Littlestown City Zoning Code
ARTICLE II
Residential Districts
§ 500-4 Intent.
In addition to the goals listed in the preamble and the community development objectives, 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 Borough 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 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 and 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 direction of building development in accord with a well-considered plan, to promote stable 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 Borough tax revenues.
§ 500-5 R-1 Low-Density Residential District.
A.
Specific intent. It is the purpose of this section to encourage single-family residential and age-qualified housing development which will blend with existing lower-density residential neighborhoods in the Borough.
[Amended 9-25-2007 by Ord. No. 612]
B.
Use regulations.
(1)
Uses by right. In any R-1 District, land, buildings, or premises shall be used by right only for one or more of the following:
(2)
(3)
Uses by special exception. The following uses shall be permitted as a special exception when authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board subject to Article IX of this chapter, and after review by the Planning Commission.
(4)
Uses by conditional use. The following uses shall be permitted as a conditional use when authorized by the Borough Council subject to an advertised public hearing and review and comment by the Planning Commission.
[Added 3-27-2018 by Ord. No. 685]
C.
Area and bulk regulations. The following regulations shall be observed:
[Amended 8-27-1996 by Ord. No. 478; 7-28-1998 by Ord. No. 497; 5-2-2007 by Ord. No. 610]
(1)
Lot size: 10,000 square feet minimum.
(2)
Lot width at building setback line: 80 feet minimum.
(3)
Lot width at street line: 60 feet minimum.
(4)
Lot coverage: 40% maximum. Increased from 25%.
[Amended 3-8-2022 by Ord. No. 704
(6)
Setback: 30 feet minimum.
(7)
Side yards: 10 feet minimum.
(8)
Rear yard: 30 feet minimum.
(9)
Maximum building height: 35 feet or three stories.
§ 500-6 R-2 Medium-Density Residential District.
[Amended 6-28-1988 by Ord. No. 383; 7-28-1998 by Ord. No. 497; 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 518;[1] 5-28-2002 by Ord. No. 551; 1-28-2003 by Ord. No. 556; 1-25-2005 by Ord. No. 591, 9-25-2007 by Ord. No. 612; 1-25-2005 by Ord. No. 591; 5-22-2007 by Ord. No. 610; 9-25-2007 by Ord. No. 612; 10-23-2007 by Ord. No. 614; 1-22-2008 by Ord. No. 618; 5-24-2011 by Ord. No. 650; 3-27-2018 by Ord. No. 685; 3-8-2022 by Ord. No. 704; 2-18-2025 by Ord. No. 713]
A.
Specific intent. It is the purpose of this section to provide for medium-density single-family residential development and age-qualified housing development which will blend with existing moderate-density residential neighborhoods in the Borough.
B.
Use regulations.
(1)
Uses by right. In any R-2 District, land, buildings or premises shall be used by right only for one or more of the following:
(3)
Uses by special exception. The following uses shall be permitted as a special exception when authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board subject to Article IX of this chapter, and after review by the Planning Commission.
(a)
Houses of worship, philanthropic or institutional use, excluding hospitals, sanitariums, penal or corrective institutions.
(b)
School.
(c)
Golf course.
(d)
Cemetery.
(e)
Bed-and-breakfast establishments, in accordance with the following minimum requirements:
[1]
The bed-and-breakfast establishment shall have primary street frontage on Pa. Route 194 (East or West King Street), Pa. Route 97 (North or South Queen Street);
[2]
The minimum lot size shall be 21,780 square feet (1/2 acre);
[3]
Where a bed-and-breakfast establishment is proposed on a corner lot, the front of the lot shall be deemed to be located along the adjoining state highway. The rear of the lot shall be deemed to be the lot line opposite the front of the lot;
[4]
Off-street parking areas shall be provided, located, and designed according to the applicable standards of § 500-19G and I. No parking shall be permitted between the bed-and-breakfast establishment and the front and side property lines. All off-street parking shall be located to the rear of the bed-and-breakfast establishment;
[5]
A maximum of eight guest rooms or suites are permitted in bed-and-breakfast establishments;
[6]
Meals served at bed-and-breakfast establishments shall be limited to breakfasts;
[7]
Cooking facilities are prohibited in all guest rooms;
[8]
Common rest rooms are permitted in bed-and-breakfast establishments. If used, common rest rooms in bed-and-breakfasts shall be provided at the rate of two bathrooms for every three guest rooms;
[9]
Any required exterior improvements to the building, such as those required to meet applicable fire safety requirements, shall be located, to the maximum extent possible, to the rear of the building and shall not detract from the architectural character of the building; and
[10]
For bed-and-breakfast establishments, either the bed-and-breakfast owner(s) or designated operator(s)/manager(s) shall maintain a permanent residence within the bed-and-breakfast establishment.
(4)
Conditional uses. The following uses shall be permitted as a conditional use when authorized by the Borough Council, subject to an advertised public hearing and review and comment by the Littlestown Borough Planning Commission.
(a)
Professional office complexes, subject to the following special requirements:
[1]
The proposed conditional use will not substantially injure or detract from the use of neighboring properties or from the character of the neighborhood and that the use of property adjacent to the area included in the proposed plan is adequately safeguarded.
[2]
The proposed conditional use will serve the best interests of the Borough, the convenience of the community, and the public welfare.
[3]
The minimum lot size shall be one acre, and may allow up to two professional office complexes on the site. Each single-level facility shall not exceed 20,000 square feet in size.
[4]
Professional offices permitted within the facility include offices for physicians, dentists, lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, insurance agents, newspaper reporters, freelance reporters and/or photographers, artists, planners, architects, engineers, travel agents and similar professional offices.
[5]
A minimum of 1,000 square feet per professional office shall be allocated within the facility.
[6]
The architectural design of the exterior of the building shall be in keeping with other structures in the immediate neighborhood.
[7]
Hours of operation shall be limited to 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
[8]
Any trash containers shall be shielded from public view by a decorative solid fence or evergreen shrubbery. If a vegetative screen is used, the screen shall meet the requirements of § 500-19G.
[9]
Off-street parking shall be provided at the rate of one space for every employee and two additional parking spaces for each professional.
C.
Area and bulk regulation.
(1)
For single-family detached.
(a)
Lot size: 8,000 square feet minimum.
(b)
Lot width at building setback line: 65 feet minimum.
(c)
Lot width at street line: 40 feet minimum.
(d)
Lot coverage: 45% maximum. Increased from 30%.
(e)
Green space: 55% minimum.
(g)
Side yards: 20 feet aggregate total with eight-foot minimum.
(h)
Rear yard: 25 feet minimum. Decreased from 30 feet.
(i)
Maximum building height: 28 feet or 2 1/2 stories.
(2)
For single-family semidetached.
(a)
Lot size/dwelling unit: 5,000 square feet minimum.
(b)
Total lot size, both dwelling units: 10,000 square feet minimum.
(c)
Lot width at building setback line/dwelling unit: 50 feet minimum.
(d)
Lot width at building setback line/both dwelling units: 100 feet minimum.
(e)
Lot coverage: 50% maximum. Increased from 25%.
(f)
Green space: 50% minimum.
(g)
Setback: 20 feet minimum.
(h)
Side yards: 10 feet minimum.
(i)
Rear yard: 25 feet minimum.
(j)
Building height: 28 feet or 1 1/2 stories.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that it shall take effect 4-8-2000. The following regulations shall be observed:
§ 500-7 R-3 High-Density Residential District.
A.
Specific intent. It is the purpose of this section to provide for higher-density residential development and age-qualified housing development, as well as variety of dwelling unit types, which will blend with existing higher-density residential areas within the Borough and which will be in close proximity to commercial areas and/or centers of employment.
[Amended 9-25-2007 by Ord. No. 612]
B.
Use regulations.
(1)
Uses by right. In any R-3 District, land, buildings, or premises shall be used by right for only one or more of the following:
(a)
Single-family detached dwelling.
(b)
Single-family semidetached dwelling.
(c)
Garden apartments, comprised of 12 or fewer apartment units per building.
[Amended 4-23-2019 by Ord. No. 692]
(d)
Townhouses.
(e)
Church or other place of worship, seminary or convent, parish house or Sunday school building.
(f)
Public and private elementary schools.
(g)
Professional office of one physician, dentist, lawyer, architect, engineer, musician, artist, teacher, real estate broker, registered nurse, or other similar professional person in a residential building subject to the following special requirements in addition to all other applicable requirements of this chapter.
[1]
Three off-street parking spaces in addition to those otherwise required in this chapter.
[2]
No more than two persons shall be employed by the practitioner of the profession occupation to provide secretarial, clerical, technical or similar assistance.
[3]
The area used for the practice of the profession shall occupy no more than 25% of the floor area, or 500 square feet, whichever is less.
[4]
No storage of materials or products outside the dwelling unit shall be permitted unless completely housed.
[5]
The profession shall be clearly incidental to the residential use of the dwelling unit and shall not change the essential residential character of the dwelling.
[6]
No external alterations inconsistent with the residential use of the dwelling shall be permitted.
[7]
No display of products shall be visible from outside the buildings.
(h)
Physician's and dentist's offices, subject to the following special requirements:
(i)
Park, playground, athletic field, recreation building, and community center operated on a noncommercial basis for recreation purposes.
(j)
Municipal services building, excluding service garages and open storage.
(2)
Accessory uses. Only the following accessory uses shall be permitted:
(a)
Customary residential accessory uses.
(3)
Uses by special exception. The following uses shall be permitted as a special exception when authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board subject to Article IX of this chapter, and after review by the Planning Commission.
(a)
Day-care centers, kindergartens, preschools, and day nursery schools, subject to the following special requirements:
[1]
At least 100 square feet of outdoor play space per child shall be provided.
[2]
Outdoor play space shall be fenced or otherwise enclosed on all sides and shall not include driveways, parking areas, or land unsuited by other usage or natural features for children's active play space.
[3]
Fencing or other enclosures shall be a minimum height of four feet and shall be subject to all setback requirements for the district within which it is located.
(4)
Conditional uses. The following uses shall be permitted as a conditional use when authorized by the Borough Council, subject to an advertised public hearing and review and comments by the Littlestown Borough Planning Commission.
[Added 5-24-2011 by Ord. No. 650]
C.
Area and bulk regulations.
[Amended 10-26-1993 by Ord. No. 439; 2-28-1995 by Ord. No. 456; 7-28-1998 by Ord. No. 497; 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 520[4]; 5-22-2007 by Ord. No. 610]
(1)
The following area and bulk regulations shall be observed:
(a)
For single-family detached.
[1]
Lot size: 6,000 square feet minimum.
[2]
Setback: 20 feet minimum.
[3]
Lot width at building setback line: 60 feet minimum.
[4]
Rear yard: 25 feet minimum.
[5]
Side yard: 15 feet aggregate total; five-foot minimum.
[6]
Lot coverage: 50% maximum. Increased from 35%.
[Amended 3-8-2022 by Ord. No. 704]
[8]
Building height: 35 feet or three stories maximum.
(b)
For single-family semidetached.
[1]
Lot area/dwelling unit: 5,000 square feet minimum.
[2]
Total lot size, both dwelling units: 10,000 square feet minimum.
[3]
Lot width at building setback line/dwelling unit: 50 feet minimum.
[4]
Lot width at building setback line/both unit: 100 feet minimum.
[5]
Setback: 20 feet minimum.
[6]
Rear yard: 25 feet minimum.
[7]
Side yard: 10 feet minimum.
[8]
Lot coverage: 55% maximum. Increased from 40%.
[Amended 3-8-2022 by Ord. No. 704]
[10]
Building height: 35 feet or three stories maximum.
(c)
For townhouses.
[2]
Total lot size, all dwelling units: 16,000 square feet minimum.
[3]
Setback: 20 feet minimum.
[4]
Lot width at building setback line/dwelling unit: 20 feet minimum.
[5]
Lot width at building setback line/all units: 80 feet minimum.
[6]
Rear yard: 20 feet minimum.
[7]
Side yard: 10 feet minimum.
[8]
Lot coverage: 55% maximum. Increased from 40%.
[Amended 3-8-2022 by Ord. No. 704]
[10]
Building height: 35 feet or three stories maximum.
(d)
For garden apartments.
[1]
Lot size/dwelling unit: 3,000 square feet minimum.
[2]
Lot size, all dwelling units: 36,000 square feet minimum.
[3]
Setback: 50 feet minimum.
[4]
Lot width at building setback line: 50 feet minimum.
[5]
Rear yard: 50 feet minimum.
[6]
Side yard: 50 feet minimum.
[7]
Lot coverage: 50% maximum. Increased from 35%.
[Amended 3-8-2022 by Ord. No. 704]
[9]
Building height: 35 feet or three stories maximum.
(2)
In addition to the above listed area and bulk regulations, single-family attached (townhouses) and garden apartment buildings shall be erected so that there is not less than 50 feet between building facings where more than one building is to be located on a single lot.
[4]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that it shall take effect 4-8-2000.
§ 500-8 Town Center Residential (TCR) District.
[Added 2-28-1995 by Ord. No. 456]
A.
Specific intent. In addition to the general goals listed in the preamble, it is the purpose of this district to establish reasonable standards applicable to the existing mix of residential uses within the TCR District. Furthermore, it is the intent of this section to:
(1)
Apply the TCR District to those portions of Littlestown's historic core area which do not have direct access to King Street and Queen Street.
(2)
Encourage the formation and continuance of quiet, compatible, and uncongested neighborhoods where a variety of residential dwelling types intermingle harmoniously.
(3)
Discourage the encroachment of commercial establishments or other uses which may adversely affect the residential character of the TCR District.
(4)
Provide for uses that will create transitional areas between areas of the Borough which have developed as contemporary residential neighborhoods and the more intensely developed mixed-use areas of Littlestown's historic core.
(5)
Protect the essential architectural and historic elements of Littlestown's older residential neighborhoods by requiring "infill" development or building additions or expansions to be consistent with the general architectural styles, setbacks, height, bulk, and placement of structures located on adjoining properties and within the blockface in which the "infill" development or building addition or expansion is proposed.
(6)
Recognize the predominant row house, twin, and single-family residential dwelling unit patterns found in the TCR District and provide standards to maintain those patterns.
(7)
Provide for home occupations under appropriate circumstances.
B.
Use regulations.
(1)
Uses by right. In any TCR District, land, buildings, or premises may be used by right for the following uses:
(3)
Uses by conditional use. The following uses shall be permitted as a conditional use when authorized by the Borough Council subject to an advertised public hearing and review and comment by the Planning Commission.
[Added 3-27-2018 by Ord. No. 685]
C.
Supplementary regulations.
(1)
The following criteria shall be applied to any use proposed on properties within the TCR District which contain a structure(s) existing at the time this section became effective.
(a)
If an existing structure is demolished, no conditional use will be permitted in the replacement building.
(b)
The proposed use shall preserve the architectural character of the front and side facades visible from public streets within the TCR District. Any expansions or additions built from the rear or side of the structure shall conform in scale and building material to the existing building. Expansions or additions from the front of the structure are not permitted.
(2)
The following criteria shall be applied to any use proposed on properties within the TCR District which do not have structure(s) existing on the lot at the time this section became effective.
(a)
New buildings may be constructed on a vacant lot, provided that the lot and building conform in all aspects to the requirements of this zoning district.
(b)
Any new building shall be of such size, scale, general appearance, and building material so as to conform to the general nature of surrounding buildings and not detract from the intent of this section to preserve the appearance of the historic neighborhoods of Littlestown. Applicants shall provide a rendering, as part of any zoning application, showing the front and side facades facing the street. The rendering shall show all architectural elements and indicate the material to be used in construction.
D.
Area and bulk regulations. The following regulations shall be observed:
(1)
The minimum lot size shall be 5,000 square feet for single-family detached lots, 4,500 square feet per dwelling unit for single-family semidetached and two-family family lots or units, and 4,000 square feet per dwelling unit for single-family attached (townhouse) lots or units.
[Amended 5-22-2007 by Ord. No. 610]
(2)
The minimum lot width shall be 40 feet for single-family detached lots, 35 feet/dwelling unit for single-family semidetached and two-family lots or units, and 25 feet/dwelling unit plus sufficient lot width to meet the side yard requirements of Subsection D(5) for single-family attached (townhouse) lots or units. Minimum lot width shall be measured at the minimum required front building setback line.
[Amended 5-22-2007 by Ord. No. 610]
(3)
(4)
Front yards shall meet the following standards:
(a)
The minimum front yard shall be 10 feet, measured from the street right-of-way line, unless adjoining properties contain structures with less front yard depth. In that event, the existing front yard setback may conform to the existing front yard depth of the adjoining properties.
(b)
The entire front yard shall be maintained as a landscaped area, except for walkways connecting the entrances with the public sidewalk and for one access driveway.
(c)
Existing trees in front yard areas shall not be cut down unless they interfere with an existing or proposed driveway or become diseased.
(5)
Side yards shall meet the following standards:
(a)
The minimum side yard shall be five feet, but the combined width of both side yards shall be 12 feet. When the lot is located in an area of the TCR District where existing structures on adjacent properties have been constructed closer to the side property line than the required five feet, minimum side yard requirements may be waived.
(6)
Rear yards shall meet the following standards:
(a)
The minimum rear yard depth shall be 15 feet for primary structures and five feet for accessory structures.
(7)
The maximum height of any structure within the TCR shall not exceed 35 feet.
(8)
The maximum width or primary frontage of any structure, excluding single-family semidetached, row house, or townhouse structures, within the TCR District shall not exceed 30 feet measured horizontally along the front of the building. The maximum width or primary frontage of single-family semidetached structures with in the TCR District shall not exceed 25 feet per dwelling unit measured horizontally along the front of the building. The maximum width or primary frontage of row houses or townhouses within the TCR District shall not exceed 80 feet.
[Amended 5-22-2007 by Ord. No. 610]