Southampton Township Cumberland County
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
General Provisions
§ 350-101 Title.
This chapter shall be known, and may be cited as, the "Southampton Township Zoning Ordinance."
§ 350-102 Effective date.
Having been enacted into law by the Board of Supervisors of Southampton Township on April 17, 2023, this chapter shall take effect immediately.
§ 350-103 Interpretation.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the health, safety and general welfare of the Township and its residents. It is not intended by this chapter to interfere with, abrogate or annul any duly adopted code or ordinance of the Township, or any regulations, rules or permits previously adopted or issued thereunder, or the rules and regulations of any agency or body of the State of Pennsylvania or the federal government which may have jurisdiction in a matter, nor is it the intent of this chapter to interfere with, abrogate or annul any easements, covenants, building restrictions or other agreements between parties; provided, however, that where this chapter imposes a greater restriction upon the use of buildings or premises or upon the height of the building, or requires larger open spaces than are imposed or required by such ordinances, rules, regulations or permits, or by easements, covenants, building restrictions or agreements, the provisions of this chapter shall control.
§ 350-104 Severability.
If any article, section, subsection, or provision in this chapter is declared to be illegal, unconstitutional, or invalid, by any court, such decision shall not affect or impair the validity of this chapter as a whole or any other article, section, subsection, or provision, or remaining portion of this chapter. The Board of Supervisors of Southampton Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, hereby declares that it would have adopted this chapter and each article, section, subsection, and provision thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more of the articles, sections, subsections, or provisions, may be declared illegal, unconstitutional, or invalid.
§ 350-105 Repealer.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this chapter or inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter are hereby repealed to the extent necessary to give this chapter full force and effect.
§ 350-106 Purpose.
A.
The purpose of this chapter is implementation of the Township Comprehensive Plan and the promotion of the health, safety, and general welfare of the present and future inhabitants of the Township by:
(1)
Giving effect to policies and proposals of the Township Comprehensive Plan.
(2)
Dividing the unincorporated area of the Township into districts according to the use of land and buildings, the intensity of such use including bulk and height, and surrounding open space.
(3)
Controlling and regulating the growth of the Township, concentrating development in areas where adequate utilities, roads and services can be provided, and limiting development in areas where these facilities are not or should not be provided.
(4)
Regulating and restricting the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residences, and other uses.
(5)
Providing standards for all types of dwelling units so that all the people may have access to decent, sound, and sanitary housing.
(6)
Securing safety from fire, panic, flood, and other dangers.
(7)
Providing adequate privacy, light, and air.
(8)
Protecting the tax base by facilitating cost-effective development within the Township.
(9)
Conserving the values of property throughout the Township.
(10)
Protecting landowners from adverse impacts of adjoining developments.
B.
Each purpose listed above serves to balance the interests of the public, those of individual property owners, and the Township.
§ 350-107 Community development objectives.
Community development objectives are based upon an analysis of existing conditions in the Township and region, and an assessment of the desires of its residents. The objectives listed below are consistent with the Amended Comprehensive Plan of Southampton Township, adopted December 23, 2019. The Board of Supervisors will undertake to provide for the health, safety, and general welfare of Township residents by maintaining a planning effort that:
A.
Preserve and protect the Township's natural resources.
B.
Preserve the Township's forested areas and the rural character of the Township.
C.
Encourage economic growth in appropriate locations in the Township.
D.
Provide a variety of housing types that are available to all Township residents.
E.
Maintain and improve the Township transportation net.
F.
Prevent the loss and damage of property from flooding events.
G.
Eliminate spot blight in the Township.
H.
Maintain and improve the Township transportation infrastructure investments.