In this chapter, words, terms, and phrases shall have the following
meanings:
ABANDONMENT
Where a building or land is abandoned for six consecutive months or more, whereby the owner discontinues the maintenance, use, or any activity, the building or structure shall be declared abandoned. In the case of abandonment of a nonconforming use, Article
XXI applies.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
A structure detached from a principal building on the same
lot and incidental and subordinate to the principal building or use.
ACCESSORY USE
A use of land or of a building or portion thereof customarily
incidental and subordinate to the principal use of the land or building
and located on the same lot with such principal use.
ADULT USE
Any establishment that affords patrons to hear, view, read,
lease, or purchase publications, movies, or videotapes which have
as their dominant theme explicit sexual activities not normally seen
in public or in other commercial or club-type operations. To be considered
an adult use, an establishment must devote not less than 15% of its
sales or inventory to material having explicit sexual themes or content.
ALTERATION
Any change or rearrangement in the supporting members of
an existing building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams, girders,
or interior partitions, as well as any change in doors, windows, means
of ingress and egress, or any enlargement to or diminution of a building
or structure, or the moving of a building from one location to another.
AMUSEMENT, INDOOR
Amusement and recreational services that are wholly enclosed
in a building.
ANTENNA
Any device or mechanism used in the collection, transmission,
routing, or receiving of telecommunications transmissions, radio signals,
or radio frequency energy including, but not limited to, use by or
provision of wireless communications, cellular communications, and
personal communications services.
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE
The characteristic form and detail of buildings of a particular
historic period.
AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOP
General repair, rebuilding, or reconditioning of engines,
motor vehicles, or trailers, including bodywork, welding, and major
painting service.
BASEMENT
An enclosed area located partly or completely below grade.
A basement shall be considered a story for the purpose of height measurement
if the basement ceiling is five feet or more above the average grade
level around the building.
BILLBOARD
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity,
service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered at a location
other than the premises on which the sign is located.
BUILDING
Any structure, either temporary or permanent, having a roof
or other covering and designed or used for shelter or enclosure of
any person, animal, property, or equipment of any kind.
BUILDING COVERAGE
The ratio obtained by dividing the gross floor area of all
principal and accessory buildings on a lot by the total area of the
lot upon which the buildings are located.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the average level of
the ground surrounding the structure to the top of the highest point
of the roof for flat roofs and to the ridge of the gable, hip, and
gambrel roofs. Chimneys, spires, towers, steeples, mechanical equipment,
tanks, vessels, antennas, and similar projections of buildings not
intended for human occupancy shall not be included in calculating
the height, unless specifically stated otherwise in this chapter.
BUILDING LINE
A line parallel to the street right-of-way line touching
that part of a building closest to the street.
BUILDING PERMIT
Written permission issued by the proper municipal authority
for the construction, repair, alteration, or addition to a structure.
BUILDING SETBACK LINE
A line parallel to the street right-of-way line at a distance
that is equal to the depth of the front yard required for the district
in which the lot is located.
CAFETERIA
A restaurant designed so that customers carry their meals
from a counter to their tables.
CAR WASH
Any building or premises used for washing motor vehicles.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
The approval statement signed by Borough Council and the
Historical and Architectural Review Board (HARB) which certifies the
appropriateness of a particular request for the construction, alteration,
reconstruction, restoration, demolition, or razing of all or a part
of any building within the Historic District.
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
A document issued by a duly authorized local authority allowing
the occupancy of a building and certifying that the structure or use
has been constructed or will be used in compliance with all applicable
local codes and ordinances.
CHILD-CARE FACILITY
An establishment providing for the care, supervision, and
protection of children.
CLINIC
An establishment where patients are admitted for examination
and treatment on an outpatient basis by physicians, dentists, other
medical personnel, psychologists, or social workers and where such
examination and treatment generally require a stay of less than 24
hours.
CLUB, PRIVATE
A group of people organized for a common purpose to pursue
common goals, interests, or activities and usually characterized by
certain membership qualifications, payment of fees and dues, regular
meetings, and a constitution and bylaws.
CLUSTER
A development design technique that concentrates buildings
on a part of the site to allow remaining land to be used for recreation,
common open space, and preservation of environmentally sensitive features.
COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSE
A structure in which plants, vegetables, flowers, and similar
materials are grown for sale.
