This article contains general regulations which apply to all
districts, unless otherwise stated.
For any building or group of buildings on a lot, the building
and impervious coverages shall not exceed the maximum percentages
specified in Table 337-21.
No structure shall exceed the maximum height above basic grade
specified in Table 337-21, provided that:
A. No residential use, except townhouses or an apartment structure,
where permitted, may exceed a height of 35 feet or three stories.
B. A structure for any permitted, special exception or conditional use
in any district may exceed the maximum permitted height, provided
that every required yard is increased by one foot for each additional
foot of height.
C. The height regulations of this chapter shall not apply to television
and radio towers, church spires, belfries, monuments, tanks, water
or fire towers, ornamental towers, spires, chimneys, elevator bulkheads
and smokestacks.
No structure, whether attached to the principal structure or
not and whether open or enclosed, including porches, carports, balconies
and platforms above basic grade level, shall project into any required
front, side or rear yard, except as provided below:
A. Minor utility fixtures, unenclosed patios and articles of decoration
around a main building may be located in any required yard.
B. A buttress, chimney, cornice, pier or pilaster extending no more
than two feet from the wall of the principal structure may be located
in any required yard.
C. Accessory structures and uses. Structures accessory to single-family
residences may extend into required rear and side yards, but not closer
than five feet to rear and side yard lot lines.
D. Front yards.
(1) Up to 1/3 of the required front yard may be occupied by an unenclosed
ground floor "open porch." Such porch may be screened and include
a roof, but shall not include a second floor.
(2) The Zoning Officer may authorize the projection of a principal structure
into a required front yard on a lot located between two structures
which may be nonconforming with respect to the front yard, provided
that the resulting front yard shall not be less than the median front
yard of the two adjacent structures.
(3) Subject to §
337-12, the provisions of §
337-11 shall not apply to terraces, steps, wheelchair ramps,
uncovered porches, or other similar features not over three feet high
above grade level.
E. Side yards.
(1) Bays, balconies, unenclosed porches, unenclosed decks, chimneys,
flues, and fire escapes may project into a required side yard not
more than four feet.
(2) Subject to §
337-12, the provisions of §
337-11 shall not apply to unroofed patios, steps, uncovered porches
or decks or other similar features not over three feet high above
the average ground level or to wheelchair ramps.
F. Rear yards.
(1) Up to 1/3 of the required minimum rear yard may be occupied by an
unenclosed ground floor rear porch or wood deck, with or without a
roof.
(2) Subject to §
337-12, the provisions of §
337-11 shall not apply to terraces, steps, uncovered porches,
wheelchair ramps or similar features not over three feet high above
the average grade level.
(3) If a fence is placed within an easement, the City may require the
construction of a gate to allow access for the easement purposes.
A fence shall not obstruct drainage in a drainage easement. Where
a fence may be allowed in an easement, the owner shall assume responsibility
and cost to remove the fence if needed to accomplish work authorized
by the easement.
G. Off-street parking and driveways.
(1) No required yard in any district shall be used for parking vehicles
except on a driveway.
(2) In single-family developments, not more than 25% of the front yard
may be devoted to driveway access.
(3) In single-family attached developments, not more than 50% of the
front yard may be devoted to driveway access.
(4) In multiple-family developments, not more than 50% of the front yard
may be devoted to driveway access.
(5) In nonresidential districts, driveway access shall be as permitted
by site plan approval.
H. Fences.
(1) Residential uses.
(a)
A fence may be erected into any required side or rear yard if
the fence is no more than six feet in height for residential uses.
(b)
A fence which is at least 50% open as to construction and which
is no more than four feet high may be erected in any required residential
front yard.
(2) Nonresidential uses.
(a)
A chain-link-type fence not more than 10 feet in height may
be erected in any required yard for schools, playgrounds or parks.
(b)
A chain-link-type fence not more than 10 feet in height may
be erected in any required yard for industrial uses or commercial
uses. A solid fence no more than 10 feet high may be erected in any
required commercial or industrial yard with the approval of the Zoning
Officer.
This section shall only regulate exterior lighting that spills
across lot lines or onto public streets.
A. Streetlighting exempted. This section shall not apply to:
(1) Sreetlighting
that is owned, financed or maintained by the City or the state; or
(2) An
individual porch light of less than six feet total height in a front
yard (not including a spotlight).
B. Height of lights. No luminaire, spotlight or other light source that
is within 200 feet of a lot line of an existing dwelling or approved
residential lot shall be placed at a height exceeding 35 feet above
the average surrounding ground level. This limitation shall not apply
to lights needed for air safety nor lights intended solely to illuminate
an architectural feature of a building, nor lighting of outdoor public
recreation facilities or a ski resort.
C. Diffused. All light sources, including signs, shall be properly diffused
as needed with a translucent or similar cover to prevent exposed bulbs
from being directly visible from streets, public sidewalks, dwellings
or adjacent lots.
D. Shielding. All light sources, including signs, shall be shielded
around the light source and carefully directed and placed to prevent
the lighting from creating a nuisance to reasonable persons in adjacent
dwellings, and to prevent the lighting from shining into the eyes
of passing motorists.
E. Flickering. Flashing, flickering or strobe lighting are prohibited,
except for nonadvertising seasonal lights between October 25 and January
10.
F. Spillover. Exterior lighting on an institutional, commercial or industrial
property shall not cause a spillover of light onto a residential lot
that exceeds 1.0 horizontal footcandle at a distance 10 feet inside
the residential lot line.
G. Gasoline sales canopies. Any canopy over gasoline pumps shall have
light fixtures recessed into the canopy or screened by an extension
around the bottom of the canopy so that lighting elements are not
visible from another lot or street.
H. Lighting of horizontal surfaces. For the lighting of predominantly horizontal surfaces such as parking areas and vehicle sales areas, lighting fixtures shall be aimed downward and shall include full cutoff measures as needed to properly direct the light and to meet the maximum spillover requirements of Subsection
F and to prevent glare onto streets. The municipality may require that light fixtures for nonresidential uses be placed along the street and be aimed away from the street in a manner that also minimizes light shining onto residential lots.
I. Lighting of nonhorizontal surfaces. For lighting of predominantly
nonhorizontal surfaces such as building walls and wall signs, lighting
fixtures shall be fully shielded and shall be aimed so as to not project
light towards neighboring residences or past the object being illuminated
or skyward. Any lighting of a flag shall use a beam no wider than
necessary to illuminate the flag. Lighting of a billboard should be
attached to the top of the billboard and project downward. However,
lighting shall be allowed of the United States flag from dusk to dawn,
provided the light source shall have a beam spread no greater than
necessary to illuminate the flag.
Temporary structures and trailers used in conjunction with construction
work may be permitted only during the period that the construction
work is in progress. Permits for other temporary structures may be
issued for six-month periods, but such permits shall not be renewed
except as a special exception when approved by the Board.
All uses shall comply with the requirements of this section.
In order to determine whether a proposed use will conform to the requirements
of this chapter, the Council may obtain a qualified consultant to
testify, whose cost for services shall be borne by the applicant.
A. Fire protection. Fire prevention and firefighting equipment acceptable
to the City Fire Official shall be readily available when any activity
involving the handling or storage of flammable or explosive materials
is carried on.
B. Electrical disturbances. No activity shall cause electrical disturbance
adversely affecting radio or other equipment in the vicinity.
C. Noise. Noise which is determined to be objectionable because of volume,
frequency or beat shall be muffled or otherwise controlled. Fire sirens
and related apparatus used solely for public purposes shall be exempt
from this requirement.
D. Vibrations. Vibrations detectable without instruments on neighboring
property in any district shall be prohibited.
E. Odors. No malodorous gas or matter shall be permitted which is discernible
on any adjoining lot or property.
F. Air pollution. No pollution of air by fly ash, dust, smoke, vapors
or other substance shall be permitted which is harmful to health,
animals, vegetation or other property.
G. Glare. Lighting devices which produce objectionable direct or reflected
glare on adjoining properties or thoroughfares shall not be permitted.
H. Erosion. No erosion by wind or water shall be permitted which will
carry objectionable substances onto neighboring properties.
I. Water pollution. No water pollution as defined by the standards established
by the state and federal governments shall be permitted.
J. Hazardous materials. Any person, partnership or corporation proposing
to dump wastes or hazardous materials on any land within Clairton
must first obtain certificates from the United States Environmental
Protection Agency and appropriate Pennsylvania and Allegheny County
agencies to certify that such wastes and materials are not hazardous
to the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of Clairton
and the surrounding region.