Bethel Park City Zoning Code
ARTICLE V
Provisions Governing Residential Districts
69.23 R-1 One-Family Dwelling District.
Within the R-1 One-Family Dwelling District, the following regulations apply:
69.23.1.
Permitted uses.
[Amended by Ord. No. 61-22-A(g)]
1.
One-family detached dwelling.
2.
Public school or private school having a curriculum similar to that ordinarily given in a public school, including religious instruction in parochial schools.
3.
Church and similar place of worship.
4.
Convent, monastery, rectory or parish house to be occupied by not more than 10 persons.
5.
Temporary building and use for construction purposes, not to exceed a period of one year.
6.
Farm.
7.
Accessory uses customarily incidental to any of the above permitted uses, and including:
a.
Home occupation.
b.
Private garage.
c.
Fences.
i.
Ornamental fence, not exceeding eight feet in height, provided that any ornamental fence located within any required front yard may not exceed four feet in height.
[Amended by Ord. No. 4-9-79A; 8-13-2018 by Ord. No. 8-13-18B]
ii.
Privacy fence or ornamental wall, not exceeding eight feet in height, provided that no privacy fence is permitted in any required front yard or side yard facing a street or a corner lot, and provided further that any ornamental wall located within any required front yard or side yard facing a street may not exceed three feet six inches in height.
[Amended by Ord. No. 5-12-80A, approved 5-19-1980]
iii.
Retaining wall, provided that when located within five feet of any lot line, the exposed portion thereof is constructed or faced with a material other than standard structural cinder block or concrete block.
iv.
Swimming pool fence, provided that said fence shall be not less than four feet nor more than eight feet in height and shall be so constructed as not to have any openings, walls or gaps larger than two inches in any dimension, except for doors and gates. If the fence is a picket fence, the horizontal dimensions maintained between pickets shall not exceed four inches.
v.
Electrical fences are not permitted in any zoning district in the municipality, except as part of a farm.
vi.
Barbed wire fences are not permitted in any district of the municipality except as part of a farm or a security fence, provided that the security fence is at least five feet in height.
d.
Off-street parking and loading facility.
e.
Private swimming pools accessory to a one-family dwelling and on the same lot.
[Amended 9-13-1999 by Ord. No. 9-13-99B]
f.
Signs as regulated herein.
g.
Such permitted accessory uses as sited in the definition of "accessory use" and which are incidental to residential use. No accessory structure can be located in front of the front face of the principal building.
[Amended 9-13-1999 by Ord. No. 9-13-99B]
8.
Conditional Uses as regulated herein.
[Amended by Ord. No. 5-8-89F]
69.23.2.
Height. The maximum height of buildings hereafter erected or altered shall be as follows:
1.
One-family detached dwelling: not to exceed 35 feet, except as provided in Supplementary Regulations hereof.
[Amended by Ord. No. 6-8-70A]
2.
Church or similar place of worship: 45 feet for the principal building and 75 feet for steeples or towers.
3.
Accessory building: 20 feet.
4.
Any other permitted building: not to exceed 30 feet.
[Amended by Ord. No. 6-8-70A]
69.23.3.
Lot area. The minimum lot area for every building hereafter erected or altered shall be as follows:
69.23.4.
Yard areas. No building or structure shall be erected or enlarged unless the following yards are provided and maintained in connection with such building, structure or enlargement:
1.
Front yard: not less than 50 feet.
a.
No outdoor storage of material is permitted to be located within the front yard area. This includes, but is not limited to, firewood, automobile parts and machinery and any material or articles typically found inside the primary building. This does not apply to the off-street parking of vehicles which is covered under Article X, Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements.
[Added 9-13-1999 by Ord. No. 9-13-99B]
2.
Side yard: on each side, not less than 20 feet. The combined total of side yards for corner lots shall be not less than 70 feet. The side yard on each side of a lot of record which is less than 100 feet wide at the building line shall be 20% of the width of the lot but shall be not less than 12 feet. For a church or similar place of worship, not less than 40 feet on each side of the principal building.
3.
Rear yard: not less than 50 feet or 20% of the depth of the lot, whichever is greater, but it need not exceed 90 feet.
4.
When a use in an R-1 District, other than a one-family dwelling, abuts upon an R District, there shall be provided, in addition to the above yard requirement, a buffer area of not less than 20 feet.
