Borough of Dormont - Definitions

ACCESS

The physical access of property to a publicly dedicated street not including lot frontages that abut a highway but have no driveway affording physical access to such highway.

ACCESS DRIVE

A privately owned, constructed and maintained surface providing vehicular access to and between parking areas for two or more parking spaces within a land development or any drive servicing one or more units of occupancy on a single lot.

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU)

A residential dwelling unit, but not a mobile home, located on the same lot as a detached one-unit dwelling, either within the same building or in a detached building. The accessory dwelling unit must be subordinate and incidental to the principal unit.

ACCESSORY STRUCTURE

A building or structure that is on the same lot with, but detached from, the principal building and that is customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal building, including but not limited to private garages, storage sheds, swimming pools and the like.

ACCESSORY USE

A use of property on the same lot with, and of a nature customarily incidental and subordinate to, in terms of size, intent, and/or purpose, the principal use of the property, and that does not alter or change the character of the property.

ADEQUATE COVERAGE

Coverage is considered to be adequate within that area surrounding a wireless telecommunication facility where the predicted or measured median field strength of transmittal signal is greater than or equal to -95dbm for at least 75% of the intended coverage area. It is acceptable for there to be holes within the area of adequate coverage where the signal is less than -95dbm, as long as the signal regains its strength to greater than or equal to -95dbm further away from the wireless telecommunication facility. For the limited purpose of determining whether the use of a repeater is necessary or desirable, there shall be deemed not to be adequate coverage within said holes. The outer boundary of the area of adequate coverage, however, is that location past which the signal does not regain strength of greater than or equal to -95dbm.

ADJACENT

Immediately adjoining; sharing common property lines uninterrupted by any public street, railroad or other right-of-way.

ADULT ARCADE

Any place where the public is permitted or invited wherein coin-operated, slug-operated or electronically, electrically or mechanically controlled still or motion-picture machines, projectors or other image-producing devices are maintained to show images to five or fewer persons per machine at any one time, and where the images displayed are distinguished or characterized by the depicting or describing of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, as defined herein.

ADULT BOOKSTORE/VIDEO STORE

Any commercial establishment in which more than 5% of the inventory offered for sale or rental to the public consists of books, publications, films or other media that depict nudity or sexual conduct.

ADULT ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS

An adult arcade, adult bookstore/video store, adult live theater, adult motel, adult movie theater or movie house, as defined herein.

ADULT LIVE THEATER

Any commercial establishment that features live shows for public viewing in which all or some of the performers are displaying nudity or engaging in sexual conduct, as defined herein.

ADULT MOTEL

A hotel, motel or similar commercial establishment that offers accommodations to the public for any form of consideration; provides patrons with closed-circuit television transmissions, films, motion pictures, videocassettes, slides or other photographic reproductions that are characterized by the depiction or description of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, as defined herein; and offers sleeping rooms for rent four or more times in the calendar day during five or more calendar days in any continuous thirty-day period.

ADULT MOVIE THEATER OR MOVIE HOUSE

Any movie theater, including mini theaters or any other establishment, that shows films rated "X" by the Motion Picture Coding Association of America or that shows adult films depicting sexual conduct, as defined herein.

AISLE

That portion of the off-street parking and loading area that provides access to parking, queuing or loading spaces, exclusive of driveways and parking and loading spaces.

ALLEY

A public or private right-of-way that has a width of 15 feet or less and that is designed to provide secondary access to a lot or lots.

ANIMAL, DANGEROUS

(1) Any mammal, amphibian, fish, reptile, or fowl of a species, insect or arachnid that, due to size, vicious nature, or other characteristics, would constitute a danger to the physical well-being of human life or animals.
(2) Any animal having a known disposition or propensity to attack, bite, or injure any person or animal without provocation. Where the official records of an Animal Control Officer, Borough Clerk, Police Department, or Clerk of the Municipal Court indicate that an animal has bitten or attacked any person or animal, it shall be prima facie evidence that said animal is a dangerous animal.
(3) Any animal owned or kept primarily or in part for the purpose of fighting or any animal trained or bred for fighting.
(4) Any animal that is urged by its owner or keeper to attack, or whose owner or keeper threatens to cause such animal to attack any law enforcement officer while such officer is engaged in the performance of official duty and when such animal has the apparent ability to cause injury or harm to such officer.

ANIMAL, HOUSEHOLD PET

Animals that are customarily kept for the personal use or enjoyment within the home. "Household pets" includes but shall not be limited to domestic dogs, domestic cats, domestic birds, fish and rodents.

ANTENNA

Any exterior apparatus (including an antenna dish) used for transmitting and receiving, mounted on a tower, antenna tower, antenna tower alternative structure, building or structure and used in personal wireless services.

ANTENNA SUPPORT STRUCTURE

Any building or other structure other than a tower utilized as a location for personal wireless service facility.

ANTENNA TOWER

Any structure that is designed and constructed primarily for the purpose of supporting one or more antennas for personal wireless services. The term includes radio and television transmission towers, microwave towers, common-carrier towers, cellular telephone towers, antenna tower alternative structures, and the like. The term also includes the structure and any support thereto.

ANTENNA TOWER ALTERNATIVE STRUCTURE

Human-made trees, clock towers, bell steeples, and similar alternative-design mounting structures that substantially camouflage or conceal the presence of antennas or towers such that one would not identify the structure as an antenna tower.

ANTENNA TOWER HEIGHT

When referring to a tower or other structure within the provisions of this chapter, the distance measured from the average grade plane of the antenna tower base to the highest point on the tower or other structure, including any antenna and additional height required for co-location. Lightning rods up to six feet in length and 1.25 inches in diameter may extend above the maximum height measured. When roof-mounted, antenna tower height shall be measured from the average grade plane of the building to the highest point on the tower or other structure, including any antenna and additional height required for co-location.

ANTIQUE SHOP

Any premises used for the sale or trading of articles of which 80% or more are over 30 years old or have collectible value. Antique shop does not include a thrift or secondhand store or any outdoor storage.

APPLICANT

A landowner or developer who has filed an application for development, including their heirs, successors and assigns, as the case may be.

APPROVAL AUTHORITY

An official, organization, or group designated to review and approve/disapprove stormwater pollution prevention plans.

APPROVING AGENCY

The Borough Manager's Office and Borough Council or its duly appointed representative.

ARRAY

Any number of electrically connected photovoltaic (PV) modules providing a single electrical output.

ART STUDIO

Workspace for one or more artists or artisans, including the accessory private sale of art produced on the premises, and shall not be open to the public.

ARTERIAL ROAD

A public street that serves large volumes of high-speed and long-distance traffic. The street classified as an "arterial road" in the Borough is West Liberty Avenue.

ARTS CENTER

Nonprofit, public, or commercial facility for preserving and exhibiting artistic, historical, scientific, natural, or man-made objects of interest, that may include the sale of the objects collected and memorabilia, the sale of crafts work and artwork, boutiques, and the holding of public and private meetings and social events.

AS-BUILT SURVEY

A drawing that represents the true size and location of what is being measured or has already been built in the field.

ASSURANCE OF COMPLETION

A contract secured by a performance bond or other guarantee or security satisfactory to the Borough and/or other public entity guaranteeing completion of the public improvements that are required by these regulations.

AVERAGE GRADE

A reference plane representing the average of finished ground level adjoining the structure or building at all exterior surfaces.

AWNING

A shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall of a building constructed of nonrigid materials on a supporting framework.

BASE (100-YEAR) FLOOD ELEVATION (BFE)

The water surface elevation of the base flood in relation to a specified datum, usually the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 or the North American Vertical Datum of 1988, and usually expressed in feet mean sea level (MSL). In Zone AO areas, the base flood elevation is the natural grade elevation plus the depth number (from one to three feet).

BASE FLOOD

The flood having a one-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The base flood may also be referred to as the one-percent-chance annual flood or 100-year flood.

BASE FLOOD

The flood having a one-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year; also known as the "100-year frequency flood."

BASEMENT

A story, the floor of which is more than 12 inches, but not more than 1/2 its clear height below the average level of the adjoining ground. A basement, when used as a dwelling, shall be counted as a half-story for purposes of height measurement and for purposes of minimum side yard determination.

BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTION

The utilization of labor, equipment and materials for the purpose of erecting or altering a structure.

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPS)

Schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, general good housekeeping practices, pollution prevention and educational practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants directly or indirectly to stormwater, receiving waters, or stormwater conveyance systems. BMPs also include treatment practices, operating procedures, and practices to control site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or water disposal, or drainage from raw materials storage.

BEVERAGE SALES, LIQUOR, BEER OR WINE STORE

An establishment for the sale of beer, wine and general alcoholic beverages, including the sale of distilled spirits or hard liquor, for off-premises consumption, but not including the incidental sale of convenience items such as, without limitation, prepackaged snacks, nonalcoholic beverages, personal care items, clothing, household items and/or cigarettes.

BEVERAGE, BREWING AND DISTILLING

An establishment where beer, malt beverages or spirits are made on the premises and then sold or distributed, either by wholesale or retail, that may include incidental on-premises consumption.

BEVERAGE, DISTRIBUTION

A facility for storage and wholesale distribution of alcoholic beverages, but not including retail sales.

BEVERAGE, NONALCOHOLIC PRODUCTION

Production of nonalcoholic beverages made on-premises and then sold or distributed off-site either by wholesale or retail.

BIKEWAY or BICYCLE PATH

An area specifically for bicycling that is physically separated from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space or barrier and either within the highway right-of-way or within an independent right-of-way.

BILLBOARD

Any off-premises sign that advertises an establishment, activity, person, product or service that is unrelated to or unavailable on the premises where the sign is located.

BLOCK

A parcel of land bounded on all sides by a street or streets, railways or water routes.

BLOCK

The property abutting on one side of a street between two intersecting streets or a street and a railroad right-of-way or watercourse.

BLOCK FRONTAGE

Property having frontage on one side of a street and lying between the two nearest intersecting, intercepting or intercepting extended streets, or nearest intersecting or intercepting street and railroad right-of-way, waterway or another barrier.

BOARD

The Zoning Hearing Board established by this code.

BOARDINGHOUSE

Any dwelling unit in which four or more sleeping units are rented for compensation and where meals may or may not be provided. The term "boardinghouse" shall include a rooming house or lodging house but shall not include any group living arrangements otherwise defined by this article, such as a group residence, group care facility, transitional dwelling or personal care boarding home.

BOAT AND BOAT TRAILER

Includes boats, jet skis, canoes, kayaks, catamarans, racing shells, floats, rafts, and similar motorized and nonmotorized vessels and watercraft, plus the enclosed and unenclosed trailers used to transport or store the same and related parts, accessories and equipment.

BOND

Any form of financial guaranty, including a cash deposit, surety bond, collateral, property, or instrument of credit in an amount and form satisfactory to the Borough.

BOROUGH

The Borough of Dormont, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

BOROUGH COUNCIL

The Borough Council of the Borough of Dormont, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

BRIDGE

A structure, 20 feet or greater in length (span), built over a depression, drainageway.

BUFFER AREA

A landscaped area of a certain depth specified by this chapter that shall be planted and maintained in trees, grass, ground cover, shrubs, bushes or other natural landscaping material or an existing natural or constructed natural barrier that duplicates the effect of the required buffer area.

BUILDABLE LOT AREA

The portion of a lot remaining after required yards have been provided.

BUILDING

A structure used for sheltering any use or occupancy.

BUILDING ELEVATION

The front, rear or side exterior surface of a building as viewed in a flat scale drawing.

BUILDING FRONT

The wall of the building where the principal entrance is located, usually fronting on a public street.

BUILDING HEIGHT

The vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the proposed finished grades at the front of the building to the highest point of the roof for flat roofs, to the deckline of mansard roofs and to the mean height between eaves and ridge for gable, hip and gambrel roofs, provided that chimneys, spires, towers, mechanical penthouses, tanks and similar projections of the building not intended for human occupancy shall not be included in calculating the height, provided that they do not project more than 20 feet above the roof. If there are two or more separate roofs on a single building, the height of such building shall be calculated from the highest roof.

BUILDING LINE

A line parallel to the street right-of-way line at any story level of a building and representing the distance that all or any part of the building is to be set back from said right-of-way.

BUILDING PERMIT

A building permit approved by the Borough Manager or their designee stating that a proposed improvement complies with the provisions of this Zoning Code.

BUILDING SETBACK LINE

See "setback line."

BUILDING, PRINCIPAL

A building in which is conducted the main or principal use of the lot on which such building is situated. Where a substantial part of the wall of an accessory building is a part of the wall of the principal building, or where an accessory building is attached to the main building in a substantial manner, as by a roof, such accessory building shall be counted as a part of the principal building.

BUILDING-MOUNTED SYSTEM

A solar photovoltaic system attached to any part or type of roof on a building or structure that has an occupancy permit on file with the municipality and that is either the principal structure or an accessory structure on a recorded lot or parcel. This system also includes any solar-based architectural elements.

BULK

The size of lots; the size and placement of buildings or structures, and the location of same with respect to one another, and includes the following:

(1) Size and height of buildings;
(2) Location of exterior walls at all levels in relation to lot lines, streets or to other buildings;
(3) Floor area ratio;
(4) All open spaces allocated to buildings; and
(5) Amount of lot area and lot width provided per dwelling unit.

BUSINESS

Engaging in 1) the purchase, sale, barter or exchange of goods, wares, merchandise or services; 2) the maintenance or operation of offices; or 3) a recreational and amusement enterprise for profit.

CALIPER

The American Association of Nurseryman standard for trunk measurement of nursery stock. Caliper of the trunk shall be taken six inches above the ground up to and including four-inch caliper size, and 12 inches above the ground for a caliper size greater than four inches.

CAMPING AND RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT

For the purposes of this code, shall include the following:

(1) Boat and boat trailer;
(2) Folding tent trailer;
(3) Motorized home;
(4) Pickup camper;
(5) Travel trailer; and
(6) Utility trailer.

CANOPY

A permanent structure made of cloth, metal or other material attached or unattached to a building for the purpose of providing shelter to patrons or automobiles, or as a decorative feature on a building wall. A canopy is not a completely enclosed structure but typically is supported by features other than the building facade (e.g., structural legs, building extensions, etc.).

CAR WASH

A facility, whether automatic, semiautomatic or manual, for washing vehicles.

CARPORT

A roofed structure that may be enclosed on no more than three sides designed to house or protect parked motor vehicles.

CELL

The smallest basic solar electric device that generates electricity when exposed to light.

CEMETERY

Land used for the burial of the dead and dedicated for cemetery purposes, including columbarium, mausoleums and mortuaries when operated in conjunction with and within the boundary of the cemetery.

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

A certificate approved by the Borough Manager stating that the occupancy and use of land or a building or structure referred to therein complies with the provisions of this code.

CHANNEL

The segment of the radiation spectrum from an antenna that carries one signal. An antenna may radiate on many channels simultaneously.

CLEAN WATER ACT

The federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. &set; 1251 et seq.), and any subsequent amendments thereto.

CLINIC

Any establishment where human patients are examined and are treated by or under the care and supervision of doctors, dentists or other medical practitioners, but where patients are not hospitalized overnight.

CLINIC, VETERINARY

An establishment where animals are examined and treated by veterinarians and that may include kennels for temporary boarding of animals during treatment.

COLLECTION AND RECYCLING FACILITY

A center for the collection and/or processing of recyclable materials, but not including storage containers located on a residentially, commercially, or industrially designated site used solely for the recycling of material generated on the site.

COLLECTOR STREET

A public street that, in addition to giving access to abutting lots, intercepts local streets and provides a route for carrying considerable volumes of local traffic to community facilities and arterial roads. Streets classified as "collector roads" in the Borough for the purposes of interpreting this chapter are Broadway Avenue, McFarland Road, McNeilly Road, Pioneer Avenue, Potomac Avenue and Scott Road.

CO-LOCATION

The use of personal wireless service facilities by more than one personal wireless service licensee.

COMMISSION

The Borough of Dormont Planning Commission.

COMMON AREA

Any land area, and associated facilities, within a planned unit development that is held in common ownership through a homeowners' association, community association or other legal entity.

COMMONWEALTH

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

COMMUNITY CENTER

A facility where activities are programmed for children, adults, or seniors by a public or not-for-profit entity. Activities must be community-oriented and may be located indoors or on associated playfields.

COMMUNITY PARK

A public park containing at least 20 acres located no farther than three miles from every resident of the Borough.

COMPLETELY ENCLOSED BUILDING

A building that has four walls and a roof designed so that all the walls are solid from the ground to the roof, containing no openings other than windows and doors.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

The Comprehensive Plan of the Borough that guides the physical development of the Borough and that consists of maps, charts and textual matter in accordance with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.

CONCEALED DESIGN

Any personal wireless service facility that is designed to blend into the surrounding environment. Examples of concealed facilities may include, but are not limited to, antenna tower alternative structures, architecturally screened roof-mounted antennas, building-mounted antennas painted to match the existing structure, antennas integrated into architectural elements, antennas and monopoles surrounded or obscured by existing and/or proposed trees and landscaping and antenna structures designed to look like light poles.

CONCEALED PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICE FACILITY

A facility that is either:

(1) Virtually invisible to the casual observer, such as an antenna behind louvers on a building, or inside a steeple or similar structure; or
(2) Camouflaged so as to blend in with its surroundings to such an extent that it is indistinguishable by the casual observer from the structure on which it is placed or the surroundings in which it is located, such as a flagpole serving as an antenna.

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY

Activities subject to NPDES construction permits. Currently these include construction projects resulting in land disturbance of five acres or more. Beginning in March 2003, NPDES stormwater Phase II permits will be required for construction projects resulting in land disturbance of one acre or more. Such activities include but are not limited to clearing and grubbing, grading, excavating, and demolition.

CONSTRUCTION TRAILER

A mobile unit temporarily placed on a construction site to provide temporary offices, storage or construction supervision on the site during the time when a valid building permit or grading permit is in effect.

CONTIGUOUS

Next to, abutting, or touching and having a boundary, or portion thereof, that is coterminous.

CONVERSION APARTMENT

A dwelling unit created within an existing dwelling in accordance with all applicable requirements of this chapter.

CORNICE

The uppermost section of moldings along the top of a wall or just below a roof.

COUNCIL

See "Borough Council."

COUNTY

The County of Allegheny, Pennsylvania.

COURT

An open unoccupied and unobstructed space, other than a yard, on the same lot with a building or group of buildings.

COVENANT

A written promise or pledge.

COVERING

Any clothing or wearing apparel, including pasties, but does not include any substance that can be washed off the skin, such as paint or makeup, or any substance designed to simulate the appearance of the anatomic area beneath it.

CRITICAL STORM

A storm that is calculated by means of the percentage increase in volume of runoff by a proposed earth-disturbing activity or development area. The critical storm is used to calculate the maximum allowable stormwater discharge rate from a site.

CROSSWALK

Any portion of roadway at an intersection or elsewhere, distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.

CUL-DE-SAC

A local street with one end open to traffic and the other end terminating in a vehicular turnaround.

CULVERT

A closed conduit for the passage of surface drainage under a street, driveway, or other embankment.

CUT

An excavation. The difference between a point on the original grade and a designated point of lower elevation on the final grade.

CUT AND FILL SLOPES

A portion of land surface or area from which soil material is excavated and/or filled forming a slope or embankment.

DBM

Unit of measure of the power level of an electromagnetic signal expressed in decibels referenced to one milliwatt.

DEAD-END STREET

A street temporarily having only one outlet for vehicular traffic and intended to be extended or continued in the future.

DECAL

Painted or vinyl transfers designed to be affixed to glass.

DECK

A freestanding or attached structure accessory to a dwelling that is constructed of natural or synthetic wood either on or above the ground, without a roof or awning, and with flooring that is not completely impervious and that may include steps and railings.

DENSITY

A unit of measurement, the number of dwelling units per acre of land, to be used in road design and not to be confused with sanitary sewer and water design density.

DENSITY, GROSS

The number of dwelling units that are allowed on an area of land, usually an acre, which area of land shall be permitted to include dedicated streets contained within the development.

DETENTION FACILITY

A detention basin or alternative structure designed to temporarily store stormwater runoff and gradually release the stored water at a controlled rate.

DETENTION/RETENTION

The term "detention/retention basins" refers to the use of a stormwater storage facility that will store stormwater and release it at a given rate. The objective of a detention/retention facility is to regulate the rate of runoff and control the peak discharges to reduce the impact on the downstream drainage system. Types of stormwater storage facilities:

(1) Detention basin or dry basin. Dry basins are surface storage areas created by constructing a typical excavated or embankment basin. A detention basin may be designed for multi-uses, such as parks or playgrounds.
(2) Detention basins or ponds. Retention basins are permanent ponds where additional storage capacity is provided above the normal water level.
(3) Parking lot storage. Parking lot storage is a surface storage facility where an inlet is undersized causing shallow ponding to occur in specific graded areas of the parking lot.
(4) Subsurface storage. Subsurface storage is a structure constructed below grade for the specific purpose of detaining stormwater runoff.

DEVELOPER

Any landowner or agent of such landowner who makes or causes to be made an application for development.

DEVELOPMENT

The division of land; also, the construction of any new building or structure, or the making of any material change in the use or appearance of any existing building or structure above or below grade through activities of construction, erection or alteration.

DEVELOPMENT AREA

Any contiguous (abutting) area owned by one person or operated as one development unit and used or being developed for nonfarm commercial, industrial, residential, or other nonfarm purposes upon which earth-disturbing activities are planned or underway.

DEVELOPMENT PLAN

A graphic and written presentation of a planned residential development, including a plat of subdivision and all provisions relating to use, location and bulk of buildings and other structures, intensity of use or density of development, streets, parking facilities, common open space and public facilities.

DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

The standards controlling the size of structures and the relationships of structures and uses to each other and to open areas and lot lines. Development standards include regulations controlling maximum height, minimum lot area, minimum lot frontage, minimum size of yards and setbacks, maximum lot coverage and maximum floor area ratio.

DITCH

An excavation either dug or natural for the purpose of drainage or irrigation with intermittent flow.

DOMESTIC PETS

See "animal, household pet."

DORMER

A window that is set vertically on a sloping roof. The dormer has its own roof that may be flat, arched, or pointed.

DRAINAGEWAY

An area of concentrated water flow other than a river, stream, ditch, or grassed waterway.

DRIVE-IN BUSINESS

Any principal use or accessory use that provides services to persons while they remain in their vehicles, including but not limited to drive-in restaurants, drive-in banking windows, automated teller machines (ATMs), drive-through car washes, drive-up vehicle services, such as lubrication and oil change and the like.

DRIVEWAY

A private paved area that provides vehicular access to a parking space, garage, dwelling or other structure.

DRUGSTORE

A retail establishment that sells prescription drugs, patent medicines, surgical and sickroom supplies and that also may sell cosmetics, household goods and a limited selection of food products.

DUMPING

Grading, pushing, piling, throwing, unloading, or placing.

DWELLING UNIT

One or more rooms that are used as living quarters and that have permanent facilities for sleeping, kitchen facilities, as defined herein, as well as sanitary facilities. Also, "residential."

EARTH MATERIAL

Soil, sediment, rock, sand, gravel, and organic material or residue associated with or attached to the soil.

EARTH-DISTURBING ACTIVITY

Any grading, excavating, fitting or other alteration of the earth's surface where natural or man-made ground cover is destroyed, and that may result in or contribute to erosion and sediment pollution.

EASEMENT

Authorization by a property owner for the use by another, and for a specified purpose, of any designated part of their property.

EAVE or EAVES

The edge of a roof. Eaves usually project beyond the side of the building.

ELECTROMAGNETICALLY ABLE

The determination that the new signal from and to the proposed new antennas will not significantly interfere with the existing signals from and to other facilities located on the same tower or structure as determined by a qualified professional telecommunications engineer. The use of available technologies to alleviate such interferences shall be considered when making this determination.

ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER

A sign designed so that the characters, letter or illustrations can be changed or rearranged automatically on a lamp bank or through mechanical means (e.g., electronic or digital signs).

EMPLOYEE

A person who is employed to work for a wage or salary.

ENGINEER

Any person registered to practice professional engineering by the commonwealth.

EQUIPMENT SHELTER/BUILDING/BOX

The structure in which the electronic receiving and transmission equipment associated with a personal wireless service facility is housed.

EROSION

(1) The wearing away of the land surface by running water, wind, ice or other geological agents, including such processes as gravitational creep.
(2) Detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments by wind, water, ice, or gravity.
(3) Erosion includes:

(a) ACCELERATED EROSION — Erosion much more rapid than normal, natural or geologic erosion, primarily as a result of the influence of the activities of man.
(b) FLOODPLAIN EROSION — Abrading and wearing away of the nearly level land situated on either side of a channel due to overflow flooding.
(c) GULLY EROSION — The erosion process whereby water accumulates in narrow channels during and immediately after rainfall or snow or ice melt and actively removes the soil from this narrow area to considerable depths such that the channel would not be obliterated by normal smoothing or tillage operations.
(d) NATURAL EROSION (GEOLOGIC EROSION) — Wearing away of the earth's surface by water, ice or other natural environmental conditions of climate, vegetation, etc., undisturbed by man.
(e) NORMAL EROSION — The gradual erosion of land used by man that does not greatly exceed natural erosion.
(f) RILL EROSION — An erosion process in which numerous small channels only several inches deep are formed; occurs mainly on recently disturbed soils.
(g) SHEET EROSION — The removal of a fairly uniform layer of soil from the land surface by wind or runoff water.
(h) EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL — A system of structural and vegetative measures that minimize soil erosion and off-site sedimentation.

EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN

An erosion and sediment control strategy or plan to minimize erosion and prevent off-site sedimentation by containing sediment on-site or bypassing sediment laden runoff through a sediment control measure, prepared and approved in accordance with the specific requirements of these regulations. The erosion and sediment control plan may be referred to as a sediment control plan.

ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY

Any antenna and associated structures designed for transmitting or receiving radio, television or telephone communications that is operated by a public utility or by any entity regulated by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or operated by any agency, franchisee or authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County or Dormont Borough or by any police, fire, medical or emergency management agency.

©

EVENT CENTER

A facility that accommodates small-scale events, conferences, or weddings.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 11988 (FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT)

Issued by President Carter in 1977, this order requires that no federally assisted activities be conducted in or have the potential to affect identified special flood hazard areas, unless there is no practicable alternative.

EXISTING BUILDINGS

Any building and structures for which the start of construction commenced before the effective date of the Borough's first ordinances or standards.

EXOTIC ANIMALS

Wild animals/reptiles not indigenous to the commonwealth, such as lions, tigers, elephants, alligators, crocodiles, etc., or recognized as a legitimate agricultural use.

FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration and any legally appointed, designated or elected agent or successor.

FACADE

That portion of any exterior elevation of a building extending from the grade of the building to the top of the parapet wall or eaves, for the entire width of the building elevation.

FARM ANIMAL KEEPING, SMALL

FARMERS' MARKET

An occasional or periodic market held in an open area or in a structure where more than one individual sells, with transient business licenses issued by the commonwealth and carrying liability insurance, offers for sale to the public such items as fresh produce, seasonal fruits, fresh flowers, arts and crafts items, and food and beverages dispensed from booths located on-site. All necessary and applicable permits shall be obtained prior to operation within Borough boundaries.

FCC

The Federal Communications Commission and any legally appointed, designated or elected agent or successor.

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA)

The agency with the overall responsibility for administering the National Flood Insurance Program.

FENCE

Any structure erected in such a manner and positioned to permanently enclose, partially enclose, or create a barrier on any premises or part of any premises. Hedges, trellises or other structures supporting or for the purpose of supporting vines, flowers and other vegetation when erected in such position to enclose any premises or part of premises shall be included within the definition of the word "fence."

FILL

Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other material is placed, pushed, dumped, pulled, transported or moved to a new location above the natural surface of the ground or on top of the stripped surface and shall include the resulting grade conditions. The difference in elevation between a point on the original ground and a designated point of higher elevation on the final grade.

FILL

A deposit of earth material placed by artificial means.

FINAL APPROVAL

The ultimate approval of a planned residential development granted by the Borough Council that follows tentative approval and filing of an application for final approval, all granted in accordance with this chapter.

FINAL PLAN

A formal subdivision plan containing all necessary information including construction documents and specifications as required in Article 1109 of these regulations, approved by the appropriate authorities and utility owners.

FINAL PLAT

A plat of a subdivision containing all necessary information as required in Article 1109 of these regulations, signed by the appropriate authorities and recorded in the office of the County Recorder.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION

Any building, property, or activity of which the principal use or primary purpose is the provision of financial services, including, but not limited to, banks, facilities for automated teller machines (ATMs), credit unions, savings and loan institutions and mortgage companies.

FITNESS FACILITY/GYM

A building or portion of a building designed and equipped for the conduct of sports, exercise, leisure time activities, organized fitness class or other customary and usual recreational activities operated for profit or not-for-profit.

FLAGPOLE

A pole used to fly a flag.

FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM)

An official map on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has delineated the areas of special flood hazard.

FLOOD INSURANCE RISK ZONES

The zone designations on FIRMs that indicate the magnitude of the flood hazard in specific areas of a community. Following are the zone definitions:

(1) ZONE A — Special flood hazard areas inundated by the 100-year flood; base flood elevations are not determined.
(2) ZONES A1-30 and ZONE AE — Special flood hazard areas inundated by the 100-year flood; base flood elevations are determined.
(3) ZONE AO — Special flood hazard areas inundated by the 100-year flood; with flood depths of one to three feet (usually sheet flow on sloping terrain); average depths are determined.
(4) ZONE AH — Special flood hazard areas inundated by the 100-year flood; flood depths of one to three feet (usually areas of ponding); base flood elevations are determined.
(5) ZONE A99 — Special flood hazard areas inundated by the 100-year flood to be protected from the 100-year flood by a federal flood protection system under construction; no base flood elevations are determined.
(6) ZONE B and ZONE X (SHADED) — Areas of 500-year flood; areas subject to the 100-year flood with average depths of less than one foot or with contributing drainage area less than one square mile; and areas protected by levees from the base flood.
(7) ZONE C and ZONE X (UNSHADED) — Areas determined to be outside the 500-year floodplain.

FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY (FIS)

The official report in which the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has provided flood profiles, floodway boundaries (sometimes shown on Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps), and the water surface elevations of the base flood.

FLOOD or FLOODING

A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow of inland or tidal waters, and/or the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.

FLOOD PROTECTION ELEVATION (FPE)

The base flood elevation plus one foot of freeboard. In areas where no base flood elevations exist from any authoritative source, the flood protection elevation can be historical flood elevations, or base flood elevations determined and/or approved by the floodplain administrator.

FLOODWAY

A channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that have been reserved in order to pass the base flood discharge. A floodway is typically determined through a hydraulic and hydrologic engineering analysis such that the cumulative increase in the water surface elevation of the base flood discharge is no more than a designated height. In no case shall the designated height be more than one foot at any point within the community. The floodway is an extremely hazardous area and is usually characterized by any of the following: moderate to high velocity floodwaters, high potential for debris and projectile impacts, and moderate to high erosion forces.

FLOOR AREA

The sum of the gross horizontal areas of each floor of the principal building, measured from the exterior walls or from the center line of party walls, including the floor area of accessory buildings and structures.

FLOOR AREA, GROSS (GFA)

The floor area within the inside perimeter of the exterior walls of the building under consideration, exclusive of vent shafts and courts, without deduction for corridors, stairways, closets, the thickness of interior walls, columns or other features. The floor area of a building, or portion thereof, not provided with surrounding exterior walls shall be the usable area under the horizontal projection of the roof or floor above. The gross floor area shall not include shafts with no openings or interior courts.

FLOOR AREA, GROUND

The square foot area of a building or structure within its largest outside dimensions computed on a horizontal plane at the ground floor level exclusive of open porches, breezeways, terraces and garages.

FOLDING TENT TRAILER

A canvas folding structure, mounted on wheels and designed for travel and vacation uses.

FOOD SALES, LARGE GROCERY

A retail establishment that primarily sells food, but also may sell other convenience and household goods. A section for fresh fruits and vegetables no less than 40 square feet must be visible within the retail area of the establishment, and that may have a retail sale liquor license issued by the commonwealth.

FOOD SALES, SMALL GROCERY

A retail establishment that primarily sells food, but also may sell other convenience and household goods. A section for fresh fruits and vegetables no less than 40 square feet must be visible within the retail area of the establishment, and that may have a retail sale liquor license issued by the commonwealth.

FOOD SERVICE, COMMISSARY/BAKERY

An establishment primarily engaged in the retail sale of baked products for consumption off-site that may be prepared either on-or off-site and may include incidental food service and shall not have a liquor license issued by the commonwealth.

FOOD SERVICE, DELI

An establishment where food is sold for consumption off-premises and no counters or tables for on-premises consumption of food are provided but excludes groceries and supermarkets and shall not have a liquor license issued by the commonwealth.

FORCE MAJEURE

A strike, acts of God, acts of public enemies; administrative, judicial or regulatory orders or regulations of any kind of the United States of America and/or the commonwealth or any of their departments, agencies or political subdivisions; riots, epidemics and pandemics, landslides, lightning, earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, storms, floods, civil disturbances, explosions, partial or entire failure of utilities or any other cause or event not reasonably within the control of the disabled party, but only to the extent that the disabled party notifies the other party as soon as practicable regarding such force majeure.

FORESTRY

The management of forests and timberlands when practiced in accordance with accepted silvicultural principles, through developing, cultivating, harvesting, transporting and selling trees for commercial purposes, that does not involve any land development.

FREEBOARD

A factor of safety usually expressed in feet above a flood level for the purposes of floodplain management. Freeboard tends to compensate for the many unknown factors that could contribute to flood heights greater than the height calculated for a selected size flood and floodway conditions, such as wave action, obstructed bridge openings, debris and ice jams, and the hydrologic effect of urbanization in a watershed.

FRONT OF BUILDING

See "building front."

FUNERAL HOME

A facility for a) embalming and the performance of other services used in the preparation of the dead for burial; b) the performance of autopsies and other surgical procedures; c) the storage of caskets, funeral urns, and other related funeral supplies; d) the storage of funeral vehicles; and e) facilities for cremation, that may include a funeral chapel, gathering and/or event spaces.

GABLE

The triangle formed by a sloping roof. A building may be front-gabled or side-gabled. Porches and dormers may also be gabled.

GARAGE SALES

The sale or offering for sale to the general public six or more items of personal property on any portion of a lot, either within or outside of a structure. Garage sales include patio, basement, yard, or block sales.

GARDEN CENTER

An establishment where retail and wholesale products and produce are sold directly to the consumer, and that may include a nursery and/or greenhouse, and that may include plants, nursery products and stock, potting soil, hardware, power equipment and machinery, hoes, rakes, shovels, and other garden and farm variety tools and utensils, and where outdoor storage is incidental to the sale of goods.

GFA; GROSS FLOOR AREA

See "floor area, gross."

GRADE

The average level of the finished surface of the ground adjacent to the exterior walls of the building or structure.

GRADE OF SERVICE

A measure of percentage of calls that are able to connect to the basic station during the busiest hour of the day. Grade of service is expressed as a number, such as p.05-, which means that 95% of callers will connect on their first try. A lower number (p.04) indicates a better grade of service.

GRADING

Earth-disturbing activity such as excavation, stripping, cutting, filling, stockpiling, or any combination thereof.

GRASSED WATERWAY

A broad or shallow natural course or constructed channel covered with erosion-resistant grasses or similar vegetative cover and used to conduct surface water.

GREENBELT

A strip of land parallel to and extending inwardly from the lot lines or right-of-way lines.

GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT

The weight of the vehicle plus its manufacturer's rated load capacity. For example: one-half-ton rating shall be 1,000 pounds. Three-quarter-ton rating shall be 1,500 pounds. One-ton rating shall be 2,000 pounds.

GROUND-MOUNTED SYSTEM

A solar photovoltaic system mounted on a structure, pole or series of poles constructed specifically to support the photovoltaic system and not attached to any other structure.

GROUP HOME

A dwelling unit where room and board are provided to not more than eight permanent residents who are mentally or physically handicapped persons of any age, excluding any adult or juvenile assigned by order of Juvenile or Criminal Court, and who are in need of supervision and specialized services and no more than two supervisors on any shift who may or may not reside in the dwelling and who provide health, social and/or rehabilitative services to the residents. The services shall be provided only by a governmental agency, its licensed or certified agents or any nonprofit social services corporation licensed or certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, and the facility shall meet all minimum requirements of the sponsoring agency. A group home, as defined herein, shall be considered a one-unit dwelling and shall be authorized wherever a one-unit dwelling is permitted, subject to the requirements of the district applicable to one-unit dwellings.

HABITABLE SPACE

Areas within a dwelling unit that are used for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Living or habitable space includes bathrooms, toilet compartments and other sanitary facilities and halls, but does not include closets, crawl spaces, garages and other storage and uninhabitable areas. Also referred to as "livable space."

HAZARD

Any danger to public health, welfare or safety, including exposure to risk or damage to property or liability for personal injury; or risk of harm to land, air or water resulting in environmental degradation. Hazards can include, but are not limited to, flooding and ponding, compaction and settling, landslides, earthquakes, toxic chemicals, radiation, fire and disease.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Any material, including any substance, waste, or combination thereof, that because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics may cause, or significantly contribute to, a substantial present or potential hazard to human health, safety, property, or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise managed.

HEDGE

A row of bushes or small trees planted close together, especially when forming a barrier or boundary.

HEIGHT

See "building height" and "height of structure."

HEIGHT OF STRUCTURE

The vertical distance measured from the average finished grade level around the structure to the highest point of a structure, other than a building. (See also "building height.")

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Any structure or area that provides evidence for a fact of history or the source of history.

HOME OCCUPATION

An accessory use of a service character carried on entirely within a dwelling unit by the residents thereof, that is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the building for dwelling purposes and that does not change the residential character thereof.

HOME OFFICE

See "no-impact home-based business."

HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION

A private organization established for the care and maintenance of stormwater and detention facilities and other common areas.

HOSPITAL

An establishment that has an organized medical staff and provides equipment and services primarily for inpatient care to persons who require definitive diagnosis or treatment, or both, for injury, illness, pregnancy or other disability, but not including narcotics addiction or those found to be criminally insane.

HVAC

Equipment used to heat, cool or ventilate a structure.

HYDROLOGIC AND HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING ANALYSIS

An analysis performed by a professional engineer, registered in the commonwealth, in accordance with standard engineering practices as accepted by FEMA, used to determine flood elevations and/or floodway boundaries.

ILLEGAL DISCHARGE

Any direct or indirect non-stormwater discharge to the storm drain system, except as exempted in this code.

ILLICIT CONNECTIONS

Either of the following:

(1) Any drain or conveyance, whether on the surface or subsurface, that allows an illegal discharge to enter the storm drain system, including but not limited to any conveyances that allow any non-stormwater discharge including sewage, process wastewater, and wash water to enter the storm drain system and any connections to the storm drain system from indoor drains and sinks, regardless of whether said drain or connection had been previously allowed, permitted or approved by an authorized enforcement agency; or
(2) Any drain or conveyance connected from a commercial or industrial land use to the storm drain system that has not been documented in plans, maps, or equivalent records and approved by an authorized enforcement agency.

IMPERVIOUS SURFACE

Any material that prevents the absorption of stormwater into the ground, including concrete, asphalt, stone, brick, block or other paving material or a roof or awning.

IMPERVIOUS SURFACE RATIO

A measure of the intensity of land use that is determined by dividing the total area of all impervious surfaces on the site by the area of the site or lot.

IMPROVED SURFACE

Concrete, asphalt, aggregate base, subbase, asphalt concrete, brick or such other unenclosed surfaces as approved by the Chief Building Official and Borough Engineer.

IMPROVEMENT

Street pavement or resurfacing, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, water lines, sewer lines, storm drains, streetlights, flood control and drainage facilities, utility lines, landscaping, and other related matters.

INCIDENTAL

An object or use necessarily found in connection with the principal structure or use, but subordinate and secondary thereto.

INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY

Activities subject to NPDES industrial permits as defined in 40 CFR 122.26(b)(14).

INSTITUTIONAL PROPERTY

Property owned or used by institutions such as churches, parks, libraries, municipal government, hospital and utilities.

INTERCONNECTION

The technical and practical link between the solar generator and the grid providing electricity to the greater community.

JUNK

Old or scrap copper, brass, rope, rags, batteries, paper, rubber; junked, dismantled, or wrecked motor vehicles or parts thereof; iron, steel, and other old or scrap ferrous or nonferrous materials that are not held for sale or remelting purposes by an establishment having facilities for processing such materials.

KENNEL

Any household or establishment where more than four dogs or more than six cats, or any combination of cats and dogs exceeding six animals, who are more than six months old, are kept, bred, trained and/or boarded at any one time, whether for profit or not.

KILOWATT (KW)

A unit of electrical power equal to 1,000 watts that constitutes the basic unit of electrical demand. A "watt" is a metric measurement of power (not energy) and is the rate (not the duration) at which electricity is used. One thousand kW is equal to one megawatt (mW).

LAND DEVELOPMENT

The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts or parcels of land for any purpose involving:

(1) A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings, whether proposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential building on a lot or lots, regardless of the number of occupants or tenure, including any change of use or structural alteration that results in additional land coverage by structures and/or paving; or
(2) The division or allocation of land or space, whether initially or cumulatively, between or among two or more existing or prospective occupants by means of or for the purpose of streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building groups or other features.

LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN

A plan prepared in accordance with the application requirements of Chapter 183, Subdivision and Land Development, for approval of a land development, as defined herein.

LANDOWNER

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 they are authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner, or other person having a proprietary interest in the land.

LANDSCAPED AREA

An area that is permanently devoted to and maintained for the growing of trees, shrubs, grass or other plant material.

LANDSCAPING

The improvement of open areas by the planting and maintenance of trees, bushes, flower gardens, grass, or other vegetation.

LANDSCAPING PLAN

A plan prepared by a registered architect or registered landscape architect identifying each tree and shrub by size, type and scientific name, the location of each, including a planting diagram and such other diagrams or reports as are necessary to show the method of planting, staking and mulching, grass seeding specifications and mixtures and existing trees to be preserved.

LANDSLIDE

The rapid downward and outward movement of large rock material and/or soil mass under the influence of gravity in which the movement of the soil mass occurs along an interior surface of sliding.

LAP DANCE

Also known as a "straddle dance," "face dance," or "flash dance." The use by an employee, whether clothed or partially or totally nude, of any part of their body to touch, massage, rub, stroke, caress, or fondle the genital or pubic area of a person while at the establishment, or the touching of the genital or pubic area of any employee by a person while at the establishment. It shall be a lap dance regardless of whether the touch or touching occurs while the employee is displaying or exposing any specified anatomical area. It shall also be a lap dance regardless of whether the touch or touching is direct or through a medium.

LATTICE

A framework consisting of an ornamental design made of strips of wood or metal.

LETTER OF MAP CHANGE (LOMC)

An official FEMA determination, by letter, to amend or revise effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps, Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps, and Flood Insurance Studies. LOMCs are broken down into the following categories:

(1) LETTER OF MAP AMENDMENT (LOMA) — A revision based on technical data showing that a property was incorrectly included in a designated special flood hazard area. A LOMA amends the current effective Flood Insurance Rate Map and establishes that a specific property is not located in a special flood hazard area.
(2) LETTER OF MAP REVISION (LOMR) — A revision based on technical data that, usually due to man-made changes, shows changes to flood zones, flood elevations, floodplain and floodway delineations, and planimetric features. One common type of LOMR, a LOMR-F, is a determination concerning whether a structure or parcel has been elevated by fill above the base flood elevation and is, therefore, excluded from the special flood hazard area.
(3) CONDITIONAL LETTER OF MAP REVISION (CLOMR) — A formal review and comment by FEMA as to whether a proposed project complies with the minimum National Flood Insurance Program floodplain management criteria. A CLOMR does not amend or revise effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps, Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps, or Flood Insurance Studies.

LIBRARY

A public facility for the use, but not sale, of literary, musical, artistic, or reference materials.

LIVESTOCK

Cattle, horses, mules, burros, sheep, swine, llamas and goats, regardless of use, and any animal, except dogs and cats, that are used for working purposes on a farm or ranch, and any animal that is raised for food or fiber production.

LOADING AND UNLOADING BERTH

The off-street area required for receiving or distributing materials or merchandise by vehicles. In this Zoning Code this area is a twelve-foot by forty-five-foot loading span with a fourteen-foot height clearance. However, if more than one berth is provided, the minimum dimensions are 10 feet by 45 feet with a fourteen-foot height clearance.

LOADING SPACE

An off-street space or berth on the same lot with a building or contiguous to a group of buildings, for the temporary parking of a commercial vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise or materials; and that abuts upon a street, alley or other appropriate means of access.

LOCAL STREET

A street primarily for providing access to residential, commercial, or other abutting property.

LOOP STREET

A type of local street, each end of which terminates at an intersection with the same arterial or collector street, and whose principal radius points of the one-hundred-eighty-degree system of turns are not more than 1,000 feet from said arterial or collector street, nor normally more than 600 feet from each other.

LOT

A tract of land in a plan of subdivision or any other parcel of land described in a deed or legal instrument pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania intended to be used as a unit for development or transfer of ownership.

LOT AREA

That area measured on a horizontal plane bounded by the front, rear and side lot lines, exclusive of any area within a street right-of-way.

LOT COVERAGE

That percentage of the lot area covered by all principal structures, accessory structures and impervious surfaces, excluding the following which may be existing or proposed on the lot:

(1) A swimming pool.
(2) Up to 200 square feet of impervious surface or paved with pervious pavers that is designated for a parking pad if no other private garage, carport or parking pad is available on the lot.
(3) A deck or decks with a total surface area of no more than 250 square feet or 5% of the total area of the lot, whichever is greater.

LOT LINE, FRONT

In the case of an interior lot, a line separating the lot from the street or place, and in the case of a corner lot, a line separating the narrowest street frontage of the lot from the street, except in cases where deed restrictions in effect specify another line as the front lot line.

LOT LINE, REAR

A lot line that is opposite and most distant from the front lot line and, in case of an irregular or triangular shaped lot, a line 10 feet in length within the lot, parallel to and at the maximum distance from the front line.

LOT LINE, SIDE

Any lot boundary not a front lot line or a rear lot line.

LOT LINES

The property lines bounding the lot. Also, "property line."

LOT OF RECORD

Any lot that, individually or as a part of a subdivision, has been recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Allegheny County.

LOT WIDTH

The straight line distance between the points of intersection of the building line with the side lot lines.

LOT, CORNER

A lot at the intersection of and fronting on two or more street rights-of-way. The front yard of a corner lot will be determined by the street address of the property and is also the yard most adjacent to the architecturally dominant entry to the building.

LOT, DEPTH

The mean horizontal distance between the front line and the rear line of the lot, measured in the general direction of the side lot lines.

LOT, GROUND LEVEL

For buildings having walls adjoining one street only, the elevation of the sidewalk at the center of the wall adjoining the street; for buildings having walls adjoining more than one street, the average of the elevation of the sidewalk at the center of all walls adjoining the streets; for buildings having no wall adjoining the street, the average level of the ground adjacent to the exterior walls of the building. Any wall approximately parallel to and not more than five feet from a street is to be considered as adjoining the street.

LOT, INTERIOR

A lot other than a corner lot or through lot.

LOT, REVERSED INTERIOR

The first lot to the rear of a corner lot, the front lot line of which is a continuation of the side lot line of the corner lot and fronting on the street that intersects the street upon which the corner lot fronts and/or that faces the street upon which the side of a corner lot abuts. The corner lot is considered abutting even though separated from the interior lot line by an alley.

LOT, THROUGH

A lot having frontage on two streets at opposite ends of the lot and may also be known as a "double frontage lot."

LOWEST FLOOR

The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement) of a structure. This definition excludes an enclosure below the lowest floor, which is an unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage, in an area other than a basement area, provided that such enclosure is built in accordance with the applicable design requirements specified in these regulations for enclosures below the lowest floor.

MANUFACTURED HOME

A factory-built, one-unit structure that is manufactured under the authority of 42 U.S.C. &set; 5401, the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act, is transportable in one or more sections, is built on a permanent chassis and is used as a place of human habitation; but that is not constructed with a permanent hitch or other device allowing transport of the unit, other than delivery to a permanent site, and that does not have wheels or axles permanently attached to its body or frame.

MANUFACTURED HUD UNIT

A permanently sited, occupancy-ready manufactured residential housing unit as defined under 24 CFR 3280.2 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations establishing manufactured home construction and safety standards.

MANUFACTURING, ARTISAN

The on-site production of goods by hand manufacturing conducted wholly within an enclosed building of less than 5,000 square feet of gross floor area that involves the use of hand tools and small-scale equipment.

MANUFACTURING, LIGHT

The manufacturing, compounding, processing, packaging, storage, assembly, and/or treatment of finished or semifinished products from previously prepared materials, which activities are conducted wholly within an enclosed building, that may include research and development facilities, and may include the temporary outdoor storage of finished or semifinished products.

MARGINAL ACCESS STREET

A local or collector street, parallel and adjacent to an arterial or collector street, providing access to abutting properties and protection from arterial or collector streets. Also, "frontage street."

MASSAGE

A method of treating or stimulating the external parts of the human body by rubbing, stroking, kneading, tapping, touching or vibrating with the hand or any instruments for pay.

MASSAGE AND PHYSICAL THERAPY

An establishment that provides therapeutic or medical massage of a nonsexual nature provided by a licensed practitioner.

MEDIATION

A voluntary negotiating process in which parties in a dispute mutually select a neutral mediator to assist them in jointly exploring and settling their differences, culminating in a written agreement that the parties themselves create and consider acceptable.

MOBILE VENDOR

A person or business licensed and permitted to provide goods and services, who offers such goods or services, not including food, for sale to the public not within a structure but out of a mobile vehicle/trailer, tent or canopy.

MODULAR HOUSING

An assembly of materials or products comprising all or part of a total residential structure that, when constructed, is self-sufficient and contains plumbing, wiring and heating at the point of manufacture, and that, when installed, constitutes a dwelling unit except for necessary on-site preparations for its placement.

MODULE

The smallest protected assembly of interconnected PV cells.

MONITORING PROTOCOL

An approved testing protocol as defined in the most current FCC regulations.

MONOPOLE

A single pole with no aboveground lateral support from secondary structural members in either tension or compression.

MONUMENT

A permanent concrete or iron marker used to establish definitely all lines of the plat of a subdivision, including all lot corners, and points of change in street alignment.

MOTORCYCLE SALES AND SERVICE

An enclosed establishment for the retail sale and displays of motorcycles, parts, and associated retail merchandise, that does not include outdoor sales.

MOTORIZED HOME

A portable dwelling designed and constructed as an integral part of a self-propelled vehicle. Also, "camper."

MULTI-USE PATH OR TRAIL

An area physically separated from motorized vehicle traffic by open space or a barrier and either within the highway right-of-way or within an independent right-of-way.

MUNICIPAL OR GOVERNMENTAL BUILDING

A facility for administrative activity conducted by a governmental entity. Typical uses include Borough Hall, social security office, or special district headquarters.

MUNICIPALITIES PLANNING CODE

The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of 1968, 53 P.S. &set; 10101 et seq., as amended.

NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM (NFIP)

A federal program enabling property owners in participating communities to purchase insurance protection against losses from flooding. This insurance is designed to provide an insurance alternative to disaster assistance to meet the escalating costs of repairing damage to buildings and their contents caused by floods. Participation in the NFIP is based on an agreement between local communities and the federal government that states if a community will adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations to reduce future flood risks to all development in special flood hazard areas, the federal government will make flood insurance available within the community as a financial protection against flood loss.

NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES)

Stormwater discharge permit. A permit issued by the EPA [or by a state under authority delegated pursuant to 33 U.S.C. &set; 1342(b)] that authorizes the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States, whether the permit is applicable on an individual, group, or general area-wide basis.

NEIGHBORHOOD PARK

A public park containing at least five acres located in an area where at least 2,000 persons reside no farther than 1/2 mile from the park.

NET LEASABLE FLOOR AREA

The total floor area of a building designed for tenant occupancy, excluding halls, corridors, stairwells, elevator shafts, equipment rooms, restrooms, interior vehicular parking and loading areas and other areas used in common by tenants of the building, expressed in square feet and measured from the center line of joint partitions and exteriors of outside walls.

NET METERING AGREEMENT

An agreement with a local electric utility that allows customers to receive a credit for surplus electricity generated by certain renewable energy systems.

NEW CONSTRUCTION

Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the initial effective date of the Borough Flood Insurance Rate Map, including any subsequent improvements to such structures.

NO-IMPACT HOME-BASED BUSINESS

A business or commercial activity administered or conducted as an accessory use that is clearly secondary to the use as a residential dwelling and that involves no customer, client or patient traffic, whether vehicular or pedestrian, pickup, delivery or removal functions to or from the premises in excess of those normally associated with residential use. The business or commercial activity must satisfy the following requirements:

(1) The business activity shall be compatible with the residential use of the property and surrounding residential uses.
(2) The business shall employ no employees other than persons residing in the dwelling.
(3) There shall be no display or sale of retail goods and no stockpiling or inventory of a substantial nature.
(4) There shall be no outside appearance of a business use, including, but not limited to, parking, signs or lights.
(5) The business activity may not use any equipment or process that creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors or electrical or electronic interference, including interference with radio or television reception, that is detectable in the neighborhood.
(6) The business activity may not generate any solid waste or sewage discharge in volume or type that is not normally associated with residential use in the neighborhood.
(7) The business activity shall be conducted only within the dwelling and may not occupy more than 25% of the habitable floor area.
(8) The business may not involve any illegal activity.

NONCONFORMING LOT

Any lot that does not comply with the applicable area and bulk provisions of this chapter or an amendment hereafter enacted, that lawfully existed prior to the enactment of this chapter or any subsequent amendment.

NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE

A structure or part of a structure manifestly not designed to comply with the applicable use or extent of use provisions in a zoning ordinance or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such structure lawfully existed prior to the enactment of such ordinance or amendment or prior to the application of such ordinance or amendment to its location by reason of annexation. Such nonconforming structures include, but are not limited to, nonconforming signs.

NONCONFORMING USE

A use, whether of land or of a structure, that does not comply with the applicable use provisions in this chapter or an amendment hereafter enacted, that lawfully existed prior to the enactment of this chapter or any subsequent amendment.

NONPROFIT

Not conducted or maintained for the purpose of making a profit.

NON-STORMWATER DISCHARGE

Any discharge to the storm drain system that is not composed entirely of stormwater.

NONSTRUCTURAL CONTROLS

Stormwater runoff control and treatment techniques that use natural measures to control runoff and/or reduce pollution levels, and do not require extensive construction efforts and/or do promote runoff control and/or pollutant reduction by eliminating the runoff and/or pollutant source. Examples include minimizing impervious area, buffer strips along streams, and preserving natural vegetation.

NUDITY, STATE OF NUDITY, OR NUDE

The showing of the human male or female genitals, pubic areas or buttocks with less than a fully opaque covering, or the showing of the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any portion thereof below the top of the nipple, or the depiction of covered male genitals in a discernibly turgid state.

NURSING HOME

A facility licensed to operate as such by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the purpose of providing skilled or intermediate nursing care or both levels of care to two or more patients who are unrelated to the nursing home administrator for a period exceeding 24 hours. (See also "skilled care" and "intermediate nursing care.")

OCCUPANCY PERMIT

A permit for the use or occupancy of a building, structure or lot indicating compliance with all provisions of this chapter.

OFFICE, BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL

A building containing the office or offices of a business or businesses engaged in providing professional services, including, but not limited to, the following: accounting; auditing and bookkeeping services; advertising agencies; architectural, engineering, planning, and surveying services; attorneys; counseling services; court reporting services; data processing and computer services; detective agencies and similar services; educational, scientific, and research organizations; employment, stenographic, secretarial, and word processing services; government offices, including agency and administrative office facilities; management, public relations, and consulting services; photography and commercial art studios; writers and artists offices outside the home, but not including medical offices or offices that are incidental and accessory to another business or retail sales activity in the building.

OPAQUE

Impervious to light; obscuring visibility.

OPEN SPACE

Land presently devoted to, or that is later designated as, conservation or recreational purposes and/or land designated by a municipality to remain undeveloped (may be specified on a Zoning Map).

ORIENTATION

The direction a building face. Most buildings squarely face a street, with their principal facade and entrance in full view.

OUTDOOR DISPLAY

A commercial use of open land in which retail goods, wares and merchandise permitted for sale on the premises are kept.

OUTDOOR STORAGE FACILITY

The storage of any material for a period greater than 24 hours, including items for sale, lease, processing, and repair (including vehicles) not in an enclosed building.

OUTFALL

An area where water flows from a structure such as a conduit, storm sewer, improved channel or drain, and the area immediately beyond the structure that is impacted by the velocity of flow in the structure.

OUTLOT

Property shown on a subdivision plat outside of the boundaries of the land that is to be developed and that is to be excluded from the development of the subdivision.

OVERNIGHT LODGING, BED-AND-BREAKFAST

A detached residential dwelling where lodging and breakfast only are provided to transient guests for compensation in accordance with specific development standards and where the owner-operator permanently resides on the property.

OVERNIGHT LODGING, BOUTIQUE HOTEL

A small-scale hotel in an historic structure, or a structure with a facade made of a high-quality material such as wood, brick, masonry, tile, stone, granite, limestone, or another natural material, that has fewer than 30 rooms accessed from an interior hallway.

OVERNIGHT LODGING, HOTEL

Any structure consisting of one or more buildings containing any combination of more than five guestrooms that meet the requirements for transient sleeping rooms or extended stay temporary residence dwelling units where all rooms/units are accessed from an interior hallway, or as having features of such sleeping rooms and dwelling units within the same room, and such structure is specifically constructed, kept, used, maintained, advertised, and held out to the public to be a place where transient sleeping accommodations or temporary residence is offered for pay to persons, but such structure does not otherwise meet the definition of "overnight lodging, bed-and-breakfast," and does not include agricultural labor camps, apartment houses, apartments or other similar places of permanent personal residence, lodging houses, rooming houses, or hospital or college dormitories.

OVERNIGHT LODGING, PRIVATE TRANSIENT OCCUPANCIES

Any residential property offered to the public for rent on an internet hosting platform or application with an intended occupancy of fewer than 30 consecutive days and is not used for any other overnight lodging use as defined in this code.

PAD

A building site or parking area improvement prepared by artificial means, including, but not limited to, grading, excavation or filling or any combination thereof.

PADEP

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection or any successor agency or agencies.

PARAPET

A low wall projecting from the edge of a platform, terrace, or roof. Parapets may rise above the cornice of a building or form the upper portion of a defensive wall on a castle. In mission style homes, rounded parapets are often used as decorative features.

PARCEL

Any legally described piece of land created by a partition, subdivision, deed or other instrument recorded with the appropriate entity or agency.

PARK

Property owned by the Borough of Dormont or Keystone Oaks School District devoted to open space and public recreation.

PARKING AREA

A paved area, other than a parking pad, including two or more parking spaces, aisles and driveways, that is accessory to the principal use of the lot.

PARKING FACILITY

An open or enclosed facility for temporary off-street parking of five or more motor vehicles, located on publicly or privately owned property.

PARKING GARAGE, PRIVATE

PARKING GARAGE, PUBLIC

PARKING LOT, PRIVATE

A parking area on the surface of a lot that is the principal use on the lot and that is operated by a private entity, whether for profit or not, for use by the owners or tenants of the lot and their invited guests only and that is not available to the general public.

PARKING PAD

A paved area, other than a driveway, on a residential lot intended for the parking of one or more motor vehicles owned by the owners or tenants of the lot, that is accessory to the principal use of the lot.

PARKING SPACE

A durable, solid-surfaced area, enclosed or unenclosed, sufficient in size to store one motor vehicle, together with a paved driveway connecting the parking space with a street or alley and permitting ingress and egress of an automobile.

PARKING SPACE, OFF-STREET

An area adequate for parking an automobile with room for opening doors on both sides together with properly related access to a public street or alley and maneuvering room but shall be located totally outside of any street or alley right-of-way.

PASSENGER VEHICLE

A road motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, intended for the carriage of passengers and designed to seat no more than nine persons (including the driver).

PATIO

A structure accessory to a dwelling constructed on the ground from materials such as concrete, stones, bricks, blocks or other paving material and that may or may not have a roof or awning.

PEAK RATE OF RUNOFF

The maximum rate of water runoff from a defined geographic area for a twenty-four-hour precipitation event of a given intensity.

PERFORMANCE BOND or SURETY BOND

An agreement by a subdivider or developer with the Borough for the amount of the estimated construction cost guaranteeing the completion of physical improvements according to plans and specifications within the time prescribed by the subdivider's agreement.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD

A criterion established in the interest of protecting the public health and safety for the control of noise, odor, smoke, noxious gases, and other objectionable or dangerous elements generated by and inherent in or incidental to land uses.

PERMITTED OR LICENSED PREMISES

Any premises that requires a license and/or permit and that is classified as an adult entertainment business.

PERMITTEE and/or LICENSEE

A person in whose name a permit and/or license to operate an adult entertainment business has been issued, as well as the individual listed as an applicant on the application for a permit and/or license.

PERSON

Any natural person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation, but this definition does not include governmental units.

PERSONAL SERVICES

Any enterprise providing services pertaining to the person, their apparel or personal effects commonly carried on or about the person, including but not limited to shoe repair, tailoring, clothes cleaning, watch repairing, barbershops, beauty parlors and related activities.

PERSONAL SERVICES

An establishment that accommodates two or more clients at one time providing nonmedically related services, including, but not limited to, beauty salons, barbershops and tanning salons by licensed professionals, that may also include accessory retail sales of products related to the services provided.

PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICE FACILITIES

Facilities for the provision of personal wireless services as such term is defined in 47 U.S.C. &set; 332 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and further includes towers, poles, cables, wires, lines, wave guides, antennas, microwave dishes and/or any other equipment or facilities associated with the transmission or reception of communications as authorized by the FCC that a person seeks to locate or have installed upon a tower or antenna support structure. The term "personal wireless service facilities" shall not include the following, which shall be exempted from regulation under this code:

(1) Any satellite earth station antenna two meters or less in diameter that is located in an area zoned industrial or commercial;
(2) Any satellite earth station antenna one meter or less in diameter, regardless of zoning category; or
(3) Antennas used by amateur radio operators or those used for television reception on residential homes.

PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICES

Commercial mobile services, unlicensed wireless services and common carrier wireless exchange access services as such term is defined in 47 U.S.C. &set; 332 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV)

A semiconductor-based device that converts light directly into electricity.

PICKUP CAMPER

A structure designed primarily to be mounted on a pickup or truck chassis and with sufficient equipment to render it suitable for use for travel, recreational, or vacation uses.

PLACE

An open, unoccupied space other than a street or alley, permanently reserved for use as the principal means of access to abutting property.

©

PLANNED MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT

An area of land controlled by a single landowner and developed as a single entity for a combination of two or more authorized uses in the C Zoning District where the several uses share a common means of access, common parking areas, common signage and other common design features.

PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

An area of land controlled by a single landowner and developed as a single entity for a number of dwellings or a combination of residential and nonresidential uses, the plan for which does not necessarily correspond in lot size, bulk, type of dwelling unit or use, density or intensity, lot coverage or required open space to any one district in this chapter.

PLANNING COMMISSION

The Dormont Borough Planning Commission, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

PLAT

The map, drawing, or chart on which the developer's plan of subdivision (preliminary) is presented to the Planning Commission for approval and, after such approval, to the County Recorder (final) for recording.

PLAT OF SURVEY

A land survey performed by a professional surveyor that identifies a minor subdivision or lot split.

PLAY EQUIPMENT

An area used for outdoor play or recreation, especially by children, and often containing recreational equipment such as slides and swings.

PLAYHOUSE

Any temporary building or structure made specifically for the recreational enjoyment of the tenant's children. Such structures will be under 200 square feet and can be easily removed from the property.

PLOT PLAN

A drawing used in connection with an application for occupancy permit for the purpose of identifying the intended use or occupancy of a particular lot and to facilitate administrative review for zoning compliance, drawn accurately and legibly on durable material (such as blue, black or brown line prints, photostats, etc., but not including blueprints, duplication machine copies on thin paper or pencil drawings), sheet size 8 1/2 inches by 14 inches.

POLLUTANT

Anything that causes or contributes to pollution. Pollutants may include, but are not limited to: paints, varnishes, and solvents; oil and other automotive fluids; nonhazardous liquid and solid wastes and yard wastes; refuse, rubbish, garbage, litter, or other discarded or abandoned objects, ordinances, and accumulations, so that same may cause or contribute to pollution; floatables; pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers; hazardous substances and wastes; sewage, fecal coliform and pathogens; dissolved and particulate metals; animal wastes; wastes and residues that result from constructing a building or structure; and noxious or offensive matter of any kind.

PONDS

An area that is designed to permanently hold water for personal enjoyment.

POOL HOUSE

A building where swimmers change clothes or other associated activities to a residential swimming pool.

POOL, STORABLE

Any private pool that is constructed on or above the ground and is capable of holding water to a maximum depth of 42 inches, or a pool with nonmetallic, molded polymeric walls or inflatable fabric walls regardless of dimension.

PORCH

An attached structure accessory to a dwelling, constructed either on or above the ground, with or without an enclosed foundation and that either has flooring that is completely impervious or is covered by a roof or awning.

PORCH, ENCLOSED

A roofed structure, usually attached to or part of and with direct access to or from a building. Different than an open porch in that it is fully enclosed in vertical walls or glazing for more than half of the year.

PORCH, OPEN

A roofed open structure that projects from the front, side or rear wall of a building that is unenclosed for more than half of the year, except possibly for screens, by anything higher than 36 inches above the floor except for roof and roof supports.

PORTABLE STORAGE UNIT

Any enclosed unit of whatever type construction or material, designed for permanent or temporary storage, that can be transported by a vehicle and left on-site.

PORTABLE STORAGE UNITS

Any enclosed unit of whatever type construction or material, designed for permanent or temporary storage, that can be transported by a vehicle and left on-site.

PREDEVELOPMENT CONDITIONS

Site conditions as they existed prior to man-made alterations and/or earth-disturbing activities.

PREEXISTING TOWERS AND PREEXISTING ANTENNA

Any personal wireless service facilities for which a building permit has been properly issued prior to the effective date of this section, including permitted personal wireless service facilities that have not yet been constructed so long as such approval is current and not expired.

PRELIMINARY PLAN

The drawing depicting a proposed subdivision that is intended to provide the Borough Manager's Office and the Planning Commission with pertinent information regarding the development of a subdivision. The plan must contain all necessary information as required herein.

PRELIMINARY PLAT

The drawing depicting a proposed subdivision that is intended to provide the Borough Manager's Office and the Planning Commission with pertinent information regarding the development of a subdivision. The plat must contain all necessary information as required herein.

PREMISES

Any lot or combination of contiguous lots held in single ownership, together with the development thereon; a condominium complex constitutes one premises.

PRINCIPAL BUILDING

The building or buildings on a lot in which the principal use or uses are conducted.

PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE

The structure or structures in which the principal use or uses are conducted.

PRINCIPAL USE

The primary or predominant use of land or structures, as distinguished from an accessory use. A principal use may be either a permitted use or a conditional use.

PRIVATE

Owned, operated or controlled by any person, partnership, corporation, association or entity other than a federal, state, county or local government agency.

PRIVATE CLUB

A nonprofit association of persons who are bona fide members paying periodic dues, that either owns or leases a building and/or premises, the use of which is restricted to members and their guests.

PRIVATE CLUB

A public, commercial, or nonprofit establishment that provides membership for the participation in, or use of, shared space, programming, or social activities, and may not include any form of adult entertainment business or retail sales.

PRIVATE GARAGE

A detached accessory building or a portion of the principal building used for the storage of four or fewer automobiles or trailers by the owner(s) or tenant(s) of the lot or by persons other than the owner(s) or tenant(s) of the lot by lease agreement with the owner(s) or tenant(s) of the lot. The owner(s) or tenant(s) of a private garage may repair, maintain and service motor vehicles between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; provided, however, that any repair, maintenance and service on a commercial basis is prohibited and no parts, supplies or other indicia of vehicle repair, including, but not limited to, the vehicles under repair, shall be placed outside of the private garage unless someone is actually working in or otherwise supervising the private garage, and further provided that all parts, supplies and other indicia of vehicle repair, including, but not limited to, the vehicles under repair, must be placed inside the private garage and the doors of said garage closed between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., except for the limited purposes of ingress and egress. Nothing in this definition shall be construed to prohibit the storage of personal property inside a private garage, including, but not limited to, lawn mowers of any type or kind, or the right of the owner of a private garage to repair, maintain and service motor vehicles as herein provided with all garage doors open; provided, however, that someone is actually working in or otherwise supervising the private garage during the times that the repair, maintenance and/or service of motor vehicles is being performed.

PRIVATE PERFORMANCE

The display or exposure of any specified anatomical area by an employee at an adult entertainment business to a person other than another employee while the person is in an area within the establishment not accessible during such display to all other persons in the establishment, or while the person is an area in which the person is totally or partially screened or partitioned during such display from the view of all persons within the establishment.

PRIVATE STREET

A roadway that has not been dedicated to the Borough and is completely maintained by the adjoining property owners. A private street is not maintained by the Borough nor is it required to meet Borough standards. It is owned entirely by the property owners who use it.

PROPERTY LINE

See also, "dwelling unit."

RESTAURANT, DRIVE-IN

An eating establishment where motor vehicles are parked and food that is ordered is delivered to the parked vehicle, either separately or in conjunction with an indoor sit-down dining area. Eating establishments that have drive-up, pick-up or carry-out windows shall not be considered as drive-in restaurants.

RESTAURANT, FULL SERVICE

A food service establishment with incidental alcohol consumption whereby servers bring food and beverages that are prepared in a kitchen or at a bar on-site, that may have a liquor license issued by the commonwealth.

RESTAURANT, LIMITED SERVICE

A self-service food service establishment whereby meals are served at a faster rate than a full-service restaurant and food offerings are more extensive in variety than a fast-food restaurant, that may have a liquor license issued by the commonwealth.

RESTAURANT, QUICK SERVICE

A food service establishment devoted to the preparation and offering of food and beverage for sale to the public for consumption via a counter or drive-through on or off the premises generally in disposable containers, and that offers standardized menus, ingredients, food preparation, decor, uniforms, architecture, or similar standardized features.

RETAIL GASOLINE AND CONVENIENCE

A facility associated with the sale of gasoline products that also offers for sale prepackaged food items and tangible consumer goods, primarily for self-service by the consumer, which may include the sale of hot beverages, fountain-type beverages, beer, and pastries, and shall not have a retail liquor license other than for the sale of beer.

RETAIL STORE

A commercial establishment selling consumer goods, clothing, and other dry goods.

REVERSE VENDING MACHINE

An automated mechanical device for the redemption of recyclable beverage containers that accepts at least one type of empty beverage container, including but not limited to aluminum cans, bimetal cans, glass and plastic bottles, and that issues a cash refund or redeemable credit slip and that may include machines that sort and process containers mechanically, provided that the entire process is enclosed within the machine.

RHYTHM

The spacing of repetitive facade elements, such as projecting bays, storefronts, windows, doors, belt courses and the like.

RIGHT-OF-WAY

An area of land reserved or dedicated for public purposes to provide access across the property of another.

ROOF, MANSARD

A roof with two slopes on each of the four sides. The lower slope is steeper than the upper slope. Dormers are often set in the lower slope. The upper slope is usually not visible from the ground.

RUNOFF

The portion of rainfall, melted snow or irrigation water that flows across the ground surface and is eventually returned to streams.

SANITARY SEWERS

An approved sewage disposal system that provides a collection network and disposal system and central sewage treatment facility for a single development, community or region.

SANITARY WASTE TREATMENT, ON-SITE

A septic tank or similar installation on an individual lot that utilizes a bacteriological process or equally satisfactory process for the elimination of sewage and provides for the proper and safe disposal of the effluent, subject to the approval of health and sanitation officials having jurisdiction.

SATELLITE DISH

A device incorporating a reflective surface that is solid, open mesh, or bar configured and is in the shape of a shallow dish. Such device shall be used only to receive radio or electromagnetic waves between terrestrially and/or orbitally based uses. Satellite dishes include but are not limited to TVROs (television reception only satellite dish antennas) and satellite microwave antennas.

SAVINGS AND LOAN INSTITUTE

See "financial institution."

SCALE

The relationship of the size of a building or object to the size of a human being. Grand or large scale implies a size out of proportion to human size, while small or intimate scale implies the opposite.

SCHOOL

A place of instruction operated by a public or religious organization, having regular sessions, with regularly employed instructors and meeting all of the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education for providing primary, secondary, vocation or postsecondary education. This definition shall not include privately operated, for-profit schools of trade, vocation, avocation or business.

SCHOOL, COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY

A postsecondary institution, licensed by the commonwealth, for higher learning that grants associate or bachelor's degrees and may also have research facilities, and/or professional schools that grant master and doctoral degrees, which may also include community colleges that grant associate or bachelor's degrees or certificates of completion in business or technical fields.

SCREENING FENCE

A fence constructed so that the surface area is at least 80% opaque to obscure vision from one side of the fence to the other and that may include solid or nearly solid fence members or cyclone fencing with vinyl or other opaque screening material inserted through the openings.

SEDIMENT

Solid material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension, is being transported, or has been moved from its site of origin by wind, water, gravity, or ice, and has come to rest on the earth's surface above or below sea level.

SEDIMENT BASIN

A barrier, dam, or other suitable detention facility built across an area of water flow to settle and retain sediment carried by the runoff waters.

SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN

A written description, acceptable to the approving agency, of methods for controlling sediment pollution from accelerated erosion on a development area of five or more contiguous acres or from erosion caused by accelerated runoff from a development area of five or more contiguous acres.

SEDIMENT POLLUTION

Failure to use management or conservation practices to abate wind or water erosion of the soil or to abate the degradation of the waters of the state by soil sediment in conjunction with land grading, excavating, filling, or other soil-disturbing activities on land used or being developed for nonfarm commercial, industrial, residential, or other nonfarm purposes.

SEMINUDITY or SEMINUDE CONDITION or SEMINUDE

Exposing to view, with less than a fully opaque covering, any portion of the female breast below the top of the areola or any portion of the buttocks. This definition shall include the entire lower portion of the female breast exhibited by a dress, blouse, shirt, leotard, bathing suit, or other clothing, provided that the areola is not exposed in whole or in part.

SERVICE STATION

A retail place of business, engaged primarily in the sale of motor fuels or supplying goods and services generally required in the operation and maintenance of motor vehicles and fulfilling of motorist's needs, including one or more of the following: the sale of petroleum products; sale and service of tires, batteries, automotive accessories and replacement items; washing and lubrication services; the supplying of other incidental automotive customer services and products; and the performing of automotive maintenance and repair, excluding such repairs as spray-painting, body, fender, axle, frame, major engine overhaul or recapping/retreading of tires. A service station may also include the operation of a convenience food store.

SETBACK

The required minimum horizontal distance between the building line and the related front, side or rear property line.

SETBACK LINE

A line parallel to the street right-of-way line at any story level of a building and representing the distance that all or any part of the building is to be set back from said right-of-way.

SETTLING POND

A runoff detention structure such as a sediment basin or sediment trap that detains sediment-laden runoff allowing sediment to settle out.

SEWERS, SANITARY, CENTRAL OR GROUP

An approved sewage disposal system that provides a collection network and disposal system and central sewage treatment facility for a single development, community, or region.

SEWERS, STORM

A sewer that carries stormwater and surface water, street wash and other wash waters, or drainage, but excludes domestic wastewater and industrial wastes. Also called a "storm drain."

SEXUAL CONDUCT

Patently offensive representations or descriptions of ultimate sexual acts, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, and patently offensive representations, descriptions or acts of masturbation, excretory functions, homosexuality, sodomy, sexual intercourse or physical contact with a person's clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks or, if such person is female, breasts.

SHEET FLOW

Overland water runoff in a thin uniform layer.

SIDEWALK

That portion of the road right-of-way outside the roadway that is improved for the use of pedestrian traffic.

SIGHT TRIANGLE FOR VISION CLEARANCE

A triangular space at the street corner of a corner lot, free from any kind of obstruction to vision between the heights of three and 12 feet above the established street grade. The street grade is measured at the intersection of the center lines of the intersecting street pavements, and the triangular space is determined by a diagonal line connecting two points measured 15 feet along each of the street property lines equidistant from the intersection of the property lines or the property lines extended, at the corner of the lot.

SIGN

Any structure or device used to attract attention by word or graphic display.

SIGN AREA

The entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of writing, representation, emblem, or any figure or similar character, together with any frame or other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate such sign from the background against which it is placed; excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which such sign is placed. The area of a sign having more than one display shall be computed as the total of the exposed exterior display surface area.

SIGN COPY

Those letters, numerals, and figures, symbols, logos, and graphic elements comprising the content or message of a sign.

SIGN FACE

The surface of the sign upon, against or through which the message of the sign is exhibited.

SIGN HEIGHT

The height of a sign shall be the difference between the 1) elevation of the highest point of the sign, including the bracket, supports, and sign face surrounds, and 2) the elevation of the finished grade at the base of the sign or the elevation of the crown of the adjacent public street, whichever is highest.

SIGN STRUCTURE

The supports, uprights, bracing or framework for signs.

SIGN, ABANDONED

A sign that is no longer intended to promote an active business or provide any message related to an active use of the property on which it is located.

SIGN, ACCESS

A sign directing vehicular or pedestrian movement onto or within a premises with no identification or advertising on the sign.

©

SIGN, ADVERTISING

A sign that directs attention to a use, commodity or service not related to the premises on which the sign is located.

SIGN, AWNING, CANOPY OR MARQUEE

A sign that is mounted on or painted on or attached to an awning, canopy or marquee.

SIGN, BANNER

A temporary sign constructed of canvas, plastic, fabric or similar lightweight, nonrigid material that can be mounted to a structure with cord, rope, cable, or a similar method. Where a banner sign is supported by stakes or another type of supporting structure for posting in the ground, such sign shall be classified as a "sign, yard."

SIGN, BUILDING

Signs that are attached to the building, including wall signs, projecting signs, awning signs, suspended signs, flag banner signs, and canopy signs.

SIGN, BULLETIN BOARD

A structure containing a surface upon which is displayed the name of a religious institution, school or library, auditorium, stadium, athletic field or area of similar use for the announcement of services or activities to be held therein.

SIGN, CHANGEABLE COPY

A sign designed so that the characters, letters or illustrations can be changed or rearranged manually or electronically without altering the sign display surface. May also be known as "readerboards." See also the definition of "electronic message center."

SIGN, CONSTRUCTION

A sign indicating the names of architects, engineers, contractors and similar persons involved in the design and construction of a structure or project.

SIGN, DRIVE-THROUGH

Any signage allocated along a drive-through lane that is oriented toward the customer or user in the drive-through lane.

SIGN, ENTRANCEWAY

A sign located on a door of or on an exterior wall or window within three feet of a primary exterior entranceway to the structure.

SIGN, FEATHER

A temporary sign that is constructed of cloth, canvas, plastic, fabric or similar lightweight, nonrigid material and that is supported by a single vertical pole mounted into the ground or on a portable structure.

SIGN, FLAG BANNER

Any rigid cloth, plastic or canvas sign with no enclosing framework that is mounted to a building at one or more edges or on a pole. Flags with noncommercial speech shall not be considered flag banner signs.

SIGN, FLASHING

Any illuminated sign on which the artificial light or any part thereof has conspicuous or intermittent variation in intensity or color.

SIGN, FREESTANDING

A sign suspended or supported by one or more uprights or braces in or upon the ground surface.

SIGN, GOVERNMENTAL

A sign erected at the side of or above roads to give instructions or provide information to road users.

SIGN, ILLUMINATED

A sign that is lighted by an artificial light source.

SIGN, MONUMENT

A permanent freestanding sign other than a pole sign, not attached to a building, that is placed upon or supported by the ground independently of any other structure, typically on a monument or pedestal structure. Unless otherwise stated, monument signs shall either be a pole sign or monument sign. A sign that is placed on two posts that are no more than two feet in height to the base of the sign cabinet or sign face shall be considered a monument sign for the purposes of this chapter.

SIGN, MOVING

Any sign that, in part or total, rotates, revolves or otherwise is in motion.

SIGN, NONCONFORMING

Any sign that was erected legally prior to the adoption of this code, but that does not comply with subsequently enacted sign restrictions and regulations or a sign that does not conform to the sign code requirements.

SIGN, PAINTED MURAL

A large picture/image (including but not limited to painted art) that is painted, constructed, or affixed directly onto a vertical building wall, that may or may not contain text, logos, and/or symbols.

SIGN, PERMANENT

A sign permitted by this code to be located on the premises for an unlimited period of time and designed to be permanently attached to a structure or the ground.

SIGN, POLE

A permanent freestanding sign supported by one or more uprights, poles or braces placed in or upon the ground surface and not attached to any building.

SIGN, PORTABLE

A sign that is attached to wheels, skids, or other forms of mounting that is not permanently affixed in or to the ground.

SIGN, PROJECTING

A sign suspended from or supported by a building structure, or column and extending therefrom, more than 15 inches.

SIGN, ROOF

Any sign that is erected over the roof or parapet above the roofline and/or receives any or all its support from the roof structure.

SIGN, SANDWICH BOARD

A freestanding sign that is ordinarily in the shape of an "A" or some variation thereof, that is readily moveable, and is not permanently attached to the ground or any structure. See also the definition of "T-frame signs." Such signs are placed on a public sidewalk, private sidewalk, or similar walkway, in a manner established herein.

SIGN, SUSPENDED

A sign that is affixed beneath the roof of a canopy, awning, or outdoor form of a ceiling that maintains the minimum clearance requirements established in this code.

SIGN, TEMPORARY

A banner, pennant, poster display or illustration that is affixed to or painted upon or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, structure or piece of land and that directs attention to an object, product, place, person, institution, organization or business and is constructed of cloth, canvas, plastic sheet, cardboard or other like materials and that is intended to be displayed for a limited period of time.

SIGN, WALL

A sign that is affixed, painted on or attached to the wall of the building or other structure and that extends not more than 15 inches from the face of the wall.

SIGN, WARNING

Any sign indicating danger or a situation that is potentially dangerous.

SIGN, WINDOW

A sign attached to, in contact with, placed upon or painted on the window or door of a building that is intended for viewing from the outside of such building. This does not include merchandise located in a window.

SIGN, YARD

Any temporary sign placed on the ground or attached to a supporting structure, posts, or poles, that is not attached to any building.

SILL

The framing member that forms the bottom edge of the window opening.

SITE

The original tract of land that exists prior to any subdivision activity and that is the subject of a preliminary application for development, as defined by Chapter 183, Subdivision and Land Development.

SITE AREA

The total area of all lots, rights-of-way, easements, open space and other features contained within the boundaries of a site.

SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The written document or set of plans meeting the requirements of this code that provides information on the location of the area proposed for development, the site in relation to its general surroundings, and existing characteristics of the site, including limits of earth-disturbing activities.

SITE PLAN

A plan, drawn to scale, showing accurately and with complete dimensioning, the boundaries of a site and the location of all buildings, structures, uses and principal site development features proposed for a specific parcel of land. A site plan shall include a drawing, including a legal or site description, of real estate that shows the location and size of the following, both existing and proposed: all buildings, structures and yards; locations and dimensions of building lines and easements; widths and lengths of all entrances and exits to and from such real estate; and the locations of all adjacent or adjoining streets, service facilities, topography, drainage plan and other improvements, such as planting areas.

SKILLED CARE FACILITY

Professionally supervised nursing care and related medical or other health services provided for a period exceeding 24 hours to an individual who is not in need of hospitalization, but whose needs are such that they can only be met in a nursing home on an inpatient basis and who needs the care because of age, illness, disease, injury, convalescence or physical or mental infirmity. This term includes the provision of daily inpatient services that are needed on a daily basis by the patient, ordered by a physician, that require the skills of and are furnished directly by or under the supervision of technical or professional personnel, including but not limited to registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists or audiologists.

SLEEPING UNIT

A habitable room, or a group of two or more habitable rooms, not equipped with self-contained cooking facilities.

SLIP

See "landslide."

SLOPE (RELATED TO ROOFS)

The incline of the roof. Amount of rise for every 12 inches of run.

SLOPE (RELATED TO THE GROUND OR TOPOGRAPHY)

The face of an embankment or cut section; any ground whose surface makes an angle with the plane of the horizon. Slope is usually expressed in a percentage based upon vertical differences in feet per 100 feet of horizontal distance.

SLOUGHING

A slip or downward movement of an extended layer of soil resulting from the undermining action of water or the earth-disturbing activity of man.

SOFFIT

A horizontal member that fills the gap between the exterior wall and the fascia.

SOIL LOSS

Soil relocated on or removed from a given site by the forces of erosion and the redeposit of the soil at another site on land or in a body of water.

SOIL STABILIZATION

Vegetative or structural soil cover controlling erosion, and includes permanent and temporary seed, mulch, sod, pavement, etc.

SOLAR FACILITY

An integrated assembly of solar panels with a support structure or foundation and other components.

SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM

A solar collection system consisting of one or more building- and/or ground-mounted systems, solar photovoltaic cells, panels or arrays and solar-related equipment that rely upon solar radiation as an energy source for collection, inversion, storage and distribution of solar energy for electricity generation. A solar PV system is a generation system with a nameplate capacity of not greater than 50 kilowatts if installed at a residential service or not larger than 3,000 kilowatts at other customer service locations and does not produce excess on-site energy greater than currently permitted by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission guidelines.

SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV)-RELATED EQUIPMENT

Items including a solar photovoltaic cell, panel or array, lines, mounting brackets, framing and foundations used for or intended to be used for collection of solar energy.

SOLAR-BASED ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENT

Structural/architectural element that provides protection from weather that includes awnings, canopies, porches or sunshades and that is constructed with the primary covering consisting of solar PV modules and may or may not include additional solar PV-related equipment.

SPECIAL EXCEPTION

An authorized use that may be granted only by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with express standards and criteria specified in this chapter after public hearing.

SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA or AREAS OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD

The land in the floodplain that is subject to a one-percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. Special flood hazard areas are designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Flood Insurance Rate Maps, Flood Insurance Studies, Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps and Flood Hazard Boundary Maps as Zones A, AE, AH, AO, A1-30, and A99. Special flood hazard areas may also refer to areas that area flood-prone and designated from other federal, state or local sources, including but not limited to historical flood information reflecting high watermarks, previous flood inundation areas, and flood-prone soils associated with a watercourse.

SPECIFIED ANATOMICAL AREAS

(1) Less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals, pubic region, buttock and female breasts below a point immediately above the top of the areola; and
(2) Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state even if completely and opaquely covered.

SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIES

(1) Humans genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal;
(2) Acts, real or simulated, of human masturbation, sexual intercourse, sodomy, cunnilingus, or fellatio; or
(3) Fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttock, or female breasts.

STANDALONE EMERGENCY FACILITY

An emergency room facility that accepts patients by ambulance and other vehicular means and provides emergency medical services and is not contained within or physically connected to a full-service hospital.

STATIC/INSTANT MESSAGE CHANGE

On electronic message centers, when one message changes to another message instantly without scrolling, flashing, or other movement of the message.

STEEP SLOPE

A slope over eighteen-percent grade, that is characterized by increased runoff, erosion and sediment hazards.

STOP-WORK ORDER

An order issued that requires that all work on the site must cease except work associated with bringing the site into compliance with the approved SWP3 or site development plan.

STORAGE FACILITY, INDOOR

A personal storage building that is subdivided by permanent partitions into individual spaces, and each space has an independent entrance within an enclosed building under the exclusive control of the tenant, with one or more exterior entrances to the building, and that is used for storage of personal belongings and not for any commercial or industrial purpose, and that may include outdoor storage of recreational vehicles.

STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM

Publicly owned facilities by which stormwater is collected and/or conveyed, including but not limited to any roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, gutters, curbs, inlets, piped storm drains, pumping facilities, retention and detention basins, natural and human-made or altered drainage channels, reservoirs, and other drainage structures.

STORM FREQUENCY

The average period of time within which a storm of a given duration and intensity can be expected to be equaled or exceeded.

STORMWATER

Any surface flow, runoff, and drainage consisting entirely of water from any form of natural precipitation and resulting from such precipitation.

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

Runoff water safely conveyed or temporarily stored and released at an allowable rate to minimize erosion and flooding.

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (SMP)

The written document meeting the requirements of this Code that sets forth the plans and practices to be used to minimize stormwater runoff from a site and to safely convey or temporarily store and release post-development stormwater runoff at an allowable rate to minimize flooding and erosion.

STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN (RELATED TO SEWER)

A document that describes the best management practices and activities to be implemented by a person or business to identify sources of pollution or contamination at a site and the actions to eliminate or reduce pollutant discharges to stormwater, stormwater conveyance systems, and/or receiving waters to the maximum extent practicable.

STORMWATER RUNOFF

See "runoff."

STORY

That portion of a building included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above it, or if there is no floor above it, then the space between any floor and the ceiling next above it.

STORY, HALF

That portion of a building under a sloping, gable, hip or gambrel roof, the wall plates on at least two opposite exterior walls of which are not more than three feet above the floor level of such half story.

STREAM

A body of water running or flowing on the earth's surface or channel in which such flow occurs. Flow may be seasonally intermittent.

STREET

A way designed for circulation of vehicular traffic, including the entire right-of-way and cartway, whether designated as a street, highway, thruway, thoroughfare, parkway, boulevard, road, avenue, lane, place, alley or the like.

STREET FRONTAGE

The distance for which the front boundary line of the lot and the street line are coincident.

STREET LINE

A dividing line between a lot, tract or parcel of land and a contiguous street.

STREET, ARTERIAL

A major street that provides intracommunity travel and access to the county or regional highway system. Access to an arterial should be provided at collector and local streets.

STREET, COLLECTOR

A street that provides for distribution of traffic between major and local streets and abutting properties, including the principal entrance and circulation routes within residential subdivisions.

STREET, PRIVATE

A street not dedicated to the Borough.

STREET, PUBLIC

A street dedicated to the Borough.

STRUCTURAL ALTERATION

Any change in the support members of a building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams or girders; changes in the means of ingress and/or egress; enlargement of floor area or height of a structure; or relocation of a structure from one position to another.

STRUCTURAL CONTROLS

Any human-made facility, structure, or device that is constructed to provide temporary storage and/or treatment of stormwater runoff. Examples include retention and detention basins, rock check dams, swales, and constructed wetlands.

STRUCTURE

Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.

STRUCTURE, TEMPORARY

A use or structure permitted for limited duration with the intent that such use will terminate, or the structure will be removed automatically upon expiration of the fixed period of time. A temporary structure is without a foundation or footing.

SUBDIVIDER

See "developer."

SUBDIVISION

(1) The division of any parcel of land shown as a unit or as contiguous units on the last preceding tax roll, into two or more parcels, sites, or lots, any one of which is less than five acres, for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of transfer of ownership; provided, however, that the division or partition of land into parcels of more than five acres not involving any new streets or easements of access, and the sale or exchange of parcels between adjoining lot owners, where such sale or exchange does not create additional building sites, shall be exempted; or
(2) The improvement of one or more parcels of land for residential, commercial, or industrial structures or groups of structures involving the division or allocation of land for the opening, widening, or extension of any street or streets except private streets serving industrial structures; the division or allocation of land as open spaces for common use by owners, occupants, or lease holders, or as easements for the extension and maintenance of public sewer, water, storm drainage or other public facilities. (See "minor subdivision.")

SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS

Chapter 183, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Code of the Borough of Dormont.

SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE

Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before damaged condition would equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.

SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT

Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure before the start of construction of the improvement. This term includes structures that have incurred substantial damage, regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include:

(1) Any improvement to a structure that is considered new construction;
(2) Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications that have been identified prior to the application for a development permit by the local code enforcement official and that are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
(3) Any alteration of an historic structure, provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as an historic structure.

SURFACE AREA OF SIGN

That area enclosed by one continuous line, connecting the extreme points or edges of a sign. The area shall be determined using the largest sign area or silhouette visible at any one time from any one point. This area shall not include the main supporting sign structure, but all other ornamental attachments, inner connecting links, etc. that are not part of the main supports of the sign shall be included in determining the surface area of a sign. For two-sided signs, only one face is counted in computing the surface area. For signs that have poster panels mounted on a supporting structure with space between the poster panels, the area of each panel shall be computed as surface area of the sign, not including the space between the panels.

SURVEYOR

A registered land surveyor in the commonwealth.

SWALE

A low-lying stretch of vegetated land that gathers and carries surface water.

SWIMMING POOL

A receptacle for water, or artificial basin of water, either above ground, below ground, or partly above and partly below ground, having a depth at any point in excess of 18 inches or a surface area exceeding 150 square feet and intended for use by persons for the purpose of immersion, partial immersion, or swimming, and including all appurtenant equipment.

TELEVISION DISH/ANTENNA

Equipment found on the exterior of a residential property and comprising the part of the receiver by means of which the television signals are received.

TEMPORARY USE OR STRUCTURE

Any use or structure that may be a principal use on a lot or accessory to an existing principal use on a lot intended to be used for six consecutive months or less.

TEMPORARY VEGETATION

Short term vegetative cover, such as oats, rye, or wheat, used to stabilize the soil surface until final grading and installation of permanent vegetation.

TENNIS COURT

A rectangular area on which tennis is played, marked with lines and enclosed by a fence.

TENTATIVE APPROVAL

Approval prerequisite to final approval of a planned residential development granted by the Borough Council in accordance with Article IX of this chapter.

TENT-TYPE FOLD-OUT CAMPING TRAILER

Any vehicle intended to be used, when stationary, as a temporary shelter with living and sleeping facilities, and that is subject to the following properties and limitations:

(1) A minimum of 25% of the fold-out portion of the top and sidewalls combined must be constructed of canvas, vinyl or other fabric, and form an integral part of the shelter.
(2) When folded, the unit shall not exceed:

(a) Fifteen feet in length, exclusive of bumper and tongue;
(b) Sixty inches in height from the point of contact with the ground;
(c) Eight feet in width; or
(d) One ton gross weight at time of sale.

TERRAIN CLASSIFICATION

Terrain within the entire area of the preliminary plat is classified as level, rolling, hilly, or hillside for street design purposes. The classifications are as follows:

(1) LEVEL — That land that has a cross slope range of 4% or less.
(2) ROLLING — That land that has a cross slope range of more than 4% but not more than 8%.
(3) HILLY — That land that has a cross slope range of more than 8% but not more than 15%.
(4) HILLSIDE — That land that has a cross slope range of more than 15%.

THEATER

A public, private, or nonprofit indoor or outdoor theater or stage used for theatrical, musical, or artistic live productions attended by an audience.

THOROUGHFARE

See "street."

TIME LIMITS

Time limits designated within these regulations shall begin when applications for review are officially accepted or as otherwise stipulated in this chapter.

TOPSOIL

Surface and upper surface soils that presumably are darker colored, fertile soil materials, ordinarily rich in organic matter or humus debris.

TOWER

A self-supporting, monopole, or guyed structure, constructed from grade, that supports personal wireless facilities. The term "tower" shall not include amateur radio operator's equipment, as licensed by the FCC.

TOWNHOUSES

See "dwelling, attached one-unit."

TRACKING SYSTEM

A number of photovoltaic modules mounted such that they track the movement of the sun across the sky to maximize energy production, either with a single-axis or dual-axis mechanism.

TRAFFIC ANALYSIS

A report prepared by a qualified traffic engineer that details the nature and extent of trip generation expected to result from a proposed development based on the ratios and methodology contained in the current edition of the Manuals of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, including the current and projected capacities and levels of service of all streets and intersections within 1,000 feet of the proposed development.

TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OR CONTROL OF AN ADULT ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS

Means and includes any of the following:

(1) The sale, lease or sublease of the business;
(2) The transfer of securities that constitute a controlling interest in the business, whether by sale, exchange, or similar means; or
(3) The establishment of a trust, gift, or other similar legal device that transfers ownership or control of the business, except for transfer by bequest or other operation of law upon the death a person possessing the ownership or control.

TRANSITIONAL DWELLING

A dwelling unit occupied on a short-term basis by persons assigned by a court of law or public or nonprofit agency responsible for the occupants' care, safety, conduct, counseling and supervision for a specified period of time, including alcoholic recovery, shelters for battered persons and their children, community reentry services following incarceration or other court-ordered treatment and other such short-term supervised assignments.

TRANSPARENCY

The amount of glass and other transparent materials used in openings, such as doors and windows, to promote visual interest in storefronts, especially at the pedestrian level.

TRAVEL TRAILER

A vehicular, portable structure built on a chassis, designed to be used as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational and vacation uses, permanently identified "travel trailer" by the manufacturer.

TREEHOUSE

A structure built in the branches of a tree for children to play in.

TRELLISES

A framework of light wooden or metal bars, chiefly used as a support for fruit trees or climbing plants.

TRUCK CAMPER

A non-self-propelled recreational vehicle without wheels for road use and designed to be placed upon and attached to a motor vehicle. "Truck camper" does not include truck covers that consist of walls and roof but do not have floors and facilities for using same as a dwelling.

UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK

Any one or combination of tanks (including underground pipes connected thereto) that is used to contain an accumulation of regulated substances and the volume of which (including the volume of underground pipes connected thereto) is 10% or more beneath the surface of the ground. Flow-through process tanks and septic tanks approved by the Health Department or State Environmental Protection Agency, as applicable, are excluded from the definition of underground storage tanks.

USE

Any activity, business or purpose for which any lot or structure is utilized.

USE PRINCIPAL PERMITTED

A use that is permitted outright in a district for which a zoning certificate shall be issued by the Zoning Officer, provided that the applicant meets the applicable requirements of the code.

USE, ACCESSORY

See "accessory use."

USE, CHANGE OF

The change of activity of a building, structure or premise.

USE, CONDITIONAL

A use that is permitted in a district only if a zoning certificate therefor is expressly authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board.

USE, NONCONFORMING

Any building, structure, parking area, or premises legally existing or used at the time of adoption of this chapter, or any amendment thereto, and that does not conform to the use regulations of the district in which located. Any such building, structure, or premises conforming in respect to use but not in respect to height, area, yards, or courts, or distance requirements from more restricted districts or uses, shall not be considered a nonconforming use.

USE, TEMPORARY

A use that is authorized by this Code to be conducted for a fixed period of time. Temporary uses are characterized by such activities as the sale of agricultural products, contractors' offices and equipment sheds, fireworks, carnivals, flea markets, and garage sales.

UTILITY EASEMENT

The easement used for the maintenance of vehicle sight distances, the placement of stormwater drainage, sewer, water, natural gas, electric, telephone, cable television or other facilities or utilities, and for street maintenance.

UTILITY TRAILER

Any single or dual axle nonmotorized vehicle used for transportation of equipment, vehicles, livestock and any other materials.

VARIANCE

A departure from the strict letter of this chapter, as it applies to specific properties, as authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the terms of this chapter and the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.

VEHICLE REPAIR GARAGE

The replacement of any part or repair of any part that does not require removal of the engine head or pan, engine transmission or differential, incidental body and fender work, minor painting and upholstering service to automobiles and trucks not in excess of 7,000 pounds gross weight.

VEHICULAR SALES AND SERVICE

An establishment for the storage and displays for sale of more than two passenger vehicles and where repair or body work is incidental to the operation of the new or used vehicle sales, which include motor vehicle retail or wholesale sales.

VICINITY MAP

A drawing located on the plat that sets forth by dimensions or other means, the relationship of the proposed subdivision or use to other nearby developments or landmarks and community facilities and services within the Borough in order to better locate and orient the area in question.

WALKWAY

A dedicated public way, for pedestrian use only, whether along the side of a road or not.

WAREHOUSE

A structure or part of a structure, for storing goods, wares and merchandise, whether for the owner or for others, and whether the same is a public or private warehouse.

WAREHOUSE

An enclosed storage facility that is used to store goods or parts, or for any part of the shipping process.

WASTEWATER

Any water or other liquid, other than uncontaminated stormwater, discharged from a facility.

WATER RESOURCE

All streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, drainage systems, and all other water bodies or accumulations of surface water, natural or artificial, that are situated wholly or partially or border upon the jurisdiction, except those private waters that do not combine or affect or junction with natural surface waters.

WATERCOURSE

Any natural or artificial waterway (including, but not limited to, streams, rivers, creeks, ditches, channels, canals, conduits, culverts, drains, waterways, gullies, ravines, or washes) in which waters flow in a definite direction or course either continuously or intermittently and including any area adjacent thereto that is subject to inundation by reason of overflow of floodwater.

WATERSHED

The total drainage area contributing runoff to a single point.

WELLHEAD

The source of a spring or stream.

WETLANDS

Surface areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas (1987 Corp of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual).

WIRELESS SERVICE FACILITY

A public, commercial and private electromagnetic and photoelectric transmission, broadcast, repeater and receiving stations for radio, television, telegraph, telephone, data network, and wireless telecommunications, including commercial earth stations for satellite-based communications, which may include antennas, commercial satellite dish antennas, and equipment buildings, but do not include telephone, telegraph and cable television transmission facilities utilizing hard-wired or direct cable connections.

YARD

An open space other than a court, on a lot, unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward.

YARD, FRONT

A yard extending the full width of the lot, the depth of which is the horizontal distance between the front lot line and a line parallel to the front elevation of the principal structure.

YARD, FRONT (LEAST DEPTH)

The shortest distance, measured horizontally, between any part of the building, and the front lot line.

YARD, FRONT, HOW MEASURED, LEAST DEPTH

Such depth shall be measured from the right-of-way line of the existing street on which the lot fronts; provided, however, that if the proposed location of the right-of-way line of such street as established on the thoroughfare plan differs from that of the existing street, then the required front yard least depth shall be measured from the right-of-way line of such street as designated on said thoroughfare plan.

YARD, REAR

A yard extending across the full width of the lot, the depth of which is the minimum distance between the rear lot line to the closest part of a principal building.

YARD, REAR (LEAST DEPTH)

The average distance measured horizontally between any part of a building and the nearest rear lot line.

YARD, REAR, HOW MEASURED, LEAST DEPTH

The average distance measured horizontally between any part of a building, except as hereinafter specified, and the nearest rear lot line.

YARD, REQUIRED

A space between a lot line and the buildable area within which no structure shall be located except as provided in this chapter.

YARD, SIDE

An open space extending from the front yard to the rear yard between a building and the nearest side lot line unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward except as hereinafter specified.

YARD, SIDE (LEAST DEPTH)

The shortest distance, measured horizontally, between any part of a building, other than such parts hereinafter excepted, and the nearest side lot line.

YARD, SIDE, HOW MEASURED, LEAST WIDTH

Such width shall be measured from the nearest side lot line. On a corner lot when the side lot line is a side street lot line, the required side yard shall be the same as the required front yard of the lot adjacent thereto.

ZONING DISTRICT

Geographic areas within the Borough in which the uses to which land can legally be utilized are designated and for which the boundaries are shown on the Zoning Map, that is part of this chapter.

ZONING HEARING BOARD

The Zoning Hearing Board of the Borough of Dormont, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. (See also "Board.")

ZONING MAP

The official map delineating the zoning districts of Dormont Borough, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, together with all amendments subsequently adopted.

ZONING OFFICER

The designated official or an authorized representative appointed by the Borough Council whose duty it shall be to administer this chapter.

ZONING PERMIT

The document issued by the Borough Manager or their designee authorizing the use of lots, structures, uses of land and structures, and the characteristics of the uses.

Borough of Dormont, PA

MapLink™ | Definitions