Mount Joy Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VII
R – Rural District
§ 135-61 District purpose.
[Amended 3-16-2015 by Ord. No. 293-2015]
The primary purpose of the Rural District is to promote a continuation of the rural character of the Township, characterized by farming, a mixture of sparsely developed residential areas, and other small-scale nonresidential uses which do not require infrastructure typically associated with higher-density development such as public water or public sewer. The district generally includes areas not possessing prime agricultural soils; nonetheless, its sparse development contributes to the Township's overall rural character. This district is also used as a holding area for land inside the designated growth area that does not have the infrastructure to support higher-density development in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan.
§ 135-62 Permitted-by-right uses.
Permitted-by-right uses shall be as follows:
A.
Any form of agriculture, subject to the requirements of § 135-212, and further provided that the commercial keeping and handling of poultry, livestock and other animals shall not be maintained in tracts of less than 10 acres in size.
B.
Single-family detached dwellings.
F.
Place of worship and its customary related uses in accordance with § 135-251, with a maximum floor area of 20,000 square feet.
G.
Municipal uses, and related public utilities.
H.
Publicly owned recreational facilities.
I.
Public and private schools and related uses, excluding vocational schools and dormitories, in accordance with § 135-254.
J.
Veterinary facilities, excluding kennels.
K.
Stables, provided that any barn, stable or corral is located a minimum of 100 feet from any lot line and 200 feet from any dwelling, other than the dwelling of the owner of the animals.
N.
Greenhouses, including retail sales that are limited to a roadside produce stand meeting the requirements of § 135-258.
O.
Agritourism enterprises on a farm lot with a minimum lot area of 10 acres, in accordance with § 135-213.
R.
Forestry and related uses; provided that the applicant provides copies of the permits and approvals from the DEP, and/or any other applicable state or federal permit authorizing such use to occur.
S.
Nature preserves and related uses, including walking, hiking, biking and horseback riding trails and paths.
U.
Accessory structures and uses customarily incidental to the above-permitted uses.
§ 135-63 Special exception uses.
The following uses are permitted when special exceptions are granted by written approval of the Zoning Hearing Board. In granting any special exception, the Board may attach certain conditions to its approval which it feels are necessary requirements in order to preserve and protect the character of the district in which the proposed use would locate. The burden shall be upon the applicant to prove that the approval of the application will not be detrimental to the health, safety and general welfare of the community.
C.
Nursing or personal care homes in accordance with § 135-248, with a maximum floor area of 20,000 square feet.
D.
Golf courses, including clubhouse, pro shop, restaurant and other accessory uses, provided that such uses are clearly accessory to the golf course. All golf courses shall comply with § 135-229.
I.
Farm-related businesses, each on a farm lot with a minimum lot area of 10 acres, in accordance with § 135-227.
L.
Horse boarding facilities; including riding schools, academies and/or private riding clubs, in accordance with § 135-235.
M.
Greenhouse and horticultural activities which include retail sales which are in excess of a roadside produce stand, in accordance with § 135-230.
O.
Community sewage or water supply facility.
P.
Accessory structures and uses customarily incidental to the above uses.
§ 135-64 Conditional uses.
(Reserved)
§ 135-65 Area and bulk regulations.
A.
Height. An additional side yard setback of one foot shall be provided for every two feet, or fraction thereof, increase in height above 35 feet. Buildings devoted to agricultural use shall be exempt from height regulations.
B.
Lot area requirements. The minimum lot area shall be one acre.
C.
Minimum lot width. The minimum lot width for all uses shall be 100 feet at the building setback line.
D.
Minimum lot depth. The minimum lot depth shall be 150 feet.
E.
Front yard minimum depth.
(1)
The minimum front yard building setback line for all single-family detached dwellings shall be 35 feet from the ultimate right-of-way as designated in § 135-301. All other buildings shall contain a minimum front yard building setback line of 50 feet from the ultimate street right-of-way.
(2)
In developed areas, the minimum building setback line requirements may be adjusted by right so that the proposed building may be in proper relation to adjacent buildings. Under no circumstances shall a building be permitted to encroach any closer to the ultimate right-of-way than an adjacent building.
F.
Side yard. There shall be two side yards, neither of which shall be less than 15 feet.
G.
Rear yard. Rear yards shall be a minimum of 50 feet in depth.
§ 135-66 Height and yard requirements of accessory buildings.
The following regulations apply to unattached buildings for accessory use:
A.
Maximum height. The maximum height shall be 20 feet, except that this restriction shall not be applicable to farm buildings and silos.
B.
Front yard minimum depth. The minimum building setback lines for all accessory buildings shall be 50 feet from the ultimate road right-of-way as designated by § 135-301.
C.
Side yard. The minimum distance to any interior side lot line shall be six feet.
D.
Rear yard. The minimum distance to any rear lot line shall be six feet.