West Norriton Township
City Zoning Code

Any use permitted in the R-A Residence District, except that special exception uses and agricultural or farm uses are specifically not permitted.

Single-family detached buildings.

Two-family buildings, twin and duplex dwellings.

Multiplex buildings, including townhouse(s) (as defined in § 27-601) by conditional use pursuant to § 27-1708 (Conditional Use Procedures) and provided no townhouses are constructed in the floodway (as defined in § 27-2207).

Motor vehicle parking areas and garages and storage for noncommercial use of owners or occupants.

Recreational and service facilities for use by the occupants, owners and their employees where accessory to a permitted use.

Tract Size. The minimum tract size shall be 10 acres. When, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement of all of the provisions of this § 27-603 would, in the opinion of the Township Commissioners, result in unusual and unnecessary hardship, the Commissioners may make such reasonable exceptions thereto as will not be contrary to the public interest. However, no plot less than one acre shall be zoned R-3 District.

Density. The maximum gross density shall not exceed four dwelling units per acre if single-family detached dwellings, five dwelling units per acre if two-family, or seven dwelling units per acre for multiplex buildings.

Minimum Lot Dimensions. The following minimum dimensions shall apply, subject to the overall dwelling unit density of § 27-603, Subsection 2, and the additional requirements of Subsection 4 of this § 27-603:

Setbacks. No building shall be less than 50 feet from any public street adjacent to the tract. No building shall be less than 30 feet from any public street within the tract. No building shall be less than 35 feet from the development boundary lines. No building shall be less than 15 feet from any roadway not a public street. No multiplex building shall be less than 15 feet from any parking area.

Building Separation. In no case shall exterior walls be less than 20 feet from any other building or structure.

Building Length. Total length of all attached dwellings shall not exceed 150 feet.

Parking. Minimum parking of no less than two vehicle spaces per dwelling unit shall be provided.

All partition walls and all ceilings and floors of all buildings shall be soundproof.

All outside walls, bearing walls and party walls shall be constructed of eight-inch block masonry from the floor line to the underside of the roof sheathing.

If a garage is located in a townhouse structure, the walls of the garage shall be constructed of eight-inch concrete block masonry, and wherever an opening occurs into the living quarters of a townhouse, it shall be through an opening with a metal frame and a door with a 1 1/2 hour fire rating. The ceiling of such garage shall have a fire rating of one hour.

Along property boundaries where multiplex buildings will directly abut existing single-family residences there shall be a permanent buffer at least 15 feet in depth between the boundary line of existing single-family residences and the boundary line of any R-3 multiplex building. The primary component of this buffer shall be a row of evergreen trees of a height of not less than six feet when planted, spaced not more than eight feet apart on-center. These trees shall be of such species as to attain a height at maturity of not less than 20 feet. Should any such trees die, they shall be promptly replaced by trees of similar species. Also required as secondary components of the buffer are one of the following: mounding, provided the slopes shall be a maximum of three to one; the use of visually opaque fencing not greater than six feet in height; or coniferous shrubbery. The combination of the primary and secondary components shall produce an effective visual screen at least eight feet in height above the adjacent ground elevation within a reasonable time. Any combination of the above-mentioned secondary components is permissible.

In cases where an edge of an R-3 development borders natural features which function as buffers, including but not limited to mature woodland, severe grade changes or stream valleys, buffering may not be required, at the discretion of the Board of Township Commissioners.

In additional to the standards contained in this Part, townhouses and townhouse developments shall comply with the following regulations:

All townhouse development roads/alleys, stormwater facilities, sidewalks, landscaping and open space shall be privately maintained in perpetuity by a single entity or association.

As part of the conditional use application, townhouses and townhouse developments shall provide the following information for review and approval: