Township of Swatara, PA: Supplementary District Regulations.

A minimum lot size of one acre with an approved and operating on-lot sewage system or connection to public sewer. If not served by a public sewer system, evidence that the sewer system is adequate to serve the maximum number of occupants of the short-term rental unit. The number of bedrooms permitted for a short-term rental shall not exceed the number of bedrooms approved for the dwelling unit on the sewage permit issued for such property. Where there is no sewage permit on record, the short-term rental shall be limited to three bedrooms unless proof is provided to the Sewage Enforcement Officer that the septic system is adequate to handle additional flows. Any short-term rental advertising more than five bedrooms shall provide proof that the septic system is adequate to handle such flows by having the system approved by the Sewage Enforcement Officer, or by providing a septic permit previously issued by a Sewage Enforcement Officer. If a sewage system malfunction occurs, short-term rental of the dwelling unit shall be discontinued until the malfunction is corrected in accordance with Township and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection requirements.

An adequate and safe water supply to the property. If not served by public water, then the owner shall provide annual proof that a potable water supply is available for the short-term rental unit.

Fully functioning bathing, toilet and kitchen facilities.

An operating smoke detector in each bedroom, outside each bedroom in the common hallways, and on each floor.

(5)

An operating carbon monoxide detector for any open flame (oil or gas) furnace or gas fireplace and in any attached garage.

(6)

An operating fire extinguisher in any kitchen.

(7)

GFCI outlets located within six feet of any water source, including but not limited to all sinks, sump pumps, etc., and all electrical outlets must have approved covers.

(8)

Aluminum or metal exhaust from any dryer, if provided.

(9)

All parking shall be designated on said property and there shall be no on-street parking permitted at any time. No recreational vehicles, campers, buses or other large vehicles may be parked on the short-term rental property at any time, unless otherwise authorized by the Board of Supervisors.

(10)

The maximum overnight occupancy of a short-term rental is as follows, unless otherwise authorized by the Board of Supervisors:

Number of Bedrooms	Maximum Number of Occupants
2	8
3	10
4	12
5	14
The maximum number of day guests allowed at any one time, in addition to the overnight occupants, shall be 50% of the maximum overnight occupancy of the short-term rental. No tents are permitted, and outdoor overnight sleeping of tenants or guests is prohibited.

(11)

The owner shall apply and receive a permit to operate a short-term rental from the Township. The application shall require that the owner provides sufficient information for confirmation that the short-term rental unit meets the requirements of this Part, and said application criteria, process and procedure shall be established by resolution. Any existing short-term rental unit, as of the adoption of this Part, shall provide certification from Lebanon County verifying an established and registered short-term rental unit. The Board of Supervisors may establish a permit fee for any short-term rental unit by resolution.

(12)

The owner shall identify a local designated agent who shall have access and authority to assume management of the property and take remedial measures. The local designated agent must reside within the Township, or within 15 miles of the property. An owner who resides within the Township, or within 15 miles of the property, may designate himself/herself as the local designated agent. The local designated agent shall respond to the Township or the police after being notified by such official of the existence of a violation of this Part or any disturbance requiring immediate remedy or abatement. If the local designated agent is not the owner, this individual shall immediately advise the owner of any notification of a violation. The local designated agent and contact information shall be updated annually with the Township.

Home-based businesses, provided the following conditions are met:

[Added by Ord. No. 2022-9, 7/14/2022]

The proprietor of the home-based business shall reside on the premises and shall be the property owner or a member of the immediate family of the property owner.

The home-based business shall be incidental to the use of the property as a residence, and there shall be no exterior evidence of the occupation nor change to the appearance of the structure to facilitate the operation of the occupation, other than one small sign as provided in Part 17 of this chapter.

The proprietor may employ not more than one assistant who does not reside within the dwelling at the property used for the home-based business.

In addition to the parking required for the residence, two off-street parking spaces shall be provided for the home-based business plus one additional space for any assistant. Off-street parking improvements shall comply with Part 16 of this chapter.

(5)

Any home-based business or accessory function of a home-based business shall not be able to be subdivided or qualify as a standalone use

(6)

The home-based business shall be conducted wholly within an accessory structure and shall not occupy more than 1,000 square feet. This area shall include all functions or activities of the home-based business.

(7)

The home-based business shall be subject to state and federal laws and regulations where applicable and shall provide proof of all applicable state and federal licensing when applicable.

(8)

There shall be no more than one home-based business per property.

(9)

A minimum lot size of one acre.

Accessory keeping of animals, provided the following conditions are met:

[Added by Ord. No. 2022-9, 7/14/2022]

General Conditions:

Two rabbits and/or two guinea pigs are permitted at any property.

The animals shall belong to and be the responsibility of the property owner and shall not be leased, rented or owned by another party.

The maintenance related to the animals and the enclosures shall be the responsibility of the property owner.

Animals shall have a potable water source provided to them at all times.

