Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following
words shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings herein
indicated:
ACCESSORY BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
Accessory buildings shall include, but not be limited to,
the following, which are subordinate to the principal buildings on
the same lot:
A.
In all residential zones, including Planned
Residential Developments, unless prohibited by declaration of covenants:
[Amended 5-4-2016 by Ord.
No. 675]
(1)
Children's playhouse, picnic shelter, greenhouse (noncommercial),
garage, carport, garden house or storage building for domestic storage.
(2)
Swimming pool, ornamental pool, tennis court, basketball court
or similar private recreational facility.
(3)
Storage of camping, sports and similar equipment, owned or leased
for noncommercial purposes, for the use of the residents of the premises.
(5)
The following shall not be considered as an accessory building
or use in all residential zones, including Planned Residential Development:
[Added 3-4-2020 by Ord. No. 720]
(b)
Shipping containers or any type of container used as a trailer
previously attached to a tractor.
B.
In commercial zones:
(1)
Storage of merchandise and goods normally carried
in stock in conjunction with the principal use on the same parcel
or lot of ground.
(2)
Storage of goods used in or produced by manufacturing
activities on the same parcel or lot of ground.
C.
In all zones:
(1)
Required off-street motor vehicle parking areas
and loading and unloading areas.
(2)
Fences and ornamental walls and landscape features.
ACCESSORY SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
An area of land or other area used for a solar collection
system used to capture solar energy, convert it to electrical energy
or thermal power and supply electrical or thermal power primarily
for on-site use. An accessory solar energy system consists of one
or more freestanding, ground- or roof-mounted solar arrays or modules,
or solar-related equipment and is intended to primarily reduce on-site
consumption of utility power or fuels.
[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord. No. 728]
ACCESSORY USE
A use that is subordinate and incidental to the main use
or uses on the same lot or premises. Said uses shall not include nonconforming
uses under the terms of this chapter.
ADULT BOOKSTORE
Any commercial establishment in which is offered for sale
as a substantial or significant portion of its stock-in-trade videocassettes,
movies, books, magazines or other periodicals or other media which
are distinguished or characterized by their emphasis on nudity or
sexual conduct or on activities which, if presented in live presentation,
would constitute adult entertainment.
[Added 3-22-1996 by Ord. No. 312]
ADULT BUSINESS
An adult bookstore, movie theater or movie house or other
adult entertainment, as defined herein. In the event that an activity
or business which might fall under a use category other than adult
business is combined with and/or includes activities which constitute
an adult bookstore, adult movie theater or movie house or adult entertainment,
as defined herein, then such activity or business shall constitute
an adult business and shall be governed by those provisions in this
chapter applicable to adult business uses and not by provisions applicable
to any other use category.
[Added 3-22-1996 by Ord. No. 312]
ADULT ENTERTAINMENT
An establishment providing, either as a sole use or in conjunction
with or in addition to other uses, entertainment consisting of the
use of nudity or of live dancing, posing, displaying, acting or other
live presentation or use of persons whose actions are distinguished
or characterized by emphasis on use of the human body in a manner
intended to or resulting in arousal of sexual excitation or sexual
titillation or a prurient interest or intended to or resulting in
producing lustful emotions.
[Added 3-22-1996 by Ord. No. 312]
ADULT MOVIE THEATER OR MOVIE HOUSE (including ADULT MINI-THEATERS)
Any movie theater which on a regular continuing basis shows
films rated X by the Motion Picture Coding Association of America
or any movie theater which presents for public viewing on a regular,
continuing basis so-called adult films depicting sexual conduct, as
defined by this chapter.
[Added 3-22-1996 by Ord. No. 312]
AGRICULTURE
Any use of a unit of land of five acres or more together
with attendant structures for farming, dairying, pasturage, horticulture,
floriculture, arboriculture or animal husbandry. Accessory activities
and structures permitted in conjunction with an agricultural use may
include barns, stables, corn cribs, silos and other similar uses or
structures that are clearly related to an agricultural operation.
[Amended 1-20-2016 by Ord. No. 667]
AGRICULTURAL SECURITY AREA
A unit of 500 or more acres of land used for agricultural
production, under the ownership of one or more persons, created by
a municipality in cooperation with local agricultural landowners under
Pennsylvania Act 43 of 1981, to guarantee that farm businesses will be recognized as
the primary activity on designated properties for the purpose of encouraging
the continuity, development and viability of farming.
AGRITOURISM
The practice of visiting an agribusiness, horticultural,
or agricultural operation, including, but not limited to, a farm,
orchard, winery, greenhouse, hunting preserve, a companion animal
or livestock show, for the purpose of recreation, education, or active
involvement in the operation, other than as a contractor or employee
of the operation.
[Added 2-15-2017 by Ord.
No. 682]
AIRPORT
A tract of leveled land opened to the public where an aircraft
can take off and land, usually equipped with hard-surfaced landing
strips, a control tower, hangars, aircraft maintenance and refueling
facilities, and accommodations for passengers and cargo.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
AIRPORT-RELATED SERVICE
Uses which provide direct services to the traveling public
and are located on the premises of an airport facility, including
but not limited to retail stores, professional and business offices,
hotels, eating and drinking establishments, business services and
personal services.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
ALLEY
A service way at least 20 feet wide, providing a secondary
public means of access to abutting properties.
ALTERATION or ADDITION (structural or use change)
Any change in the supporting members of a building such as
bearing walls, columns, beams, girders or foundations or by extending
on a side, front or rear or by increasing in height or the moving
from one location to another or any change in use from a conforming
zoning district classification.
AMBULANCE SERVICE
Any entity within the definition of "ambulance service" as
used in the Pennsylvania Emergency Medical Services Act.
[Added 9-2-1998 by Ord. No. 387]
AMBULANCE STATION
Any building owned or leased by either a hospital or an ambulance
service licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and used primarily
to provide emergency medical services.
[Added 9-2-1998 by Ord. No. 387]
AMBULANCE SUBSTATION
An ambulance station which meets the following criteria:
no longer than 2,000 square feet; houses no more than the two vehicles;
staffed by no more than two employees; and less than 25 miles from
the building which houses the main office of the hospital or ambulance
service which operates the substation.
[Added 9-2-1998 by Ord. No. 387]
ANIMATION
Depicting action, motion, light or color changes through
electrical or mechanical means.
[Added 4-2-2014 by Ord. No. 644]
APARTMENT
A room or suite of rooms in a multifamily structure, which
is designed for use as a single housekeeping unit and which contains
a functional kitchen, bath and toilet facilities, permanently installed.
AREA
Area of a lot or site shall be calculated from dimensions
derived by horizontal projection of the site.
AREA, BUILDING
The total of areas taken on a horizontal plane at the main
grade level of the principal building exclusive of uncovered porches,
terraces, steps, garages and other accessory buildings.
ARTISAN WORKSPACE
A business establishment engaged in the sale, loan, or display
of art books, paintings, sculptures, or other works of art and where
classes may or may not occur as an accessory use.
[Added 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATION
Any premises used for the retail sale of motor fuel and lubricants
and incidental services such as lubrication and the sale, installation
or minor repair of tires, batteries or other automobile accessories,
but not including major repair work, such as motor replacement, body
fender repair or spray painting.
AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR
Engine maintenance, repair or reconditioning, collision repair,
including straightening and repainting, replacement of parts and incidental
services.
AUTOMOTIVE SALVAGE
The dismantling or disassembling of two or more used motor
vehicles or trailers or the storage, sale or dumping of two or more
dismantled, partially dismantled, obsolete or wrecked vehicles or
their parts.
BANK
An institution for lending, borrowing, exchanging, issuing
and safeguarding money in an office or building.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
BASEMENT or CELLAR
A portion of a building partly or completely below grade.
It shall be considered a building story if more than 50% of its clear
height is above the average level of the adjoining ground.
BILLBOARD
Structure, building wall or other outdoor surface used to
display lettered, pictorial, sculptured or other matter which directs
attention to any product, announcement, commodity or service offered
only elsewhere than on the premises.
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. The purpose of a
buffer is to place additional horizontal space between potentially
conflicting land uses.
[Amended 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
BUILDING
An independent and detached structure having a roof supported
by columns or walls or resting on its own foundation, including but
not limited to mobile homes, garages, greenhouses and other accessory
buildings, and utilized for housing, shelter or enclosure of persons,
animals, chattels or activity sites.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the average elevation
of the finish grade to the highest point of the roof.
BUILDING LINE
An imaginary line located a fixed distance from the front
line of the lot and interpreted as being the nearest point that a
building may be constructed to the front lot line. The building line
shall limit the location of porches, patios and similar construction,
steps excepted, to the face of this line. (Refer to "front yard.")
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL
The building or portion thereof housing the main or primary
use of the land.
BUSINESS SERVICE
Any business activity which renders service to other commercial
or industrial enterprises.
CAMPING AND RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT
Any licensed or unlicensed trailer or other vehicle designed
or used for temporary living or sleeping purposes, 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 which is not connected to utilities. "Camping
and recreational equipment" shall include travel trailers, pickup
coaches, motorized home and boat trailers and shall be defined as
follows:
A.
TRAVEL TRAILERA vehicular, portable structure built on a chassis designed to be used as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational and vacation purposes, permanently identified as a travel trailer by the manufacturer of the trailer and, when equipped for the road, which must be licensed and inspected.
B.
PICKUP COACHA structure designed primarily to be mounted on a pickup or truck chassis with sufficient equipment to render it suitable for use as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational and vacation uses.
D.
MOTORIZED HOMEA motorized vehicle with sufficient equipment to render it suitable for use as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational and vacation uses. This unit must also be licensed and inspected.
CAR WASH
An area of land and/or a structure with machine- or hand-operated
facilities used principally for the interior and/or exterior cleaning,
washing, polishing or waxing of motor vehicles.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
CHICKEN
A member of the subspecies Gallus domestics, a domesticated
fowl. This shall not include a rooster or any species of turkey, duck,
guinea fowl, goose or other fowl.
[Added 1-20-2016 by Ord.
No. 667]
CHICKEN COOP
A structure for sheltering chickens, including four opaque
walls and a roof with ventilation through windows or other protected
openings.
[Added 1-20-2016 by Ord.
No. 667]
CHICKEN RUN/PEN
A fenced area for chickens.
[Added 1-20-2016 by Ord.
No. 667]
CHURCH
An institution of any religious denomination where people
regularly observe, practice or participate in religious or spiritual
services, meetings or activities.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
CLINIC
Any establishment where human patients or animals are examined
and treated by doctors or dentists but not hospitalized overnight.
CLUB
An establishment operated for social, athletic, recreational
or educational purposes but open only to members and not the general
public.
CO-LOCATION
The mounting of one or more communications antennas on an
existing communications tower, or on any structure that has been approved
by the Township to support at least one communications antenna.
[Added 9-5-2018 by Ord.
No. 705]
COMMERCIAL (Business)
Engaging in a business, enterprise, activity or other undertaking
related to or connected with trade or commerce in general (excludes
home occupation).
COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT
A parking lot and/or garage used only for the parking of
vehicles where a fee is charged to park, or the property is leased
for parking, but it shall not include the storage of vehicles for
repair, dismantling, display or sale and/or a junkyard.
[Added 5-4-2005 by Ord. No. 528; amended 8-5-2020 by Ord. No. 731]
COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA
A structure used for transmitting or retransmitting electronic
signals, such as a microwave or drum antenna. Communications antennas
shall include, but are not limited to, antennas used for cellular
telephone communications. Communications antennas shall not include
facilities used for the reception of cable television or those used
by federally licensed amateur radio operators.
[Added 5-7-1991 by Ord. No. 341; amended 9-5-2018 by Ord. No. 705]
COMMUNICATIONS APPLICANT (APPLICANT)
Any entity or person that applies for a communications facility
building permit, zoning approval and/or permission to use the public
right-of-way, Township-owned land, or other property for the placement,
modification, construction, or siting of wireless communications facilities.
[Added 9-5-2018 by Ord.
No. 705]
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT BUILDING
An unmanned building containing communications equipment
required for the operation of communications antennas and covering
an area on the ground not greater than 250 square feet.
[Added 5-7-1991 by Ord. No. 341]
COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY
The antennas, nodes, control boxes, towers, poles, conduits,
ducts, pedestals, electronics and other equipment used for the purpose
of transmitting, receiving, distributing, providing, or accommodating
wireless communications services.
[Added 9-5-2018 by Ord.
No. 705]
COMMUNICATIONS TOWER
Any structure, other than a building, that is constructed
for the primary purpose of supporting one or more communications antennas,
including, but not limited to, self-supporting lattice towers, guy
towers and monopoles. Communications towers shall not include towers
operated by federally licensed amateur radio operators.
[Added 5-7-1991 by Ord. No. 341; amended 9-5-2018 by Ord. No. 705]
CONDITIONAL USE
A use that is not appropriate to a particular zoning district
as a whole but which may be suitable in certain locations within the
district only when specific conditions and factors prescribed for
such cases within this chapter are present. Conditional uses are to
be permitted or denied by the governing body, following study and
recommendations by the Planning Agency, pursuant to express standards
and criteria set forth in this chapter.
[Amended 8-7-2002 by Ord. No. 468; 12-4-2002 by Ord. No.
475]
CONDOMINIUM
A unit in or an arrangement under which a tenant in a multifamily
building or in a complex of multiunit dwellings holds full title to
his or her unit and joint ownership in the common grounds.
CONTRACTOR'S YARD
An area of land and any structure which may or may not include
administrative offices for an industry that provides landscaping,
construction, remodeling, home improvement and related services on
a contractual basis, and stores all or part of the materials, equipment
or vehicles used in the industry on site.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
CONVERSION APARTMENT
A suite of rooms, consisting of at least one private bedroom,
one additional habitable room, one separate and private bathroom and
separate and private sanitary cooking facilities, designed or intended
for occupancy by one family, which is established in a portion of
a building originally used or designed for use by a single-family
unit.
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
A publicly or privately owned building or structure and related
facilities used for the housing or detention of persons who have been
charged with or have been convicted of criminal offenses.
[Added 4-4-2007 by Ord. No. 562]
COWORKING SPACE
A facilitated environment which contains desks or other workspaces
and facilities and is used by a recognized membership who share the
site in order to interact and collaborate with each other.
[Added 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
DAY-CARE/FAMILY HOME
Any family residence other than a child's own home or the
home of a child's relative, operated for profit or not for profit,
in which child day care is provided at any one time to four, five
or six school-age children (the day the child initially enters the
first grade of a public or private school system to 12 years of age),
preschoolers (approximately three years of age to initial school entry
at the first grade level of a public or private school system) or
to infants and toddlers (from birth to approximately three years of
age) who are not relatives of the caregiver.
DAY-CARE CENTER
A facility in which child day-care services are provided
for seven or more school-age, preschool or infant children in an institutional
related structure suitable for such functions.
DEEP MINE
An underground mine in which the main entry or access is
by means of a vertical shaft. Uses may include coal-mining portals,
tipples, cleaning plants, conveyor systems, shops, structures and
accessory facilities normally associated with deep mining operations.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
DENSITY
The area of a lot or group of lots computed exclusive of
any portion of the right-of-way of any road, divided by the number
of families housed on the lot or group of lots.
DERRICK
Any portable framework, tower, mast and/or structure which
is required or used in connection with drilling or reworking a well
for the production of oil and gas, i.e. rig.
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 617]
DISTRICT, ZONING
A section of the municipality for which uniform regulations
site governing the use, height, area and intent of use of buildings
and land and open spaces about buildings are herein established.
DRILLING
Specifically any digging or boring of a new well to explore,
develop, or produce oil, gas or other hydrocarbons, or to inject gas,
water or any other fluid of substance into the earth and in all cases
any redialing therein. This term shall not include any surveying or
staking related thereto of any property prior to any drilling as defined
herein.
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 617]
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
The derrick, all parts and appurtenances to such structure,
and every piece of apparatus, machinery, or equipment used, erected,
or maintained for use in connection with drilling.
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 617]
DRIVEWAY
A private accessway to a parking area, garage or structure,
including accessways to land use activity areas.
DUMP
A lot or land or part thereof used primarily for the disposal,
abandonment, dumping, burial or burning, or any other means and for
whatever purpose, of garbage, sewage, trash, refuse, junk, discarded
machinery, vehicles or parts thereof or waste material of any kind
(excludes private or public sewage disposal and permitted sanitary
landfills).
DWELLING
A building or portion thereof providing complete housekeeping
facilities for one family unit.
A.
DWELLING UNITA building or portion thereof providing complete housekeeping facilities for one family.
[Amended 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
B.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILYA detached or separate building designed for or occupied exclusively as a residence for one family.
C.
DWELLING, DUPLEXAn attached building separated at the centerline of a common party wall designed for or occupied exclusively by two families living independently of each other with separate entrances and facilities.
[Amended 12-21-2022 by Ord. No. 754]
D.
DWELLING, MULTIFAMILY OR MULTIPLE-FAMILYA structure containing three or more separate dwelling units for families living independently of each other which may provide joint services and/or facilities but separate housekeeping, sanitary and cooking facilities. Such structures may be referred to as "apartment," "garden apartment," "townhouse" or "row house."
EATING AND DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT
An establishment where the public may obtain refreshments,
meals or prepared foods, not including a microbrewery/microdistillery.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601; amended 6-6-2018 by Ord. No. 698]
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, COMMERCIAL
A school, which charges students tuition to learn a trade
or skill for professional or recreational use. This does not include
a college or university; it includes institutions which may require
specialized equipment.
[Added 4-2-2003 by Ord. No. 483]
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, NONCOMMERCIAL
A school, including a public school, parochial school, private
school, college, university and a private nursery school or preschool,
having regular sessions with regularly employed instructors, which
teach those subjects that are fundamental and essential in elementary,
secondary or higher education under the supervision of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania or a lawful constituted ecclesiastical governing body
or a corporation meeting the requirements of the commonwealth.
[Added 4-2-2003 by Ord. No. 483]
EQUIPMENT REPAIR, MINOR
Incidental repairs, replacement of parts and servicing of
small appliances and minor household equipment such as motors, lawn
equipment and chain saws; shall not include automotive repairs, farm
equipment or repair or servicing of commercial products and machinery.
ERECTED
Includes built, constructed, reconstructed, moved upon or
any physical operations on the land required for the building. Excavation,
fill, drainage and the like shall be considered part of the erection.
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, collection, communication, supply or disposal systems and
their essential buildings, excluding essential communications towers,
essential communications antennas, commercial communications towers
and commercial communications antennas, as defined herein.
[Added 5-7-1997 by Ord. No. 341]
EXCAVATION
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other similar
material is dug into, cut, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced,
relocated, disturbed or filled, and any conditions resulting therefrom.
[Amended 9-7-2005 by Ord. No. 531]
FAMILY
One or more persons who live together in a single housekeeping
unit and maintain a common household, as distinguished from a group
occupying a boardinghouse. A family may consist of a single person
or of two or more persons, whether or not related by blood, marriage
or adoption. For purposes of this chapter, the term "family" shall
not include, nor shall it be interpreted to include, a group care
facility or similar functions or activities that provide room or board
or room and board to one or more persons who are residents by virtue
of receiving services such as health, social, rehabilitative, general
supervision or similar services or functions or activities, irrespective
of whether or not they are provided by governmental agencies, their
licensed or certified agents, responsible nonprofit social service
agencies or corporations, profit-oriented organizations or businesses
or private individuals.
FCC
Federal Communications Commission.
[Added 9-5-2018 by Ord.
No. 705]
FIRE STATION
A building where firefighters are stationed and their vehicles
and equipment are kept.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
FLOOR AREA
The sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors
of a building determined by dimensions measured between exterior faces
of walls as in a single-family dwelling or by dimensions measured
between common interior separating walls as in duplex, apartments
and townhouses (excludes cellar or basement floor areas, roofed porches,
roofed terraces and accessory building attached or otherwise).
FOOTCANDLE
A common unit of light intensity used in the United States
and stated in lumens per square foot. It is measurable with a light
meter. (Note: Lux is the metric equivalent. There are approximately
10.7 lux per footcandle.)
