[Ord. 75-1, 1/6/1975]
1. 
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words, for the purpose of this chapter, shall have the meaning herein indicated:
A. 
The singular includes the plural.
B. 
The word "person" includes a corporation or other entity as well as an individual.
C. 
The word "lot" includes the word "plot" or "parcel."
D. 
The term "shall" is always mandatory.
E. 
Words used in the present tense shall include the future.
F. 
The word "used" or "occupied" as applied to any land or building shall be construed to include the words "intended, arranged, or designed to be used or occupied."
G. 
The word "see" when used in connection with making a reference to another section of this chapter shall mean that the referred to section shall be deemed to be included to and added in the section where the word "see" is used, as though said referred to section were fully set forth thereat, unless the use of the word "see" and the reference made to other sections of the chapter clearly indicate otherwise.
H. 
When a series of definitions is given, the same shall be construed consistently, wherever possible and if they cannot be construed consistently, shall be construed as being given in the alternative.
[Ord. 75-1, 1/6/1975; as amended by Ord. 82-1, 2/17/1982; by Ord. 82-3, 2/19/1982; by Ord. 82-4, 4/6/1982; by Ord. 82-5, 7/6/1982; by Ord. 83-2, 2/8/1983; by Ord. 1986-3, 10/7/1986; by Ord. 1989-1, 2/2/1989; by Ord. 1994-9, 12/6/1994, § I; by Ord. 8.9.01, 8/7/2001, § 1; by Ord. 3.2.04, 3/2/2004, § 3F, 3G; by Ord. 11.2.04, 11/2/2004, § 3; by Ord. 8.5.2008, 8/5/2008; by Ord.8.05.2008, 8/5/2008, § IA; by Ord. 11.04.2008.02, 11/4/2008, § IA; by Ord. 03.01.2011.01, 3/1/2011, § 1; by Ord. 12.06.2011(1), 12/6/2011, § I; by Ord. 04.09.2013, 4/9/2013, § 1; by Ord. 10.13.2015, 10/13/2015, § 1; and by Ord 12.08.15.04, 12/8/2015, § 2]
ACCESSORY SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
An area of land or other area used for a solar energy system or used to capture solar energy, convert it to electrical energy or thermal power, and supply electrical and thermal power primarily for on-site use. Ground-mounted or freestanding solar energy systems with an output size of not greater than 10kw shall be considered accessory solar energy systems. Roof-mounted solar energy systems on the roofs of buildings on-site used primarily for on-site use shall have no limit as to power output. An accessory solar energy system consists of one or more freestanding ground, or roof-mounted solar arrays or modules, or solar-related equipment and is intended to primarily reduce on-site consumption of utility power or fuels for use on-site by the generator.
[Added by Ord. No. 11.08.2022.03, 11/8/2022]
ACCESSORY USE
A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use or building or structure and located on the same lot with such principal use or building, but separate from the principal structure.
ADULT BOOKSTORE
Adult bookstore shall include any store, establishment or business or commercial enterprise that engages in the sale of books, commonly denoted "adult books" which shall be regarded as being books that have as their main or central theme any appeal to the prurient interest without any redeeming social value. Any such business or enterprise selling said books shall be included in the term "adult bookstore."
ADULT THEATER
Adult theater shall include any theater or other business or commercial activity that shows any film that would commonly be noted as an "adult film" which shall be regarded as being a film that would have as its main or central theme any appeal to the prurient interest without any redeeming social value. Any such business or enterprise shall be included herein in the word "adult theater."
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
The procedures used in production and preparation of food and agricultural products for market. These procedures being such that they do not pollute the air, water or other natural resources of the area, but include the usual noise, dust and odors involved in agricultural practices. The term includes the storage and utilization of agricultural and food processing wastes, screenings and sludges for animal feed, and the agricultural utilization of septic tank cleaning and sewage sludges which are generated off-site on land where the material will improve the soil.
AGRICULTURE
The cultivation of soil and other uses of land including, but not by way of limitation; horticulture, mushroom growing, and the breeding and raising of customary domestic animals, dairying, pasturing, floriculture, viticulture, apiculture, and animal and poultry husbandry and the necessary accessory uses for packing, treating or storing the produce; provided, however, that the operation of any such accessory uses shall be secondary to that of normal agricultural activities.
ALLEY
A public thoroughfare which affords only a secondary means of access to abutting property and not intended for general traffic circulation.
ALTERATIONS
As applied to a building or structure, means a change or rearrangement in the structural parts or in the exit facilities, or an enlargement, whether by extending on a side or by increasing in height, or the moving from one location or position to another.
ALTERATIONS, STRUCTURAL
Any change in the support members of a building such as bearing walls, columns, beams, or girders.
APARTMENT HOUSE
A building arranged, intended or designed to be occupied by three or more families living independently of each other.
APARTMENT, CONVERSION
A dwelling altered by converting an existing dwelling into apartments for two or more families 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.
APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT
Every application, whether preliminary or final, required to be filed and approved prior to start of construction or development including, but not limited to, an application for a building permit, for the approval of a subdivision plat or plan or for the approval of a development plan.
AREA, BUILDING
The total of areas taken on a horizontal plane at the main grade level of the principal building and all accessory buildings, exclusive of uncovered porches, terraces and steps.
