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Shrewsbury Township
City Zoning Code

PART 8

SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT SR

§ 27-801 Purpose.

[Ord. No. 2015-03, 6/3/2015]
The Suburban Residential District provides higher-density residential development in areas where public water and public sewer service is generally available. Activities incompatible with such higher-density residential development are excluded. In order to make the most efficient use of the land involved, development in this district must utilize public water and public sewer service unless the developer can demonstrate that such service is not available. Leapfrog development utilizing on-site systems will not be permitted.

§ 27-802 Use Regulations.

[Ord. No. 2015-03, 6/3/2015]
1. 
A structure may be erected or used, and a lot may be used or occupied, for any of the following purposes and no other; providing, however, that all new uses shall utilize municipal or public sewer and water services provided such service or capacity exists within 1,000 feet of the proposed use and the parcel can feasibly be served by both municipal sewer and municipal public water. The applicant shall provide documentation to the Township that said service is not feasible. On-site sewage disposal systems and on-site wells may be utilized until such public systems become available or are located within 1,000 feet from the proposed use.
2. 
In addition to the provisions set forth in this Part, the following uses shall meet all applicable supplementary and general regulations found in Parts 14 and 15 of this chapter.
3. 
Principal Permitted Uses.
Active adult development (see § 27-1404)
Agriculture (see § 27-1404)
Cultural facilities (see § 27-1404)
Forestry (see § 27-1404)
Group home (see § 27-1404)
Multifamily dwelling (see § 27-1404)
Municipal park or playground or recreational facility (see § 27-1404)
Park, nonmunicipal (see § 27-1404)
Single-family attached dwelling (townhouse) (see § 27-1404)
Single-family detached dwelling (see § 27-1404)
Semidetached dwelling (see § 27-1404)
4. 
Permitted Accessory Uses.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2022-01, 3/2/2022]
Accessory dwelling unit (see § 27-1404)
Alternative energy system (private use) (see § 27-1404)
Bed-and-breakfast (see § 27-1404)
Buildings and uses customarily incidental to a permitted principal use
Detention or retention pond
Domiciliary care facility (see § 27-1404)
Family day-care home (see § 27-1404)
Home occupation (see § 27-1404)
No-impact home-based business (see § 27-1404)
Portable storage unit (see § 27-1404)
Swimming pool, private (see § 27-1404)
5. 
Principal Uses Permitted as Special Exceptions by the Zoning Hearing Board.
Adult day-care center (see § 27-1404)
Child day-care center (see § 27-1404)
Club (see § 27-1404)
Conversion apartments (see § 27-1404)
Golf course (see § 27-1404)
(Reserved)[1]
House of worship (see § 27-1404)
Mobile home park (see § 27-1404)
Nursery school (see § 27-1404)
Nursing home/personal care home (see § 27-1404)
Recreational facility (indoor) (see § 27-1404)
School, public or private (see § 27-1404)
Public utility of facility (see § 27-1404)
[1]
Editor's Note: The former entry for "group homes" was repealed Ord. No. 2021-03, 10/6/2021.
6. 
Accessory Uses Permitted by Special Exception by the Zoning Hearing Board.
Exotic wildlife (see § 27-1404)
Temporary structure or use (see § 27-1404)
Buildings and uses customarily incidental to any of the principal uses permitted by special exception
7. 
Prohibited Construction: No permanent buildings may be constructed or placed in a critical environmental area (See Part 13).
8. 
Special Regulations: The density of multifamily and row dwellings may be increased by the application of transferable development rights and pursuant to Part 9.

§ 27-803 Dimensional Requirements.

[Ord. No. 2015-03, 6/3/2015]
In this district, any structure hereafter erected or any lot hereafter used or occupied for any lawful purpose shall provide the minimum dimensions specified below. Should these requirements conflict with the requirements of Part 14 or 15, as applicable, for any specified use, the requirements of Part 14 or 15, as applicable, shall take precedence.
1. 
Principal and Accessory Dimensions: Suburban Residential District.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2020-01, 8/5/2020]
Single-Family Detached Dwellings
With public water and sewer
With public water only or sewer only
Without public water and sewer
Minimum lot area
12,000 square feet*
30,000 square feet with water/20,000 square feet with sewer
40,000 square feet
Minimum lot width
80 feet
100 feet
150 feet
Minimum front setback
10 feet
10 feet
10 feet
Minimum side setback
15 feet
15 feet
15 feet
Minimum rear setback
10 feet
10 feet
10 feet
Maximum building height
40 feet
40 feet
40 feet
Maximum lot coverage
70%
70%
70%
Accessory buildings and structures: side/rear setback
5 feet
5 feet
5 feet
Semidetached Dwellings
With public water and sewer
With public water only or sewer only
Minimum lot area
4,500 square feet per dwelling unit
30,000 square feet/unit with water
20,000 square feet/unit with sewer
Minimum lot width
45 feet per unit
80 feet per unit
Minimum front setback
10 feet
10 feet
Minimum side setback
15 feet**
15 feet
Minimum rear setback
15 feet
15 feet
Maximum building height
40 feet
40 feet
Maximum lot coverage
70%
70%
Accessory buildings and structures: side/rear setback
5 feet
5 feet
Single-Family Attached Dwellings
Multifamily Dwellings
With public water and sewer
With public water and sewer
Minimum lot area
2,200 square feet per dwelling unit
2,200 square feet per dwelling unit
Minimum lot width
22 feet per unit
*
Minimum front setback
10 feet
10 feet
Minimum side setback
15 feet**
15 feet
Minimum rear setback
15 feet
15 feet
Maximum building height
40 feet
40 feet
Maximum lot coverage
70%
70%
Accessory buildings and structures: side/rear setback
5 feet
5 feet
NOTES:
*
The lot containing one or more multifamily buildings must have a lot width of at least 200 feet. In those instances where more than one multifamily building is located on a lot, there shall be a minimum of 20 feet between individual buildings.
**
Common wall lines do not require setbacks.
All Other Uses
With public water and sewer
Minimum lot area
40,000 square feet
Minimum lot width
150 feet
Minimum front setback
10 feet
Minimum side setback
15 feet
Minimum rear setback
10 feet
Maximum building height
40 feet
Maximum lot coverage
70%
Accessory buildings and structures: side/rear setback
5 feet
2. 
Building and Dwelling Unit Density:
A. 
The following density requirements shall be met:
(1) 
Row Dwellings: The maximum number of dwelling units in a row group is eight.
(2) 
Multifamily Dwellings: The maximum number of dwelling units in a multifamily dwelling is eight. For the purpose of determining maximum building and unit density, residential care facilities and group living arrangements providing separate dwelling units for residents and clients shall be considered multifamily dwellings.
(3) 
Ratio of Dwelling Types: The total number of row dwelling units and multifamily dwelling units or combination thereof may not exceed 50% of the total number of dwelling units. This requirement does not apply if the parcel is less than 15 acres in size.
(4) 
Unit Density: The maximum gross density or number of dwelling units permitted shall be based upon the total area of the parcel less the total area of any CEAs, existing rights-of-way, existing easements or other factors within the parcel that would prevent residential use of the area. The owner shall then calculate the maximum number of dwelling units permitted based on the net acreage of the parcel utilizing the following densities:
[Amended by Ord. No. 2020-01, 8/5/2020; and by Ord. No. 2023-05, 11/1/2023]
(a) 
The maximum number of single-family detached dwelling units shall be calculated by multiplying the acres of the parcel allocated to that dwelling type by three. There shall be a maximum of three single-family detached dwelling units per acre (3 du/acre).
(b) 
The maximum number of semidetached dwelling units shall be calculated by multiplying the acres of the parcel allocated to that dwelling type by 4.5. There shall be a maximum of 4 1/2 semidetached dwelling units per acre (4.5 du/acre).
(c) 
The maximum number of row dwelling units or multifamily dwelling units shall be calculated by multiplying the number of acres of the parcel allocated to that dwelling type by six. There shall be a maximum of six row dwelling units or multifamily dwelling units per acre (6 du/acre).
1) 
When utilizing DR, the unit density may be increased pursuant to Parts 4 and 8 of this chapter, except the number of dwelling units can be increased provided a development right is transferred from the Agricultural District (see Part 5 herein).
(d) 
The maximum number of active adult development dwelling units shall be calculated by multiplying the acres of the parcel allocated to dwellings by six. There shall be a maximum of six dwelling units per acre (six du/acre).
[Added by Ord. No. 2023-02, 3/1/2023]

§ 27-804 Approved Subdivision.

[Ord. No. 2015-03, 6/3/2015]
Each principal use shall be located on a separate, approved lot. Such lots must meet all the requirements of this chapter, the Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance,[1] and all requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 22, Subdivision and Land Development.

§ 27-805 Additional Parking.

[Ord. No. 2015-03, 6/3/2015; amended by Ord. No. 2020-01, 8/5/2020]
1. 
In addition to parking required by Part 16 of this chapter for all uses, multifamily and row dwellings developments shall provide additional off-street parking at the rate of one parking space per proposed residential dwelling in the form of off-street lot parking. Additional parking shall be provided in one or any combination of the following:
A. 
Off-street lot parking dispersed throughout the development conforming to the requirements of Part 16 of this chapter.
B. 
Parking structures will be allowed in conformity with the structures around them.

§ 27-806 Open Space Requirements.

[Ord. No. 2015-03, 6/3/2015]
For residential developments consisting of more than five dwelling units, a minimum of 20% of the total area of the tract being developed shall be set aside for open space. Fifty percent of the parcel's CEA may be utilized to satisfy this requirement. Open space shall be distributed throughout the proposed development site as to serve the maximum number of proposed residential units.

§ 27-807 Standards for Uses.

[Ord. No. 2015-03, 6/3/2015]
In addition to the standards set forth in this Part, all uses permitted within the Suburban Residential District shall also comply with:
1. 
Landscape, Buffering and Screening. As required in the Shrewsbury Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
2. 
Off-Street Parking and Loading. All uses in the Suburban Residential District shall provide off-street parking spaces and off-street loading space according to the provisions set forth in Part 16 of this chapter. Such areas shall be designed to include adequate snow storage per Shrewsbury Township.
3. 
Signs. Signs may be erected and maintained only when in compliance with the provisions of the Shrewsbury Township Sign Ordinance[1] and landscaping requirements in the Subdivision and Land Ordinance.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2020-01, 8/5/2020]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 22, Subdivision and Land Development.
4. 
All proposed subdivisions and developments shall satisfy the requirements of Part 13, Critical Environmental Areas and Wellhead Protection.
5. 
Environmental Performance Standards. All uses in the Suburban Residential District shall comply with the environmental protection standards provided for in Part 15 of this chapter.