Haverford Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE II
Regulations for Residential Districts
§ 182-201 Statement of intent.
In addition to the goals listed in § 182-102 of this chapter, the districts established in these regulations are intended to achieve the following:
A.
To provide sufficient space, appropriately located, for residential development to meet the housing needs of the present and expected future population of the Township within the range of house types and densities anticipated.
B.
To assure light, air and privacy as far as possible by controlling the spacing and height of buildings and other structures.
C.
To protect residential areas against the hazards of fire, offensive noise, vibration, smoke, odors, glare or other objectionable influences.
D.
To prevent congestion as far as possible by regulating the density of population and the bulk of buildings and by providing for sufficient off-street parking.
E.
To protect residential neighborhoods as much as possible from heavy or through traffic.
F.
To make possible provisions of those public and private educational, recreational, health and similar facilities serving the needs of nearby residents which perform most effectively in a residential environment and do not create objectionable influences.
G.
To promote the most desirable use of land and guide the direction of building development in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan, to promote a sound pattern of residential development, to protect the character of any district and its peculiar suitability for particular uses, to conserve the value of land and buildings and to protect the Township tax base.
§ 182-202 R-1 Low-Density Residential Districts.
A.
Specific intent. It is the purpose of this section to permit continued residential development which is compatible with existing types of housing and lot sizes in low-density areas of the Township.
B.
Use regulations.
(1)
Uses by right. In any R-1 District, land, buildings or premises shall be used by right only for one of the following:
[Amended 10-11-1994 by Ord. No. 2212; 2-21-2006 by Ord. No. 2449]
(a)
Single-family detached dwellings.
(b)
Railway or bus passenger stations.
(c)
Telephone central offices, electric substations or similar essential governmental or public utility uses, subject to the provisions of § 182-714.
(d)
Day care for not more than two children not related by blood or marriage to the residents of the dwelling. Such use is not subject to the licensing requirements for a business operation.
(2)
Accessory uses. Only the following accessory uses on the same lot with and customarily incidental to a use permitted in the district shall be permitted, subject also to the applicable general requirements of § 182-711 relating to accessory buildings:
(a)
Off-street parking spaces and private garages.
(b)
Private swimming pools and other private recreational uses, subject to § 182-703 of this chapter.
[Amended 3-21-1977 by Ord. No. 1657]
(c)
Private greenhouses.
(d)
Home occupation as defined in § 182-106, subject to the following special requirements in addition to all other applicable requirements of this chapter for the residential district in which the use is located:
[Amended 9-12-1983 by Ord. No. 1877; 1-9-1996 by Ord. No. 2237]
[1]
Such home occupation shall be located in the dwelling in which the practitioner resides.
[2]
There shall be no one engaged or employed in such home occupation who is not a resident of the dwelling.
[3]
The area used for the practice of a home occupation shall not exceed 15% of the total floor area of the premises in which such use is located.
[4]
The profession or occupation shall be clearly incidental to the residential use of the dwelling and dwelling unit.
[5]
No external alterations inconsistent with residential use of the dwelling shall be permitted.
[6]
There shall be no display of products, storage of goods or materials or window or other sign visible from outside the building, except for a name or accessory use sign or a professional office sign as permitted outside a dwelling in the sign regulations, § 182-701D, and no accessory use shall have any other external evidence or a secondary use.
[7]
No goods or services shall be offered for sale or lease to the general public on the premises, except that business conducted primarily by mail or telephone shall be permitted.
(f)
Solar energy equipment.
[Added 3-12-2012 by Ord. No. 2657]
(h)
Pool houses, including changing rooms, bathrooms and a great room that may include accessory kitchen facilities and further providing that sleeping rooms are specifically prohibited therein.
[Added 3-12-2012 by Ord. No. 2657]
(3)
Uses by special exception. The following uses shall be permitted as a special exception when authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board and after review by the Planning Commission as to conformance with the Comprehensive Plan:
(a)
Churches or similar places of worship, including rectories or parish houses.
(b)
Clubs operated on a membership basis for civic, cultural, educational, social or recreational purposes, provided that the activity permitted shall be noncommercial, nonprofit and clearly one not customarily carried on as a business; each building or facility devoted to such use shall be for members and their guests only; and no such club shall provide for eating or dining except on an incidental basis, permit the sale of food or beverages or provide accommodations for the lodging of members or guests.
