The following words are defined in order to facilitate the interpretation of the Chapter for administrative purposes and in the carrying out of duties by appropriate officers and by the Zoning Hearing Board.
For the purpose of this Chapter, certain words, phrases and terms are herewith defined as follows: words used in the present tense include the future. The singular number includes the plural number, and words in the plural number include the singular number. The word "lot" includes the word "plot"; the word "building" includes the word "structure"; the word "zone" includes the word "district"; the word "occupied" includes the word "designed" and the phrase "intended to be occupied"; the word "use" includes the words "arranged," "designed" and the phrase "intended to be used; and the word "shall" is always mandatory.
Any words not included in the following definitions will be defined as described in the latest edition of Webster's Abridged Dictionary.
[Ord. No. 06-08, 5/24/2006; Ord. 16-07, 8/11/2016; Ord. 17-04, 2/23/2017; Ord. 17-06, 6/8/2017; Ord. 17-18, 11/9/2017; Ord. No. 18-01, 1/11/2018; Ord. No. 18-08, 6/14/2018; Ord. No. 19-02, 4/11/2019; Ord. No. 19-06, 10/10/2019; Ord. No. 21-07, 9-9-2021; Ord. No. 21-10, 11-18-2021; Ord. No. 22-05, 8/11/2022; Ord. No. 25-01, 3/13/2025; Ord. No. 25-07, 9/11/2025]
The following is a list of definitions:
The relinquishment of property, or a cessation of the use of the property, by the owner for a period of one year or more with the intention neither of transferring rights to the property to another owner nor of resuming the use of the property.
An accredited medical school within this commonwealth that operates or partners with an acute care hospital licensed within this commonwealth.
A paved surface, other than a street, which provides vehicular access from a street or private road to a lot.
A subordinate building or structure, serving a purpose customarily incidental to the use of the principal building or structure and located on the same lot as the principal structure or use.
Any equipment serving or being used in conjunction with a wireless communications facility or wireless support structure, including but not limited to utility or transmission equipment, power supplies, generators, batteries, cables, equipment buildings, cabinets, and storage sheds, shelters, or similar structures.
A use of land or of a building customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use of the land or building and located on the same lot with the principal use. Use shall be measured by the square footage or percentage of the square footage for that total use. The principal use must be the use to which a majority of the square footage of the building or lot is dedicated.
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act of 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247 as reenacted and amended.
An area of land used for leisure time activities of a cardiovascular nature, with facilities such as playgrounds, playfields, play courts (basketball, tennis), and trails (bicycling, jogging).
The net usable land area of a proposed development site, determined by deducting specific percentages of various categories of constrained land from the gross tract area as described in the Susquehanna Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
One of two methods of determining the maximum number of permitted dwelling units in conservation subdivisions where the adjusted tract area of the site equals the gross tract area minus the constrained land on the site. The actual methodology is provided in Susquehanna Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. The other method is the yield plan. The adjusted tract area calculation also is used to determine the developable area of the tract for traditional neighborhood developments.
An office devoted to administrative and support services as defined in the 1997 NAICS United States Structure (Code 561), as amended, and including offices devoted to administrative services, facilities support services, employment services, business support services, travel arrangement and reservation services, investigation and security services, services to buildings and dwellings, and other support services.
Any establishment open to the general public or a private club open to members, except minors, which is used and occupied for one or more of the following activities and is defined further by the following definitions.
ADULT BOOKSTORE — Any establishment which derives a substantial and significant portion of its gross receipts from the sale, distribution or exhibition of any literature, book, magazine, pamphlet, newspaper, story paper, paper, comic book, writing, drawing, photograph, figure, audio- or videotape or motion picture which is pornography under the meaning ascribed to the word by this Section and which expressly prohibits entry to minors. | |
ADULT THEATER — Any establishment operated for the purpose of showing motion-picture films to patrons, whether such patrons observe the motion-picture film while seated in the interior of the building or while seated in automobiles, which derives a substantial and significant portion of its gross receipts from the exhibition of films which are pornography under the meaning ascribed to that term in this Section and which expressly prohibits entry to minors unless accompanied by an adult. | |
NUDITY — The showing of the human male or female genitals or pubic area or buttocks with less than a fully opaque covering or the showing of female breast with less than fully opaque covering of any portion thereof below the top of the nipple or the depiction of covered male genital in a discernibly turgid state. | |
OTHER ADULT USES — Any establishment in which conduct, activity of the sale, distribution or exhibition of printed or drawn material which is pornography within the meaning ascribed to that work in this Section is the source of a substantial and significant portion of gross business receipts. Such "other adult uses" shall include, but not be limited to, nude wrestling, male or female erotic dancers or strippers, escort centers and erotic massage parlors. | |
PORNOGRAPHY — The depiction or dissemination of nudity, sexual conduct, sadomasochistic abuse or explicit and detailed verbal descriptions or narrative accounts of nudity, sexual excitement, sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse which, to the average person applying contemporary community standards, has as its dominant theme, taken as a whole, an appeal to prurient interest. | |
SADOMASOCHISTIC ABUSE — Flagellation or torture by or upon a person clad in undergarments, a mask or bizarre costume or the condition of being fettered, bound or otherwise physically restrained on the part of one so clothed. | |
SEXUAL CONDUCT — Acts of masturbation, sexual intercourse, or physical contact with a person's clothed of unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks or, if such person is a female, breast. | |
SEXUAL EXCITEMENT — The condition of human male or female genitals when in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal. |
An enterprise that is actively engaged in the commercial production and preparation for market of crops, livestock and livestock products and in the production, harvesting and preparation for market or use of agricultural, agronomic, horticultural, silvicultural and aquacultural crops and commodities. The term includes an enterprise that implements changes in production practices and procedures or types of crops, livestock, livestock products or commodities produced consistent with practices and procedures that are normally engaged by farmers or are consistent with technological development within the agricultural industry.
A public thoroughfare primarily for service access to the rear or sides of properties and is not intended for general traffic circulation.
As applied to a building or structure, means 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, of the moving from one location or position to another.
An accessory structure or device, partially or wholly exterior to a building that is used for receiving and/or transmitting electronic signals or short-wave or citizens band radio frequencies, including ham radios. Amateur radio antennas are not considered communication towers and antennas as regulated in this Chapter.
The composite of all noise from sources near and far, excluding the alleged intrusive noise source. The ambient noise constitutes the normal or existing level of environmental noise at a given location,
A building which houses public or private emergency medical services including vehicle bays, offices, personnel rest and sleeping quarters, locker rooms, and kitchen facilities.
A change in use in any district which includes revisions to the Zoning Ordinance text and/or the official Zoning Map.
A facility, primarily outdoors, that may include structures and buildings, where there are various devices for entertainment, including rides, booths for the conduct of games or sale of items, buildings for shows and entertainment, and restaurants, and souvenir sales; however, under no circumstances shall amusement parks include adult-oriented activities or entertainment.
An apparatus designed for the purpose of emitting radiofrequency (RF) radiation, to be operated or operating from a fixed location pursuant to Federal Communications Commission authorization, for the provision of wireless service and any commingled information services.
A landowner or developer, as hereinafter defined, who has filed an application for development including his heirs, successors, and assigns.
Every application, whether preliminary or final, required to be filed and approved prior to start of construction or development including but not limited to an application for a building permit, for the approval of a subdivision plat or plan or for the approval of a development plan.
A retail establishment where work is similar in character to the following: sale and installation of oil, lubricants, batteries and belts and similar accessories.
An establishment where repairs, improvements, and installation of parts and accessories for motor vehicles are conducted that involves work that is more intense in character than work permitted under the definition of gasoline service station. An automotive repair garage shall include, but not be limited to, any use that involves any of the following work: major mechanical or body work, straightening of body parts, painting, welding or rebuilding of transmissions.
A story partly underground but having at least 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 of the basement ceiling is five feet over the average adjoining grade or ground level.
Overnight accommodations and a morning meal in a dwelling unit provided to transients for compensation.
The Zoning Hearing Board of Susquehanna Township.
The Board of Commissioners of Susquehanna Township.
A restaurant, as defined herein, that includes as an accessory use the on-premises production of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, cider and distilled liquors, which produces less than 100,000 gallons of such beverages per year and primarily sells its beverages on site, either for on- or off- premises consumption. The area used for brewing, distilling, bottling, and kegging shall not exceed 30% of the total gross leasable floor area. The brew pub must be licensed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and any successor agency of the commonwealth.
A facility for the production, packaging and sampling of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, cider, mead and distilled liquors, for retail or wholesale distribution, for sale or consumption on- or off-premises, and which produces 100,000 gallons or more of such beverages per year. The brewery/distillery/winery must be licensed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and any successor agency of the commonwealth.
An industry devoted to radio and television broadcasting.
Open spaces, landscaped areas, fences, walls, berms, or any combination thereof use to physically separate or screen one use or property from another so as to visually shield or block noise, lights, or other nuisances.
A line which dictates the placement of a building or structure from the edge of sidewalk on which the building fronts. On the corner lot, there shall be a build-to-line on both sides of the lot, which have street frontage.
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls and intended for the shelter, housing, or enclosures of persons, vehicles, animals, or belongings, and including covered porches or bay windows and chimneys.
The horizontal area measured with the outside of the exterior walls of the ground floor of all principal and accessory buildings on a lot.
The vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the proposed finished grade at the front of the building to the highest point of the roof for flat roofs, to the deck line of mansard roofs and to the mean height between eaves and ridge for gable, hip and gambrel roofs (see Exhibit 1).
The line within the property defining the required minimum distance between any enclosed structure and the adjacent right-of-way.
A tract of land that is planned, developed, and operated as an integral facility for a number of individual businesses with consideration to transportation facilities, circulation, parking, utility needs, aesthetics, and compatibility.
A state-permitted facility through the Pennsylvania Department of Health in which a portion of land is used for the purpose of providing a space for trailers or tents for camping purposes regardless of whether a fee has been charged for the leasing, renting or occupancy of the space, in accordance with the Pennsylvania Code, Title 28, Chapter 19. The campground may be an organized camp which includes a combination of programs and facilities established for the primary purpose of providing an outdoor group living experience for children, youth, and adults with social, recreational, and educational objectives and operated and used for five or more consecutive days during one or more seasons a year.
A building designed and used primarily for the washing and polishing of vehicles and which may provide accessory services related to washing and polishing.
The individual designated by a patient to deliver medical marijuana.
Property used for the interring of the dead.
A certificate issued by the Zoning Officer upon completion of the construction of a new building or upon a change or conversion of the structure or use of a building, which certifies that all requirements and regulations as provided herein, and within all other applicable requirements are in compliance.
The acquisition, possession, use or transportation of medical marijuana by a patient, or the acquisition, possession, delivery, transportation or administration of medical marijuana by a caregiver, for use as part of the treatment of the patient's serious medical condition, as authorized by certification by the commonwealth.
A building or structure, or group of buildings or structures, that by design and construction are primarily intended for conducting organized religious services and associated accessory uses, including cemeteries.
An entity that:
Holds a permit both as a grower/processor and a dispensary; and
Has a contractual relationship with an academic clinical research center under which the academic clinical research center or its affiliate provides advice to the entity regarding, among other areas, patient health and safety, medical applications and dispensing and management of controlled substances.
Wireless communications facilities that are attached to existing structures, such as, but not limited to buildings, water towers, electrical transmission towers, utility poles, light poles, traffic signal poles, flag poles, and other similar structures that do not require the installation of a new or replacement wireless support structure.
The mounting of one or more WCFs, including antennas, on a preexisting structure, or modifying a structure for the purpose of mounting, or installing a WCF on that structure.
An establishment devoted to the repair and maintenance of commercial and industrial machinery and equipment as defined in the 1997 NAICS United States Structure (code 8113), as amended and excluding automotive and electronic repair and maintenance.
The Planning Commission of Susquehanna Township.
A parcel or parcels of land or an area of water, or a combination of land and water within a development site and designed and intended for the use or enjoyment of residents of a development, not including streets, off-street parking areas, and areas set aside for public facilities.
A building used for recreational, social, educational, and cultural activities, open to the public and usually owned and operated by a public or nonprofit group or agency.
A form of ownership providing for individual ownership of a specific dwelling unit, or other space not necessarily on ground level, together with an undivided interest in the land or other parts of the structure in common with other owners.
Areas of a parcel identified when performing the adjusted tract area calculation in conformance with the Susquehanna Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. Calculation is required for conservation design subdivisions and represent all right-of-ways of existing public or private streets and overhead utilities and floodways and portions of the one-hundred-year floodplain, wetlands, and steep and moderate slopes.
A community licensed by the Commonwealth Department of Insurance and offering a range of housing, support and health care services so older people do not have to move when their needs change. Many offer independent living (single or multifamily units) and personal care units as well as long-term care nursing centers, all at one campus and developed as a planned unit development.
A land development process that seeks to identify and permanently protect special natural and/or environmental features and open space in designated conservation areas or preserves.
A use that primarily sells for off-site consumption, routine household goods, groceries, and prepared ready-to-eat foods to the general public and that includes a building with a floor area of less than 5,000 square feet. This use may also include the accessory sale of gasoline; provided it is allowed within the district regulation and requirements are met.
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
Care provided for individuals, either children or adults by an unrelated individual. Care is provided for part of a twenty-four-hour day. The following definitions apply to different types of child and adult day care in accordance with Chapter 3270, Child Day Care Centers, of Title 55. Public Welfare of the Pennsylvania Code and Pennsylvania Department of Aging, Pennsylvania Code, Title 6, Chapter 11, as revised or amended.
DAY CARE CENTER — A state-certified facility providing care for six or more children. | |||
GROUP DAY CARE HOME — A state-certified facility in which care is provided at one time for more than six but fewer than 16 older school-age level children or more than six but fewer than 13 children of another age level who are unrelated to the operator, including: | |||
(1) | Care provided to a child at the parent's work site when the parent is not present in the child care space. | ||
(2) | Care provided in private or public, profit or nonprofit facilities. | ||
(3) | Care provided before or after the hours of instruction in nonpublic schools and in private nursery schools and kindergartens. | ||
OLDER ADULT DAILY LIVING CENTERS — A facility licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and operated for profit or not-for-profit to provide daily living services for part of a twenty-four-hour-day to four or more older adults, who are 60 years of age or older or 18 years and older with a dementia-related disease and who are not a relative of the operator, in accordance with the Pennsylvania Code, Title 6, Chapter 11, as revised or amended. | |||
FAMILY DAY CARE HOME — A state-certified home other than the child's own home, operated for profit or not-for-profit, in which child day care is provided at any one time to four, five or six children unrelated to the operator. | |||
A unit of sound pressure level.
Final adjudication of any board or other body granted jurisdiction under any land use ordinance or this act to do so, either by reason of the grant of exclusive jurisdiction or by reason of appeals from determinations. All decisions shall be appealable to the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas.
The number of dwelling units permitted per acre of land.
A committee of four persons appointed by the Board of Commissioners to oversee and make recommendations with respect to the detailed design and implementation process of a TND. The DRC shall consist of: one member of the Planning Commission; one member of the Board of Commissioners; the Township Zoning Officer; and one Town Planner/Township Planning Consultant.
Final action by an officer, body or agency charged with the administration of any land use ordinance or applications thereunder, except the governing body or the zoning hearing board. Determinations shall be appealable only to the boards designated as having jurisdiction for such appeal.
Any landowner, agent of such landowner, or tenant with the permission of such landowner, who makes or causes to be made a subdivision of land or a land development.
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation, or drilling operations.
The provisions for development, including a plat of subdivision, all covenants relating to use, location and bulk of buildings and other structures, intensity of use or density of development, streets, ways and parking facilities, common open space and public facilities. The phrase "provisions of the development plan" when used in this act shall mean the written and graphic materials referred to in this definition.
A person, including a natural person, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other entity, or any combination thereof, which holds a permit issued by the Department of Health (DOH) of the commonwealth to dispense medical marijuana.
A use involving a customer being able to order and receive food or other items or make financial transactions while the customer remains within their vehicle.
A single unit providing complete independent living facilities for one or more persons including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
One or more rooms used for living and sleeping purposes and having a kitchen with fixed cooking facilities (see Exhibit 2).
MOBILE HOME — A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for permanent occupancy, contained in one unit or in two or more units designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated for repeated towing, which arrives at a site complete and ready for occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations, and constructed so that it may be used without a permanent foundation. | |
MULTIPLE FAMILY — A building containing three or more dwelling units that is located on a separate lot, which is the sum of the required minimum lot areas of all dwelling units or the minimum tract area, whichever is greater. | |
SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED (townhouses) — A dwelling unit on a separate lot and attached to two or more dwelling units by common vertical wall. Each unit has its own front and rear access to the outside; no unit is located over another unit; and each unit is separated from any other unit by fire-resistant walls. | |
SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED — A dwelling located on a separate lot which is designed for and occupied by not more than one family and surrounded by open space or yards and which is not attached to any other dwelling by any means. | |
SINGLE-FAMILY SEMI-DETACHED (duplex) — A dwelling located on a separate lot and used by one family but having one side yard and one fire-resistant, party wall in common with another dwelling. |
A grant of one or more of the property rights by the property owner to and/or for use by the public, a corporation, or another person or entity.