Animals shall be secure at all times within their designated shelter or fenced-in area. Animals which cannot be kept securely within their enclosure will be deemed a nuisance and therefore no longer eligible to be classified as an accessory animal and will not be permitted.

(f)

Owners shall adhere to all state and federal requirements pertaining to the keeping of animals, including but not limited to care of the animal, keeping them in good condition and health, erosion and sedimentation control, registrations, and manure management regulations.

Class 1 animals, including guinea pigs, quail and rabbits:

Shall be maintained in a hutch unless under the control of the owner or his/her designee.

Shall be housed either inside a residence or in a fully enclosed small outdoor animal hutch.

Any small outdoor animal hutch shall be constructed to include a roof, four sides and flooring, be on lots of a minimum of one acre, and no less than 15 feet to any property line.

Outdoor manure storage facilities are prohibited for any Class 1 animals.

The number of permitted Class 1 animals shall will be the lesser of either the number of animals to be determined by the hutch manufacturer or 20 animals per lot in a calendar year.

Class 2 animals, including birds of prey, chickens (excluding roosters) and pheasants:

Shall be maintained in a hutch unless under the control of the owner or his/her designee.

Shall be housed in an outdoor enclosed hutch.

Any small outdoor animal hutch shall be constructed to include a roof, four sides and a minimum of 50% flooring, be on lots of a minimum of three acres, and no less than 15 feet to any property line.

Outdoor manure storage facilities are prohibited for any lot less than five acres.

The number of permitted Class 2 animals is no more than 12 animals per lot in a calendar year.

Class 3 animals, including alpacas, cows, donkeys, goats, horses, pigs, sheep, beef animals and turkeys:

Shall require pasturing at least part of the year or an animal adapted to outside living but solely contained in a species-appropriate enclosure consisting of fencing on all sides and access to shelter.

Shall be provided access to species-appropriate shelter on the property. The shelter shall be at least 100 feet from any property line or road right-of-way.

The pasture areas shall be maintained to provide no less than three inches of vegetative growth in 80% of the pasture at any given time during the year. Steps must be taken to minimize the erosion of the pasture ground which would cause dust and runoff.

Outdoor manure storage facilities shall be maintained at least 200 feet from any residential property line.

Shall be permitted in Low-Density Residential Districts on lots at least 10 acres in size.

(f)

The number of Class 3 animals are limited to no more than two animals per acre of pasture ground, not to exceed 1,000 pounds of animals per acre.

Special Exception Uses. Upon approval by the Zoning Hearing Board, the following special exception uses are permitted provided the use complies with the conditions listed herein and the applicable requirements specified in Part 22 of this chapter:

Hospitals, nursing or convalescent homes and cemeteries.

Clinics, professional offices and banks, subject to these requirements:

The architectural design of the structure shall be harmonious with other structures in the neighborhood.

Parking shall not be permitted in the front yard.

Nonprofit, church related homes for the elderly, including custodial or sanitarium type of care, intermediate care involving dormitory areas with common meal facilities, and individual residential living quarters with separate cooking facilities, provided that the following conditions are met:

A subdivision and/or land development plan shall be filed in accordance with the Swatara Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.

[Amended by Ord. 2015-05, 8/13/2015]

Self-sufficient dwelling units for permanent guests of the home, which are separate and detached from the principal care facility, shall conform in all respects with the requirements for such dwelling units specified in the R-2 Medium-Density Residential District, including townhouse and garden apartment requirements where applicable. Although they maybe planned as clustered housing, such residential development shall be designed to facilitate subdivision or sale of individual units in accordance with the applicable lot area, lot width, and yard requirements of § 27-903 of this chapter.

Semipublic and private recreation uses such as golf courses, country clubs, swimming and/or tennis clubs provided that no principal building, accessory structure, pool, tennis court, or parking area is located within 100 feet of any street right-of-way line or lot line. Additionally, swimming pools associated with these uses shall be completely enclosed with a continuous, impenetrable fence no less than six feet in height above the ground level and the fence shall be equipped with a lockable gate.

Privately owned nursery, elementary, middle and high schools.

Private institutions of higher education, covenants and monasteries, provided that the following conditions are met:

A minimum lot area of three acres for the first 300 students or enrollees plus one acre for each additional 100 students or enrollees.

Dormitory or residential quarters shall be located a minimum of 100 feet from any property line.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Former Subsection G, Nonintensive animal husbandry or pet kennels, was repealed 8/13/2015 by Ord. 2015-05, which ordinance also provided for the renumbering of the remainder of this subsection.

Group day-care homes, subject to the conditions listed in § 27-602, Subsection 2G, of this chapter.

Day-care centers, provided that the following conditions are met:

The property shall be served by public water and sewer facilities.

Applicant shall obtain written approval or licensure of the day-care center from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.

Plans for the construction or modification of the facility shall be reviewed/approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and written proof of said review/approval shall be provided.