Sewickley City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VI
Supplemental Regulations
§ 330-601 Accessory uses, buildings or structures.
A.
General.
(1)
Unless otherwise defined below, the maximum height of an accessory building for residential uses shall be 18 feet.
(2)
No permanent accessory use shall be constructed on a lot prior to the time of construction of the principal land use to which it is accessory.
(3)
Unless otherwise defined below, no accessory use shall be located in a front yard.
(4)
Accessory buildings without utilities that are 100 square feet or less are exempt from building permits.
(6)
Accessory buildings/structures shall be placed in the building envelope (see Figure 1) except for the following, which may meet the setbacks in Figure 10.
B.
Accessory building/structure. The following provisions shall apply to an accessory building/structure not otherwise identified in § 330-601C through S.
(1)
A building attached to the principal building by a covered passage, or having a wall or a part of a wall in common with it, shall be considered an integral part of the principal structure and not an accessory building.
(2)
A carport and/or garage not attached to the principal building shall be considered an accessory building and shall be subject to the requirements of § 330-601.
(3)
An accessory building shall not be permitted to contain a dwelling unit(s), except if it is an accessory dwelling as defined herein.
(4)
Access to the accessory building/structure shall be internal to the lot or from a Borough-approved public right-of-way.
C.
Accessory dwelling.
(1)
An accessory dwelling shall contain a maximum of one dwelling. Said dwelling shall be on the second floor of a garage only.
(2)
The habitable space of an accessory dwelling shall be at least 500 square feet but not more than 1,200 square feet.
(3)
The maximum height of the building utilized as a dwelling unit shall not exceed 25 feet and shall not be more than two stories.
(4)
Either the principal building or the accessory dwelling must be occupied by the owner of the lot.
(5)
A site plan and floor plan shall be submitted at the time of the application for said use.
D.
Car wash.
(1)
Car washes shall only be permitted as an accessory use to automobile sales.
(2)
Such use shall only serve the customers of the automobile sales to which it is accessory and shall not be open to use by the general public.
(3)
Other than for general safety of site circulation, no signage associated with such use shall be displayed or erected.
E.
Communications antennas.
(1)
Communications antenna shall comply with the requirements of the FCC.
(2)
Omnidirectional or whip antennas shall not surpass seven inches in diameter and shall not exceed 20 feet in height above the existing mounting antenna. Omnidirectional and whip antennas are only permitted on existing structures that are a minimum of 35 feet from grade.
(3)
Directional or panel antennas shall not exceed five feet in height or three feet in width.
(4)
No sign or other advertising shall be allowed on any antenna, including the name of the communications company. However, a commercial communications antenna may be allowed on any legally permitted permanent billboard or outdoor advertising sign as long as the other requirements of the chapter are met. The communications company is allowed a sign not to exceed two square feet for identification and notification purposes in case of an emergency.
(5)
No illumination is permitted on commercial communications antennas unless required by the FCC, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or other state or federal agency of competent jurisdiction. If lighting is required, the Zoning Officer shall review the available lighting alternative(s) and approve the design that would cause the least disturbance to the surrounding uses and views.
(6)
Accessory roof structures required for the operation of the antenna shall be of a material or color which matches the exterior of the building or structure.
F.
Day-care center/nursery (youth/adult).
(1)
An accessory day-care center/nursery shall only be permitted when conducted on a lot with a place of worship.
(2)
The facility shall be licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and shall follow applicable code requirements for number of persons permitted within said facility.
(3)
Ingress and egress to the use shall be designed to assure safety and safe areas for discharging and picking up youth or adults and shall be provided so that said pickup and discharge area shall not interfere with the free flow of traffic on adjacent streets.
(4)
Outdoor play areas shall be provided for youth-oriented day-care centers/nurseries and be secured by a fence with a self-latching gate.
(5)
Outdoor play areas which adjoin residential lots shall be screened by a five-foot buffer yard.
(6)
A plan for emergency access and general safety of the site shall be submitted for Borough review.
(7)
If permitted within a district, signage for the day-care center/nursery shall not exceed 30% of the sign area applicable to signage for the principal use of the lot.
G.
Electronic and satellite dish antennas.
