Folcroft City Zoning Code
ARTICLE II
Terminology
§ 600-8 Word usage.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and phrases shall be construed throughout this chapter to have the meaning indicated herein. Words used in the present tense include the future. The singular shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular. The word "building" includes the word "structure." The phrase "used for" includes "arranged for," "designed for," "intended for," "maintained for," or "occupied for." The word "person" includes an individual, corporation, partnership, incorporated association, or any other similar entity. The words "includes" or "including" shall not limit the term to the specified examples, but are intended to extend their meaning to all other instances of like kind and character. The words "shall" and "will" are mandatory and not discretionary, and the word "may" is permissive. Terms not defined herein shall have the meaning customarily assigned to them.
§ 600-9 Definitions.
In this chapter, words, terms, and phrases shall have the following meanings:
Where a building or land is abandoned for six consecutive months for residential uses and 12 consecutive months for nonresidential uses, whereby the owner discontinues the use or occupancy, the building or structure shall be declared abandoned and may be required to be removed. In the case of abandonment of a nonconforming use, Article XVIII applies.
A structure detached from a principal building on the same lot and incidental and subordinate to the principal building or use.
A use of land or of a building or portion thereof customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use of the land or building and located on the same lot with such principal use.
Any establishment that permits patrons to hear, view, read, lease, purchase, trade, exchange, and/or participate in activities, publications, movies, videotapes, and/or live or televised performances which have as their dominant theme explicit sexual activities and/or the exhibition of human anatomy which is not normally seen in public or in other commercial or club-type operations and which may or may not exclude minors by virtue of age. Implicit in this definition are the following: bookstores, movie theaters, restaurants, bars, tattoo parlors, fortune tellers, tarot card readers, body piercing, phrenology, and any other operation which qualifies for inclusion by virtue of the above wording, regardless of the type of other uses or operations which may also be conducted on or in the property or properties involved.
A narrow service access to the rear of urban buildings providing service areas, parking access, and utility easements.
Any change or rearrangement in the supporting members of an existing building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams, girders, or interior partitions, as well as any change in doors, windows, means of ingress and egress, or any enlargement to or diminution of a building or structure, or the moving of a building from one location to another.
Modifications to an existing structure that are of a cosmetic nature, replacement of utilities, or rearrangement of non-load-bearing partitions.
Any mechanical, electrical, electromechanical device, machine, or apparatus whatsoever for the playing of games and amusements, which devices or apparatus are commonly known as "pinball machines," "video games," and "jukeboxes," or upon which games are played, or any device on which music is played after the insertion therein of a coin or other disc, slug, or token or for which fees are paid to an attendant.
Any device or mechanism used in the collection, transmission, routing, or receiving of telecommunications transmissions, radio signals, or radio frequency energy, including, but not limited to, use by or provisions of wireless communications, cellular communications, and personal communications services.
Any pole, telescoping mast, tower, tripod, or any other structure which supports or has attached to it an antenna or antennas.
A structure containing three or more apartment units.
One or more rooms with individual access, private bath and kitchen facilities, comprising an independent, self-contained dwelling unit in a building.
A landowner or developer, as hereinafter defined, who has filed an application for development including his heirs, successors, and assigns.
Residences for frail individuals that provide rooms, meals, personal care, and supervision of self-administered medication. The facility may also provide other services such as recreational activities, financial services, and transportation.
In contrast to pedestrian-oriented uses, these uses are generally related to, dependent on, or designed to accommodate customers traveling in automobiles. They are generally located in more remote parts of a community than pedestrian-oriented uses. Frequently, amenities such as sidewalks, trees, benches, and similar amenities are not provided in locations where these uses are found. Typical automobile-oriented uses are drive-through establishments; big box retail establishments; automobile sales, repair, and service; wholesale businesses; and similar uses.
An enclosed area located partly or completely below grade. A basement shall be considered a story for the purpose of height measurement if the basement ceiling is five feet or more above the average grade level around the building.
Retail store establishments in freestanding, one-story buildings, with floor areas of 100,000 square feet or more. Examples of such uses are Walmart, Costco, and various retail clubs such as Sam's and similar establishments.
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located.
The Folcroft Borough Zoning Hearing Board.
