For the purpose of promoting the public health, safety, morals
and general welfare of the Borough of Ambridge, the following regulations
or restrictions shall be in full force and effect.
This chapter shall be known as the "Ambridge Zoning Ordinance
of 1955."
[Amended 8-15-1987 by Ord. No. 1049; 8-9-2016 by Ord. No. 1285]
In this chapter, words used in the singular number include the
plural, words in the plural number include the singular; the word
"building" includes the word "structure." "Shall" indicates a mandatory
action; "shall not" indicates an action that is prohibited. "Encouraged"
indicates an action that will enhance the character of the district;
"discouraged" indicates an action that will neither enhance nor harm
the character of the district. Unless otherwise expressly stated,
the following terms shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the
meanings herein indicated:
ABANDONED SIGN
A sign which has not identified or advertised a current business,
service, owner, product or activity for a period of at least 60 days.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
ACCESSORY BUILDING
A building subordinate to the main building on a lot and
used for purposes customarily incidental to those of the main building.
ACCESSORY USE
A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal
use of building and located on the same lot with such principal use
or building.
ADDRESS SIGN
A sign that designates the street number and/or street name
for identification purposes, as designated by the United States Postal
Service (also known as "nameplate sign").
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
ALLEY
A public way which affords only a secondary means of access
to abutting property.
APARTMENT HOUSE
A building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence
for two or more families living independently of one another, the
height of which shall not exceed seven stories or 75 feet.
ARTISAN/MAKER SPACE
Work space for one or more artists, artisans, programmers
or other creators characterized by small-scale, micro-industrial production,
including the accessory sale of items produced on the premises.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
ASSISTED-LIVING FACILITY
A residential building or group of buildings designed to
provide multifamily dwelling units for the elderly or physically or
mentally disabled persons who are independently mobile and are not
in need of the level of service provided by a personal-care boarding
home, but which provides on-site supervision and assistance available
to the residents on an occasional "as-needed" basis and where at least
one meal each day is provided in a common dining area and which includes
certain design features associated with the needs of the elderly or
disabled which are not customarily found in conventional dwelling
units such as emergency call systems, handicapped-accessible design,
common dining facilities, common laundry facilities, minimal housekeeping
services, common leisure and recreational facilities, transportation
and similar supporting services for the convenience of the residents.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
AWNING
A cloth, plastic, or other nonstructural covering that projects
from a wall for the purpose of shielding a doorway or window. An awning
is either permanently attached to a building or can be raised or retracted
to a position against the building when not in use.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
AWNING SIGN
Any sign painted on, or applied to, an awning.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
BALLOON SIGN
Inflatable advertising devices such as giant characters or
objects, hot air or flying balloons, fly guys/air dancers. For purposes
of this chapter, this definition shall exclude latex helium balloons
used temporarily in bunches, arches or sculptures.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
BANK
A financial institution that is open to the public and engaged
in deposit banking and performs closely related functions such as
investments, making loans and fiduciary activities.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
BANNER
Any cloth, bunting, plastic, paper, or similar nonrigid material
attached to any structure, staff, pole, rope, wire, or framing which
is anchored on two or more edges or at all four corners. Banners are
temporary in nature and do not include flags.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
BAR
An establishment devoted primarily to the sales of alcoholic
beverages to the public for on-premises consumption and licensed by
the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for the same. This use may include
the accessory use of serving food and/or selling alcoholic beverages
for off-premises consumption and applies to establishments that sell
alcohol for on-premises consumption and do not meet the definitions
of "brewpub," "micro-alcohol production" or "restaurant (sit-down)."
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
BASEMENT
A story, partly underground, the greater part of which is
above grade. For the purposes of this chapter, a basement shall be
counted as a story.
BOARDER
Any person who is supplied with sleeping or living accommodations
with or without meals. A roomer shall be deemed to be a "boarder."
BOARDINGHOUSE
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 or furnished room house shall be deemed a "boardinghouse."
BREWPUB
An establishment engaged primarily in the retail sale of
prepared food for consumption, which includes the brewing of beer
as an accessory use. The brewing operation produces beer and ale by
mashing, cooking and fermenting and does not include the production
of any other alcoholic beverage.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
BUILDING AREA
The aggregate of the maximum horizontal cross-section areas
of the buildings on a lot, excluding cornices, eaves, gutters or chimneys
projecting not more than 18 inches, bay windows not extending through
more than one story and not projecting more than five feet, one-story
open porches projecting not more than 10 feet, steps and balconies.
