[Ord. 1290, 9/10/2012, § 22-201]
1. 
Unless a contrary intention clearly appears, the following words and phrases shall have for the purpose of this chapter the meanings in the following subsection.
2. 
For the purpose of this chapter words and terms used herein shall be interpreted as follows:
A. 
Words used in the present tense include the future.
B. 
The singular includes the plural.
C. 
The word "person" includes a corporation, partnership, and association as well as the individual.
D. 
The words "lot," "plot" and "parcel" are synonymous.
E. 
The phrase "used for" includes "arranged for," "designed for," "intended for," "maintained for," and "occupied for."
F. 
The word "person" includes an individual, corporation, partnership, incorporated association, and/or any other similar entity.
G. 
The words "include" or "including" shall not limit the term to the specified examples, but are intended to extend the meaning to all other instances of like kind and character.
H. 
The word "building" shall always be construed as if followed by the words "or part thereof."
I. 
The word "may" is permissive, and the words "shall" and "will" are always mandatory.
J. 
The words "he" or "she" or "they" are to be used interchangeably with the word "person."
K. 
The word "street" includes alley, aisle, lane, road, highway, avenue, boulevard, or expressway.
L. 
The word "stream" includes watercourse, creek or river.
M. 
The word "Commission" and the words "Planning Commission" always mean the Bristol Borough Planning Commission.
N. 
The word "Council" and the words "Borough Council" always mean the Bristol Borough Council.
O. 
The word "shall" always signifies "is compelled to," or "it is mandatory to."
P. 
If a term is not defined in this chapter, but is defined in the Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27], then the definition in the Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27] shall apply to this chapter.
Q. 
All definitions necessary for interpreting the Bristol Borough specifications and design standards, incorporated herein by reference and as may be amended from time to time by resolution of Borough Council, shall be set forth in this chapter, unless defined in said specifications and design standards in which the definition contained therein shall control.
3. 
Any word or term not defined herein shall be used with a meaning of standard usage.
[Ord. 1290, 9/10/2012, § 22-202]
Words and terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings given in this chapter. Unless expressly stated otherwise, any pertinent word or term not a part of this listing, but vital to the interpretation of this chapter, shall be construed to have its plain and ordinary meaning as commonly accepted by practitioners including civil engineers, surveyors, architects, landscape architects, and planners. Any reference to a publication shall be the current version of the publication with all amendments unless otherwise specifically noted in this chapter.
ACCESSWAY
Either a street or driveway providing access to a lot.
AGENT
Any person other than the developer who, acting for the subdivider, submits to the Borough subdivision or land development plans for the purpose of obtaining approval.
ALLEY
See "street."
APPLICANT
Any person who submits to the Borough Council subdivision or land development plans for the purposes of obtaining approval thereof.
APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT
Every application, whether sketch, 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.
ARCHITECT
A professional architect registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
BERM
An earth mound with a maximum slope of 3:1 covered with grass, shrubbery or ground cover and which is intended to block views or create landscape interest.
BICYCLE LANES
Lanes located on the paved surface of a roadway, street or highway or on the shoulder of a roadway, street or highway.
BICYCLE PATH
Off-street bikeways laid out on private property, public right-of-way, or open space and recreational areas.
BIKEWAY
General term used to designate all facilities that explicitly provide for bike travel.
BLOCK
An area bounded by streets or by a combination of streets, parks, open spaces or municipal boundary line.
BOROUGH
The Borough of Bristol.
BOROUGH COUNCIL
The elected governing body of Bristol Borough.
BOROUGH ENGINEER
A professional engineer registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania designated by Borough Council to perform the duties of a municipal engineer.
BOROUGH SOLICITOR
An attorney licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania designated by Borough Council to perform the duties of a municipal solicitor.
BUILDING
Any structure having a roof, supported by columns, piers, or walls, including tents, lunch wagons, trailers, dining cars, camp cars, mobile homes or other structure on wheels, or having other supports; and any unroofed platform, terrace, or porch having a vertical face higher than three feet above the level of the ground from which the building is measured. A building may include more than one dwelling unit. This definition shall not include motor vehicles.
BUILDING, ACCESSORY — A subordinate building located on the same lot as a principal building and clearly incidental and subordinate to the principal building. Any portion of a principal building devoted or intended to be devoted to an accessory use is not an accessory building.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL — A building in which is conducted, or is intended to be conducted, the principal use of the lot on which it is located.
BUILDING AREA
The aggregate of the maximum horizontal cross-section area, excluding cornices, unroofed porches, paved terraces, steps, and gutters of all buildings on a lot.
BUILDING SETBACK LINE
FRONT BUILDING SETBACK LINE — The rear fine of the minimum front yards, as designated for each use and district, measured from the future right-of-way, at a distance equal to and no greater than the minimum front yard.
SIDE BUILDING SETBACK LINE — The line establishing the minimum side yards, as designated for each use and district, measured from the side lot line, at a distance equal to the minimum side yard.
REAR BUILDING SETBACK LINE — The line establishing the minimum rear yards, as designated for each use and district, measured from the rear lot line, at a distance equal to the minimum rear yard.
BYPASS LANE/ESCAPE LANE
Vehicular lane allowing traffic to pass the drive-through lane and/or allowing vehicles, because of emergencies or mistakenly entering the drive-through lane, to exit the drive-through lane.
CALIPER
The diameter of the trunk of a tree, measured at a point on the trunk six inches above natural ground line for trees of up to four inches in caliper and at a point 12 inches above the ground for trees over four inches in caliper. For measuring existing trees to determine whether they are a forest resource, caliper measurements shall be taken at a point on the trunk 4 1/2 feet above the natural ground line for trees over six inches in caliper.
CARTWAY
The hard or paved surface portion of any street, or that portion of a street customarily used by vehicles in the regular course of travel over the street.
CENTER-LINE OF STREET OR ROAD
A line midway between and parallel to two street lines.
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 right-of-way lines.
COMMON OPEN SPACE
A parcel or parcels of land or an area of water, or a combination of land and water within a development site, 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.
CROSSWALK
A publicly or privately owned pedestrian right-of-way which crosses a cartway.
CUL-DE-SAC
Any street that has only one end open for vehicular and pedestrian ingress and egress. The other end of such street shall be terminated in a vehicular turnaround.
DELAYED SERVICE PARKING AREA
Stationing area, separate from the drive-through service area, which allows patrons to wait for goods and services that cannot be delivered promptly, while other patrons waiting to use the drive-through service area/facility could be serviced.
DENSITY
The number of dwelling units per unit of area, expressed in dwelling units per acre.
DEVELOPER
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.
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The provisions for development including a planned residential development, 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 development plan" when used in this chapter shall mean the written and graphic materials referred to in this definition.
DRAINAGE FACILITY
Any ditch, pipe, culvert, storm sewer, or structure designed, intended, or constructed for the purpose of diverting surface water from, or carrying surface waters off streets, public rights-of-way, parks, recreational areas, or any part of any subdivision or land development.
DRIVE-THROUGH CANOPY
Overhead structures intended to shelter patrons from the weather while stationed at the drive-through area/facility.
DRIVE-THROUGH LANE
Vehicular lane allowing the stationing and stacking of vehicles while ordering and waiting for goods and services.
DRIVE-THROUGH SERVICE AREA/FACILITY
Position and facility which permits patron to receive goods or service, such as a pick-up window, drawer or similarly intended structure.
DRIVEWAY
A private way providing for vehicular and pedestrian access between a public or private street and a parking area on a lot or property.
DWELLING
A residential building containing one or more dwelling units.
DWELLING UNIT
Any room or group of rooms located within a building and a single habitable unit with facilities which are used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking, and eating by one family.
DWG
A file format used for storing two and three dimensional design data. It is the native format for several CAD packages including AutoCAD.
EASEMENT
Granted right of use by one landowner over the land or lands of another without ownership of the soil.
ENGINEER
A licensed professional civil engineer registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
ENGINEERING CONSIDERATIONS
For the purpose of clearly identifying the extent of the Borough Engineers responsibility in the review of subdivisions and land developments, the following engineering considerations are defined. The engineer shall make recommendations indicating approval or disapproval of the proposed subdivision or land development based upon the various engineering considerations identified below as they are reflected in the submitted plans:
(1) 
Dimensions of lots or parcels.
(2) 
Contours, soil conditions.
(3) 
Surface-subsurface drainage conditions and plans.
(4) 
Lighting plans.
(5) 
Utility plans.
(6) 
Location and design of entrance and exit accessways.
(7) 
Road specifications.
(8) 
Profiles.
(9) 
Sewage disposal.
(10) 
Garbage disposal.
(11) 
Conformance of the plans in all respects with the performance standards in the Chapter 27, "Zoning Ordinance."
(12) 
Improvements, materials, construction methods, workmanship.
(13) 
Landscape and buffer plans.
(14) 
Traffic impact study.
(15) 
Water service.
(16) 
Conformance of the plans in all respects with the performance standards in this chapter.
(17) 
Conformance of the plans in all respects with the performance standards in the Chapter 26, "Water," Part 1, "Delaware River South Watershed Stormwater Management."
EROSION
The process by which soil and bedrock are worn away by the action of wind, water, climate or chemical action.
FEEDER ROOTS
The smallest roots of a tree, which are responsible for most of the absorption of nutrients into the tree; most are located within the top 12 inches of the soil.
FLOODPLAIN (100-YEAR)
Areas adjoining any streams, ponds or lakes subject to a one-hundred-year recurrence interval flood as delineated by the following studies or a study conducted by a professional experienced in the preparation of hydrological studies and the delineation of flood lines and approved by the Borough:
(1) 
FLOOD INSURANCE STUDYBristol Borough PA, Bucks County, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Insurance Administration, 1979.
FLOODPLAIN
The area along a natural water course which is periodically overflowed by water therefrom and which has been designated by ordinance of Bristol Borough pursuant to Chapter 27, "Zoning," § 27-503, "Floodplain Regulations," and the Floodplain Map.
FLOODPLAIN SOILS OR SOILS ON FLOODPLAINS
Areas subject to periodic flooding or listed in the Official Soil Survey provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Web Soil Survey (http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/), as soils having a flood frequency other than none.
FOREST
The area comprising 1/4 acre or more of wooded land where the largest trees measure at least six inches diameter at breast height (dbh), 4 1/2 feet from the ground, or a grove of trees forming one canopy where 10 or more trees measure at least 12 inches dbh.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACES
Impervious surfaces are those surfaces which do not absorb water. Any area which has been or is proposed to be modified from grass, dirt, vegetation, wooded, or ground cover including, but not limited to, the area of all buildings, parking areas, driveways, roads, sidewalks, and any areas in concrete, asphalt, pavers, and packed stone shall be considered impervious surfaces. Swimming pools shall not be considered to be impervious surfaces. Impervious surfaces also include other surfaces determined to be impervious by the Borough Engineer.
IMPROVED PUBLIC STREET
Any street for which the Borough, county or commonwealth has maintenance responsibility and which has an approved surface.
IMPROVEMENTS
Those physical additions, installations, and changes, such as approved streets, curbs, sidewalks, water mains, sewers, drainage facilities, public utilities, and other appropriate items required to render land suitable for the use proposed.
LAKES AND PONDS
Natural or artificial bodies of water which retain water year round.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Any of the following activities:
(1) 
The improvements 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.
(b) 
The division of 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.
LANDOWNER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of land including the holder of an option or contract to purchase (whether or not such option or contract is subject to any condition); a lessee if he is authorized under the lease to experience the rights of the landowner or other person having a proprietary interest in the land.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
A professional landscape architect registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
LOOP STREET
A street which has one point of intersection with the same road. In its simplest form a loop street enters a tract, follows a course through it and returns to the same road at some distance from the other intersection.
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.
CORNER LOT — 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 or streets shall be considered a corner lot if the tangents to the curve at the points beginning with the lot, or at the points of intersection of the side lot lines with the street right-of-way lines, intersect at an interior angle of less than 135°.
REVERSE FRONTAGE LOT — A lot extending between and having frontage on a major street and a minor street with a vehicular access solely from the minor street.
THROUGH LOT — An interior lot with frontage on two parallel streets.
LOT AREA
The area contained within the property lines of the individual parcels of land as shown on a subdivision. The lot area shall be measured to the street line and shall include the area of any easement for subsurface facilities, but excluding any area required as open space and any other areas as may be specifically excluded by the terms of the Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
LOT DEPTH
The mean distance from the future right-of-way of the lot to its opposite rear line, measured in the general direction of the side lines of the lot.
LOT LINE
The lines bounding a lot.
LOT LINE, FRONT — A line abutting the street at the future right-of-way line.
LOT LINE, REAR — Any lot line parallel to or within 45° of being parallel to a future right-of-way, and except that in the case of a corner lot, the owner shall have the option of choosing which of the two lots lines that are not street lines is to be considered a rear lot line. In the case of a lot having no street frontage or a lot of an odd shape, only the one lot line farthest from any street shall be considered a rear lot line.
LOT LINE, SIDE — Any lot boundary line which is not a street line or a rear lot line.
LOT WIDTH
The distance between the side lot lines at the required building setback line. In a case where there is only one side lot line, lot width shall be measured between such side lot line and the opposite rear lot or future right-of-way.
MANAGER
The Borough Manager appointed as such by the Borough Council.
MARKER
A metal pipe of at least 3/4 inch diameter and at least 30 inches in length.
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.
MOBILE HOME LOT
A parcel of land in a mobile home park, improved with the necessary utility connections and other appurtenances necessary for the erection thereon of a single mobile home.
MOBILE HOME PAD
A concrete pad at least six inches in thickness of 4,000 psi concrete with six inches stone base on compacted subbase with at least six tie-down rings to which the mobile home shall be secured, and at least equal in length and width to the dimension of the mobile home to be placed thereon. The space between the base of the mobile home and top of the concrete pad shall be completely enclosed except for approved vents, by means of skirting of compatible material and design around the outside perimeter, or by means of a cinder or concrete block skirt.
MOBILE HOME PARK
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.
MONUMENT
A stone or concrete monument with a flat top at least four inches square, containing a reference point, and at least 30 inches in length. It is recommended that the bottom sides be at least two inches greater than the top, to minimize movements caused by frost.
MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLING
A building providing separate living quarters for two or more families.
MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY
A body politic and corporate created pursuant to the Act of May 2, 1945, P.L. 382, No. 164, 53 P.S. § 301 et seq., known as the "Municipalities Authority Act of 1945," 53 P.S. § 301 et seq.
NONCONFORMING LOT
A lot the area or dimension of which was lawful prior to the adoption or amendment of Chapter 27, "Zoning Ordinance," but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located by reason of such adoption or amendment.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE
A structure or part of a structure manifestly not designed to comply with the use or extent of use provisions of Chapter 27, "Zoning Ordinance," or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such structure lawfully existed prior to the enactment of Chapter 27 or amendment or prior to the application of Chapter 27 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 in Chapter 27, "Zoning Ordinance," or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such use was lawfully in existence prior to the enactment of Chapter 27 or amendment, or prior to the application of Chapter 27 or amendment to its location by reason of annexation.
PARKING SPACE
An area on a lot used for parking a vehicle(s), to which there is access from a street.
PARKING SPACE ACCESS
The drives or roadways and the maneuvering space required to service the parking space.
PDF OR PORTABLE DOCUMENT FORMAT
An open standard electronic file format for representing documents in a manner independent of the computer application software, hardware, and operating system.
PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY
A continuous way designated for pedestrians and separated from the lanes used by motor vehicles.
PLAN, FINAL
A complete and exact subdivision and/or land development plan, including all required supplemental data, prepared for official recording as required by statute, to define property rights and proposed streets and other improvements.
PLAN, PRELIMINARY
A subdivision and/or land development plan (including all data required to be submitted) showing the pertinent existing features of a tract and its surroundings and proposed street and lot layout as a basis for consideration prior to preparation of a final plan.
PLAN, RECORD
An exact copy of the approved final plan on opaque linen of standard size, prepared for necessary signatures and recording with the Bucks County Recorder of Deeds.
PLAN, SKETCH
An informal plan, to scale, indicating salient existing features of a tract and its surroundings and the general layout of the proposed subdivision and/or land development for discussion purposes only and not to be presented for approval.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of Bristol Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
PLAT
The map or plan of a subdivision or land development, whether preliminary or final.
PRUNING
Removal of branches from a tree using proper tools and approved cutting techniques.
PUBLIC GROUNDS
Includes:
(1) 
Parks, playgrounds, trails, paths and other recreational areas, and other public areas.
(2) 
Sites for schools, sewage treatment, refuse disposal, and other publicly owned or operated facilities.
(3) 
Publicly owned or operated scenic and historic sites.
PUBLIC HEARING
A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the Borough Council or Planning Commission, intended to inform and obtain public comment, prior to taking action in accordance with this chapter.
PUBLIC MEETING
A forum held pursuant to notice under the Act of July 3, 1986, P.L. 388, No. 84, known as the "Sunshine Act," 53 P.S. § 271 et seq.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Borough. 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.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
Components, equipment, graded fields, structures, or other improvements that satisfy minimum design and performance criteria.
RECREATIONAL LANDS
Areas within a subdivision or land development that are set aside, designed, and constructed for the express purpose of providing recreational facilities for that subdivision or land development.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
A strip of land occupied or intended to be occupied by a street, alley, crosswalk, sanitary or storm sewer, stream, drainage ditch, or for another special use. The usage of the term "right-of-way" for land plotting purposes in the Borough shall mean that every right-of-way hereafter established and shown on a final record plan is to be separate and distinct from lots or parcels adjoining such right-of-way, and not included with the dimensions of areas of such lots or parcels.
EXISTING RIGHT-OF-WAY — The present legal right-of-way as established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or other appropriate governing body and currently in existence.
FUTURE RIGHT-OF-WAY — The right-of-way width required for the expansion of existing streets to accommodate anticipated future traffic loads; a right-of-way established to provide future access to or through undeveloped land.
ULTIMATE RIGHT-OF-WAY — The legal street; the area or public way owned or acquired by the Borough or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the time of subdivision by dedication; that line from which all future property setbacks are measured; the street line.
RIPARIAN BUFFER OR CORRIDOR
An area of trees and other vegetation located in areas adjoining and upgradient from surface water bodies and designed to intercept surface runoff, wastewater, subsurface flow, and deeper groundwater flows from upland sources for the purpose of removing or buffering the effects of associated nutrients, sediment, organic matter, pesticides, or other pollutants prior to entry into surface waters and groundwater recharge areas.
ROADWAY
See "cartway."
RUNOFF
The surface water discharge or rate of discharge of a given watershed after a fall of rain or snow that does not enter the soil but runs off the surface of the land.
SEDIMENTATION
The process by which mineral or organic matter is accumulated or deposited by moving wind, water or gravity. Once this matter is deposited (or remains suspended in water), it is referred to as sediment.
SETBACK
See "building setback line."
SEWER, PUBLIC
A system which is owned by a municipality, municipal authority, public company or private company in which sewage is collected from buildings from more than one lot and/or dwelling unit and piped to an approved sewage disposal system. It may also be referred to as "off-lot" or "off-site" sewer.
