West Whiteland Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE III
Residential Districts
§ 325-9 R-1 District.
A.
It is the intent of this district to provide for continued low density, single-family residential development compatible with established use patterns and appropriate because of the relative remoteness from major commercial areas and transportation routes. Clustering development provisions provide flexible development options where special consideration is given to preservation of slopes, woodland and open space and where public water and centralized sewer facilities are provided. The district is designed to protect existing patterns of development and to encourage the compatible development of vacant land for similar types of development. It is intended that the development will occur where it will minimize impact on the natural environment and promote the preservation of natural features.
B.
Use regulations. Subject to § 325-124A below, a lot may be used or occupied for any one of the following purposes and no other:
(1)
Single-family detached dwelling:
(a)
Residential accessory use and structure.
(b)
Home occupation (§ 325-23B).
(2)
Agriculture (§ 325-21).
(3)
Clustering and lot averaging (§ 325-26).
(4)
Group homes for handicapped persons when authorized as a conditional use by the Board of Supervisors subject to § 325-124 of this chapter, subject to the following conditions:
(a)
(Reserved)[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: This subsection, requiring distance from another group home, was repealed 3-10-2004 by Ord. No. 310.
(b)
Group homes shall comply with all applicable regulations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(5)
Publicly owned recreational facilities [§ 325-22A(3)].
[Added 4-11-2006 by Ord. No. 337]
C.
Area and bulk regulations. The total number of dwelling units on a tract shall not exceed the permitted density to be calculated as defined in § 325-8 of this chapter. The following regulations shall apply to all uses permitted in the R-1 District:
[Amended 3-10-2004 by Ord. No. 310]
(1)
Lot size (minimum): 43,560 square feet of developable acreage per dwelling unit.
[Amended 3-10-2004 by Ord. No. 310]
(2)
Building coverage (maximum): 10%.
(3)
Total impervious coverage (maximum): 15%.
(4)
Lot width at street line (minimum): 100 feet.
(5)
Lot width at the building line (minimum): 125 feet.
(6)
Front yard (minimum): 75 feet.
(7)
Rear yard (minimum): 40 feet.
(8)
Side yard:
(a)
Minimum for either: 20 feet.
(b)
Minimum total of both: 45 feet.
(9)
Height (maximum): 35 feet.
(10)
Provided the following exceptions:
(a)
For agriculture use, the area and bulk regulations are provided in § 325-21.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Original Section 301.3.J(2), re: recreation uses, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 3-10-2004 by Ord. No. 310.
D.
Additional regulations. For other provisions applicable in this district, see Article IX, Common Regulations, and Article XVII, Signs.
§ 325-10 R-2 District.
A.
It is the intent of this district to provide for moderate density residential use where mostly large, undeveloped tracts with good highway access are situated to serve as transition areas between lower density residential uses and higher density uses.
B.
Use regulations. Subject to § 325-124A below, a lot may be used or occupied for any one of the following purposes and not other:
(1)
Single-family dwelling.
(a)
Residential accessory use or structure.
(b)
Home occupation (§ 325-23B).
(2)
Agriculture (§ 325-21).
(3)
Recreation (§ 325-22).
(4)
Group homes for handicapped persons when authorized as a conditional use by the Board of Supervisors subject to § 325-124 of this chapter, subject to the following conditions:
(a)
Each group home shall be a minimum of 2,500 feet from any other group home.
(b)
Group homes shall comply with all applicable regulations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(5)
Any one of the following uses when authorized as a conditional use by the Board of Supervisors subject to Subsection C(10)(d) of this section and § 325-124 of this chapter.
(a)
Carriage home cluster option.
[Amended 12-12-2000 by Ord. No. 295]
C.
Area and bulk regulations. The total number of dwelling units on a tract shall not exceed the permitted gross density to be calculated as defined in § 325-8 of this chapter. The following regulations shall apply to all uses permitted in the R-2 District:
[Amended 3-10-2004 by Ord. No. 310]
(1)
Lot sizes (minimum): 22,000 square feet of developable acreage per dwelling unit.
(2)
Building coverage (maximum): 12%.
(3)
Total impervious coverage (maximum): 20%.
(4)
Lot width at the street line (minimum): 75 feet.
(5)
Lot width at the building line (minimum): 100 feet.
(6)
Front yard (minimum): 50 feet.
(7)
Rear yard (minimum): 40 feet.
(8)
Side yard:
(a)
Minimum for either: 15 feet.
(b)
Minimum for both: 40 feet.
(9)
Height (maximum): 35 feet.
(10)
Provided the following exceptions:
(a)
In the absence of either public water or centralized sewer services, or both, the area and bulk regulations of the R-1 District shall apply.
(b)
For agriculture use, the area and bulk regulations are provided in § 325-21.
(c)
For recreation use, the area and bulk regulations are provided in § 325-22.
(d)
For the carriage home cluster option permitted by conditional use, the following shall apply:
[1]
Location and design criteria.
[a]
To utilize the carriage home cluster option, the property must be located in a woodland, including ridgeline and viewshed of the North Valley Hills or South Valley Hills. All specimen trees, natural features, cultural or historic resources, as well as the woodland, ridgeline and viewshed of the North Valley Hills or South Valley Hills must be preserved to the greatest extent feasible, to the satisfaction of the Township.
[b]
When the woodland, ridgeline and/or viewshed are to be disturbed, the Township shall require the planting of either trees, at a minimum of 20 feet in height or a combination of twenty-foot trees and trees smaller than required by § 281-33D(3) of Chapter 281, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Code of the Township of West Whiteland, in sufficient quantity, as determined by the Township, to restore the woodland, ridgeline and viewshed. The mix of the woodland, ridgeline and/or viewshed in both the short term (immediate to five years) and long term (five to 30 years).
[c]
The colors of all exterior materials and features of the development including, but not limited to, structure elevations and roofs, fences, posts, light standards, railings, sheds and mailboxes shall be determined by the Board of Supervisors in its sole discretion.
[d]
Common open space. Common open space areas within a carriage home cluster development shall be designed to preserve sensitive natural features, such as wetlands, steep slopes and woodlands. In addition, common open space areas shall be designed in accordance with the standards set forth in § 325-26C(4) of this chapter, except that the minimum width of open space areas along the tract boundary may be reduced to 50 feet [rather than 75 feet specified in § 325-26C(4)(h)] for not more than 10% of the length of the tract boundary.
[2]
Unit type. A carriage home cluster development shall consist of attached dwelling units in the form of twin (single-family semidetached) dwellings and/or triplex (maximum of three attached dwellings within a building). So long as the carriage home cluster development is consistent with the density, area and bulk regulations set forth below, the dwelling units may be placed on individual lots with front and rear yards, on individual building footprint lots or as condominium units under the Pennsylvania Uniform Condominium Act.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 68 Pa.C.S.A. § 3101 et seq.
[3]
Density, area and bulk regulations. The following standards apply to carriage home cluster development permitted in the R-2 District:
[a]
Density (maximum): 2.1 dwelling units per developable acre.
[Amended 5-30-2012 by Ord. No. 399]
[b]
Tract size (minimum): 20 acres.
[c]
Dwelling unit minimum width: 24 feet.
[d]
Front yard (minimum): 30 feet from face of curb.
[Amended 5-30-2012 by Ord. No. 399]
[e]
Perimeter setback – dwelling units: 50 feet (minimum from tract boundaries).
[Amended 5-30-2012 by Ord. No. 399]
[f]
Building separation:
[i]
Side to side or side to rear: 30 feet.
[ii]
Rear to rear: 60 feet.
[g]
Building coverage (maximum): 15%.
[h]
Total impervious coverage: 30% (maximum).
[i]
Height: 35 feet (maximum).
[j]
Common open space: 60% (minimum).
[Amended by 12-12-2000 Ord. No. 295]
D.
Additional regulations. For other provisions applicable in this district, see Article IX, Common Regulations, and Article XVII, Signs.
§ 325-11 R-3 District.
A.
It is the intent of this district to provide for moderate to higher density residential use which is compatible with existing residential development and directly accessible to major highways and commercial uses.
B.
Use regulations. Subject to § 325-124A below, a lot may be used or occupied for any one of the following purposes and no other:
(1)
Any use provided in an R-2 Zoning District and also two-family (duplex) dwellings and two-family (twin) dwellings.
(2)
Any one of the following uses when authorized as a conditional use by the Board of Supervisors, subject to § 325-124 of this chapter.
(a)
Multifamily development [Subsection C(10)(d)].
(b)
Conversion of a single-family dwelling (§ 325-25).
(3)
Any use provided by conditional use in an R-1 Zoning District when authorized by conditional use by the Board of Supervisors, subject to § 325-124 of this chapter.
C.
Area and bulk regulations. The total number of dwelling units on a tract shall not exceed the permitted gross density to be calculated as defined in § 325-8 of this chapter. The following regulations shall apply to all uses permitted in an R-3 District:
[Amended 3-10-2004 by Ord. No. 310]
(1)
Lot size (minimum): 14,000 square feet of developable acreage per dwelling unit.
(2)
Building coverage (maximum): 15%.
(3)
Total impervious coverage (maximum): 25%.
(4)
Lot width at the street line (minimum): 60 feet.
(5)
Lot width at the building line (minimum): 80 feet.
(6)
Front yard (minimum): 40 feet.
(7)
Rear yard (minimum): 35 feet.
(8)
Height (maximum): 35 feet.
(9)
Side yard:
(a)
Minimum for either: 15 feet; zero for twin.
(b)
Minimum total for both: 40 feet.
(10)
Provided the following exceptions:
(a)
In the absence of either public water or centralized sewer services, or both, the area and bulk regulations of the R-1 District shall apply.
(b)
For agriculture use, the area and bulk regulations are provided in § 325-21.
(c)
For recreation use, the area and bulk regulations are provided in § 325-22.
(d)
For multifamily dwelling units permitted by conditional use, the area and bulk regulations are as follows:
[1]
Tract size (minimum): five acres.
[2]
Density (maximum): four dwelling units per acre.
[3]
Tract width at building line (minimum): 250 feet.
[4]
Setback from tract boundary (minimum): 75 feet.
[5]
Building coverage (maximum): 25%.
[6]
Total impervious coverage (maximum): 35%.
[7]
Dwelling unit setbacks from interior roads and parking (minimum):
[a]
Front yard: 25 feet.
[b]
Side and rear yards: 35 feet.
[8]
Building length (maximum): 120 feet.
[9]
Distance between structures (minimum): 50 feet.
[10]
Height (maximum): 35 feet.
[11]
Common open space in addition to yard area (minimum): 30%.
(e)
For a group home for handicapped persons, the area and bulk regulations are as required by § 325-11C. For all other group homes, the area and bulk regulations are as follows:
[Amended 5-30-2012 by Ord. No. 399]
[1]
Lot size (minimum): two acres.
[2]
Building coverage (maximum): 20%.
[3]
Total impervious coverage (maximum): 30%.
[4]
Lot width at street line (minimum): 150 feet.
[5]
Lot width at building line (minimum): 150 feet.
[6]
Building setback from all lot lines (minimum): 50 feet.
[7]
Height (maximum): 35 feet.
D.
Additional regulations. For other provisions applicable in this district, see Article IX, Common Regulations, and Article XVII, Signs.
§ 325-12 R-4 District.
A.
It is the intent of this district to provide adequate facilities for manufactured home parks, to promote a safe and attractive neighborhood environment that will compliment surrounding properties. Additionally, the district encourages the preservation of open space by centralizing manufactured homes and encouraging desirable conditions for good design and properly maintained manufactured home parks.
B.
Use regulations. Subject to § 325-124A below, a lot may be used or occupied for any one of the following purposes and no other below:
(1)
Manufactured home park.
(a)
Residential accessory use and structure.
(b)
Accessory uses associated with manufactured home park office or service buildings.
(2)
Any use permitted in the R-3 District.
C.
Area and bulk regulations. The total number of dwelling units on a tract shall not exceed the permitted gross density to be calculated as defined in § 325-8 of this chapter. The following standards apply to manufactured home parks permitted in the R-4 District:
[Amended 3-10-2004 by Ord. No. 310]
(1)
Tract size (minimum): five acres.
(2)
Gross density (maximum): four dwelling units per acre.
(3)
Setback from tract boundary (minimum): 100 feet.
(4)
Distance between structures (minimum): 25 feet.
(5)
Lot size (minimum): 5,000 square feet.
(6)
Lot width at the building line (minimum): 50 feet.
(7)
Total impervious coverage (maximum): 35%.
(8)
Building coverage (maximum): 25%.
(9)
Front yard (minimum): 25 feet.
(10)
Rear yard (minimum): 25 feet.
(11)
Side yard:
(a)
Minimum for either: 15 feet.
(b)
Minimum total for both: 30 feet.
(12)
Height (maximum): 15 feet.
(13)
Open space (minimum): 30%.
D.
Public sewer and water is required for a manufactured home park.
(1)
For agriculture use, the area and bulk regulations are provided in § 325-21.
(2)
For recreation use, the area and bulk regulations are provided in § 325-22.
(3)
For use as a conditional use as a group home for handicapped persons, the area and bulk regulations are as imposed in § 325-11B of this article.
E.
For any use other than a manufactured home park the area and bulk regulations of the R-3 District apply.
F.
Additional regulations. For other provisions applicable in this district, see Article IX, Common Regulations, and Article XVII, Signs.