[Added 4-13-1998 by Ord. No. 4-13-98B]
69.23.5.
Percentage of lot coverage. All buildings, including accessory uses, shall cover not more than 20% of the area of the lot.
69.24 R-2 One-Family Dwelling District.
Within the R-2 One-Family Dwelling District the following regulations apply:
69.24.1.
Permitted uses: any use and accessory use permitted in the R-1 District.
69.24.2.
Height: as permitted or required in the R-1 District.
69.24.3.
Lot area. The minimum lot area for every building hereafter erected or altered shall be as follows:
1.
One-family detached dwelling, convent, monastery, rectory or parish house: 12,450 square feet and a width at the building line of not less than 75 feet, except for lots with a majority of their street frontage on the radius of a cul-de-sac which must have a width of not less than 60 feet at the building line.
[Amended 7-11-1994 by Ord. No. 7-11-94D]
2.
Church and similar place of worship: as required in the R-1 District.
3.
Public or private school: as required in the R-1 District.
69.24.4.
Yard areas. No building or structure shall be erected or altered unless the following yards are provided and maintained in connection with such building, structure or enlargement:
1.
Front yard: not less than 35 feet when there are at least 60 feet from the building line to the center line of the road and when the lot fronts on a street dedicated for public use after August 1, 1994; otherwise, 40 feet. In no case shall a building line established by existing residences be changed except for the intersection of two or more streets.
[Amended 7-11-1994 by Ord. No. 7-11-94D]
a.
No outdoor storage of material is permitted to be located within the front yard area. This includes, but is not limited to, firewood, automobile parts and machinery and any material or articles typically found inside the primary building. This does not apply to the off-street parking of vehicles which is covered under Article X, Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements.
[Added 9-13-1999 by Ord. No. 9-13-99B]
2.
Side yard: on each side, not less than 12 1/2 feet. The combined total for side yards for corner lots shall be not less than 52 1/2 feet. The side yard on each side of a lot of record which is less than 75 feet wide at the building line shall be 20% of the width of the lot but shall be not less than 10 feet. For a church or similar place of worship, not less than 40 feet on each side of the principal building.
3.
Rear yard: not less than 35 feet or 20% of the depth of the lot, whichever is larger, but it need not exceed 60 feet.
4.
When a use in an R-2 District, other than a one-family dwelling, abuts upon an R District, there shall be provided, in addition to the above yard requirement, a buffer area of not less than 20 feet.
[Added 4-13-1998 by Ord. No. 4-13-98B]
69.24.5.
Percentage of lot coverage. All buildings, including accessory uses, shall cover not more than 25% of the area of the lot.
69.25 R-3 One-Family Dwelling District.
[Amended 7-14-1969 by Ord. No. 7-14-69B; 3-11-1974 by Ord. No. 3-11-74A]
Within the R-3 One-Family Dwelling District, the following regulations shall apply:
69.25.1.
Permitted uses:
1.
One-family detached dwelling.
2.
Public school or private school having a curriculum similar to that ordinarily given in a public school, including religious instruction in parochial schools.
3.
Church and similar place of worship.
4.
Convent, monastery, rectory or parish house to be occupied by not more than 10 persons.
5.
Temporary building and use for construction purposes, not to exceed a period of one year.
6.
Farm.
7.
Accessory uses customarily incidental to any of permitted uses, including:
a.
Home occupation.
b.
Private garage.
c.
Fences and walls.
i.
Ornamental fence, not exceeding eight feet in height, provided that any ornamental fence located within any required front yard may not exceed four feet in height.
[Amended 4-9-1979 by Ord. No. 4-9-79A; 8-13-2018 by Ord. No. 8-13-18B]
ii.
Privacy fence or ornamental wall, not exceeding eight feet in height, provided that no privacy fence is permitted in any required front yard or side yard facing a street or a corner lot, and provided further that any ornamental wall located within any required front yard or side yard facing a street may not exceed three feet six inches in height.
[Amended 5-12-1980 by Ord. No. 5-12-80A]
iii.
Retaining wall, provided that when located within five feet of any lot line, the exposed portion thereof is constructed or faced with a material other than standard structural cinder block or concrete block.
iv.
