Yardley City Zoning Code
PART 3
COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
§ 27-301 Purpose.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
The purpose of the commercial districts is to provide sufficient space for the commercial needs of the Borough to protect the commercial establishment against incompatible and intrusive uses and against the hazards of noise, glare, fire and other objectionable influences and to provide appropriate space for sufficient off-street parking, safe pedestrian and vehicular circulation and landscaping, buffering and other amenities compatible with a residential community.
§ 27-311 Purpose; General Regulations.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
1.
Purpose. The purpose of the C-1 District is to provide for the commercial needs of the local residents by making commercial facilities in this district accessible to pedestrian traffic and by excluding uses incompatible with this type of circulation system, encouraging a harmonious mix of commercial establishments, with a variety of housing types.
2.
Regulations. In the C-1 District, a building may be erected or altered, and any lot or premises may be used, when in conformance with the conditions of this Chapter and the specific use, bulk and design regulations of this district.
§ 27-312 Uses Permitted by Right; Accessory Uses; Signs; Special Exceptions; Prohibited Uses.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; Ord. 279, 10/18/1983; Ord. 365, 12/21/1993; Ord. 450, 2/5/2013; Ord. 465, 7/21/2015; Ord. No. 491, 5/2/2023]
1.
Uses Permitted by Right. In a C-1 District, the following uses are permitted by right, and no other:
A.
Retail stores, including but not limited to the sale of antiques, art, dry goods variety and general merchandise, clothing, fabrics, floor covering, food, books, hardware, hobby and art supplies, garden supplies, flowers, digs, handicraft art, household supplies or furnishings, pets, sale or repair of jewelry, sporting goods, watches and clocks, optical goods, musical, professional and office supplies and packed goods when sold only on the premises.
B.
Personal services, including but not limited to barbershops, hairdressers, cleaning and pressing establishments, photographers, funeral homes, shoe repairs, tailors, newspaper, printers, frame shops, laundromats and travel agencies.
C.
Professional and private offices, including but not limited to real estate, accounting, insurance, architects, psychologists and lawyers.
D.
Medical offices and facilities, including but not limited to medical clinics, healthcare facilities, hospitals, life-care facilities, nursing homes, doctor, dentist and veterinary offices, chiropractors and psychiatrists.
E.
Financial institutions, including but not limited to banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions and other financial institutions.
F.
Eating places for the sale and consumption of food and beverages without drive-in service and with service at a table or sit-down counter facilities only.
H.
Entertainment within a building, including but not limited to theaters and bowling alleys.
I.
Hotels, motels and boardinghouses.
J.
Mixed commercial-residential uses.
K.
Institutional uses, including but not limited to places of worship, libraries, day-care centers, public utilities, public and private schools, public buildings and nursing homes.
L.
Public parking lots.
2.
3.
Signs. In a C-1 District, a maximum of two signs for a single occupancy or one sign per occupant and one sign per lot for multiple occupancies are permitted per lot as follows:
4.
Uses Permitted by Special Exception. In a C-1 District, the following uses shall be permitted by special exception when authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board, subject to §27-1327:
A.
Light manufacturing, printing and assembling of products to be sold on the premises and deemed to be of a subsidiary nature to an approved commercial use and not objectionable to the surrounding uses and structures.
B.
Uses not specifically listed but of the same general character as the uses listed may be permitted by special exception subject to §27-1327.
C.
Outdoor eating places, where the area is enclosed by a 30-inch-high barrier and sufficient trash receptacles are maintained for all refuse. The requirements for approval as a special exception do not apply to outdoor dining facilities located on covered porches, or outdoor dining facilities located on covered porches or outdoor dining facilities otherwise permitted pursuant to § 27-618 (Outdoor Dining Accessory to Restaurant).
§ 27-313 Area and Design Regulations.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 279, 10/18/1983; by Ord. 310, 11/6/1986; and by Ord. 365, 12/21/1993]
1.
Area and design regulations shall be as follows:
A.
Single-family detached dwelling.
(1)
Lot area: 6,000 square feet minimum.
(2)
Lot width (at building setback line): 50 feet minimum.
(3)
Front yard: 50 feet minimum.
(4)
Side yard, each: eight feet minimum.
(5)
Side yard, aggregate: 20 feet minimum.
(6)
Rear yard: 35 feet minimum.
(7)
Building height: 35 feet minimum.
(8)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 40% maximum.
(9)
Off-street parking: two per dwelling unit.
B.
Single-family, semi-detached dwellings; twin and duplex dwellings.
(1)
Lot area (per dwelling unit): 5,500 square feet minimum.
(2)
Lot width (at building setback line): 50 feet.
(3)
Front yard: 15 feet minimum.
(4)
Side yard, each, per unit: 10 feet minimum.
(5)
Side yard, aggregate, per building: 30 feet minimum.
(6)
Rear yard: 35 feet minimum.
(7)
Building height: 35 feet minimum.
(8)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 40% maximum.
(9)
Off-street parking: two per dwelling unit minimum.
C.
Triplex and townhouse dwellings.
(1)
Lot area: 3,000 square feet per dwelling unit minimum.
(2)
Lot width (at building setback line): 22 feet minimum.
(3)
Front yard: 15 feet minimum.
(4)
Side yard, each, per building: 50 feet.
(5)
Rear yard: 50 feet minimum.
(6)
Dwelling units (per building): three minimum, eight maximum.
(7)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(8)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 40% maximum.
(9)
Off-street parking: two per dwelling unit
D.
Multifamily dwelling: apartments.
(1)
Gross density: eight dwelling units per acre minimum.
(2)
Site area: 25,000 square feet minimum.
(3)
Lot width (at building setback line): 75 feet minimum.
(4)
Front yard: 15 feet minimum.
(5)
Side yard, each: 15 feet minimum.
(6)
Rear yard: 35 feet minimum.
(7)
Building height: 65 feet maximum.
(8)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 50% maximum.
(9)
Off-street parking: two and five-tenths per dwelling unit minimum.
(10)
Open space ratio (percentage of site): 40% minimum.
E.
Commercial/office uses.
(1)
Lot area: 3,000 square feet minimum.
(2)
Lot width (at building setback line): 50 feet minimum.
(3)
Front yard: 15 feet minimum.
(4)
Side yard, each: six feet minimum.
(5)
Side yard, aggregate: 12 feet minimum.
(6)
Rear yard: 20 feet minimum.
(7)
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
(8)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 75% maximum.
(9)
Off-Street Parking.
(a)
Retail Stores and Personal Services.
1)
Retail and personal service with less than 1,500 square feet of gross floor area: one space for every 250 square feet of gross floor area.
2)
Retail and personal service with more than 1,500 square feet of gross floor area: one space for every 200 square feet of gross floor area.
3)
Regardless of amount of square feet of gross floor area, any variety store, supermarket, department store, discount store and beer and soft drink distributor: one space for every 200 square feet of gross floor area.
(b)
Professional and private offices, except real estate offices: one space for every 150 square feet of gross floor area.
(c)
Eating place: one off-street parking space for each 50 square feet of total floor area and outdoor eating area, plus one additional off-street parking space for each employee.
(d)
Entertainment: one off-street parking space for each four seats provided for patron use or at least one off-street parking space for each 50 square feet of gross floor area used or intended to be used for service to customers, patrons, clients, guests or members, whichever requires the greater number of off-street parking spaces, plus one additional space for each employee.
(e)
Motel/hotel: one off-street parking space for each rental room or suite, plus one additional off-street parking space for each employee.
(f)
Mixed Commercial/Residential. These uses must meet the parking standards required for each use contained in the structure, as specified by this Chapter.
(g)
Doctors, dentists, chiropractors, psychologists and other related professions and medical facilities: five off-street parking spaces for each professional practitioner, plus one per employee. Group therapy sessions must provide one off-street parking space per person per hour.
(h)
Real estate offices: one space for every 300 square feet of gross floor area.
F.
Mixed commercial/office and residential uses.
(1)
Lot area: 5,500 square feet minimum.
(2)
Lot width (at building setback line): 50 feet minimum.
(3)
Front yard: 15 feet minimum.
(4)
Side yard, each: eight feet minimum
(5)
Side yards, aggregate: 20 feet minimum.
(6)
Rear yard: 35 feet minimum.
(7)
Building height: 35 feet minimum.
(8)
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 70% maximum.
(9)
Off-Street Parking. The minimum required off-street parking spaces must be a combination of those required for residential use and for the type of commercial/office use as required in Paragraph E(9).
G.
Institutional Uses. Institutional uses listed hereafter shall conform to institutional area and design requirements listed by use in Part 5 and shall require use permits.
H.
Accessory Uses. Accessory uses and structures shall comply with the area and design regulations of Paragraphs A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Outside storage of materials and equipment shall not be permitted. Outside display of merchandise in front of the premises may be permitted only as a seasonal sale or seasonal sidewalk sale in conformance with §27-617. All accessory uses shall conform to the requirements of Parts 6A and 6B.
I.
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.
J.
Signs. Provisions of the sign regulations specified in Part 12 shall apply to all permitted signs in this district.
L.
For nonconformities, administration of the Chapter, interpretation, variances, special exceptions, appeals, amendments and enforcement, see Part 14 of this Chapter.
§ 27-321 Purpose; General Regulations.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982]
1.
Purpose. The C-2 District is to provide for local and area residences, to be accessible by vehicular traffic and to exclude those uses which would be incompatible with this type of development.
2.
Regulations. In the C-2 District, a building may be erected or altered, and any lot or premises may be used, when in conformance with the conditions of this Chapter and the specific use, bulk and design regulations of this district.
§ 27-322 Uses Permitted by Right; Accessory Uses; Signs.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; Ord. No. 491, 5/2/2023]
1.
Uses Permitted by Right. In a C-2 District, the following uses are permitted by right, and no other:
A.
Motor vehicle service stations.
B.
Public garage or auto repair shop (excluding body work).
C.
Eating place for the sale and consumption of flood and beverages, including those establishments with drive-in or take-out food service.
D.
Financial institution, including but not limited to banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions and other financial institutions, including those with drive-through teller service.
E.
Retail stores, including but not limited to the sale of dry goods, variety and general merchandise, clothing, food, hardware, garden supplies, flowers, drugs, household supplies or furnishings, sale or repair of jewelry, watches and clocks, optical goods, musical professional and office supplies and packed goods when sold only on premises.
F.
Personal services, including but not limited to barbershops, hairdressers, cleaning and pressing establishments, photograph, funeral homes, shoe repairs and laundromat.
G.
Professional and private offices, including but not limited to real estate, accounting, insurance, architects’, lawyers’ doctors’ and utility offices.
H.
Emergency services.
2.
Accessory Uses.
3.
Signs. In a C-2 District, a maximum of two signs for a single occupancy or one sign per occupant and one sign per lot for multiple occupancies are permitted per lot as follows:
§ 27-323 Area and Design Regulations.
[Ord. 273, 2/16/1982; as amended by Ord. 279, 10/18/1983; by Ord. 310, 11/6/1986; and by Ord. 456, 4/1/2014]
1.
The following area and dimensional requirements shall apply to all permitted and accessory uses, unless otherwise stated.
A.
Lot area: 10,000 square feet minimum.
B.
Lot width (at building setback line): 75 feet minimum.
C.
Front yard: 30 feet minimum.
D.
Side yard, each (for structures): 20 feet minimum.
E.
Side yard, aggregate (for structures): 40 feet minimum.
F.
Side yard, each (for driveways): five feet minimum.
G.
Side yard, aggregate (for driveways): 10 feet minimum.
H.
Rear yard: 35 feet minimum.
I.
Building height: 35 feet maximum.
J.
Impervious surface ratio (percentage of lot): 75% maximum.
K.
Off-street Parking.
(1)
Motor vehicle service station: two off-street parking spaces for every 300 square feet of gross floor area or three off-street parking spaces for each service bay, whichever is larger, plus one space for each employee. Off-street parking spaces are not to be a part of, nor interfere with, the accessways to the pumps.
(2)
Public garage or auto repair shop: two off-street parking spaces for each 100 square feet of gross floor area, plus one additional space for each employee.
(3)
Eating place/drive-in: one off-street parking space for every two seats or one off-street parking space for every 100 square feet of gross floor area, whichever requires the greater number of off-street parking spaces, plus one off-street parking space for each employee.
(4)
Financial institutions: one space for each 150 square feet of gross area used or intended to be used for servicing customers, plus one additional space for each employee.
(5)
Retail store and personal service: one space for every 150 square feet of gross floor area.
(6)
Professional and private offices, except real estate offices: one space for every 150 square feet of gross floor area.
(7)
Doctors, dentists, chiropractors, psychologists, other related professions and medical facilities: five off-street parking spaces for each professional practitioner, plus one per employee. Group therapy sessions must provide one off-street parking space per person per hour.
(8)
Real estate office: one space for every 300 square feet of gross floor area.
3.
Access requirements shall be as follows:
B.
They must have direct access to East Afton Avenue or Delaware Avenue or Ferry Street.
C.
There shall, be only one point of egress to the collector or arterial street. This may be accomplished in one of the following ways:
(1)
The ingress and egress are adjacent to each other with no physical separation. This arrangement must be at least 20 feet wide and not more than 26 feet wide, and the ingress and egress shall be clearly marked.
(2)
The ingress and egress are adjacent with a raised island separating the two. The island shall be no more than 10 feet wide. Each driveway shall be at least 10 feet wide but not more than 13 feet wide.
D.
The access driveway shall be at least 40 feet from any existing street intersection. The distance shall be measured from the street right-of-way to the edge of the access driveway.
5.
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:
6.
Signs. Provisions of sign regulations specified in Part 12 shall apply to all permitted signs in this district.
8.
For nonconformities, administration of the Chapter, interpretation, variances, special exceptions, appeals, amendments and enforcement, see Part 14 of this Chapter.