A. 
Unless a contrary intention is clearly evident, the following words and phrases shall have for the purpose of this chapter the meanings given in the following clauses.
B. 
For the purpose of this chapter, words and terms used herein shall be interpreted as follows:
(1) 
Words used in the present tense include the future.
(2) 
The singular includes the plural.
(3) 
The word "person" includes a corporation, partnership and association as well as the individual.
(4) 
The word "lot" includes the word "plot" or "parcel."
(5) 
The term "shall" is mandatory.
(6) 
The word "used" or "occupied" as applied to any land or building shall be construed to include the words "intended, arranged or designed to be occupied."
(7) 
The word "municipal" or "municipality" means Nockamixon Township.
(8) 
The words "governing body" refer to the Board of Supervisors of Nockamixon Township.
(9) 
The word "Commission" and the words "Planning Commission" always mean the Nockamixon Township Planning Commission.
(10) 
The word "Engineer" means Nockamixon Township Engineer.
(11) 
The word "Board" or the words "Zoning Hearing Board" always mean the Nockamixon Township Zoning Hearing Board.
C. 
Any word or term not defined herein shall be used with a meaning of standard usage.
[Amended 6-9-1992 by Ord. No. 70; 11-9-1994 by Ord. No. 79; 10-8-1996 by Ord. No. 88; 5-11-1999 by Ord. No. 97; 12-17-2003 by Ord. No. 111; 2-18-2004 by Ord. No. 112; 1-18-2005 by Ord. No. 120; 1-27-2005 by Ord. No. 121]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACCESSORY BUILDING
A building subordinate to the principal building on a lot, used for purposes customarily incidental to those of the principal building.
ACCESSORY USE
A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use of land or of a building.
AGRICULTURE
The cultivating of soil and the raising and harvesting of products of the soil, including but not limited to nurseries, nursery sales yards, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry.
A. 
INTENSIVE AGRICULTUREA use, farm building, structure or facility designed, constructed and/or operated for the intensive and accelerated raising of poultry, animal or agricultural produce and/or by-products of the same for commercial sale.
ALTERATION OF BUILDING
Any change in supporting members of a building such as bearing walls, columns, beams or girders; any addition to a building; any change in use from one use classification to another; or removal of a building from one location to another.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEM
A ground source heat pump, wind energy system, solar energy system, and/or outdoor solid-fuel-burning appliance.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
ANTENNA
A device used to collect or transmit telecommunications or radio signals including, but not limited to, panels, single poles known as "whips," "omnis," microwave dishes and the like.
BASEMENT
A story partly underground, but having 1/2 or more of its height (measured from floor to ceiling) above the average level of the adjoining ground. A basement shall be counted as a story for the purpose of height measurement or determining square footage only if the vertical distance between the ceiling and the average level of the adjoining ground is more than four feet or if used for business or dwelling purposes.
BOARDINGHOUSE
Any dwelling with less than 10 sleeping rooms in which more than three persons either individually or as families are housed or lodged for hire with or without meals. A rooming house or a furnished rooming house shall be deemed a "boardinghouse."
BUFFER AREA
A strip of land adjacent to the boundary of a property or district of a width not less than that designated by this chapter and on which is placed evergreen shrubbery, hedges, evergreens or other suitable plantings of sufficient height and density to constitute an effective screen and give maximum protection and immediate screening to an abutting property or district.
BUILDING
A structure having a roof which is used for the shelter or enclosure of persons, animals or property. The word "building" shall include any part thereof.
BUILDING AREA
The total of areas taken on a horizontal plane of the largest collective perimeter of the principal building and all accessory buildings exclusive of uncovered porches, terraces and steps.
BUILDING COVERAGE
That percentage of the site or lot area covered by the building area.
BUILDING HEIGHT
A vertical distance measured from the elevation of the proposed finished grade to the highest point of the floor for flat roofs, to the deck lines of mansard roofs and to the mean height between eaves and ridge for gable, hip and gambrel roofs. Church steeples and silos shall not be subject to the height limitations of this chapter.
BUILDING SETBACK LINE
The line which establishes the minimum depth of front, side and rear yards. The front setback line is a line parallel to the right-of-way at a distance therefrom equal to the depth of the front yard required for the district in which the lot is located. The side setback line is a line parallel to the side property line at a distance therefrom equal to the depth of the side yard required for the district in which the lot is located. The rear setback line is a line parallel to the front building line at a distance from the rear lot line equal to the depth of the rear yard required for the district in which the lot is located.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL
A building in which is conducted, or is intended to be conducted, the principal use of the lot on which it is located.
CARTWAY
The hard or paved surface portion of any street or that portion of a street customarily used by vehicles in the regular course of travel over the street.
CELLAR
A story partly underground and having more than 1/2 of its height (measured from floor to ceiling) below the average level of the adjoining ground. A cellar shall not be considered in determining the permissible number of stories or square footage.
CHIMNEY
Any vertical structure enclosing a flue or flues that carry off smoke or exhaust from an outdoor solid-fuel-burning appliance.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
CLEAN WOOD
Wood that does not have paint, stains, or other types of coatings, and wood that has not been treated with substances including, but not limited to, copper arsenate, creosote, or pentachlorophenol, and wood pellets made from clean wood.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
CLOSED-LOOP GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP SYSTEM
A system that circulates an approved heat transfer fluid through pipes or coils buried beneath the land surface or anchored to the bottom in a body of water.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEM
An alternative solar energy system designed and intended to serve the direct energy needs of two or more properties in different ownership, or an alternative energy system which is the primary use on a property.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
CONDITIONAL USE
Any use that is permitted subject to additional conditions, as specified in this chapter, beyond those contained in the general provisions of this chapter and the specific provisions of the particular district in which the lot is located and subject to the approval of the Board of Supervisors.
CONDOMINIUM
A. 
A condominium is an ownership arrangement and not a land use, therefore it is allowed in any district and under the same restrictions of the land use that comprises it.
B. 
A condominium is a unit structure which has all of the following characteristics:
(1) 
The unit, the interior and associated exterior areas designated for private use in the development plan, is owned by the occupant or his lessor.
(2) 
The unit may be any permitted type of structure.
(3) 
All or a portion of the exterior open space and any community interior spaces are owned and maintained in accordance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Condominium Act, 68 Pa.C.S.A. § 3101 et seq., and in accordance with the provisions for open space, private roads or other development features in the zoning ordinance and subdivision and land development regulations.
DECISION
Final adjudication of any board or other body granted jurisdiction under this chapter, either by reason of the grant of exclusive jurisdiction or by reason of appeals from determinations. All decisions shall be appealable to the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County and the judicial district wherein the Township lies.
DENSITY
Density is a measure of the number of dwelling units per unit of area. It shall be expressed in dwelling units per acre.
DENSITY, GROSS
The total number of dwelling units divided by the base site area of the tract.
DENSITY, NET
The density on the buildable portion of the site, not including roadways, open space, drainage facilities, recreation areas or other areas committed to uses other than the principal use of the lot.
DETERMINATION
Final action by an officer, body or agency charged with the administration of this chapter or applications thereunder, except the Board of Supervisors and Zoning Hearing Board. Determinations shall be appealable only to the board designated as having jurisdiction for such appeal.
DEVELOPMENT
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, the placement of mobile homes, streets or other paving, utilities, filling, grading, excavation, mining, dredging or drilling operations and the subdivision of land.
DISTRICT
A zoning district as laid out on the Zoning Map, along with the regulations pertaining thereto.
DOMESTIC WATER USE
Water for household purposes, such as drinking, food preparation, bathing, washing clothes and dishes, flushing toilets, and watering lawns and gardens; also called "residential water use." The water may be obtained from a public supply or may be self-supplied.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
DWELLING
A building designed for and occupied exclusively for residential purposes containing one or more dwelling units on a single parcel of land, excluding hotel, rooming house, institutional home, guest houses, residential club, motel, motor court and the like.
DWELLING UNIT
Any room or group of rooms located within a residential building and forming a single habitable unit with facilities which are used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking and eating by one family.
EASEMENT
A grant of the use of all or part of a parcel of land to the use of the public, a corporation or person, for a specified purpose.
EPA OWHH PHASE 2 PROGRAM QUALIFIED MODEL
An outdoor solid fuel burning appliance that has been EPA OWHH Phase 2 Program qualified. The model has met the EPA OWHH Phase 2 Program particulate matter emission limits and is identified with the proper qualifying label and identification.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
FAMILY
One or more persons related by blood, foster relationship, marriage or adoption who are living together in a single, nonprofit dwelling unit and maintaining a common household, or any number of persons, not related by blood, foster relationship, marriage or adoption, living together in a single dwelling unit and maintaining a common household, and such other uses related to the occupancy thereof by persons who suffer from a "handicap" as that term is defined in Section 3602(h) of the Fair Housing Act [42 U.S.C. § 3602(h)] and who are protected as such from discrimination under the provisions of Section 3604 thereof [42 U.S.C. § 3604], and uses accessory thereto, and no other. The word "family," as used herein, shall not include roomers, boarders, or lodgers (except those protected as suffering from a "handicap" under the provisions of Sections 3602(h) and 3604 of the Fair Housing Act) or any use otherwise defined, described or regulated in the chapter.
