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Borough of Baldwin, PA
Allegheny County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
This article describes land uses and other terms relevant to this chapter.
For the purpose of this chapter, certain words shall have the meanings assigned to them, as follows:
A. 
Words used in the present tense include the future. The singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
B. 
The word "building" includes "structure" and any part thereof.
C. 
The phrase "used for" includes "arranged for," "designed for," "intended for," "maintained for" or "occupied for."
D. 
The word "person" includes an individual, corporation, partnership, incorporated association or any other similar entity.
E. 
The word "includes" or "including" shall not limit the term to the specified example but is intended to extend its meaning to all other instances of like kind and character.
The following words and phrases shall have the meanings given in this section, as follows:
ACCESSORY BUILDING or ACCESSORY USE
A building or use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal building or use and located on the same lot with such principal building or use.
A. 
An accessory use includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(1) 
Children's playhouse, garden house or private greenhouse.
(2) 
Civil defense shelter serving not more than two families.
(3) 
Carport, utility shed, shed or building for domestic storage.
(4) 
Storage of merchandise normally carried in stock on the same lot with any commercial use unless such storage is excluded by the district regulations.
(5) 
Storage of goods used in or produced by manufacturing activities, on the same lot or parcel of ground with such activities, unless such storage is excluded by district regulations.
(6) 
Nonpaying guesthouse or rooms for nonpaying guests within an accessory building, provided that such facilities are used for the occasional housing of guests or occupants of the principal building and not for permanent occupancy by others as housekeeping units.
(7) 
Servants' quarters or servants' house.
(8) 
Off-street motor vehicle parking area; loading and unloading facility.
(9) 
Home occupation.
(10) 
Fence.
(11) 
All accessory uses shall be governed by this chapter.
ADDRESS MARKER
A marker, not more than two square feet in size, indicating address and/or name of a residential property or indicating the address of a commercial property.
AIRPORT ELEVATION
The highest point of an airport's usable landing area measured in feet above sea level. The airport elevation of the Allegheny County Airport is 1,250 feet above mean sea level.
AIRPORT HAZARD
Any structure or object, natural or man-made, or use of land which obstructs the airspace required for flight or aircraft in landing or taking off at an airport or is otherwise hazardous as defined in 14 CFR Part 77 and 74 P.S. § 5102.
AIRPORT HAZARD AREA
Any area of land or water upon which an airport hazard might be established if not prevented as provided for in this article and the Act 164 of 1984 (Pennsylvania Laws Relating to Aviation).[1]
ALLEY
A service way providing a secondary public means of access to abutting properties, or a way as shown on a recorded plan.
ALTERATIONS
As applied to a building or structure, a change or rearrangement in the structural parts or in the existing facilities, or an enlargement, whether by extending on a side or by increasing in height, or the moving from one location to another, or any change in use from that of one zoning district classification to another.
APPROACH SURFACE (ZONE)
An imaginary surface longitudinally centered on the extended runway center line and extending outward and upward from each end of the primary surface. An approach surface is applied to each end of the runway based on the planned approach. The inner edge of the approach surface is the same width as the primary surface and expands uniformly depending on the planned approach. The approach surface zone, as shown on Figure 1,[2] is derived from the approach surface. Figure 1 is on file in the Borough offices.
AREA
The size of a building or land parcel in square feet or acres.
AREA, BUILDING
The total of areas taken on a horizontal plane from ground to the sky of the principal building and all accessory buildings, exclusive of uncovered porches, terraces and steps.
AREA, FLOOR
The sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors of a building or buildings, measured from the exterior faces of exterior walls, or from the center line of common walls separating buildings. For purposes of determining parking and loading space requirements for the several zoning districts herein, the floor area of a building or buildings shall include basement space, penthouses, attic space providing structural headroom of 7 1/2 feet or more, interior balconies and mezzanine enclosed porches, accessory uses other than accessory off-street parking, lobbies and hallways. For determination of parking and loading space requirements, the following areas shall not be included: basement space, elevator shafts and stairwells, floor space for mechanical equipment as necessary to service the needs of the building, uncovered steps, terraces, breezeways, open spaces unroofed unless specifically required in the parking regulations herein, and fitting and dressing rooms.
ARTIST AND PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO
An establishment, in conjunction with or without a dwelling, designed for the preparation, instruction, display and/or sale of individually crafted work related to artwork, jewelry, furniture, sculpture, pottery, leathercraft, hand-woven articles, literature or performance of fine arts such as but not limited to drawing, vocal or instrumental music.
AUTOMOBILE
A self-propelled, free-moving vehicle, primarily used for personal conveyance on a public street or way.
AUTOMOBILE AND/OR TRAILER SALES AREA
An open area, other than a street or way, used for the display of new and/or used automobiles or trailers, and where minor and incidental repair work (other than body and fender repair) may be done.
AUTOMOBILE FUEL STATION
A building(s), premises or portions thereof which are used, arranged, designed or intended to be used for the retail sale of gasoline or other fuel for motor vehicles, boats or aircraft, as well as for minor automobile repair, including state inspections.
