A.   Public utilities are permitted in all zoning districts as a permitted use. Public utilities shall not be required to comply with the minimum area regulations as set forth of the Code of the Township of Antrim Pennsylvania.

   B.   Historical and/or archeological properties are permitted in all zoning districts as a permitted use. Historical and/or archeological properties shall not be required to comply with the minimum area regulations of this Chapter.

   A.   A one-hundred (100) foot setback shall apply to buildings that house more animals or is greater in size than the number listed in the chart below.

 

   A.   Accessory buildings shall comply with the following regulations:

      (1)   Accessory buildings to a residential use shall have a minimum setback of five (5) feet from any side or rear lot line.

      (2)   Accessory buildings to principal uses other than residential shall not be located closer than ten (10) feet to any side or rear property line.

      (3)   The setbacks for accessory buildings that are adjacent to public, private or proposed road rights-of-way shall be the same as the setbacks listed in the minimum area regulations for front yard setbacks of each applicable zoning district.

   B.   When an accessory structure is attached to the principal building it shall comply in all respects with the requirements of this chapter applicable to the principal building.

   C.   An accessory structure shall conform to the height regulations for principal buildings.

   Accessory dwelling units may be permitted in accordance with the following:

   A.   Density. One (1) accessory dwelling unit may be permitted on properties of at least one-half (1/2) acre in size. Additional accessory dwelling units may be permitted on properties of five (5) acres or greater at a density of one (1) unit per five (5) acres. No more than five (5) ADUs shall be permitted on a single property.

   B.   Size. Gross floor area of any ADU shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the principal dwelling. Existing historic accessory buildings more than seventy-five (75) years old that exceed these floor space limits are permitted as ADUs without having to meet the dimensional setback requirements.

   C.   Location. ADUs shall comply with the minimum area regulations for the zoning district in which it is situated.

   D.   Permit issuance shall be contingent upon Township Sewage Enforcement Officer and Pennsylvania DEP Approval for any on site septic sewage disposal systems needed.

   A.   Height shall be measured from the lowest door elevation to the peak of the roof.

   B.   Chimneys, flues, towers, spires, cupola domes, pole masts, antennas, Church Steeples, barns and silos shall be exempt from the height limitations of this chapter, provided that their location is not in the required yard.

   A.   Corner lots.

      (1)   Front yards are yards on which the building fronts on the public or private road right-of-way and shall coincide with the property address, and the yard opposite of the front yard shall be deemed to be a rear yard, and the other (or others) side yards.

      (2)   No obstructions to vision shall be erected or maintained in the line of sight.

      (3)   Any principle structure, addition thereto, or accessory structure shall not be located closer to any private, public, or proposed road right of way than the front yard setback of the applicable zoning district.

   B.   Setback exemption. No proposed dwelling need have a setback greater than the average of the two (2) existing dwellings with the greatest setbacks located within one-hundred (100) feet on each side of said proposed dwelling on the same side of the street, within the same block and the same district. However, in no event shall the front yard be less than ten (10) feet.

   C.   Projections into required yards.

      (1)   Cornices, canopies, eaves, bay windows, balconies, uncovered stairways and necessary landings, and chimneys or other architectural features may project into yards a distance not exceeding a total of three (3) feet.

      (2)   Patios, deck, and open porches may be located in the required side and rear yards, provided that if the yard is adjacent to a private, public, or proposed road right-of-way the setbacks listed in the minimum area regulations for front yards of the applicable zoning district shall apply. Patios and open porches may not be located closer than ten (10) feet to any adjacent property line.

   D.   Existing small lots. A lot owned individually and separately and separated in ownership from any adjoining tracts of land on the effective date of this chapter and subsequent amendments, which has a total lot area or lot width less than prescribed in this chapter, may be used, provided such lot shall be developed in conformity with all applicable district regulations other than the minimum lot area, lot width, and side yards. Existing small lots meeting the above stipulation shall provide side and rear yards which may be proportionately reduced by the percentage that the existing small lot is less than the minimum Township standard. However, in no event shall each side yard be less than five (5) feet or rear yard less than twenty (20) feet

   E.   Through lots. Where a lot extends through from street to street, the applicable front yard regulations shall apply on both streets.

   F.   Waiver of yards. No side yard or rear yard shall be required where such yard abuts an operating railroad right-of-way.

   G.   Single-family semi-detached dwelling. A single family semi-detached dwelling shall satisfy zoning minimum area requirements on a single lot or on a combination of two lots. When two lots are used, only one side yard will be required on each lot and the total lot area of the two lots shall meet the lot area requirement for the applicable zoning district. It will not be necessary to make each unit of a double unit equally sized.

