Part 2
Definitions and Word Usage

§27-201 Application and Interpretation of Terms.

1.    It is not intended that this Part include only words used or referred to in this Chapter. The words are included in order to facilitate the interpretation of the Chapter for administrative purposes and in carrying out of duties by appropriate officers and by the Zoning Hearing Board.

2.    Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following shall, for the purpose of this Chapter, be interpreted in the following manner:

A.    Words used in the present tense include the future tense.

B.    The word “person” includes a profit or nonprofit corporation, company, partnership, trust or individual.

C.    The words “used” and “occupied” as applied to any land or building include the words “intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied.”

D.    The word “building” includes the word “structure.”

E.    The word “lot” includes the words “lot or parcel.”

F.    The word “shall” is always mandatory.

3.    Where in interpreting the language of this Chapter doubt exists about the extent of a restriction upon the use of property, the language shall be interpreted in favor of the property owner and against any implied extension of the restriction. [Ord. 648]

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-9; as amended by Ord. 648, 8/7/1995, §3(b))

§27-202 Definitions.

For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words, terms and phrases have the meanings herein indicated:

Accessory use or structure–a use or building structure subordinate to and located on the same lot as the principal use or building and serving a purpose customarily incidental to the use of the principal building.

Alley–a public or private way affording only secondary means of access to abutting property. This is not intended to include utility alleys, which are easements not open to public traffic and intended solely for the placement and maintenance of utilities.

Apartment–a dwelling unit.

Basement–a story partly underground but having at least one-half of its height above the average level of the adjoining ground. A “basement” shall be counted as a story for the purpose of height measurement if the vertical distance between the ceiling and the average level of the adjoining ground is more than 5 feet or if used for business or dwelling purposes, other than a game or recreation room.

Bedroom–a room not less than 80 square feet which, because of limited access and separation from the living areas, is intended or may be used for sleeping.

Borough–Selinsgrove Borough, Snyder County, Pennsylvania. [Ord. 648]

Borough Council–the Borough Council of the Borough. [Ord. 648]

Building–any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls, used for the shelter, housing or enclosure of persons, animals or property.

Building, accessory–a building subordinate to the principal building on a lot and used for purposes customarily incidental to those of the principal building.

Building coverage, maximum–the maximum ratio obtained by dividing the ground floor area of all principal and accessory buildings on a lot by the total area of the lot upon which the buildings are located, including covered porches, carports and breezeways but excluding open patios.

Building height–the vertical distance of a building measured from the mean level of the ground surrounding the building to the high point of the roof, but not including chimney, spires, towers, elevator penthouses, tanks and similar projections.

Building, principal–a building in which is conducted the main or principal use of the lot on which it is situated.

Business office–office buildings to be used only for the administrative functions of companies, corporations, social or philanthropic organizations or societies, and the professional offices of accountants, architects, brokers, engineers, lawyers, physicians, dentists, optometrists, ministers, insurance agents, realtors, authors, city planners, and similar professions.

Cellar–a story partly underground and having more than one-half of its clear height below the average level of the adjoining ground. A “cellar” shall not be considered in determining the permissible number of stories.

Commercial conversion–any building which has been altered to accommodate a business or profession provided that such alteration is confined to the interior of an already existing structural shell and that such alteration may not include an extension of the sides or an increase in the height of an existing structure. Commercial conversion includes a change from one commercial use to another when either (1) there is a structural change or (2) the use is adjacent to a residential use, but not otherwise.

Commission–the Planning Commission of the Borough of Selinsgrove.

Conditional use–a use which is not appropriate to a particular zoning district as a whole but which may be suitable in certain localities within the district only when specific conditions and factors prescribed for such cases within this Chapter are met. “Conditional uses” are allowed or denied by the Borough Council after recommendations by the Planning Commission.

Council–the Borough Council of the Borough. [Ord. 612]

Coverage, impervious–that portion or percentage of the plot or lot area covered by buildings, paved areas or other hard-surface areas which do not normally absorb rainfall.