AUTOMOBILE LAUNDRY or CAR WASHING FACILITY
A structure used for the purposes of cleaning or reconditioning the exterior and interior surfaces of automotive vehicles, but not including an incidental one-bay washing facility in a gasoline service station where washing facilities are purely incidental to the operation of said service station. A self-operated vehicular laundering facility not requiring attendants or employees, regardless of capacity, is also considered to be an "automobile laundry" under this definition.
AUTOMOBILE SERVICE AND REPAIR
Engine rebuilding or major reconditioning of worn or damaged motor vehicles or trailers; collision service, including body, frame or fender straightening or repairs; and overall painting of vehicles.
AWNING SIGN
A sign painted or incorporated into a roof-like cover often made of fabric, metal or glass designed and intended for protection from the weather or as a decorative embellishment which projects from a wall or roof over a window, walk or door.
BAR OR NIGHTCLUB
A business establishment which provides on-site alcoholic beverage sales for drinking on the premises, where food is served only as accessory use, where live entertainment (not including adult entertainment) may also be provided, and where minors are not admitted unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
BASEMENT
A story partially underground, but having more than 1/2 of its height above the average level of the adjoining ground. A "basement" shall be counted as a story for the purpose of height measurement if the vertical distance between the ceiling and the average level of the adjoining ground is five feet or more or if the basement is used for business or dwelling purposes.
BILLBOARD
A sign that conveys information regarding an establishment, an activity, a person, a product, or a service that is unrelated to or unavailable on the premises on which the sign is located.
BOROUGH
The Borough of Baldwin.
BUFFER AREA
A strip of land which is planted and maintained in shrubs, bushes, trees, grass or other landscaping material and within which no structure is permitted except a wall or fence.
BUILDING
A structure or appendage to a structure which is permanently affixed to the land, has one or more floors or stories and is bounded by either lot lines or yards. A building may accommodate more than one family and have more than one dwelling unit and may be used for residential, commercial, manufacturing, public or semipublic purposes.
BUILDING AND LANDSCAPE MATERIALS SALES OR STORAGE YARD
A business establishment specializing in the sale and/or short- or long-term storage of wholesale and/or retail construction supplies and materials for home improvement.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the lowest elevation of the finished grade around the building to the highest point of the roof for flat roofs, to the deckline of mansard roofs, and to the mean height between eave and ridge for gable, hip and gambrel roofs.
BUILDING SETBACK LINE
The line of that face of the building nearest the front line of the lot. This face includes sun parlors and covered porches, whether enclosed or unenclosed, but does not include walks, steps or terraces.
BULK
The term used to describe the size of buildings or other structures and their relationship to each other, to open area such as yards and to lot lines and includes the size, height and floor area of a building or other structure; the relation of the number of dwelling units in a residential building to the area of the lot (usually called "density"); and all open areas in yard space relating to buildings and other structures.
CARPORT
A structure with a roof, no walls and four corner supports, but containing no side sections and which is intended to provide covered parking for motor vehicles.
CEMETERY
Land used or intended to be used for the burial of dead humans and dedicated for cemetery purposes, including columbariums, crematories, mausoleums and mortuaries, when operated in conjunction with and within the boundary of such property.
COMMISSION
All references to the "Commission" are to be the Borough of Baldwin Planning Commission.
COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
Towers, antennas and associated structures operated by any person, agency or corporation who or which furnishes wireless, mobile cellular radio telecommunications services, radio, television and/or other communications services for public or private use, excluding, however, police, fire and emergency transmissions by governmental units. This includes communication antennas, towers, and equipment transmitting and receiving facilities.
CONDITIONAL USES
Those uses of property allowed in certain districts of the Borough, not as a matter of right, but after approval of the governing body upon recommendation of the Planning Commission and upon the meeting of certain conditions that may be imposed thereon.
CONICAL SURFACE (ZONE)
An imaginary surface extending outward and upward from the periphery of the horizontal surface at a slope of 20 feet horizontally to one foot vertically for a horizontal distance of 4,000 feet. The conical surface zone, as shown in Figure 1,[3] is based on the conical surface. Figure 1 is on file in the Borough offices.
CONVERTED HOUSE TRAILER
A trailer rendered immobile and placed on either a temporary or permanent foundation for use as sleeping or living quarters. A converted house trailer is considered a mobile home.
CORNER LOT
A lot bounded on adjacent sides by intersecting streets. On through lots, the front lot line shall be located on the side having principal access. The required setback on all sides bounded by a street shall equal the building setback line of the district in which the corner lot is situated. With regards to decorative fences, the established front yard will be the yard facing the street or road bearing the mailing address of the property. The other yard will be considered the side yard and shall be required to comply with the front yard requirements regarding fences.
COUNCIL
All references to the "Council" are to the Council of the Borough of Baldwin.
COVERAGE
That percentage of the lot area covered by the building area.
CREMATORIUM
A location containing properly installed, certified apparatus intended for use in the act of cremation.
DAY-CARE or DAY NURSERY
A facility designed to provide daytime care or instruction for two or more children or adults, whose numbers shall be determined by the sponsoring agency or persons establishing the same and who meet all applicable state and federal requirements, if any, for operation of the same.
DENSITY, BUILDING OR DWELLING UNIT
Maximum number of dwelling units permitted per acre or per lot.
DEPARTMENT
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
DISTRICT, ZONING
A section of the Borough for which uniform regulations governing the use, height, area and intensity of use of buildings and land and open spaces about buildings are established.
