[Ord. 621, 11/24/1987; as amended by Ord. 643, 12/19/1989; by Ord. 708, 2/12/1996; by Ord. 758, 7/21/2003; by Ord. 810, 12/17/2007; and by Ord. 871, 7/8/2013, § 2]
1. 
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall, for the purpose of these regulations, have the meaning indicated:
A. 
Words in the singular include the plural, and those in the plural include the singular.
B. 
Words used in the present tense include the future tense.
C. 
The words "person," "subdivider," and "owner" include a corporation, incorporated association, and a partnership or other legal entity as well as an individual.
D. 
The word "building" includes structures and shall be construed as if followed by the phrase "or part thereof."
E. 
The "watercourse" includes channel, creek, ditch, dry run, spring, stream, and river.
F. 
The words "should" and "may" are permissive; the words "shall" and "will" are mandatory and directive.
G. 
Other terms or words used herein shall be interpreted or defined as follows:
ALLEY
See "service street."
APPLICANT
A landowner, developer, or authorized agent who has filed an application under this chapter, including his/her heirs, successors, and assigns.
BLOCK
An area bounded by three or more streets.
BOROUGH COUNCIL
The Borough Council of Oxford, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
BUILDING
Any combination of materials forming an enclosed structure which is erected on the ground and permanently affixed thereto, designed, intended, or arranged for the housing, sheltering, enclosure for persons, animals or property of any kind, including attached structures such as utility sheds and carports.
BUILDING, ACCESSORY
A building or structure subordinate to the principal building on a lot and used for purposes incidental to those of the principal building, but excluding truck bodies, abandoned mobile homes, truck trailers or other similar structures, whether or not permanently affixed to the ground.
BUILDING OFFICER
An agent of the Borough charged with the administration and enforcement of the Borough Building Code.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL
A building or structure housing the main and primary use occurring on a lot.
BUILDING SETBACK LINE
The line established within a property defining the minimum required distance between any dwelling to be erected and an adjacent right-of-way or front line and parallel thereto.
CARTWAY (ROADWAY)
The portion of a street right-of-way, paved or unpaved, intended for vehicular use, including travel lanes, but not including shoulders, curbing, and drainage facilities.
CLEAR-SIGHT TRIANGLE
An area of unobstructed vision at street intersections defined by lines of sight between points at a given distance from the intersection of the street center lines.
COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of the Borough of Oxford.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Oxford Region Comprehensive Plan adopted by Borough Council and amended from time to time.
COUNTY
The County of Chester, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of the County of Chester.
CROSSWALK
A publicly or privately owned right-of-way for pedestrian use extending from a street into a block or across a block to another street.
DETENTION BASIN
A structure designed to retard surface water runoff for a period of time sufficient to cause the deposition of sediment and to retard the velocity and rate of surface flows leaving a site as a means of preventing erosion.
DEVELOPER (SUBDIVIDER)
Any landowner, agent of such landowner, or tenant with the written permission of such landowner who makes or causes to be made a subdivision of land or a land development.
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The provision for development of a planned residential, commercial, or industrial development, including a plat of subdivision, all covenants related to use, or density of development, streets, ways, and parking facilities, common open space, and public facilities. The phrase "provisions of the development plan" when used in this chapter shall mean the written graphic materials referred to in this definition.
DRAINAGE RIGHT-OF-WAY
The lands required for the installation of sanitary or storm sewers or drainage ditches, or required along a natural stream or watercourse for preserving the channel and providing for the flow of water therein to safeguard the public against flood damage.
DWELLING OR DWELLING UNIT
A building or entirely self-contained portion thereof containing complete housekeeping, sleeping, and lavatory facilities for occupancy as a residence by only one family, including any domestic servants living or employed on the premises, with no enclosed space (other than vestibules, entrance, or other hallways or porches) in common with any other dwelling unit. This definition excludes mobile homes and units in a motel, hotel, building, dormitory, hospital, and the like. "Dwellings" shall be designed in any of the following configurations:
(a) 
SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED DWELLINGA building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence for one family and having no common party wall with an adjacent building or dwelling.