The Borough of Folcroft.
A strip of land intended to separate one use or district from another by providing an open, unobstructed space intended to absorb, shield, or block noise, light, view, or other impacts of the use having the greater impact. Buffers shall be planted with grass or other ground cover and may be part of the required yards. Buffers are often employed between a residential district and an abutting nonresidential district having greater impacts. There shall be no structures, equipment, storage, parking, or trash disposal in buffer areas. Dimensions of buffers shall be as required by the zoning district.
Any structure, either temporary or permanent, having a roof or other covering and designed or used for shelter or enclosure of any person, animal, property, or equipment of any kind.
The individual designated by Borough Council to enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC)[1] and other ordinances. The BCO may perform duties of the Zoning Officer in certain circumstances outlined in Article XX. The Borough Manager is also included in this term and may perform or direct the performance of certain enforcement functions.
The ratio obtained by dividing the gross floor area of all principal and accessory buildings on a lot by the total area of the lot upon which the buildings are located.
The vertical distance measured from the average level of the ground surrounding the structure to the top of the highest point of the roof for flat roofs and to the ridge of the gable, hip, and gambrel roofs. Chimneys, spires, towers, steeples, mechanical equipment, tanks, vessels, antennas, and similar projections of the buildings not intended for human occupancy shall not be included in calculating the height, unless specifically stated otherwise in this chapter.
A line that is parallel to the street right-of-way line which establishes the actual location of the front wall of the principal building on the lot.
A line parallel to the street right-of-way line at a distance that is equal to the depth of the front yard required for the district in which the lot is located.
A tract of land that has been planned, developed, and operated as an integrated facility for a number of individual industrial or business establishments, with special attention to circulation, parking, utility needs, aesthetics, and compatibility.
A place of business where the primary service is cleaning, washing, and waxing of commercial vehicles with more than two axles.
A place of business where the primary service is cleaning, washing, and waxing of automobiles and trucks with a maximum of two axles.
A tract or parcel of land that contains the wireless, cellular, or personal communications service antenna, its antenna support structure, accessory buildings, and parking and may include other uses associated with and ancillary to providing wireless communications, cellular communications, or personal communications services.
Includes, but is not limited to, the antenna, antenna support structures, and cell sites (see "cell site" above).
A document issued by a duly authorized local authority allowing the occupancy of a building and certifying that the structure or use has been constructed or will be used in compliance with all applicable local codes and ordinances.
A facility that is licensed to provide care for seven or more children unrelated to the operator, where the child-care areas are not being used as a family residence.
A motor vehicle designed or used to transport passengers or property if the vehicle:
Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds or such lesser rating as the Department of Motor Vehicles shall adopt under its applicable provisions;
Is designed to transport 10 or more passengers;
Is a school bus;
Is transporting hazardous materials;
Is motorized construction equipment;
Includes snowplow attachments during non-snow events;
Has permanent decals depicting a for-profit company; and
Has ladder racks or other general contractor equipment in plain view that is used for commercial purposes.
A single driveway providing vehicular access to two or more properties. Generally, 1/2 of the driveway is in ownership of one owner and the other half in ownership of the abutting owner. New common driveways shall not be permitted in the Borough after adoption of this chapter.
Land within or related to a development, not individually owned or dedicated for public use, that is designed and intended for the common use or enjoyment of the residents of the development and their guests. This land may include such complementary structures and improvements as are necessary and appropriate.
A reflection of the policy goals and vision of the Borough of Folcroft in fundamental municipal areas such as land use, population density, housing, economic development, transportation, natural resources, and other areas deemed necessary for inclusion by the Borough created in lieu of a recent Comprehensive Plan. The adopted CDOs for the Borough are located following the Table of Contents in this chapter.[2]
A comprehensive, long-range plan intended to guide the growth and development of a community or region, and one that includes analysis, recommendations, and proposals for the community's population, economy, housing, transportation, community facilities, land use, and related areas.
The building, reconstruction, renovation, repair, extension, expansion, alteration, or relocation of a structure, including the placement of mobile homes.
A retail store containing less than 5,000 square feet of gross floor area and that is open 15 to 24 hours per day. It is designed to attract and depends upon a large volume of traffic and should have sufficient off-street parking in accordance with Article XIII.