An establishment devoted to the repair and maintenance electronic and precision equipment as defined in the 1997 NAICS United States Structure (Code 8112), as amended, and including consumer electronics, computer and office machinery, and communications equipment.
Any school licensed by the Commonwealth and that meets the state requirements for elementary and secondary education and is authorized to award graduation diplomas.
A condition that:
An area surrounding or adjacent to a wireless support structure within which base stations, power supplies, or accessory equipment are located.
A plan developed during subdivision and land development for Conservation Design Subdivisions. The plan provides a comprehensive analysis of existing conditions on the site and within 500 feet of the site in accordance with the Susquehanna Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
The Federal Fair Housing Act, as amended from time to time, 42, U.S.C. § 3601 et seq., as amended.
A single individual living alone as a separate housekeeping unit and doing his/her own cooking, or a collective body of people living together in a domestic relationship which may or may not be based upon birth, marriage, custodianship, adoption or other domestic bond as a single housekeeping unit based on an intentionally structured relationship providing organization and stability and doing their own cooking with or without assistance from others. This definition does not include persons occupying a hotel, dormitory, lodge or boarding house.
A dwelling inhabited by a group of people who are not handicapped, without regard for age, with or without specialized needs, who are unrelated or related by legal marriage, birth or adoption, and who are not afforded protection by the Fair Housing Act. This group of people typically requires extended periods of, or 24 hour, adult supervision and guidance, who may be, but are typically not, legal custodians. This definition does not include persons occupying a hotel, dormitory, lodge or boarding home.
Federal Communications Commission.
Any freestanding and uninhabitable structure constructed of wood, glass, metal, plastic materials, wire mesh or masonry, single or in combination, erected for the purpose of screening or dividing one property from another to assure privacy, or to protect the property so screened or divided, or to define and mark the property line, when such structure is erected or within two feet of any front, side or rear lot line.
Establishments such as banks and savings and loans, credit agencies, investment companies, brokers and dealers of securities and commodities, and security and commodity exchanges as further defined in the 1997 NAICS United States Structure (Code 52), as amended.
A general, but temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow of streams, rivers, or other waters of the Commonwealth.
FLOOD, BASE — ONE-HUNDRED-YEAR FLOOD — The highest level of flooding that, on the average, is likely to occur every 100 years or that has a one-percent chance of occurring each year. | |
FLOOD-FRINGE AREA — The portion of the one-hundred-year flood plain outside of the area or that portion of the flood hazard area outside of the floodway based on the total area inundated during the regulatory base flood plus 25% of the regulatory base flood discharge. | |
FLOOD HAZARD AREA — The one-hundred-year floodway and maximum land area likely to be flooded by a one-hundred-year flood. | |
FLOOD HAZARD BOUNDARY MAP — An official map or plat on which the boundaries of the flood hazard area have been drawn. This map conforms to the Flood Insurance Study Map and provides sufficient scale and clarity to permit the identification of parcels as being either within or without the flood hazard area. | |
FLOODPLAIN (ONE-HUNDRED-YEAR) — The one-hundred-year floodway and the maximum area of land that is likely to be flooded by the one-hundred-year flood as shown on the Flood Insurance Study Map. | |
FLOODPROOFING — Structural or other changes or adjustments to properties or obstructions for the reduction or elimination of flood damages to such properties and obstructions, or to the contents of any structure. | |
FLOODWAY — The portion of the flood plain, including the watercourse itself and any adjacent land area that must be kept open in order to carry the water of the one-hundred-year flood. At a minimum, any floodway must be large enough to carry the water of the one-hundred-year flood without causing an increase of more than one foot in the elevation of the existing one-hundred-year flood. | |
FLOODWAY ENCROACHMENT LINES — The lines marking the limits of floodways on official Federal, State and local flood plain maps. | |
GENERAL FLOOD AREA — The flood plain area for Paxton Creek, for which no detailed flood profiles or elevations are provided. |
The sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors of a building and its accessory building on the same lot, excluding basement floor areas not used as a primary living, sleeping quarters and commercial space, but including the area of roofed porches and roofed terraces. All dimensions shall be measured between exterior faces of walls.
The sum of the gross horizontal area of the floors of a building or structure, measured from the exterior face of exterior walls, or from the center line of a common wall separating two buildings. Any space where the floor-to-ceiling height is less than five feet is excluded from the floor area.
The aggregate of the horizontal area of all rooms used for habitation, such as living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, but not including hallways, stairways, cellars, attics, service rooms or utility rooms, bathrooms, nor unheated areas such as enclosed porches, nor rooms without at least one window or skylight opening onto an outside yard or court. At least 1/2 of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling of not less than seven feet and the floor area of that part of any room where the ceiling height is less than five feet shall not be considered as part of the habitable floor area.
The total of all floor areas of a building, excluding stairwells, hallways, elevator shafts, equipment and utility rooms, interior vehicular parking or loading areas and all floors below the first or ground floor, except when intended to be used for human habitation or service to the public.
The management of forests and timberlands when practiced in accordance with accepted silvicultural principles, through developing, cultivating, harvesting, transporting and selling trees for commercial purposes, which does not involve any land development. Forestry shall be allowed in any district. Related definitions include:
FELLING — The act of cutting a standing tree so that it falls to the ground. | |
LANDING — A place where logs, pulpwood, or firewood are assembled for transportation to processing facilities. | |
LITTER — Discarded items not naturally occurring on the site such as tires, oilcans, equipment parts, and other rubbish. | |
OPERATOR — An individual, partnership, company, firm, association, or corporation engaged in timber harvesting, including the agents, subcontractors, and employees thereof. | |
PRE-COMMERCIAL TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT — A forest practice, such as thinning or pruning, which results in better growth, structure, species composition, or health for the residual stand but which does not yield a net income to the land owner, usually because any trees cut are of poor quality, too small or otherwise of limited marketability or value. | |
SKIDDING — Dragging trees on the ground from the stump to the landing by any means. | |
SLASH — Woody debris left in the woods after logging, including logs, chunks, bark, branches, uprooted stumps, and broken or uprooted trees or shrubs. | |
STAND — Any area of forest vegetation whose site conditions, past history, and current species composition are sufficiently uniform to be managed as a unit. | |
STREAM — Any natural or artificial channel of conveyance for surface water with an annual or intermittent flow within a defined bed and bank. | |
TIMBER HARVESTING, TREE HARVESTING, OR LOGGING — The part of forestry involving cutting down trees and removing logs from the forest for the primary purpose of sale or commercial processing into wood products. | |
TOP — The upper portion of a felled tree that is not merchantable because of small size, taper, or defect. |
The characteristics of the medical marijuana recommended or limited for a particular patient, including the method of consumption and any particular dosage, strain, variety and quantity or percentage of medical marijuana or particular active ingredient.
The regulations for a TND District that collectively promulgate the form of a place or neighborhood with prescribed outcomes for the location and arrangement of streets, buildings, parking, and green space.
A building used for the preparation of the deceased for burial and the display of the deceased and rituals connected therewith before burial or cremation, including the sale of funeral equipment as an accessory activity.
An enclosed or covered space for the storage of one or more vehicles, provided that no business, occupation or service is conducted for profit therein nor space therein for more than one car is leased to a nonresident of the premises.
Any garage other than a private garage and which is used for storage, repair, rental, servicing, or supplying of gasoline or oil to motor vehicles.
A type of multiple-family dwelling unit that is designed to enclose partially a garden, courtyard, or other like type usable open space.
A retail establishment where gasoline is sold and where no repairs are conducted, except work that may be conducted that is similar in character to the following: sale and installation of oil, lubricants, batteries and belts, and similar accessories; washing and cleaning services; and safety and emission inspections.
A building or group of buildings primarily used for the indoor storage, transfer, and distribution of products and materials.
A plaza, courtyard, green court, pedestrian gathering area, pocket park, tot lot, playground, walkway, promenade, lawn area, or other like type facility in which features such as pavers, benches, gazebos, pergolas, arbors, trellises, planters, plantings, lighting, and sculpture are installed and maintained, and in which activities such as public seating and outdoor dining take place.
A green space amenity that is internal to or along the edge of a block.
A lot that has frontage on a green, not a street, as a compliant open space amenity of a TND.