[Amended 11-20-2012 by Ord. No. 145]
FLOODPLAIN
[Amended 2-19-2015 by Ord. No. 154]
A. 
Any areas of Nockamixon Township classified as special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) in the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), dated March 16, 2015, and issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), or the most-recent revision thereof, including all digital data developed as part of the Flood Insurance Study; and
B. 
For areas abutting streams and watercourses where the one-hundred-year floodplain (one-percent annual chance flood) has not been delineated by the Flood Insurance Study, the applicant shall submit a floodplain identification study. The study, prepared by a registered professional engineer expert in the preparation of hydrologic and hydraulic studies, shall be used to delineate the one-hundred-year floodplain. The floodplain study shall be subject to the review and approval of the Township. All areas inundated by the one-hundred-year flood shall be included in the floodplain area.
FLOOR AREA
The sum of the areas of the several floors of the building or structure, including areas used for human occupancy or required for the conduct of the business or use and basements, attics and penthouses, as measured from the exterior faces of the walls. It does not include cellars, unenclosed porches or attics having a height of seven feet six inches or less nor any floor space in the accessory building not in the main building intended or designed for the parking requirements of this chapter, nor any such floor space intended and designed for accessory heating and ventilating equipment.
FLOOR AREA RATIO
The ratio of the floor area to the lot area, as determined by dividing the floor area by the lot area.
FORESTRY OPERATIONS
A. 
FELLINGThe act of cutting a standing tree so that it falls to the ground.
B. 
FOREST COVERA category of forest defined by its species composition and environmental factors.
C. 
FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANA written description with a map of a specific forestry operation prepared before the operation commences, which meets the requirements of § 234-17F of this chapter and the provisions herein.
D. 
FORESTERA person who is, as a minimum, a graduate of a four-year college or university forestry curriculum accredited by the Society of American Foresters.
E. 
FOREST TECHNICIANA person who is, as a minimum, a graduate of a two-year forest technician program accredited by the Society of American Foresters.
F. 
FOREST PLAN PREPARERA person who has a minimum of four years' experience in the field of forestry including the preparation of forestry plans.
G. 
FORESTRYThe managing and using for human benefit forest lands and natural resources that occur on and in association with forest lands. It includes, but is not limited to, the planting, cultivating, harvesting, transporting and selling of trees for commercial purposes.
H. 
HAUL ROADA road used to move forest products from the log landing to a public roadway.
I. 
INTERMITTENT STREAMA stream whose water flow normally occurs in the wetter parts of the year (October through April) or following major storm events.
J. 
LANDINGA place where logs are assembled for transportation in loads.
K. 
LOPPINGTo cut tops and slash into smaller pieces to allow material to settle close to the ground.
L. 
OPERATORThe individual, partnership, company, firm, association or corporation engaged in the harvest of timber including his agents or subcontractors or employees.
M. 
OWNERThe individual, partnership, company, firm, association or corporation which holds title to standing timber and to the land on which it is situated, including his agents or subcontractor or employees.
N. 
PERENNIAL STREAMA stream whose water flow normally occurs year-round.
O. 
PERMITWritten permission, warrant or license granted by a governmental authority.
P. 
SKID ROADMain route for skidding logs from woods to the landing.
Q. 
SKID TRAILA temporary trail used for skidding logs from the site of felling to the main skid road.
R. 
SKIDDINGDragging trees on the ground, by any means, from the stump to the landing.
S. 
SLASHDebris left after logging, including logs, chunks, bark, branches, stumps and broken understory trees or brush.
T. 
SNAG— A standing dead tree without branches or the standing portion of a broken off tree. Snags may provide feeding and/or nesting sites for wildlife.
U. 
STANDA grouping of trees of sufficiently uniform species composition, age and condition to be distinguished from surrounding stands and managed as a single unit.
V. 
STAND PRESCRIPTIONThe type of forest management treatment if any, to be applied to a particular stand to achieve the stated management objectives. The stand prescription should include, but not be limited to, detailed instructions on how that treatment is to be carried out on the ground, the desired residual stand and details on any other treatments to be applied.
W. 
STAND REGENERATION TREATMENTA selection, shelterwood, seed tree or clearcut that is designed to replace the existing stand with a new stand of young trees.
X. 
STREAMAny channel of conveyance of surface water having a defined bed and banks, whether natural or artificial, with perennial or intermittent flow.
Y. 
TOPSThe upper portion of a felled tree not merchantable because of small size, taper or defect.
Z. 
WILDLIFE HABITATThe native environment of an animal ideally providing all elements required for life and growth: food, water, cover and space.
GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP SYSTEM (also known as "GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEM")
A system that uses the relatively constant temperature of the earth or a body of water to provide heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. System components include closed loops of pipe, coils or plates; an approved fluid that absorbs and transfers heat; a heat pump unit that processes heat for use or disperses heat for cooling; and an air-distribution system. Open-loop ground source heat pump systems are not permitted in Nockamixon Township.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE
Any substance, including without limitation petroleum, oil or its by-products, that conveys toxic, lethal or other injurious effects or which causes sublethal harmful alterations to plant, animal or aquatic life; or may be injurious to human beings; or persists in the environment; or poses a present or potential hazard to soil, groundwater, surface water, atmosphere, wildlife, vegetation or human health if discharged, disposed or placed into or onto any lands.
HAZARDOUS WASTE
Solid waste that is especially harmful or potentially harmful to public health as defined in the Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Act (Act 97).[1] This shall include, but not be limited to, explosives, toxic materials and medical wastes. For the purposes of this chapter, "hazardous waste" does not include small quantities of such waste available on a retail basis to the homeowner (e.g., aerosol cans, fertilizers, herbicides, household cleaners, paints, pesticides, etc.).
HEARING
An administrative proceeding conducted by the Board of Supervisors or the Zoning Hearing Board pursuant to this chapter.
HEAT TRANSFER FLUID
A Township-approved nontoxic and food-grade fluid, such as potable water, or other fluid approved by the Township for use in an outdoor solid-fuel-burning appliance.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
HOME OCCUPATION
An activity for gain customarily carried on in a dwelling or in a building or structure accessory to a dwelling, clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for residential purposes.
HORIZONTAL GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP SYSTEM
A closed-loop ground source heat pump system where the loops or coils are installed horizontally in a trench or series of trenches no more than 20 feet below the land surface.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
Impervious surfaces are those surfaces which do not absorb precipitation and surface water. All buildings, parking areas, driveways, roads, sidewalks, swimming pools and any areas in concrete and asphalt shall be considered impervious surfaces within this definition.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE RATIO
The impervious surface ratio is measured by dividing the total area of all impervious surfaces within the site by the net site buildable area.
IONIZING RADIATION
Gamma rays and x-rays, alpha and beta particles; but not sound or radio waves, or visible, infrared or ultraviolet light.
JUNKYARD
An area or land, with or without buildings, used for the storage outside of a completely enclosed building of used or discarded materials including, but not limited to, wastepaper, rags, metal, building materials, house furnishings machinery, vehicles or parts thereof, with or without the dismantling, processing, salvage, sale or other use or disposition of the same. The deposit or storage of two or more motor vehicles not having valid inspection stickers issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation or of two or more wrecked or broken vehicles or the major parts of two or more such vehicles shall be deemed to make the lot a junkyard.
LIFT COMPRESSOR
See "wellhead compressor."
[Added 2-19-2015 by Ord. No. 157]
LOADING BERTH
A space, accessible from a street or driveway, in a building or on a lot, for the temporary use of vehicles while loading or unloading merchandise or materials, but not to be used for storage.
LOT
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law to be used, developed or built upon as a unit. The lot is a parcel of land, used or set aside and available for use as the site of one or more buildings and any buildings accessory thereto or for any other purpose, in one ownership and not divided by a street, nor including any land within the right-of-way of a public or private street upon which said lot abuts, even if the ownership to such right-of-way is in the owner of the lot.
A. 
LOT AREAThe area contained within the property lines of the individual parcel of land shown on a subdivision plan or required by this chapter, excluding the following:
(1) 
Any area within a future street right-of-way.
(2) 
Any area required as open space under this chapter.
(3) 
The area of any easements for above ground drainage facilities including, but not limited to, detention basins; and the area of easements for utilities such as pipelines and high tension wires.
B. 
CORNER LOTA lot which has an interior angle of less than 135° at the intersection of two street lines. A lot abutting upon a curved street or streets shall be considered a corner lot if the tangent to the curve at the points beginning within the lot or at the points of intersection of the side lot lines with the street lines intersect at an angle of less than 135°.
C. 
THROUGH LOTAn interior lot having frontage on two parallel or approximately parallel streets.
D. 
DEPTH OF LOTThe mean distance from the street line of the lot to its opposite rear line, measured in the general direction of the side lines of the lot.
E. 
LOT WIDTHThe distance measured between the side lot lines at the required building setback line. In a case where there is only one side lot line, "lot width" shall be measured between such side lot line and the opposite rear lot line or street line.
F. 
LANE LOTA lot that lies behind a frontage lot and gains access to a public right-of-way via a narrow accessway.
LOT LINES
A. 
LOT LINEAny boundary line of a lot.
B. 
LOT LINE, REARAny lot line which is parallel to or within 45° of being parallel to a street line, except for a lot line that is itself a street line and except that in the case of a corner lot, the owner shall have the option of choosing which of the two lot lines that are not street lines is to be considered a rear lot line.
C. 
LOT LINE, SIDEAny lot line which is not a street line or a rear lot line.
MOBILE HOME
A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for permanent occupancy, contained in one unit or in two units designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated for repeated towing, which arrives at a site complete and ready for occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations and constructed so that it may be used without a permanent foundation. For the purposes of this chapter, travel trailers, are not considered as mobile homes.
MOBILE HOME LOT
A parcel of land in a mobile home park, improved with the necessary utility connections and other appurtenances necessary for the erection thereon of a single mobile home.
MOBILE HOME PARK
A parcel of land or contiguous parcels of land which has been so designated and improved that it contains two or more mobile home lots for the placement thereon of mobile homes.
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
Garbage, refuse, industrial lunchroom or office waste and other material, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous material resulting from operation of residential, municipal, commercial or institutional establishments and from community activities.
NET BUILDABLE SITE AREA
That part of the base site area remaining after the amount of open space necessary for resource protection, recreation lands and to meet open space requirements of this chapter has been calculated and deducted.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE OR LOT
A structure or lot which does not comply with the area, setback, yard, building height, location, size, impervious surface or other dimensional requirements of this chapter or amendments heretofore or hereafter enacted where such structure or lot complied with such regulations at the time the structure was constructed or the lot created. Nonconforming structures or lots may continue but shall be subject to the regulations set forth in Article XI of this chapter.
NONCONFORMING USE
A use whether of land or of structure which does not comply with the applicable use provisions in this chapter or amendments heretofore or hereafter enacted where such use was lawfully in existence prior to the enactment of such ordinance or amendments. Lawful nonconforming uses in existence at the time of adoption of this chapter may continue but shall be subject to the regulations set forth in Article XI of this chapter.
NONREGULATED PIPELINE
A pipeline not subject to the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ("PUC") or of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") in regard to the location of the lines. This term includes gathering lines and other pipelines carrying hazardous substances. The term does not include sewer, drinking water, or stormwater lines.
[Added 2-19-2015 by Ord. No. 157]
NORMAL FARMING OPERATIONS
The customary and generally accepted activities, practices and procedures that farms adopt, use or engage in year in the production and preparation for market of poultry, livestock and their products; and in the production, harvesting and preparation for market of agriculture, agronomic, horticultural, silvicultural and agricultural crops and commodities, provided that such operations are conducted in compliance with applicable laws and provided that the use or disposal of these materials will not pollute the air, water or other natural resources of the commonwealth. It includes the storage and utilization of agricultural and food process wastes for animal feed and includes the agricultural utilization of septic tank cleanings and sewage sludges which are generated off-site. It includes the management, collection, storage, transportation, use or disposal of manure, other agricultural waste and food processing waste on land where such materials will improve the condition of the soil, the growth of crops or in the restoration of the land for the same purposes.
OIL OR NATURAL GAS COMPRESSOR STATION
Gathers gas from multiple wells and/or boosts pressure along an oil or gas pipeline; may also process gas for pipeline transportation; includes line compressor stations and gas-gathering compressor stations; excludes lift or wellhead compressors.
[Added 2-19-2015 by Ord. No. 157]
OIL OR NATURAL GAS PROCESSING FACILITY
A facility that processes or refines oil or natural gas regardless of the technology used, including, but not limited to, refineries, processing facilities, cryogenic processing facilities, fractionation plants, dew point control facilities, and cracking facilities or "crackers."
[Added 2-19-2015 by Ord. No. 157]
OPEN-LOOP GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP SYSTEM
A system that uses groundwater as a heat transfer fluid by drawing groundwater from a well to a heat pump and then discharging the water over land, directly in a water body or into an injection well. Open-loop ground source heat pump systems are not permitted in Nockamixon Township.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
OPEN SPACE
That area of land and/or water to be restricted from future development for the purpose of protecting natural features or for recreational purposes. Open space does not include land occupied by structures, roads, road rights-of-way, parking lots, land reserved for future parking lots, stormwater detention basins or retention basins, buffer yards or areas of public facilities such as community septic systems, nor does it include any portion of the required minimum lot areas as required by this chapter.
A. 
PUBLIC OPEN SPACEOpen space in a subdivision which is offered to and accepted by the Township.
OPEN SPACE RATIO
The total amount of open space within a site divided by the base site area.