Deck–a platform or floor, commonly made of wood materials, at ground level or not more than 1 foot above ground level, with or without railing. [Ord. 648]

Dwelling–any building or portion thereof designed or used exclusively as the residence or sleeping place of one or more persons. The term “dwelling” shall not be deemed to include automobile court, rooming house, tourist home, hotel, hospital, nursing home, dormitory, fraternity or sorority house.

Apartment–a room or suite of rooms in a multi-family structure which is arranged, designed, used or intended to be used as a housekeeping unit for a single family.

Dwelling, single-family–a detached building, designated for or occupied exclusively by one family, and containing not more than one dwelling unit and having two side yards.

Dwelling, two-family–a detached or semi-detached building where not more than two individual family or dwelling units are entirely separated by vertical walls or horizontal floors, unpierced except for access to the outside or to a common cellar.

Multi-family dwelling–a building designed for occupancy by three or more families living independently of each other, and containing three or more dwelling units. Such buildings shall consist of the following types:

Garden apartments–a group of not more than16 dwelling units within each structure where living within each unit is limited to one floor, height does not exceed three stories and 40 feet.

Townhouse–a group of not more than eight single-family attached dwelling units where living within each unit is on two floors, units are separated from each other by common walls, height does not exceed two and one-half stories and 40 feet, and each unit contains a separate access from the outside. [Ord. 652]

Elevator apartment–a group of dwelling units serviced by at least one elevator where living within each unit is limited to one floor, height does not exceed six stories and 60 feet, and all units share common entranceways.

Dwelling unit–one or more rooms, including a kitchen or kitchenette and sanitary facilities, in a dwelling structure, designed as a unit for occupancy by not more than one family for living and sleeping purposes.

Efficiency unit–an apartment dwelling unit which features a combination of certain uses in order to lessen total living area required. An “efficiency unit” shall not include any apartment dwelling unit of three or more rooms.

Essential services–the erection, construction, alteration or maintenance, by public utilities or municipal or other governmental agencies, of underground or overhead gas, electrical, communication, steam or water transmission or distribution systems, including poles, wires, mains, drains, sewers, pipes, conduits, cables, fire alarm boxes, police call boxes, traffic signals, hydrants and other similar equipment and accessories in connection therewith reasonably necessary for the furnishing of adequate service by such public utilities or municipal or other governmental agencies or for the public health or safety or general welfare but not including buildings except telephone central office buildings and telephone booths which shall also be considered as essential service facilities hereunder.

Family–either an individual or two or more persons related by blood or marriage or adoption or a group of not more than three unrelated persons, excluding servants, living together as a household in a dwelling unit. [Ord. 596]

Floodway–the channel of a river or other water course and the adjacent land areas required to carry and discharge a flood of the 100-year magnitude.

Floodway fringe–that portion of the floodplain outside the floodway.

Floor area, habitable–the aggregate of the horizontal areas of all rooms used for habitation, such as living room, dining room, kitchen and bedroom, but not including hallway, stairway, cellar, unfinished attics, service rooms or utility rooms, unheated areas, such as enclosed porches, nor rooms without at least one window or skylight opening onto an outside yard or court except vented bathrooms. At least one-half of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet, and the floor area of that part of any room where the ceiling height is less than 5 feet shall not be considered as part of the “habitable floor area.”

Food processing–any orderly or established series of steps or operations toward or for the preparation and sale of food or food products for human consumption, including, but not limited to, cooking, cutting, mixing, packaging, storing, preserving and distributing vegetables, fruits, bakery goods, dairy products, seafood, poultry and meats. However, food processing shall not include the housing or slaughtering of animals or the processing of animal carcasses. [Ord. 670]

Freestanding sign–a sign which is not attached or connected to any building and is supported by a single post made of wood or wood products. [Ord. 612]

Garage, private parking–a building or portion thereof used only for the storage of automobiles by the families resident upon the premises or by individuals residing in the immediate vicinity of such storage facilities.

Garage, public parking–a structure or portion thereof, other than a private garage, used for the storage, sale, hire, care, repair or refinishing of automobiles.

