1. 
For the purpose of this chapter, certain terms and words used herein shall be interpreted or defined as follows:
A. 
Words used in the present tense shall include the future.
B. 
Words in the singular shall include the plural.
C. 
The word "person" includes a corporation, company, partnership or association, as well as an individual.
D. 
The word "lot" includes the words "plot," "tract" or "parcel."
E. 
The term "shall" is always mandatory.
F. 
The words "used" or "occupied" as applied to any land or building shall be construed to include the words "intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied."
G. 
The word "structure" includes the word "building."
H. 
Gender-specific pronouns or references shall refer to all genders.
2. 
The particular shall control the general.
3. 
If a word is not defined in this Zoning Chapter, but is defined in Chapter 22, Subdivision and Land Development, as amended, the definition in the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance shall apply. If there is a discrepancy between a definition in this Zoning Chapter and a definition in another Borough ordinance, the Zoning Chapter definition will prevail for zoning purposes.
4. 
Any word or term not defined in this Zoning Chapter or in the Borough of Homestead Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, as amended, shall be used with its plain and usual meaning within the context of the section. A standard reference dictionary should be consulted.
In addition to the following definitions, diagrams illustrating key lot, area and dimensional terms appear at the end of this chapter.[1] In case of any difference of meaning or implication between the text of this chapter and any caption or illustration, the text shall control.
ACCESS DRIVE or ACCESSWAY
A privately owned, constructed and maintained vehicular access roadway accessing two or more dwelling units or two or more commercial, institutional or industrial principal uses. See also "driveway."
ACCESS POINT
One combined entrance/exit point or one clearly defined entrance point separated from another clearly defined exit point. This term shall not include accessways or driveways that are strictly and clearly limited to use by only emergency vehicles; such accesses are permitted by right as needed.
ACCESSORY BUILDING
A building which is on the same lot with, but detached from, the principal building and which is subordinate to the principal building.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
A structure, such as a private garage or private swimming pool, serving a purpose customarily incidental to the use of the principal building and located on the same lot as the principal building.
ACCESSORY USE
A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use and located on the same lot as the principal use.
ACRE
43,560 square feet.
ADULT BOOKSTORE
A use with a significant portion of the market value of or total number of items for sale or rent being books, films, magazines, videotapes, coin- or token-operated films or videotapes, paraphernalia, novelties or other periodicals which are distinguished or characterized by a clear emphasis on matter depicting, displaying, describing or relating to uncovered male or female genitals or specified sexual activities. This shall include but not be limited to materials that would be illegal to sell to persons under age 18 under state law.
ADULT LIVE ENTERTAINMENT FACILITY
A nightclub, bar, tavern, restaurant, bottle club, or similar commercial establishment, whether or not alcoholic beverages are served, regularly featuring (i.e., giving special prominence to) persons who are nude or seminude.
[Amended 7-13-2006 by Ord. No. 1185; 9-13-2007 by Ord. No. 1196]
ADULT MOVIE THEATER
A use involving the presentation typically to three or more persons at one time of motion pictures, videotapes or similarly reproduced images distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on depiction of specified sexual activities for observation by patrons therein and that is related to some form of monetary compensation by the persons viewing such matter.
ADULT USE
This shall include only the following: adult bookstore, adult movie theater, massage parlor or adult live entertainment facility.
AGRICULTURE
Includes "crop farming," "plant nursery" and "raising of livestock." See definition of each.
ALLEY
A public or private right-of-way primarily designed to serve as secondary access to the side or rear of properties whose principal frontage is on some other public or private street and not intended for general traffic circulation.
ALTERATION
An incidental change, rearrangement, replacement or enlargement in the structural parts or in the means of egress, whether by extending on a side or by increasing in height; or the moving from one location or position to another; or by change in use from that of one district classification to another.
AMUSEMENT ARCADE
A business or portion thereof having on its premises for use by the public four or more video or electromechanical devices operated by inserting a coin or token.
ANTENNA, STANDARD
A device, partially or wholly exterior to a building, that is used for receiving and/or transmitting short-wave or citizens band radio frequencies or for receiving television, radio or similar frequencies, but not including a satellite dish antennae or a commercial communications antennae. This includes any accessory supporting structures.
APARTMENT
See "dwelling types."
APPLICANT
A landowner or developer, as hereinafter defined, who has filed an application for development, including his heirs, successors and assigns.
APPOINTING AUTHORITY
The Borough Council.
ARRAY
Any number of electrically connected photovoltaic (PV) modules providing a single electrical output.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
ART GALLERY
An establishment for the display and sale of art and photography.
ARTIST STUDIO
An establishment, or portion thereof, used for the education, display and creation of art and/or photography, and including incidental sales of such items.
ATM
Any automatic teller machine (as used in the finance industry).
AUTO, MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOME SALES
A building or area, other than a street, used for the outdoor or indoor display, sale or rental of one or more of the following in operable condition: motor vehicles, recreation vehicles, boat trailers, farm machinery, motorcycles, trucks, utility trailers, construction vehicles or transportable mobile/manufactured homes in a livable condition. This use may include an auto repair garage as an accessory use, provided that all requirements of such use are complied with. This use shall not include a mobile/manufactured home park or a junkyard.
AUTO REPAIR GARAGE
A building and/or land where repairs, improvements and installation of parts and accessories for motor vehicles and/or boats are conducted that involve work that is more intense in character than work permitted under the definition of "auto service station." An auto repair garage shall include, but not be limited to, any use that involves any of the following work: major mechanical or body work, straightening of body parts, painting, welding or rebuilding of transmissions. Any use permitted as part of an auto service station is also permitted as part of an auto repair garage.
AUTO SERVICE STATION
A building and/or land where gasoline is sold, and where no repairs are conducted, except work that may be conducted that is closely similar in character to the following: sale and installation of oil, lubricants, batteries and belts and similar accessories and safety and emission inspections. This use may include a convenience store selling ready-to-eat food for consumption off the lot, common household products and similar items.
AUTO PARTS STORE
Any retail establishment, including buildings and premises, where motor vehicle parts or accessories may be sold, supplied and/or dispensed at retail, and where in addition, the following services may be rendered and sales made.
1. 
Engine oil and lubrication.
2. 
Warranty maintenance.
3. 
Safety inspections.
AWNING
Any lightweight structure attached to the ground and/or to a wall and which is extended over a sidewalk or other pedestrian walkway, where such structure is used primarily for purposes of shelter and/or identification.
BASEMENT or CELLAR
A story wholly or partly underground. A basement shall be counted as a story for the purpose of height measurement if the vertical distance between the ceiling and the average level of the adjoining ground is more than five feet.
BED-AND-BREAKFAST
A dwelling which is the principal residence of the operator where no more than four sleeping rooms are offered to transient overnight guests for compensation and where the only meal included with the overnight accommodations is breakfast.
BEVERAGE BOTTLING
The production, processing and bottling of alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages carried out for sale to customers or patrons or for wholesale or retail distribution.
[Added 5-12-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-03]
BILLBOARD
See "sign, off-premises."
BOARD
The Zoning Hearing Board established by this chapter.
BOARDING (OR LODGING) HOUSE
A dwelling or part thereof in which sleeping rooms are provided by the owner/operator for compensation to more than four transient or nontransient individuals and where meals may be provided. A boardinghouse shall not include a use that meets the definition of hotel, motel or any residence that provides personal services associated with a group residence, group care facility, transitional dwelling or personal care home as defined by this chapter.
BOROUGH
Borough of Homestead, Allegheny County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
BOTTLE CLUB
An establishment operated for profit or pecuniary gain, which has a capacity for the assemblage of 20 or more persons and in which alcoholic liquors, alcohol or malt or brewed beverages are not legally sold but where alcoholic liquors, alcohol or malt or brewed beverages are either provided by the operator or agents or employees of the operator for consumption on the premises or are brought into or kept at the establishment by the patrons or persons assembling there for use and consumption. The term shall not include a licensee under the Liquor Code (from 18 Pa.C.S.A. Chapter 73, § 7328).
BUFFER YARD
A landscaped area of certain depth specified by this chapter which shall be planted and maintained in areas, grass, ground cover, shrubs, bushes or other natural landscaping material of a mix of sizes and types of plant material, designed to reduce or eliminate incompatibility or conflicts between adjacent uses of differing character within the same zoning district or between zoning districts.
BUILDABLE AREA
The area of the lot bounded by the required yards; where there is no required yard, then bounded by the lot line.
BUILDING
Any structure having a permanent roof and intended for the shelter, work area, housing or enclosure of persons, animals, vehicles, equipment or materials and that has a total area under roof of greater than 50 cubic feet. Building is interpreted as including "or part thereof." See the separate definition of "structure." Any structure involving a permanent roof (such as a covered porch or a carport) that is attached to a principal building shall be considered to be part of that principal building.
BUILDING COVERAGE
The percentage obtained by dividing the maximum horizontal area square feet of all principal and accessory buildings and attached structures covered by a permanent roof on a lot by the total lot area of the lot upon which the buildings are located.
BUILDING, HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the finished grade at the front of the building to the highest point of the roof for flat roofs, to the roofline of mansard roofs and to the mean height between eaves and ridge for gable, hip and gambrel roofs.
