Borough of West Chester, PA Zoning

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Borough of West Chester, PA

Chester County

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

The Charter
Ch C Home Rule Charter of the Borough of West Chester and Its Government
The Code
Part I: Administrative Legislation
Ch 1 General Provisions
Ch 3 Administrative Code
Ch 4 Award of Public Contracts
Ch 5 Business Improvement Authority and District
Ch 7 Fire Department
Ch 8 Firemen's Relief Association
Ch 9 Franchises for Use of Public Rights-Of-Way
Ch 11 Health Department
Ch 12 Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreements
Ch 15 Liens and Claims, Municipal
Ch 16 Manager, Borough
Ch 17 Map, Official
Ch 18 (Reserved)
Ch 20 Officers and Employees
Ch 23 Planning Commission
Ch 24 Police Cooperation Agreements
Ch 25 Police Department
Ch 26 (Reserved)
Ch 28 (Reserved)
Ch 28A Redevelopment Authority
Ch 29 Refuse Disposal Authority
Ch 31 Retirement Benefits
Ch 33 Seal; Borough Flag
Part II: General Legislation
Ch 36 Alcoholic Beverages
Ch 37 Animals
Ch 37A Antidiscrimination
Ch 38 Automatic Protection Devices
Ch 39 Bicycles, Skateboards and Rollerblades
Ch 41 Brush, Grass and Weeds
Ch 43 Building Construction
Ch 44 Existing Buildings Standards
Ch 45 Residential Standards for One- and Two-Family Dwellings
Ch 46 Curfew
Ch 53 Emergency Communications Systems
Ch 53A Emergency Services Reimbursement
Ch 54 Electrical Standards
Ch 55 Energy Conservation
Ch 56 Firearms
Ch 57 Fire Prevention
Ch 58 Fire Insurance
Ch 60 Fuel Gas Standards
Ch 62 Garbage, Rubbish and Refuse
Ch 66 Housing and Property Maintenance
Ch 68 Interments
Ch 69 Liquor License Transfer
Ch 72 Mechanical Standards
Ch 73 Noise Disturbance
Ch 74 Nuclear-Free Zone
Ch 75 Numbering of Buildings
Ch 76 Offenses, Miscellaneous.
Ch 77 Parking Program, Residential
Ch 78 Parks and Playgrounds
Ch 79 Pawnbrokers
Ch 80 Peddling and Soliciting; Handbills and Posters; Street Performing
Ch 81 Plastic Bag and Plastic Straw Regulations
Ch 82 Plumbing
Ch 84 Public Nuisances
Ch 85 Refrigerators, Abandoned
Ch 86 Rental Occupancy Reports
Ch 87 Sales
Ch 89 Sewers
Ch 90 Public Indecency
Ch 90A Restaurant-Cafes
Ch 90B Restaurant – BYOB
Ch 91 Shows, Carnivals and Parades
Ch 92 Small Wireless Facilities
Ch 94 Stormwater Management
Ch 94A Stream Protection Fee
Ch 95 Streets and Sidewalks
Ch 97 Subdivision and Land Development
Ch 99 Taxation
Ch 100 Taxicabs
Ch 102 Trees
Ch 103 Vehicles, Abandoned
Ch 104 Vehicles and Traffic
Ch 106 Vendors and Vending Machines
Ch 107 Water
Ch 109 Weapons
Ch 112 Zoning
Ch 112 Art I General Provisions
§ 112-101 Title.
§ 112-102 Compliance required; applicability.
§ 112-103 Purpose.
§ 112-104 Interpretation.
§ 112-105 Exemption.
Ch 112 Art II Terminology
§ 112-201 Word usage.
§ 112-202 Definitions.
Ch 112 Art III Zoning Districts
§ 112-301 Establishment of districts; compliance required.
§ 112-302 Districts enumerated - Zoning Map.
§ 112-303 Rules for interpreting district boundaries.
§ 112-304 Permitted uses.
§ 112-305 General design standards.
§ 112-306 NC-1 Neighborhood Conservation District.
§ 112-307 NC-2 Neighborhood Conservation District.
§ 112-308 NC-3 Neighborhood Conservation District.
§ 112-309 TC Town Center District.
§ 112-310 CS Commercial Service District.
§ 112-311 ID Industrial District.
§ 112-312 IS Institutional District.
§ 112-313 MU Mixed-Use District.
§ 112-314 Planned University Campus District.
Ch 112 Art IV Overlay Districts
§ 112-401 HO-60 Height Option Overlay District.
§ 112-402 HO-75 Height Option Overlay District.
§ 112-403 Cultural Use Overlay District.
§ 112-404 Professional Office Overlay District.
§ 112-405 Retail Overlay District (ROD).
§ 112-406 Government Use Overlay District.
§ 112-407 Institutional Overlay District.
§ 112-408 Transportation Corridor Overlay District.
Ch 112 Art V Resource Protection Standards
§ 112-501 Floodplain.
§ 112-502 Historic resources.
§ 112-503 Floodplain regulations.
§ 112-503.1 Statutory authorization.
§ 112-503.2 General provisions.
§ 112-503.3 Administration.
§ 112-503.4 Identification of floodplain areas.
§ 112-503.5 Technical provisions.
§ 112-503.6 Activities requiring special permits.
§ 112-503.7 Existing structures in identified floodplain areas.
§ 112-503.8 Variances.
§ 112-503.9 Definitions.
§ 112-504 Historic and Architectural Review Board (HARB).
§ 112-504.1 Legislative authority.
§ 112-504.2 Purpose.
§ 112-504.3 Definitions.
§ 112-504.4 General provisions.
§ 112-504.5 Applicability.
§ 112-504.6 Powers and duties of Building Inspector.
§ 112-504.7 Historical and Architectural Review Board.
§ 112-504.8 Preapplication review procedure.
§ 112-504.9 Review by Historical and Architectural Review Board.
§ 112-504.10 Application for a building permit.
§ 112-504.11 Evaluation criteria.
§ 112-504.12 Findings and report by Historical and Architectural Review Board.
§ 112-504.13 Procedures by Borough Council; approval.
§ 112-505 Historic carriage house regulations.
Ch 112 Art VI Parking and Loading Regulations
§ 112-601 Intent.
§ 112-602 General regulations and design standards.
§ 112-603 Parking space requirements.
§ 112-604 Commercial parking lots.
§ 112-605 Off-lot parking in the Town Center District.
§ 112-606 Screening and landscaping.
Ch 112 Art VII Sign Regulations
§ 112-701 Intent.
§ 112-702 Scope and applicability; restrictions and standards.
§ 112-703 Signs not requiring permits.
§ 112-704 Signs requiring permits.
§ 112-705 Permit requirements.
§ 112-706 Fees.
Ch 112 Art VIII Supplementary Regulations Applicable to All Districts
§ 112-801 Purpose.
§ 112-802 Lot and yard requirements.
§ 112-803 Exceptions to height regulations.
§ 112-804 Height limitations of fences and walls.
§ 112-805 Sight distances at intersections.
§ 112-806 Right-of-way widths for streets.
§ 112-807 Outdoor storage and display.
§ 112-808 Permits for temporary structures or uses.
§ 112-809 Environmental controls.
§ 112-810 Nonconformities.
§ 112-811 Forestry.
Ch 112 Art IX Special Regulations Applicable to Certain Districts and Uses
§ 112-901 Purpose.
§ 112-902 Wireless communications facilities.
§ 112-903 Accessory uses, buildings and structures.
§ 112-904 Landscaping and screening requirements.
§ 112-905 Impact assessment report.
§ 112-906 Standards for granting special exceptions for student homes.
§ 112-907 Airport hazard area.
§ 112-908 Transportation impact studies.
§ 112-909 Nursing homes in conjunction with personal care homes.
§ 112-910 Special design standards for new streets and alleys.
§ 112-911 Open space provisions.
§ 112-912 Unified mixed-use development.
§ 112-913 Student homes, existing.
§ 112-914 Standards and criteria for pub restaurants.
Ch 112 Art X Administration and Enforcement
§ 112-1001 Zoning Officer.
§ 112-1002 Building permit required.
§ 112-1003 Use and occupancy permit required.
§ 112-1004 Fees.
§ 112-1005 Notice of violation.
§ 112-1006 Violations and penalties.
§ 112-1007 Remedies.
§ 112-1008 Criteria and procedures for conditional uses.
Ch 112 Art XI Zoning Hearing Board
§ 112-1101 Establishment.
§ 112-1102 Membership; appointment; terms; removal.
§ 112-1103 Organization and procedure.
§ 112-1104 Hearings and decisions.
§ 112-1105 Powers and duties.
§ 112-1106 Time limit after variance or special exception granted; extension.
§ 112-1107 Appeals and application procedures.
Ch 112 Art XII Amendments
§ 112-1201 Authority.
§ 112-1202 Procedure upon proposal by landowner.
Appendix
Ch A114 Street Ordinances
Ch A115 Water System Conveyance
Disposition List
Ch DL Disposition List

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Chapter 112 Zoning

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[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the Borough of West Chester 8-23-1966 by Ord. No. 13-66; amended in its entirety 10-20-2021 by Ord. No. 09-2021. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1 - Table of Zoning Map Amendments

Attachment 2 - Appendix B Zoning Summary Table

Attachment 3 - Appendix C HO-60 HO-75 Sypplementary Design Guidelines

Attachment 4 - Appendix D West Chester Borough Historic Carriage House Inventory

Resource Protection Map, Zoning Overlay Districts, and Base Zoning Map

Article I General Provisions

§ 112-101 Title.

§ 112-102 Compliance required; applicability.

§ 112-103 Purpose.

§ 112-104 Interpretation.

§ 112-105 Exemption.

Article II Terminology

§ 112-201 Word usage.

§ 112-202 Definitions.

Article III Zoning Districts

§ 112-301 Establishment of districts; compliance required.

§ 112-302 Districts enumerated - Zoning Map.

§ 112-303 Rules for interpreting district boundaries.

§ 112-304 Permitted uses.

§ 112-305 General design standards.

§ 112-306 NC-1 Neighborhood Conservation District.

§ 112-307 NC-2 Neighborhood Conservation District.

§ 112-308 NC-3 Neighborhood Conservation District.

§ 112-309 TC Town Center District.

§ 112-310 CS Commercial Service District.

§ 112-311 ID Industrial District.

§ 112-312 IS Institutional District.

§ 112-313 MU Mixed-Use District.

§ 112-314 Planned University Campus District.

Article IV Overlay Districts

§ 112-401 HO-60 Height Option Overlay District.

§ 112-402 HO-75 Height Option Overlay District.

§ 112-403 Cultural Use Overlay District.

§ 112-404 Professional Office Overlay District.

§ 112-405 Retail Overlay District (ROD).

§ 112-406 Government Use Overlay District.

§ 112-407 Institutional Overlay District.

§ 112-408 Transportation Corridor Overlay District.

Article V Resource Protection Standards

§ 112-501 Floodplain.

§ 112-502 Historic resources.

§ 112-503 Floodplain regulations.

§ 112-503.1 Statutory authorization.

§ 112-503.2 General provisions.

§ 112-503.3 Administration.

§ 112-503.4 Identification of floodplain areas.

§ 112-503.5 Technical provisions.

§ 112-503.6 Activities requiring special permits.

§ 112-503.7 Existing structures in identified floodplain areas.

§ 112-503.8 Variances.

§ 112-503.9 Definitions.

§ 112-504 Historic and Architectural Review Board (HARB).

§ 112-504.1 Legislative authority.

§ 112-504.2 Purpose.

§ 112-504.3 Definitions.

§ 112-504.4 General provisions.

§ 112-504.5 Applicability.

§ 112-504.6 Powers and duties of Building Inspector.

§ 112-504.7 Historical and Architectural Review Board.

§ 112-504.8 Preapplication review procedure.

§ 112-504.9 Review by Historical and Architectural Review Board.

§ 112-504.10 Application for a building permit.

§ 112-504.11 Evaluation criteria.

§ 112-504.12 Findings and report by Historical and Architectural Review Board.

§ 112-504.13 Procedures by Borough Council; approval.

§ 112-505 Historic carriage house regulations.

Article VI Parking and Loading Regulations

§ 112-601 Intent.

§ 112-602 General regulations and design standards.

§ 112-603 Parking space requirements.

§ 112-604 Commercial parking lots.

§ 112-605 Off-lot parking in the Town Center District.

§ 112-606 Screening and landscaping.

Article VII Sign Regulations

§ 112-701 Intent.

§ 112-702 Scope and applicability; restrictions and standards.

§ 112-703 Signs not requiring permits.

§ 112-704 Signs requiring permits.

§ 112-705 Permit requirements.

§ 112-706 Fees.

Article VIII Supplementary Regulations Applicable to All Districts

§ 112-801 Purpose.

§ 112-802 Lot and yard requirements.

§ 112-803 Exceptions to height regulations.

§ 112-804 Height limitations of fences and walls.

§ 112-805 Sight distances at intersections.

§ 112-806 Right-of-way widths for streets.

§ 112-807 Outdoor storage and display.

§ 112-808 Permits for temporary structures or uses.

§ 112-809 Environmental controls.

§ 112-810 Nonconformities.

§ 112-811 Forestry.

Article IX Special Regulations Applicable to Certain Districts and Uses

§ 112-901 Purpose.

§ 112-902 Wireless communications facilities.

§ 112-903 Accessory uses, buildings and structures.

§ 112-904 Landscaping and screening requirements.

§ 112-905 Impact assessment report.

§ 112-906 Standards for granting special exceptions for student homes.

§ 112-907 Airport hazard area.

§ 112-908 Transportation impact studies.

§ 112-909 Nursing homes in conjunction with personal care homes.

§ 112-910 Special design standards for new streets and alleys.

§ 112-911 Open space provisions.

§ 112-912 Unified mixed-use development.

§ 112-913 Student homes, existing.

§ 112-914 Standards and criteria for pub restaurants.

Article X Administration and Enforcement

§ 112-1001 Zoning Officer.

§ 112-1002 Building permit required.

§ 112-1003 Use and occupancy permit required.

§ 112-1004 Fees.

§ 112-1005 Notice of violation.

§ 112-1006 Violations and penalties.

§ 112-1007 Remedies.

§ 112-1008 Criteria and procedures for conditional uses.

Article XI Zoning Hearing Board

§ 112-1101 Establishment.

§ 112-1102 Membership; appointment; terms; removal.

§ 112-1103 Organization and procedure.

§ 112-1104 Hearings and decisions.

§ 112-1105 Powers and duties.

§ 112-1106 Time limit after variance or special exception granted; extension.

§ 112-1107 Appeals and application procedures.

Article XII Amendments

§ 112-1201 Authority.

§ 112-1202 Procedure upon proposal by landowner.