Penn Township Westmoreland County
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE IV
District Regulations
§ 190-401 Area and bulk regulations.
The area and bulk regulations for each of the zoning districts are shown on Table 2 in Appendix A.[1] This summary table is hereby incorporated in the text of this chapter by reference. This summary table is not complete in every detail, however, and must be used in conjunction with the detailed district and supplementary regulations contained in Articles IV and VI of this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said attachment is included as an attachment to this chapter.
§ 190-402 RR Rural Resource District.
[Amended 2-21-2018 by Ord. No. 919; 11-16-2022 by Ord. No. 954; 2-19-2025 by Ord. No. 969]
A.
Purpose: The RR Rural Resource District is established in order to provide land for continuing agricultural operations, resource management, timber harvesting, outdoor recreation, public and private conservation areas, low-density single-family residential, and compatible support uses.
B.
Permitted principal uses.
(1)
Agricultural equipment, rental, sales and repair (minimum three acres).
(2)
Agricultural operations (minimum 10 acres).
(3)
Automotive convenience facility (minimum two acres).
(4)
Bed-and-breakfast (minimum one acre).
(5)
Blacksmith (minimum one acre).
(6)
Boarding stable (minimum 10 acres).
(7)
Care facilities (minimum two acres).
(8)
Cemeteries (minimum three acres).
(9)
Colleges and universities (minimum three acres).
(10)
Commercial kennels (minimum two acres).
(11)
Conventional drilling (minimum one acre).
(12)
Day-care home (minimum one acre).
(13)
Government facilities (minimum one acre).
(14)
Group homes (minimum one acre).
(15)
Hospitals and clinics (minimum two acres).
(16)
Personal services (minimum two acres).
(17)
Private trade or commercial school (minimum three acres).
(18)
Professional offices (minimum two acres).
(19)
Public parks and recreation facilities (minimum three acres).
(20)
Schools, public and private (minimum three acres).
(21)
Self-storage development (minimum five acres).
(22)
Single-family detached dwelling (minimum half an acre when connected to public water and sewer, minimum one acre with on-lot utilities).
(23)
Sportsman club (minimum three acres).
(24)
Timber harvesting (minimum five acres).
(25)
(Reserved)
(26)
Veterinary facility (minimum two acres).
(27)
Places of worship (minimum one acre).
C.
Permitted accessory uses/structures.
(1)
Nonresidential: Those accessory uses customarily incidental to permitted principal uses on the same lot including, but not limited to the following:
(a)
Agricultural accessory uses and structures such as barns, silos, corn cribs, chicken coops and equipment storage sheds.
(b)
Garages for the storage of material and vehicles used in the operation of a permitted principal use.
(c)
Identification signs.
(d)
Satellite dish antennas.
(f)
Accessory solar energy systems (ASES).
(2)
Residential: Those accessory uses customarily incidental to permitted principal uses on the same lot, including but not limited to the following:
(a)
Garages for the storage of personal vehicles.
(b)
Storage sheds for lawn and garden equipment.
(c)
In-ground and aboveground swimming pools and appurtenant structures and equipment.
(d)
Satellite dish antennas.
(e)
Family-scale court games for personal use.
(f)
Home-based business.
(g)
No-impact home-based business.
E.
Uses by special exception:
(2)
Nontower WCF [when required by § 190-644B(3)].
F.
Dimensional standards:
(1)
Permitted principal uses: Minimum lot areas are contained in this article for each corresponding land use permitted in this district.
(2)
Conditional uses: Minimum lot areas are contained in this district for each corresponding land use allowed by conditional use in this district.
(3)
Minimum required yards: Permitted principal and conditional uses:
(a)
Front yard: 35 feet from closest property or right-of-way line on subject property.
(b)
Side yard: 20 feet from closest property line on subject property.
(c)
Rear yard: 40 feet from closest property line on subject property.
(d)
Accessory structures: 10 feet from closest side and rear lot lines on subject property.
(7)
Density: A maximum four dwelling units per acre, unless otherwise specified.
§ 190-403 MDR Mixed Density Residential District.
A.
Purpose: The MDR Mixed Density Residential District is established in order to provide land for a wide variety of housing options in a number of configurations at moderate to high densities, as well as to provide for personal and professional services, small-scale mixed-use sites and compatible support uses.
B.
Permitted principal uses.
(1)
Agricultural operations (minimum three acres).
(2)
Bed-and-breakfast (minimum one acre).
(3)
Care facility (minimum two acres).
(4)
Conventional drilling (minimum one acre).
(5)
Day-care home (minimum 1/2 acre).
(6)
Duplex (minimum 2/3 acre).
(7)
Government facilities (minimum one acre).
(8)
Group home (minimum 1/2 acre).
(9)
Health and fitness facilities (minimum two acres).
(10)
Medical office (minimum 1 1/2 acres).
(11)
Nursery school (minimum one acre).
(12)
Personal services establishment (minimum one acre).
(13)
Professional offices (minimum one acre).
(14)
Public parks and playgrounds (minimum two acres).
(15)
Schools, public and private (minimum 2 1/2 acres).
(16)
Single-family detached (minimum 1/4 acre).
(17)
Timber harvesting (minimum five acres).
(19)
Triplex or quadplex (minimum 1/3 acre per dwelling).
(20)
Veterinary facility (minimum one acre).
(21)
Worship facilities (minimum two acres).
C.
Permitted accessory uses/structures:
(1)
Those accessory uses customarily incidental to permitted principal uses on the same lot including, but not limited to the following:
(a)
Garages for the storage of personal vehicles.
(b)
Storage sheds for lawn and garden equipment.
(c)
In-ground and aboveground swimming pools and appurtenant structures and equipment.
(d)
Family-scale court games for personal use.
(e)
Home-based business.
(f)
No-impact home-based business.
(g)
Identification signs.
E.
Uses by special exception:
[Amended 2-21-2018 by Ord. No. 919]
(1)
Nontower WCF [when required by § 190-644B(3)].
F.
Dimensional standards.
(2)
Minimum required yards: Permitted principal, conditional uses and uses by special exception:
(a)
Front yard: 30 feet from closest property or right-of-way line.
(b)
Side yard: 15 feet from closest property line on the subject property.
(c)
Rear yard: 40 feet from closest property line on the subject property.
(d)
Accessory structures: 10 feet from closest side and rear lot lines on the subject property.
(6)
Density: Maximum two dwelling units per acre for single-family residences, four dwelling units per acre for multifamily, unless otherwise specified.
§ 190-404 NC Neighborhood Commercial.
A.
Purpose: The NC Neighborhood Commercial District is established in order to provide land for small-scale commercial uses, personal and professional services, planned mixed-use developments, multifamily residential, mixed-use structures with commercial uses on the first floor and residential on floors above, restaurants, arts and entertainment, and compatible support uses for the permitted principal uses.
B.
Permitted principal uses:
(1)
Agricultural operations.
(2)
Automotive/convenience facility.
(3)
Automobile service, sales and repair.
(4)
Bed-and-breakfast.
(5)
Business services.
(6)
Care facility.
(7)
Community center.
(8)
Conventional drilling.
(9)
Day-care center.
(10)
Day-care home.
(11)
Drive-through facilities.
(14)
Financial institutions.
(15)
Government facilities.
(17)
Health and fitness facilities.
(18)
Medical office.
(19)
Mixed-use structure.
(20)
Outdoor recreation commercial.
(21)
Personal service establishment.
(22)
Professional services.
(23)
Public parks and playgrounds.
(24)
Recreation facilities, membership.
(25)
Restaurants.
(26)
Retail, small (less than 5,000 square feet total floor area).
(28)
Timber harvesting.
(30)
Worship facilities.
C.
Permitted accessory uses/structures: Those uses and structures that are customarily incidental to permitted principal uses on the same lot including, but not limited to:
E.
Uses by special exception:
[Amended 2-21-2018 by Ord. No. 919]
(1)
Nontower WCF [when required by § 190-644B(3)].
F.