(c)
Professional office, as defined in § 182-106, subject to the following special requirements in addition to all other applicable requirements of this chapter for the residential district in which such use is located:
[Amended 10-14-1975 by Ord. No. 1616; 1-9-1996 by Ord. No. 2237]
[1]
Such office shall be located in the dwelling in which the practitioner resides or within a building accessory thereto.
[2]
Not more than one person shall be engaged or employed in such practice who is not a resident of the dwelling, except that two members of a recognized profession related by marriage and both residing within said dwelling shall be permitted to practice together.
[3]
The area used for the practice of a professional shall not exceed 25% of the total floor area of said dwelling.
[4]
The profession shall be clearly incidental to the residential use of the dwelling and shall not change the residential character of a dwelling.
[5]
No external alterations inconsistent with the residential use of the dwelling shall be permitted.
[6]
There shall be no displays, goods or materials visible from outside the building, except for a name or a professional office sign as permitted in the sign regulations, § 182-701C, and no professional office shall have any other external evidence of a secondary use.
[7]
Professional office uses shall serve not more than one client at any given time.
[8]
Three off-street parking spaces, located to the side or rear of the premises, but not in the front yard, shall be required in addition to the single space required for a single-family dwelling.
[9]
Professional offices shall not be permitted within a nonconforming multifamily structure.
(d)
The installation and/or construction of satellite dishes, earth station satellites and television satellites.
[Added 9-30-1985 by Ord. No. 1934]
(e)
Student home as a special exception, provided that the Zoning Hearing Board shall find that the following standards are met:
[Added 12-11-1989 by Ord. No. 2064]
[1]
The number of persons living in such student home shall not exceed three. It is the intent of this chapter that any number of persons in excess of three would tend to create an institutional atmosphere.
[2]
The student home shall meet the minimum yard setback and lot width requirements for single-family detached dwellings.
[3]
No student home shall be located on a lot, any portion of which is closer to another lot lawfully used for a student home, closer than a distance determined by multiplying times 20 the required street frontage for a single-family detached dwelling in the district in which the building is located.
[4]
The student home shall have a minimum of 1,850 square feet of building area, exclusive of building area covered by a garage or accessory building.
[5]
A minimum of three paved on-site, off-street parking spaces located to the side or rear of the premises and not in the front yard shall be required in addition to those otherwise required for a single-family dwelling.
[6]
The owner or manager or agent of the student home shall register such home with the Township as required by Chapter 104, § 104-6, of the General Laws of the Township of Haverford, entitled "Housing Standards," and shall comply with the requirements of said chapter, including the yearly registration provisions. If such student home is not registered in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 104, the special exception permit shall expire, and the student home use shall be unlawful.
(f)
Day care for not more than six children not related by blood or marriage to the residents of the dwelling and subject to the following regulations:
[Added 10-11-1994 by Ord. No. 2212]
[1]
Such use shall be located in the dwelling in which the operator or care giver resides.
[2]
Not more than one person shall be engaged or employed in the operation of such day-care use who is not a resident of the dwelling.
[3]
Such use shall be clearly incidental to the residential use of the dwelling and shall not include any alterations or renovations inconsistent with the residential use of the dwelling.
[4]
There shall be no window or other signs displayed at the site.
(4)
Uses by conditional approval. The following uses shall be permitted as conditional uses when authorized by the Board of Commissioners after review by the Haverford Township Planning Commission as to conformance with the Comprehensive Plan:
[Added 9-24-1984 by Ord. No. 1906]
C.
Area and bulk regulations. The following regulations shall be observed, except in the case of a plan for special residential development, which shall comply with the provisions of § 182-721:
§ 182-203 R-1A Low-Density Residential Districts.
[Added 7-10-1978 by Ord. No. 1709]
A.
Specific intent. It is the purpose of this section to permit continued single-family residential development in this district at a density that is compatible with existing land use. Uses would be restricted to residential and accessory professional activities.
B.
Use regulations.
(1)
Permitted uses. In any R-1A District, land, buildings or premises shall be used only for one of the uses permitted in an R-1 District, subject to all the provisions and requirements of § 182-202B.
[Amended 2-21-2006 by Ord. No. 2449]
(2)
Uses by conditional approval. The following uses shall be permitted as conditional uses when authorized by the Board of Commissioners after review by the Haverford Township Planning Commission as to conformance with the Comprehensive Plan:
[Added 9-24-1984 by Ord. No. 1906]
(3)
Uses by special exception. The installation and/or construction of satellite dishes, earth station satellites and television satellites shall be permitted when authorized as a special exception.
[Added 9-30-1985 by Ord. No. 1934]
C.
Area and bulk regulations. The following regulations shall be observed, except in the case of a plan for special residential development, which shall comply with the provisions of § 182-721:
(1)
Lot size: 1/2 acre minimum.
(2)
Street frontage: 75 feet minimum.
(3)
Lot width at building line: 85 feet minimum.
(4)
Building coverage: 15% maximum.
(5)
Front yard: 40 feet minimum.
(7)
Rear yard: 25 feet minimum each.
(9)
Impervious surface ratio: 30% maximum.
[Added 12-13-1993 by Ord. No. 2189]
§ 182-204 R-2 Low-Density Residential Districts.
A.
Specific intent. It is the purpose of this section to permit continued single-family residential development in this district at a density that is compatible with existing land use. Uses would be restricted to residential and accessory professional activities.
B.
Use regulations.
(1)
Permitted uses. In any R-2 District, land, buildings or premises shall be used only for one of the uses permitted in an R-1 District, subject to all the provisions and requirements of § 182-202B.
[Amended 2-21-2006 by Ord. No. 2449]
(2)
Uses by special exception. The installation and/or construction of satellite dishes, earth station satellites and television satellites shall be permitted when authorized as a special exception.
[Added 9-30-1985 by Ord. No. 1934]
C.
Area and bulk regulations. The following regulations shall be observed, except in the case of a plan for special residential development, which shall comply with the provisions of § 182-721:
§ 182-205 R-3 Low- to Medium-Density Residential Districts.
A.
Special intent. It is the purpose of this section to permit continued development in appropriate areas of the Township on lots that will yield a density of approximately five dwelling units per acre. In addition, accessory professional uses would also be allowed in this district.
B.
Use regulations.
(1)
Permitted uses. In any R-3 District, land, buildings or premises shall be used only for one of the uses permitted in an R-1 District, subject to all the provisions and requirements of § 182-202B.
[Amended 2-21-2006 by Ord. No. 2449]
(2)
Uses by special exception. The installation and/or construction of satellite dishes, earth station satellites and television satellites shall be permitted when authorized as a special exception.
[Added 9-30-1985 by Ord. No. 1934]
C.
Area and bulk regulations. The following regulations shall be observed, except in the case of a plan for special residential development, which shall comply with the provisions of § 182-721:
§ 182-206 R-4 Low- to Medium-Density Residential Districts.
A.
Specific intent. It is the purpose of this section to permit continued development in appropriate areas of the Township on lots that will yield a density of approximately seven dwelling units per acre. In addition, accessory professional uses would be allowed in this district.
B.
Use regulations.
(1)
Permitted uses. In any R-4 District, land, buildings or premises shall be used only for one of the uses permitted in an R-1 District, subject to all the provisions and requirements of § 182-202B.
[Amended 2-21-2006 by Ord. No. 2449]
(2)
Uses by special exception. The installation and/or construction of satellite dishes, earth station satellites and television satellites shall be permitted when authorized as a special exception.
[Added 9-30-1985 by Ord. No. 1934]
C.
Area and bulk regulations. The following regulations shall be observed:
§ 182-207 R-5 Low- to Medium-Density Residential Districts.
A.
Specific intent. It is the purpose of this section to permit continued development in appropriate areas of the Township on lots that will yield a density of approximately eight dwelling units per acre. In addition, accessory professional uses would be allowed in this district.
B.
Use regulations.
[Amended 9-12-1983 by Ord. No. 1877]
(1)
Permitted uses.
(a)
Land, buildings or premises shall be used only for the uses by right, special exception, or accessory permitted in an R-1 District, subject to the provisions and requirements of § 182-202B.
(b)
A mobile home, mobile home lot or a mobile home land development may be permitted as a conditional use, subject to the provisions of § 182-724.
(c)
The following uses are permitted only when accessory to a permitted mobile home land development:
[1]
A community room, recreational facilities, laundry, indoor storage areas and similar facilities provided for the individual or common use of all residents of all the mobile home development.
[2]
Any office and maintenance facilities for the operation and management of the entire mobile home development.
(2)
Uses by special exception. The installation and/or construction of satellite dishes, earth station satellites and television satellites shall be permitted when authorized as a special exception.
[Added 9-30-1985 by Ord. No. 1934]
C.
Area and bulk regulations. The following regulations shall be observed:
§ 182-208 R-6 Medium-Density Residential Districts.
A.
Specific intent. It is the purpose of this section to limit residential development in this district to lots that will yield a maximum density of approximately eight to 14 dwelling units per acre. A variety of housing types are allowed, in addition to professional uses in conjunction with such structures.
[Amended 5-9-1977 by Ord. No. 1665]
B.
Use regulations.
[Amended 5-9-1977 by Ord. No. 1665; 6-25-1979 by Ord. No. 1750; 9-30-1985 by Ord. No. 1934; 1-9-1996 by Ord. No. 2237; 12-8-2003 by Ord. No. 2400]
(2)
Conditional uses. In any R-6 District, land, buildings or premises may be used for any of the following purpose(s) on the condition that the design and location of said proposal are approved by the Board of Commissioners acting upon recommendation of the Planning Commission and that said approval shall be based upon a review of the Township's Comprehensive Plan, the impact of the proposed development upon the surrounding neighborhood and that the plan complies with all design standards provided for by this chapter:
(3)
Uses by special exception. The installation and/or construction of satellite dishes, earth station satellites and television satellites shall be permitted when authorized as a special exception.
C.
Area and bulk regulations. The following regulations shall be observed:
[Amended 5-9-1977 by Ord. No. 1665; 12-13-1993 by Ord. No. 2189; 12-8-2003 by Ord. No. 2400]
(1)
(2)
D.
Off-street parking regulations. Off-street parking regulations shall be as required by § 182-707 of this chapter.
E.
Special development regulations for triplex and quadruplex dwellings. For any building containing single-family triplex and quadruplex dwellings or a grouping of such buildings on a lot, the special design and development regulations of § 182-719 and the following shall apply:
(1)
Land ownership. Individual structures may be leased or sold as rental, cooperative or condominium units, but all open space shall be held in common ownership available to all residents and subject to the regulations in § 182-719A(1).
(2)
Off-street parking, as required, shall be provided in common parking lots conveniently located to all units.
(3)
Each triplex and quadruplex unit shall be not less than 20 feet in width.
(4)
Each triplex and quadruplex unit shall have a minimum of 1,000 square feet of habitable floor area, exclusive of stairs and corridors.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Subsection F, Special procedural and plan requirements, which immediately followed this subsection.
§ 182-209 R-7 Townhouse Districts.
A.
Specific intent. It is the purpose of this section to make special provision for townhouse development in selected locations of the Township at appropriate medium densities and subject to special plan and development requirements as provided for in this chapter and in any other applicable ordinances or regulations of the Township.
B.
Use regulations.
(1)
(2)
Accessory uses. Only the following accessory uses on the same lot with and customarily incidental to a use permitted in the district shall be permitted, subject also to the applicable general requirements of § 182-711 relating to accessory buildings:
(a)
Off-street parking space, a private garage or a community or storage garage of noncommercial or nonindustrial character located within or beneath an apartment building or as a separate structure when specifically authorized in conjunction with the approval of a development plan.
(b)
A professional office or other accessory use permitted in R-1 Districts customarily accessory to a townhouse, subject to the requirements of § 182-202B(2) and (3)(c).
(3)
Uses by special exception. The installation and/or construction of satellite dishes, earth station satellites and television satellites shall be permitted when authorized as a special exception.
[Added 9-30-1985 by Ord. No. 1934]
C.
Area and height regulations. The following regulations shall be observed:
(1)
Tract size: five acres minimum.
(2)
Density: maximum of eight dwelling units per acre.
(3)
Street frontage: 150 feet minimum.
(5)
Yards and building placement: Perimeter yards of not less than 50 feet shall be maintained along any public street line bordering the tract and yards of not less than 35 feet along any other property line. No building shall be closer than 25 feet to an internal street, unless specifically authorized by the Township in the approval of a plan to permit desired flexibility in the placement of townhouses, and no building shall be less than 15 feet from a parking bay or area, subject also to the requirements of § 182-719.
(6)
Height: 35 feet maximum and not more than three stories in height, exclusive of basements.
D.
Special development regulations. For any townhouse structure or development, the special design and development regulations of § 182-719 and the following shall apply:
(2)
Habitable floor area. Exclusive of stairs and corridors, there shall be a minimum of 800 square feet of habitable floor area per dwelling unit. See also the definition of "floor area" in § 182-106B.
(3)
Open space. At least 25% of the gross site area shall be in common open space as defined in § 182-106B of this chapter.
(4)
Exits. Each housekeeping unit must have at least one exit on the street floor.
§ 182-210 R-8 Garden Apartment Districts.
A.
Specific intent. It is the purpose of this section to make special provision for garden apartment development in selected locations of the Township at appropriate medium densities and subject to special plan and development requirements as provided for in this chapter and in any other applicable ordinances or regulations of the Township.
B.
Use regulations.
(1)
Uses by right. In any R-8 District, land, buildings or premises shall be used by right only for one or more of the following:
(2)
Accessory uses. Only the following accessory uses on the same lot with and customarily incidental to a use permitted in the district shall be permitted, subject also the applicable general requirements of § 182-711 relating to accessory buildings:
(a)
Off-street parking space, a private garage or a community or storage garage located within or beneath an apartment building or as a separate structure when specifically authorized in conjunction with the approval of a development plan.
(b)
A professional office or other accessory use permitted in an R-1 District customarily accessory to the residential use of an apartment, subject to the requirements of § 182-202B(2) and (3)(c) and the following:
(c)
A use accessory to the apartment development, such as a swimming pool, subject to the requirements of § 182-703 of this chapter, and tennis courts or any other recreational use or facility, provided that any such accessory use shall be designed primarily to serve the residents of the development, and that no accessory use within an apartment building shall have any external evidence of any such secondary use other than a name or accessory use sign as provided in the sign regulations, § 182-701D.
(3)
Uses by special exception. The following uses shall be permitted when authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board as a special exception.
[Added 9-30-1985 by Ord. No. 1934; amended 6-9-1997 by Ord. No. 2271]
(a)
The installation and/or construction of satellite dishes, earth station satellites and television satellites shall be permitted subject to the provisions of § 182-726 of this chapter.
(b)
Telecommunications equipment of a licensed carrier providing telecommunications service, provided that the Zoning Hearing Board shall find that the following standards have been met:
[1]
The equipment may include a roof-mounted antenna to an existing structure with a maximum height of 20 feet above the roofline of the building or structure.
[2]
No freestanding antenna towers or poles shall be permitted in a Residential District.
[3]
The existing structure must comply with all area and bulk regulations of the district in which the building is located, including any supplemental provisions for buffering.
[4]
The applicant shall submit certification from a structural engineer that the structural capacity of any existing building or structure on which an antenna is proposed to be mounted is adequate to withstand wind and other loads associated with the antenna's location.
C.
Area and height regulations. The following regulations shall be observed:
(1)
Tract size: two acres minimum.
(2)
Density: maximum of 12 dwelling units per acre.
(3)
Street frontage: 150 feet minimum.
(5)
Yards and building placement: Perimeter yards of not less than 50 feet shall be maintained along any public street line bordering the tract and yards of not less than 35 feet along any other property line. No building shall be closer than 25 feet to an internal street, unless specifically authorized by the Township in the approval of a plan to permit desired flexibility in the placement of apartment buildings, and no building shall be less than 15 feet from a parking bay or area, subject also to the requirements of § 182-719.
(6)
Height: 35 feet maximum and not more than three stories in height, exclusive of basements.
D.
Special development regulations. For any apartment building or group of buildings on a lot, the special design and development regulations of § 182-719 and the following shall apply:
(1)
Building frontage, size and arrangement. The greatest dimension in frontage, length or depth of a building shall not exceed 100 feet, and not more than three such buildings may be attached to each other. Buildings so attached shall be at an angle of 90°, unless otherwise specifically authorized in conjunction with approval of the plan for development.
(2)
Habitable floor area. Exclusive of stairs and corridors, there shall be a minimum of 600 square feet of habitable floor area per dwelling unit. See also the definition of "floor area" in § 182-106B.
(3)
Open space. At least 25% of the gross site area shall be in common open space as defined in § 182-106B.
(4)
Exits. In addition to the front entrance or exit, each apartment building must have one additional exit on the street floor for each 10 or less regular occupants or tenants of the building.
§ 182-211 R-9 Medium- and High-Rise Apartment Districts.
A.
Specific intent. It is the purpose of this section to make special provision for medium- and high-rise apartment development, compatible with surrounding single-family residential districts, in selected areas of the Township in which such apartment development is considered appropriate by virtue of such criteria as direct access to major or intercommunity streets, proximity to public transportation and availability of necessary services and community facilities. Development in these districts may be authorized only in accordance with special plan and development requirements as provided for in this chapter and in any other applicable ordinances or regulations of the Township.
B.
Use regulations.
(1)
Uses by right. In any R-9 District, land, buildings or premises shall be used by right only for one or more of the following:
(2)
Accessory uses. Only the following accessory uses on the same lot with and customarily incidental to a use permitted in the district shall be permitted, subject also to the applicable general requirements of § 182-711 relating to accessory buildings:
(a)
Off-street parking space, a private garage or a community or storage garage located within or beneath an apartment building or as a separate structure when specifically authorized in conjunction with the approval of a development plan.
(b)
A professional office or other accessory use permitted in an R-1 District customarily accessory to the residential use of an apartment, subject to the requirements of § 182-202B(2) and (3)(c) and the following:
(c)
A use accessory to the apartment development, such as a swimming pool, subject to the requirements of § 182-703 of this chapter, tennis courts or any other recreational use or facility and a central dining room, provided that any such accessory use shall be designed primarily to serve the residents of the development, and that no accessory use within an apartment building shall have any external evidence of any such secondary use other than a name or accessory use sign as provided in the sign regulations, § 182-701D.
(3)
Uses by special exception. The following uses shall be permitted when authorized by a special exception:
[Added 9-30-1985 by Ord. No. 1934; amended 6-9-1997 by Ord. No. 2271]
(a)
The installation and/or construction of satellite dishes, earth station satellites and television satellites shall be permitted subject to the provisions of § 182-726 of this chapter.
(b)
Telecommunications equipment of a licensed carrier providing telecommunications service, provided that the Zoning Hearing Board finds that the following standards have been met:
[1]
The equipment may include a roof-mounted antenna to an existing structure and must comply with the height limitations of § 182-705A of this chapter (fifteen feet above the roof line).
[2]
No freestanding antenna towers or poles shall be permitted in a Residential District.
[3]
The existing structure must comply with all area and bulk regulations of the district in which the building is located, including any supplemental provisions for buffering.
[4]
The applicant shall submit certification from a structural engineer that the structural capacity of any existing building or structure on which an antenna is proposed to be mounted is adequate to withstand wind and other loads associated with the antenna's location.
C.
Area and height regulations. The following regulations shall be observed:
(1)
Tract size: five acres minimum.
(2)
Density: maximum of 25 dwelling units per acre.
(3)
Street frontage: 150 feet minimum or 30 feet in width for each story in height, whichever is the greater.
(5)
Yards and building placement: Perimeter yards of not less than 70 feet shall be maintained along any public street line bordering the tract and yards of not less than 50 feet along any other property line. No building shall be closer than 50 feet to an internal street, unless specifically authorized by the Township in the approval of a plan to permit desired flexibility in the placement of apartment buildings, and no building shall be less than 15 feet from a parking bay or area, subject also to the requirements of § 182-719.
(6)
Height: 90 feet maximum, exclusive of basements. For each foot or portion thereof by which the building exceeds 45 feet in height, the depths of the front and rear yards and the width of each side yard shall be increased by one foot.
D.
Special development regulations. For any apartment building or group of buildings on a lot, the special design and development regulations of § 182-719 and the following shall apply: