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West Earl Township City Zoning Code

ARTICLE II

Definitions and Word Usage

§ 184-6 Word usage.

For the purpose of this chapter, certain terms, phrases and words are defined as follows:
A. 
Tense, gender and number. Words used in the present tense include the future; words in the masculine gender include the feminine and the neuter; and the singular number includes the plural, and the plural includes the singular.
B. 
General terms.
(1) 
The word "shall" or "must" is always mandatory; the word "may" is permissive.
(2) 
The words "used for" include "designed for," "arranged for," "intended for," "maintained for" or "occupied for."
(3) 
The word "building" includes "structure" and shall be construed as if followed by the phrase "or part thereof."
(4) 
The word "person" includes "individual," "profit or nonprofit organization," "partnership," "company," "unincorporated association" or other similar entities.
C. 
References to codes, ordinances, resolutions, plans, maps, governmental bodies, commissions or agencies or officials are to codes, ordinances, resolutions, plans, maps, governmental bodies, commissions or agencies or officials of the Township of West Earl, the West Earl Sewer Authority or the West Earl Water Authority as in effect or in office from time to time, including amendments thereto or revisions or successors thereof, unless the text indicates that another reference is intended.
[Added 5-14-1990 by Ord. No. 82]
D. 
Terms, phrases and words not defined. When terms, phrases or words are not defined, they shall have their ordinarily accepted meanings or such as the context may imply.

§ 184-7 Definitions.

[Amended 2-6-1979 by Ord. No. 1-1979; 5-7-1985 by Ord. No. 48; 12-9-1986 by Ord. No. 59; 10-4-1988 by Ord. No. 76; 5-14-1990 by Ord. No. 82; 2-24-1992 by Ord. No. 88; 2-13-1995 by Ord. No. 106; 6-12-1995 by Ord. No. 107; 7-22-1996 by Ord. No. 118; 1-27-2003 by Ord. No. 164; 9-28-2009 by Ord. No. 206; 11-9-2009 by Ord. No. 207; 2-9-2015 by Ord. No. 226; 3-14-2016 by Ord. No. 234; 7-9-2018 by Ord. No. 243; 3-11-2024 by Ord. No. 270; 6-10-2024 by Ord. No. 274; 10-14-2024 by Ord. No. 277; 5-12-2025 by Ord. No. 278; 9-22-2025 by Ord. No. 283]
Terms or words used herein, unless otherwise expressly stated, shall have the following meanings:
ACCESSORY BUILDING
A subordinate building, the use of which is customarily incidental to and located on the same lot occupied by the principal building.
ACCESSORY USE
A use customarily incidental and subordinate to and located on the same lot occupied by the principal use to which it relates.
ADULT BOOKSTORE
An establishment having as a substantial and significant portion of its stock-in-trade books, magazines and other periodicals which are distinguished or characterized by their emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas and/or sexually oriented devices, or an establishment with a segment or section devoted to the sale or display of such publications or devices.
ADULT ESTABLISHMENT
An adult bookstore, adult mini motion-picture theater, adult motion-picture theater, adult theater or massage establishment.
ADULT MINI MOTION-PICTURE THEATER
An enclosed building with a capacity for fewer than 50 persons used for presenting motion pictures, a preponderance of which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, for observation by patrons therein.
ADULT MOTION-PICTURE THEATER
An enclosed building with a capacity of 50 or more persons used for presenting motion pictures, a preponderance of which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, for observation by patrons therein.
ADULT THEATER
An establishment featuring live performances on a regular basis which are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.
ADVERTISING SIGN
See "sign, advertising."
AGRICULTURAL BUILDING
A structure constructed for and utilized to store farm implements, hay, feed, grain or other agricultural or horticultural products or to house poultry, livestock or other farm animals, a milk house and structure used to grow mushrooms, agricultural or horticultural products.
AGRICULTURE
The cultivation of the soil and the raising and harvesting of the products of the soil, including but not limited to nursery, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry.
ALTERATION
Any change or rearrangement in the structural parts or in the existing facilities of a building or structure or any enlargement thereof, whether by extension on any side or by an increase in height, or the moving of such building from one location or position to another.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PRODUCTION SYSTEM
One or more structures, equipment or devices used for the production of heat, cooling or electricity or other forms of energy from renewable energy sources rather than fossil fuel sources.
ANTENNA OR TOWER HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the base of the tower or antenna support structure at grade to the highest point of the tower or antenna structure. If the support structure is on a slope grade, then the average height between the highest and lowest grades shall be used in calculating the tower or antenna height.
ANTENNA OR TOWER SITE
A tract or parcel of land that contains the communications tower or antenna, its support structure, equipment shelter, accessory buildings and parking, and may include other uses associated with and ancillary to transmission of the communications frequency.
ANTENNA OR TOWER SUPPORT STRUCTURE
Any pole, telescoping mast, tower, tripod, equipment shelter or any other structure which supports a device used in the transmitting or receiving of radio frequency energy or other frequency utilized in the communications industry.
APARTMENT HOUSE
See "multifamily dwelling" under "dwelling."
ATTIC
That part of a building which is immediately below and wholly or partly within the roof framing.
BASEMENT
A story partly below the finished grade but having at least one-half (1/2) of its height (measured from the finished floor to the finished ceiling) above the average level of the finished grade where such grade abuts the exterior walls of the building. A "basement" shall be considered as one story in determining the permissible number of stories.
BED-AND-BREAKFAST
An owner-occupied single-family detached dwelling where not more than five bedrooms are rented to overnight guests on a daily basis for periods not exceeding one week.
BILLBOARD
See "sign."
BLOCK
A tract of land or a lot or group of lots bounded by streets, public parks, railroad rights-of-way, watercourses or bodies of water or boundary lines of the township or by any combination of the above.
BLOCK OR LOT FRONTAGE
That portion of a block or lot which fronts on a single street.
BOARD or ZONING HEARING BOARD
The Zoning Hearing Board of West Earl Township.
BUILDING
Any combination of materials forming any structure which is erected on the ground and permanently affixed thereto, designed, intended or arranged for the housing, shelter, enclosure or structural support of persons, animals or property of any kind.
BUILDING, DETACHED
A building surrounded by open space on all four sides within the same lot.
BUILDING LINE or BUILDING SETBACK LINE
A line, established by this chapter, within a lot defining the minimum distance between any structure or building or portion thereof to be erected or altered and an adjacent right-of-way or street lines of any abutting streets.
BUILDING, SEMIDETACHED
A building which has one wall in common with an adjacent building.
BULK
A term used to describe the size, volume, area or shape of buildings or other structures and their physical relationship to each other, to open space, to tracts of land, to lot lines or to other buildings or structures.
CARPORT
A roofed-over structure open on two or more sides and used in conjunction with a dwelling for the storage of private motor vehicles.
CELLAR
A story partly below the finished grade, having at least one-half (1/2) of its height (measured from the finished floor to the ceiling) below the average level of the adjoining finished grade where such grade abuts the exterior walls of the building. A "cellar" shall not be considered a story in determining the permissible number of stories.
CERTIFICATE OF USE AND OCCUPANCY
A statement, based on an inspection, signed by the Zoning Officer setting forth that a building, structure, sign and/or land complies with this chapter or that a building, structure, sign and/or land may be lawfully employed for specific uses, or both.
COMMON OPEN SPACE
A parcel or parcels of land or an area of water or a combination of land and water within a subdivision or land development designed and intended for the use or enjoyment of the residents of the development, not including streets, off-street parking areas, lots and areas set aside for public facilities. "Common open space" may contain areas for active and passive recreation.
CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATION (CAFO)
An agricultural use regulated by the state or federal government agencies that are involved with the commercial keeping and handling of livestock quantities with characteristics in any of the following three categories:
A. 