AREA, NET SITE
The total area within the property lines excluding external streets.
AUTO COURT
A building or group of buildings, whether detached or in connected units, used as individual sleeping or dwelling units designed primarily for transient automobile travelers and providing for accessory off-street parking facilities. The term "auto court" includes buildings designated as tourist courts, motor lodges, motels and similar appellations.
BASEMENT
Any area of the building having its floor below ground level on all sides.
BERM
That portion of a street lying on either side of the cartway between the edge thereof and the adjacent road ditch, intended primarily for stopping and parking purposes.
BOARDING HOUSE
Any dwelling in which more than three persons, either individually or as families, are housed or lodged for hire with or without meals. A rooming house and a dormitory shall be deemed a boarding house.
BUILDING
A. 
Any structure having a roof and intended for occupancy, or the shelter, housing or enclosure of persons, animals or chattel.
B. 
A combination of materials forming a structure and having walls and a roof, including all mobile/manufactured home and trailers intended for human occupancy or habitation or other storage or protective purposes.
BUILDING LINE
That line established by the required minimum setback from the street right-of-way for buildings and/or structures for the district involved. The building line shall be the point at which the lot width shall be measured.
BUILDING PRINCIPAL
A building in which is conducted the principal use of the lot on which it is located.
BUILDING, ACCESSORY
A subordinate building or a portion of the main building on a lot, the use of which is customarily incidental to that of the main or principal building.
BUILDING, DETACHED
A building surrounded by open space on the same lot.
BUILDING, FRONT LINE OF
The line of that face of the building nearest the front line of the lot. This face includes sun parlors, covered porches and covered patios, whether enclosed or unenclosed but does not include steps.
BUILDING, HEIGHT OF
The vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the finished grade at the front of the building to the highest point of the roof for flat roofs, to the deck line of mansard roofs, and to the mean height between eaves and ridge for gable, hip and gambrel roofs.
CAMP
Any one or more of the following, other than a hospital, place of detention or school offering general instruction:
TYPE 1 — Any area of land or water on which are located two or more cabins, tents, trailers, shelters, houseboats or other accommodations of a design or character suitable for seasonal or other temporary living purposes, regardless of whether such structures or other accommodations actually are occupied seasonally or otherwise.
TYPE 2 — Any building or group of buildings, other than buildings constituting a Camp - Type 1, used for temporary or seasonal living purposes other than:
(1)
Normal residential occupancy of a dwelling of a type permitted in the district in which situated; or
(2)
Normal occupancy of a hotel, rooming house, tourist home or automobile court.
TYPE 3 — Any land, including any building thereon, used for any assembly of persons for what is commonly known as "day camp" purposes; and shall apply to any of the foregoing establishments whether or not conducted for profit and whether occupied by adults or by children, whether as individuals, families or groups.
CAMPER
A vehicular portable structure to be mounted on a chassis or wheels and towed or constructed as an integral part of a self-propelled vehicle for use as temporary dwelling for travel, recreation, and vacation commonly known as travel trailers, pickup coaches, motor homes, or camping trailers.
CAMPGROUND
A tract or tracts of land, or any portions thereof, used for the purpose of providing sites for the temporary use of trailers, campers, or tents, as hereinafter defined, for camping purposes with or without a fee being charged for the leasing, renting, or occupancy of such space.
CAMPING SITE
A parcel of land in an organized camp or campground for the placement of a single trailer and/or tent and the exclusive use of its occupants.
CARPORT
See "garage, private."
CARTWAY
That portion of a street which is improved, designated, or intended for vehicular use.
CELLAR
A story partly underground and having more than 1/2 of its clear height below the average level of the adjoining ground. A cellar shall not be considered in determining the permissible number of stories. For floodplain management purposes, the term shall mean any area of the building having its floor subgrade (below ground level) on all sides.
CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLE
An area of unobstructed vision at street intersections. It is defined by lines of sight between points at a given distance from the intersection of the street center lines.
COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA
Any device used for the transmission or reception of radio, television, wireless telephone, pager, commercial mobile radio service or any other wireless communication signals including, without limitation, omnidirectional or whip antennas and omnidirectional or panel antennas, owned or operated by any person or entity licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to operate such device. This definition shall not include private residence mounted satellite dishes or television antennas or amateur radio equipment including, without limitations, ham or citizen band radio antennas.
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT FACILITY
An unmanned building or cabinet containing communication equipment required for the operation of communications antennas and covering an area on the ground no greater than 250 square feet.
COMMUNICATIONS TOWER
A structure, other than a building, such as a monopole, self-supporting or guyed tower, designed and used to support communications antennas.
COMPLETELY DRY SPACE
A space which will remain totally dry during flooding; the structure is designed and constructed to prevent the passage of water and water vapor.
CONCENTRATED AGRICULTURE
Any agriculture use that fits the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania definition of CAO or CAFO as defined in 3 Pa.C.S.A., Chapter 5, "Nutrient Management and Odor Management.
CONDITIONAL USE
A use which may be permitted in one or more zoning districts upon the recommendation of the Township Planning Commission to the Board of Township Supervisors who may grant approval pursuant to certain standards and criteria and the provisions of this chapter.
COUNTY
The County of Lycoming, Pennsylvania.
COURT
An unoccupied open space, other than a yard, on the same lot with a building, which is bounded on two or more sides by the walls of such building.
COURT, INNER
A court enclosed on all sides by exterior walls of a building, or by exterior walls and lot lines on which walls are allowable.
COURT, OUTER
A court enclosed on not more than three sides by exterior walls and lot lines on which walls are allowable, with one side or end open to a street, driveway, alley or yard.
COVERAGE
That percentage of the plot or lot area covered by the area of all buildings on the lot.
CUL-DE-SAC
A relatively short dead end street with a turnaround provided.
CURB LEVEL
The officially established grade of the curb in front of the midpoint of the lot.
CUT
An excavation. The difference between a point on the original ground and a designated point of lower elevation on the final grade. Also, the material removed in excavation.
DEPARTMENT
The Department of Environmental Protection of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its authorized representatives.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner, agents 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
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate including, but not limited to, the construction, reconstruction, renovation, repair, expansion, or alteration of buildings or other structures; the placement of mobile/manufactured homes; streets, and other paving; utilities; filing, grading and excavation; mining; dredging; drilling operations; storage of equipment or materials; and the subdivision of land.
DOG KENNEL
The keeping of more than three dogs that are more than six months old.
DOOR
An opening to the outside other than a door which provides all or part of the required natural light, natural ventilation or both to an interior space. The glazed portion of a door in an exterior wall may be construed to be a window.
DORMITORY
See "boarding house."
DUMP
A lot or land or part thereof used primarily for the disposal by abandonment, dumping, burial, burning or any other means and for whatever purpose, of garbage, sewage, trash, refuse, junk, discarded machinery, vehicles or part thereof, or waste material of any kind.
DWELLING
A building designed or used for residential occupancy as the living quarters for one or more families. The terms "dwelling," "one-family dwelling," "multiple dwelling," "two-family dwelling," or "dwelling group" shall not be deemed to include automobile court, rooming house, tourist home, motel, or hotel.
DWELLING UNIT
A building or portion thereof providing complete housekeeping facilities for one family.
DWELLING, GROUP
A group of two or more one-family, two-family or multiple dwellings occupying a lot in one ownership and having any yard in common.
DWELLING, MULTIPLE
A building used or designed as a residence for three or more families living independently of each other and doing their own cooking therein, including apartment houses, apartment hotels, condominium, and group houses.
DWELLING, ONE-FAMILY
A building designed for or occupied exclusively by one family.
DWELLING, ONE-FAMILY DETACHED
A building accommodating but a single-family and having two side yards.
DWELLING, TOWNHOUSE
A dwelling, the walls on two sides of which are in common with the walls of adjoining dwellings and are party or lot line walls. No structure shall contain more than 12 units.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY
A building designed specifically for or occupied exclusively by two families living independently of each other and of one-story or two-story design.
EASEMENT
A right-of-way granted for the limited use of land for public or quasi-public purposes.
ELECTRIC SUBSTATION
An assemblage of equipment for purposes other than generation or utilization, through which electric energy in bulk is passed for the purpose of switching or modifying its characteristics to meet the needs of the general public.
EROSION
The removal of surface materials by the action of natural elements.
ESSENTIALLY DRY SPACE
A space which will remain dry during flooding, except for the passage of some water vapor or minor seepage; the structure is substantially impermeable to the passage of water.
EXCAVATION
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other similar material is dug into, cut quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced, relocated or bulldozed, and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.
EXISTING MOBILE HOME/MANUFACTURED HOME PARK
A parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two or more mobile/manufactured home lots for rent or sale, for which construction of facilities for servicing the lot on which the mobile/manufactured home is to be affixed (including at a minimum the installation of utilities, either final site grading or the pouring of pads or sites and construction of structures) is completed before the effective date of this amendment.
FAMILY
One or more persons who live together in a common household. May consist of a single person or two or more persons, related by blood, marriage, or adoption. May also include domestic servants and gratuitous guests.
FILL
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other material is placed, pushed, dumped, pulled, transported or moved to a new location above the natural surface of the ground or on top of the stripped surface and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom. The difference in elevation between a point on the original ground and a designated point of higher elevation on the final grade. The material used to make a fill.
FLOOD
A temporary inundation of normally dry land areas.
FLOOD FRINGE
That portion of the one-hundred-year floodplain outside the floodway, excluding areas shown as approximated one-hundred-year flood zones on Hepburn Township's Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps.
FLOOD-PRONE AREA
Same as "floodplain."
FLOODPLAIN
A. 
A relatively flat or low land area adjoining a river, stream, or watercourse, which is subject to partial or complete inundation;
B. 
An area subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any surface;
C. 
An area subject to mudslides caused by accumulation of water on or underground;
D. 
Same as "general floodplain."
FLOODWAY
The designated area of a floodplain as shown on Hepburn Township's Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps required to carry and discharge a flood of a one-hundred-year frequency without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one-foot at any point.
FLOOR AREA OF A BUILDING
The sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors of a building and its accessory buildings on the same lot, excluding cellar and basement floor areas not devoted to business or dwelling purposes but including the area of roofed porches and roofed terraces. All dimensions shall be measured between exterior faces of walls.
FLOOR AREA RATIO OF A BUILDING
The quotient of the sum of all the floor area of a building divided by its lot area.
FLOOR AREA, HABITABLE
The aggregate of the horizontal areas of all rooms used for habitation, such as living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, but not including hallways, stairways, cellar, attics, service rooms or utility rooms, bathroom, closets, nor unheated areas such as enclosed porches, nor rooms without at least one window or skylight opening onto an outside yard or court. At least 1/2 of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of not less than seven feet and the floor area of that part of any room where the ceiling height is less than five feet shall not be considered as part of the habitable floor area. The minimum total window area, measured between stops shall be 10% of the habitable floor area of such room.
FREEBOARD
A factor of safety usually expressed in feet above a flood level for purposes of floodplain management. "Freeboard" tends to compensate for the many unknown factors that could contribute to flood heights greater than the height calculated for a selected size flood and floodway conditions, such as wave action, bridge openings, and the hydrological effect of urbanization of the watershed.
GARAGE, PRIVATE
An enclosed or partly enclosed space for the storage of one or more motor vehicles, provided that no business, occupation or service is conducted for profit therein nor space therein for more than one car is leased to a nonresident of the premises (except as provided herein.) For the purposes of this chapter the term "private garage" shall include the term "carport."
GARAGE, PUBLIC
Any garage not a private garage, and which is used for storage, parking, repair, rental, servicing or supplying of gasoline or oil to motor vehicles.
GENERAL FLOODPLAIN
That portion of the floodplain area for which no special flood profiles exist and which is designated as approximated area on Hepburn Township's Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps.
GLARE
The effect of reflecting light with an intensity sufficient to impair a viewer's ability to see or cause momentary blindness.
[Added by Ord. No. 11.08.2022.03, 11/8/2022]
GOVERNING BODY
Board of Supervisors of Hepburn Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.
GRADE, ESTABLISHED
The elevation of the center line of the streets as officially established by the municipal authorities.
GRADE, FINISHED
The completed surfaces of lawns, walks and roads brought to grades as shown on official plans or designs relating thereto.
HISTORIC STRUCTURE
Any structure that is:
A. 
Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of Interior) or preliminary determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register.
B. 
Certified or preliminary determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historical significance of the registered historic district or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district.
C. 
Individually listed on a state inventory of historic places in states with historic preservation programs which have been approved by the Secretary of Interior.
D. 
Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified either:
(1) 
By an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior.
(2) 
Directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs.
HOME OCCUPATION
A use entirely within a dwelling or accessory building that is clearly incidental and secondary to the principal residential use provided the following criteria are met:
A. 
That no external alterations or structural changes are necessary.
B. 
The occupation does not produce offensive noise, vibrations, heat, dust or other objectionable conditions.
C. 
No outside storage is required.
D. 
No more than 25% of the gross area of a dwelling unit is used for such purpose.
E. 
Not more than one nonoccupant is employed.
F. 
Adequate off-street parking provided.
G. 
Does not alter in any material way the character of the property as essentially a residence.
HOSPITAL
A place for the diagnosis, treatment, or other care of humans and having facilities for inpatient care including such establishments as a sanatorium, sanitarium, and preventorium.
HOTEL
A building containing rooms intended or designed to be used or which are used, rented or hired out to be occupied or which are occupied for sleeping purposes by transient guests and where only a general kitchen and dining room are provided within the building or in an accessory building.
HOUSE TRAILER
See "recreation vehicle."
HUMAN OCCUPIED STRUCTURE
Any structure designed or used in a way which includes a human or humans being at least occasionally within the structure.
INTRASTATE GATHERING PIPELINE
A pipeline that transports oil or gas from an oil or gas well site to: a natural gas processing plant; or an interconnect with a pipeline within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. This definition shall not include any pipeline and appurtenances connecting an end-use consumer's piping to an oil or gas well site or main pipeline. Terms referenced in this definition shall have the meaning prescribed to them in § 27-638.
JUNKYARD
See "scrapyard."
KENNEL
Is defined as an establishment where more than five dogs or domesticated animals, for more than six months are housed, groomed, bred, boarded, trained or sold. House pets in a private home are excluded.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Any of the following activities:
A. 
The improvement of one or two or more contiguous lots, tracts or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
(1) 
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings, whether proposed initially or cumulatively, or a single non residential building on a lot or lots regardless of the number of occupants or tenure; or
(2) 
The division or allocation of land or prospective occupants by means of, or for the purpose of streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building groups or other features.
B. 
A subdivision of land.
C. 
Developments excluded include conversions of existing single-family detached or semidetached dwellings to not more than three residential units, unless such units are intended to be condominiums; the addition of an accessory building, including farm buildings, on a lot or lots subordinate to an existing principal building; or the addition or conversion of buildings and rides within the confines of an enterprise which would be considered an amusement park. For purposes of this exclusion an amusement park is defined as a tract or area used principally as a location for permanent amusement structures or rides. This exclusion does not apply to newly acquired acreage by an amusement park until initial plans for the expanded area have been approved by proper authorities.
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 having a remaining term of not less than 40 years, or other persons having a proprietary interest in land, shall be deemed to be a landowner for the purposes of this chapter.
LAUNDROMAT
A business premises equipped with individual clothes washing machines for the use of retail customers, exclusive of laundry facilities provided as an accessory use such as in the case of an apartment house.
