A.
Article numbers and captions and section numbers and
captions of this chapter are for convenience only and shall not control
or affect the meaning or the construction of any provisions of this
chapter.
B.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words
and phrases shall be construed throughout this chapter to have the
meanings indicated in this article:
(1)
The word "chapter" means this chapter, codified into Chapter 200 of the Code of the Township of Skippack.
(2)
Words used in the present tense include the future.
The singular includes the plural and the plural the singular. The
masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter.
(3)
The word "shall" means mandatory.
(4)
The words "used" or "occupied" as applied to any land
or structure includes the words "designed, arranged, or intended to
be used or occupied".
(5)
The word "person" includes a corporation, partnership,
association, receiver, legal representative, trustee, trustee in bankruptcy,
labor organization, municipality, as well as an individual and any
other entity recognized as a "person" at law.
(6)
The word "Township" means Skippack Township, Montgomery
County, Pennsylvania.
(7)
The words "Board of Supervisors" mean the Board of
Supervisors of Skippack Township.
(8)
The words "Planning Commission" mean the Planning
Commission of Skippack Township.
(9)
The words "Zoning Hearing Board" mean the Zoning Hearing
Board of Skippack Township.
C.
Any word, term or phrase used in this chapter, but
not specifically defined herein, or defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code, as amended, or defined in the Skippack Township Subdivision
and Land Development Ordinance, as amended,[1] shall be given its normal and customary meaning as found
in the most recent edition of Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
A detached building subordinate to the principal building
that is used for purposes customarily incidental to the principle
use on the lot. The gross usable floor area of accessory buildings
shall not exceed 25% of the gross usable floor area of the principle
building.
A use that is subordinate and customarily incidental to the
principle use on the lot.
A measure of land area containing 43,560 square feet.
Any type of activity where money is exchanged for sexually
oriented materials, activities, entertainment and contact of any nature.
Residences subject to the Fair Housing Act.
Growing, producing or raising of livestock, poultry, crops
or produce typical to farm activity in the County of Montgomery and
the related activities and buildings necessary for these purposes.
Perkiomen Valley Airport.
The highest point of an airport's useful landing area measured
in feet from sea level. For purposes of this chapter, airport elevation
shall be 277 feet above sea level.
All the land lying beneath the approach surfaces, transitional
surfaces, horizontal surfaces and conical surfaces as they apply to
the Perkiomen Valley Airport. An area located in more than one of
the following zones and/or in another zone established by this chapter
is considered to be only in the zone with a more restrictive height
limitation. The various zones are hereby established and defined as
follows:
Runway larger than utility with a visual approach
(applies to Runway 27 end). The inner edge of this approach zone coincides
with the width of the primary surface and is 500 feet wide. The approach
zone expands outward uniformly to a width of 650 feet in a horizontal
distance and 1,000 feet from the primary surface. Its center line
is the continuation of the center line of the runway.
Runway larger than utility with a visibility
minimum greater than three-quarter-mile nonprecision instrument approach
zone (applies to Runway 9 end). The inner edge of the approach coincides
with the width of the primary surface and is 500 feet wide. The approach
zone expands outward uniformly to a width of 800 feet at a horizontal
distance of 1,000 feet from the primary surface. Its center line is
the continuation of the center line of the runway.
Transitional zones. The transitional zones are
areas beneath the transitional surfaces
Horizontal zone: swinging arcs of ten-thousand-foot
radii from the center of each end of the primary surface to each runway
and connecting the adjacent arcs by drawing lines tangent to those
arcs establish the horizontal zone. The horizontal zone does not include
the approach and transitional zones.
Conical zone. The conical zone is established
as the area that commences at the periphery of the horizontal zone
and extends outward therefrom a horizontal distance 4,000 feet.
Any establishment where three or more amusement devices are
located.
Any machine, apparatus or assemblage of materials for entertainment
that is available for use in exchange for a fee.
See "dwelling" and "dwelling unit types."
A surface longitudinally centered on the extended runway
center line, extending outward and upward from the end of the primary
surface and at the same slope as the approach zone height limitations
slope set forth in this chapter. The perimeter of the approach surface
shall coincide with the perimeter of the approach zone.
These zones are set forth in Article IX of this chapter.
The elevation for which there is a one-percent chance in
any given year that flood levels will equal or exceed it. The BFE
is determined by statistical analysis of stream flow records for the
watershed and rainfall and runoff characteristics in the general region
of the watershed.
A floor level partially below grade but having at least 1/2
of its height measured from the finished floor to the finished ceiling
above the average grade level adjoining the floor level.
Any light with one or more beams, capable of being focused
in several directions and rotated or revolved automatically.
A single-family dwelling providing short-term lodging (less
than one month), including breakfast, but no other meals, to lodgers,
in not more than five guest bedrooms. The facility shall be owner-operated,
and the owners shall reside in the single-family dwelling.
An area of land set aside specifically for the purpose of
insulating and protecting one land from another. Required buffers
in this chapter shall not serve as open space. Buffers may consist
of developable and/or undevelopable land. In all cases, this definition
shall take precedence over any language that might appear in the regulations
for individual districts.
Any structure having either enclosing walls or a roof intended
for supporting or sheltering a use or occupancy and attached to the
land. "Building" shall be construed as if followed by the words, "or
parts thereof," including all types of manufactured homes and trailers
for human occupancy.
The aggregate of the maximum horizontal cross-section areas
of the main and accessory buildings taken at the greatest outside
dimensions on the ground floor, including all attachments except steps,
chimneys and uncovered porches.
The percentage expression of the maximum allowable amount
of developable area that may be covered by a building or buildings,
the buildings being measured at their greatest outside dimension,
including all covered appurtenances, such as porches or the like.
The two-dimensional area of a lot within which a principal
structure is permitted to be built and which is defined by the required
yard setbacks.
A portion of any exterior elevation of a building extending
from grade to the top of the parapet wall, or eaves, and the entire
width of the building elevation.
The vertical distance from the average grade of the ground
surrounding a building to the mean of the roof. Chimneys, stair towers
and mechanical equipment may project above the highest point of the
roof to a maximum of 10 feet before being considered a part of the
height measurement. Where the grade is above the entry/main floor
level, the height shall be measured from the entry/main floor level.
All building height restrictions shall apply to all structures.
[Amended 2-13-2008 by Ord. No. 313]
A line within a property equidistant from the property line
or, in the case of street frontages, from the ultimate right-of-way
to the nearest point of a building on the lot, extending the full
length of that portion of the lot.
A line extending the full width of a lot, which is parallel
to the ultimate street right-of-way at an equidistant distance therefrom,
equal to the required front yard for the district in which said lot
is located. The location of this line determines the closest point
to the street that any building may be located.
A facility providing residence for a minimum of three but no more than eight persons and which may include specialized services and qualified staff who provide care, supervision and services for such residents exclusively. In order to qualify for assignment to a community residential facility, mentally ill persons shall be certified by county mental health/mental retardation programs as capable of residing in a community residential facility and be receiving services from a local community mental health program. No person receiving treatment under Article III, Involuntary Examination and Treatment, or Article LV, Determinations Affecting Those Charged with Crime or Under Sentence, of the Act of July 9, 1976, P.L. 817, No. 143, known as the "Mental Health Procedures Act,"[1] shall be eligible for such facility.
[Added 6-9-2004 by Ord. No. 283]
A use permitted in a particular zoning district pursuant
to the provisions in this chapter and the provisions in the PA MPC.
A surface extending outward and upward from periphery of
the horizontal surface at a slope of 20 to one for a horizontal distance
of 4,000 feet.
A facility or institution designed to provide living accommodations
for persons who are incarcerated.
The number of dwelling units per developable acre.
A man-made feature of the land intended to impound and control
stormwater runoff. The portion of the detention basin regulated by
this chapter shall be a ten-foot perimeter measured as a horizontal
extension to the surface created by the one-hundred-year storm event
elevation.
A building occupied principally for residential purposes
of a nontransient nature. See "dwelling types."
Without regard to tenure, dwelling types and dwelling unit
types are regulated in this chapter pursuant to the following specific
meanings. See also "family."
SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHEDA building/unit designed and occupied as a residence for only one family. This is attached to no other building or dwelling in any way.
TWO-FAMILY DETACHEDA building/unit designed and occupied as a residence containing exactly two dwelling units, that is attached to no other building or dwelling in any way.
SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHEDA building/unit designed and occupied as a residence containing three or more dwelling units separated by party walls, including row house and townhouse.
MULTIFAMILY DWELLINGA building designed and occupied as a residence consisting of three or more dwelling units.
GARDEN APARTMENT OR APARTMENT HOUSEA building consisting of three or more apartment units and no other use.
APARTMENTA dwelling unit within an apartment house or within a building containing some other principle use.
CONGREGATE CAREA building designed and occupied as a residence for a particular group of people consisting of some combination of common and individual facilities providing housing for more than six individuals.
GROUP HOMEA building designed and occupied as a residence for up to six noncriminal individuals who require specialized supervision and assistance.
One or more rooms designed and occupied as a complete housekeeping
facility for only one family. Living, sleeping, cooking, dining, bathing
and sanitary facilities shall be provided within the unit.
Any physical object placed in a floodplain that hinders the
passage of water or otherwise affects flood flows.
Any number of individuals living together as a single nonprofit housekeeping unit and doing their cooking on the premises, when said individuals are related by blood, marriage or adoption, including any number of foster children under the care of same; or no more than five unrelated individuals living together as a single nonprofit housekeeping unit. This definition excludes the occupants of a club, fraternity or sorority house, community residential facility, transient establishment, such as a halfway house for recovering drug addicts and alcoholics, lodge, residential club, boardinghouse or rooming house; and also excludes unrelated mentally ill persons unless certified by county mental health/mental retardation programs as capable of residing in a dwelling; and further excludes unrelated persons receiving treatment under Article III, Involuntary Examination and Treatment, or Article IV, Determinations Affecting Those Charged with Crime or Under Sentence, of the Act of July 9, 1976, PL. 817, No. 143, known as the "Mental Health Procedures Act".[2]
[Amended 6-9-2004 by Ord. No. 283; 3-9-2005 by Ord. No. 283-B]
An official map of a community, issued or approved by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, on which floodplain and floodway
boundaries have been designated.
A general and temporary condition of partial or complete
inundation of normally dry land areas. Flooding results from the overflow
of inland or tidal waters or the unusual or rapid accumulation of
surface water runoff from any source.
The area within the floodplain (as determined by the reach
of the one-percent probability flood) that is outside the floodway.
An official map of a community, issued or approved by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency on which the boundaries of the
floodplain and special flood hazard areas have been designated. This
map is prepared according to the best flood data available at the
time of its preparation, and is superseded by the Flood Insurance
Rate Map after more detailed studies have been completed.
An official map of a community, issued or approved by the
Federal Insurance Administration, which delineates both the special
hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.
A study, funded by the Federal Insurance Administration and
carried out by any of a variety of agencies and consultants, to delineate
the special flood hazard areas, base flood elevations, and National
Flood Insurance Program (NIFP) actuarial insurance rate zones. The
study is based on detailed site surveys and analysis of site-specific
hydrologic characteristics.
Any normally dry land area that is susceptible to being inundated
by water from any natural source. This area is usually low land adjacent
to a river, stream, watercourse, ocean or lake.
The operation of a program of corrective and preventive measures
for reducing flood damage, including but not limited to flood control
projects, floodplain land use regulations, floodproofing of buildings
and emergency preparedness plans.
Any combination of structural provisions and/or other modifications
incorporated into individual buildings or properties primarily for
the purpose of reducing or eliminating flood damages.
The channel of a river or watercourse and the adjacent land
areas that must be reserved to discharge the one-percent probability
flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation
more than a designated height, generally one foot.
An accessory building or a part of a principal building used
for the storage of motor vehicles owned and used by the owner or tenant
of the premises, and for the storage of not more than one motor vehicle
owned and used by persons other than the owner or tenant of the premises.
Not more than one commercial vehicle or truck may be stored in a private
garage.
A building, other than a private or storage garage, one or
more stories in height, used solely for the commercial storage, service
or repair of motor vehicles.
A facility used for the sale of vehicle fuel that may include
service facilities and the sale of convenience items but which shall
not include bodywork, painting or automated car wash facilities of
any kind.
An obstruction determined to have a substantial adverse effect
on the safe and efficient utilization of the navigable airspace.