(1)
Parabolic or satellite dishes (television, telephone and computer reception and transmission and the like) shall be permitted as accessory structures in any zoning district. A variance and permit will be required for parabolic or satellite dishes that cannot meet the following requirements:
(a)
No more than one such antenna shall be located on any one lot.
(b)
The antenna is located within the buildable area of the lot.
(c)
All parabolic or satellite dishes shall be registered with the Borough prior to installation. Registration shall be made upon forms provided by the Zoning Officer.
(d)
The maximum diameter of any parabolic or satellite dish antenna in any residential district shall be 18 inches.
(e)
The maximum diameter of any parabolic or satellite dish antenna in any commercial, institutional or industrial district shall be six feet.
(f)
No such antenna shall be directly attached to the front face of a principal building located on an interior or through lot or the front and permitted side faces of a principal building located on a corner lot.
(g)
Such a structure may be mounted on a roof, provided the maximum height is no higher than the highest point of the building and the overall height does not exceed existing Borough height limitations.
(h)
The maximum height of a ground-mounted antenna in any residential district shall be no more than 64 inches measured from the ground.
(i)
The maximum height of a ground-mounted antenna in any commercial, institutional or industrial district shall be no more than eight feet measured from the ground.
(j)
Where ground-mounted antennas and associated equipment would otherwise be visible from the a public right-of-way or adjoining lots, evergreen screening shall be provided in said area so that, at a minimum at time of planting, species are at least 1/2 the height of the antenna.
H.
Essential services.
(1)
The landowner and/or developer shall demonstrate that co-location/sharing of essential services with existing development/structures is physically infeasible prior to the erection of new essential services.
(2)
All essential services shall follow the requirements of the Public Utility Commission and any applicable authority.
J.
Home occupation, low-impact.
(1)
All active and operational home-based businesses shall file an application annually with the Zoning Officer.
(2)
The home occupation shall be carried out completely within the dwelling unit or accessory building/structure.
(3)
Not more than two persons other than the occupants of the dwelling unit shall be employed on the premises.
(4)
As demonstrated by the floor plan(s) of the structure(s) on the lot, no more than 25% of the total floor area of the principal and/or accessory structure(s) shall be devoted to a home occupation.
(5)
Parts sold or offered for sale shall be limited to those produced on the premises or to articles which are clearly incidental to the home occupation and directly related thereto, such as hair care products by a barber or beautician. If the gross sales of articles not produced on the premises exceed 25% of the gross receipts from the home occupation and sales of articles produced on the premises, such sales shall not be deemed to be incidental to the home occupation and shall not be permitted. It shall be the home occupation operator's responsibility to annually file an accurate and attested annual report of gross business receipts with the Zoning Officer to serve as proof of compliance with this provision.
(6)
There shall be no exterior display, no exterior storage of materials, and no other exterior indication of the home occupation or variation of the residential character of the main building. One exterior sign of not more than two square feet shall be permitted and shall comply with Article IX, Signage Regulations.
(7)
As regulated by Article XI, Performance Standards, no offensive noise, vibration, smoke or other particulate matter, heat, humidity, glare or other objectionable effects shall be produced.
(8)
A home occupation shall, under no circumstances, be interpreted to include retail goods, kennels or any occupation where the principal activity involves sales offered across the counter.
K.
Off-street parking, private.
(2)
The entrance/exit points to said parking shall be from the secondary street or as designated by the Borough.
(3)
The number of entrance/exit points shall be defined by the Borough based upon the number of parking spaces provided and surrounding land use(s).
(4)
Entrance and exits shall be clearly designated with signage. The cumulative square footage for all signage serving the parking area shall not exceed four square feet.
L.
M.
Outdoor cafe.
(2)
Fences and walls. Fences and walls shall meet all barrier requirements defined below:
(a)
The maximum height of walls or fences located on the front lot line shall be three feet.
(b)
Fences located adjacent to a residential use shall be at least six feet high with a maximum of five-percent transparency. Any fence or wall located along any other side or rear lot line shall not be higher than three feet and with a maximum of five-percent transparency unless said wall or fence is located along a lot line adjacent to an alley or building. In said case, the wall(s) or fence(s) may be up to eight feet in height.
(c)
Fences located along a public right-of-way shall be made of ornamental metal to complement the existing character established in the Village Overlay District.
(d)
Walls are encouraged to be constructed of stone or brick masonry to complement the existing character of the Village Overlay District.
(e)
Any requirements of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, as applicable.
(3)
In addition to the exterior lighting requirements stated in § 330-603, the maximum on-site illumination value during nonoperating hours shall be 0.75 of one footcandle.
(4)
The hours of operation of an outdoor cafe shall coincide with that of the restaurant use.
(5)
Once the square footage of the outdoor cafe seating area exceeds 50% of the indoor seating area, the outdoor cafe seating area shall be included in the determination of the off-street parking requirements. Until then, the outdoor cafe shall not be used to determine parking requirements.
P.
Sidewalk cafes.
(2)
Sidewalk cafes shall be permitted as accessory uses in the C-1 District, including the Village Overlay District.
(3)
The operation of such a sidewalk cafe shall not interfere with the circulation of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on the adjoining streets, alleys or sidewalks.
(4)
Any such sidewalk cafe shall be in compliance with all applicable state and local regulations.
(5)
No awning, canopy or covering of any kind, except individual table umbrellas, shall be allowed over any portion of the open-air dining area located within a public right-of-way.
(6)
There shall be maintained a minimum of five-foot clear distance of public sidewalk, free of all obstructions, to allow adequate pedestrian movement. The minimum distance shall be measured from the portion of the open-air dining area nearest either the curbline or the nearest obstruction.
(7)
No perimeter structures such as fences, railings, planters or other such barriers shall surround the open-air dining area. Moreover, no barrier separating the sidewalk cafe from public areas shall be permanently fixed to the ground.
(8)
All equipment used for the operations of a sidewalk cafe shall be removed from the sidewalk cafe area after hours.
(9)
The sidewalk cafe area shall be kept free from all trash, refuse and debris.
(10)
The hours of operation of a sidewalk cafe shall coincide with that of the restaurant use.
(11)
No off-street parking shall be required for the seating area in the sidewalk cafe.
Q.
Solar energy systems, solar collectors and solar-related equipment.
(1)
Purpose.
(a)
The purpose of these provisions is to promote the use of solar energy and to provide for the development, installation and operation of solar energy systems in Sewickley, subject to conditions that will protect the public health, safety and welfare.
(b)
A solar energy system shall be allowed in any zoning district and may be installed upon receipt of the necessary construction, electrical and/or mechanical permit(s).
(2)
Applicability.
(a)
These provisions apply to solar energy systems to be installed and constructed after the effective date of this chapter and all applications for solar energy systems on existing structures or properties. Solar energy systems constructed prior to the effective date of this chapter shall not be required to meet the requirements of this chapter.
(b)
Any upgrade, modification or structural change that materially alters the size or placement of an existing solar energy system shall comply with the following provisions.
(3)
Design and installation.
(a)
The design of the solar energy system shall conform to applicable industry standards. A building permit shall be obtained for a solar energy system per the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) of 1999, as amended, and the regulations adopted by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. All wiring shall comply with the applicable version of the National Electric Code (NEC). The local utility provider shall be contacted to determine grid interconnection and net metering policies.
(b)
If a ground-mounted solar energy system has been abandoned (meaning not having been in operation for a period of three months) or is defective or is deemed to be unsafe by the Building Inspector, the solar energy system shall be required to be repaired to meet federal, state and local safety standards or be removed by the property owner within the time period allowed by the Building Inspector. If the owner fails to remove or repair the defective or abandoned solar energy system, the Borough may pursue legal action to have the system removed at the owner's expense.
(4)
Setbacks and height restrictions.
(a)
Ground-mounted solar energy system.
[1]
A solar energy system must comply with all setback and height requirements for the zoning district where the solar energy system is to be installed.
[2]
All exterior electrical and/or plumbing lines must be buried underground and installed according to all applicable building and electrical codes.
[3]
A ground-mounted solar energy system must comply with the accessory setback restrictions contained in the zoning district where the ground-mounted solar energy system is located.
R.
Swimming pools, hot tubs and saunas.