LINE, STREET
The dividing line between the street right-of-way and the lot.
LODGING HOUSE
A building in which three or more rooms are rented and in which meals are not served.
LOT
Land occupied or to be occupied by a building and its accessory buildings, or by a dwelling group and its accessory buildings, together with such open spaces as are required under the provisions of this chapter, having not less than the minimum area and width required by this chapter for a lot in the district in which such land is situated, and having its principal frontage on a street or on such other means of access as may be determined in accordance with the provisions of law to be adequate as a condition of the issuance of a zoning or building permit for a building on such land.
LOT LINES
The lines bounding a lot as defined herein.
LOT OF RECORD
A parcel of land held in single and separate ownership described by a recorded deed or other legal instrument which may or may not conform to the minimum regulations required herein.
LOT, CORNER
A parcel of land at the junction of, and fronting on, two or more intersecting streets.
LOT, INTERIOR
A lot other than a corner lot.
LOT, THROUGH
An interior lot having frontage on two parallel or approximately parallel streets.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Marijuana for certified medical use as set forth in Act 16 of 2016,[1] as amended from time to time.
[Added by Ord. No. 10.10.2017.01, 10/10/2017]
MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY
A person, including a natural person, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other entity, or any combination thereof, which holds a permit issued by the Department of Health of the commonwealth to dispense medical marijuana. The term does not include a health care medical marijuana organization under Chapter 19 of Act 16 of 2016.[2] This defined use shall not be deemed a drug store, neighborhood commercial facility, distribution center, or retail business, as listed elsewhere in this chapter, but shall be considered a distinct and unique use.
[Added by Ord. No. 10.10.2017.01, 10/10/2017]
MEDICAL MARIJUANA GROWER/PROCESSOR
A person, including a natural person, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other entity, or any other combination thereof, which holds a permit from the Department of Health of the commonwealth under Act 16 of 2016,[3] as amended from time to time, to grow and process medical marijuana. The term does not include a health care medical marijuana organization under Chapter 19 of Act 16 of 2016.[4] This defined use shall not be deemed a selected industry as referenced in § 27-505, Subsection 5C, or an agricultural use as referenced in § 27-506, Subsection 2A.
[Added by Ord. No. 10.10.2017.01, 10/10/2017]
MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOME
A. 
A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for human occupancy, office or place of assembly contained in one unit, or in two 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.
B. 
In floodplain areas only, "mobile/manufactured home" shall include any park trailer, travel trailer, recreational or other similar vehicle which is placed on a site for more that 180 consecutive days, without being removed outside the floodplain area.
C. 
For purposes of this chapter a mobile/manufactured home shall not include park trailers, travel trailers, recreational vehicles or other similar vehicles.
MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOME LOT
A parcel of land for the placement of a single mobile/manufactured home and the exclusive use of its occupants.
MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOME PARK
A parcel of land under a single ownership which has been planned and improved for the placement of mobile/manufactured homes for nontransient use.
MUNICIPALITY
The Township of Hepburn, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.
NATURAL RESOURCE PRODUCTION USE
Any activity involving the development of a natural resource for commercial purposes including, but not limited to, the following: oil and gas well drilling, or other production of oil and natural gas, the operation of a quarry, sand pit, gravel pit or topsoil stripping operation, the excavation and sale of sand, gravel, clay, shale or other natural mineral deposits, the quarrying of any kind of rock formation, or any other similar commercial harvesting, production, sale or development of natural resources; it shall not include farm activities or timber harvesting.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after February 17, 1982, and includes any subsequent improvements thereto.
NO-IMPACT HOME-BASED BUSINESS
A business or commercial activity administrated or conducted as an accessory use which is clearly secondary to the use as a residential dwelling and which involves no customer, client or patient traffic, whether vehicular or pedestrian, pickup, delivery or removal functions to or from the premises, in excess of those normally associated with residential use. See also § 27-633, Subsection 1A.
NONCONFORMING USE
A structure or land lawfully occupied by a use that does not conform to the regulations of the district in which it is situated.
NURSING OR CONVALESCENT HOME
Any structure containing sleeping rooms where persons are housed or lodged and furnished with meals and nursing care.
ONE-HUNDRED-YEAR FLOOD
A flood that on the average is likely to occur once every 100 years, i.e., that has one-percent chance of occurring each year, although the flood may occur in any year.
OPEN SPACE
A space, not occupied by a structure, open to the sky and on the same lot with the building or structure.
PARKING SPACE
The area required for parking one automobile, which in this chapter is held to be an area of not less than 180 square feet, nine feet wide and 20 feet long, plus space for access and passageways.
PERMIT
An authorization issued by the Department of Health of the commonwealth to a medical marijuana organization to conduct activities under this Act.[5]
[Added by Ord. No. 10.10.2017.01, 10/10/2017]
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, corporation, association, municipality, county, authority, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any other private or public entity.
PERSON IN CHARGE (SHORT-TERM RENTALS)
A person or agent with actual authority to represent the owner for purposes of contact and communication regarding the owner's short-term rental. A person in charge must reside or have an office within approximately 15 miles of the short-term rental property and be able to act as the legal agent for the owner. The Township must be notified in writing within 14 days if there is a change in the identity of the person in charge.
