For the purposes of this Ordinance, words and terms used herein shall be interpreted as follows:
A. 
Words in the present tense shall include the future tense.
B. 
"Used" or "occupied" as applied to any land or building include the words "intended, arranged, or designed to be used or occupied."
C. 
"Should" means that it is strongly encouraged but is not mandatory. "Shall" is always mandatory.
D. 
"Sale" shall also include rental.
E. 
Unless stated otherwise, the singular shall also regulate the plural, and the masculine shall include the feminine, and vice versa.
F. 
The words "such as," "includes," "including," and "specifically" shall provide examples. These examples shall not, by themselves, limit a provision to the examples specifically mentioned if other examples would otherwise comply with the provision.
G. 
The word "person" includes a firm, company, corporation, partnership, trust, organization or association, as well as an individual.
H. 
If a term is not defined by this Ordinance, but is defined in the Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO),[1] then such SALDO definition shall apply. If a term is not defined by either ordinance, the term shall have its plain and ordinary meaning, within the context of the provision. A standard reference dictionary may be consulted by the Zoning Officer.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 195, Subdivision and Land Development.
When used in this Ordinance, the following words, terms and phrases shall have the following meanings, unless expressly stated otherwise or unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
ABUT or ABUTTING LOT
Areas of contiguous lots that share a common lot line, except not including lots entirely separated by a street, public alley open to traffic, or a perennial waterway. See definition of "adjacent."
ACCESSORY APARTMENT
One dwelling unit that is created within part of a principal dwelling or above a vehicle garage on a residential lot.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE (includes ACCESSORY BUILDING)
A structure serving a purpose customarily incidental to and subordinate to the use of the principal use and located on the same lot as the principal use. Accessory structures include but are not limited to a household garage, household storage shed, detached carport, a household swimming pool, or an accessory storage building to a business use. An "accessory building" is any accessory structure that meets the definition of a "building." A portion of a principal building used for an accessory use shall not be considered an accessory building.
ACCESSORY USE
A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use or building and located on the same lot with such principal use.
ADJACENT LOT
Two or more lots that share a common lot line or that are separated only by a street or waterway from each other.
ADULT LIVE ENTERTAINMENT FACILITY
A use including live entertainment involving persons (which may include, but not be limited to, waiters, waitresses, dancers, clerks, bartenders, contractors or others) displaying uncovered male or female genitals or nude female breasts or engaging in simulated or actual specified sexual activities to three or more persons, based upon the total number of patrons in the entire use and not just any one room, and which is related to monetary compensation paid to the person or entity operating the use or to persons involved in such activity.
ADULT MOVIE THEATER
A use involving the on-site presentation to three or more persons at one time of moving images distinguished by an emphasis on depiction of "specified sexual activities" and that is related to monetary compensation paid by the persons viewing such matter.
ADULT STORE
A use that has over 10% of the total floor area occupied by items for sale or rent that are books, video and other electronic media, periodicals, coin- or token-operated video, paraphernalia or novelties which are distinguished or characterized by a clear emphasis on matter depicting, displaying, describing or relating to uncovered male or female genitals or specified sexual activities. This shall include but not be limited to materials that would be illegal to sell to persons under age 18 under state law.
ADULT USE
This term shall mean adult store, adult movie theater, adult live entertainment facility/use or massage parlor. These terms shall be distinct types of uses, and shall not be allowed as part of any other use.
AFTER HOURS CLUB
A club or commercial use that allows the entry into the premises and the consumption of alcohol by multiple members or customers within the premises after 2:00 a.m. and before 6:00 a.m.
ALLEY
A vehicle thoroughfare serving three or more lots and which has a cartway of less than 14 feet of pavement, and which typically provides rear or secondary access to the lots.
ALTERATION
As applied to a structure, a change to or rearrangement of the structural parts or exterior appearance of such structure, or any expansion thereof, whether by extension of any side or by any increase in height, or the moving of such structure from one location to another.
AMUSEMENT ARCADE
A use involving 15 or more token or coin operated entertainment machines, and where the machines are the principal use of the property. This term shall not include an adult use.
AMUSEMENT PARK
A commercial entertainment use that includes outdoor and/or indoor rides, as well as food sales and related recreation activities, but which does include any adult use.
ANIMAL CEMETERY
A place used for the burial of the remains of five or more noncremated animals, other than customary burial of farm animals as accessory to a livestock use.
ANIMAL SHELTER
A type of kennel that serves a nonprofit purpose and promotes the adoption of animals.
ANTENNA
An exterior device or apparatus designed for cellular, digital, telephone, radio, pager, commercial mobile radio, wireless internet, television, microwave or any other wireless communications through sending and/or receiving of electromagnetic waves, including without limitation, omnidirectional or whip antennas and directional or panel antennas. Unless otherwise stated, this term shall not include standard antenna.
ANTENNA HEIGHT
The vertical distance from the base of the antenna support structure at grade to the highest point of the structure, including any antennas attached thereto or forming a part thereof. If the support structure is on a sloped grade, then the average between the highest and lowest grades shall be used in calculating the antenna height.
ANTENNA, STANDARD
A device, partially or wholly exterior to a building, that is used for receiving television or radio signals for use on-site, or for transmitting short-wave or citizens band radio signals. See "commercial communications antenna."
APARTMENT
See "dwelling types."
APPLICANT
A landowner or developer, as defined in the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC),[1] who has filed an application for development, including his heirs, successors and assigns.
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY
Coordinated and centrally managed rental housing including self-contained units designed to provide a supportive environment and to accommodate a relatively independent lifestyle. Such a development may contain a limited number of supportive services, such as meals, transportation, housekeeping, linen and organized social activities for residents and their invited guests. Such a use shall primarily serve persons 55 and older, persons with physical handicaps and/or the developmentally disabled. Assisted living facilities shall be licensed as such by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
ATTIC
An upper level space of a building that does not meet the standards of a "story."
AUTO REPAIR GARAGE
An area where repairs, improvements and installation of parts and accessories for motor vehicles and/or boats are conducted that involves work that is more intense in character than work permitted under the definition of "auto service station." An auto repair garage shall include, but not be limited to, a use that involves any of the following work: major mechanical or body work, straightening of body parts, painting, welding or rebuilding of transmissions. Any use permitted as part of an "auto service station" is also permitted as part of an "auto repair garage." This use shall not include activity meeting the definition of a "truck stop." See requirements in § 230-26.
AUTO SERVICE STATION (or GAS STATION)
An area where gasoline is dispensed into motor vehicles, and where no repairs are conducted, except work that may be conducted that is closely similar in character to the following: sale and installation of oil, lubricants, batteries and belts and similar accessories and safety and emission inspections, and sale of pre-packaged propane. This use may include a "convenience store," provided that all of the requirements for such use are also met. A business that maintains an accessory use of providing motor fuel only for use by vehicles operated by that business shall not, by itself, be considered to be an auto service station. See storage limits and other requirements in § 230-26.
AUTO, BOAT AND/OR MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOME SALES
This use is any area, other than a street, used for the outdoor or indoor display, sale or rental of two or more of the following in operable condition: motor vehicles, recreation vehicles, boat trailers, farm machinery, motorcycles, trucks, utility trailers, construction vehicles, boats, or transportable mobile/manufactured homes in a livable condition. This use may include an auto repair garage as an accessory use provided that all requirements of such use are complied with. This use shall not include a mobile/manufactured home park (unless the requirements for that use are also met) or a junkyard. See requirements in § 230-26.
