Areas of contiguous lots that share a common lot line, except not including lots entirely separated by a street or a perennial waterway. See definition of "adjacent."

A "driveway."

A separate dwelling unit within the same principal structure or detached and situated on the same lot as the principal structure.

A structure serving a purpose customarily incidental to and subordinate to the principal use and located on the same lot as the principal use. Accessory structures shall not be attached to the principal building. An "accessory building" is any accessory structure that meets the definition of a "building." A portion of a principal building used for an accessory use shall not be considered an accessory building.

A use or structure that is clearly accessory, customary, and incidental to a principal residential use on a lot, including the following uses and uses that are very similar in nature: garage (household), household swimming pool, storage shed, or greenhouse.

A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use or building and located on the same lot with such principal use which does not exceed 25% of the gross floor area of the principal use. An example would be a home occupation that is accessory to a dwelling.

Two or more lots that share a common lot line or that are separated from each other only by a public or private right-of-way or waterway.

A use providing supervised care and assistance to persons who are elderly and/or disabled and who require daily assistance. This use may involve occasional overnight stays, but shall not primarily be a residential use. The use shall involve typical stays of less than a total of 60 hours per week per person. The adult day-care center must be licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.

Any sexually oriented business and business used for adult entertainment and includes: 1) any sexually oriented business; 2) the conversion of an existing business, whether or not a sexually oriented business, to any sexually oriented business; 3) the additions of any sexually oriented business to any other existing sexually oriented business; 4) the relocation of any sexually oriented business; and 5) a sexually oriented business or premises on which the sexually oriented business is located.

A right-of-way having a right-of-way width of 20 feet or less and that primarily provides secondary, service, or garage access to the side or rear of lots.

A change or rearrangement in the load-bearing and non-load-bearing structural members, resulting in the extension of any side or the increase in height. The moving of the building or structure from one location or position to another or the conversion of one use to another by virtue of interior change shall also constitute an alteration of building.

An indoor commercial use in which a primary activity on the premises involves use of electronic machines for amusement or entertainment, with such machines activated by the use of tokens or coins. This term shall not include an adult establishment.

An outdoor facility, which may include structures and buildings, where there are various devices for entertainment including rides, booths for the conduct of games or sale of items, and buildings for shows and entertainment.

A building used for the treatment, housing, or boarding of small domestic animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, or birds by a veterinarian. A kennel is a state-licensed facility containing indoor and outdoor housing facilities for four or more dogs.

A building in which horses are kept for renumeration, hire, exhibition, or sale.

A device, partially or wholly exterior to a building, which is used for receiving any type of electronic signals (other than a satellite dish antenna of greater than three feet dish diameter, which is treated separately) or for transmitting short-wave or citizens' band radio frequencies. This shall include antennas used by an amateur ham radio operator or by a contracting business or utility to communicate with its employees, but shall not include a "communications antenna." This term includes any accessory supporting structures.

See "dwelling, multifamily."

The person(s), company, partnership, profit or nonprofit corporation, or trust responsible for a particular application for an approval or permit under this Code and his/her heirs, successors, and assigns.

A written form supplied by the City staff for a City approval, decision, or permit, including any accompanying site plan and additional information and materials that the City requires the applicant to submit.

An area where repairs, improvements, and installation of parts and accessories for motor vehicles and/or boats are conducted. An auto body shop and/or repair garage shall include, but not be limited to, any use that involves major or minor mechanical or body work, including welding.

An area, other than a street, used for the outdoor or indoor display, sale, or rental of one or more of the following in operable condition: motor vehicles, recreation vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, trucks, construction vehicles, boats, or transportable manufactured homes in a livable condition. This use may include an auto body shop and/or repair garage as an accessory use provided that all requirements of such use are complied with. This use shall not include a manufactured home park or a junkyard, unless the requirements for such use are also met.

The value that represents the sum of numbers divided by the quantity of numbers.

An enclosed floor area partly or wholly underground. A basement shall be considered a "story" if: a) the majority of the basement has a clearance from floor to ceiling of 6.5 feet or greater; and b) the top of the ceiling of the basement is an average of five or more feet above the finished grade along the majority of the front side of the building that faces onto a street.

An owner-occupied or manager-occupied establishment with not more than two nonresident employees, and in which guest units are rented on a nightly basis for periods not to exceed 14 days. Breakfast shall be the only meal served for registered guests. Cooking facilities for actual use by guests are prohibited.

A mound or ridge of landscaped earth designed to act as a screen and buffer.

A use where lawful gambling activities are conducted, including but not limited to off-track parimutual betting. This term shall not include betting under the state lottery programs or betting under the "small games of chance" provisions of state law, which shall instead be regulated under the regulations applicable to the principal use of the property (such as a "membership club").

A type of "off-premises sign." See definition of "sign, off-premises."

See "Zoning Hearing Board."

See "rooming house."

Any business facility, such as a dance hall or club, that is not licensed by the State Liquor Control Board, wherein patrons age 21 or older may after payment of an entry fee, cover charge, or membership fee, consume alcoholic beverages which said patrons have carried onto the premises; provided that a facility which is rented for a limited period of time, not to exceed 12 hours, by individual(s) or an organization for the purpose of a private party in which alcoholic beverage are carried onto the premises shall not be considered a B.Y.O.B. club under the term of these Codified Ordinances.

Any structure having a permanent roof and walls and that is intended for the shelter, work area, housing, or enclosure of persons, animals, vehicles, equipment, or materials and that has a total area under roof of greater than 50 cubic feet. "Building" shall be interpreted to include "or part thereof." See the separate definition of "structure." Any structure involving a permanent roof (such as a covered porch or a carport) that is attached to a principal building shall be considered to be part of that principal building.

