MapLink™ | Definitions

Hello! Content on this website is provided as a convenience and is for informational use only. Be sure to review the Terms of Use for all of the details related to your use of this website.
Accept
© Civic Webware
Accessory building
See "building,"

Building
A structure having a roof which is used for the shelter or enclosure of persons, animals or property. The word "building" shall include any part thereof.
 
A. Building, accessory
A subordinate building located on the same lot as a principal building and clearly incidental and subordinate to the principal building, not to exceed a footprint of 500 square feet. Any portion of a principal building devoted or intended to be devoted to an accessory use is not an accessory building.

B. Building, principal
A building in which is conducted, or is intended to be conducted, the principal use of the lot on which it is located.
Accessory use
See "use."

Use
Any activity, occupation, business or operation carried on, or intended to be carried on, in a building or other structure or on a tract of land.
 
A. Use, accessory
A use located on the same lot with a principal use and clearly incidental or subordinate to, and customary in connection with, the principal use.

B. Use, principal
The main use on a lot.
Accessory use or structure
A use or structure on the same lot with, and of a nature customarily incidental and subordinate to, the principal use or structure.
© Civic Webware
Alterations
As applied to a building or structure, a change or rearrangement in the structural parts, or an enlargement, whether by extending on a side or by increasing in height, or the moving from one location or position to another. As applied to a sign, a change or increase in its exterior dimensions, height or shape/size of the sign face.
Alternative therapy Includes the following:
A. The practice of an individual who uses touch to manipulate the energy systems, acupoints, qi meridians or channels of energy of the human body while engaged within the scope of practice of a profession with established standards and ethics. Such practices include acupressure, Asian bodywork therapy, polarity therapy bodywork, quigon, reiki, shiatsu, and tui na.
B. Reflexology.
C. The practice of an individual who uses touch, words, and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement in the body and to suggest new possibilities of movement, while engaged within the scope of practice of a profession with established standards and ethics.
D. Any massage-like activity that does not meet the definition of "massage therapy" set forth hereinafter.
Alternative therapy provider
Any establishment where alternative therapy is administered for the payment of a fee or other compensation or consideration, but not including: a hospital; nursing home; medical clinic; the office of a physician, surgeon, physical therapist, chiropractor, or osteopath currently licensed as such by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; barbershops or practices licensed by the Department of Cosmetology; or any athletic program of accredited junior and senior high schools or colleges in which a massage is administered by a trainer within the scope of such athletic program.
Anchor
A mechanical nonplastic means by which various materials and the structural members in the construction or erection of a sign is used.
© Civic Webware
Antenna
A device used to collect or transmit telecommunications or radio signals. Examples are panels, microwave dishes and single poles known as "whips."
Approved
As applied to any material, device or mode of construction, means approved by the Zoning Officer under this part or by any other standard authority designated by law to give approval of the matter in question, such as the Underwriters' Laboratory or the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM).
© Civic Webware
Area
A. Building area - The total of areas taken on a horizontal plane at the main grade level of the principal building and all accessory buildings exclusive of uncovered porches, terraces and steps.

B. Gross floor area - The sum of the areas of the several floors of building structure, including areas used for human occupancy and basements, attics and penthouses, as measured from the exterior faces of the walls. It does not include cellars, unenclosed porches, attics not used for human occupancy, or any floor space in accessory building or in the main building intended and designed for the parking of motor vehicles in order to meet the parking requirements of this chapter or any such floor space intended and designed for accessory heating and ventilating equipment.