Category 1 CAFO. The proposed agricultural operation exceeds any of the following animal type thresholds: 700 mature dairy cows; 1,000 veal calves; 1,000 cattle including but not limited to heifers, steers, bulls and cow-calf pairs; 2,500 swine of 55 pounds or more; 10,000 swine under 55 pounds; 500 horses; 10,000 sheep or lambs; 55,000 turkeys; 30,000 layers or broiler chickens using a liquid manure handling system; 125,000 broiler chickens not using a liquid manure handling system; 82,000 layer chickens not using a liquid manure handling system; 30,000 ducks not using a liquid manure handling system; and/or 5,000 ducks using a liquid manure handling system.
B. 
Category 2 CAFO. Any agricultural operation that exceeds 1 million pounds of live weight of livestock or poultry.
C. 
Category 3 CAFO. Any agricultural operation that is a Concentrated Animal Operation (CAO, as defined below) that includes more than 300,000 pounds of live weight of livestock or poultry.
CONCENTRATED ANIMAL OPERATION (CAO)
An agricultural use determined under Title 25, Chapter 83, Subchapter D, Section 83.262, of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Nutrient Management Rules and Regulations involving the commercial keeping and handling of livestock and/or poultry quantities with densities exceeding 2,000 pounds per acre, which are suitable for the application of manure on an annualized basis.
CONDITIONAL USE
A use which is not appropriate to a particular zoning district as a whole but which may be suitable in certain localities within the district only when specific conditions and factors prescribed for such cases within this chapter are present. "Conditional uses" are allowed or denied by the Board of Supervisors after recommendations by the Township Planning Commission.
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
The Lancaster County Conservation District or any agency successor thereto.
COVERAGE, IMPERVIOUS
The ratio of the area of all portions of the lot covered in any way so as to not allow the ground beneath to absorb water at a natural rate to the total area of the lot, excluding any portions of the lot within the street right-of-way.
DCED
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development or any agency successor thereto.
DEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection or any agency successor thereto.
DISTRICT
A portion of West Earl Township within which certain uniform regulations and requirements or combinations thereof apply under the provisions of this chapter.
DETACHED BUILDING
See "building, detached."
DRIVE-IN ESTABLISHMENT
Any portion of a building or structure from which business is transacted or is capable of being transacted directly with customers located in a motor vehicle during such business transaction; also known as "drive-through facilities."
DWELLING
A building permanently erected on and attached to a foundation, having a fixed location on the ground and used for residential occupancy for one or more families, which building when so erected and attached shall, in the normal frame of reference, be immobile.
A. 
In order to qualify as a "dwelling," all of the following standards and conditions must be complied with:
(1) 
The foundation for the "dwelling" shall be an entire perimeter wall, either of concrete or masonry construction or such other durable material approved by the Zoning Officer, extending from below the frost line to the underside of the dwelling house.
(2) 
The dwelling house must be attached to the foundation wall by anchor bolts or similar attachments approved by the Zoning Officer, as contrasted with the mere setting of the dwelling unit on the foundation wall system.
(3) 
In the event that the dwelling house formerly was a mobile home as defined herein, the entire running gear, as contrasted with just the wheels, must be removed.
(4) 
Any towing hitch must be removed from the dwelling house if it was formerly a mobile home.
(5) 
The term "dwelling" shall not be deemed to include a hotel, motel, rooming house or tourist home.
B. 
ONE-FAMILY DWELLINGA detached building arranged, designed or intended for and occupied exclusively by one family; also known as a "single-family detached dwelling."
C. 
ONE-FAMILY SEMIDETACHED DWELLINGA semidetached building arranged, designed or intended for and occupied exclusively by one family; also known as a "single-family semidetached dwelling."
D. 
TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGA detached building arranged, designed and intended for and occupied by two families living independently of each other and doing their own cooking therein. A "two-family dwelling" may have the dwellings arranged in a side-by-side or over-and-under configuration, but both dwellings shall be located on one lot.
E. 
MULTIFAMILY DWELLINGA detached building arranged, designed and intended for occupancy by three or more families living independently of each other and doing their own cooking therein.
F. 
TOWNHOUSE DWELLINGA dwelling unit in a building containing between three and eight dwelling units arranged in a side-by-side configuration with two or more common party walls separating the dwelling units, with such party walls being a part of the lot line.