BUILDING-INTEGRATED SYSTEM
A solar photovoltaic system that is constructed as an integral part of a principal or accessory building or structure and where the building-integrated system features maintain a uniform profile or surface of vertical walls, window openings, and roofing. Such a system is used in lieu of a separate mechanical device, replacing or substituting for an architectural or structural component of the building or structure that appends or interrupts the uniform surfaces of walls, window openings and roofing. A building-integrated system may occur within vertical facades, replacing view glass, spandrel glass or other facade material; into a semitransparent skylight system; into roofing systems, replacing traditional roofing materials; or other building or structure envelope systems.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
BUILDING LENGTH
The horizontal measurement between the two most distant portions, other than portions measured diagonally, of any one building or of attached buildings.
BUILDING LINE or SETBACK
A line parallel to the street right-of-way at a distance therefrom which is equal to the depth of the front yard required by the Borough of Homestead Zoning Chapter for the zoning district in which the lot is located.
BUILDING MATERIALS AND STORAGE AND SALES
A commercial establishment storing or offering for sale building supplies, steel supplies, coal, heavy equipment, feed and grain and similar goods. Building materials and storage and sales does not include the wrecking, salvaging, dismantling or storage of automobiles and similar vehicles.
BUILDING-MOUNTED SYSTEM
A solar photovoltaic system attached to any part or type of roof on a building or structure that has an occupancy permit on file with the municipality and that is either the principal structure or an accessory structure on a recorded property. This system also includes any solar-based architectural elements.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
BUILDING PERMIT
A permit indicating that a proposed construction, alteration or reconstruction of a structure is in accordance with the provisions of the Borough's building code and related codes.
BUILDING SPACING
The minimum distance between two buildings. The building spacing shall be measured from the outermost wall or projections, excluding bay windows, chimneys, flues, columns, ornamental features, cornices and gutters, provided that these exceptions do not encroach more than two feet.
BUILDING WIDTH
The horizontal measurement between two structural walls of one building that are generally parallel, measured in one general direction that is most closely parallel to the required lot width. For a townhouse, this width shall be the width of each dwelling unit.
BULK REGULATIONS
Standards that control the height, density, intensity and location of structures.
BUSINESS SERVICES
The engaging in the purchase, sale, barter or exchange of goods, wares, merchandise or services; the maintenance or operation of offices or recreational and amusement enterprises for profit.
CANOPY
A lightweight structure attached to the ground and/or to a wall and extended over a sidewalk or other pedestrian walkway, where such structure is used primarily for purposes of shelter and not advertising.
CARPENTER'S SHOP
An establishment, or portion thereof, used for the creation and repair of woodwork and including incidental sales of such items.
CARPORT
A structure used for the shelter of a vehicle and which includes a roof attached to the side or back of the principal building and/or supported by four columns and which is open on two or more sides from the roof to the ground over which it stands.
CAR WASH
A structure, or portion thereof, either fully or partially enclosed, where one or more vehicles may be washed using mechanized equipment or by self-service.
CELL
The smallest basic solar electric device which generates electricity when exposed to light.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
CELLAR
See "basement."
CEMETERY
A burial place or graveyard, including a mausoleum, crematory or columbarium.
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
A certificate issued by the Zoning Officer upon site inspection, attesting that the use or structure meets all requirements of this chapter, complies with all approved plans and may be used or occupied for the specified use.
CHRISTMAS TREE FARM or TREE FARM
A type of crop farming involving the raising and harvesting of evergreen trees for commercial purposes. This may include the retail sale of trees from November 15 to December 30 that were produced on the premises.
CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLE
An area of unobstructed vision at the intersection of two streets and a driveway, measured at the height of a driver's eye which is assumed to be 3.75 feet above the road surface, between points at a given distance from the intersection of the center lines of two streets or of a street and driveway as specified in Appendix I of Chapter 22, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Code of the Borough of Homestead, intended to allow the operators of vehicles approaching simultaneously to see each other in time to prevent a collision.
CLINIC
Any establishment where human patients are examined and treated by doctors or dentists, but not hospitalized overnight.
CLINIC, VETERINARY
See “veterinary."
COMMERCIAL COMMUNICATIONS TOWER/ANTENNAS
A structure, partially or wholly exterior to a building, used for transmitting or retransmitting electronic signals, such as but not limited to antenna used for transmitting commercial radio or television signals or cellular telephone communications. This shall not include a standard antenna.
COMMERCIAL RECREATION
An enterprise operated for profit by other than a public entity, indoors or outdoors, for the pursuit of sports or leisure activities, including but not limited to such establishments as golf or batting practice facilities, miniature or regulation golf courses, bowling alleys, ice or roller rinks, playing fields, racquet clubs, swimming pools, theaters, over 21 dance halls, amusement parks, amphitheaters, stadia and similar facilities.
COMMERCIAL USE
Includes retail sales, offices, personal services, auto sales, auto repair garages and other uses of a similar nature. The sale of goods or services from a vehicle on a lot shall also be considered to be a commercial use.
COMMERCIAL SCHOOL
An establishment providing nonacademic training, vocational or trade education courses and programs.
COMMUNITY CENTER
A building used for recreational, social, educational and cultural activities, usually owned and operated by a public or nonprofit group or agency.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The document entitled the “Comprehensive Plan for the Borough of Homestead” or any part thereof, adopted by the Borough Council, as amended.
CONDITIONAL USE
An authorized use which may be granted by the Borough Council pursuant to express standards and criteria following a public hearing and recommendations by the Planning Commission.
CONDOMINIUM
A building where each unit in the structure is individually owned and the owner of each unit has an undivided interest in the common areas and facilities of the structure's surrounding grounds.
CONSISTENCY
An agreement or correspondence between matters being compared which denotes a reasonable rational, similar, connection or relationship.
CONSTRUCTION
The construction, reconstruction, renovation, repair, extension, expansion, alteration or relocation of a building or structure, including the placement of manufactured homes.
CONSTRUCTION TRAILER
A vehicle with or without its own motive power and used for a temporary field office or storage purposes at a construction site.
CORNER LOT
See "lot, corner."
COUNCIL
Homestead Borough Council, Allegheny County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
COUNTY
County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
COUNTY PLANNING AGENCY
Allegheny County Department of Economic Development.
CROP FARMING
The cultivating, raising and harvesting of products of the soil and the storage of these products produced on the premises. Crop farming" shall also include orchards and Christmas tree farms and raising of limited numbers of livestock as a clearly accessory use, but shall not include intense raising of livestock, commercial forestry, riding academies or kennels.
CURATIVE AMENDMENT
A proposed zoning amendment made to the Borough Council by any landowner who desires to challenge on substantive grounds the validity of an ordinance which prohibits or restricts the use or development of land in which they have an interest.
DAY
Days shall be measured by calendar days wherever a time period is stipulated in this chapter.
DAY-CARE CENTER (ADULT)
A use providing care for less than 24 consecutive hours for three or more adults who are not relatives of the operator and who, because of physical or mental infirmity, require assistance to meet personal needs, but who do not require nursing care.
DAY-CARE CENTER (CHILD)
A use involving the supervised care of children under age 16 outside of the children's own home primarily for periods of less than 18 hours during the average day. This use may also include educational programs that are supplementary to state-required education, including a nursery school. The following three types of day care are permitted without regulation by this Zoning Chapter: care of children by their own relatives or care of one to three children within any dwelling unit, in addition to children who are relatives of the caregiver. See also the definition of "adult day-care center."
1. 
Child day-care center, as an accessory use. A type of day-care use that provides care for six or less children at one time who are not relatives of the care giver. See § 27-503.
2. 
Child day-care center, as a principal use. A type of day-care use that provides care for seven or more children at any one time who are not relatives of the primary operator. See § 27-502.
DENSITY
A measure of intensity of use expressed as the number of dwelling units per acre.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
The Department of Health of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-05]
DEPARTMENT STORE
A retail establishment which sells a variety of personal and household merchandise, including clothing, shoes, cosmetics, jewelry and other fashion accessories, furniture, appliances, linens, crystal and china, housewares, notions, dry goods, luggage, candy, gourmet food items, cards and gifts, toys, games and books, photographic equipment and similar items and which may include one or more of the following accessory uses: restaurant, snack shop, retail bakery, travel service, ticket agency, beauty salon, automobile service department, community meeting rooms and catalog shopping service.
DETACHED BUILDING
A building that is surrounded on all sides by open yards and that is not attached to any other building.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner, agent of such landowner or tenant with the permission of such landowner who proposes, makes or causes to be made a subdivision of land or a land development.
DEVELOPMENT
See "land development."
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The provisions for development, including a planned residential development, a plat of subdivision, 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. The phrase "provision of the development plan" when used in this chapter shall mean the written and graphic materials referred to in this definition and as required by Chapter 22, Subdivision and Land Development.
DISTRIBUTION FACILITY
Any establishment in which goods manufactured on site or off site are temporarily stored prior to being picked up for delivery to retail or wholesale businesses or the ultimate purchaser.
DISTRICT (or ZONING DISTRICT)
A land area within the Borough within which certain uniform regulations and requirements apply under the provisions of this Zoning Chapter.
DRIP LINE
The outermost edge of a roof, including eaves, overhangs, and gutters.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
DRIVE-IN USE
An establishment which by design, physical facilities, service or by packaging procedures encourages or permits customers to receive services, obtain goods or be entertained while remaining in their motor vehicles.