C. Lot area - The area contained within the property lines of the individual parcels of land shown on a subdivision plan, excluding any area within a street right-of-way, excluding areas within any areas of natural resources, and excluding any area restricted as open space, but not including open space required under this chapter, and any other areas as may be specifically excluded by the terms of this chapter.
Base flood
A flood which has a one-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year (also called the "one-hundred-year flood" or "one-percent-annual-chance flood").
Base flood discharge
The volume of water resulting from a base flood as it passes a given location within a given time, usually expressed in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Base flood elevation (BFE)
The elevation shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Zones AE, AH, A1-30 that indicates the water surface elevation resulting from a flood that has a one-percent or greater chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
Basement
Any area of the building having its floor below ground level on all sides.
Basement
A story partly underground, but having 1/2 or more of its height (measured from floor to ceiling) above the average level of the adjoining ground. A basement shall be counted as a story for the purpose of height measurement or determining square footage only if the vertical distance between the ceiling and the average level of the adjoining ground is more than four feet, or if used for business or dwelling purposes.
Beam
A horizontal or inclined structural member that carries loads principally by its flexible strength and transmits such loads to other supporting structural members.
© Civic Webware
Buffer yard
A strip of required yard space adjacent to the boundary of a property or district of a width not less than that designated by this chapter, and on which is placed shrubbery, hedges, evergreens or other suitable plantings of sufficient height and density to meet the requirements of Township ordinances and to constitute an effective screen and give maximum protection and immediate screening to an abutting property or district.
© Civic Webware
Building
A structure having a roof which is used for the shelter or enclosure of persons, animals or property. The word "building" shall include any part thereof.
 
A. Building, accessory - A subordinate building located on the same lot as a principal building and clearly incidental and subordinate to the principal building, not to exceed a footprint of 500 square feet. Any portion of a principal building devoted or intended to be devoted to an accessory use is not an accessory building.

B. Building, principal - A building in which is conducted, or is intended to be conducted, the principal use of the lot on which it is located.
Building
A combination of materials to form a permanent structure having walls and a roof. Included shall be all manufactured homes and trailers to be used for human habitation.
© Civic Webware
Building coverage
That percentage of the plot or lot area covered by the building area.
Building envelope
That area of a lot that has no building restrictions. The building envelope shall not include the area of any required setbacks (except for driveways which may cross yards), buffer yards, natural features with one-hundred-percent protection standard, and the portion of those natural features that may not be developed or intruded upon as specified in Part 18, Open Space and Environmental Protection Standards, of this chapter.
© Civic Webware
Building height
A vertical distance measured from the mean elevation of the proposed finished grade at the front of the building to the highest point of the roof for flat roofs, to the decklines of mansard roofs and to the mean height between eaves and ridge for gable, hip and gambrel roofs.
© Civic Webware
Building setback line
A. Front - The rear line of the minimum front yard, as herein designated for each use and each district, measured at a distance equal to and no greater than the minimum front yard from the street line.
B. Side - A line parallel to the side lot line at a distance therefrom equal to the depth of the minimum side yard required.
C. Rear - A line parallel to the rear lot line at a distance from the rear lot line equal to the depth of the minimum rear yard required.
Cellar
A story partly underground and having more than 1/2 of its height (measured from floor to ceiling) below the average level of the adjoining ground. A cellar shall not be considered in determining the permissible number of stories or square footage, nor shall it be used for dwelling purposes.
© Civic Webware
Cellular telecommunications facility
The antennas, nodes, control boxes, towers, poles, conduits, ducts, pedestals, electronics and other equipment used for the purpose of transmitting, receiving, distributing, providing, or accommodating wireless communications services.
Chamfered roof
A roof with a bevelled edge, especially to a beam.
© Civic Webware
Collocation
The mounting of one or more antennas on an existing telecommunications tower, or any structure that already supports at least one antenna or the installation, mounting, maintenance, modification or replacement of small wireless facilities on an existing utility pole or other wireless support structure.
Common open space
This definition shall apply to mobile home park use:

A parcel or parcels of land, or a combination of land and water, within a development site and designed and intended for the use or enjoyment of residents of a development, not including streets, off-street parking areas, and areas set aside for public facilities.
Conditional sign
A sign which is approved by the Board of Supervisors in accordance with this part. Conditional signs shall only be permitted in areas specifically designated in this part.
Consumer fireworks
Any combustible or explosive composition or any substance or combination of substances intended to produce visible and/or audible effects by combustion and which is suitable for use by the public that complies with the construction, performance, composition and labeling requirements promulgated by the Consumer Products Safety Commission in 16 CFR (relating to commercial practices) or any successor regulation and which complies with the provisions for "consumer fireworks" as defined in the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) Standard 87-1, including but not limited to Sections *3.1 and *3.5, or any successor standard. The term does not include devices such as "ground and handheld sparkling devices" as defined in APA Standard 87-1, Section *3.1.1, "novelties" as defined in APA Standard 87-1, Section *3.2, or "toy caps" as defined in APA Standard 87-1, Section *3.3.
Cornice
The projection at the top of a wall or the top course or molding of a wall when it serves as a crowning member.
Decision
Final adjudication of any board or other body granted jurisdiction under any land use ordinance or this chapter to do so, either by reason of the grant of exclusive jurisdiction or by reason of appeals from determinations. All decisions shall be appealable to the court of common pleas of the county and judicial district wherein the Township lies.
Decorative pole
A municipal pole that is specially designed and placed for aesthetic purposes.
Department of Health
The Department of Health of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Determination
Final action by an officer, body or agency charged with the administration of any land use ordinance or applications thereunder, except the following:
A. The Board of Supervisors;
B. The Zoning Hearing Board.
Development
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to the construction, reconstruction, renovation, repair, expansion, or alteration of buildings or other structures; the placement of manufactured homes; streets, and other paving; utilities; filling, grading and excavation; mining; dredging; drilling operations; storage of equipment or materials; and the subdivision of land.
Display fireworks
Defined as more fully set forth in 27 CFR 555.11 (Meaning of terms), which is incorporated herein by reference which meet the types of display fireworks devices set forth in the APA Standard 87-1, Section *4.1 which comply with requirements for display fireworks set forth in APA Standard 87-1.
© Civic Webware
Dwelling
A building containing one or more dwelling units.
A. Dwelling unit - Any room or group of rooms located within a residential building and forming a single habitable unit with facilities which are used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking and eating by one family.

B. Multifamily dwelling or building - A building having two or more dwelling units which may have either a common or independent outside access. Said units may be arranged horizontally one above the other or vertically separated by party walls. It is the intention to include within this definition of "multifamily dwelling" all recognized architectural types or structures accommodating two or more dwelling units in the same building, whether the individual units are for lease or sale, but not including townhouses.

C. Single-family detached dwelling - A dwelling having: (i) only one dwelling unit from ground to roof; (ii) independent outside access; and (iii) open space on all sides.

D. Two-family dwelling - A dwelling having only one dwelling unit from ground to roof and only one wall in common with another dwelling unit.

E. Single-family attached dwelling - Townhouse units having multiple dwelling units with at least one wall in common with another dwelling unit and arranged in a row of not more than 160 feet in length, with no less than 35 feet of separation between buildings that are constructed such that the front building line is staggered in placement so that the frontage of each unit is of varying depth from the units adjacent to it.
Existing manufactured home park or subdivision
A manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed before the effective date of the floodplain management regulations adopted by a community.
Expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision
The preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads).
Facade
The exterior walls of a building facing a frontage line.
Family
A. Any number of individuals living together on a nontransient basis as a single housekeeping unit and doing their cooking on the premises, when said individuals are related by blood, marriage or adoption, including any number of foster children; no more than five unrelated individuals living together as a single housekeeping unit and doing their cooking on the premises, except when an application for a special exception to enable a greater number of unrelated individuals to occupy a dwelling is reviewed and approved by the Zoning Hearing Board, as provided herein. The definition of "family" shall not apply to the occupants of a club, fraternity house, lodge or residential club.

