Quakertown City Zoning Code
PART 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 101 Short Title.
[Ord. 983, 3/4/1992, § 1.1]
This chapter shall be known as and may be cited as the "Zoning Ordinance for the Borough of Quakertown."
§ 102 Purpose.
[Ord. 983, 3/4/1992, § 1.2]
1.
This chapter is hereby adopted in accordance with.
A.
The requirements of Act 170 of 1988 (the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code), as amended.
B.
The community development objectives of the Borough's Comprehensive Plan.
C.
With consideration for the character of the Borough, its various parts and the suitability of the various parts for particular uses and structures.
2.
In addition to carrying out the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan, this chapter is designed:
A.
To promote, protect and facilitate one or more of the following: the public health, safety, morals, general welfare, coordinated and practical community development, proper density of population, civil defense, disaster evacuation, airports, and national defense facilities, the provision of adequate light and air, police protection, vehicle parking and loading space, transportation, water, sewage, schools, public grounds and other public requirements.
B.
To prevent one or more of the following: overcrowding of land, blight, danger and congestion in travel and transportation, loss of health, life or property from fire, flood, panic or other dangers.
C.
To encourage the coordination of land use and transportation activities with the Quakertown area planning organization responsible for the area planning program.
§ 103 Application.
[Ord. 983, 3/4/1992, § 1.3]
1.
No building, structure or land shall be used, occupied, erected, moved, enlarged, or structurally altered unless in conformity with the regulations of this chapter.
2.
This chapter regulates:
A.
The location, height, bulk and size of buildings, signs and other structures.
B.
The relation of such buildings or structures to roads and highways, their intersections and interchanges, to steep slopes and natural bodies of water, to public buildings and public grounds, to airports and heliports and to floodplains.
C.
Areas and dimensions of land and bodies of water to be occupied by uses and structures; the percentage of a lot that may be occupied, the size and use of yards, courts, and other open spaces.
D.
The density and distribution of population and intensity of use.
E.
The uses of land, buildings, and structures for residents, trade, industry, and other purposes.
F.
Noise, smoke, odor and other potential environmental impacts.
§ 104 Exemptions.
[Ord. 983, 3/4/1992, § 1.4]
This chapter shall not apply to any existing or proposed building or extension thereof which is used or is to be used by a public utility corporation, if, upon petition of the corporation, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission decides after a public hearing that the present or proposed situation of the building in question is reasonably necessary for the convenience or welfare of the public.
§ 105 Interpretation.
[Ord. 983, 3/4/1992, § 1.5]
1.
Minimum Requirements. The provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted as the minimum requirements for the promotion of the health, safety, morals and general welfare. Where this chapter conflicts with any rule, regulation or ordinance, the greater restriction upon the use of buildings or premises, upon the height or bulk of a building or upon requiring larger open spaces shall prevail, regardless of its source.
2.
Exemplary Lists. Any list of permitted or prohibited uses is not an exhaustive list, but is included to clarify, emphasize and illustrate, by example, uses which are desirable or undesirable.