   H.   Any yard abutting a public or private roadway, whether existing or proposed, shall comply with the front yard regulations.

   I.   Buffer Zone and Screening. [Added 11-10-2015 by Ord. No. 345]

      (1)   Buffer Zones.

         (a)   A seventy-five (75) foot buffer zone shall be required when a property in the HC or I Zoning District abuts the R-1 or the R-2 Zoning District or when a residential use is in existence in the CC Zoning District and abuts the proposed development. Twenty-five (25) feet of the outermost edge of the district boundary or property line shall be screened with evergreen trees of sufficient height and density to screen from the view of adjoining properties, the structures and uses on the premises on which the screening is required to be located. The trees at time of planting shall be of at least five (5) feet in height, staggering the tree plantings for optimal visual and audible diversion and tree health.

      (2)   Screening.

         (a)   Screening shall be provided along Route 11, Route 16, and Williamsport Pike for manufacturing, warehousing, outdoor storage facilities, mining, landfills, prisons, resource recovery, and other similar uses.

      (3)   When any tree used for screening purposes begins to show signs of death, it shall be removed and replanted immediately to maintain screening.

      (4)   The requirement in this Section may be waived or modified by the Board of Supervisors if the applicant demonstrates to the Board of Supervisors that the proposed use of the property, and structures to be built on the property, shall have no adverse effect on the adjacent properties and surrounding community. In making this determination the Board shall consider several factors, including, but not limited to, aesthetics, economic impact, noise, and lighting.

   A land use permit shall be required for the installation or construction of a private outdoor swimming pool subject to the following conditions:

   A.   The water edge of such pool shall not be located nearer than twenty (20) feet to any lot line for an in-ground pool or nearer than fifteen (15) feet for an aboveground pool. Swimming pools located adjacent to a public or private street shall comply with the minimum area regulations for the zoning district in which it is located. [Amended 4-14-2020 by Ord. No. 355]

   B.   Wading pools less than two (2) feet in depth shall be exempt from this section.

   A.   No more than two (2) recreational vehicles or camper trailers may be stored outside, but not occupied, on any individual residential lot.

   B.   No more than three (3) motorized boats may be stored outside on any individual residential lot.

   C.   The residential storage of not more than three (3) dismantled, non-operable or non-licensed vehicles as defined in this chapter shall be permitted provided they are concealed from view. For the purpose of this section, concealed may include covering the entire vehicle, installing a privacy fence, placing them in a building or the like. Any more than three dismantled, non-operable or non-licensed vehicles shall be stored in an enclosed building.

   Rural Enterprise may be permitted upon a property that is primarily used for agriculture.

   A.   The following are permitted under Rural Enterprise:

      (1)   Direct sale to the public of agricultural products produced principally on the farm, provided that at least fifty percent (50%) of such products are produced by the farm operator.

      (2)   Any and all production, primary processing, direct marketing and storage of agricultural products produced principally on the farm.

      (3)   The sale of agricultural goods, services, supplies, and repairs and/or the conduct of traditional trades, restaurants, and the production and sale of home occupation goods, arts and crafts, so long as these uses remain incidental to the agricultural character of the farm and are limited to occupying residential and/or principally agricultural structures of the property.

      (4)   The accommodation of tourists and visitors within principally family residential and/or agricultural structures otherwise permitted under the law so long as the accommodations of tourists and visitors is undertaken as part-time and is incidental to the agricultural character of the property.

      (5)   Activities including: hayrides, corn mazes, farm tours, pick-your-own crop events, seasonal celebrations, weddings, conferences and similar activities provided they are part-time and are incidental to the agricultural character of the property.

      (6)   Other similar uses upon approval by the Board of Supervisors.

   B.   Rural Enterprise Regulations. Rural Enterprise shall comply with the following:

      (1)   A Zoning Permit shall be required. A written description of the business being proposed, and a sketch shall be submitted to the Township for approval before beginning such operation.

      (2)   A Safe means of ingress and egress based on vehicle type and trips generated shall be provided.

      (3)   Adequate parking for intended use shall be provided.

      (4)   Federal, State, and local regulations for sanitation.

      (5)   Land Development regulations when required by improvements.

   A.   Customary home occupations and professional offices or studios are permitted as an accessory use subject to the following provisions:

      (1)   Where permitted. Customary home occupations shall be permitted within a single-dwelling unit or in a building or other structure accessory to the dwelling unit, provided that not more than two (2) persons in addition to those persons residing in said dwelling are employed in the same home occupation.

