Classifications

The Borough is divided into the following five districts as shown on the Zoning Map:

• Class “A” Residence District – Minimum lot size: 3 acres
• Class “B” Residence District – Minimum lot size: 2 acres
• Class “C” Residence District – Minimum lot size: 1 acre
• Class “D” Residence District – Lot size as recorded (Lots created after 3/20/89, 1 acre minimum)
• Institutional/Open Space District (I-O) – Size of tract depends on type of use

Street Setbacks

In Class “A”, “B” and “C” Residence Districts, all structures must be set back at least fifty (50) feet, and in some instances seventy-five (75) feet, from all road right-of-way lines. In the Class “D” Residence District, the setback requirement is twenty- five (25) feet for existing lots; 50 feet for lots created after March 20, 1989. In the “I-O” District, schools and related structures must be set back at least one hundred (100) feet from the road right-of-way. Churches and related uses shall be set back at least fifty (50) feet. The same applies to private recreational clubs.

Lot line Setbacks

In a Class “A” Residence District, all structures on lots created on or before July 20, 1992 shall be located not less than forty (40) feet from side or rear property lines except that for lots having a width of less than two hundred (200) feet measured at the building line, the setback from such lot lines shall be twenty (20) feet. In lots created after July 20, 1992, the combined side yards must be at least one hundred (100) feet and the rear yard must be at least fifty (50) feet.

In a Class “B” Residence District, all structures on lots created on or before July 20, 1992 shall be located not less than thirty (30) feet from side or rear property lines except that for lots having a width of less than one hundred eighty (180) feet measured at the building line, the setback from such lot lines shall be twenty (20) feet. In lots created after July 20, 1992, the side yards must be at least thirty-five (35) feet with a combined setback of seventy-five (75) feet and a rear yard setback of at least forty (40) feet.

In a Class “C” Residence District, all structures shall be located not less than twenty (20) feet from side or rear property lines. In lots created after July 20, 1992, the combined side yards must be at least sixty (60) feet and the rear yard must be at least thirty-five (35) feet.

In a Class “D” Residence District, all structures shall be located not less than ten (10) feet from side or rear property lines for lots existing prior to March 20, 1989, twenty (20) feet for lots created thereafter.

In all residence districts, no structure may be located within fifty (50) feet from the side or edge of any park property owned or maintained by the Borough.

Minimum Home Size

The size of homes is also regulated in the Zoning Ordinance. No single family dwelling shall be erected or substantially rebuilt which does not comply with the following minimum first floor area requirements:

For all 1-story, single-family dwellings, the minimum first floor area shall be 1,500 square feet. For 1-1/2 story single-family dwellings, the first floor area shall be 1,200 square feet. For all single-family dwellings having two or more stories, the minimum first floor area shall be 1,000 square feet.

Uses

Only one residence is permitted on a lot. The use of an existing structure or dwelling which does not conform to the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance may be continued but its use may not be enlarged or extended.

Permitted uses in each district include the following:

Density Developments

Density Development is permitted as a Conditional Use in Fox Chapel. That means it must receive special approval from Borough Council. Density Development may be used in the Class “A”, “B” and “C” Residence Districts.

To be eligible for this type of development, a tract of land shall be no less than six (6) acres in area. The total number of single-family dwellings shall not exceed the number permitted under conventional zoning. However, the lot size may be reduced. In a Class “A” Residence District, new lots shall be no less than 1-1/2 acres (65,340 square feet). In the Class “B” Residence District, the minimum lot size is one acre (43,560 square feet) and in the Class “C” Residence District, no lot may be less than 3/4 of an acre (32,670 square feet).

The portions of a Density Development not occupied by single-family lots or roads shall be common open space. The area of common open space shall constitute no less than fifteen (15) percent of the total site. Within the area of common open space, at least fifty (50) percent shall be undisturbed open space. Each parcel of common open space shall be deeded to the Borough, deeded to a private non-profit conservation organization with perpetual existence or held by a homeowners’ association.

Planned Residential Developments

The Borough also permits the use of Planned Residential Developments (PRD) to encourage innovations in residential development, to provide greater opportunities for better housing and recreation, to encourage a more efficient use of land and of public services and also to encourage more flexible land development which will respect and conserve natural resources such as streams, lakes, flood plains, groundwater, wooded areas, steeply-sloped areas and areas of unusual beauty or importance to the natural ecosystem.

A PRD may be located in a Class “A”, “B” or “C” Residence District. The site shall be at least eighteen (18) contiguous acres, all of which shall be located within the boundaries of Fox Chapel.

A PRD may include single-family (“A” and “B” Residence Districts only) or multi-family dwellings such as twin, duplex or fourplex townhouses and apartments. The density of dwellings shall be 0.58 dwellings per acre in a Class “A” District, 0.68 dwellings per acre in a Class “B” District and 1.00 dwellings per acre in a Class “C” District.

At least thirty (30) percent of a PRD tract shall be set aside as undisturbed common open space. This undisturbed common open space shall remain primarily in an area of natural vegetation, to be undisturbed during and following construction.

Additional zoning information may be obtained at the Borough Office.