The percentage obtained by dividing: a) the maximum horizontal area in square feet of all principal and accessory buildings and attached structures covered by a permanent roof on a lot by b) the total lot area of the lot upon which the buildings are located. See also "impervious coverage."

The building in which the principal use of a lot is conducted. Any building that is physically attached to a principal building shall be considered part of that principal building.

The horizontal measurement between two vertical structural walls that are generally parallel of one building, measured in one direction that is most closely parallel to the required lot width. For attached housing, this width shall be the width of each dwelling unit, measured from the center of each interior party wall and from the outside of any exterior wall. For detached buildings, this width shall be measured from the outside of exterior walls.

Services that are primarily provided to businesses, such as custom graphics, food catering, photocopying, custom printing, notary publics, travel agencies, retail receipt, and packaging and shipping of packages and related retail sales, and similar services.

The paved portion of a street designed for vehicular traffic and on-street parking, but not including the shoulder of a street without curbing.

Land and/or buildings used for the burial of the dead.

A use involving the supervised care of children under age 16 outside of the children's own home primarily for periods of less than 18 hours during the average day. This use may also include educational programs that are supplementary to state-required education, including a "nursery school" or "head start" programs.

See "place of worship."

The City of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

The City Council of the City of Harrisburg.

An area of unobstructed vision at street intersections defined by the center lines of the streets and by a line of sight between points on their center lines at a given distance from the intersection of the center lines.

See "membership club."

The City of Harrisburg Zoning Code.

An establishment which serves coffee, tea, and a limited selection of incidental baked goods but is not a restaurant and does not have a liquor license.

An institution of higher learning authorized to grant associate, bachelors, masters, and/or doctorate degrees. For nondegree institutions, see "trade school."

Intended to be for profit.

Includes, but is not limited to: business services, retail sales, offices, personal services, auto sales, auto repair garages, and other uses of a similar profit-making nonindustrial nature.

Any motor vehicle or trailer that is primarily used for business purposes, including but not limited to making service calls, transporting equipment used in a business or in accomplishing physical work as part of a business (such as hauling material). This term shall not include any of the following: emergency medical vehicles, fire trucks, school buses, recreational vehicles for personal use, U.S. Postal Service vehicles, municipally owned vehicles, vehicles clearly primarily intended for agricultural uses, or vehicles actively engaged in the construction or repair of streets, curbs, sidewalks, or utilities in the immediate area.

Any device used for the transmission or reception of radio, television, wireless telephone, pager, commercial mobile radio service, or any other wireless communications signals, including without limitation omnidirectional or whip antennas and directional or panel antennas, owned or operated by any person or entity licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to operate such device. This definition shall not include private residence mounted satellite dishes or television antennas or amateur radio equipment, including without limitation ham or citizen band radio antennas.

A structure other than a building, such as a monopole, self-supporting, or guyed tower, designed and used to support communications antennae.

A noncommercial use that exists solely to provide leisure and educational activities and programs to the general public.

The City of Harrisburg Comprehensive Plan, or any part thereof, adopted by City Council.

A set of individual dwelling units or other areas of buildings each owned by an individual person(s) in fee simple, with such owners assigned a proportionate interest in the remainder of the real estate which is designated for common ownership, and which was created under the Pennsylvania Unit Property Act of 1963[1] or is/was created under the Pennsylvania Uniform Condominium Act of 1980, as amended.

A principal or accessory building used for large business or association meetings and which may include catering. A conference center may also be termed a convention center.

A type of retail operation with a floor area usually less than 2,500 square feet that primarily sells routine household goods, limited groceries, and prepared ready-to-eat foods to the general public, but that is not a restaurant or a grocery store. A convenience store may have gas dispensing operations.

A facility owned or operated by the County of Dauphin, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or the U.S. Government to incarcerate persons who have been sentenced by a court of law or a parole board to involuntarily spend time in such facility, or who are being incarcerated while awaiting trial or sentencing, other than routine holding cells within a government building.

A facility owned by a nonprofit or for-profit organization that provides housing for offenders on a pre-release basis.

The County of Dauphin, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The Dauphin County Planning Commission.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and its relevant bureaus.

See "child care."

Calendar days.

The total number of dwelling units proposed on a lot divided by the "lot area," unless otherwise stated.

A density increase for residential units over the otherwise allowed residential density under the applicable zoning and land use designation on the date an application is deemed complete.

A building which is not physically attached to any other building.

Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to the construction, reconstruction, renovation, repair, extension, or alteration of buildings or other structures; the placement of manufactured homes; streets and other paving; utilities; filing, grading, and excavation; mining; dredging; drilling operations; storage of equipment or materials; and the subdivision of land. The term also includes any activities defined as "land development" under the City of Harrisburg Subdivision and Land Development Code.

An industrial use that includes bottling and brewing of ales, beers, and similar products and the distribution of such products for wholesale purposes.

The processing of materials so as to sort out which finished goods are to be transported to different locations, and the loading and unloading of such goods. This use usually involves inventory control, material handling, order administration, and packaging. Specifically, a use that primarily involves either loading materials from tractor-trailers onto smaller trucks or loading materials from smaller trucks onto tractor-trailers shall be considered a "distribution" use.

A land area within the City within which certain uniform regulations and requirements apply under the provisions of this Code.

A principal or accessory building that is used primarily as living quarters and is occupied exclusively by bona fide full-time faculty or students of an accredited college or university or state-licensed teaching hospital or accredited public or private primary or secondary school.

An establishment where at least a portion of patrons are served while the patrons remain in their motor vehicles.

A privately owned, constructed, and maintained vehicular access from a street to one or two principal buildings or their accessory buildings, and which does not meet the definition of a street or an alley.

A building that contains laundry and/or dry-cleaning equipment or machinery which cleans fabrics, textiles, and clothes. See also "personal services."

