Borough of Littlestown, PA General Provisions

Word usage. Words and phrases shall be presumed to have their ordinary meaning, unless defined or interpreted differently within this section. Disputes concerning the definitions or interpretations of a word shall be resolved in accordance with § 500-43, Appeals before Zoning Hearing Board, of this chapter.

Language interpretations. For the purpose of this chapter, certain grammatical forms and words shall assume a different interpretation than is assumed in common usage, as follows:

(1)

All present and future tenses shall be interchangeable;

(2)

All genders shall be interchangeable;

(3)

The singular and plural shall be interchangeable;

(4)

The word "shall" is always mandatory;

(5)

The phrases "used for" includes "arranged for," "designed for," "intended for," "maintained for," or "occupied for";

(6)

The word "person" includes an individual, corporation, partnership, incorporated association or any other similar entity;

(7)

The word "includes" (or "including") shall not limit the term to the specified example, but is intended to extend its meaning to all other instances of like kind and character.

Definitions. The following words and phrases have the meaning given in this section, as follows:

[Amended 8-27-1996 by Ord. No. 478]

ACCESS DRIVE

A paved surface, other than a street, which provides vehicular access from a street or private road to a lot.

ACCESSORY BUILDING

A building detached from, subordinate to, and on the same lot with the main building and used for purposes customarily incidental thereto. An accessory building shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

[Amended 10-8-2019 by Ord. No. 693]

(1)

CAR PORTA roofed structure for which the sole purpose is protection of motor vehicles. It may be attached to the principal structure on no more than two sides and may not be enclosed on any other dimension. It may cover all or part of a driveway, but may be no closer than two feet from the adjoining property line. The structure must be set back as much or more than the principal building. Building materials shall conform to any building or fire codes and to the principal building.

(2)

GARAGE, PRIVATEA permanent structure, either attached to or separate from a principal building, used primarily for storage of automobiles or other large motorized vehicles. The setback for all private garages located on a service drive or alley shall be 20 feet. (See also appropriate front and side yard setback requirements.)

(3)

GAZEBOA temporary or permanent structure used as a pavilion or summer house which shall be at least five feet from the side and rear property lines. The structure shall be separated from the front property line by a distance equal to at least the front building setback line.

(4)

PET HOUSEA temporary or permanent structure used to house domestic animals allowable by Borough ordinance which shall be placed only in the rear yard a distance from the adjoining property equal to the length of the leash restraining such animal, but no less than five feet from the side and rear property lines. The structure shall be separated from the front property line by a distance equal to at least the front building setback line.

(5)

UTILITY OR STORAGE BUILDINGA temporary or permanent structure used primarily for storage or workshop which shall not be used for storage of automobiles or other large motorized vehicles. The side yard setback shall be two feet. The rear yard setback shall be 15 feet for any building with a door larger than four feet in width, and facing adjoining property or a service drive or alley; otherwise, the rear yard setback shall be two feet. The structure shall be separated from the front property line by a distance equal to at least the front building setback line.

ACCESSORY USE

A use incidental to, and on the same lot as, a principal use. Off-street parking need not be located on the same lot.

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES

Any business function in which there is no regular contact with the general public and no materials, products, goods, or prepared foods are stored except for office consumption.

ADULT ENTERTAINMENT USE

An establishment having a substantial or significant portion of its stock or trade, movies, shows, books, magazines, and other periodicals which are distinguished or characterized by their emphasis on matter depicting, describing, or relating to sexual activities or specific anatomical areas. Such uses are prohibited within the Borough.

AGE-QUALIFIED HOUSING

A primarily residential development which is authorized under the Federal Fair Housing Act, as amended by the Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995, which requires that dwellings be limited to those:

[Added 9-25-2007 by Ord. No. 612]

(1)

Intended for, and solely occupied by, persons 62 years of age or older; or

(2)

Intended and operated for occupancy by persons 55 years of age or older, provided:

(a)

At least 80% of the occupied units are occupied by at least one person who is 55 years of age or older;

(b)

The housing development publishes and adheres to policies and procedures that demonstrate the intent to provide housing for persons 55 years of age or older;

(c)

The housing development complies with federal rules regarding the verification of occupancy, which shall:

[1]

Provide for verification by reliable surveys and affidavits; and

[2]

Include examples of the types of policies and procedures relevant to a determination of compliance with the age requirement.

