A. 
Long title. The long title of this chapter is "An ordinance to establish zoning regulations for the use of land and structures, area of lots, coverage of lots, bulk of buildings and other structures, the density of population, the provision of off-street parking and loading spaces and similar accessory regulations in and about such structures for the purpose of dividing the Borough into zoning districts, to provide for a Zoning Hearing Board and, further, to provide for administrative enforcement and amendment of this chapter in accordance with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act No. 247)[1] and to repeal all ordinances or portions thereof in conflict herewith."
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
B. 
Short title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Zoning Ordinance of the Borough of Canonsburg, Washington County, Pennsylvania."
A. 
The zoning regulations and districts set forth in this chapter are made in accordance with a Comprehensive Plan Study of the Borough of Canonsburg, for the general welfare of the Borough, and are intended to achieve, among others, the following purposes:
(1) 
To lessen congestion in the streets.
(2) 
To secure safety from fire and other dangers.
(3) 
To provide adequate light and air.
(4) 
To prevent the overcrowding of the land.
(5) 
To avoid undue concentrations of population.
(6) 
To facilitate adequate provisions for transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements, as well as the conservation of the value of land and buildings.
B. 
These were made with reasonable consideration, among other things, of the existing character of the various areas and their respective suitability for particular land uses and with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the Borough of Canonsburg.
This chapter is adopted to promote an orderly plan of development according to an amended Comprehensive Plan, adopted by Borough Council in December 2005, including data on existing conditions, statements concerning the proposed plan and evaluations of implementation techniques. Such material shall be considered as legislative history and shall be utilized when necessary to establish policy in the interpretation of this chapter.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, the provisions shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, and general welfare of the Borough. Where the provisions of any statute, other ordinance or regulation impose greater restrictions than this chapter, the provisions of such statute, ordinance or regulation shall be controlling.
It is hereby declared to be the legislative intent that:
A. 
If a court of competent jurisdiction declares any provision of this chapter to be invalid or ineffective in whole or in part, the effect of such decision shall be limited to those provisions which are expressly stated in the decision to be invalid or ineffective, and all other provisions of this chapter shall continue to be separately and fully effective.
B. 
If a court of competent jurisdiction finds the application of any provision or provisions of this chapter to any lot, building, or other structure, or tract of land, to be invalid or ineffective, in whole or in part, the effect of such decisions shall be limited to the person, property, or situation immediately involved in the controversy, and the application of any such provision to other persons, property or situations shall not be affected.
A. 
Minimum and uniform regulations. The regulations set by this chapter within each district shall be minimum regulations and shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land.
B. 
For new uses and structures. In all districts, after the effective date of this chapter, any new building or other structure on any tract of land shall be constructed, developed and used only in accordance with the regulations specified for each district.
C. 
For existing uses and structures. In all districts after the effective date of this chapter, any existing building or other structure, or any tract of land which is not in conformity with the regulations for the district in which it is located, shall be deemed as nonconforming and subject to the regulations of Article 10, Nonconforming Uses, Structures and Lots.
D. 
Type of control. The following minimum and uniform regulations shall apply in the respective districts: use regulations, including uses by right, conditional uses, accessory uses and uses by special exception; area and bulk regulations, including required front, side and rear yards; maximum permitted height and allowable lot coverage, and floor area ratio requirements in those districts in which they apply; off-street parking and loading regulations; sign regulations; and special regulations dealing with landscaping, storage, access and traffic control, lighting and slope areas, where applicable.
E. 
Municipal exemption. The Borough of Canonsburg is hereby exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
All existing zoning ordinances for the Borough, and amendments thereto, or parts of ordinances which are contrary to the provisions of this chapter are hereby repealed to the extent necessary to give this chapter full force and effect.