BUILDING FRONTAGE
The maximum linear width of a building measured in a single
straight line parallel, or essentially parallel, with the abutting
public street or parking lot.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
BUILDING LINE
A line parallel to the street line or street lines at a distance
therefrom equal to the depth of the front or side yard required for
the district in which the lot is located.
BUSINESS SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT
An establishment engaged in rendering services to businesses
and offices on a fee or contract basis, including, but not limited
to: copy centers, retail printing and duplication services, computer
rental and copying centers, and mailing services.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
CAFE/COFFEE SHOP
An informal restaurant without table service that primarily
offers coffee, tea and other beverages, where light refreshments and
limited-menu meals may also be sold.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
CANOPY
A structure other than an awning made of fabric, metal, or
other material that is supported by columns or posts affixed to the
ground and may also be connected to a building.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
CANOPY SIGN
Any sign that is part of, or attached to, a canopy.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
CARTWAY
That portion of the street right-of-way that is surfaced
for vehicular use, excluding shoulders and curbs.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
CELLAR
A story of which 1/2 or more is below grade. For the purposes
of this chapter, a cellar shall not be counted as a story.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN
A sign or portion thereof on which the copy or symbols change
either automatically through electrical or electronic means or manually
through placement of letters or symbols on a panel mounted in or on
a track system.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC WASTE
All waste generated by or resulting from the production or
use of antineoplastic agents, used for the purpose of stopping or
reversing the growth of malignant cells. Chemotherapeutic waste shall
not include any waste containing antineoplastic agents that are listed
as hazardous waste under 25 Pa. Code § 75.261 (relating
to criteria, identification and listing of hazardous waste).
CHILD DAY CARE
A building other than the operator's primary place of
residence where children receive child care from a state-licensed
provider: 1) while unattended by a parent, legal guardian, or custodian;
2) for regular compensation; and 3) for more than four hours but less
than 24 hours in each of 10 consecutive days per year, excluding intervening
weekends and holidays.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
CIVIC/PUBLIC FACILITY
Any building held, used or controlled exclusively for public
purposes by any public agency or public authority, regardless of the
building's ownership; a building belonging to or used by the
public for the transaction of public or quasi-public business.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
CLEARANCE
The distance above the walkway, or other surface if specified,
to the bottom edge of a sign. This term can also refer to a horizontal
distance between two objects.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
CLINIC
An establishment where human patients receive medical, dental,
chiropractic, psychological and surgical diagnosis, treatment and
counseling under the care of a group of licensed doctors, dentists
or practitioners and their supporting staff, where said patients are
not provided with room or board or kept overnight on the premises.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
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, visitors and employees of a
development, not including streets, off-street parking areas and areas
set aside for public facilities.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
COMMUNITY GARAGE
Building or group of buildings, one story in height, used
exclusively for the storage of automobiles and not used for public
parking or for making repairs thereto.
CONVERSION APARTMENT
A multifamily dwelling constructed by converting an existing
dwelling into apartments for more than one family without substantially
altering the exterior of the building.
COURT
An open, unoccupied space, other than a yard, on the same
lot with a 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 of a building or by exterior walls on lot lines on which walls
are allowable.
DANGEROUS WASTE
Infectious wastes or chemotherapeutic wastes or hazardous
wastes, or any combination thereof.
DENSITY BONUS
An increase in the maximum allowed density authorized in
a planned unit development in exchange for including certain features
in the development that are in excess of the minimum requirements.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
DIGITAL DISPLAY
The portion of a sign message made up of internally illuminated
components capable of changing the message periodically. Digital displays
may include but are not limited to LCD, LED or plasma displays.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
Signs designed to provide direction to pedestrian and vehicular
traffic into and out of or within a site.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
DWELLING
A building designed or used exclusively as the living quarters
for one or more families.
DWELLING UNIT
One or more rooms which are used as living quarters for one
family and which have permanent facilities for sleeping, cooking and
eating and sanitary facilities.
[Amended 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
DWELLING UNIT DENSITY
The number of dwelling units authorized by this chapter per
acre of land.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
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, provided that, in residential districts:
A.
An electric substation shall not include rotating equipment,
storage of materials, trucks or repair facilities or housing or repair
crews.
B.
The external design of the installation shall be subject to
the approval of the Zoning Hearing Board.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
The provision of distribution systems by municipal or other
government agencies regulated by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
or other governmental agencies of underground or overhead gas, electrical
steam or water pipes, sewers, conduit, fire alarm boxes, traffic signals,
fire hydrants and other similar equipment and accessories in connection
therewith, reasonably necessary for the furnishing of adequate services
by such public utilities or municipal or governmental agencies or
for the public health and safety or general welfare.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
FAMILY
Any number of individuals living together as a single housekeeping
unit.
FARMER'S MARKET
An occasional or temporary market held in an open area or
in a structure where fresh agricultural products are sold directly
to the consumer generally by vendors who have raised the vegetables
or produce or have taken the same on consignment for retail sale.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
FLAG
Any sign printed or painted on cloth, plastic, canvas, or
other like material with distinctive colors, patterns or symbols attached
to a pole or staff and anchored along only one edge or supported or
anchored at only two corners.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
FRANCHISE ARCHITECTURE
A distinct architectural building style and/or elements trademarked
or identified with a particular franchise, chain, or corporation that
serves to enhance or promote brand identity through visual recognition.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign supported by structures or supports that are placed
on, or anchored in, the ground and that is independent and detached
from any building or other structure. The following are subtypes of
freestanding signs:
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
A.
GROUND SIGNA sign permanently affixed to the ground at its base, supported entirely by a base structure and not mounted on a pole or attached to any part of a building (also known as "monument sign").
B.
POLE SIGNA freestanding sign that is permanently supported in a fixed location by a structure of one or more poles, posts, uprights, or braces from the ground and not supported by a building or a base structure.
FRONT YARD
The required open space from the front of a main building
to the front property line extending along the street line of any
street on which the lot abuts.
FRUIT/VEGETABLE STAND
A temporary open-air stand or place for the seasonal selling
of agricultural produce. A fruit/vegetable stand is portable and capable
of being dismantled or removed from the sales site.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
GAS STATION CANOPY SIGN
Any sign that is part of, or attached to, the vertical sides
of the gas station canopy roof structure. For the purposes of this
chapter, gas station canopy signs shall be considered wall signs.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
GOVERNMENT/REGULATORY SIGN
Any signs for the control of traffic or for identification
purposes, street signs, warning signs, railroad crossing signs, and
signs of public service companies indicating danger or construction,
which are erected by or at the order of a public officer, employee
or agent thereof, in the discharge of official duties.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
GRADE
"Grade," with reference to a building, means, when the curb
level has been established and the front of the building is 15 feet
or less from the street line, the main elevation of the curb opposite
such building; when the curb level has not been established or all
the walls of the building are more than 15 feet from the street line,
"grade" is the mean elevation of the ground adjoining the building
on all sides.
GROSS FLOOR AREA
The sum of all the horizontal floor areas of a building,
measured between exterior faces of walls expressed in square feet.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
HAZARDOUS WASTE
The same as hazardous waste under the federal regulations
promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and
codified at 40 CFR 261.3, which is incorporated by reference. All
lists in 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart D and the Appendixes to Part 261
are also expressly incorporated by reference. The term "hazardous
waste" as used herein also includes any substance or mixture containing
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at greater than 1/10 of 1% concentrations
when such substance or mixture is not intended for beneficial use
or reuse. Radioactive waste and by-products, as defined by the Code
of Pennsylvania 1975, are expressly excluded from this definition.
HEIGHT
The height of a building means the vertical distance from
grade to a point midway between the highest and the lowest points
of the roof, provided that chimneys, spires, towers, elevator penthouses,
tanks and similar projections shall not be included in calculating
the height.
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
Signs or displays, including lighting, which are a nonpermanent
installation celebrating national, state and local holidays, religious
or cultural holidays or other holiday seasons (also known as "seasonal
decorations").
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
HOME OCCUPATION
An occupation for gain or support, conducted only by members
of a family residing on the premises, and conducted entirely within
the dwelling or in an accessory building, provided that no article
is sold or offered for sale except such as may be provided by members
of the immediate family residing on the premises.
HOSPITAL
An institution licensed by the commonwealth for the care
of human patients suffering from physical or mental illnesses, and
which may or may not include facilities for major surgery and which
may be publicly or privately operated.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
HOSPITAL WASTE
Waste of any sort generated by nursing homes, hospitals or
clinics for the treatment of disease or like institutions or businesses.
The term shall also include paper products, bedding, towels, containers
or cleaning implements that have been exposed to infectious chemotherapeutic,
pathological wastes, solid wastes, and/or hazardous wastes generated
by nursing homes, hospitals or clinics for the treatment of disease,
or like institutions or businesses.
HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY
A residential building containing multifamily dwelling units
financed and designed for occupancy by persons aged 60 years or older,
and conforming to all state and federal laws and regulations applicable
to housing for the elderly.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
ILLUMINATION
A source of any artificial or reflected light, either directly
from a source of light incorporated in or indirectly from an artificial
source.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
A.
EXTERNAL ILLUMINATIONArtificial light, located away from the sign, which lights the sign, the source of which may or may not be visible to persons viewing the sign from any street, sidewalk, or adjacent property.
B.
INTERNAL ILLUMINATIONA light source that is concealed or contained within the sign and becomes visible in darkness through a translucent surface. Message center signs, digital displays, and signs incorporating neon lighting shall not be considered internal illumination for the purposes of this chapter.
C.
HALO ILLUMINATIONA sign using a three-dimensional message, logo, etc., which is lit in such a way as to produce a halo effect (also known as "back-lit illumination").
INCIDENTAL SIGN
A sign that displays general site information, instructions,
directives, or restrictions that are primarily oriented to pedestrians
and motor vehicle operators who have entered a property from a public
street. These signs shall not contain any commercial advertising.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
INCIDENTAL WINDOW SIGN
A sign displayed in the window displaying information such
as the business' hours of operation, credit institutions accepted,
commercial and civic affiliations, and similar information. Such signs
shall be informational only and shall not contain a commercial message.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
INDEPENDENT-LIVING FACILITY
A residential building or group of buildings designed to
provide multifamily dwelling units for the elderly or physically or
mentally disabled persons who are independently mobile and are not
in need of the supervision and level of service provided by an assisted-living
facility or personal-care boarding home, but which may provide at
least one meal each day in a common dining area and which may include
certain design features associated with the needs of the elderly or
disabled which are not customarily found in conventional dwelling
units such as common dining facilities, common laundry facilities,
minimal housekeeping services, common leisure and recreational facilities,
transportation and similar supporting services for the convenience
of the residents.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
INDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
A commercial or nonprofit recreational land use conducted
entirely within a building, including arcade, arena, athletic and
health clubs, auditorium, bowling alley, dance studio, fitness center,
movie theater, museum, performance theater, pool or billiard hall,
skating rink, swimming pool, tennis court or similar use.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
INFECTIOUS WASTE
Waste that contains or may contain any disease-producing
microorganism or material. Infectious wastes include, but are not
limited to, the following:
A.
Those wastes that are generated by hospitalized patients who
are isolated in separate rooms in order to protect others from their
severe and communicable disease.
B.
All cultures and stocks of etiologic agents.
C.
All waste blood and blood products.
D.
Tissues, organs, body parts, blood and body fluids that are
removed during surgery or autopsy of septic cases or patients with
infectious disease.
E.
Wastes that were in contact with pathogens in any type of laboratory
work, including collection containers, culture dishes, slides, plates
and assemblies for diagnostic tests, and devices used to transfer,
inoculate and mix cultures.
F.
Sharps, including hypodermic needles, suture needles, disposable
razors, syringes, pasteur pipettes, broken glass and scalpel blades.
G.
Wastes that were in contact with the blood of patients undergoing
hemodialysis at hospitals or independent treatment centers.
H.
Carcasses and body parts of all animals which were exposed to
zoonotic pathogens.
I.
Animal bedding and other wastes that were in contact with diseased
or laboratory research animals or their excretions, secretions, carcasses
or body parts.
J.
Waste biologicals (e.g., vaccines) produced by pharmaceutical
companies for human or veterinary use.
K.
Food and their products that are discarded because of contamination
with etiologic agents.
L.
Discarded equipment and equipment parts that are contaminated
with etiologic agents and are to be discarded.