[Added 4-7-2004 by Ord. No. 508]
FULL CUTOFF LUMINAIRE
A lighting unit in its mounted form that allows no direct
light or reflected source image from the lighting unit above a ninety-degree
plane, and no more than 10% of rated lamp output on an eighty-degree
plane, at any lateral angle around the fixture.
[Added 4-7-2004 by Ord. No. 508]
FULLY SHIELDED
Providing internal and/or external shield and louvers to
prevent brightness from lamps, reflectors and lenses from causing
glare at normal viewing angles.
[Added 4-7-2004 by Ord. No. 508]
FUNERAL HOME
A structure used for the embalming of the deceased and for
the viewing of the deceased prior to burial.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
GARAGE
A private garage is an accessory building with area for housing
motor driven vehicles, the property of and for the use of the occupants
of the lot on which the garage is located. A public garage is any
garage other than a private garage, as defined herein, available to
clients, operated for gain and which is used for storage, repair,
rental, lubricating, washing and servicing or equipping of motor vehicles.
GARDEN (APARTMENT) DWELLING
A multifamily residential building, not exceeding three stories
in height, in which units are arranged side to side, back to back
or one above another, which may have either private external entrances
or common hall access and which may have private exterior yard area
for each unit.
GARDEN CENTER/COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE
A retail commercial sales establishment for the sale of plants,
garden supplies and related items. For purposes of this chapter, said
establishments shall not include the sale or service of machinery,
tractors or mowing equipment in excess of 20 horsepower.
GLARE
The effect produced by light with an intensity sufficient
to cause annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance and
visibility.
[Added 4-7-2004 by Ord. No. 508; amended 5-6-2020 by Ord. No. 728]
GOVERNING BODY
The Board of Township Commissioners of the Township of Rostraver,
Westmoreland County, PA.
GROSS FLOOR AREA
The area within the perimeter of the outside walls of a building
as measured from the inside surface of the exterior walls, with no
deduction for hallways, stairs, closets, thickness of walls, columns,
or other interior spaces.
[Added 8-7-2019 by Ord. No. 715]
GROUP RESIDENTIAL FACILITY
An establishment that provides room and board in a family
environment to persons who receive supervised care limited to health,
social, rehabilitative or housing services. Such facilities may include
child and adult services for individuals not in need of hospitalization
or incarceration, but who because of age, convalescence, infirmity,
disability or related circumstances require such care. Group residential
facilities may be characterized as rest homes, nursing homes, personal
care homes or similarly described uses; however, the scope of all
operations shall be of a limited nature as specified in this chapter.
[Amended 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
HALFWAY HOUSE
A transitional residential facility, licensed and operated
by a government, contractor to a government or a social service agency
that provides a supervised environment to temporary residents who
require psychiatric, correctional or behavioral treatment between
periods of institutional and independent living.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
HEIGHT OF A COMMUNICATIONS TOWER
The vertical distance measured from the ground level to the
highest point on a communications tower, including all antennas mounted
on the tower.
[Added 5-7-1997 by Ord. No. 341]
HOME GARDENING
The cultivation of herbs, fruits, flowers or vegetables on
a piece of ground adjoining the dwelling for use of the residents
therein.
HOME OCCUPATION
An accessory use not to exceed 400 square feet of area of
a service or product -oriented character, conducted in conjunction
with a single-family dwelling unit by the residents thereof, which
is clearly subordinate to the use of the dwelling for living purposes
and does not change the character thereof or have exterior evidence
of such subordinate use other than a small announcement sign; and
in connection therewith, there is not involved the exterior keeping
of or exhibition of stock-in-trade. In the pursuit of such activities,
all operations shall be conducted indoors and be free of any procedures
which could be construed as adversely influencing surrounding residential
uses because of noise, vibration, smoke, electrical interference,
odor or similar conditions. Only members of the family residing on
the premises shall be engaged in such occupation, plus one non-family
assistant may be employed. The following types and categories of use
shall not be authorized as home occupations: automotive repair and
painting, day care, eating and drinking establishments, short-term
rentals, and tourist homes.
[Amended 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
HOSPITAL
An institution providing primary health services and medical
or surgical care to persons, who are primarily inpatients, who suffer
from illness disease, injury, deformity and other abnormal physical
and medical conditions. Hospitals may include accessory uses such
as laboratories, training, medical offices, outpatient care and group
residential facilities. A hospital may also include psychological
care, but facilities primarily for the secure housing of persons who
are adjudicated to be a danger to themselves or others shall be regarded
as correctional facilities by this chapter.
[Amended 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
HOTEL; MOTEL
A building or a group of buildings in which lodging is provided
and offered to the general public or to a select group of patrons
for compensation.
[Amended 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
ILLUMINANCE
The intensity of incident light at a point, measured in footcandles
or lux.
[Added 4-7-2004 by Ord. No. 508]
IMPROVEMENT
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved land, including
by not limited to the construction, reconstruction, renovation, expansion
or alteration of buildings or other structures; paving for streets,
pads and parking of five or more stalls; mining; dredging; and the
subdivision of land.
[Added 5-4-2005 by Ord. No. 528]
JUNK
Any discarded material or article and shall include, but
not be limited to, scrap metal, abandoned or junked motor vehicles
or vehicle parts, machinery or machinery parts, papers, glass and
related items, containers or partially dismantled structures or parts
thereof. It shall also include a partially dismantled motor vehicle
not bearing current registration plates and which is not in the process
of ongoing and immediate repair. It shall not include refuse or garbage
kept in a proper container for the purpose of prompt disposal.
JUNKYARD
The use of more than 200 square feet of the area of any lot,
whether inside or outside a building, or the use of any portion of
any lot that joins the street for storage, keeping or abandonment
of junk, including scrap metals, or for the dismantling, demolition
or abandonment of automobiles or other vehicles, machinery or parts
thereof.
JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITY
A publicly or privately owned building or structure for the
temporary detention of those juveniles adjudicated delinquent or dependent.
[Added 4-4-2007 by Ord. No. 562]
KENNEL
Any structure, pen or area set aside for the breeding, boarding,
training, show or keeping of dogs, cats or similar domestic animals
of four or more such animals for economic gain.
[Amended 5-4-2005 by Ord. No. 528]
LANDOWNER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of land, including
the holder of an option or contract 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 persons having a proprietary interest in land.
LIGHT TRESPASS
Light emitted by a lighting installation which shines beyond
the boundaries of the property on which the installation is sited.
[Added 4-7-2004 by Ord. No. 508]
LIVE-WORK UNIT
A dwelling unit or other space within a building that is
used jointly for residential and nonresidential purposes that typically
exceed those of a home occupation use, which allows nonresidential
uses otherwise permitted in the zoning district, up to 75% of the
habitable floor area for nonresidential use, and up to two employees
present at any one time in addition to the resident(s) of the residential
space.
[Added 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
LOADING SPACE
A space within the main building or on the same lot therewith
providing for the standing, loading or unloading of vehicles.
LOT
A tract or parcel of land held in single or separate ownership,
that is described by reference to a recorded plat or by metes or bounds
and is intended as a unit for transfer of ownership, use, improvement,
dedication or for development.
LOT AREA
The horizontal surface area within the lines of the lot.
LOT, CORNER
A lot, abutting two or more streets at their intersection,
on which the building line for all streets must be observed.
LOT COVERAGE
The ratio of ground area covered by principal and accessory
structures to the total ground area of the lot.
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 total horizontal distance across the lot between the
side lot lines, measured at the building line and the front lot line.
[Amended 7-2-2003 by Ord. No. 495]
LUMEN
A unit of measurement of light. One lumen is equal to one
footcandle falling onto one square foot of area.
[Added 4-7-2004 by Ord. No. 508]
LUMINAIRE
A complete luminaire, including a lamp or lamps, together
with the parts designed to distribute the light, to position and protect
the lamps and to connect the lamps to the power supply.
[Added 4-7-2004 by Ord. No. 508]
MAJOR HIGHWAY
Interstate 70, State Route 51 and State Route 201.
[Added 9-2-1998 by Ord. No. 387]
MAKERSPACE
A collaborative workspace for adults and children to share
resources and equipment for working on projects, creating, networking,
learning and entrepreneurship.
[Added 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
MANUFACTURING, HEAVY
A use engaged in manufacturing, assembly, fabrication, packaging
or other industrial processing of products primarily from extracted
or raw materials or the bulk storage and handling of such products
and materials, or a use having the potential to produce noise, dust,
glare, odors, vibration, smoke or other noxious emissions beyond its
lot lines.
[Added 4-1-2015 by Ord.
No. 654]
MANUFACTURING, LIGHT
The processing, handling or fabrication of materials and
products where no processes are involved which will produce noise,
vibration, air pollution, fire hazard, noxious emission, high traffic
volumes or other factors which will disturb or endanger neighboring
properties.
METHADONE TREATMENT FACILITY
A facility owned and operated by a private for-profit entity,
a private nonprofit entity or Westmoreland County where the drug methadone
or similar substances are prescribed and administered for the treatment,
maintenance or detoxification of persons.
[Added 7-5-2006 by Ord. No. 549]
MICROBREWERY/MICRODISTILLERY
A building in which beer or other alcoholic beverages are
brewed, fermented or distilled for consumption, which possesses the
appropriate license from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, producing
less than 15,000 barrels per year (for purposes of this definition,
a barrel is 31 gallons). On-site consumption and food sales may occur
so long as allowed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
[Added 6-6-2018 by Ord.
No. 698]
MINE VENTILATING SHAFT
A mining adjunct operation consisting of a structure and
appurtenant facilities to permit the introduction and removal of air
and other gases from underground coal mines.
MINI-STORAGE FACILITY
A building or group of buildings in a controlled-access and
fenced compound that contains various sizes of individualized, compartmentalized
and controlled access stalls and/or lockers leased by the general
public for a specified period of time for the storage of personal
property.
[Added 4-1-2015 by Ord.
No. 654]
MIXED COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
A single building that contains a retail business, office,
or personal and professional services on the first floor or lower
floors, and multiple residential dwelling units on the second floor
or above.
[Added 2-4-2009 by Ord. No. 584]
MOBILE HOME
A transportable single-family dwelling structure designed
and intended for permanent occupancy, with a minimum body width of
eight feet and a minimum body length of 32 feet, built on a chassis
for towing on its own running gear, contained in one unit or in two
units designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of later
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 for use without attachment
to a permanent foundation other than being secured to appropriate
piers, tie-downs or similar approved anchoring devices and structures.
MOBILE HOME PARK
Any contiguous parcel or tract of land under single ownership,
used or intended to be used for the placement of two or more mobile
homes for nontransient use, together with the required improvements
and facilities upon the land, whether or not consideration or rental
is required for the use of the parcels or facilities thereon.
MODEL HOME
A temporary office establishment that engages in the selling
of lots and homes in a developing subdivision.
[Added 5-4-2005 by Ord. No. 528]
MODULAR HOME
A factory fabricated transportable building unit, other than
a mobile home, designed to be used independently or incorporated with
similar units into a modular structure on a permanent foundation at
a permanent building site.
MULTIPLE DWELLING
A structure containing three or more separate dwelling units
for families living independently of each other which may provide
joint services and/or facilities but separate housekeeping, sanitary
and cooking facilities.
[Amended 10-7-1998 by Ord. No. 388]
NATURAL GAS COMPRESSOR STATION
A facility designed and constructed to compress natural gas
that originates from an oil and gas well or collection of such wells
operating as a midstream facility for delivery of oil and gas to a
transmission pipeline, distribution pipeline, natural gas processing
plant or underground storage field, including one or more natural
gas compressors, associated buildings, pipes, valves, tanks and other
equipment.
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 617]
NATURAL GAS FACILITIES
Any facilities not mentioned herein and related to natural
gas development must comply with the special exception requirements
herein.
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 617]
NATURAL GAS PROCESSING PLANT
A facility designed and constructed to remove materials,
such as ethane, propane, butane, and other constituents or similar
substances from natural gas to allow such natural gas to be of such
quality as is required or appropriate for transmission or distribution
to commercial markets, but not including facilities or equipment that
are/is designed and constructed primarily to remove water, water vapor,
oil or naturally occurring liquids from natural gas.
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 617]
NATURAL WATERCOURSE
A discernible definite natural course or channel along which
water is conveyed ultimately to streams or rivers at lower elevations.
A natural watercourse may be permanent in nature or may originate
from a temporary source such as runoff from rain or melting snow.
[Added 10-7-1998 by Ord. No. 388]
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL
A neighborhood oriented commercial facility that provides
essential everyday needs to the residents of the immediate community
and is not dependent upon transient or nonresident trade.
NET FLOOR AREA
The area dimensions (generally expressed as square feet)
of all floors of a building measured using interior dimensions, but
not including all spaces used as stairwells, hallways, mechanical
equipment and other areas not intended for human occupancy.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
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 activity shall be compatible with the
residential use of the property and surrounding residential uses.
The business shall employ no employees other than family members residing
in the dwelling. There shall be no display or sale of retail goods
and no stockpiling or inventory of a substantial nature. There shall
be no outside appearance of a business use, including but not limited
to parking, signs or lights. 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.
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. The business activity shall be conducted
only within the dwelling and may not occupy more than 30% of the ground
floor area. The business may not involve any illegal activity. The
business shall not be visible from surrounding properties or the adjacent
street.
[Added 2-5-2003 by Ord. No. 482]
NONBUSINESS USES
Service or charitable activities conducted on a voluntary
or nonprofit basis by individuals or public or service groups and
organizations.