ALLEY (SERVICE DRIVE)

A minor way, whether or not legally dedicated, intended and used primarily for vehicular service access to the rear or side of properties which abut on a street, and not intended for the purpose of through vehicular traffic.

ALTERATIONS

Any change, addition, or modification in construction of an existing structure.

APARTMENT

A dwelling unit within a multiple-dwelling-unit building.

APARTMENT BUILDING

A group of multifamily dwellings, designed for rental or condominium ownership of the individual housekeeping units.

[Added 4-23-2019 by Ord. No. 692]

APARTMENT, CONVERSION

An existing dwelling unit that is or was converted to individual dwellings for more than one family, without substantially altering the exterior of the building.

APPLICANT

A landowner or developer, as hereinafter defined, who has filed an application for development, including his heirs, successors, and assigns.

ASSISTED LIVING UNIT

A living arrangement within a continuing care retirement community that provides housing and support services for one or more persons who may require assistance with daily living activities but do not require twenty-four-hour skilled nursing and medical care. Such assistance may include the provision of meals, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, daily personal care, programmed social activities, and dispensing of medications.

[Added 5-24-2011 by Ord. No. 650]

AUTOMOTIVE GARAGE

Any premises used for the repair of vehicles, but not including automotive wrecking.

BASEMENT

That portion of a building more than half the height of which (measured to the ceiling) is above grade level. A basement shall be considered a building story.

BAY WINDOW

A window structure projecting beyond the main wall plane.

[Added 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 517[1]]

BED-AND-BREAKFAST ESTABLISHMENT

A business providing for sleeping arrangements and breakfasts in a residential environment for transient guests in return for compensation to the owner of the establishment.

BEDROOM

Any rooms used principally for sleeping purposes, an all-purpose room, a study, or a den, provided that no room having less than 100 square feet of floor area shall be considered a bedroom.

BOROUGH

The Borough of Littlestown.

BRACKET

A support element under eaves, shelves, or other overhangs, often more decorative than functional.

[Added 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 517[2]]

BUILDING

A combination of materials to form a structure having walls and a roof, including but not limited to all mobile homes and trailers.

BUILDING AREA

The area of a horizontal section of a building.

BUILDING HEIGHT

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 average height between eaves and ridge of gable, hip and gambrel roofs. Chimneys, spires, towers, mechanical penthouses, tanks and similar projections of the building not intended for human occupancy shall not be included in calculating building height. If there are two or more separate roofs of a single building, the height of such building shall be calculated from the highest roof.

BUILDING SETBACK LINE

The minimum required distance between the face of any structure to be erected, and the related front, side, or rear property line. This face as measured to the major portion of the structure includes sun parlors, foyers, and bay windows.

BULK

A term describing the size of buildings or other structures and their relationship to each other, to open areas such as yards and to lot lines and includes: the size, height, and floor area of buildings and other structures, the relationship of the number of dwelling units in a residential building to the area of the lot (usually called density); and all open areas in yard space relating to buildings and other structures.

CANDELA

The standard unit of luminous intensity in the International System of Units, and roughly equivalent to the luminous intensity of a single wax candle.

[Added 4-26-2016 by Ord. No. 678]

CARTWAY

The paved travel lanes of a street.

CEMETERY

Land used or intended to be used for the burial of the deceased, including columbariums, crematories, mausoleums, and mortuaries when operated in conjunction with the cemetery and within the boundaries.

CELLAR

That portion of a building more than half the height of which (measured to the ceiling) is below grade level. A cellar shall not be considered a building story.

CENTER LINE OF STREET

See "street, center line of."

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

A certificate issued and enforced by the Code Enforcement 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 certified that all requirements and regulations as provided herein, as well as all other applicable requirements, have been satisfied.

CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLE

An area of unobstructed vision at street intersections defined by lines of sight between points at a given distance from the intersection of the street center lines.

[Added 4-26-2004 by Ord. No. 573]

CLOSE PROXIMITY

A distance of no more that 1/2 mile.

[Added 9-25-2007 by Ord. No. 612]

COLOR RENDERING INDEX (CRI)

A measurement of the amount of color shift that objects undergo when lighted by a light source as compared with the color of those same objects when seen under a reference light source of comparable color temperature, and expressed on a scale of 1 to 100, where 100 indicates no color shift.