(1)
Swimming pools, hot tubs and saunas shall have a fence, barrier or enclosure at least four feet in height with self-closing, self-latching gates that can be locked to prevent unauthorized entry.
(2)
The swimming pool, hot tubs and/or sauna and adjacent lounging area shall be effectively screened to prevent visual access at ground level from abutting lots.
(3)
Swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas and pump filter installations are permitted only within the building envelope of the principal building.
S.
Wind energy conversion systems (WECS).
(2)
Windmills, wind turbines, wind wheels or WECS shall be permitted as accessory uses in all zoning districts, subject to the following conditions:
(a)
No said systems or equipment shall be erected within a front or side yard or outside the building envelope. All windmills, wind turbines and wind wheels shall maintain a setback from any adjoining side or rear lot line equivalent to 125% of the maximum height of the windmill, wind turbine and/or wind wheel as measured from its point of anchoring to the outer tip of its rotor blade. In no case shall a windmill, wind turbine or wind wheel exceed 45 feet in height.
(b)
The structure supporting the wind rotor unit, including any necessary guideposts and supporting cables, shall be certified by a professional structure engineer licensed as such in Pennsylvania.
(c)
All owners of a WECS shall provide the Borough with a structural safety assessment report prepared by a professional structural engineer licensed as such in Pennsylvania every five years. Said reports shall be provided to the Zoning Officer on the anniversary date of when the zoning certificate was issued.
(d)
The minimum distance between grade and the lowest point of a rotor blade shall be 20 feet.
(e)
All electric lines/utility wires shall be buried underground and installed in accordance with applicable building and electrical codes.
(f)
Any mechanical equipment associated and necessary for operation, including a building or structure for batteries and storage cells, shall be enclosed by an eight-foot-high fence with screening planting in accordance with this chapter. When a building or structure is necessary for storage cells or related mechanical equipment, the building or structure shall not exceed 150 square feet.
(g)
One windmill, wind turbine or wind wheel shall be permitted per lot.
(3)
The supporting structure and generating unit shall be kept in good repair and sound condition. Upon abandonment of use, the supporting structure and related structures shall be dismantled and removed from the lot within three months.
(4)
The applicant shall demonstrate that any noise from the wind energy conversion system shall not exceed 45 dBA when measured at the nearest lot line.
(5)
No signage, logos or other graphic designs shall be permitted to be visually displayed on said wind energy conversion system rotors or supporting structure.
T.
Short-term rental unit.
[Added 12-13-2022 by Ord. No. 1381]
(1)
A short-term rental unit is allowed as an accessory use in the General Commercial (C-1) and Village Overlay (VO) Zoning Districts, provided the property meets the requirements hereunder and satisfies all applicable zoning requirements for a principal residential use that is permitted in the respective zoning district or that already exists as a valid nonconforming principal residential use. Short-term rentals are prohibited in all other zoning districts.
(2)
In addition to obtaining accessory use approval, the operator of a short-term rental unit must obtain a short-term rental permit pursuant to the short-term rental regulations and permitting requirements established via Ordinance No. 1380 of 2022[1] prior to engaging in short-term rental. A valid short term rental permit shall be maintained at all times of operation of short-term rental unit.
(3)
Parking requirements shall be determined by the principal residential use.
§ 330-602 Temporary structures.
A.
A temporary structure shall be determined to be for a use which is permitted in the zoning district. Said structure shall not be a permanent use. Temporary structures may include but are not limited to: a kiosk; tent; shed or trailer that is temporarily used for construction purposes or seasonal sales, such as Christmas trees, but excluding sales by itinerant merchants of flowers, flea markets or any other products in which sales are conducted. Such structures shall not disturb or impair traffic ingress/egress, the clear sight triangle at intersections of driveways and streets or the intersection of streets and fire lanes, and they shall be authorized, in writing, by the owner of the lot(s).
B.
A temporary structure, other than a construction trailer or shed associated with an active building permit as specified in Subsection E below, may be permitted on private property for a period of one day to 45 days. An extension of time may be requested by the landowner and/or developer in writing to the Zoning Officer, provided the purpose for which the temporary structure has been permitted is still actively being used. In no case shall more than two forty-five-day extensions be permitted.
C.
A temporary structure which is proposed in the C-1, C-2, OMU, Inst., I and OS Zoning Districts shall not alter the movement of traffic or parking arrangement of cars in a designated parking lot.
D.
A portable storage unit shall be subject to the following:
(1)
Portable storage units shall not be permitted in the front yard.
(2)
Portable storage units and containers, including but not limited to "portable on demand" (PODS®) units, may be kept upon a lot for up to one year if there is an active building permit for construction or until the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or completion, whichever occurs first. Portable storage units not associated with an active permit for construction on the same lot shall be limited to 30 days within any six-month period.
(3)
An applicant with an active building permit for construction may request an extension for up to one year for the portable storage unit until the construction is complete or an occupancy permit is issued.
(4)
An applicant shall obtain a permit for said placement of a portable storage unit.
(5)
Portable storage units shall not be used as living quarters within the Borough.
E.
Temporary construction trailers or sheds shall be permitted in all zoning districts, subject to the following conditions:
(1)
Temporary construction trailers or sheds shall not be permitted in the front yard.
(2)
Temporary construction trailers or sheds shall be permitted only during the period that the construction work is in progress. A permit for the temporary structure shall be obtained from the Zoning Officer prior to the commencement of construction and shall be renewed every 12 months.
(3)
Temporary construction trailers or sheds shall be located on the lot in which the construction is progressing and shall not be located within 10 feet of any lot line adjoining an existing residential use.
(4)
Temporary construction trailers or sheds shall be used only as temporary field offices and for storage of incidental equipment and supplies and shall not be used for any dwelling use.
(5)
A temporary construction trailer may be permitted for use as a sales center for residential lots. The maximum GFA of such a temporary sales center shall be 500 square feet. A zoning certificate for the temporary trailer shall be obtained from the Zoning Officer.
(6)
No combustible materials shall be stored in temporary construction trailers, sheds or sales centers.
§ 330-603 Exterior lighting.
B.
The applicant shall submit a photometrics plan to measure the light impact of the exterior lighting improvements in accordance with the Borough's SALDO. The photometrics plan shall describe the maximum illumination values and average illumination value required herein as part of the submission.
C.
Low-voltage and light-emitting diode (LED) lighting systems are encouraged.
D.
Four lighting zones and the applicable zoning district as well as the respective illumination levels for each zone are as follows:
(1)
Light Zone 1 – open space.
(a)
There shall be a maximum illumination value of three horizontal and vertical footcandles at all lot lines when measured three feet above the ground surface.
(b)
The maximum on-site illumination value shall be three footcandles and the average on-site illumination value shall be less than or equal to one footcandle when measured three feet above the ground surface.
(c)
Zero percent of the fixture's lumens shall be emitted at a 90° angle or greater from nadir.
(2)
Light Zone 2 – R-1, R-1A, R-2 and OMU Residential Use.
(a)
There shall be a maximum illumination value of 0.10 horizontal and vertical footcandles at all lot lines when measured three feet above the ground surface.
(b)
The maximum on-site illumination value shall be three footcandles and the average on-site illumination value shall be less than or equal to one footcandle when measured three above the ground surface.
(c)
No more than 5% of the fixture's lumens shall be emitted at a 90° angle or greater from nadir.
(3)
Light Zone 3 – Inst. and I.
(a)
There shall be a maximum illumination value of 0.20 horizontal and vertical footcandles at all lot lines when measured three feet above the ground surface.
(b)
The maximum on-site illumination value shall be 5.0 footcandles and the average on-site illumination value shall be less than or equal to 1.5 footcandles when measured three feet above the ground surface.
(c)
No more than 10% of the fixture's lumens shall be emitted at a 90° angle or greater from nadir.
(4)
Light Zone 4 – C-1, C-2, Village Overlay, OMU nonresidential.
(a)
There shall be a maximum illumination value of 0.20 horizontal and vertical footcandles at all lot lines when measured three feet above the ground surface.
(b)
The maximum on-site illumination value shall be 12 footcandles and the average on-site illumination value shall be less than or equal to three footcandles when measured three feet above the ground surface.
(c)
No more than 10% of the fixture's lumens shall be emitted at a 90° angle or greater from nadir.
§ 330-604 Fences, walls and hedges.
The height and transparency regulations shall apply to any fence or wall located or proposed to be located in any front yard or in any side yard between the front yard and a line drawn along the rear yard or in any side yard between the rear lot line and a line drawn along the rear building line.
Figure 11: Fence and Wall Regulations by Location.  |
A.
Fences and walls located in a rear yard shall not exceed eight feet in height and shall have no restrictions on transparency.
B.
Hedges shall be exempt from any height or transparency regulations except the clear sight triangle requirements set forth in this chapter.
C.
The following regulations shall apply to all fences and walls:
(1)
No fence or wall shall be erected, added to, replaced or relocated until a building permit has been issued by the Zoning Officer in accordance with § 330-1501 of this chapter relating to building permits. Prior to applying for a building permit, a property owner shall provide written notice to all adjoining property owners of his or her intention to erect, add to, replace or relocate a fence or wall and shall provide proof of the sending of such notices with the application for a building permit. No building permit to erect, add to, replace or relocate a fence or wall shall be issued without proof of the sending of such notices.
(2)
The replacement of a fence or wall with a new fence or wall of the same design and materials shall not require the attainment of a new certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Review Commission or the attainment of a new variance from the Zoning Hearing Board if the applicant provides proof that such a certificate and/or variance was obtained in connection with the building of the prior fence or wall.
(3)
Any fence or wall with poles or posts must be constructed so that the poles or posts are on the side of the fence or wall facing the lot of the landowner/developer constructing such fence or wall, except for fences or walls where the poles or posts are an integral part of the fence or wall so that both sides of the fence or wall are identical.
(4)
If any fence or wall is painted, both sides of the fence or wall must be painted the same color.
(5)
Any chain-link, chicken-wire or other metal mesh fence or wall erected in the side yard or rear yard of a lot shall be galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent the formation of rust.
(6)
No fence or wall containing barbed wire, razor wire, and/or razor ribbon may be erected on any lot in or abutting an R-1, R-1A or R-2 Residential Zoning District.
(7)
No electrified fence, fence or wall containing barbed wire, razor wire and/or razor ribbon shall be permitted within any residential zoning district nor upon any land(s) abutting a residential use. However, nothing contained in this provision shall prohibit fences consisting of underground electrical wiring and commonly referred to as "silent" or "invisible" fences used to control pets. No building permit shall be required to build such silent or invisible fences.
(8)
No chain-link, chicken-wire or other metal mesh fence or wall may be erected in any front yard of a lot. For corner lots, no chain-link, chicken-wire or other metal mesh fence or wall may be erected along the area which abuts the front yard of an adjoining lot.
(9)
All fences or walls shall be maintained in a sturdy and good condition. Fences or walls that overturn, collapse, fall, deteriorate or become loose or rotted, whether in whole or in part, shall be repaired, replaced or removed within 60 days of notice of said condition.
(10)
No fence or wall shall be constructed in any public right-of-way.
(11)
All fences must meet the clear sight triangle requirements set forth in this chapter.
§ 330-605 Dumpster enclosures.
A.
Dumpsters existing as of the effective date of this article and dumpsters constructed subsequent to the effective date of this article shall comply with the following:
(1)
No dumpster or dumpster enclosure shall be located within a required landscape buffer yard and may be located within a required yard only if a street or dedicated alley separates the lot from any adjacent residential lot. Required enclosures shall be defined by the Borough based upon review of proposed dumpster location and service area access in relationship to public right-of-way, building locations and vehicular/pedestrian circulation routes.
(2)
Dumpsters shall be maintained free of jagged or sharp edges or inside parts that could prevent the free discharge of their contents and closed lids.
(3)
All dumpster pads shall be at least two feet larger than the dumpster on all sides. Wheel stops or bollards shall be permanently affixed to the pad at least one foot inside the perimeter of the pad to prevent the dumpster from striking the enclosure during collection. The base of the enclosure must be poured concrete. The base shall extend three feet beyond the front opening of the enclosure as an apron, and all concrete must be level with adjacent asphalt.
B.
Businesses shall be encouraged to share dumpsters.
§ 330-606 Outdoor display and storage within nonresidential zoning districts.