LEGIBILITY
The physical attributes of a sign that allow for an observer's
differentiation of its letters, words, numbers or graphics.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
LIFE-CARE COMMUNITY
A development designed to provide a continuum of care for
elderly residents that contains residential uses, including one or
more of the following: single-family dwellings, multifamily dwellings,
independent-living facility or assisted-living facility, in conjunction
with a personal-care boarding home and/or nursing home.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
LIGHT INDUSTRIAL
A use comprising the manufacturing, compounding, storage,
assembly and/or treatment of finished or semi-finished products from
previously prepared materials, which activities are conducted wholly
within an enclosed building. Finished or semi-finished products may
be temporarily stored outdoors pending shipment. This use also includes
research and development activities.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
LIVE/WORK UNIT
A single unit (studio, loft or one-bedroom) consisting of
both a commercial or office and a residential component that are occupied
by the same resident. The live/work unit shall be the occupant's
primary dwelling.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
LOT
The parcel of land on which a main building and any accessory
buildings are placed, together with the required open spaces. The
area of a lot shall be measured to the street line only.
MARQUEE
A permanent structure, other than a roof or canopy, attached
to, supported by, and projecting from a building and providing protection
from the elements.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
MARQUEE SIGN
Any sign attached to a marquee for the purpose of identifying
a use or product. If attached to a theater, performing arts center,
cinema, or other similar use, it may also advertise films or productions.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
MESSAGE CENTER SIGN
A type of illuminated, changeable copy sign that consists
of electronically changing alphanumeric text often used for gas price
display signs and athletic scoreboards.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
MICRO-ALCOHOL PRODUCTION
A low-volume craft brewing, distilling or wine production
facility. This shall not apply to any facility annually producing
more than 15,000 barrels of beer or 20,000 gallons of wine, spirits
or cider.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
MIXED-USE STRUCTURE
A single building containing more than one type of land use
or a single development of more than one building in which the different
types of land uses are in close proximity, planned as a unified complementary
whole and functionally integrated to the use of shared vehicular and
pedestrian access and parking areas.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
MULTIFAMILY DWELLING
A building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence
for more than two families living independently of one another.
MURAL
A large picture/image (including but not limited to painted
art) which is painted, constructed or affixed directly onto a vertical
building wall, which may or may not contain text, logos, and/or symbols.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
NEIGHBORHOOD STORE
A building, lot or premises performing a local neighborhood
retail purpose, to include drugstore, grocery store or neighborhood
meat market and personal service shop.
NET FLOOR AREA
The total floor area of a building designed for tenant occupancy
or that is accessible to the customers, clients or general public,
excluding storage areas, equipment rooms and common areas such as
halls, corridors, stairwells, elevator shafts, restrooms, interior
vehicular parking and loading areas and, in the case of a restaurant,
excluding food preparation areas, measured from the center line of
joint partitions and exteriors of outside walls and expressed in square
feet.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
NO-IMPACT HOME-BASED BUSINESS
A business or commercial activity administered or conducted
as an accessory use which is clearly secondary to the use as a residential
dwelling and which involves no customer, client or patient traffic,
whether vehicular or pedestrian, pickup, delivery or removal functions
to or from the premises, in excess of those normally associated with
residential use. The business or commercial activity must satisfy
the following requirements:
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
A.
The business activity shall be compatible with the residential
use of the property and surrounding residential uses.
B.
The business shall employ no employees other than family members
residing in the dwelling.
C.
There shall be no display or sale of retail goods and no stockpiling
or inventory of a substantial nature.
D.
There shall be no outside appearance of a business use, including,
but not limited to, parking, signs or lights.
E.
The business activity may not use any equipment or process which
creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors or electrical or electronic
interference, including interference with radio or television reception,
which is detectable in the neighborhood.
F.
The business activity may not generate any solid waste or sewage
discharge, in volume or type, which is not normally associated with
residential use in the neighborhood.
G.
The business activity shall be conducted only within the dwelling
and may not occupy more than 25% of the habitable floor area.
H.
The business may not involve any illegal activity.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
A sign that was legally erected and maintained at the effective
date of this chapter, or amendment thereto, that does not currently
comply with sign regulations of the district in which it is located.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
NURSING HOME
An institution licensed by the commonwealth for the care
of human patients requiring skilled nursing or intermediate nursing
care, but not including facilities for major surgery or care or treatment
of drug or alcohol addiction.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
OFFICE, BUSINESS
An establishment providing direct services to consumers,
such as real estate agencies, insurance agencies, travel agencies
and ticket sales, chambers of commerce, credit bureaus, abstract and
title agencies or insurance companies, stockbrokers, and the like.