[Added 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. 621]

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY (CCRC)

A residential community designed to provided independent and assisted-living arrangements for person(s) aged 55 years and older as part of a planned community, where said planned community may also include nursing services, medical services, and other health- and lifestyle-related services.

[Added 5-24-2011 by Ord. No. 650]

COMMERCIAL DAY-CARE FACILITY

A facility enrolling four or more children not related to the provider and where compensation for the instruction and care of the children is charged.

COMMERCIAL INDOOR RECREATION

A commercial recreation land us conducted entirely within a building. Commercial indoor recreation uses are deemed to include arcades, athletic and health clubs, bowling alleys, gymnasiums, pool or billiard halls, skating rinks, swimming pools, tennis or racquetball courts, and similar uses.

[Amended 1-28-2003 by Ord. No. 555; 5-27-2003 by Ord. No. 560]

COMMERCIAL RECREATION

Any establishment whose main purpose is to provide the general public with an amusing or entertaining activity and where tickets are sold or fees are collected for activity.

[Added 5-27-2003 by Ord. No. 560]

COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA

Any antenna device used for the wireless transmission or reception of radio, television, telephone, pager, mobile radio or any other wireless communication, including, but not limited to, omnidirectional, whip, directional or panel antennas owned or operated by any person or entity licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to operate such devices. This definition shall not include private, residence-mounted radio, television, citizens band or amateur radio antennas or their supporting structures.

[Added 10-28-2008 by Ord. No. 631]

COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT BUILDING

A normally unmanned building or cabinet containing communications equipment required for the operation of a communications antenna.

[Added 10-28-2008 by Ord. No. 631]

COMMUNICATIONS TOWER

A structure other than a building, such as a monopole, self-supporting or guyed tower, designed and used to support communications antennas.

[Added 10-28-2008 by Ord. No. 631]

CONDOMINIUM

Real estate, portions of which are designed for separate ownership and the remainder of which is designated for common use solely by the owners of those portions. Real estate is not a condominium unless the undivided interests in the common elements are vested in the unit owners.

CORNICE

Projecting, ornamental molding along the top of a building or wall, usually in association with an eave.

[Added 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 517[3]]

COUNTY

The County of Adams, Pennsylvania.

CROSS GABLE

A gable set perpendicularly to the primary gable of a building.

[Added 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 517[4]]

DENSITY

The proportionate amount of land allocated for each primary use.

DENTIL

One of a series of small rectangular blocks forming a molding or projection beneath a cornice.

[Added 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 517[5]]

DEVELOPER

Any landowner, agent of such landowner, tenant with the permission of such landowner, or one authorized and empowered by a landowner, who makes or causes to be made a subdivision of land or a land development or a resubdivision.

DORMER

A roofed structure housing a vertical window that projects from a pitched roof.

[Added 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 517[6]]

DRIVEWAY

The vehicular entrance and exit for land use.

DRIVE-THROUGH BUSINESS

An establishment, which by design, physical facilities, service, or by packaging procedures encourages or permits customers to receive services, obtain goods, or be entertained while remaining in their motor vehicles.

DUPLEX

A building used by two families, with one dwelling unit arranged over the other.

DWELLING

Any building which is designed for human living quarters, but not including hotels, boarding houses, tourist cabins, motels and other accommodations used for transient occupancy.

DWELLING, MULTIFAMILY

A building used by three or more families living independently of each other and doing their own cooking, including apartment houses.

DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED

A building used by one family and having two party walls in common with other buildings, such as a row house or townhouse.

DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED

A building containing one dwelling unit, and having no party wall in common with adjacent property.

DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY SEMI-DETACHED

A building containing one dwelling unit, and having one party wall in common with an adjacent property.

DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY

A building containing two dwelling units, arranged either in a side-by-side fashion sharing one common party wall or with one unit arranged over the other.

DWELLING UNIT

An independent housekeeping unit consisting of living quarters of one or more rooms with cooking, sleeping, and sanitary facilities, arranged for use by one or more individuals.

EAVE

The projecting overhang at the lower edge of a roof.

[Added 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 517[7]]

ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER

Any sign or portion of a sign that uses changing illumination to form a message in text form wherein the message and the rate of change of such message is electronically programmed and can be modified by electronic processes. Illumination sources include, but are not limited to, light emitting diodes (LEDs), fiber optics, light bulbs, liquid crystal display (LCD), or other similar forms of illumination.

[Added 4-26-2016 by Ord. No. 678]

FACADE

The exterior wall of a building exposed to public view or that wall viewed by persons not within the building.

FACADE, FRONT

The facade parallel or nearly parallel to the public or private street upon which the building has its primary frontage. The front facade contains the primary entrance to the building.

FACADE, SIDE

The facade parallel or nearly parallel to the side property line of the building.

FAMILY

Any number of persons living together as a single housekeeping unit and doing their cooking on the premises, as distinguished from a group occupying a boarding or rooming house, or hotel.[8]

FENCE

An unroofed, artificially constructed barrier generally composed of posts, wire, and/or boards intended to prevent escape or intrusion, to mark a boundary, or for aesthetic purposes.

FENCE, ORNAMENTAL

A fence consisting of wrought iron, galvanized steel, aluminum, vinyl, wood or similar materials fabricated into a design with specific pattern elements or ornamentation.

[Added 10-28-2008 by Ord. No. 630]

FLOOR AREA

The sum of the gross livable area of the several floors of a building or buildings measured from the face of exterior walls or from center lines of walls separating two buildings. Floor area includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(1)

Basement space;

(2)

Elevator shafts, stairwells, and attic space (whether or not a floor has been laid) providing structural headroom of eight feet or more;

(3)

Roofed terraces, exterior balconies, breezeways, or porches, provided that over 50% of the perimeter of these is enclosed;

(4)

Any other floor space used for dwelling purposes, no matter where located within the building;

(5)

Accessory buildings, excluding space used for accessory off-street parking or for loading berths; and

(6)

Any other floor space not specifically excluded, excluding space used for air-conditioning machinery or cooling towers and similar mechanical equipment serving the building and cellar space.

FOOTCANDLE

A measure of light falling on a surface. One footcandle is equal to the amount of light generated by one candle shining on one square foot surface located one foot away.

[Added 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. 621]

FULL-CUTOFF FIXTURE

A light fixture that, by design of the housing, does not allow any light dispersion or direct glare to shine above a ninety-degree angle measured horizontally from the base of the housing.

[Added 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. 621]

GABLE

A triangular wall segment at the end of a double-pitched roof.

[Added 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 517[9]]

GARAGE, PRIVATE

See "accessory building."

GARDEN APARTMENT

A small apartment building, limited in height to three stories or less.

[Amended 4-23-2019 by Ord. No. 692]

GASOLINE SERVICE STATION

A parcel, and associated structure thereon, used for:

(1)

The retail sale of motor fuel and lubricants and incidental services, such as lubrication and hand washing of motor vehicles; and

(2)

The sale, installation, or minor repair of tires, batteries, or other automotive accessories.

GLARE

Light that hinders or bothers the human eye.

[Added 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. 621]

GREEN SPACE

A percentage which when multiplied by the lot area will determine the minimum required landscaped area of a lot.

[Added 7-28-1998 by Ord. No. 497]

GROUP HOME

A facility providing shelter, counseling, and other rehabilitative services in a family-like environment for no more than 10 residents and such supervisory personnel as required by the licensing agency. Such facilities may provide supervisory and rehabilitative services, but medical care of nursing shall not be permitted.

HEIGHT OF SIGN

The vertical distance measured from ground level to the highest point on the sign or its supporting structure.

HOME OCCUPATION

Any use customarily conducted entirely within a dwelling or in a building accessory thereto and carried on by the inhabitants residing therein, provided that the use is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for residential purposes, and that the use exceeds the limitations of a "no-impact home-based business" as defined herein.

[Amended 1-28-2003 by Ord. No. 555]

HORIZONTAL LUMINANCE

A measurement of light illuminating a horizontal surface at grade.

[Added 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. 621]

HOTEL

A building consisting of lodging rooms designed or occupied primarily as the temporary place of abode of individuals who are lodged for compensation (with or without meals), in which provisions for cooking are generally not made in individual rooms or suites.

INDEPENDENT LIVING UNIT

A living arrangement within a continuing care retirement community in which residents live independently while having access to all common facilities and services of the community, but without the inclusive supportive services typically associated with assisted living or nursing or skilled units.

