ZONING FAQs
(This guideline is for frequently asked questions only and does not cover everything. For further questions please refer to the Zoning Manual or contact the Zoning Inspector)
What Needs permitted in Hopewell Township?
Houses
Garages
Accessory Buildings (Pole Buildings, Any Building more than 100 sq ft)
Multi Family Living Complexes
Mobile Homes
Church
Residence Additions (Includes Porches, Decks and Covered Patios)
Industrial and Commercial Buildings
Hotels and Motels
Signs – Home Occupation / Commercial Attached and Not Attached / Mobile Signs / Billboards
Retention Basins/Ponds/In Ground and Above Ground Pools
Solar Facilities / Wind Farms
Fences
What are setbacks for a residence?
District – (Rural Residential / Non Sewer)(Agricultural)
Front – 35 ft
Rear – 50 ft
Side – 20 ft
District – (Residential Sewer)
Front – 35 ft
Rear – 50ft
Side – 10 ft
What are setbacks for an Accessory Building
District – (Residential, Aggriculteral)
Alley/ROW – 10 ft
Rear – 10 ft
Side – 10 ft
What if my lot does not meet minimum requirements of width for setbacks?
(This would occur in neighborhoods such as Bascom)
The minimum side yard may be (5 feet) for lots up to 50 feet in width and 10 percent of the lot width for lots 50-100 feet wide.
How tall can a building or house be?
35 ft
Does a Drop Off Shed or Shed on Skids need a Permit?
Yes, unless the structure is temporary.
What is the minimum width at setback for lots? (Frontage)
District (Agricultural and Residential Non Sewer) – 125 ft
District (Residential Sewer, Commercial, Industrial) – 60 ft
(Two Family and Multi Family differ, see manual)
What is the minimum lot width for a flag lot right of way?
District (Agricultural) – 60 ft
District (Residential Sewer / Residential Non Sewer) – 35 Ft
Uses with three or more dwellings – 80ft
What are minimum lot sizes?
District (Agricultural) (Rural Residential / Non Sewer) – 1 acre / 43,560 sq ft
District (Residential with Sewer)(Commercial/Industrial) – .25 acre / 11,000 sq ft
(Does not cover Two Family or Multi Family, Typically Larger, See Manual)
What are the rules for fences, hedges, walls and buffering requirements?
• Must be contained within the lot lines. (A Survey is Recommended)
• Fences shall be permitted in all residential districts with only those lots of less than one an acre being subject to the rules in the Zoning Manual.
• Lots of one acre or more and/or agricultural uses shall be exempt however regulations regarding pools shall apply to all lots in the Township.
• Fences shall be maintained in good condition, no advertising on fences, shall not be an obstruction to motorists on the roadway, the rough and/or unfinished side of the fence shall face the interior of the property.
• Height – Shall not exceed 6 ft for side and rear in the Agricultural District and Residential Districts.
• Height – Shall not exceed 10 ft in Commercial Districts.
• Height – Shall not exceed 2.5 feet in any front yard or any yards adjacent to public right of ways.
• None of the following materials for the residential district. Barbed Wire, Guardrail or electric.
(This is brief and more rules can be obtained from the Zoning Manual)
What signs require permits?
Billboards, Identification Signs (Non Residential Use), (See rulebook for temporary sign procedures.)
What signs do not require a permit?
Real Estate, Subdivision Sale Signs, Political Signs, Construction Signs, Agricultural Product Signs, Special Event Signs (Must meet guidelines or they can be removed by the Township).