Swimming pool fence, provided that said fence shall be not less than four feet nor more than eight feet in height and shall be so constructed as not to have any openings, walls or gaps larger than two inches in any dimension, except for doors and gates. If the fence is a picket fence, the horizontal dimensions maintained between pickets shall not exceed four inches.
d.
Off-street parking and loading facility.
e.
Private swimming pool on the same lot, when meeting the yard depth and width requirements of the district for principal buildings and when the swimming pool or the property on which it is located is adequately fenced to prevent free access of small children and meets all health and sanitary requirements.
f.
Signs as required herein.
g.
Such permitted accessory uses as listed in the definition of "accessory use" and which are incidental to the residential use.
8.
Conditional uses as regulated herein.
[Added 5-8-1989 by Ord. 5-8-89F]
69.25.2.
Height. The maximum height of buildings hereafter erected or altered shall be as follows:
1.
One-family detached dwelling: not to exceed 35 feet, except as provided in the supplementary regulations hereof.
2.
Church or similar place or worship: 45 feet for the principal building and 75 feet for steeples or towers.
3.
Accessory building: 20 feet.
4.
Any other permitted building: not to exceed 30 feet.
69.25.3.
Lot area. The minimum lot area for every building hereafter erected or altered shall be as follows:
69.25.4.
Yard areas. No building or structure shall be hereafter erected or enlarged unless the following yards are provided and maintained in connection with such building, structure or enlargement:
1.
Front yard: not less than 35 feet.
a.
No outdoor storage of material is permitted to be located within the front yard area. This includes, but is not limited to, firewood, automobile parts and machinery and any material or articles typically found inside the primary building. This does not apply to the off-street parking of vehicles which is covered under Article X, Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements.
[Added 9-13-1999 by Ord. No. 9-13-99B]
2.
Side yard: on each side, not less than 10 feet. The combined total for side yards for corner lots shall be not less than 45 feet. The side yard on each side of a lot of record which is less than 60 feet in width shall have a width of 15% of the width of the lot but shall be not less than six feet. For a church or similar place of worship, not less than 40 feet on each side of a principal building.
3.
Rear yard: not less than 35 feet or 20% of the depth of the lot, whichever is larger, but it need not exceed 45 feet.
4.
When a use in an R-3 District, other than a one-family dwelling, abuts upon an R District, there shall be provided, in addition to the above yard requirement, a buffer area of not less than 20 feet.
[Added 4-13-1998 by Ord. No. 4-13-98B]
69.25.5.
Percentage of lot coverage. All buildings, including accessory uses, shall cover not more than 30% of the area of the lot.
69.26 R-4 Multiple-Family Dwelling District.
Within the R-4 Multiple-Family Dwelling District, the following regulations shall apply:
69.26.1.
Permitted uses.
1.
Any use and accessory use permitted in the R-1 District.
2.
Two-family dwelling.
3.
Multiple-family dwelling, not to exceed 24 dwelling units or apartments per building.
4.
Fraternity or sorority, except those the chief activity of which is a service customarily carried on as a business.
5.
Personal care boarding home.
[Added 5-8-1989 by Ord. No. 5-8-89G]
6.
Day-care facility.
[Added 5-8-1989 by Ord. No. 5-8-89G]
7.
Housing for seniors.
[Added 5-11-2015 by Ord. No. 5-11-15A]
69.26.2.
Height. As permitted in the R-1 District, except that multiple-family dwellings shall not exceed 35 feet.
[Amended 6-8-1970 by Ord. No. 6-8-70A]
69.26.3.
Lot area. The minimum lot area for every building hereafter erected or altered shall be as follows:
1.
One-family detached dwelling, convent, monastery, rectory or parish house: 8,710 square feet and a width at the building line of not less than 60 feet.
2.
Two-family dwelling: 4,350 square feet per dwelling unit and a width at the building line of not less than 60 feet.
3.
Multiple-family dwelling: The minimum size of lot for multiple-family dwelling development is one acre and the minimum lot width at the building line shall be 100 feet. Not more than 20 units per acre are permitted in any land development.
[Amended 4-13-1998 by Ord. No. 4-13-98B]
4.
Church and similar place of worship: as required in the R-1 District.
5.
Public or private school: as required in the R-1 District.
69.26.4.
Yard areas. No building or structure shall be hereafter erected or enlarged unless the following yards are provided and maintained in connection with such building, structure or enlargement. Where abutting an R-1, R-2 or R-3 District there shall be provided, in addition to the yard requirements, a buffer area of not less than 20 feet.
[Amended 11-13-1972 by Ord. No. 11-13-72A; 10-15-1991 by Ord. No. 10-15-91B]
1.
Front yard: not less than 35 feet, except for a multiple-family dwelling, which shall be not less than 50 feet.
a.
No outdoor storage of material is permitted to be located within the front yard area. This includes, but is not limited to, firewood, automobile parts and machinery and any material or articles typically found inside the primary building. This does not apply to the off-street parking of vehicles which is covered under Article X, Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements.
[Added 9-13-1999 by Ord. No. 9-13-99B]
2.
Side yard: For one-family detached dwelling or two-family dwelling, not less than 10 feet on each side of two sides for an interior lot, and not less than 45 feet combined total side yards for a corner lot. For multiple-family dwelling, not less than a horizontal distance equal to the height of the building, but not less than 10 feet for each of two sides for an interior lot and not less than 60 feet combined total of side yards for a corner lot. Church and similar places of worship, not less than 40 feet on each side of the principal building.
3.
Rear yard: not less than 30 feet, except for a multiple-family dwelling, which shall be not less than 50 feet.
69.26.5.
Percentage of lot coverage. All buildings, including accessory uses, shall cover not more than 15% of the area of the lot.
[Amended 4-13-1998 by Ord. No. 4-13-98B]
69.26.7.
The fronts of all buildings and sides, when the side or sides face a street of a residential district, shall be faced with brick, stone or other suitable materials as approved by the Planning Commission.
[Added 8-13-1973 by Ord. No. 8-13-73C]
69.27 R-5 Multiple-Family Dwelling District.
Within the R-5 Multiple-Family Dwelling District, the following regulations shall apply:
69.27.2.
Height. As permitted in the R-4 District throughout, except that multistory multiple-family dwellings are permitted, but shall not exceed 75 feet.
[Amended 7-14-1969 by Ord. No. 7-14-69B; 4-13-1998 by Ord. No. 4-13-98B]
69.27.3.
Lot area. As required in the R-4 District, except that the minimum size of a lot for multistory multiple-family dwelling development is two acres and the minimum lot width at the building line shall be 150 feet. Not more than 25 units per acre are permitted in any land development.
[Amended 4-13-1998 by Ord. No. 4-13-98B]
69.27.4.
Yard areas. As required or permitted in the R-4 District, except that multi-story multiple-family dwellings shall provide and maintain a front yard, side yard and rear yard of a horizontal dimension not less that the height of the building or 50 feet, whichever is greater.
1.
No outdoor storage of material is permitted to be located within the front yard area. This includes, but is not limited to, firewood, automobile parts and machinery and any material or articles typically found inside the primary building. This does not apply to the off-street parking of vehicles which is covered under Article X, Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements.
[Added 9-13-1999 by Ord. No. 9-13-99B]
69.27.5.
Percentage of lot coverage. All buildings, including accessory buildings, shall cover not more than 15% of the area of the lot, nor shall any building area exceed 26, 140 square feet.
[Amended 4-13-1998 by Ord. No. 4-13-98B]
69.27.6.
Off-street parking facilities and loading facilities shall be provided as required of permitted under Article X.
69.27.7.
The fronts of all buildings and sides, when the side or sides face a street of a residential district, shall be faced with brick, stone or other suitable materials as approved by the Planning Commission.
[Added 8-13-1973 by Ord. No. 8-13-73C]
69.28 R-T Townhouse Dwelling District.
[Added 7-9-1973 by Ord. No. 7-9-73A; amended 2-10-1975 by Ord. No. 2-10-75A]
Within the R-T Townhouse Dwelling District, the following regulations shall apply:
69.28.1.
Permitted uses.
1.
One-family detached dwelling.
2.
Two-family dwelling.
3.
Townhouse dwelling.
4.
Public school or private school having a curriculum similar to that ordinarily given in a public school, including religious instruction in parochial schools.
5.
Church and similar place of worship.
6.
Convent, monastery, rectory or parish house to be occupied by not more than 10 persons.
7.
Personal care boarding home.
[Added 5-8-1989 by Ord. No. 5-8-89G]
8.
Day-care facility.
[Added 5-8-1989 by Ord. No. 5-8-89G]
9.