[Added 5-24-2011 by Ord. No. 650]

INFILL

A building or structure constructed on a vacant lot within a previously developed area of the Borough.

JUNKYARD

An area of land with or without buildings, used for the storage, outside a completely enclosed building, of used and discarded materials including, but not limited to, wastepaper, rags, metal, building materials, house furnishings, machinery, vehicles, or parts thereof, with or without the dismantling, processing, salvage, sale, or other use or disposition of the same. The deposit or storage on a lot of two or more unlicensed, wrecked, or disabled vehicles, or the major part thereof, shall be deemed to constitute a junkyard.

LAND DEVELOPMENT

Any of the following activities:

(1)

The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts, or parcels of land for any purpose involving:

(a)

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

(b)

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.

(2)

A subdivision of land.

(3)

Development in accordance with Section 503(1.1) of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 170, as amended.[10]

LIGHT TRESPASS

Light from an artificial light source that intrudes into an area where it is not wanted or does not belong.

[Added 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. 621]

LIVING AREA

The total floor area within a dwelling unit devoted to occupiable space. In calculating the living area for a dwelling unit, the floor area devoted to closets, or other storage areas, internal or external stairwells, and utility rooms shall not be included in the calculations.

LOT

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 (SIZE) AREA

The area contained within the property lines of a lot, excluding any street right-of-way or driveway easement providing access to an adjoining property, or officially designated floodplain located on the lot. Lot area requirements for residential uses as listed in this chapter shall be per dwelling unit unless specified otherwise.

LOT, CORNER

A lot abutting on, and at the intersection of, two or more streets. Front building setback line requirements shall be applied along all property lines abutting streets, and side setback lines shall be applied along all other property lines.

LOT COVERAGE

The area of any lot covered by buildings, driveways, and parking lots (whether paved or provided with crushed stone, pavers, or similar surface), sidewalks, swimming pools, or other similar structural features.

[Amended 3-8-2022 by Ord. No. 704[11]

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.

LUMINAIRE

A complete lighting unit, often referred to as a "light fixture." A luminaire consists of the light source, optical reflector and housing, an electrical components for safely starting and operating the source.

[Added 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. 621]

MEDICAL FACILITIES

Facilities for the examination and treatment of ill and afflicted human outpatients; provided, however, that patients are not kept overnight except under emergency conditions and includes doctor's and dental offices and clinics.

MIXED-USE PROPERTY

A property that includes, or is proposed to include, two or more principal uses.

[Added 10-8-2019 by Ord. No. 693[12]]

MOBILE HOME

A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for permanent occupancy, contained in one unit, or in two or more units designated 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.

MOBILE HOME PARK

A parcel or contiguous parcels of land, which has been so designated that it contains two or more mobile home lots for the placement thereon of mobile homes.

MOLDING

A continuous decorative band that is either carved or applied to a surface.

[Added 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 517[13]]

MOTEL

A building or group of buildings, whether detached or in connected units, containing individual sleeping or dwelling units and used primarily for transient automobile travelers, together with off-street parking facilities. The terms "automobile court," "tourist court," "motor lodge," and "motor hotel" shall be used interchangeably with the term "motel," and shall have the meaning set forth in this section.

MULTIFAMILY DWELLING

See "dwelling, multifamily."

NIT

A unit of measurement of luminance equal to one candela per square meter.

[Added 4-26-2016 by Ord. No. 678]

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 vehicle or pedestrian, pickup, delivery or removal functions to or from the premises, in excess of those normally associated with residential use.

[Added 1-28-2003 by Ord. No. 555]

NONCONFORMING BUILDING

A building or part thereof manifestly not designed to comply with the applicable used provisions of the Zoning Ordinance of the Borough of Littlestown or amendments hereto or hereafter enacted, where such building lawfully existed prior to the enactment of this chapter.

NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE

A structure or part of a structure manifestly not designed to comply with the applicable use or extent of use provision in the Zoning Ordinance of the Borough of Littlestown or amendment hereto or hereafter enacted, 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.

NONCONFORMING USE

A use, whether of land or of structure, which does not comply with the applicable use provisions of the Zoning Ordinance of the Borough of Littlestown or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such was lawfully in existence 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.

NON-CUTOFF FIXTURE

A light fixture that by design of the housing, allows a considerable amount of its light to shine above a ninety-degree angle measured horizontally from the base of the housing.

