Upper Frederick Township
City Zoning Code

Minimizing the amount of new urban or suburban development which occurs in the portions of the Township that are now rural in character, and to blend that which does occur unobtrusively into the rural environment.

Discouraging the location of nonrural uses which do not blend with and complement the rural character.

Maintaining a sufficiently low density and intensity of uses here to make unnecessary the provision of suburban-type improvements, services, facilities and infrastructure.

Avoiding inducement to further extend existing suburban development by leapfrog or infill development.

Preserving from development natural amenities including prime agricultural soils and farms, woodlands, floodplains, steep slopes, stream valleys and rock outcrops.

Encouraging retention of woodlands, hedgerows, and other vegetation to moderate the effects of storms, absorb pollutants and noise, shelter wildlife and provide a diverse natural environment.

Maintaining rural vistas, especially from public areas such as roads and waterways.

Locating housing units and other nonrural uses where they are least visible and hidden by topography or vegetation and thus minimize perceived density.

Single-family detached dwelling, using conventional lotting under the standards contained in § 285-85, herein, or under the standards of the Land Preservation District (LPD) when applied as an overlay in compliance with § 285-86, herein.

Agriculture.

Accessory uses, in compliance with § 285-62 of this chapter.

Natural open space uses of a passive nature and conducted out-of-doors, including wildlife sanctuary, forest preserve, nature center, arboretum, hiking, bicycling or bridle trails.

Game farm, fish hatchery or similar uses designed for the protection or propagation of wildlife.

Wholesale plant nurseries.

Signs in conformance with Article XX.

Cellular communication tower, subject to the provisions of § 285-67C.

No-impact, home-based business.

Commercial solar energy system by conditional use, pursuant to § 285-77.2.

Commercial solar energy system as a matter of right on property owned by Upper Frederick Township.

Swimming club, day camp, resident camp, tennis court, golf course, country club and other recreational facility of an outdoor nature, whether open to the public or restricted to private membership.

Equine riding academy or boarding stable.

Outdoor meeting place for cultural or artistic endeavors such as concerts or exhibitions.

Wholesale greenhouses.

Minimum lot size: 217,800 square feet (five acres) gross lot area; 80,000 square feet net lot area.

Minimum width at front building line: 300 feet.

Minimum front yard: 100 feet.

Minimum side yard: each 50 feet.

Minimum rear yard: 100 feet.

Maximum building coverage: 7%.

Maximum height.

Flag lots are permitted for tracts of land with a minimum size of 30 acres, if such lots exist at the time of the adoption of this subsection, and meet the dimensional requirements of this chapter, and the standards outlined in § 285-50.

Single-family detached dwellings shall be permitted by right at a maximum density of one dwelling unit per five acres of net lot area, as neighborhood lotting, otherwise in compliance with §§ 285-91 and 285-94.

For nonneighborhood lots taking access from an existing road external to the subdivision, minimum dimensions shall be those of § 285-85, herein.

The following LPD standards do not apply to LPD development in the RP District:

Appropriate use. The function of the proposed facility shall be appropriate to the location proposed and not one which would more logically be located in another district. The proposed use shall not have adverse impacts on neighboring uses due to noise, glare, odor, dust, vibration or similar negative effect.

Natural features. The buildings and uses shall preserve to the maximum extent possible all floodplains, stream valleys, steep slopes, woodlands, prime agricultural soils, and similar environmentally sensitive areas and shall be planned to minimize perceived density or intensity of development. After development, the site shall retain an essentially rural or open character. Easements may be requested by the Board of Supervisors for interconnection of trails and natural features of Township-wide significance.

Road capacity. The existing rural road system shall be capable of accommodating peak traffic generated by the facility in a safe and efficient manner or be capable of being improved to that level of accommodation without jeopardizing the rural character of the road system.

Visual compatibility. The proposed facility must demonstrate visual compatibility with its rural surroundings, or provide plans to provide visual buffering with vegetative species compatible with existing species on the site.

Parking setback. No parking area shall be closer than 50 feet to any property boundary or right-of-way.

Building coverage shall not exceed 10% of the gross tract acreage.

Paving coverage shall not exceed 10% of the gross tract acreage.