COMMUNITY CENTER
A facility used for recreational, social, educational, civic,
and cultural activities.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
A comprehensive long-range plan intended to guide the growth
and development of a community or region and one that includes analysis,
recommendations, and proposals for the community's population,
economy, housing, transportation, community facilities, land use,
and related areas.
CONDITIONAL USE
A use which, because of its potential for impact on the community
at large, is permitted by Borough Council following a recommendation
by the Borough Planning Commission and a Council-hosted public hearing,
if it is found that the applicable standards and criteria stated in
this chapter have been met.
CONDOMINIUM
A building or group of buildings in which dwelling units,
offices, or floor area are owned individually and the structure, common
areas, and facilities are owned by all of the owners on a proportional,
undivided basis.
CONVENIENCE STORE
A retail store containing less than 5,000 square feet of
gross floor area and usually being open 15 to 24 hours per day. It
is designed to attract and depends upon a large volume of traffic.
CONVERSION
A change in the use of a building, such as the change of
a single-family dwelling into a two-family dwelling or the change
of a residential or retail use to offices. Such change may be accomplished
without subdivision or the introduction of a new owner. Where the
use and dimensional regulations of the chapter permit, such conversion
may be accomplished by appropriate alteration upon the issuance of
the necessary permits.
DAY-CARE CENTER
A facility that is licensed to provide care for seven or
more children unrelated to the operator, where the child-care areas
are not being used as a family residence.
DENSITY, GROSS
The maximum number of dwelling units per gross acre permitted
by the Zoning Ordinance. This term refers to all of the land within
the boundaries of a particular area, including streets, rights-of-way,
easements, etc.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner, agent of such landowner, or tenant with the
permission of such landowner who makes or causes to be made a subdivision,
land development, or any other development.
DEVELOPMENT
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate
including, but not limited to, buildings or other structures, streets
and other paving, utilities, dredging, filling, grading, excavation,
or drilling operations and the subdivision of land.
DRIVEWAY
A private roadway providing access to a street or highway.
Driveways may be paved or unpaved and are not considered streets,
roads, or highways.
DWELLING
A building or unit designed and constructed for residential
use.
DWELLING UNIT
One or more living or sleeping rooms, together with separate
cooking and sanitary facilities, which are accessible from the outdoors
either directly or through an entrance hall shared with other dwelling
units.
DWELLING, MULTIFAMILY
A building containing three or more dwelling units, including
units that are located one over another.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY
A building designed and occupied exclusively as a residence
for two families living independently of one another. Duplex structures
are within this dwelling type.
ENLARGEMENT
An increase in the size of an existing structure or use,
including the physical size of the property, building, parking, and
other improvements.
FACADE
The exterior walls of a building exposed to public view or
that wall viewed by persons not within a building.
FACADE, PRINCIPAL
Exterior wall of a building or structure that is adjacent
to or fronts on a public street, park, or plaza.
FAMILY
Any number of individuals living together as a single housekeeping
unit when said individuals are related by blood, marriage, or adoption,
including foster children; or not more than three unrelated individuals
living together as a single housekeeping unit with single kitchen
facilities.
FAMILY DAY-CARE HOME
A home, other than the child's own home, operated for
profit or not-for-profit, in which child care is provided at any one
time to four, five, or six children unrelated to the operator.
FLOOR AREA RATIO (FAR)
The gross floor area of all buildings or structures on a
lot divided by the total lot area.
FOOD PREPARATION/CATERING
The preparation, packaging, separation, shrink-wrapping,
and vacuum-sealing of food items for the purpose of later consumption;
or the preparation, cooking, and baking of raw food items, generally
in large quantities, for transport to off-site locations for consumption.
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION
A group of people formally organized for a common interest,
usually cultural, religious, or entertainment, with regular meetings,
rituals, and formal written membership requirements.
FREESTANDING BUILDING
Any building located within a development site which is separate
from any group or cluster development on such site and which shall
comply with the regulations of the district in which it is located.
FUNERAL HOME
A building used for the preparation of the deceased for burial
and the display of the deceased and rituals connected therewith before
burial or cremation.
GARAGE, PRIVATE
A structure that is accessory to a single- or two-family
dwelling, is used for the parking and storage of vehicles owned and
operated by the residents thereof, and is not a separate commercial
enterprise available to the general public.
GASOLINE SERVICE STATION
Any area of land, including structures thereon, or any building
or part thereof that is used for the sale of gasoline or other motor
vehicle fuel or accessories and which may include facilities for lubricating,
washing, or otherwise servicing motor vehicles, but which shall not
include painting or body and fender repairs.
GLARE
The effect produced by light from a luminaire with an intensity
sufficient to cause annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance
and visibility.
GROUP DAY-CARE HOME
The premises in which care is provided at one time for more
than six but fewer than 16 older school-age level children or more
than six but fewer than 13 children of another age level who are unrelated
to the operator. The term includes a facility located in a residence
or another premises.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Those chemicals or substances which are defined as "physical
hazards" or "health hazards" in the most recently adopted version
of the Uniform Construction Code.
HEALTH HAZARD
A classification of a chemical for which there is statistically
significant evidence that acute or chronic health effects are capable
of occurring in exposed persons. The term "health hazard" includes
chemicals that are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive
toxins, neurotoxins, agents which are capable of acting on the hematopoietic
system, and agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes.
HOSPITAL
An institution providing primary health services and medical
or surgical care to persons, primarily inpatients, suffering from
illness, disease, injury, deformity, and other abnormal physical or
mental conditions and including as an integral part of the institution
related facilities, such as laboratories, outpatient facilities, training
facilities, medical offices, and staff residences.
HOTEL
A facility offering transient lodging accommodations to the
general public and which may include additional facilities and services,
such as restaurants, meeting rooms, entertainment, personal services,
and recreational facilities.
IMPERVIOUS COVER
The percentage of the lot area covered by surfaces that have
a runoff coefficient of 0.8 or higher. In case of uncertainty, the
Borough Engineer shall have the authority to determine the runoff
coefficient of a particular type material.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
The coverage of the lot or tract area by materials that prevent
the percolation of water into the soil and generate stormwater runoff,
such as buildings, streets, parking areas, driveways, and any other
similar surfaces.
LANDSCAPED PLANTING AREA
An area landscaped with grass, ground cover, shrubs, or similar
plantings placed where required by this chapter and permanently maintained.
LAUNDROMAT
An establishment providing washing, drying, or dry-cleaning
machines on the premises for rental use to the general public.
LIBRARY
A place containing books for reading, study, and research.
LOADING SPACE
An off-street space or berth for the loading or unloading
of commercial vehicles.
LODGE
A.
The place where members of a local chapter of an association
or a fraternal, cultural, or religious organization hold their meetings;
B.
The local chapter itself. See "club, private."
LOT
A parcel of land on which a main building and any accessory
building are or may be placed, together with the required open space
and setbacks.
LOT AREA
The total horizontal area within the lot lines of a parcel.
LOT COVERAGE
That percentage of a lot that is covered by all combined
structures, paving, or any impervious surfaces. See "impervious surface."
LOT DEPTH
The distance along a straight line measured from the midpoint
of the front lot line to the midpoint of the rear lot line.
LOT LINE
A line of public record bounding a lot that divides one lot
from another lot or from a public or private street or any other public
space.
LOT LINE, REAR
Any lot line, except the front lot line, which is parallel
to, or within 45° of being parallel to, the front lot line and
does not intersect any street line, except in the case of corner lots.
LOT LINE, SIDE
The side property line of a lot, which shall be perpendicular
to or radial to the front lot line and shall continue in a straight
line from the front lot line to the rear lot line.
LOT WIDTH
The horizontal distance between the side lot lines measured
at right angles to the lot depth at the building setback line.
LOT, CORNER
A lot bounded by intersecting streets on at least two sides.
Both yards adjacent to streets shall be considered front yards.
LOT, MINIMUM AREA OF
The smallest allowable lot area as established by the chapter
on which a use or structure may be located in a particular district.
MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT
The development of a neighborhood, tract of land, building,
or structure with a variety of complementary and integrated uses,
such as, but not limited to, residential, office, manufacturing, retail,
public, and recreation in a compact urban form.
MOTEL
An establishment providing sleeping accommodations for transients.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Structures for which construction was started after the effective
date of this chapter and includes any subsequent improvements to such
structures.
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.
NONCONFORMING BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
A building or structure that does not comply with the provisions
of this chapter, as amended, where such building or structure lawfully
existed prior to the effective date of this chapter or of amendments
thereafter.