NONCONFORMING USE
A building, structure or premises lawfully occupied at the
time of the enactment of this chapter by a use that does not conform
with the provisions of this chapter for the district in which it is
located; also, such use resulting from amendments to the Zoning District
Map or in text provisions made hereafter.
NUDITY
The showing of the human male or female genitals, pubic area
or buttocks with less than a fully opaque covering or the showing
of the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any
portion thereof below the top of nipple or the depiction of covered
male genitals in a discernibly turgid state.
[Added 3-22-1996 by Ord. No. 312]
OCCUPANCY PERMIT
A permit signed by the Zoning Officer setting forth that
a building, structure or parcel of land is in compliance with this
chapter and may lawfully be occupied or employed for specified uses.
OFFICE
A facility in which services, clerical work, professional
duties and similar functions are carried out.
OIL and GAS
Crude oil, natural gas, methane gas, coal bed methane gas,
propane, butane and/or any other constituents or similar substances
that are produced by drilling a well of any depth into, through, and
below the surface of the earth.
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 617]
OIL AND GAS DRILL SITE
The oil and gas drill site shall consist of the area occupied
by the facilities, structures, and equipment necessary for or incidental
to the drilling, production or operation of an oil or gas well.
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 617]
OIL AND GAS WATER STORAGE FACILITY
Tanks of any construction (metal, fiberglass, concrete, etc.),
ponds and impoundments used for the storage of water and/or water
that has been used and is being reused, including but not limited
to brine and frac water.
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 617]
PENNSYLVANIA PLANNING CODE
Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 of 1968,
as amended by Act 170 of 1988), and amendments of same, as may be
adopted from time to time.
PERMITTED USE
A use by right which is specifically authorized in a particular
zoning district.
PERSONAL AND BUSINESS SERVICES
A commercial establishment providing services and/or goods
to individuals and businesses. This definition includes barber and
beauty shops, light repair services such as clothing alteration and
shoe repair, copy and retail printing services, and similar business
services, but does not include eating and drinking establishments
or similar businesses which are primarily involved in retail sales.
[Amended 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
PET GROOMING
Any property, premises, place or commercial establishment
in or at which the trimming of the hair or fur and/or washing of animals
for economic gain.
[Added 5-4-2005 by Ord. No. 528]
PHILANTHROPIC USE
Philanthropic uses shall be limited to public and semipublic
activities which involve and relate exclusively to charitable, benevolent
and public oriented service functions, such as provided by the American
Red Cross, Salvation Army, social centers sponsored by public or semipublic
organizations or similar groups.
PLANNED BUSINESS PARK
A land development which is planned, designed, developed,
and typically maintained as a single entity and containing two or
more principal structures with appurtenant common areas to accommodate
light manufacturing, warehouse, and office uses, with potential for
retail, residential and service businesses incidental to the predominant
office or industrial uses.
[Added 2-4-2009 by Ord. No. 584]
PLANNED (UNIT) RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
Development of a tract of land for primarily residential
purposes under single ownership or control; the development of which
is unique and of a substantially different character than that of
the surrounding area. Such development shall be based on a plan that
allows for flexibility of design not available under standard zoning
district requirements.
PLANNING AGENCY
The Rostraver Township Planning Agency as duly created by
the local governing body.
[Amended 8-7-2002 by Ord. No. 468]
PORTABLE STORAGE UNIT
Any container designed for the storage of personal property,
where said container is transportable by vehicle and is typically
rented for temporary use. Portable storage units shall not include
shipping containers.
[Added 3-4-2020 by Ord. No. 720]
PRINCIPAL SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
An area of land or other area used for a solar collection
system principally used to capture solar energy, convert it to electrical
energy or thermal power and supply electrical or thermal power primarily
for off-site use. Principal solar energy systems consist of one or
more freestanding, ground- or roof-mounted solar collector devices,
solar-related equipment and other accessory structures and buildings,
including light reflectors, concentrators, and heat exchangers, substations,
electrical infrastructure, transmission lines and other appurtenant
structures.
[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord. No. 728]
PRIVATE CLUB/LODGE
An organization catering exclusively to members and their
guests at premises for social, recreational or athletic purposes which
are not conducted primarily for gain, provided that any merchandising
or commercial activities are conducted only as required generally
for the membership of such organization.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICE
An office or business conducted by an individual or association
dealing with medicine, law, accounting, real estate, architecture,
engineering, finance or related services.
PUBLIC
Includes any use activity owned and/or operated by federal,
state, county or local governmental units.
PUBLIC FACILITY
Any building, structure or land used or intended for use
to service the public for government services, including municipal,
county, state and federal government units. This does not include
a correctional facility, an educational institution, group residential
facility, hospital, juvenile detention facility, methadone treatment
facility, halfway house or any other such facility.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
PUBLIC UTILITY TRANSMISSION TOWER
A structure, owned and operated by a public utility electric
company regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, designed
and used to support overhead electricity transmission lines.
[Added 5-7-1997 by Ord. No. 341]
RECREATION
A.
MUNICIPAL RECREATIONDeveloped or undeveloped open spaces and/or structures and facilities which are provided by a governmental body for public use for the purposes of play, amusement or relaxation. Such uses may include sports facilities, parks, assembly buildings, passive areas, gardens and related amenities.
B.
RECREATION, COMMERCIAL INDOORIndoor facilities for leisure time activities that are provided as a business pursuit, including facilities open to the public and those requiring membership; includes indoor theaters, lodges, fraternal organizations, bowling alleys and indoor skating facilities.
C.
RECREATION, COMMERCIAL OUTDOOROutdoor facilities for leisure time activities that are provided as a business pursuit, including outdoor facilities open to the public and those requiring membership; includes swimming pools, tennis courts, drive-in theaters and golf courses.
[Amended 4-7-2004 by Ord. No. 508]
D.
NEIGHBORHOOD RECREATIONDeveloped or undeveloped open spaces and/or structures and facilities which are reserved for the residents of a plan of lots sharing common relationships or associations for the purposes of play, amusement or relaxation. Such uses may include sports fields, parks, passive areas and related amenities.
[Amended 7-3-2002 by Ord. No. 462]
RELATED EQUIPMENT OR BASE STATION
Any structure or equipment at a fixed location, not including
a tower, that enables FCC-licensed communications between a user and
a wireless network.
[Added 9-5-2018 by Ord.
No. 705]
RESEARCH AND TESTING LABS
Any establishment which carries on investigations in the
natural, physical or social sciences, or engineering and development
as an extension of such investigations by persons with professional
training, with the objective of creating end products and which may
include, as an accessory use, pilot production to test concepts and
ideas prior to the undertaking of full-scale production.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
RETAIL BUSINESS
An establishment located entirely within an enclosed building
which engages in the selling of goods or merchandise to the general
public but does not include wholesaling, supply yards or light industrial
businesses.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
RIGHT-OF-WAY
Land reserved for use as a street, alley, interior walk or
other public purpose and dedicated for public use; all must be recorded
in the County Recorder of Deeds office. For purposes of this chapter,
public right-of-way lines shall prevail over private parcel lines
that are designated as falling within the public right-of-way. When
a lot abuts a right-of-way of a public thoroughfare or alley, all
applicable lot area and front, side and rear lot requirements shall
be computed from the public right-of-way line.
ROADSIDE STANDS
Stands offering for sale agricultural products grown on the
premises.
ROADSIDE VENDOR STANDS
Stands, trailers, truck beds or similar facilities offering
products for sale which are not produced on the immediate premises.
ROW HOUSE (TOWNHOUSE)
A multifamily dwelling structure, consisting of at least
three single-family dwelling units that are attached side by side
by unpierced party walls.
SANITARY LANDFILL
A disposal site employing an engineering method of disposing
of solid wastes in a manner that minimizes environmental hazards by
spreading, compacting to the smallest volume and applying a cover
material over all solid wastes, subject to permitting by the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection's Waste Management.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
SCREEN PLANTING
An arrangement of vegetative material or opaque architectural
materials of sufficient height and density to conceal from view of
adjoining or adjacent property owners the structures and uses on the
premises on which the screen or planting is located. The purpose of
screening is to place a vertical visual barrier between potentially
conflicting land uses.
[Amended 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
SERVICE STATION
A building, buildings, premises or portions thereof which
are used for the sale of gasoline, diesel, propane, compressed natural
gas, or other fuel for motor vehicles, including electric charging
stations; may or may not include a convenience store offering for
sale food products and household items.
[Amended 11-6-2019 by Ord. No. 717]
SETBACK
The minimum distance that a structure can be located from
a right-of-way or property line or another structure, thereby creating
a required open space on a lot.
SEXUAL CONDUCT
Patently offensive representations or descriptions of ultimate
sexual acts, normal or perverted, actual or simulated and patently
offensive representations, descriptions or acts of masturbation, excretory
functions, homosexuality, sodomy, sexual intercourse or physical contact
with a person's clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks
or, if such person is female, breast.
[Added 3-22-1996 by Ord. No. 312]
SHIPPING CONTAINER
Any heavy-gauge steel container designed for transporting
cargo on a marine freighter vessel, flatbed truck or flatbed railroad
car, or a container manufactured to the same strength and weight specifications
that is similar in design or function to such a container, but excluding
a portable storage unit.
[Added 3-4-2020 by Ord. No. 720]
SHOPPING CENTER
A combination of retail commercial uses on a common contiguous
site, designed as a unit, with adequate off-street free parking area
and usually consisting of several one story buildings.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
Any dwelling unit owned or managed by a person, firm or corporation
which is used for overnight lodging and rented or leased for periods
of less than 30 consecutive days.
[Added 7-7-2021 by Ord. No. 739]
SIGN
Any writing (including letter, word or numeral); pictorial
representation (including illustration or decoration); emblem (including
device, symbol, trademark, banner or pennant); or any other figure
of similar character which is a structure or any part thereof or is
attached to, painted on or in any other manner represented on a building
or other structure and is used to announce, direct attention to or
advertise.
SIGN, ELECTRONIC VARIABLE MESSAGE
An electrically activated sign whose message content is alphabetical
or numerical only, and either whole or in part, may change by means
of electronic programming.
[Added 12-4-2002 by Ord. No. 475]
SIGN, MULTIPLE SLATS/PANELS
A sign whose message changes by means of flipping of slats
or panels encased in a stationary frame or cabinet. This does not
include a sign whose message is changed in a revolving or oscillating
manner.
[Added 12-4-2002 by Ord. No. 475]
SIGN, PORTABLE
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or to a structure,
or a sign designed to be transported, including but not limited to
signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted
to "A" or "T" frames; sandwich board signs; and balloons and banners
used for advertising.
[Added 12-4-2002 by Ord. No. 475]
SIGN, ROTATING
A sign which, in its entirety, moves in a revolving, oscillating
or similar manner. Such motion does not include methods of changing
the sign face copy by flipping of slats or panels.
[Added 12-4-2002 by Ord. No. 475]
SIGN, SNIPE
Any sign of any material whatsoever that is attached in any
way to a utility pole, tree or fence.
[Added 12-4-2002 by Ord. No. 475]
SITE PLAN
A plan, to scale, showing uses and structures proposed for
a parcel of land that includes lot lines, streets, building sites,
buildings, open space and other information.
SOLAR ENERGY
Radiant energy (direct, diffuse and/or reflective) received
from the sun.
[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord. No. 728]
SOLAR PANEL
That part or portion of a solar energy system containing
one or more receptive cells or modules, the purpose of which is to
convert solar energy for use in space heating or cooling, for water
heating and/or for electricity.
[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord. No. 728]
SOLAR-RELATED EQUIPMENT
Items, including a solar photovoltaic cell, module, panel,
or array, or solar hot air or water collector device panels, lines,
pumps, batteries, mounting brackets, framing and possibly foundations
or other structures used for or intended to be used for collection
of solar energy.
[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord. No. 728]
A.
SOLAR ARRAYA grouping of multiple solar modules with the urpose of harvesting solar energy.
B.
SOLAR CELLThe smallest basic solar electric device which generates electricity when exposed to light.
C.
SOLAR MODULEA grouping of solar cells with the purpose of harvesting solar energy.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
The permission or approval for a land use activity, expressly
granted by the Zoning Hearing Board, after formal application, in
situations where provision therefor is made by the terms of this chapter.
SPECIALIZED ANIMAL RAISING AND CARE
The use of land and structures for the raising and care of
fur-bearing animals, stabling and care of horses, animal kennels,
bird raising, not including chickens, and similar operations.
[Amended 5-4-2005 by Ord. No. 528; 1-20-2016 by Ord. No. 667]
STAGING FACILITY
A facility or location on a permitted site for the storage
of equipment and vehicles used to support development activities at
other permitted sites.
[Added 6-1-2011 by Ord. No. 617]
STEALTH TECHNOLOGY
Camouflaging methods applied to wireless communications facilities
which render them more visually appealing or blend the proposed facility
into the existing structure or visual backdrop in such a manner as
to render it minimally visible to the casual observer. Such methods
include, but are not limited to, alternative mounting structures,
such as architecturally screened roof-mounted antennas, building-mounted
antennas painted to match the existing structure and facilities constructed
to resemble trees, shrubs, flagpoles, and light poles.
[Added 9-5-2018 by Ord.
No. 705]
STORAGE SHED
An enclosed accessory structure for domestic storage which
is not used for the storage of a motor vehicle as defined by the Pennsylvania
Motor Vehicle Code. A storage shed shall not include a portable storage
unit or a shipping container.
[Added 3-4-2020 by Ord. No. 720]
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
is no floor above it, then the space between the floor and the ceiling
next above it.
STREET
A public or private way, other than an alley, that affords
the principal means of on-grade access to abutting properties. A street
may be designated as a highway, thoroughfare, parkway, boulevard,
road, avenue, lane, drive, place or other appropriate name.
STREET CLASSIFICATIONS
The following street classifications shall apply to all streets
in the Township:
A.
EXPRESSWAYExpressways are limited access freeways that carry through traffic between major urban centers and to and from points outside of a region with no local interference.
B.
ARTERIALArterials carry major movements of traffic within or through the community.
C.
COLLECTORCollectors carry the internal traffic movements within the Township and connect developed areas with the arterial system. The collector system simultaneously provides abutting property with road access and accommodates local internal traffic movements.
D.
LOCALLocal streets provide access to immediately adjacent land but normally carry a small portion of the total vehicle miles traveled daily.
E.
PRIVATEAny vehicular way that is not dedicated as a public street.
STREET LINE
The line defining the edge of the legal width of a dedicated
street right-of-way.
STRIP MINING
Surface mining of coal, earth removal, stone removal or quarrying
and/or procedures that are normally conducted for profit wherein soil
and/or its contents are removed as a business activity.
[Amended 5-4-2005 by Ord. No. 528; 6-1-2011 by Ord. No.
617]
STRUCTURE
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location
on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land. Structures
include buildings, sheds and signs.
SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGE or SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE[Added 9-5-2018 by Ord. No. 705]
A.
Any increase in the height of a wireless support structure by
more than 10%, or by the height of one additional antenna array with
separation from the nearest existing antenna not to exceed 20 feet,
whichever is greater, except that the mounting of the proposed wireless
communications facility may exceed the size limits set forth herein
if necessary to avoid interference with existing antennas; or
B.
Any further increase in the height of a wireless support structure
which has already been extended by more than 10% of its originally
approved height or by the height of one additional antenna array.
SUPPLY YARDS
A commercial establishment storing or offering for sale building
supplies, steel supplies, coal, heavy equipment, feed and grain and
similar goods. Supply yards do not include the wrecking, salvaging,
dismantling or storage of automobiles and similar vehicles.
TOURIST HOME
A single-family residence offering, for pay, overnight or
short-term lodging for transient guests.
[Added 8-7-2019 by Ord. No. 715]
TRACT
A lot or contiguous group of lots in single ownership or
under single control and usually considered a unit for purposes of
development.
TRANSIENT GUEST
A transient person who maintains legal residency elsewhere
or otherwise does not meet expectations of permanent residency but
may be lodging in the Township under a commercial basis for a period
of less than 30 days.
[Added 8-7-2019 by Ord. No. 715]
TRANSPORTATION TERMINAL
A premises wherein material or merchandise not manufactured,
remanufactured or fabricated upon the premises is transferred from
one carrier to another or from one type of carrier to another type
of carrier for reshipment in the same or different lots and that may
provide accessory storage, loading and/or unloading facilities in
conjunction therewith and that may also perform the functions of a
transportation dispatch office. Shipping and receiving facilities
operated as an accessory use to the warehousing, manufacturing, remanufacturing
or fabricating of material or merchandise shall not be deemed to constitute
a transportation terminal.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
USE
The purpose of the activity for which the land or building
thereon is designed, arranged or intended or for which it is occupied
or maintained. The term "permitted use" or "use by right" or its equivalent
shall not be deemed to include any nonconforming use.
VARIANCE
A modification of the literal provisions of this chapter
which the Zoning Hearing Board is permitted to grant when strict enforcement
of said provisions would cause undue hardship owing to circumstances
unique to the individual property on which the variance is sought.
VEHICLE SALES AND SERVICES
Facilities for the sale and service of vehicles; includes
factory authorized car dealers, mobile home dealers, self-propelled
or towed recreational vehicle dealers, farm or construction equipment
dealers or any similar factory authorized dealers.
VETERINARY CLINIC
An establishment where domestic and agricultural animals
are examined and treated by veterinarians.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
WAREHOUSE
An establishment involved in the storage and handling of
freight or merchandise, including but not limited to a distribution
center and wholesale distribution but does not include a wholesale
business, supply yard, transportation terminal, mini-storage facility
or contractor's yard.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601; amended 4-1-2015 by Ord. No. 654]
WATER-RELATED RECREATION
Profit or nonprofit developments and related facilities,
established by private, semipublic or governmental entities for river
oriented recreational functions and activities such as marinas, water
recreation facilities, food service, cruise and excursion centers
and related amenities.
WATER TREATMENT AND STORAGE FACILITY
A facility or location, other than impoundment ponds related
to oil and gas operations, for the treatment and storage of nonpotable
water, including but not limited to brine and frac water that has
been used and is being reused.
[Added 5-2-2012 by Ord. No. 627]
WBCA
Pennsylvania Wireless Broadband Collocation Act (53 P.S.
§ 11702.1 et seq.).
[Added 9-5-2018 by Ord.
No. 705]
WHOLESALE BUSINESS
An establishment engaged in selling merchandise in large
quantities to retailers, institutional, commercial or professional
business customers or other wholesalers rather than to the general
public, or acting as a broker for such merchandise sales, but does
not include supply yards or warehousing.
[Added 6-2-2010 by Ord. No. 601]
WIRELESS SUPPORT STRUCTURE
A freestanding structure, such as a communications tower
or any other support structure that could support the placement or
installation of a wireless communications facility if approved by
the Township.
[Added 9-5-2018 by Ord.
No. 705]
YARD
A space on the same lot with a principal structure, open,
unoccupied and unobstructed by structures, except as may be otherwise
provided in this chapter.
A.
YARD, FRONTA yard extending across the full width of the lot, unoccupied other than by steps, walks, terraces, driveways, lamp posts and similar improvements, the depth of which is the least distance between the front lot at the right-of-way line and the building line.
B.
YARD, REARA yard extending across the full width of the lot between the rear of the principal building and the rear lot line, unoccupied other than by steps, walks, terraces, driveways, lamp posts and similar improvements.
C.
YARD, SIDEA yard between the principal structure and the side lot line, extending from the front yard or from the front line where no front yard is required, to the rear yard. The width of the required side yard is measured horizontally, at 90º with the side lot line, from the nearest part of the principal building.
ZONING HEARING BOARD
The Board appointed by the Rostraver Township Commissioners
and assigned the duties of judging various appeals and variance requests
of persons aggrieved by the interpretation of this chapter and further,
assigned to consider the qualification of special exceptions under
the terms and conditions specified in this chapter.
ZONING MAP
The Official Zoning Map or Maps of Rostraver Township which
are part of this chapter, together with all amendments subsequently
adopted.
ZONING OFFICER
The individual authorized by the Rostraver Township Commissioners
to be the administrator of the day-to-day application of the provisions
contained in this chapter.
ZONING PERMIT
A statement signed by the Zoning Officer indicating that
the application for permission to construct or alter is approved and
in accordance with the requirements and terms of this chapter.