[Added 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. 621]

NURSING OR SKILLED UNIT

A living arrangement within a continuing care retirement community which is licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and provides board, shelter, and twenty-four-hour nursing and medical care to a single chronic or convalescent patient.

[Added 5-24-2011 by Ord. No. 650]

OPEN SPACE

Area within or related to a development, not within individually owned lots, and which is designed and intended for the common use and enjoyment of the residents of a development. Open space shall not include stormwater management facilities, wetland areas, or other features that preclude the common use and enjoyment by the residents.

[Added 9-25-2007 by Ord. No. 612]

OUTDOOR WOOD-FIRED BOILER

[Added 1-12-2012 by Ord. No. 642]

(1)

A fuel-burning device that is:

(a)

Designed to burn wood or other solid fuels;

(b)

Designed for outdoor installation or for installation in structures, including but not necessarily limited to garages and sheds, not normally intended for habitation by humans or domestic animals; and

(c)

Intended to heat building space and/or water through the distribution, typically through pipes, of a fluid heated in and by the device, where such fluid is typically water or a mixture of water and antifreeze.

(2)

Outdoor wood-fired boilers are also known as "wood-fired furnaces," "outdoor wood-burning appliances," "outdoor hydronic heaters," "water stoves," or similar terms.

PARKING LOT

Any lot, municipally or privately owned for off-street parking facilities, providing for the transient storage of automobiles or motor-driven vehicles.

PARKING SPACE

The space within a building or a lot or parking lot for the parking or storage of one motor vehicle off the right-of-way of a public street or road. Said space shall measure 10 feet by 20 feet.

PILASTER

A usually nonstructural column partially embedded in a wall.

[Added 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 517[14]]

PLANTING UNIT

A unit of measure to determine the quantity of plantings required in a development project. For the purposes of this chapter, one planting unit equals one deciduous tree with an anticipated mature height of greater than 35 feet, two deciduous trees with an anticipated mature height of less than 35 feet but greater than 15 feet, two evergreen trees of anticipated mature height of at least 15 feet, or five shrubs of anticipated mature height of at least five feet.

[Added 9-25-2007 by Ord. No. 612]

PRIVATE

Any procedure limited to members of an organization or to persons specifically invited where no advertisement or inducement has been made to the general public.

PUBLIC

Any procedure in which the general public is involved.

(1)

HEALTHThe preservation of the general physical well-being of the public.

(2)

SAFETYThe protection of the security of the public.

(3)

WELFAREThe encouragement of all matters necessary to community life.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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.

QUOIN

Units of stone or brick used to accentuate the corners of buildings.

[Added 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 517[15]]

RENTAL STORAGE, EXTERIOR

A commercial facility in which customers can rent space to store possessions and where the individual storage spaces are entered via exterior doorways.

[Added 10-8-2019 by Ord. No. 693]

RENTAL STORAGE, INTERIOR

A commercial facility in which customers can rent space to store possessions and where the individual storage spaces are entered from the inside of the building.

[Added 10-8-2019 by Ord. No. 693]

REPAIR

A function involved in the correcting of deficiencies affecting the performance ability of products or goods.

RETAIL

Any public procedure involving a sale.

RIGHT-OF-WAY

A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, forced dedication, prescription, or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a road, crosswalk, railroad, electric transmission lines, oil or gas pipeline, water line, sanitary or storm sewer and other similar uses to allow the right of one to pass over the property of another.

ROWHOUSE

See "dwelling, single-family attached."

SEMIDETACHED HOUSE

See "dwelling, semidetached."

SERVICES

An act by which skills of one person are used for the benefit of another, provided no function involves manufacture, cleaning, repair, storage, or distribution of products or goods, except for cleaning and repairing of clothing and personal accessories.

SHOPPING CENTER

A grouping of two or more retail business and/or service uses planned and designed to function as a unit, and having off-street parking and a landscaping plan as an integral part of the unit.

SIGN

Any device, fixture, placard, or structure that uses any color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol, or writing to advertise, announce, the purpose of, or to communicate information of any kind to the public.

SIGN, CANOPY

A sign that is part of or attached to an awning, canopy, or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area.

[Added 3-27-2001 by Ord. No. 540]

SIGN, DIRECTIONAL

A sign located for the purpose of providing directions towards or indication of use not readily visible.