Dimensional standards:
(2)
Minimum required yards:
(a)
Front yard: 25 feet from closest property or right-of-way line.
(b)
Side yard: 10 feet except for interior units in a multiple-use structure, then zero side yards shall be permitted.
(c)
Rear yard: 15 feet from closest property line.
(d)
Accessory structures: 10 feet from closest side and rear lot lines.
(3)
Minimum frontage: Uses with both public sewer and water: 60 feet at the building line.
(6)
Density: Maximum two dwelling units per acre for single-family residence, four dwelling units per acre for multifamily.
§ 190-405 CC Commercial Corridor District.
A.
Purpose: The CC Commercial Corridor District is established in order to provide land for transit-oriented uses at a variety of scales, whether planned as a unified development or as a stand-alone facility, and including compatible support uses for the permitted principal uses.
B.
Permitted principal uses:
(1)
Agricultural equipment, rental, sales, repair.
(2)
Agricultural operations.
(3)
Automotive convenience facilities.
(4)
Automotive service and repair with washing.
(5)
Bed-and-breakfast.
(6)
Business services.
(7)
Car wash.
(8)
Care facility.
(9)
Community center.
(10)
Conventional drilling.
(11)
Conversion apartment.
(12)
Day-care center.
(13)
Day-care home.
(14)
Drive-through facilities.
(17)
Entertainment and indoor recreation.
(18)
Financial institutions.
(19)
Government facilities.
(21)
Health and fitness facility.
(22)
Hospitals and clinics.
(23)
Mini-warehouse, personal storage.
(24)
Mixed-use structure.
(25)
Motels and hotels.
(26)
Outdoor recreation, commercial.
(27)
Personal service establishment.
(28)
Planned mixed-use commerce park.
(29)
Professional services.
(30)
Public parks and playgrounds.
(31)
Restaurants.
(32)
Retail.
(33)
Schools, public and private school.
(35)
Single- or multiple-tenant office building.
(36)
Supply and contractor yards.
(37)
Timber harvesting.
(38)
Worship facilities.
C.
Permitted accessory uses/structures. Those accessory uses customarily incidental to permitted principal uses on the same lot including, but not limited to:
E.
Uses by special exception:
[Amended 2-21-2018 by Ord. No. 919]
(1)
Nontower WCF [when required by § 190-644B(3)].
F.
Dimensional standards:
(2)
Minimum required yards:
(a)
Front yard: 35 feet from closest property or right-of-way line on subject property.
(b)
Side yard: 20 feet except for interior units in a multiple-use structure, then zero side yards shall be permitted.
(c)
Rear yard: 25 feet from closest property line.
(d)
Accessory structures: 15 feet from closest side and rear lot lines.
(5)
Lot coverage, all structures: 70%.
(6)
Density: maximum four dwelling units per acres for multifamily, unless otherwise specified.
§ 190-406 IC Industrial Commerce District.
A.
Purpose: The IC Industrial Commerce District is established in order to provide land for heavy and light industrial, processing, planned light industrial and planned commerce uses, in addition to warehousing and distribution, supply yards, and compatible support uses.
B.
Permitted principal uses:
(1)
Agricultural equipment, rental, sales, repair.
(2)
Agricultural operations.
(3)
Automotive convenience facilities.
(4)
Automotive sales, service and repairs.
(5)
Automotive service and repair with washing.
(6)
Bed-and-breakfast.
(7)
Car wash.
(8)
Care facility.
(10)
Conventional drilling.
(11)
Conversion apartments.
(12)
Distribution/warehousing.
(13)
Drive-through businesses.
(15)
Government facilities.
(17)
Health and fitness facilities.
(18)
Light industrial, research and development incubator.
(19)
Industrial and processing.
(20)
Mini-warehouse, personal storage.
(21)
Mixed-use structure.
(22)
Motels and hotels.
(23)
Oil and gas operations, conventional.
(24)
Outdoor advertising sign.
(25)
Planned mixed-use commerce park.
(26)
Planned office parks.
(27)
Power plants and co-generation facilities.
(28)
Professional services.
(29)
Public parks and playgrounds.
(30)
Restaurants.
(31)
Retail.
(32)
Sanitary landfill.
(33)
Single-family detached.
(34)
Single- or multi-tenant office building.
(35)
Supply and contractor yards.
(36)
Timber harvesting.
(37)
Truck terminals.
(38)
Worship facilities.
C.
Permitted accessory uses/structures. Those accessory uses customarily incidental to permitted principal uses on the same lot including, but not limited to:
E.
Uses by special exception:
[Amended 2-21-2018 by Ord. No. 919]
(2)
Nontower WCF [when required by § 190-644B(3)].
F.
Dimensional standards:
(2)
Minimum required yards:
(a)
Front yard: 75 feet from closest property or building setback line.
(b)
Side yard: 40 feet except for interior units in a multiple use structure, then zero side yards shall be permitted.
(c)
Rear yard: 35 feet from closest property line on subject property.
(d)
Accessory structures: 20 feet from closest side and rear lot lines on subject property.
(3)
Minimum frontage:
(a)
Front yard: 75 feet from closest property or building setback line.
(b)
Side yard: 40 feet except for interior units in a multiple-use structure, then zero side yards shall be permitted.
(c)
Rear yard: 35 feet from closest property line on subject property.
(d)
Accessory structures: 20 feet from closest side and rear lot lines on subject property.
(e)
Processing and light industrial uses: 200 linear feet at the building setback line unless otherwise specified.
(f)
Service and residential uses: 120 linear feet at the building setback line unless otherwise specified.
(g)
All other permitted and conditional uses: 150 linear feet at the building setback line unless otherwise specified.
(5)
Density: maximum four dwelling units per acre, unless otherwise specified.
§ 190-407 MEO Mineral Extraction Overlay District.
A.
Purpose. The purpose of the MEO Mineral Extraction Overlay District is to provide areas for the extraction of minerals as defined by the commonwealth, where the population density is low and significant development is not projected for the near future. Uses permitted in the MEO District shall comply with the provisions of § 190-635, Performance standards, and § 190-641, where applicable, as well as with the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (P.L. 1198, No. 418), the Noncoal Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (P.L. 1093, No. 219), the Oil and Gas Act (P.L. 1140, No. 223), and the Bituminous Mine Subsidence and Land Conservation Act (P.L. 31, No. 1).[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 52 P.S. § 1396.1 et seq., 52 P.S. § 3301 et seq., 58 Pa.C.S.A. § 3201 et seq., and 52 P.S. § 1406.1 et seq., respectively.
B.
Location of overlay district boundaries: As identified on the Official Township Zoning Map.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: The Zoning Map is included as an attachment to this chapter.
D.
Permitted accessory overlay district uses/structures:
(1)
All those accessory uses customarily incidental to any permitted principal use and listed in the underlying zoning districts.
(2)
The storage of explosives, gasoline, oil, chemicals listed as hazardous or toxic by federal or commonwealth agencies, and other regulated material used in conjunction with the operation of any permitted or conditional use shall be placed in approved, industry standard structures or impoundment areas to provide maximum safety.
(3)
Equipment buildings used for material and vehicle storage or to enclose machinery.
F.
Dimensional standards:
(1)
Dimensional standards for all permitted principal, conditional and accessory uses listed in the underlying zoning district shall be applicable to those uses.
(2)
Minimum lot area: 10 acres for oil and gas operations, except as otherwise specified.
(4)
Minimum frontage: 50 feet for purposes of establishing a right-of-way for access to the extractive industry site.
(6)
Lot coverage, all structures and impervious surface combined: 70%.
G.
Development standards: In addition to the applicable performance standards in § 190-635, any permitted principal, conditional use, special exception or accessory use shall be subject to the following:
(1)
All permitted, conditional use, special exception and accessory uses in the MEO Mineral Extraction Overlay District shall comply with the provisions of § 190-641 of this chapter where applicable. In no case shall wastewater be dumped or permitted to flow or seep into a stream or drainage way.
(2)
All permitted, conditional use, special exception or accessory uses within the MEO Mineral Extraction Overlay District shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 156, Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, Article III §§ 156-18 and 156-23 where such provisions have not been superseded by the provisions of § 190-641.
(3)
Wastewater: Copies of all required Pennsylvania DEP permits or permits from the Municipal Authority with jurisdiction agreeing to accept any effluent produced shall be provided that cannot be treated on-site shall not be permitted to accumulate and shall be disposed of on a regular basis as required.
(4)
Hazardous or toxic waste: Hazardous or toxic waste shall not be permitted to accumulate on any property, and disposal shall be in compliance with applicable Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hazardous or toxic waste handling regulations.
(5)
Property maintenance: All areas of any property upon which mineral extraction activities are being conducted shall be maintained free from the exterior accumulation of material and machine parts.
(6)
All drilling and production operations, including but not limited to derricks, vacuum pumps, compressors, storage tanks, freshwater impoundment areas, vehicle parking areas, structures, machinery, ponds and pits, and ancillary equipment, shall be located and set back not less than 600 feet from any protected structure and not less than 200 feet from any adjoining property line. Wastewater impoundment areas shall be prohibited.
(7)
This provision shall not apply to any structure whose owner has signed a waiver relieving the operator from the implementation of the measures established or herein or any applicable provisions of the Penn Township Ordinance.
(8)
Permanent structures of the oil and gas developments and facilities (both permitted principal and accessory) shall comply with the height regulations of the zoning district in which they are located. This does not include temporary structures such as derricks or rigs used in the drilling process. However, in the event temporary structures exceed maximum height regulations in the Airport Overlay Zone, permission from the FAA is required for the construction, use and operation of the same.
(9)
Air quality: Air-contaminant emissions shall comply with all municipal, county, commonwealth and federal regulations, and all applicable regulations for smoke, ash, dust, fumes, gases, odors and vapors.
(10)
Storage of equipment: It shall be illegal and a violation of this chapter to park or store any vehicle or item of machinery on any street, right-of-way or in any driveway or alley which (a) constitutes a fire hazard, or (b) creates an obstruction to or interferes with fighting or controlling fires, except that equipment which is necessary for the maintenance of the development site or for the gathering or transporting of hydrocarbon substances may remain on the site.
§ 190-408 DIO Development Infill Overlay District.
A.
Purpose: The purpose of the DIO Development Infill Overlay District is to establish a health and safety buffer from surface-related activities and facilities, specifically oil and natural gas extraction, in developing areas of the Township where residential and nonresidential development has occurred and is projected to occur.
B.
Location of overlay district boundaries: As identified on the Official Township Zoning Map.
C.
Permitted principal overlay uses: All those uses listed as permitted or conditional in the underlying zoning districts.
D.
Permitted Accessory Overlay District Uses/Structures: All those accessory uses customarily incidental to any permitted principal use listed in the underlying zoning districts.
E.
Dimensional standards:
(1)
Dimensional standards for all permitted principal, conditional and accessory uses listed in the underlying zoning districts shall be applicable to those uses.
(2)
Minimum lot area: As specified for all permitted principal and conditional uses listed in the underlying zoning districts.
(3)
Minimum required yards: All required front, rear, and side yards for permitted principal, conditional and accessory uses listed in the underlying zoning districts shall be applicable to those uses.
(4)
Minimum frontage: Minimum frontage for all permitted principal and conditional uses listed in the underlying zoning districts shall be applicable to those uses.
F.
Design standards:
(1)
Height: maximum heights for all permitted principal, conditional and accessory uses listed in the underlying zoning districts shall be applicable to those uses.
(2)
Lot coverage: maximum lot coverage for all structures and impervious surface combined, for all permitted principal, conditional and accessory uses listed in the underlying zoning districts shall be applicable to those uses.
G.
Development standards:
(1)
No facilities, including collection and transmission lines for oil or natural gas resources, shall be located on the surface of any land situated within the DIO Development Infill Overlay District.
(2)
Subsurface extraction and collection of oil and natural gas resources within the DIO Development Infill District shall comply with all applicable federal, commonwealth and local requirements for permitting, installation and operation.