Bradford City Zoning Code

The City is hereby divided into zoning districts, as shown on the official Zoning District Map that, together with all explanatory matter thereon, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter.[1]

The Official Zoning District Map shall be identified by the signature of the Mayor, attested to by the City Administrator and certified by the City Engineer, and shall bear the seal of the City under the following words: "This is to certify that this is the Official Zoning District Map referred to in Article III of Ordinance Number 3231, as amended, of the City of Bradford, McKean County, Pennsylvania," together with the date of adoption of this chapter.

All amendments affecting district boundaries shall be noted on the Official Zoning District Map by the City Engineer, including the date of adoption, and shall be attested to by the City Administrator.

No changes of any nature shall be made in the Official Zoning District Map or matter shown thereof except in conformity with the procedure set forth in this chapter. Any unauthorized change of whatever kind by any person shall be considered a violation of this chapter and punishable as provided in § 220-141 of this chapter.

The Official Zoning District Map, that shall be located in the City Hall, shall be the final authority as to the current zoning status of land and water areas, buildings and other structures in the City.

District boundaries indicated as appearing to follow the center lines of streets, highways or alleys shall be construed to follow such center lines;

District boundaries indicated as appearing to follow platted lot lines shall be construed as following such lot lines;

District boundaries indicated as appearing to follow municipal boundaries shall be construed as following municipal boundaries;

District boundaries indicated as following railroad lines shall be construed to be midway between the main tracks;

District boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of streams, rivers or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow center lines, and in the event of change in the location of streams, rivers and other bodies of water, shall be construed as moving with the actual body of water and following the center line;

Distances not specifically indicated on the Official Zoning District Map shall be determined by the scale of the map.

Where zoning districts are referred to as "more restrictive" or "less restrictive," the designation shall refer to the order in which the districts are in § 220-10, above, that is, the C-D District being the most restrictive, and the M-2 District being the least restrictive.

In the C-D, R-1, R-2 and R-3 Districts, any use not specifically listed as an authorized use in the zoning district shall not be permitted in that zoning district.

In the C-1, C-2, M-1 and M-2 Districts, any use not specifically listed in the authorized uses for the zoning district shall not be permitted in that zoning district, unless such use is authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board as a use by special exception in accordance with the applicable express standards and criteria for comparable uses not specifically listed in § 220-90I of this chapter.

In all zoning districts where single-family dwellings or two-family dwellings are an authorized use or are a legally nonconforming use, the single-family dwelling or two-family dwelling shall be the only principal structure on the lot.

In the zoning districts where such uses are authorized by this chapter, two or more multifamily or nonresidential buildings may occupy the same lot, provided each building can independently meet the applicable area and bulk regulations and parking requirements to accommodate the possibility of subdivision of the property in the future to separate the buildings.

In the C-1, C-2, M-1 and M-2 Districts, two or more authorized uses may occupy the same building, provided all applicable area and bulk regulations and parking requirements for each of the uses can be met on the lot.

In all zoning districts, all accessory structures shall be located on the same lot with the principal structure to which they are accessory. Any accessory structure shall not be built unless or until the principal structure it serves exists on the lot.

No building, other structure or land shall hereafter be used or occupied, and no building or other structure or parts thereof shall be erected, relocated, altered, extended or enlarged, unless in conformity with the use, height and area regulations specified herein for the zoning district in which such building, other structure or land is located and in conformity with all other regulations.

No lot area shall be reduced or diminished so that the yards or other open space thereon shall be less than prescribed by this chapter, nor shall the density of population be increased in any manner except in conformity with area requirements herein established. If, on the effective date hereof or of any subsequent amendments hereto increasing the area or open space requirements, the lot area or required open spaces are less than the minimum required by this chapter, such area or open space shall not be further reduced.

No yard or other open space provided on one lot for the purpose of complying with the provisions of this chapter shall be considered as providing a yard or open space required on any other lot.

The regulations of this chapter shall not be so construed as to limit or interfere with the dedication, development or use of any land or building for public parks, public playgrounds or public schools required for compulsory education; or with the use of land or buildings owned by the United States Government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the County of McKean, the City of Bradford or the City of Bradford Parking Authority and used for governmental purposes; or with the construction, installation, operation and maintenance for public utility purposes of water or gas pipes, mains or conduits, electric lights or electric power transmission lines or distribution lines, telephone or telegraph lines, oil pipelines, sewers, sewer mains or incidental appurtenances; or with any highway or railroad right-of-way existing or hereafter authorized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the County of McKean or the City of Bradford. These exceptions, however, shall not be interpreted to permit storage yards, garages or other buildings for service or storage by said public utilities which are otherwise prohibited by this chapter in appropriate zoning districts.