For the purpose of determining height limitations in all zones set forth in Article IX of this chapter and shown on the Zoning District Map, the datum shall mean sea level elevation unless otherwise specified.
See "building height."
A secondary and incidental use to a single-family detached
dwelling, pursuant to the supplemental provisions of this chapter.
A horizontal plane 150 feet above the established airport
elevation, the perimeter of which in plan coincides with the perimeter
of the horizontal zone.
See "motel."
See "swimming pool."
[Added 3-11-2009 by Ord. No. 327]
Any surface which does not consist of grass, mulch, soil
or body of water with a natural bottom. This term shall be used to
address the intensity of use from a zoning perspective and shall not
be used for stormwater runoff calculations.
[Amended 5-14-2008 by Ord. No. 315]
Any scrap, waste, reclaimable material or debris, whether
or not stored or used in conjunction with dismantling, processing,
salvage, baling, disposal or other use or disposition.
An area of land, with or without buildings, used for the
storage outside of a completely enclosed building, or used for discarded
materials, house furnishings, machinery, vehicles, or parts thereof,
with or without the dismantling, salvage, sale, or other use or disposition
of the same. The deposit or storage of two or more motor vehicles
or trailers, in an inoperative condition and/or not having current
inspection stickers issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
for vehicles or issued by the United States Department of Transportation
for trailers, except farm vehicles, shall be deemed to constitute
a junkyard. Auto salvage yards, and junk on individual lots constitute
a junkyard.
The improvement of one lot, or two or more contiguous lots,
tracts, or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
A single building or improvement on a single
lot;
A group of two or more buildings;
The division or allocation of land or space
between or among two or more existing or prospective occupants, by
means of, or for the purpose of, streets, common areas, leaseholds,
condominiums, building groups or other features; or
A subdivision of land.
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 authorized
under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner, or other
person having a proprietary interest in the land.
A space accessible from a street or way, in a building or
a lot, for the temporary use of vehicles while loading or unloading
merchandise or materials.
A parcel of land described in a deed or other instrument
recorded pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
but not including any part of a public right-of-way.
The total horizontal area of the lot lying within the lot
lines, excluding any area of land lying within any street line.
The minimum required area for a lot as regulated in each
district. Floodplain, wetlands, waters of the commonwealth and underground
easements shall encumber not more than 50% of the required minimum.
The ratio of the total ground floor area of all buildings
on a lot to the area of the lot on which they are located.
A lot that has less than the required width at the street
line. The supplemental provisions of this chapter regulate interior
lots.
A property boundary line of any lot held in single and separate
ownership, except that, in the case of any lot abutting a street,
the lot line for such portion of the lot as abuts the street shall
be deemed to be the same as the street line, and shall not be the
center line of the street, or any other line within the same line,
even though such may be the property boundary line.
Any lot line that also divides attached dwellings by common
vertical walls.
The horizontal distance between side lot lines measured at
right angles to the lot depth, and at the building setback line.
The average height of the sea for all stages of the tide,
usually determined from hourly height observations over a nineteen-year
period on an open coast or in adjacent waters having free access to
the sea.
A voluntary negotiating process in which parties in a land
use dispute mutually select a neutral mediator to assist them in jointly
exploring and settling their differences, culminating in a written
agreement which the parties themselves create and consider acceptable.
A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for permanent
occupancy, office or place of assembly 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 within
a permanent foundation.
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.
A parcel of land under single ownership that has been planned
and improved for the placement of mobile homes for nontransient use,
consisting of two or more mobile home lots.
Also "hotel." A facility providing separate, temporary, transient
sleeping accommodations for 10 or more individuals, including accessory
services such as a restaurant or conference center for the general
public.
A legitimate principle land use characterized by the lack
of improvements and activities that are other than natural.
A lot, the area or dimension of which was lawful prior to
the adoption or amendment of a zoning ordinance, but which fails to
conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which is it
located by reasons of such adoption or amendment.
A structure or part of a structure manifestly not designed
to comply with the applicable use or extent of use provisions in a
zoning ordinance or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where
such structure lawfully existed prior to the enactment of such ordinance
or amendment or prior to the application of such ordinance or amendment
to its location by reason of annexation. Such nonconforming structures
include, but are not limited to, nonconforming signs.
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.
Any structure, growth or other object, including a mobile object, which exceeds the limiting height set forth in Article IX of this chapter.
See "special flood hazard areas."
Lands from which the potential for development has been permanently
removed as a result of land development or subdivision process under
the zoning regulations of Skippack Township. Open space may be made
up of both undevelopable land and previously developable land. The
open space may be active or passive in nature, and improvements may
be made on the property to facilitate the use and enjoyment of the
land, whether on a private or public basis. Provision for the ownership
and maintenance of the open space shall be made at the time of the
land development approval in a manner so as to ensure its preservation.
The specific manner shall be subject to approval by the Township Solicitor;
it may be accomplished by dedication to the Township (at the Township's
option), by deed restriction with conveyance to an acceptable association,
condominium, conservancy, corporation, funded community trust, individual
or other legal entity.
The keeping in an unenclosed area of any goods, junk, material,
merchandise, or inoperable vehicles or trailers.
The Department of Environmental Protection of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
See "satellite use."
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of
1968, as reenacted and amended by Act 170 of 1988, as amended, of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
An area of land on a lot set aside specifically to be used
for the temporary parking of motor vehicles.
A reasonably level space, available for the parking of one
motor vehicle, not less than nine feet wide and having an area of
not less than 162 square feet exclusive of passageways, driveways,
or other means of circulation or access. (Refer to the off-street
parking article of this chapter for regulations.[3])
A strip of plantings sufficient to provide an effective screen,
having an initial height of not less than five feet, the ultimate
heights and widths of which shall not be less than 10 feet, and consisting
of not less than 50% evergreen vegetation distributed throughout the
length of the strip.
A building in which is conducted, or is intended to be conducted,
the principal use of the lot on which it is located.
The primary or predominant use of a lot.
Shall refer to personal use by and for the residents on a
property.
A building or structure and its equipment, used for the transmission
and exchange of telephone, radio telephone, gas, power, sewer, and
water facilities; provided, however, that in a residential district
these shall not include public business facilities, storage of materials,
trucks, or repair facilities or housing of repair crews. Such facility
must be certified by and operated under the jurisdiction of the Public
Utility Commission of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
A lot extending between and having frontage on two generally
parallel streets, with vehicular access only from one street, generally
those having the least traffic flow. Refer to the supplemental provisions
of this chapter.
The juncture of the roof and the perimeter wall of the structure.
A defined area on an airport prepared for landing and takeoff
of aircraft along its length. Types of runway capacity slated by FAA
design standards are more specifically defined as follows:
LARGER THAN UTILITY RUNWAYAny runway that is constructed for and intended to be used by propeller-driven aircraft of greater than 12,500 pounds maximum gross weight.
NONPRECISION INSTRUMENT RUNWAYA runway having an existing instrument approach procedure utilizing air navigation facilities with only horizontal guides, or area type navigation equipment, for which a straight-in nonprecision instrument approach procedure has been approved or planned (Runway 9 end).
UTILITY RUNWAYA runway that is constructed for and intended to be used by propeller-driven aircraft of 12,500 pounds maximum gross weight and less.
VISUAL RUNWAYA runway intended solely for the operation of aircraft using visual approach procedures (Runway 27 end).
PRECISION INSTRUMENT RUNWAYA runway having an existing instrument approach procedure utilizing an instrument landing system (ILS). It also means a runway for which a precision approach system is planned and is so indicated on an approved airport layout plan or any other planning document.
A surface longitudinally centered on a runway. When the runway
has a specifically prepared hard surface, the primary surface extends
200 feet beyond each end of that runway; the elevation of any point
on the primary surface is the same as the elevation of the nearest
point on the runway center line.
These surfaces extend outward at ninety-degree angles to
the runway center line and the runway center line extended at a slope
seven feet horizontally for each foot vertically from the sides of
the primary and approach surfaces where they interject the horizontal
and conical surfaces. Transitional surfaces for those portions of
the precision approach surfaces, which project through and beyond
the limits of the conical surface, extend the distance of 5,000 feet
measured horizontally from angles to the extended runway center line.
The Skippack Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, as amended and codified into Chapter 169 of the of the Code of the Township of Skippack.
Also "pad site." A commercial establishment in a planned
shopping center, located independent of other buildings, and frequently
near the road frontage of the center. A satellite use is often ancillary
to large stores in the center, but may also include a commercial use
such as a fast-food restaurant, gas station or bank.
A private educational institution that provides educational
programming or instruction centered upon religious principles, ideals,
or teachings. The school need not have a formal corporate affiliation
with a place of worship.
[Added 6-8-2022 by Ord. No. 360]
A sign with action or motion, flashing or color changes requiring
electrical energy, but not including wind-actuated elements such as
flags, banners or novelty items.
The area of a sign shall mean the area of all lettering,
wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background
on which they are displayed (whether such background is open or enclosed),
but excluding any supporting framework and bracing which are solely
incidental to the display itself, provided the same do not contain
any lettering, wording or symbols.
Where the sign consists of individual letters,
designs or symbols attached to a building, awning, wall or window,
the area shall be that of the smallest rectangle which encompasses
all of the letters, designs and symbols.
Where a sign consists of an identical double-face,
only one side shall be considered in the calculation of area, but
if the interior angle formed by the two faces is greater than 45°,
then both sides of the sign shall be considered in the calculation
of area.
A sign painted, printed or affixed to an awning over windows
or doors of a building. The surface of the sign must be flush with
the surface of the awning.
The entire background area of a sign upon which copy could
be placed. In computing the area of a sign background, only that face
or faces which can be seen from any one direction at one time will
be counted.
Any sign intended to be hung with or without frames, possessing
characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentations applied to paper,
plastic, or fabric of any kind, but a single United States national
flag of reasonable size shall not be considered a "banner" for the
purpose of this section unless its use or purpose is that of advertising
the location or business at which it is flown.
An on-premises sign which advertises or otherwise directs
attention to a business, commodity, service, industry or activity
which is sold, offered or conducted, other than incidentally, on the
premises upon which the sign is located or to which it is affixed.
An on-premises sign that advertises or otherwise directs
attention to a business, commodity, service, industry or other activity
which is sold, offered or conducted, other than incidentally.
Any sign giving the name or names of principal contractors,
architects and lending institutions responsible for construction on
the site where the sign is placed.
Incidental sign designed to guide or direct pedestrians or
vehicular traffic, for the convenience or safety of the public while
on private property. No advertising shall appear on a directional
sign.
A sign on which the names and location of the occupants or
the use of a building is given, including office building and church
directories.
A self-supporting sign resting on or supported by means of
poles or standards, either on the ground or on the roof of a building.
The distance from the highest portion of the sign to the
mean grade at the base of the sign.
A sign in which a source of light is uses in order to make
the message readable. This definition shall include internally and
externally lighted signs.
DIRECT SIGN ILLUMINATIONA sign designed to give forth artificial light directly or through transparent or translucent material, from a source of light within the sign, including but not limited to neon and exposed lamp signs.
FESTOON LIGHTINGA directly illuminated sign composed of either a group of incandescent bulbs hung or strung overhead or on building structures; or light bulbs not shaded or hooded or otherwise screened to prevent direct rays of light from shining on adjacent properties or rights-of-way.
FLASHING SIGNAn illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and/or color at all times when in use.
INDIRECT SIGN ILLUMINATIONA sign illuminated with a light so shielded that no direct rays therefrom are visible elsewhere on the lot where said illumination occurs. If such shielding device is defective, such sign shall be deemed to be a directly illuminated sign.
A sign that advertises or otherwise directs attention to
an activity not on the same lot where the sign is located.
A sign that advertises or otherwise directs attention to
an activity on the same lot where the sign is located.
A sign mounted parallel to a wall or other vertical building
surface, but does not extend beyond the edge of any wall, roofline
or other surface to which it is mounted, and does not project more
than one foot from the surface to which it is mounted.
Any sign mounted to a wall or other vertical surface other
than a parallel sign, but does not project more than four feet from
the surface to which it is mounted, nor project above the wall, roofline
or surface to which it is mounted, nor in any way interfere with normal
pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
Any sign that is used to offer for sale, lease or rent the
property on which the sign is placed.
A sign that revolves 360°.
A sign erected upon or above a roof or parapet wall of a
building, and which is wholly or partly supported by that building.
Any structure which supports or is capable of supporting
a sign, whether or not an integral part of a building.
A sign which advertises community or civic projects, construction
projects, real estate for sale or lease or other special events on
a temporary basis.
Any sign that is erected upon a structure having wheels or
rollers facilitating movement from one location to another.
Any vehicle to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that
the carrying of the sign is no longer incidental to the vehicle's
purpose, but becomes a primary purpose in itself. An example is an
empty tractor-trailer with advertising painted on its side, left for
an extended period of time in front of the business premises that
is advertised on the trailer.
Any sign affixed to or visible through a window.
A use permitted in a particular zoning district pursuant
to the provisions of this chapter and the provisions of the PA MPC.
Areas in a community that have been identified as susceptible
to a one-percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year.
A one-percent probability flood is also known as the "one-hundred-year
flood" or the "base flood." Special flood hazard areas are usually
designated on the Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM) as Zone A. After
detailed evaluation of local flooding characteristics, the Flood Insurance
Rate Map (FIRM) will refine this categorization into Zones A, A0,
A1-30 and V1-30.
Includes substantial improvement, and means the date the
building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction,
repair, reconstruction, placement or other improvement was within
180 days of the permit date. The actual start means either the first
placement of permanent construction of a structure on a site, such
as the pouring of the slab or footings, the installation of piers,
the construction of columns, or any work beyond the stage of excavation;
or the placement of a manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent
construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing,
grading and filling, nor does it include the installation streets
and/or walkways; nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings,
piers or foundations or the erection of temporary forms; nor does
it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings,
such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part
of the main structure. Time extension shall be granted only if the
applicant, who sets forth sufficient and reasonable cause for the
Building Inspector to approve such a request, submits a written request.
Detention basins and all parts thereof; retention basins
and all parts thereof. Underground elements are not included.
See the SALDO for all street type definitions.
The dividing line between a lot and the outside boundary
or right-of-way line on a public street, road, or highway legally
opened or officially plotted, or between a lot and a privately owned
street, road, or way over which the owners or tenants of two or more
lots each held in single and separate ownership have the right-of-way.
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationery location
on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land. Any form
or arrangement of building materials involving the necessity of providing
proper support, bracing, tying, anchoring, or other protection against
the forces of the elements.
Any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing
that contains water greater than 24 inches deep. This includes in-ground,
aboveground and on-ground swimming pools, hot tubs and spas.
[Added 3-11-2009 by Ord. No. 327]
Any object of natural growth.
The expected future right-of-way width computed from the
center line of an established right-of-way, as shown on the Ultimate
Right-of-Way Map for Skippack Township adopted by the Township Board
of Supervisors as a part of the Official Map of Skippack Township.
An area from which water drains to a single point; in a natural
basin, the watershed is the area contributing flow to a given place
or a given point on a stream.
The uppermost zone of water saturation in the ground.
One or more rods, panels, disks or similar devices used to
radiate or capture a transmission of all types of wireless communications
signals.
Building or existing structure which is suitable for the
support of a wireless communications facility, but which has been
designed and constructed for another purpose.
Any unstaffed facility for the transmission and/or reception
of wireless communication services, not including amateur radio station
facilities.
A wireless communications facility, some component of which
is attached to an attachment structure.
Any unmanned structure or enclosure used to contain ancillary
equipment as a component of a wireless communication facility.
When referring to a wireless communication facility tower
or other structure, the distance measured from the finished grade
(immediately adjacent to the tower or structure) to the highest point
on the tower or other structure.
Any design intended to conceal a wireless communication facility.
A structure constructed to support any antenna array.
A space on a lot that is open and unoccupied from the ground
to the sky, except for utility lines, landscaping and parking as permitted
by the applicable zoning district.
The portion of a lot extending the full width of any street
line, or along the front lot line for interior lots, extending in
depth from said line to the nearest point of any building on the lot.
The portion of a lot extending the full depth of the lot
along any side lot line and extending in width from said line to the
nearest point of any principle building on the lot.
The portion of a lot extending the full width of the lot
along the rear lot line and extending in depth from said line to the
nearest point of any principle building on the lot.
The portion of a lot from the respective lot lines to the
minimum required depth or width as regulated in each zoning district.