OUTDOOR SOLID-FUEL-BURNING APPLIANCE
Also known as "outdoor wood-fired hydronic heaters (OWHH)," "outdoor wood boilers (OWB)" or "water stoves," etc., and means any equipment, device or apparatus which is installed, affixed or situated outdoors, and not situate within a building intended for habitation by humans or domestic animals, which is used for the primary purpose of combustion of fuel to produce heat for energy as a heating system, or component thereof, which provides heat or hot water to the principal structure on the property, to a structure used for human or animal habitation on the property, or to any accessory uses or structures, including, but not limited to, greenhouses, conservatories, and swimming pools located on the property.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, association, limited liability company, trust, estate, public or private institution, group, agency, including Nockamixon Township or any other political subdivision or agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or United States, and any legal successor, representative, agent or agency of the foregoing.
PUBLIC HEARING
A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the Board of Supervisors or the Planning Commission, intended to inform and obtain public comment, prior to taking action in accordance with this chapter.
PUBLIC MEETING
A forum held pursuant to notice under the Act of July 3, 1986 (P.L. 388, No. 84), known as the "Sunshine Act."[2]
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice published once each week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Township. Such notice shall state the time and place of 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.
RADIATION
Gamma rays and x-rays, alpha and beta particles, high speed electrons, protons, neutrons and other nuclear particles and electromagnetic radiation consisting of associated and interacting electric magnetic waves including those with frequencies between three times 10 to the eighth power cycles per second and three times 10 to the twenty-fourth power cycles per second and wave lengths between one times 10 to the minus fourteenth power centimeters and 100 centimeters.
RADIATION MACHINE
Any device designed to produce or which produces radiation or nuclear particles when the associated control devices of the machine are operated.
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Any solid, liquid or gas which emits ionizing radiation spontaneously.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
A recreational vehicle is a portable structure, self-propelled or towable by a passenger car, of such size and weight as not to require special highway movement permits, primarily designed or constructed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping or travel use or to carry such equipment, not for profit. When used for recreational purposes, it shall be considered a noncommercial passenger vehicle.
RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Those materials which may be processed or refabricated for reuse and which are specified by the Township for separation from the regular solid waste. Such material may include, but not be limited to, aluminum products, cardboard, ferrous containers, bimetal containers, glass containers, newspaper, magazines, periodicals, other paper products of various kinds, plastic containers and yard wastes.
RECYCLING
The collection, separation, recovery and sale or reuse of metals, glass, paper, plastics and other materials which would otherwise be disposed or processed as municipal waste.
REPORT
Any letter, review, memorandum, compilation or similar writing made by any body, board, officer or consultant other that a solicitor to any body, board, officer or consultant for the purpose of assisting the recipient of such report in the rendering of any decision or determination. All reports shall be deemed recommendatory and advisory only and shall not be binding upon the recipient, board, officer, body or agency, nor shall any appeal lie therefrom. Any report used, received or considered by the body, board, officer or agency rendering a determination or decision shall be made available for inspection to the applicant and all other parties to any proceeding upon request and copies thereof shall be provided at cost of reproduction.
RESIDUAL WASTE
Any garbage, refuse, other discarded material or other waste, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous materials resulting from industrial, mining and agricultural operations and any sludge from an industrial, mining or agricultural water supply treatment facility, wastewater treatment facility or air pollution control facility, provided that it is not hazardous.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
A strip of land occupied or intended to be occupied by a street, alley, crosswalk, sanitary or storm sewer, stream, drainage ditch or for another special use. The usage of the term "right-of-way" for land plotting purposes in the Township shall mean that every right-of-way hereafter established or shown on a final record plan is to be separate and distinct from lots or parcels adjoining such right-of-way and not included with the dimensions of such lots or parcels.
A. 
EXISTING RIGHT-OF-WAYThe legal right-of-way as established by commonwealth or the Township or other government authority and currently in existence.
B. 
FUTURE RIGHT-OF-WAYA strip of land required for the widening of existing streets to accommodate anticipated future traffic or to provide future access to or through undeveloped land, as designated by the Township Comprehensive Plan or Chapter 196, Subdivision and Land Development.
SENSITIVE NATURAL RESOURCES
High-quality ("HQ") and exceptional-value ("EV") watersheds; public and private water supplies; and habitats for threatened or endangered species.
[Added 2-19-2015 by Ord. No. 157]
SEWAGE FACILITY
A system of sewage collection, conveyance, treatment and disposal which will prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated sewage or other waste into waters of the commonwealth and/or watercourses of the Township or otherwise provide for the safe and sanitary treatment and disposal of sewage, or other waste. The term includes individual sewage systems and community sewage systems.
A. 
INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE SYSTEMA system of piping, tanks or other facilities serving a single lot or equivalent dwelling unit and collecting and disposing of sewage in whole or in part into the soil or into waters of the commonwealth and/or watercourses of the Township, or by means, of conveyance to another site for final disposal. The term includes the following:
(1) 
INDIVIDUAL ON-LOT SEWAGE SYSTEMAn individual sewage system which uses a system of piping, tanks or other facilities for collecting, treating and disposing of sewage into a soil absorption area or spray field on the lot, or by retention in a retaining tank.
(2) 
INDIVIDUAL SEWERAGE SYSTEMAn individual sewage system which uses a method of sewage collection, conveyance, treatment and disposal other than renovation in a soil absorption area, or retention in a retaining tank.
B. 
COMMUNITY SEWAGE SYSTEMA sewage facility, whether publicly or privately owned, for the collection of sewage from two or more lots, or two or more equivalent dwelling units and the treatment or disposal, or both, of the sewage on one or more of the lots or at another site.
(1) 
COMMUNITY ON-LOT SEWAGE SYSTEMA system of piping, tanks or other facilities, serving two or more lots and collecting, treating and disposing of sewage into a soil absorption area or retaining tank located on one or more of the lots.
(2) 
COMMUNITY SEWERAGE SYSTEMA publicly or privately-owned community sewage system which uses a method of sewage collection, conveyance, treatment and disposal other than renovation in a soil absorption area, or retention in a retaining tank.
SIGN
Any name, name plate, poster, panel, display, illustration, structure or device used for visual communication, which is affixed, painted or represented directly or indirectly upon a building or other outdoor surface for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof to the attention of the public or advertising a business, commodity, service or product or for identifying a business, structure or use of land.
SITE
A parcel or parcels of land intended to have one or more buildings or intended to be subdivided into one or more lots.
SITE AREA
All land area within the site as defined by the deed and determined by a site survey.
A. 
BASE SITE AREAThe site area minus existing roads and their ultimate rights-of-way, utilities rights-of-way, other public easements, land which is restricted due to easements or covenants and land shown on previous subdivisions or land development plans as reserved from development for natural resource reasons, recreation and/or open space preservation.
SOLAR COLLECTOR
A device or combination of devices, structure(s), or part of a device or structure that transforms direct solar energy into thermal, chemical, or electrical energy and that contributes significantly to a structure's energy supply.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
SOLAR ENERGY
Radiant energy (direct, diffuse, and/or reflected) received from the sun.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
Any solar collector or other solar energy device, or any structural design feature, mounted on a building or on the ground, and whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for space heating or cooling, for water heating or for electricity.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
SOLAR PANEL
A structure containing one or more receptive cells, the purpose of which is to convert solar energy into usable electrical energy, heat water, or produce hot air or perform any other similar function by way of a solar energy system.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
SOLID WASTE
Waste including, but not limited to, municipal, residual or hazardous wastes, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous materials.
SOLID WASTE FACILITIES
Solid waste facilities shall mean one or more of the following:
A. 
COMPOSTING PLANTA facility at which composting is done. "Composting" shall mean the process by which organic solid waste is biologically decomposed under controlled anaerobic or aerobic conditions to yield a humus-like product. "Compostable material" shall mean organic waste which is capable of undergoing composting. Composting activities associated with normal farming operations shall not be included in this definition of composting plant.
B. 
LANDFILL or MUNICIPAL LANDFILL or SANITARY LANDFILLA Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection-approved facility for disposing of solid waste on land without creating nuisances or hazards to the public health or safety.
C. 
RECYCLING CENTERA facility established to receive, process, store, handle and ship recyclable materials.
D. 
RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITYA plant, establishment, set of equipment or other operation which recovers useful materials and/or products, including heat, electricity and/or recyclable materials from otherwise waste materials. A resource recovery facility shall not include a landfill.
E. 
TRANSFER STATIONA facility which receives and temporarily stores solid waste at a location other than the generation site and which facilities the bulk transfer of accumulated solid waste to a facility for further processing or disposal.
F. 
WASTE-TO-ENERGY PLANTA facility used for the incineration of solid waste and the production of steam and electricity or other useful forms of energy.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
A permission or approval granted to use land for a purpose other than those specified as uses permitted outright within a zoning district, granted by the Township Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the standards contained in this chapter.
STORY
That part of a building located between a floor and the floor or roof next above. The first story of a building is the lowest story having 1/2 or more of its wall area above grade level. A half-story is a story under a gable, hip or gambrel roof, the wall plates of which on at least two opposite exterior walls are not more than two feet above the floor.
STREET
A right-of-way, municipally or privately owned, serving as a means of vehicular and pedestrian travel, furnishing access to abutting properties and space for public utilities.
STREET LINE
The dividing line between a lot and the outside boundary of a public street, road or highway legally opened or officially platted or between a lot and a privately owned street, road or highway over which the owners or tenants of two or more lots held in single and separate ownership have the right-of-way.
STRUCTURE
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationery location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT BUILDING
The building in which electronic receiving, relaying or transmitting equipment for a telecommunications facility is housed.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
The equipment and structures involved in receiving, transmitting or relaying telecommunications or radio signals including cellular telecommunications facilities (which consist of the equipment and structures involved in receiving telecommunication or radio signals from a mobile communications source and transmitting those signals to a central switching computer which connects the mobile unit with the land based telephone line).
TOWER
A structure that is intended to support equipment used to transmit and/or receive and/or relay telecommunications or radio signals, including monopoles and lattice construction steel structures.
USE
Any activity, occupation, business or operation carried on or intended to be carried on, in a building or other structure or on a tract of land.
USE, ACCESSORY
A use located on the same lot with a principal use and clearly incidental or subordinate to and in connection with, the principal use.
USE, PRINCIPAL
The main use on a lot.
UTILITIES
Those services customarily rendered by public utility corporations, municipalities or municipal authorities, in the nature of electricity, gas, telephone, water and sewerage, including the appurtenances used in connection with the supplying of such services such as buildings, wires, pipes, poles and the like.
VARIANCE
Relief granted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter in accordance with the regulations contained herein for Zoning Hearing Boards.
VERTICAL GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP SYSTEM
A closed-loop ground source heat pump system where the loops or coils are installed vertically in one or more borings below the land surface.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
WATER FACILITY
Any private or public well, water works, water source, water, supply works, water distribution system or any part thereof, designed, intended or constructed to provide or distribute potable water.
WATERCOURSE
Any intermittent or perennial stream of water, river, brook, creek or swale; any channel or ditch for water, whether natural or man-made.
WELLHEAD COMPRESSOR
A device that raises the pressure of oil or gas in order to lift it from the well and into a pipeline, and services only one wellpad.
[Added 2-19-2015 by Ord. No. 157]
WETLANDS
Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, including swamps, marshes, bog and similar areas. The term also includes, but is not limited to, wetland areas listed in the State Water Plan, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Wetlands Inventory of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management Plan and a wetland area designated by a river basin commission, or other wetland mapping adopted by the Township.
[Amended 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 174]
WETLANDS DELINEATION
The process by which wetland limits are determined. Wetlands must be delineated by a qualified specialist according to the 1989 Federal Manuals (as amended) for the Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands (whichever is greater) or according to any subsequent federal or state regulation. "Qualified specialist" shall include those persons being certified professional soil scientists as registered with the Registry of Certified Professionals in Agronomy Crops and Soils (ARCPACS); or as contained on a consultant's list of Pennsylvania Association of Professional Soil Scientists (PAPSS); or as registered with the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA), or as certified by state and/or federal certification programs; or by a qualified biologist/ecologist.
[Added 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 174]
WIND ENERGY SYSTEM
An electric generating system, whose main purpose is to supply electricity, consisting of one or more wind turbines and other accessory structures and buildings, including substations, metrological towers, electrical infrastructure, transmission lines and other appurtenant structures and facilities.
[Added 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 144]
WOODLANDS
Areas, groves or stands of trees having a diameter greater than six inches measured at four feet above the ground (diameter breast height, hereafter "dbh") covering an area of 1/4 acre or greater where there is at least one mature tree (10 inches or greater dbh) per 1,500 square feet of lot area; or groves of mature trees having a diameter 10 inches or greater dbh and consisting of more than 10 individual trees with that diameter forming a continuous canopy.
YARD
An open space unobstructed from the ground up, on the same lot with a structure, extending along a lot line or street line and inward to the structure. The size of a required yard shall be measured as the shortest distance between the structure and a lot line or street line.
A. 
YARD, FRONTA yard between a structure and a street line and extending the entire length of the street line. In the case of a corner lot, the yards extending along all streets are front yards. In the case of a lot other than a corner lot that fronts on more than one street, the yards extending along all streets are front yards.
B. 
YARD, REARA yard between a structure and a rear lot line and extending the entire length of the rear lot line.
C. 
YARD, SIDEA yard between a structure and a side lot line, extending from the front yard to the rear yard. In the case of a lot having no street frontage or a lot of odd shape, any yard that is not a front yard or a rear yard shall be considered a side yard.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 6018.101 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 65 Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq.