A. 
Title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "the Clinton Township Zoning Ordinance." The accompanying district map shall be known, and may be cited as, "the Clinton Township Zoning Map."[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Zoning Map and any amendments thereto are on file in the Township offices.
B. 
Authority. In accordance with the authority granted to Clinton Township, Butler County, through the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247, as reenacted and amended),[2] this chapter and map are intended to:
(1) 
Regulate the density of population;
(2) 
Regulate the location and use of buildings, structures and land for residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial and other purposes;
(3) 
Regulate the height, bulk, number of stories, size and placement of buildings and structures;
(4) 
Divide the Township into districts of such size, shape and area, and to establish such Zoning Map, as may be deemed best suited to carry out the regulations; and
(5) 
Establish procedures for the administration, enforcement, amendment, and relief from hardships under certain circumstances.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
C. 
Purpose. These regulations are deemed necessary in order to encourage beneficial growth and protection of private property in the Township while keeping the density of development consistent with existing Township facilities and the Township's ability to develop new facilities as needed. As stated in the community development goals and objectives of the Township, the Zoning Ordinance is also intended to implement the Clinton Township's Comprehensive Plan. Consistent with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,[3] these regulations are also expected to:
[Amended 8-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-04]
(1) 
Promote, protect and facilitate the public health, safety, morals, and the general welfare; coordinated and practical community development and proper density of population; emergency management preparedness and operations, airports, and national defense facilities, the provisions of adequate light and air, access to incident solar energy, vehicle parking and loading space, transportation, water, sewerage, schools, recreational facilities, public grounds, the provision of a safe, reliable and adequate water supply for domestic, commercial, agricultural or industrial use, and other public requirements; preservation of the natural, scenic and historic values in the environment and preservation of forests, wetlands, aquifers, floodplains and farms.
[Amended 7-13-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-01]
(2) 
Prevent overcrowding of land, blight, danger and congestion in travel and transportation, loss of health, life or property from fire, flood, panic or other dangers.
(3) 
Preserve prime agriculture and farmland considering topography, soil type and classification, and present use.
(4) 
Provide for the use of land within the municipality for residential housing of various dwelling types encompassing all basic forms of housing.
[Amended 7-13-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-01]
(5) 
Accommodate reasonable overall community growth, including population and employment growth, and opportunities for development of a variety of residential dwelling types and nonresidential uses.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[Amended 8-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-04; 7-13-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-01; 5-22-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-01]
A. 
Source. The community development goals and objectives are taken directly from the adopted Clinton Township Comprehensive Plan.
B. 
The key community development goal of Clinton Township is to accommodate necessary development while still protecting rural uses and features within the community. Generally, the Township will control the location, character, and timing of future growth and development by utilization of consistent local zoning, and policy decision such as consistent infrastructure investments. For the purpose of this chapter, "goals" are defined as broad policies the Township wishes to achieve, and objectives are more narrow means to make the goals come true. The vision of retaining a rural community, preventing high taxes and still allowing choices for landowners.
(1) 
Location goals. The Township will protect and conserve natural resources to the extent not preempted by state or federal law. In some cases, this may be accomplished by steering development away from sensitive resources. In other cases, good design can protect the resource within the context of development. The Townships may either make infrastructure investment in selected areas, or permit the installation of public and private improvements to support more intensive growth and development in selected areas.
(2) 
Character goals. The Township will discourage development that is not of a compatible nature with preexisting development. It may accomplish this through its zoning authority, or establishing standards to mitigate potentially conflicting uses through distance, screening, buffering or other measures.
(3) 
Timing goals. The Township may limit growth and development to achieve optimum timing with public or private improvements. In general, intensive development should occur first where water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure are already available. After that, development should occur where such infrastructure can be made available in a scenario where growth pays for itself.
Rules for the interpretation of all defined words within this chapter are detailed in Article VII. Undefined terms shall be given their plain and customary meaning.
No structure shall be located, erected, demolished, constructed, moved, externally altered, converted or enlarged nor shall any structure or land use be used or designed to be used except in full compliance with this chapter and after the lawful issuance of all permits and certifications required by this chapter.
Should any section or provision of this chapter be declared by the courts to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the chapter as a whole, nor the validity of any other section or provision of the chapter, other than the one so declared.
A. 
Whenever the provisions of this chapter are at variance with provisions in other parts of this chapter and other lawfully adopted rules, regulations, or ordinances, the more restricted requirements shall govern. However, for new subdivisions, the Township Board of Supervisors, on the advice of the Planning Commission, may permit flexible design as specified under applicable provisions of Chapter 147, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Code of the Township of Clinton, as such regulations pertain to lot averaging and conservation development.
B. 
Where there is a question of standards or applicability, this chapter will be interpreted consistent with Section 603.1 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10603.1.
C. 
Distances.
[Added 10-9-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-02]
(1) 
Lineal feet. All distances shall be measured in lineal feet. As used herein, the term "lineal" means measured in a straight line.
[Amended 7-13-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-01]
(2) 
Distances between structures. All references to distance to or from a structure shall be measured from the closest point of the structure (as opposed to the boundary line upon which the structure is located), unless specifically set forth to the contrary herein.
(3) 
Distances from roads, streets or intersections. All references to distance to or from a road, street or intersection shall mean to the closest point of the road, street or intersection right-of-way (as opposed to the center line) unless specifically set forth to the contrary herein.
Any resolution or ordinance, or any part of any resolution or ordinance conflicting with the provisions of this chapter is hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. In particular, those sections of Ordinance No. 0-84-12, as amended which are at conflict with these provisions, are hereby repealed upon the effective date.
[Amended 8-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-04]
The districts described under Article II of this chapter, as well as all applicable standards for use, density, yards, and the approval and consideration of development are hereby established. This ordinance shall take effect on August 26, 2019.
A map entitled "the Clinton Township Zoning Map" is hereby adopted as part of this chapter.[1] The Official Zoning Map shall be kept on file and available for examination at the Township office. The Township shall use this Official Zoning Map for interpretation. Informational Zoning Maps may be printed and distributed, but shall not be utilized for final interpretation of boundaries. All approved changes to zoning districts shall be promptly recorded on the Zoning Map by the Zoning Officer.
[1]
Editor's Note: Pursuant to Ord. No. 2019-04, adopted 8-26-2019, a revised Zoning Map was established and made a part hereof. A complete copy of the ordinance and map are on file in the Township offices.
[Amended 7-13-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-01]
District boundaries that are shown between the lines of streets, streams and transportation rights-of-way shall be deemed to follow the center line. The vacation of streets shall not affect the locations of such district boundaries. When the Zoning Officer cannot definitely determine the location of a district boundary by such center lines, by the scale of dimensions stated on the Zoning Map or by the fact that it clearly coincides with a property line, he shall refuse action. The Zoning Hearing Board, upon appeal, shall interpret the location of the district boundary with reference to the scale of the Zoning Map and the purpose set forth in all relevant provisions of this chapter. Any territory hereafter annexed by the Township or gained through discovery, survey, or mapping error will be classified by the Township.
Property owned, leased or operated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or the United States, or the Township, or any other public or governmental body or agency, shall be subject to the requirements of this chapter as follows:
A. 
Listing of public uses. Where such public or governmental uses are specifically listed, they shall be governed as indicated.
B. 
Similarity of government and nongovernmental uses. Where such public or governmental uses are not specifically listed, they shall be permitted only in districts permitting private uses of a similar or substantially similar nature.
C. 
Extent of Township powers. Governmental entities and agencies shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter only to the extent that it has been determined that the Township has no power to apply its zoning regulations to the particular use of land.
D. 
Municipal applicability. In the interest of the protection of health and safety, the Township shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter in the course of municipal functions related to road maintenance and provision of infrastructure, including grading, paving, culverts bridges, directional and safety signage, pump stations, wells, and similar structures and appurtenances, in particular any applicable setback and permitting procedures. The Township shall maintain all lot, yard, and coverage standards for any municipal building or municipally owned structure.
[Amended 7-13-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-01]
The Township of Clinton adopted an Official Map as permitted by Article IV of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code;[1] all development shall conform to such standards as required by the Official Map Ordinance and the Municipalities Planning Code.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10401 et seq.
A. 
The Township Board of Supervisors shall, from time to time, establish, by resolution, a schedule of fees, charges and expenses and a collection procedure for zoning permits, appeals and other matters pertaining to this chapter. The schedule of fees and related information may be posted in the Township offices, and may be amended only by official action by the Township Board of Supervisors.
B. 
No permit, certificate, application or variance shall be issued, nor shall any action be taken on proceedings before the Zoning Hearing Board unless, or until, such costs, charges, fees or expenses have been paid in full.
C. 
A zoning certificate shall be required for all new construction, additions or alterations affecting exterior dimensions of existing structures; and, for any structural or interior changes required for a change of the structure's use, or for any change in use.