to the regulations established in any one zoning district.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
PORTABLE SIGN
A sign designed to be transported or moved and not permanently attached to the ground, a building or other structure.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
A. 
SANDWICH BOARD SIGNA type of freestanding, portable, temporary sign consisting of two faces connected and hinged at the top and whose message is targeted to pedestrians (also known as an "A-frame sign").
B. 
THREE-DIMENSIONAL FIGURESStatues or sculptures used for commercial identification purposes.
PREMISES
Any lot, parcel or tract of land; any building constructed thereon.
PRIVATE GARAGE
A building accessory to a single-family dwelling for storage of motor vehicles owned and used by the owner or tenant of the lot for a purpose accessory to the use of the lot and for not more than one additional motor vehicle (not truck) owned and used by another.
PROJECTING SIGN
A building-mounted, double-sided sign with the two faces generally perpendicular to the building wall, not to include signs located on a canopy, awning, or marquee (also known as a "blade sign").
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
PUBLIC GARAGE
A building, not a private or a community garage, where vehicles are stored, repaired, equipped for operation, or kept for hire or sale.
PUBLIC SIGN
A sign erected or required by government agencies or utilities, including traffic, utility, safety, railroad crossing and identification signs for public facilities.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
REAR YARD
The required open space extending along the rear lot line (not a street line) throughout the whole width of the lot.
RESTAURANT (SIT-DOWN)
An establishment serving food and beverages for immediate consumption primarily on the premises, in which food is cooked on the premises on a customer-demand basis, which requires payment after consumption, and which provides seating and tables for on-premises customers dining with table service. Alcoholic beverages may be sold for consumption on the premises.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
RESTAURANT (TAKE-AWAY)
An establishment where food and beverages are sold primarily in a packaged, ready-to-consume state intended for ready consumption by the customer on or off the premises.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
ROOMER
See "boarder."
ROOMING HOUSE
See "boardinghouse."
SIDE YARD
The required open space extending along the side lot line throughout the whole depth of the lot.
SIGN
A. 
A structure or surface that is arranged, intended, designed or used to carry an advertisement, announcement or direction, except if it is to be a part of the architectural design of a building.
B. 
Any device, structure, fixture, painting, emblem or visual that uses words, graphics, colors, illumination, symbols, numbers, or letters for the purpose of communicating a message. "Sign" includes the sign faces as well as any sign supporting structure.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
SIGN AREA
The total dimensions of a sign surface used to display information, messages, advertising, logos or symbols.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
SIGN FACE
The part of the sign that is or can be used for the sign area. The sign area could be smaller than the sign face.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
SIGN-SUPPORTING STRUCTURE
Poles, posts, walls, frames, brackets or other supports holding a sign in place.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
SINGLE AND SEPARATE OWNERSHIP
The ownership of a lot by one or more persons, partnerships or corporations, which ownership is separate and distinct from that of any abutting or adjoining lot.
SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED DWELLING
A building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence for only one family and having a party wall on each side in common with an adjacent building.
SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED DWELLING
A building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence for only one family and having no party wall in common with an adjacent building.
SINGLE-FAMILY SEMIDETACHED DWELLING
A building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence for only one family and having one party wall in common with an adjacent building.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
A special exception shall be taken to mean the permission or approval granted by the Zoning Hearing Board in situations where provision therefor is made by the terms of this chapter.
STORAGE
The holding of hazardous waste for a temporary period, at the end of which the hazardous waste is treated, disposed of, moved or stored elsewhere.
STOREFRONT
The exterior facade of a building housing a commercial use visible from a street, sidewalk, or other pedestrian way accessible to the public and containing the primary entrance to the commercial establishment.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
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 space between any floor and the ceiling next above it.
STORY, HALF
A story under a gable, hip or gambrel roof, the wall plates of which on at least two opposite exterior walls are not more than two feet above the floor of such story.
STREET
A public thoroughfare which affords the principal means of access to abutting property.
STREET FRONTAGE
The side or sides of a lot abutting on a public street or right-of-way.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
STREET LINE
The line defining the edge of the legal width of a public right-of-way such as a street or road.
TELEPHONE CENTRAL OFFICE
A building and its equipment erected and used for the purpose of facilitating transmission and exchange of telephone messages between subscribers and other business of the telephone company, provided that, in a residential district, a telephone central office shall not include public business facilities, storage of materials, trucks or repair facilities, or housing of repair crews.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A type of nonpermanent sign that is located on private property that can be displayed for no more than 30 consecutive days at one time.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
TOURIST CABIN or AUTOMOBILE COURT
A group of two or more buildings used or intended to be used for the accommodation of tourists or transient guests or a premises used or intended to be used for the accommodation of tourists or transient guests in tents or movable or temporary sleeping or living quarters of any kind.
TOURIST HOME
A dwelling in which overnight accommodations are provided or offered for transient guests for compensation.
TRAILER
Any licensed or unlicensed piece of mobile equipment designed or constructed to be towed or pulled by a motor vehicle, regardless of whether or not a permanent or semipermanent foundation is constructed underneath or any structure of a permanent or semipermanent nature is attached thereto.
TRAILER CAMP
A lot or premises occupied or designed for occupancy by one or more vehicles used for living or sleeping purposes.
TRANSITIONAL LIVING FACILITY
A dwelling 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, that is managed by a public, semipublic or nonprofit agency that is responsible for the occupants' care, safety and 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.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
WALL SIGN
A building-mounted sign which is either attached to, displayed on, or painted on an exterior wall in a manner parallel with the wall surface. A sign installed on a false or mansard roof is also considered a wall sign.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
WASTE
The same as solid waste under federal regulations promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and codified at 40 CFR 261.2; 40 CFR 261.2 is incorporated by reference herein.
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign that is applied, painted or affixed to a window, or placed inside a window, within three feet of the glass, facing the outside of the building, and easily seen from the outside. Customary displays of merchandise or objects and material without lettering behind a store window are not considered as signs.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
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Editor's Note: See now 25 Pa. Code § 261a.