[Amended 3-16-2015 by Ord. No. 293-2015]
The primary purpose of the Rural District is to promote a continuation
of the rural character of the Township, characterized by farming,
a mixture of sparsely developed residential areas, and other small-scale
nonresidential uses which do not require infrastructure typically
associated with higher-density development such as public water or
public sewer. The district generally includes areas not possessing
prime agricultural soils; nonetheless, its sparse development contributes
to the Township's overall rural character. This district is also used
as a holding area for land inside the designated growth area that
does not have the infrastructure to support higher-density development
in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan.
Permitted-by-right uses shall be as follows:
A. Any form of agriculture, subject to the requirements of §
135-212, and further provided that the commercial keeping and handling of poultry, livestock and other animals shall not be maintained in tracts of less than 10 acres in size.
B. Single-family detached dwellings.
C. Group homes, in accordance with §
135-231.
E. No-impact home-based businesses, in accordance with §
135-234B.
F. Place of worship and its customary related uses in accordance with §
135-251, with a maximum floor area of 20,000 square feet.
G. Municipal uses, and related public utilities.
H. Publicly owned recreational facilities.
I. Public and private schools and related uses, excluding vocational schools and dormitories, in accordance with §
135-254.
J. Veterinary facilities, excluding kennels.
K. Stables, provided that any barn, stable or corral is located a minimum
of 100 feet from any lot line and 200 feet from any dwelling, other
than the dwelling of the owner of the animals.
M. Joint-use driveways in accordance with §
135-321.
N. Greenhouses, including retail sales that are limited to a roadside produce stand meeting the requirements of §
135-258.
O. Agritourism enterprises on a farm lot with a minimum lot area of 10 acres, in accordance with §
135-213.
P. Manure storage facility as an accessory use to a farm, in accordance with §
135-243.
Q. Roadside produce stands, in accordance with §
135-258.
R. Forestry and related uses; provided that the applicant provides copies
of the permits and approvals from the DEP, and/or any other applicable
state or federal permit authorizing such use to occur.
S. Nature preserves and related uses, including walking, hiking, biking
and horseback riding trails and paths.
T. Short-term lodging.
[Added 1-6-2020 by Ord. No. 320-2020]
U. Accessory structures and uses customarily
incidental to the above-permitted uses.
The following uses are permitted when special exceptions are
granted by written approval of the Zoning Hearing Board. In granting
any special exception, the Board may attach certain conditions to
its approval which it feels are necessary requirements in order to
preserve and protect the character of the district in which the proposed
use would locate. The burden shall be upon the applicant to prove
that the approval of the application will not be detrimental to the
health, safety and general welfare of the community.
A. Airports/heliports, in accordance with §
135-214.
C. Nursing or personal care homes in accordance with §
135-248, with a maximum floor area of 20,000 square feet.
D. Golf courses, including clubhouse, pro shop, restaurant and other accessory uses, provided that such uses are clearly accessory to the golf course. All golf courses shall comply with §
135-229.
E. Single-family cluster developments meeting §
135-351.
H. Private recreational facility, meeting the requirements of §
135-252.
I. Farm-related businesses, each on a farm lot with a minimum lot area of 10 acres, in accordance with §
135-227.
J. Commercial communications antenna, other than a commercial communications antenna permitted by right under §
135-221A, which shall meet all requirements of §
135-221B.
L. Horse boarding facilities; including riding schools, academies and/or private riding clubs, in accordance with §
135-235.
M. Greenhouse and horticultural activities which include retail sales which are in excess of a roadside produce stand, in accordance with §
135-230.
N. Landscape businesses, nurseries and landscape services, in accordance with §
135-240.
O. Community sewage or water supply facility.
P. Accessory structures and uses customarily incidental to the above
uses.
The following regulations apply to unattached buildings for
accessory use:
A. Maximum height. The maximum height shall be 20 feet, except that
this restriction shall not be applicable to farm buildings and silos.
B. Front yard minimum depth. The minimum building setback lines for all accessory buildings shall be 50 feet from the ultimate road right-of-way as designated by §
135-301.
C. Side yard. The minimum distance to any interior side lot line shall
be six feet.
D. Rear yard. The minimum distance to any rear lot line shall be six
feet.