SIGN, FREESTANDING

Any sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on, or anchored in, the ground and that are independent from any building or other structure.[16]

SIGN, POLITICAL

A sign containing a noncommercial message advocating or expressing an idea protected by the freedom of speech provisions of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, as applied to states and their political subdivisions through the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

[Added 7-22-2008 by Ord. No. 625]

SIGN, PORTABLE

Any sign meeting one or more of the following criteria:

[Added 1-28-2003 by Ord. No. 555]

(1)

Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure.

(2)

Any sign designed to be transported including, but not limited to, a sign designed to be transported by means of wheels.

(3)

Any sign converted to an A-frame or sandwich-board sign.

(4)

Any sign in the form of a temporary banner.

(5)

Any sign in the form of a balloon.

(6)

Any sign in the form of an umbrella.

(7)

Any sign attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless such vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operation of the business to which it is associated.

SIGN, PROJECTING

Any sign affixed to a building or wall in such a manner that its leading edge extends more than six inches beyond the surface of such building or wall.

SIGN SANDWICH BOARD

A sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure and supported by an A-shaped frame or structure, designed to be placed near the entrance of a nonresidential use during normal business hours.

[Added 3-27-2001 by Ord. No. 540]

SIGN, TEMPORARY

Any sign that is used only temporarily and is not permanently mounted to a building or other permanent structure.

[Added 3-27-2001 by Ord. No. 540]

SIGN, TEMPORARY BANNER

A temporary sign consisting of cloth, bunting, plastic, paper, or similar material, used for advertising purposes, and attached or pinned on or to a building.

[Added 11-25-2003 by Ord. No. 565]

SIGN, WALL

Any sign attached parallel to, but within six inches of, a wall painted on the wall surface of, or erected and confined within the limits of an outside wall of any building or structure, which is supported by such wall or building, and which displays only one sign surface.

SIGN, WINDOW

Any sign, picture, symbol, or combination thereof, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale, or service, that is placed inside a window or upon the window panes or glass and is visible from the exterior of the window.

[Added 3-27-2001 by Ord. No. 540]

SOLAR ACCESS

The view of the sun, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. any day of the year, from any point of the surface of a solar panel that is not obscured by vegetation, a building, or other object located on a parcel other than the parcel on which the solar panel is located.

[Added 1-12-2012 by Ord. No. 642]

SOLAR PANEL

A structure containing one or more receptive cells and the appurtenant system necessary to convert solar energy into usable electrical energy.

[Added 1-12-2012 by Ord. No. 642]

SPECIAL EXCEPTION

A use permitted in a particular zoning district pursuant to the provisions of Article IX of this chapter.

STORAGE CONTAINER

A shipping or cargo container, originally designed and intended for holding products while being transported by ship, rail, or truck, and that has been repurposed for use as a fixed storage structure on a lot. This term does not include railroad cars, converted mobile homes, trailers, recreational vehicles, bus bodies or similar types of vehicles or containers.

[Added 5-25-2021 by Ord. No. 698]

STORY

That portion of a building, other than the basement (as defined), including between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above it, or if there is no floor above it, then the space between the floor and the ceiling next above it.

STREET

An existing or platted way dedicated for the use of the general public, graded and paved or to be graded and paved, in order that the general public has the right to pass and to use it at all times, for all purposes of travel, transportation or parking to which it is adopted, devoted, and not otherwise restricted.

STREET, CENTER LINE OF

A line which is usually at an equal distance from both street lines, or right-of-way lines.

STREET LINE

A right-of-way line.

STRUCTURE

Anything constructed or erected with a fixed location on the ground, or attached to something having a fixed location on the ground.

(1)

PERMANENT STRUCTUREA structure which cannot be readily removed.

(2)

TEMPORARY STRUCTUREA structure which can be readily removed.

SUBDIVISION

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, of lease, partition by the court for distribution of heirs or devises, transfer of ownership or building or lot development.

SWIMMING POOL

Any pool which is constructed, used, or maintained to provide recreational facilities for swimming, bathing, or wading and which is capable of containing water to a depth greater than 24 inches and/or with a surface area of 50 or more square feet, and all buildings, equipment, and appurtenances thereto.

TOWNHOUSE

A series of three or more single-family dwelling units attached by one or more common walls.

