For the purpose of this chapter, certain terms and words are defined below. Words used in the present tense shall include the future tense. Words in the singular shall include the plural and words in the plural shall include the singular. Words in the masculine include the feminine and the neuter. The word "shall" is mandatory. The word "may" is permissive. The word "person" includes "individual," "company," "unincorporated association" or other similar entities. The words "used for" include "designed for," "arranged for," "intended for," "maintained for" or "occupied for."
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACADEMIC CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER
An accredited medical school within this commonwealth that operates or partners with an acute care hospital licensed within this commonwealth that has been approved and certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) to enter into a contract with a clinical registrant.
[Added 2-25-2019 by Ord. No. 823]
ACCESSORY BUILDING
A building subordinate to the principal building on a lot and used for purposes customarily incidental to those of the principal building (see §§ 390-29 and 390-30).
ACCESSORY USE
A subordinate use of portion of a lot, or of a building thereon, which is customarily incidental to the main or principal use of the land or of a building on a lot.
ACRE
43,560 square feet.
ADAPTIVE REUSE
The process of adapting existing historic resources for new purposes, including preserving buildings of historical significance while retaining the architectural details and features that make historic resources unique.
[Amended 10-9-2017 by Ord. No. 778]
ADULT BOOKSTORE
A commercial establishment having as a substantial or significant portion of its stock-in-trade, books, magazines, photographs or other materials which are distinguished or characterized by their emphasis on matters depicting, describing or related to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.
ADULT DAY-CARE CENTER
A facility providing care for the elderly and/or functionally impaired adults in a protective setting for a portion of a twenty-four-hour day.
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
ADULT MOTION-PICTURE THEATER
A building or establishment used in whole or in part for presenting motion pictures, distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matters depicting, describing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas for observation by patrons, i.e., paying customers, therein.
ADVERTISING SIGN
A sign, including freestanding signs such as billboards, which direct attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment, conducted, sold, or offered elsewhere than upon the premises where the sign is displayed.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS
The activities, practices, equipment and procedures that farmers adopt, use or engage in the production and preparation for market of animals and their products on a farm that is not less than 10 contiguous acres in area, and if less than 10 acres, has an anticipated yearly gross income of at least $10,000, as defined in the Right to Farm Act (3 P.S. §§ 951 through 957).
[Amended 9-11-2023 by Ord. No. 854]
AGRICULTURAL SIGN
A sign advertising the sale of farm products, including edible farm products, plant nursery products, or livestock produced or raised on the premises. Agricultural signs shall also include those signs that indicated a landowner's membership in agricultural associations or cooperatives or specialization in a particular breed of animal or strain of plant.
[Added 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
AGRICULTURE
A. 
The cultivation of the soil and the raising and harvesting of the products of the soil, including plant nursery and horticulture but excluding forestry;
B. 
Animal husbandry, poultry farming and dairy farming, excluding kennels.
AGRICULTURE (INTENSIVE)
Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and concentrated animal operations (CAOs).
[Amended 9-11-2023 by Ord. No. 854]
AGRICULTURE, PASSIVE
The cultivation of the soil and the raising and harvesting of the products of the soil, including plant nursery and horticulture, but excluding forestry. Such uses shall not be permitted within 75 feet of any property line. Passive agricultural uses shall not include the raising of livestock or other animals. The sale of produce shall not be permitted on the premises of the passive agricultural use, except to the extent that the same is permitted as an accessory use (as a roadside stand for the sale of farm products grown on the premises) in the applicable zoning district and subject to compliance with § 390-32A(8).
[Added 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
ALLEY
See "service street (alley)."
ALTERATION, STRUCTURAL
Any enlargement of a building or structure; the moving of a building or structure from one location to another; any change in or addition to the structural parts of a building or structure; any change in the means of egress from or access to a building or structure.
AMUSEMENT PARK
A recreational use involving permanent structures or buildings where there are various devices for entertainment, including rides, booths for the conduct of games or sale of items, and buildings for shows or entertainment.
ANIMAL EQUIVALENT UNIT (AEU)
One thousand pounds live weight of livestock or poultry animals, regardless of the actual number of individual animals comprising the unit.
[Amended 9-11-2023 by Ord. No. 854]
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
The production, control and management of domestic animals, livestock and poultry.
[Amended 8-26-2013 by Ord. No. 744]
APARTMENT BUILDING
A building on a single lot designed for and occupied as a residence for three or more families, and in which the dwelling units may be separated horizontally and/or vertically.
APARTMENT UNIT
A dwelling unit within an apartment building.
APPLICANT
A landowner(s), developer(s) or authorized agent thereof who has filed an application under this chapter, including his/her heirs, successors and assigns.
APPROVED PRIVATE STREET
A right-of-way which provides the primary vehicular access to a lot, not dedicated or deeded to the Township, but approved by the Board of Supervisors and shown on a recorded subdivision plan.
AREA OF SIGN
The area of a sign shall be construed to include all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background, whether open or closed, on which they are displayed, but not including any supporting framework and bracing which is incidental to the display itself. Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted on the surface, the area shall be considered to be the smallest rectangle or other regular geometric figure, which can be drawn to encompass all of the letters and symbols.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
BASEMENT
Any area of a building having its floor below ground level on all sides.
BED-AND-BREAKFAST
A building occupied by a resident innkeeper containing six or fewer guest rooms for the temporary lodging of guests for compensation and providing to the guests such lodging services as maid service and accessory eating and drinking facilities limited to the serving of breakfast.
BOARDING KENNEL
An establishment wherein domesticated pets are housed for compensation by the day, week or a specified or unspecified time. The term shall not include a kennel necessary for the practice of veterinary medicine if the kennel is covered by the Pennsylvania "Veterinary Medicine Practice Act"; however the term shall include any boarding facility operated by a licensed veterinarian as an accessory use whether or not the facility is on the same premises as a building or structure subject to the provisions of the "Veterinary Medicine Practice Act".
BOARDING KENNEL (SHORT TERM)
An establishment available to the general public that, for consideration, takes control of a domesticated pet from the owner for a portion of the day for the purposes of exercise, day care or entertainment of the pet. This term does not include an establishment engaged solely in pet grooming or training.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Board of Supervisors of the Township of Exeter, Berks County, Pennsylvania.
BREWPUB
A restaurant with facilities for brewing beer for on-site consumption and retail sale at the restaurant. A brewpub must derive a substantial portion of its gross revenue from the sale of food.
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
BUFFER STRIP
A continuous strip of landscaped land, which is clear of all buildings and paved or stoned areas.
BUILDING
A structure enclosed within exterior walls or firewalls built, erected and framed of component structural parts, designed for the enclosure and support of individuals, animals or property of any kind.
BUILDING AREA
The total area taken on a horizontal plane at the main grade level of all primary and accessory buildings on a lot, excluding unroofed porches, paved terraces, steps, eaves and gutters, but including all enclosed extensions.
BUILDING COVERAGE
The percentage of lot area covered by principal and accessory buildings.
BUILDING HEIGHT
The height of a building or structure as calculated by measuring the vertical distance from grade plane to the average height of the highest roof structure. (NOTE: "Grade plane" is defined as a reference plane representing the average of finished ground level adjoining the building at exterior walls. Where the finished ground level slopes away from the exterior walls, the reference plane shall be established by the lowest points within the area between the building and the lot line or where the lot line is more than six feet from the building, between the building and a point six feet from the building.)
BUILDING LENGTH
The measurement of a building in one general direction.
BUILDING SETBACK
The minimum distance a building or structure must be setback from a street right-of-way line (except the right-of-way of a service street).
BUILDING SETBACK LINE
The line within a property establishing the minimum required distance between any building or structure or portions thereof to be erected or altered and a street right-of-way (except the rights-of-way of a service street). The distance shall be measured at right angles from the street right-of-way line, which abuts the property, and the building setback line shall be parallel to said right-of-way line. A building setback line may be established farther from a street right-of-way line than the minimum building setback established for a zoning district.
BUILDING SIGN (WALL SIGN or FACADE SIGN)
A sign posted on, suspended from or otherwise affixed to the wall, facade or vertical surface of a building, which directs attention to business, commodity, or service, conducted, sold or offered on the lot on which the building is located, which sign does not project or extend more than 12 inches horizontally from the wall, facade or vertical surface of the building to which it is affixed. For purposes of building signs, the "frontage wall" shall be the exterior wall by which customers principally obtain primary access to the building. The "other walls" shall be the exterior walls of a store other than the frontage wall. In calculating the permitted size of a building sign, all measurements of walls shall be of their linear length rounded up to the nearest foot.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
CABARET
A club, restaurant, bar, tavern, theater, hall or similar place or establishment which features male and/or female entertainers, including, but not limited to, topless or bottomless dancers, entertainers, strippers or employees whose performance or activities include, even though not limited to, simulated sex acts, live or actual sex acts, or other specified sexual activities and/or reveal or display specified anatomical areas.
CAMPGROUND
A parcel of land on which is provided a space or spaces for travel trailers or tents for camping purposes, regardless of whether a fee has been charged for the occupancy of such space.
CAREGIVER
The individual designated by a patient to deliver medical marijuana.
[Added 2-25-2019 by Ord. No. 823]
CARTWAY
The portion of a street right-of-way, whether paved or unpaved, intended for vehicular use.
CELLAR
An area of a building which is generally below ground level but not on all sides.
CERTIFICATE OF USE AND OCCUPANCY
A statement, based on an inspection signed by the Zoning Officer, setting forth that a building, structure, sign and/or land complies with this chapter, and that a building, structure, sign and/or land may be lawfully employed for a specific use, as provided in this chapter.
CERTIFIED MEDICAL USE
The acquisition, possession, use or transportation of medical marijuana by a patient, or the acquisition, possession, delivery, transportation or administration of medical marijuana by a caregiver, for use as part of the treatment of the patient's serious medical condition, as authorized by certification by the commonwealth.
[Added 2-25-2019 by Ord. No. 823]
CHARTER SCHOOL
A tax-supported school (K-12 or subset thereof) established by a charter between the state and an outside group which operates the school so as to achieve set goals.
CHURCH
A building used for public worship by a congregation, excluding buildings used primarily for residential, educational, burial, recreational or other uses not normally associated with worship.
CLINICAL REGISTRANT
An entity that:
[Added 2-25-2019 by Ord. No. 823]
A. 
Is approved by the DOH as a clinical registrant; and
B. 
Has a contractual relationship with an academic clinical research center under which the academic clinical research center or its affiliate provides advice to the entity, regarding, among other areas, patient health and safety, medical applications and dispensing and management of controlled substances; and
C. 
Is approved by the DOH to hold a permit as both a grower/processor and a dispensary.
CLUB or LODGE
An association of persons for some common nonprofit activity, not including groups organized primarily to render a service, which is customarily carried on as a business.
COGENERATION ELECTRIC POWER PRODUCTION
An electric power production facility or other facility that uses energy or produces a service as waste disposal that creates or converts to a usable energy, which is intended for sale to the public or for sale back to the electrical distribution system or utility provider.
COMMERCIAL SCHOOL
A school for the teaching of a trade or skill, carried on as a business.
COMMISSION
The State Conservation Commission established by the Conservation District Law, 3 P.S. § 849 et seq.
[Amended 9-11-2023 by Ord. No. 854]
COMMON OPEN SPACE
A parcel or parcels of land or an area of water, or a combination of land and water, within the development site designed and intended for use or enjoyment of all residents of the development in which it is located. Land included within the right-of-way lines of streets shall not be classified as common open space. For the purpose of apartment or townhouse developments, common open spaces shall not include required open areas between buildings and between buildings and street rights-of-way, driveways, parking areas unless directly associated with the open space and property lines of the development. No dwelling unit, residential accessory buildings or parking areas may be located within common open spaces (unless directly associated with the open space).
COMMON PARKING AREA
A parking facility other than those provided within the lot lines of a lot on which one single-family detached dwelling, one single-family semidetached dwelling, or one townhouse is located.
COMMON WALL
A wall used or adopted for joint service between two buildings or parts thereof.
CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATION (CAFO)
A combined animal operation (CAO) with greater than 300 animal equivalent units (AEUs), any agricultural operation with greater than 1,000 AEUs, or any agricultural operation defined as a large CAFO under 40 CFR § 122.23.
[Amended 9-11-2023 by Ord. No. 854]
CONCENTRATED ANIMAL OPERATION (CAO)
An agricultural operation with eight or more animal equivalent units (AEUs) where the animal density exceeds two AEUs per acre on an annualized basis. To determine if a particular agricultural operation is a CAO, the procedure set forth under 25 Pa. Code § 83.262 shall be followed.
[Amended 9-11-2023 by Ord. No. 854]
CONDITIONAL USE
A use that shall only be permitted by the Township Supervisors pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
CONSTRUCTION SITE
The total necessary land required for all buildings or uses within a unified development.
CONTRACTOR SIGN
A temporary sign of a contractor, architect, plumber, electrician, roofer, builder, engineer and the like.
[Added 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
CONVALESCENT HOME
An establishment providing nursing, dietary and other similar personal services to convalescents, invalids or aged persons, but excluding mental cases, cases of contagious or communicable disease, surgery or other treatments which are customarily provided in sanitariums and hospitals.
CONVENIENCE STORE
A retail store generally containing less than 2,500 square feet of gross floor area that is designed and stocked to sell primarily food, beverages, and other household supplies to customers. It is designed to attract a large volume of stop-and-go traffic.
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
CONVENTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
A residential use of land that includes the division of property into building lots based upon the standard provisions within the zoning district for lot area, width, building coverage and minimum yard requirements. This definition does not include open space/conservation development.
CORNER LOT
A lot abutting two or more intersecting public or private streets, or a lot situated at the point of abrupt change or direction of a single street (having an interior angle of less than 135°). Upon presentation of an application for establishment of a use on a corner lot, the Township Zoning Officer shall designate which yard abutting a street will be considered the front yard. The yard opposite that yard shall meet the rear yard requirements of the applicable zoning district. Any yard adjoining a street which was not designated the front yard must meet the front yard requirements of the applicable zoning district, and the yard opposite that yard shall meet the side yard requirements of the applicable zoning district. In the case of a building to be placed on a corner lot such that the front of the building will not be parallel to a street line, yards shall be provided so that no building will be placed closer to a street than the front yard requirement of the applicable zoning district, so that no portion of the rear of the building will be placed closer to a lot line than the rear yard requirement of the applicable zoning district, and so that no portion of a side of the building will be placed closer to a lot line than the side yard requirement of the applicable zoning district.
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
A publicly or privately operated facility housing persons (either juvenile or adult) awaiting criminal trial or adjudication, and/or serving a sentence after being found guilty of a criminal offense or being adjudicated delinquent. The term shall include, but not be limited to, jails, prisons, work release centers, prerelease centers, treatment centers and all other similar facilities. The term shall not include a group institution or a group home.
