Lower Macungie Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 1
TITLE, PURPOSE, INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION OF REGULATIONS
§ 27-101 Title.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
An ordinance regulating and restricting the height, number of stories and size of buildings and other structures; their construction, structural alteration, extension and all facilities and services in or about such buildings and structures; the percentage of lot that may be occupied, the size of yards, courts and other open spaces; the density of dwelling units and the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence, recreation, public activities, grading or other purposes; and the establishment and maintenance of building lines and setback building lines.
§ 27-102 Short Title.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
This chapter shall be known as and may be cited as the "Lower Macungie Township Zoning Ordinance of 2019."
§ 27-103 Purpose.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
1.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety, morals and the general welfare of the present and future inhabitants of Lower Macungie Township by:
A.
Encouraging the most appropriate use of land and most sustainable form of development.
B.
Preventing the overcrowding of land.
C.
Avoiding undue congestion of population.
D.
Conserving and improving the value of land and buildings.
E.
Minimizing the impact of traffic on the roads and highways.
F.
Providing for adequate light and air.
G.
Securing safety from fire, panic, flood and other dangers.
H.
Facilitating the adequate provision of transportation, vehicular parking and loading space, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public grounds and facilities.
I.
Preserving prime agricultural and farmland considering topography, soil type and classification and present use.
J.
Giving reasonable consideration, among other things, to the character of all areas of the Township and their suitability for particular land uses.
K.
Giving effect to the policies, proposals and the statement of objectives and policies contained in the adopted Southwest Lehigh County Comprehensive Plan of 2017.
L.
Minimizing danger and congestion in travel and transportation, including, by example, distractions to the motoring public caused by billboards.
§ 27-104 Zoning Permit Required Prior to Land Use, Grading or Building Construction.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
Hereafter, there shall be no use of any land, construction, erection, structural change, alteration or addition of any structure or part of a structure, construction or grading or erection of any stationary sign unless a zoning permit has been approved by and acquired from the Township Zoning Officer. Failure to obtain a zoning permit shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
§ 27-105 Interpretation.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
In applying and interpreting the provisions of this chapter, the provisions shall be held to the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare. Where the provisions of any statute, other ordinance or regulation impose greater restrictions than this chapter, the provisions of such statute, ordinance or regulation shall be controlling.
§ 27-106 Uniformity of Application.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
The regulations of this chapter shall apply uniformly to each class of uses and structures within each district except as otherwise provided herein.
§ 27-107 Application of Regulations.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019]
1.
No structure or land shall be used or occupied and no structure or part thereof shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved or altered after the effective date of this chapter except in conformity with the intent and regulations specified in this chapter for the district in which the structure, land, or part thereof is located. This provision shall not apply to nonconformities as provided in Part 25 or where a variance is warranted as provided for in § 27-2604, Subsection 5D.
A.
No yard or lot existing at the effective date of this chapter shall be reduced in dimensions or area below this minimum applicable requirements specified in this chapter.
B.
Yards or lots created on or after the effective date of this chapter shall meet or exceed the minimum applicable requirements specified in this chapter.
§ 27-108 Savings Clause.
[Ord. No. 2019-10, 8/1/2019; Ord. No. 2025-04, 11/20/2025
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to affect any suit or proceeding pending in any court, or any rights acquired or liability incurred, or any issues or causes of action, acquired or existing under ordinances or parts thereof repealed by this chapter; nor shall any just or legal right or remedy of any character be lost, impaired or affected by this chapter.
For any use not specifically provided for in this Zoning Ordinance and where the proposed use is not included within another use which has been specifically provided for in this Zoning Ordinance, said use shall be permitted and regulated as a conditional use pursuant to §§ 27-2402 and 27-2403.