NONCONFORMING LOT
Any lawful lot that does not conform to one or more of the
applicable provisions of the district in which it is located either
on the effective date of this chapter or of amendments thereafter.
NONCONFORMING USE
A use, whether of land or a structure, which does not comply
with the applicable provisions of this chapter, where such use was
lawfully in existence prior to the effective date of this chapter
or amendments thereafter.
OCCUPANCY PERMIT
A required permit allowing the use of a building or structure
after it has been determined that all of the requirements of applicable
ordinances have been met.
OFF-STREET PARKING SPACE
An open space or a garage on a lot in back of the front building
line intended for parking of a motor vehicle. The area of any "parking
space" shall be not less than nine feet by 20 feet, which shall be
exclusive of passageways, driveways, or other means of circulation
or access to a street or alley.
OPEN SPACE
Any parcel or area of land or water, essentially unimproved
and set aside, dedicated, designated, or reserved for public or private
use or enjoyment or for the use and enjoyment of owners, occupants,
and their guests.
OUTDOOR RETAIL SALES AND ACTIVITIES
Permanent outdoor sales and rental establishments including
equipment and other uses where the business is not conducted entirely
within a structure.
OUTDOOR RETAIL SALES, TEMPORARY
Temporary outdoor retail operations including farmer's
markets; seasonal sales of Christmas trees, pumpkins, or other seasonal
items; semiannual sales of art or handcrafted items in conjunction
with community festivals or art shows; and sidewalk or parking lot
sales.
OUTDOOR VENDING MACHINE
A mechanical device located on the outside of a building
that provides a product or service to the public for compensation,
including, but not limited to, water dispensers, drink dispensers,
food dispensers, water vending machines, or automated teller machines
(ATMs).
PARK, PRIVATE
A tract of land owned or controlled and used by specific
and designated entities or persons for active and/or passive recreational
purposes.
PARK, PUBLIC
A tract of land owned by a branch of government and available
to the general public for recreational purposes.
PARKING LOT
An off-street, ground-level open area that provides temporary
storage for motor vehicles.
PARKING STRUCTURE
A building or structure consisting of more than one level
and used to store motor vehicles on a short-term, temporary basis.
PENNSYLVANIA MUNICIPALITIES PLANNING CODE (MPC)
Pennsylvania Act 247 of 1968 (P.L. 805), as amended, also
cited as 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., or any subsequent Act
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that replaces, supplements, or
repeals any or all of the provisions of Act 247.
PERMIT
Written municipal permission issued by the appropriate local
official empowering the holder thereof to do some act not forbidden
by law, but not permitted without such authorization.
PERSONAL SERVICE SHOP OR ESTABLISHMENT
A business engaged in providing services involving the care
or appearance of a person, his or her clothing, or similar personal
needs. Included in this definition are barber, beautician, shoe repair,
fitness club, laundry or cleaner, or similar establishment, but not
including a nail salon, tattoo parlor, massage parlor, or body-piercing
establishment.
PHYSICAL HAZARD
A chemical that is a combustible liquid, compressed gas,
cryogenic, explosive, flammable gas, flammable liquid, flammable solid,
organic peroxide, oxidizer, or unstable or water-reactive material.
PICNIC AREA
A place equipped with tables, benches, grills, and trash
receptacles for people to assemble, cook, eat, and relax.
PLACE OF WORSHIP
A.
A church, synagogue, temple, mosque, or other facility that
is used for prayer by persons of similar beliefs;
B.
A special-purpose building that is architecturally designed
and particularly adapted for the primary use of conducting formal
religious services on a regular basis.
PLANTED VISUAL SCREEN
A strip of trees, hedges, or other plantings adjacent to
the boundary of a property which, at the time of planting, shall be
not less than six feet high and of sufficient density to constitute
an effective visual screen and thereby give visual protection to abutting
properties. Such screen shall consist primarily of dense evergreens
that shall be planted not farther than seven feet from one another
and shall be permanently maintained. Deciduous trees may be added
to create interest and variety.
PLAYGROUND
An active recreational area with a variety of facilities,
including equipment for younger children, but excluding tennis or
basketball courts.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING OR USE
A building or use which is the primary building or use on
a lot as distinguished from a building or buildings relating to an
accessory, incidental, or subordinate use. The primary purpose for
which land, a building, or a subordinate structure or the use thereof
is designed, arranged, or intended.
