Tarentum City Zoning Code
ARTICLE III
Bulk Regulations
§ 265-301 Bulk regulations.
A.
Principal uses. Within the R-1 and R-2 Districts, one principal use is authorized per lot unless otherwise expressly authorized within this chapter, provided that where townhouse and duplex dwellings are authorized, such may be considered as one principal use for purposes of the preceding limitation of principal uses. Multiple nonresidential principal uses within the CC Commercial Center, RFO Riverfront Overlay and RRO Rural Resource Districts shall be authorized to the extent that all other standards of this chapter are met.
B.
Access to lots. Notwithstanding stricter provisions of this chapter, no lot shall be created nor any principal use constructed, operated, or housed on any lot unless there is direct access to it through a recorded right-of-way or easement for ingress and egress on the same lot. Such open space shall extend from the lot to a public street or highway, or to a private street or highway and shall bear a cartway so constructed and maintained to a mud-free and permanently passable condition allowing vehicular access. For the purpose of this section, an alley or street expressly designed and functioning as an alley shall not constitute a public street or highway.
C.
Noise. No establishment, excepting Borough and school district activities, as part of its regular operations, shall exceed the noise levels as measured at the property lines of the parcel upon which the establishment is operated in the following manners:
(1)
The sound level at any one point in time exceeds 90 decibels.
(2)
The sound exceeds any of the established limits in Subsection C(3) by a measured sound level of 10 dB(A) for a cumulative total of one minute or more out of any ten-minute period.
(3)
The sound exceeds any 75 decibels continually for a period of five minutes, or a total of five minutes out of any 10 minutes.
D.
Projections into required yards.
(1)
No principal building, and no part of a principal building, shall be erected within or shall project into the required front, side or rear yard of a lot, except cornices, eaves and gutters. Steps and stoops, chimneys, and bay windows are permitted to project into yard areas provided that the projection is not more than 24 inches. Porches may encroach up to eight feet into a required front yard setback.
(2)
Corner lots. On corner lots, the yard abutting the street on the longer dimension may be reduced by an amount not to exceed 50% of the required front yard, but shall otherwise be recognized as a front yard for purposes of this chapter. The remaining yards may be applied as side yards.
(3)
Platforms, etc. Terraces, uncovered porches, patios, platforms, and ornamental features that do not extend more than four feet above the floor level of the first (ground) story may project into a required yard, provided these projections be distant at least two feet from the adjacent side lot line and five feet from front and rear lot lines.
(4)
Accessory structures.
(a)
Any accessory structure which is attached to a principal structure shall be subject to the same application of yard standards and exceptions as applied to the principal structure.
(b)
Accessory building location. Accessory buildings which are not part of a principal structure shall be erected so as to conform to all of the dimensional and yard requirements specified for the district in which it is located. Accessory structures that cover less than 800 square feet of a lot and bear a maximum height of 14 feet and swimming pools may encroach into half or 50% of the required rear yard. Additionally, sheds that cover 144 square feet or less may locate within five feet of any side or rear lot line, excepting the front yard and any such lot line that adjoins a street.
(5)
Fences. Fences may encroach into required yards as established by minimum setbacks provided that the fence(s) conform to the following requirements:
(a)
Fences, walls, plant materials or similar enclosures are permitted up to the property line. In no case shall such structures and/or materials be placed beyond the lot line or in any public right-of-way.
(b)
Rear yard fences and any portion of side yard fences that extend from the front building line to the rear lot line may be erected up to the property line of a lot, to a height not in excess of six feet above the adjacent ground level.
(c)
Front yard fences and any portion of side yard fences that extend from the front building line to the front lot line may be erected up to the property line of a lot, to a height not in excess of four feet above the adjacent ground level, provided that the ratio of the solid portion of the fence to the open portion shall not exceed one to one.
(d)
Where any nonresidential use is authorized as a conditional use and such approval is sought by an applicant, Council may approve the encroachment of a fence higher than the maximum heights authorized to encroach into particular yards with the criteria that the height of the fence is the minimum required to provide security, safety, and/or visual screening of products or materials authorized to be stored onsite and integral to the functioning of the use authorized. The preceding shall be authorized as a special exception subject to the same criteria where the principal use is existing or authorized as a permitted use by right.
E.
Height regulations. No structure shall exceed the maximum height regulations imposed by this chapter with respect to each Zoning District or provision otherwise imposing greater or lesser height maximums, except as follows. Spires, belfries, cupolas, or domes not used for human occupancy, chimneys, ventilators, skylights, silos, and ornamental or necessary mechanical appurtenances may exceed the maximum height requirements imposed by a respective district by 15 feet.
F.
Commercial vehicles.
(1)
No commercial vehicle or combination of vehicles for the operation of which state law requires a commercial driver's license or CDL shall be parked, stored or maintained on any street, road, or right-of-way, within any zoning district of the Borough of Tarentum. Such vehicles shall not be permitted on properties within the R-1 and R-2 Districts, unless within an authorized commercial establishment bears a loading space used for deliveries where the vehicle is only on the property at such times.
(2)
Motor homes and recreational trailers, as defined in the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, and boats shall not be parked nor stored or maintained on any street, road, or right-of-way within any zoning district of the Borough of Tarentum.
G.
Accessory uses. Accessory uses shall include but not be limited to the following. Where a certain threshold is established, any access of said threshold shall constitute a principal use subject to express authorization in a respective district.
(1)
In R-1 and R-2 Residential Zones or uses (all zones):
(a)
Children's playhouse, domestic gardens, garden house, private (noncommercial) greenhouse.
(b)
Garage, shed or building for domestic storage; storage of camping trailers, boats and similar equipment, which are owned or leased, for the use of the residents of the premises for noncommercial purposes notwithstanding the standards of § 265-301F, Commercial vehicles.
(c)
Care of up to three children who are not relatives of the occupant. (For purposes of these requirements, "relative" shall be deemed to be a child, stepchild, grandchild, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, stepbrother or stepsister.)
(d)
Housing of up to five of any one type of domestic pet, wherein a number in excess shall constitute a kennel for purposes of this chapter.
(2)
Uses accessory to nonresidential principal uses.
(a)
Storage of merchandise and goods normally carried in stock in conjunction with retail or wholesale business use, on the same parcel or lot of ground provided that such storage shall not occur in the front yard unless otherwise provided for as a temporary use in this chapter. However, storage of such merchandise shall be housed within an completely enclosed building or screened in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
(b)
Where principal use is authorized, storage of goods used in, or produced by, manufacturing activities, on the same parcel or lot of ground shall be permitted except within the required front yard.
(3)
In all zones off-street motor vehicle parking areas, loading and unloading areas shall be permitted subject to any limitations otherwise imposed by this chapter.
(4)
No-impact home-based businesses shall be permitted as an accessory use to any residential dwelling unit.
(5)
Amateur radio antenna structures. Amateur radio antennas shall further be authorized in all zoning districts with the exception of the CC Commercial Center District for purposes of protecting the historic integrity of the neighborhoods comprising the district. The following shall apply to amateur radio antennas:
(a)
The antenna shall not exceed 65 feet in height.
(b)
Evergreen tree species that will ultimately grow to a height comparable to the height of the proposed antenna shall be planted along the property line that lies along the yard in which the antenna is constructed.
(c)
The antenna shall be set back at least 50% of its height as measured vertically from mean ground level from all lot lines.
(d)
No antenna shall be erected in the front yard of a lot.
H.
Modified yard depth. The following yard depth shall be maintained from adjoining district boundaries of the district noted where a portion or the entirety of a lot located within the adjoining district bears one or more residential dwelling units. Landscaping and buffering otherwise required by this chapter may be installed within said area. Each category sited shall be exclusive of and shall not include the buildings or uses of the preceding.
Depth (feet) | Use Types | |
|---|---|---|
20 | Parking areas, storage, access drives, and drive-through lanes where permitted | |
40 | Local public uses, churches, daycare, funeral homes; and structures housing 1 or more of any other nonresidential principal use where said structure bears 8,000 or less square feet of gross floor area | |
70 | Buildings housing 1 or more uses other than local public uses, churches, daycare, funeral homes that exceed 8,000 square feet of gross floor area |
I.
Construction in areas of steep slopes. No greater than 25% of lot area which is comprised of steep slope shall be disturbed for purposes of grading, installation of structures, or clear cutting of forests except for forestry, as defined in this chapter. Upon initial evaluation using the most recent topography available through the USGS, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources PAMAP Program, or other standardized and reliable resource, the Zoning Officer may require submission of topography necessary to verify compliance with the foregoing performance standard.
J.
Forestry shall be authorized as a permitted use in all zoning districts.
K.
All lands, lots, and rights-of-way within the Borough shall be subject to the parking, signage, and supplemental standards set forth in this chapter. Unless otherwise stated, said standards shall apply equally to all zoning districts within the Borough.