(b) 
SINGLE-FAMILY SEMIDETACHED DWELLINGA building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence for one family that shares one common party wall on a lot line with another dwelling and each dwelling has yard area on three sides.
(c) 
TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGA building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence for two families living independently of each other, including a duplex (one dwelling unit above the other) or a twin (one dwelling unit beside the other).
(d) 
MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLINGA building or portion thereof containing or designed to contain three or more dwelling units, with or without common access facilities.
(e) 
MOBILE HOMENo mobile home shall be erected or maintained as a single-family detached dwelling except in conformity with the following regulations:
1) 
A mobile home shall have all means of mobility removed, including but not limited to the wheels and hitch.
2) 
A mobile home shall have its own connections for water, sewer, electricity, and other utility services.
3) 
A mobile home shall be permanently affixed upon a continuous masonry foundation set below the frost line and in accordance with all applicable building codes with respect to single-family dwellings.
4) 
A mobile home shall be Class A or B in conformity with all applicable federal and state regulations and shall be freestanding and unattached to other structures used for residential or residential accessory uses.
5) 
In the event of conflict between governmental regulations, the most stringent regulations shall apply.
EASEMENT
A right-of-way granted, but not dedicated, for limited use of private land for public or quasi-public purpose and within which the owner of the property shall not erect any permanent structure but shall have the right to make any other use of the land which is not inconsistent with the rights of the grantee.
ENDORSEMENT
The application of the County Planning Commission's appropriate stamp and the signature of the Executive Director to the final plan. The application of the Borough Planning Commission's appropriate stamp, the signature of the Chairman of the Commission, the signatures of the President and Secretary of the Borough Council and the Borough Seal.
ENGINEER
A licensed professional engineer registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and retained by the Borough of Oxford.
GRADE
The inclination, with the horizontal, of a road, unimproved land, etc., which is generally expressed by stating the vertical rise or fall as a percentage of the horizontal distance.
GRADING PLAN
A plan to scale showing existing and proposed buildings and structures, as well as existing and proposed contours at sufficient intervals to define the general slope of the grounds.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface that has been compacted or covered with a layer of material so that it prevents or is resistant to infiltration of water, including but not limited to: structures such as roofs, buildings, storage sheds; other solid, paved or concrete areas such as streets, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, patios, tennis or other paved courts; or athletic playfields comprised of synthetic turf materials. For the purposes of determining compliance with this chapter, compacted soils or stone surfaces used for vehicle parking and movement shall be considered impervious.
IMPROVEMENTS
Those physical additions and changes to the land that may be necessary to produce usable and desirable lots.
IMPROVEMENTS, PUBLIC
Those improvements which are designed to be offered for dedication to the Borough of Oxford.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Any of the following activities:
(a) 
The improvement of one or more contiguous lots, tracts, or parcels of land for any purposes involving:
1) 
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings, whether proposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential building on a lot or lots, regardless of the number of occupants or tenure.
2) 
The division or allocation of land or space, whether initially or cumulatively, between or among two or more existing or prospective occupants by means of or for the purpose of streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building groups, or other features.
(b) 
A subdivision of land.
(c) 
Development in accordance with § 503(1.1) of the Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10503(1.1).
LANDOWNER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of land, including the holder of an option to purchase (whether or not such option or contract is subject to any condition), a lessee if he is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner, or other person having a proprietary interest in land.
LAND PLANNER
A recognized professional individual or firm affiliated with registered engineers, architects and/or surveyors capable of preparing development plans.
LOT
A designated parcel, tract, or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed, or built upon as a unit.
LOT AREA
The area contained within the property lines of a lot (as shown on the plan), excluding space within all rights-of-way of public roads and within all permanent drainage easements, but including the areas of all other easements.
MAINTENANCE GUARANTY
A guaranty by the subdivider that he shall maintain all improvements in good condition for a period of one year after completion of construction and installation of all such improvements.
MARKER
A metal pipe or pin of at least 1/2 inch in diameter (preferably 3/4 inch or 7/8 inch) and at least 24 inches in length one preferably 30 inches to 36 inches].
MOBILE HOME
A transportable single-family dwelling intended for permanent occupancy, office, or place of assembly contained in one unit, or two 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, including any additional accessory structure such as porches, sheds, decks, or additional rooms.
MONUMENT
A stone or concrete monument with a flat top at least four inches in diameter or square, containing a copper or brass dowel (1/4 inch drill hole) and at least 24 inches in length (preferably 30 inches to 36 inches). It is recommended that the bottom sides or radius be at least two inches greater than the top, to minimize movements caused by frost.
MULTIPLE-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT
A development created from a unified plan for multiple-family dwelling units, common open space, parking, and other facilities.
MUNICIPALITY
Borough of Oxford.
OWNER
Any person, firm, association or syndicate, copartnership or corporation having a proprietary interest in any land sought to be subdivided in pursuance of this chapter.
PARCEL
See "lot," above.
PERFORMANCE GUARANTY
Any security which may be accepted in lieu of a requirement that certain improvements be made before the Borough gives final approval to the plan, including performance bonds, escrow agreements and any other collateral or surety agreements.
PLAN, AS-BUILT
A revised engineered drawing corrected to show all changes in design, sizes, or location which may have been made during actual construction.
PLAN, FINAL
A complete and exact subdivision plan (and including all required supplementary data), prepared for official recording of a major subdivision by statute, to define property rights and proposed streets and other improvements, prepared by a registered engineer or registered surveyor.
PLAN, LAND DEVELOPMENT
A plan depicting all aspects of a particular land development as required herein to portray the full intent of an applicant.
PLAN, MAJOR STREET
That element of the Borough Comprehensive Plan, now or hereafter adopted, which shows the general location, alignment, and dimensions and the identification and classification of existing and proposed major streets, highways, and other thoroughfares.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of Oxford Borough.
PLAN, OFFICIAL
The Comprehensive Development Plan and/or Master Plan and/or Future Land Use Plan and/or Ultimate Right-of-Way Plan and/or Official Map and/or Topographical Survey and/or other such plans or portions thereof as may have been adopted, pursuant to statute, for the area of the Borough in which the subdivision is located.
PLAN, PRELIMINARY
A tentative subdivision plan (and including all required supplementary data), in lesser detail than a final plan, showing approximate proposed street and lot layout as a basis for consideration of a major subdivision prior to preparation of a final plan prepared by an engineer or surveyor.
PLAN, RECORD
The copy of the final plan which contains the original endorsements of the County Planning Commission, the Borough Planning Commission and the Borough Council and is intended to be recorded with the County Recorder of Deeds and is prepared by a registered engineer or registered surveyor.
PLAN, SKETCH
A concept plan, not necessarily to exact scale, indicating salient existing features of a tract and its surroundings and the general layout of a proposed subdivision, prepared by the subdivider, an engineer, a surveyor, or land planner.
PLAT
A map or plan of a subdivision, whether preliminary or final.
PUBLIC GROUNDS
Includes parks, playgrounds, and other public areas; and sites for publicly owned buildings and facilities.
RECREATION LAND
An area of land and/or water, substantially free of structures and paved areas, permanently restricted for common enjoyment and recreational use by residents of a development and possibly the general public.
RECREATION, ACTIVE
Those recreational pursuits which require physical alteration to the area in which they are performed, and that are more formally organized and maintained. Such areas are intensively use and may include, but are not limited to, playgrounds, playing fields, tennis and basketball courts, and swimming pools.
RECREATION, PASSIVE
Recreational pursuits which can be carried on with little alteration or disruption to the area in which they are performed, and which may remain more natural and undeveloped. Such uses may include, but are not limited to, hiking, biking, picnicking, and tot lots.
RESERVE STRIP
A parcel of ground in separate ownership separating a street from other adjacent properties or from another street, either proposed or existing.
RESUBDIVISION
See "subdivision."
RETENTION BASIN
A reservoir, formed from soil or other material, designed to permanently retain stormwater runoff from a specified amount of stormwater runoff as defined by this chapter. "Retention basins" always contain water and include man-made ponds and lakes.
REVERSE-FRONTAGE LOT
A lot extending between and having frontage on two generally parallel streets, excluding service streets, with vehicular access solely from one street.
REVIEW
Whenever the County Planning Commission and/or the Borough Planning Commission possesses such jurisdiction, the action of review shall also include review and approval or, if necessary, review and disapproval.
ROADWAY
See "cartway."
SEWAGE FACILITIES, PUBLIC
An off-site system for treatment and disposal of sewage in which sewage is conveyed by interceptor to a publicly operated treatment plant and disposed of through means approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
SIGHT-DISTANCE
The required length of roadway visible to the driver of a passenger vehicle at any given point on the roadway when the view is unobstructed by traffic. "Sight distance" measurement shall be made from a point 4 1/2 feet above the center line of the road surface to a point 1/2 foot above the center line of the road surface.
STREET
A strip of land, including the entire right-of-way (i.e., not limited to the cartway), to provide access to more than one lot. The word "street" includes street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, parkway, lane, alley, viaduct, and other ways used or intended to be used by vehicular traffic or pedestrians, whether public or private. "Streets" are further classified according to the function they perform:
(a) 
MINOR STREETA street used primarily to provide access to abutting properties.
(b) 
CUL-DE-SACA local access street intersecting another street at one end and terminating at the other end by a permanent vehicular turnaround.
(c) 
HALF (PARTIAL) STREETA street, generally parallel and adjacent to a property line, having a lesser right-of-way width than normally required for improvement and use of the street.
(d) 
MARGINAL ACCESS STREETA minor street, parallel and adjacent to a major street (but separated from it by a reserve strip), which provides access to abutting properties and control of intersections with the major streets.
(e) 
COLLECTOR STREETA street which serves as access between neighborhoods within the Borough and provides access to the arterial street network.
(f) 
ARTERIAL STREETA street serving a large volume of comparatively high-speed and long-distance traffic, including all facilities classified as main and secondary highways by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
(g) 
SERVICE STREET (ALLEY)A minor right-of-way providing secondary vehicular access to the side or rear of two or more properties.
(h) 
PRIVATE STREETA thoroughfare serving two or more lots held in single and separate ownership and not dedicated or deeded to the Borough.
(i) 
PUBLIC STREETA public thoroughfare which has been dedicated and deeded to the Borough and which affords the principal means of access to the abutting property.
(j) 
INTERNAL STREETA minor street used for circulation and access within a development project involving multi-residence or commercial or industrial uses.
SUBDIVIDER
Any individual, copartnership or corporation (or agent authorized thereby) which undertakes the subdivision or development of land, as defined by this chapter, as the owner or equitable owner (or agent authorized thereby) of the land being subdivided or developed.
SUBDIVISION
The division or re-division 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 or access or any residential dwelling, shall be exempted.
SURVEYOR
A licensed surveyor registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
USE, PRINCIPAL (USE)
The specific, primary purpose for which land or a building is designed, arranged, intended, or for which it is or may be maintained or occupied.
[Added by Ord. 894, 4/11/2016]
WATER SUPPLY, PUBLIC
A municipally owned and operated system for supply and distributing water from a common source or sources to two or more users within a franchise area. The system shall be approved by the Chester County Health Department and/or the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
WOODLAND
A tree mass or plan community in which tree species are dominant or codominant and the branches of the trees form a complete, or nearly complete, aerial canopy.