The totality of the land that comprises the area of a TND, exclusive of buildings, streets, alleys, service lanes, parking lots, and paved surfaces such as those used for dumpsters or approved/fenced outdoor storage. Green space includes active open space and passive open space, including such features as recreational areas, greens, parks, squares, plazas, courtyards, pedestrian gathering areas, pocket parks, green courts, playgrounds, tot lots, dog parks, playfields, natural open space designated to conserve wetlands and floodplains, and other areas for natural resource conservation, and stormwater detention basins unless designed and constructed as a wet basin or a naturalized stormwater management basin.
A greenway may be any one or combination of the following: (1) a linear open space established along either a natural corridor, such as a riverfront, stream valley, or ridge line, or over land along a railroad right-of-way converted to recreational use, a canal, a scenic road, or other route; (2) a natural or landscaped course for pedestrian or bicycle passage; (3) an open space connector linking parks, natural reserves, cultural features, or historic sites with each other and with populated areas; and (4) strip or linear parks designated as a parkway or greenbelt.
A dwelling inhabited by handicapped persons as identified and provided for by the Fair Housing Act and this Chapter. This definition does not include persons occupying a hotel, dormitory, lodge, halfway house, boarding house or institution. A "group home" shall be a stable living environment which anticipates, contemplates, expects and projects that occupants thereof shall reside in the group home for a term of not less than one year in duration.
A person, including a natural person, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other entity, or any combination thereof, which holds a permit from the DOH to grow and process medical marijuana.
A noninstitutional living arrangement with treatment and support services for persons with substance abuse problems or for inmates and parolees approaching parole release date or release from a corrections institution. The halfway house (community corrections center) operates under the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Health or Department of Corrections or similar authorities. The residents are provided full time supervision and counseling on employment, vocations, finances, and community living.
With respect to a person, a physical or mental impairment, as hereinafter defined, which substantially limits one or more major life activities; a record of such impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment. This term does not include current, illegal use of or addition to a controlled substance, as that term is defined in 21 U.S.C. § 802. for the purpose of these guidelines, an individual shall not be considered to have a handicap solely because that individual is a transvestite or because of that individual's sexual preference, sexual activities or sexual proclivities.
PHYSICAL OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT — An impairment including the following disorders: | ||
(1) | Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculosketetal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; disgestive; genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine. | |
(2) | Any mental or psychological disorder including, but not limited to, mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities. | |
(3) | Any physical disorder including, but not limited to, diseases and conditions including orthopedic, visual, speech and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, drug addiction (other than addiction caused by current, illegal use of a controlled substance) and alcoholism. | |
MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITIES — Function such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working. | ||
RECORD OF SUCH AN IMPAIRMENT — Has a history of, or has been classified or misclassified as having, a physical or mental impairment, that substantially limits one or more major life activities. | ||
REGARDED AS HAVING AN IMPAIRMENT — Regarded as having one of the following impairments: | ||
(1) | A physical or mental impairment that does not substantially limit one or more major life activities but that is treated by another person as constituting a limitation. | |
(2) | A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities only as a result of the attitudes of others toward such impairment. | |
(3) | None of the impairments defined in "physical or mental impairment" of this definition but is treated by another person as having such impairment. | |
Health care services provided by medical service providers at the home of persons who are unable due to age or medical condition of traveling to a medical facility for treatment.
An accessory use of a service nature customarily conducted within a dwelling by the residents thereof, which is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for dwelling purposes and does not change the character thereof or have any exterior evidence of secondary use other than a small nameplate and in accordance with this Chapter.
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 or commercial activity must be in accordance with § 27-2041. |
An organization of property owners within a development established for the ownership, administration and maintenance of the common open space within the development. Such organizations are generally consistent with the requirements for unit owners associations found in the Pennsylvania Uniform Condominium Act 68 CSS3101 et seq.
An institution providing primary health services and medical or surgical care to persons, primarily inpatients, suffering from illness, disease, injury, deformity, and other abnormal physical or mental conditions and including, as an integral part of the institution, related facilities, such as laboratories, outpatient facilities, training facilities, medical offices, and staff residences.
A building containing rooms intended or designed to be used or which are used, rented or hired out to be occupied or which are occupied for sleeping purposes by guests and where only a general kitchen and dining room are provided within the building as an accessory use or where no kitchen and/or dining facilities are provided.
A document issued by the DOH that permits access to medical marijuana.
Any material, structure or coverage that prevents the absorption of stormwater into the ground.
Single-family and multifamily dwelling units designed for healthy, mobile older adults, not requiring special assistance or care, within a continuing care retirement community.
A building, portion of a building, or premises used or intended to be used for cleaning fabrics, textiles, wearing apparel, or articles of any sort by immersion and agitation, or by immersions only, in volatile solvents including, but not by way of limitation, solvents of the petroleum distillate type, and/or the chlorinated hydrocarbon type, and the processes incidental thereto.
An industry devoted to news syndicates, private libraries and archive, and data processing services.
An educational institution authorized by the Commonwealth to award associate, baccalaureate, or higher degrees. In the case of professional schools, professional accreditation board or organization may authorize the degree program.
Used materials, discarded materials, or both, including, but not limited to, waste paper, rags, metal, building materials, house furnishings and appliances, machinery, vehicles or parts thereof, all of which are being stored awaiting potential reuse or ultimate disposal.
A lot, land or structure, or part thereof, used primarily for the collecting, storage and sale of junk as defined herein.
A state-licensed facility through the Department of Agriculture containing indoor and outdoor housing facilities for dogs in accordance with the Pennsylvania Code, Title 7, Chapter 21, as amended or revised.
The design elements and attributes of a TND that create the character of the place as a compact, mixed-use, walkable, and interconnected place, as described and depicted in Exhibit A to Part 19 of the Zoning Ordinance.
Any of the following activities: the improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts, or parcels of land for any purpose involving a group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings, whether proposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential building on a lot or lots regardless of the number of occupants or tenure; or the division or allocation of land or space, whether initially or cumulatively, between or among two or more existing or prospective occupants by means of, or for the purpose of streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building groups, or other features; and a subdivision of land.
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 authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner, or other person having proprietary interest in land, including an individual, partnership, association, limited partnership association or corporation.
The area of the lot covered by lawns, trees, plants, and other natural material.
A component of a development plan, if required, on which is shown proposed landscape species (such as number, spacing, size at time of planting, and planting details), proposals for protection of existing vegetation during and after construction, proposed treatment of hard and soft surfaces, proposed decorative features, grade changes, buffers and screening devices, and any other information that can reasonably be required in order that an informed decision can be made by the Board of Commissioners.
A business premise equipped with individual clothes washing and/or drying machines for use of retail customers, including services for the pickup of dry-cleaned articles.
A commercial use on the ground floor of a building, such as a shop, studio, office, cafe, deli, personal service establishment, or other place of business, in combination with a dwelling unit or units located above such place of business. A person or persons other than the proprietor of the business may occupy a live-work unit.
A facility defined and licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health in accordance with Title 28 of the Pennsylvania Code, Chapter 201. The facility provides skilled or intermediate nursing care services 24 hours a day and seven days a week to individuals who do not require more intensive hospital-based care.
SKILLED OR INTERMEDIATE NURSING CARE — Professionally supervised nursing care and related medical and other health services provided for a period exceeding 24 hours to an individual not in need of hospitalization, but whose needs are above the level of room and board and can only be met in a long-term care nursing facility or an inpatient basis because of age, illness, disease, injury, convalescence or physical or mental infirmity. |
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed, or built upon as a unit.
LOT, AREA — The area contained within the property lines of a lot as shown on a subdivision plan excluding space within any street, but including the areas of any easement. | ||
LOT, CORNER — A lot which has an interior angle of less than 135° at the intersection of two street lines. A lot abutting upon a curved street shall be considered a corner lot if the tangents to the curve at the points of intersection of the side lot lines with the street line intersect at an interior angle of less than 135°. A front yard, whether determined by a building setback line or a build-to line, as provided for in the area and lot requirements in each district, shall be required along each street on which a corner lot abuts. See Exhibit 4. | ||
LOT, DEPTH — The average horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines. | ||
LOT, FLAG — A large lot not meeting minimum frontage requirements. These type of lots are not allowed in Susquehanna Township, unless by variance or nonconformity. | ||
LOT, IMPERVIOUS COVERAGE — The area of the lot covered by impervious surface, including building coverage (see Exhibit 4). | ||
LOT, LINE — A line of record bounding a lot that divides one lot from another lot or from a public or private street or any other public space. | ||
LOT LINE, FRONT — The lot line separating a lot from a street right-of-way. In the case of a corner lot or a lot abutting a street right-of-way on more than one side, the front lot line shall be determined based on the street address assigned by the post office. | ||
LOT LINE, REAR — The lot line opposite and most distant from the front lot line. In the case of a triangular or otherwise irregularly shaped lots, a line 10 feet in length entirely within the lot, parallel to and a maximum distance from the front lot line. | ||
LOT LINE, SIDE — Any lot line other than a front or rear lot line. | ||
LOT, REVERSE FRONTAGE — A through lot that is not accessible from one of the parallel or nonintersecting streets upon which it fronts. | ||
LOT, THROUGH — A lot that fronts upon two parallel streets or that fronts upon two streets that do not intersect at the boundaries of the lot (see Exhibit 3). | ||
LOT, WIDTH — The horizontal distance between the side lines of a lot measured at right angles to its depth along a straight line parallel to the front lot line at the minimum required building setback line. | ||
Housing defined as units sold or rented to families earning up to 120% of the area median income, adjusted for family size, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
A shopping center with stores on both sides of an enclosed or open pedestrian walkway.
