As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
ACCESS
The physical access of property to a publicly dedicated street
not including lot frontages that abut a highway but have no driveway
affording physical access to such highway.
ACCESS DRIVE
A privately owned, constructed and maintained surface providing
vehicular access to and between parking areas for two or more parking
spaces within a land development or any drive servicing one or more
units of occupancy on a single lot.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
A building or structure that is on the same lot with, but
detached from, the principal building and that is customarily incidental
and subordinate to the principal building, including but not limited
to private garages, storage sheds, swimming pools and the like.
ACCESSORY USE
A use of property on the same lot with, and of a nature customarily
incidental and subordinate to, in terms of size, intent, and/or purpose,
the principal use of the property, and that does not alter or change
the character of the property.
ADEQUATE COVERAGE
Coverage is considered to be adequate within that area surrounding
a wireless telecommunication facility where the predicted or measured
median field strength of transmittal signal is greater than or equal
to -95dbm for at least 75% of the intended coverage area. It is acceptable
for there to be holes within the area of adequate coverage where the
signal is less than -95dbm, as long as the signal regains its strength
to greater than or equal to -95dbm further away from the wireless
telecommunication facility. For the limited purpose of determining
whether the use of a repeater is necessary or desirable, there shall
be deemed not to be adequate coverage within said holes. The outer
boundary of the area of adequate coverage, however, is that location
past which the signal does not regain strength of greater than or
equal to -95dbm.
ADJACENT
Immediately adjoining; sharing common property lines uninterrupted
by any public street, railroad or other right-of-way.
AISLE
That portion of the off-street parking and loading area that
provides access to parking, queuing or loading spaces, exclusive of
driveways and parking and loading spaces.
ALLEY
A public or private right-of-way that has a width of 15 feet
or less and that is designed to provide secondary access to a lot
or lots.
ANIMAL, DANGEROUS
(1)
Any mammal, amphibian, fish, reptile, or fowl of a species,
insect or arachnid that, due to size, vicious nature, or other characteristics,
would constitute a danger to the physical well-being of human life
or animals.
(2)
Any animal having a known disposition or propensity to attack,
bite, or injure any person or animal without provocation. Where the
official records of an Animal Control Officer, Borough Clerk, Police
Department, or Clerk of the Municipal Court indicate that an animal
has bitten or attacked any person or animal, it shall be prima facie
evidence that said animal is a dangerous animal.
(3)
Any animal owned or kept primarily or in part for the purpose
of fighting or any animal trained or bred for fighting.
(4)
Any animal that is urged by its owner or keeper to attack, or
whose owner or keeper threatens to cause such animal to attack any
law enforcement officer while such officer is engaged in the performance
of official duty and when such animal has the apparent ability to
cause injury or harm to such officer.
ANIMAL, HOUSEHOLD PET
Animals that are customarily kept for the personal use or
enjoyment within the home. "Household pets" includes but shall not
be limited to domestic dogs, domestic cats, domestic birds, fish and
rodents.
ANTENNA
Any exterior apparatus (including an antenna dish) used for
transmitting and receiving, mounted on a tower, antenna tower, antenna
tower alternative structure, building or structure and used in personal
wireless services.
ANTENNA SUPPORT STRUCTURE
Any building or other structure other than a tower utilized
as a location for personal wireless service facility.
ANTENNA TOWER
Any structure that is designed and constructed primarily
for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas for personal wireless
services. The term includes radio and television transmission towers,
microwave towers, common-carrier towers, cellular telephone towers,
antenna tower alternative structures, and the like. The term also
includes the structure and any support thereto.
ANTENNA TOWER ALTERNATIVE STRUCTURE
Human-made trees, clock towers, bell steeples, and similar
alternative-design mounting structures that substantially camouflage
or conceal the presence of antennas or towers such that one would
not identify the structure as an antenna tower.
ANTENNA TOWER HEIGHT
When referring to a tower or other structure within the provisions
of this chapter, the distance measured from the average grade plane
of the antenna tower base to the highest point on the tower or other
structure, including any antenna and additional height required for
co-location. Lightning rods up to six feet in length and 1.25 inches
in diameter may extend above the maximum height measured. When roof-mounted,
antenna tower height shall be measured from the average grade plane
of the building to the highest point on the tower or other structure,
including any antenna and additional height required for co-location.
APPLICANT
A landowner or developer who has filed an application for
development, including their heirs, successors and assigns, as the
case may be.
APPROVAL AUTHORITY
An official, organization, or group designated to review
and approve/disapprove stormwater pollution prevention plans.
APPROVING AGENCY
The Borough Manager’s Office and Borough Council or
its duly appointed representative.
ARRAY
Any number of electrically connected photovoltaic (PV) modules
providing a single electrical output.
ARTERIAL ROAD
A public street that serves large volumes of high-speed and
long-distance traffic. The street classified as an "arterial road"
in the Borough is West Liberty Avenue.
AS-BUILT SURVEY
A drawing that represents the true size and location of what
is being measured or has already been built in the field.
ASSURANCE OF COMPLETION
A contract secured by a performance bond or other guarantee
or security satisfactory to the Borough and/or other public entity
guaranteeing completion of the public improvements that are required
by these regulations.
AVERAGE GRADE
A reference plane representing the average of finished ground
level adjoining the structure or building at all exterior surfaces.
AWNING
A shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall
of a building constructed of nonrigid materials on a supporting framework.
BASE FLOOD
The flood having a one-percent chance of being equaled or
exceeded in any given year; also known as the "100-year frequency
flood."
BASEMENT
A story, the floor of which is more than 12 inches, but not
more than 1/2 its clear height below the average level of the adjoining
ground. A basement, when used as a dwelling, shall be counted as a
half-story for purposes of height measurement and for purposes of
minimum side yard determination.
BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTION
The utilization of labor, equipment and materials for the
purpose of erecting or altering a structure.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPS)
Schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, general
good housekeeping practices, pollution prevention and educational
practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices
to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants directly or indirectly
to stormwater, receiving waters, or stormwater conveyance systems.
BMPs also include treatment practices, operating procedures, and practices
to control site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or water disposal,
or drainage from raw materials storage.
BIKEWAY or BICYCLE PATH
An area specifically for bicycling that is physically separated
from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space or barrier and either
within the highway right-of-way or within an independent right-of-way.
BILLBOARD
Any off-premises sign that advertises an establishment, activity,
person, product or service that is unrelated to or unavailable on
the premises where the sign is located.
BLOCK
A parcel of land bounded on all sides by a street or streets,
railways or water routes.
BLOCK
The property abutting on one side of a street between two
intersecting streets or a street and a railroad right-of-way or watercourse.
BLOCK FRONTAGE
Property having frontage on one side of a street and lying
between the two nearest intersecting, intercepting or intercepting
extended streets, or nearest intersecting or intercepting street and
railroad right-of-way, waterway or another barrier.
BOARD
The Zoning Hearing Board established by this code.
BOAT AND BOAT TRAILER
Includes boats, jet skis, canoes, kayaks, catamarans, racing
shells, floats, rafts, and similar motorized and nonmotorized vessels
and watercraft, plus the enclosed and unenclosed trailers used to
transport or store the same and related parts, accessories and equipment.
BOND
Any form of financial guaranty, including a cash deposit,
surety bond, collateral, property, or instrument of credit in an amount
and form satisfactory to the Borough.
BOROUGH
The Borough of Dormont, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
BOROUGH COUNCIL
The Borough Council of the Borough of Dormont, Allegheny
County, Pennsylvania.
BRIDGE
A structure, 20 feet or greater in length (span), built over
a depression, drainageway.
BUFFER AREA
A landscaped area of a certain depth specified by this chapter
that shall be planted and maintained in trees, grass, ground cover,
shrubs, bushes or other natural landscaping material or an existing
natural or constructed natural barrier that duplicates the effect
of the required buffer area.
BUILDABLE LOT AREA
The portion of a lot remaining after required yards have
been provided.
BUILDING
A structure used for sheltering any use or occupancy.
BUILDING ELEVATION
The front, rear or side exterior surface of a building as
viewed in a flat scale drawing.
BUILDING FRONT
The wall of the building where the principal entrance is
located, usually fronting on a public street.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the average elevation
of the proposed finished grades at the front of the building to the
highest point of the roof for flat roofs, to the deckline of mansard
roofs and to the mean height between eaves and ridge for gable, hip
and gambrel roofs, provided that chimneys, spires, towers, mechanical
penthouses, tanks and similar projections of the building not intended
for human occupancy shall not be included in calculating the height,
provided that they do not project more than 20 feet above the roof.
If there are two or more separate roofs on a single building, the
height of such building shall be calculated from the highest roof.
BUILDING LINE
A line parallel to the street right-of-way line at any story
level of a building and representing the distance that all or any
part of the building is to be set back from said right-of-way.
BUILDING PERMIT
A building permit approved by the Borough Manager or their
designee stating that a proposed improvement complies with the provisions
of this Zoning Code.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL
A building in which is conducted the main or principal use
of the lot on which such building is situated. Where a substantial
part of the wall of an accessory building is a part of the wall of
the principal building, or where an accessory building is attached
to the main building in a substantial manner, as by a roof, such accessory
building shall be counted as a part of the principal building.
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 lot or parcel. This system
also includes any solar-based architectural elements.
BULK
The size of lots; the size and placement of buildings or
structures, and the location of same with respect to one another,
and includes the following:
(1)
Size and height of buildings;
(2)
Location of exterior walls at all levels in relation to lot
lines, streets or to other buildings;
(4)
All open spaces allocated to buildings; and
(5)
Amount of lot area and lot width provided per dwelling unit.
BUSINESS
Engaging in 1) the purchase, sale, barter or exchange of
goods, wares, merchandise or services; 2) the maintenance or operation
of offices; or 3) a recreational and amusement enterprise for profit.
CALIPER
The American Association of Nurseryman standard for trunk
measurement of nursery stock. Caliper of the trunk shall be taken
six inches above the ground up to and including four-inch caliper
size, and 12 inches above the ground for a caliper size greater than
four inches.
CANOPY
A permanent structure made of cloth, metal or other material
attached or unattached to a building for the purpose of providing
shelter to patrons or automobiles, or as a decorative feature on a
building wall. A canopy is not a completely enclosed structure but
typically is supported by features other than the building facade
(e.g., structural legs, building extensions, etc.).
CARPORT
A roofed structure that may be enclosed on no more than three
sides designed to house or protect parked motor vehicles.
CELL
The smallest basic solar electric device that generates electricity
when exposed to light.
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
A certificate approved by the Borough Manager stating that
the occupancy and use of land or a building or structure referred
to therein complies with the provisions of this code.
CHANNEL
The segment of the radiation spectrum from an antenna that
carries one signal. An antenna may radiate on many channels simultaneously.
CLEAN WATER ACT
The federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251
et seq.), and any subsequent amendments thereto.
CO-LOCATION
The use of personal wireless service facilities by more than
one personal wireless service licensee.
COLLECTOR STREET
A public street that, in addition to giving access to abutting
lots, intercepts local streets and provides a route for carrying considerable
volumes of local traffic to community facilities and arterial roads.
Streets classified as "collector roads" in the Borough for the purposes
of interpreting this chapter are Broadway Avenue, McFarland Road,
McNeilly Road, Pioneer Avenue, Potomac Avenue and Scott Road.
COMMISSION
The Borough of Dormont Planning Commission.
COMMON AREA
Any land area, and associated facilities, within a planned
unit development that is held in common ownership through a homeowners’
association, community association or other legal entity.
COMPLETELY ENCLOSED BUILDING
A building that has four walls and a roof designed so that
all the walls are solid from the ground to the roof, containing no
openings other than windows and doors.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Comprehensive Plan of the Borough that guides the physical
development of the Borough and that consists of maps, charts and textual
matter in accordance with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code.
CONCEALED DESIGN
Any personal wireless service facility that is designed to
blend into the surrounding environment. Examples of concealed facilities
may include, but are not limited to, antenna tower alternative structures,
architecturally screened roof-mounted antennas, building-mounted antennas
painted to match the existing structure, antennas integrated into
architectural elements, antennas and monopoles surrounded or obscured
by existing and/or proposed trees and landscaping and antenna structures
designed to look like light poles.
CONCEALED PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICE FACILITY
A facility that is either:
(1)
Virtually invisible to the casual observer, such as an antenna
behind louvers on a building, or inside a steeple or similar structure;
or
(2)
Camouflaged so as to blend in with its surroundings to such
an extent that it is indistinguishable by the casual observer from
the structure on which it is placed or the surroundings in which it
is located, such as a flagpole serving as an antenna.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY
Activities subject to NPDES construction permits. Currently
these include construction projects resulting in land disturbance
of five acres or more. Beginning in March 2003, NPDES stormwater Phase
II permits will be required for construction projects resulting in
land disturbance of one acre or more. Such activities include but
are not limited to clearing and grubbing, grading, excavating, and
demolition.
CONSTRUCTION TRAILER
A mobile unit temporarily placed on a construction site to
provide temporary offices, storage or construction supervision on
the site during the time when a valid building permit or grading permit
is in effect.
CONTIGUOUS
Next to, abutting, or touching and having a boundary, or
portion thereof, that is coterminous.
CONVERSION APARTMENT
A dwelling unit created within an existing dwelling in accordance
with all applicable requirements of this chapter.
CORNICE
The uppermost section of moldings along the top of a wall
or just below a roof.
COUNTY
The County of Allegheny, Pennsylvania.
COURT
An open unoccupied and unobstructed space, other than a yard,
on the same lot with a building or group of buildings.
COVERING
Any clothing or wearing apparel, including pasties, but does
not include any substance that can be washed off the skin, such as
paint or makeup, or any substance designed to simulate the appearance
of the anatomic area beneath it.
CRITICAL STORM
A storm that is calculated by means of the percentage increase
in volume of runoff by a proposed earth-disturbing activity or development
area. The critical storm is used to calculate the maximum allowable
stormwater discharge rate from a site.
CROSSWALK
Any portion of roadway at an intersection or elsewhere, distinctly
indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the
surface.
CUL-DE-SAC
A local street with one end open to traffic and the other
end terminating in a vehicular turnaround.
CULVERT
A closed conduit for the passage of surface drainage under
a street, driveway, or other embankment.
CUT
An excavation. The difference between a point on the original
grade and a designated point of lower elevation on the final grade.
CUT AND FILL SLOPES
A portion of land surface or area from which soil material
is excavated and/or filled forming a slope or embankment.
DBM
Unit of measure of the power level of an electromagnetic
signal expressed in decibels referenced to one milliwatt.
DEAD-END STREET
A street temporarily having only one outlet for vehicular
traffic and intended to be extended or continued in the future.
DECAL
Painted or vinyl transfers designed to be affixed to glass.
DECK
A freestanding or attached structure accessory to a dwelling
that is constructed of natural or synthetic wood either on or above
the ground, without a roof or awning, and with flooring that is not
completely impervious and that may include steps and railings.
DENSITY
A unit of measurement, the number of dwelling units per acre
of land, to be used in road design and not to be confused with sanitary
sewer and water design density.
DENSITY, GROSS
The number of dwelling units that are allowed on an area
of land, usually an acre, which area of land shall be permitted to
include dedicated streets contained within the development.
DETENTION FACILITY
A detention basin or alternative structure designed to temporarily
store stormwater runoff and gradually release the stored water at
a controlled rate.
DETENTION/RETENTION
The term "detention/retention basins" refers to the use of
a stormwater storage facility that will store stormwater and release
it at a given rate. The objective of a detention/retention facility
is to regulate the rate of runoff and control the peak discharges
to reduce the impact on the downstream drainage system. Types of stormwater
storage facilities:
(1)
Detention basin or dry basin. Dry basins are surface storage
areas created by constructing a typical excavated or embankment basin.
A detention basin may be designed for multi-uses, such as parks or
playgrounds.
(2)
Detention basins or ponds. Retention basins are permanent ponds
where additional storage capacity is provided above the normal water
level.
(3)
Parking lot storage. Parking lot storage is a surface storage
facility where an inlet is undersized causing shallow ponding to occur
in specific graded areas of the parking lot.
(4)
Subsurface storage. Subsurface storage is a structure constructed
below grade for the specific purpose of detaining stormwater runoff.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner or agent of such landowner who makes or causes
to be made an application for development.
DEVELOPMENT
The division of land; also, the construction of any new building
or structure, or the making of any material change in the use or appearance
of any existing building or structure above or below grade through
activities of construction, erection or alteration.
DEVELOPMENT AREA
Any contiguous (abutting) area owned by one person or operated
as one development unit and used or being developed for nonfarm commercial,
industrial, residential, or other nonfarm purposes upon which earth-disturbing
activities are planned or underway.
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
A graphic and written presentation of a planned residential
development, including a plat of subdivision and all provisions relating
to use, location and bulk of buildings and other structures, intensity
of use or density of development, streets, parking facilities, common
open space and public facilities.
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
The standards controlling the size of structures and the
relationships of structures and uses to each other and to open areas
and lot lines. Development standards include regulations controlling
maximum height, minimum lot area, minimum lot frontage, minimum size
of yards and setbacks, maximum lot coverage and maximum floor area
ratio.
DITCH
An excavation either dug or natural for the purpose of drainage
or irrigation with intermittent flow.
DORMER
A window that is set vertically on a sloping roof. The dormer
has its own roof that may be flat, arched, or pointed.
DRAINAGEWAY
An area of concentrated water flow other than a river, stream,
ditch, or grassed waterway.
DRIVEWAY
A private paved area that provides vehicular access to a
parking space, garage, dwelling or other structure.
DUMPING
Grading, pushing, piling, throwing, unloading, or placing.
EARTH MATERIAL
Soil, sediment, rock, sand, gravel, and organic material
or residue associated with or attached to the soil.
EARTH-DISTURBING ACTIVITY
Any grading, excavating, fitting or other alteration of the
earth’s surface where natural or man-made ground cover is destroyed,
and that may result in or contribute to erosion and sediment pollution.
EASEMENT
Authorization by a property owner for the use by another,
and for a specified purpose, of any designated part of their property.
EAVE or EAVES
The edge of a roof. Eaves usually project beyond the side
of the building.
ELECTROMAGNETICALLY ABLE
The determination that the new signal from and to the proposed
new antennas will not significantly interfere with the existing signals
from and to other facilities located on the same tower or structure
as determined by a qualified professional telecommunications engineer.
The use of available technologies to alleviate such interferences
shall be considered when making this determination.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER
A sign designed so that the characters, letter or illustrations
can be changed or rearranged automatically on a lamp bank or through
mechanical means (e.g., electronic or digital signs).
EMPLOYEE
A person who is employed to work for a wage or salary.
ENGINEER
Any person registered to practice professional engineering
by the commonwealth.
EQUIPMENT SHELTER/BUILDING/BOX
The structure in which the electronic receiving and transmission
equipment associated with a personal wireless service facility is
housed.
EROSION
(1)
The wearing away of the land surface by running water, wind,
ice or other geological agents, including such processes as gravitational
creep.
(2)
Detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments by wind, water,
ice, or gravity.
(3)
Erosion includes:
(a)
ACCELERATED EROSIONErosion much more rapid than normal, natural or geologic erosion, primarily as a result of the influence of the activities of man.
(b)
FLOODPLAIN EROSIONAbrading and wearing away of the nearly level land situated on either side of a channel due to overflow flooding.
(c)
GULLY EROSIONThe erosion process whereby water accumulates in narrow channels during and immediately after rainfall or snow or ice melt and actively removes the soil from this narrow area to considerable depths such that the channel would not be obliterated by normal smoothing or tillage operations.
(e)
NORMAL EROSIONThe gradual erosion of land used by man that does not greatly exceed natural erosion.
(f)
RILL EROSIONAn erosion process in which numerous small channels only several inches deep are formed; occurs mainly on recently disturbed soils.
(g)
SHEET EROSIONThe removal of a fairly uniform layer of soil from the land surface by wind or runoff water.
EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN
An erosion and sediment control strategy or plan to minimize
erosion and prevent off-site sedimentation by containing sediment
on-site or bypassing sediment laden runoff through a sediment control
measure, prepared and approved in accordance with the specific requirements
of these regulations. The erosion and sediment control plan may be
referred to as a sediment control plan.
EXISTING BUILDINGS
Any building and structures for which the start of construction
commenced before the effective date of the Borough’s first ordinances
or standards.
EXOTIC ANIMALS
Wild animals/reptiles not indigenous to the commonwealth,
such as lions, tigers, elephants, alligators, crocodiles, etc., or
recognized as a legitimate agricultural use.
FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration and any legally appointed,
designated or elected agent or successor.
FACADE
That portion of any exterior elevation of a building extending
from the grade of the building to the top of the parapet wall or eaves,
for the entire width of the building elevation.
FCC
The Federal Communications Commission and any legally appointed,
designated or elected agent or successor.
FENCE
Any structure erected in such a manner and positioned to
permanently enclose, partially enclose, or create a barrier on any
premises or part of any premises. Hedges, trellises or other structures
supporting or for the purpose of supporting vines, flowers and other
vegetation when erected in such position to enclose any premises or
part of premises shall be included within the definition of the word
"fence."
FILL
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other material
is placed, pushed, dumped, pulled, transported or moved to a new location
above the natural surface of the ground or on top of the stripped
surface and shall include the resulting grade conditions. The difference
in elevation between a point on the original ground and a designated
point of higher elevation on the final grade.
FINAL APPROVAL
The ultimate approval of a planned residential development
granted by the Borough Council that follows tentative approval and
filing of an application for final approval, all granted in accordance
with this chapter.
FINAL PLAN
A formal subdivision plan containing all necessary information
including construction documents and specifications as required in
Article 1109 of these regulations, approved by the appropriate authorities
and utility owners.
FINAL PLAT
A plat of a subdivision containing all necessary information
as required in Article 1109 of these regulations, signed by the appropriate
authorities and recorded in the office of the County Recorder.
FLOOR AREA
The sum of the gross horizontal areas of each floor of the
principal building, measured from the exterior walls or from the center
line of party walls, including the floor area of accessory buildings
and structures.
FLOOR AREA, GROSS (GFA)
The floor area within the inside perimeter of the exterior
walls of the building under consideration, exclusive of vent shafts
and courts, without deduction for corridors, stairways, closets, the
thickness of interior walls, columns or other features. The floor
area of a building, or portion thereof, not provided with surrounding
exterior walls shall be the usable area under the horizontal projection
of the roof or floor above. The gross floor area shall not include
shafts with no openings or interior courts.
FLOOR AREA, GROUND
The square foot area of a building or structure within its
largest outside dimensions computed on a horizontal plane at the ground
floor level exclusive of open porches, breezeways, terraces and garages.
FOLDING TENT TRAILER
A canvas folding structure, mounted on wheels and designed
for travel and vacation uses.
FORCE MAJEURE
A strike, acts of God, acts of public enemies; administrative,
judicial or regulatory orders or regulations of any kind of the United
States of America and/or the commonwealth or any of their departments,
agencies or political subdivisions; riots, epidemics and pandemics,
landslides, lightning, earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, storms, floods,
civil disturbances, explosions, partial or entire failure of utilities
or any other cause or event not reasonably within the control of the
disabled party, but only to the extent that the disabled party notifies
the other party as soon as practicable regarding such force majeure.
FORESTRY
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, that does not involve any land development.
GABLE
The triangle formed by a sloping roof. A building may be
front-gabled or side-gabled. Porches and dormers may also be gabled.
GARAGE SALES
The sale or offering for sale to the general public six or
more items of personal property on any portion of a lot, either within
or outside of a structure. Garage sales include patio, basement, yard,
or block sales.
GRADE
The average level of the finished surface of the ground adjacent
to the exterior walls of the building or structure.
GRADE OF SERVICE
A measure of percentage of calls that are able to connect
to the basic station during the busiest hour of the day. Grade of
service is expressed as a number, such as p.05-, which means that
95% of callers will connect on their first try. A lower number (p.04)
indicates a better grade of service.
GRADING
Earth-disturbing activity such as excavation, stripping,
cutting, filling, stockpiling, or any combination thereof.
GRASSED WATERWAY
A broad or shallow natural course or constructed channel
covered with erosion-resistant grasses or similar vegetative cover
and used to conduct surface water.
GREENBELT
A strip of land parallel to and extending inwardly from the
lot lines or right-of-way lines.
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT
The weight of the vehicle plus its manufacturer’s rated
load capacity. For example: one-half-ton rating shall be 1,000 pounds.
Three-quarter-ton rating shall be 1,500 pounds. One-ton rating shall
be 2,000 pounds.
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.
HABITABLE SPACE
Areas within a dwelling unit that are used for living, sleeping,
eating or cooking. Living or habitable space includes bathrooms, toilet
compartments and other sanitary facilities and halls, but does not
include closets, crawl spaces, garages and other storage and uninhabitable
areas. Also referred to as "livable space."
HAZARD
Any danger to public health, welfare or safety, including
exposure to risk or damage to property or liability for personal injury;
or risk of harm to land, air or water resulting in environmental degradation.
Hazards can include, but are not limited to, flooding and ponding,
compaction and settling, landslides, earthquakes, toxic chemicals,
radiation, fire and disease.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Any material, including any substance, waste, or combination
thereof, that because of its quantity, concentration, or physical,
chemical, or infectious characteristics may cause, or significantly
contribute to, a substantial present or potential hazard to human
health, safety, property, or the environment when improperly treated,
stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise managed.
HEDGE
A row of bushes or small trees planted close together, especially
when forming a barrier or boundary.
HEIGHT
See "building height" and "height of structure."
HEIGHT OF STRUCTURE
The vertical distance measured from the average finished
grade level around the structure to the highest point of a structure,
other than a building. (See also "building height.")
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Any structure or area that provides evidence for a fact of
history or the source of history.
HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION
A private organization established for the care and maintenance
of stormwater and detention facilities and other common areas.
HVAC
Equipment used to heat, cool or ventilate a structure.
ILLEGAL DISCHARGE
Any direct or indirect non-stormwater discharge to the storm
drain system, except as exempted in this code.
ILLICIT CONNECTIONS
Either of the following:
(1)
Any drain or conveyance, whether on the surface or subsurface,
that allows an illegal discharge to enter the storm drain system,
including but not limited to any conveyances that allow any non-stormwater
discharge including sewage, process wastewater, and wash water to
enter the storm drain system and any connections to the storm drain
system from indoor drains and sinks, regardless of whether said drain
or connection had been previously allowed, permitted or approved by
an authorized enforcement agency; or
(2)
Any drain or conveyance connected from a commercial or industrial
land use to the storm drain system that has not been documented in
plans, maps, or equivalent records and approved by an authorized enforcement
agency.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
Any material that prevents the absorption of stormwater into
the ground, including concrete, asphalt, stone, brick, block or other
paving material or a roof or awning.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE RATIO
A measure of the intensity of land use that is determined
by dividing the total area of all impervious surfaces on the site
by the area of the site or lot.
IMPROVED SURFACE
Concrete, asphalt, aggregate base, subbase, asphalt concrete,
brick or such other unenclosed surfaces as approved by the Chief Building
Official and Borough Engineer.
IMPROVEMENT
Street pavement or resurfacing, curbs, gutters, sidewalks,
water lines, sewer lines, storm drains, streetlights, flood control
and drainage facilities, utility lines, landscaping, and other related
matters.
INCIDENTAL
An object or use necessarily found in connection with the
principal structure or use, but subordinate and secondary thereto.
INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY
Activities subject to NPDES industrial permits as defined
in 40 CFR 122.26(b)(14).
INSTITUTIONAL PROPERTY
Property owned or used by institutions such as churches,
parks, libraries, municipal government, hospital and utilities.
INTERCONNECTION
The technical and practical link between the solar generator
and the grid providing electricity to the greater community.
JUNK
Old or scrap copper, brass, rope, rags, batteries, paper,
rubber; junked, dismantled, or wrecked motor vehicles or parts thereof;
iron, steel, and other old or scrap ferrous or nonferrous materials
that are not held for sale or remelting purposes by an establishment
having facilities for processing such materials.
KILOWATT (KW)
A unit of electrical power equal to 1,000 watts that 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).
LAND DEVELOPMENT
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots,
tracts or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
(1)
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, including any change of use or structural alteration that
results in additional land coverage by structures and/or paving; or
(2)
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.
LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN
A plan prepared in accordance with the application requirements of Chapter
183, Subdivision and Land Development, for approval of a land development, as defined herein.
LANDOWNER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of land, including
the holder of an option or contract to purchase (whether or not such
option or contract is subject to any condition), a lessee, if they
are authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner,
or other person having a proprietary interest in the land.
LANDSCAPED AREA
An area that is permanently devoted to and maintained for
the growing of trees, shrubs, grass or other plant material.
LANDSCAPING
The improvement of open areas by the planting and maintenance
of trees, bushes, flower gardens, grass, or other vegetation.
LANDSCAPING PLAN
A plan prepared by a registered architect or registered landscape
architect 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.
LANDSLIDE
The rapid downward and outward movement of large rock material
and/or soil mass under the influence of gravity in which the movement
of the soil mass occurs along an interior surface of sliding.
LAP DANCE
Also known as a "straddle dance," "face dance," or "flash
dance." The use by an employee, whether clothed or partially or totally
nude, of any part of their body to touch, massage, rub, stroke, caress,
or fondle the genital or pubic area of a person while at the establishment,
or the touching of the genital or pubic area of any employee by a
person while at the establishment. It shall be a lap dance regardless
of whether the touch or touching occurs while the employee is displaying
or exposing any specified anatomical area. It shall also be a lap
dance regardless of whether the touch or touching is direct or through
a medium.
LATTICE
A framework consisting of an ornamental design made of strips
of wood or metal.
LIVESTOCK
Cattle, horses, mules, burros, sheep, swine, llamas and goats,
regardless of use, and any animal, except dogs and cats, that are
used for working purposes on a farm or ranch, and any animal that
is raised for food or fiber production.
LOADING AND UNLOADING BERTH
The off-street area required for receiving or distributing
materials or merchandise by vehicles. In this Zoning Code this area
is a twelve-foot by forty-five-foot loading span with a fourteen-foot
height clearance. However, if more than one berth is provided, the
minimum dimensions are 10 feet by 45 feet with a fourteen-foot height
clearance.
LOADING SPACE
An off-street space or berth on the same lot with a building
or contiguous to a group of buildings, for the temporary parking of
a commercial vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise or materials;
and that abuts upon a street, alley or other appropriate means of
access.
LOCAL STREET
A street primarily for providing access to residential, commercial,
or other abutting property.
LOOP STREET
A type of local street, each end of which terminates at an
intersection with the same arterial or collector street, and whose
principal radius points of the one-hundred-eighty-degree system of
turns are not more than 1,000 feet from said arterial or collector
street, nor normally more than 600 feet from each other.
LOT
A tract of land in a plan of subdivision or any other parcel
of land described in a deed or legal instrument pursuant to the laws
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania intended to be used as a unit
for development or transfer of ownership.
LOT AREA
That area measured on a horizontal plane bounded by the front,
rear and side lot lines, exclusive of any area within a street right-of-way.
LOT COVERAGE
That percentage of the lot area covered by all principal
structures, accessory structures and impervious surfaces, excluding
the following which may be existing or proposed on the lot:
(2)
Up to 200 square feet of impervious surface or paved with pervious
pavers that is designated for a parking pad if no other private garage,
carport or parking pad is available on the lot.
(3)
A deck or decks with a total surface area of no more than 250
square feet or 5% of the total area of the lot, whichever is greater.
LOT LINE, FRONT
In the case of an interior lot, a line separating the lot
from the street or place, and in the case of a corner lot, a line
separating the narrowest street frontage of the lot from the street,
except in cases where deed restrictions in effect specify another
line as the front lot line.
LOT LINE, REAR
A lot line that is opposite and most distant from the front
lot line and, in case of an irregular or triangular shaped lot, a
line 10 feet in length within the lot, parallel to and at the maximum
distance from the front line.
LOT LINE, SIDE
Any lot boundary not a front lot line or a rear lot line.
LOT LINES
The property lines bounding the lot. Also, "property line."
LOT OF RECORD
Any lot that, individually or as a part of a subdivision,
has been recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Allegheny
County.
LOT WIDTH
The straight line distance between the points of intersection
of the building line with the side lot lines.
LOT, CORNER
A lot at the intersection of and fronting on two or more
street rights-of-way. The front yard of a corner lot will be determined
by the street address of the property and is also the yard most adjacent
to the architecturally dominant entry to the building.
LOT, DEPTH
The mean horizontal distance between the front line and the
rear line of the lot, measured in the general direction of the side
lot lines.
LOT, GROUND LEVEL
For buildings having walls adjoining one street only, the
elevation of the sidewalk at the center of the wall adjoining the
street; for buildings having walls adjoining more than one street,
the average of the elevation of the sidewalk at the center of all
walls adjoining the streets; for buildings having no wall adjoining
the street, the average level of the ground adjacent to the exterior
walls of the building. Any wall approximately parallel to and not
more than five feet from a street is to be considered as adjoining
the street.
LOT, REVERSED INTERIOR
The first lot to the rear of a corner lot, the front lot
line of which is a continuation of the side lot line of the corner
lot and fronting on the street that intersects the street upon which
the corner lot fronts and/or that faces the street upon which the
side of a corner lot abuts. The corner lot is considered abutting
even though separated from the interior lot line by an alley.
LOT, THROUGH
A lot having frontage on two streets at opposite ends of
the lot and may also be known as a "double frontage lot."
MANUFACTURED HOME
A factory-built, one-unit structure that is manufactured
under the authority of 42 U.S.C. § 5401, the National Manufactured
Home Construction and Safety Standards Act, is transportable in one
or more sections, is built on a permanent chassis and is used as a
place of human habitation; but that is not constructed with a permanent
hitch or other device allowing transport of the unit, other than delivery
to a permanent site, and that does not have wheels or axles permanently
attached to its body or frame.
MANUFACTURED HUD UNIT
A permanently sited, occupancy-ready manufactured residential
housing unit as defined under 24 CFR 3280.2 of the Department of Housing
and Urban Development regulations establishing manufactured home construction
and safety standards.
MARGINAL ACCESS STREET
A local or collector street, parallel and adjacent to an
arterial or collector street, providing access to abutting properties
and protection from arterial or collector streets. Also, "frontage
street."
MASSAGE
A method of treating or stimulating the external parts of
the human body by rubbing, stroking, kneading, tapping, touching or
vibrating with the hand or any instruments for pay.
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
that the parties themselves create and consider acceptable.
MODULAR HOUSING
An assembly of materials or products comprising all or part
of a total residential structure that, when constructed, is self-sufficient
and contains plumbing, wiring and heating at the point of manufacture,
and that, when installed, constitutes a dwelling unit except for necessary
on-site preparations for its placement.
MODULE
The smallest protected assembly of interconnected PV cells.
MONITORING PROTOCOL
An approved testing protocol as defined in the most current
FCC regulations.
MONOPOLE
A single pole with no aboveground lateral support from secondary
structural members in either tension or compression.
MONUMENT
A permanent concrete or iron marker used to establish definitely
all lines of the plat of a subdivision, including all lot corners,
and points of change in street alignment.
MOTORIZED HOME
A portable dwelling designed and constructed as an integral
part of a self-propelled vehicle. Also, "camper."
MULTI-USE PATH OR TRAIL
An area physically separated from motorized vehicle traffic
by open space or a barrier and either within the highway right-of-way
or within an independent right-of-way.
MUNICIPAL OR GOVERNMENTAL BUILDING
A facility for administrative activity conducted by a governmental
entity. Typical uses include Borough Hall, social security office,
or special district headquarters.
NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES)
Stormwater discharge permit. A permit issued by the EPA [or
by a state under authority delegated pursuant to 33 U.S.C. § 1342(b)]
that authorizes the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United
States, whether the permit is applicable on an individual, group,
or general area-wide basis.
NEIGHBORHOOD PARK
A public park containing at least five acres located in an
area where at least 2,000 persons reside no farther than 1/2 mile
from the park.
NET LEASABLE FLOOR AREA
The total floor area of a building designed for tenant occupancy,
excluding halls, corridors, stairwells, elevator shafts, equipment
rooms, restrooms, interior vehicular parking and loading areas and
other areas used in common by tenants of the building, expressed in
square feet and measured from the center line of joint partitions
and exteriors of outside walls.
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.
NONCONFORMING LOT
Any lot that does not comply with the applicable area and
bulk provisions of this chapter or an amendment hereafter enacted,
that lawfully existed prior to the enactment of this chapter or any
subsequent 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 a
zoning ordinance or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where
such structure lawfully existed prior to the enactment of such ordinance
or amendment or prior to the application of such ordinance 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, that does not comply
with the applicable use provisions in this chapter or an amendment
hereafter enacted, that lawfully existed prior to the enactment of
this chapter or any subsequent amendment.
NONPROFIT
Not conducted or maintained for the purpose of making a profit.
NONSTRUCTURAL CONTROLS
Stormwater runoff control and treatment techniques that use
natural measures to control runoff and/or reduce pollution levels,
and do not require extensive construction efforts and/or do promote
runoff control and/or pollutant reduction by eliminating the runoff
and/or pollutant source. Examples include minimizing impervious area,
buffer strips along streams, and preserving natural vegetation.
NUDITY, STATE OF NUDITY, OR NUDE
The showing of the human male or female genitals, pubic areas
or buttocks with less than a fully opaque covering, or the showing
of the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any
portion thereof below the top of the nipple, or the depiction of covered
male genitals in a discernibly turgid state.
OCCUPANCY PERMIT
A permit for the use or occupancy of a building, structure
or lot indicating compliance with all provisions of this chapter.
OPAQUE
Impervious to light; obscuring visibility.
OPEN SPACE
Land presently devoted to, or that is later designated as,
conservation or recreational purposes and/or land designated by a
municipality to remain undeveloped (may be specified on a Zoning Map).
ORIENTATION
The direction a building face. Most buildings squarely face
a street, with their principal facade and entrance in full view.
OUTFALL
An area where water flows from a structure such as a conduit,
storm sewer, improved channel or drain, and the area immediately beyond
the structure that is impacted by the velocity of flow in the structure.
OUTLOT
Property shown on a subdivision plat outside of the boundaries
of the land that is to be developed and that is to be excluded from
the development of the subdivision.
PAD
A building site or parking area improvement prepared by artificial
means, including, but not limited to, grading, excavation or filling
or any combination thereof.
PADEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection or
any successor agency or agencies.
PARAPET
A low wall projecting from the edge of a platform, terrace,
or roof. Parapets may rise above the cornice of a building or form
the upper portion of a defensive wall on a castle. In mission style
homes, rounded parapets are often used as decorative features.
PARCEL
Any legally described piece of land created by a partition,
subdivision, deed or other instrument recorded with the appropriate
entity or agency.
PARKING AREA
A paved area, other than a parking pad, including two or
more parking spaces, aisles and driveways, that is accessory to the
principal use of the lot.
PARKING PAD
A paved area, other than a driveway, on a residential lot
intended for the parking of one or more motor vehicles owned by the
owners or tenants of the lot, that is accessory to the principal use
of the lot.
PARKING SPACE
A durable, solid-surfaced area, enclosed or unenclosed, sufficient
in size to store one motor vehicle, together with a paved driveway
connecting the parking space with a street or alley and permitting
ingress and egress of an automobile.
PARKING SPACE, OFF-STREET
An area adequate for parking an automobile with room for
opening doors on both sides together with properly related access
to a public street or alley and maneuvering room but shall be located
totally outside of any street or alley right-of-way.
PASSENGER VEHICLE
A road motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, intended for
the carriage of passengers and designed to seat no more than nine
persons (including the driver).
PATIO
A structure accessory to a dwelling constructed on the ground
from materials such as concrete, stones, bricks, blocks or other paving
material and that may or may not have a roof or awning.
PEAK RATE OF RUNOFF
The maximum rate of water runoff from a defined geographic
area for a twenty-four-hour precipitation event of a given intensity.
PERFORMANCE BOND or SURETY BOND
An agreement by a subdivider or developer with the Borough
for the amount of the estimated construction cost guaranteeing the
completion of physical improvements according to plans and specifications
within the time prescribed by the subdivider’s agreement.
PERFORMANCE STANDARD
A criterion established in the interest of protecting the
public health and safety for the control of noise, odor, smoke, noxious
gases, and other objectionable or dangerous elements generated by
and inherent in or incidental to land uses.
PERMITTEE and/or LICENSEE
A person in whose name a permit and/or license to operate
an adult entertainment business has been issued, as well as the individual
listed as an applicant on the application for a permit and/or license.
PERSON
Any natural person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation,
but this definition does not include governmental units.
PERSONAL SERVICES
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 and related
activities.
PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICE FACILITIES
Facilities for the provision of personal wireless services
as such term is defined in 47 U.S.C. § 332 of the Telecommunications
Act of 1996 and further includes towers, poles, cables, wires, lines,
wave guides, antennas, microwave dishes and/or any other equipment
or facilities associated with the transmission or reception of communications
as authorized by the FCC that a person seeks to locate or have installed
upon a tower or antenna support structure. The term "personal wireless
service facilities" shall not include the following, which shall be
exempted from regulation under this code:
(1)
Any satellite earth station antenna two meters or less in diameter
that is located in an area zoned industrial or commercial;
(2)
Any satellite earth station antenna one meter or less in diameter,
regardless of zoning category; or
(3)
Antennas used by amateur radio operators or those used for television
reception on residential homes.
PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICES
Commercial mobile services, unlicensed wireless services
and common carrier wireless exchange access services as such term
is defined in 47 U.S.C. § 332 of the Telecommunications
Act of 1996.
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV)
A semiconductor-based device that converts light directly
into electricity.
PICKUP CAMPER
A structure designed primarily to be mounted on a pickup
or truck chassis and with sufficient equipment to render it suitable
for use for travel, recreational, or vacation uses.
PLACE
An open, unoccupied space other than a street or alley, permanently
reserved for use as the principal means of access to abutting property.
PLANNED MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT
An area of land controlled by a single landowner and developed
as a single entity for a combination of two or more authorized uses
in the C Zoning District where the several uses share a common means
of access, common parking areas, common signage and other common design
features.
PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
An area of land controlled by a single landowner and developed
as a single entity for a number of dwellings or a combination of residential
and nonresidential uses, the plan for which does not necessarily correspond
in lot size, bulk, type of dwelling unit or use, density or intensity,
lot coverage or required open space to any one district in this chapter.
PLAT
The map, drawing, or chart on which the developer’s
plan of subdivision (preliminary) is presented to the Planning Commission
for approval and, after such approval, to the County Recorder (final)
for recording.
PLAT OF SURVEY
A land survey performed by a professional surveyor that identifies
a minor subdivision or lot split.
PLAY EQUIPMENT
An area used for outdoor play or recreation, especially by
children, and often containing recreational equipment such as slides
and swings.
PLAYHOUSE
Any temporary building or structure made specifically for
the recreational enjoyment of the tenant’s children. Such structures
will be under 200 square feet and can be easily removed from the property.
PLOT PLAN
A drawing used in connection with an application for occupancy
permit for the purpose of identifying the intended use or occupancy
of a particular lot and to facilitate administrative review for zoning
compliance, drawn accurately and legibly on durable material (such
as blue, black or brown line prints, photostats, etc., but not including
blueprints, duplication machine copies on thin paper or pencil drawings),
sheet size 8 1/2 inches by 14 inches.
POLLUTANT
Anything that causes or contributes to pollution. Pollutants
may include, but are not limited to: paints, varnishes, and solvents;
oil and other automotive fluids; nonhazardous liquid and solid wastes
and yard wastes; refuse, rubbish, garbage, litter, or other discarded
or abandoned objects, ordinances, and accumulations, so that same
may cause or contribute to pollution; floatables; pesticides, herbicides,
and fertilizers; hazardous substances and wastes; sewage, fecal coliform
and pathogens; dissolved and particulate metals; animal wastes; wastes
and residues that result from constructing a building or structure;
and noxious or offensive matter of any kind.
PONDS
An area that is designed to permanently hold water for personal
enjoyment.
POOL HOUSE
A building where swimmers change clothes or other associated
activities to a residential swimming pool.
POOL, STORABLE
Any private pool that is constructed on or above the ground
and is capable of holding water to a maximum depth of 42 inches, or
a pool with nonmetallic, molded polymeric walls or inflatable fabric
walls regardless of dimension.
PORCH
An attached structure accessory to a dwelling, constructed
either on or above the ground, with or without an enclosed foundation
and that either has flooring that is completely impervious or is covered
by a roof or awning.
PORCH, ENCLOSED
A roofed structure, usually attached to or part of and with
direct access to or from a building. Different than an open porch
in that it is fully enclosed in vertical walls or glazing for more
than half of the year.
PORCH, OPEN
A roofed open structure that projects from the front, side
or rear wall of a building that is unenclosed for more than half of
the year, except possibly for screens, by anything higher than 36
inches above the floor except for roof and roof supports.
PORTABLE STORAGE UNITS
Any enclosed unit of whatever type construction or material,
designed for permanent or temporary storage, that can be transported
by a vehicle and left on-site.
PREEXISTING TOWERS AND PREEXISTING ANTENNA
Any personal wireless service facilities for which a building
permit has been properly issued prior to the effective date of this
section, including permitted personal wireless service facilities
that have not yet been constructed so long as such approval is current
and not expired.
PRELIMINARY PLAN
The drawing depicting a proposed subdivision that is intended
to provide the Borough Manager’s Office and the Planning Commission
with pertinent information regarding the development of a subdivision.
The plan must contain all necessary information as required herein.
PRELIMINARY PLAT
The drawing depicting a proposed subdivision that is intended
to provide the Borough Manager’s Office and the Planning Commission
with pertinent information regarding the development of a subdivision.
The plat must contain all necessary information as required herein.
PREMISES
Any lot or combination of contiguous lots held in single
ownership, together with the development thereon; a condominium complex
constitutes one premises.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING
The building or buildings on a lot in which the principal
use or uses are conducted.
PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE
The structure or structures in which the principal use or
uses are conducted.
PRINCIPAL USE
The primary or predominant use of land or structures, as
distinguished from an accessory use. A principal use may be either
a permitted use or a conditional use.
PRIVATE
Owned, operated or controlled by any person, partnership,
corporation, association or entity other than a federal, state, county
or local government agency.
PRIVATE CLUB
A nonprofit association of persons who are bona fide members
paying periodic dues, that either owns or leases a building and/or
premises, the use of which is restricted to members and their guests.
PRIVATE PERFORMANCE
The display or exposure of any specified anatomical area
by an employee at an adult entertainment business to a person other
than another employee while the person is in an area within the establishment
not accessible during such display to all other persons in the establishment,
or while the person is an area in which the person is totally or partially
screened or partitioned during such display from the view of all persons
within the establishment.
PRIVATE STREET
A roadway that has not been dedicated to the Borough and
is completely maintained by the adjoining property owners. A private
street is not maintained by the Borough nor is it required to meet
Borough standards. It is owned entirely by the property owners who
use it.
PROPORTION
The relationship of the dimensions of building elements,
such as windows and doors, to each other and to the elevations. Often,
proportions are expressed as mathematical ratios, particularly for
buildings based on Greek, Roman and Renaissance architecture.
PROTECTED PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY
A public water system that services at least 15 service connections
used by year-round residents or regularly serves at least 25 year-round
residents and having a one-year capture area defined through appropriate
hydrologic studies.
PROTECTED USE
For the purpose of regulating adult entertainment business,
those uses listed below:
(1)
Government administration and court;
(4)
Residential district or use;
(5)
Primary school or secondary school;
(6)
Any overnight lodging use; or
(7)
Any establishment that sells alcoholic beverages, either packaged,
by the glass, or by other means.
PUBLIC
Owned, operated or controlled by a government agency, federal,
state, county or local.
PUBLIC HEARING
A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the governing
body or planning agency, intended to inform and obtain public comment,
prior to taking action in accordance with this chapter.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
All roads, streets, walkways, gutters, stormwater management
facilities, curbs, sewers and other facilities to be dedicated to
or maintained by the Borough.
PUBLIC MEETING
A forum held pursuant to notice under the Sunshine Act, 65
Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice published once each week for two successive weeks
in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality. Such notice
shall state the time and place of the hearing and the particular nature
of the matter to be considered at the hearing. The first publication
shall not be more than 30 days and the second publication shall not
be less than seven days from the date of the hearing.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Real estate owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by a governmental
entity.
PUBLIC SAFETY LIGHTING
Lighting, as may be required by any public agency while engaged
in the performance of its duties, or for illumination of the path
of egress during an emergency.
PUBLIC WATERS
Water within rivers, streams, ditches, and lakes, except
private ponds and lakes wholly within single properties, or waters
leaving property on which surface water originates.
PUBLIC WAY
An alley, avenue, boulevard, bridge, easement, expressway,
freeway, highway, land, parkway, right-of-way, road, sidewalk, street,
subway, tunnel, viaduct, walk, or other ways in which the general
public or a public entity have a right, or that are dedicated, whether
improved or not.
PURLIN
Timber used to support roofing sheets. Usually fixed on top
of rafters.
RADIATION PROPAGATION STUDIES OR RADIAL PLOTS
Computer-generated estimates of the radiation emanating from
antennas or repeaters sited on a specific tower or structure. The
height above ground and above mean sea level, power input and output,
frequency output, type of antenna, antenna gain energy dispersion
characteristics, and topography of both the site and its surroundings
are all considered to create these situations. They are the primary
tool for determining whether a site will provide adequate coverage
for the personal wireless service facility proposed for that site.
RADIO DISH/ANTENNA
Equipment found on the exterior of a residential property
and comprising of the part of the radio receiver by means of which
the radio signals are received.
RADIO LICENSED ANTENNA (NONCOMMERCIAL)
An antenna in any zoning district not used in conjunction
with a business, commercial enterprise, trade, calling, vocation,
profession, occupation, or means of livelihood, including, but not
limited to FCC licensed amateur radio stations and standard television
receive-only parabolic antennas.
RAFTER
A parallel member of a roof that support battens/purlins
and roofing materials.
RAIL
The top and bottom frame member of a door or window that
is not the jamb.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT
A motor home, house trailer, truck camper, boat, boat trailer,
travel trailer and/or any other vehicle that is principally designated
and used for recreation purposes.
REGULATED SUBSTANCES
Chemicals and mixtures of chemicals that are health hazards.
Materials packaged for personal or household use as food or drink
for man or other animals are not "regulated substances." "Regulated
substances" include:
(1)
Chemicals for which there is scientific evidence that acute
or chronic health effects may result from exposure, including carcinogens,
toxic and highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives,
sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents that
act on the hematopoietic system, and agents that damage the lungs,
skin, eyes, or mucous membranes.
(2)
Mixtures of chemicals that have been tested as a whole and have
been determined to be a health hazard.
(3)
Mixtures of chemicals that have not been tested as a whole but
that contain any chemical that has been determined to be a health
hazard and that comprises 1% or greater of the composition on a weight
per unit weight basis, and mixtures of chemicals that include a carcinogen
if the concentration of the carcinogen in the mixture is 0.1% or greater
of the composition on a weight per unit weight basis.
REPLAT
A new recording of a previously recorded subdivision in which
the purpose is to modify some portion of the originally recorded plat.
RHYTHM
The spacing of repetitive facade elements, such as projecting
bays, storefronts, windows, doors, belt courses and the like.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
An area of land reserved or dedicated for public purposes
to provide access across the property of another.
ROOF, MANSARD
A roof with two slopes on each of the four sides. The lower
slope is steeper than the upper slope. Dormers are often set in the
lower slope. The upper slope is usually not visible from the ground.
RUNOFF
The portion of rainfall, melted snow or irrigation water
that flows across the ground surface and is eventually returned to
streams.
SANITARY SEWERS
An approved sewage disposal system that provides a collection
network and disposal system and central sewage treatment facility
for a single development, community or region.
SANITARY WASTE TREATMENT, ON-SITE
A septic tank or similar installation on an individual lot
that utilizes a bacteriological process or equally satisfactory process
for the elimination of sewage and provides for the proper and safe
disposal of the effluent, subject to the approval of health and sanitation
officials having jurisdiction.
SATELLITE DISH
A device incorporating a reflective surface that is solid,
open mesh, or bar configured and is in the shape of a shallow dish.
Such device shall be used only to receive radio or electromagnetic
waves between terrestrially and/or orbitally based uses. Satellite
dishes include but are not limited to TVROs (television reception
only satellite dish antennas) and satellite microwave antennas.
SCALE
The relationship of the size of a building or object to the
size of a human being. Grand or large scale implies a size out of
proportion to human size, while small or intimate scale implies the
opposite.
SCREENING FENCE
A fence constructed so that the surface area is at least
80% opaque to obscure vision from one side of the fence to the other
and that may include solid or nearly solid fence members or cyclone
fencing with vinyl or other opaque screening material inserted through
the openings.
SEDIMENT
Solid material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension,
is being transported, or has been moved from its site of origin by
wind, water, gravity, or ice, and has come to rest on the earth’s
surface above or below sea level.
SEDIMENT BASIN
A barrier, dam, or other suitable detention facility built
across an area of water flow to settle and retain sediment carried
by the runoff waters.
SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN
A written description, acceptable to the approving agency,
of methods for controlling sediment pollution from accelerated erosion
on a development area of five or more contiguous acres or from erosion
caused by accelerated runoff from a development area of five or more
contiguous acres.
SEDIMENT POLLUTION
Failure to use management or conservation practices to abate
wind or water erosion of the soil or to abate the degradation of the
waters of the state by soil sediment in conjunction with land grading,
excavating, filling, or other soil-disturbing activities on land used
or being developed for nonfarm commercial, industrial, residential,
or other nonfarm purposes.
SEMINUDITY or SEMINUDE CONDITION or SEMINUDE
Exposing to view, with less than a fully opaque covering,
any portion of the female breast below the top of the areola or any
portion of the buttocks. This definition shall include the entire
lower portion of the female breast exhibited by a dress, blouse, shirt,
leotard, bathing suit, or other clothing, provided that the areola
is not exposed in whole or in part.
SETBACK
The required minimum horizontal distance between the building
line and the related front, side or rear property line.
SETBACK LINE
A line parallel to the street right-of-way line at any story
level of a building and representing the distance that all or any
part of the building is to be set back from said right-of-way.
SETTLING POND
A runoff detention structure such as a sediment basin or
sediment trap that detains sediment-laden runoff allowing sediment
to settle out.
SEWERS, SANITARY, CENTRAL OR GROUP
An approved sewage disposal system that provides a collection
network and disposal system and central sewage treatment facility
for a single development, community, or region.
SEWERS, STORM
A sewer that carries stormwater and surface water, street
wash and other wash waters, or drainage, but excludes domestic wastewater
and industrial wastes. Also called a "storm drain."
SEXUAL CONDUCT
Patently offensive representations or descriptions of ultimate
sexual acts, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, and patently
offensive representations, descriptions or acts of masturbation, excretory
functions, homosexuality, sodomy, sexual intercourse or physical contact
with a person’s clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks
or, if such person is female, breasts.
SHEET FLOW
Overland water runoff in a thin uniform layer.
SIDEWALK
That portion of the road right-of-way outside the roadway
that is improved for the use of pedestrian traffic.
SIGHT TRIANGLE FOR VISION CLEARANCE
A triangular space at the street corner of a corner lot,
free from any kind of obstruction to vision between the heights of
three and 12 feet above the established street grade. The street grade
is measured at the intersection of the center lines of the intersecting
street pavements, and the triangular space is determined by a diagonal
line connecting two points measured 15 feet along each of the street
property lines equidistant from the intersection of the property lines
or the property lines extended, at the corner of the lot.
SIGN
Any structure or device used to attract attention by word
or graphic display.
SIGN AREA
The entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing
the extreme limits of writing, representation, emblem, or any figure
or similar character, together with any frame or other material or
color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate
such sign from the background against which it is placed; excluding
the necessary supports or uprights on which such sign is placed. The
area of a sign having more than one display shall be computed as the
total of the exposed exterior display surface area.
SIGN COPY
Those letters, numerals, and figures, symbols, logos, and
graphic elements comprising the content or message of a sign.
SIGN FACE
The surface of the sign upon, against or through which the
message of the sign is exhibited.
SIGN HEIGHT
The height of a sign shall be the difference between the
1) elevation of the highest point of the sign, including the bracket,
supports, and sign face surrounds, and 2) the elevation of the finished
grade at the base of the sign or the elevation of the crown of the
adjacent public street, whichever is highest.
SIGN STRUCTURE
The supports, uprights, bracing or framework for signs.
SIGN, ABANDONED
A sign that is no longer intended to promote an active business
or provide any message related to an active use of the property on
which it is located.
SIGN, ACCESS
A sign directing vehicular or pedestrian movement onto or
within a premises with no identification or advertising on the sign.
SIGN, ADVERTISING
A sign that directs attention to a use, commodity or service
not related to the premises on which the sign is located.
SIGN, BANNER
A temporary sign constructed of canvas, plastic, fabric or
similar lightweight, nonrigid material that can be mounted to a structure
with cord, rope, cable, or a similar method. Where a banner sign is
supported by stakes or another type of supporting structure for posting
in the ground, such sign shall be classified as a "sign, yard."
SIGN, BUILDING
Signs that are attached to the building, including wall signs,
projecting signs, awning signs, suspended signs, flag banner signs,
and canopy signs.
SIGN, BULLETIN BOARD
A structure containing a surface upon which is displayed
the name of a religious institution, school or library, auditorium,
stadium, athletic field or area of similar use for the announcement
of services or activities to be held therein.
SIGN, CHANGEABLE COPY
A sign designed so that the characters, letters or illustrations
can be changed or rearranged manually or electronically without altering
the sign display surface. May also be known as "readerboards." See
also the definition of "electronic message center."
SIGN, CONSTRUCTION
A sign indicating the names of architects, engineers, contractors
and similar persons involved in the design and construction of a structure
or project.
SIGN, DRIVE-THROUGH
Any signage allocated along a drive-through lane that is
oriented toward the customer or user in the drive-through lane.
SIGN, ENTRANCEWAY
A sign located on a door of or on an exterior wall or window
within three feet of a primary exterior entranceway to the structure.
SIGN, FEATHER
A temporary sign that is constructed of cloth, canvas, plastic,
fabric or similar lightweight, nonrigid material and that is supported
by a single vertical pole mounted into the ground or on a portable
structure.
SIGN, FLAG BANNER
Any rigid cloth, plastic or canvas sign with no enclosing
framework that is mounted to a building at one or more edges or on
a pole. Flags with noncommercial speech shall not be considered flag
banner signs.
SIGN, FLASHING
Any illuminated sign on which the artificial light or any
part thereof has conspicuous or intermittent variation in intensity
or color.
SIGN, FREESTANDING
A sign suspended or supported by one or more uprights or
braces in or upon the ground surface.
SIGN, GOVERNMENTAL
A sign erected at the side of or above roads to give instructions
or provide information to road users.
SIGN, MONUMENT
A permanent freestanding sign other than a pole sign, not
attached to a building, that is placed upon or supported by the ground
independently of any other structure, typically on a monument or pedestal
structure. Unless otherwise stated, monument signs shall either be
a pole sign or monument sign. A sign that is placed on two posts that
are no more than two feet in height to the base of the sign cabinet
or sign face shall be considered a monument sign for the purposes
of this chapter.
SIGN, MOVING
Any sign that, in part or total, rotates, revolves or otherwise
is in motion.
SIGN, NONCONFORMING
Any sign that was erected legally prior to the adoption of
this code, but that does not comply with subsequently enacted sign
restrictions and regulations or a sign that does not conform to the
sign code requirements.
SIGN, PAINTED MURAL
A large picture/image (including but not limited to painted
art) that is painted, constructed, or affixed directly onto a vertical
building wall, that may or may not contain text, logos, and/or symbols.
SIGN, PERMANENT
A sign permitted by this code to be located on the premises
for an unlimited period of time and designed to be permanently attached
to a structure or the ground.
SIGN, POLE
A permanent freestanding sign supported by one or more uprights,
poles or braces placed in or upon the ground surface and not attached
to any building.
SIGN, PORTABLE
A sign that is attached to wheels, skids, or other forms
of mounting that is not permanently affixed in or to the ground.
SIGN, PROJECTING
A sign suspended from or supported by a building structure,
or column and extending therefrom, more than 15 inches.
SIGN, ROOF
Any sign that is erected over the roof or parapet above the
roofline and/or receives any or all its support from the roof structure.
SIGN, SANDWICH BOARD
A freestanding sign that is ordinarily in the shape of an
"A" or some variation thereof, that is readily moveable, and is not
permanently attached to the ground or any structure. See also the
definition of "T-frame signs." Such signs are placed on a public sidewalk,
private sidewalk, or similar walkway, in a manner established herein.
SIGN, SUSPENDED
A sign that is affixed beneath the roof of a canopy, awning,
or outdoor form of a ceiling that maintains the minimum clearance
requirements established in this code.
SIGN, TEMPORARY
A banner, pennant, poster display or illustration that is
affixed to or painted upon or represented directly or indirectly upon
a building, structure or piece of land and that directs attention
to an object, product, place, person, institution, organization or
business and is constructed of cloth, canvas, plastic sheet, cardboard
or other like materials and that is intended to be displayed for a
limited period of time.
SIGN, WALL
A sign that is affixed, painted on or attached to the wall
of the building or other structure and that extends not more than
15 inches from the face of the wall.
SIGN, WARNING
Any sign indicating danger or a situation that is potentially
dangerous.
SIGN, WINDOW
A sign attached to, in contact with, placed upon or painted
on the window or door of a building that is intended for viewing from
the outside of such building. This does not include merchandise located
in a window.
SIGN, YARD
Any temporary sign placed on the ground or attached to a
supporting structure, posts, or poles, that is not attached to any
building.
SILL
The framing member that forms the bottom edge of the window
opening.
SITE
The original tract of land that exists prior to any subdivision activity and that is the subject of a preliminary application for development, as defined by Chapter
183, Subdivision and Land Development.
SITE AREA
The total area of all lots, rights-of-way, easements, open
space and other features contained within the boundaries of a site.
SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The written document or set of plans meeting the requirements
of this code that provides information on the location of the area
proposed for development, the site in relation to its general surroundings,
and existing characteristics of the site, including limits of earth-disturbing
activities.
SITE PLAN
A plan, drawn to scale, showing accurately and with complete
dimensioning, the boundaries of a site and the location of all buildings,
structures, uses and principal site development features proposed
for a specific parcel of land. A site plan shall include a drawing,
including a legal or site description, of real estate that shows the
location and size of the following, both existing and proposed: all
buildings, structures and yards; locations and dimensions of building
lines and easements; widths and lengths of all entrances and exits
to and from such real estate; and the locations of all adjacent or
adjoining streets, service facilities, topography, drainage plan and
other improvements, such as planting areas.
SLEEPING UNIT
A habitable room, or a group of two or more habitable rooms,
not equipped with self-contained cooking facilities.
SLOPE (RELATED TO THE GROUND OR TOPOGRAPHY)
The face of an embankment or cut section; any ground whose
surface makes an angle with the plane of the horizon. Slope is usually
expressed in a percentage based upon vertical differences in feet
per 100 feet of horizontal distance.
SLOUGHING
A slip or downward movement of an extended layer of soil
resulting from the undermining action of water or the earth-disturbing
activity of man.
SOFFIT
A horizontal member that fills the gap between the exterior
wall and the fascia.
SOIL LOSS
Soil relocated on or removed from a given site by the forces
of erosion and the redeposit of the soil at another site on land or
in a body of water.
SOIL STABILIZATION
Vegetative or structural soil cover controlling erosion,
and includes permanent and temporary seed, mulch, sod, pavement, etc.
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM
A solar collection system consisting of one or more building-
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 the Pennsylvania
Public Utility Commission guidelines.
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.
SOLAR-BASED ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENT
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.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
An authorized use that may be granted only by the Zoning
Hearing Board in accordance with express standards and criteria specified
in this chapter after public hearing.
SPECIFIED ANATOMICAL AREAS
(1)
Less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals, pubic
region, buttock and female breasts below a point immediately above
the top of the areola; and
(2)
Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state even if completely
and opaquely covered.
SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIES
(1)
Humans genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal;
(2)
Acts, real or simulated, of human masturbation, sexual intercourse,
sodomy, cunnilingus, or fellatio; or
(3)
Fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region,
buttock, or female breasts.
STATIC/INSTANT MESSAGE CHANGE
On electronic message centers, when one message changes to
another message instantly without scrolling, flashing, or other movement
of the message.
STEEP SLOPE
A slope over eighteen-percent grade, that is characterized
by increased runoff, erosion and sediment hazards.
STOP-WORK ORDER
An order issued that requires that all work on the site must
cease except work associated with bringing the site into compliance
with the approved SWP3 or site development plan.
STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM
Publicly owned facilities by which stormwater is collected
and/or conveyed, including but not limited to any roads with drainage
systems, municipal streets, gutters, curbs, inlets, piped storm drains,
pumping facilities, retention and detention basins, natural and human-made
or altered drainage channels, reservoirs, and other drainage structures.
STORM FREQUENCY
The average period of time within which a storm of a given
duration and intensity can be expected to be equaled or exceeded.
STORMWATER
Any surface flow, runoff, and drainage consisting entirely
of water from any form of natural precipitation and resulting from
such precipitation.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Runoff water safely conveyed or temporarily stored and released
at an allowable rate to minimize erosion and flooding.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (SMP)
The written document meeting the requirements of this Code
that sets forth the plans and practices to be used to minimize stormwater
runoff from a site and to safely convey or temporarily store and release
post-development stormwater runoff at an allowable rate to minimize
flooding and erosion.
STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN (RELATED TO SEWER)
A document that describes the best management practices and
activities to be implemented by a person or business to identify sources
of pollution or contamination at a site and the actions to eliminate
or reduce pollutant discharges to stormwater, stormwater conveyance
systems, and/or receiving waters to the maximum extent practicable.
STORY
That portion of a building included between the surface of
any floor and the surface of the floor next above it, or if there
is no floor above it, then the space between any floor and the ceiling
next above it.
STORY, HALF
That portion of a building under a sloping, gable, hip or
gambrel roof, the wall plates on at least two opposite exterior walls
of which are not more than three feet above the floor level of such
half story.
STREAM
A body of water running or flowing on the earth’s surface
or channel in which such flow occurs. Flow may be seasonally intermittent.
STREET
A way designed for circulation of vehicular traffic, including
the entire right-of-way and cartway, whether designated as a street,
highway, thruway, thoroughfare, parkway, boulevard, road, avenue,
lane, place, alley or the like.
STREET FRONTAGE
The distance for which the front boundary line of the lot
and the street line are coincident.
STREET LINE
A dividing line between a lot, tract or parcel of land and
a contiguous street.
STREET, ARTERIAL
A major street that provides intracommunity travel and access
to the county or regional highway system. Access to an arterial should
be provided at collector and local streets.
STREET, COLLECTOR
A street that provides for distribution of traffic between
major and local streets and abutting properties, including the principal
entrance and circulation routes within residential subdivisions.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATION
Any change in the support members of a building, such as
bearing walls, columns, beams or girders; changes in the means of
ingress and/or egress; enlargement of floor area or height of a structure;
or relocation of a structure from one position to another.
STRUCTURAL CONTROLS
Any human-made facility, structure, or device that is constructed
to provide temporary storage and/or treatment of stormwater runoff.
Examples include retention and detention basins, rock check dams,
swales, and constructed wetlands.
STRUCTURE
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location
on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
STRUCTURE, TEMPORARY
A use or structure permitted for limited duration with the
intent that such use will terminate, or the structure will be removed
automatically upon expiration of the fixed period of time. A temporary
structure is without a foundation or footing.
SUBDIVISION
(1)
The division of any parcel of land shown as a unit or as contiguous
units on the last preceding tax roll, into two or more parcels, sites,
or lots, any one of which is less than five acres, for the purpose,
whether immediate or future, of transfer of ownership; provided, however,
that the division or partition of land into parcels of more than five
acres not involving any new streets or easements of access, and the
sale or exchange of parcels between adjoining lot owners, where such
sale or exchange does not create additional building sites, shall
be exempted; or
(2)
The improvement of one or more parcels of land for residential,
commercial, or industrial structures or groups of structures involving
the division or allocation of land for the opening, widening, or extension
of any street or streets except private streets serving industrial
structures; the division or allocation of land as open spaces for
common use by owners, occupants, or lease holders, or as easements
for the extension and maintenance of public sewer, water, storm drainage
or other public facilities. (See "minor subdivision.")
SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE
Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the
cost of restoring the structure to its before damaged condition would
equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure before the
damage occurred.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT
Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement
of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market
value of the structure before the start of construction of the improvement.
This term includes structures that have incurred substantial damage,
regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not,
however, include:
(1)
Any improvement to a structure that is considered new construction;
(2)
Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing
violations of state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications
that have been identified prior to the application for a development
permit by the local code enforcement official and that are the minimum
necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
(3)
Any alteration of an historic structure, provided that the alteration
will not preclude the structure’s continued designation as an
historic structure.
SURFACE AREA OF SIGN
That area enclosed by one continuous line, connecting the
extreme points or edges of a sign. The area shall be determined using
the largest sign area or silhouette visible at any one time from any
one point. This area shall not include the main supporting sign structure,
but all other ornamental attachments, inner connecting links, etc.
that are not part of the main supports of the sign shall be included
in determining the surface area of a sign. For two-sided signs, only
one face is counted in computing the surface area. For signs that
have poster panels mounted on a supporting structure with space between
the poster panels, the area of each panel shall be computed as surface
area of the sign, not including the space between the panels.
SURVEYOR
A registered land surveyor in the commonwealth.
SWALE
A low-lying stretch of vegetated land that gathers and carries
surface water.
TELEVISION DISH/ANTENNA
Equipment found on the exterior of a residential property
and comprising the part of the receiver by means of which the television
signals are received.
TEMPORARY USE OR STRUCTURE
Any use or structure that may be a principal use on a lot
or accessory to an existing principal use on a lot intended to be
used for six consecutive months or less.
TEMPORARY VEGETATION
Short term vegetative cover, such as oats, rye, or wheat,
used to stabilize the soil surface until final grading and installation
of permanent vegetation.
TENNIS COURT
A rectangular area on which tennis is played, marked with
lines and enclosed by a fence.
TENT-TYPE FOLD-OUT CAMPING TRAILER
Any vehicle intended to be used, when stationary, as a temporary
shelter with living and sleeping facilities, and that is subject to
the following properties and limitations:
(1)
A minimum of 25% of the fold-out portion of the top and sidewalls
combined must be constructed of canvas, vinyl or other fabric, and
form an integral part of the shelter.
(2)
When folded, the unit shall not exceed:
(a)
Fifteen feet in length, exclusive of bumper and tongue;
(b)
Sixty inches in height from the point of contact with the ground;
(d)
One ton gross weight at time of sale.
TENTATIVE APPROVAL
Approval prerequisite to final approval of a planned residential
development granted by the Borough Council in accordance with Article
IX of this chapter.
TERRAIN CLASSIFICATION
Terrain within the entire area of the preliminary plat is
classified as level, rolling, hilly, or hillside for street design
purposes. The classifications are as follows:
(1)
LEVELThat land that has a cross slope range of 4% or less.
(2)
ROLLINGThat land that has a cross slope range of more than 4% but not more than 8%.
(3)
HILLYThat land that has a cross slope range of more than 8% but not more than 15%.
(4)
HILLSIDEThat land that has a cross slope range of more than 15%.
TIME LIMITS
Time limits designated within these regulations shall begin
when applications for review are officially accepted or as otherwise
stipulated in this chapter.
TOPSOIL
Surface and upper surface soils that presumably are darker
colored, fertile soil materials, ordinarily rich in organic matter
or humus debris.
TOWER
A self-supporting, monopole, or guyed structure, constructed
from grade, that supports personal wireless facilities. The term "tower"
shall not include amateur radio operator’s equipment, as licensed
by the FCC.
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.
TRAFFIC ANALYSIS
A report prepared by a qualified traffic engineer that details
the nature and extent of trip generation expected to result from a
proposed development based on the ratios and methodology contained
in the current edition of the Manuals of the Institute of Transportation
Engineers, including the current and projected capacities and levels
of service of all streets and intersections within 1,000 feet of the
proposed development.
TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OR CONTROL OF AN ADULT ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS
Means and includes any of the following:
(1)
The sale, lease or sublease of the business;
(2)
The transfer of securities that constitute a controlling interest
in the business, whether by sale, exchange, or similar means; or
(3)
The establishment of a trust, gift, or other similar legal device
that transfers ownership or control of the business, except for transfer
by bequest or other operation of law upon the death a person possessing
the ownership or control.
TRANSPARENCY
The amount of glass and other transparent materials used
in openings, such as doors and windows, to promote visual interest
in storefronts, especially at the pedestrian level.
TRAVEL TRAILER
A vehicular, portable structure built on a chassis, designed
to be used as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational and vacation
uses, permanently identified "travel trailer" by the manufacturer.
TREEHOUSE
A structure built in the branches of a tree for children
to play in.
TRELLISES
A framework of light wooden or metal bars, chiefly used as
a support for fruit trees or climbing plants.
TRUCK CAMPER
A non-self-propelled recreational vehicle without wheels
for road use and designed to be placed upon and attached to a motor
vehicle. "Truck camper" does not include truck covers that consist
of walls and roof but do not have floors and facilities for using
same as a dwelling.
UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK
Any one or combination of tanks (including underground pipes
connected thereto) that is used to contain an accumulation of regulated
substances and the volume of which (including the volume of underground
pipes connected thereto) is 10% or more beneath the surface of the
ground. Flow-through process tanks and septic tanks approved by the
Health Department or State Environmental Protection Agency, as applicable,
are excluded from the definition of underground storage tanks.
USE
Any activity, business or purpose for which any lot or structure
is utilized.
USE PRINCIPAL PERMITTED
A use that is permitted outright in a district for which
a zoning certificate shall be issued by the Zoning Officer, provided
that the applicant meets the applicable requirements of the code.
USE, CHANGE OF
The change of activity of a building, structure or premise.
USE, CONDITIONAL
A use that is permitted in a district only if a zoning certificate
therefor is expressly authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board.
USE, NONCONFORMING
Any building, structure, parking area, or premises legally
existing or used at the time of adoption of this chapter, or any amendment
thereto, and that does not conform to the use regulations of the district
in which located. Any such building, structure, or premises conforming
in respect to use but not in respect to height, area, yards, or courts,
or distance requirements from more restricted districts or uses, shall
not be considered a nonconforming use.
USE, TEMPORARY
A use that is authorized by this Code to be conducted for
a fixed period of time. Temporary uses are characterized by such activities
as the sale of agricultural products, contractors’ offices and
equipment sheds, fireworks, carnivals, flea markets, and garage sales.
UTILITY EASEMENT
The easement used for the maintenance of vehicle sight distances,
the placement of stormwater drainage, sewer, water, natural gas, electric,
telephone, cable television or other facilities or utilities, and
for street maintenance.
UTILITY TRAILER
Any single or dual axle nonmotorized vehicle used for transportation
of equipment, vehicles, livestock and any other materials.
VARIANCE
A departure from the strict letter of this chapter, as it
applies to specific properties, as authorized by the Zoning Hearing
Board in accordance with the terms of this chapter and the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code.
VICINITY MAP
A drawing located on the plat that sets forth by dimensions
or other means, the relationship of the proposed subdivision or use
to other nearby developments or landmarks and community facilities
and services within the Borough in order to better locate and orient
the area in question.
WALKWAY
A dedicated public way, for pedestrian use only, whether
along the side of a road or not.
WAREHOUSE
A structure or part of a structure, for storing goods, wares
and merchandise, whether for the owner or for others, and whether
the same is a public or private warehouse.
WASTEWATER
Any water or other liquid, other than uncontaminated stormwater,
discharged from a facility.
WATER RESOURCE
All streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, drainage systems, and
all other water bodies or accumulations of surface water, natural
or artificial, that are situated wholly or partially or border upon
the jurisdiction, except those private waters that do not combine
or affect or junction with natural surface waters.
WATERCOURSE
Any natural or artificial waterway (including, but not limited
to, streams, rivers, creeks, ditches, channels, canals, conduits,
culverts, drains, waterways, gullies, ravines, or washes) in which
waters flow in a definite direction or course either continuously
or intermittently and including any area adjacent thereto that is
subject to inundation by reason of overflow of floodwater.
WATERSHED
The total drainage area contributing runoff to a single point.
WELLHEAD
The source of a spring or stream.
WETLANDS
Surface 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 conditions. Wetlands generally
include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas (1987 Corp of Engineers
Wetland Delineation Manual).
YARD
An open space other than a court, on a lot, unoccupied and
unobstructed from the ground upward.
YARD, FRONT
A yard extending the full width of the lot, the depth of
which is the horizontal distance between the front lot line and a
line parallel to the front elevation of the principal structure.
YARD, FRONT (LEAST DEPTH)
The shortest distance, measured horizontally, between any
part of the building, and the front lot line.
YARD, FRONT, HOW MEASURED, LEAST DEPTH
Such depth shall be measured from the right-of-way line of
the existing street on which the lot fronts; provided, however, that
if the proposed location of the right-of-way line of such street as
established on the thoroughfare plan differs from that of the existing
street, then the required front yard least depth shall be measured
from the right-of-way line of such street as designated on said thoroughfare
plan.
YARD, REAR
A yard extending across the full width of the lot, the depth
of which is the minimum distance between the rear lot line to the
closest part of a principal building.
YARD, REAR (LEAST DEPTH)
The average distance measured horizontally between any part
of a building and the nearest rear lot line.
YARD, REQUIRED
A space between a lot line and the buildable area within
which no structure shall be located except as provided in this chapter.
YARD, SIDE
An open space extending from the front yard to the rear yard
between a building and the nearest side lot line unoccupied and unobstructed
from the ground upward except as hereinafter specified.
YARD, SIDE (LEAST DEPTH)
The shortest distance, measured horizontally, between any
part of a building, other than such parts hereinafter excepted, and
the nearest side lot line.
YARD, SIDE, HOW MEASURED, LEAST WIDTH
Such width shall be measured from the nearest side lot line.
On a corner lot when the side lot line is a side street lot line,
the required side yard shall be the same as the required front yard
of the lot adjacent thereto.
ZONING DISTRICT
Geographic areas within the Borough in which the uses to
which land can legally be utilized are designated and for which the
boundaries are shown on the Zoning Map, that is part of this chapter.
ZONING HEARING BOARD
The Zoning Hearing Board of the Borough of Dormont, Allegheny
County, Pennsylvania. (See also "Board.")
ZONING MAP
The official map delineating the zoning districts of Dormont
Borough, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, together with all amendments
subsequently adopted.
ZONING OFFICER
The designated official or an authorized representative appointed
by the Borough Council whose duty it shall be to administer this chapter.
ZONING PERMIT
The document issued by the Borough Manager or their designee
authorizing the use of lots, structures, uses of land and structures,
and the characteristics of the uses.