[Added by Ord. No. 11.08.2022.02, 11/8/2022]
PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
An area of land, controlled by a landowner, to be developed as a single entity for a number of dwelling units, the development plan for which does not correspond in lot size, bulk or type of dwelling, density, lot coverage and required open space to the regulations established in any one residential district created, under the provisions of a municipal zoning ordinance.
PLANNING COMMISSION OR AGENCY
The Hepburn Township Planning Commission.
PLAT
The map or plan of a subdivision or land development, whether preliminary or final.
PRELIMINARY — A tentative plan indicating the proposed layout of a subdivision prepared by the subdivider for submission to the Planning Commission for its consideration.
FINAL — A complete and exact plan of subdivision which is presented to the Planning Commission for approval and thence to the Board of Supervisors for final approval, and when approved, will be submitted by the subdivider to the Recorder of Deeds of Lycoming County for recording in accordance with law.
PREMISES
Any lot, parcel or tract of land and any building constructed thereon.
PRINCIPALLY ABOVE GROUND
At least 51% of the actual cash value of the structure, less land value, is above ground.
PUBLIC GROUNDS
Includes:
A. 
Parks, playgrounds and other public areas; and
B. 
Sites for schools, sewage treatment, refuse disposal and other publicly owned or operated facilities.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice given of not more than 30 days and not less than 14 days in advance of any public hearing required by law. Such notice shall be published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Township of Hepburn, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Such notice shall state the time and place of the hearing and the particular nature of the matter to be considered at the hearing.
QUARRY, SAND PIT, GRAVEL PIT, TOPSOIL STRIPPING
A lot or land or part thereof used for the purpose of extracting stone, sand, gravel or topsoil for sale or for processing into a product for sale, and exclusive of the process of grading a lot preparatory to the construction of a building.
RECREATION VEHICLE
Any portable or mobile vehicle used or designed to be used for travel, recreation and/or living purposes; and with its wheels, rollers, or skids in place. A recreation vehicle shall include trailer, house trailer, camper, sleigh, golf cart, boat, boat trailer, airplane or other similar vehicle providing partial and usually temporary living and sleeping quarters and which may or may not include kitchen and bathroom conveniences.
RECREATION VEHICLE PARK
A tract of land:
A. 
Where two or more recreation vehicles are parked.
B. 
Which is used or held out for the purpose of supplying to the public a parking space for two or more recreational vehicles.
REGISTRY
The registry established by the Department of Health of the commonwealth for practitioners.
[Added by Ord. No. 10.10.2017.01, 10/10/2017]
RESIDENTIAL HOTEL
A dwelling mostly occupied by permanent guests and not by transients. It may include restaurants, newsstands and other accessory services primarily for serving its occupants and only incidentally the public.
RIDING ACADEMY
Any establishment where horses are kept for riding, driving or stabling for compensation or incidental to the operation of any club, association, ranch or similar establishment.
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.
SANITARIUM, SANATORIUM
A private hospital, whether or not such facility is operated for profit.
SCRAPYARD
A lot, land or structure, or part thereof, used primarily for the collecting, storage or sale of waste paper, rags, scrap metal or discarded material; or for the collecting, dismantling, storage or salvaging of machinery or vehicles not in running condition, or for the sale of parts thereof. Such uses shall be classified as industrial.
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 usually referred to as "sediment."
SELF-STORAGE FACILITY
An establishment that offers for rental or lease individual units intended for the storage or safe-keeping of personal goods and possessions regardless of duration.
SERVICE STATION, AUTOMOTIVE
Any area of land, including structures thereon; that is used or designed to be used for the supply of gasoline or oil or other fuel for the propulsion of motor vehicles and which may include facilities used or designed to be used for polishing, greasing, washing, dry cleaning or otherwise cleaning or servicing such motor vehicles. Automotive parts may be sold.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
Any dwelling unit utilized as a single-family residence rented for the purpose of overnight lodging for a period of 30 days or less.
[Added by Ord. No. 11.08.2022.02, 11/8/2022]
SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMIT
Permission granted by the Township to utilize a dwelling unit for short-term rental unit.
[Added by Ord. No. 11.08.2022.02, 11/8/2022]
SIGN
Any structure or device for visual communication that is used for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof to the attention of the public. "Sign" shall include, but not be limited to, any identification, description, illustration, structure or device which is visible from any public place and which draws attention to a product, service, place, activity, person, entity, institution, business, profession, commodity or entertainment. "Sign" shall also include, but not be limited to, any solicitation or the presentation and display of any emblem, painting, banner, pennant, placard or other structure or device whether played temporarily or permanently, to advertise, identify or convey information. "Sign" shall not include national, governmental, religious or corporate flags. "Sign" for purposes of this chapter shall also not include official traffic or government signs, or scoreboards on athletic fields.
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING DEVICE — Any outdoor sign, light, figure, painting, drawing, message, plaque, poster, billboard or other structure or device which is designed, intended or used to advertise or inform or to draw attention to the subject of the same. As used throughout this chapter, the word "sign" shall include an outdoor advertising device, unless the same is specifically excluded.
ON-PREMISES SIGN — A sign which carries only messages strictly incidental to the lawful use of the premises on which the sign is located. Such sign may include, but not be limited to, messages including the business transacted, services rendered, goods sold or produced or activities conducted on the premises; the name of the business, name of the person, firm or corporation occupying the premises.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN OR OFF-SITE SIGN — A sign, the subject of which need not necessarily be limited to a message or communication strictly incidental to the lawful use of the premises upon which it is erected, but may refer to subject matter or activities which are not carried out upon nor incidental to the use of the premises upon which the sign is erected.
SIGN AREA — The area of a sign shall be measured by the smallest square, rectangle, triangle, circle, or combination thereof which will encompass the entire sign. Sign area shall be inclusive of any border and trim, but shall not include the base or apron, supports, or other structural members.
SIGN, ANIMATED — A sign with action or motion or revolving, flashing, or color changes requiring electrical energy, but not including wind activated elements such as flags, banners, or like items.
SKETCH PLAN
A plan submitted at the option of the applicant, usually a freehand drawing of any idea for a proposed subdivision and land development; which may show the layout of streets, lots, and other pertinent features. It is advisable that it be drawn on a general topographic or tax map.
SLOPE
The face of an embankment or cut section; and ground whose surface makes an angle with the plane of the horizon. Slopes are usually expressed in a percentage based upon vertical difference in feet per 100 feet of horizontal distance.
SOLAR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT
A solar energy system that has an alternating current (A/C) capacity of at least two megawatts (MW) and through connections to the electric grid, is capable of producing power to off-site customers. For purposes of this chapter, solar energy development does not include accessory solar energy systems.
[Added by Ord. No. 11.08.2022.03, 11/8/2022]
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A solar photovoltaic collection device and equipment including supporting infrastructures such as solar arrays, panels, distribution wires, batteries, storage cells, and all other mechanical equipment using solar radiation to generate store, and distribute energy. Solar energy systems may include substations and inverters and other accessory equipment.
[Added by Ord. No. 11.08.2022.03, 11/8/2022]
SOIL STABILIZATION
Chemical or structural treatment of a mass of soil to increase or maintain its stability or otherwise to improve its engineering properties.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
A special use in one or more districts granted by the Zoning Hearing Board pursuant to certain specified conditions and the provisions of this chapter.
SPECIAL PERMIT
A special approval which is required by this chapter.
STABLE, PRIVATE
A building in which one or more horses are kept for private use and not for hire, remuneration or sale.
STABLE, PUBLIC
A building in which one or more horses are kept for remuneration, hire or sale.
STORY
That portion of a building included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above it, or if there be no floor above it, then the space between any floor and ceiling next above it.
STORY, HALF
A story under a gable, hop or gambrel roof, the wall plates of which on a least two opposite exterior walls are not more than two feet above the floor of such story.
STREET GRADE
The officially established grade of the street upon which a lot fronts or in its absence the established grade of other streets upon which the lot abuts, at the midpoint of the frontage of the lot thereon. If there is no officially established grade, the existing grade of the street at such midpoint shall be taken as the street grade.
STREETS
Includes street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, parkway, lane, alley, viaduct, and any other ways used or intended to be used by vehicular traffic or pedestrians whether public or private and for the purposes of this chapter shall be classified as follows:
ALLEYS — Minor ways which are used primarily for vehicular service access to the back or the side of properties otherwise abutting on a street.
ARTERIAL STREETS — Those which are used primarily for through, fast or heavy traffic.
COLLECTOR STREETS — Those which carry traffic from minor streets to the major system of arterial streets, including principal entrance streets of a residential development and streets for major circulation within such developments.
MARGINAL ACCESS STREETS — Minor streets which are parallel to and adjacent to arterial streets and which provide access to abutting properties and protection from through traffic.
MINOR STREETS — Those which are used primarily for access to the abutting properties. These may be primarily access to homes in which case they will be minor residential streets.
REVERSE FRONTAGE STREET — A minor street that provides access to lots that would otherwise front on an arterial street. With the introduction of a reverse frontage street, the lots front on the minor street with the rear lot lines along the arterial.
STRUCTURE
Anything constructed or erected, the use of which demands a location on the soil, or attachment to something located in or on the soil. A structure shall also include any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
SUBDIVIDER
A person, copartnership or corporation, who or which owns land in the Township and for which a land subdivision application is filed and processed under the provisions of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance [Chapter 22].
SUBDIVISION
A. 
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 devises, transfer of ownership or building or lot development; provided, however, that the division of land for agricultural purposes into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new street or easement of access, shall be exempted;
B. 
Any development of parcel of land or plan thereof; which involves the installation of streets or alleys or both, whether or not proposed for dedication, and any development of land for a shopping center, or for multiple dwellings.
MAJOR SUBDIVISIONAny subdivision involving five or more lots, parcels of land or other divisions of land whether or not they involve new streets, additional utilities or other facilities immediate or future.
MINOR SUBDIVISIONAny subdivision involving not more than five lots, parcels of land or other divisions of land which abut a street of sufficient width and does not require a new street, the installation of sanitary sewers, storm sewers, water mains, or pipes, or other facilities, except that a subdivision otherwise qualifying as a minor street or streets are required; provided, that the plans as submitted to the Planning Commission contain the same street detail as required for major subdivisions unless a degree of lesser detail is accepted by the Planning Commission.
SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE
Damage from any cause sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50% or more of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT
Any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure either: (A) before the improvement or repair is started or, (B) if the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred. For purposes of this definition "substantial improvement" is considered to occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor or other structural part of the building commences whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure. The term does not include either: (1) any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing state or local health sanitary, or safety code specifications which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions or, (2) any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a state inventory of historic places.
SWALE
A low-lying stretch of land which gathers or carries surface water runoff.
TELEPHONE CENTRAL OFFICE or TELEPHONE EXCHANGE BUILDING
A building and its equipment erected and used for the purpose of facilitating transmission and exchange of telephone messages between subscribers and other business of the telephone company.
TENTS
A portable lodging unit usually made out of skins, canvas, plastic, or strong cloth stretched and usually sustained by poles, and is dependent upon separate toilet and lavatory facilities.
THEATER, MOVING PICTURE
A building or part of a building devoted to the showing of moving pictures on a paid admission basis.
THEATER, OUTDOOR DRIVE-IN
An open lot or part thereof, with its appurtenant facilities, devoted primarily to the showing of moving pictures or theatrical productions, on a paid admission basis, to patrons seated in automobiles or on outdoor seats.
TIMBER HARVESTING
Any cutting of or removal of trees or other harvesting of forest products for firewood, cord wood, pole wood, timber, pulp or any other commercial purpose, on any parcel of property over five acres in size, with the following exceptions:
A. 
A person engaging in such an activity on his own property or the property of another, with the other's permission, provided that the use of the products is limited to being for the private residential use of those engaging in the activity.
B. 
Such cutting, removal, or harvesting of less than five 5,000 board feet as measured by the scribner's scale, within any consecutive twelve-month period, from any one lot, tract, or parcel of land or combination of lands under common ownership.
C. 
The clearing or development of building sites or the clearing of land for farm operations, provided that the cutting and removal, or harvesting is incidental to such clearing operation and is not carried out on a commercial basis.
TOPOGRAPHIC MAP
A map showing the elevations of the ground by contours or elevations.
TOPSOIL
Surface soils and subsurface soils which presumably are fertile soils and soil material, ordinarily rich in organic matter or humus debris. Topsoil is usually found in the uppermost soil layer called the A Horizon.
TOURIST CABINS
A group of buildings, including either separate cabins or a row of cabins which:
A. 
Contain living and sleeping accommodations for transient occupancy.
B. 
Have individual entrances.
TOURIST HOME/INN
A dwelling in which overnight accommodations are provided or offered for transient guests for compensation.
TOWNSHIP
Hepburn Township, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.
TOWNSHIP ENGINEER
A duly registered professional engineer employed by the Township or engaged as a consultant thereto.
TRAILER
See "recreation vehicle."
USE
The specific purpose for which land or a building is designed, arranged, intended, or for which it is or may be occupied or maintained. The term "permitted use" or its equivalent shall not be deemed to include any nonconforming use.
VARIANCE
A modification of the regulations of this chapter granted by the Zoning Hearing Board on the grounds of practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship, not self-imposed, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
WATERCOURSE
A permanent stream, intermittent stream, river, brook, creek, or a channel or ditch for water whether natural or man-made.
WIND ENERGY FACILITY, COMMERCIAL
A commercial electric generation facility whose main purpose is to supply electricity, consisting of one or more wind turbines and other accessory buildings and structures, including substation, meteorological towers, electrical infrastructure, transmission lines and other appurtenant structures and facilities. For purposes of this chapter, stand-alone wind turbines constructed for private use shall be considered personal wind energy facilities.
WIND ENERGY FACILITY, PERSONAL
A wind turbine or turbines situated on a lot to provide wind energy to an individual home, office, business, industrial or agricultural use located on the same lot. The wind energy generated by the turbine(s) is not to be provided to others for the sale off-site in the power grid. The personal wind energy facility shall follow all state laws and regulations.
WIND TURBINE
A wind energy conversion system that converts wind energy into electricity through the use of a wind turbine generator and includes the nacelle, rotor, tower and pad transformer, if any.
YARD
An unoccupied space, open to the sky, on the same lot with a building or structure.
YARD, FRONT
A yard extending the full width of the lot and situated between the street right-of-way line and the required setback line projected to the side lines of the lot. The depth of the front yard shall be measured between the required setback line and the street right-of-way line.
YARD, REAR
A yard extending the full width of the lot and situated between the rear line of the lot and situated between the rear line of the lot and the line establishing the required rear yard projected to the side lines of the lot. The depth of the rear yard shall be measured between the rear line of the lot, or the adjacent right-of-way line of the alley or street if there be an alley or street, and the line establishing the rear yard.
YARD, SIDE
A yard situated between the line establishing the required side yard area and adjacent side line of the lot and extending from the front yard to the rear yard. Any required yard not a rear yard or a front yard shall be deemed a side yard.
YARDS, CORNER LOT
Corner lots have two front yards, one side yard and one rear yard.
[1]
Editor’s Note: See 35 P.S. § 10231.101 et seq.
[2]
Editor’s Note: See 35 P.S. § 10231.1901 et seq.
[3]
Editor’s Note: See 35 P.S. § 10231.101 et seq.
[4]
Editor’s Note: See 35 P.S. § 10231.1901 et seq.
[5]
Editor’s Note: Refers to the Medical Marijuana Act. See 35 P.S. § 10231.101 et seq.