Garage, storage–a building, not a private or public garage, one story in height, used solely for the storage of motor vehicles (other than trucks), but not for the service or repair thereof nor for the sale of fuel, accessories or supplies.

Gasoline filling station–any area of land, including structures thereon, or any building or part thereof that is used for the sale of gasoline or other motor vehicle fuel or for lubricating, washing or otherwise servicing, motor vehicles, but which shall not include painting or body and fender repairs.

Governing body–the Borough Council, Borough of Selinsgrove, County of Snyder, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Habitable room–a room or enclosed floor space arranged for living, eating or sleeping purposes, not including laundries, pantries, foyers or communicating corridors or unfinished attics.

Hanging freestanding sign–a freestanding sign whose sign board hangs, or is suspended, from its supporting structure. [Ord. 612]

Home occupation–a lawful occupation as listed herein, conducted as an incidental or accessory use in a dwelling unit when authorized under the process of a special exception use before the Zoning Hearing Board, provided that such “home occupation” shall be conducted only by residents of the dwelling unit, who may employ not more than one additional nonresident person, and that the only external evidence of the “home occupation” shall be a sign not exceeding 1½ square feet in area. Such “home occupation” shall be restricted to professional offices, the training or tutoring of up to four adults in small classes, nursery school classes limited to no more than ten children, custom dressmaking, millinery or tailoring, women’s beauty salons, men’s barbershops and the rooming or boarding of not more than two persons. The “home occupation” shall occupy an area of not more than 50 percent of the first floor area of the principal and adjoining buildings; and no goods, materials or equipment shall be publicly displayed or stored on the premises; and adequate off-street parking shall be provided.

Hospital–unless otherwise specified, includes sanatorium, preventorium, clinic, rest home, nursing home, convalescent home and any other place for the diagnosis, treatment or other care of ailments, and is limited to places for the diagnosis, treatment or other care of human ailments.

Housing, elderly–a multi-family housing project designed specifically for elderly and handicapped persons. The deed or other recorded indenture must contain a covenant running with the land for at least 20 years limiting the use of the dwelling units to persons 62 years of age or older and handicapped persons as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, from time to time. This covenant shall be enforceable by the Borough of Selinsgrove, and this covenant may be waived by action of the Borough Council if parking requirements for multi-family housing are met, along with any other conditions which the Council may impose.

Junk–includes scrap iron, scrap tin, scrap brass, scrap copper, scrap lead or scrap zinc and all other scrap metals and their alloys and bones, rags, used cloth, used rubber, used rope, used tinfoil, used bottles, old or used machinery, used tools, used appliances, used fixtures, used utensils, used lumber, used boxes or crates, used pipe or pipe fittings, used tires and other manufactured goods that are so worn, deteriorated or obsolete as to make them unusable in their existing condition but are subject to being dismantled. Automobiles in operable condition or bearing a current inspection sticker are not included as “junk.”

Junkyards–buildings, structures or premises where junk, waste or discarded or salvage materials are bought, sold, exchanged, stored, baled, packed, disassembled or handled, including automobile wrecking yards, house wrecking and structural steel materials and equipment yards, but not including the purchase or storage of used furniture and household equipment or used cars in operable condition or bearing a current inspection sticker.

Lot–a designated parcel, tract or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed or built upon as a unit. [Ord. 648]

Lot, corner–a lot situated at and abutting the intersection of two streets having an interior angle of intersection not greater than 135 degrees.

Lot depth–the mean horizontal distance between the front and the rear lot lines.

Lot lines–the property lines bounding a lot.

Lot line, front–the line separating the lot from a street.

Lot line, rear–the lot line opposite and most distant from the front lot line.

Lot line, side–any lot line other than a front or rear lot line. A “side lot line” separating a lot from a street is called a “side street lot line.”

Lot line, street or alley–a lot line separating the lot from a street or alley.

Lot width–the width of a lot between side lot lines at the front building line as prescribed by the front yard regulations.

Lot area–the computed area contained within the lot lines.