A.
All outside storage shall be incidental to the principal use.
B.
Except for retail/wholesale landscape centers, building supply, wholesale building material, garden supply store, hardware/lumber/construction material, auto dealers and similar businesses which require outside storage of materials, the storage and display of materials outside a completely enclosed structure shall not be permitted. In the case of said businesses, outside display and storage areas shall be completely enclosed by a security fence and shall be screened by fence or hedge which is at least six feet in height and is zero-percent transparent unless otherwise defined by this chapter.
C.
All organic rubbish and discarded materials shall be contained in tight, verminproof containers, which shall be screened from public view by a fence or hedge which is at least six feet in height and does not exceed fifteen-percent transparency.
§ 330-607 Reduction of required areas prohibited.
No lot shall be reduced in area that decreases any yard, setback, parking area, buffer yard or dimension to less than the required minimum determined by this chapter.
§ 330-608 Setback encroachments.
Unless otherwise prohibited by the Building Code or if the side yard on a lot measures six feet or less, the following may encroach into required setback defined in this chapter as provided:
A.
Awnings, canopies, eaves, wing walls, chimney, bay windows, steps, ramps and the like as follows:
(1)
Roof overhangs and projections of any principal structure may encroach up to two feet into any required setback; and
(2)
Canopies, open balconies, pivoted or casement sash, cornices, eaves, bay windows and similar architectural features may encroach:
(3)
Chimneys may encroach no more than two feet into any side or rear setback if the portion of chimney structure that is encroaching into said setback is not more than six feet wide.
B.
Driveways.
(1)
The setback of a driveway from a lot line shall conform to the requirements outlined in Table 3: Dimensional Table.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 3 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(2)
Every lot shall be permitted to have one driveway.
(3)
A lot may have a governor's drive, either connected to or independent from any permitted driveway, provided it meets the following requirements:
(a)
In no event shall more than two curb cuts per lot on any one street be authorized.
(b)
The distance between the center lines of the governor's drive along the front property line shall be spaced at least 70 feet apart.
(c)
The governor's drive shall be no more than 12 feet in width and have no turnaround areas.
(d)
The central portion of the governor's driveway shall be located within 12 feet of an entrance to the principal building.
(e)
The dimensional criteria for driveway setbacks in Table 3 shall apply.
(4)
Driveway access to a lot shall be located on the secondary right-of-way of a lot unless more than half the lots on said block obtain driveway access from the principal right-of-way.
(5)
All private garages and all off-street parking enclosed within a principal building shall be connected directly to a public street or public alley by a private driveway no wider than 12 feet. Where there are multiple off-street parking spaces in a private garage or enclosed within the principal building, the driveway may be widened to access said parking spaces.
(6)
The entire flare of any return radius on a driveway shall fall within the right-of-way.
C.
Fences, walls and hedges subject to district regulations.
D.
Landscaping.
E.
Sanitary sewer or water lift stations.
G.
Irrigation water pumps, wells, utility meters and similar aboveground telephone and cable company equipment typically found on single-family residential lots.
H.
Underground utilities, including stormwater pipes, culverts, septic tanks, and drainfields.
I.
Utility poles, transmission lines and service lines.
J.
Other utility-related items.
(1)
All utilities for lots that have improvements or are redeveloped shall be located underground unless otherwise approved by the Borough Council.
(2)
Utility connections such as gas meters, electric meters, phone and cable shall be located so as to minimize their visibility from the street.
(3)
HVAC condenser units shall be located so as to minimize their visibility from the street.
K.
Private off-street parking areas in other than residential zoning districts that are located no more than 200 feet from the northerly right-of-way line of Ohio River Boulevard.
§ 330-609 General landscaping.
A.
A conceptual landscape plan shall be prepared and submitted as part of any application that involves excavation or building expansion. The conceptual landscape plan shall include, and illustrate at scale, the location of trees, shrubs and ground covers for the following:
(1)
All required buffer yards with proposed plantings;
(2)
All required planting independent of any buffer yard requirements;
(3)
Any planting in excess of the requirements of this chapter;
(4)
Any existing trees or vegetation which are to be preserved;
(5)
Any existing trees or vegetation which will be removed; and
(6)
The location and species of all existing trees six inches in dbh. Applicants are encouraged to maximize the retention of all healthy existing trees with six inches or more dbh.
§ 330-610 Buffer yards.
A buffer yard shall be established by the landowner and/or developer of the following subject uses to buffer adjacent uses and shall have the following required depths:
Table 9: Buffer Yards  |
A.
Buffer yards shall be located entirely on the lot of the subject use and may be constructed within the required setbacks defined for the lot.
B.
All buffer yards shall be planted with shrub and tree plantings and/or installed with walls, as permitted by this chapter, in a pattern that creates no less than twenty-percent transparency, unless otherwise specified by this chapter. Plant materials used in buffer yards shall be at least three feet in height when planted, shall be planted no more than three feet apart, and be of such species that will produce within three years a complete year-round visual screen of at least six feet in height. Trees that are used in the planting of a buffer yard and elsewhere on the lot shall be in accordance with Borough standards. In addition, grass or ground cover shall be planted on the ground surface of the buffer yard. Buffer yards shall be maintained and kept free of all debris and rubbish. The buffer yards shall be maintained permanently, and any plant material which perishes shall be replaced by the landowner and/or developer within one year.
C.
No structure, manufacturing or processing activity or storage of materials shall be permitted in buffer yards. However, utility easements not more than 35 feet in width, access roads, service driveways and sidewalks are permitted to cross a buffer yard but shall not reduce the buffer yard by more than 20%.
D.
No parking shall be permitted in buffer yards.
E.
A clear sight triangle shall be maintained at all street intersections and at all points where vehicular accessways intersect public streets.
F.
Walls/fencing shall be permitted to comprise no more than 60% of the required perimeter length of the buffer yard. See also § 330-604.
G.
In instances where the existing principal and/or building or structure is located within the area to be set aside as the required buffer yard, the buffer yard may be reduced in depth to the distance from the existing building or structure to the lot line. This reduced buffer yard width shall apply only to the yard area upon which the existing structure encroaches. If the existing building or structure is located within the required buffer yard on one side of the building or structure, the required buffer yard as determined by Table 9, Buffer Yards shall apply on all other sides where a buffer yard is required.
§ 330-611 Landscaping for off-street parking and service structures.
A.
Except in the case of a single-family lot, OMU nonresidential uses, and approved ingress and egress points, a five-foot-wide strip of ground cover, shrubbery, trees or other landscape or decorative materials shall be provided between the right-of-way and off-street parking areas. Said strip shall be landscaped and maintained to prohibit vehicular and pedestrian access. Landscaping species at their mature heights shall not obstruct visibility for traffic entering or leaving the lot or traveling on the public street/alley.
B.
Off-street parking areas.
(1)
For any land use within an off-street parking area that contains fewer than 30 parking spaces the planting of trees shall not be required. For an off-street parking area that contains 30 or more parking spaces, all parking bays (commonly known as a "line of contiguous parking spaces") shall be terminated on each end with a landscaped island constructed to be a minimum of nine feet in width and the depth of the typical parking space in said parking area. Each said island shall contain a minimum of one deciduous tree with a minimum of a 2.5 inches dbh at the time of planting. Said trees shall not be calculated as part of any required buffer yard.
(2)
Unless otherwise approved by the Borough Engineer for promoting sustainable stormwater management practices, all landscape islands shall be enclosed by appropriate curbing or a similar device at least five inches wide and six inches in height above the paving surface.
C.
Landscaping for service structures for nonresidential uses.
(1)
All service structures shall be fully screened with a minimum of twenty-percent transparency. For the purposes of this subsection, service structures shall include propane tanks, generators, air-conditioning units and condensers, electrical transformers and other equipment or elements providing service to a building or a lot. See Chapter 292, the Sewickley Borough SALDO.
§ 330-612 Vegetation preservation.
A.
Vegetation preservation.
(1)
Vegetation preservation is governed by the specifications in this chapter and the provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. The removal of trees, shrubbery, foliage, grass or other natural growth shall be permitted when in conformance with the provisions of this chapter or any other Borough ordinance regulating land use, development and forestry.
B.
All forestry activities shall comply with the applicable Borough and/or state ordinances.