The total three-dimensional volume of a building (height multiplied by length multiplied by width), but excluding that portion of a stack or other projection that is higher than the highest point of the principal building.
The number of dwelling units per acre. This term refers to all of the land within the boundaries of a particular area, including streets, rights-of-way, easements, etc.
For the purposes of this chapter, this term refers to residential development that has over 15 dwelling units per acre.
For the purposes of this chapter, this term refers to residential development with under seven dwelling units per acre.
For the purposes of this chapter, this term refers to residential development of seven to 15 dwelling units per acre.
The number of dwelling units per acre. This term refers to land within the boundaries of a particular area, but excludes streets, rights-of-way, and easements in its calculation.
Any landowner, agent of such landowner, or tenant with the permission of such landowner who makes or causes to be made a subdivision, land development, or any other development.
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate including, but not limited to, buildings, streets, and other paving, utilities, dredging, filling, grading, excavation, or drilling operations and the subdivision of land.
An establishment primarily engaged in the receipt, storage, and distribution of goods, products, cargo, and materials, including shipment by rail or motor vehicle.
An establishment which offers in-car service or takeout service including, but not limited to, financial institutions, food stores, and restaurants, but not including drive-in theaters.
A private way used exclusively for circulation and ingress and egress to a street by the landowner or visitors of the lot.
A building or unit designed and constructed for residential use.
A grouping of rooms designed, occupied, or intended for occupancy as separate living quarters, with cooking, sleeping, and sanitary facilities provided within the dwelling unit for the exclusive use of a single family maintaining a household.
A building containing three or more dwelling units, including units that are located above one another.
A single-family dwelling unit within a building that has at least one party wall in common with other dwelling units in the same row, known as a "townhouse" or "row house." After the effective date of this chapter, no such building shall be constructed with more than six attached units.
A building designed for and occupied exclusively as a residence for only one family with yards on all sides of the dwelling.
Two dwelling units, each accommodating one family, which are attached side by side by means of a party wall, with each dwelling unit having only one side yard.
A notice by an applicable Borough official concerning a violation of existing law.
The wall of a building exterior that adjoins or fronts on a public street, park, or plaza.
Any number of individuals living together as a single housekeeping unit when said individuals are related by blood, marriage, or adoption, including foster children; or not more than four unrelated individuals living together as a single housekeeping unit with single kitchen facilities.
A home, other than the child's own home, operated for profit or not-for-profit, in which child care is provided at any one time to four, five, or six children unrelated to the operator. All required certifications and other requirements must be met before operation begins.
A dwelling, licensed by the appropriate state agency, shared by persons requiring special care and their supervisors, who live together as a single housekeeping unit in a family-like environment. This facility is designed to create a residential environment for the developmentally disabled, mentally ill, retarded, handicapped, or similar groups unable to live without supervision. The maximum number of residents shall not exceed four, excluding supervisors. These facilities shall not be used to accommodate persons recovering from the effects of drugs or alcohol or inmates of penal institutions.
The sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors of a building measured from the exterior face of exterior walls or from the center line of a wall separating two buildings, but not including interior parking spaces, loading space for motor vehicles, or any space where the floor-to-ceiling height is less than six feet. Gross floor area also includes, but is not limited to, the following:
An elevator shaft, stairwell, and attic space providing headroom of six or more feet;
The floor areas of roofed terraces, exterior balconies, breezeways, or porches where over 50% of the perimeter is enclosed; and
Any floor space used for dwelling purposes no matter where located within a building.
The total floor area designed for tenant occupancy and exclusive use, including basements, mezzanines, and upper floors. It is measured from the center line of joint partitions and from outside wall faces.
The total of all floor areas of a building, excluding stairwells and elevator shafts, equipment rooms, interior vehicular parking or loading, and all floors below the first or ground floor, except when used or intended to be used for human habitation or service to the public.
The preparation, packaging, separation, shrink-wrapping, and vacuum-sealing of food items for the purpose of later consumption; or the preparation, cooking, and baking of raw food items, generally in large quantities, for transport to off-site locations for consumption.
A retail establishment that primarily sells food items. A food store shall have not more than 20,000 square feet of floor area.
Any building located within a development site which is separate from any group or cluster development on such site and which shall comply with the regulations of the district in which it is located.
Any parking in front of the front building line of a structure, not including off-street parking that is provided as part of a driveway and/or garage.
An accessory use which is attached to or an integral part of a residential building or dwelling unit or an accessory structure used for the storage of motor vehicles and other personal property owned and used by the residents of the residential building or dwelling unit.
A building or structure available to the general public in which motor vehicles are temporarily stored, but which is not used for the repair or maintenance thereof.
Any area of land, including structures thereon, or any building or part thereof that is used for the sale of gasoline or other motor vehicle fuel or accessories, and which may include facilities for lubricating, washing, or otherwise servicing motor vehicles, but which shall not include painting, body, and fender repairs.
A property and/or place of business where flammable or combustible liquids used as motor fuels are stored and dispensed from fixed equipment into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles by a person other than the service station attendant.
Those chemicals or substances that are defined as "physical hazards" or "health hazards" in the most recently adopted version of the Uniform Construction Code.
A classification of a chemical for which there is statistically significant evidence that acute or chronic health effects are capable of occurring to exposed persons. The term "health hazard" includes chemicals that are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, neurotoxins, agents that are capable of acting on the hematopoietic system, and agents that damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes.
A structure in which lodging is provided for the accommodation of guests, offered to the public for compensation, which contains an office supervised by a person in charge at all hours with a majority of all rooms having direct access to the outside. "Hotel" does not include boardinghouse, lodging house, rooming house, personal care home, or group home.
Any use that poses a health hazard, a significant threat from fire, or involves the use of hazardous materials in any way that could endanger persons or property in the event of accidental discharge or combustion.
Any use whose impact is not heavy, as herein defined.
The coverage of a lot or tract area by materials that prevent the percolation of water into the soil and generate stormwater runoff, such as buildings, streets, parking areas, driveways, and any other similar surfaces.
A research, testing, experimental, or product development facility, provided that any laboratory animals shall, at all times, be kept within completely enclosed buildings. All chemical, biological, or other substances, emissions, or by-products of the procedures or operations conducted within the laboratory shall be confined to the facility and not be permitted to escape or be emitted outside the facility.
An area landscaped with grass, ground cover, shrubs, or similar plantings placed where required by this chapter and permanently maintained.
Industrial processes where the finished item, material, or product does not exceed 30 cubic feet which are conducted in an enclosed building and comply with Article XIX.
An off-street space or berth for the loading or unloading of commercial vehicles. Such spaces shall comply with Article XIII.
A parcel of land that is or may be occupied by a building and/or accessory structure or use, including open spaces and setbacks as are required within the district in which the lot is located.
The total horizontal area within the lot lines of a parcel.
The percentage of a lot that is covered by all combined structures, paving, or any impervious surface. Also see definition of "impervious surface."
The distance along a straight line measured from the midpoint of the front lot line to the midpoint of the rear lot line.
A line of public record bounding a lot that divides one lot from another lot or from a public or private street or any other public space.
The line separating the lot from the street right-of-way.
Any lot line, except the front lot line, which is parallel to, or within 45° of being parallel to, the front lot line and does not intersect any street line, except in the case of corner lots.
Any lot line that is not a front or rear lot line.
The horizontal distance between the side lot lines measured at right angles to the lot depth at the building setback line.
A lot bounded by intersecting streets on at least two sides. Both yards adjacent to streets shall be considered front yards.
The smallest allowable lot area as established by this chapter on which a use or structure may be located in a particular district.
In districts where permitted, the placement of a residential or office use above or adjacent to a commercial use that is generally required to occupy the ground floor.
A single building containing more than one type of land use or a single development of more than one building and use, where different types of land uses are in close proximity, planned as a unified complementary whole, and functionally integrated by shared vehicular and pedestrian access, parking areas, landscaping, and other features.
A building designed or converted to accommodate three or more commercial tenants. Each tenant shall operate a use that is permitted in the district where the building is located.
Municipal facilities that require storage, repair, parking of trucks, cars, heavy equipment, and materials for municipal purposes.
Pennsylvania Act 247 of 1968 (P.L. 805) as amended, also cited as 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., or any subsequent Act of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that replaces, supplements, or repeals any or all of the provisions of Act 247. This law controls planning, zoning, and land development in Pennsylvania.
A structure for which construction was started after the effective date of this chapter and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures.
A business or commercial activity that is clearly secondary to the residential use and in which no persons other than members of the resident family are engaged. The use shall not provide for on-site parking in addition to that required for the residential use. No equipment is used other than that normally used for household or general office use.
A building or structure that does not comply with the provisions of this chapter, as amended, where such building or structure lawfully existed prior to the effective date of this chapter or of amendments thereafter.
Any lawful lot that does not conform to one or more of the applicable provisions of the district in which it is located, either on the effective date of this chapter or of amendments thereafter.
A use, whether of land or a structure, which does not comply with the applicable provisions of this chapter, where such use was lawfully in existence prior to the effective date of this chapter or amendments thereafter.
A reasonably level space, having a surface slope not exceeding 6%, used for the parking of motor vehicles. Such space shall have an area as listed in Article XIII that shall be exclusive of passageways, driveways, or other means of circulation or access.
A small retail store or shop having a floor area of not more than 500 square feet and intended to serve users of the various institutional uses in the MC Municipal Center district and passing pedestrians.
Retail/commercial uses that promote and encourage walking, window-shopping, and general pedestrian activity. Examples of these uses are restaurants, retail stores, food stores, service establishments, and similar businesses. These pedestrian-oriented establishments should be located in centralized areas and rely mainly on customers from nearby neighborhoods who could walk to these establishments. Attractive paving, sidewalks, adequate lighting, plazas, benches, and additional shade trees are an integral part of pedestrian-oriented commercial development.
In Folcroft, the RS Retail Service District is the principal district that provides for and encourages pedestrian-oriented uses. The MC Municipal Center district contains provisions that encourage walking and overall pedestrian activity to a certain extent.
Written municipal permission issued by the appropriate local official empowering the holder thereof to do some act not forbidden by law, but not permitted without such authorization.
A business engaged in providing services involving the care or appearance of a person, his or her clothing, or similar personal needs. Included in this definition are barber, beautician, shoe repair, laundry or cleaner, or similar establishment, but not including a tattoo parlor, massage parlor, body-piercing establishment, or health club/spa.
A chemical that is a combustible liquid, compressed gas, cryogenic, explosive, flammable gas, flammable liquid, flammable solid, organic peroxide, oxidizer, or unstable or water-reactive material.
An area of land developed as a single entity in conformity with a final development plan by a developer or group of developers acting jointly, which is totally planned to provide for a variety of residential uses and common open space.
The Planning Commission of the Borough of Folcroft.
A strip of trees, hedges, or other plantings adjacent to the boundary of a property which, at time of planting, shall be not less than six feet high and of sufficient density to constitute an effective visual screen and thereby give visual protection to abutting properties. Such screen shall consist primarily of dense evergreens that shall be planted not farther than seven feet from one another and shall be permanently maintained. Deciduous trees may be added to create interest and variety.
An open space that may be improved and landscaped, usually surrounded by streets, buildings, and/or one or more walls.
A building or use which is the primary building or use on a lot as distinguished from a building or buildings relating to an accessory, incidental, or subordinate use.
A fence, including any gates, constructed of solid material through which no visual, images may be seen.
A building or group of buildings that does not secure the majority of its funding from any governmental agency. Included in this term are trade schools such as beauty salons, truck driving, and others of a similar nature.
The office of a member of a recognized profession maintained for the conduct of that profession, such as a doctor, dentist, lawyer, and other similar professions.
In accordance with the MPC,[5] a formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by Borough Council or the Planning Commission, intended to inform and obtain public comment prior to taking action in accordance with this Act.
All roads, streets, walkways, sidewalks, gutters, curbs, sewers, waterlines, stormwater management facilities, landscaping, streetlighting, traffic control devices, and other facilities to be dedicated to or maintained by the Borough of Folcroft.
A place designed and equipped for the conduct of sports, leisure time activities, and other customary and usual recreational activities.
A building or use used as a place of religious worship and teaching, which may include schools, day-care centers, auditoriums, residences for persons serving the particular facility, and recreational facilities.
Any premises used for the sale, dispensing, and/or serving of food, refreshments, or beverages where the customer is normally involved with an individual menu and is served by a restaurant employee at the table, booth, or counter at which said items are consumed.
Land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription, condemnation, or other legal manner and occupied, or intended to be occupied, by a street, crosswalk, electric transmission line, oil or gas pipeline, waterline, watercourse, or similar uses.
The line that forms the boundary of a right-of-way.
The line the marks the lowest point of the roof.
The line that marks the highest point of the roof. This term is applicable to most roofs other than flat roofs.
An antenna together with all attachments and parts, the purpose of which is to receive communication from orbiting satellites. See also "cell site."
A facility which provides out-of-home care to four or more elderly or disabled adults for not more than 16 consecutive hours on any given day. Such facilities may also offer recreational and educational programs.
The distance between the street right-of-way line or a lot line and any building on a lot or tract.
The minimum distance from the street right-of-way line or any other lot line that establishes the area, commonly known as the "building envelope," within which the principal structure must be erected or placed.
A group of predominantly retail establishments planned, constructed, and managed as a total entity, including both attached buildings and freestanding buildings, with customer and employee parking provided on site.
Any object, device, display, or illustration which is used to advertise, identify, display, direct, or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event, or location by any means, including words, letters, numbers, or symbols.
The entire face of a sign including the advertising surface and framing, trim, or molding, but not including the supporting structure.
The area or display surface used for the message.
The supports, uprights, braces, and framework of the sign.
A sign that has its letters or design applied to cloth, canvas, or other flexible material that is durable and weather-resistant.
A sign that is mounted or painted on or attached to an awning, canopy, or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area.
A sign or portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or the surface of the sign. A sign on which the message changes more than eight times per day shall be considered an animated sign and not a changeable copy sign for purposes of this chapter. A sign on which the only copy that changes is an electronic or mechanical indication of time or temperature shall be considered a "time and temperature sign" and not a changeable copy sign for purposes of this chapter.
A movable sign that is not secured or attached permanently to the ground.
A sign limited to directional messages principally for pedestrians or vehicular traffic, such as "entry," "exit," "one way," "loading," "service area," "fire lanes," "parking," or a similar sign incidental to the primary use and not itself advertising or naming that use except as required by law.
A detached sign which shall include any sign placed upon or in the ground, supported by a post, stake, etc., and not attached to any building.
A freestanding sign other than a sign supported by a post or pylon placed upon or supported by the ground independent of any other structure.
A sign giving the nature, logo, trademark, or other identifying symbol, address, or any combination of the name, symbol, and address of a building, business, development, or establishment on the premises where it is located.
A sign lighted by or exposed to artificial lighting either by lights on or in the sign or directed towards the sign.
A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the property on which it is located, such as "no parking," "entrance," "loading only," "telephone," and other similar directives. No sign with a commercial message legible from a position off the lot on which a sign is located shall be considered incidental.
A sign that depicts the menu of food and/or drink for sale at an eating or drinking establishment.
A sign with two or more display areas or sides on which messages can be displayed.
A sign indicating only the name and/or profession and address of the person(s) residing or legally occupying the premises.
A sign that is internally lighted by lamps, bulbs, tubes, etc. that are filled with neon gas. Neon signs are prohibited throughout the Borough.
Any sign installed by a municipal or governmental agency and intended to direct or control traffic; identify streets, parks, and historical events; or provide other information deemed necessary by that official agency.
A sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a building for support and which projects more than 12 inches from such building. After the effective date of this chapter, projecting signs shall not be erected or placed in the Borough.
A type of temporary sign that has a high turnover, such as those advertising "sales" and frequent price changes. These signs are most commonly found on windows/doors of supermarkets, grocery stores, and beverage distributors. In most cases, these signs are constructed of paper, cardboard, or other lightweight materials.
A movable sign consisting of two faces, possibly hinged at the top.
A sign that is used in connection with an event, situation, or circumstance that is designed or intended to take place or be completed within 30 days after the permit for the sign was issued or is intended to remain on the location where it is placed or erected for not more than 30 days.
A sign that electronically displays the time and temperature.
A sign posted on, suspended from, or otherwise affixed to a wall or vertical surface of a building that does not project more than 12 inches from the wall or vertical surface to which it is attached. Signs shall not be painted on any surface.
A sign attached or affixed to a window or door.
A public or private way used or intended to be used as a means of vehicular and pedestrian travel and access to abutting properties and space for public utilities that is maintained in compliance with all Borough requirements for public or private streets.
The line dividing the street and the abutting property. The street line shall be the same as the street right-of-way line.
A public way serving or abutting the exterior areas of a site.
A public or private way serving the internally developed areas of a site.
Anything constructed or erected with a fixed location on the ground or attached to something having a fixed location on the ground.
The most recently adopted document that addresses subdivision and land development either within a specific municipality or for the county as a whole.
A large retail establishment that primarily sells food and other convenience and household goods. A supermarket shall have not less than 20,000 square feet of floor area and may contain branch banking facilities, video rentals, a pharmacy, and eating areas.
Any body of water, tank, or receptacle of water having a depth at any point of greater than two feet used or intended to be used for swimming or bathing solely by the owner, his family, and guests of the household and that is constructed, installed, established, or maintained outside any building in or above the ground upon any premises as an accessory use to the residence. Also see "swimming pool, wading."
Small and sometimes portable pools generally intended for and used by children that do not comply with the above definition for private swimming pools and the requirements in Article XV.
Any pole, telescoping mast, monopole, tower, tripod, or any other structure that is erected.
A building containing single-family attached dwelling units (townhouse units) in which each townhouse unit is attached only by a party wall or walls to one or two other townhouse units. Townhouse buildings erected after the effective date of this chapter shall contain not more than six attached units.
An area, lot, parcel, site, or property which is the subject of a subdivision and/or land development.
The total acreage of a subdivision or land development. Tract area shall be measured to the ultimate right-of-way line of public streets.
A development approach locating higher-density residential and mixed uses at strategic points along the regional transit system. The design and location of a TOD and the mix of uses emphasize a pedestrian-friendly environment and reinforce the use of public transportation.
A tract of land developed, operated, and maintained as a single entity and containing two or more structures to accommodate retail, service, commercial, office, industrial, and residential uses. The development shall have common accessways, parking areas, and landscaping and shall be developed following a common architectural scheme.
The specific purpose for which land or a building is designed, arranged, or intended or for which it may be occupied or maintained. The term "authorized use" or its equivalent shall not be deemed to include any nonconforming use.
Any use allowed by this chapter as a use by right, accessory use, conditional use, or use by special exception.
The specific primary purpose for which a lot or site is used.
A hard-scaped pedestrian path of a width required in this chapter that does not follow a course parallel to the public street, as in the case of a sidewalk.
An unobstructed open space on the same lot with a principal building that extends from a street line or lot line inward to and around the principal building.
A yard extending the full width of the lot, the depth of which extends from the front lot line to the nearest point of the principal building. Yards adjacent to both streets on corner lots shall be considered front yards.
The area between a parking lot or an interior driveway in a development and a principal building(s).
The area between the public street abutting a development and a principal building(s).
A yard extending the full width of the lot, the depth of which extends from the rear lot line to the nearest point of the principal building.
The open space between a lot line and the buildable area or "building envelope" within which the principal structure must be erected or placed.
A yard extending between the inside lines of the front and rear yards and in width from the side lot line to the nearest point of the principal building.
An area in the Borough of Folcroft in which regulations under this chapter uniformly apply, including overlay districts.
The person appointed by Borough Council in accordance with the MPC whose duty it shall be to administer this Zoning Ordinance and such other ordinances as may be assigned by Council.
An ordinance that divides the Borough or other units of local government into areas or zones that specify allowable uses for real property, along with size and locational restrictions for buildings within these areas.
Written permission issued by the Zoning Officer or other appropriate municipal official empowering the holder thereof to erect or alter a building or structure, including signs and fences, to change the use of a building or land, and to change or extend a nonconforming use. Also known as a "use registration permit" in the Borough of Folcroft.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 7210.101 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: The Community Development Objectives are on file in the Borough offices.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10901 et seq.
[4]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10401 et seq.
[5]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[6]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. §§ 10601 et seq. and 10901 et seq,. respectively