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 which the parties themselves create and consider acceptable. [Ord. 648]

Mobile home–a transportable single-family dwelling intended for permanent occupancy, contained in one unit or in two or more units designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated for repeated towing, which arrives at a site complete and ready for occupancy, except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations, and constructed so that it may be used without a permanent foundation. [Ord. 648]

Mobile home lot–a parcel of land in a mobile home park, improved with the necessary utility connections and other appurtenances necessary for the erection thereon of a single mobile home. [Ord. 648]

Mobile home park–a parcel or contiguous parcels of land which have been so designated and improved to contain two or more mobile home lots. [Ord. 648]

Municipal Engineer–a professional engineer licensed as such in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, duly appointed as the engineer for a municipality, planning agency or joint planning commission. [Ord. 648]

Municipality–the municipal corporation known as the “Borough of Selinsgrove, Snyder County, Pennsylvania.”

No impact home-based business–a business or commercial activity administered or conducted as an accessory use which is clearly secondary to the use as a residential dwelling and which involves limited 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 family members 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, except for small signs as permitted under the Selinsgrove Borough Sign Ordinance, or light;

(5)    The business activity may not use any equipment or process which creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical or electronic interference, including interference with radio or television reception, which is detectable in the neighborhood;

(6)    The business activity may not generate any solid waste or sewage discharge in volume or type which 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 percent of the habitable floor space; and

(8)    The business may not involve any illegal activity. [Ord. 841]

Nonconforming lot–a lot, the area or dimension of which was lawful prior to the adoption or amendment of a zoning ordinance but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located after such adoption or amendment. [Ord. 648]

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. [Ord. 648]

Nonconforming use–a use, whether of land or of structure, which does not comply with the applicable use provisions in a zoning ordinance or amendment theretofore or hereafter enacted, where such use 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. [Ord. 648]

Nursing home–any premises containing sleeping rooms used by persons who are lodged and furnished with meals and nursing care.

Parking area, private–an open area for the same uses as a private garage.

Parking area, public–an open area, other than a street or other public way, used for the parking of automobiles and available to the public, whether for a fee, free or as an accommodation for clients or customers.

Patio–a courtyard, paved or improved area adjacent to or near a dwelling, but not a part of the dwelling structure, and intended to be used as an area for seating, dining or recreation outdoors. [Ord. 648]

Permanent sign–a sign intended to exist or function for a long, indefinite period of time without regard to unforeseeable conditions. [Ord. 612]

Permitted use–any use which does not require special action by the Zoning Hearing Board or by the Planning Commission before a zoning permit is granted by the Zoning Officer.

Person–any natural individual, partnership, association, corporation or other group or entity. Whenever used in any clause prescribing or imposing a penalty, “person,” when applied to firms, partnerships or associations, shall mean the partners or members thereof and when applied to corporations, the officers thereof. [Ord. 648]

Porch–a roofed entrance to a building, projecting out from the wall or walls of the main structure, and which is neither heated nor air conditioned. [Ord. 648]

Portable sign–a sign that is designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, signs containing any outdoor advertising or business display that is designed to be transported. The criteria used to determine whether a sign is designed to be transported shall include, but not be limited to, the following: the sign has readily removable and installable wheels; the sign has a chassis on wheels or is supported by a trailer on wheels; the sign is readily convertible to an A-frame or T-frame or is mounted on a vehicle for advertising purposes, which, when parked, is visible from the public right-of-way or sidewalk, excepting those signs identifying the related business when the vehicle is being used in the normal day-to-day operation of that business for purposes in addition to advertising. [Ord. 612]

Professional office–includes the office of a physician, dentist, optometrist, minister, architect, landscape architect, city planner, engineer, insurance agent, realtor, accountant, lawyer or author.

Public hearing–a formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the governing body or Planning Commission intended to inform and obtain public comment prior to taking action in accordance with this Chapter. [Ord. 648]

Public meeting–a forum held pursuant to notice under the Sunshine Act, 65 Pa.C.S.A. §701 et seq. [Ord. 648]

Public notice–notice published once each week for 2 successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Borough. Such notice shall state the time and place of the hearing and the particular nature of the matter to be considered at the hearing. The first publication shall not be more than 30 days and the second publication shall not be less than 7 days from the date of the hearing. [Ord. 648]

Public use–includes governmental-owned uses, such as schools, parks, civic centers, historical restorations, fire stations, municipal buildings, essential public utilities that require enclosure within a building, airports and easements for alleys, streets and public utility rights-of-way.

Regulatory flood elevation–the 100-year flood elevation, plus a freeboard safety factor of 1½ feet.

Residential conversion–any building which has been altered to accommodate one or more dwelling units provided that such alteration is confined to the interior of any already existing structural shell and that such alteration may not include an extension of sides or an increase in the height of an existing structure. A conversion of any type of residential dwelling to another type of residential dwelling is a residential conversion. For types of residential dwellings, see the definition of “dwelling.” See §27-1317.

Right-of-way–land reserved for use as a street, alley, interior walk or other public purpose.

Sanatorium–an institution for the care and treatment of invalids and convalescents.

Setback line–a line established by this Chapter generally parallel with and measured from the lot line, defining the limits of a yard in which no building or structure may be located above ground, except as may be provided in this Chapter.

Sign–any object, display, or structure, or part thereof, which is used to advertise, identify, display, direct, or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event or location by any means, including words, letters, figures, design symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or projected images. The term “sign” does not include the flag of the United States of America or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, works of art which in no way identify a product or business; or scoreboards located on athletic fields. [Ord. 848]

Sign, abandoned–a sign erected on, or related to, the use of a property which becomes vacant and unoccupied or any sign which relates to a time, event, or purpose which is past. [Ord. 848]

Sign, advertising–a sign which directs attention to a business or profession conducted or to a commodity, service or entertainment sold or offered elsewhere than upon the premises where such sign is located or to which it is affixed. [Ord. 848]

Sign, awning–a sign attached to, painted, or printed onto an awning, of the hinged, roll, or folding type. [Ord. 848]

Sign, banner–a sign intended to be hung either with or without a frame, possessing characters, letters, illustrations, or ornamentations applied to plastic or fabric of any kind. [Ord. 848]

Sign, billboard–a sign used to direct attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment not conducted, sold or offered upon the premises where such a sign is located. [Ord. 848]

Sign board–that portion of a sign upon which the letters, drawing, pictures or symbols are inscribed, mounted or painted. [Ord. 848]

Sign, business–A sign which directs attention to a business or profession conducted or to a commodity, service or entertainment sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located or to which it is affixed. [Ord. 848]

Sign, canopy–a sign attached to, painted, or printed onto a canopy. For the purposes of this Chapter, the permitted size of a canopy sign will be calculated on the basis of the size of the building wall parallel, or substantially parallel, to a street. It will, for measuring purposes, be considered a wall sign. [Ord. 848]

Sign, construction–a sign placed at a construction site identifying or announcing the project or name of the architect, engineer, contractor, financier, or others involved in the development of the project. [Ord. 848]

Sign, directional–a sign which identifies a public or semi-public use located within the Borough and provides direction thereto through written description, address, and/or graphic or pictorial illustration. [Ord. 848]

Sign, directory–a sign on which the names and locations of occupants or the use of a building or property is identified. [Ord. 848]

Sign, electronic–a sign that displays images, pictures, video and/or copy by means of light emitting diodes (LEDs), fiber optics, light bulbs or other illumination devices within the display area. Electronic signs include computer programmable, microprocessor controlled, electronic or digital displays. [Ord. 848]

Sign, flashing–a sign that uses an intermittent or flashing light source or windblown and/or mechanical moving reflective material to attract someone. [Ord. 848]

Sign, footcandle–a unit of measurement of light, where one footcandle equals approximately the amount of light produced by a candle at a distance of one foot. It is equivalent to one lumen per square foot. A footcandle is measurable with an illuminance meter, also known as a light meter. [Ord. 848]

Sign, freestanding–a sign which is not attached or connected to any building and is supported by a single post made of wood or wood products. [Ord. 848]

Sign, government–any temporary or permanent sign erected and maintained for any government purposes other than signs placed on the premises of a publicly owned building, structure or other land use, designed to identify the public and land use. Examples of government signs include speed limit signs, city limit signs, street name signs, and traffic signs. Conversely a sign placed on a public building such as library, school or public safety building, which identifies said building, shall not be considered a government sign. [Ord. 848]

Sign, gross surface area of–the entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of such a sign and in no case passing through or between any adjacent elements of the same. However, such a perimeter shall not include any structural or framing elements lying outside the limits of such sign and not forming an integral part of the display. [Ord. 848]

Sign, ground mounted–any sign which extends from the ground or which has supports which places the bottom thereof less than two feet from the ground directly beneath the sign (also known as a monument sign). [Ord. 848]

Sign, hanging freestanding–a freestanding sign whose sign board hangs, or is suspended from, its supporting structure. [Ord. 848]

Sign, identification–a sign which displays only the name, address, and/or crest, or insignia, trademark, occupation or profession of an occupant or the name of any building on the premises. [Ord. 848]

Sign, incidental–a sign used in conjunction with equipment or other functional elements for a use or operation. These shall include, but not be limited to, drive through window menu boards, and signs on automatic teller machines, gas pumps, vending machines, or newspaper delivery boxes. [Ord. 848]

Sign, instructional–an on-premises sign designed to guide vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic by using such words as “Entrance,” “Exit,” “Parking,” “One-Way,” or similar directional instructions, indicate the availability of restrooms, telephone, or similar public convenience, but not including any advertising message. The name or logo of the business or use to which the sign is giving direction may also be included on the sign. [Ord. 848]

Sign, logo–a sign used by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on limited access highways to direct motorists to nearby businesses and services. [Ord. 848]

Sign, luminous–a sign illuminated through the use of phosphorescent or luminescent paint or materials. [Ord. 848]

Sign, marquee–any sign attached to a marquee for the purpose of identifying a movie theater or similar place of entertainment. [Ord. 848]

Sign, monument–see Sign, ground mounted. [Ord. 848]

Sign, multi-tenant center–signs intended for shopping, professional office or other type of commercial center. One sign identifies the name of the center with one wall sign per occupant. [Ord. 848]

Sign, off-premises–a sign that draws attention to, provides direction, or communicates information about a business, service or commodity, that exists or is conducted, sold, offered, maintained or provided at a location other than the premises where the sign is located. [Ord. 848]

Sign, on-premises–a sign that draws attention to or communicates information about a business, service, commodity, accommodation, attraction, or other enterprise or activity that exists or is conducted, sold, offered, maintained or provided on the premises where the sign is located. [Ord. 848]

Sign, outdoor advertising–see Sign, billboard. [Ord. 848]

Sign, permanent–a sign intended to exist or function for a long, indefinite period of time without regard to unforeseeable conditions. [Ord. 848]

Sign, political–any temporary sign pertaining to political views, an individual seeking election or appointment to a public office, or a forthcoming public election or referendum. [Ord. 848]

Sign, portable–a sign that is designed to be transported, including but not limited to signs containing any outdoor advertising or business display that is designed to be transported. The criteria used to determine whether a sign is designed to be transported shall include, but not be limited to, the following: the sign has readily removable and installable wheels; the sign has a chassis on wheels or is supported by a trailer on wheels; the sign is readily convertible to an A-frame or T-frame or is mounted on a vehicle for advertising purposes, which, when parked, is visible from the public right-of-way or sidewalk, excepting those signs identifying the related business when the vehicle is being used in the normal day-to-day operation of that business for purposes in addition to advertising. [Ord. 848]

Sign, projecting–any sign other than a wall, awning, canopy, or marquee sign, which is affixed to a building and is supported only by the wall on which the sign is mounted. [Ord. 848]

Sign, public interest–a sign on private property that displays information pertinent to the safety or legal responsibilities of the general public such as “Warning” and “No Trespassing” signs. [Ord. 848]

Sign, real estate–a sign that is used to offer for sale, lease, or rent the premises upon which the sign is placed. [Ord. 848]

Sign, roof–a sign erected or maintained in whole or in part upon or over the roof parapet of a building. [Ord. 848]

Sign, temporary–a sign intended to exist or function for a definite period of time with regard to the occurrence of a specified event or foreseeable condition. [Ord. 848]

Sign, vehicular–signs on parked vehicles visible from any street where the sign on the vehicle is to advertise a product or to direct people to a business or activity located on the same or other property. Vehicular signs shall not include business logos, identification or advertising on vehicles primarily used for other transportation purposes. [Ord. 848]

Sign, wall–any sign directly attached to an exterior wall of a building or dependent upon a building for its support with its exposed face parallel or approximately parallel to the plane of the building or structure on which it is placed. Signs directly painted on walls shall be considered wall signs. [Ord. 848]

Sign, window–a temporary or permanent sign, which is oriented to the public right-of way and is located on the inside or outside of a window. For the purposes of this definition, “window” means any translucent and/or transparent surface in a building or structure. [Ord. 848]

Special exception–a use that is permitted in a particular zoning district pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter. “Special exceptions” are administered by the Zoning Hearing Board. [Ord. 648]

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 the floor and the ceiling next above it.

Story, half–a partial story under a gable, hip or gambrel roof, the wall plates of which on at least two opposite exterior walls are not more than 4 feet above the floor of such story.

Story, first–the lowest story or the ground story of any building, the floor of which is not more than 12 inches below the average contact ground level at the exterior walls of the building.

Street–a public or private thoroughfare which affords the principal means of access to abutting property, including avenue, place, way, drive, lane, boulevard, highway, road and any other thoroughfare except an alley.

Structural alteration–any change in the structural members of a building, such as walls, columns, beams or girders, or any addition to any structure.

Structure–anything constructed, the use of which requires permanent location on the ground or attachment to something having a permanent location on the ground, including stationary and portable carports.

Temporary sign–a sign intended to exist or function for a definite period of time with regard to the occurrence of a specific event or foreseeable condition. [Ord. 612]

Travel trailer–a vehicle less than 30 feet in length and used for temporary living or sleeping purposes and standing on wheels.

University housing–

Dormitory–a building or part thereof which is owned, leased or operated by a university or educational institution and designed for and used primarily as sleeping quarters for university or educational institution residents.

Fraternity or sorority house–any building or part thereof which is designed, intended and/or used primarily for activities of any club or association whose members are university students, whose activities are university-oriented and whose charter is university approved.

Conversion to university housing–any building or part thereof owned by a university which is a conversion from a residential dwelling and designed, intended and/or used primarily as a residence of any group of university students whose activities are primarily university and/or community oriented. (See §27-705.5, “Density Regulations.”)

Variance–relief granted pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter when the provisions of this Chapter inflict an unnecessary hardship. [Ord. 648]

Yard–an open space, as may be required by this Chapter, on the same lot with a building or a group of buildings, which open space lies between the principal building or group of buildings and the nearest lot line and is unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward except as herein permitted.

Yard, front–an open space extending the full width of the lot line, unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward except as specified elsewhere in this Chapter. The “front yard” is measured from the right-of-way line.

Yard, rear–an open space extending the full width of the lot between a building and the rear lot line, unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward except as specified elsewhere 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 specified elsewhere in this Chapter.

Zoning Map–the official Zoning Map of Selinsgrove Borough.

Zoning Officer–the administrative officer charged with the duty of enforcing the provisions of this Chapter.

(Ord. 565, 11/17/1986, §140-10; as amended by Ord. 596, 10/2/1989, §I; by Ord. 612, 4/1/1991, §4(a); by Ord. 648, 8/7/1995, §3(c); by Ord. 652, 4/15/1996, §3(a); by Ord. 670, 12/7/1998, §3(a); by Ord. 841, 10/7/2019, §3(A); and by Ord. 848, 7/6/2020, §3(A))