SHRUB
Woody plants that do not meet the definition of tree by having multiple stems and/or small size.
SIGHT DISTANCE
The required length of roadway visible to the driver of a passenger vehicle at any given point on the roadway, when the view is unobstructed by traffic. Sight distance measurement shall be made from a point 3.5 feet above the center line of the road surface to a point 3.5 feet above the center line of road surface.
SITE
The site shall be defined as the total land area to be proposed for subdivision or land development.
SITE AREA
All land area within the site as designed in the deed and as measured by an actual site survey.
SOIL PERCOLATION TEST
A field test conducted by a person qualified according to the rules and regulations of the Bucks County Department of Health to determine the suitability of the soil for on-site sanitary sewage disposal facilities by measuring the absorptive capacity of the soil at any given location and depth.
STREET
(1) 
Includes street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, parkway, lane, alley, viaduct or any other ways used or intended to be used by vehicular traffic or pedestrians whether public or private.
(2) 
Streets are further defined and classified as follows:
(a) 
PRINCIPAL ARTERIAL STREETDesigned for large volumes and high-speed traffic. Traffic mixture is predominately serving regional or throughput traffic needs with controlled access to abutting properties.
(b) 
MINOR ARTERIAL STREETDesigned to carry a moderate volume of high-speed traffic from collector streets or serving as a connection between other arterial streets with access to abutting properties. Traffic mixture is predominately regional traffic with some local community traffic.
(c) 
MAJOR COLLECTOR STREETDesigned to carry a moderate volume of traffic from collector and local streets with predominantly local community traffic with some regional traffic.
(d) 
MINOR COLLECTOR STREETDesigned to carry a moderate volume of local traffic, to intercept local/secondary residential streets, to provide routes to collector streets and facilities, and to provide access to abutting properties. Traffic is predominantly local.
(e) 
1) 
LOCAL STREETSDesigned to provide local access to the abutting properties and a route to neighborhood collectors/primary residential streets.
2) 
MARGINAL ACCESS STREETA secondary street which is parallel to and adjacent to an expressway, arterial or collector street; and which provides access to abutting properties and protection from through traffic.
3) 
PRIVATE STREETA local street serving only abutting lots that is not offered or required to be offered for dedication.
4) 
ALLEYA public or privately owned right-of-way, on which no new dwellings, stores, or other principal buildings are intended to front, serving secondary means of access to two or more properties whose principal frontage is some other street. An alley is desirable in situations where the number of driveways to the front of narrow lots make on-street parking difficult or impossible.
STREET LINE
The dividing line between lot and the ultimate right-of-way. The street line shall be the same as the legal right-of-way line provided that:
(1) 
The street right-of-way shall not be less than 25 feet from the center line of any road or street except marginal access streets which shall not be less than 20 feet.
(2) 
Where a future right-of-way width for a street has been officially established, the street right-of-way line shall be the side line of the future right-of-way so established.
STRUCTURE
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
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 to heirs or devisees, transfer of ownership or building or lot development. Provided, however, that the subdivision by lease of land for agricultural purposes into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new street or easement of access or any residential dwelling, shall be exempted.
MAJOR SUBDIVISION — The change in existing lot lines of the division of a single lot, tract or parcel of land or parcel thereof into three or more lots, tracts or parcels of land for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of lease, transfer of ownership or of building development.
MINOR SUBDIVISION — The division of a single lot, tract, or parcel of land into two lots, tracts or parcels of land; for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of transfer of ownership or of building development, providing lots, tracts, or parcels of land thereby created having frontage on an improved public street or streets.
The term "subdivision" includes resubdivision and, when appropriate to the context, shall relate to the process of subdividing or to the land subdivided.
SURVEYOR
A professional land surveyor registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
TRAFFIC CALMING
The combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior, and improve conditions for nonmotorized street uses.
TREE
A woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance.
TREE DRIPLINE
The line marking the outer edges of the branches of the tree.
TREE PROTECTION ZONE (TPZ)
An area that is radial to the trunk of a tree in which no construction activity shall occur. The TPZ shall be 15 feet from the trunk of the tree to be retained, or the distance from the trunk to the dripline, whichever is greater. Where there is a group of trees or woodlands, the TPZ shall be the aggregate of the protection zones for the individual trees.
USE
Any activity, occupation, business or operation carried on or intended to be carried on, in a building or other structure or on a tract of land.
UTILITIES
Those services rendered by public utility corporations, municipalities or municipal authorities, including but not limited to electricity, gas, telephone, television, water and sewerage, including the appurtenances used in connection with the supplying of such services (buildings, wires, pipes, poles and the like).
WAIVER
A modification allowed to a specific requirement of this chapter, granted only in accordance with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., and § 22-408. Requests for waivers shall be submitted with plans.
WATER SUPPLY, PUBLIC
A system which is owned by a municipality, municipal authority, public company or private company which serves more than a single community or subdivision and may be interconnected with other water supply systems.
WATER SURVEY
An inventory of the source, quantity, yield and use of groundwater and surface-water resources within the Borough.
WATERCOURSE
Any natural or artificial swale, stream or structure in which water flows continuously or intermittently.
WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Areas of wetlands, streams, watercourses or waterway corridors designated as waters of the commonwealth by the Department of Environmental Protection.
WETLANDS
These areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.
WOODLANDS
The area comprising 1/4 acre or more of wooded land where the largest trees measure at least six inches diameter at breast height (dbh), 4 1/2 feet from the ground, or a grove of trees forming one canopy where 10 or more trees measure at least 12 inches dbh.
YARD
(1) 
An open space unobstructed from the ground up, on the same lot with a structure, extending along a lot line or street line and inward to the structure. The size of a required yard shall be measured as the shortest distance between the structure and a lot line or street line.
(2) 
The following types of yards are hereby established:
FRONT YARDThe required space across the full width of the lot, extending from the street line to the nearest structure on the lot, exclusive of steps, overhanging eaves, gutter, or cornices.
REAR YARDThe required space extending the full width of the lot except as provided for accessory buildings. The rear yard shall extend from the rear lot line to the nearest structure on the lot. The depth of the rear yard shall be measured at right angles to the rear line of the lot. If the lot is not rectangular then it should be measured in the general direction of the side yard line.
SIDE YARDThe required space extending from the required front yard to the required rear yard, except as provided for accessory buildings, extending from the side line of the lot to the nearest structure on the lot. The width of the side yard shall be measured at right angles to the side line of the lot.
[Ord. 1290, 9/10/2012, § 22-203]
The following abbreviations are defined below. Any reference to a publication shall be the current version of the publication with all amendments unless otherwise specifically noted in this chapter.
AASHTO
American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials.
ADA
Americans with Disabilities Act.
ADAAG
Americans with Disability Act Accessibility Guidelines.
ANLA
American Nursery and Landscape Association.
ANSI
American National Standards Institute.
ASCE
American Society of Civil Engineers.
ASLA
American Society of Landscape Architects.
ASTM
American Society for Testing Materials.
AWWA
American Water Works Association.
BCCD
Bucks County Conservation District.
BCDH
Bucks County Department of Health.
BCPC
Bucks County Planning Commission.
BMP
Best Management Practice.
CD-R
Compact Disc-Recordable.
COE
Army Corps of Engineers.
DCED
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
DCNR
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
DRBC
Delaware River Basin Commission.
EPA
Federal Environmental Protection Agency.
FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FHWA
Federal Highway Administration.
IESNA
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
ITE
Institute for Traffic Engineers.
MPC
Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
MS4
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System.
MUTCD
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
NPDES
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
NRCS
National Resources Conservation Service.
OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
PADEP
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
PEMA
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
PennDOT
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
PROWAG
Public Rights of Way Accessibility Guidelines.
UCC
Uniform Construction Code.
USDA
United States Department of Agriculture.
USGS
United States Geological Survey.