Yardley City Zoning Code
PART 2
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
§ 27-201 Purpose.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
Residential districts are established to provide sufficient space and variety of housing types to meet the needs of the present and future population of the Borough; to assure adequate light, air and privacy; to protect residences against the hazards of fires, offensive noise, vibration, smoke, odors, glare, heavy traffic and other objectionable influences; to provide for accessory uses and services that facilitate the needs of the nearby residences and perform most effectively in a residential environment; and to protect the character of each residential district conserving the value of land and buildings.
§ 27-211 Purpose; General Regulations.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
1.
Purpose. The R-R District is to provide for the orderly development of recreational and proposed low-density residential areas and to exclude those uses not compatible with such development.
2.
Regulations. In an R-R District, a building may be erected, altered or used, or any lot or premises may be used, when in conformance with the conditions of this Chapter and the specific use, area and design regulations of this district.
§ 27-212 Uses Permitted by Right; Accessory Uses Signs.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 279, 10/18/1983]
2.
Accessory Uses. The following accessory uses shall be permitted, provided that they are customarily incidental and subordinate to the uses permitted by right listed above:
A.
Uses customarily incidental and subordinate to single-family detached dwellings.
B.
Uses customarily incidental and subordinate to a golf course, including but not limited to a clubhouse, restaurant, pool, tennis courts and similar recreational activities, parking lots, outbuildings and maintenance buildings.
C.
Structures, including swimming pools, fences, walls, greenhouses and sheds, less than 100 square feet in gross area.
D.
Structures, including private garages, sheds and accessory uses, greater than 100 square feet in gross area.
3.
Signs. In an R-R District, a maximum of two signs are permitted per lot, as follows:
§ 27-213 Area and Design Regulations.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 279, 10/18/1983; by Ord. 319, 8/4/1987; and by Ord. 435, 9/2/2008]
1.
Area and design regulations shall be as follows:
A.
Single Family Detached.
(1)
Gross density: one dwelling unit per acre maximum.
(2)
Lot area: 35,000 square feet minimum.
(3)
Lot width (at-building setback line): 100 feet minimum.
(4)
Front yard: 35 feet minimum.
(5)
Side yard, each: 10 feet minimum.
(6)
Side yards, aggregate: 30 feet minimum.
(7)
Rear yard: 45 feet minimum.
(8)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(9)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 20% maximum.
(10)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(11)
Open space (percentage of site): 7.5% of site area minimum.
B.
Single Family Detached Cluster.
(1)
Gross density: 1.25 dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Site area: 50 acres minimum.
(3)
Lot area: 20,000 square feet minimum.
(4)
Lot width (at building setback line): 100 feet minimum.
(5)
Front yard: 35 feet minimum.
(6)
Side yard, each: 10 feet minimum.
(7)
Side yard, aggregate: 30 feet minimum.
(8)
Rear yard: 45 feet minimum.
(9)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(10)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of site): 20% maximum.
(11)
Open space (percentage of site): 23% of site area minimum.
(12)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
C.
Golf Courses.
(1)
Site area: 30 acres minimum.
(2)
Building setback line (front, side, rear): 100 feet minimum.
(3)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(4)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of site): 5% maximum.
(5)
Buffer yard: 50 feet minimum.
(6)
Off-street parking spaces: one off-street parking space per four people, based upon total capacity, including accessory uses, plus one additional space for each employee. Parking areas shall be adequately screened when situated next to land zoned for or in residential use.
E.
Accessory Uses. All accessory uses shall be regulated by the standards found in Part 6, listed by use.
(1)
Accessory uses and structures less than 100 square feet or 1,000 cubic feet shall have their minimum side and rear yard distances reduced to five feet except as otherwise required; see §27-601.
F.
Performance Standards. Provision of the performance standards specified in Parts 7 through 12 shall apply to all permitted uses and accessory uses in this district, including but not limited to the following:
(2)
Buffer and screening requirements for residential developments of five units or more, Part 7J.
(3)
Floodplain performance standards Part 8.
(4)
Dimensional requirements limiting and/or modifying area and design regulations specified herein, Part 9.
G.
Signs. Provisions of the sign regulations specified in Part 12 shall apply to all permitted signs in this district.
H.
For nonconformities, administration of the Chapter, interpretation, variances, special exceptions, appeals, amendments and enforcement see Part 14 of this Chapter.
I.
Single-family Detached Cluster-open Space.
(1)
Gross density: two dwelling units per acre.
(2)
Site area: 50 acres minimum.
(3)
Lot area: 15,000 square feet minimum.
(4)
Lot width (at building setback line): 100 feet minimum.
(5)
Front yard: 30 feet minimum.
(6)
Side yard, each: 10 feet minimum.
(7)
Side yards, aggregate: 30 feet minimum.
(8)
Rear yard: 50 feet minimum.
(9)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(10)
Impervious surface ratio: 25% maximum.
(11)
Open space (percentage of site): 50%.
(12)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
§ 27-221 Purpose; General Regulations.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
1.
Purpose. The R-1 District is to provide for the orderly development of existing and proposed low-density residential areas and to exclude these uses not compatible with such development.
2.
Regulations. In an R-1 District, a building may be erected, altered or used, and any lot or premises may be used, when in conformance with the conditions of this Chapter and the specific use, area and design regulations of this district.
§ 27-222 Uses Permitted by Right; Accessory Uses; Signs; Conditional Uses.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 279, 10/1/1983; and by Ord. 465, 7/21/2015]
1.
Uses Permitted by Right. In an R-1 District, the following uses are permitted by right, and no other:
2.
Accessory Uses. The following accessory uses shall be permitted, provided that they are customarily incidental and subordinate to the uses permitted by right listed above:
A.
Uses customarily incidental and subordinate to single-family detached dwellings.
B.
Structures, including swimming pool, fences, walls, greenhouses and sheds, less than 100 square feet in gross area.
C.
Structures, including private garages, sheds and accessory uses, greater than 100 square feet in gross area.
3.
4.
Conditional Uses. Conversion of a single-family detached dwelling into an apartment is permitted subject to conformance with the general requirements of this district, the conversion standards in Part 12 and the zoning permit regulations in §27-1313. Bed-and-breakfast/guesthouse use is permitted subject to conformance with the general requirements of this district and the requirements set forth in §§27-762 and 27-763.
§ 27-223 Area and Design Regulations.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 279, 10/18/1983; by Ord. 319, 8/4/1987; and by Ord. 435, 9/2/2008]
1.
Area and design regulations shall be as follows:
A.
Single-family Detached.
(1)
Gross density: two dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Lot area: 17,500 square feet minimum.
(3)
Lot width (at building setback line): 100 feet minimum.
(4)
Front yard: 35 feet minimum.
(5)
Side yard, each: 10 feet minimum.
(6)
Side yard, aggregate: 30 feet.
(7)
Rear yard: 45 feet minimum.
(8)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(9)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 20% maximum.
(10)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(11)
Open space (percentage of site): 7.5% of site area minimum.
B.
Institutional Uses. Institutional uses listed hereafter shall conform to institutional area and design requirements listed by use in Part 5.
C.
Accessory Uses. All accessory uses shall be regulated by the standards found in Part 6, listed by use.
(1)
Accessory uses and structures less than 100 square feet or 1,000 cubic feet shall have their minimum side and rear yard distances reduced to five feet except as otherwise required; see §27-601.
D.
Performance Standards. Provision of the performance standards specified in Parts 7 through 12 shall apply to all permitted uses and accessory uses in this district, including but not limited to the following:
(2)
Buffer and screening requirements for residential developments of five units or more, Part 7J.
(3)
Floodplain performance standards, Part 8.
(4)
Dimensional requirements limiting and/or modifying area and design regulations specified herein, Part 9.
E.
Signs. Provisions of the sign regulations specified in Part 12 shall apply to all permitted signs in this district.
F.
For nonconformities, administration of the Chapter, interpretation, variances, special exceptions, appeals, amendments and enforcement, see Part 14 of this Chapter.
§ 27-231 Purpose; General Regulations.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 282, 5/15/1984]
1.
Purpose. The R-1A District is to provide for the orderly development of existing and proposed medium-density residential areas with mixed housing types and to exclude those uses not compatible with such development.
2.
Regulations. In an R-1A District, a building may be erected, altered or used and any lot or premises may be used when in conformance with the conditions of this Chapter and the specific use, area and design regulations of this district.
§ 27-232 Uses Permitted by Right; Accessory Uses; Signs.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 279, 10/18/1983; and by Ord. 282, 5/15/1984]
1.
2.
Accessory Uses. The following accessory uses shall be permitted, provided that they are customarily incidental and subordinate to the uses permitted by right listed above.
A.
Uses customarily incidental and subordinate to single-family detached and semi-detached dwellings.
B.
Structures, including swimming pools, fences, walls, greenhouses and sheds, less than 100 square feet in gross area.
C.
Structures, including private garages, sheds and accessory uses greater than 100 square feet in gross area.
§ 27-233 Area and Design Regulations.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 279, 10/18/1983; by Ord. 282, 5/15/1984; by Ord. 318, 7/7/1987; by Ord. 319, 8/4/1987; and by Ord. 435, 9/2/2008]
1.
Area and design regulations shall be as follows:
A.
Single-family Detached.
(1)
Gross density: three dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Lot area: 10,000 square feet minimum.
(3)
Lot width (at building setback line): 80 feet minimum.
(4)
Front yard: 40 feet minimum.
(5)
Side yard, each: 10 feet minimum.
(6)
Side yards, aggregate: 30 feet minimum.
(7)
Rear yard: 40 feet minimum.
(8)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(9)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 30% maximum.
(10)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(11)
Open space (percentage of site): 7.5% of site area minimum.
B.
Twin House.
(1)
Gross density: three dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Lot area per dwelling unit: 6,250 square feet minimum.
(3)
Lot width (at building setback line, per unit): 50 feet minimum.
(4)
Front yard: 40 feet minimum.
(5)
Side yard, each, per unit: 15 feet minimum.
(6)
Side yard, aggregate per building: 40 feet minimum.
(7)
Rear yard: 40 feet minimum.
(8)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(9)
Impervious surface ratio: 30% maximum.
(10)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(11)
Open space (percentage of site): 30% of site area minimum.
C.
Triplex Attached Dwelling Units.
(1)
Gross density: three dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Site area: 1.5 acres minimum.
(3)
Lot area per dwelling unit: 3,000 square feet minimum.
(4)
Lot width (at building setback line): 33 feet minimum.
(5)
Building setback line at front and side yards: 25 feet minimum.
(6)
Building setback line at state highway: 75 feet minimum.
(7)
Building spacing: 50 feet minimum.
(8)
Rear yard: 30 feet minimum.
(9)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(10)
Impervious surface ratio: 25% site/60% lot maximum.
(11)
Open space (percentage of site): 30% of site area minimum.
(12)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(13)
Dwelling units per building: three maximum.
D.
Townhouse.
(1)
Gross density: three dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Site area: 1.5 acres minimum.
(3)
Lot area per dwelling unit: 3,000 square feet minimum.
(4)
Lot width at building setback line: 22 feet minimum.
(5)
Building setback line at front and side yards: 25 feet minimum.
(6)
Building setback line at state highway: 75 feet minimum.
(7)
Building spacing: 50 feet minimum.
(8)
Rear yard: 30 feet minimum.
(9)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(10)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 25% site/60% of lot maximum.
(11)
Open space ratio (percentage of site): 40% minimum.
(12)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(13)
Dwelling units per building: four maximum.
E.
Institutional uses listed hereafter shall conform to institutional area and design requirements listed by use in Part 5.
F.
Accessory Uses. All accessory uses shall be regulated by the standards found in Part 6 listed by use.
(1)
Accessory uses and structures less than 100 square feet or 1,000 cubic feet shall have their minimum side and rear yard distances reduced to five feet, except as otherwise required. (see §27-601).
G.
Performance Standards. Provision of the performance standards specified in Parts 7 through 12 shall apply to all permitted uses and accessory uses in this district, including but not limited to the following:
(2)
Buffer and screening requirements for residential developments of five units or more: Part 7J.
(3)
Floodplain performance standards: Part 8.
(4)
Dimensional requirements limiting and/or modifying area and design regulations specified herein: Part 9.
(5)
Parking performance standards shall be off-street and of sufficient quality to provide for parking needs of the user: Part 10 and the following:
(7)
Reduction in front yards building setback line for single-family detached, twin houses, triplexes and townhouses. Front yards (bordering undedicated drives or parking lots) may be reduced as a conditional use up to 50% when thirty-inch-high street buffers are provided (i.e., raised terraces, fences and hedges). Failure to maintain these buffers in good repair shall be a violation of this Zoning Ordinance.
(8)
Reduction in building spacing for single-family attached dwellings: building spacing for single-family attached dwellings may be reduced as a conditional use from 50 feet to 12 feet, provided that no two walls measured at an angle of 90° from the face of the building are less than 50 feet apart.
H.
Signs. Provisions of the sign regulations specified in Part 12 shall apply to all permitted signs in this district.
I.
Nonconformities, administration of the Chapter, interpretation, variances, special exceptions, appeals, amendments and enforcement see Part 14 of this Chapter.
J.
Lot Areas Shall Be Shown on All Plans. For multi-family dwelling units, the plans shall indicate around each building a lot area equal to the requirement per dwelling unit times the number of units in the building.
§ 27-241 Purpose; General Regulations.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
1.
Purpose. The R-2 District is to provide for the orderly development of existing and proposed medium-density residential areas with mixed housing types and to exclude those uses not compatible with such development.
2.
Regulations. In an R-2 District, a building may be erected, altered or used, and any lot or premises may be used, when in conformance with the conditions of this Chapter and the specific use, area and design regulations of this district.
§ 27-242 Uses Permitted by Right; Accessory Uses; Signs; Conditional Uses.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 279, 10/18/1983; and by Ord. 465, 7/21/2015]
1.
2.
Accessory Uses. The following accessory uses shall be permitted, provided that they are customarily incidental and subordinate to the uses permitted by right listed above:
A.
Uses customarily incidental and subordinate to single-family detached and semi-detached dwellings.
B.
Structures, including swimming pools, fences, walls, greenhouses and sheds, less than 100 square feet in gross area.
C.
Structures, including private garages, sheds and accessory uses, greater than 100 square feet in gross area.
3.
4.
Conditional Uses. Conversion of a single-family detached dwelling into an apartment is permitted subject to conformance with the general requirements of this district, the conversion standards in Part 12 and the zoning permit regulations in §27-1313. Bed-and-breakfast/guesthouse use is permitted subject to conformance with the general requirements of this district and the requirements set forth in §§27-762 and 27-763.
§ 27-243 Area and Design Regulations.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 279, 10/18/1983; and by Ord. 319, 8/4/1987]
1.
Area and design regulations shall be as follows:
A.
Single-family Detached Dwellings.
(1)
Gross density: five dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Lot area: 7,000 square feet minimum.
(3)
Lot width (at building setback line): 75 feet minimum.
(4)
Front yard: 30 feet minimum.
(5)
Side yard, each: 10 feet minimum.
(6)
Side yards, aggregate: 30 feet minimum.
(7)
Rear Yard: 35 feet minimum.
(8)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(9)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 40% maximum.
(10)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(11)
Open space (percentage of site): 7.5% of site area minimum.
B.
Twin House.
(1)
Gross density: five dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Lot area (per-dwelling unit): 5,500 square feet minimum.
(3)
Lot width (at building setback line): 50 feet minimum.
(4)
Front yard: 30 feet minimum.
(5)
Side yard, per each unit: 10 feet minimum.
(6)
Side yard, aggregate per building: 30 feet minimum.
(7)
Rear yard: 50 feet minimum.
(8)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(9)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 40% maximum.
(10)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(11)
Open space (percentage of site): 19% of site area minimum.
C.
Institutional Uses. Institutional uses listed hereafter shall conform to institutional area and design requirements listed by use in Part 5.
D.
Accessory Uses. All accessory uses shall be regulated by the standards found in Part 6, listed by use.
(1)
Accessory uses and structures less than 100 square feet or 1,000 cubic feet shall have their minimum side and rear yard distances reduced to five feet except as otherwise required; see §27-601.
E.
Performance Standards. Provision of the performance standards specified in Parts 7 through 12 shall apply to all permitted uses and accessory uses in this district, including but not limited to the following:
(2)
Buffer and screening requirements for residential developments of five units or more, Part 7J.
(3)
Floodplain performance standards, Part 8.
(4)
Dimensional requirements limiting and/or modifying area and design regulations specified herein, Part 9.
F.
Signs. Provisions of the sign regulations specified in Part 12 shall apply to all permitted signs in this district.
G.
For nonconformities, administration, of the Chapter, interpretation, variances, special exceptions, appeals, amendments and enforcement, see Part 14 of this Chapter.
H.
Lot Areas Shall Be Shown on All Plans. For multi-family dwelling units, the plan shall indicate around each building a lot area equal to the requirement per dwelling unit times the number of units in the building.
§ 27-251 Purpose; General Regulations.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
1.
Purpose. The R-2A District is to provide for the orderly development of existing and proposed residential areas with mixed housing types and to exclude those uses not compatible with such development.
2.
Regulations. In an R-2A District, a building may be erected, altered or used, and any lot or premises may be used when in conformance with the conditions of this Chapter and the specific use, area and design regulations of this district.
§ 27-252 Uses Permitted by Right; Accessory Uses; Signs; Conditional Use.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 279, 10/18/1983; and by Ord. 372, 6/20/1995]
1.
2.
Accessory Uses. The following accessory uses shall be permitted, provided that they, are customarily incidental and subordinate to the uses permitted by right listed above:
A.
Uses customarily incidental and subordinate to single-family detached, semi-detached and attached dwellings.
B.
Structures, including swimming pools, fences, walls, greenhouses and sheds, less than 100 square feet in gross area.
C.
Structures, including private garages, sheds and accessory uses, greater than 100 square feet in gross area.
§ 27-253 Area and Design Regulations.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 279, 10/18/1983; by Ord. 319, 8/4/1987; and by Ord. 372, 6/20/1995]
1.
Area and design regulations shall be as follows:
A.
Single-Family Detached Dwellings.
(1)
Gross density: seven dwelling units per acre minimum.
(2)
Lot area: 7,000 square feet minimum.
(3)
Lot width (at building setback): 75 feet minimum.
(4)
Front yard: 30 feet minimum.
(5)
Side yard, each: 10 feet minimum.
(6)
Side yards, aggregate: 30 feet minimum.
(7)
Rear yard: 35 feet minimum.
(8)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(9)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 40% maximum.
(10)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(11)
Open space (percentage of site): 7.5% of site area minimum.
B.
Twin House.
(1)
Gross density: seven dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Lot area: 5,500 square feet per dwelling unit minimum.
(3)
Lot width (at building setback line): 50 feet minimum.
(4)
Building setback line: 30 feet minimum.
(5)
Side yard, per unit: 10 feet minimum.
(6)
Side yard, aggregate, per building: 30 feet minimum.
(7)
Rear yard: 35 feet minimum.
(8)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(9)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 40% maximum.
(10)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(11)
Open space (percentage of site): 19% of site area minimum.
C.
Triplex.
(1)
Gross density: seven dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Site area: 1.5 acres minimum.
(3)
Lot area: 3,000 square feet per dwelling unit minimum.
(4)
Lot width (at building setback): 22 feet minimum.
(5)
Building setback line at front and side yards: 25 feet minimum.
(6)
Building spacing: 50 feet minimum.
(7)
Rear yard: 30 feet minimum.
(8)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(9)
Impervious surface ratio: 35% of the site or 60% of the lot maximum.
(10)
Open space (percentage of site): 23% of site area minimum.
(11)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
D.
Townhouses.
(1)
Gross density: seven dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Site area: 1.5 acres minimum.
(3)
Lot area: 3,000 square feet per dwelling unit minimum.
(4)
Lot width (at building setback line): 22 feet minimum.
(5)
Building setback line at front and side yards: 25 feet minimum.
(6)
Building spacing: 50 feet minimum.
(7)
Rear yard: 30 feet minimum.
(8)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(9)
Impervious surface ratio: 35% of the site or 60% of the lot maximum.
(10)
Open space ratio (percentage of site): 30% minimum.
(11)
Off-street parking: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(12)
Dwelling units per building: six maximum.
E.
Institutional Uses.
(1)
Institutional uses listed hereafter shall conform to institutional area and design requirements listed by use in Part 5.
(2)
Adult community housing shall consist of apartment dwellings subject to the following:
(a)
All of the residential dwelling units must be occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older. No resident of a dwelling unit may be under the age of 18 years.
(b)
The residential dwelling units must be subject to restrictions of record in the nature of covenants which run with the land to be recorded in which each residential dwelling unit must be limited so that such dwelling unit is occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older. However, if an occupant and/or owner 55 years of age or older no longer is able to reside in the dwelling unit, an occupant of the unit who did previously reside in the dwelling unit with the person 55 years of age or older may continue to reside in the dwelling unit.