DWELLING UNIT
A building or portion thereof providing one or more rooms arranged for the use of one or more individuals living together as a single housekeeping unit and having no cooking or sanitary facilities in common with any other dwelling unit.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
The erection, construction, alteration or maintenance by public utilities or municipalities or other governmental agencies of underground or overhead gas, electric, steam or water transmission or distribution systems or collection, communication, supply or disposal systems.
EVENT VENUE
Any facility, regardless of name, at which gatherings of persons are hosted for weddings, celebrations, parties, conferences, meetings, lectures, or other private or public events.
FAMILY
One or more persons related by blood, marriage or adoption or not more than three unrelated persons living together as a single housekeeping unit and using cooking facilities and certain rooms in common.
FAMILY FARM SUPPORT BUSINESS
A. 
A resident farm family-owned and -operated business related to agriculture, traditional trades or arts and crafts, to include small-scale, limited-site-coverage agriculturally compatible farmstead occupations conducted commercially within the context of and/or in close proximity to farmstead buildings. A "family farm support business" may be conducted either within an existing farm residence used principally as a residence, within principally agricultural buildings of the farmstead or within additions to existing buildings or new buildings which, by farmstead location, scale and design, are incidental and secondary to the agricultural character of the property.
B. 
Such farmstead occupations may include agricultural equipment repair, welding, small machine repair, painting service, fencing service, sharpening service, livestock grooming, shearing and/or trimming services, agricultural consulting service, small tools, small parts and/or specialized small agricultural equipment, family-scale food processing, preparation, canning and baking, small feed or fertilizer franchises or family dealerships, butcher shops, cold storage and miniwarehousing of foods and prepared agricultural products in existing agricultural buildings, craftsmanship shops, woodworking and cabinetry shops, metalworking, leatherworks, blacksmith shops, carriage shops, toolmaking, handmade arts and crafts, quilts and kindred traditional arts and crafts.
C. 
"Family farm support businesses" shall not include businesses requiring more than one nonfamily employee and shall not include commercial or industrial uses such as feed, fertilizer and grain mills, large agricultural equipment sales and service, canneries, rendering plants, manufacture and assembly or any other use which results in high traffic generation or attraction, noise, glare or noxious elements.
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency or any agency successor thereto.
FLOOR AREA or GROSS FLOOR AREA
The gross floor space of the building or buildings, measured from the exterior faces of exterior walls or from the center line of walls separating buildings.
A. 
In particular, the "floor area" of a building or buildings shall include:
(1) 
Basement space.
(2) 
All spaces other than cellar space with structural headroom of seven feet six inches or more.
(3) 
Interior balconies and mezzanines.
(4) 
Enclosed or roofed porches or terraces or other roofed spaces.
(5) 
Attic spaces (with or without a finished floor), provided that structural headroom of seven feet six inches or more is available over 50% of such attic space.
(6) 
Accessory buildings.
B. 
However, the "floor area" shall not include:
(1) 
Cellar space, except that cellar space used for retailing.
(2) 
Elevator shafts, stairwells, bulkheads, accessory water tanks or cooling towers.
(3) 
Terraces, breezeways, uncovered steps or open space.
FOOD PROCESSING FACILITY
A facility for the assembling, mixing, treating, preserving and packaging of food or beverage substances within an enclosed building for distribution to retail or wholesale establishments. A food processing facility shall not include retail sales.
GARAGE, PRIVATE
An enclosed space for the storage of one or more private motor vehicles, provided that no business, occupation or service is conducted nor space therein leased to a nonresident of the premises.
GASOLINE SERVICE STATION
A structure, building or area of land or any portion thereof that is used primarily for the sale of gasoline or any other motor vehicle fuel, which may or may not include facilities for lubricating, washing, sale of accessories and otherwise servicing motor vehicles, but not including body repair or painting thereof. Any business or industry dispensing gasoline only for its own use and vehicles will not be deemed to be a "gasoline service station."
GOVERNING BODY
The Township Supervisors of West Earl Township.
GRADE
The mean curb level; when a curb level has not been established, the "grade" shall mean the average finished ground elevation adjoining the building.
HEIGHT OF BUILDING
The vertical distance from the mean grade at the front of the building (or the average of the street fronts if the building faces more than one street) to the highest point of the roof beams of a flat roof or to the mean height between the eaves and ridge for gabled, hipped and pitched roofs.
HEIGHT OF SIGN OR OTHER STRUCTURE
The vertical distance measured from the average grade at the front of the structure or sign to its highest point. The highest point in the case of a sign shall include the supporting structure.
HOME OCCUPATION
A business or commercial activity other than a no-impact home-based business that is conducted as an accessory use to a principal single-family detached dwelling.
LANDOWNER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of land, including the holder of an option or contract to purchase (whether or not such option or contract is subject to any condition), a lessee if he is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner or another person having a proprietary interest in land.
LIVESTOCK MARKET
A place commonly known as a "livestock market" or "stockyard," conducted, operated or managed for profit or not for profit as a public market for livestock producers, feeders, market agencies and buyers, consisting of pens or other enclosures and their appurtenances in which live cattle, sheep, swine, horses, mules or goats are received, held or kept for sale or shipment in commerce on a temporary basis.
LOT
A tract or parcel of land, regardless of size, held in single or joint ownership, not necessarily a lot or lots shown on a duly recorded map, which is occupied or capable of being occupied by buildings, structures and accessory buildings, including such open spaces as are arranged, designed or required.
LOT AREA (GROSS) or LOT AREA
An area of land which is determined by the limits of the property lines bounding that area and expressed in square feet or acres. Any portion of a lot included in a street right-of-way shall not be included in calculating "lot area."
LOT AREA (NET)
The total space contained within the lot lines, excluding the following areas: 100% of all areas exclusively contained within the existing, future and ultimate limits of street rights-of-way; 100% of all areas exclusively designated as common open space; 100% of all areas exclusively designated as an easement to accommodate utilities, vehicular access, municipal uses and aboveground stormwater detention/retention facilities serving multiple lots.
A. 
Pursuant to the terms of this definition, the following formula for calculating the net lot area is hereby specified:
GLA100% of ROW - 100% of COS - 100% of ESM = NLA
GLA
=
Gross lot area
ROW
=
Total area exclusively within the limits of the existing, future and ultimate street right-of-way
COS
=
Total area exclusively designated as common open space
ESM
=
Total area exclusively designated as an easement for utilities, vehicular access, municipal uses and aboveground stormwater detention/retention facilities serving multiple lots
NLA
=
Net lot area
B. 
The net lot area for all proposed lots shall be no smaller than the required minimum lot size for the zoning district in which the lot is located. The net lot area calculations shall utilize the order or hierarchy of features specified by the formula; whereas, land and water areas shall not be calculated or classified in more than one category.
LOT, CORNER
A lot at the point of intersection of and abutting on two or more intersecting streets and which has an interior angle of less than 135º at the intersection of two street lines.
LOT COVERAGE
A percentage of lot area which may be covered by buildings and structures.
LOT, INTERIOR
A lot other than a corner lot, the sides of which do not abut a street.
LOT LINE
Any line dividing one lot from another.
LOT, THROUGH
An interior lot having frontage on two parallel or approximately parallel streets.
LOT WIDTH
The mean width measured between side lot lines and parallel to the front lot line, measured at the building setback line, but in no case shall the street frontage be less than one-half (1/2) of the required "lot width" in the particular district.
MASSAGE
The manipulation of body muscle or tissue by rubbing, stroking, kneading or tapping by hand or mechanical device.
MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT
An establishment which provides the services of massage, unless operated by a medical practitioner, chiropractor or professional physical therapist licensed by the commonwealth. This definition does not include an athletic club, health club, school, gymnasium, reducing salon, spa or similar establishment where massage or similar manipulation of the human body is offered as an incidental or accessory service.
MOBILE HOME
A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for permanent occupancy, contained in one unit or in two or more units designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated for repeated towing, which arrives at a site complete and ready for occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations, and constructed so that it may be used without a permanent foundation.
MOBILE HOME LOT
A parcel of land in a mobile home park improved with the necessary utility connections and other appurtenances necessary for the erection thereon of a single mobile home.