      (2)   Evidence of use. The use shall not display or create outside the building any evidence of the home occupation, except that one (1) unanimated, non-illuminated flat sign having an area of not more than four (4) square feet shall be permitted on each street front of the zone lot on which the building is situated. Off site signage is to be permitted in accordance with § 150-64. No offensive noise, vibration, smoke, dust or odor shall be created. [Amended 11-10-2015 by Ord. No. 345]

      (3)   Area limitation. The use shall not occupy more than thirty percent (30%) of the floor area used for dwelling purposes.

      (4)   There shall be no display or sale of retail goods and no stockpiling or inventory of a substantial nature.

      (5)   All home occupations must register with the Township.

   B.   No-impact Home-Based Business.

      (1)   A No-impact Home-based Business shall be permitted as defined upon approval of a completed application.

   Whenever a developer or owner proposes to provide land or structures for the benefit of more than one (1) homeowner for a project and the costs are to be shared by more than one (1) owner such as common open space, active play areas, stormwater improvements etc.; a homeowners association shall be established in accordance with the following provisions:

   A.   The homeowners association shall be established as an incorporated organization operating under recorded land agreements through which each lot owner (and any succeeding owner) is automatically a member and each lot is automatically subject to a charge for a proportionate share of the expenses for the organization s activities. Additionally, specific provisions shall be established which define completely all membership requirements of all non-lot owners in the event that rental units are included in the project.

   B.   The homeowners association s declaration of covenants, conditions and restrictions shall, at a minimum, establish the following:

      (1)   Property rights, including the owners easements of enjoyment and delegation of use.

      (2)   Membership and voting rights, including any distinction between membership classes.

      (3)   Covenant for maintenance assessments, including the creation of the lien and personal obligation of assessments, purpose of assessments, the maximum annual assessments, special assessments for capital improvements, uniform rate of assessment, due dates, effect of nonpayment of assessments and subordination of the lien to mortgages.

      (4)   Architectural and exterior maintenance control.

      (5)   General provisions, including enforcement, amendments and property annexation procedures.

   C.   The developer or owner shall assume all responsibility for the homeowners association until seventy-five percent (75%) of the dwelling lots are sold or until such time as the homeowners formally assume such responsibility. Once the homeowners association is established, the developer or owner shall be responsible for payment of dues to the homeowners association for lots which he or she owns.

   D.   Staged developments. If the developer or owner proposes to construct the project over a period of separate stages, the homeowners association shall also be staged consistent with the development time schedule.

   E.   The declaration of covenants, conditions and restrictions of the Homeowners Association shall state that the Township of Antrim shall not be responsible in any manner concerning the Homeowners Association, including, but not limited to the maintenance responsibilities for the common improvements in the development.

   F.   Review. The articles of incorporation and all declarations of covenants, conditions and restrictions of the homeowners association shall be subject to review by the Township Solicitor.

   G.   Board Member Registration with the Township. The name, address, phone number and e-mail address of each Homeowners Association Board member shall be registered with Antrim Township. Their title in the association and their term to serve shall also be part of this registration. Registration shall be made in writing containing all required information. Registration shall be updated within 15 days of a position s vacancy, fulfillment, or renewed term. [Added 4-14-2020 by Ord. No. 355]

   H.   Recording. The Homeowners Association Documents shall be recorded and properly indexed at the Franklin County Register and Recorder s office before any land use permits can be applied for. [Amended 4-14-2020 by Ord. No. 355]

   A.   Purpose.

   The intent of this Article is to provide for the regulation of signs to protect the public, health, safety, and welfare in accordance with the following activities.

      (1)   To regulate the size, location, illumination, alteration, and maintenance of signs and reduce the hazards to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

      (2)   To prohibit the construction of and require the removal of signs which are hazardous or create sign clutter.

      (3)   To provide opportunities for a variety of sign types and encourage sign designs which meet agricultural, residential, and business needs in a manner which is compatible with the locality, enhances the economic value and visual character of the properties, and contributes to rather than detracts from the character of the Township.

      (4)   To establish a process for the review and approval of sign permit applications.

   B.   General regulations apply to all signs.

      (1)   No sign shall be erected, structurally altered, relocated or changed without first obtaining a land use permit unless specifically exempt by § 150-64(D).

      (2)   No sign shall be located in the established right-of-way of any street.

      (3)   No sign shall exceed the established height limitations of the applicable district where located.