B. Notwithstanding the definition in the preceding subsection, "family" shall also be deemed to include any number of mentally or physically handicapped persons occupying a dwelling unit as a single, nonprofit housekeeping units, if such occupants are handicapped persons as defined in Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988. Such unrelated individuals shall have the right to occupy a dwelling unit in the same manner and to the same extent as any family unit as defined in subsection A of this definition.
Farmers market
Temporary or occasional outdoor retail sales of farm produce from vehicles or temporary stands.
Fenestration
The arrangement of windows and other exterior openings on a building.
Fireworks
Any composition or device for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect for entertainment purposes by combustion, deflagration or detonation that meets the definition of 1.4 G fireworks or 1.3 G fireworks as set forth in the 2003 International Fire Code, including, but not limited to, those composition or devices defined in APA Standard 87-1.
Flood
A temporary inundation of normally dry land areas.
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)
The official map on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency has delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.
Flood Insurance Study (FIS)
The official report provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that includes flood profiles, the Flood Insurance Rate Map, the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map, and the water surface elevation of the base flood.
Floodplain area
A relatively flat or low land area which is subject to partial or complete inundation from an adjoining or nearby stream, river or watercourse; and/or any area subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation of surface waters from any source.
Floodproofing
Any combination of structural and nonstructural additions, changes, or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary facilities, structures and their contents.
Floodway
The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot.
© Civic Webware
Floor area ratio
The ratio of the gross floor area of a structure to the gross lot area upon which the use and structure(s) is/are to be located. Total floor area includes the total floor space within a structure, except for those areas devoted to internal atriums.
Forest
The area comprising 1/4 acre or more of wooded land where the largest trees measure at least six inches diameter at breast height (dbh) 4 1/2 feet from the ground, or a grove of trees forming one canopy where 10 or more trees measure at least 12 inches diameter at breast height.
Gross lot area
The aggregate total of all areas contained within the deeded or surveyed boundaries of a parcel of land.
Highest adjacent grade
The highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.
Historic district or building
A building that is or a group of buildings, properties or sites that are:
 
A. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places or formally determined eligible.

B. Determined to be eligible for listing by the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places who has been delegated the authority by a federal agency to list properties and determine their eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places in accordance with Section VI.D.1.a.i-v of the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement for Review Regarding the Section 106 National Historic Preservation Act Review Process as specified under 47 CFR Part 1, Appendix C (relating to Nationwide Programmatic Agreement Regarding the Section 106 National Historic Preservation Act Review Process).

C. Marked as a historical site by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission pursuant to Title 37 of Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (relating to historical and museums).

D. Within a historic district created pursuant to the Act of June 13, 1961 (P.L. 282, No. 167), entitled "An act authorizing counties, cities, boroughs, incorporated towns and townships to create historic districts within their geographic boundaries; providing for the appointment of Boards of Historical Architectural Review; empowering governing bodies of political subdivisions to protect the distinctive historical character of these districts and to regulate the erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of buildings within the historic districts."
Historic structures
Any structure that is:
1. Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register;
2. Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historical significance of a registered historic district or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district;
3. Individually listed on a state inventory of historic places in states which have been approved by the Secretary of the Interior; or
4. Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic preservation that have been certified either:
A. By an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior; or
B. Directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs.
Hookah bar/lounge
Any establishment that is dedicated, in whole or in part, to the smoking of a water pipe with a smoke chamber, a bowl, a pipe and a hose, commonly referred to as a "hookah," and also known as a narghile, argileh, shisha, hubble-bubble, and goza.
Identified floodplain area
This term is an umbrella term that includes all of the areas within which the community has selected to enforce floodplain regulations. It will always include the area identified as the special flood hazard area on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Insurance Study, but may include additional areas identified by the community. See §§ 27-1517 and 27-1518 for the specifics on what areas the community has included in the identified floodplain area.
© Civic Webware
Impervious surface
Unless otherwise provided in Chapter 22: Subdivision and Land Development, impervious surfaces are those surfaces which do not absorb water. Any area which has been or is proposed to be modified from grass, dirt, vegetation, wooded or ground cover, including but not limited to the area of all buildings, parking areas, driveways, roads, sidewalks and any areas in concrete, asphalt, porous pavers and packed stone, shall be considered impervious surfaces.
Impervious surface ratio
Unless otherwise provided in Chapter 22: Subdivision and Land Development, the total area of all impervious surfaces within the lot divided by the lot area.
Landowner
This definition shall apply to mobile home park use:

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 experience the rights of the landowner, or other person having a proprietary interest in the land.
© Civic Webware
Lot
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed or built upon as a unit.
 
A. Corner lot - A lot which has an interior angle of less than 135º at the intersection of two street lines. A lot abutting upon a curved street or streets shall be considered a corner lot if the tangent to the curve at the points beginning within the lot or at the points of intersection of the side lot lines with the street lines intersects at an angle of less than 135º.

B. Depth of lot - The mean distance from the street line of the lot to its opposite rear line measured in the general direction of the side lines of the lot.

C. Lot width - The distance measured between the side lot line at the required building setback line(s). In a case where there is only one side lot line, between such side lot line and the opposite rear lot line or street line.

D. Through lot - An interior lot having frontage on two parallel or approximately parallel streets.
© Civic Webware
Lot lines
A. Lot line - Any boundary line of a lot.

B. Lot line, rear - Any lot line which is parallel to or within 45º of being parallel to a street line, except for a lot line that is itself a street line, and except that in the case of a corner lot the owner shall have the option of choosing which of the two lot lines that are not street lines is to be considered a rear lot line. In the case of a lot having no street frontage or a lot of an odd shape, only the one lot line furthest from any street shall be considered a rear lot line.

C. Lot line, side - Any lot line which is not a street line or a rear lot line.

D. Street line - See "street line."
Lowest floor
The lowest floor of the lowest fully enclosed area (including basement). An unfinished, flood resistant partially enclosed area, used solely for parking of vehicles, building access, and incidental storage, in an area other than a basement area is not considered the lowest floor of a building, provided that such space is not designed and built so that the structure is in violation of the applicable nonelevation design requirements of this part.
Manufactured home
A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis, and is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when attached to the required utilities. The term includes park trailers, travel trailers, recreational and other similar vehicles which are placed on a site for more than 180 consecutive days.
Manufactured home park or subdivision
A parcel (or contiguous parcels) of land divided into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.
Massage therapy
Any method of pressure on or friction against or stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping, pounding, vibrating or stimulating of the external soft parts of the body with hands or with the aid of any mechanical or electrical apparatus, with or without such supplementing aids as rubbing alcohol, liniments or other similar preparations commonly used in this practice. The term does not include the diagnosis or treatment of impairment, illness, disease or disability, a medical procedure, a chiropractic manipulation or adjustment, physical therapy mobilization or manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, electrical stimulation, ultrasound or prescription of medicines for which a license to practice medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, occupational therapy, podiatry or other practice of the healing arts is required or any other area licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Massage therapy center
Any establishment where massage therapy is administered for the payment of a fee or other compensation or consideration but not including: a hospital; nursing home; medical clinic; the office of a physician, surgeon, physical therapist, chiropractor, or osteopath currently licensed as such by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; barbershops or practices licensed by the Department of Cosmetology; or any athletic program of accredited junior and senior high schools or colleges in which a massage is administered by a trainer within the scope of such athletic program.
Massing
The three-dimensional shape of a building's height, width and depth.
Medical Marijuana Act
Act 16 of 2016, 35 P.S. § 1023.101 et seq.
Medical marijuana dispensary
A person, including a natural person, corporation, partnership, association, trust, or other entity, or any combination thereof, which is registered by the Department of Health under the Medical Marijuana Act to dispense medical marijuana. The term does not include a health care medical marijuana organization under Chapter 19 of the Medical Marijuana Act.
Medical marijuana grower/processor
A person, including a natural person, corporation, partnership, association, trust, or other entity, or any combination thereof, which is registered by the Department of Health under the Medical Marijuana Act to grow and process medical marijuana. The term does not include a health care medical marijuana organization under Chapter 19 of the Medical Marijuana Act.
Minor repair
The replacement of existing work with equivalent materials for the purpose of its routine maintenance and upkeep, but not including the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the exitway requirements; nor shall minor repairs include addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, oil, waste, vent, or similar piping, electric wiring, mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety.
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.
© Civic Webware
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 has been so designated and improved that it contains two or more mobile home lots for the placement thereon of mobile homes.
Municipal authority
A body politic and corporate created pursuant to the Act of May 2, 1945 (P.L. 382, No. 164), known as the "Municipalities Authority Act of 1945."
Municipal pole
A utility pole owned, managed or operated by or on behalf of the Township.
New construction
Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective start date of this floodplain management ordinance and includes any subsequent improvements to such structures. Any construction started after March 15, 1977, and before the effective start date of this floodplain management ordinance is subject to the ordinance in effect at the time the permit was issued, provided that the start of construction was within 180 days of permit issuance.
New manufactured home park or subdivision
A manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed on or after the effective date of floodplain management regulations adopted by a community.
NFPA 1124
The National Fire Protection Association Standard 1124, Code for the Manufacture, Transportation and Storage of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles, 2006 Edition, or any subsequent edition.
© Civic Webware
Nonconforming lot
A lot the area or dimension of which was lawful prior to the adoption or amendment of this chapter, but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located by reason of such adoption or amendment.
Nonconforming structure
A structure or part of a structure which does not comply with the applicable area, setback, yard, building height, location, size, impervious surface and/or other dimensional requirements of this chapter or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such structure lawfully existed prior to the enactment of this chapter or amendment. Such nonconforming structures include, but are not limited to, nonconforming signs.
© Civic Webware
Nonconforming use
A use, whether of land or of structure, which does not comply with the applicable use provisions in this chapter or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such use was lawfully in existence prior to the enactment of this chapter or amendment or prior to the application of this chapter or amendment to its location by reason of annexation.
Novelties
Articles of trade having amusement value and whose appeal is often transitory, and which is limited to those items for sale described in American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) Standard 87-1, Section *3.2.
Owner
Includes a duly authorized agent or attorney, a purchaser, devisee, fiduciary and a person having a vested or contingent interest in the property in question.
Parapet
The portion of a wall which extends above the roofline.
Pedestrian takeout window
A window opening in the facade of a commercial building used for the sale of food and/or beverages. Such a window shall be designed for the exclusive use of pedestrians and shall be located to provide a safe waiting area and to not disrupt or impede pedestrian movement on a sidewalk used by the public.
Person
Includes an individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, estate or trust.
Person
An individual, partnership, public or private association or corporation, firm, trust, estate, municipality, governmental unit, public utility or any other legal entity whatsoever, which is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties.
Portico
A covered walk or porch that is supported by columns or pillars; also known as "colonnade."
Post-firm structure
A structure for which construction or substantial improvement occurred after December 31, 1974, or on or after the community's initial Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) dated March 15, 1977, whichever is later, and, as such, would be required to be compliant with the regulations of the National Flood Insurance Program.
Pre-firm structure
A structure for which construction or substantial improvement occurred on or before December 31, 1974, or before the community's initial Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) dated March 15, 1977, whichever is later, and, as such, would not be required to be compliant with the regulations of the National Flood Insurance Program.
Principal
A. Principal building - See "building."
B. Principal use - See "use."
© Civic Webware
Public grounds Includes:
A. Parks, playgrounds, trails, paths and other recreational areas and public areas.
B. Sites for schools, sewage treatment, refuse disposal and other publicly owned or operated facilities.
C. Publicly owned or operated scenic and historic sites.
Public hearing
A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the Board of Supervisors or Planning Commission, intended to inform and obtain public comment, prior to taking action in accordance with this chapter.
Public meeting
A forum held pursuant to notice under the Act of July 3, 1986 (P.L. 388, No. 84), known as the "Sunshine Act," 53 P.S. § 271 et seq.
Public notice
Notice published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Township. Such notice shall state the time and place of the hearing and the particular nature of the matter to be considered at the hearing. The first publication shall not be more than 30 days and the second publication shall not be less than seven days prior to the date of the hearing.
Recreational vehicle
A vehicle which is:
1. Built on a single chassis;
2. Not more than 400 square feet, measured at the largest horizontal projections;
3. Designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light-duty truck;
4. Not designed for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use.
Regulatory flood elevation
The base flood elevation (BFE) or estimated flood height as determined using simplified methods plus a freeboard safety factor of 1 1/2 feet.
© Civic Webware
Religious use
Any church, religious service or other use incidental to the mission of a religious organization that is accessory to the primary use of a building or parcel for religious services or worship, including primary or secondary schools, places of religious instruction, seminaries, rabbinical schools and on-site day-care services which are limited to providing supervision or care during religious services.
Repair
The replacement of any part of a sign with equivalent material for the purpose of maintenance that does not affect its plan, size, structural framework or its structural members.
Report
Any letter, review, memorandum, compilation or similar writing made by any body, board, officer or consultant other than a solicitor to any other body, board, officer or consultant for the purpose of assisting the recipient of such report in the rendering of any decision or determination. All reports shall be deemed recommendatory and advisory only and shall not be binding upon the recipient, board, officer, body or agency, nor shall any appeal lie therefrom. Any report used, received or considered by the body, board, officer or agency rendering a determination or decision shall be made available for inspection to the applicant and all other parties to any proceeding upon request, and copies thereof shall be provided at cost of reproduction.
Sign
Sign
A. Any structure, device, light or natural object, including the ground itself, or any part thereof, or any device attached thereto or painted or represented thereon, which shall be used to identify, advertise or attract attention to any object, project, place, activity, person, institution, organization, firm, group, commodity, profession, enterprise, industry or business, or which shall display or include any letter, word, model, number, banner, flag, pennant, insignia, device or representation used as an announcement, direction or advertisement, and which is intended to be seen from off the premises or from a parking lot.

B. The word "sign" shall include signs which are affixed to the inside of windows and glass doors and are intended to be seen from roadways or parking lots. No other indoor sign shall be deemed a sign within this part.
Sign size
The extreme physical dimensions of a sign, excluding any poles 14 inches or smaller in size. Supporting structures in excess of 14 inches shall be considered in the overall size of the sign. Where individual characters are used, whether individually mounted or fastened or jointly mounted or fastened to convey a message, the total dimension from the beginning of the first character to the end of the last character in the longest line and the top of the uppermost character and the bottom of the lowermost character shall be considered in the calculating the overall sign area, including logos, pictures or any other graphic or artwork.
© Civic Webware
Small wireless facility
The equipment and network components, including antennas, transmitters and receivers, used by a wireless provider that meet the following qualifications:
A. Each antenna associated with the deployment is no more than three cubic feet in volume.

B. The volume of all other equipment associated with the wireless facility, whether ground-mounted or pole-mounted, is cumulatively no more than 28 cubic feet. Any equipment used solely for the concealment of the small wireless facility shall not be included in the calculation of equipment volume under this paragraph.
Sober living facility
Residential facilities where five or more individuals reside together either voluntarily or by court order to recover from drug, alcohol, and/or substance abuse, which serve as an interim environment between rehabilitation facilities/hospitalization and reintegration to independent living. The term shall include recovery houses and halfway houses.
Special exception
A use permitted in a particular zoning district pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and Articles VI and IX of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. §§ 10601 et seq. and 10901 et seq.
Special flood hazard area (SFHA)
An area in the floodplain subject to a one-percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. It is shown on the FIRM as Zone A, AO, A1-A30, AE, A99, or AH.
Start of construction
Includes substantial improvement and other proposed new development and means the date the permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, placement, or other improvement was within 180 days after the date of the permit and shall be completed within 12 months after the date of issuance of the permit unless a time extension is granted, in writing, by the Floodplain Administrator. The "actual start" means either the first placement of permanent construction of a structure on a site, such as the pouring of slab or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns, or any work beyond the stage of excavation; or the placement of a manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading, and filling; nor does it include the installation of streets and walkways; nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings, piers, or foundations or the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main structure. For a substantial improvement, the "actual start of construction" means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of a building, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the building.
© Civic Webware
Story
That part of a building located between a floor and the floor or roof next above. The first story of a building is the lowest story having 75% or more of its wall area above ground level. A half story is a story under a gable, hip or gambrel roof, the wall plates of which on at least two opposite exterior walls are not more than two feet above such story.
© Civic Webware
Street
Includes street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, parkway, lane, alley, viaduct or any other ways used or intended to be used by vehicular traffic or pedestrians, whether public or private.
Street line
The dividing line between the street and the lot. The street line shall be the same as the legal right-of-way line, provided that: (1) the street right-of-way line shall be not less than 25 feet from the center line of any road or street; and (2) where a future right-of-way width for a road or street has been officially established, then the street right-of-way line shall be the side line of the future right-of-way so established.
Street vendors
Any person or persons, including corporations, who engage in the activity of vending.
© Civic Webware
Structure
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
Structure
A walled and roofed building, including a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground, as well as a manufactured home.
Subdivision
The division or redivision of a lot, tract, or parcel of land by any means into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land including changes in existing lot lines for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of lease, partition by the court for distribution to heirs, or devisees, transfer of ownership or building or lot development; provided, however, that the subdivision by lease of land for agricultural purposes into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new street or easement of access or any residential dwelling, shall be exempted.
Substantial damage
Damage from any cause sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50% or more of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
Substantial improvement
Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, of which the cost equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure before the start of construction of the improvement. This term includes structures which have incurred substantial damage regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions.
Technically feasible
By virtue of engineering or spectrum usage, the proposed placement for a small wireless facility or its design or site location can be implemented without a material reduction in the functionality of the small wireless facility.
© Civic Webware
Telecommunications equipment building
The building in which the electronic receiving and relay equipment for a cellular telecommunications facility is housed.
Temporary structure
A structure other than a permanent facility with fixed utility connections, which is in use or in place for a period of 20 consecutive calendar days or less and is dedicated to the storage and sale of consumer fireworks and related items. The term includes temporary retail sales stands, tents, canopies and membrane structures meeting the specifications of NFPA 1124. The term shall not include a facility that is not licensed to sell consumer fireworks under this chapter.
© Civic Webware
Tower
A structure that is intended to support equipment used to transmit and/or receive telecommunications signals. Examples of such structures include monopoles and lattice construction steel structures.
Underground district
An area designated solely for underground or buried cable facilities and utility facilities.
Uniform Construction Code (UCC)
The statewide building code adopted by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1999 applicable to new construction in all municipalities whether administered by the municipality, a third party or the Department of Labor and Industry. Applicable to residential and commercial buildings, the Code adopted the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Building Code (IBC), by reference, as the construction standard applicable with the state floodplain construction. For coordination purposes, references to the above are made specifically to various sections of the IRC and the IBC.
Use
Any activity, occupation, business or operation carried on, or intended to be carried on, in a building or other structure or on a tract of land.
 
A. Use, accessory - A use located on the same lot with a principal use and clearly incidental or subordinate to, and customary in connection with, the principal use.

B. Use, principal - The main use on a lot.
© Civic Webware
Utility facility
Buildings, other structures and equipment owned or operated by a public utility, as defined in 66 Pa.C.S.A. § 102 (relating to definitions), to provide service.
Utility pole
A pole or similar structure that is or may be used, in whole or in part, by or for telecommunications, electric distribution, lighting, traffic control, signage or a similar function or for collocation. The term includes the vertical support structure for traffic lights but does not include wireless support structures or horizontal structures to which signal lights or other traffic control devices are attached.
Variance
A grant of relief by a community from the terms of a floodplain management regulation.
Violation
The failure of a structure or other development to be fully compliant with the community's floodplain management regulations. A structure or other development without the elevation certificate, other certifications, or other evidence of compliance required in 44 CFR 60.3(b)(5), (c)(4), (c)(10), (d)(3), (e)(2), (e)(4), or (e)(5) is presumed to be in violation until such time as that documentation is provided.
© Civic Webware
Wireless facility
A. Equipment at a fixed location that enables wireless service between user equipment and a communications network, including any of the following:
(1) Equipment associated with wireless services.
(2) Radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial or fiber optic cables, regular and backup power supplies or comparable equipment, regardless of technological configuration.
B. The term includes a small wireless facility
C. The term does not include any of the following:
(1) The structure or improvements on, under or within which the equipment is collocated.
(2) The coaxial or fiber optic cables that are not immediately adjacent to or directly associated with a particular antenna.
Wireless provider
A wireless infrastructure provider or a wireless services provider.
Wireless support structure
A freestanding structure, such as a guyed or self-supporting monopole or tower, electrical transmission tower, water tower or other structure that could support the placement or installation of wireless telecommunications facilities if approved by the Township.
© Civic Webware
Yard
An open space unobstructed from the ground up, on the same lot with a structure, extending along a lot line or street line and inward to the structure. The size of a required yard shall be measured as the shortest distance between the structure and a lot line or street line.
 
A. Yard, front - A yard between a structure and a street line and extending the entire length of the street line. In the case of a corner lot, the yards extending along all streets are front yards. In the case of a lot other than a corner lot that fronts on more than one street, the yards extending along all streets are front yards.

B. Yard, rear - A yard between a structure and a rear lot line and extending the entire length of the rear lot line.

C. Yard, side - A yard between a structure and a side lot line, extending from the front yard to the rear yard. In the case of a lot having no street frontage or a lot of odd shape, any yard that is not a front yard or a rear yard shall be considered a side yard.
Note: The provided images are illustrative only and not intended to be regulatory.