A use devoted to manufacturing as defined in the 1997 NAICS United States Structure (Code 31-33), as amended, and including manufacturing of food; beverage and tobacco products; textiles; textile products; apparel; leather and allied products; wood products; paper; printing and related support activities; petroleum and coal products; chemicals; plastics and rubber products; nonmetallic mineral products; primary metal; fabricated metal products; machinery; computer and electronic products; electrical equipment, appliance, and component; transportation equipment; furniture and related products; and miscellaneous manufacturing.
A facility for the storing, servicing, fueling, berthing, and securing of boats and that may include eating, sleeping, and retail facilities for owners, crews, and guests.
A use devoted to medical and diagnostic laboratories as defined in the 1997 NAICS United States Structure (code 6215), as amended, and including medical laboratories and diagnostic imaging centers.
Marijuana for certified medical use as legally permitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with Act 16.[2]
Any facility used to house delivery vehicles for supplying marijuana plants or seeds to one or more marijuana grower/processors and/or dispensaries.
A dispensary or a grower/processor of marijuana for medical purposes.
A small wireless communications facility that:
A facility for the production, packaging and sampling of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, cider, mead, and distilled liquors for retail or wholesale distribution, for sale or consumption on- or off-premises, and which produces less than 100,000 gallons of such beverages per year. It may include a restaurant, tasting room and retail space to sell the product on site. "Nanobreweries" shall be included under this definition. The microbrewery/microdistillery/microwinery must be licensed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and any successor agency of the commonwealth.
A structure containing separate, individual, and private storage spaces of varying sizes leased or rented on individual leases for varying periods of time.
A combination of two or more uses in a building or on a lot.
A parcel of land either in a mobile home park or on a single lot not within a mobile home park, improved with the necessary utility connections and other appurtenances necessary for the erection thereon of a single mobile home.
A parcel or contiguous parcels of land which has been so designated and improved that it contains two or more mobile home lots for the placement thereon of mobile homes (see definition under dwelling unit).
The improvement, upgrade, or expansion of existing wireless communications facilities or base stations on an existing wireless support structure or the improvement, upgrade, or expansion of the wireless communications facilities located within an existing equipment compound, if the improvement, upgrade, expansion or replacement does not substantially change the physical dimensions of the wireless support structure.
A WCF or site which consists of a single pole structure, designed and erected on the ground or on top of a structure, to support communications antennas and connecting appurtenances.
A building or group of buildings, whether detached or in connected units, used as individual sleeping or dwelling units, designed with separate entrances and designed for year round occupancy, primarily for transient automobile travelers and providing for accessory off-street parking facilities. The term "motel" includes buildings designated as tourist courts, tourist cabins, motor lodges and similar terms.
A use that supports motor freight transportation operations, such as: truck terminals, including loading docks, and service and maintenance facilities.[3]
Means a grouping of three or more buildings with multiple family dwelling units, located on a single lot, that are planned, coordinated, and developed as a single site with common access.
A facility for the temporary storage of stormwater runoff that is landscaped with grasses and other native plants and is designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with recognized best management practice techniques as recommended by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Areas in which human activities are very limited and where the natural environment is protected from man-made changes by a conservancy or conservation easement. The nature preserve includes woodland preservation, game preserves, and wildlife sanctuaries.
An innovative form of residential development incorporating certain building, site and streetscape elements so as to provide an attractive living environment for a variety of persons across all life stages.
A lot the area or dimension of which was lawful prior to the adoption or amendment of this Chapter, but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located by reasons of such adoption or amendment.
A structure or part of a structure manifestly not designed to comply with the applicable use or extent of use provisions of this Chapter or amendments thereof, where such structure lawfully existed prior to the enactment of such ordinance or amendment or prior to the application of such ordinance or amendment to its location by reason of annexation. Such nonconforming structures include, but are not limited to, nonconforming signs.
A use, whether of land or of structure, which does not comply with the applicable use provisions in a zoning ordinance or amendment thereof, where such use was lawfully in existence prior to the enactment of such ordinance for amendment or prior to the application of such ordinance or amendment to its location by reason of annexation.
An office devoted to health care services as defined in the 1997 NAICS United States Structure (Code 6211, 6212 and 6213), as amended, and including offices of physicians; dentists; chiropractors; optometrists; mental health practitioners; physical, occupational, and speech therapists, and audiologists; podiatrists and other health practitioners.
A use devoted to outpatient care services as defined in the 1997 NAICS United States Structure (Code 6214), as amended, and including family planning centers, mental health and substance abuse centers, HMO medical centers, kidney dialysis centers, freestanding ambulatory surgical and emergency centers, and other outpatient care centers.
A zoning district that encompasses one or more underlying zones and deals with special situations specified in the district regulations. The overlay district imposes additional requirements above that required by the underlying district.
An off-street, ground level open area, improved for the temporary storage of motor vehicles.
The space between a building, or on a lot or parking lot, for the parking or storage of one automobile.
OFF-STREET PARKING SPACE — A temporary storage area for a motor vehicle that is directly accessible to an access aisle, and which is not located on a dedicated street right-of-way. | |
ON-STREET PARKING SPACE — A temporary storage area for a motor vehicle that is located on a dedicated street right-of-way. | |
RESIDENTIAL OFF-STREET PARKING — For the purposes of this Chapter, shall consist of a parking lot, driveway, garage or combination thereof and shall be located on the lot it is intended to serve. |
A building or structure consisting of more than one level and used to store motor vehicles.
An area of land used for informal leisure time activities, such as picnicking, nature study, bird watching, and nature photography.
An attribute of a TND with an interconnected network of sidewalks, walkways, and crosswalks both internal to the TND tract and external to other existing pedestrian thoroughfares.
An establishment devoted to the repair and maintenance of personal and household goods as defined in the 1997 NAICS United States Structure (Code 8114), as amended, and including home and garden equipment and appliances, reupholstery and furniture repair, footwear and leather goods repair and other personal and household goods.
A facility defined and licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare in accordance with Title 55 of the Pennsylvania Code, Chapter 2620. A personal care home is a premise in which food, shelter and personal assistance or supervision are provided for a period exceeding 24 hours for four or more adults who are not relatives of the operator, who do not require the services in or of a licensed long-term care facility, but who do require assistance or supervision in matters such as dressing, bathing, diet, financial management, evacuation of a residence in the event of an emergency or medication prescribed for self-administration. A halfway house is not a personal care home.
PERSONAL CARE HOME, SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING — A personal care home occupying a single family residential unit provided the unit is similar in size and character as the surrounding residential units and is in compliance with all district and bulk and area regulations. These personal care homes shall be permitted by right in any district, which allows single family dwellings. | |
PERSONAL CARE CENTER — A personal care home, that requires a building larger than a single-family residential unit to accommodate the number of residents served and special and accessory commercial services provided, often called an assisted-living center. The personal care center may be a stand-alone facility or may be part of a continuing care retirement community. |
An establishment devoted to personal care services as defined in the 1997 NAICS United States Structure (Code 8121), as amended, and including hair, nail and skin care services, diet and weight reducing centers and other personal care services.
A retail business primarily engaged in the limited on-site processing and developing of film plus the sale, lease, service of photography equipment and supplies. This use is a plant devoted to large scale processing and development of film.
The places that have been built and serve as good models and examples of placemaking for a TND, such as those shown in Part 19, Exhibit B: Precedents for the TND – Traditional Neighborhood Development-1 District.
A building or buildings in which is conducted the main or principal use of the lot on which said building is situated. Use shall be measured by the square footage or percentage of the square footage for that total use. The principal use must be the use to which a majority of the square footage of the building or lot is dedicated.
The primary or predominant use of any lot or parcel. Use shall be measured by the square footage or percentage of the square footage for that total use. The principal use must be the use to which a majority of the square footage of the building or lot is dedicated.
A home occupation of a professional nature customarily conducted within a dwelling by the resident professional and in accordance with this chapter.
An office devoted to professional, scientific and technical services as defined in the 1997 NAICS United States Structure (Code 54), as amended, and including offices of legal services; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services; architectural, engineering, and related services; specialized design services; computer systems design and related services; management, scientific, and technical consulting services, scientific research and development services, advertising and related services, and other professional, scientific and technical services.
Ground including parks, playgrounds, trails, paths, and other recreational and public areas; sites for schools, sewage treatment, refuse disposal and other publicly owned or operated facilities; and publicly owned or operated scenic and historic sites.
A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the Susquehanna Township Board of Commissioners or Planning Commission, intended to inform and obtain public comment, prior to taking action in accordance with this Chapter.
A library that is open to the public.
A forum held pursuant to notice under Act of July 3, 1986 (P.L. 388, No. 84, as amended), known as the "Sunshine Act."
Notice published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality. Such notice shall state the time and place of the hearing and the particular nature of the matter to be considered at the hearing. The first publication shall not be more than 30 days and the second publication shall not be less than seven days from the date of the hearing.
A tract of land, designated and used by the public for active and/or passive recreation as defined below.
RECREATION, ACTIVE — Leisure-time activities, usually of a formal nature and often performed with others, requiring equipment and taking place at prescribed places, sites, or fields. | |
RECREATION, PASSIVE — Activities that involve relatively inactive or less energetic activities, such as walking, sitting, picnicking, card games, chess, checkers, and similar table games. Passive recreation includes open space for nature walks and observations. |
A use that supports the operation of public transit, such as: terminals, transfer stations, and service and maintenance facilities. Bus stops shall be allowed in every district; however, these uses represent higher intensity transit activities that are suited for specific districts.
Building and structures necessary for the safe and efficient operation of the public utility, including communications buildings not associated with communication antennas and towers.
An industry devoted to production of written or digital materials as defined in the 1997 NAICS United States Structure (Code 511), as amended, and including the publishing of newspapers, periodicals, books, database and directories, software, greeting cards and other published materials.
A use that supports the operation of the railroad, such as: railroad switching, terminal, and maintenance facilities.
An office devoted to real estate services as defined in the 1997 NAICS United States Structure (Code 531), as amended, and including offices of real estate agents, brokers and appraisers.
A recreation facility operated by a nonprofit organization, and open only to bona fide members and guests of such nonprofit organization.
An indoor facility designed and equipped for the conduct of sports and leisure-time activities, such as arcades, fitness and recreational sports centers, bowling centers, theaters, and museums, in accordance with this Chapter.
ARCADE — A building or part of a building in which pinball machines, video games, or other similar player-operated amusement devices are present and maintained as the primary use. For the purpose of this definition, "primary use" means 51% or more of the gross floor area of the portion of the structure being used (not to include any area of a structure being used as storage). | |
FITNESS AND RECREATIONAL SPORTS CENTER — An establishment that may provide facilities for aerobic exercises, running and jogging, exercise equipment, game courts, swimming, saunas, showers, lockers, and therapeutic massage. | |
MUSEUM — A nonprofit, noncommercial establishment operated as a repository for a collection of nature, scientific or literary curiosities or objects of interest or works of art, not including the regular sale or distribution of the objects collected. | |
THEATER — A building or part of a building devoted to showing motion pictures or for dramatic, dance, musical, or other live performances. |
An outdoor facility designed and equipped for the conduct of sports and leisure-time activities, such as zoos and botanical gardens, outdoor shooting ranges, race tracks, country clubs and golf courses, miniature golf, active and passive parks, and greenways, in accordance with this Chapter.
BOTANICAL GARDENS — A place were plants are grown, often in combination of indoor and outdoor displays and viewed by the public. | |
COUNTRY CLUBS — Land area and buildings containing golf courses, recreational facilities, a clubhouse, and customary accessory uses, open only to members and their guests. | |
GOLF COURSE — A tract of land laid out for a least nine holes for playing the game of golf and improved with tees, greens, fairways, and hazards and that may include a clubhouse, shelters, maintenance and storage facilities, and a driving range. | |
OUTDOOR SHOOTING RANGE — An area as part of a sporting or outdoor club in which skeet shooting, rifle shooting, or archery is practiced. | |
ZOO — A place where animals are kept, often in combinations of indoor and outdoor spaces, and are viewed by the public. |
The registry established by the DOH for all medical marijuana organizations and practitioners.
A concept plan that is utilized to promulgate the form of a TND, as shown in Part 19, Exhibit C,[4] and to illustrate such features as the interconnected network of streets, alleys, sidewalks and crosswalks, as well as the proposed mixed uses, mixed housing types, streetscapes, public realm, building locations, and on-street and off-street parking locations.
Any piece of equipment related to, incidental to, or necessary for, the operation of a telecommunications tower or telecommunications antenna. By way of illustration, not limitation, related equipment includes generators and base stations.
Establishments engaged in rental of goods or merchandise to the general public or businesses. Rental and leasing establishments defined by the 1997 NAICS United States Structure (codes 532), as amended, includes automotive equipment rental and leasing; consumer goods rental; general rental centers; and commercial and industrial machinery and equipment rental and leasing.
The replacement of existing wireless communications facilities on an existing wireless support structure or within an existing equipment compound due to maintenance, repair, or technological advancement with equipment composed of the same wind loading and structural loading that is substantially similar in size, weight, and height as the wireless communications facilities initially installed and that does not substantially change the physical dimensions of the existing wireless support structure.
Any letter, review, memorandum, compilation of similar writing made by any body, board, officer or consultant other than a solicitor to any body, board, officer or consultant for the purpose of assisting the recipient of such report in the rendering of any decision or determination. All reports shall be deemed recommendatory and advisory only and shall not be binding upon the recipient, board, officer, body or agency, nor shall any appeal lie therefrom. Any report used, received or considered by the body, board, officer or agency rendering a determination or decision shall be made available for inspection to the applicant and all other parties to any proceeding upon request, and copies thereof shall be provided at cost of reproduction.
An existing building converted into residential dwelling units in accordance with this Chapter.
On-site accessory residential dwellings for individuals providing security and safety services for the principal use.
An establishment where food and drink are prepared, served, and consumed primarily within the principal building.
A small restaurant, coffeehouse, or tearoom where nonalcoholic beverages, light meals, desserts and snacks are sold for consumption on premises or for take-out.
A commercial use that primarily prepares food, confections, or beverages served to the customer in a ready-to-consume state, and whose method of operation is such that customers normally order the product at a central location separate from the tables or counters used for consumption.
A commercial establishment where a variety of foods and beverages are sold for consumption on the premises. Customers are normally seated at a table where they select food and beverages from individual menus, and they are served foods and beverages by a restaurant employee at the same table at which said items are ordered and consumed.
Establishments engaged in selling goods or merchandise to the general public for personal or household consumption and rendering services incidental to the sale of such goods. Retail establishments defined by the 1997 NAICS United States Structure (Codes 44 and 45), as amended, includes motor vehicle and parts dealers; furniture and home furnishing stores; electronics and appliance stores; building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers; food and beverage stores; health and personal care stores; gasoline stations; clothing and clothing accessory stores; sporting goods, hobby, book, and music stores; general merchandise stores; miscellaneous store retailers (florists; office supplies, stationery, and gift shops; used merchandise store; pet and pet supplies stores; art dealers; mobile home dealers); and nonstore retailers (electronic shopping and mail-order houses, vending machine operators, direct selling establishments).
A public thoroughfare for vehicular, bicycle, and/or pedestrian traffic, whether designated as a street, highway, thoroughfare, parkway, road, avenue, boulevard, lane, alley or however designated.
A single family dwelling unit, or part thereof, arranged or used for lodging, with or without meals for compensation, but in which no provision is made for cooking in any individual room or suite and is in accordance this Chapter.
An education facility that focuses on the teaching of one or more of the fine arts (e.g., vocal and instrumental music, dance, acting, painting, drawing, mosaics) and languages.
The unwarranted disturbance of environmentally sensitive areas, as shown on the Existing Resources and Site Analysis Plan.
A thoroughfare type, similar to a common driveway or alley, that provides vehicular access for nonresidential development, typically for deliveries, loading and unloading, and parking.
The required horizontal distance between a setback line and a property or street line.
SETBACK, FRONT — The distance between the street line and the front setback line projected the full width of the lot; commonly called the "minimum front yard." | |
SETBACK, REAR — The distance between the rear lot line and rear setback line projected the full width of the lot; commonly called the "minimum rear yard." | |
SETBACK SIDE — The distance between the side lot line and the side setback line projected from the front yard to the rear yard; commonly called the "minimum side yard." |
A line within a property and parallel to a property or street line which delineates the required minimum distance between some particular use of property and that property or street line.
Off-street parking that two or more landowners or tenants share in accordance with the regulations derived from the ULI-Urban Land Institute publication titled "Shared Parking Second Edition," 2005.
A group of commercial establishments planned, constructed, and managed as a total entity, with customer and employee parking provided on-site, provision for goods delivery separated from customer access, protection from the elements, and landscaping and signage in accordance with an approved plan.
Any structure or device for visual communication that is used for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof to the attention of the public, but not including any flag, badge or insignia or any government or government agency, or of any civic, charitable, religious, patriotic, fraternal or similar organization.
ATTACHED SIGN — One of three types of signs: awning or canopy, projecting, or wall sign. | ||
AWNING, CANOPY OR MARQUEE SIGN — A sign that is mounted, painted or attached to an awning or canopy that is otherwise permitted by this Chapter. | ||
PROJECTING SIGN — A sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a building for support and that projects more than 12 inches from such building. | ||
WALL SIGN — A sign fastened to or painted on the wall of a building or structure in such a manner that the wall becomes the supporting structure for or forms the background surface of, the sign and that does not project more than 12 inches from such building or structure. | ||
BILLBOARD (ADVERTISING SIGN) — A sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to a commodity, business, industry, or other similar activity, which is generally sold, offered, or conducted elsewhere than on the lot upon which such sign is located. | ||
BUSINESS SIGN — A sign, which directs attention to a use conducted, product, or commodities sold or services performed upon the premises. | ||
FREESTANDING SIGN — A self-supporting sign resting on the ground or supported by means of poles, standards, or other similar means in the ground. The height of freestanding signs shall be measured from the official street grade. | ||
POLITICAL SIGN — A temporary sign announcing or supporting political candidates in connection with any national, state, or local election. | ||
PUBLIC ISSUE SIGN — A temporary sign announcing or supporting a political issue. | ||
SIGN AREA — The area defined by the frame and edge of a sign. Where there is no frame or edge to the sign, the area shall be defined by a projected, enclosed, four-sided (straight sides) geometric shape which most closely outlines the shape of said sign. | ||
A wireless communications facility that meets the following criteria:
The wireless support structure on which antenna facilities are mounted:
Each antenna associated with the deployment (excluding the accessory equipment) is no more than three cubic feet in volume; and
All accessory equipment associated with the wireless support structure (excluding antennas) is cumulatively no more than 28 cubic feet in volume; and
The wireless communications facility does not require antenna structure registration under 47 CFR Part 17; and
The wireless communications facility is not located on Tribal lands, as defined under 36 CFR 800.16(x); and
The wireless communications facility does not result in human exposure to radiofrequency radiation in excess of the applicable safety standards specified in 47 CFR 1.1307(b).
A retail sales or wholesale establishment engaged in or marketed as selling tobacco, tobacco products/accessories, and/or vaping products and accessories. A retail sales establishment which maintains 10% or greater of its retail floor area as tobacco, tobacco products and/or accessories, and/or vaping products and accessories shall be considered a Smoke Shop and Tobacco Store for the purpose of this chapter. For the purposes of this chapter, a retail sales establishment which holds itself out as, or otherwise promotes or markets itself as, a tobacco store, a smoke shop, a vape shop, a cigar shop, or a similar establishment, shall also be considered a Smoke Shop and Tobacco Store for the purposes of this chapter.
An establishment where the smoking or sale of tobacco products is permitted. Examples of smoking lounges include, but are not limited to, cigar lounges, hookah lounges, vape lounges, tobacco clubs, tobacco bars, etc.
A group of people formally organized for a common interest, usually cultural, religious, or entertainment, with regular meetings, rituals, and formal written membership requirements.
An office devoted to social assistance services as defined in the 1997 NAICS United States Structure (Code 624), as amended, and including individual and family services; community food, emergency and relief services; and vocational rehabilitation services.
A property owner's right to have the sunlight shine on his land.
A complete design or assembly consisting of a solar energy collector, an energy storage facility (where used), and components for the distribution of transformed energy.
A device used to burn waste substances and in which all the combustion factors — temperature, retention time, turbulence, and combustion air — are controlled.
A disposal site licensed by the Commonwealth in which refuse and earth, or other suitable cover material, are deposited and compacted in alternative layers of specified depth in accordance with an approved plan.
An industry devoted to motion pictures and sound recording as defined in the 1997 NAICS United States Structure (Code 512), as amended, and including motion picture and video production, distribution, and postproduction; record production and distribution; music publication; and sound recording studios.
A use permitted in a particular zoning district pursuant to provisions of Parts 21 and 27, herein.
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, architecturally screened roof-mounted antennas, building-mounted antennas painted to match the existing structure, and facilities constructed to resemble trees, shrubs, and light poles.
The part of a building between the surface of any floor and the next floor above it or in its absence, the finished story if its floor level is six feet or more above the level of the line of the finished floor next below it. Any floor under a sloping roof at the top of a building, which is more than two feet below the top plate shall be counted as a story; and, if less than two feet below the top plate, it shall be counted as a half-story. A basement shall be counted as a story if it averages more than five feet above grade.
Includes street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, parkway, lane, alley, viaduct, and any other ways used or intended to be used by vehicular traffic or pedestrians whether public or private.
The center of the existing street right-of-way or, where such can not be determined, the center of the traveled cartway.
The outcome in a TND when streets form an interconnected network, both internal to the TND tract and external to other existing, adjoining streets or street rights-of-way.
The street line is the line determining the limit of the street or highway right-of-way, either existing or contemplated. Where a definite right-of-way width has not been established, the street line shall be assumed to be at a point 25 feet from the center line of the existing street.
The wall of a building adjoining a sidewalk at the edge of the street right-of-way, as in the case of a nonresidential use, or adjoining a porch, portico, stoop, or front yard landscaped area as in the case of a residential use; or approved architectural or landscaping elements at least 30 inches but not more than 48 inches in height, such as piers, benches, and hedges, in lieu of a building wall. A street wall shall extend the entire length of the edge of the street right-of-way, except where curb cuts, driveways and pedestrian access is provided.
The space formed between buildings adjoining the street, which is embellished with sidewalks, street trees, streetlights, curbs, on-street parking, and cartways. The streetscape is framed by buildings, which create the "outdoor room" character of the streets as shown in the Design Guidelines in § 22-507 of the SALDO.[5]
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
The division or redivision of a lot, tract or parcel of land by any means into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land including changes in existing lot lines for the purpose, whether immediate or future, or lease, partition by the court for distribution to heirs or devisees, transfer of ownership or building or lot development. Provided, however, that the subdivision by lease of land for agricultural purposed into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new street or easement of access or any residential dwelling, shall be exempted.
A modification substantially changes the physical dimensions of any support structure if it meets the criteria established by 47 CFR § 1.6100.
Definitions shall be in accordance with Chapter 23 of the Susquehanna Township Codified Ordinances, as follows:
IN-GROUND SWIMMING POOL — Any artificially constructed, belowground pool capable of being used for swimming or bathing, having a depth of two feet or more at any point. | |
PORTABLE POOL — Any artificially constructed, portable, aboveground pool capable of being used for swimming or bathing, having a depth of two feet or more at any point. | |
PRIVATE SWIMMING POOL — A pool that is not open to the public, that is not publicly owned, or not otherwise regulated by the State of Pennsylvania either by statute or by rules or regulations of one of its administrative bodies. |
An establishment which serves primarily alcoholic beverages for mostly on-premise consumption and which is licensed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Taverns may also serve food.
A secondary or higher educational facility primarily teaching usable skills that prepare students for jobs in a trade and meeting the state requirements as a vocational facility.
By virtue of engineering or spectrum usage, the proposed placement for a small wireless facility or its design or site location can be implemented without a material reduction in the functionality of the small wireless facility.
The scientific art and system of assessment, and manual application to the superficial soft tissue of the skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and the structures that lie in the superficial tissue using the hand, foot, knee, arm, elbow, forearm through the systematic external application of touch, stroking (effleurage), friction, vibration, percussion, kneading (petrissage), stretching, compression, passive and active joint movements within the normal physiological range of motion, and adjunctive external applications of water, heat, and cold. Therapeutic massage is a way to establish and maintain good muscle tone promoting relaxation, stimulating circulation, and producing therapeutic effects on the respiratory, nervous system, and the subtle interactions between these systems through the mind/body connections, in a safe, nonsexual environment that respects the client's self determined outcome for the session. Therapeutic massage may be offered in a variety of settings such as, health clubs, clinics, or beauty salons.
Tobacco Products shall include, without limitation, any substance containing tobacco leaf, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco or dipping tobacco, chewing tobacco, and related accessories, including, but not limited to, matches, lighters, grinders, hookahs, pipes, cigarette rolling machines or papers, ashtrays, pipe tools, pipe supplies and pipe accessories, and vaping products and accessories. Vaping Products and accessories include, without limitation, e-cigarette or vape cartridges or refills, vaporizers, vape pens, vapor products, hookah pens, electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, e-cigs, e-pipes, and any other electronic nicotine delivery system shall be deemed noncombustible Tobacco Products.
Any structure that is used for the primary purpose of supporting one or more antennae, including, but not limited to, self-supporting lattice towers, guy towers, and monopoles, and the accompanying antenna and accessory equipment.
Township of Susquehanna, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
A parcel of land that is the subject of a development application.
An area of land developed for a compatible mixture of residential and nonresidential uses, including buildings that provide for a mix of uses. Residences, shops, offices, workplaces, public buildings, and parks are interwoven within the neighborhood so that all are within relatively close proximity to each other. Traditional neighborhood development is relatively compact, limited in size and oriented toward pedestrian activity. It has an identifiable center and discernible edge. The center of the neighborhood is in the form of a public park, commons, plaza, square, or prominent intersection of two or more major streets. There is a hierarchy of streets laid out in a rectilinear pattern of interconnecting streets and blocks that provide multiple routes from origins to destinations, designed to serve the needs of pedestrians and vehicles.
The specific purpose for which land or a building is designated, arrange, intended, or for which it is or may be occupied or maintained. The term "permitted use" or its equivalent shall not be deemed to include a nonconforming use.
Relief granted by the zoning hearing board pursuant to the provisions of Article IX of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act of 1968, P.L. 805, No 247, as amended).
An area covered with a vegetative material — grass, shrubs, vines, and trees.
Any lot or structure used for dismantling motor vehicles for the purpose of selling for scrap or reselling used motor vehicle parts. The deposit or storage on a lot of two or more unlicensed, wrecked, or disabled vehicles, or the major part thereof, shall also be deemed to constitute a vehicle salvage/recycling facility. (A "disabled vehicle" is a vehicle intended to be self-propelled that shall not be operable under its own power for any reason or a vehicle that does not have a valid current registration plate or that has a certificate of inspection which is more than 60 days beyond the expiration date.)
A place where animals are given medical care and the boarding of animals is limited to short-term care incidental to the hospital use.
Land, structures and other appurtenances or improvements where municipal or residual waste disposal or processing is permitted or takes place or where hazardous waste is treated, stored or disposed. The term includes land thereby used or affected during the lifetime of operations, including areas where solid waste management actually occurs, support facilities, offices, equipment sheds, air and water pollution control and treatment systems, access roads, associated on-site or contiguous collection, transportation and storage facilities, closure and postclosure care and maintenance activities, contiguous borrow areas and other activities in which the natural land surface has been disturbed or used as a result of or incidental to operation of the facility. A waste facility must meet the requirements of Title 25 of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Code, Articles VII to Article IX and any state or federal act or laws, as applicable and amended, such as the Solid Waste Management Act, the Clean Streams Law, and all applicable federal regulation, such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA — 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 to 6992) and 40 CFR Parts 260 — 279. A waste disposal or processing plant may include landfills, incinerators, impoundment, transfer facilities, composting facilities, or resource recovery facilities as defined in the Pennsylvania Code.
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL — Materials which have the potential to damage health or impair safety. Hazardous materials include but are not limited to inorganic mineral acids or sulphur, fluorine, chlorine, nitrogen, chromium, phosphorous, selenium, and arsenic and their common salts; lead, nickel, and mercury and their inorganic salts or metallo-organic derivatives; coal tar acids, such as phenois and cresois, and their salts; petroleum products; and radioactive materials. Also included are floatable materials with the potential to cause physical damage, such as logs, storage tanks, and large containers. | |
HAZARDOUS WASTE — Wastes that, in sufficient quantities and concentrations, pose a threat to human life, human health, or the environment when improperly stored, transported, treated or disposed. In regulating hazardous waste, Pennsylvania uses a Federal list of over 600 specific wastes. Other wastes are designated "hazardous" if they contain any of the following characteristics: ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic. Mixtures of hazardous and nonhazardous waste are also labeled hazardous. The hazardous waste designation does not include low-level radioactive waste, which is covered under separate state and federal rules. | |
MUNICIPAL WASTE — Garbage, refuse, industrial lunchroom or office waste and other material, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous material resulting from operation of residential, municipal, commercial or institutional establishments and from community activities; and sludge not meeting the definition of residual or hazardous waste under this Section from a municipal, commercial or institutional water supply treatment plant, waste water treatment plant or air pollution control facility. | |
RESIDUAL WASTE — Garbage, refuse, other discarded material or other waste, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous materials resulting from industrial, mining and agricultural operations and sludge from an industrial, mining or agricultural water supply treatment facility, wastewater treatment facility or air pollution control facility, if it is not hazardous. The term does not include coal refuse as defined in the Coal Refuse Disposal Control Act. |
The Pennsylvania Wireless Broadband Collocation Act (53 P.S. § 11702.1 et seq.).
Establishments or places of business primarily engaged in selling new durable or nondurable goods to retailers; industrial, commercial, institutional, or professional business users; to other wholesalers; or acting as agents or brokers and buying merchandise for, or selling merchandise to, such individuals or companies.
DURABLE GOODS WHOLESALERS — Wholesalers of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and supplies; furniture and home furnishings; lumber and other construction materials; professional and commercial equipment and supplies; metal and minerals; electrical goods; hardware, plumbing and heating equipment and supplies; machinery, equipment, and supplies; and miscellaneous durable goods. | |
NONDURABLE GOODS WHOLESALERS — Wholesalers of paper and paper products; drugs and druggist sundries; apparel, piece goods, and notions; groceries and related products; farm product raw materials: chemical and allied products; petroleum and petroleum products; beer, wine, and distilled alcoholic beverages; and miscellaneous nondurable goods. |
Transmissions through the airwaves, including, but not limited to, infrared line-of-sight, cellular, PCS, microwave, satellite, or radio signals.
An antenna facility or a wireless support structure that is used for the provision of wireless service, whether such service is provided on a stand-alone basis or commingled with other wireless communications services.
Any person that applies for a wireless communication facility building permit, zoning approval, and/or permission to use the public right-of-way (ROW) or other Township-owned land or property.
A pole, tower, base station, or other building, whether or not it has an existing antenna facility that is used or is to be used for the provision of wireless service (whether on its own or commingled with other types of services).
An open space that lies between the principal building or buildings and the nearest lot line or street line.
YARD, BUFFER — A yard covered with vegetation and intended to provide an area of separation between different districts or uses. | |
YARD, FRONT — An open unoccupied space on the same lot with a main building, extending the full width of the lot and situated between the street line and the front line of the building projected to the side lines of the lot. The depth of the front yard shall be measured between the front line of the building and the street lines. | |
YARD, REAR — An open unoccupied space on the same lot with a main building, extending the full width of the lot and situated between the full width of the lot and situated between the real line of the lot and the rear line of the building projected to the side lines of the lot. The depth of the rear yard shall be measured between the rear line of the lot and the rear line of the building. A building shall not extend into the required rear yard. | |
YARD, SIDE — An open unoccupied space n the same lot with the building between the building and the side line of the lot and extending from the front yard to the rear yard. Any lot line not a rear line or a front line shall be deemed a side line. A building shall not extend into the required side yards. | |
YIELD PLAN — One of two methods of determining the maximum number of permitted dwelling units in a conservation subdivision where the yield plan is a conceptual layout plan in accordance with the standards of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, containing proposed lots, streets, rights-of-way, and other pertinent features. Although the yield plan is drawn to scale, it need not be based on a field survey. The yield plan is based on a chosen density factor of a given conservation subdivision option and is applied to the gross tract acreage. The actual methodology is provided in Susquehanna Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. The other method is the adjusted tract area approach. |
Refers to the Zoning Hearing Board of Susquehanna Township.
The official zoning map of Susquehanna Township adopted under the Susquehanna Township Zoning Ordinance, together with all amendments thereto subsequently adopted.
The duly constituted municipal official designated to administer and enforce this Chapter. The Zoning Officer shall administer this Chapter in accordance with its literal terms.
The Susquehanna Township Zoning Ordinance, as amended.
A permit stating that the purpose for which a building or land is to be used is in conformity with the uses permitted and all other requirements under this Chapter for the zone in which it is located or is to be located.