      (4)   Sign height shall be measured from the existing ground elevation to the highest point of the sign structure.

      (5)   Signs shall not project across property lines.

      (6)   All temporary or permanent signs shall be removed within thirty (30) days after the circumstances leading to their erection no longer apply. After the thirty (30) day period, the Township may remove any such sign and charge the property owner for the costs incurred.

      (7)   All signs shall be constructed of durable materials and kept in good condition and repair.

      (8)   Lighted signs shall not glare or shine into traffic or neighboring properties. Flood lighting shall not spill off of sign.

      (9)   Double faced signs, a sign with a sign face message on both sides, shall be counted as a single sign.

      (10)   Only one (1) freestanding or ground sign shall be permitted per road frontage per property.

      (11)   Off site signs shall have written permission from the property owner acknowledging its placement, maintenance, and compliance with all regulations is the property owner s responsibility.

      (12)   Single signs advertising multiple businesses on one parcel or within a business park or professional center shall be exempt from size limitations when located at the entrance provided all other regulations are met. Such sign shall not be considered a billboard.

   C.   Prohibited signs. The following types of signs shall be prohibited:

      (1)   Signs which use words such as STOP, LOOK, DANGER, YIELD or any similar words, phases, symbols, lights or characters in such a manner as to interfere with or mislead or confuse traffic.

      (2)   Signs which by reason of size, location, coloring, or manner of illumination obstruct the vision of drivers, including but not limited to:

         (a)   Signs erected in the line of sight.

         (b)   Signs obstructing vision when entering or leaving a roadway from a driveway.

         (c)   Signs detracting from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or signal on public streets or roads.

      (3)   Signs illuminated by flashing, intermittent or rotating lights.

      (4)   Signs containing obscene, indecent or immoral words, pictures, or descriptions.

      (5)   Signs imitating governmental signs, including traffic control signs.

      (6)   Any sign that is unsafe or insecure, abandoned, or in a dilapidated condition.

   D.   Exempt Signs. No Land Use Permit is needed before erecting the following signs. Exempt signs shall conform to all other regulations.

      (1)   Official federal, state, county, or township signs.

      (2)   Public service signs such as those advertising the location of restrooms, telephones or similar public conveniences and signs advertising meeting times and places of nonprofit service or charitable clubs or organizations provided they shall not exceed four (4) square feet.

      (3)   Entrance signs or directional signs for the purpose of directing traffic when erected on the property in which it serves as long as it does not exceed 8 square feet.

      (4)   Temporary signs for civic events.

      (5)   Political signs.

      (6)   Real Estate signs.

      (7)   Trespassing signs or signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway or premises, signs prohibiting or otherwise controlling hunting or fishing upon particular premises, and signs indicating ownership of a property, provided the sign area does not exceed four (4) square feet.

      (8)   Window signs.

      (9)   Revolving barbershop pole sign, provided that it does not exceed thirty-six (36) inches in height.

      (10)   Signs advertising the variety of crop growing in a field.

      (11)   Canopy or awning signs.

      (12)   Balloons, inflatable devices, pennants, bunting or banners.

      (13)   Changing the sign face so long as the overall size or height is not changing. [Added 4-14-2020 by Ord. No. 355]

   E.   Sign types. The following regulations shall apply to the specific sign type as defined in § 150-4.

      (1)   Freestanding Signs.

         (a)   The lowest edge of a freestanding sign shall be less than four (4) feet or greater than seven (7) feet above the ground.

         (b)   One (1) freestanding sign shall be permitted per road frontage.

         (c)   Freestanding signs shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet.

      (2)   Ground signs.

         (a)   Ground signs shall be supported and permanently placed by embedding, anchoring, or connecting the sign in such a manner as to incorporate it into the landscape or architectural design scheme.

         (b)   Ground signs shall be limited to one (1) such sign per road frontage.

         (c)   Ground signs shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet.

      (3)   Projecting signs.

         (a)   Projecting signs shall be permitted and shall be attached to a wall and project no more than four (4) feet from the building wall.

         (b)   Projecting signs shall be securely supported and fastened to the wall.

         (c)   Projecting signs shall be a minimum of eight (8) feet from ground level.

      (4)   Wall signs.

         (a)   No portion of a wall sign shall extend more than six (6) inches from the building wall.

      (5)   Roof signs.

         (a)   One roof sign per building shall be permitted.

         (b)   Roof signs shall be no more than four (4) feet higher than the highest eave of the roof.