MOBILE HOME PARK
A parcel or contiguous parcels of land which have been so designed and improved that they contain two or more mobile home lots for the placement thereon of mobile homes.
MOTEL
A building or group of buildings containing individual rooms or apartment accommodations primarily for transients, each of which is provided with a separate exterior entrance and a parking space, and offered principally for rental and use by motor vehicle travelers. The term "motel" includes but is not limited to auto courts, motor courts, motor inns, motor lodges or roadside hotels.
MUNICIPALITIES PLANNING CODE
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247, as reenacted and amended by Act 170 of 1988, and as subsequently amended, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
MUNICIPALITY
West Earl Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
NO-IMPACT HOME-BASED BUSINESS
A business or commercial activity administered or conducted as an accessory use which is clearly secondary to the use as a residential dwelling and which involves no customer, client or patient traffic, whether vehicular or pedestrian, pickup, delivery or removal functions to or from the premises in excess of those normally associated with residential use. The business or commercial activity must satisfy all of the following requirements:
A. 
The business activity shall be compatible with the residential use of the property and surrounding residential uses.
B. 
The business shall employ no employees other than family members residing in the dwelling.
C. 
There shall be no display or sale of retail goods and no stockpiling or inventory of a substantial nature.
D. 
There shall be no outside appearance of a business use, including, but not limited to, parking, signs or lights.
E. 
The business activity may not use any equipment or process which creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors or electrical or electronic interference, including interference with radio or television reception, which is detectable in the neighborhood.
F. 
The business activity may not generate any solid waste or sewage discharge, in volume or type, which is not normally associated with residential use in the neighborhood.
G. 
The business activity shall be conducted only within the dwelling and may not occupy more than 25% of the habitable floor area.
H. 
The business may not involve any illegal activities.
NONCONFORMING LOT
A lot, the area or dimension of which was lawful prior to the adoption of this chapter or any amendment heretofore or hereinafter enacted but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located by reason of the enactment of this chapter or an amendment.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE OR BUILDING
A structure or part of a structure manifestly not designed to comply with the applicable use or extent of use provisions in this chapter or an amendment heretofore or hereinafter enacted, where such structure lawfully existed prior to the enactment of this chapter or an amendment. Such "nonconforming structures" include but are not limited to nonconforming signs.
NONCONFORMING USE
A use, whether of land or of a structure, which does not comply with the applicable use provisions of this chapter or an amendment heretofore or hereinafter enacted, where such use was lawfully in existence prior to the enactment of this chapter or an amendment.
OPEN SPACE
Unoccupied space open to the sky and on the same lot with the principal use.
PARKING LOT
An off-street surfaced area designed solely for the parking of motor vehicles, including driveways, passageways and maneuvering space appurtenant thereto.
PARKING, OFF-STREET OR OFF-ROAD
A parking space off of the township or state right-of-way.
PARKING SPACE
An off-street space measuring ten by twenty (10 x 20) feet, exclusive of driveways, passageways and maneuvering space.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The West Earl Township Planning Commission.
RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCY
The occupancy of a dwelling unit by the same family as living quarters for a period of not less than 30 continuous days.
SATELLITE COMMUNICATION CENTER
An accessory facility contained within a permitted use, which is capable of transmitting or receiving communication signals to serve the principal use. This use shall not be construed as a "communication tower and antenna," which are further regulated under § 184-43.1 of this Zoning Ordinance.
SEXUALLY ORIENTED DEVICES
Without limitation, any artificial or simulated specified anatomical area or other device or paraphernalia that is designed, in whole or part, for specified sexual activities.
SHOPPING CENTER
A planned, integrated development consisting of two or more establishments for retail sales, personal services, eating and drinking, business, professional or banking offices and/or similar uses together with shared off-street parking, access, stormwater management facilities and similar improvements. A shopping center shall not include two uses contained within two semidetached buildings on the same lot, provided such buildings have a total combined gross floor area of 10,000 square feet or less.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
The use of a dwelling in a manner which does not meet the definition of residential occupancy, i.e., the occupancy of the dwelling by one family for a period of less than 30 continuous days. The use of a dwelling as an approved bed-and-breakfast inn as an accessory use shall not be considered a short-term rental.
SIGN
Any structure, building, wall or other outdoor surface or any device or part thereof which displays or includes any letter, word, model, banner, flag, pennant, insignia, device or other representations used for announcement, direction or advertisement. The word "sign" includes the word "billboard" but does not include the flag, pennant or insignia of any nation, state, city or other political unit nor public traffic or directional signs.
SIGN, ADVERTISING
A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than upon the premises where the sign is displayed.
SIGN, BUSINESS
A sign which directs attention to a business, profession or industry conducted on the premises or to products sold, manufactured or assembled upon the same premises upon which it is displayed. Signs offering premises for sale, rent or development or advertising the services of professional or building trades during construction or alteration shall be deemed "business signs."
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
A use permitted in a particular district by the Zoning Hearing Board, to occupy or use land for a specific purpose in accordance with this chapter, when such use is not permitted by right.
SPECIFIED ANATOMICAL AREAS
A. 
Less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals, pubic regions, buttocks or female breasts below a point immediately above the top of the areola.
B. 
Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered.
SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIES
A. 
Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal.
B. 
Acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse or sodomy.
C. 
Fondling or other erotic touchings of human genitals, pubic regions, buttocks or female breasts.
STORY
That portion of a building included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above it or, if there is no floor above it, then the space between any floor and the ceiling next above it. A basement, but not a cellar, shall be deemed to be a "story."
STORY, HALF
Any space immediately below and wholly or partly within the roof framing, with or without a finished floor, where the clear height of not more than 75% of such space has structural headroom of seven feet six inches or more. Any space which has more than 75% of its area having such headroom shall be deemed to be a full story.
STREET
A public right-of-way, excluding driveways, intended for use as a means of vehicular and pedestrian circulation which provides a means of access to abutting property. The word "street" includes "thoroughfare," "avenue," "boulevard," "court," "drive," "expressway," "highway," "lane" and "road" or similar terms.
STRUCTURE
Any material or a combination of materials which is conducted or erected, the use of which requires location on the ground or attachment to something located on the ground.
THIS CHAPTER
The West Earl Township Zoning Ordinance of 1970 codified as Chapter 184 of the Code of the Township of West Earl.
TRADITIONAL RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OPTION (TRDO)
A planned unified residential development option providing a unique and innovative approach for housing and community development in accordance with the provisions specified under § 184-43.3 of this Zoning Ordinance.
TRDO OPEN SPACE
An integral component of a Traditional Residential Development Option (TRDO). TRDO open space may consist of TRDO common open space which shall be designed and maintained for the use and enjoyment of all residents of the TRDO, and TRDO general open space which shall be restricted as to use but not open for the use of the residents of the TRDO. TRDO open space shall follow the design standards and specifications of § 184-43.3I. of this Zoning Ordinance.
UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE or UCC
The Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, as adopted by the Township, and the regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry implementing the Uniform Construction Code.
USE
The specific purpose for which land, a sign, a structure or a building is designed, arranged or intended or for which it may be occupied or maintained or any activity, occupation, business or operation which may be carried on. The term "permitted use" or its equivalent shall not be deemed to include any nonconforming use.
VARIANCE
A waiver, granted by the Zoning Hearing Board, from the terms and conditions of this chapter where literal enforcement would create practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship and when granting of the waiver would not be contrary to the public interest.
YARD, FRONT
An open, unoccupied space, open to the sky, between the front yard line and a line drawn parallel thereto at such distance therefrom as may be specified herein for any district and extending for the full width of the lot.
YARD, REAR
An open, unoccupied space, open to the sky, between the rear lot line and a line drawn parallel thereto at such distance therefrom as may be specified herein for any district and extending for the full width of the lot.
YARD, SIDE
An open, unoccupied space, open to the sky, between the side lot line and a line drawn parallel thereto at such distance therefrom as may be specified herein for any district and extending the full length of the lot.
ZONING MAP
West Earl Township's Zoning Map.
ZONING OFFICER
The agent or official designated by the governing body to administrate and enforce this chapter.