DRIVE-THROUGH
An accessory use or structure that provides an access drive connecting to and from the public right-of-way for motor vehicles so as to serve patrons while in their motor vehicle(s).
DRY CLEANING (RETAIL)
A business establishment for receiving, pickup and pressing of garments where no cleaning or drying operations are conducted.
DRY CLEANING FACILITY
An establishment for the cleaning of clothing and fabric with chemical solvents rather than water.
DWELLING
A building designed or used exclusively as the living quarters for one or more families.
DWELLING UNIT
A building or portion thereof providing complete housekeeping facilities for one family.
DWELLING, MULTIPLE-FAMILY
A dwelling or group of dwellings on one plot or lot containing separate living units or dwelling units for three or more families, but which may have joint services or facilities, or both, and not exceeding three stories in height.
DWELLING, MULTISTORY MULTIPLE-FAMILY
A multiple-family dwelling of more than three stories, but not exceeding seven stories and 75 feet in height, unless further restricted in district regulations herein.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED
A building that contains at least three dwelling units, each of which are separated from the adjoining unit or units by a continuous, common wall extending from the basement to the roof, each unit having independent access directly to the outside and having no other units above or below.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED
A detached building designed for or occupied exclusively by one family.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY
A building designed for or occupied exclusively by two families living independently of each other, with separate dwelling unit entrances.
EASEMENT
A nonpossessory right to use and/or enter into the real property of another without possessing it. Authorization by a lot owner of the use by another and for a specified purpose of any designated part of his lot.
ENLARGEMENT
An addition to the floor area of an existing building, an increase in size of another structure or an increase in that portion of a tract of land occupied by an existing use.
ENTERTAINMENT FACILITY
An enterprise operated for profit by other than a public entity completely within an enclosed structure for the pursuit of sports, recreation and entertainment activities, including, but not limited to, such establishment as theaters, multiplex theaters, dance halls, bowling alleys, fitness centers, indoor racquet clubs and the like. This does not include a sexually oriented business.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
The erection, construction, alteration or maintenance, by public utilities or municipal or other governmental agencies, of underground or overhead gas, electrical, steam or water transmission or distribution systems or collection, communication, supply or disposal systems.
FAA
Federal Aviation Administration of the United States Department of Transportation.
FARM
Land devoted to agriculture, stock-raising, dairy, produce or allied industry that may include a private stable not less than 200 feet distant from any adjacent property line.
FENCE
An enclosure or barrier not exceeding six feet in height where the open portion thereof exceeds in area the closed portion.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
A business establishment where the principal business is the receipt, disbursement, or exchange of funds and currencies such as banks, savings, loans, credit unions or check cashing establishments. Establishment may or may not offer a drive-through window.
FOOTCANDLE
Unit of light density incident on a plane (assumed to be horizontal unless otherwise specified), and measurable with an illuminance meter, aka "light meter."
FULL-CUTOFF
Attribute of a luminaire from which no light is emitted at or above a horizontal plane drawn through the lowest light-emitting portion of the luminaire, and no more than 10% of the lamp's intensity is emitted at or above an angle 10° below that horizontal plane at all lateral angles around the luminaire. A full-cutoff luminaire, by definition, also is "fully shielded."
FULLY SHIELDED
Attribute of a luminaire from which no light is emitted at or above a horizontal plane drawn through the lowest light-emitting portion of the luminaire.
FUNERAL HOME
A building licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that contains a suitable storage room for the deceased and may include embalming facilities and rooms for the display of burial ceremonies of the deceased, but excludes crematories.
GARAGE, PRIVATE
An accessory building, housing only automobiles, the property of and for the use of the occupants of the lot on which the private garage is located.
GARAGE, PRIVATE DETACHED
An accessory building housing only motor vehicles, the property of and for the use of occupants of the premises on which the garage is located. Any such detached garage, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, shall house no more than three vehicles, contain no more than 700 square feet of area and will be no higher than 12 feet measured from the grade to the eaves and be no closer than 10 feet from any side yard and no closer than five feet from any rear yard.
GARAGE, PUBLIC
Any garage other than a private detached garage or a private garage, available to the public, and which is used for storage, parking, repair, rental, greasing, washing, servicing, adjusting or equipping of motor-driven vehicles.
GARDEN CENTER
A business enterprise which conducts the retail of plants grown off-site, as well as accessory items (but not power equipment such as gas or electric lawnmowers and farm implements) directly related to their care and maintenance. The accessory items normally sold are clay pots, potting soil, fertilizers, insecticides, hanging baskets, rakes and shovels.
GLARE
Excessive brightness in the field of view that is sufficiently greater than that to which the eyes are adapted to cause annoyance or loss in visual performance and visibility so as to jeopardize health, safety or welfare.
HEIGHT
For the purpose of determining the height limits in all zones set forth in this article and shown on the Zoning Map, the datum shall be mean sea level elevation unless otherwise specified.
HIGH-RISE
A high-rise dwelling unit is generally considered to be a multiple-family dwelling exceeding seven habitable stories or 70 feet in height. The height shall be measured from the lowest point of the ground surface around the building.
HOME BASED BUSINESS, NO-IMPACT
A business administered or conducted 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 must satisfy the following requirements:
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 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. 
