A. 
For the purpose of this chapter, the terms and words listed in this section shall have the meaning herein defined. Words not herein defined shall have the meanings given in Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (most recent edition) and shall be interpreted so as to give this chapter its most reasonable application.
B. 
For the purpose of this chapter, the following rules of interpretation shall apply:
(1) 
Words in the present tense include the future tense.
(2) 
Words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular.
(3) 
The words "used" and "occupied" as applied to any land or buildings shall be construed to include the words "or intended, arranged or designed to be used or to be occupied, or offered for occupancy."
(4) 
The term "such as" shall be considered as introducing a typical or illustrative designation of items, and shall not be interpreted as constituting a complete list.
(5) 
The words "person" and "owner" shall be deemed to include a firm, company, corporation, unincorporated association, organization, trust and a partnership, or other legal entity, as well as an individual.
(6) 
The words "building" and "structure" shall be construed as if followed by the phrase "or part thereof."
(7) 
The word "lot" includes the words "plot" and "parcel."
(8) 
The word "water body" includes lake, pond, dammed water and water-filled quarry.
(9) 
The word "watercourse" includes channel, creek, ditch, dry run, spring, stream and river.
(10) 
The word "erect" shall mean to build, construct, alter, repair, display, relocate, attach, hang, place, suspend, affix or maintain any structure or building and shall also include the painting of exterior wall signs.
(11) 
The term "shall" is always mandatory; the terms "may" and "should" are permissive.
(12) 
The masculine gender shall include the feminine and the neuter and vice versa.
(13) 
Any term defined in the MPC[1] which is not otherwise defined in this chapter shall have the meaning set forth in the MPC.
[1]
Editor's Note: See the Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
Other terms or words used herein shall be interpreted or defined as follows:
ACCESSORY APARTMENT
An additional dwelling unit added onto, or created within, a single-family detached dwelling for occupancy by a person or persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption to the occupants of the principal dwelling.
ACCESSORY BUILDING
A building detached from and subordinate to the principal building or use on the same lot and used for purposes customarily incidental to the principal building, but not including vehicles, mobile homes, travel trailers, truck trailers, or any parts thereof. An accessory building may not house a principal use nor may it stand alone on a lot as a principal building.
ACCESSORY KEEPING OF HORSES
An accessory use to a principal detached single-family dwelling that is not contained upon a farm, whereupon livestock are kept by the residents of the site.
ACCESSORY USE
A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use or building and located on the same lot with such principal use or building.
ACT 247
See "Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code."
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY CENTER
Buildings and/or locations where agricultural enterprise, agricultural education and agricultural tourism take place.
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
Activities, programs, meetings, festivals, shows, events, or exhibits conducted for the primary purpose of education and/or awareness with respect to any aspect of farming or agriculture, including agricultural production, land and water resources, environmental and alternative energy education, historic preservation of buildings and equipment, community-supported agriculture (CSA), faith-based initiatives, educational camping programs, food processing and rural family culture and way of life.
AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE
A business or activity involving either the production of plants or animals or related agricultural services that support the harvesting, processing, marketing, and commerce of agricultural products and their related services, including agricultural tourism and educational programs.
AGRICULTURAL TOURISM
Activities, programs, meetings, festivals, shows, events, or exhibits focused on tourists' participation in and experience of the farming lifestyle or activities, including facilities necessary for conducting tourist activities such as enterprise education centers, exhibition halls, trade exposition centers, assembly halls, museums, art galleries, classrooms, gift shops, offices, food services, tourist housing (cabins or farmhouse lodges), event parks or facilities used for picnics, concerts, festivals, shows, plays or other community events, or any other tourist-related agricultural tourism activity.
AGRICULTURE
The cultivation of the soil for food products or other marketable products, not including animal husbandry or storage and/or processing of products grown on other premises.
AIRPORT
An improved airstrip/landing strip where aircraft can land and take off, usually equipped with hangars, facilities for refueling and repair, accommodations for passengers, freight, etc.
AIRSTRIP/LANDING STRIP
An area adapted with minimal improvements for use as a temporary runway for aircraft.
ALLEY
A public thoroughfare (less than 20 feet in width), other than a street, which affords only a secondary means of access to abutting property and is not intended for general traffic circulation.
ALTERATION
Any enlargement of the total floor area of a building, any enclosure by adding walls beneath a previously roofed area, any extension of a roof line to cover additional lot area not previously covered, or any construction which increases the cubic content of a building.
ALTERATIONS, STRUCTURAL
Any change in the supporting members of a building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams, or girders.
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, INTENSIVE
[Added 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-01]
A. 
A concentrated animal operation (CAO) which is an agricultural operation with eight or more animal equivalent units (AEUs) where the animal density exceeds two AEUs per acre on an annualized basis, as defined under the Pennsylvania Nutrient and Odor Management Act regulations, 25 Pa. Code § 83.201 et. seq., as amended.
B. 
A concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) which a concentrated animal operation with greater than 30 AEUs, any agricultural operation with greater than 1,000 AEUs, or any agricultural operation defined as a large CAFO under the Clean Streams Law, 40 CFR 122.23(b)(4), as amended, and Pennsylvania Nutrient and Odor Management Act regulations, 25 Pa. Code § 92a.2 et. seq., as amended.
C. 
For purposes of this definition, an applicant for an intensive animal husbandry operation shall provide the Zoning Officer with written proof of the calculations used to identify the operation and the Zoning Officer shall refer to the applicable regulations for necessary calculations.
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, NON-INTENSIVE
The practice of raising, breeding or keeping livestock or fowl that involves animals or birds which obtain their principal food source by grazing or foraging from the land and receive only supplementary feed at centralized feeding stations. This shall include conventional dairying operations and similar uses satisfying the above criteria.