DRIVEWAY, PRIVATE
A vehicular access route serving only one parcel or lot which provides access to a public street, but which does not provide access to any other lot or parcel under separate ownership.
DUMP
A lot or land or part thereof used primarily for the disposal by abandonment, dumping, burial, burning or other means and for whatever purpose of garbage, sewage, trash, refuse, junk, discarded machinery, vehicles or part thereof or waste material of any kind.
DWELLING
Any building or portion thereof which is built, altered or used for residential purposes, including single-family, two-family and multiple-family dwellings, but not including hotels, motels or other lodging houses, nursing homes, hospitals or residential clubs. This Zoning Chapter categorizes dwellings into the following types:
1. 
APARTMENT:
A. 
CONVERSION APARTMENTA dwelling unit located within an existing single-family dwelling which is proposed to be converted according to all applicable codes and ordinances into two or more dwelling units.
B. 
GARDEN APARTMENTA multifamily residential building no more than three stories in height containing three or more dwelling units which share a common entrance to the outside, usually through a common corridor, and which dwelling units may have other dwelling units either above or below them.
C. 
MID-RISE APARTMENTA multifamily residential building containing more than three stories, but no more than five stories.
D. 
HIGH-RISE APARTMENTA multifamily residential building containing more than five stories, but no more than seven stories.
2. 
DWELLING, MULTIFAMILYA residential building or portion thereof containing three or more independent dwelling units, including high-rise multiple-family dwellings, mid-rise multiple-family dwellings, low-rise multiple-family dwellings, garden apartments, townhouses, triplexes and quadruplexes.
3. 
DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILYA detached residential building designed for or occupied exclusively by one family and which is the only principal structure on the lot.
4. 
SECTIONAL or MODULAR HOME A type of swelling that meets a definition of single-family detached dwelling that is substantially but not wholly produced in two or more major sections off the site and then is assembled and completed on the site and that does not meet the definition of a “mobile/manufactured home” and that is supported structurally by its exterior walls and that rests on a permanent foundation. The completed unit shall comply with building code standards for conventionally constructed units; the modular unit is considered real property.
5. 
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILYA detached residential building containing separate, independent dwelling units for two families with the units attached either side by side or one over the other and which is the only principal structure on the lot.
6. 
TOWNHOUSEA multifamily residential building no more than 2 1/2 stories in height which contains at least five, but no more than eight, attached dwelling units per building, each of which are separated from the adjoining unit or units by a continuous, unpierced vertical wall extending from the basement to the roof, each unit having independent access directly to the outside and having no other units above or below
7. 
TRIPLEXA multifamily residential building containing three attached dwelling units in one structure in which each unit has at least two walls exposed to the outside and shares one or two common walls or floors/ceilings with an adjoining unit or units and which units may be above or below each other or side by side.
8. 
QUADRUPLEXA multifamily residential building containing four attached dwelling units in one structure in which each unit has at least two walls exposed to the outside and shares one or two common walls or floors/ceilings with an adjoining unit or units and which units may be above or below each other or side by side.
DWELLING UNIT
One or more rooms in a dwelling designed and used as a single housekeeping unit for one family, having its own bathroom and cooking facilities.
EATING AND DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT
See "restaurant."
EMERGENCY CARE CENTER
A facility, other than a hospital, which provides emergency room care, stabilization and transport, as well as medical diagnostic and health care services, otherwise offered by medical professional offices or clinics, not including overnight stay.
ENGINEER
A professional engineer licensed as such in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with training and experience in civil engineering. The use of the word "engineer" shall not exclude the practice of topographic surveying by a registered surveyor as provided for in state law.
ENGINEER, BOROUGH
A professional engineer licensed as such in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania duly appointed by the Borough Council to serve as Engineer for the Borough.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
The erection, construction, alteration or maintenance by public utilities or municipal or other government agencies of underground gas, electrical, steam or water transmission or distribution systems, including wires, mains, drains, sewers, pipes, conduit cables, fire alarm boxes on poles, police call boxes on poles, traffic signals, hydrants, street signs and other similar equipment and accessories in connection therewith, reasonably necessary for the furnishing of adequate service by such public utilities or municipal or other governmental agencies, their contractors or agents for the public health or safety or general welfare, but not including buildings.
EXISTING USE OR STRUCTURE
A use or structure in existence as of the effective date of this chapter.
FAMILY
One or more persons related by blood, adoption or marriage or a group of not more than three unrelated persons occupying a dwelling and living and cooking together as a single housekeeping unit as distinguished from a group occupying a boardinghouse, personal care home or hotel, except a higher number may be specifically permitted within the provisions for group residence (See definition). A transitional dwelling shall not be considered a family or a group residence.
FARM RELATED BUSINESS
An accessory use to a farm and which meets the requirements § 27-503.
FENCE
A man-made barrier placed or arranged as a line of demarcation, an enclosure or a visual barrier that is constructed of wood, chain link metal, vinyl or aluminum and/or plastic inserts. Man-made barriers constructed principally of masonry, concrete, cinder block or similar materials shall be considered a wall. The term "wall" does not regulate engineering retaining walls, which are permitted uses as needed in all districts
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
Banks, saving and loans associations and similar institutions that lend money or are engaged in a finance-related business.
FLOODPLAIN
A relatively flat or low land area adjoining a river, stream or watercourse which is subject to partial or complete inundation; and/or an area subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters.
FLOODPLAIN DISTRICT
All areas subject to the inundation by waters of the one-hundred-year flood, including areas identified as Floodway (FW), Flood-Fringe (FF) and General Floodplain Area (FA). The basis for delineation of this district shall be the same as designated in the documentation of the Flood Insurance Study, the Flood Insurance Rate Map and the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map for the Borough, as prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). See floodplain management standards in Chapter 8, Floodplain Management, of this Code for regulations and additional definitions.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see AO)]
FLOOR AREA RATIO
The gross floor area of all buildings on a lot divided by the lot area.
FOOD STORE
A retail establishment, other than a restaurant, which has a gross floor area of 10,000 square feet or less and which as its principal activity sells food and food-related products, including but not limited to coffee shop, convenience food shops, grocery stores, delicatessens, butcher shops, gourmet and specialty food shops, ethnic groceries, retail bakery and the like.
FORESTRY
The harvesting of more than 25 live trees with a trunk width of six inches or more at a height of 4.5 feet above the average ground level on any tract or lot within a calendar year. This term shall not apply to the following, which are permitted by right uses in all districts: cutting trees that involve less than 20% of all trees on one or more abutting lots with a trunk width of greater than six inches; cutting of trees with a trunk width less than six inches; cutting of fewer than 25 such trees in a calendar year; Christmas tree farms; or clearing of portions of a lot that is clearly the minimum necessary for construction. The management of forests and timberlands, when practiced in accordance with accepted silvicultural principles, through developing, cultivating, harvesting, transporting and selling trees for commercial purposes, which does not involve any land development.
FREIGHT TERMINAL
A building and adjacent loading area where cargo is stored and where commercial vehicles load and unload cargo on a regular basis which may or may not include facilities for maintenance, fueling, storage or dispatching of the vehicles.
FRONT YARD
See "yard, front."
FUNERAL HOME
A building used for the embalming of the deceased for burial, but not including cremation, and for the display of the deceased and ceremonies connected therewith before burial or cremation.
GARAGE, COMMUNITY
An accessory building for the storage of motor vehicles owned and used by the owner or tenants of the lot for a purpose accessory to the principal use of the lot and for storage of not more than two additional motor vehicles owned and used by persons other than the owner or tenants of the lot, but who are residents of the immediate neighborhood.
GARAGE, PRIVATE or HOUSEHOLD
An enclosed building for the storage of one or more motor vehicles. No business, occupation or service shall be conducted in a private garage that is accessory to a dwelling except as may be allowed as a home occupation.
GARAGE, PUBLIC
A building, other than a private garage, available to the general public and used for the parking and storage of motor vehicles, but which is not used for repair or maintenance of motor vehicles.
GARAGE SALE
The accessory use of any lot for the occasional sale or auction of only common household goods and furniture and items of a closely similar character. See § 27-503.
GARDEN APARTMENT
See "dwelling, garden apartment."
GENERAL CONSISTENCY
Generally consistent; that which exhibits consistency.
GOVERNING BODY
Homestead Borough Council.
GRADE
A reference plane representing the average of finished ground level adjoining the building at all exterior walls. When the finished ground level slopes away from the exterior walls, the reference plane shall be established by the lowest points within the area between the building and lot line or, when the lot line is more than six feet from the building, between the building and a point six feet from the building.
GROSS FLOOR AREA (GFA)
The sum of the gross horizontal areas of all of the floors of the building measured from the exterior faces of the exterior wall or from the center line of walls separating two buildings. For the purposes of determining permissible size, off-street parking and loading and similar requirements, floor area shall include floor space devoted to the principal use of the premises, including accessory storage areas located within selling or working space such as counters, racks or closets; any basement floor area devoted to retailing activities; and floor area devoted to the production or processing of goods or to business or professional offices. For this purpose, floor area shall not include space devoted primarily to storage purposes (except as noted above), off-street parking or loading facilities, including aisles, ramps and maneuvering space, or basement floor area other than area devoted to retailing activities, the production or processing of goods or business or professional offices.
GROSS LEASABLE AREA (GLA)
Total floor area designed for the exclusive use and occupancy of building occupants, including basements, mezzanines and upper floors, but not including public or common areas such as public toilets, corridors, stairwells, elevators, machine and equipment rooms, lobbies or mall areas, whether open or enclosed. GLA shall be measured from the center line of joint partitions and from the outside wall faces. It is the area upon which tenants pay rent, including sales area and integral stock areas.
[2]
GROUND-MOUNTED SYSTEM
A solar photovoltaic system mounted on a structure, pole or series of poles constructed specifically to support the photovoltaic system and not attached to any other structure.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
HIGH RISE APARTMENT
See "dwelling, high-rise apartment."
HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD (HARB)
A board appointed by the Borough Council to review applications for a certificate of appropriateness for buildings and structures located within a historic district.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
Any area or district within the Borough designated as or with the potential for designation as a historic district in accordance with the rules, regulations and definitions of the Bureau for Historic Preservation of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission or which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places or which is included in any Historic Preservation Ordinance adopted by the Borough.[3]See “historic structure or site, significant.”
HISTORIC RESOURCES
Any site, object or structure identified by the Borough as having value due to its historic significance.
HISTORIC STRUCTURE OR SITE, SIGNIFICANT
A building, site or structure that has been identified as significant in a historic resource survey conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission or which has been listed or is eligible for listing on the official national, state or Borough historic register.
HOME OCCUPATION
A routine, accessory and customary nonresidential use conducted within or administered from a portion of a dwelling or its permitted accessory building as regulated by § 27-503 of this Zoning Chapter.
HOME OCCUPATION, NO-IMPACT
A business or commercial activity administered or conducted as an accessory use which is clearly secondary to the use as a residential dwelling and which involves no customer, client or patient traffic, whether vehicular or pedestrian, pickup, delivery or removal functions to or from the premises in excess of those normally associated with residential use. The business or commercial activity must satisfy the requirements outlined in § 27-503.
HOSPITAL
An establishment (including sanitariums) for the short-term care of patients suffering from physical or mental illness, but not including narcotics addiction or those found to be criminally insane, and which may or may not include facilities for major surgery and which may be publicly or privately operated.
HOTEL/MOTEL
A building or group of buildings containing rooms which provide sleeping accommodations for transient guests on a daily or weekly basis and which may provide supporting services such as restaurants, meeting rooms, recreational facilities and living quarters for a resident manager or proprietor. The term shall include motor hotel, motor inn, motor lodge, tourist court and inn.
HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY
A building, or portion thereof, with dwelling units and shared facilities for residents, designed specifically for occupancy predominantly of persons or heads of households who are 62 or more years of age.
HVAC
Equipment used to heat, cool or ventilate a structure.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
IMPERVIOUS COVERAGE
The total area of all impervious surfaces on a lot (including building coverage) divided by the total lot area.
1. 
Areas being voluntarily dedicated as common open space may be included in the acreage for determining impervious coverage of an adjoining lot.
2. 
The nonimpervious coverage may be partially or wholly met by land that abuts the use, even if such land is in a different zoning district, an adjoining municipality and an abutting lot, if such land will be deed restricted as permanent open space and be so clearly stated on official recorded plans. In such case, the land shall be properly maintained by the abutting use.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface that does not allow (or allows only with great difficulty) the movement of water.
IMPROVEMENTS
Those physical additions and changes to the land that may be necessary to produce usable and desirable lots. (See also definitions of "improvements, private" and "improvements, public" in Chapter 22, Subdivision and Land Development.)
INDOOR AMUSEMENT
Any establishment which provides amusement, recreation or entertainment for the general public within a completely enclosed structure for a fee or admission charge, including but not limited to dance halls, bowling alleys, billiard and pool halls and spas or health clubs where the principal use includes a gymnasium, exercise room, swimming pool or other sports facility, but not including theaters, which are defined separately.
INDUSTRIAL
See "manufacturing."
INTERCONNECTION
The technical and practical link between the solar generator and the grid providing electricity to the greater community.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
JUNK
Any discarded, unusable, scrap or abandoned man-made or man-processed material or articles, such as the following types: metal, furniture, appliances, motor vehicle parts, aircraft, glass, plastics, machinery, equipment, containers and building materials other than materials permitted under § 27-305.4. Junk shall not include solid waste that is temporarily stored as is customary in an appropriate container that is routinely awaiting collection and disposed of in a manner consistent with state regulations, toxic wastes, grass clippings, leaves or tree limbs or items clearly awaiting imminent recycling at an approved recycling use.
JUNK VEHICLE
Includes any vehicle or trailer that meets any of the following conditions:
1. 
Does not display a license plate with a current registration sticker and does not have a valid state safety inspection sticker (except for licensed antique cars not required to have an inspection sticker). Licenses or inspection stickers that expired less than 90 days ago shall be considered current for the purposes of this section;
2. 
Cannot be immediately moved under its own power, in regards to a vehicle designed to move under its own power, other than a vehicle clearly needing only minor repairs;
3. 
Cannot be immediately towed, in regards to a vehicle designed to be towed;
4. 
Has been demolished beyond repair; and/or
5. 
Has been separated from its axles, engine, body or chassis.
JUNKYARD
See "salvage yard."
JUVENILE FACILITY
A facility which provides room, board and specialized services to any number of residents who are children under the age of 18 and are adjudicated by a court to be delinquent or dependent and who are in need of treatment, supervision or rehabilitation, exclusive of the minimum number of qualified supervisors on any shift who may or may not reside in the facility and who are necessary to provide treatment, supervision or rehabilitative services to the residents.
[Added 8-8-2013 by Ord. No. 1219]
KENNEL
Any household or establishment where more than four dogs or more than six cats who are more than six months old are kept, bred, trained and/or boarded at any one time, whether for profit or not.
KILOWATT (kW)
A unit of electrical power equal to 1,000 watts, which constitutes the basic unit of electrical demand. A watt is a metric measurement of power (not energy) and is the rate (not the duration) at which electricity is used. One thousand kW is equal to one megawatt (MW).
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
LAND DEVELOPMENT
1. 
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
A. 
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings, whether proposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential building on a lot or lots regardless of the number of occupants or tenure; or
B. 
The division or allocation of land or space, whether initially or cumulatively, between or among two or more existing or prospective occupants by means of or for the purpose of streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building groups or other features.
2. 
A subdivision of land.
3. 
Developments authorized to be excluded from the regulations of land development by Chapter 22, Subdivision and Land Development.
LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN
A plan prepared in accordance with the application requirements of Chapter 22, Subdivision and Land Development, for approval of a land development, as defined herein.
LANDOWNER
The legal or beneficial owner of land, including the holder of an option or contract to purchase (whether or not such an option or contract is subject to any condition), a lessee, if he is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner; or other person having a proprietary interest in the land.
LANDSCAPING PLAN
A plan identifying each tree and shrub by size, type and scientific name, the location of each, including a planting diagram and such other diagrams or reports as are necessary to show the method of planting, staking and mulching, grass seeding specifications and mixtures and existing trees to be preserved. Such plans shall be prepared by a registered landscape architect for land developments of two acres or more.
LIGHT INDUSTRY
The processing or fabrication of materials and products which does not produce noise or vibration which has measurable effects on adjoining properties, air or water pollution, fire hazards or other disturbances or danger to other properties, including but not limited to the following products and materials: home appliances, office machines, electrical instruments, timepieces, precision instruments, electronic devices, jewelry, optical goods, musical instruments, novelties, lithographic plates, wood products, printed materials, type composition, machine tools, dies, gauges, ceramics, apparel, lightweight nonferrous metal castings, film processing, light sheet metal products, plastic goods, pharmaceutical goods, computer components and food products, not including animal slaughtering, curing or rendering of fats.
LAUNDERETTE/LAUNDROMAT
A business premises equipped with individual clothes washing machines for the use of retail customers, exclusive of laundry facilities provided as an accessory use in an apartment house or an apartment hotel.
LIVESTOCK, RAISING OF
The raising and keeping of livestock, poultry or insects for any commercial purposes or the keeping of any animals for any reason beyond what is allowed under the keeping of pets section of § 27-503 and beyond what is allowed within the definition of "crop farming." This use shall not include a slaughterhouse nor a stockyard used for the housing of animals awaiting slaughter.
1. 
INTENSIVE RAISING OF LIVESTOCK Raising of livestock that involves the keeping of more than 100 animals that are routinely confined within a building, pens or cages or any dry lot feed farming operation or any keeping of garbage-fed livestock. See standards in § 27-502.
LOADING SPACE, OFF-STREET
Off-street space conveniently located, accessible and properly designed for the temporary use by vehicles making bulk pickups or deliveries of merchandise or materials.
LOT
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed or built upon as a unit. Such lot shall front on an improved public street or on an approved private way.
LOT AREA
The area within the property lines of an individual parcel of land, excluding space within the street right-of-way, but including the area of any easement.
LOT AREA PER DWELLING UNIT
The quotient obtained by dividing the lot area by the total number of dwelling units to be located on such lot.
LOT, CORNER
A lot located at the intersection of two or more streets. A lot abutting on a curved street or streets shall be considered a corner lot if straight lines drawn from the foremost points of the side lot lines to the foremost point of the lot meet at an interior angle of less than 135°.
LOT COVERAGE
That percentage of a lot which, when viewed directly from above, would be covered by a structure or structures, or any part thereof, excluding protecting roof eaves.
LOT DEPTH
The distance between the midpoints of the front lot line and the rear lot line.
LOT, INTERIOR
A lot other than a corner lot with frontage on only one street.
LOT LINE, FRONT
A street right-of-way line forming the boundary of a lot.
LOT LINE, REAR
The lot line that is most distance from and is, or is most nearly, parallel to the front lot line. If a rear lot line is less than 15 feet long or if the lot comes to a point at the rear, the rear lot lines shall be a line at least 15 feet long, lying wholly within the lot, parallel to the front line.
LOT LINE, SIDE
A lot line which is neither a front lot line nor a rear lot line.
LOT OF RECORD
A lot which individually or as part of a subdivision has been recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of the County.
LOT, THROUGH
A lot with the frontage on two parallel or approximately parallel streets, and which is not a corner lot; may also be referred to as a "double frontage lot."
LOT WIDTH
The distance between the side lot lines measured at right angles to the lot depth at the established front building line.
LOTS, ABUTTING
Areas of contiguous lots that share a common lot line, except not including lots entirely separated by a street or a perennial waterway. See definition of "lots, adjacent."
LOTS, ADJACENT
Includes contiguous lots that share a common lot line or that are separated only by a street or waterway. See definition of "lots, abutting."
MANUFACTURING
The making, with substantial use of machinery, of some product for sale, and associated assembly, fabrication, cleaning, testing, processing, recycling, packaging, conversion, production, distribution and repair, with substantial use of machinery, of products for sale. This term shall not include the following: retail sales, personal services, slaughterhouse, meat packing or stockyards, solid waste disposal facility, trucking company terminal or petroleum or kerosene refining or distillation.
MARINA and RECREATIONAL BOAT DOCKING AND SERVICE FACILITY
Any establishment for the launching, mooring, servicing and/or storage (wet and dry) of recreational boats and/or other water vehicles, including the sale of provisions, supplies and fuel for such boats. Such use may also include a restaurant and/or boat and motor sales establishment and live-aboards.
MEDIATION
A voluntary negotiating process in which parties in a dispute mutually select a neutral mediator to assist them in jointly exploring and settling their differences, culminating in a written agreement which the parties themselves create and consider acceptable.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT
Act 16 of 2016, 35 P.S. § 10231.101 et seq., and any amendment thereto.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-05]
MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY
A person, including a natural person, corporation, partnership, association, trust, or other entity, or any combination thereof, which is properly registered by the Department of Health to dispense medical marijuana pursuant to the Medical Marijuana Act.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-05]
MEDICAL MARIJUANA GROWER/PROCESSOR
A person, including a natural person, corporation, partnership, association, trust, or other entity, or any combination thereof, which is properly registered by the Department of Health to grow and process medical marijuana pursuant to the Medical Marijuana Act.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-05]
MEDICAL OFFICE
A use involving the treatment and examination of patients by state-licensed physicians or dentists, provided that no patients shall be kept overnight on the premises. This use may involve the testing of tissue, blood or other human materials for medical or dental purposes.
METHADONE TREATMENT FACILITY
A facility licensed by the Department of Health to use the drug methadone in the treatment, maintenance or detoxification of persons.
MID-RISE APARTMENT
See "dwelling, mid-rise apartment."
MINERAL EXTRACTION
The removal from the surface or beneath the surface of the land of bulk mineral resources using significant machinery. Mineral extraction includes but is not limited to the extraction of sand, gravel, topsoil, limestone, sandstone, coal, clay, shale and iron ore, but shall not include removal of material from the ground solely to provide routine fill routine movement of and replacement of topsoil during construction.
MIXED USE OR OCCUPANCY
The conduct or carrying on of two or more uses in one building or on one zoning lot. Typically mixed use includes a combination of residential and commercial/office/civic uses arranged vertically (in multiple stories of a single building) or horizontally (in adjacent buildings).
MODULAR UNIT
See "dwelling, sectional or modular home."
MODULE
The smallest protected assembly of interconnected PV cells.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
MOTEL
See "hotel."
MULTIFAMILY DWELLING
See "dwelling, multifamily dwelling."
MUNICIPALITIES PLANNING CODE (PLANNING CODE or MPC)
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of 1968 (P.L. 805, as amended, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.).
MUSEUM
Any public, private or quasi-public establishment or building intended for the acquisition, preservation, study and exhibition of works of historical, artistic or scientific value.
NATURE PRESERVE
A noncommercial preservation of land for providing wildlife habitats, forests or scenic natural features that involves no buildings other than a nature education and/or study center and customary maintenance buildings.
NET METERING AGREEMENT
An agreement with a local electric utility that allows customers to receive a credit for surplus electricity generated by certain renewable energy systems.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
NONCONFORMING LOT
A lot the area or dimension of which was lawful prior to the adoption or amendment of the Borough of Homestead Zoning Chapter, but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located by reasons of such adoption or amendment.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE
A structure or part of a structure manifestly not designed to comply with the applicable use or extent of use provisions in the Borough of Homestead Zoning Chapter, or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such structure lawfully existed prior to the enactment of such chapter or amendment or prior to the application of such chapter or amendment to its location by reason of annexation. Such nonconforming structures include but are not limited to nonconforming signs.
NONCONFORMING USE
A use, whether of land or of a structure, which does not comply with the applicable use provisions in this Zoning Chapter, or amendments heretofore or hereafter enacted, where the use was lawfully in existence prior to the enactment of this Zoning Chapter or applicable amendment.
NUDITY or STATE OF NUDITY
The showing of the human male or female genitals, pubic area, vulva, anus, anal cleft or cleavage with less than fully opaque covering, or the showing of the female breast with less than fully opaque covering of any part of the nipple and areola.
[Added 9-13-2007 by Ord. No. 1196]
NURSING HOME
A facility licensed to operate as such by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the purpose of providing skilled or intermediate nursing care and related medical or other health services. The term shall not include facilities or acute care or institutions for the care and treatment of mental illness, alcoholism or narcotics addiction.
OFFICE, BUSINESS/PROFESSIONAL
The office of an engineer, doctor, dentist, attorney, real estate broker, insurance broker, architect or other similar professional person; and any office used primarily for accounting, correspondence, research, editing or administration. Not included in this definition are banks and other financial institutions.
OFFICIAL STREET CLASSIFICATION MAP
The map as adopted by the Borough Council classifying the streets of the Borough. See definition of "street classification." This map may be amended by resolution of the Borough Council.
OFF-TRACK BETTING ESTABLISHMENT
Any establishment that includes off-track betting under an approved license issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as a principal use, excluding dog or horse racing tracks of any kind. The loss of an off-track betting establishment's state license automatically revokes its permitted use status.
OPEN SPACE
Land set aside and used for recreation, agriculture, resource protection or a buffer area which is freely accessible to all residents of a development although restrictions may apply to agricultural areas. Open space does not include land occupied by nonrecreational buildings, roads and required parking areas or yards of dwellings units required by this chapter. Open space is normally left in a natural state, except if safety precludes this, and also with the exception of recreation areas, which may be surfaced.
OPEN SPACE, COMMON
A parcel or parcels of land within a tract which meets all of the following standards:
1. 
Is designed, intended and suitable for active or passive recreation by residents of a development or the general public;
2. 
If not intended to be publicly owned, is covered by a system for perpetual maintenance;
3. 
Will be deeded to the Borough or deed restricted to permanently prevent uses of land other than common open space and noncommercial recreation; and
4. 
Does not use any of the following areas to meet minimum open space requirements: existing or future street rights-of-way, accessways, buildings (other than accessory buildings and pools clearly intended for noncommercial recreation), off-street parking (other than that clearly intended for noncommercial recreation), any area needed to meet a requirement for an individual lot, any area deeded over to an individual property owner for their own use, or land with rights-of-way intended eventually for overhead electrical transmission of 35 kilovolts or greater capacity.
ORDINANCE
The Borough Zoning Ordinance, including the Official Zoning Map and Official Street Classification Map, as amended.
OUTDOOR STORAGE
The keeping in an unroofed area of any goods, junk, material, merchandise or vehicles in the same place for more than 24 hours.
PADEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection or any successor agency or agencies.
PENNDOT
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
PARKING LOT
Any lot, parcel or yard used regularly in whole or part for the storage or parking of more than two vehicles where such usage is not incidental to or in conjunction with a one- or two-family home.
PARKING SPACE
An off-street space available for parking of a motor vehicle and which has a hard, all-weather surface and is at least nine feet wide by 18 feet long, exclusive of passageways and driveways appurtenant thereto and giving access thereto.
PAVED AREA
All areas covered by gravel or impervious surfaces, other than areas covered by buildings, bicycle paths and pedestrian sidewalks.
PERIMETER
The outer boundary of a development site or area.
PERMITTED BY RIGHT USES
Uses that do not have to be approved as uses by the Zoning Hearing Board or the Borough Council. (A site plan review by the Planning Commission and the Borough Council is required for certain permitted by right uses to ensure that the use would comply with all Borough ordinances.) A nonconforming use shall not be considered to be a permitted use.
PERSON
An individual, partnership, public or private association or corporation, firm, trust, estate, municipality, governmental unit, public utility or any other legal entity whatsoever which is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties.
PERSONAL CARE BOARDING HOME
A facility licensed by the commonwealth located within a dwelling where room and board is provided to more than three permanent residents who are not relatives of the operator and who are mobile or semimobile and require specialized services in such matters as bathing, dressing, diet and medication prescribed for self-administration for a period exceeding 24 hours, but who are not in need of hospitalization or skilled or intermediate nursing care.
PERSONAL SERVICE
Any enterprise providing services pertaining to the person, their apparel or personal effects commonly carried on or about the person, including but not limited to shoe repair, tailoring, clothes cleaning, watch repairing, barbershops, beauty parlors, therapeutic massage service provided by a licensed practitioner and related activities.
PETS, KEEPING OF
The keeping of domestic animals that are normally considered to be kept in conjunction with a dwelling for the pleasures of the resident family. This shall include dogs, cats, small birds, gerbils, rabbits and other animals commonly sold in retail pet shops.
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV)
A semiconductor-based device that converts light directly into electricity.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
PLACES OF WORSHIP
A building, other than a dwelling, used primarily as a place of worship for a recognized religious denomination which may also include as accessory uses rooms for religious education, social or recreational activities, administrative facilities, preschool or adult day care.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Borough of Homestead Planning Commission. [4]
PLANT NURSERY
The indoor or outdoor raising of trees, plants, shrubs or flowers for sale, but not primarily including commercial forestry or lumber. A plant nursery may include the growth of trees for sale for internal decoration of homes, such as a Christmas tree farm.
PORCH
A roofed, open structure projecting from the front, side or rear wall of a building and having no enclosed feature of glass, wood or other material more than 30 inches above the floor thereof, except an awning or screening or the necessary columns to support the roof.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING or STRUCTURE
A building or structure in which is conducted the principal use of the lot on which the building is situated.
PRINCIPAL USE
The main use of land or structures as distinguished from the subordinate or accessory use.
PRIVATE
Of or pertaining to any building, structure, use or activity limited to members of an organization or to other persons specifically invited or permitted where no advertisement or inducement has been made to the general public.
PRIVATE CLUB
An association organized and operated not for profit for persons who are bona fide members paying annual dues and which owns, hires or leases premises, the use of which premises is restricted to such members and their guests. The affairs and management of such association are conducted by a board of directors, executive committee or similar body chosen by the members. Food, meals and beverages may be served on such premises, provided that adequate dining room space and kitchen facilities are available. Alcoholic beverages may be sold or served to members and their guests, provided that such service is secondary and incidental to the promotion of some other common objective of the organization, and further provided that such sale or service of alcoholic beverages is in compliance with all applicable federal, state, county and local laws.
PUBLIC
Of or pertaining to any building, structure, use or activity belonging to or affecting any duly authorized government body.
PUBLIC BUILDING or USE
A building or facility operated by a Borough-approved agency or organization, in which administrative activities are conducted or in which educational, emergency or social services are provided to the general public. Such buildings or uses shall include, but are not limited to, a municipal building, community center, library, police services, fire hall or emergency medical service/rescue hall, which may include housing for emergency personnel while on call, and any similar use or building, but excluding a school, place of worship, clinic, day-care center, day-care home, emergency care center, group care facility, group residence, hospital, medical office, nursing home, personal care boarding home, public garage, transitional dwelling or recreational facility as defined by this chapter.
PUBLIC HEARING
A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the governing body or Planning Commission intended to inform and obtain public comment prior to taking action in accordance with this chapter.
PUBLIC MEETING
A forum held pursuant to notice under the Act of October 15, 1998 (P.L. 729, No. 93), 65 Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq., known as the "Sunshine Act."
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see AO)]
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality. Such notices 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 notice shall not be less than seven days from the date of the hearing.
PUBLIC PARKING LOT/GARAGE
A parking lot owned by a governmental agency. The use may be operated for the public entity by another agency, either for profit or not for profit.
PUBLIC UTILITY STRUCTURE
Any administrative or service building operated by a public utility, which does not meet the definition of an "essential service."
PUBLIC VIEW CORRIDOR
An area designated on the Zoning District Map[5] which represents the extension of the line of sight from a given elevation on an existing public street across a development site in which no structures or uses shall be permitted other than permanent open space, required buffer areas, landscaping, public or private streets, driveways, parking spaces or loading areas.
QUADRUPLEX
See "dwelling, quadruplex."
RADIO, TELEVISION STATION/STUDIO
Establishments furnishing point-to-point communication services whether by wire or radio, either aurally or visually, and the exchange or recording of messages.
RECREATION, PASSIVE
Facilities for leisure and entertainment which do not involve contact or competitive team sports, including but not limited to sitting areas, picnic areas, game tables, gazebos, observation areas, bikeways, fishing areas, walkways, landscaped areas, architectural features, wildlife sanctuaries and similar facilities.
RECREATIONAL FACILITY, PUBLIC or NONPROFIT
Land or buildings for the pursuit of sports and similar leisure-time activities such as parks, swimming pools, tennis courts or ballfields, which are operated by governmental or nonprofit organizations; excluded are any amusement establishments or other recreational facilities of a commercial nature. (See "commercial recreation.")
RECYCLING/COLLECTION FACILITY
A center for the acceptance and processing of recyclable materials from the public, including and limited to glass containers, plastic containers, aluminum beverage cans, steel/bimetal containers, newsprint, high-grade office paper and corrugated paper where the processing shall be limited to crushing, bailing, chipping, shredding or other operations which physically reduce the mass of the materials, but which do not alter their composition in any way. This definition shall not include a junkyard.
REPAIR SERVICE
Shops for the repair of appliances, watches, guns, bicycles and other household items.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITY
Any establishment which carries on investigation in the natural, physical or social sciences or engineering and development as an extension of such investigation with the objective of creating end products.
RESIDENTIAL ACCESSORY BUILDING, STRUCTURE or USE
A use or structure that is clearly accessory, customary and incidental to a principal residential use on a lot, including the following uses and uses that are very similar in nature: garage (household), carport, tennis court, garage sale, basketball backboard, household swimming pool, volleyball court, gazebo, storage shed, greenhouse, children's playhouse and children's play equipment.
RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY
Any group of lots in the WDD containing primarily multifamily dwellings and/or a mix of residential and commercial and/or business and/or office uses.
RESIDENTIAL USE
Those activities customarily conducted in living quarters in an urban setting, and excluding such activities as the keeping of livestock or fowl, activities resulting in noise which constitutes a nuisance in a residential area and activities which involve the storage, visible from off the lot, of motor vehicle parts, machinery or parts, junk or scrap materials.
RESTAURANT
An establishment that sells ready-to-consume food or drink and that routinely involves the consumption of at least a portion of such food on the premises.
RESTAURANT, FAST-FOOD
An establishment whose principal business is the sale of pre-prepared or rapidly prepared food ordered by the customer at a window, counter or vehicle, rather than from a table, and which is designed to facilitate quick service and takeout orders.
RETAIL, CONVENIENCE STORE
Establishments selling merchandise for daily consumption and purchase, such as food, drugs and similar items. For the purposes of this chapter, restaurants are excluded from this category.
RETAIL STORE
A use in which merchandise is sold or rented to the general public, but not including the following: sales of motor vehicles or boats, adult movie theater, adult bookstore, manufacturing, car wash, auto service station, auto repair garage, convenience store or any restaurant.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
A strip of land, occupied or intended to be occupied by a street, crosswalk, railroad, road, public utilities or other special uses, which is separate and distinct from any lot or parcel and which may be publicly or privately owned.
1. 
RIGHT-OF-WAY, EXISTING or LEGAL The line separating a lot from the established official street right-of-way that either the Borough or the commonwealth will own after the completion of any proposed subdivision, land development or development of a use under this Zoning Chapter.
2. 
RIGHT-OF-WAY, FUTURE or ULTIMATELand that is dedicated or is required to be defined or reserved for future dedication for use as a street and for related public improvements. The terms "ultimate right-of-way," "right-of-way reserved for future dedication" and "future right-of-way" shall have the same meaning. If a future right-of-way is not required to be defined, then future right-of-way shall have the same meaning as existing right-of-way.
ROADSIDE STAND
Any structure designed and/or used for the display and/or sale of seasonal products, including agricultural products for a period of no more than 30 consecutive days. Operators of a roadside stand shall be required to obtain all licenses and permits required by the Borough, including a vendor's permit.
SANITARY LANDFILL (or SOLID WASTE LANDFILL)
A type of solid waste disposal area involving the depositing of solid waste on land, compacting the waste and covering the waste with soil and which has a permit to operate as a sanitary landfill from the state.
SATELLITE DISH ANTENNA or SATELLITE ANTENNA
A ground-based reflector, usually parabolic in shape, that receives electronic signals from a satellite. This term shall also include any pedestal or attached structure.
SALVAGE (or JUNK) YARD
Any area where scrap metal, paper, rags, tires and other waste and/or used materials are bought, sold, exchanged, stored, bailed, packaged, disassembled or handled; or where inoperable machinery or motor vehicles are collected, dismantled, stored or sold as parts. Any use conducted entirely within an enclosed building is not a salvage yard.
SCHOOL
A place of instruction operated by a public or religious organization, having regular sessions, with regularly employed instructors and meeting all the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education for providing primary, secondary, vocational or postsecondary education. This definition shall not include commercial schools, as defined herein.
SCREEN
Decorative fencing or evergreen vegetation maintained for the purpose of concealing from view the area behind such structures or evergreen vegetation.
SELF-STORAGE DEVELOPMENT
A building or group of buildings divided into individual separate access units which are rented or leased for the storage of personal and small business property.
SEMINUDE or STATE OF SEMINUDITY
The showing of the female breast below a horizontal line across the top of the areola and extending across the width of the breast at that point, or the showing of the majority of the male or female buttocks. This definition shall include the lower portion of the human female breast but shall not include any portion of the cleavage of human female breasts exhibited by a bikini, dress, blouse, shirt, leotard, or similar wearing apparel, provided that the areola is not exposed in whole or part.
[Added 9-13-2007 by Ord. No. 1196]
SETBACK LINE
1. 
The line within a lot defining the required minimum distance between any structure to be erected or use to be developed and the adjacent future street right-of-way or exterior lot line (when the property is not abutted by a right-of-way). Such line shall be measured at right angles from and parallel to the front lot line.
2. 
Any building setbacks shall be measured from the foundation, exterior wall or other component of a structure that is closest to the right-of-way line or lot line from which the setback is being measured. See exceptions in § 27-402.
3. 
Unless otherwise stated, setback distances are for both accessory and principal structures.
4. 
Private streets. For a building setback measured from a private street, the setback shall be measured from the existing right-of-way of such a street, if a right-of-way exists. If a private street does not have a right-of-way, the setback shall be measured from the edge of the cartway.
SHOPPING CENTER
A group of more than three retail business establishments located in a building or buildings developed as a single entity and sharing a common parking lot. Shopping center may also include personal service uses or establishments and that primarily involves retail sales. A shopping center may also include a mix of permitted personal service, office and commercial recreation uses.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
A dwelling, of any type defined by this chapter, which is rented and/or leased, in whole or in part, for a transient use in exchange for rent, compensation, or renumeration of any kind, for less than eight consecutive days.
[Added 11-17-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
SIDEWALK CAFE
A portion of an existing functioning restaurant that occupies or directly abuts the sidewalk or right-of-way
SIGN
A structure that is arranged, intended, designed or used to advertise, announce or direct; or any device, illustration, description or identification posted, painted or placed in some fashion on a building, structure or any surface for such a purpose. For the purpose of removal, signs shall also include all sign structures.
1. 
AWNING, CANOPY SIGNA sign consisting of individual cutout letters and/or symbols which are painted, stenciled or otherwise placed on a nonpermanent awning or canopy.
2. 
BILLBOARDAn off-premises sign which advertises an establishment, activity, person, product or service which is unrelated to or unavailable on the premises on which it is located and which may be either freestanding or attached to or applied directly to the surface of a building or other structure.
3. 
CONSTRUCTION SIGNA temporary sign announcing the name of contractors, mechanics or artisans engaged in performing work on the premises.
4. 
DEVELOPMENT SIGNA temporary sign erected during the period of construction and/or development of a property by the contractor and developer or their agent.
5. 
FLASHING/ANIMATED SIGNAny illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not maintained stationary and/or constant in intensity and color at all times.
6. 
FREESTANDING SIGNA sign erected on a freestanding frame, mast or poles and not attached to any building; also known as a "ground or detached sign."
7. 
IDENTIFICATION SIGNA sign indicating only the name of the individual or organization occupying the premises, the profession of the occupant or the name and/or address of the building or management thereof.
8. 
ILLUMINATED SIGNAny sign illuminated by electricity, gas or other artificial light source, including reflecting or phosphorescent light, but not including projected signs and/or holograms.
9. 
MARQUEE SIGNA sign placed on or under the edge of any canopy of permanent construction projecting from the wall of a building.
10. 
MEMORIAL/HISTORICAL PLAQUECommemorative plaques placed by a recognized agency of the Borough, county, state or federal government to identify locations with historical or local significance.
11. 
MENU BOARDAny exterior sign accessory to a fast-food restaurant which lists the items which may be purchased from such fast-food restaurant and prices therefor, for use by drive-through customers.
12. 
MONUMENT or PYLON SIGNAny sign erected which is freestanding, that is, not attached to another structure, but not including a menu board.
13. 
OFF-PREMISES SIGNA sign which provides information relative to an establishment, activity, person, product or service which is unrelated to or unavailable on the lot on which the sign is located.
14. 
OFF-PREMISES DIRECTIONAL SIGNA sign which conveys instructions or directions to a business, commodity or service conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than on the premises where the sign is displayed.
15. 
ON-PREMISES SIGNA sign which provides information relative to an establishment, activity, person, product or service which is related to or available on the lot on which the sign is located.
16. 
ON-PREMISES DIRECTIONAL SIGNA sign which conveys instructions or directions with respect to the use of the lot or building on which the sign is located, including but not limited to signs which indicate street addresses and the availability of parking, telephones, rest rooms and other conveniences for the general public.
17. 
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN (BILLBOARD)An off-premises sign which advertises an establishment, activity, person, product or service which is unrelated to or unavailable on the premises on which it is located and which may be either freestanding or attached to or applied directly to the surface of a building or other structure.
18. 
POLITICAL SIGNA temporary sign which indicates the name, cause or affiliation of anyone seeking public office or which refers to an issue concerning which a public election is scheduled to be held.
19. 
PROJECTING SIGNAny sign supported by a building wall and/or roof attached along one edge by a bracket, perpendicular to the wall surface or hung from a support attached to a building wall, projecting no more than six feet.
20. 
REAL ESTATE SIGNA temporary sign advertising the sale or rental of premises. The signs may also bear the words "sold," "sale pending," "rented" or "open house" across their face.
21. 
TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT DISPLAYA banner, flag, pennant or similar display constructed of durable material and affixed to the wall of a building erected for a period of less than 60 days whose sole purpose is to advertise a special event.
22. 
TEMPORARY SIGNA sign, the purpose of which is to identify or announce a short-term, temporary activity or use of a premises.
23. 
WALL SIGNA sign attached to or erected against a wall of a building with the face horizontally parallel to the building wall.
24. 
WINDOW SIGNA sign or group of signs affixed to the inside of a display window in a commercial establishment which advertises a product or service available on the premises or which announces business hours or other information about the establishment.
25. 
WINDOW GRAPHIC SIGNA sign which is painted permanently on or similarly applied to the inside or outside of a window.
SIGN AREA
The area defined by the frame or edge of a sign, excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which the sign may be placed. Where there is no frame or edge to the sign, the area shall be defined by a projected, enclosed, four-sided (straight sides) geometric shape which most closely outlines the copy of letters of the sign. If the sign consists of more than one section or module, all areas shall be totaled.
SINGLE FAMILY
See "dwelling, single-family."
SLOPE
The face of an embankment or cut section; any ground whose surface makes an angle with the plane of the horizon. Slopes are expressed in a percentage based upon vertical distance in feet per 100 feet or horizontal distance.
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) RELATED EQUIPMENT
Items including a solar photovoltaic cell, panel or array, lines, mounting brackets, framing and foundations used for or intended to be used for collection of solar energy.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM
A solar collection system consisting of one or more buildings and/or ground-mounted systems, solar photovoltaic cells, panels or arrays and solar-related equipment that rely upon solar radiation as an energy source for collection, inversion, storage and distribution of solar energy for electricity generation. A solar PV system is a generation system with a nameplate capacity of not greater than 50 kilowatts if installed at a residential service or not larger than 3,000 kilowatts at other customer service locations and does not produce excess on-site energy greater than currently permitted by Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission guidelines.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
SOLAR-BASED ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENT
A structural/architectural element that provides protection from weather, that includes awnings, canopies, porches or sunshades, and that is constructed with the primary covering consisting of solar PV modules, and may or may not include additional solar PV related equipment.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
SOLID WASTE
1. 
Any garbage, refuse, sewage sludge or other discarded material, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous material resulting from industrial, institutional, public, household or commercial activities.
2. 
For the purposes of this Zoning Chapter, the following materials shall not be considered to be solid waste: portions of trees or shrubs, leaves, mulch and rocks; substances legally disposed of into the air or water through a federal or state pollution discharge permit; customary residual wastes from a permitted mineral extraction use; or materials of a character such as paper, plastic, aluminum and metal that have clearly been separated from the waste stream for recycling.
SOLID WASTE FACILITY
1. 
Land or structures where solid waste is processed, incinerated or disposed of. This shall only include the following facilities, each of which shall be required to have all permits required by the state in place prior to initiation of the use: sanitary landfill, solid waste transfer facility or solid waste-to-energy facility.
2. 
The following uses for the purposes of this Zoning Chapter shall not be considered to be a solid waste disposal facility: junkyard, recycling collection center, leaf composting, clean fill or septage or sludge application.
SOLID WASTE-TO-ENERGY FACILITY
A type of solid waste disposal facility that utilizes waste (such as trash, sludge or any other nonhazardous commercial, residential or industrial materials) as a fuel to produce usable energy (such as steam or electricity) in bulk to be marketed for reuse to offset disposal costs.
SOLID WASTE TRANSFER FACILITY
A type of solid waste disposal facility which receives and temporarily stores solid waste at a location other than the generation site, and which facilitates the bulk transfer of accumulated solid waste to a facility for further processing or disposal, and which may or may not involve the separation of recyclables from solid waste.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
A use that is not specifically listed in the Zoning Chapter. A special exception may be granted only by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIES
One or more of the following:
1. 
Human male genitals in a visible state of sexual stimulation.
2. 
Acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse, oral sex or sodomy.
3. 
Fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals.
STATE
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its agencies.
STATE PLANNING CODE
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of 1968, as amended by Act 170 of 1988, and as may be further amended.
STEPS
A construction or series of constructions placed for a foot support to assist a person to ascend or descend from one level of elevation to another.
STORAGE FACILITY
Any building or portion thereof used for storage of freight or merchandise for an extended period of time, within an entirely enclosed structure, but not including the maintenance or fueling of commercial vehicles.
STORAGE SHED
A small accessory structure, either wholly or partially enclosed, serving for storage of tools, equipment, supplies or other similar materials for safekeeping.
STORAGE/TRANSPORTATION TRAILER
A vehicle with or without its own motive power that is used for commercial storage and/or transportation purposes.
STORY
That portion of a building included between the upper surface of a floor and the lower surface of the floor or roof next above.
STREET
Any street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, parkway, lane, alley, viaduct and any other ways, whether public or private, used or intended to be used by vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
STREET GRADE
The officially established grade of the street upon which a lot fronts. If there is no officially established grade, the existing grade of the street shall be taken as the street grade.
STREET LINE
The line defining the edge of the legal width of a dedicated street right-of-way.
STREET, TYPE OF
Streets may be classified according to the following:
1. 
STREET, ARTERIALA public street which serves large volumes of local and through traffic and which collects and distributes traffic from collector streets through the region.
2. 
STREET, COLLECTORA public street which, in addition to providing access to abutting lots, intercepts local streets and provides a route for carrying considerable volumes of local traffic to community facilities and arterial streets.
3. 
STREET, LOCALA public street designed to provide access to abutting lots and to discourage through traffic.
STRUCTURE
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
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, of lease, transfer or ownership, or building, or lot development, or partition by the court for distribution to heirs or devisees; provided, however, that the 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 any residential dwelling shall be exempted.
SUBSTANTIAL VARIATION
Any change in an approved land development plan which involves a change in the means of ingress or egress, any increase in the dwelling unit density, any change of use, any change in the total parking required of more than 10% or any change of more than 10% in the total floor area of all buildings originally proposed in the preliminary land development plan.
SUPERMARKET
A retail establishment in excess of 10,000 square feet of gross floor area, which as its principal activity sells food, household goods and food-related products and which may include, but shall not be limited to, one or more of the following accessory uses: bakery, pharmacy, video rental, sale of books, magazines and newspapers, travel service, photocopying and fax services, sale of flowers and plants and banking services, including automated teller machines (ATMs).
SWIMMING POOL
A body of water in an artificial or semi-artificial receptacle or other container, whether located in or out of doors, used as a recreational facility for swimming, bathing or wading and having a depth of over 24 inches. A swimming pool shall be deemed to include all buildings, equipment and appurtenances incidental to such a pool.
TEMPORARY STRUCTURE or USE
Any structure or use which, by the type of materials, construction or intended purpose, is erected or located for not more than six months; included are tents, stands, construction trailers and other structures or uses of similar character.
THEATER
An establishment inside a completely enclosed building devoted to showing moving pictures and/or legitimate live dramatic or musical performances, but not including an adult movie theater.
TIRE STORAGE, BULK
The storage of more than 250 tires on a lot, except for manufacture or wholesale or retail sales of new tires.
TOWNHOUSE
See "dwelling, townhouse."
TRACKING SYSTEM
A number of photovoltaic modules mounted such that they track the movement of the sun across the sky to maximize energy production, either with a single-axis or dual-axis mechanism.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
TRAILER
A vehicular portable structure built on a chassis designed to be used as a temporary dwelling for travel and recreational purposes having a body width not exceeding eight feet.
TRANSIENT USE
Occupancy, use or possession of a dwelling by a person or persons for a period of use less than eight consecutive days, other than the owner(s) of the dwelling or tenant(s) of the dwelling with a lease for eight consecutive days or more, and/or the family of such owner(s) or tenant(s); and further excluding temporary stays by unrelated individuals that are the guests of such owner(s) or tenant(s) of the dwelling without payment of any type of rent, compensation or renumeration. The same person or persons are not permitted to engage in separate transactions to evade the eight-day limitation of this provision (i.e., a person could not rent for seven days and then rent again for the next seven days).
[Added 11-17-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
TRANSITIONAL DWELLING
A dwelling unit occupied on a short-term basis by persons assigned by a court of law or public or semipublic agency responsible for the occupants' care, safety, conduct, counseling and supervision for a specified period of time, including alcoholic recovery, shelters for battered persons and their children, community re-entry services following incarceration or other court-ordered treatment, and other such short-term supervised assignments.
TRANSPORTATION FACILITY
Any building or portion thereof used or intended to be used as an area for loading, unloading and interchange of transit passengers using public and private transportation, including, without limitation, bus terminals, rail stations and passenger-related mass transit facilities; and also including the incidental sale of tickets and passes for such public and private transportation.
TRIPLEX
See "dwelling, triplex."
TWO-FAMILY DWELLING
See "dwelling, two-family dwelling."
UNDER-21 DANCE CLUB
A commercial use that operates only between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., and does not permit the consumption, storage or sale of alcohol between these hours, and that may offer entertainment types other than those permitted in adult entertainment facilities and adult movie theater. Food and/or nonalcoholic beverages may be available on the premises contained within an enclosed building.
UNREGULATED YARD AREA
Area not within a building and not in a defined setback or yard area.
[Added 7-13-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]
USE
The specific purpose of which land or a building is designed, arranged, intended for which it is or may be occupied or maintained. The terms "permitted use," "conditional use" or "special exception use" shall not be deemed to include any nonconforming use.
VARIANCE
Permissive waivers from the terms of this chapter granted by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the criteria specified by the Municipalities Planning Code[6] in case(s) where a literal enforcement of provisions of this chapter will result in unnecessary hardship, due to special conditions that are not self-imposed by the property owner, provided that the variance is determined not to be contrary to the public interest and the spirit and intent of this chapter.
VETERINARY
An establishment for the treatment of animals and related accessory housing or boarding of sick animals. Housing of primarily healthy animals shall be considered a "kennel" and shall meet the requirements of that use.
WAREHOUSING
The storage and handling of freight or merchandise, within entirely enclosed structures, but not including the maintenance or fueling of commercial vehicles.
WETLANDS
An area of land or water meeting one or more definitions of a "wetland" under federal or Pennsylvania law or regulations.
(NOTE: As of 1996, the following was the official U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' definition of wetlands: "Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas." Wetlands are technically defined on the basis of types of vegetation and soils and the level of the water table below the surface. As of 1996, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and DEP enforce the wetlands regulations.)
WDD
Waterfront Development District.
WHOLESALE BUSINESS
A business primarily engaged in selling merchandise to retailers, institutional, commercial or professional business customers or other wholesalers, rather than to the general public, which includes the warehousing of merchandise and which may include distribution of such merchandise on the site of the principal business.
YARD
An open space on a lot which is unoccupied by structures and unobstructed from the ground upward, except as otherwise provided herein. (See illustrations at the end of this chapter.[7])
YARD, FRONT
A yard extending along the full width of a front lot line and back to the required building line. On corner and through lots, front yards shall be provided along all street frontages.
YARD, REAR
The required open space extending from the rear of the main building to the rear lot line (not necessarily a street line) across the entire width of the lot.
YARD, SIDE
The required open space between the side (face) of any buildings and the side lot line, extending from the front yard to the rear yard. Any lot line not a rear line or a front line shall be deemed as a side line. In the case of a through lot, side yards shall extend from the rear line of the required front yards. On corner lots, one yard not fronting on the two streets shall be designated a side yard.
ZONING CERTIFICATE
A certificate issued by the Zoning Officer, stating that the purpose for which a building or land is to be used complies with all applicable requirements of this chapter for the zoning district in which it is located or is to be located.
ZONING DISTRICT
Administrative areas within the Borough designating the uses to which land can legally be utilized for which the boundaries are shown on the Zoning Map which is part of this chapter.
ZONING HEARING BOARD
The Zoning Hearing Board of the Borough of Homestead.
ZONING MAP
The official map delineating the zoning districts of Homestead Borough, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, together with all amendments subsequently adopted.[8]
ZONING OFFICER
The duly constituted official designated to administer and enforce this chapter in conjunction with the various sections thereof defining said duties.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said illustrations are on file in the Borough offices.
[2]
Editor's Note: The definition of "group care facility," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 8-8-2013 by Ord. No. 1219.
[3]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 14, Local and National Historic District..
[4]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 1, Part 3, Boards and Commissions.
[5]
Editor's Note: The Zoning District Map is on file in the Borough offices.
[6]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[7]
Editor's Note: Said illustrations are on file in the Borough offices.
[8]
Editor's Note: The Zoning Map is on file in the Borough offices.