Accessory uses customarily incidental to any of the permitted uses and including:
a.
Private garages.
b.
Fences.
i.
Ornamental fence, not exceeding eight feet in height, provided that any ornamental fence located within any required front yard may not exceed four feet in height.
[Amended 4-9-1979 by Ord. No. 4-9-79A; 8-13-2018 by Ord. No. 8-13-18B]
ii.
Privacy fence or ornamental wall, not exceeding eight feet in height, provided that no privacy fence is permitted in any required front yard or side yard facing a street or a corner lot, and provided further that any ornamental wall located within any required front yard or side yard facing a street may not exceed three feet six inches in height.
[Amended 5-12-1980 by Ord. No. 5-12-80A]
iii.
Retaining wall, provided that when located within five feet of any lot line, the exposed portion thereof is constructed or faced with a material other than standard structural cinder block or concrete block.
iv.
Pool fence, provided that said fence shall be not less than four feet nor more than eight feet in height and shall be so constructed as not to have any openings, walls or gaps larger than two inches in any dimension, except for doors and gates. If the fence is a picket fence, the horizontal dimensions maintained between pickets shall not exceed four inches.
c.
Street parking and loading facility.
d.
Private swimming pool on the same lot, when meeting the yard depth and width requirements of the district for principal buildings and when the swimming pool or the property on which it is located is adequately fenced to prevent free access of small children and meets all health and sanitary requirements.
e.
Signs as required herein.
f.
Such permitted accessory uses as listed in the definition of "accessory use" and which are incidental to the residential use.
10.
Conditional uses as regulated herein.
[Added 5-8-1989 by Ord. No. 5-8-89F]
69.28.2.
Height: not to exceed 35 feet.
69.28.3.
Lot area. The minimum lot area for every building hereafter erected or altered shall be as follows:
1.
One-family detached dwelling: 8,710 square feet per dwelling unit and a width at the building line of not less than 60 feet.
2.
Two-family dwelling: 14,520 square feet per dwelling unit and a width at the building line of not less than 80 feet.
3.
Townhouse dwelling: One acre, and a minimum lot width of 150 feet at the building line.
69.28.4.
Yard area. No building or structure shall be hereafter erected or enlarged unless the following yards are provided and maintained in connection with such buildings, structure or enlargement:
1.
Front yard: not less than 35 feet except for townhouse dwellings, which shall be not less than 25 feet.
a.
No outdoor storage of material is permitted to be located within the front yard area. This includes, but is not limited to, firewood, automobile parts and machinery and any material or articles typically found inside the primary building. This does not apply to the off-street parking of vehicles which is covered under Article X, Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements.
[Added 9-13-1999 by Ord. No. 9-13-99B]
2.
Side yard: not less than 10 feet on each side of two sides for an interior lot, and not less than 35 feet combined total of side yard for corner lot.
3.
Rear yard: not less than 30 feet.
4.
For developments of more than one building the following yards shall apply:
Type of Yard | Distance (feet) | |
|---|---|---|
Side to side | 20 | |
Rear to side | 40 | |
Rear to rear | 60 | |
Side to front | 35 | |
Front to front | 50 | |
Front to rear | 55 |
69.28.5.
Percentage of lot coverage. All buildings, including accessory uses, shall cover not more than 15% of the area of the lot.
[Amended 4-13-1998 by Ord. No. 4-13-98B]
69.28.7.
Density control. Density shall not exceed eight dwelling units per acre.
69.28.8.
A townhouse building shall not exceed 150 feet in length and shall have a break in continuity (offset) at intervals of at least every 70 feet. The breaks in continuity shall not be less than five feet. For townhouse structures not exceeding 70 feet, there shall be at least one break in continuity.
69.28.9.
Where any development except single-family abuts an R-1, R-2 or R-3 District, there shall be provided, in addition to the yard requirements imposed by this section, a buffer of not less than 20 feet.
[Added 1-14-1980 by Ord. No. 1-14-80B; amended 10-15-1991 by Ord. No. 10-15-91B]
69.28.10.
The front, side or rear of a townhouse building that faces an R-1, R-2 or R-3 single-family zoning district shall be faced with brick, stone or other suitable material, as approved by the Planning Commission.
[Added 1-14-1980 by Ord. No. 1-14-80B]