[Amended 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-01]
ANIMAL UNIT (AEU)
One animal unit is equal to a total of 1,000 pounds of animal(s) as further defined with standard weights of various animals in accordance with Section 83.262 of the Nutrient Management Act.[1] Standard weights to be used in calculations are as provided in Table 1 of the latest edition of Agronomy Facts 54, as published by the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension.
AUTOMOBILE BODY SHOP
On a lot, a building that is used for the repair or painting of bodies, chassis, wheels, fenders, bumpers, and/or accessories of automobiles and other vehicles for conveyance.
BASE ZONING DISTRICT
The zoning district within which a development or structure is located.
BASEMENT
A story partly below the finished grade, but having at least one-half of its height (measured from finished floor to finished ceiling) above the average level of the finished grade where such grade abuts the exterior walls of the building. A basement shall be considered as one story in determining the permissible number of stories.
BUFFER AREA
A yard space, adjacent to a property line or building, which contains landscaping and plantings designed to screen, separate and shield a potentially incompatible use from adjoining properties.
BUILDING
A structure which has a roof supported by columns, piers, or walls, which is intended for the shelter, housing, or enclosure of persons, animals, or chattel or which is to house a use of a commercial or manufacturing activity.
A. 
BUILDING, ATTACHEDA building which has two party walls in common.
B. 
BUILDING, DETACHEDA building which has no party wall.
C. 
BUILDING, SEMIDETACHEDA building which has only one party wall in common.
BUILDING AREA
The total area of outside dimensions on a horizontal plane at ground level of the principal building and all accessory buildings exclusive of cornices, eaves, gutters, or chimneys projecting not more than 18 inches; bay windows not extending more than one story and not projecting more than five feet; and steps and balconies.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The vertical dimensions measured from the average elevation of the finished lot grade at the front of the building to the highest point of the ceiling of the top story, in the case of a flat roof; to the deck line of a mansard roof; and to the average height between the plate and ridge of a gable, hip, or gambrel roof.
BUILDING LINE
A line located along and drawn parallel to a wall or other exterior supporting member of a structure or portion thereof, excluding self-supportive projecting architectural features that project five feet or less. Yard requirements are applied from the lot lines to said building lines.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL
A building in which the principal use of the lot is conducted.
CARPORT
See "garage, private."
CELLAR
A story partly below the finished grade having at least one-half of its height (measured from finished floor to finished ceiling) below the average level of the adjoining finished grade where such grade abuts the exterior walls of the building. A cellar shall not be considered a story in determining the permissible number of stories.
CERTIFICATE OF ZONING COMPLIANCE
A certificate issued by the Zoning Administrator upon the completion of construction of a new building or upon a change or conversion of a structure or use of a building. This document certifies that the applicant has complied with any and all requirements and regulations provided herein and all other applicable requirements. This certificate is also utilized for registration of nonconforming uses of land or nonconforming uses of land and structures in combination.
CLINIC
An individual building or cluster of buildings (on a lot in single or common ownership) operated by one or more licensed medical or dental practitioners for the purpose of providing medical or dental treatment to the public on an outpatient basis.
COMMERCIAL KEEPING OF LIVESTOCK
Producing and/or maintaining animals other than for the personal use of the occupant(s) of the property on which such animals are produced and/or maintained.
COMMERCIAL USE
A use of land or improvements thereto for the purpose of engaging in retail, wholesale, or service activities for profit.
COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA
Any device used for the transmission or reception of radio, television, wireless telephone, pager, commercial mobile radio service or any other wireless communications signals, including, without limitation, omnidirectional or whip antennas and directional or parcel antennas, owned or operated by any person or entity licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to operate such device. This definition shall include private residence mounted satellite dishes or television antennas or amateur radio equipment, including, without limitations, ham or citizen band radio antennas.
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT BUILDING
An unmanned building or cabinet containing communications equipment required for the operation of communications antennas and covering an area on the ground not greater than 250 square feet.
COMMUNICATIONS TOWER
A structure other than a building, such as a monopole or a self-supporting or guyed tower, designed and used to support communications antennas.
CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATION
An agricultural operation that meets the criteria established by the Department of Environmental Protection under authority of the act of June 22, 1937 (P.L. 1987, No. 394), known as the "Clean Streams Law," 35 P.S. § 691.1 et seq.
CONTRACTOR'S OFFICE OR SHOP
A building, part of a building, or land area for the construction or storage of materials, equipment, tools, products, and vehicles.
[Added 6-28-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-2]
CONTRACTOR STORAGE YARD
Land and buildings utilized by a contractor for the storage of vehicles, equipment, tools, machinery, building materials, stone, soil, fuel and/or similar items that relate to the normal operations of a contractor for off-site construction or improvement projects.
[Added 6-28-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-2]
CONCENTRATED ANIMAL OPERATION
Agricultural operations meeting the criteria established in the Nutrient Management Act.[2] Generally, concentrated animal operations are those agricultural operations where the animal density exceeds two animal units (AEUs) per acre on an annualized basis.
CONSTRUCTION
The building, reconstruction, demolition activities for reconstruction, extension, expansion, alteration, substantial improvement, erection or relocation of a building or structure, including mobile homes. This shall include the placing and fastening of construction materials in a permanent position. Earth-moving activities shall not be deemed construction.
COVERAGE, BUILDING
The ratio of the area of all portions of a lot covered by buildings to the total area of the lot, excluding any portion of the lot within the street right-of-way.
COVERAGE, IMPERVIOUS
The ratio of the area of all portions of a lot covered in any way so as to not allow the ground beneath to absorb water at a natural rate to the total area of the lot, excluding any portions of the lot within the street right-of-way.