      (6)   Billboards. Any freestanding sign larger than fifty (50) square feet shall be considered a billboard and are subject to the following regulations.

         (a)   No Billboard shall be closer than fifty (50) feet to any property line or right-of-way line of any street.

         (b)   No Billboard face shall exceed eight (8) feet in vertical measurement or sixteen (16) feet in length and the bottom shall be less than four (4) feet or shall be higher than seven (7) feet above the ground.

         (c)   Billboards along the interstate shall conform to interstate regulations.

         (d)   No Billboard shall be located within five hundred (500) feet of any interchange or intersection.

         (e)   No Billboard shall be within five-hundred (500) feet of another billboard.

         (f)   Stacking of billboards shall not be permitted.

         (g)   Any Billboard that does not have advertising for more than one (1) year shall be removed.

   F.   Removal of unsafe, unlawful, or abandoned signs.

      (1)   Upon written notice by the Township, the owner, person, or firm maintaining a sign must remove or repair said sign when it:

         (a)   becomes unsafe, is in danger of falling, or it becomes so deteriorated that it no longer serves a useful purpose of communication;

         (b)   is determined by the Township to be a nuisance;

         (c)   is unlawfully erected in violation of any of the provisions of this Article.

      (2)   The Township may remove or cause to be removed said sign at the expense of the property owner in the event the property owner has not complied with the terms of said notice within fourteen (14) days of the date of the notice. However, in the event of danger, the Township may remove said sign immediately at the property owner s expense upon the issuance of said notice to the property owner.

      (3)   Abandoned Signs.

         (a)   No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained on any premises owned or controlled by such person a sign which has been abandoned.

         (b)   The Township may remove or cause to be removed said sign at the expense of the property owner in the event the property owner has not complied with the terms of said notice within thirty (30) days of the notice.

   G.   Nonconforming signs. Any sign legally existing at the time of the passage of this Article that does not conform in use, location, height, or size with the regulations shall be considered a legal non-conforming use or structure and may continue in such status until such time as it is either abandoned or removed by its owner, subject to the following limitations:

      (1)   Structural alterations, enlargement or re-erection are permissible only where such alterations will not increase the degree of nonconformity of the sign.

      (2)   Any legal nonconforming sign shall be brought into compliance if such sign is allowed to deteriorate to the extent that the cost of repair or restoration exceeds fifty (50%) percent of the replacement cost of the sign as determined by the Township.

   A.   Granny Flat: A mobile home may be temporarily placed on an approved lot having erected thereon no more than one (1) single-family dwelling where the mobile home is connected to the sewage disposal system of the permanent dwelling and where the temporary mobile home is to be occupied by the following family members: father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, paternal grandparents, maternal grandparents, foster parents, aunt (mother s or father s sister), uncle (mother s or father s brother), son or daughter (step, adopted, or biological), brother or sister of the owner and occupant of the permanent residence on the lot; such occupancy of the temporary mobile home to be by special permit only for a period not to exceed one (1) year, renewable at the option of the Township; all such permits to expire and be subject to renewal on July 1 of each year regardless of the date of issuance. A signed statement will be required from a medical doctor as to the need prior to a land use permit being issued.

   B.   Sales Trailers: One (1) sales trailer shall be permitted per builder in a subdivision. Sales trailers shall be on their own lot placed within the minimum area regulations and shall be removed when the developer no longer owns any other lot in the development. Adequate parking shall be provided. The sales trailer shall not be serviced with water, sewer, or septic unless appropriate permits have been issued and all fees have been paid. All fees shall be forfeited and are non transferable with the removal of the trailer(s). Sales Trailers are not required to connect to utilities.

   C.   Construction Trailers: Each builder of a subdivision may have construction trailer(s) placed somewhere in the development within the minimum area regulations set forth in this chapter. The construction trailer(s) shall be removed from the premises once the development is built out or once the builder has not been active for a period of eighteen (18) months in this development. The construction trailer(s) shall not be serviced with water, sewer, or septic unless appropriate permits have been issued and all fees have been paid. All fees will be forfeited and are non transferable with the removal of the trailer(s). Construction Trailers are not required to connect to utilities.

   D.   Where a land use permit has been issued for the construction or alteration of a principal building, a temporary permit for one (1) manufactured home or camping trailer may be issued. Said residence may be occupied during the term of the temporary permit, and shall be situated upon the lot for which the land use permit has been issued, provided that all yard setback requirements are met. Upon completion of the principal structure and the occupancy permits for the principal structure have been issued; the manufactured home or camping trailer shall be removed within ninety (90) days.