BASEMENT
An enclosed level of a building that is not a story and that is partly underground.
BED-AND-BREAKFAST INN
A dwelling and/or its accessory structure which includes the rental of overnight sleeping accommodations and bathroom access for temporary overnight guests, and that meets the maximum number of overnight guests specified in § 230-26 for this use, and which does not provide any cooking facilities for actual use by guests, and which only provides meals to overnight guests, employees and residents of the dwelling. Overnight stays shall be restricted to transient visitors to the area, employees and their family. See requirements in § 230-26.
BILLBOARD
See Article XII.
BOARDING HOUSE (includes ROOMING HOUSE)
A residential use in which: a) room(s) that do not meet the definition of a lawful dwelling unit are rented for habitation, or b) a dwelling unit includes greater than the permitted maximum number of "unrelated persons." A boarding house shall not include a use that meets the definition of a hotel, dormitory, motel, personal care center, bed-and-breakfast inn, group home or nursing home. A boarding house may either involve or not involve the providing of meals to residents, but shall not include a restaurant open to the public unless the use also meets the requirements for a restaurant. A boarding house shall primarily serve persons residing on-site for five or more consecutive days.
BOROUGH
Borough of Coopersburg, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
BUFFER YARD
A strip of land that a) separates one use from another use or feature, and b) is not occupied by any building, parking, outdoor storage or any use other than open space or approved pedestrian pathways. A buffer yard may be a part of the minimum setback distance, but land within an existing or future street right-of-way shall not be used to meet a buffer yard requirement. See § 230-64.
BUILD-TO LINE
A line parallel to the street right-of-way that may be established to require a certain front building setback.
BUILDING
Any structure having a permanent roof and walls and that is intended for the shelter, work area, housing or enclosure of persons, animals, vehicles, equipment or materials and that has a total area under roof of greater than 50 cubic feet. "Building" is interpreted as including "or part thereof." See the separate definition of "structure." Any structure involving a permanent roof (such as a covered porch or a carport) that is attached to a principal building shall be considered to be part of that principal building. A parking structure of two or more levels shall also be considered to be a building.
BUILDING COVERAGE
The percentage obtained by dividing the total horizontal area covered by all buildings on a lot by the total lot area of a lot. For the purposes of this definition, "building coverage" shall include all buildings that are under a roof, except for incidental roof overhangs.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The vertical distance from the average of the finished ground level along the front of the building to the maximum height of the highest roof surface. If there is any question about which side is the front of the building, it shall be the side that is closest to a public street. The finished ground level shall not slope away from a building wall in such a manner that it is not possible to position a ladder for fire rescue.
BUILDING PERMIT
See "construction permit."
BUILDING WIDTH
The horizontal measurement between two vertical structural walls that are generally parallel of one building, measured in one direction that is most closely parallel to the required lot width. For attached housing, this width shall be the width of each dwelling unit, measured from the center of each interior party wall and from the outside of any exterior wall. For detached buildings, this width shall be measured from the outside of exterior walls.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL
A building used for the conduct of the principal use of a lot, and which is not an accessory building.
BULK RECYCLING CENTER
A use involving the bulk commercial collection, separation and/or processing of types of waste materials found in the typical household or office for some productive reuse, but which does not involve the actual processing or recycling of hazardous or toxic substances, and which does not primarily involve the processing of nonrecycled solid waste, unless the use also meets the applicable requirements for a solid waste transfer facility. This definition shall not include a junkyard.
BYOB CLUB
A club or commercial use that is open to customers past the hour of 12:00 midnight and which involves payment of a membership fee or a cover charge for entry, and which allows customers to bring alcoholic beverages that they consume on the premises. This shall not include a use that derives more than 80% of its revenues from the sale of food and nonalcoholic drinks. Such use shall not be open between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Such use shall not include an adult use unless the requirements for an adult use are met.
CEMETERY
A place used for the burial of two or more noncremated humans.
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
A form signed by an authorized Borough official that certifies that the use of the property is in compliance with Borough ordinances, to the best knowledge of such Borough official.
CHANGE OF USE
The initiation of a use that is in a different use category, as listed on the Use Table, from the existing use of the site or structure. A change of ownership, tenancy, or occupancy, or a change from one use to another within the same category on the Use Tables in Articles III and IV, shall not be considered a change of use.
CHRISTMAS TREE FARM or TREE FARM
A type of crop farming involving the raising and harvesting of evergreen trees for commercial purposes. This may include the retail sale during November and December of trees that were produced on the premises.
CHURCH
See "place of worship."
CLEAR CUTTING
A logging method that removes all trees or the vast majority of trees from a mostly wooded area.
CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLE
An area required to be kept free of certain visual obstructions to traffic. See § 230-64.
COMMERCIAL COMMUNICATIONS TOWER OR ANTENNA
A structure, partially or wholly exterior to a building, used for transmitting or re-transmitting electronic signals through the air, and that does not meet the definition of a "standard antenna." Commercial communications antennas shall include, but are not limited to, antennas used for transmitting commercial radio or television signals, or to receive such signals for a cable system, or to re-transmit wireless telecommunications. A commercial communications tower shall be a structure over 30 feet in height that is primarily intended to support one or more antenna. See standards in § 230-26. This term shall not include a "standard antenna."
COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
The TC, CN and CG Districts.
COMMERCIAL USE
This term includes but is not limited to: retail sales, offices, personal services, auto sales, auto repair garages and other uses of a similar profit-making nonindustrial nature. The sale of goods or services from a vehicle on a lot shall also be considered to be a commercial use.
COMMUNITY CENTER
A use that exists solely to provide primarily indoor leisure and educational activities and programs and meeting space to members of the surrounding community and/or certain age groups, and which does not involve substantial use of machinery or noise producing equipment. The use also may include the preparation and/or provision of meals to low-income elderly persons, as accessory to leisure activities. This shall not include residential uses or a treatment center.
COMMUNITY GARDEN
An open space area that is used for the cultivation of fruits, flowers, vegetables, or ornamental plants by more than one household.
CONDITIONAL USE
A use that may listed as a conditional use under the Tables of Allowed Uses, and which is only allowed after review by the Borough Planning Commission and approval by Borough Council.
CONDOMINIUM
A set of individual dwelling units or other areas of buildings each owned by an individual person(s) in fee simple, with such owners assigned a proportionate interest in the remainder of the real estate which is designated for common ownership, and which is created under the Pennsylvania Uniform Condominium Act of 1980 or Uniform Planned Community Act of 1996,[2] as amended.
CONSERVATION EASEMENT
A legal agreement granted by a property owner that strictly limits the types and amounts of development that may take place on such property. Such easement shall restrict the original and all subsequent property owners, lessees and all other users of the land.
CONSTRUCTION PERMIT
A permit that is issued by a Borough Construction or Codes Official that authorizes the completion of certain work that is authorized under the Uniform Construction Codes.
CONTIGUOUS LOTS
Adjacent parcels of land, including parcels separated by a stream or road.
CONVENIENCE STORE
A type of retail store that includes less than 10,000 square feet of building floor area and that mainly serves ready-to-eat food and beverages for primarily off-site consumption, as well as other common household items. This use may also include a gas station if the requirements for such use are also met.
CRIMINAL HALFWAY HOUSE
A use involving any one or a combination of the following:
A. 
