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Buffalo Township Washington County
City Zoning Code

ARTICLE IV

Rural Agricultural District Regulations

§ 265-19 Purpose.

The primary purpose of the A-R Rural Agricultural District is to encourage the use of land for agriculture, forestry and low density residential use and to permit certain other activities which are compatible with agriculture and forestry. Any residential development herein is intended to be rural in character. The extension of public utilities into the Rural Agricultural District is not anticipated.

§ 265-20 Permitted uses.

A. 
Agriculture.
B. 
Forestry.
C. 
Single-family dwellings.
D. 
Parks, schools, churches.
E. 
Open land recreation.
F. 
Cemeteries.
G. 
Planned Residential Development subject to Article V of this chapter.
H. 
Customary accessory uses.

§ 265-21 Special exception uses.

A. 
Public and semipublic buildings which are necessary to and serve residents of the Township.
B. 
Home occupations.

§ 265-22 Conditional uses.

A. 
Oil and gas wells.
B. 
Coal and mineral extraction.
C. 
Sanitary landfill.
D. 
Institutional residences and group homes.
E. 
Salvage business.
F. 
Airport.
G. 
Mobile home parks.

§ 265-23 Dimensional standards.

The following dimensional standards shall apply in the Rural Agricultural District to all lots or parcels which may be created to all structures and to particular uses of land as permitted in this section.
A. 
Area requirements (minimum lot or parcel size):
(1) 
Farming, forestry: 10 acres. [Note: All uses shall conform to area standards which may be required by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) as amended from time to time for approval of on-lot sewage disposal systems. The minimum standards established by this chapter apply only where the requirements established by the DCNR are not more restrictive or limited.]
(2) 
Single-family dwelling: one acre. [Note: All uses shall conform to area standards which may be required by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) as amended from time to time for approval of on-lot sewage disposal systems. The minimum standards established by this chapter apply only where the requirements established by the DCNR are not more restrictive or limited.]
(3) 
Special exception uses: one acre or as determined by Zoning Hearing Board.
(4) 
Conditional uses as determined by Board of Supervisors.
B. 
Front yard requirement (minimum distance to structure from right-of-way of road):
(1) 
All lots or parcels: 50 feet.
C. 
Side yard requirement (minimum distance to structure or use from side property line):
[Amended 1-5-2022 by Ord. No. 104-2022]
(1) 
All structures or uses: 15 feet.
D. 
Rear yard requirement (minimum distance to structure or use from rear property line):
[Amended 1-5-2022 by Ord. No. 104-2022]
(1) 
All structures or uses: 30 feet.
E. 
Width requirement (minimum frontage along road):
(1) 
All lots or parcels: 125 feet.
F. 
General setback requirements.
Required Distance from Property Line or Public Right-of-Way or Highway
(feet)
Storage or manure or dust-producing substances
200
Greenhouse heating plants
100
Buildings, sheds, shelters, kennels, structures or other partial or complete enclosures in which animals or poultry are kept (Does not apply to buildings or structures housing not more than 2 dogs or other pets.)
200
Additional farm buildings, sheds, shelters, structures or enclosures other than a dwelling
50
G. 
Off-street parking regulations. As required by § 265-44 of this chapter.
H. 
Loading regulations. As required by § 265-45 of this chapter.