[Added 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
DENSITY (RESIDENTIAL)
The number of dwelling units (DU) per unit area, including allowance for roadways, and the attendant residential population per unit area.
A. 
Low density: less than 300 DU/square mile (>2 acres/DU).
B. 
Medium density: 300 to 1,250 DU/square mile (0.5 to 2.0 acres/DU).
C. 
High density: 1,250 to 2,000 DU/square mile (0.32 to 0.5 acre/DU).
D. 
Very high density: greater than 2,000 DU/square mile (<14,000 square feet/DU; >3.125 DU/acre).
DEVELOPMENT
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including, but not limited to, the construction, reconstruction, renovation, repair, expansion, or alteration of buildings or other structures; the placement of manufactured homes; streets, and other paving; utilities; filling, grading and excavation; mining; dredging; drilling operations; storage of equipment or materials; and the subdivision of land.
DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING CENTER
A facility offering diagnostic imaging services on an outpatient basis to ambulatory patients. The imaging modalities may include general X-ray services, CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, mammography, and any other generally recognized imaging methods commonly utilized on an outpatient basis.
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY TESTING FACILITY
A facility offering diagnostic or pathological testing and analysis of blood, blood fluids, pathological specimens, DNA sampling and analysis, and any other diagnostic test generally recognized in the healthcare industry.
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A sign containing directional information locating public places owned or operated by federal, state, or local governments or their agencies; public or privately owned natural phenomena, historical, cultural, scientific, educational and religious sites, and areas of natural scenic beauty or which are naturally suited for outdoor recreation.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
DISPENSARY
A person, including a natural person, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other entity, or any combination thereof, which holds a current and valid permit issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) to dispense medical marijuana pursuant to the provisions of the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act (Act 16 of 2016).[1]
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
DISTANCE BETWEEN BUILDINGS
This measurement shall be made at the closest point between the structures.
DISTILLERY
A use with a manufacturer or wholesaler license, which does not include any retail type liquor license on the lot or parcel, that is primarily a manufacturing facility, where spirituous liquors are manufactured, that may include a tasting room that is less than or equal to 30% of the total floor area of the facility or 1,000 square feet, whichever is greater. A distillery is allowed limited food service on site. Food service shall be an ancillary use and may include food service provided by the distillery, through a catering service, prepackaged or a restaurant.
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
DRIVEWAY
A private road providing access to a garage, house, or other building, and within 30° of being perpendicular to the public road that it joins. Internal circulation drives shall not be included in the definition of driveways.
DRY CLEANER
An establishment or business maintained for the pickup and drop off of dry cleaning and/or laundry without the maintenance or operation of any laundry or dry-cleaning equipment or machinery on the premises.
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
DUAL USE
Two dissimilar uses, specifically a residential use and a commercial use such as a business/professional office, a retail business or a personal/household service establishment, being conducted in a single structure or on a single lot.
DWELLING
A building or structure or portion thereof arranged, intended, designed or used as living quarters for one or more families living independently of each other. Buildings such as hospitals, hotels, boardinghouses, rooming houses, lodging houses, nursing homes, motels and institutional residences are not included in the definition of dwelling.
A. 
APARTMENT BUILDINGA building on a single lot arranged, intended or designed to be occupied as dwelling units for three or more families, and in which the dwelling units may be separated horizontally and/or vertically.
B. 
MOBILE HOME/MANUFACTURED HOUSINGA transportable, single-family dwelling unit constructed in accordance with the specifications of the State of Pennsylvania intended for permanent occupancy contained in one unit, or in two or more units designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated for repeated towing, which arrives at a site complete and ready for occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations.
C. 
SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED DWELLINGA building arranged, intended or designed to be occupied exclusively as a dwelling unit for one family and having no common wall with an adjacent building.
D. 
SINGLE-FAMILY SEMIDETACHED DWELLINGA building arranged, intended or designed to be occupied exclusively as dwelling units for two families, one family living on each side of an unpierced common wall.
E. 
TOWNHOUSEA building arranged, intended or designed to be occupied exclusively as a dwelling unit for one family which is one of a group of three or more such buildings, placed side by side and separated by unpierced common walls, each dwelling having at least one separate entrance from the outside.
F. 
TWO-FAMILY DETACHED DWELLINGA building arranged, intended or designed to be occupied exclusively as dwelling units for two families, with one family living wholly or partly over the other and with no common wall with an adjacent building.
DWELLING UNIT
A building or structure or portion thereof providing one or more rooms arranged for the use of one or more individuals living together as a single housekeeping unit, and having no cooking or sanitary facilities in common with any other dwelling unit and excluding any garages or garage area. A dwelling unit may have multiple bathrooms, but no more than one kitchen.
DWELLING UNIT FOR THE ELDERLY
A dwelling unit in which at least one resident shall be at least 55 years of age.
[Amended 12-10-2012 by Ord. No. 733]
EDUCATIONAL USE
Land and/or buildings specifically designed, arranged and intended for the primary purpose of educational instruction and learning, including preschools, elementary and secondary schools, whether private or public, including schools relating to religious organizations and vocational schools.
ELECTRIC POWER PRODUCTION
Any facility or installation or improvements designed and intended to produce energy from any source for on-site and/or off-site use.
ELECTRONIC SIGN
A sign capable of displaying text, graphics, symbols, or images that can be electronically or mechanically changed by remote or automatic means, and which directs attention to a business, activity, product, commodity, service, entertainment or communication. An "off-premises electronic sign" shall be defined as a sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment, institution or other use which is offered at a location other than upon the premises on which the sign is located. An "on-premises" electronic sign is a sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment, institution or other permitted use which is offered on the same premises where the sign is located.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
ENERGY SYSTEM
Equipment and devices utilized to store, convert, process or transmit a natural source of energy (solar, wind, surface water, groundwater, geothermal, and other similar sources) into a primary or alternative energy supply source, which provides service to a permitted use on an approved lot.
ESTATE LOT
A large, privately owned lot comprising all or part of an area of open land. The purpose of the estate lot is to provide surrounding residents with visual access to open land, while keeping the land under private ownership and maintenance. It may also be used to preserve an existing building or buildings of historic importance. Only a small portion of the estate lot may be developed; the remainder may be farmed or left in its natural state. Public access to estate lots is not required.
FAMILY
A. 
One or more persons, related by blood, marriage, adoption or guardianship, with not more than two boarders, roomers or lodgers, living together as a single housekeeping unit and using cooking facilities and certain rooms in common.
B. 
Not more than three unrelated persons living together as a single housekeeping unit and using cooking facilities and certain rooms in common.
FARM
An area of land used for agriculture, as defined in this section.
FARMERS MARKET
A retail establishment at which crafts, fruits, vegetables, breads, eggs, milk, cheese, meat, flowers, plants and related agricultural products are sold in an open air setting by those farmers who grow, harvest and process such items from their farm or agriculture operation.
A. 
CRAFTSAll handcrafted, handmade, antique or collectible articles, not otherwise listed under "permitted items for sale."
B. 
CRAFTS APPROVED FOR SALECrafts may be sold, provided the vendor of such crafts is a member of a juried craftsmen's organization. If the vendor wishing to sell crafts is not a member of a juried craftsmen's organization, said vendor must present several items, similar in kind, quality and value to those said vendor wishes to sell, to the Quality Control Committee for final approval for sale at the market. The Committee will evaluate the submitted crafts and issue a decision to the vendor within 48 hours.
C. 
MARKETExeter Farmers Market Association, Inc. or EFMA.
D. 
PERMITTED ITEMS FOR SALEItems permitted for sale shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, all types of grown or produced items, including fruits, vegetables, plants, herbs, cut flowers, baked goods (only if made by vendor, including on premises, and not made by another source), preserves (such as jams, jellies, sauces, canned goods and the like made by the licensed vendor only and not made by another source), honey, cider and juice (only permitted if pressed/extracted by the licensed vendor and not made by another source), meat, animal products, confections, coffee, foraged foods, fish, seafood, fowl, wine and limited prepared foods.
E. 
QUALITY CONTROL COMMITTEEA committee of three individuals comprised of individuals who are the market's directors and/or approved market vendors. At least two individuals on the Quality Control Committee shall be market directors. No Quality Control Committee may be established where the majority of said Committee is approved vendors. The decision of the majority of the Committee shall be final.
FLAG LOT
Any lot of irregular shape that has a narrow access strip (not meeting the minimum lot widths requirements of this chapter and thus too narrow for the construction of a principal building) leading from a street or other right-of-way to a wider portion of the lot which is intended for construction of a principal building and which wider portion complies with the minimum lot width requirements of this chapter. Flag lots shall not be permitted.
FLEA MARKET
An open-air market for secondhand articles and antiques.
FLOOR AREA (GROSS FLOOR AREA)
The sum of the gross horizontal areas of every floor of a building measured to the exterior faces of exterior walls and to the center line of party walls; includes basement space, atria (open or roofed) and roofed porches, roofed breezeways, roofed terraces, roofed garages, carports and accessory buildings; also included are all cellar/basement and attic areas that have floor surfaces with clear standing headroom (six feet six inches minimum or prevailing code) regardless of use.
FORESTRY
The management of forests and timberlands when practiced in accordance with accepted silvicultural principles, through developing, cultivating, harvesting, transporting and selling trees for commercial purposes, which does not involve any land development.
FORM OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA
The characteristics of the medical marijuana recommended or limited for a particular patient, including the method of consumption and any particular dosage, strain, variety and quantity or percentage of medical marijuana or particular active ingredient.
[Added 2-25-2019 by Ord. No. 823]
FREESTANDING SIGN
An independently supported sign, not attached to any building. The term "freestanding sign" shall include billboards. For the purposes of this chapter, a V-type sign and a back-to-back sign arrangement shall constitute two separate signs. Further, for the purposes of this chapter, an "off-premises freestanding sign" shall be defined as a sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment, institution or other use which is offered at a location other than upon the premises on which the sign is located. An "on-premises sign" is a sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment, institution or other permitted use which is offered on the same premises where the sign is located.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
FRONTAGE (STREET FRONTAGE)
The lot width measured along the right-of-way line of any street or highway abutting a lot.
GOVERNMENTAL SIGNS
All signs erected by a governmental body, or under the direction of such a body, such as safety signs, signs identifying public schools and playgrounds, excepting identification signs for schools or educational institutions, and also excepting traffic control signs.
[Added 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
GRADE
The level of the ground adjacent to the exterior walls of a building or structure, or adjacent to the base of a sign.
GROSS FLOOR AREA
See "floor area."
GROSS LEASABLE AREA
The gross leasable area of commercial buildings shall equal the sum of the gross horizontal areas of every floor of a building measured to the interior faces of exterior walls and to the interior face of party walls; to the extent other areas are used for selling goods and/or services to the general public, and are open for use by the general public on a regular basis and are fully enclosed (with or without a roof), then the calculation shall include basement space, atria, mezzanines, upper floors and space that is external to the outside wall faces that is used for sales such as, but not limited to, garden centers.
GROUP HOME
A building constituting a single housekeeping unit of not fewer than four and not more than 14 persons with handicaps, not necessarily related by blood, marriage, adoption or legal guardianship. All group homes shall be licensed and regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare ("DPW"). Facilities which house persons who pose a direct physical threat to the community shall not be deemed a "group home" under the provisions of this chapter, noting that such persons include, but are not necessarily limited to, individuals who have violent behavioral disorders or who have been convicted or adjudicated delinquent for violent offenses. The following facilities also do not constitute group homes under this chapter: a group institution, a correctional facility, an alcohol or drug treatment facility, a halfway house for adults, a work release facility for individuals convicted of a crime, a facility providing housing to sexual offenders, or any such similar facility.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
GROUP INSTITUTION
A building constituting a household of not more than 14 persons, not necessarily related by blood, marriage, adoption or legal guardianship. All group institutions shall be licensed and regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare ("DPW") and accredited by an authorized third-party agency, such as the Joint Commission [formerly the Joint Commission on Accreditation on Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)]. Group institutions shall include those facilities that serve as a court-mandated alternative to incarceration, as well as those facilities that provide housing to juveniles adjudicated delinquent of nonviolent offenses. Group institutions shall not provide housing for individuals who have violent behavioral disorders or who have been convicted or adjudicated delinquent for violent offenses. The following facilities also do not constitute group institutions under this chapter: an alcohol or drug treatment facility, a halfway house for adults, a work release facility for individuals convicted of a crime, a facility providing housing to sexual offenders, or a secured care facility, secure detention or secure treatment center (such as where the residents have been convicted or adjudicated for violent offenses). Group institutions shall not provide, nor be licensed to provide, treatment for adjudicated sex offenders, fire setters, murderers, kidnappers, armed robbers or juveniles diagnosed with violent psychiatric disorders.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
GROWER/PROCESSOR
A person, including a natural person, corporation, partnership, association, trust or other entity, or any combination thereof, which holds a permit from the DOH to grow and process medical marijuana.
[Added 2-25-2019 by Ord. No. 823]
GROWER/PROCESSOR FACILITY
Any building or structure used to grow medical marijuana by a licensed grower/processor that has a current and valid license from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) pursuant to the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act (Act 16 of 2016).[2]
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
HANDICAP
With respect to a person, a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities or having a record of such an impairment or being regarded as having such an impairment. The Zoning Hearing Board shall interpret this term consistent with its meaning as provided in the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the applicable provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations set forth thereunder.
[Added 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
HAZARDOUS WASTE
Garbage, refuse, or sludge from an industrial or other wastewater treatment plant; sludge from a water supply treatment plant or air pollution control facility; and other discarded material, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous material resulting from municipal, commercial, industrial, institutional, mining, or agricultural operations, and from community activities; or a combination of the above, which because of its quantity, concentration or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics may do one of the following:
A. 
Cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or increase in morbidity in either an individual or the total population.
B. 
Pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of or otherwise managed.
HEIGHT OF SIGN
The vertical distance measured from the grade of the cartway nearest to the sign to its highest point of the sign. The highest point in the case of a sign shall include the supporting structure.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
HIGHWAY ACCESS POINT
A place of egress from or access to a street or highway created by a driveway or another street or highway. Measurement between them shall be from the termination of one such point to the beginning of another such point.
HIGHWAY FRONTAGE
The lot dimension measured along the right-of-way line of any one street or highway abutting a lot.[3]
HISTORIC RESOURCE
A building, site, structure, and/or district designated on the Historic Resources Map.
[Added 10-9-2017 by Ord. No. 778]
HISTORIC RESOURCES MAP
The map adopted as Appendix A[4] of this Zoning Ordinance, which depicts the location and designation of the Historic Resources and their respective classifications.
[Added 10-9-2017 by Ord. No. 778]
HISTORICAL MARKER SIGN
A sign that designates an historic resource located on the premises on which the sign is located.
[Amended 10-9-2017 by Ord. No. 778]
HOME OCCUPATION
An occupation customarily conducted within a dwelling unit and as indicated within the home occupation regulations of this chapter excluding bed-and-breakfast.
HOME OFFICE
A room in the dwelling unit that may contain a desk, computer, possibly with modem, fax machine, copy machine, telephone, answering machine where appointments are made, supplies are ordered, etc.
HOSPITAL
An institution designed for the prevention, diagnosis, intervention, treatment, rehabilitation and care of human injury, illness, pregnancy or infirmity and providing health services which shall include acute and surgical care facilities and which may include, as related facilities, wellness facilities, laboratories, x-ray services, clinical treatment and therapy services, outpatient service facilities and departments, pharmacy and hospice services, training facilities, and offices used primarily for the private or group practice by staff health care practitioners.
HOTEL
A building or group of buildings containing seven or more individual rooms for rental, primarily for transients, with common hallways for all rooms on the same floor, and where no provision is made for cooking in any individual room or suite. "Hotel" does not include institutional or educational uses and buildings where human beings are housed under legal constraint.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
A waste that would be considered hazardous under the Pennsylvania Solid Waste Act,[5] but for the fact that it is produced in quantities smaller than those regulated as hazardous waste under the Act and is generated by persons not otherwise covered as hazardous waste generators by that Act.
IDENTIFICATION CARD
A document issued by the DOH that permits access to medical marijuana.
[Added 2-25-2019 by Ord. No. 823]
IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A freestanding sign that displays the name, address, and number of a building, institution or person being limited to the activity/service carried out in the building, institution or the occupancy of the person on the premises on which the sign is located (being only an on-premises sign). Identification signs shall include: bulletin or announcement boards for schools, churches, clubs, lodges, or similar uses; signs identifying the name of a subdivision; and signs identifying the name of a multifamily dwelling (such as garden apartments, townhouses, and PRDs).
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
IMPERVIOUS
A surface, such as a building or paved area, that is not easily penetrated by water, with a runoff coefficient of 0.8 or greater. In addition, areas covered by gravel or stone that are intended for vehicular movement or parking shall be considered to be impervious for the purpose of this chapter.
IMPROVEMENT
Any type of structure or paved section, excluding improvements necessary for entrance or exit driveways, curb, sidewalk, planting strip or barrier to unchanneled motor vehicle entrance or exit.
IMPROVEMENT SETBACK
The minimum distance an improvement must be set back from a street right-of-way line.
IMPROVEMENT SETBACK LINE
A line parallel to and measured at right angles from a street line. No improvements are permitted between the street line and the improvement setback line.
INCIDENTAL SIGN
A small sign, emblem or decal less than eight square feet per side in area, informing the public of goods, facilities or services available on the premises, e.g., a credit card sign, directional (entrance, exit) or a sign indicating hours of business.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
INCUBATEE
An entrepreneurial company (whether a sole proprietorship or any business entity recognized under state law) who is being assisted by a business incubator through the provision of an array of business-support resources and services, including, but not limited to, affordable physical spaces, shared offices, common services, financial assistance, marketing support, coaching, and networking connections.
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
INCUBATOR
An organization designed to accelerate the growth and success of business incubatees (typically two or more sharing some form of common area) through an array of business-support resources and services, including, but not limited to, affordable physical spaces, shared offices, common services, financial assistance, marketing support, coaching, and networking connections.
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
INSTITUTIONAL USE
A building, structure or use that involves the housing of more than five individuals that are not related in a building, structure or use regulated as an institutional use under the Uniform Building Code or any Pennsylvania State health, welfare or safety act, statute or code classifying such home, structure, building or use as an institutional use for purposes of health, safety or welfare regulation, permitting or classification of the use or structure.
JUNKYARD
A lot, land or structure, or part thereof, used for the buying, trading, collecting, dismantling, storage and/or sale of scrap or discarded material, including, but not limited to, scrap metal, scrapped, abandoned or junked motor vehicles, machinery, equipment, glass and containers, but not including refuse or garbage kept in a proper container for the purpose of prompt disposal.
KENNEL
A commercial establishment wherein domesticated pets are kept for breeding, boarding, sale or show purposes [also see "boarding kennel" and "boarding kennel (short term)"].
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved land, including the improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
A. 
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings, whether proposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential building on a lot or lots regardless of the number of occupants or tenure;
B. 
The division or allocation of land and/or space, whether initially or cumulatively, between or among two or more existing or prospective occupants by means of or for the purpose of streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominium, building groups or other features;
C. 
A subdivision of land.
LAUNDROMAT
A business that provides washing, drying, and/or ironing machines for hire to be used by customers on the premises.
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
LOT
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed or built upon as a unit.
LOT AREA
The area contained within the property lines of a lot excluding space within all street rights-of-way.
LOT COVERAGE
The percentage of a lot covered by principal and accessory buildings.
LOT LINE
A line forming the front, rear or side boundary of a lot.
A. 
FRONT LOT LINEThe line separating a lot from a street. The front lot line is also the street line.
B. 
REAR LOT LINEThe lot line that is opposite the front lot line. The rear line of any triangularly or irregularly shaped lot shall be established such that it will be at least 10 feet long.
LOT OF RECORD
A lot or parcel recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Berks County, Pennsylvania.
LOT WIDTH
The distance between side lot lines when measured at the street line, the minimum lot width shall be provided contiguous along the street line of one street, and the minimum building setback line, the minimum lot width shall be provided contiguous along the minimum building setback line established from one street. In the case of a corner lot, the minimum lot width must be provided along the street line and minimum building setback line established from one street only.
MASSAGE
Any method of pressure on or friction against, or stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping, pounding, vibrating, or stimulating of the external parts of the human body with the hands or with the aid of any mechanical or electrical apparatus or appliances with or without such supplementary aids as rubbing alcohol, liniments, antiseptics, oils, powder, creams, lotions, ointments, or other such similar preparations commonly used in the practice of massage, under such circumstances that it is reasonably expected that the person to whom the treatment is provided or some third person on his or her behalf will pay money or give any other consideration or any gratuity therefor.
MASSAGE PARLOR
Any establishment having a source of income or compensation derived from the practice of massage and which has a fixed place of business where any person, firm, association or corporation engages in or carries on the practice of massage; provided, however, that this definition shall not be construed to include a hospital, nursing home, medical clinic, or the office of a physician, surgeon, chiropractor, osteopath, or physical therapist duly licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, nor barbershops or beauty shops in which massages are administered only to the scalp, face, neck or the shoulders. In addition, this definition shall not be construed to include a volunteer fire department, a volunteer rescue squad or a nonprofit organization operating a community center, a swimming pool, tennis court, or other educational, cultural, recreational or athletic facilities and facilities for the welfare of the residents of the area.
MEDIATION
A voluntary negotiating process in which parties in a 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.
MEDICAL DENTAL CLINIC
A facility operated by one or more physicians, dentists, chiropractors or other licensed practitioners of the healing arts for the examination and treatment of persons solely on an outpatient basis.
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Marijuana for certified medical use as legally permitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with Act 16.
[Added 2-25-2019 by Ord. No. 823]
MEDICAL MARIJUANA DELIVERY VEHICLE OFFICE
Any facility used to house delivery vehicles for supplying marijuana plants or seeds to one or more grower/processor facilities and/or dispensary facilities.
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
MEDICAL MARIJUANA ORGANIZATION OR FACILITY
A dispensary or a grower/processor of marijuana for medical purposes.
[Added 2-25-2019 by Ord. No. 823]
MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING
A building used exclusively by physicians, dentists, and similar personnel for the treatment and examination of patients solely on an outpatient basis, provided that no overnight patients shall be kept on the premises.
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
MEMORIAL SIGN
A sign that is directly affixed to a building or structure and identifies the date of the erection thereof.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
MICROBREWERY
A facility for the brewing of beer that produces less than 15,000 barrels per year. It may include a tasting room and retail space to sell the beer to patrons on the site.
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
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, which is leased by the park owner to the occupants of the mobile home erected on the lot.
MOBILE HOME PARK
A parcel of land under single ownership which has been planned and improved for the placement of mobile homes for nontransient use, consisting of two or more mobile home lots.
MUNICIPAL USE
Use by Exeter Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania.
MUNICIPALITY
Exeter Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania.
NO-IMPACT HOME-BASED BUSINESS
A business or commercial activity administered or conducted as an accessory use which is clearly secondary to the use as a residential dwelling and which involves neither customer, client, or patient traffic, nor pickup, delivery, or removal functions, in excess of those normally associated with residential use. The activity must further satisfy specified requirements.
NONCONFORMING LOT
A lot the area or dimension of which was lawful prior to the adoption or amendment of this chapter, but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district which it is located by reasons of such adoption or amendment.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
A sign which does not conform to the requirements of this chapter or subsequent amendments hereto, but which lawfully existed prior to the enactment of this chapter.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE OR BUILDING
A structure or building, or part thereof, which does not meet the applicable provisions or requirements of the zoning district in which it is located, either at the time of enactment of this chapter or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such building or structure lawfully existed prior to the enactment of such ordinance or amendment. Such nonconforming structures include, but are not limited to, nonconforming signs.
NONCONFORMING USE
The use, whether of land or of structure, which does not meet the applicable provisions or requirements of the zoning district in which it is located, either at the time of enactment of this chapter or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, but which did not violate any applicable use regulations prior to the enactment of such ordinances or amendments. However, no existing use shall be deemed nonconforming solely because of the existence of less than the required number of off-street parking spaces.
NOTICE
Any notice required by this chapter to be sent to a party or person in interest shall be sent to the last known address of such party or person in interest by certified U.S. first-class mail, delivered to addresses only, return receipt requested.
NURSING HOME
Establishment providing nursing, dietary and other similar personal services to convalescents, invalids or aged persons, but excluding treatments which are customarily provided in sanitariums and hospitals.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
A sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment, institution or other use which is offered at a location other than upon the premises on which the sign is located.
[Added 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
ONE-HUNDRED-YEAR FLOODPLAIN
An area adjacent to a watercourse, which can be expected to flood on the average once during any one-hundred-year period (i.e., that has one-percent chance of occurring each year, although the flood may occur in any year).
ON-PREMISES SIGN
A sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment, institution or other permitted use which is offered on the same premises where the sign is located.
[Added 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
OPEN AREA
Free of all buildings, paving, other impervious surfaces, outside storage and structures except as permitted by this chapter. Landscaping or screening as permitted by this chapter may occur within the open area.
OPEN SPACE/CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT
A residential development containing attached or detached units on a limited portion of land with the remaining land areas consolidated into common open space areas and with certain deed restrictions and other covenant requirements for open space. Refer to § 390-60.
PARK
A tract of land designed and utilized by the general public for active and/or passive outdoor recreation purposes, which includes a fenced or secured dog park.
PATIO/TERRACE
Paved outdoor area adjoining a residence.
PAVED AREA
The portion of lot area, excluding building coverage, that is covered by concrete, asphalt, brick, paving block, tile, flagstone, compacted earth, compacted crushed stone, other natural or manufactured paving material, etc.; also includes areas covered by artificial turf that is supported by an impervious substructure.
PERMANENT SIGN
Any sign which is not a temporary sign.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
PERSON
Any natural person, partnership, firm, association, corporation or other legal entity.
PERSONAL CARE HOME
A premise in which food, shelter and personal assistance or supervision are provided for a period exceeding 24 hours for four or more adults who are not relatives of the operator, who do not require the services in or of a licensed long-term care facility, but who do require assistance or supervision in matters such as dressing, bathing, diet, financial management, evacuation of a residence in the event of an emergency or medication prescribed for self-administration.
PERSONAL SERVICE
A business engaged in providing services generally to individuals, by persons who may or may not be licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. These businesses are barber shops, beauty and nail salons, massage therapy, personal fitness training, beauty or health spas or salons, tailor shops, dressmaker shops, diet and weight reducing centers, laundromats and dry cleaners (drop off), linen supplies, shoe repair, music and art instruction studios, photographic studios, travel bureau, locksmiths, tanning salons and costume rental. No other personal service uses are permitted.
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
PLACE OF INDOOR AMUSEMENT OR RECREATION
A commercial recreational land use conducted entirely within a building, including, but not limited to, an arcade, arena, art gallery and studio, art center, assembly hall, athletic and health clubs, auditorium, bowling alley, club or lounge, community center, conference center, exhibit hall, gymnasium, library, movie theater, museum, performance theater, pool or billiard hall, skating rink, swimming pool, or tennis court.
[Added 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 794]
PORTABLE SIGN
Any sign designed to be moved easily and not permanently affixed to the ground or to a structure or building.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
PREMISES
Area occupied by a business or other public enterprise. When more than one business occupies a single building on the ground floor, each business area shall be considered a separate premises. A business or other public enterprise, which occupies other floors, shall be considered separate premises.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING
A building or structure in which a principal use on a lot is conducted.
PRINCIPAL USE
The main or primary purpose for which any land, structure or building is designed, arranged or intended, and for which they may be occupied or maintained under the terms of this chapter.
PRIVATE ROAD
A street not dedicated to Exeter Township.
PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS
Persons who provide expert or professional advice, including, but not limited to, architects, attorneys, certified public accountants, engineers, geologists, land surveyors, landscape architects or planners.
PROFESSIONAL SIGN
Signs indicating the name, profession, or activity of the occupancy or of the property (i.e., being limited to an on-premises sign).
[Added 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
PROMOTIONAL SIGN
An on-premises sign that promotes or advertises a special event on a property, limited to not more than four times per calendar year in a commercial or industrial zoned district, such as banners, A-type, sandwich-type, sidewalk or curb signs.
[Added 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Township. Such notice shall state the time and place of the hearing and the particular nature of the matter to be considered at the hearing. The first publication shall be not more than 30 days and the second publication shall not be less than seven days from the date of the hearing, or as may be required by Act 247, as amended.[6]
PUBLIC ROAD
A public thoroughfare, including a street, road, lane, alley, court or similar terms, which has been dedicated or deeded to the Township and accepted by it.
PUBLIC SCHOOL
A tax-supported educational facility controlled and operated by the Exeter Township School District.
PUBLIC UTILITY SIGN
Signs necessary for the identification and protection of approved public utility facilities.
[Added 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
REAL ESTATE SIGN
A sign advertising the sale or rental of real estate.
[Added 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
A modification to the rules and regulations contained in this chapter, as amended, that enables persons with handicaps to acquire equal access to housing as provided in the Fair Housing Amendments Act.
[Added 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
RECREATION
A. 
OUTDOORA recreational use and associated facilities designed and equipped for the conduct of sports and leisure time activities, including swimming, tennis and other court games, baseball and other field sports, playground and other outdoor activities, but excluding amusement parks, go-cart tracks, shooting ranges and other activities which generate noise objectionable to a residential environment.
B. 
INDOORThe use of a building or part thereof for indoor sports such as bowling, tennis, racquetball, squash, indoor basketball, indoor swimming and those sports activities usually conducted indoors, but excluding target shooting or any other activities that create loud noises or may be dangerous or disturbing to surrounding residents.
RECREATIONAL FACILITY SIGN
A sign identifying a golf course, country club or other recreational facility when located on the premises thereof, and containing no commercial advertising.
[Added 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
REFORESTATION
The process of creating woodlands with three distinct layers of vegetation: canopy trees; understory shrubs or trees; and herbaceous groundcover plants.
REGISTRY
The registry established by the DOH for all medical marijuana organizations and practitioners.
REST ROOM
A room or suite of rooms providing toilets and lavatories.
RETIREMENT HOME
Establishment providing nursing, dietary and other similar personal services to convalescents, invalids or aged persons, but excluding other treatments, which are customarily provided in sanitariums and hospitals.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
The total width of any land reserved or dedicated as a street, road, lane, alley, crosswalk or for other public or semipublic uses.
RIPARIAN AREA OR RIPARIAN CORRIDOR
Land adjacent to a stream, lake, pond, wetlands, or waterway. Riparian areas form the transition between the aquatic and the terrestrial environment.
RURAL BUSINESS
As listed in § 390-12B(17).
[Added 8-26-2013 by Ord. No. 744]
RURAL FARM MARKET
A retail sales use where one vendor displays and sells general merchandise that is new or used.
[Added 8-26-2013 by Ord. No. 744]
SALDO
Exeter Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance No. 550, as amended, or any subsequent enactment thereof.[7]
SANITARY LANDFILL
A land site on which engineering principles are utilized to bury deposits of solid waste without creating public health or safety hazards or nuisances.
SANITARY SEWAGE SYSTEM, COMMUNITY
A sanitary sewage collection system in which sewage is varied from individual lots by a system of pipes to a temporary central treatment and disposal plant, generally serving a neighborhood area.
SANITARY SEWAGE SYSTEM, ON-SITE
Any structure designed to treat sanitary sewage within the boundaries of any individual lot.
SANITARY SEWAGE SYSTEM, PUBLIC
A sanitary sewage collection system in which sewage is carried from individual lots by a system of pipes to a central treatment and disposal plant.
SCHOOLS
Public or private, including parochial and nonsectarian schools.
SCREEN
Vegetative material, fence, etc., planted for or constructed to screen the buildings, structures and uses on the lot on which the screen is located from the view of people on adjoining properties.
SEASONAL
Any consecutive three-month period within a calendar year.
SERVICE STREET
A minor right-of-way providing secondary vehicular access to the side or rear of two or more properties, which is not the primary means of access to the properties. (See "alley.")
SEXUAL OFFENDER
A person who has been convicted or adjudicated delinquent of an offense as set forth in 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9795.1 (relating to registration of sexual offenders).
SHOPPING CENTER
The multiple use of a single property for a planned group of nonresidential uses, including retail operations, personal services, offices, financial institutions, medical and dental clinics, restaurants, family entertainment centers, taverns, nightclubs and similar planned uses as determined by the Zoning Officer, where the uses exceed a cumulative total of 30,000 gross square feet of floor area and are owned and maintained by an individual, corporation, partnership or organization. All shopping centers shall be planned and designed as an integrated, coordinated unit or converted as such with common off-street parking facilities, stormwater management facilities and utility services.
SIGHT TRIANGLE (CLEAR)
An area within which no vision-obstructing object is permitted above a height of 2 1/2 feet and below a height of 10 feet.
SIGN
Any structure, wall or other outdoor surface, or any device or part thereof, which displays or includes any letter, word, model, banner, flag, pennant, insignia, device or other representations used for announcement, direction, information, attraction or advertisement.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
SILVICULTURE
The art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health and quality of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs and values of landowners and society on a sustainable basis.
SMALL WIND ENERGY SYSTEM
A wind energy generation and/or conversion system with a rated capacity of 100 kW or less, the main purpose of which is to generate electricity and to reduce on-site consumption of utility power, consisting of a wind turbine, a tower, mounting frame and associated control or conversion electronics.
SOLID WASTE
Waste, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous materials.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
The granting by the Zoning Hearing Board for permission to conduct a use permitted in a particular district, to undertake certain activities, to occupy or use land, buildings or structures for a specific purpose or in a certain manner in accordance with this chapter.
SPECIFIED ANATOMICAL AREAS
A. 
Less than completely or opaquely covered human genitals, pubic region, buttocks or female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola; or
B. 
Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely or opaquely covered.
SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIES
A. 
Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal;
B. 
Acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse or sodomy; and
C. 
Fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttocks or female breast.
STREET
A strip of land, including the entire right-of-way (i.e., not limited to the cartway) intended to be used by vehicular traffic or pedestrians. The word "street" includes street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, parkway, lane, alley, viaduct and other ways used or intended to be used by vehicular traffic or pedestrians whether public or private. Streets are further classified according to the function they perform:
A. 
ARTERIALS:
(1) 
PRINCIPAL ARTERIALSServes statewide or interstate travel. Serves all urbanized areas. Provides integrated movements without stub connections.
(2) 
MINOR ARTERIALSLinks cities, larger towns and other traffic generators. Provides integrated interstate and intercounty service. Spaced at proper intervals consistent with population density. Corridor movements consistent with above with greater trip lengths and travel densities than those served by rural collector or local systems.
B. 
COLLECTORS:
(1) 
MAJOR COLLECTORSProvides service to county seats, larger towns and other traffic generators. Connects routes of higher classification. Serves intracounty travel corridors.
(2) 
MINOR COLLECTORSSpaced at intervals to collect traffic from local roads. Provides services to remaining smaller communities. Links local traffic generators with rural hinterland.
C. 
INTERSTATE AND OTHER LIMITED ACCESS FREEWAYSProvides limited access facilities.
D. 
LOCAL ROADSProvides access to land adjacent to collector network. Serves travel over relatively short distances. Constitutes all rural mileage not classified in one of the higher systems.
(1) 
CUL-DE-SAC STREETA local road intersecting another street at one end, and terminating in a vehicular turnaround at the other end.
(2) 
HALF (PARTIAL) STREETA street, generally parallel and adjacent to a property line, having a lesser right-of-way width than normally required for improvement and use of the street.
(3) 
MARGINAL ACCESS STREETA local road parallel and adjacent to an arterial street but separated from it by a reserve strip, which provides access to abutting properties and control of intersections with the arterial street.
(4) 
SERVICE STREET (ALLEY)A minor right-of-way providing secondary vehicular access to the side or rear of two or more properties which is not the primary means of access to the properties.
STREET DIRECTORY SIGN
A sign that identifies and/or directs vehicular traffic as to location of nearby streets and roadways.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
STREET FRONTAGE
The lot dimension measured along the street line or right-of-way line of any one street or highway abutting a lot.
STREET LINE
The dividing line between a lot and the outside boundary of a public street, road or highway right-of-way legally open or officially mapped by a municipality or higher governmental authority, between a lot and the outside boundary of a street shown on a recorded subdivision or land development plan, or between a lot and a private street, road or way over which the owners or tenants of two or more lots held in single and separate ownership have a right-of-way.
STRUCTURE
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land (excluding paved areas, parking lots, driveways and access drives).
SWIMMING POOL
A pool used for swimming or bathing which has a depth in any part of 24 inches or more.
TANK FARM
A facility having two or more storage containers for the transfer of inorganic liquids or gases and from which no retail sale of fuel to the public is conducted.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign not constructed or intended for long term use, not including portable or vehicular signs as defined.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
TIMBER HARVESTING
The cutting and removal of trees from a forested area. Several types of timber harvesting methods are defined as follows:
A. 
CLEAR-CUTThe establishment of a new even-aged stand from the development of new trees after removal in a single cutting of all trees in the previous stand, except trees reserved as part of the Bureau of Forestry reservation guidelines. Regeneration is established after the cut from one or more of the following: natural seeding, direct seeding, planted seedlings, or coppice regeneration. Fences, herbicide, or fertilizer are options to protect or enhance established regeneration for any of the areas having significant deer browsing or other inhibiting vegetation problems.
B. 
DIAMETER-LIMIT CUTA timber harvesting treatment in which all trees over a specified diameter may be cut. Diameter-limit cuts often result in high-grading.
C. 
HIGH-GRADINGA type of timber harvesting in which larger trees of commercially valuable species are removed with little regard for the quality, quantity, or distribution of trees and regeneration left on the site; often results when a diameter-limit harvest is imposed.
D. 
IMPROVEMENT CUTTINGThe removal of trees of undesirable species, form or condition from the main canopy of the stand to improve the health, composition and value of the stand.
E. 
SALVAGE CUTTINGThe removal of dead trees or trees being damaged or dying due to injurious agents other than competition, to recover value that would otherwise be lost.
F. 
SINGLE TREE SELECTION METHODA method of creating new age classes in uneven-age stands in which individual trees of all size classes are removed more-or-less uniformly throughout the stand to achieve desired stand structural characteristics and regenerate shade-tolerant species.
G. 
GROUP SELECTION METHODThe removal of trees in different areas to create openings in the forest canopy to stimulate regeneration of shade-intolerant species.
TOP OF BANK
The point above a waterway which defines the maximum height of channel flow of a waterway. It is either determined visually or computed as a topographic elevation.
TOWER HEIGHT
The height above grade of the fixed portion of the tower excluding the wind turbine itself.
TOWNSHIP
Township of Exeter, Berks County, Pennsylvania.
TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
Planning Commission of the Township of Exeter, Berks County, Pennsylvania.
TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS
Board of Supervisors of the Township of Exeter, Berks County, Pennsylvania.
TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGN
A sign that directs the flow of vehicular traffic.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGN, INTERNAL
An on-premises sign that regulates the flow of traffic, parking or the location of on-premises facilities (such as lavatory facilities, telephone facilities, and sections of a building) located on the property on which the sign is erected.
[Added 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
TRAVEL TRAILER
A vehicular portable structure built or designed to be mounted on a chassis or wheels or constructed as an integral part of a self-propelled vehicle for use as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreation and/or vacation purposes.
TRESPASSING SIGN
An on-premises sign that indicates that trespassing on a property is prohibited, or other signs indicating the private nature of premises or controlling hunting or fishing activities on the premises.
[Added 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
TURBINE HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from grade plane to the highest point of the wind turbine rotor plane.
USE
The specific purpose for which land, a sign, or a structure or building is designed, arranged, intended or for which it may be occupied or maintained or any activity, occupation, business or operation which may be carried on, thereon or therein. The term "permitted use" or its equivalent shall not be deemed to include any nonconforming use.
VARIANCE
Minimum relief granted by the Zoning Hearing Board from the terms and conditions of this chapter where literal enforcement would create unnecessary hardship and when granting of the waiver would not be contrary to the public interest.
VEHICULAR SIGN
A sign which is affixed to a vehicle in such a manner that the carrying of such sign or signs is no longer incidental to the vehicle's primary purpose but becomes a primary purpose in itself.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
VIOLENT BEHAVIORAL DISORDER
Any conduct disorder of person diagnosed by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist that includes three or more of examples of the following behavior within the prior twelve-month period:
A. 
Aggressive conduct that causes or threatens physical harm to other people or animals; or
B. 
Aggressive or nonaggressive conduct that causes property loss or damage.
VIOLENT OFFENSE
Any of the following offenses, or an attempt, a solicitation or a conspiracy to commit any of the same: aggravated assault, robbery (limited to those robberies graded under the Crimes Code as felonies of the first degree), burglary (limited to those burglaries graded under the Crimes Code as felonies of the first degree), murder, voluntary manslaughter, rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, arson, extortion accompanied by threats of violence, assault by prisoner, assault by life prisoner and kidnapping.
WALL
An upright structure of masonry, wood, plaster or other building material serving to enclose, divide or protect an area.
WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, COMMUNITY
A system for supplying and distributing water from a common source to 10 or more dwellings and/or other buildings within a single neighborhood, and which additionally shall comply with all other local and state ordinances and regulations incidental to the use thereof.
WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, ON-SITE
A system for supplying and distributing water to a single dwelling or other building from a source located on the same lot.
WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, PUBLIC
A system for supplying and distributing water from a common source to 10 or more dwellings and other buildings, but not confined to one neighborhood, and which additionally shall comply with all other local and state ordinances and regulations incidental to the use thereof.
WATERWAY
A stream, creek, river, pond, lake, or other watercourse or water body.
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, bogs, fens and similar areas.
WIND TURBINE
A component of a wind energy conversion system that converts wind energy into electricity through the use of a wind-powered generator, and includes the nacelle, rotor, tower, and pad transformer, if any.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign affixed to or visible through a window of a building.
[Amended 6-13-2011 by Ord. No. 713]
YARD
The open space on the same lot with a building or structure, extending parallel to lot lines and street lines and measured at a distance perpendicular to lot and street lines. The yard shall be open and unobstructed from the ground upward, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, and not less in depth or width than the minimum required in each zoning district.
YARD, FRONT
An open space between an adjacent street right-of-way and a line drawn parallel thereto, at such distance there from as may be specified herein for any zoning district, and extending for the full width of the lot.
YARD, REAR
An open space between the rear lot line and a line drawn parallel thereto at such distance therefrom as may be specified herein for any zoning district, and extending for the full width of the lot, except that in the case where the rear lot line is included within a service street, the rear yard shall be between the right-of-way line of the service street nearest the front yard of the lot and a line drawn parallel to such right-of-way line of the service street.
YARD SALE
Any public sale of goods on residential property, including, but not limited to, the residential properties, garage, home, lawn, or yard.
YARD, SIDE
An open space between the side lot line and a line drawn parallel thereto at such distance there from as may be specified herein for any zoning district, and extending from the front yard to the rear yard, except that in the case where the side lot line is included within a service street, the side yard shall be between the right-of-way line of the service street nearest the principal use or building on the lot and a line drawn parallel to such right-of-way of the service street.
ZONING HEARING BOARD
Exeter Township Zoning Hearing Board.
ZONING OFFICER
Exeter Township Zoning Officer or assistants.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 10231.101 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 10231.101 et seq.
[3]
Editor's Note: The former definition of “historic structure,” which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 10-9-2017 by Ord. No. 778.
[4]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is on file in the Township offices.
[5]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 6018.101 et seq.
[6]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[7]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 330, Subdivision and Land Development.