Allentown City Zoning Code

To have a common boundary or being along contiguous lot lines that are not separated by a street or alley.

See § 660-41.

The conversion of 65% or more of the gross floor area of a principal building that was formerly occupied by nonresidential uses without any principal residential use into dwelling units. Projects that involve conversion of a principal building with a floor area of less than 5,000 square feet into dwelling units are not classified as adaptive reuse.

To abut or be separated from another lot only by a street or improved alley.

A person duly authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the subject property.

An improved public or private way having a right-of-way width of 24 feet or less. Where an "alley" is referred to within this chapter, it means a constructed and improved alley and does not include vacated, unimproved, or planned alleys, except where a development agreement is in place for planned alleys to be constructed.

The owner of the subject property or an agent authorized by the subject property owner to submit an application under this chapter on the property owner's behalf.

Any fixed, non-structural appurtenance located on and above the roof, including such items as skylights, antennae, roof vents, chimneys, flue pipes, and other mechanical, electrical, or communications equipment, unless otherwise stated.

A public street categorized by the comprehensive plan or adopted transportation plan as an "arterial street."

A roof-like structure typically made of cloth, metal or other material attached to a frame that extends from and is supported by a building. Awnings are typically erected over a window, doorway or building front and they may be raised or retracted to a position adjacent to the building.

That portion of a building having three feet or more of its floor-to-ceiling height below the average finished grade of the abutting ground and with a floor-to-ceiling height of 7.5 feet or more. See Figure 660(39).

A basement having more than three feet of its floor-to-ceiling height above the average finished grade of the adjoining ground. See Figure 660(39).

An eating or drinking place or community assembly use that is not licensed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, in which no intoxicating beverages are sold, but where patrons are permitted to bring intoxicating beverages upon the premises solely for their own use and consumption.

An area in which the street facade of a principal building must be placed, dictated by the minimum and the maximum distance the building must be placed from the front street or side street lot line. See § 660-131G.

Any permanent, roofed structure with or without enclosed sides and any unroofed platform, terrace, or porch having a vertical face higher than 30 inches above the level of the ground from which the height of the building is measured. All buildings are structures, but only those structures that meet this definition are considered buildings.

A building in which the principal use of the subject lot is conducted.

A motor vehicle other than a taxicab or limousine, designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver.

The diameter of a tree trunk measured per § 660-71C for new trees being installed or § 660-73 for existing trees.

See definition of "basement" in § 660-133.

A certificate issued by building code officials of the City upon completion of construction or alteration of a building or upon approval of a change in occupancy or use of a building.

The City of Allentown.

The City Council of the City of Allentown.

A motor vehicle that is a Class 5 vehicle or above and is primarily used for business purposes, including making service calls, transporting equipment used in a business, or in accomplishing physical work as part of a business (such as hauling material). Does not include tractor trailers (see § 660-151).

The most recent version of the City's official comprehensive plan, as adopted by City Council.

A horizontal decorative moulding projecting from the top of a wall and, in the case of a flat roof type, located where the roof meets the wall.

See "mixed-use corridors."

A courtyard is any open air, uncovered landscape, sidewalk, patio, terrace, or deck area, enclosed on at least two sides by a building or multiple buildings. Sides may be enclosed by buildings on abutting lots.

A building, buildings, or structures which are occupied primarily by computers and/or telecommunications and related equipment where digital information is processed, transferred and/or stored, primarily to and from offsite locations. This use does not include computers or telecommunications related equipment that is secondary and customarily incidental to an otherwise permitted use on the property, such as servers associated with an office building. This use shall also include cryptocurrency mining, blockchain transaction processing, and server farms. Data centers shall include data center accessory uses.

Ancillary uses, equipment, or structures secondary and incidental to a data center use, including but not limited to: administrative, logistical, fiber optic, storage, and security buildings or structures; sources of electrical power such as generators used to provide temporary power when the main source of power is interrupted; electrical substations; utilities; utility lines; domestic and non-contact cooling water and wastewater treatment facilities; water holding facilities; pump stations; water towers; environmental controls (air conditioning or cooling towers, fire suppression, and related equipment); redundant data communication connections; security features, provided such data center accessory uses/structures are located on the same tract or assemblage of adjacent parcels developed as a unified development with a data center. The use shall not include energy generation systems used or intended to be used to supply power to the data center during normal operations.

The individual or entity with authority and responsibility for making a final decision under the procedures of this chapter.

