POLICY DATABASE
Policy Summary

Provides standards and definitions for urban agriculture, including urban agriculture (limited) uses, which allows beekeeping but not chicken keeping, and accessory uses, which allows both beekeeping and keeping of chickens. Structures are allowed for both uses; for the "limited" use, processing of products grown on site is not allowed.

Background Information

State Pennsylvania
Jurisdiction Name Charleroi
Jurisdiction Type Other, .
Population Size Under 5,000 People
Legal Strategies
  • Requires something, sets standards
  • Expressly allows something
Reach Community-wide
Food System Category Grow;

Policy Details

Refers to priority populations?
Unclear

A stated purpose of the zoning code is to "Distribute land uses to meet the physical, social, cultural, economic, and energy needs of present and future populations." § 338-105(A)(1).

Emergency management?
No
Health-related linkage?
Yes

Refers to protecting public health, safety, morals, and general welfare. § 334-104(A).

Environmental linkage?
Yes

One purpose of zoning code is "Preservation of environmental features, including forest, wetlands, aquifers, prime agricultural land, steep slopes, and floodplains as deemed appropriate." § 334-104(L)

Economic linkage?
Yes

One purpose of zoning is to "Provide for land uses that serve important public needs including a variety of housing options and employment generators." § 338-105(A)(3).

Includes findings?
No

Has a stated intent or purpose?
Yes

These regulations are adopted in accordance with the MPC, community development objectives and the comprehensive plan. The purpose of this chapter is to promote, protect and facilitate any of the following: (1) Public health, safety, morals, and general welfare, (2) Coordinated and practical community development, .... § 338-104. See also § 338-105 (community development objectives).

Includes definitions?
Yes

§ 338-202 (urban agriculture definitions)

Addresses implementation?
Yes

The Zoning officer's duties include: "administering this chapter ..., including to receive and examine all applications ... and issue or refuse permits ..., conduct inspections to determine compliance, and receive complaints of violation ...." and keeping of records. § 338-1010(B). "The Borough Council shall establish and revise, from time to time, a schedule of fees by resolution, as well as a collection procedure, for all applications submitted under the provisions of this chapter. The schedule of fees shall be available to the public from the Zoning Officer or Borough Manager." § 338-1008.

Enforcement provisions?
Yes

Fines up to $500, plus all court costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees; or a fine of not more than the maximum permitted under Pennsylvania law. "Under default of payment of imposed fines, the offender may be imprisoned for a term not to exceed 90 days." § 338-1007.

Evaluation component?
No

Requires extra investment?
No

Code context and ordinance history

Chapter 338 (Zoning), Article IV (Express Standards and Criteria for Special Exemptions and Conditional Uses), Sections 338-406.21 and 406.22 (Urban Agriculture and Limited/Urban Agriculture, Accessory Use). History: Adopted as part of an ordinance adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Charleroi 5-12-2016 by Ord. No. 1015.

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