Londonderry Township
City Zoning Code

The Agricultural District is comprised primarily of the existing agricultural area of the Township and those areas where environmental conditions are most conducive to high crop yields. The Agricultural District is intended to promote the continuation and preservation of permitted agricultural activities in those areas designated and most suitable for such activities. This district also intends to protect and stabilize the Township's viable agricultural economy by permitting only those uses that are compatible with farming. The Agricultural District is intended to conserve areas with concentrations of prime agricultural soils and/or areas where agricultural activities are prevalent.

This district is intended to reduce conflicts between nonagricultural uses and agricultural uses, such as to minimize complaints from residents in the Agricultural District regarding the use of nutrients, pesticides, and herbicides, as well as engaging in nuisance-related activities from normal agricultural activities that generate noise, dust, odor and other routine impacts.

This district is intended to allow specifically approved accessory business uses that act to sustain agricultural activities. This district also seeks to minimize the types of nonagricultural uses that are most likely to consume large amounts of agricultural land.

Agriculture, as defined in Part 3, and customary, secondary and incidental accessory uses thereto, including the following uses, but not including an intensive raising of livestock and poultry use, which shall require special exception approval.

No-impact home-based businesses, as defined by the Municipalities Planning Code.[1]

Home occupations, in compliance with the regulations in Part 16, § 1602, Subsection 2.

Bed-and-breakfast establishments, in compliance with the conditions in Part 16, § 1602, Subsection 8, and provided such use shall not result in the removal from agricultural activities of more than five acres of prime agricultural soils.

Horse riding academy and boarding of horses, in compliance with the applicable regulations for animals and poultry in Part 16, § 1601.

Single-family dwellings, with the exception of transportable manufactured/mobile homes that are not affixed to a permanent foundation, with no more than two accessory buildings other than farm-use-related structures.

Churches and other places of worship and cemeteries, provided that a lot occupied by such use(s) shall not include more than five acres of prime agricultural soils.

Public utility transmission and distribution systems.

Radio and television towers and other communications towers and antennas, in compliance with the conditions in Part 16, § 1615, provided that the total of such uses on a lot shall not result in the removal from agricultural activities of more than 1/2 acre of prime agriculture soils.

Structures and uses owned and/or operated by Londonderry Township or a municipal authority created by the Township for public, recreation or utility purposes.

Signs pertaining to a use conducted on the property and meeting the requirements of Part 18.

Customary accessory buildings and customary incidental accessory uses, as defined in Part 3, to a permitted use under this § 502.

Conservation areas and structures for the conservation of open space, water, soil, forest and wildlife resources, which may include hiking trails owned by governmental entities, and camps.

Winery and those accessory uses to a winery set forth in this subsection, subject to the following limitations:

Light family farm support businesses, provided that conditions specified in Part 16, § 1601, for light family farm support businesses are met.

Wind turbine(s) with a maximum total height from the ground level to the top of the extended blade of 300 feet, and provided such use does not result in the removal from agricultural activities of more than five acres of prime agricultural soils. The minimum setback in feet from all lot lines and street rights-of-way shall not exceed such maximum total extended height in feet.

Solar energy collectors, provided such use does not result in the removal from agricultural activities of more than five acres of prime agricultural soils.

Kennels in compliance with the applicable regulations for animals and poultry in Part 16, § 1601, provided such use does not result in the removal from agricultural activities of more than five acres of prime agricultural soils.

Public pumping stations.

Slaughterhouse, provided conditions specified in Part 16, § 1614, Criteria for Slaughter Houses, are met.

Golf course, provided that the following requirements are met:

(Reserved)

General family farm support businesses, including the sale and repair of agricultural equipment, sale of feed, seeds and fertilizer, and closely similar businesses that serve and supply local agricultural activities, but not including industrial feed mills or fertilizer production, provided that conditions specified in Part 16, § 1601, for family farm support businesses are met.

Airports, public and private, for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, both airports and aircraft as defined in Part 20, § 2003, provided such use does not result in the removal from agricultural activities of more than 20 acres of prime agricultural soils. If land adjacent to a runway continues to be used for agricultural activities, it shall not be included in such twenty-acre maximum.

The minimum lot area shall be not less than 43,560 square feet (one acre).

Each residential lot shall contain no more than two acres of prime agricultural soil unless the applicant proves to the Zoning Officer that:

The number of lots that may be approved is limited by this section. Each lot shall not be occupied by more than one dwelling unit or principal nonagricultural use, except where a lawful nonconforming situation exists. The following table establishes the maximum number of lots that shall be allowed from a parent tract of land, based upon the acreage of the tract that existed as of April 17, 2001. For example, if a forty-acre parent tract existed in 2002, and it is allowed seven total lots, and two new lots were approved in 2010, then up to four new lots may be approved, in addition to the remainder lot.

Whenever a subdivision is approved, the record plan shall clearly state which lots retain the rights of future subdivision and how many lots, if any, may be created in the future in accordance with Subsection 3. A statement to this affect shall be also be recorded with the property deed, and such provision shall continue in effect unless and until a future amendment to this Zoning Ordinance may allow additional subdivisions. Such text shall be subject to preapproval by the Township.

Lots that are solely created to include public water supply, stormwater or sanitary sewage facilities shall not count towards the maximum number of lots.

A lot created to be to be transferred to an entity with the power of eminent domain shall not count towards the maximum number of lots.

Land areas that are leased solely for a communications tower or a wind turbine shall not count towards the maximum number of lots.

An applicant may, at his/her option, have two or more adjacent lots in common ownership be considered together in determining the number of allowed lots. In such case, the record plan shall state the number of lots allowed to be created on each of those lots. For example, a landowner may obtain approval to have all of the lots that would have been allowed on a larger lot to instead be approved on an adjacent smaller lot on the other side of the street.

A revision to the boundary between two existing lots may be approved, provided it does not result in reduced land area being available for agricultural production, unless it is necessary to meet on-lot sewage regulations.

Agricultural Nuisance Disclaimer. The Township may require that the following language or similar preapproved text be placed on the deeds of all new lots in the A District:

"As of the date of this notice, this lot was located within the A Agricultural Zoning District. The primary purpose of this district is for commercial agricultural production. Owners, residents and other users of this property may be subjected to unpleasant conditions resulting from normal agricultural practices, including but not limited to: noise, odors, dust, operation of machinery of any kind, including aircraft, the storage and disposal of manure, the application of fertilizers, soil amendments, herbicides and pesticides. Owners, occupants and users of this property are hereby made aware that the Pennsylvania Right to Farm Law, 3 P.S. § 951 et seq., as amended, may limit legal actions to control nuisances from normal agricultural practices."

The lot width shall be not less than 25 feet at the front street line measured at the street right-of-way line and 100 feet at the minimum front yard building setback line.

The lot width at the minimum building setback line along the bulb of a cul-de-sac of a street shall be no less than 100 feet.

No more than two flag lots may be subdivided from a parent tract that existed as of April 17, 2001. A flag lot does not meet the minimum lot width at the minimum building setback line, but instead meets the minimum lot width at the proposed building setback line. A flag lot shall include a minimum 30 feet width of land area that connects the building site to a public street. The driveway shall be located within the lot lines of each flag lot.

Front yard depth: 35 feet.

Side yards: 15 feet each.

Rear yard depth: 25 feet.

General Rule. The lot area occupied by all buildings shall not exceed 20% of the lot area. The lot area occupied by the total of all man- made surfaces that are impervious to runoff and all parking areas, buildings and driveways shall not exceed 30% of the lot area.

Exception for Public Pumping Stations. The requirements of this section shall not apply to public pumping stations.