Tredyffrin Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE IV
RC Rural-Conservation Districts
§ 208-11 Purpose.
RC Rural-Conservation Districts are designed to encourage the preservation of sizable stream valley, wooded areas and areas of steep slopes within the Township, for protection of the Exception Value Waters Valley Creek Watershed, the limestone/carbonate geology of the Great Valley, scenic and historic areas in proximity to Valley Forge National Historic Park and other open space and historic purposes. Accordingly, the district regulations contain a density standard which, among other things, provides for agricultural and low-density residential uses and facilitates the conservation and proper utilization of groundwater supplies and the control of soil erosion and surface water runoff and flooding.
§ 208-12 Use regulations.
Land and buildings may be used and occupied for any one of the following purposes and no other:
A.
Woodlot, game preserve, environmental education or conservation facility or other conservation purpose.
B.
Agricultural use, which may include a single-family dwelling, tilling of the soil, nursery or greenhouse and the keeping of livestock and poultry, but which may not include a piggery, poultry hatchery or similar establishment, provided that any building used for the keeping of livestock and poultry or as a greenhouse shall be located not less than 100 feet from any street line and not less than 150 feet from any other property line.
C.
Public park or recreation area owned and operated by a governmental agency.
D.
One single-family detached dwelling.
E.
Utility line or any necessary governmental or public utility use, provided that:
(1)
No such use shall include an office open to the general public; the storage of materials; rotating equipment; trucking or repair facilities; housing of work crews; a storage garage; or any structure involving major traffic movements;
(2)
The portion of any such use not located within a building is enclosed or adequately screened in such a manner as to not detract from the character of the district; and
(3)
No advertising shall be affixed to any structure.
F.
The following uses when authorized as a special exception, subject to the general standards prescribed in §§ 208-105 and 208-150:
(1)
Memorial park type of cemetery, provided that no such use shall be located closer than 200 feet to a residential property line.
(2)
Conversion of a single-family dwelling to two-family or multifamily use, subject to the provisions of § 208-106.
(3)
Privately owned outdoor recreational area or use, customarily located in natural and/or rural areas (such as park, picnic ground, riding academy, golf course and swimming area, and including a country club, tennis club or hunt club lodge in conjunction with permitted outdoor use), provided that:
(a)
The use and its design are compatible with the natural character of the area;
(b)
Each building or structure shall be clearly incidental to the permitted outdoor use;
(c)
Any club or lodge building and its services shall be for the use of members and their guests only;
(d)
No commercial activity shall be permitted except for charging of admission, the sale of refreshments or such other purpose as is clearly incidental to the permitted outdoor activity;
(e)
Each permitted use or activity shall be screened and separated from a public street and from an adjoining property by a landscaped planting strip not less than 100 feet in depth; subject to the requirements of § 208-103B relating to the location and buffering of off-street parking areas;
(f)
Each incidental commercial use shall be located or screened so that it shall not be visible from a public street;
(g)
There shall be no overhead lighting other than streetlight or parking lights;
(h)
Not more than 40% of the land area of the lot shall be utilized for impervious surfaces; and
(i)
Any activity not located within enclosed walls shall be limited to the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
G.
Accessory use on the same lot with and customarily incidental to any of the foregoing permitted uses. Each use shall comply with the provisions of §§ 208-103 and 208-104. The term "accessory use" shall not include a business except as expressly authorized herein, but shall include:
(1)
Private parking space, parking structure or garage; private, noncommercial garden or greenhouse; private home swimming pool or private tennis court.
(2)
Accessory apartment for a watchman, caretaker or the staff or employees of a permitted use subject to the area and height regulations of § 208-13.
(3)
Not more than one rental room, without housekeeping privileges for boarders, provided that any such room shall not be occupied by more than two persons and that one off-street parking space is available on the same lot exclusively for each boarder.
(5)
The following uses when authorized as a special exception and subject to the special requirements indicated for each use:
(c)
Office of a veterinarian or profession involving the treatment, boarding or breeding of animals, provided that such use is located on a lot of not less than 10 acres and that the facilities so used are located a minimum of 150 feet from any street or property line.
(6)
The parking or storage (outside of a garage) of not more than one recreational or commercial vehicle, including but not limited to motor homes, campers, boats and trailers, subject to the following conditions:
(a)
Such vehicle shall not be used for living or housekeeping purposes.
(b)
Such vehicle shall not exceed 26 feet in length, exclusive of its trailer hitch or towbar.
(c)
Such vehicle shall not be stored within a required front yard or in front of the facade of the residence on the property, whichever is stricter.
(d)
Such vehicle shall not be stored within a required side or rear yard unless screened from neighboring properties by evergreen trees, hedges or other landscaping at least as high as the vehicle.
§ 208-13 Area, bulk and height regulations.
A.
Lot area and width. A lot area of not less than five acres and a lot width of not less than 300 feet at the building line shall be provided.
B.
Building coverage. Not more than 5% of the lot area may be occupied by buildings.
C.
Impervious coverage. Not more than 10% of the lot area may be covered by impervious surface.
D.
Front yard. There shall be a front yard on each street on which the lot abuts, the depth of which shall be at least 100 feet.
E.
Side yards. There shall be two side yards not less than 100 feet in aggregate width and neither less than 45 feet in width.
F.
Rear yard. There shall be a rear yard, the depth of which shall be at least 50 feet.
G.
Height. The height of any building shall not exceed 35 feet.