TOWNHOUSE, INFILL

A single building meeting the definition of the term "townhouse" constructed on a vacant lot in a previously developed area of the Borough, situated on the site such that the main entrance to each dwelling unit faces the street and such that all parking is located to the rear of the building.

TWIN

A building containing two dwelling units, with the dwelling units arranged in a side-by-side fashion and sharing a common party wall.

UNIFORMITY RATION

A measure of the uniformity of light levels across an area, expressed as a ratio of maximum to minimum level of illumination for a given area.

[Added 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. 621]

USE

Any purpose for which a building or other structure or tract of land may be designed, arranged, intended, maintained, or occupied, or any activity, occupation, business, or operation carried on in a building or other structure on a tract of land.

VARIANCE

Relief granted to specific requirements of the Zoning Ordinance of the Borough of Littlestown, pursuant to provisions of Article IX of this chapter.

VEGETATIVE COVERAGE

The area of a lot covered by grass, trees, shrubs, or other plantings, mulched areas, or other environments that support or are intended to support growing plants at ground level.

[Added 3-8-2022 by Ord. No. 704]

WIND TURBINE

A structure including a tower or base, foundation, blades, rotors, batteries, and other appurtenant equipment necessary to convert wind energy into usable electrical energy.

[Added 1-12-2012 by Ord. No. 642]

WINDOW LINTEL

Either a structural or decorative horizontal beam over a window opening in a wall.

[Added 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 517[17]]

WINDOWSILL

Either a structural or decorative horizontal beam at the base of a window opening in a wall.

[Added 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 517[18]]

WHOLESALE

Any procedure involving persons who, in the normal course of business, do not engage in sales to the general public.

YARD

A space which is open to the sky and unoccupied by any building, structure or merchandise for display or sale, and which is located on the same lot with a building or structure.

YARD, FRONT

A yard extending across the full width of the lot, the depth of which is the minimum horizontal distance between the front lot line and the nearest point of a building or structure or any portion thereof. (See graphic below.)

[Amended 11-23-2004 by Ord. No. 584]

YARD, REAR

A yard extending across the full width of the lot, the depth of which is the minimum horizontal distance between the rear lot line and the nearest point of a building or structure or an portion thereof. (See graphic below.)

[Amended 11-23-2004 by Ord. No. 584]

YARD, SIDE

A yard between any building and a side lot line, extending from the front yard to the rear yard, the width of which is measured as the shortest distance between the side lot line and any building or structure or an portion thereof. (See graphic below.)

[Amended 11-23-2004 by Ord. No. 584]

YARD LINE

A line drawn parallel to the corresponding lot lines at a distance specified for the required depth of yard in each respective case.

ZONING OFFICER

The municipal official duly appointed by the Borough Council of the Borough of Littlestown to administer and enforce the Zoning Ordinance of the Borough of Littlestown.

ZONING PERMIT

A permit required by the Zoning Ordinance of the Borough of Littlestown to ensure compliance with the applicable sections of the ordinance.

[1]

Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that it would take effect 4-8-2000.

[2]

Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that it would take effect 4-8-2000.

[3]

Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that it shall take effect 4-8-2000.

[4]

Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that it shall take effect 4-8-2000.

[5]

Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that it shall take effect 4-8-2000.

[6]

Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that it shall take effect 4-8-2000.

[7]

Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that it would take effect 4-8-2000.

[8]

Editor’s Note: The former definition of “fanlight window,” added 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 517, which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 4-23-2019 by Ord. No. 692.

[9]

Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that it would take effect 4-8-2000.

[10]

Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10503(1.1).

[11]

Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed the former definition of "lot coverage, impervious" which immediately followed this definition.

[12]

Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed the former definition of "mixed-use structure," which immediately followed this definition.

[13]

Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that it would take effect 4-8-2000.

[14]

Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that it would take effect 4-8-2000.

[15]

Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that it shall take effect 4-8-2000.

[16]

Editor's Note: Original definition of "sign, moveable," as amended, which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 1-28-2003 by Ord. No. 555.

[17]

Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that it shall take effect 4-8-2000.

[18]

Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that it shall take effect 4-8-2000.

	R-1	Residential, Low
	R-2	Residential, Medium
	R-3	Residential, High
	TCR	Town Center Residential
	C-3	Highway-Related Commercial District
	TCMU	Town Center Mixed-Use District
	C-E	Commercial-Employment District
	I-E	Industrial-Employment District