Sinking Spring City Zoning Code

The boundaries of the zoning districts shall be shown on the Zoning Map of the Borough of Sinking Spring. The official copy of the Zoning Map shall be located in the Borough Hall. The Zoning Map and all notations, references and data shown thereon are hereby incorporated by reference into this chapter, as if the same were more fully set forth at length herein.

The Official Zoning Map shall be so labeled and identified by the signature of the President of the Borough Council, attested by the Secretary of said Council and bear the seal of the Borough under the following words:

All amendments to the Zoning Map of the Borough shall be indicated on the official copy of the Zoning Map. An entry indicating the change made and the date of any change shall be made, and the entry shall include the signature of the President and the Secretary of the Borough Council.

In the event that the Official Zoning Map becomes damaged, destroyed, lost or difficult to interpret the changes and additions made thereon, the Borough Council may by resolution adopt a new Official Zoning Map, which shall supersede such prior map. The new Official Zoning Map may correct drafting or other errors or omissions in the prior Official Zoning Map, but no such correction shall have the effect of amending the original Official Zoning Map or any subsequent amendment thereof. The new Official Zoning Map shall be identified by the signatures of the President of the Borough Council, attested by the Secretary of said Council, and bear the seal of the Borough under the following words:

Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately coinciding with the center lines of streets, highways, or alleys, such center lines shall be construed to be such boundaries.

Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately coinciding with plotted lot lines, such lot lines shall be construed to be such.

Where district boundaries are indicated as being approximately parallel to the center or right-of-way lines of streets or highways, such district boundaries shall be construed as being parallel to the center or right-of-way lines and at such distance from the center or right-of-way lines as is indicated on the Official Zoning Map. Distances not specifically indicated on the Official Zoning Map shall be determined by the scale of the map.

Where district boundaries are indicated as being approximately perpendicular to the right-of-way lines of streets or highways, such district boundaries shall be construed as being perpendicular to the right-of-way lines of streets or highways.

Boundaries indicated as approximately following Borough limits shall be construed as following such limits.

Boundaries indicated as following railroad lines shall be construed midway between the main tracks.

Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features indicated in Subsections A through F above shall be so construed.

Where physical or cultural features existing on the ground are at variance with those shown on the Official Zoning Map, or in other circumstances not covered by Subsections A through G above, the Zoning Hearing Board shall interpret the district boundaries.

Where a district boundary line divides a lot which was in single ownership at the effective date of this chapter, at the election of the Borough Zoning Officer the regulations of either zoning district may be extended a distance of not more than 50 feet beyond the district boundary line into the remaining portion of the lot when one or both of the districts involved are R-1, R-3, R-4, R-5 or R-6 District. When both of the districts involved are C-1, C-2, D-1 or I-1 Districts, at the election of the Borough Zoning Officer, the regulations of either zoning district may be extended a distance of not more than 200 feet beyond the district boundary line into the remaining portion of the lot.

Except as hereafter provided in this chapter, no building, structure or land shall be used or occupied and no building, structure or part thereof shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed or structurally altered except in conformity with all the regulations specified within the chapter for the district in which the building, structure or land is located.

No building, structures or land shall be used or occupied and no building, structure or part thereof shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed or structurally altered without the issuance of a permit by the Zoning Officer.

No part of a yard, other open space, or off-street parking or loading space required in connection with one structure, building, or use of land shall be included as part of a yard, open space, or off-street parking or loading space similarly required for any other structure, building or use of the land, except where provisions of this chapter may allow shared parking or loading.

No yard or lot existing at the time of passage of this chapter shall be reduced in dimension or area below the minimum requirements set forth in this chapter.

All territory which may hereafter be annexed to the Borough shall be considered to be an R-1 District until otherwise classified.

Each use/structure must meet the zoning requirements of the specific zoning district, all general zoning sections, and any specific zoning sections that may apply.