CUSTOMARY HOUSEHOLD PETS
Such pets as are normally found within the home, such as dogs, cats, hamsters, birds, etc.
DENSITY, NET
The number of dwelling units permitted in relation to the land area actually in use or proposed to be used for residential purposes, exclusive of public and/or private streets.
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The provisions for the development of a planned residential development, including a plat of subdivisions; all covenants relating to use, location, and bulk of buildings and other structures; intensity of use or density of development; streets, ways, and parking facilities; common open space; and public facilities.
DISTRICT
A portion of East Hanover Township within which certain uniform regulations and requirements or combination thereof apply under the provisions of this chapter.
DWELLING UNIT
One or more rooms connected together, constituting a separate, independent housekeeping establishment for owner occupancy, or rental or lease on a weekly, monthly, or longer basis, and physically separated from any other rooms or dwelling units which may be in the same structure, and containing independent cooking and sleeping facilities for one family.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED
A detached (separate) building designed for or occupied exclusively by one family on an individual lot; however, this shall not include single-unit mobile homes which are defined separately.
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY SEMIDETACHED
A building with one dwelling unit from the ground to roof and only one party wall in common with another dwelling unit. Commonly described as a "duplex," the semidetached, single-family dwelling is on an individual lot, is connected on one side to a similar dwelling on an adjacent lot and is usually owner-occupied.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY DETACHED
A separate building on an individual lot with two dwelling units from ground to roof (one unit over the other). These units are normally renter-occupied and are not designed for further subdivision.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY SEMIDETACHED
A building with two dwelling units from ground to roof (one unit over the other) and only one party wall in common with another, connected to a building which may contain one or two dwelling units. The two-family semidetached dwelling is on an individual lot, and may be rental or owner-occupied.
ELDER COTTAGE HOUSING (ECH) UNIT
An additional dwelling unit placed on a property for occupancy by either an elderly, handicapped, or disabled person related by blood, marriage, or adoption to the occupants of the principal dwelling.
FAMILY
One or more persons occupying a single dwelling unit, provided that, unless all members are related by blood or marriage, or are legal foster children, no such family shall contain over five persons, but provided further that domestic servants employed on the premises may be housed on the premises without being counted as a family or families.
FARM
A parcel of land of 10 or more acres used principally in the raising or production of agricultural products, with the customary dwelling, farm structures, storage and equipment. Adjoining tracts, parcels or separately deeded properties which are owned and farmed integrally as part of the same farming operation shall be considered jointly as one farm.
FARM DWELLING, ACCESSORY
An accessory farm dwelling is a second dwelling having as its occupant(s) an owner or one or more full-time laborers (or any family member thereof) on the farm.
GARAGE, PRIVATE
A building or structure which is necessary to the principal building, which provides for the storage of motor vehicles of the families residing on the premises and in which no occupation, business or service for profit is conducted.
GARAGE, REPAIR
A structure, building, or area of land or any portion thereof used primarily for the servicing and repair of automotive vehicles. A repair garage may provide one or more of the following services: general mechanical repair of motor vehicles, including state inspection, lubrication, washing, or sale of accessories and motor vehicle fuels. Uses permissible as a repair garage do not include body work, straightening of body parts, painting, welding, and storage of certain vehicles as per § 250-183 of this chapter. A repair garage is not an automobile body shop or a retail automotive parts store.
GARDEN APARTMENTS
Multifamily apartment buildings located on a plot of land under one ownership. Garden apartments are two stories high, with individual apartments on each story. Garden apartment buildings shall contain at least four, but not more than 16, dwelling units in a single structure, with the units generally renter-occupied. The garden apartments share:
A. 
A common yard area which is the sum of the required lot area of all dwelling units within the complex,
B. 
Common off-street parking,
C. 
Common outside apartment access for some or all units,
D. 
Central utilities.
GASOLINE STATION
A structure, building, or area of land or any portion thereof that is used solely for the sale of gasoline, or other motor vehicle fuel, lubricants, or minor accessories for travelers' convenience (e.g., windshield wiper blades, spark plugs, fuses, bulbs, etc.). Said use shall not include the sale of automotive parts, tires, service, polishing or washing. Any business or industry dispensing gasoline solely for its own use and vehicles will not be deemed a gasoline station.
GRADE, FINISHED
The completed surfaces of lawns, walks, and roads brought to grades as shown on official plans of designs relating thereto.
GROUP CARE FACILITY
A state authorized, certified, or licensed facility situated and operated as a substitute home with a family environment serving 13 or fewer mentally disordered, handicapped, dependent, or neglected persons who do not require nursing care. Adult supervision and supportive care shall be provided to residents on a twenty-four-hour basis and shall be in accordance with the Public Welfare Code of Pennsylvania.
HABITABLE FLOOR AREA
The sum of the floor area of all heated, finished rooms, within a dwelling unit, used on a daily basis for habitation. Such area may include living rooms; recreation rooms; kitchen; dining rooms; bedrooms; bathrooms; hallways; closets; heated and finished basements, cellars, and attics; attached garages which have been converted into an integral part of the living quarters; but does not include garages; porches, whether roofed, unroofed or enclosed; roofed terraces; unfinished and unheated basements, attics, cellars, or garages; etc.
HAZARDOUS WASTE
Any garbage, refuse, sludge from an industrial or other wastewater treatment plant, sludge from a water supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility and other discarded material resulting from municipal, commercial, industrial, institutional, mining, or agricultural operations, and from community activities, or any combination of these factors which, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics, may:
A. 
Cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or morbidity in either an individual or the total population; or
B. 
Pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of or otherwise managed.
