Warwick Township Bucks County
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
General Provisions
§ 195-1 Intent.
This shall be a chapter regulating and restricting the height of buildings and other structures, the percentage of lot that may be occupied, the size of yards and other open spaces, the density of population and the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence or other purposes; creating districts and boundaries thereof; defining certain terms used herein; and providing for the administration, enforcement and amendment of this chapter in accordance with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,[1] as amended.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
§ 195-2 Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Warwick Township Zoning Ordinance of 2010, as amended."
§ 195-3 Purpose.
A.
This chapter is enacted in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code[1] for the following purposes:
(1)
To promote, protect and facilitate one or more of the following: the public health, safety, morals, general welfare, coordinated and practical community development, proper density of population, civil defense, disaster evacuation, airports and national defense facilities, the provisions of adequate light and air, police protection, vehicle parking and loading space, transportation, water, sewerage, schools, public grounds and other public requirements, historical resources, agricultural land, recreational facilities, water supply, access to solar energy and the preservation of natural environment; and
(2)
To prevent one or more of the following: overcrowding of land, blight, danger and congestion in travel and transportation and loss of health, life or property from fire, flood, panic or other dangers; and
(3)
To implement the Warwick Township Comprehensive Plan.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
B.
This chapter is made in accordance with an overall program and with consideration for the character of the municipality, its various parts and the suitability of the various parts for particular uses and structures.
§ 195-4 Objectives.
It shall be and is hereby declared to be the objective of Warwick Township to provide for the orderly development of the community through this chapter as presently in effect or hereafter amended in order to carry into effect the purposes, plans and guidelines as set forth in the Warwick Township Comprehensive Plan, which plan is herein incorporated by reference.
§ 195-5 Interpretation.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare.
A.
Whenever any regulations made under authority of this chapter require a greater width or size of yards, courts or other open spaces, or require a lower height of buildings or smaller number of stories, or require a greater percentage of lot to be unoccupied, or impose other higher standards than are required in or under any other statute, the provisions of the regulations made under authority of this chapter shall govern.
B.
Whenever the provisions of any other statute or Township ordinance require a greater width or size of yards, courts or other open spaces, or require a greater percentage of lot to be left unoccupied, or impose other higher standards than are required by any regulations made under authority of this chapter, the provisions of such statute shall govern.
C.
Whenever any regulations pertaining to a specific use or activity under authority of this chapter require a greater width or size of yards, courts or other open spaces, or require a lower height of buildings or smaller number of stories, or require a greater percentage of lot to be left unoccupied, or impose other higher standards than are required for the zoning district or generally required under this chapter, the greater or higher standards shall govern.
D.
This chapter does not repeal, abrogate, annul or in any way impair or interfere with existing provisions of other laws or ordinances, except those specifically or impliedly repealed by this chapter, or any private restriction placed upon property by covenant, deed or other private agreement unless repugnant hereto.
E.
Those provisions in Chapter 163, Subdivision and Land Development, concerned with variant design standards shall not be considered to be in conflict with the provisions of this chapter, and both chapters shall be construed, if possible, to give effect to all of their provisions. In the event of a conflict, ambiguity or inconsistency between this chapter or Chapter 163, Subdivision and Land Development, the provisions of this chapter shall control.
§ 195-6 Severability.
If any provision, sentence, clause, section or part of this chapter or the application of any provision hereof is for any reason found to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid, such unconstitutionality, illegality or invalidity shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions, sentences, clauses, sections or parts of this chapter. It is hereby declared as the intent of the Township that this chapter would have been enacted had such unconstitutional, illegal or invalid provision, sentence, clause, section or part hereof not been included.
§ 195-7 Designation of districts; Zoning Map.
[Amended 3-7-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-1; 10-18-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-02; 1-20-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-01]
A.
For the purposes of this chapter, the Township of Warwick is hereby divided into 15 districts and two overlay districts which shall be designated as follows:
RA | Residential/Agricultural District | |
R1 | Residential/Agricultural District | |
R1a | Residential/Agricultural District | |
R2 | Residential/Agricultural District | |
RR | Restricted Residential District | |
RG | Residential Golf District | |
MF-1 | Multifamily Residential District | |
MF-2 | Multifamily Residential District | |
C1 | Local Commercial District | |
C2 | Highway Commercial District | |
C3 | Commercial/Multifamily District | |
VC | Village Center District | |
VC II | Village Center II District | |
LI | Limited Industrial District | |
O | Office District | |
H | Historical Overlay District | |
COD | Corridor Overlay District |
B.
Districts are bounded and defined as shown in the map "Zoning Map of Warwick Township," which accompanies and which, with all explanatory matters thereon, is hereby made a part of this chapter.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Zoning Map is included at the end of this chapter.
§ 195-8 Interpretation of district boundaries.
Where uncertainty exists with respect to boundaries of the district as indicated on the Zoning Map, the following rules shall apply:
A.
Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately coinciding with the center lines of streets, highways, railroad lines or streams, such center lines shall be construed to be such boundaries.
B.
Where district boundaries are so indicated that they approximately coincide with lot lines, such lot lines shall be construed to be said boundaries; or where district boundaries are extensions of lot lines or connecting intersections of lot lines, such lines shall be said district boundaries.
C.
Where district boundaries are so indicated that they are approximately parallel to center lines of streets or highways, such district boundaries shall be construed as being parallel thereto and that such distance therefrom is indicated on the Zoning Map.