No on-site parking of commercially identified vehicles shall be permitted.
F. 
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.
G. 
The business activity may not generate any solid waste or sewage discharge, in volumes or type, which is not normally associated with residential use in the neighborhood.
H. 
The business activity shall be conducted only within the dwelling and may not occupy more than 25% of the habitable floor area.
I. 
The business may not involve any illegal activity.
HOME OCCUPATION
A business conducted within a dwelling whereas said business is not classified as a home-based business, no-impact.
HORIZONTAL SURFACE (ZONE)
An imaginary plane 150 feet above the established airport elevation that is constructed by swinging arcs of various radii from the center of the end of the primary surface and then connecting the adjacent arc by tangent lines. The radius of each arc is based on the planned approach. The horizontal surface zone, as shown on Figure 1,[4] is derived from the horizontal surface. Figure 1 is on file in the Borough Offices.
HOSPITAL
An institution or building for reception, care and medical treatment of the sick or injured, containing facilities for surgery and twenty-four-hour-per-day emergency treatment, including ancillary commercial activities customarily incident thereto.
ILLUMINANCE
Quantity of incident light, measured in footcandles.
IMPROVEMENT
Any type of structure, excavation or paved section or change thereof.
INSTITUTIONAL HOME
Any dwelling, home, house, multiple-family dwelling, hotel, motel, building, structure or facility or any part or portion of any of those previously identified items established, used and/or operated as the temporary or permanent residence or shelter, for more than one full day, for more than two persons who are not relatives of the operator. The term "institutional home" shall include the facilities as defined herein regardless of whether such facilities are established, owned, used or operated as private or public facilities, as profit-making facilities or entities or as charitable facilities or entities, and regardless of what name, title, description or designation might be applied to such facilities by the owners and/or operators thereof. The term "institutional home" shall include but shall not be limited to such facilities as hospices, detention facilities, halfway houses, regardless of the nature of the residents thereof, asylums, orphanages, rehabilitation facilities, sanitariums, vocational training facilities, nursing homes and the like. The term shall include any facilities established, owned, used or operated as public or private facilities, as profit-making facilities or entities or as charitable facilities or entities, regardless of what name, title or designation might be applied to such facilities by the owners thereof.
LARGER THAN UTILITY RUNWAY
A runway that is constructed for and intended to be used by propeller-driven aircraft of greater than 12,500 pounds' maximum gross weight and jet-powered aircraft.
LIBRARY or MUSEUM
A building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for people to read, borrow, or refer to; a building in which objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest are stored and exhibited.
LIGHT TRESPASS
Light emitted by a luminaire or installation which is cast beyond the boundaries of the property on which the lighting installation is sited.
LOADING SPACE
An off-street space or berth, abutting upon a street or way or other appropriate means of access, intended for the temporary parking of a commercial vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise or materials, which space or berth is not less than 10 feet in width and of sufficient length to ensure that no vehicle using the space shall extend beyond the property line, and in no case shall the space or berth be less than 25 feet in length.
LOT
A parcel, tract or area of land accessible by means of a public street. It may be a single parcel separately described in a deed or plat which is recorded in the office of the County Recorder, or it may include parts of or a combination of such parcels when adjacent to one another and used as one parcel.
LOT LINE, FRONT
In the case of an interior lot, the line separating the lot from the street.
LOT LINE, REAR
The line generally parallel to the front lot line which defines the rear of the lot.
LOT LINE, SIDE
Any lot line which is not a front lot line or a rear lot line.
LOT WIDTH
The horizontal distance between side lot lines measured along the front lot line or the building setback line.
LOT, DEPTH OF
The mean horizontal distance between the front lot line and the rear lot line, measured midway between the side lot lines.
LOT, THROUGH
A lot having frontage on two parallel or approximately parallel streets and which is not a corner lot.
LUMEN
As used in the context of this section, the light-output rating of a lamp (light bulb).
MANUFACTURING
The process of making wares by hand, by machinery or by other agency, often with the provision of labor and the use of machinery.
MEDICAL OR DENTAL CLINIC
A facility for the outpatient diagnosis and treatment of human ailments not involving twenty-four-hour-per-day operation and not involving sale of drugs or foodstuffs on the premises.
MIXED-USE OR LIVE-WORK BUILDING
A lot or building on or in which various land uses are combined as an integrated development. A "single site" may include contiguous but unconsolidated lots.
MOBILE HOME
Any licensed or unlicensed piece of mobile equipment designed or constructed to be towed, pulled by a motor vehicle or self-propelled, regardless of whether the wheels are attached or unattached or a permanent or semipermanent foundation is constructed underneath or any structure of a permanent or semipermanent nature is attached thereto and intended for human occupancy.
MOBILE HOME PARK
A tract of land containing not less than 10 contiguous acres used or intended to be used for the parking of mobile homes, together with the necessary improvements and facilities upon the land.
MOTEL-HOTEL
A building or a group of buildings having units containing sleeping accommodations which are available for a temporary rental occupancy by transients and providing sufficient off-street parking facilities adjacent or convenient thereto. A tourist home containing provisions or facilities for accommodation of more than two transient occupants not normally quartered on the premises shall be considered as a "motel-hotel" facility under the provisions of this chapter.
MUNICIPAL FACILITIES
A building or lot operated or owned by the Borough of Baldwin.
NON-PRECISION-INSTRUMENT RUNWAY
A runway having an existing instrument approach procedure utilizing air navigation facilities with only horizontal guidance or area-type navigation equipment, for which a straight-in non-precision-instrument approach procedure has been approved or planned.
NONCONFORMING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
Any lawful building or other structure which does not conform to one or more of the applicable area and bulk regulations of the district in which it is located either on the effective date of this chapter or as a result of a subsequent amendment thereto.
NONCONFORMING LOT
Any lawful lot which does not conform to one or more of the applicable area regulations of the district in which it is located either on the effective date of this chapter or as a result of a subsequent amendment thereto.
NONCONFORMING USE
Any lawful use, whether of a building or other structure or of a tract of land, which does not conform to the applicable use regulations of the district in which it is located, either on the effective date of this chapter or as a result of subsequent amendments thereto. However, no existing use shall be deemed "nonconforming" solely because of the existence of less than the required off-street parking or loading conditions or the existence of less than the required supplementary regulations, excluding signs.
OBSTRUCTION
Any structure, growth, or other object, including a mobile object, which exceeds a limiting height set forth by this chapter.
OFFICE BUILDING
A building designed or primarily used for office purposes, no part of which is used for manufacturing or a dwelling other than living quarters for a watchman or custodian.
OPEN SPACES
Common greens, parks, other recreation space or generally open areas available to the public; or yards or other open areas provided in connection with residential buildings occupied by more than two families per lot which are intended for the sole use of the occupants of such buildings and their guests.
OTHER THAN UTILITY RUNWAY
A runway that is constructed for and intended to be used by propeller-driven aircraft of greater than 12,500 pounds maximum gross weight and jet-powered aircraft.
PARKING LOT
Any lot, parcel or yard used in whole or in part for the storage or parking of two or more vehicles where such usage is not incidental to or in conjunction with a one-family or two-family dwelling.
PARKING SPACE
An open or covered area with a paved all-weather surface, or space in a private garage or other structure, which space shall be at least nine feet by 20 feet in size for the storage of one automobile, accessible from a public way.
PAVED AREA
A percentage which, when multiplied by the lot area, will determine the permitted ground area which may be covered with an impervious surface.
PERMITTEE AND/OR LICENSEE
A person in whose name a permit and/or license to operate a sexually oriented business has been issued, as well as the individual listed as an applicant on the application for a permit and/or license.
PERSON
An individual proprietorship, partnership, corporation, association or other legal entity.
PERSONAL SERVICES
A business enterprise conducted for gain which primarily offers services to the general public such as shoe repair, valet service, watch repairing, barbershop, beauty parlors and related activities.
PERSONAL-CARE RESIDENCE
A building where food, shelter and personal assistance or supervision are provided for at least one full day for three or more ambulatory adults who are not relatives of the operator and who may require assistance or supervision in such matters as dressing, bathing, diet or medication prescribed for self-administration but do not require hospitalization or care in a skilled nursing or intermediate-care facility.
PERSONAL-CARE RESIDENCE, LARGE
A personal-care residence having more than 10 occupants, including clients (any person who is a resident), operator (any person responsible for the day-to-day operation and supervision of the home) and family of the operator. An operator may also be the householder.
PERSONAL-CARE RESIDENCE, SMALL
A personal-care residence that is limited to no more than 10 persons and no fewer than three persons, including clients (any person who is a resident), operator (any person responsible for the day-to-day operation and supervision of the home or residence) and family of the operator. An operator may also be the householder. Clients shall be limited to no more than eight persons.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of the Borough of Baldwin.
PORCH
A roofed open structure projecting from the front, side or rear wall(s) of a building.
PRECISION INSTRUMENT RUNWAY
A runway having an existing instrument approach procedure utilizing an instrument landing system (ILS) or a precisions approach radar (PAR). It also means a runway for which a precision approach system is planned and is so indicated on an approved airport layout plan or any other planning document.
PRIMARY SURFACE (ZONE)
An imaginary surface longitudinally centered on the runway, extending 200 feet beyond the end of paved runways or ending at each end of turf runways. The elevation of any point on the primary surface is the same as the elevation of the nearest point on the runway center line. The primary surface zone, as shown on Figure 1,[5] is derived from the primary surface. Figure 1 is on file in the Borough offices.
PRIVATE
Any organization or establishment limited to members of an organization recognized by the commonwealth or other persons specifically invited or permitted where no inducement or advertisement has been made to the general public.
PRIVATE OUTDOOR RECREATION
An area maintained in its natural state as a private property for recreation. This use may include playgrounds, lawns, trails, pavilions, ballfields, courts, tracks and other areas designed and intended for outdoor recreation.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICE
A room or rooms used for carrying on a professional occupation which is recognized by the commonwealth and requires a license for practice. A professional office includes a medical or dental clinic.
PROVIDER OF PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICE FACILITIES
A person or entity offering telecommunications services using duly authorized devices which do not require individual licenses, but does not mean the provision of direct-to-home satellite services; the term also relates to providers of facilities for the provision of personal wireless services and providers of commercial mobile services, unlicensed wireless services and common carrier wireless exchange access services.
PUBLIC RECREATION
Leisure-time activities, including but not limited to sports and entertainment that are open to anyone without restriction, except for rules and standards of conduct and use.
PUBLIC UTILITY
A service by a company or agency or individual licensed or regulated by the Public Utility Commission of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, distributing water, gas or electricity by means of a network of overhead or underground lines, all of which shall be to provide such services to residents or occupants of properties within the zoning district of the same; the term shall not include communications facilities, such as telephone, cellular telecommunications, radio transmissions, television transmissions or any other communications services for public or private use, for transmission to persons, residents or occupants of premises not in the zoning district in which the services are provided; excluding therefrom, however, police, fire and emergency transmissions by government units or facilities.
PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES OR FACILITIES
Public utility service buildings, structures or facilities owned by a public utility as defined herein and which provide the services for which the building, structure or facility was designed to residents of the zoning district in which the building, structure or facility is located. The term shall not include telephones, central offices, electric substations, communications facilities, tower sites or other electronic, or radioactive, electromagnetic transmission towers, antennas or other equipment or facilities for transmission for use by the general public situate outside the boundaries of the Borough of Baldwin.
RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENT
Includes any or all of the following: church, manse, rectory, convent, parish school or similar building incidental to the particular use; school for religious education; convents and other buildings for the housing of students and teachers, communicants and domestic or maintenance employees, but not including business offices, except those administrative offices housed within the structure or rescue missions or the occasional use for religious purposes of properties not regularly so used.
RESTAURANT
A place where the principal and substantial activity is the sale of food and the incidental sale of beverages.
RETAIL
Any business establishment not otherwise specifically defined in this chapter that sells or rents commodities and/or services on the premises directly to the general public, available for immediate purchase and removal, but not including the manufacturing or processing of any products.
A. 
RETAIL, LARGERetail store with a gross floor area equal to or more than 5,000 square feet. This use may include grocery stores and wholesaling but shall not include manufacturing or processing.
B. 
RETAIL, SMALLRetail store with a gross floor area less than 5,000 square feet. This use may not include wholesaling, manufacturing or processing of goods.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
A type of easement granted or reserved over the land for transportation purposes as well as electrical transmission lines, pipelines, maintenance or other uses.
RUNWAY
A defined area of an airport prepared for landing and takeoff of aircraft along its length.
SCHOOL
Any building, group of buildings or grounds, or portion thereof, used for the purposes of educating individuals.
SELF-SERVICE LAUNDRY
A business that provides home-type washing, drying or ironing machines or dry-cleaning machines for hire to be used by customers on the premises.
SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESS
An adult arcade, adult bookstore or adult video store, adult cabaret, adult motel, adult motion-picture theater, adult theater, escort agency, nude model studio or sexual encounter center. A sexually oriented business may include, but is not limited to, any of the following uses, terms or activities:
A. 
ADULT ARCADEAny place to which the public is permitted or invited wherein coin-operated or slug-operated or electronically, electrically or mechanically controlled still- or motion-picture machines, projectors or other image-producing devices are maintained to show images to five or fewer persons per machine at any one time and where the images so displayed are distinguished or characterized by the depicting or describing of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.
B. 
(1) 
A commercial establishment which, as one of its principal business purposes, offers for sale or rental for any form of consideration any one or more of the following:
(a) 
Books, magazines, periodicals or other printed matter or photographs, films, motion pictures, videocassettes or video reproductions, slides or other visual representations which depict or describe specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas; or
(b) 
Instruments, devices or paraphernalia which are designed for use in connection with specified sexual activities.
(2) 
A commercial establishment may have other principal business purposes that do not involve the offering for sale or rental of material depicting or describing specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas and still be categorized as "adult bookstore" or "adult video store." Such other business purposes will not serve to exempt such commercial establishment from being categorized as an "adult bookstore" or "adult video store" so long as one of its principal business purposes is the offering for sale or rental for consideration the specified materials which depict or describe specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.
C. 
ADULT CABARETA nightclub or bar or similar commercial establishment which regularly features:
(1) 
Persons who appear in the state of nudity;
(2) 
Live performances which are characterized by the exposure of specified anatomical areas or by specified sexual activities; or
(3) 
Films, motion pictures, videocassettes, slides or other photographic reproductions which are characterized by the depiction or description of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.
D. 
ADULT MOTELA hotel, motel or similar commercial establishment which:
(1) 
Offers accommodations to the public for any form of consideration; provides patrons with closed-circuit television transmissions, films, motion pictures, videocassettes, slides or other photographic reproductions which are characterized by the depiction or description of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas; and has a sign visible from the public right-of-way which advertises the availability of this adult-type of photographic reproductions; or
(2) 
Offers sleeping rooms for rent four or more times in one calendar day during five or more calendar days in any continuous thirty-day period.
E. 
ADULT MOTION-PICTURE THEATERA commercial establishment where, for any form of consideration, films, motion pictures, videocassettes, slides or other photographic reproductions are regularly shown which are characterized by the depiction or description of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.
F. 
ADULT THEATERA theater, concert hall, auditorium or similar commercial establishment which regularly features persons who appear in a state of nudity or live performances which are characterized by the exposure of specified anatomical areas or specified sexual activities.
G. 
ESCORTA person who, for consideration, agrees or offers to act as a companion, guide or date for another person or who agrees or offers to privately model lingerie or to privately perform a striptease for another person.
H. 
ESCORT AGENCYA person or business association who furnishes, offers to furnish or advertises to furnish escorts as one of its primary business purposes for a fee, tip or other consideration.
I. 
NUDE MODEL STUDIOAny place where a person who appears in a state of nudity or displays specified anatomical areas is provided to be observed, sketched, drawn, painted, sculptured, photographed or similarly depicted by other persons who pay money or any form of consideration.
J. 
NUDITY or STATE OF NUDITYThe appearance of a human bare buttock, anus, male genitals, female genitals or female breast. For the purposes of this chapter, nudity does not include modeling for a class operated in a viewing room:
(1) 
By a proprietary school, licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or a college, junior college or university supported entirely or partly by taxation;
(2) 
By a private college or university which maintains and operates educational programs in which credits are transferable to a college, junior college or university supported entirely or partly by taxation; or
(3) 
In a structure:
(a) 
Which has no sign visible from the exterior of the structure and no other advertising that indicates a nude person is available for viewing;
(b) 
Where, in order to participate in a class, a student must enroll at least three days in advance of the class; and
(c) 
Where no more than one nude model is on the premises at any one time.
K. 
SEMINUDEA state of dress in which clothing covers no more than the genitals, pubic region and areola of the female breast, as well as portions of the body covered by supporting straps or devices.
L. 
SEXUAL ENCOUNTER CENTERA business or commercial enterprise that, as one of its primary business purposes, offers for any form of consideration:
(1) 
Physical contact in the form of wrestling or tumbling between persons of the opposite sex; and
(2) 
Activities between male and female persons and/or persons of the same sex when one or more of the persons is in a state of nudity or seminude.
M. 
SPECIFIED ANATOMICAL AREASThe male genitals in a state of sexual arousal and/or the vulva or more intimate parts of the female genitals.
N. 
SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIESIncludes any of the following:
(1) 
The fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, anus or female breasts.
(2) 
Sex acts, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, including intercourse, oral copulation or sodomy.
(3) 
Masturbation, actual or simulated.
(4) 
Excretory functions as part of or in connection with any of the activities set forth in Subsections (1) through (3) above.
O. 
SUBSTANTIAL ENLARGEMENT (OF A SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESS)The increase in floor areas occupied by the business by more than 25%, as the floor areas exist on date of enactment of this chapter.
P. 
(1) 
The sale, lease or sublease of the business.
(2) 
The transfer of securities which constitute a controlling interest in the business, whether by sale, exchange or similar means.
(3) 
The establishment of a trust, gift or other similar legal device which transfers the ownership or control of the business, except for transfer by bequest or other operation of law upon the death of the person possessing the ownership or control.
SHIELDED
A luminaire from which no direct glare is visible at normal viewing angles by virtue of its being properly aimed, oriented, and located and properly fitted with such devices as shields, barn doors, baffles, louvers, skirts or visors.
SIGN
A sign is a name, identification, description, display (including electronic) or illustration which is affixed to, or painted, or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, structure, or piece of land and which directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization, or business. The definition of "sign" does not include the display of any official court or public office notices nor any official or municipal traffic control or parking sign or device, nor shall it include the flag, emblem or insignia of a nation, state, county, municipality, school, or a religious group. A sign shall not include name, identification, description, display or illustration that is located completely within an enclosed building.
A. 
SIGN, ANIMATEDAny sign or part of a sign or sign face that changes physical position or light intensity by any movement or rotation or that gives the visual impression of such movement or rotation of the sign or sign face.
B. 
SIGN AREAThe entire sign face (one side only), or, where the sign consists of raised letters or symbols, or a sign face of irregular shape, the sign area shall include the area of the smallest rectangle, circle or oval that can encompass the letters, symbols, or irregularly-shaped sign face.
C. 
SIGN, BANNERAny sign intended to be hung, either with or without frames, of lightweight material such as paper, plastic, or fabric of any kind. National flags, state or municipal flags or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered banners.
D. 
SIGN, BUILDINGA sign attached to any part of a building, including a sign projecting from a part of a building.
E. 
SIGN, CANOPYA sign attached to a roof extension of a building with or without support, but not walls.
F. 
SIGN, CHANGEABLE COPY OR LETTERINGA sign or portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged, mechanically or electronically, without altering the face or the surface of the sign.
G. 
SIGN, DIRECTIONALA sign, no greater than five square feet in size, that provides on-site directional assistance or instruction to vehicular or pedestrian traffic relative to parking area, entrances and exits. Such sign shall contain no advertising other than the business name or logo and shall provide directional information, such as "No Parking," "Entrance," "Exit," "One Way," "Loading Only," "Telephone," and other similar directives. Directional, incidental signs shall be located only in conjunction with site drive entrances and/or internal traffic drive aisles.
H. 
SIGN, FREESTANDINGA sign that is supported from the ground and not attached to a building. The sign may be attached to a pole, mast, frame or other structure that is not itself and integral part of, or attached to, a building.
I. 
SIGN, LEDAny sign or portion thereof that displays electronic images, graphics, or pictures, with or without textual information, using LEDs (light emitting diodes), fiber optics, light bulbs, or other illumination devices or combination thereof within the display area and where a static message change sequence is accomplished immediately or by means of fade, repixalation, dissolve or other such modes, devices, processes, products, applications or technologies from a proximate or remote location. Such signs include computer-programmable and microprocessor-controlled electronic displays.
J. 
SIGN, MONUMENTA freestanding sign in which a solid structure, the width of which is equal to or greater than the width of the sign face, is used to mount the sign area on, in or as an integral part of such structure.
K. 
SIGN, MARQUEEA sign attached to a permanent structure, other than a roof, attached to, supported by, and projecting from, a building, and providing protection from natural elements.
L. 
SIGN, POLITICALA temporary sign directly associated with any national, state, or local government election.
M. 
SIGN, TEMPORARYAny sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or which is designed to be transported.
N. 
SIGN, WALLAny sign painted on or adhered directly to a wall of a building.
SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED DWELLING
A building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence for only one family, having no party wall in common with an adjacent building and having yard areas on all four sides.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
A special exception deals with special permission, granted only by the Zoning Hearing Board, to occupy land for specific purposes when such use is not permitted by right in the Principal Land Use Chart.[6]
STORY
That portion of a building, other than the basement (as defined), included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above it, or if there is no floor above it, then the space between the floor and the ceiling next above it.
STREET
A right-of-way, or portion thereof, intended for general public use to provide means of approach for vehicles and pedestrians. The word "street" includes the words "road," "highway," "thoroughfare" and "way."
STREET ACCESS POINT
The distance between any vehicular entrance and exit along a street.
STREET CENTER LINE
A line which is usually at an equal distance from both lot lines or right-of-way lines.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS
Any change in the supporting members of a building, such as bearing walls or partitions, columns, beams or girders, or any substantial change in the roof or in the exterior walls.
STRUCTURE
An object, including a mobile object, constructed or installed by man, including, but not without limitation, buildings, towers, cranes, smokestacks, earth formation and overhead transmission lines.
SWIMMING POOL
A structure used for the purpose of swimming and having a mean depth of two feet or more.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA
A device used to collect or transmit telecommunications or radio signals, such as panels, microwave dishes, single poles known as whips and such other devices used for these purposes, but which shall not exceed 10 feet in height or six feet in width, or which shall not have a diameter of more than six feet in width.
TOWER
A structure that is intended to support equipment used to transmit and/or receive telecommunications signals, including monopoles and lattice construction steel structures.
TOWER SITE
Any lot or parcel on which communications facilities, as defined herein, are located or proposed to be located.
TRANSITIONAL SURFACE (ZONE)
An imaginary surface that extends outward and upward from the edge of the primary surface to the horizontal surface at a slope of seven feet horizontally to one foot vertically. The transitional surface zone, as shown on Figure 1, is derived from the transitional surface. Figure 1 is on file in the Borough offices.
TREE
Any object of natural growth.
TRUCK
A motor-driven vehicle used for hauling purposes.
USE
The specific purpose for which land or a building is designed, arranged, intended or for which it may be occupied or maintained. The term "permitted use" or its equivalent shall not be deemed to include any nonconforming use.
UTILITY RUNWAY
A runway that is constructed for and intended to be used by propeller-driven aircraft of 12,500 pounds' maximum gross weight or less.
VETERINARIAN FACILITY
A business establishment operated by a veterinary medical doctor(s), certified in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for the medical or surgical treatment of domestic, agricultural or zoological animals.
VISUAL RUNWAY
A runway intended solely for the operation of aircraft using visual approach procedures.
WADING POOL
A structure containing water, but not used for the purposes of swimming or landscaping. A "wading pool" is not a reflecting pool or cooling pool for mechanical equipment or a decorative fountain. A "wading pool" is no more than two feet in depth and is designed for use by people.
YARD
A space on the same lot with a principal building, open, unoccupied and unobstructed by structures, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
YARD OR GARAGE SALE
The sale of items by an individual or family conducted on premises of said individual or family's dwelling.
YARD, FRONT
A yard extending across the full width of the lot, unoccupied other than by steps, walks, terraces, driveways, lampposts and similar structures, the depth of which is the least distance between the front lot line and the building line.
YARD, REAR
A yard extending across the full width of the lot between the rear of the principal building and the rear lot line, unoccupied by other than accessory buildings which do not occupy more than 30% of the space, and steps, walks, terraces, driveways, lampposts and similar structures, the depth of which is the least distance between the rear lot line and the rear of such building.
YARD, SIDE
A yard between the principal building and the side lot line extending from the front yard or from the front lot line, where no front yard is required, to the rear yard. The width of the required side yard is measured horizontally and at 90° with the side lot line, from the nearest part of the principal building.
ZONING MAP
A map entitled the "Borough of Baldwin, Pennsylvania, Zoning Map."
[1]
Editor's Note: See 74 P.S. § 5101 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 74 P.S. § 5101 et seq.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 74 P.S. § 5101 et seq.
[4]
Editor's Note: See 74 P.S. § 5101 et seq.
[5]
Editor's Note: See 74 P.S. § 5101 et seq.
[6]
Editor's Note: Said chart is included as an attachment to this chapter.