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Lower Mount Bethel Township
City Zoning Code

PART 5

LD - Low Density Residential District

§ 27-501 Purpose.

[Ord. No. 2022-02, 7/11/2022]
The purpose of the LD - Low Density Residential District is to provide for low density residential uses in areas of the Township where rural-suburban development already exists, yet where extension of public sewer is not anticipated, and where potential intensity of development is not likely to impede preservation of existing agricultural areas.

§ 27-502 Use Regulations.

[Ord. No. 2022-02, 7/11/2022]
1. 
Uses Permitted by Right. A building or other structure may be erected, altered, or used, and a lot may be used or occupied, for any one of the following principal uses by right, together with permitted accessory uses, in accordance with the terms of this chapter:
A. 
Single-family detached dwelling.
B. 
Single-family semi-detached dwelling.
C. 
Two-family detached dwelling.
D. 
Single-family attached dwellings provided with centralized water supply and centralized sewage system.
E. 
Forestry, where conducted in compliance with all applicable provisions of Part 13 of this chapter.
F. 
Conservation uses including woodlands preserve, arboretum or other similar use.
G. 
Municipal uses, including municipal offices, recreational areas, facilities and utilities.
H. 
Agricultural uses, including only horticulture, crop farming, orchards, vineyards, and tree farms, and excluding all other agricultural uses.
I. 
Temporary event subject to the standards of § 27-1529.
J. 
Temporary structure subject to the standards of § 27-1530.
K. 
Temporary use subject to the standards of § 27-1530.
2. 
Uses Permitted by Approval of Special Exception. A building or other structure may be erected, altered, or used, and a lot may be used or occupied, for any one of the following principal uses, together with permitted accessory uses, where approved by the Zoning Hearing Board as a special exception pursuant to Part 18:
A. 
Public utility building, structure or facility, other than municipal use.
3. 
Uses Permitted as Conditional Use. A building or other structure may be erected, altered, or used, and a lot may be used or occupied, for any one of the following principal uses, together with permitted accessory uses, where approved by the Board of Supervisors as a conditional use pursuant to § 27-1705:
A. 
Multifamily dwellings provided with centralized water supply and centralized sewage system.
B. 
Bed-and-breakfast subject to the standards of § 27-1508.
C. 
Short-term lodging facilities within single-family detached dwellings subject to the standards of § 27-1527.
D. 
Cultural or historical facilities.
E. 
Special event venue subject to the standards of § 27-1528.
F. 
Conversion of existing agricultural structures subject to the standards of § 27-1513.
G. 
Church or other place of worship subject to the standards of § 27-1512.
H. 
Cemetery, columbaria, mausoleum or mortuary, subject to the standards of § 27-1511.
I. 
Public or private academic schools approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and subject to the standards of § 27-1516.
J. 
Outdoor recreation uses such as parks, playgrounds, picnic grounds, swimming clubs, golf courses or country clubs, all subject to the standards of § 27-1524, except for municipal uses.
K. 
Mobile home park subject to the provisions of Part 11.
4. 
Accessory Uses. The following accessory uses shall be permitted, where in compliance with all applicable provisions of Part 15 and provided that they shall be incidental to any of the uses permitted by right, special exception or conditional use in this LD - Low Density Residential District:
A. 
Private garage or private parking area.
B. 
No-impact home-based business.
C. 
Home occupation subject to the standards of § 27-1518 where permitted as a special exception.
D. 
Yard or garage sale, subject to the standards of § 27-1519 where applicable pursuant to the definition in Part 2.
E. 
Accessory dwelling unit where permitted as a conditional use subject to the standards of § 27-1503 and § 27-1705.
F. 
Uses or structures accessory to existing non-conforming agricultural uses to the extent which they support the activity of the farm upon which they are located, including barns, silos, bulk bins, and other structures essential to the farm operation, including roadside stands, pursuant to the standards set forth in § 27-1526.
G. 
Uses or structures customarily incidental to a permitted outdoor recreation use such as parking areas, refreshment stands, concessions, fireplaces, pavilions, and picnic tables, provided that such accessory uses are operated only when the main use is open and are being used in conjunction with the main use.
H. 
Signs, pursuant to § 27-1413.
I. 
Customary private noncommercial swimming pool.
J. 
Alternative or renewable energy systems accessory to a permitted use and not for commercial energy production subject to the provisions set forth in Part 12.
K. 
Keeping of animals subject to the standards of § 27-1415.
L. 
Other customary accessory structures and uses.

§ 27-503 Area and Bulk Regulations.

[Ord. No. 2022-02, 7/11/2022]
1. 
Where Sewage Disposal is Supplied by an Individual On-Site System, Regardless of Water Supply:
A. 
Minimum lot area: one acre.
B. 
Minimum lot width at street line: 50 feet.
C. 
Minimum lot width at front yard setback, except for flag lots where permitted pursuant to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance,[1] in which case the front yard setback shall be measured from the end of the flag: 120 feet.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 22 of this Code.
D. 
Minimum front yard setback from ultimate right-of-way for all structures, except in the case of permitted flag lots where the setback shall be measured from the end of the flag: 40 feet.
E. 
Minimum side yard, principal structures (each side): 25 feet.
F. 
Minimum side yard, accessory structures (each side): 25 feet except, where the height of the accessory structure is less than 25 feet, the minimum side yard may be reduced to a distance not less than equal to the height of the accessory structure. No side yard shall be reduced to less than five feet nor shall any accessory structure be placed in any perimeter drainage or utility easement.
G. 
Minimum rear yard, principal structures: 50 feet.
H. 
Minimum rear yard, accessory structures not less than equal to the height of the accessory structure. No rear yard shall be reduced to less than five feet nor shall any accessory structure be placed in any perimeter drainage or utility easement.
I. 
Maximum percentage of impervious surface: 25%.
J. 
Maximum building height, principal structures: 35 feet, except as provided in § 27-1403.
K. 
Maximum building height, accessory structures: 25 feet, excluding permitted agricultural structures.
2. 
Where Sewage Disposal is Centralized and Water is Supplied by an Individual On-Site System:
A. 
Minimum lot area:
(1) 
Single-family detached dwelling: 15,000 square feet;
(2) 
Two-family dwelling, per dwelling: 9,500 square feet;
(3) 
All other uses: 25,000 square feet.
B. 
Minimum lot width at street line, all uses: 50 feet.
C. 
Minimum lot width at front yard setback, except for flag lots where permitted pursuant to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance,[2] in which case the front yard setback shall be measured from the end of the flag:
(1) 
Single-family detached dwelling: 100 feet;
(2) 
Two-family dwelling, per dwelling: 60 feet;
(3) 
All other uses: 120 feet.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 22 of this Code.
D. 
Minimum front yard setback from ultimate right-of-way for all structures, except in the case of permitted flag lots where the setback shall be measured from the end of the flag:
(1) 
Single-family detached dwelling: 30 feet;
(2) 
Two-family dwelling: 30 feet;
(3) 
All other structures: 40 feet.
E. 
Minimum side yard, all detached principal structures (each side): 15 feet. For attached structures, no side yard is required where there is a common property line at the attached portion of the buildings. The minimum side yard is required between any non-attached side of any structure and any adjacent, non-common, side lot line.
F. 
Minimum side yard, accessory structures (each side): 15 feet except, where the height of the accessory structure is less than 15 feet, the minimum side yard may be reduced to a distance not less than equal to the height of the accessory structure. No side yard shall be reduced to less than five feet nor shall any accessory structure be placed in any perimeter drainage or utility easement.
G. 
Minimum rear yard, principal structures: 40 feet.
H. 
Minimum rear yard, accessory structures: not less than equal to the height of the accessory structure. No rear yard shall be reduced to less than five feet nor shall any accessory structure be placed in any perimeter drainage or utility easement.
I. 
Maximum percentage of impervious surface, all uses: 35%.
J. 
Maximum building height, principal structures: 35 feet, except as provided in § 27-1403.
K. 
Maximum building height, accessory structures: 25 feet, excluding permitted agricultural structures.
3. 
Where Sewage Disposal and Water are Both Supplied by Centralized Systems:
A. 
Minimum lot area:
(1) 
Single-family detached dwelling: 9,000 square feet;
(2) 
Two-family dwelling, per dwelling: 6,000 square feet;
(3) 
Single-family attached dwellings: 20,000 square feet;
(4) 
Multifamily dwellings (per building): 20,000 square feet;
(5) 
All other uses: 20,000 square feet.
B. 
Minimum lot width at street line, all uses: 50 feet.
C. 
Minimum lot width at front yard setback, except for flag lots where permitted pursuant to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance,[3] in which case the front yard setback shall be measured from the end of the flag:
(1) 
Single-family detached dwelling: 70 feet;
(2) 
Two-family dwelling, per dwelling: 60 feet;
(3) 
All other uses, per building or attached row: 100 feet.
[3]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 22 of this Code.
D. 
Minimum front yard setback from ultimate right-of-way for all structures, except in the case of permitted flag lots where the setback shall be measured from the end of the flag:
(1) 
Single-family detached dwelling: 25 feet;
(2) 
Two-family dwelling: 25 feet;
(3) 
All other structures: 35 feet.
E. 
Minimum side yard, all detached principal structures (each side): 10 feet. For attached structures, no side yard is required where there is a common property line at the attached portion of the buildings. The minimum side yard is required between any non-attached side of any structure and any adjacent, non-common, side lot line.
F. 
Minimum side yard, accessory structures (each side): 10 feet except, where the height of the accessory structure is less than 10 feet, the minimum side yard may be reduced to a distance not less than equal to the height of the accessory structure. No side yard shall be reduced to less than five feet nor shall any accessory structure be placed in any perimeter drainage or utility easement.
G. 
Minimum rear yard, principal structures: 30 feet.
H. 
Minimum rear yard, accessory structures: not less than equal to the height of the accessory structure. No rear yard shall be reduced to less than five feet nor shall any accessory structure be placed in any perimeter drainage or utility easement.
I. 
Maximum percentage of impervious surface, all uses: 45%.
J. 
Maximum building height, principal structures: 35 feet, except as provided in § 27-1403.
K. 
Maximum building height, accessory structures: 25 feet, excluding permitted agricultural structures.

§ 27-504 Other Standards.

[Ord. No. 2022-02, 7/11/2022]
All uses shall comply with all other applicable standards in this chapter and all other applicable ordinances or regulations.