The following provisions shall apply to all nonconforming uses:
A. 
A nonconforming use may be continued but may not be extended, expanded, or changed unless to a conforming use, except as permitted by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
A zoning permit must be obtained within one year by the owner of any nonconforming use as evidence that the use lawfully existed prior to the adoption of the provision which made the use nonconforming.
C. 
Any nonconforming structure damaged by fire, flood, explosion, or other casualty may be reconstructed and used as before if such reconstruction is performed within one year (12 months) of such casualty, and if the restored structure has no greater coverage and contains no greater cubic content than before such casualty.
D. 
In the event that any nonconforming use, conducted in a structure or otherwise, ceases, for whatever reason, for a period of one year, or is abandoned for any period, such nonconforming use shall not be resumed.
The following provisions shall apply to accessory uses:
A. 
Accessory farm buildings shall not be erected within 100 feet of a neighboring property.
(1) 
Feed lots, runs, pens, and similar intensively used facilities for animal raising and care shall not be located within 300 feet of a neighboring property.
(2) 
Roadside stands for sale of home-grown fruits and vegetables shall be permitted if they are erected at least 30 feet off the road and parking space is provided off the road.
B. 
Every swimming pool shall be enclosed by a fence or wall not less than four feet high to prevent uncontrolled access by small children.
C. 
The exterior storage of not more than one motor vehicle which does not have a current inspection sticker shall be considered an accessory use, but two or more shall constitute an auto salvage business and shall not be permitted as an accessory use.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 282, Vehicle Nuisances.
[Added 6-12-1979 by Ord. No. 569A]
A. 
In passing upon applications for special exceptions and variances, the Zoning Hearing Board shall consider all relevant factors and procedures specified in other sections of this chapter and the following:
(1) 
The danger to life and property due to increased flood heights or velocity caused by encroachments. No special acceptance or variance shall be granted for any proposed use, development, or activity that will cause any increase in flood levels in the floodway district.
(2) 
The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands or downstream to the injury to others.
(3) 
The proposed water supply and sanitary systems and the ability of these systems to prevent disease, contamination, and unsanitary conditions.
(4) 
The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owners.
(5) 
The importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the community.
(6) 
The requirements to the facility for a waterfront location.
(7) 
The availability of alternate locations not subject to flooding for the proposed use.
(8) 
The compatibility of the proposed use with existing development anticipated in the foreseeable future.
(9) 
The relationship of the proposed use to the Comprehensive Plan and floodplain management program for the area.
(10) 
The safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles.
(11) 
The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of raise, and sediment transport of the floodwaters expected at the site. The Zoning Hearing Board may refer any application and accompanying documents pertaining to any request for a special exception or variance for any engineer or other qualified person or agency for technical assistance in evaluating the proposed project in relation to flood heights and velocity, and the adequacy of the plans for protection and other related matters.
B. 
Special exceptions and/or variances shall be only issued after the Zoning Hearing Board has determined that the granting of such will not:
(1) 
Result in unacceptable or prohibited increase in flood heights;
(2) 
Result in additional threats to public safety;
(3) 
Result in extraordinary public expense;
(4) 
Create nuisances;
(5) 
Cause fraud or show victimization of the public; or
(6) 
Conflict with local laws or ordinances.
The following uses may be authorized with such conditions as are deemed appropriate by the Zoning Hearing Board:
A. 
Living quarters in an accessory structure as an accessory use to a single-family house to accommodate domestic employees of the residents of the principal building.
B. 
The accommodation of not more than two nontransient roomers as an accessory use to a single-family house, provided that no.
C. 
Directional signs of a reasonable size in connection with any legal business or industry, provided they contain no information other than instructions for convenience of vehicular traffic in reaching such business or industry.
D. 
Temporary structures and trailers used in conjunction with construction work may be permitted only during the period that the construction work is in progress. Permits for temporary structures shall be issued for a six-month period.
No sign, billboard, or exterior graphic display shall be permitted in any district except as herein provided:
A. 
In any district a sign not exceeding one square foot in surface size is permitted which announces the name, address, or professional activity of the occupant of the premises on which said sign is located.
B. 
A bulletin board not exceeding 24 square feet is permitted in connection with any church, school or similar public structure.
C. 
A temporary real estate or construction sign of reasonable size is permitted on the property being sold, leased or developed. Such sign shall be removed promptly when it has fulfilled its function.
D. 
Business signs shall be permitted in connection with any legal business or industry when located on the same premises, and if they meet the following requirements:
(1) 
Signs shall not contain information or advertising for any product not sold on the premises.
(2) 
Signs shall not have a combined aggregate surface size greater than five square feet for each foot of width of the principal structure on the premises.
(3) 
Signs shall not project over public right-of-way.
(4) 
Signs and structures shall not be illuminated in any manner which causes undue distraction, confusion or hazard to vehicular traffic.
Off-street parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with the specifications in this section in any district whenever any new use is established or existing use is enlarged.
Use
Parking Spaces Required
Dwelling
Two for each dwelling
Church, theater, school
One for every four seats in the largest meeting room
Stores, shops, restaurants, clubs, funeral homes
One for every 100 square feet of public floor space
Business services, warehouses, professional offices
One for every 250 square feet of net floor area
Manufacturing plants
One for every two employees
Hospitals
One for every two beds
Motels
One for every rental unit
A. 
No off-street parking space shall have an area less than 200 square feet.
B. 
Any off-street parking lot for more than five vehicles shall be graded for proper drainage and surfaced so as to provide a durable and dustless surface.
C. 
Any lighting used to illuminate any off-street parking lot shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from adjoining premises in any R District.
One off-street loading berth of not less than 35 feet by 10 feet shall be provided for every business and industrial use with a floor area of more than 10,000 square feet; with one additional berth required for each additional 25,000 square feet of floor area.
[Added 5-17-1994 by Ord. No. 94-05]
A. 
All uses or lots in all zoning districts shall comply with the applicable requirements and standards for managing stormwater runoff in accordance with the municipal subdivision and land development ordinance. (Note: The following language should be included if the municipality permits any of the following land use activities under its zoning district regulations.)
B. 
Agricultural activities, nurseries and forestry management operations, if permitted by this chapter, shall be required to provide for the safe management of stormwater runoff in accordance with the requirements of the subdivision/land development ordinance. However, the submission and approval of a stormwater management plan shall be waived when:
(1) 
Agricultural activities are operated in accordance with a conservation plan or erosion and sedimentation control plan approved by the Allegheny County Conservation District;
(2) 
Forestry management operations are following Pennsylvania DEP management practices contained in its publication Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Guidelines for Forestry and are operating under an erosion and sedimentation control plan.
C. 
Strip mining if permitted by this chapter shall have a plan for control of erosion and sedimentation and stormwater runoff which is approved by the Pennsylvania DEP. If the strip mining operation is located within a watershed(s) for which a stormwater management: plan has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the Storm Water Management Act,[1] then the erosion/sedimentation plan and any permanent stormwater runoff controls shall be consistent with the standards and criteria of the watershed stormwater management plan. A copy of the state-approved erosion/sedimentation plan shall be filed with the municipality prior to commencing mining operations.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 32 P.S. § 680.1 et seq.