A use (other than a prison or a State-licensed hospital) providing housing for five or more unrelated persons who:
(1) 
Are ordered by a court to reside within a supervised facility to allow criminal rehabilitation, typically after they have completed a sentence in a prison; and/or
(2) 
Need supervision because of a type of mental illness or other behavior that causes a person to be a threat to the physical safety of others.
B. 
A lot upon which resides two or more persons who are required to register their place of residence with the Pennsylvania State Police as a requirement of the Pennsylvania Megan's Law II,[3] or its successor law, as amended.
CROP FARMING
The raising of products of the soil and accessory storage of these products. This term shall include orchards, tree farms, wineries, plant nurseries, raising of fish, greenhouses and keeping of animals in numbers that are routinely accessory and incidental to a principal crop farming use. See "livestock and poultry, keeping of."
DAY CARE, CHILD
A use involving the supervised care of children under age 16 outside of the children's own home(s) primarily for periods of less than 18 hours per child during the average day. This use may also include educational programs that are supplementary to state-required education, including nursery school or Head Start programs. See also the definition of "adult day-care center."
A. 
The following three types of day care are permitted without regulation by this Ordinance: 1) care of children by their own relatives, 2) care of children within a place of worship during regularly scheduled religious services, and 3) care of one to three children within any dwelling unit, in addition to children who are relatives of the caregiver.
B. 
FAMILY DAY-CARE HOME (or CHILD DAY CARE AS AN ACCESSORY USE)A type of day care use that: 1) is accessory to and occurs within a dwelling unit, and 2) provides care for four to six children at one time who are not relatives of the primary caregiver. See § 230-27. When registration is required by state regulations, such use shall provide evidence to the Zoning Officer of having a certificate of registration from the applicable state agency.*
C. 
GROUP DAY-CARE HOMEA type of day care use that: 1) provides care for between seven and 12 children at one time who are not relatives of the primary caregiver, 2) provides care within a dwelling unit, and 3) is registered with the applicable State agency.*
D. 
CHILD DAY-CARE CENTERA type of day care use that: 1) provides care for seven or more children at any one time who are not relatives of the primary caregiver, 2) does not occur within a dwelling unit, 3) does not meet the definition of a "group day-care home," and 4) is registered with the applicable state agency.* See § 230-26.
* Note: As of the adoption date of this Ordinance, such agency was the PA Department of Human Services.
DAY-CARE CENTER, ADULT
A use providing supervised care and assistance to persons who need such daily assistance because of their old age or disabilities. This use shall not include persons who need oversight because of behavior that is criminal, violent or related to substance abuse. This use may involve occasional overnight stays, but shall not primarily be a residential use. The use shall involve typical stays of less than a total of 60 hours per week per person.
DENSITY
The total number of dwelling units proposed on a lot divided by the "lot area," unless otherwise stated.
DEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
DISTRICT (or ZONING DISTRICT)
A land area within the Borough within which certain uniform regulations and requirements apply under the provisions of this Ordinance.
DOG DAY CARE
A commercial use that provides activities and supervision for five or more dogs at a time, and which may also serve other domestic animals, and which does not primarily provide overnight boarding unless the requirements are also met for a kennel.
DORMITORY
A building housing full-time students of a boarding school or an institution of higher education, and which does not meet the standards for individual dwelling units.
DRIVE-THROUGH FACILITY OR SERVICE
An establishment where at least a portion of patrons are served while the patrons remain in their motor vehicles.
DRIVEWAY
An improved privately owned vehicle travelway from a street to provide motor vehicle access to a parking area or building on a lot.
DWELLING
A building used as nontransient living quarters, but not including a boarding house, hotel, motel, hospital, nursing home or dormitory.
DWELLING TYPES
This chapter categorizes dwellings into the following types:
A. 
CONVERSION APARTMENTA new dwelling unit created within an existing building and that meets the floor area requirements of § 230-62C.
B. 
APARTMENTS OR MULTIFAMILY DWELLINGSTwo or more dwelling units within a building that do not meet the definition of a single family detached dwelling, single family semi-detached dwelling or single family attached dwelling (townhouse), or one or more dwelling units above a commercial use. The individual dwelling units may be leased or sold for condominium ownership.
C. 
MODULAR HOMEA type of dwelling that meets a definition of any dwelling type and which was manufactured off-site and then assembled and completed on the site, and that was constructed under the State Construction Codes and not the federal requirements for manufactured housing.
D. 
SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED DWELLINGOne dwelling unit in one building accommodating only one family and having open yard areas on all sides.
(1) 
(a) 
For a dwelling constructed after 1976, this term shall mean a dwelling that was constructed under the federal construction requirements for manufactured housing under regulations of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. For a dwelling constructed the HUD Standards were effective, this term shall mean a transportable single family detached dwelling intended for permanent occupancy that is contained in one unit or two or more units designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated for repeated towing, which arrives at a site complete and ready for occupancy, except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations, and constructed so that it can be used without a permanent perimeter foundation.
(b) 
This term is different from a modular home, which is defined above. See standards for mobile/manufactured home in § 230-26.
E. 
SINGLE-FAMILY SEMI-DETACHEDA one-family dwelling unit accommodating one family that is attached to a second one-family dwelling unit by a common vertical wall, with each dwelling unit on a separate lot or held in condominium ownership.
F. 
TOWNHOUSE (or SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED DWELLING)One dwelling unit that is attached to two or more dwelling units, and with each dwelling unit being completely separated from and attached to each other by unpierced vertical fire-resistant walls. Each dwelling unit shall have its own outside access. Side yards shall be adjacent to each end unit. See standards in § 230-26.
DWELLING UNIT
A single habitable living unit occupied by only one family. See definition of "family." Each dwelling unit shall have: a) its own toilet, bath or shower, sink, sleeping and cooking facilities and b) separate access to the outside or to a common hallway or balcony that connects to outside access at ground level. A dwelling unit shall not include two or more separate living areas that are completely separated by interior walls so as to prevent interior access from one living area to another, unless approved as a unit for care of relative.
EMERGENCY SERVICES STATION
A building for the housing of fire, emergency medical or police equipment and for related activities. This use may include housing for emergency personnel while on-call. See provisions for this use in § 230-26.
EMPLOYEES
The highest number of workers (including both part-time and full-time, both compensated and volunteer, and both employees and contractors) present on a lot at any one time, other than clearly temporary and occasional persons working on physical improvements to the site.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES or ESSENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICES
Utility or municipal uses that are necessary for the preservation of the public health and safety and that are routine, customary and appropriate to the character of the area in which they are to be located. Essential services shall include the following and closely similar facilities: sanitary sewage lines, water lines, electric distribution lines, stormwater management facilities, cable television lines, natural gas distribution lines, fire hydrants, street lights and traffic signals. Essential services shall not include a central sewage treatment plant, a solid waste disposal area or facility, commercial communications towers, a power generating station, septic or sludge disposal, offices, storage of trucks or equipment or bulk storage of materials.
FAMILY
One or more individuals related by blood, marriage, civil union or adoption (including persons receiving formal foster care) or four or fewer unrelated individuals who maintain a common household, occupy shared kitchen and living spaces and live within one dwelling unit. A "family" shall also expressly include numbers of unrelated persons provided by the group home provision of § 230-26 residing within a licensed group home, as defined herein. Through those provisions and the ability to request a reasonable accommodation under § 230-80D(5), it is the Borough's intent is to comply with the Federal Fair Housing Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act,[4] as amended.
FENCE
A man-made barrier placed or arranged as a line of demarcation, an enclosure or a visual barrier that is constructed of wood, chain-link metal, vinyl or aluminum and/or plastic inserts. Man-made barriers constructed principally of masonry, concrete, masonry block or similar materials shall be considered a wall. See § 230-27.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
An establishment primarily involved with loans and monetary, not material, transactions and that has routine interactions with the public.
FLOODPLAIN
See definitions of this term and related terms in Article IX.
FLOOR AREA, TOTAL
The total floor space within a building(s) measured from the exterior faces of exterior walls or from the center lines of walls separating buildings. Floor area shall specifically include, but not be limited to: a) fully enclosed porches, and b) basement or cellar or attic space that is potentially habitable and has a minimum head clearance of at least 6.5 feet. Floor area shall not include unenclosed structures.
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, and which does not involve any land development.
FRATERNITY OR SORORITY HOUSE
A building that provides residences for organized incorporated groups of full-time college students as well as facilities for shared dining and social activities, and which does not involve separate dwelling units with their own kitchens and bathrooms.
GAMING FACILITY, LICENSED
A place used for lawful gambling activities, including but not limited to off-track pari-mutual betting and any use of electronic gambling devices. This term shall not regulate state lottery sales or lawful small games of chance.
GARAGE SALE
The accessory use of any lot for the occasional sale or auction of only common household goods and furniture and items of a closely similar character. See § 230-27.
GAS STATION
Shall have the same meaning as "auto service station."
GLARE
A sensation of brightness within the visual field which causes annoyance, discomfort or loss in visual performance, visibility and/or ability to focus. See § 230-44.
GOVERNMENT FACILITY, OTHER THAN BOROUGH GOVERNMENT FACILITY
A use owned by a government, government agency or government authority for valid public health, public safety, recycling collection or similar governmental purpose, and which is not owned by Borough of Coopersburg or an authority created solely by Borough of Coopersburg. This term shall not include uses listed separately in the Table of Allowed Uses, such as "publicly owned recreation." This term shall not include a prison.
GROUP HOME
A dwelling unit operated by a responsible individual, family or organization with a program to provide a supportive living arrangement for individuals where special care is needed by the persons served due to age, emotional, mental, developmental or physical disability. This definition shall expressly include facilities for the supervised care of persons with disabilities subject to protection under the Federal Fair Housing Act[5] as amended. Group homes must be licensed where required by any appropriate government agencies, and a copy of any such license must be delivered to the Zoning Officer prior to the initiation of the use. A group home typically involves an individual residing on the premises for more than 30 days at a time.
A. 
Group homes shall be subject to the same limitations and regulations by the Borough as the type of dwelling unit they occupy.
B. 
It is the express intent of the Borough to comply with all provisions of the Federal Fair Housing Act, as amended, and regulations promulgated thereunder, in the construction of this term.
C. 
A group home shall not include a treatment center.
D. 
See standards in § 230-26, and accommodations provisions in § 230-80D.
* NOTE: The Federal Fair Housing Act Amendments defined "handicap" as follows: "1) a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person's major life activities, 2) a record of having such an impairment, or 3) being regarded as having such an impairment, but such term does not include current, illegal use of or addiction to a controlled substance as defined in § 802 of Title 21." This definition was subsequently adjusted by § 512 of the Americans With Disabilities Act to address certain situations related to substance abuse treatment.
HALF STORY
See the definition of "story."
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
A product or waste, or combination of substances that because of the quantity, concentration, physical or infectious characteristics, if not properly treated, stored, transported, used or disposed of, or otherwise managed, would create a potential threat to public health through direct or indirect introduction into ground water resources and the subsurface environment which includes the soil and all subsequent materials located below. Such hazardous material includes materials which are included on the latest edition of the following list:
A. 
"Hazardous Substances" as defined pursuant to § 311 of the Federal Clean Water Act, or its successor provisions.[6]
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES, EXTREMELY
Hazardous substances included on the list of "Extremely Hazardous Substances" in 40 CFR Part 355, or its successor provisions and that are stored or used in quantities above the threshold reportable limits in such regulations.
HEIGHT
See "building height." To measure the height of any structure that is not a building, it shall be the total vertical distance from the average elevation of the proposed ground level to the highest point of a structure. For height of signs, see Article XII entitled "Signs."
HOME OCCUPATION
A routine, accessory and customary nonresidential use conducted within or administered from a portion of a dwelling or its permitted accessory building and that meets all of the requirements for a home occupation provided in § 230-27.
A. 
General home occupation. A home occupation that does not meet the definition of a low-impact home occupation.
B. 
Low-impact home occupation. A business or commercial activity administered or conducted as an accessory use which is clearly secondary to the use as a residential dwelling and which involves no customer, client or patient traffic, whether vehicular or pedestrian, pickup, delivery or removal functions to or from the premises, in excess of those normally associated with residential use. The business or commercial activity must satisfy the following requirements:
(1) 
The business activity shall be compatible with the residential use of the property and surrounding residential uses.
(2) 
The business shall employ no more than one employee, other than family members residing in the dwelling.
(3) 
There shall be no display or sale of retail goods and no stockpiling or inventory of a substantial nature.
(4) 
There shall be no outside appearance of a business use, including, but not limited to, parking, signs or lights, except for one home occupation sign allowed by Article XII.
(5) 
The business activity may not use any equipment or process which creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors or electrical or electronic interference, including interference with radio or television reception, which is detectable in the neighborhood.
(6) 
The business activity may not generate any solid waste or sewage discharge, in volume or type, which is not normally associated with residential use in the neighborhood.
(7) 
The business activity shall be conducted only within the dwelling and may not occupy more than 25% of the habitable floor area.
(8) 
The business may not involve any illegal activity.
HOSPITAL
A use involving the diagnosis, treatment or other medical care of humans that includes, but is not limited to, care requiring stays overnight. A medical care use that does not involve any stays overnight shall be considered an "Office." A hospital may involve care and rehabilitation for medical, dental or mental health, but shall not primarily include housing or treatment of the criminally insane or persons actively serving an official sentence after being convicted of a felony. A hospital may also involve medical research and training for health care professionals.
HOTEL OR MOTEL
A building or buildings including rooms rented out to persons as clearly transient and temporary living quarters. Any such use that customarily involves the housing of persons for periods of time longer than 90 days shall be considered a boarding house and shall meet the requirements of that use. A hotel shall not rent rooms for time periods of less than 24 hours. See "bed-and-breakfast" use. A hotel or motel may also include a restaurant, meeting rooms, newsstand, amusement arcade, gift shop, swim club, exercise facilities, tavern and similar customary accessory amenities, and provided any such use shall only be allowed as a principal use of the property if such use is allowed by the applicable District regulations.
IMPERVIOUS COVERAGE
The percentage that results from dividing the land area on a lot covered by all impervious surfaces by the total land area of the lot.
A. 
For a townhouse or condominium development, the maximum impervious coverage may be measured as a maximum for the entire development after completion, after the deletion of street rights-of-way (or cartway where a street right-of-way where not exist), as opposed to regulating each individual lot or parcel within the development.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACES
Areas covered by buildings, paving, concrete, vehicle parking areas, or driveways, as well as any other man-made surfaces that have a runoff coefficient of 0.8 or greater. Areas of stone regularly used for vehicle parking and movement shall be considered impervious for the purposes of restricting impervious coverage under this Ordinance. (Note - A different definition may apply under the Stormwater Ordinance.[7])
INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS
The LIC and GI Districts.
JUNK
Any discarded, unusable, scrap or abandoned man-made or man-processed material or articles stored outside of a completely enclosed building. Examples of junk include: scrap metal, used furniture, used appliances, used motor vehicle parts, worn-out machinery and equipment, used containers, and scrap building materials. Junk shall not include: a) solid waste temporarily stored in an appropriate container that is routinely awaiting imminent collection and proper disposal, b) toxic substances, c) yard waste or tree trunks, d) items clearly awaiting imminent recycling at an appropriate location, e) building materials awaiting imminent use at an on-going building, or f) "clean fill" as defined by state environmental regulations.
JUNK VEHICLE
A motor vehicle that has been declared totaled as a result of damage, or that has the engine separated from the vehicle, or that is missing one or more tires, or is missing a door or windshield or trunk or hood or a bumper, other than vehicles that are actively under current repair.
JUNKYARD
A. 
Land or a structure used for the collection, storage, dismantling, processing and/or sale, other than within a completely enclosed building, of material of one or more of the following types:
(1) 
Junk (see definition) covering more than 1% of the lot area.
(2) 
Two or more "junk vehicles" that are partly or fully visible from an exterior lot line, dwelling and/or public street. This shall not apply to such vehicles stored as part of an auto repair garage or auto service station within the requirements of § 230-26.
(3) 
One or more mobile/manufactured homes that are not in a habitable condition.
B. 
Junk stored within a completely enclosed building for business purposes shall be considered a warehouse.
KENNEL
The keeping of a greater number of dogs and/or cats than are permitted under the "Pets, keeping of" provisions of this Ordinance, and which may also include temporary keeping of other household pets. In addition, on a nonresidential lot, if seven or more dogs age six months or older are kept, it shall be considered a kennel.
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 he is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner, or other person having a proprietary interest in land.
LIGHTING, DIFFUSED
Illumination that passes from the source through a translucent cover or shade.
LIVE/WORK UNIT
A dwelling unit that is also allowed to be used for certain business purposes by a resident of the dwelling and which meets the standards of § 230-26.
LIVESTOCK OR POULTRY, RAISING OF
The raising and keeping of livestock, poultry or insects beyond the number and type allowed under the "Pets, keeping of" section of § 230-26 and beyond what is customarily incidental to a principal "crop farming" use. Raising of livestock or poultry shall not include a slaughterhouse nor a stockyard used for the housing of animals awaiting slaughter.
230-88 Term of Lots.tif
LOT
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed or built upon as a unit.
LOT AREA
The horizontal land area contained within the lot lines of a lot (measured in acres or square feet). For the purposes of determining compliance with the minimum lot area, the following shall be excluded:
A. 
Areas within the "existing" legal rights-of-way of: 1) any proposed or existing public streets or alleys or 2) any proposed or existing commonly maintained private streets that serve more than one lot. (Note: Other sections of this Ordinance, such as townhouse development, may specifically permit proposed streets to be included in determining density for a specific use.)
B. 
Areas that are currently or will be required to be dedicated as common or preserved open space on a separate lot. (Note: Other sections of this Ordinance, such as for townhouses, may specifically permit proposed common open spaces to be included in determining density for a specific use.)
LOT LINES
The property lines bounding the lot. Wherever a property line borders a public street, for the purposes of determining setbacks, the lot line shall be considered to be the street right-of-way line that will exist at the time of completion of a subdivision or development.
A. 
FRONT LOT LINE (Street Line)A lot line separating the lot from the existing or proposed street right-of-way. In the event that a pre-existing lot is not adjacent to a street, the front lot line shall be the lot line that is closest to and approximately parallel to the nearest street. For a corner lot, see § 230-64B.
B. 
REAR LOT LINEAny lot line which is parallel to or within 45° of being parallel to a front street right-of-way line. In the case of a lot having no street frontage, or a lot of an odd shape, or a flag lot, only the one lot line furthest from any street shall be considered a rear lot line. Every lot shall have a rear yard.
C. 
SIDE LOT LINEAny lot line other than a front or rear lot line.
D. 
230-88 cornerlot.tif
NOTE: The letters in the above graph refer to the letters above for front lot line, rear lot line and side lot line.
LOT WIDTH
The horizontal distance between the side lot lines measured at the minimum prescribed front setback line, unless otherwise stated. In the event of a curved lot line, such lot width at the minimum prescribed front setback line shall be measured along the curve. Where buildings are permitted to be attached, the lot width shall be measured from the center of the party wall. Where a pie-shaped lot fronts upon a cul-de-sac, the minimum lot width may be reduced to 75% of the width that would otherwise be required.
LOT, CORNER
A lot abutting on two or more intersecting streets which has an interior angle of less than 135° at the intersection of right-of-way lines of two streets.
LOT, FLAG
A lot that does not meet the required minimum lot width at the minimum front yard building setback line and which typically includes a narrow stretch of land connecting the bulk of the lot area to a street.
LOT, THROUGH
A lot that is adjacent to two different streets but which is not a corner lot.
MARINA
A use along a waterway that provides docking facilities for watercraft, and which may also include sales, rental, storage, service and repair of watercraft.
MASSAGE PARLOR
A type of adult use that is an establishment that meets all of the following criteria:
A. 
Massages are conducted involving one person using their hands and/or a mechanical device on another person below the waist, in return for monetary compensation, and which does not involve persons who are related to each other.
B. 
The use does not involve a person licensed or certified by the state as a health care professional or a massage therapist certified by the state or by a recognized professional organization that requires a minimum of 80 hours of professional training. Massage therapy by a certified professional shall be considered personal service.
C. 
The massages are not conducted within a licensed hospital or nursing home or an office of a medical doctor or chiropractor or as an incidental accessory use to a permitted exercise club or high school or college athletic program.
D. 
The massages are conducted within private or semi-private rooms.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY
A person, including a natural person, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other entity, or any combination thereof, which holds a permit issued by the State Department of Health to dispense medical marijuana.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA GROWER/PROCESSOR
A person, including a natural person, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other entity, or any combination thereof, which holds a permit from the State Department of Health to grow and process medical marijuana.
MEMBERSHIP CLUB
An area of land or building routinely used by a recreational, civic, social, fraternal, religious, political or labor union association of persons for meetings and routine socializing and recreation that is limited to members and their occasional guests, and persons specifically invited to special celebrations, but which is not routinely open to members of the general public and which is not primarily operated as a for-profit business.
A. 
This use shall not include a target range for outdoor shooting of firearms, boarding house, tavern, restaurant or retail sales unless that particular use is permitted in that District and the requirements of that use are met.
B. 
See § 230-26. See also "after hours club," which is a distinct use.
MINERAL EXTRACTION
The removal from the surface or beneath the surface of the land of bulk mineral resources using significant machinery. This use also includes accessory stockpiling and processing of mineral resources. "Mineral extraction" includes but is not limited to the extraction of sand, gravel, topsoil, limestone, sandstone, oil, coal, clay, shale, and iron ore. The routine movement of and replacement of topsoil during construction shall not by itself be considered to be mineral extraction.
MIXED USE
Unless otherwise stated, shall mean a combination of residential and commercial uses, or commercial and industrial uses, within the same lot or building.
MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOME
See under "dwelling types."
MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOME PARK
A parcel or contiguous parcels of land which has been so designated and improved that it contains two or more mobile/manufactured home lots for the placement thereon of mobile/manufactured homes.
MOTOR VEHICLE
An automobile, recreational vehicle, truck, bus, motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or similar means of transportation designed to operate carry persons or cargo on roads and that is powered by mechanized means. A motorized scooter or motorized wheelchair used by a person with disabilities is not considered a motor vehicle.
MPC or MUNICIPALITIES PLANNING CODE
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended.[8]
MULTIFAMILY CONVERSION
The conversion of an existing building to result in one or more new multifamily dwelling units, such as the conversion of a single family detached dwelling into a building with three dwelling units.
NIGHTCLUB
A use that sells alcoholic beverages and meets all of the following conditions: a) it offers live or recorded music, b) it offers opportunities for dancing, c) it is open to customers after 12:00 midnight, and d) it has a capacity for more than 250 customers.
NONCONFORMING LOT
A lot which does not conform with the minimum lot width or area dimensions specified for the District where such lot is situated, but was lawfully in existence prior to the effective date of this Ordinance, or amendments hereinafter enacted.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE
A structure or part of a structure that does not comply with the applicable lot coverage, dimensional and other provisions in this Ordinance, as amended, where such structure lawfully existed prior to the enactment of such Ordinance or applicable amendment(s). Such nonconforming structures include but are not limited to signs. See § 230-66C.
NONCONFORMING USE
A use, whether of land or of structure, which does not comply with the applicable use provisions in a zoning ordinance or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such use was lawfully in existence 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. See § 230-66C.
NURSING HOME
A facility licensed by the state for the housing and intermediate or fully skilled nursing care of three or more persons. See § 230-26.
OFFICE
A use that involves administrative, clerical, financial, governmental or professional operations and operations of a similar character. This use shall include neither retail nor industrial uses, but may include business offices, medical offices, laboratories, photographic studios, and/or television or radio broadcasting studios.
OPEN SPACE, COMMON
A parcel or parcels of land designed and intended for the use or enjoyment of residents of a development, but not including the following: streets, off-street parking areas (except those parking spaces necessary to serve recreation uses on the open space), sewage facilities, stormwater facilities that are not improved to serve a scenic or safe recreational purpose, and areas with a width of less than 50 feet.
ORDINANCE, THIS
The Borough of Coopersburg Zoning Ordinance, including the Official Zoning Map, as amended.
OUTDOOR FURNACE
A boiler, furnace or similar device that meets all of the following: a) is an accessory use, b) is located outside of a principal building, and c) is designed to burn wood, corn, coal or other manufacturer-approved fuel products for the purposes of heating a building or providing hot water for heat or domestic use in a building.
PA
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
PARKING
Off-street parking and aisles for vehicle movement unless otherwise stated.
PARKING AREA
A land area designed and used for the parking of three or more motor vehicles.
PENNDOT
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, or its successor.
PERMITTED BY RIGHT USES
Allowed uses in which zoning matters may be approved by the Zoning Officer, provided the application complies with all requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. A nonconforming use shall not be considered to be a permitted by right use, a special exception use or a conditional use.
PERSONAL CARE HOME OR CENTER
A personal care home should be defined as a facility which provides twenty-four-hour supervised living arrangements for four or more unrelated persons 18 years of age and above which does not provide medical services, hospice services or skilled nursing services, and is licensed by the Commonwealth. See also "assisted living facility."
PERSONAL SERVICE
An establishment that provides a service oriented to personal needs of the general public and which does not involve primarily retail or wholesale sales or services to businesses. Personal services include barber and beauty shops, photography studios, travel agency, shoe repair shops, household appliance repair shops, massage therapy by a certified professional, and other similar establishments, but shall not include any adult uses, as herein defined.
PETS, KEEPING OF
The keeping of domesticated animals of types that are normally considered to be kept in conjunction with a dwelling for the pleasures of the resident family. This shall include dogs, cats, small birds, gerbils, rabbits and other animals commonly sold in retail pet shops. See § 230-27.
PLACES OF WORSHIP
Buildings, synagogues, churches, religious retreats, monasteries, and shrines used primarily for religious and/or spiritual worship for more than 15 persons at a time on a regularly scheduled basis, and that are incorporated as part of a nonprofit organization and are operated for nonprofit and noncommercial purposes. If a property is primarily residential in nature, it shall be regulated under the appropriate dwelling type. See standards in § 230-26.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING
A principal structure which is also a building.
PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE
The structure in which the principal use of a lot is conducted. Any structure that is physically attached to a principal structure shall be considered part of that principal structure.
PRINCIPAL USE
A dominant use(s) or main use on a lot, as opposed to an accessory use.
PRISON
A correctional institution within which persons are required to inhabit by criminal court actions or as the result of a criminal arrest or as a result of persons being found by a court to be delinquent and in need of confinement, and which is not a criminal halfway house.
PUBLIC HEARING
A meeting held by Borough Council or the Zoning Hearing Board to meet requirements of the MPC.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice required by the MPC. (Note - As of the enactment date of this Ordinance, such definition was: "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.")
PUBLICLY OWNED RECREATION
Leisure facilities owned, operated or maintained by governmental entities for use by the general public. Publicly owned recreation is a distinct use from indoor recreation or outdoor recreation.
RECREATION
The offering of leisure-time activities to unrelated persons. This term shall not include any adult use. For the purposes of this Ordinance, recreation facilities shall be permitted by right as an accessory use when clearly limited to residents of a development and their occasional invited guests.
A. 
INDOOR RECREATIONA type of recreation use that: a) does not meet the definition of "outdoor recreation," and b) is used principally for active or passive recreation, such as a bowling alley, roller skating, ice skating, commercial batting practice use, and similar uses. This term shall not include any use listed separately as a distinct use by Article IV.
B. 
OUTDOOR RECREATIONA type of recreation use that: a) has a total building coverage of less than 15%, and b) is used principally for active or passive recreation, such as a golf driving range, miniature golf course, amusement park and similar uses. This term shall not include any use listed separately as a distinct use by Article IV, such as a firearms target range.
RECYCLING COLLECTION CENTER
A use for collection and temporary storage of more than 500 pounds of common household materials for recycling, but that does not involve processing or recycling other than routine sorting, baling, and weighing of materials. This term shall not include the indoor storage of less than 500 pounds of household recyclables and their customary collection, which is a permitted by right accessory use in all zoning districts, without additional regulations. A recycling collection center is also a permitted by right accessory use to a public or private primary or secondary school, a place of worship, a Borough-owned use, or an emergency services station.
RELATED or RELATIVE
Persons who are related by blood, marriage, adoption or formal foster relationship to result in one of the following relationships: spouse, brother, sister, parent, child, grandparent, great-grandparent, grandchild, great-grandchild, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, or parent-in-law. This term specifically shall not include relationships such as second, third, or more distant cousins. See definition of "dwelling unit."
REPAIR SERVICE
Shops for the repair of appliances, watches, guns, bicycles and other household items.
RESIDENTIAL ACCESSORY STRUCTURE (includes BUILDING) OR USE
A use or structure that is clearly accessory, customary and incidental to a principal residential use on a lot, including the following uses and uses that are very similar in nature: garage (household), carport, tennis court, garage sale, basketball backboard, household swimming pool, gazebo, storage shed, greenhouse, children's playhouse or children's play equipment. No business shall be conducted in a household garage or storage shed that is accessory to a dwelling, except as may be allowed as a home occupation.
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT(S)
The R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-1/O zoning districts.
RESIDENTIAL LOT LINES
The lot line of a lot that: 1) contains an existing primarily residential use on a lot of less than one acre, or b) is undeveloped and zoned as a residential district.
RESTAURANT
A. 
An establishment that sells ready-to-consume food or drink and that routinely involves the consumption of at least a portion of such food on the premises.
B. 
This use shall not include a tavern or a nightclub unless the requirements for such uses are also met. A restaurant may include the accessory sale of alcoholic beverages, but shall not include a use that allows the sale or consumption of alcohol between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Stricter hour limits may apply in some zoning districts.
C. 
See "drive-through service" in this section.
RETAIL STORE
A use in which merchandise is sold or rented to the general public, but not including the following: sales of motor vehicles or boats, adult movie theater, adult bookstore, manufacturing, tavern, car wash, auto service station, auto repair garage, convenience store, or any restaurant.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
An area or strip of land which is reserved for use by or as a street or by one or more utilities or by the public or by others. The term "right-of-way" by itself shall mean the street right-of-way, unless another meaning is otherwise stated or clearly implied from the context in which it is used.
A. 
STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY, EXISTING or LEGALThe official established street right-of-way that either the Borough or the state presently own or hold another interest in the land, or will own after the completion of any proposed subdivision, land development or development of a use under this Ordinance, whether by dedication or otherwise.
ROOMING HOUSE
See "boarding house."
SCHOOL, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PRIMARY OR SECONDARY SCHOOL
An educational institution primarily for persons between the ages of five and 19 that primarily provides state-required or largely state-funded educational programs. This term shall not include trade schools.
SCREENING
Year-round plant material of substantial height and density designed to provide a buffer. See requirements in § 230-64.
SELF-STORAGE DEVELOPMENT
A building or group of buildings divided into individual separate access units which are rented or leased for the storage of personal and small business property.
SETBACK LINE
The line within a property defining the required minimum distance between any structure and the right-of-way or property line.
SEWAGE SERVICE, ON-LOT
Sanitary sewage service to a building that does not meet the definition of public sewage service, such as but not limited to, an individual on-lot septic system.
SEWAGE SERVICE, PUBLIC
Central sanitary sewage service involving collection from multiple lots for conveyance to treatment by a system owned and/or operated by a municipality or a municipal authority.
SHOPPING CENTER
A lot that includes five or more retail sales and/or personal service establishments, and which may also include offices and restaurants.
SIGN
Any physical device for visual communication that is used for the purpose of attracting attention from the public and that is visible from beyond an exterior lot line, including all symbols, words, models, displays, banners, flags, devices or representations. A sign shall not include displays that only involve symbols that are clearly and entirely religious in nature, and which do not include advertising. A sign shall not include an artistic display or mural which does not include any advertising. The following definitions apply in regards to signs:
A. 
BUILDING FACEThe vertical area of a particular side of a building, but not including the area of any slanted roof.
B. 
SIGN AREAThe square footage area on each side of a sign face, as measured under § 230-59.
C. 
SIGN, EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATEDA sign that only has lights shining onto the sign from the outside of the sign.
D. 
SIGN, FREESTANDING SIGNA sign which is self-supporting upon the ground or which is primarily supported by poles attached to the ground and not primarily supported by a building.
E. 
SIGN HEIGHTThe vertical distance measured from the average ground level surrounding a sign to the highest point of the sign and its supporting structure. Religious symbols, when not accompanied by lettering, shall not be restricted by the sign heights of this Ordinance when attached to a tower or spire of a place of worship.
F. 
SIGN, INTERNALLY ILLUMINATEDA sign with a face of translucent material with artificial lighting located behind the sign face.
G. 
SIGN, OFF-PREMISESA sign which directs attention to an object, product, service, place, activity, person, institution, organization, or business that is primarily offered or located at a location other than the lot upon which the sign is located.
H. 
SIGN, PROJECTINGA sign that is attached to a building wall and extends from that wall by more than 18 inches.
I. 
SIGN, TEMPORARYA sign that meets the requirements of Article XII and that is intended to be kept in view of the public for less than 60 total days in any 365-day period, unless a more restrictive time period is provided for that type of sign in Article XII.
J. 
WALL SIGNA sign primarily supported by or painted on a wall of a building. A wall sign may also be displayed upon an awning or canopy, provided other requirements of this Ordinance are met.
K. 
WINDOW SIGNA sign which is readily visible and can be at least partially read from an exterior lot line and which is attached to a window or transparent door or that can be read through a window or transparent door.
SINGLE AND SEPARATE OWNERSHIP
The ownership of a lot by one or more persons, partnerships or corporations, which ownership is separate and distinct from that of any abutting or adjoining lot.
SITE ALTERATIONS
This term shall include one or more of the following activities:
A. 
Filling of lakes, ponds, marshes or floodplains or alteration of watercourses;
B. 
Clearing and regrading of more than 1/2 acre, other than selective thinning of existing vegetation or trees.
SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTION SYSTEM
Mechanisms used to capture the energy of the sun for use for electricity, hot water or similar purposes.
SOLID WASTE LANDFILL
An area where municipal solid waste and similar materials is deposited on land, compacted, covered with soil and then compacted again, and which has a permit from DEP to operate as a sanitary landfill.
SOLID WASTE TRANSFER FACILITY
Land or structures where solid waste is received and temporarily stored, at a location other than the site where it was generated, and which facilitates the bulk transfer of accumulated solid waste to a facility for further processing or disposal. Such facility may or may not involve the separation of recyclables from solid waste. Such facility shall not include a junkyard, leaf composting, clean fill, or septage or sludge application.
SOLID WASTE-TO-ENERGY FACILITY
An area where municipal solid waste and similar materials are incinerated or otherwise processed to result in usable energy for off-site use.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
A use allowed in a particular zoning district pursuant to Articles VI and IX of the MPC. A special exception use shall need approval from the Zoning Hearing Board, following a public hearing, provided the use complies with the conditions and standards required by this Ordinance. See § 230-85.
SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIES
One or more of the following:
A. 
Human male genitals in a visible state of sexual stimulation.
B. 
Acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse, oral sex or sodomy.
C. 
Fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals. See definition of adult use.
STATE
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its agencies.
STORY
A level of a building routinely accessible to humans having an average vertical clearance from floor to ceiling of six feet eight inches or greater shall be considered a full story, except as follows: If the floor of a basement level is more than six feet below the finished grade level for more than 50% of the total building perimeter, it shall not be regulated as a story. Any level of a building having an average vertical clearance from floor to ceiling of less than six feet eight inches shall be considered a half-story.
STREET
Includes street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, parkway, lane, viaduct and any other ways used or intended to be used by vehicular traffic and pedestrians, whether public or private. The term street does not include an alley or a driveway. The terms "street" and "road" have the same meaning.
STRUCTURE
Any man-made object having a stationary location on, below or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land. Any structure shall be subject to the principal or accessory setbacks of this Ordinance, as applicable, unless specifically exempted or unless a specific setback is established for that particular type of structure by this Ordinance. For the purposes of this Ordinance, utility poles, stormwater basins, water supply wells, U.S. mailboxes, paving, and on-lot septic systems shall not be considered structures, and shall not be subject to minimum zoning setback requirements, unless stated otherwise.
SUBDIVISION
The definition in the Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance shall apply.
SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE or SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE (SALDO)
The Borough of Coopersburg Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, as amended.
SWIMMING POOL, HOUSEHOLD OR PRIVATE
A man-made area with walls of man-made materials intended to enclose water at least 30 inches deep for bathing or swimming and that is intended to serve the residents of only one dwelling unit and their occasional guests. See § 230-27.
SWIMMING POOL, NON-HOUSEHOLD
A man-made area with walls of man-made materials intended to enclose water at least 30 inches deep for bathing or swimming and that does not meet the definition of a household swimming pool.
TATTOO PARLOR
A commercial use that applies permanent words or designs using ink on to human skin.
TAVERN
A use that primarily sells alcoholic beverages, as opposed to primarily selling food, and which is regularly open to the public after midnight, and which does not allow customers to enter the premises after 2:00 a.m. or to occupy the premises after 2:30 a.m. This use shall not include a nightclub unless the requirements for a nightclub are also met.
TEMPORARY SHELTER
The use of a building to house persons who would otherwise be homeless or who are seeking a refuge from domestic abuse. This use shall not include a criminal halfway house, unless the requirements for such use are also met.
THEATER
A building or part of a building devoted to the showing of motion pictures or theatrical or performing arts productions as a principal use, but not including an outdoor drive-in theater or adult movie theater.
TIRE STORAGE, BULK
The outdoor storage of more than five used motor vehicle tires on a residential lot or more than 20 used tires on a vacant or nonresidential lot, except that a lawful tire retail store may include the temporary storage of used tires while they are actively offered for sale or while they are awaiting regularly scheduled pickup, without being regulated by this term. See "Outdoor storage" in § 230-27.
TOWNHOUSE
See "dwelling types."
TRADE/HOBBY SCHOOL or TRADE SCHOOL
A facility that: a) is primarily intended for education of a work-related skill or craft or a hobby, and b) does not primarily provide state-required education to persons under age 16. Examples include a dancing school, martial arts school, cosmetology school, or ceramics school.
TRADESPERSON
A person involved with building trades, such as but not limited to: plumbing, electrical work, building construction, building remodeling, and roofing.
TREATMENT CENTER
A. 
A use involving one or more of the following:
(1) 
A use (other than a prison, hospital or criminal halfway house) providing housing for three or more unrelated persons who need specialized housing, treatment and/or counseling because of addiction to a controlled substance that was used in an illegal manner or alcohol.
(2) 
A methadone treatment facility, which shall be defined as an out-patient facility licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to dispense the drug methadone or substances with a similar intent in the treatment, maintenance or detoxification of persons with drug addictions.
B. 
See standards in § 230-26. A use that otherwise meets the definition of a group home, but that exceeds the number of residents allowed by this Ordinance within a group home, shall also be regulated as a treatment center. See the modification provisions of § 230-80.D.5.
UNIT FOR CARE OF RELATIVE
A dwelling unit that: a) is especially created for and limited to occupancy by a close relative of the permanent residents of the principal dwelling unit, b) is necessary to provide needed care and supervision to such relative, and c) meets the requirements for such use in Article VI.
UNLICENSED VEHICLE
See any regulations that may exist in any Borough Property Maintenance Code.
USE
The purpose, activity, occupation, business or operation for which land or a structure is designed, arranged, intended, occupied or maintained. Uses specifically include but are not limited to the following: activity within a structure, activity outside of a structure, any structure, recreational vehicle storage, or parking of commercial vehicles on a lot.
VARIANCE
The granting of specific permission under the provisions of Articles VI and IX of the MPC by the Zoning Hearing Board to use, construct, expand, or alter land or structures in such a way that compliance is not required with a specific requirement of the Zoning Ordinance. See § 230-80.
WALL
See "fence."
WAREHOUSE
A building or group of buildings primarily used for the indoor storage, transfer, and distribution of products and materials, but not including retail uses or a truck terminal, unless such uses are specifically permitted in that zoning district.
WATER SERVICE, ON-LOT
Water supply service to a building that does not meet the definition of Central Water Service, such as but not limited to, an individual on-lot well.
WATER SERVICE, PUBLIC
Central water service by a system owned and/or operated by a municipality or a municipal authority.
WATERCOURSE
A channel or conveyance of surface water having a defined bed and banks, whether natural or artificial, with perennial or intermittent flow.
WETLAND
An area of land and/or water meeting one or more definitions of a "wetland" under federal and/or Pennsylvania law and/or regulations.
YARD
An area unobstructed from the ground to the sky between a structure and a property line and that is on the same lot as the subject structure or use. Each required yard shall be measured inward from the abutting lot line or existing street right-of-way (as exists after completion of any subdivision or land development). Regulations of each District prohibit principal and accessory structures within the specified minimum yards.
A. 
See yard/setback exceptions in § 230-64.
B. 
Private streets. For a yard measured from a private street, the distance shall be measured from the existing street right-of-way/easement or 15 feet from the center of the cartway, whichever is more restrictive.
YARD SALE
Shall have the same meaning as "garage sales," which is defined in this section.
YARD, FRONT
A yard measured from the closest front wall of a principal structure to the street right-of-way line (as exists after the completion of any subdivision or land development). In the event that the front lot line is not a street right-of-way line, the front yard shall be measured from such front lot line. Such yard shall extend the full width of the lot from side lot line to side lot line.
A. 
The front yard shall be on a side that faces towards a public street, whenever one public street abuts the lot. If a lot abuts two streets, the front yard shall be whichever side is the predominant front yard for neighboring properties. If no side is predominant, then the applicant may choose which is the front yard.
B. 
See § 230-64B concerning yards along corner lots.
C. 
No accessory or principal structure shall extend into the required front yard, except as provided in this Ordinance.
D. 
Every lot shall include at least one front lot line.
YARD, REAR
A. 
A "yard" which is the space extending the full width of the lot and which is measured from along the rear line and which is located between a subject structure and the rear lot line, and which stretches between the side lot lines parallel to the rear lot line.
B. 
A principal building shall not extend into the required rear yard for a principal building, and an accessory structure shall not extend into the required rear yard for an accessory structure, except as provided in this Ordinance.
C. 
Every lot shall include a rear lot line and a rear yard.
YARD, SIDE
A. 
A "yard" which is the space between a subject structure and each side lot line, and which is measured from along the entire length of the side lot line, and which extends from the front setback line to the rear lot line.
B. 
A structure shall not extend into the applicable minimum side yard, except as provided for in this Ordinance.
C. 
See "corner lot" provision in § 230-64.
D. 
A triangular lot shall include one side yard. All other lots shall include at least two side yards, except for a corner lot.
ZONING MAP
The Official Zoning Map of the Borough of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania.
ZONING OFFICER
The person charged with the duty of enforcing the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, and any officially designated assistant.
ZONING ORDINANCE
The Borough of Coopersburg Zoning Ordinance, as amended.
ZONING PERMIT
A permit issued by the Zoning Officer that allows a use, activity or improvement that is authorized under this Ordinance. At the option of the Borough, a portion of a construction permit may be allowed to serve as a zoning permit.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 195, Subdivision and Land Development.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 68 Pa.C.S.A. § 3101 et seq. and 68 Pa.C.S.A. § 5101 et seq., respectively.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9791 et seq.
[4]
Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq. and 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq., respectively.
[5]
Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.
[6]
Editor's Note: See 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.
[7]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 187, Stormwater Management.
[8]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.