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Buffalo Township Washington County
City Zoning Code

ARTICLE II

Designation of Zoning Use Districts And Regulations

§ 265-10 Designation of zoning use districts.

For the purposes of this chapter, the Township of Buffalo is divided into the zoning use districts listed hereunder and as shown by the district boundaries on the Zoning Map:
R-S
Suburban Residential District
A-R
Rural Agricultural District
R-P
Planned Residential Development
C-H
Highway Commercial District
L-1
Light Industrial District

§ 265-11 District boundaries.

District boundaries shown on the Zoning Map are intended to follow property lines, center lines of roads, streams and transportation rights-of-way, boundaries of identifiable physical features or measured distances from identifiable points of reference. When the Zoning Officer cannot definitely determine the location of a district boundary by reference to such center lines, by the scale or dimensions set forth on the Zoning Map, or by the fact that it clearly coincides with the property line, he shall refuse to take action; and the Zoning Hearing Board, upon appeal, shall interpret the location of the district boundary with reference to the Zoning Map and the purposes set forth in all relevant provisions of this chapter.

§ 265-12 Classification of uses.

Three classifications of uses varying in their impact upon the community and in the procedures by which they are approved may be established in a zoning use district.
A. 
Permitted uses. The permitted uses are those which are planned for and compatible with one another in each district An application for a permitted use shall be granted by the Zoning Officer if all area, yard and other applicable provisions of this chapter are met. The permitted uses for each district are set forth in Articles III through VII, and uses not specifically listed shall not be permitted.
B. 
Special exception uses. The special exception uses are those which may be acceptable within a zone but which, because of size or other characteristics, would have a greater impact upon neighboring properties than permitted uses. Therefore, special requirements are herein established for such uses, which special requirements must be met if they are to be approved. Application for a special exception use shall be approved by the Zoning Hearing Board after it has determined that all special requirements established in this chapter have been met as well as additional reasonable conditions which the Board may impose to ensure that the purposes of this chapter are carried out.
C. 
Conditional uses. The conditional uses are those which, because of size or other characteristics, can be expected to produce a major impact upon the community and the environment. Application for approval of a conditional use shall be reviewed by the Township Planning Commission and decided by the Board of Township Supervisors in accordance with the conditions and standards established in this chapter and other ordinances as established by the Board of Township Supervisors to ensure that the purposes of this chapter are carried out.

§ 265-13 Dimensional standards.

Dimensional standards are established for each use district, setting forth minimum standards for lot sizes and yard requirements for the placement of structures and uses of land. Such standards shall apply to any structures or uses established or expanded after the effective date of this chapter. Any lot of record existing at the effective date of this chapter then held in separate ownership from adjoining lots may be used for the erection of a structure conforming to the use regulations of the district in which it is located, although its area and width may be less than the minimum requirements of this chapter, provided its use would have complied with the area and width requirements of the Zoning Ordinance amended by this chapter.