Akron City Zoning Code
PART 14
GENERAL REGULATIONS
§ 27-1401 Unsafe Dwellings, Structures or Land.
[Ord. No. 23-003, 6/23/2023]
1.
No dwelling or structure or land shall be used or occupied if such dwelling or structure or land, as determined by Borough Council or appointed representatives, is in need of structural repairs or is unsafe or unsanitary, if the premises do not have connection with a public sewer system or alternative sanitary sewage facilities approved by the State or Local Board of Health, or if pertinent laws, ordinances, or codes of any governmental body having jurisdiction shall not have been complied with. This includes the International Building Code (IBC) and the National Electrical Code, which Akron Borough has officially adopted.
2.
No dwelling or structure or land shall be permitted to be left in an unsafe or unsanitary condition.
§ 27-1402 Visibility at Street Intersections.
[Ord. No. 23-003, 6/23/2023]
The clear sight triangle, as specified in the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance,[1] shall be provided and maintained at all street intersections. The triangle shall be established by measuring 100 feet or 75 feet, as defined in the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, from the point of intersection of the center lines of the streets. No building, planting, fencing, or other obstruction that would obscure the vision of a motorist shall be permitted within the area.
§ 27-1403 Removal of Natural Resources.
[Ord. No. 23-003, 6/23/2023]
Removal of surface and subsurface natural resources, except trees and other vegetative growth, shall not be permitted, except as follows:
1.
As part of the construction or alteration of a building or the grading incidental to a building.
2.
In connection with normal lawn preparation and maintenance.
3.
In connection with the construction or alteration of a street or utility improvement.
4.
In farming operations, provided sound soil conservation practices are observed.
§ 27-1404 Public Utilities and Municipal Uses.
[Ord. No. 23-003, 6/23/2023]
1.
Public Utilities.
A.
This chapter shall not apply to any existing or proposed building, or extension thereof, used or to be used by a public utility corporation if, upon petition of the corporation, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission shall, after a public hearing, decide that the present or proposed situation of the building in question is reasonably necessary for the convenience or welfare of the public.
2.
Public Uses and Municipal Uses.
A.
Any structure or other improvement for the purpose of servicing a public utility or municipal use, except common or contract carriers, may be erected within any zoning district. If requested by the Borough, public utilities shall file a plan with the Borough, indicating the location of all proposed structures and rights-of-way within the Borough.
§ 27-1405 Corner Lots.
[Ord. No. 23-003, 6/23/2023]
A corner lot shall have two front yards, and a front yard setback shall be required for each.
§ 27-1406 Required Yards.
[Ord. No. 23-003, 6/23/2023]
1.
The minimum required yard as set forth in underlying districts or overlays shall remain unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground up, except as may be specifically provided for in this chapter.
2.
Permitted Encroachments Into Required Yards.
A.
Cornices, eaves, chimneys, steps, stoops, canopies, fire escapes, required basement egress structures, and similar extensions from an existing building that utilize such building for support may project up to a maximum of five feet into any required yard, but in no case shall be closer than five feet to any property line.
B.
Enclosed porches, decks, and patios shall be considered part of or immediately adjacent to the principal building and shall not project into any required yards.
C.
The following are permitted within the required setbacks: minor public utility structures, public transit shelters, fences, freestanding walls, hedges, and retaining walls.
§ 27-1407 Lot Width, Depth, and Area Exceptions for Lots of Record.
[Ord. No. 23-003, 6/23/2023]
A conforming building may be constructed for a conforming use on any lot or parcel of land of record at the effective date of this chapter, regardless of the area, depth, and width of such lot, provided such lot or parcel, at the time of passage of this chapter, is shown to be a separate and distinct numbered lot of record on a previously approved plan of lots which has been recorded or which depicts streets or alleys which have been legally dedicated to public use, and provided the height limitations, maximum building footprint, and building setback regulations prescribed in this chapter are complied with.
§ 27-1408 Building Height Exceptions.
[Ord. No. 23-003, 6/23/2023]
All buildings and structures shall be subject to the maximum height regulations specified elsewhere in this chapter, except chimneys, spires, farm buildings and farm accessory buildings, towers, elevator penthouses, cupolas, clock towers, steeples, water tanks, antennas, and flagpoles. The height of any such projection shall not exceed 85 feet.
§ 27-1409 Floodplain Regulations.
[Ord. No. 23-003, 6/23/2023]
All floodplain areas shall be subject to the Floodplain Management Ordinance and the requirements of Part 17 of this chapter.
§ 27-1410 Driveways.
[Ord. No. 23-003, 6/23/2023]
1.
The maximum width of a driveway shall be thirty (35) feet. This width shall be measured at the point where the driveway meets the right-of-way line of a public road.
2.
No driveway shall be permitted within three feet of any side or rear property line.
3.
A driveway shall be surfaced with an all-weather, durable and dustless material. Such material shall extend the full width of the driveway. Any portion of a driveway constructed within the public right-of-way shall be constructed to the approved standards of the Borough or PennDOT.
§ 27-1411 Vehicular Access.
[Ord. No. 23-003, 6/23/2023]
1.
Direct vehicular access to a residential property shall be provided by means of an abutting improved public street or permanently maintained private street which is protected by a permanent easement.
§ 27-1412 Obscenity.
[Ord. No. 23-003, 6/23/2023]
Obscenity shall be prohibited in all zoning districts in the Borough.
§ 27-1413 Abandoned Vehicles.
[Ord. No. 23-003, 6/23/2023]
In all districts, junked, wrecked, stripped or inoperable motor vehicles or trailers, all trailers without current registration plates, and all motor vehicles without current registration plates and inspection stickers displayed thereon shall be parked or stored in a completely enclosed building unless the lawful principal use of the property on which such vehicles or trailers are located involves the repair, storage or disposal thereof.
§ 27-1414 Erection of More Than One Building on a Lot.
[Ord. No. 23-003, 6/23/2023]
In any district, more than one principal use or more than one building housing a permitted or permissible principal use may be erected on a single lot, provided that all yard and other requirements of this chapter are met for each building and each use as though each use and/or building were on an individual lot.