[Amended 12-21-2009 by Ord. No. 3-2009]
A.
Any sign hereafter erected or maintained shall conform with the provisions
of this article and any other ordinance or resolution of the Township
relating hereto.
B.
Signs authorized with a permit:
(1)
Permanent signs for farms, schools, churches and hospitals in all
districts.
(2)
Permanent signs identifying a residential development.
(3)
Permanent signs in commercial and nonresidential districts.
(4)
Professional or accessory use signs in the residential district.
(5)
Temporary real estate signs advertising a development.
C.
Signs authorized without a permit:
(1)
Official traffic signs and Pocopson Township signs.
(2)
Owner identification signs in the residential district.
(3)
Warning signs including, but not limited to, trespassing, sporting,
private property, and conservation easement signs.
(4)
Temporary real estate signs in commercial and nonresidential districts.
(5)
Political candidate, referendum and similar signs for an upcoming
election.
(6)
Temporary directional signs in the residential district.
(7)
Historical signs issued by government entities.
(8)
Temporary signs in the residential district that advertise the sale
or rental of a house.
(9)
Signs that express philosophical opinions.
[Amended 12-21-2009 by Ord. No. 3-2009]
The following restrictions shall apply to all signs allowed
in all districts:
A.
The following setback distances from the street right-of-way lines
shall be met:
|
Residential
|
Distance
(feet)
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Owner identification
|
1
| |
|
Professional or accessory use
|
5
| |
|
Identification (§ 250-52D)
|
10
| |
|
Permanent residential development
|
10
| |
|
Warning signs, including trespassing, sporting, private property,
conservation and similar type
|
1
| |
|
Temporary real estate signs for developments or sale or rental
of a house
|
5
| |
|
Temporary signs for governmental, historic, and nonprofit organizations
|
5
| |
|
Political candidate, referendum and similar signs
|
5
| |
|
Philosophical opinions
|
10
|
|
Commercial and Nonresidential Districts
|
Distance
(feet)
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Commercial and nonresidential temporary real estate
|
10
| |
|
Signs denoting the type or name of a business
|
10
| |
|
All other signs
|
As specified for residential district
|
B.
No sign shall be erected within the right-of-way lines of any public
street or public sidewalk, or shall be closer to a curb than 10 feet,
unless specifically authorized elsewhere in this article or by other
ordinances and resolutions of the Township. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
official traffic signs, Township signs and governmental signs may
be permitted within the street right-of-way or closer than 10 feet.
C.
No sign which includes strings of light bulbs, balloons or forced-air
type activation, is animated, revolves, swings, has movable parts,
flashing lights, or reflectors, or is portable by not being permanently
affixed to a building, structure, or the ground (such as signs designed
to be moved from place to place) shall be permitted after the effective
date of this section. The prohibition of portable signs shall not
apply to temporary signs otherwise permitted by this article.
D.
No sign which emits smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or
odor shall be permitted.
E.
No sign shall project over a public sidewalk.
F.
Wall signs shall not project more than 12 inches from the face of the building. Business or related wall signs shall comply with the provisions of § 250-53C.
G.
Each sign shall be maintained in good condition and repair.
H.
No sign shall constitute a hazard to health, safety or welfare.
I.
All new signs in the commercial or nonresidential districts shall
be included as part of the application for subdivision or land development
or new commercial construction or alteration permits. All new signs
for residential developments shall be included as part of the application
for subdivision or land development or new residential construction
or alteration permits.
K.
All signs must be constructed and maintained in accordance with Township Building Codes (see Chapter 53).
L.
No sign shall be attached to utility poles. No signs shall be attached to fence posts, trees, rocks or similar structures or objects or other existing signs with the exception of those signs described in § 250-52H.
M.
Off-premises signs, other than those specifically permitted herein,
shall not be built or erected within the Township.
N.
No sign shall be obscene or include lewd language.
O.
Any sign erected in violation of this section shall be removed immediately upon proper notification by the Township upon the person who has violated the provisions of this section. Failure to remove the sign after such notice shall be considered a violation of this section and shall be subject to the provisions of Article XIV. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Township may cause any sign or related structure deemed to be an immediate threat to public health, safety or welfare to be removed immediately without notice.
P.
In the event a conflict arises between the provisions of this article
and other ordinance sections regarding signs, including, but not limited
to, sign type and display area, the most restrictive shall control.
[Amended 12-21-2009 by Ord. No. 3-2009]
The following types of signs, and no others, shall be permitted
in residential districts:
A.
Official traffic signs, Pocopson Township signs and other governmental
signs.
B.
Owner identification signs showing name of owner or property identification,
provided that:
C.
Professional or accessory use signs indicating the name, profession
or activity of the occupant of a dwelling, provided that:
(1)
The profession or accessory use is permitted by the zoning code for
that district and any necessary approvals for the use have been obtained.
(2)
One sign shall be permitted.
(3)
Maximum sign display area shall be four square feet.
(4)
The sign may contain any combination of name, use or profession.
(5)
Lighting shall not be permitted.
(6)
Maximum sign height shall be 4 1/2 feet from the average finished
surrounding grade to the top.
D.
Identification signs for farms, schools, churches, hospitals and similar permitted uses other than signs provided for in Subsections B and C, provided that:
(1)
No more than one sign may be placed on premises held in single and
separate ownership, unless such premises front on more than one street,
in which case one sign may be erected on each street frontage, with
the total sign display area of all signs not to exceed the sign display
area permitted for a single sign.
(4)
The Board of Supervisors may approve illumination of such signs,
provided that such sign may be illuminated only by concealed or indirect
light attached to the sign itself or mounted on the ground; the applicant
can demonstrate that such light shall not be hazardous to vehicles
on public roads, and that such illumination does not cause skyglow
or light trespass.
[Amended 11-19-2012 by Ord. No. 4-2012]
E.
Temporary real estate signs and contractor, artisan, and construction
site delivery signs.
(1)
Temporary on-site signs advertising a development, provided that:
(a)
Maximum sign display area shall be 20 square feet.
(b)
Maximum sign height shall be seven feet from the average finished
surrounding grade to the top.
(c)
A maximum of two such signs shall be erected for any property
held in single and separate ownership.
(d)
No such sign shall be illuminated.
(e)
Such sign shall be located on the property which it advertises.
(f)
Temporary real estate signs are allowed for a period of 18 months
and may be renewed for a fee for one additional eighteen-month period,
provided such signs are kept in good condition.
(g)
Banners and flags may be used on a temporary basis to advertise special events or openings for a period not to exceed 30 calendar days in accordance with § 250-52L.
(h)
Such signs shall be removed from the premises within five calendar
days of final settlement on the last portion of the development or
removal from the market.
(2)
A sign advertising the sale or rental of a house, provided that:
(a)
No more than one sign may be placed on the premises, unless
such premises fronts on more than one street, in which case one sign
may be erected on each street frontage.
(b)
Maximum sign display area shall be nine square feet.
(c)
Maximum sign height shall be six feet from the average finished
surrounding grade to the top.
(d)
No such sign shall be illuminated.
(e)
Such sign shall be on the property which it is advertising.
(f)
Such sign shall be removed upon settlement or removal of the
property from the market.
(g)
No directional signs shall be permitted.
(h)
No flags or banners shall be permitted.
(3)
Temporary signs indicating the location or direction of the premises
in the process of development may be erected off of the property,
provided that:
(a)
The sign display area of any such sign shall not exceed three
square feet.
(b)
The sign height shall not exceed three feet from the average
finished surrounding grade to the top.
(c)
No more than two such signs may be erected in the Township for
each development.
(d)
No such sign shall be illuminated.
(e)
No such sign shall be erected without notarized written permission
of the landowner on whose property the sign is to be located.
(f)
All such signs shall be removed within five calendar days of
final settlement on the last portion of the development or removal
of the property from the market.
(g)
A portion or all of the development shall be within the boundaries
of the Township.
(4)
Contractor or artisan signs, provided that:
(a)
The sign display area of each signs shall not exceed three square
feet.
(b)
Sign height shall not exceed 4 1/2 feet from the average
finished surrounding grade to the top.
(c)
Only one sign shall be permitted per contractor or artisan and
no more than three shall be permitted in total.
(d)
The sign shall not be illuminated.
(e)
The sign shall only be erected on the property on which the
work is being performed.
(f)
The sign shall be removed upon completion of the work.
(5)
Construction site delivery signs, provided that:
(a)
The sign display area of each sign shall not exceed three square
feet.
(b)
The sign height shall not exceed three feet from the average
finished surrounding grade to the top.
(c)
The sign shall not be illuminated.
(d)
A maximum of two signs shall be permitted.
(e)
Signs may be located off-site only with notarized written permission
of the property owner of the property on which the signs are located.
(f)
All signs shall be removed upon completion of the work.
F.
Temporary signs for agricultural products, provided that:
(1)
The sign display area shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(2)
The sign height shall not exceed six feet from the average finished
surrounding grade to the top.
(3)
The sign shall not be illuminated.
(4)
Only one sign shall be permitted.
(5)
The sign shall only advertise seasonal agricultural products which
are grown on the premises or adjacent lands.
(6)
The sign shall be removed at the end of the season.
G.
A permanent sign identifying a residential development, provided
that:
(1)
Maximum aggregate sign display area shall be 12 square feet for each
entrance.
(2)
Maximum sign height shall be no greater than seven feet from the
average finished surrounding grade to the top.
(3)
A maximum of two signs per entrance into the development from a Township
or a state road shall be permitted.
(4)
No internal illumination shall be permitted; however, the sign may
be illuminated by concealed or indirect lighting mounted on the ground
providing that such illumination does not cause skyglow or light trespass.
(5)
Appropriate landscaping around the sign shall be required and approved
by the Board of Supervisors.
(6)
The sign display area may be increased to a size up to 50% greater
than that otherwise allowed herein, provided that the Board of Supervisors
determines that such increase in the allowed size is in harmony with
the surrounding neighborhood with regard to design, color and location.
[Amended 11-19-2012 by Ord. No. 4-2012]
(7)
A permanent sign identifying a residential development shall be approved
through the subdivision and land development process.
H.
Warning signs, including, but not limited to, no trespassing, no
hunting, no fishing, or signs of a similar nature; private road, driveway
or premises signs; and signs advising that a property is subject to
a conservation easement, provided that:
I.
Political candidate, referendum and similar signs for an upcoming
election, provided that:
(1)
Political candidate, referendum and similar signs for an upcoming
election may not be placed more than 30 calendar days prior to an
election and shall be removed within seven calendar days after the
election.
[Amended 11-19-2012 by Ord. No. 4-2012]
(2)
The sign display area for all such signs shall not exceed four square
feet.
(3)
The sign height for all such signs shall not exceed 4 1/2 feet
from the average finished surrounding grade to the top.
(4)
Political candidate, referendum and similar signs for an upcoming
election shall only be displayed on private property, provided that
the property owner has consented to the display.
[Added 11-19-2012 by Ord.
No. 4-2012]
J.
Signs that express philosophical opinions on private property, provided
that:
K.
Nonconforming signs, provided that:
(1)
Any sign legally existing at the time of the passage of this section
that does not conform to this article and the regulations of the district
in which it is located shall be considered to be a nonconforming sign.
(2)
A nonconforming sign may continue to be used in its existing location,
provided that it is maintained in good condition and repair at all
times.
(3)
Nonconforming signs, once removed, may be replaced only with conforming
signs.
(4)
Nonconforming signs may be repainted or repaired provided that such
repaired sign does not exceed the dimensions of the existing sign.
L.
An advertising flag, banner, pennant, or display constructed of cloth,
canvas, wallboard or other like materials may be allowed by the Zoning
Officer for a period of not more than 30 calendar days in any one
calendar year, provided that:
[Amended 11-19-2012 by Ord. No. 4-2012]
(1)
No such display shall be placed in a position that it will cause
a danger to traffic on a street by obstructing the view.
(2)
No such display shall be permitted within the right-of-way lines
of any public street, nor be closer to a curb than 10 feet.
(3)
No such display shall be illuminated.
(4)
Maximum total area of a display shall be 15 square feet.
(5)
Maximum height of a display shall be seven feet from the average
finished surrounding grade to the top.
M.
Temporary signs for governmental, historic, and nonprofit organizations,
provided that:
(1)
A sign shall be permitted to be posted 21 calendar days prior to
an advertised event and shall be removed within five calendar days
of the conclusion of the event. In no case shall a sign be posted
more than 30 calendar days.
(2)
Sign display area shall be no larger than 10 square feet in total
area.
(3)
The sign height shall not exceed 4 1/2 feet from the average
finished surrounding grade to the top.
(4)
No such sign shall be illuminated.
[Amended 11-28-2005 by Ord. No. 3-2005; 12-21-2009 by Ord. No.
3-2009]
The following types of signs, and no others, shall be permitted
in commercial and nonresidential districts:
B.
Commercial and nonresidential temporary real estate signs advertising
the sale or rental of premises, provided that:
(1)
The sign display area of each sign shall not exceed 16 square feet.
(2)
The sign height shall not exceed eight feet from the average finished
surrounding grade to the top.
(3)
A maximum of one such sign shall be erected for any property.
(4)
No such sign shall be illuminated.
(5)
The sign shall be located on the property which it advertises.
(6)
Such sign shall be removed within five calendar days of settlement
or removal of the property from the market.
C.
Signs denoting the type or name of a business or related signs, as
follows:
(1)
Wall signs placed or painted on a building, provided that:
(2)
Freestanding signs, provided that:
(a)
The total aggregate sign display area shall not exceed 60 square
feet.
(b)
The aggregate sign display area shall be in addition to sign display area permitted in § 250-53C(1).
(c)
The maximum sign height shall not exceed eight feet from the
average finished surrounding grade to the top.
(3)
Window signs, provided that:
(a)
Signs may be placed inside the window areas of buildings, but
shall not exceed 25% of the area of the window.
(b)
Temporary notices of time-bound events (specific sales, community
festivals, etc.) shall be exempt from these window sign standards,
provided such temporary notices shall be displayed for a period not
to exceed seven calendar days.
(4)
All signs shall be located only on the property containing the use
to which the sign refers.
(5)
Illumination of business signs in commercial and nonresidential districts
may be permitted as long as such light shall not be hazardous to vehicles.
D.
Billboards, provided that:
(1)
Billboards shall only be permitted in the Limited Industrial District.
(2)
Billboards shall require conditional use approval.
(3)
Billboards shall not be erected along scenic by-ways or roadways
nor shall they be visible from scenic by-ways or roadways.
(4)
The sign height shall not exceed 35 feet from the average finished
grade to the top.
(5)
The sign display area shall not exceed 300 square feet.
(6)
No internal illumination shall be permitted; however, the sign may
be illuminated by concealed or indirect lighting mounted below the
sign providing that such illumination does not cause skyglow or light
trespass.
[Amended 12-21-2009 by Ord. No. 3-2009]
A.
Application for sign permits shall be made in writing on the Township
form and shall be accompanied by the following:
(1)
A drawing to scale showing all details as to height, structure, lighting,
if any, landscaping of the sign site (if required), location on the
property, distances from street lines or sidewalks, and any existing
signs.
(2)
Permit fees that shall be established by resolution of the Board
of Supervisors.
B.
The Board of Supervisors shall establish, by resolution, a permit
fee schedule.
C.
The Township Code Enforcement Officer shall review all permits within
15 business days of the date of the application, and render a decision
on the permit in writing to the applicant within that time period.
When a permit requires additional approvals from the Zoning Hearing
Board or the Board of Supervisors, the Township Code Enforcement Officer
shall render a decision on the permit within 45 calendar days after
the decision of the appropriate Board and after resubmission of the
application.
D.
The Building Inspector shall inspect all signs after installation
and shall issue a certificate of compliance only after such sign has
met all of the requirements of this chapter.
[Added 11-19-2012 by Ord.
No. 4-2012]
A.
Unsafe or unlawful signs. Upon written notice by the Township, the
owner, person or firm maintaining a sign must remove said sign within
30 days of receiving written notice if the following conditions occur:
(1)
The sign becomes unsafe, is in danger of falling or it becomes
deteriorated such that it no longer serves a useful purpose of communication.
(2)
The Township determines that such sign constitutes a nuisance
or creates a hazard to the public.
(3)
The sign was erected in violation of any of the provision of
this article.
(4)
The sign is an abandoned sign.
B.
The Township may remove or cause to be removed any signs which are
deemed unsafe, unlawful or abandoned at the expense of the owner or
lessee if the owner or lessee of the premises where the sign is erected
has not complied with the terms of said notice within 30 days of the
date of the notice. However, in the event of immediate danger, the
Township may remove said sign immediately upon the issuance of said
notice to the owner, person or firm maintaining said sign.
