Hazleton City Zoning Code

The City is divided into the following zoning districts:

The City has the following overlay districts:

The list of zoning and overlay districts are classified in § 575-301 of this chapter, and their boundaries are delineated on the "Hazleton City Zoning Map of 2020," which is the Official Zoning Map of the City, replacing and repealing the prior Zoning Map.

The Official Zoning Map is incorporated herein by reference.

The Official Zoning Map shall be located in the zoning office, and shall be the authority on the current zoning status of all land within the City.

If changes are made to zoning boundaries or other matters portrayed on the Official Zoning Map, such changes shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the Pa. MPC[1] for amending the Zoning Map. The changes shall be noted on the Official Zoning Map promptly after the amendment has been approved by the governing body. No changes of any nature shall be made to the Official Zoning Map, except in conformity with the applicable procedures established in this chapter. All changes shall be noted by the date of the map amendment along with a brief description of the nature of the change. Once an amendment is approved, the Zoning Map must be changed to reflect the amendment.

R-1 Low-Density Single-Family Residential Zoning District. The purpose of this zone is to provide predominantly single-family dwelling units in areas already developed in this manner, where this type of housing is desirable and harmonious with the area. This zoning district is serviced by public water and sewer.

R-2 Medium-Density Two-Family Residential Zoning District. The purpose of this zone is to accommodate single-family and two-family dwelling units in areas already developed in this manner. Selected locations provide for the accommodation of detached single-family dwelling units and duplex dwellings acknowledging the location of existing land uses with these areas. Required design standards reflect existing development patterns with long and narrow lots and minimal front and side yard setbacks. This zoning district is serviced by public water and sewer.

R-3 High-Density Multifamily Residential Zoning District. The purpose of this zone is to provide for various types of residential dwelling units, including single-family, two-family and multifamily dwellings. This zone is intended to promote the availability of diverse and affordable housing types through conversions of existing buildings or the development of new buildings intended to accommodate multifamily dwellings. This zoning district also allows for manufactured homes on permanent foundations, manufactured home communities, and apartments. The areas are serviced by public water and public sewer.

CC Central Commercial Zoning District. The purpose of this zone is to principally provide commercial goods and services to local residents and employees in downtown-like business areas where the uses primarily rely upon on-street parking. Uses permitted in this zone include those uses that are likely needed by residents or employees of the City on a daily or regular basis. Sale of retail goods and services in this district are the type of businesses usually found in a downtown business setting where the businesses rely on pedestrian traffic and have no or little off-street parking for vehicular traffic. Requirements have been provided to preserve the character of the neighborhood by allowing a mix of residences and businesses while establishing regulations so that they coexist. This zoning district is serviced by public water and public sewer.

CH Commercial Highway Zoning District. The purpose of this zone is to provide suitable locations for retail and service business establishments intended to serve local residents as well as motorists traveling through the City. Specific setbacks and design standards are imposed to encourage off-street parking and loading zones in such a manner as to prevent traffic hazards and congestion. The uses permitted in the zone vary widely and are meant to be located in areas where no residences are located. Public sewer and water are available to service this zoning district.

OS Open Space Recreation Zoning District. The purpose of this zone is to provide for the preservation and protection of natural areas and resources, including but not limited surface waters, environmentally sensitive soils, steep slopes, woodlands and wildlife, while preserving and allowing for recreation and public recreational playgrounds in open spaces in an effort to protect the scenic beauty of the City. Public water and sewer are available to service this zoning district.

PI Public Institutional Zoning District. The purpose of this zone is to recognize the public, quasi-public, and institutional nature of particular parcels of land within the City and provide standards and guidelines for their continued use and future development of that land. The types of uses allowed in this zone include cemeteries, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, governmental offices and buildings, libraries, water reserves, and outdoor recreation. The requirements of this zoning district are intended to apply to publicly owned property, property owned by quasi-public or public service entities, and property used or planned to be used for certain institutional uses. Public sewer and water are available to service this zoning district.

LI Light Industrial Zoning District. The purpose of this zone is to provide locations for light industries to diversify the region's economy and offer valuable employment opportunities. This zone principally permits light and small-scale industries as permitted uses while requiring special exception approval for certain types of industries that are small, but have the potential for impacting residences given their close proximity to residences within the zone. Required lot sizes have been kept small to accommodate the startup industries that are likely to emerge. Design standards have been imposed to create attractive site designs and moderate the objectionable impacts associated with light industrial uses. Public sewer and water services this zoning district.

GI General Industrial Zoning District. The purpose of this zoning district is to provide for heavy industrial uses in locations which are suitable and appropriate, taking into consideration the land uses on adjacent or nearby properties, access to major streets, highways, air or other means of transportation, and the availability of public utilities. Principal uses include light manufacturing, warehousing and distribution of goods; and other uses that will not be detrimental to adjacent commercial or residential properties by reason of, but not limited to, excessive noise, dust, odor, smoke, vibrations, fumes or glare. Certain commercial uses are also allowed within this zone; however, industrial uses are principally preferred. Heavy industrial uses are permitted by special exception because of the nature of their operation, appearance, traffic generation, emission, and compatibility with other zoning districts, although the uses are necessary. This zone also allows for agricultural uses to the extent possible. Public sewer and water services this zoning district.

DOD Downtown Overlay District.

EOD Energy Overlay District. The purpose of this zoning district is to allow for uses that generate clean energy through renewable sources such as wind and solar in areas of the City most suitable for these types of uses. Wind and solar energy are an abundant, renewable, and nonpolluting energy resource that when harnessed to create electricity will reduce dependency on nonrenewable energy resources while decreasing pollution that results from the use of conventional energy sources. This district is located in areas of the City capable of producing such energy while posing minimal impacts upon residences and noncompatible nonresidential uses. Landowners intending to develop property within this zone for energy-related uses must comply with the provisions of the overlay district, as well as the provisions of the underlying zoning district.

HOD Historical Overlay District. The purpose of this zoning district is to protect historic resources, including but not limited to identifying and preserving through regulations historic structures, buildings, objects, and sites. Landowners of structures in this zone must comply with the provisions of the overlay district, as well as the provisions of the underlying zoning district.

Zoning district boundary lines are intended to follow or parallel the center line or right-of-way lines of streets, streams, creeks, City boundary lines, and lot lines as they exist on a recorded deed or plan in the Luzerne County Recorder of Deed's Office at the time of adoption of this chapter, unless such zoning district boundary lines are fixed by dimensions as shown on the Official Zoning Map.

Where zoning district boundaries are referenced by a distance or measurement from a specific feature, such distance shall be measured in feet and the district boundaries shall follow the specified setback.

Where a zoning district boundary is not fixed by dimensions and where it approximately follows lot lines and does not scale more than 10 feet therefrom, such lot lines shall be construed to be such boundaries unless specifically shown otherwise.

When the Zoning Officer is unable to determine the location of a zoning district, a person must appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board for a decision on the location of the zoning district.

If the Zoning Officer determines the location of a zoning district applying the guidelines under § 575-304, any aggrieved person may file an appeal with the Zoning Hearing Board for a decision on whether the Zoning Officer's determination of the location of a zoning district is correct. In doing so, the Zoning Hearing Board shall either affirm the determination of the Zoning Officer or reverse the determination of the Zoning Officer and decide the proper location of the zoning district at issue.