Contents What is a Zoning Permit Decks Fences Garages (Detached) Parking Patios Pools Setbacks Sheds Sample Site Plan (large pdf file) Site Plan Requirements Zoning Permit Regulations Zoning Permit Application Package When Do I Need a Building Permit?

While residents often do not understand why Zoning was created, it is an important part of the Township regulations. Zoning was created for the benefit of all Township residents. Our Zoning Regulations are enacted to reflect the policy goals of Manheim Township, as set forth in the Manheim Township Comprehensive Plan, with consideration for the character of the Township, its various parts, and the suitability of the various parts for particular uses. Zoning Regulations are enacted for the following purposes:

• To promote, protect, and facilitate the public health, safety, morals, and the general welfare; coordinated and practical community development and proper density of population; emergency management preparedness and operations; the provisions of adequate light and air; access to incident solar energy; police protection; vehicle parking and loading space; transportation; water; sewerage; schools; recreational facilities; public grounds; the provision of a safe, reliable and adequate water supply for domestic, commercial, agricultural, or industrial use; and other public requirements; as well as preservation of the natural, scenic, and historic values in the environment and preservation of forests, wetlands, aquifers, and floodplains.

• To prevent overcrowding of land; blight; overburdening of public improvements and facilities; and loss of health, life, or property from fire, flood, panic, or other dangers.

• To promote safe and adequate travel and transportation facilities and controls.

• To preserve prime agriculture and farmland, considering topography, soil type and classification, and present use.

• To provide for the use of land within the Township for residential housing of various dwelling types encompassing all basic forms of housing.

• To accommodate reasonable overall community growth, including population and employment growth, and opportunities for development of a variety of residential dwelling types and nonresidential uses.

Parking

Parking a vehicle in the grass on any property is not permitted.

Section 1706. - - - Parking Area Surface
Every off-street parking area and access driveway thereto shall be surfaced with an "all weather" durable and dustless material, such as stone, asphalt, macadam, or concrete. It shall be so graded and drained as to dispose of all surface water accumulation and shall have bumper guards where needed. Parking commercial vehicles with a maximum payload capacity of two and one half- (2 1/2) ton on a residential dwelling lot is not permitted, as noted below.

Section 1708. - - - Parking Area Reservation
All off-street parking areas shall be reserved for and used for motor vehicle parking only, with no sales, dead storage, repair work, dismantling, or servicing of any kind onresidential dwelling lots in a Residential District. The parking of one (1) commercial motor vehicle with a maximum payload capacity of two and one half (2 1/2) tons is permitted on a residential dwelling lot in a Residential District if needed by the resident of the dwelling for a home occupation or for a business not conducted on the premises. One (1) recreation vehicle is permitted to be parked on the property, provided it is not to be used for sleeping, recreations, or living purposes at any time while parked on the property. (Amended by Ordinance 1994-7, 2/14/94)

Building Setbacks

In the effort to ensure public safety, building setback lines were created to insure that buildings are not constructed too close to the property lines to permit easy access for emergency personnel. Building Setback Line. A line defining the minimum required distance within a lot from, and parallel to a street right of way line and side and rear lot lines which designated the minimum location of future buildings and structures. The Manheim Township Planning and Zoning Department receive frequent calls regarding the placement of sheds on the properties in Manheim Township. For information concerning the Manheim Township Zoning Ordinance concerning sheds and the Zoning Department procedure for shed placement approval please click here.

If you have any questions please contact the Manheim Township Planning and Zoning Department at 569-6406 extension 7.