The dismantling, tearing down, removal or razing of the exterior of a building, in whole or in part. Changes to the interior of a building do not constitute demolition, provided such changes do not impair the structural stability of the building.

The removal of one or more rooms of a building, removal of an attached porch (other than a ground level patio), turrets, dormers, and other similar structural elements, that are visible from a public street. Partial demolition is regulated in the same manner as demolition.

A roofed structure containing a window that is set on and projects vertically from a pitched roof, typically used to create space and light within an area directly below a pitched roof.

A structure or part of a structure that provides for some or all customers to receive services, obtain food or other goods, or be entertained while remaining in their motor vehicles.

One or more habitable rooms comprising complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, and including within those rooms permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation. A dwelling unit is intended for occupancy by a single household. A separate dwelling unit is deemed to exist when all three of the following characteristics exist, regardless of the representations of the property owner:

A separate dwelling unit within a building occupied by a principal dwelling unit or a separate dwelling unit within an accessory outbuilding located on a lot occupied by a principal dwelling unit. Accessory dwelling units are subject to the regulations of § 660-42.

The edge of the roof that overhangs the face of a wall and typically projects beyond the side of a building.

Any vehicle that is licensed and registered for operation on public and private highways, roads, and streets. Electric vehicles are powered partially or exclusively on electrical energy from the grid or an off-board source, that is stored on-board via a battery. Electric vehicles include: (1) battery electric vehicles; and (2) plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

A public or private parking space that is served by battery charging station equipment.

The standardized indicators of electrical force, or voltage, at which an electric vehicle's battery is recharged. The terms 1, 2, and 3/DC are the most common charging levels, and include the following specifications:

An EV charging station that is not available for use by the general public. Examples include electric vehicle charging stations that serve residential homeowners or renters, executive parking areas, designated employee parking areas, and fleet parking areas.

An EV charging station that is accessible to and available for use by the general public.

Any parking space that is clearly identified to be used exclusively for the parking of an electric vehicle.

The conductors, including the ungrounded, grounded, and equipment grounding conductors, and the electric vehicle connectors, attachment plugs, and all other fittings, devices, power outlets, or apparatus installed specifically for the purpose of transferring energy between the premises wiring and an electric vehicle.

Full-time and part-time workers present on a lot at one time, other than clearly temporary persons working on physical improvements to the site. Volunteers and contractors are considered employees.

A rectangular portion of a facade measured linearly along the bottom of a story for the width then to the top of the story's height vertically. Story height is measured top of floor to top of the next floor per § 660-131M.

A building facade generally parallel and facing the right-of-way line along a front street or other specifically designated frontages.

Any facade of a building generally parallel to and facing the rear lot line.

Any facade of a building generally parallel to and facing a side or interior side lot line.

A building facade generally parallel to and facing the right-of-way line along a non-front or side street.

Any facade of a building generally parallel to and facing any street right-of-way and including bays or minor walls perpendicular to the facade. The facade may be a front or side street facade, depending on whether it is facing a front or side street, respectively.

The vertical or sloping surface on the roadway side of a street curb.

See definition of "household" in § 660-139.

A constructed barrier of wood, masonry, stone, wire, metal or other manufactured material or combination of materials erected for the enclosure of areas.

The relatively flat or low land area that is subject to partial or complete inundation from an adjoining or nearby stream, river or watercourse; and/or any area subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation of surface waters from any source. See the definitions of terms in Chapter 298 entitled "Flood Control."

The total horizontal areas of the floors of a building, measured inside exterior building walls or party walls separating buildings. Floor area does not include vehicle garages, loading space for motor vehicles, uninhabited basement storage areas, unenclosed porches, air shafts, common mechanical equipment rooms, cellars or any space where the ceiling height is less than 6.5 feet.

See § 660-131M(5).

The floor area of a dwelling unit or other rental unit that is enclosed, heated and usable for human occupancy. Common stairwells, common hallways and elevator shafts are not counted as habitable floor area.

The portion of a lot or building abutting or directly adjacent to a front street right-of-way or other frontage defined as a "front."

The portion of a lot or building abutting or directly adjacent to a side street right-of-way.

The portion of a lot or building abutting or directly adjacent to a street right-of-way.

Owned or operated by City, county, state or federal governmental agencies or a City authority.

The average of the elevations of the ground surface of a site after completion of all site preparation work for new construction or the existing grade for existing buildings. Where the adjoining or abutting grade is referenced, the measurement is taken along the line between the structure and the grade.

The elevations of the ground surface of a site after completion of all site preparation work for new construction or the existing, undisturbed grade for existing buildings.

The elevations of the ground surface of a site in its natural state, before human-made alterations, excavations, or filling, and measured as the degree of rise or descent of a sloping surface.

The roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. It may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems.

A wall partially or completely covered with vegetation that includes a growing medium, such as soil or a substrate. Most green walls also feature an integrated water delivery system. Green walls are also known as "living walls" or "vertical gardens."

The mean elevation over the entire length of the street lot line of a lot.

Non-living materials, and their use and design, that constitute one component of landscaping. Hardscape includes paving, walls or fences, concrete, asphalt, stone, or other hard surface that may be used to construct retaining walls, paths, walkways, decks, terraces, accent features, and enclosures.

A street segment with LANTA bus service frequencies of 15 minutes or lower. Such routes are identified on a GIS layer maintained by the City.

An accessory use of a dwelling unit for business, commercial, or work-related purposes. Home occupations are subject to the regulations of § 660-48.

Any one of the following:

A household comprised of persons who live together as a traditional family or as the functional equivalent of a family, and who share household activities and responsibilities, such as meals, chores, rent, and expenses. The choice of specific adults comprising the single nonprofit housekeeping unit is determined by the members of such housekeeping unit rather than by a landlord, property manager, or other third party. Members of a single housekeeping unit are not required to seek services or care of any type as a condition of residency. All members of the housekeeping unit jointly occupy the entire dwelling unit.

Any and all beverages, including malt beverages that contain alcohol, liquor or such other intoxicating substances as are further defined in the Pennsylvania Liquor Code, 47 P.S. § 1-101 et seq.

Material that is obsolete, worn out, broken, or otherwise of little to no value and that is typically discarded.

The area on a site that is landscaped with the installation and maintenance typically of a combination of trees, shrubs, and groundcover plants to improve the site's aesthetic quality. Does not include bare soil, uncultivated vegetation, impervious surfaces, and gravel.

A use, structure, lot or sign (as the context indicates) that was established in conformance with all applicable Zoning Ordinance regulations in effect at the time of its establishment.

Light that is emitted into an unintended area.

A dwelling unit or other space within a building that is used jointly for residential and nonresidential purposes that typically exceed those of a home occupation use pursuant to the regulations of this chapter.

A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by plot, subdivision, or as otherwise permitted by law, to be used, developed, or built upon as a unit.

See § 660-131D.

A property line that is co-existent with a street right-of-way line. In the case of a street of undefined width, the property line is assumed to parallel the centerline of the street at a distance 25 feet from the street's centerline.

A line forming the front, rear or side boundaries of a lot or parcel of property as described in the recorded deed.

See § 660-131C.

A parcel of land at the junction of and fronting on two or more intersecting streets.

A lot having its front and rear yards each abutting on a street as defined herein.

The treatment or processing of raw products, and the production of articles or finished products from raw or prepared materials by giving them new forms or qualities.

Mixed-use corridors are a set of street corridors specifically designated due to their proximity to transit, a mix of uses, and the carrying capacity of the corridor. Mixed-use corridors are maintained as a layer on the City's geographic information system (GIS), under the direction of the IT Director, and are available on the Zoning Map.

A development typically under unified ownership and control consisting of two or more business establishments, which may be on the same lot or on separate lots. The tenants of a multi-tenant development typically share vehicle access and parking facilities.

The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended.[1]

A nonconforming lot, nonconforming use, nonconforming structure, nonconforming development feature, or nonconforming sign, as those terms are defined in Article 13.

Interior building space occupiable by people on a regular basis, not including storage, mechanical, utility, or garage space.

Land that is permanently restricted to primarily be used for natural feature conservation or active or passive recreation. Such land shall be permanently restricted by a conservation easement or deed restriction to prevent further subdivision and to prevent development of uses or buildings, except for types of non-commercial recreation uses, stormwater management uses and utility purposes that are specifically authorized by the City of Allentown. This land shall include a suitable method for ownership and maintenance of the land that is approved by the City of Allentown. Such land shall be open for responsible recreational use by occupants of the development, and portions of the land may be opened to responsible use by the general public.

The line on a shoreline established by the fluctuations of water and indicated by physical characteristics such as clear, natural line impressed on the bank, shelving, changes in the character of soil, destruction of terrestrial vegetation, the presence of litter and debris, or other appropriate means that consider the characteristics of the surrounding areas. Per 33 CFR 328.3(e) federal regulations.

The outdoor exhibition of products, vehicles, equipment and machinery for sale or lease during business hours only. Outdoor display does not include goods that are being stored or parked outdoors, outside of business hours (see also "outdoor storage").

The storage of goods, products, materials, vehicles not in service, equipment and similar items in an unenclosed area for preservation, later use, or disposal. For purposes of this chapter, this definition does not include the storage of trucks and/or tractor trailers unless as accessory to another permitted principal use.

An off-street area containing accessory or non-accessory motor vehicle parking spaces and associated motor vehicle maneuvering and circulation areas.

A designated indoor or outdoor space meeting City requirements that is intended to accommodate a single parked motor vehicle. Also known as a "parking stall."

A vertical wall built between and to support contiguous buildings.

Asphalt, brick, block, concrete, pervious concrete, pervious asphalt, or porous permeable pavers.

A cage or small enclosure for the purpose of housing pigeons.

A plan prepared by a state-licensed and registered professional engineer, architect, landscape architect or surveyor. All certifications must meet applicable state laws.

The Allentown City Planning Commission (ACPC).

A platform covered by a roof at the entrance to a house or rowhouse building.

Any porch other than an open porch.

A porch that is open on three sides and that has no enclosed features of glass, wood or other material more than 30 inches above the floor of the porch, except for transparent mesh screening and necessary roof supports. A porch is not considered open if enclosed by either permanent or detachable glass sash.

A written review and opinion given by a Zoning Officer as provided in § 660-114E.

A structure or combination of structures of chief importance or function on a site. In general, the primary use of the site is carried out in a principal structure.

An activity or combination of activities of chief importance on the site. One of the main purposes for which the land or structures are intended, designed, or ordinarily used.

Same as "lot line."

A trailer, boat trailer, travel trailer, camping trailer, truck camper, camper shell, motor home, tent trailer, boat, houseboat, or similar vehicle or unit. Camper shells that are attached to a pickup truck are not considered a recreational vehicle.

Renewable energy is energy generated from natural sources that are replenished faster than they are consumed. Renewable or "clean" energy sources are generated by sunlight, wind, water, tidal, geothermal heat, or biomass sources.

That portion of a building providing living space for an individual household.

Purchase or rental of goods, or provision of services, in return for monetary compensation.

An open, unobstructed area that is required to be provided by this chapter between a building and a lot line.

An architectural feature consisting of a typically decorative, three-dimensional, linear element, horizontal or vertical, protruding or indented at least 1.5 inches in depth from the exterior facade of a building, and creating a shadow on the facade with light overhead, and extending, with limited interruption, the length or height of the designated story. Examples may include cast stone cornices or lintels, pilasters, or stepped brick coursing.

See § 660-94F for sign-related definitions.

The gross area of the lot, portions of a lot, or series of lots referenced.

A system intended to convert solar energy into thermal, mechanical, or electrical energy.

A solar energy system that is an integral part of a principal or accessory building, rather than a separate mechanical device, replacing or substituting for an architectural or structural part of the building. Building-integrated systems include, but are not limited to, photovoltaic or hot water systems that are contained within roofing materials, windows, skylights, shading devices, and similar architectural components.

A solar energy system that is mounted flush with a finished building surface, at no more than six inches in height above that surface.

A solar energy system mounted on the ground and not attached to any other structure other than structural supports.

A solar energy system that is mounted on the facade or roof of either a principal or accessory structure.

A group of photovoltaic cells assembled on a panel. Panels are assembled on-site into solar arrays.

Less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals, pubic region, buttock or female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and its governmental agencies.

A secondary walkway elevated on a platform above and generally parallel to the public sidewalk. The platform extends parallel to the building facade providing access into the building and viewing into storefront windows.

That part of a structure included between any floor and the floor or roof next above. Basements are not a story unless the basement qualifies as a visible basement. Visible basements are half stories, unless otherwise specified. See building height measurement in § 660-131M.

The story closest to the ground level that does not meet the definition of a basement. Also called "ground floor."

See building height measurement in § 660-131M.

A thoroughfare publicly or privately owned, open to general public use.

The right-of-way or established property line of a street as indicated by dedication or by deed of record.

A street that is generally parallel to the front lot line. Front streets are determined by the A, B, or C street designations per § 660-18J.

A street that abuts a lot and is not a front street. Front streets are determined by the A, B, or C street designations per § 660-18J.

The overall appearance of a block along a public street, including yards visible from a public street, the relationship of building setbacks and bulk, the consistency of architectural styles or features, the spacing and shapes of windows and doors and rooflines and similar features that give the block its distinctive visual character. See also the regulations of § 350-13 in Chapter 350, Land Development and Subdivision.

The area behind the face of curb designed for pedestrian travel, including the sidewalk and buffer zone between the sidewalk and street for street planting and/or street furnishings.

The portion of the building facade that is located generally parallel and facing the street right-of-way line.

Anything constructed or erected, which requires its permanent location on or below the ground, or that is permanently attached to something having permanent location upon the ground. Fixed or movable awnings are not by themselves considered a structure for the purposes of this chapter.

The total lot area of a single lot or contiguous lots in common ownership or common equitable ownership at the time of submittal for subdivision, land development or planned residential development approval. The total area of the tract shall not include areas within the existing rights-of-way of existing streets, but may include portions of the lot proposed for new streets or proposed for new common open space.

A single lot or contiguous lots in common ownership or common equitable ownership at the time of submittal for subdivision, land development or planned residential development approval. Such lots may be separated by a creek, railroad or street.

A motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not constructed so as to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicles and load so drawn.

Every vehicle, wagon or truck without motive power designed to carry property or passengers wholly on its own structure and to be drawn by a tractor as defined by this chapter.

An area or building where trucks load and unload materials on a regular basis, or where tractor trailers are transferred from one tractor cab to another for the purpose of continuation to another destination, or where trucks or tractors or tractor trailers are stored, parked or waiting for dispatch.

The specific purpose or activity for which a structure, building, or land is or may be designed, arranged, designated, or intended or for which a structure, building, or land is or may be occupied and maintained.

A class of similar uses grouped together for purposes of delineating the uses permitted in a zone. See also Article 5.

Electricity, CNG (compressed natural gas), LNG (liquefied natural gas), LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), and hydrogen.

Gasoline and diesel fuels.

Water frontage along a waterway.

Major waterways include the Lehigh River, Lehigh Coal and Navigation Canal (D+L), Jordan Creek, Cedar Creek, Trout Creek, Little Lehigh Creek, Little Cedar Creek, Lake Muhlenberg, and Joseph S.Daddona Lake.

Waterways, whether navigable or not, including creeks, brooks, ponds, lagoons, rivers, lakes, and other unnamed, minor waterways, not including those waterways designated as major waterways.

An establishment or place of business primarily engaged in selling merchandise to retailers and industrial, commercial, institutional or professional business users, or to other wholesalers or acting as agents or brokers and buying merchandise for, or selling merchandise to, such individuals or companies.

A device that directly converts wind energy into usable thermal, mechanical, or electrical energy, including such devices as windmills and wind turbines. The "system" includes towers and supporting structures and directly connected facilities such as generators, alternators, inverters, batteries, and associated control equipment.

A wind energy conversion system with a power-rated capacity of no more than 100 kW that is primarily intended to produce power for on-site consumption, as a supplement to utility power or in lieu of utility power.

An actual (as opposed to "required") open, unoccupied space that exists on a lot between a building and a lot line.

All general sales, open to the public, conducted from a residential property in any zoning district, for the purpose of disposing of household items including, but not limited to, all sales entitled "garage," "lawn," "yard," "attic," "porch," "room," "basement," "auction," "backyard," "patio," "flea market," "rummage" or "moving" sale.

A street yard extending along the full width of the lot and lying between the principal building and a front street right-of-way.

On lots with multiple buildings, a yard between any buildings that does not abut any lot line.

A yard extending between the side-street yard and the interior side lot line and lying between the rear of the principal building and the rear lot line.

A yard extending from the front yard to the rear yard and lying between the side of the principal building and the side lot line.

A street yard extending between the principal building and a side street right-of-way and lying between the front yard and the rear lot line.

Any yard between the principal building and a street right-of-way.

The Zoning Hearing Board of the City of Allentown.

The Zoning Supervisor and any assistants authorized to administer and enforce this chapter.

A permit stating that the purpose for which a building or land is to be used is in conformity with all applicable provisions of this chapter.