PROFESSIONAL HOME OFFICE
A home occupation carried on by the practitioner of a recognized
profession. Examples of such profession include doctor, attorney,
accountant, architect, and similar professions. Businesses such as
real estate and insurance are not included in this group and are more
appropriate in commercial districts.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICE
A building or portion of a building where a member of a recognized
profession sells services to the general public. Professional offices
include doctor, dentist, lawyer, engineer, accountant, and other similar
offices.
PUBLIC UTILITY FACILITIES
Buildings, structures, and facilities including generating
and switching stations, poles, lines, pipes, pumping stations, repeaters,
antennas, transmitters and receivers, valves, and all buildings and
structures relating to the furnishing of utility services such as
electric, gas, telephone, water, sewer, and public transit to the
public.
PUBLIC UTILITY TRANSMISSION TOWER
A structure owned and operated by a public utility electric
company regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission designed
and used to support overhead electricity transmission lines.
RECREATION, ACTIVE
Leisure-time activities, usually of a formal nature and often
performed with others, requiring equipment and taking place at prescribed
places, sites, or fields.
RECREATION, PASSIVE
Activities that involve relatively inactive or less energetic
activities, such as walking, sitting, picnicking, and board and table
games.
RECREATIONAL AREA
A place designed and equipped for the conduct of sports,
leisure time activities, and other customary and usual recreational
activities.
RELIGIOUS USE
A structure or place in which worship, ceremonies, rituals,
and education pertaining to a particular system of beliefs are held.
RESEARCH LABORATORY
A facility for investigation into the natural, physical,
or social sciences which may include engineering and product development.
RESTAURANT, FAST-FOOD/DRIVE-IN/TAKE-OUT
Any restaurant where the design or method of operation involves
the serving of food or beverage which is not normally delivered to
the customer's table by an employee of the restaurant. This includes
all establishments where over 30% of the business involves the sale
of refreshments or beverages taken out and consumed in places other
than the interior of the restaurant or where ordering and pickup of
food may take place from an automobile.
RESTAURANT, SIT-DOWN
Any restaurant where the customer is normally served the
food or beverage by a restaurant employee at the table or counter
at which said items are consumed or a cafeteria-style operation where
food or beverages are consumed on the premises.
RETAIL STORE
General merchandise and other stores selling consumer-oriented
goods at retail, including department stores, "5 and 10" or variety
stores, drugstores, sporting goods shops, shops offering wearing apparel
and accessories, gift shops, camera stores, antique shops, music stores,
newsstands, tobacco stores, flower shops, jewelry stores, luggage
and other leather goods stores, hobby shops, and other stores of the
same general character.
RIGHT-OF-WAY (ROW)
Land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription, condemnation,
or other legal manner and occupied, or intended to be occupied, by
a street, crosswalk, electric transmission line, oil or gas pipeline,
water line, watercourse, or similar uses.
ROOF LINE
The line that marks the lowest point of the roof.
ROOF RIDGE LINE
The line that marks the highest point of the roof. This term
is applicable to roofs other than flat roofs.
SATELLITE ANTENNA
An antenna together with all attachments and parts, the purpose
of which is to receive communication from orbiting satellites.
SCALE
A.
The relationship between distances on a map and actual ground
distances;
B.
The proportioned relationship of the size of parts to one another.
SCHOOL
Any building or part thereof that is designed, constructed,
or used for education or instruction in any branch of knowledge.
SCHOOL DISTRICT
The specific jurisdiction administered by the elected or
appointed body of a state, county, or other local governmental unit
to provide educational services to its resident population.
SCHOOL, ELEMENTARY
Any school that is licensed by the State and meets the state
requirements for elementary education.
SCHOOL, PAROCHIAL
A school supported, controlled, and operated by a religious
organization.
SCHOOL, PRIVATE
Any building or group of buildings, the use of which meets
state requirements for elementary, secondary, or higher education
and which does not secure the major part of its funding from any governmental
agency.
SCHOOL, SECONDARY
Any school that is licensed by the State and authorized to
award diplomas for secondary education.
SCHOOL, VOCATIONAL
A secondary or higher educational facility primarily teaching
usable skills that prepares students for jobs in a trade and meeting
the state requirements as a vocational facility.
SCREEN
Any barrier intended and designed to shield properties and
uses from other uses or activities having a different sound and other
impacts (e.g., screening of industrial uses or activities from nearby
residential structures).
SEASONAL OUTDOOR CAFE
An establishment where food is served for consumption at
tables on a sidewalk or patio adjacent to the establishment between
May 1 and September 30. Such outdoor dining area shall be limited
so as to leave not less than three feet of sidewalk for passage of
pedestrians.
SETBACK, REQUIRED
The minimum distance from the street right-of-way line or
any other lot line that establishes the area, commonly known as the
"building envelope," within which the principal structure must be
erected or placed.
SHED
An accessory structure or building used primarily for storage
purposes.
SHOPPING CENTER
A group of commercial establishments planned, constructed,
and managed as a total entity, including either attached or detached
buildings, with customer parking provided on site.
SIGHT TRIANGLE
A triangular shaped portion of land established at street
intersections in which nothing is erected, placed, or planted that
exceeds a height of 2 1/2 feet so as not to limit or obstruct
the sight of motorists entering or leaving the intersection.
SIGN
Any device, placard, or structure affixed to, supported by,
or suspended from a stationary object, building, or the ground that
uses color, form, graphics, illumination, symbols, or writing to communicate
information of any kind to the public.
SIGN AREA
The area of all lettering, wording, and accompanying designs
and symbols, together with the background on which they are displayed.
"Sign area" excludes any supporting framework and bracing, provided
that it does not contain any lettering, wording, symbols, or designs.
"Sign area" shall be computed as a square or rectangle drawn at the
outer limits of the sign face. In the case of cylindrical signs, signs
in the shape of cubes, or other signs which are essentially three
dimensional with respect to their display surfaces, the entire display
surface or surfaces is included in the computation of area.
A.
Where the sign consists of a double face, only one side shall
be considered for the purpose of calculating total sign area. Where
both sides are not identical or where the interior angle formed by
the faces of a sign is greater than 45°, all faces shall be considered
in calculating total sign area.
B.
Any spacing between signs designating different or separate
occupants or uses of a building shall not be counted as sign area.
SIGN FACE
The part of a sign that is or can be used to identify, advertise,
and communicate information for visual representation, which attracts
the attention of the public for any purpose. This definition shall
include any background material, panel, trim, and color used that
differentiates the sign from the building or structure on which it
is placed. The sign structure shall not be included, provided that
no message, display, or symbol is designed and included as part of
the structure.
SIGN HEIGHT
The distance from the highest portion of the sign, including
all structural elements, to mean grade.
SIGN STRUCTURE
A supporting structure erected and used for the purpose of
physically supporting a sign, situated on any premises where a sign
may be located. This definition shall not include a building, fence,
wall, or earthen berm.
SIGN, ABANDONED
Any sign that contains or exhibits broken panels, visible
rust, visible rot, damaged support structures, or missing letters
or which is otherwise dilapidated, unsightly, or unkempt and/or for
which no legal owner can be found.
SIGN, DOUBLE-FACED
A sign with two identical faces of equal sign area which
are back to back.
SIGN, NONCONFORMING
Any existing sign located on a premises in the Borough with
a permitted use that is legally erected prior to the adoption of this
article and does not meet the provisions of the current chapter.
SIGN, OFF-PREMISES
A sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service,
or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered at a location other than
the premises on which the sign is located.
SIGN, ON-PREMISES
A sign that directs attention to a business, establishment,
or use located or conducted on the same lot on which the sign is located.
SIGN, TEMPORARY
A sign that is used in connection with an event, situation,
or circumstance that is designed or intended to take place or be completed
within 30 days after the permit for the sign was issued or is intended
to remain on the location where it is placed or erected for not more
than 30 days.
SIGNS AS DEFINED BY FORM:
|
AWNING SIGN — Any sign painted on or applied to a structure
made of cloth, canvas, metal, or similar material which is affixed
to a building and projects from it.
|
|
BANNER — A sign consisting of lightweight, flexible material
which is supported by a frame, rope, wires, or other anchoring devices,
which may or may not include copy, logo, or graphic symbols.
|
|
CANOPY — A rigid, multi-sided structure covered with fabric,
metal, or other material and supported by columns or posts embedded
in the ground. It may be illuminated by means of internal or external
sources.
|
|
FLASHING SIGN — A sign whose illumination is not kept
constant in intensity at all times when in use and which exhibits
changes in light, color, direction, or animation. Prohibited.
|
|
FREESTANDING SIGN — A sign and supporting structure that
is secured in the ground and independent of any building, fence, or
other support. For the purpose of this definition, "freestanding signs"
may consist of the following:
|
|
A.
|
GROUND SIGN — A type of freestanding sign designed to
be viewed at eye level. The bottom of the sign is no more than three
feet from the ground.
|
B.
|
POLE SIGN — A type of freestanding sign that is supported
by one or more poles.
|
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
Special permission granted by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the provisions of Articles
XVII and
XXIII of this chapter.
STEEP SLOPE, AREAS OF
Areas of land that have a change in elevation from 15% to
25%, as measured over a distance of 100 feet.
STREET
A public or private way used or intended to be used as a
means of vehicular and pedestrian travel and access to abutting properties
and space for public utilities that is improved in compliance with
all Borough requirements for public or private streets.
STREET LINE
The line dividing the street and the abutting property. The
street line shall be the same as the street right-of-way line.
STRUCTURE
Anything built, constructed, or erected which requires location
on the ground or attachment to something located on the ground.
STUDIO
The workshop of an artist, sculptor, photographer, or craftsperson.
SWIMMING POOL, PRIVATE
Any body of water, tank, or receptacle of water having a
depth at any point of greater than two feet used or intended to be
used for swimming or bathing solely by the owner, his family, and
guests of the household and constructed, installed, established, or
maintained outside of any building in or above the ground upon any
premises as an accessory use to the residence.
THEATER
A building or part of a building used to show motion pictures
or for drama, dance, or other live performances.
TOWNHOUSE BUILDING
A building containing single-family attached dwelling units
(townhouse units) in which each townhouse unit is attached only by
a party wall or walls to one or two other townhouse units. Townhouse
buildings erected after the effective date of this chapter shall contain
not more than eight attached units.
TRAILER, CONSTRUCTION/OFFICE
A movable structure located at or near a work or construction
site for storage or other purpose related to or supporting construction
or office activity, except in the Industrial District. Such trailers
shall not be used for storage, office purposes, or similar uses unless
they are located on or within 100 feet of a construction site. Such
trailers shall be temporary uses that require a permit from the Borough.
TRAILER, OFFICE/STORAGE
A movable structure located in the Industrial District used
for office, storage, or similar purposes.
VARIANCE
Relief granted pursuant to Articles
VI and
IX of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code and Article
XXIII of this chapter.
VERY STEEP SLOPE, AREAS OF
Areas of land that have a change in elevation greater than
25%, as measured over a distance of 100 feet.
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWERS AND FACILITIES
A.
A parcel of land containing a tower, sending and receiving antennas
attached to the tower, and a prefabricated or modular structure or
cabinets containing electronic equipment;
B.
A Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-licensed facility
designed and used for the purpose of transmitting, receiving, and
relaying voice and data signals from various wireless communication
devices and equipment. For purposes of this chapter, amateur radio
transmission facilities and facilities used exclusively for receive-only
antennas are not classified as wireless telecommunications towers
and facilities.
YARD
An unobstructed open space on the same lot with a principal
building that extends from a street line or lot line inward to the
principal building.
YARD, FRONT
A yard extending the full width of the lot, the depth of
which extends from the front lot line to the nearest point of the
principal building.
YARD, REAR
A yard extending the full width of the lot, the depth of
which extends from the rear lot line to the nearest point of the principal
building.
YARD, REQUIRED
The open space between a lot line and the buildable area
or "building envelope" within which the principal structure must be
erected or placed.
YARD, SIDE
A yard extending between the inside lines of the front and
rear yards and extending in width from the side lot line to the nearest
point of the principal building.
ZONING ORDINANCE
An ordinance that divides the Borough or other unit of local
government into areas or zones that specify allowable uses for real
properly and size and locational restrictions for buildings within
these areas.
ZONING PERMIT
Written permission issued by the Zoning Officer or other
appropriate municipal official empowering the holder thereof to erect
or alter a building or structure, including signs and fences, change
the use of a building or land, and change or extend a nonconforming
use.