HOME OCCUPATION
Any gainful occupation conducted within a dwelling which is of a service or professional nature such that the following conditions are met, as applicable: 1) the proprietor engages primarily in the sale of a service, 2) the handling of any durable goods is limited to primarily repairing or hand-crafting, and 3) the handling of non-durable or consumable goods for sale is incidental to the service. Such home occupations include, but are not limited to: physicians, dentists, lawyers, architects, engineers and accountants; insurance, real estate or securities broker; barbers and beauticians; photographers; tutors of individual students; seamstresses and tailors; and other occupations meeting these criteria which are not otherwise prohibited by law. Occupations of a nature that involve the stocking of items for retail or wholesale transfer, or use of facilities that involve a gathering of people, or occupations that normally use large areas, or customarily are not compatible with dwellings, by virtue of creating excessive noise, fumes, odor, dust, electrical interference, or substantially more than normal residential levels of traffic are prohibited. Prohibited home occupations include, but are not limited to: retail and wholesale stores; instructional classes of all types; shops and equipment storage of contractors; auto, truck or engine repair; medical or dental clinics. (See also "no-impact home-based business.")
HOSPITAL
A place for the diagnosis, treatment, or other care of humans and having facilities for inpatient care, including such establishments as a sanitarium, sanatorium, and preventorium.
HOTEL or LODGING HOUSE
A building used as the more or less temporary abiding place of three or more individuals who are, for compensation, lodged with or without meals, and in which no provision is made for cooking in any individual room or suite. A hotel may include restaurants, newsstands, and other accessory services primarily for serving its occupants and only incidentally the public.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface which prevents the percolation of water into the ground. For the purposes of this definition, an impervious surface includes any material impenetrable by precipitation, including buildings, structures, sidewalks, parking lots, parking areas and paved areas. All portions of parking lots, parking areas and outdoor storage areas shall be considered as impervious area regardless of the degree of precipitation penetrability.
INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE
A use within a completely enclosed building where firearms and other projectile-type weapons (e.g., guns, rifles, shotguns, pistols, air guns, archery, cross-bows, etc.) can be shot for recreation competition, skill development, training, or any combination thereof. Nothing within this definition shall be construed to include hunting when conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
INDOOR WEAPONS/TACTICS TRAINING FACILITY
An indoor establishment and accessory facilities for the training of federal, state and local law enforcement, firesafety, private security personnel and/or the general public in weapons and/or tactics.
INDUSTRIAL USE
A. 
GENERAL INDUSTRIAL USEManufacturing or storage uses which, because of their shipping, storage and other requirements, should not be located in close proximity to residential and other non-industrial areas.
B. 
LIGHT INDUSTRIAL USEManufacturing or storage uses which are characterized by uses of large sites, attractive buildings and inoffensive processes, and which can be compatible with neighboring residential and other non-industrial areas.
INDUSTRIAL/BUSINESS PARK
A tract of land laid out in accordance with an overall plan for a group of industries and businesses with separate building sites designed and arranged on streets and with utility services, setbacks, side yards, landscaped yards, and covenants controlling the architecture and uses.
INTENSIVE ANIMAL HUSBANDRY OPERATION
An animal husbandry operation that has an animal density of more than two animal units per acre (AEUs) on the subject farm.
INVASIVE VEGETATION
Nonnative, non-indigenous alien trees, shrubs, vines or herbaceous species that have a tendency to spread and overcome or kill native or indigenous vegetation. Species include, but are not limited to: Multiflora Rose (Rosa Multiflora), Autumn Olive (Eleagnus umbellata), Japanese Honeysuckle (Locicera japonica), Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), Norway Maple (Acer platanoides), and Mile-a-Minute Weed (Polygonum perforliatum).
JUNKYARD
A lot, land, or structure, or part thereof, used primarily for the collecting, storage, and sale of wastepaper, rags, scrap metal, or discarded materials, or for the collecting, dismantling, storage, and salvaging of machinery or vehicles not in running condition, and for the sale of parts thereof.
KENNEL
See "pet kennel."
LANDSCAPING
Changing, rearranging or adding to the vegetation or appearance of land to produce a visual, aesthetic or environmental effect appropriate to the use of land. Landscaping may include reshaping the land by moving earth, as well as preserving the original vegetation or adding vegetation.
LAUNDROMAT
A business premises equipped with individual clothes washing and/or drying machines for the use of retail customers, exclusive of laundry facilities provided as an accessory use in a multifamily housing development.
LIVESTOCK
Any member of the bovine, equine, porcine, or ovine species, including, but not limited to, cows, steers, horses, ponies, pigs, sheep and goats.
LOADING/UNLOADING SPACE
An off-street space not less than 12 feet wide by 55 feet long and having a minimum clear height of 15 feet, exclusive of access area, for the parking of one vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise or materials.
LOT
A single tract or parcel of land, which may legally be described as such, held in single or joint ownership, which is occupied or capable of being occupied by one principal building or principal use together with such accessory buildings, structures, and such open spaces as are arranged and permitted by this chapter.
LOT AREA
An area of land which is determined by the limits of the property line bounding that area and expressed in terms of square feet or acres. Any portion of a lot included in a street right-of-way shall not be included in calculating lot area.
LOT AVERAGING
A development design option that allows some lots within a development to be larger or smaller than is otherwise required by a zoning district; provided the average lot size is equal to or greater than the requirements of the district and that no common open space is provided.
LOT COVERAGE
Impervious coverage.
LOT DEPTH
A mean horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines measured in the general direction of its side lot lines.
LOT LINE
Any line dividing a lot from another lot, street, or parcel.
LOT WIDTH
The mean horizontal distance between the side lot lines, measured at right angles to its depth. Required lot width shall be measured at the most forward allowable building line or setback line; however, in the case where one side lot line is not parallel to the other side lot line, or of pie-shaped lots, the required lot width shall be measured at a point equal to 50% of the depth of the lot.
LOT, CORNER
A lot at the point of intersection of and abutting on two or more intersecting streets, and which has an interior angle of less than 135° at the intersection of the two street lines.
LOT, INTERIOR
A lot other than a corner lot, the sides of which do not abut a street.
LOT, THROUGH
An interior lot having frontage on two parallel or approximately parallel streets.
MANUFACTURING
A process whereby substances, raw materials, and/or semi-finished materials are chemically, mechanically, or otherwise transformed to goods and products that have some economic value.
MANURE MANAGEMENT FACILITY
A manure storage facility, including a permanent structure or facility, or a portion of a structure or facility, utilized for the primary purpose of containing manure. The term includes liquid manure structures, manure storage ponds, component reception pits and transfer pipes, containment structures built under a confinement building, permanent stacking and composting facilities and manure treatment facilities. The term does not include the animal confinement areas of poultry houses, horse stalls, free stall barns or bedded pack animal housing systems.
MOBILE HOME
A transportable, single unit structure intended for permanent occupancy as a single-family dwelling or office, which is contained in one unit or in two units designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated for repeated towing, which arrives at a site complete and ready for occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations, and which is constructed so that it may be used without a permanent foundation.
MOBILE HOME PARKS AND SUBDIVISIONS
A lot or area which is planned development and designated to contain two or more mobile homes for rent or for sale. Any lot or area proposed to utilize such design where individual mobile home sites are proposed for sale shall be known as a mobile home subdivision. Both parks and subdivisions are not to be construed to include recreational vehicles.
MOBILE HOME SITE
An area within a mobile home park or mobile home subdivision designated to contain one mobile home and the necessary utility connections and appurtenances. The area may be rented to an occupant as in a mobile home park, or sold to an occupant, as in a mobile home subdivision.
MODULAR HOME
A sectional, single-family dwelling, intended for permanent occupancy, contained in two or more units designed to be permanently joined into one integral unit, which arrives at a site complete and ready for occupancy except for assembly operations and construction of the necessary permanent foundation. For the purposes of this chapter, modular homes shall be treated the same as conventional stick-built single-family dwellings.
MOTEL
A building or group of buildings, whether detached or in connected units, used as individual sleeping or dwelling units, designed with separate entrances and designed for occupancy, primarily for transient automotive travelers, and provided with accessory off-street parking facilities. The term "motel" includes buildings designated as tourist courts, tourist cabins, motor lodges, and similar terms, but shall not be construed to include mobile or immobile trailers or homes.
NO-IMPACT HOME-BASED BUSINESS
A no-impact home-based business is 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. (See also "home occupation.")
NONCONFORMING LOT
A lot of record, existing at the date of the passage of this chapter or any amendments thereto, which does not at this time have the minimum lot width or contain the minimum lot area for the zoning district in which it is located.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
A sign which does not conform to the regulations of the district in which it is located.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE OR BUILDING
A structure, building, or part thereof which, at the time of the enactment of this chapter or any subsequent amendments thereto, does not comply with the provisions of this chapter or such amendments, with respect to restrictions on lot coverage, height, yard requirements, location on the lot, or other similar requirements.
NONCONFORMING USE
A use, whether land, building, or structure, which does not comply with the applicable use provisions of this chapter, or subsequent amendments thereto, where such use was lawfully in existence at the time of the amendment of this chapter or such amendments thereto.
NORMAL AGRICULTURAL OPERATION
A. 
The activities, practices, equipment and procedures that farmers adopt, use or engage in the production and preparation for market of poultry, livestock and their products and in the production, harvesting and preparation for market or use of agricultural, agronomic, horticultural, silvicultural and aquacultural crops and commodities and is:
(1) 
Not less than 10 contiguous acres in area; or
(2) 
Less than 10 contiguous acres in area but has an anticipated yearly gross income of at least $10,000.
B. 
The term includes new activities, practices, equipment and procedures consistent with technological development within the agricultural industry. Use of equipment shall include machinery designed and used for agricultural operations, including, but not limited to, crop dryers, feed grinders, saw mills, hammer mills, refrigeration equipment, bins and related equipment used to store or prepare crops for marketing and those items of agricultural equipment and machinery defined by the Act of December 12, 1994, (P.L. 944, 3 P.S. §§ 1901–1915), known as the Farm Safety and Occupational Health Act. Custom work shall be considered a normal farming practice. Custom work includes specific farm operations performed under contract between the farmer and the contractor. The contractor furnishes labor, equipment and materials to perform the operation. Custom harvesting of grain, spraying and picking of fruit, and sheep shearing are examples of custom work.
NURSERY, HORTICULTURE
Any lot or parcel of land used to cultivate, propagate, and grow trees shrubs, vines, and other plants, including the buildings, structures, and equipment customarily incidental and accessory to the principal use.
NURSING OR CONVALESCENT HOME
A building with sleeping rooms where persons are housed or lodged and furnished with meals and nursing care for hire.
OFFICE, PROFESSIONAL
A building containing office space for one or more persons engaged in occupations or callings which required extensive learned and academic preparation to secure knowledge or skill in a profession such as medicine, law, divinity, or science, wherein professional advice, guidance or instruction is provided. Occupations or vocations which are trades, crafts, or businesses and often involve the sale of a product shall not be considered professional offices.
ON-FARM OCCUPATION
Any occupation in the Agricultural District in addition to the primary agricultural use whereby the farmer in residence engages in an occupation that is secondary to the primary agricultural use.
OPEN SPACE
The unoccupied space open to the sky on the same lot with the building.
OPEN SPACE, COMMON OR PUBLIC
A parcel or parcels of land, an area of water, or a combination of land and water, within a cluster development designed and intended for the use of all residents of the development (common open space) or the general public (public open space), not including streets and walkways, off-street parking areas, areas with no public accessibility, setbacks, and areas at other than ground level. Open space areas may include floodplains and drainage basins. Common or public open space shall be substantially free of structures but may contain such improvements as are appropriate for recreational use by the residents or the general public.
PARENT TRACT
When used in determining the permissible number of lots which may be subdivided in the Agricultural District, all contiguous land held in single and separate ownership, regardless of whether such land is divided into one or more lots, parcels, purparts or tracts; such land was acquired by the landowner at different times or by different deeds, devise, partition or otherwise; or such land is bisected by public or private streets or rights-of-way, which was held by the landowner or his predecessor in title on November 11, 1984, or, if such land was not classified as Agricultural District on November 11, 1984, which was held by the landowner or his predecessor in title on the date such land was first classified as Agricultural District after November 11, 1984. Any limitation on the number of lots allowed to be subdivided under prior provisions of a Township Zoning Ordinance are hereby superseded and the number of permissible subdivisions shall be based on the parent tract as defined on November 11, 1984. In addition, any subdivision plan notes that limit future subdivision based on provisions of any Township Zoning Ordinance in effect prior to November 11, 1984, are also null and void.
PARKING LOT
An off-street surfaced area designed solely for the parking of motor vehicles, including driveways, passageways, and maneuvering space appurtenant thereto.
PARKING SPACE
An open or enclosed area accessible from a street or alley for parking of motor vehicles for owners, occupants, employees, customers, or tenants of the principal building or use. Each parking space shall be not less than 10 feet wide and not less than 20 feet long, exclusive of all drives, curbs, and turning space.
PENNSYLVANIA MUNICIPALITIES PLANNING CODE
This enabling legislation provides the mechanism whereby municipalities plan for community development through the adoption of a Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinance and the establishment of planning commissions, planning departments and zoning hearing boards. The Code authorizes the above bodies to request appropriations, charge fees, make inspections, hold public hearings, make legal appeals, and process penalties for violations. For the purposes of this chapter, the Code, enacted as Act 247 of 1968, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., is intended to include the current code and any future amendments and shall be referred to hereafter as "MPC."
PERMIT
Building and zoning permit issued by the Zoning Administrator.
PET KENNEL
An enclosure or area (located outside a dwelling) which is designed for keeping more than three birds or animals; however, this does not include pet zoos or menageries.
PET, HOUSEHOLD
Any customary domestic animal or bird that is kept for pleasure rather than utility and which may be kept inside or outside of a dwelling.
PET, NOVELTY
An animal, bird or insect that is kept for pleasure that is not a customary household pet, nor of a domesticated variety, provided that it is not otherwise prohibited by law and is kept inside a dwelling.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The East Hanover Township Planning Commission.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT SITE REVIEW COMMITTEE
A three- to five-member committee appointed by the Director of the Lebanon County Planning Department from Department personnel. The committee reviews sites to provide recommendations on design and appropriate use of vegetation, topography, building orientation and other site amenities which will result in effective energy conservation and environmental control.
PREMISES
Any lot, parcel, or tract of land and any building constructed thereon.
PRIME AGRICULTURAL LAND
Land used for agricultural purposes that contains soils of the first, second, or third class as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources and Conservation Services County Soil Survey.
PRINCIPAL USE
The main purpose for which land or a building is designed, arranged, intended, or for which it is or may be occupied or maintained.
PRIVATE ROAD
A legally established road right-of-way, other than a street, which provides the primary vehicular access to a lot.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality. Such notice shall state the time and place of the hearing and the particular nature of the matter to be considered at the hearing. The first publication shall not be more than 30 days and the second publication shall not be less than seven days from the date of the hearing.
A. 
ELECTRONIC NOTICENotice given by a municipality through the Internet of the time and place of a public hearing and the particular nature of the matter to be considered at the hearing.
B. 
MAILED NOTICENotice given by a municipality by first class mail of the time and place of a public hearing and the particular nature of the matter to be considered at the hearing.
RESTAURANT, DRIVE-IN
A commercial establishment where food or beverage is sold for consumption on the premises either in a customer's vehicle or in an outside area, but not within a building.
RESTAURANT, DRIVE-THROUGH
An accessory use to a commercial restaurant where the customer receives food or beverage via a drive-up window without the need for the customer to leave his vehicle.
RESTAURANT, FAST FOOD
A commercial establishment where a limited selection of food or beverage is sold either for consumption on the premises or as a "take-out" service. Food preparation is designed for immediate service to customers and food is normally prepared in advance to facilitate this type of "fast" service.
RIDING CLUB
An establishment where horses are kept, bred, trained and/or exercised and where equestrian instruction and equestrian competition may be offered, including but not limited to polo clubs, public show rings and rodeos.
RIDING STABLE
An establishment where horses are kept, bred, trained and/or exercised and where equestrian instruction may be offered, but excluding riding clubs.
ROW HOUSE
See "townhouse."
SANITARIUM, SANATORIUM
A private hospital, whether or not such facility is operated for profit.
SELF-STORAGE FACILITY (MINI-WAREHOUSE)
A building and/or series of buildings divided into separate storage units, for rent or lease, for personal property and/or property associated with some business or other organization. These units shall be used solely for dead storage and no processing, manufacturing, sales, research and development testing, service and repair, or other nonstorage activities shall be permitted.
[Added 6-28-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-2]
SETBACK
The horizontal distance from a lot line to the part of the building nearest to such a lot line.
SHOPPING CENTER
A group of stores, two or more in number, planned and designed as an integrated unit with off-street parking provided on the property as an integral part of the unit.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
Any dwelling unit owned or managed by a person, firm, or corporation which is rented or leased for a period of no more than 30 consecutive days.
[Added 12-18-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-03]
SIGN
Includes any writing (including letter, word or numeral); pictorial representation (including illustration or decoration); emblem (including device, symbol, or trademark); or any other device or similar character which 1) is a structure or any part thereof, or is attached to, painted on, or in any other manner represented on a building, vehicle or other structure; 2) is used to announce direct attention to, or advertise; and 3) is visible from outside a building.
A. 
ANIMATED/MOVING SIGNA sign employing actual motion or the illusion of motion. Animated signs, which are different from changeable signs as defined and regulated in this chapter, include the following types:
(1) 
Electrically activated. Animated signs producing the illusion of movement by means of electronic, electrical or electromechanical input and/or illumination capable of simulating movement through employment of the characteristics of one or both of the classifications noted below:
(a) 
Flashing. Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by a repetitive cycle of intermittent illumination which includes the illusion of intermittent flashing light by means of animation. Also any mode of lighting which resembles zooming, twinkling, or sparkling. For the purposes of this chapter, "flashing" will not be defined as occurring if the cyclical period between on-off phases of illumination exceeds five seconds.
(b) 
Patterned illusionary movement. Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by simulated movement through alternate or sequential activation of various illuminated elements for the purpose of producing repetitive light patterns designed to appear in some form of constant motion.
(2) 
Environmentally activated. Animated signs or devices motivated by wind, thermal changes or other natural environmental input. Includes spinners, pinwheels, pennant strings and/or other devices or displays that respond to naturally occurring external motivation.
(3) 
Mechanically activated. Animated signs characterized by repetitive motion and/or rotation activated by a mechanical system powered by electric motors or other mechanically induced means.
B. 
BANNERAny sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is permanently mounted to a pole or building by a permanent frame at one or more edges. National flags, state or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered banners.
C. 
BEACONAny light with one or more beams directed into the atmosphere or directed at one or more points not on the same zone lot as the light source; also, any light with one or more beams that rotate or move.
D. 
BUILDING MARKERAny sign indicating the name of a building and data and incidental information about its construction, which sign is cut into a masonry surface or made bronze or other permanent material.
E. 
CANOPY SIGNAny sign that is part of or attached to an awning, canopy or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window, or outside service area. A marquee is not a canopy.
F. 
CHANGEABLE SIGNA sign with the capability of content change by means of manual or remote input, including signs which are:
(1) 
Manually activated. Changeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed manually, or
(2) 
Electrically activated. Changeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed by means of remote electrically energized on-off switching combinations of alphabetic or pictographic components arranged on a display surface. Illumination may be integral to the components, such as characterized by lamps or other light-emitting devices; or it may be from an external light source designed to reflect off the changeable component display. (See also "electronic reader board/message center.")
G. 
ELECTRONIC READER BOARD/MESSAGE CENTERAn electrically activated changeable sign whose variable message capability can be electronically programmed. A sign that contains a changing message within the copy area that remains on for a specified minimum period of time and blacks out for a specified period of time between messages. Messages contained on the sign do not travel or appear to travel in any direction.
H. 
FLAGAny fabric, banner, or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols, used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision, or other entity.
I. 
FLASHING SIGNSee "animated/moving sign, electrically activated."
J. 
FREESTANDING SIGNAn independently supported sign which is not attached to any building or structure.
K. 
IDENTIFICATION SIGNAny sign indicating the name and address of an occupant of a building.
L. 
INCIDENTAL SIGNA sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the zone lot on which it is located, such as "no parking," "entrance," "loading only," "telephone," and other similar directives. No sign with a commercial message legible from a position off the zone lot on which the sign is located shall be considered incidental.
M. 
MARQUEE SIGNAny sign attached to, in any manner, or made part of a marquee.
N. 
NONCONFORMING SIGNAny sign that does not conform to the requirements of this chapter.
O. 
PENNANTAny lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire, string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.
P. 
PORTABLE SIGNAny sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted to A-frames or T-frames; menu and sandwich board signs; balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business.
Q. 
PROJECTING SIGNA sign erected or displayed which is attached to the wall of a building and projects in a perpendicular fashion from said wall. Wall signs that project more than 12 inches shall be treated as projecting signs.
R. 
ROOF SIGNAny sign erected and constructed wholly on and over the roof of building supported by the roof structure, and extending vertically above the highest portion of the roof. Roof signs shall not exceed the maximum height requirements for buildings or structures.
S. 
ROOF SIGN, INTEGRALAny sign erected or constructed as an integral or essentially integral part of a normal roof structure or design, such that no part of the sign extends vertically above the highest portion of the roof and such that no part of the sign is separated from the rest of the roof by a space of more than six inches.
T. 
SUSPENDED SIGNA sign that is suspended from the underside of a horizontal plane surface and is supported by such surface.
U. 
TEMPORARY SIGNAny sign that is used temporarily and is not permanently mounted.
V. 
WALL SIGNA sign erected or displayed on or parallel to the surface of a building and does not project more than 12 inches therefrom.
W. 
WINDOW SIGNAny sign, pictures, symbol or combination thereof, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale, or service, which is placed inside a window or upon the windowpanes or glass and is visible from the exterior of the window.
SIGN AREA
The area of a sign shall be construed to include the entire display surface and background, whether open or enclosed, which encompasses lettering, wording, designs, and symbols, but not including any supporting framework and bracing which is incidental to the display itself. The area shall be determined using the largest visible sign or silhouette area. When the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or printed on a surface, the area shall be considered to be the smallest rectangular shape or shapes which can be drawn together to encompass all of the letters and symbols.
SIGN, ADVERTISING
Any sign which is owned or operated by any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of outdoor advertising for direct profit gained from the rental of such signs or any sign advertising a commodity not sold or produced on the premises, including "billboards."
SIGN, DOUBLE-FACED
A sign consisting of two display areas placed back to back or joined along a common edge and is treated as having one sign area. If the display areas are joined along a common edge and the interior angle is greater than 45°, the structure shall be treated as having two sign areas.
SITE PLAN
A plan of a lot or subdivision on which is shown topography; location of all buildings, roads, rights-of-way, and boundaries; all essential dimensions and bearings; and any other information deemed necessary by the Township in unusual or special cases.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
A use specified in the district regulations which is permitted only if the Zoning Hearing Board grants it as a special exception use and allows issuance of a permit by the Zoning Administrator pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
STOCKYARD
An intensive animal husbandry use containing a large yard area with pens or stables where cattle, sheep, swine, or other livestock are kept ready for sale or shipping.
STORY
A story is that part of a building between the surface of any floor and the next floor above it or in its absence, the finished ceiling or roof above it. A "split level" story shall be considered a second story if its floor level is six feet or more above the level of the line of the finished floor next below it. Any floor under a sloping roof at the top of a building which is more than two feet below the top plate shall be counted as a story; and, if less than two feet below the top plate, shall be counted as a half story.
STREET
A public thoroughfare, right-of-way (or private road or right-of-way) 20 feet in width or greater which affords primary vehicular access to abutting properties.
STREET LINE
The line determining the limit of the street or public right-of-way, either existing or contemplated. Also referred to as the street lot line or road right-of-way line. Where a definite right-of-way width has not been established, the street line shall be determined as a line 25 feet from the center line of the existing street.
STRUCTURE
A man-made object usually assembled of interdependent parts or components which is designed to have a more or less fixed location, whether or not permanently attached at that location.
SUBDIVISION
The division or redivision of a lot, tract or parcel of land by any means into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land, including changes in existing lot lines for the purpose, whether immediate or future, or lease, transfer of ownership or building or lot development; provided, however, that the (division) subdivision by lease of land for agricultural purposes into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new street or easement of access or residential dwellings shall be exempt.
TOWNHOUSE
A single-family dwelling located on an independent lot and constructed as a part of a series of three or more connected single-family dwellings with one dwelling unit from floor to roof. Townhouses are typically two stories high and units are considered attached dwellings, except for the end units of a building series which are semidetached. Townhouses are generally owner-occupied and provide residents with individual yards, parking, and utility access. Common areas and facilities, including parking areas, may be designed for joint utilization by all residents of the townhouse development.
TOXIC OR NOXIOUS MATTER
Any solid, liquid or gaseous matter, including, but not limited to, gases, vapors, dusts, fumes and mists, containing properties which by chemical means are:
A. 
Inherently harmful and likely to destroy life or impair health; or
B. 
Capable of causing injury to the well-being of persons or damage to property.
C. 
The following materials and substances listed have been determined to be dangerous to human life:
(1) 
Acetone.
(2) 
Ammonia.
(3) 
Benzene.
(4) 
Calcium carbide.
(5) 
Carbon disulfide.
(6) 
Celluloid.
(7) 
Chlorine.
(8) 
Hydrochloric acid.
(9) 
Hydrocyanic acid.
(10) 
Magnesium.
(11) 
Nitric acid and oxides of nitrogen.
(12) 
Petroleum products (gasoline, fuel oil, etc.).
(13) 
Phosphorus.
(14) 
Potassium.
(15) 
Pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides).
(16) 
Sodium.
(17) 
Sulfur and sulfur products.
(18) 
Radioactive substances, insofar as such substances are not otherwise regulated.
TRAVEL TRAILER
A vehicular portable structure built on a chassis (motorized home, converted bus, tent trailer, tent, or similar device) designed to be used as a temporary dwelling for travel and recreational purposes.
VARIANCE
A modification of the regulations of this chapter granted by the Zoning Hearing Board to the petitioner on grounds of practical difficulties or an unnecessary hardship, not self-imposed, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and the MPC.[3]
YARD
An open space, other than a court, unoccupied by a structure; provided, however, that fences, walls, posts, trees, lawn furniture, and other customary yard accessories are permitted in any yard subject to height limitations and requirements limiting obstruction of visibility.
YARD, FRONT
An unoccupied space, open to the sky, between the front property line (road right-of-way line) and the building line of the principal building closest to the front property line.
YARD, REAR
An unoccupied space, open to the sky, between the rear property line and the building line of the principal building which is closest to the rear property line.
YARD, REQUIRED FRONT
An unoccupied space, open to the sky, provided between the front property line (road right-of-way line) and a line drawn parallel thereto, at such distance therefrom as may be specified herein for any district, and extending for the full width of the lot.
YARD, REQUIRED REAR
An unoccupied space, open to the sky, between the rear property in and a line drawn parallel thereto at such distance therefrom as may be specified herein for any district and extending for the full width of the lot.
YARD, REQUIRED SIDE
An unoccupied space, open to the sky, between the side property line and a line drawn parallel thereto at such distance therefrom as may be specified herein for any district and extending the full depth of the lot.
YARD, SIDE
An unoccupied space, open to the sky, between the side property line and the side building line of the principal building. In most cases, a lot has two side yards located on opposite sides of the principal building.
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
The agent(s) or official(s) designated by the Township Supervisors to enforce this chapter of the East Hanover Township Code.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 25 Pa. Code § 83.262.
[2]
Editor's Note: See now the Nutrient Management and Odor Management Act, 3 Pa.C.S.A. § 501 et seq. In addition, see related regulations at 25 Pa. Code § 83.201 et seq.
[3]
Editor's Note: See the Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.