A building used as nontransient living quarters, but not including a rooming house, hotel, motel, hospital, supportive housing facility, or dormitory. A dwelling includes structures built on site as well as modular dwellings and (HUD Code) manufactured homes dwellings.

A single habitable living unit occupied by only one "family." A dwelling unit shall have its own toilet, bath or shower, bathroom sink, sleeping facilities, refrigerator, kitchen sink, and only one stove and/or oven, except that single room occupancy (SRO) units may have either a shared kitchen or shared bathroom.

One dwelling unit that is attached to two or more dwelling units, and with each dwelling unit being completely separated from and attached to each other by unpierced vertical fire-resistant walls. Each dwelling unit shall have its own outside access. Side yards shall be adjacent to each end unit. Each attached dwelling or townhouse is located on its own lot although the lot lines are shared on each side of each attached dwelling.

One dwelling unit in one building accommodating only one family and having open yard areas on all sides. The detached dwelling is the only principal dwelling on a lot. A detached dwelling may be a manufactured home. See also "accessory dwelling."

A type of single-family detached dwelling that is transportable on a chassis in a single piece, or two substantial pieces designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated for towing. The manufactured home is constructed to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development standards (HUD Code). The terms "mobile home" and "manufactured home" have the same meaning. This term is different from a "modular home."

A type of dwelling that meets a definition of single-family detached dwelling, twin dwelling, townhouse, or apartment that is substantially produced in two or more major sections off the site and then is assembled and completed on the site, and that does not meet the definition of a HUD Code "manufactured home" and that is supported structurally by its exterior walls and that rests on a permanent foundation, built to the International Code Council Building Code (ICC) or Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC).

Two or more dwelling units within one building that do not meet the definitions of "attached dwelling" or "semidetached dwelling." For example, two or more units that are separated by only horizontal floors shall be considered "multifamily." Multifamily dwellings often share a common entrance and are almost always located on one lot.

One dwelling unit accommodating one family that is attached to and completely separated by a vertical unpierced fire-resistant wall to only one additional dwelling unit. One side yard shall be adjacent to each dwelling unit. The semidetached dwelling is located on its own lot although the lot line is shared on one side for both dwellings.

Authorization by a property owner for the use by another user for a specified utility, access, or purpose of any designated part of the owner's property.

Any building or group of buildings occupied by medical practitioners and related services for the purpose of providing emergency health service to people on an outpatient basis.

The highest number of workers (including both part-time and full-time, both compensated and volunteer, and both employees and contractors) present on a lot at any one time, other than clearly temporary and occasional persons working on physical improvements to the site.

Utility or municipal uses, including electrical substations, transformers, water towers, and sewage pumping stations, which are necessary for the preservation of the public health and safety and that are routine, customary, and appropriate to the character of the area in which they are to be located. Essential services shall not include a central sewage treatment plant, a solid waste disposal area or facility, commercial communications towers, a power generating station, septic or sludge disposal, offices, storage of trucks or equipment, or bulk storage of materials.

One or more persons living together in a single dwelling unit and functioning as a single housekeeping unit sharing household expenses and sharing joint use of the entire dwelling unit and which complies with the maximum occupancy standards of the International Property Maintenance Code. See also the definition of a "dwelling unit."

An outdoor and/or indoor market where fresh agricultural products are available on a seasonal and permanent basis.

A man-made barrier placed or arranged as a line of demarcation, an enclosure or a visual barrier that is constructed of wood, chain-link metal, vinyl, or aluminum and/or plastic inserts. Man-made barriers constructed principally of masonry, concrete, cinder block, or similar materials shall be considered a "wall." The term "wall" does not include engineering retaining walls, which are permitted uses as needed in all districts. The terms "fence" and "wall" do not include hedges, trees, or shrubs.

An establishment primarily involved with loans and monetary, not material, transactions and that has routine interactions with the public. See "drive-through facility."

A facility that offers indoor or outdoor recreational facilities, such as the following: weight rooms, exercise equipment, nonhousehold pool, gymnasium, tennis courts, martial arts, and racquetball courts.

Retail sales of various household items and/or clothing and/or crafts by five or more vendors, with the vendors not being separated into individual storefronts, and which does not routinely involve sales every day of the week.

A temporary inundation of normally dry land areas.

That elevation which is two feet above the height of the one-hundred-year flood at a given point or location.

The official map on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency has delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and the risk premium zones applicable to the City of Harrisburg.

The official report provided by the Federal Insurance Administration that includes flood profiles, the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map, and the water surface elevation of the base flood.

The highest level of flooding that, on the average, is likely to occur once every 100 years within the City, or that has a one-percent chance of occurring each year.

A relatively flat or low land area which is subject to partial or complete inundation from an adjoining or nearby stream, river or watercourse; and/or any area subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation of surface waters from any source.

A combination of structural and nonstructural additions, changes or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary facilities, structures and their contents.

The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot.

The total area of a building measured by the sum of horizontal areas of each floor.

The lowest floor of the lowest fully enclosed area, including any basement. An unfinished, flood-resistant, partially enclosed area used solely for the parking of vehicles or building access, in an area other than a basement, shall not be considered to be the lowest floor of a building, provided that such space is not designed and built so that the structure is in violation of other requirements of this chapter.

The accessory use of any lot for the occasional sale or auction of only common household goods and furniture and items of a closely similar character.

See "accessory structure or use, residential."

A sensation of brightness within the visual field which causes annoyance, discomfort, or loss in visual performance, visibility, and/or ability to focus.

A use owned by a government, government agency, or government authority for valid public health, public safety, recycling collection, or similar governmental purpose. This term shall not include a "correctional facility."

The average finished ground elevation adjoining the buildings.

The highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.

The indoor and/or outdoor raising of trees, plants, shrubs, or flowers for sale, but not primarily including commercial forestry for lumber. A plant nursery may include the growth of trees for sale for internal decoration of homes.

A retail operation that sells different kinds of foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as other household goods. This term shall not include a "convenience store" or a "restaurant." A grocery store may have gas-dispensing operations.

The Harrisburg Architectural Review Board.

Unless otherwise stated, materials and substances listed in the latest edition of the Hazardous Substance List of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.

The vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the proposed ground level along the front of the building to the highest point of a structure. For a building with a defined and pitched roof, an area equal to 20% of the building footprint may exceed the maximum height to provide for the roof peak, provided such 20% is not occupied by persons.

The average height of buildings on a block.

An area used for the takeoff and landing of helicopters, together with any related support facilities such as for maintenance, refueling, and storage. This chapter is not intended to regulate the nonroutine emergency landing and takeoff of aircraft to pick up seriously injured or ill persons.

A heliport that is accessory to a hospital and which is only used for medical emergencies.

A heliport limited to a maximum total of 15 flights or takeoffs in any seven-day period and that is not available for use by the general public. This is also known as a "helistop."

An area of the City that has been officially designated by City Council as a Municipal Historic District, and has been certified by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Any structure that is:

A routine, accessory, and customary nonresidential use conducted within or administered from a portion of a dwelling or its permitted accessory building that is conducted solely by a permanent resident of the dwelling.

A facility that provides support services for terminally ill persons, but that does not primarily involve highly skilled medical care. Such use may occur within a hospital, personal care center, or group home. However, if the use involves care of persons with illnesses that can be contagious through the air or casual conduct, the use shall be limited to within a hospital or nursing home.

A use involving the diagnosis, treatment, or other medical care of humans that includes, but is not limited to, care requiring stays overnight. A medical care use that does not involve any stays overnight shall be considered a "medical office." A hospital may involve care and rehabilitation for medical, dental, or mental health. A hospital may also involve medical research and training for health care professionals and/or a hospice.

A building including rooms rented out to persons as clearly transient and temporary living quarters for average maximum periods of two months. Each unit shall have its own sleeping/living quarters, kitchen, and bathroom. See also "bed-and-breakfast" and "hotel" definitions. An extended-stay hotel may also include a restaurant, meeting rooms, newsstand, gift shop, or swimming pool provided that such use(s) is not the principal use of the property. The definition of a "hotel" under state regulations shall not affect the definition of a "hotel" under this Zoning Code.

A building or buildings including rooms rented out to persons as clearly transient and temporary living quarters. Any such use that customarily involves the housing of persons for periods of time longer than 30 days shall be considered a "rooming house" and shall meet the requirements of that use. See also "bed-and-breakfast" and "hotel, extended-stay" definitions. A hotel or motel may also include a restaurant, meeting rooms, nightclub, newsstand, gift shop, swimming pool, or tavern, provided that such use(s) is not the principal use of the property. The definition of a "hotel" under state regulations shall not affect the definition of a "hotel" under this Zoning Code.

See "pets, keeping of."

The total area of all "impervious surfaces" on a lot (including building coverage) divided by the total lot area.

The area covered by roofs, concrete, asphalt, or other man-made cover which has a coefficient of runoff of 0.85 or higher. The City Engineer shall decide any dispute over whether an area is "impervious."

Includes manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, and other operations of an industrial nature, and not primarily of a commercial, institutional, or residential nature.

A public or semipublic use such as government buildings, educational facilities, community centers, and hospitals.

Any discarded, unusable, or abandoned man-made or man-processed material or articles. Junk shall not include: routine solid wastes that are temporarily and customarily stored in an appropriate container while routinely awaiting collection and lawful disposal, toxic wastes, vegetative yard waste, or items clearly awaiting imminent recycling at an approved recycling facility.

Includes any vehicle or trailer that cannot be moved under its own power, other than a vehicle clearly needing only minor repairs. See also the definition of "unregistered vehicle."

Land or a structure used for the collection, storage, dismantling, processing, and/or sale, other than within a completely enclosed building, of material defined as "junk." Junk stored within a completely enclosed building for business purposes shall be considered a warehouse. A "scrap metal processor" is not considered a "junk yard."

Any of the following activities: 1) improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts, or parcels for any purpose involving a group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings or a single nonresidential building on a lot; 2) division or allocation of land or space between two or more existing occupants for the purpose of streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building groups, or other features; and 3) a subdivision of land.

The owner of a legal or equitable interest in land, including the holder of a written, signed, and active option or contract to purchase or a person leasing the property (if authorized under the lease to exercise the right of the landowner and if such lease is for a remaining period of at least 12 months) or authorized officers of a partnership or corporation that is a "landowner."

The illumination that passes from the source through a translucent cover or shade.

A separate parcel of land that is recorded or that will be recorded after City final subdivision approval in the office of the County Recorder of Deeds. A parcel under common ownership that is completely separated into two parts by a public street shall be considered to be one tract but two lots.

A lot located at the intersection of two or more streets with a boundary line bordering on both streets.

The horizontal land area contained within the lot lines of a lot (measured in acres or square feet). For the purposes of determining compliance with the minimum lot area, areas within the "existing" legal rights-of-way of any proposed or existing public or private streets or alleys shall be excluded. See the definition of "lot area, average" below.

The total of the "lot area" (see above) of each adjacent lots in common ownership within a proposed subdivision or land development divided by the proposed number of dwelling units.

The horizontal distance between the side lot lines measured at the minimum prescribed front yard setback line, unless otherwise stated.

The property lines bounding the lot. Wherever a property line borders a public street, the lot line shall be considered to be the existing street right-of-way line.

See under "dwelling types."

The making, with substantial use of machinery, of some physical product for sale, and/or associated assembly, fabrication, cleaning, testing, processing, recycling, packaging, conversion, production, distribution, and repair, with substantial use of machinery, of products for sale. This term shall not include the following: retail sales, personal services, solid waste disposal facility, trucking company terminal, mineral extraction, or petroleum or kerosene refining or distillation.

A use involving the treatment and examination of patients by state-licensed physicians or dentists, provided that no patients shall be kept overnight on the premises. This use may involve the testing of tissue, blood or other human materials for medical or dental purposes.

An area of land or building routinely used by a recreational, civic, social, fraternal, religious, political or labor union association of persons for meetings and routine socializing and recreation that are limited to members and their occasional guests, and persons specifically invited to special celebrations, but which is not routinely open to members of the general public and which is not primarily operated as a for-profit business. This use shall not include an adult establishment, an after-hours club, a target range for outdoor shooting of firearms, rooming house, restaurant or retail sales unless that particular use is permitted in that district and the requirements of that use are met.

The removal from the surface or beneath the surface of the land of bulk mineral resources using significant machinery. "Mineral extraction" includes but is not limited to the extraction of gravel, limestone, clay and similar materials.

The replacement of existing work with equivalent materials for the purpose of its routine maintenance and upkeep, but not including the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement or parts of a structure affecting the exitway requirements; nor shall minor repairs include addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, oil, waste, vent, or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety.

See "hotel."

The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act of 1968, P.L. 905, No. 247,[2] as reenacted and amended.

A building open to the general public that provides permanent as well as changing exhibits on artistic, cultural, natural or scientific subjects. The building may charge admission and may include as accessory uses the sale of gift items as well as restaurants.

A noncommercial preservation of land for providing wildlife habitats, forests or scenic natural features that involves no buildings other than a nature education and/or study center and customary maintenance buildings.

Any building used for on-site consumption of alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages where live entertainment, including disc jockeys playing music. Nightclubs include "under 21" clubs which feature entertainment as well as after-hours clubs.

For other than residential purposes.

A lot which does not comply with the minimum lot width or area dimensions specified for the district where such lot is situated, but was lawfully in existence prior to the effective date of this Code, or amendments hereinafter enacted.

A use, whether of land or of a structure, which does not comply with the applicable provisions in this Code or amendment(s), where such use was lawfully in existence prior to the enactment of this Code or applicable amendment(s).

Any dam, wharf, embankment, levee, dike, pile, abutment, projection, excavation, channel rectification, bridge, conduit, culvert, building, wire fence, rock, gravel, refuse, fill, structure or matter in, along, across, or projecting into any channel, watercourse or regulatory flood hazard area which may impede, retard or change the direction of the flow of water, or that is placed where the flow of water might carry the same downstream to the damage of life or property.

A use that involves administrative, clerical, financial, governmental or professional operations and operations of a similar character. This use shall include neither retail nor industrial uses, but may include business offices, medical or dental offices, clinics or laboratories, photographic studios and/or television or radio broadcasting studios.

The map as adopted and amended by City Council which designates the location and boundaries of zoning districts.

Off-street parking stalls and aisles for vehicle movement unless otherwise stated.

An outdoor area that is not covered by a permanent roof and that is used as an accessory recreation area by the occupants of a building.

All areas covered by stone and/or impervious surfaces, other than areas covered by buildings, bicycle paths and pedestrian sidewalks.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, or its successor, and its subparts.

A document issued by the proper City authority authorizing the applicant to undertake certain activities.

A use that is allowed within a specific zoning district and that does not require a special exception permit or a conditional use permit. Uses that are permitted by right may have to meet specific criteria covered under Chapter 7-309.

An individual, partnership, public or private association or corporation, firm, trust, estate, municipality, governmental unit, public utility or any other legal entity whatsoever, which is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties.

An establishment that provides a service oriented to personal needs of the general public and which does not primarily involve retail or wholesale sales or services to businesses. Personal services include appliance repair, bicycle repair, haircutting, hairstyling, nail salons, custom dressmaking, custom dry-cleaning dropoff stores, laundromats, photography studios, shoe repair shops, massage therapy conducted by a trained message therapist, and uses that the applicant proves to the Zoning Officer are closely similar. The term "personal services" shall not include any "adult establishment" or "tattoo and body piercing establishment" as herein defined.

The keeping of domestic animals that are normally considered to be kept in conjunction with a dwelling for the pleasures of the resident family. This shall include dogs, cats, small birds, gerbils, rabbits and other animals commonly sold in retail pet shops.

Buildings, churches, monasteries, mosques, religious retreats, seminaries shrines, synagogues and temples used primarily for religious and/or spiritual worship and that are operated for nonprofit and noncommercial purposes. A place of worship may include one dwelling unit as an accessory use. Any additional residential uses shall only be permitted if the requirements for such uses are met.

The Planning Commission of the City of Harrisburg which is a "planning agency" under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code[3] and is responsible for reviewing amendments to the City of Harrisburg Zoning Code, subdivision and land development plans, and the Comprehensive Plan, and providing recommendations to the City Council on the same. The Planning Commission also provides recommendations to the Zoning Hearing Board on special exceptions and variances.

Includes printing, publishing, lithographing, photocopying, bookbinding and similar uses.

See "lot line."

Notice required by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code[4] and the City of Harrisburg Zoning Code.

A use primarily involving driving of motor vehicles other than upon driving on a public street, and involving speeds routinely exceeding 40 miles per hour that involves some element of timekeeping or other competition.

Any leisure time activities that include structured activities and equipment that take place within an enclosed structure and may include such activities as exercise, rollerskating, soccer, bowling, and swimming.

Any leisure time activities that usually include structured activities and equipment that take place in the open and may include such activities as soccer, baseball, and football.

Land and/or facilities that are owned by the City of Harrisburg or another government entity, and available for use by the general public for leisure and recreation.

A vehicle which is built on a single chassis and not more than 400 square feet and is designed to be self-propelled or permanently towed by a light-duty truck. The vehicle is designed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use.

An outdoor area used for the storage of three or more recreational vehicles. Retail sales or major repair work shall only be allowed if those uses are permitted in that zoning district.

A use for collection and temporary storage of more than 500 pounds of common household materials for recycling, but that does not involve processing or recycling other than routine sorting, baling and weighing of materials. This term shall not include the indoor storage of less than 500 pounds of household recyclables and their customary collection, which is a permitted by right accessory use in all zoning districts, without additional regulations. A recycling collection center is also a permitted by right accessory use to a public or private primary or secondary school, a place of worship, a City-owned use, an emergency services station or a college or university. This term shall not include "junk yard" or "scrap metal processor."

Flood-related damages sustained by a structure on two separate occasions during a ten-year period for which the cost of repairs at the time of each such flood event, on average, equals or exceeds 25% of the market value of the structure before the damages occurred.

A facility for carrying out investigation in the natural, physical, or social sciences, or engineering and development as an extension of investigation with the objective of creating end products.

The lot line of a lot that contains an existing primarily residential use on a lot of less than 30,000 square feet, or is zoned as a Residential District and is not occupied by a principal nonresidential use.

An establishment that sells ready-to-consume food or drink and that routinely involves the consumption of at least a portion of such food on the premises. A restaurant may also specialize in take-out service. A restaurant may also be a delicatessen where food is already prepared or requires minimum preparation and is predominantly take-out food. A restaurant may include the accessory sale of alcoholic beverages and/or operate as a BYOB restaurant. A restaurant may also include a micro- or craft brewery. A restaurant shall not include a use meeting the definition of a "nightclub" or an "after-hours club," unless the requirements for such use are also met. See "drive-through facility."

A use in which merchandise is sold or rented to the general public, but not including the following: sales of automobiles, recreational vehicles, boats, or manufactured homes, adult establishment, manufacturing, car wash, auto station, auto body shop and/or repair garage, convenience store, grocery store, or any restaurant.

The area dedicated or deeded for public use, including sidewalks, streets, and alleys.

An accessory residential use where the owner of the primary residence provides individual rooms which are rented on a weekly or monthly basis and where sanitary and kitchen facilities are shared. The occupants do not act as a common household. The term "boardinghouse" shall have the same meaning for the purposes of this Code. This term shall not include "supportive housing."

A reflector, usually parabolic in shape, that receives electronic signals from a satellite, and that does not meet the definition of a "communications antenna."

An educational institution primarily for persons between the ages of five and 19 that primarily provides state-required or largely state-funded educational programs. This term shall not include "trade schools" (such as privately operated schools of trade, vocation or business).

Includes iron, steel or nonferrous metals that are the co-products of a manufacturing or fabricating process, or are generated by a business entity as a result of its maintenance operations, and are in the hands of either the generator of the material or a scrap metal processor; or items made principally from iron, steel and nonferrous metals that have reached the end of their useful lives and are in the hands of a scrap metal processor waiting to be processed into prepared grades for sale for remelting purposes; or prepared grades of iron, steel and nonferrous metals which are awaiting sale for remelting to a consumer such as a steel mill, foundry, refinery or smelter, or are in the hands of a consumer awaiting remelting.

A facility from a fixed location that utilizes machinery and equipment for processing and manufacturing iron, steel or nonferrous metallic scrap into prepared grades and whose principal product is scrap iron, scrap steel, or nonferrous metallic scrap for sale for remelting purposes.

The use of trees, shrubs, plant material, fencing, walls, or berms that minimize the visual impact of a land use on abutting land uses.

A building or group of buildings divided into individual separate access units which are rented or leased for the storage of personal and small business property.

A building which is attached to only one other building, and which is attached on only one side.

The line within a lot defining the required minimum distance between any structure to be erected or use to be developed and the adjacent future street right-of-way or exterior lot line (when the property is not abutted by a right-of-way). Such line shall be measured at right angles from and parallel to the front lot line. Any building setbacks shall be measured from the foundation, exterior wall or other component of a structure that is closest to the right-of-way line or lot line from which the setback is being measured. Setback distances, unless stated otherwise, are for both accessory and principal structures. For a building setback measured from a private street, the setback shall be measured from the existing right-of-way of such a street, if a right-of-way exists. If a private street does not have a right-of-way, the setback shall be measured from the edge of the cartway.

The average setback for properties on the blocks.

A group of retail and other establishments that is owned and managed by a single property owner. A shopping center may also include a mix of permitted personal service, retail, office and/or commercial recreation uses.

Any object, device, display, or structure or part thereof, situated outdoors or indoors, 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, figures, design, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or projected images.

The area which is equal to multiplying the greatest height by the greatest length of the area containing advertising and/or symbols and does not include structural members.

Any commercial- or business-related messages, images, symbols or wording applied to an awning, canopy, or marquee. An awning, canopy, or marquee sign shall be subject to the requirements and restrictions for projecting signs.

Any sign intended to be hung either with or without frames, possessing characters, letters or illustrations applied to fabric.

A sign which is self-supporting upon the ground or which is primarily supported by poles attached to the ground.

The vertical distance measured from the average ground level surrounding a sign to the highest point of the sign and its supporting structure.

A graphic or symbol representing the form and/or features of a person, place or object with a commercial- or business-related message or intent.

A sign that is directly lighted by an artificial light, either internal or external.

A sign with illumination from within the sign that shines through and illuminates the sign face, as opposed to a sign illuminated by a source in front of or shining from the outside of the sign face.

A sign that is illuminated by light directed toward or across it or by backlighting from a source outside of the sign.

A sign that is lighted from lights on or directed toward the sign.

A freestanding sign which shall be permanently attached, by an approved means, directly to a landscape planter or pedestal base, as distinguished from the support of a pole or poles.

A painting which contains a commercial- or business-related message and is painted directly onto the exterior wall(s) of a building.

Any sign comprised of glass tubing containing a larger proportion of neon or other similar gas. A neon sign may be a wall sign, a projecting sign, or a window sign.

A sign advertising, identifying, or directing the public to a business, merchandise, service institution, residential area.

Any sign that is designed to be transported, including but not limited to a sign with wheels removed; with chassis or support constructed without wheels; designed to be transported by trailer or wheels; attached temporarily or permanently to the ground, structure, or other signs; menu and sandwich boards, searchlight stands; and tethered inflatable signs.

A sign attached to a building face or wall that extends out from the wall and may be partially or totally in the public right-of-way or in private property.

Any sign that is mounted on the roof of a building or that is wholly dependent upon a building for support and that projects above the top walk or edge of a building with a flat roof, the eave line of a building with a gambled or gable or hip roof, or the deck line of a building with a mansard roof.

A movable two-sided hinged sign that is usually placed on the sidewalk during business hours.

A sign mounted flat on a wall of a building and which does not project from such wall. A wall sign includes individual letter signs.

A sign that can be read from an exterior lot line and which is attached to a window or transparent door or that can be read through a window or transparent door and that is constructed of paper or similar nonpermanent material or is painted on the window or door.

The ownership of a lot by one or more persons, partnerships or corporations, which ownership is separate and distinct from that of any abutting or adjoining lot.

An accurately scaled development plan that illustrates existing conditions on a parcel of land as well as depicting details of a proposed development.

The vertical change of an area of land divided by the horizontal change, measured in percent.

Unless otherwise stated, the Solicitor or Assistant Solicitor for the City of Harrisburg as appointed by the Mayor.

Any garbage, refuse, sewage sludge or other discarded material, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous material resulting from industrial, institutional, public, household, commercial or mining activities. For the purposes of this Code, the following materials shall not be considered to be solid waste: portions of trees or shrubs, leaves, mulch and rocks; substances legally disposed of into the air or water through a federal or state pollution discharge permit; customary residual wastes from a permitted mineral extraction use; materials of a character such as paper, plastic, aluminum and metal that have been separated from the waste stream that is clearly awaiting imminent recycling; or prepared grades of iron, steel and nonferrous metals which are awaiting sale for remelting to a consumer such as a steel mill, foundry, refinery or smelter, or are in the hands of a consumer awaiting remelting.

Land or structures where solid waste is processed, incinerated or disposed of. This shall only include the following facilities, each of which shall be required to have all permits required by the state in place prior to initiation of the use: sanitary landfill, solid waste transfer facility, or solid-waste-to-energy facility. The following uses for the purposes of this chapter shall not be considered to be a solid waste disposal facility: junkyard; recycling collection center; scrap metal processor; leaf composting; clean fill; or septage or sludge application.

A type of "solid waste disposal area" involving the depositing of solid waste on land, compacting the waste, covering the waste with soil and then compacting the soil, and which has a permit to operate as a sanitary landfill from the State.

A type of "solid waste facility" which receives and temporarily stores solid waste at a location other than the generation site, and which facilitates the bulk transfer of accumulated solid waste to a facility for further processing or disposal, and which may or may not involve the separation of recyclables from solid waste.

A type of "solid waste facility" that utilizes waste (such as municipal waste, sludge or any other nonhazardous commercial, residential or industrial materials) as a fuel to produce usable energy (such as steam or electricity) in bulk to be marketed for reuse to offset disposal costs.

A use which may be permitted if the Zoning Hearing Board grants permission following a public hearing and findings of fact consistent with this Code, provided the use complies with the conditions and standards required by this Code.

A detached dwelling that is an owner-occupied residence which is available for private rental for occasions such as business meetings, weddings, and private parties. The rental use must be secondary and subordinate to the residential use.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its agencies.

The management of stormwater to minimize the negative effects of surface water runoff.

The portion of a building between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above it, or if there is no floor above it, then the space between the floor and the ceiling above the floor of such story. A story is not a basement.

Any level having an average vertical clearance from floor to ceiling of 6.5 feet or greater shall be considered a full story, except as provided for in the definition of "basement."

Any level of a building having an average vertical clearance from floor to ceiling of less than 6.5 feet.

A public or private thoroughfare which provides the principal means of vehicle access to one or more lots. The terms "street," "highway," and "road" have the same meaning and are used interchangeably.

The officially established ownership or interest for streets that either the City or the state presently have in the land, or will own or hold after the completion of any proposed subdivision, land development or development of a use under this Code, whether by dedication or otherwise. See "right-of-way, public."

A major street or highway with fast or heavy traffic of considerable continuity which provides intracounty or intermunicipal traffic. Generally, these streets should accommodate operating speeds of 35 miles or more per hour.

A street which is intended to connect minor streets to arterial streets. They may serve intracounty and intramunicipal traffic. They may serve as traffic corridors connecting residential areas with industrial, shopping and other services. Generally, a collector street will accommodate operating speeds of 25 to 25 miles per hour.

A street which provides direct access to abutting land and connections to higher classes of roadways. Traffic volumes will be low and travel distances are generally short. Minor streets should be designed for operating speeds of 25 miles per hour or under.

Any man-made object having a stationary location on, below or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land. The following specifically shall be considered to be structures: buildings, signs, communications towers, porches or decks that are covered by a permanent structure; swimming pools (whether above or below ground); storage sheds and garages. A ground level parking lot shall not by itself be considered to be a structure, provided that all other requirements of this Code are met.

The division or redivision of a lot, tract, or parcel of land by any means into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land including changes in existing lot lines.

The City of Harrisburg Subdivision and Land Development Code, Part 7-500, as amended.

Any reconstruction, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure before the start of construction of the improvement. This term includes structures which have incurred substantial damage (or repetitive loss) regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however include either: 1) a project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local code enforcement officials and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions; or 2) an alteration of an historic structure provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as an historic structure.

Housing provided to individuals or families on a temporary or permanent basis that may have services on site or off site provided to the residents. Supportive housing provides stable housing for persons that are not able to live independently, either on a temporary or permanent basis and may include housing for persons with disabilities, assisted living and nursing homes for the elderly, as well as individuals and families that are homeless. Supportive housing includes housing provided to persons covered under the Federal Fair Housing Act, as amended. Supportive housing may include administrative offices and other accessory uses.

Housing that is provided for individuals and families for a period of up to three months and includes emergency shelter for homeless persons.

Supportive housing provided to persons who need continuing services and are not able to live independently. Facility supportive housing may include single-room occupancy units, assisted living, nursing homes, continuing care retirement facilities, or other facilities that provide supportive living environments for the residents. Some types of permanent supportive housing, such as nursing homes, must be licensed by the State of Pennsylvania.

Supportive housing for disabled persons living as a common household with staff persons.

A man-made area with walls of man-made materials intended to enclose water at least 30 inches deep for bathing or swimming and that is intended to serve the residents of only one dwelling unit and their occasional guests.

A man-made area with walls of man-made materials intended to enclose water at least 30 inches deep for bathing or swimming and that does not meet the definition of a "household" swimming pool. This includes: a "semipublic" pool that serves only residents of a development or members of a club and their occasional guests or a "public" pool intended to serve the general public.

The use of land or a structure for archery and/or discharging of firearms for the purpose of target practice and competitions.

Either the process of marking or coloring the skin of any person by the insertion of coloring matter under or in the skin so as to form indelible marks or figures or the process of breaching the skin or mucous membrane for the purpose of insertion of any object including, but not limited to, jewelry for cosmetic purposes.

Any building or room or portion thereof where the work of tattooing or body piercing is practiced or where the business of tattooing is conducted, or any part thereof, including temporary structures, booths and mobile units.

A building or part of a building devoted to the showing of motion pictures or theatrical or performing arts productions as a principal use, but not including an outdoor drive-in theater or adult establishment.

An outdoor area devoted primarily to the showing of motion pictures or theatrical productions to patrons seated in motor vehicles or outdoors.

The storage of 250 tires or less on a lot, except for manufacture or wholesale or retail sales of new tires.

See "dwelling types."

A facility that is primarily intended for education of a work-related skill or craft or a hobby, and does not primarily provide state-required education to persons under age 16. Examples include a dancing school, martial arts school, cosmetology school or ceramics school.

A nonresidential facility that provides treatment and/or counseling for substance abuse.

A use involving a large variety of materials, including materials owned by numerous corporations, being transported to a site to be unloaded primarily from tractor-trailer trucks and reloaded onto tractor-trailer trucks. A use that primarily involves either loading materials from tractor-trailers onto smaller trucks or loading materials from smaller trucks onto tractor-trailers shall be considered a "distribution" use.

The United States of America.

The statewide building code adopted by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1999 applicable to new construction in all municipalities whether administered by the municipality, a third party or the Department of Labor and Industry.

Any motor vehicle or trailer that does not display a license plate with a current registration sticker and does not have a valid state safety inspection sticker. This term shall not apply to vehicles (such as licensed antique cars) for which state regulations do not require an inspection sticker. The term also shall not include motor vehicles displaying a license and inspection stickers that have each expired less than 90 days previously.

The purpose, activity, occupation, business or operation for which land or a structure is designed, arranged, intended, occupied or maintained. Uses specifically include but are not limited to the following: activity within a structure, activity outside of a structure, any structure, recreational vehicle storage or parking of commercial vehicles on a lot.

A dominant use(s) or main use on a lot, as opposed to an accessory use.

A departure from the provisions of the ordinance relating to setbacks, side yards, frontage requirements, and lot size, that if applied to a specific lot, would significantly interfere with the use of the property. A variance can be granted by the Zoning Hearing Board provided that the unique circumstances of the lot create a hardship on the property owner that prevents complete conformance with the ordinance. The hardship relates to the physical characteristics of the property, and without the variance, the property becomes unusable. Any variance shall only be granted within the limitations of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.[5]

A building routinely used for the treatment of animals and related accessory housing or boarding of sick animals.

A building or group of buildings primarily used for the indoor storage, transfer and distribution of products and materials, but not including retail uses or a truck terminal, unless such uses are specifically permitted in that zoning district. "Wholesale" means sales that primarily involve transactions with other businesses and their agents and not to the general public.

A shop where materials, such as metals, are joined together for fabrication or sculptural purposes.

An area inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.

An area not covered by buildings and that is on the same lot as the subject structure or use and which is measured inward from a lot line. Regulations of specific districts prohibit principal and accessory structures within specified required minimum yard setbacks.

A "yard" measured from along the front lot line and that extends the full width of the lot from side lot line to side lot line.

A "yard" extending the full width of the lot and which is always measured from along the rear line and which establishes the minimum setback for the subject structure, and which stretches between the side lot lines parallel to the rear lot line.

A "yard" which establishes the minimum setback for the closest portion of the subject structure, and which is measured from along the entire length of the side lot line, and which extends from the front lot line to the rear lot line.

The City of Harrisburg Zoning Code, Part 7-300, as amended.

The City of Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board which is a quasi-judicial body appointed by City Council to make final decisions on special exceptions, variances, and to hear appeals of decisions by the Zoning Officer in the Planning Bureau.

The Official Zoning Map of the City of Harrisburg Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

The City employee charged with the duty of enforcing the provisions of the Zoning Code, and his/her designees and assistant(s).