It is characteristic of a business office that retail or wholesale
goods are not shown on the premises to customers. Retail and wholesale
sales and inventories are not permitted under this definition.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
OFFICE, CLINICAL
An area used exclusively by physicians, dentists and similar
personnel for the treatment and examination of patients solely on
an outpatient basis, provided that no overnight patients shall be
kept on the premises.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
OFFICE, PROFESSIONAL
Administrative, executive, professional, research or similar
organizations having only limited contact with the public on the premises.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
An outdoor sign whose message directs attention to a specific
business, product, service, event or activity or other commercial
or noncommercial activity, or contains a noncommercial message about
something that is not sold, produced, manufactured, furnished, or
conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located (also known
as a "billboard" or "outdoor advertising").
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
ON-PREMISES SIGN
A sign whose message and design relate to an individual business,
profession, product, service, event, point of view, or other commercial
or noncommercial activity sold, offered, or conducted on the same
property where the sign is located.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
PERMANENT SIGN
A sign attached or affixed to a building, window or structure,
or to the ground in a manner that enables the sign to resist environmental
loads, such as wind, and that precludes ready removal or movement
of the sign and whose intended use appears to be indefinite.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
PERSONAL-CARE BOARDING HOME
A dwelling or institution licensed by the commonwealth where
room and board is provided to more than three permanent residents,
who are not relatives of the operator, and who are mobile or semimobile
and require specialized services for a period exceeding 24 consecutive
hours in such matters as bathing, dressing, diet and medication prescribed
for self-administration, but who are not in need of hospitalization
or skilled nursing or intermediate nursing care.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
PERSONAL EXPRESSION SIGN
An on-premises sign that expresses an opinion, interest,
position or other noncommercial message.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
PERSONAL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS
Establishments engaged in rendering services to the public
on a fee or contract basis, including but not limited to: barbershop
or hairdresser, shoe repair, tailor, nail salon, tanning salon, dry
cleaning (pickup locations only); does not include medical or dental
services.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT
An area of land to be developed as a single entity for a
combination of residential and nonresidential uses, the development
plan for which does not correspond in lot size, bulk, use, density,
lot coverage and required open space to the regulations established
in any one zoning district.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
PORTABLE SIGN
A sign designed to be transported or moved and not permanently
attached to the ground, a building or other structure.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
A.
SANDWICH BOARD SIGNA type of freestanding, portable, temporary sign consisting of two faces connected and hinged at the top and whose message is targeted to pedestrians (also known as an "A-frame sign").
PREMISES
Any lot, parcel or tract of land; any building constructed
thereon.
PRIVATE GARAGE
A building accessory to a single-family dwelling for storage
of motor vehicles owned and used by the owner or tenant of the lot
for a purpose accessory to the use of the lot and for not more than
one additional motor vehicle (not truck) owned and used by another.
PROJECTING SIGN
A building-mounted, double-sided sign with the two faces
generally perpendicular to the building wall, not to include signs
located on a canopy, awning, or marquee (also known as a "blade sign").
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
PUBLIC GARAGE
A building, not a private or a community garage, where vehicles
are stored, repaired, equipped for operation, or kept for hire or
sale.
PUBLIC SIGN
A sign erected or required by government agencies or utilities,
including traffic, utility, safety, railroad crossing and identification
signs for public facilities.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
REAR YARD
The required open space extending along the rear lot line
(not a street line) throughout the whole width of the lot.
RESTAURANT (SIT-DOWN)
An establishment serving food and beverages for immediate
consumption primarily on the premises, in which food is cooked on
the premises on a customer-demand basis, which requires payment after
consumption, and which provides seating and tables for on-premises
customers dining with table service. Alcoholic beverages may be sold
for consumption on the premises.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
RESTAURANT (TAKE-AWAY)
An establishment where food and beverages are sold primarily
in a packaged, ready-to-consume state intended for ready consumption
by the customer on or off the premises.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
SIDE YARD
The required open space extending along the side lot line
throughout the whole depth of the lot.
SIGN
A.
A structure or surface that is arranged, intended, designed
or used to carry an advertisement, announcement or direction, except
if it is to be a part of the architectural design of a building.
B.
Any device, structure, fixture, painting, emblem or visual that
uses words, graphics, colors, illumination, symbols, numbers, or letters
for the purpose of communicating a message. "Sign" includes the sign
faces as well as any sign supporting structure.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
SIGN AREA
The total dimensions of a sign surface used to display information,
messages, advertising, logos or symbols.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
SIGN FACE
The part of the sign that is or can be used for the sign
area. The sign area could be smaller than the sign face.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
SIGN-SUPPORTING STRUCTURE
Poles, posts, walls, frames, brackets or other supports holding
a sign in place.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
SINGLE AND SEPARATE OWNERSHIP
The ownership of a lot by one or more persons, partnerships
or corporations, which ownership is separate and distinct from that
of any abutting or adjoining lot.
SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED DWELLING
A building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence
for only one family and having a party wall on each side in common
with an adjacent building.
SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED DWELLING
A building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence
for only one family and having no party wall in common with an adjacent
building.
SINGLE-FAMILY SEMIDETACHED DWELLING
A building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence
for only one family and having one party wall in common with an adjacent
building.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
A special exception shall be taken to mean the permission
or approval granted by the Zoning Hearing Board in situations where
provision therefor is made by the terms of this chapter.
STORAGE
The holding of hazardous waste for a temporary period, at
the end of which the hazardous waste is treated, disposed of, moved
or stored elsewhere.
STOREFRONT
The exterior facade of a building housing a commercial use
visible from a street, sidewalk, or other pedestrian way accessible
to the public and containing the primary entrance to the commercial
establishment.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
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 space between any floor and the ceiling
next above it.
STORY, HALF
A story under a gable, hip or gambrel roof, the wall plates
of which on at least two opposite exterior walls are not more than
two feet above the floor of such story.
STREET
A public thoroughfare which affords the principal means of
access to abutting property.
STREET FRONTAGE
The side or sides of a lot abutting on a public street or
right-of-way.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
STREET LINE
The line defining the edge of the legal width of a public
right-of-way such as a street or road.
TELEPHONE CENTRAL OFFICE
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, provided
that, in a residential district, a telephone central office shall
not include public business facilities, storage of materials, trucks
or repair facilities, or housing of repair crews.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A type of nonpermanent sign that is located on private property
that can be displayed for no more than 30 consecutive days at one
time.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
TOURIST CABIN or AUTOMOBILE COURT
A group of two or more buildings used or intended to be used
for the accommodation of tourists or transient guests or a premises
used or intended to be used for the accommodation of tourists or transient
guests in tents or movable or temporary sleeping or living quarters
of any kind.
TOURIST HOME
A dwelling in which overnight accommodations are provided
or offered for transient guests for compensation.
TRAILER
Any licensed or unlicensed piece of mobile equipment designed
or constructed to be towed or pulled by a motor vehicle, regardless
of whether or not a permanent or semipermanent foundation is constructed
underneath or any structure of a permanent or semipermanent nature
is attached thereto.
TRAILER CAMP
A lot or premises occupied or designed for occupancy by one
or more vehicles used for living or sleeping purposes.
TRANSITIONAL LIVING FACILITY
A dwelling occupied on a short-term basis by persons assigned
by a court of law, or who are self-referred, or referred by a public
semipublic or nonprofit agency, that is managed by a public, semipublic
or nonprofit agency that is responsible for the occupants' care,
safety and conduct, counseling and supervision for a specified period
of time, including alcoholic recovery, shelters for battered persons
and their children, maternity homes, community reentry services following
incarceration, prison assignment, house arrest or other court-ordered
treatment and other such short-term supervised assignments.
[Added 3-27-2007 by Ord. No. 1217A]
WALL SIGN
A building-mounted sign which is either attached to, displayed
on, or painted on an exterior wall in a manner parallel with the wall
surface. A sign installed on a false or mansard roof is also considered
a wall sign.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]
WASTE
The same as solid waste under federal regulations promulgated
by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and codified
at 40 CFR 261.2; 40 CFR 261.2 is incorporated by reference herein.
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign that is applied, painted or affixed to a window,
or placed inside a window, within three feet of the glass, facing
the outside of the building, and easily seen from the outside. Customary
displays of merchandise or objects and material without lettering
behind a store window are not considered as signs.
[Added 8-9-2016 by Ord.
No. 1285]