(c)
The adult community include appropriate facilities and services, as approved by the Borough Council, designed to meet the physical and social needs of older persons who reside in the adult community. Such facilities and services may include, but are not limited to: social and recreational programs, continuing education, information and counseling, recreation, homemaker programs, outside maintenance and referral services, an accessible physical environment, emergency and preventive health care or programs, congregate dining facilities, transportation to facilitate access to social services and services designed to encourage and assist residents to use the services and facilities available to them. The development need not, have all these facilities and services to qualify as an adult community.
(d)
The facilities and services referred to in Paragraph (c) above shall be limited to use by or for the benefit of the residents of the adult community. The area used for these facilities and services may occupy no more than 5% of the floor area of the adult community or 1,500 square feet of floor area, whichever is the smaller area. No sign which advertises or give direction to the facilities or services shall be visible from an external, public street.
(e)
Apartment dwellings shall be subject to the following:
1)
Gross density: seven dwelling units per acre.
2)
Site area: five acres minimum.
3)
Site width (at building setback line): 250 feet minimum.
4)
Front yard: 25 feet minimum.
5)
Side yard, each: 25 feet minimum.
6)
Rear yard: 25 feet minimum.
7)
Building spacing: 50 feet minimum.
8)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
9)
Dwelling units per unbroken line of apartment structure (four feet shall be deemed a satisfactory break in the apartment structure line): eight maximum.
10)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of site): 40% maximum.
11)
Open space ratio (percentage of site): 30% minimum.
12)
Number of certain rooms: each dwelling unit shall contain no more than two bedrooms and no more than one den, study, family room or similar room.
13)
Public water and sewer services are required.
14)
Buffer: a buffer yard of 20 feet, exclusive of required areas, shall be provided along all boundary lines. Screening shall be required in accordance with §27-748 on Class B screening; however, evergreens shall be not less than six feet to eight feet in height at initial planting along existing residential uses.
15)
No parking area or spaces, driveway or internal street shall be located within 45 feet of an adjacent property in residential use.
16)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
17)
The calculation of density, open space ratios, impervious surface ratios and total site area in sites used for an adult community shall not exclude that portion of the site to be dedicated to any governmental body for active or passive recreation, parking or any other governmental or public purpose. No area of the site dedicated to a governmental body shall contain any surface stormwater management facility (e.g., detention basin or retention basin), portion thereof, or any other site improvement or facility associated with the adult community that is found to be unacceptable to the Borough Council.
F.
All accessory uses shall be regulated by the standards found in Part 6 listed by use.
(1)
Accessory uses and structures less than 100 square feet or 1,000 cubic feet shall have their minimum side and rear yard distances reduced to three feet except as otherwise required; see §27-601.
G.
Performance Standards. Provision of the performance standards specified in Parts 7 through 12 shall apply to all permitted uses and accessory uses in this district, including but not limited to the following:
(2)
Buffer and screening requirements for residential developments of five units or more, Part 7J.
(3)
Floodplain performance standards, Part 8.
(4)
Dimensional requirements limiting and/or modifying area and design regulations specified herein, Part 9.
(5)
Parking performance standards shall be off-street and of sufficient quality to provide for parking needs of the user, Part 10.
(7)
Steep slope regulations, Part 7K.
(8)
Reduction in Front Yards. Front yards (bordering undedicated drives or parking lots) may be reduced as a conditional use up to 50% when thirty-inch high street buffers are provided (i.e., raised terraces, fences and hedges). Failure to maintain these buffers in good repair shall be a violation of this Zoning Ordinance.
(9)
Reduction in Building Spacing. Building spacing for single-family attached dwellings may be reduced as a conditional use from 50 feet to 12 feet, provided that no two walls, measured at an angle of 90° from face of building to face of building, are less than 50 feet apart.
H.
Signs. Provisions of the sign regulations specified in Part 12 shall apply to all permitted signs in this district.
I.
For nonconformities, administration of the Chapter, interpretation, variances, special exceptions, appeals, amendments and enforcement, see Part 14 of this Chapter.
J.
Lot areas shall be shown on all plans. For multifamily dwelling units, the plans shall indicate around each building a lot area equal to the requirement per dwelling unit times the number of units in the building.
§ 27-261 Purpose; General Regulations.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
1.
Purpose. The R-3 District is to provide for the orderly development of existing and proposed high-density residential areas, with single or undivided and common ownership of site, and to exclude those uses not compatible with such development.
2.
Regulations. In an R-3 District, a building may be erected, altered or used, and any lot or premises may be used, when in conformance with the conditions of this Chapter and the specific use, area and design regulations of this district.
§ 27-262 Uses permitted by Right; Accessory Uses; Signs.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 279, 10/18/1983]
1.
Uses Permitted by Right. In an R-3 District, the following uses are permitted by right, and no other:
2.
Accessory Uses. The following uses shall be permitted, provided that they are customarily, incidental and subordinate to the uses permitted by right listed above:
A.
Uses customarily incidental and subordinate to multi-family and single-family dwellings.
B.
Structures, including swimming pools, fences, walls, greenhouses and sheds, less than 100 square feet in gross area.
C.
Structures, including private garages, sheds and accessory uses, greater than 100 square feet in gross area.
§ 27-263 Area and Design Regulations.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 279, 10/18/1983; and by Ord. 319, 8/4/1987]
1.
Area and design regulations shall be as follows:
A.
Single-Family Detached.
(1)
Gross density: eight dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Lot area: 7,000 square feet minimum.
(3)
Lot width (at building setback line): 75 feet minimum.
(4)
Front yard: 30 feet minimum.
(5)
Side yard, each: 10 feet minimum.
(6)
Side yards, aggregate: 30 feet minimum.
(7)
Rear yard: 35 feet.
(8)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(9)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 40% maximum.
(10)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(11)
Open space (percentage of site): 7.5% of site area minimum.
B.
Twin house duplex.
(1)
Gross density: eight dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Lot area: 5,500 square feet per dwelling unit minimum.
(3)
Lot Width (at building setback line): 50 feet minimum.
(4)
Building setback line: 30 feet minimum.
(5)
Side yard per unit: 10 feet minimum.
(6)
Side yards, aggregate, per building: 30 feet minimum.
(7)
Rear yard: 35 feet minimum.
(8)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(9)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 40% maximum.
(10)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(11)
Open space (percentage of site): 7.5% of site area minimum.
C.
Triplex/townhouse.
(1)
Gross density: eight dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Site area: five acres minimum.
(3)
Lot area: 3,000 square feet per dwelling unit minimum.
(4)
Lot width: 22 feet minimum.
(5)
Building setback line at front and side yards: 25 feet minimum.
(6)
Building spacing: 50 feet minimum.
(7)
Rear yard: 30 feet minimum.
(8)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(9)
Impervious surface ratio: 40% of the site or 60% of the lot maximum.
(10)
Open space (percentage of site): 19% of site area minimum.
(11)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(12)
Dwelling units per building: 4.5 average; eight maximum.
D.
Single-family detached lot line.
(1)
Gross density: eight dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Lot area: 7,000 square feet minimum.
(3)
Lot width (at building setback line): 75 feet minimum.
(4)
Front yard: 30 feet minimum.
(5)
Side yard: 30 feet minimum.
(6)
Rear yard: 35 feet minimum.
(7)
Building spacing: 30 feet minimum.
(8)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(9)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 40% maximum.
(10)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(11)
Open space (percentage of site): 7.5% of site area minimum.
E.
Patio house.
(1)
Gross density: eight dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Lot area: 4,500 square feet per dwelling unit minimum.
(3)
Lot width: 45 feet minimum.
(4)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 35% maximum.
(5)
Patio area (ratio to lot area): 65% maximum.
(6)
Patio dimension: 20 feet minimum.
(7)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(8)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(9)
Front yard: 25 feet minimum.
(10)
Building spacing at side and rear yards: 20 feet minimum.
(11)
Open space (percentage of site): 7.5% of site area minimum.
F.
Atrium house.
(1)
Gross density: eight dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Lot area: 4,500 square feet per dwelling unit minimum.
(3)
Lot width: 40 feet minimum.
(4)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 65% maximum.
(5)
Atrium area (ratio of lot): 35% minimum.
(6)
Atrium dimension: 16 feet minimum.
(7)
Atrium area: 288 square feet minimum.
(8)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(9)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(10)
Front yard: 25 feet minimum.
(11)
Building spacing at side and rear yard: 50 feet minimum.
(12)
Dwelling units per building: four maximum.
(13)
Open space (percentage of site): 7.5% of site area minimum.
G.
Garden apartments.
(1)
Gross density: eight dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Site area: five acres minimum.
(3)
Building setback line (front street): 30 feet minimum.
(4)
Site width (abutting a primary or secondary road): 350 feet minimum.
(5)
Site depth: 300 feet minimum.
(6)
Building spacing: 50 feet minimum.
(7)
Dwelling unit building: 16 maximum.
(8)
Dwelling units per unbroken line of apartment structure [four feet shall be deemed a satisfactory break in the apartment structure line: eight maximum.
(9)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of site): 40% maximum.
(10)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(11)
Open space (percentage of site): 19% of site area minimum.
(12)
Off-street parking spaces: two and five-tenths per dwelling unit minimum.
(13)
Lot area: 3,000 square feet per dwelling unit minimum.
H.
Mobile home park.
(1)
Gross density: eight dwelling units per acre maximum.
(2)
Site area: five acres minimum.
(3)
Open space (percentage of site): 7.5% of site area minimum.
(4)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of site): 40% minimum.
(5)
Table of dimensional requirements for mobile home lots.
Type | Minimum Lot Area (square feet) | Minimum Lot Width at Building Setback (feet) | Maximum Impervious Surfaces On Lot (percent) | Minimum Yards | Minimum Distance Between Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front (feet) | Side (feet) | Rear (feet) | |||||
Single-wide units 51 feet long | 4,800 | 45 | 35 | 20 | 5 | 15 | 30 |
Single-wide units 61 feet long | 5,250 | 45 | 35 | 20 | 5 | 15 | 30 |
Double-wide units | 7,000 | 60 | 35 | 30 | 5 | 15 | 30 |
Accessory Building | 30 | 15 | 15 | 10 | |||
(6)
Off-street parking spaces: two per dwelling unit minimum.
(7)
Other regulations.
(a)
An enclosure of compatible design and material shall be erected around the entire base of each mobile home. Such enclosure shall provide sufficient ventilation to inhibit decay and deterioration of the structure. The hitch, which is employed for the normal movement of the unit, shall be removed.
(b)
Mobile home pads.
1)
No mobile home shall be erected in a mobile home lot except upon a mobile home pad. Each mobile home unit shall have its own separate pad.
2)
Each mobile home pad shall be at least equal in length and width to the dimensions of the mobile home to be placed thereon.
3)
The pad, at least six inches in thickness, shall be constructed from either concrete, asphalt concrete or other material adequate to support the mobile home and to prevent abnormal settling or heaving under the weight of the home. The corners of the mobile homes shall be secured to prevent wind overturn and rocking with at least six tie-downs such as concrete dead men, screw augers, arrowhead anchors or other devices suitable to withstand a tension of at least 2,800 pounds. Each mobile home shall be set level on sturdy and substantial supports.
(c)
Off-street parking.
1)
Two off-street parking spaces having minimum dimensions of 10 feet by 20 feet shall be provided for each mobile home lot. All parking spaces and driveways shall be at least five feet from any side or rear mobile home site line.
2)
Where recreational facilities are provided within a mobile home park, the same shall be equipped with adequate off-street parking facilities providing 1 1/2 spaces per employee.
3)
Additional parking spaces for vehicles of non residents shall be provided at the rate of one space for each 10 units. Such parking spaces may only be provided as additional off-street common parking spaces. Parking shall be prohibited on internal roads, and it shall be the duty of the owner or operator of the mobile home park to enforce these provisions.
(d)
Service Buildings. Within a mobile home park, nonresidential uses such as a management office, storage facilities for the park residents, laundry facilities, a maintenance building and storage for park maintenance equipment and a community room for the use of the park residents may be constructed subject to the following standards:
1)
A maximum of 10% of the site area may be used for these purposes. Included in computing the area shall be the buildings, parking and all required buffer yard requirements.
2)
All buildings must be set back at least 50 feet from adjacent mobile homes.
3)
All buildings must be set back 50 feet from interior streets in the mobile home park.
4)
The number of parking spaces to be provided will depend upon the type of facilities proposed and the extent of those facilities. The parking requirements of this Chapter for similar uses will be used to determine the number of spaces required.
5)
Buffer Requirements. No Mobile home lot shall be located closer than 50 feet from any residential district line, or closer to any property line on which a single-family residence is erected. Along the perimeter of all mobile home parks a planting strip of 35 feet shall be created, Which planting strip shall meet with the approval of the Planning Commission and the Borough Council. See Part 7J.
J.
Accessory Uses. All accessory uses shall be regulated by the standards found in Part 6, listed by use.
(1)
Accessory uses and structures less than 100 square feet or 1,000 cubic feet shall have their minimum side and rear yard distances reduced to five feet except as otherwise required; see §27-601.
K.
Performance Standards. Provision of the performance standards specified in Parts 7 through 12 shall apply to all permitted uses and accessory uses in this district, including but not limited to the following:
(2)
Buffer and screening requirements for residential developments of five units or more, Part 7J.
(3)
Floodplain performance standards, Part 8.
(4)
Dimensional requirements limiting and/or modifying area and design regulations specified herein, Part 9.
(5)
Parking performance standards shall be off-street and of sufficient quality to provide for parking needs of the user, Part 10 and the following:
(a)
Parking spaces for a single-family detached dwelling shall be provided on its lot.
(b)
Driveways for twin houses may be located on the property line so that said driveways may be used in common.
(d)
Off-street parking for townhouse developments may be located either on the lot or in common parking areas.
(7)
Reduction in front yards/building setback line for single-family detached, twin/duplex, triplex/townhouse, single-family detached lot line patio and atrium houses. Front yards (bordering undedicated drives or parking lots) may be reduced as a conditional use up to 50% when thirty-inch high street buffers (i.e., raised terraces, fences and hedges) are provided. Failure to maintain these buffers in good repair shall be a violation of this Zoning Ordinance.
(8)
Reduction in building spacing for triplex/townhouse and atrium dwellings. Building spacing for single-family attached dwellings may be reduced as a conditional use from 50 feet to 12 feet, provided that no two walls, measured at an angle of 90° from face of building to face of building, are less than 50 feet apart.
L.
Signs. Provisions of the sign regulations specified in Part 12 shall apply to all permitted signs in this district.
M.
For nonconformities, administration of the Chapter, interpretation, variances, special exceptions, appeals, amendments and enforcement, see Part 14 of this Chapter.
N.
Lot areas shall be shown on all plans. For multifamily dwelling units, the plans shall indicate around each building a lot area equal to the requirement per dwelling unit times the number of units in the building.
§ 27-271 Purpose.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as added by Ord. 434, 5/20/2008]
1.
The purpose of a traditional neighborhood development is to allow the optional development and redevelopment of land in Yardley Borough consistent with the design principles of traditional neighborhoods consisting of townhouse units with groups of buildings designed to promote these principles. A traditional neighborhood is compact; designed for the human scale; incorporates a system of streets and sidewalks with existing streets and sidewalks that offer routes, if possible, for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists; incorporates significant environmental features into the design; and promotes pedestrian-friendly access to the shops within Yardley Borough and is located in close proximity to commuter amenities such as a train station and major routes, such as Interstate 95.
A.
The traditional neighborhood development use is an alternative set of standards for development within Yardley Borough for new or infill development.
B.
A traditional neighborhood development is permitted subject to the regulations of this Section. An application for a traditional neighborhood development shall include a plan with the contents by this ordinance and the Yardley Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and shall be submitted subject to the requirements of a subdivision and land development plan application. The final plan shall be recorded with the Bucks County Recorder of Deeds Office and all conditions required by the approval of the traditional neighborhood development must be met.
§ 27-272 Uses Permitted by Right; Accessory Uses; Signs.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as added by Ord. 434, 5/20/2008]
1.
Uses Permitted by Right. In the R-3A District, the following uses are permitted by right and no other:
A.
Traditional neighborhood development.
2.
Accessory Uses. The following uses shall be permitted, provided that they are customarily incidental and subordinate to the uses permitted by right listed above:
A.
Uses customarily incidental to traditional neighborhood development dwellings, subject to compliance with the area and design regulations set forth herein.
§ 27-273 Area and Design Regulations.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as added by Ord. 434, 5/20/2008]
1.
At least 35% of the gross acreage of the traditional neighborhood development must be common open space.
A.
Common open space shall be defined as land in common ownership and maintained by a Homeowner’s Association for the benefit of the community as a whole. Common open space shall be designated throughout the development for the benefit of all residents and shall include a central green area that serves as a focal point for the community. Common open space shall not include roads, driveways, rights-of-way and parking areas. The acreage of the designated common open space areas, including the central green area, must total at least 35% of the gross acreage in a traditional neighborhood development. Understanding that traditional neighborhoods do not have lot lines, the Homeowner’s Association documents shall delineate ownership of private property and areas to be maintained in common ownership.
2.
Setbacks for all dwelling types shall respect the adjacent buildings and structures and shall reflect the goals and principles of a traditional neighborhood design.
3.
Unless approved by Yardley Borough Council upon a showing of undue hardship, at least 85% of the dwelling units in a traditional neighborhood development shall be serviced by a rear or side alley, and have attached or detached garages (residential accessory structures) located to the rear of the dwelling unit. The setback and other provisions of §27-601 shall not apply to a garage served by an alley and the residential accessory structure may be located to permit the alley to service the garage. The height provisions of §27-601.B. shall also not apply.
4.
Except as permitted in Subsection 3 above, no portion of the front facade of any dwelling unit in a traditional neighborhood development shall be occupied by a garage door.
5.
Traditional cul-de-sac streets with bulbs and reverse frontage lots (i.e. a lot with its rear yard toward public or private streets) are prohibited in a traditional neighborhood development. In order to achieve the principles of a traditional neighborhood development, however, the road network may be designed with a series of one-way streets, loop roads, alleys and turnarounds that collectively achieve a traditional neighborhood design.
A.
The minimum width of alleys and other accessways within the road network are required to be a minimum of 15 feet in width. Driveways that provide access to no more than two units are required to have a minimum of eight feet. Construction specifications for alleys and drives shall be consistent with the requirements for marginal access streets.
6.
A traditional neighborhood development proposal shall be subject to covenants, conservation easements, restrictions or agreements that will influence use and maintenance of the proposed traditional neighborhood development. All such provisions shall be approved by the Yardley Borough Council and shall be recorded in the Bucks County Recorder of Deeds Office.
7.
When more than two dwelling units are connected side-by-side in one structure, they should have staggered building front facade setbacks between the dwelling units. The staggering of the setbacks shall not exceed 30 inches, and not be less than 12 inches.
8.
Table of Regulations.
Minimum site area | 10 acres |
Maximum density of gross site area (per gross acre) | 5 units |
Minimum open space required | 35% of site |
Maximum impervious ratio per site | 30% |
Minimum lot width per dwelling unit at building setback line | 25 feet |
Maximum building height any principal residential dwelling | 35 feet |
Any residential accessory structure | 20 feet |
Minimum front yard setback | 8 feet |
Side (at the end of row units only) | 10 feet |
Minimum building spacing | 20 feet |
9.
Front facades of residential structures in a traditional neighborhood development shall be close to the sidewalks. The front facade of any principal residence shall be no further than 12 ½ feet from the area designated for the sidewalk, except for units with front entry garages and unless this setback cannot be achieved due to curves in the roadway or other design elements that make it impractical to achieve.
10.
Minimum front yard setbacks shall be measured from the edge of the cartway since a traditional neighborhood development does not have a dedicated right-of-way or property line. Side yard setbacks shall be measured from the dwelling unit to the edge of paving of any alley or street. Rear yard setbacks shall not apply in order to achieve the design principles of a traditional neighborhood, which include garages to the rear of the dwelling unit.
11.
Understanding the innovative nature of a traditional neighborhood development, waivers from the Yardley Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance may be required in order to achieve the purpose of this type of development. The Yardley Borough Council shall consider granting waivers as necessary upon advice by the Borough Engineer and Solicitor, since the current design standards do not make provisions for a traditional neighborhood development, which requires a site layout that is unique and flexible in order to achieve the purpose of §122-26.O.(1).
12.
Parking shall be calculated at three spaces per dwelling unit. Parking spaces within a garage may be counted to meet this requirement if the garage is deed restricted against conversion to living space. Parking within individual driveways can also be counted to meet this requirement and shall be delineated on the land development plans in order to verify compliance with the parking ratio calculation.