Borough of Littlestown, PA Article VI Special Controls

§ 500-18 Sign regulations.

[Amended 5-27-1997 by Ord. No. 488]

A. Statement of legislative intent. In expansion of the community development objectives in § 500-1C of this chapter, it is hereby declared to be the intent of this section to place reasonable standards on the erection and maintenance of signs within the Borough of Littlestown. Furthermore, it is the intent of this section to:

(1) Maintain and enhance the aesthetic qualities of the historic, mixed-use core of Littlestown by encouraging signs to be designed of sizes, shapes, colors, and styles complementary to the historic character of Littlestown.

(2) Allow signs in all zoning districts that balance the needs of individual property owners with the desire of the community to perpetuate an attractive, livable environment.

(3) Maintain adequate traffic safety standards by minimizing the negative sensory impacts of excessive signage as well as minimizing signage conflicts with necessary traffic control signs and equipment.

(4) Encourage signage that will meet the needs of pedestrians and occupants of moving vehicles traveling at speeds of 20 to 30 miles per hour.

B. General regulations. The following regulations shall govern signs in all districts.

(1) Administration.

(a) Permit required. No sign shall be erected, enlarged, or relocated until a permit for doing so has been issued by the Zoning Officer. Applications shall be on forms provided by the Borough. All applications shall include a scale drawing specifying dimensions, materials, illumination, letter sizes, colors, location on land or buildings, and all other relevant information.

(b) Sign permit application. Application for a sign permit shall be made to the Zoning Officer, and shall include the following information:

[1] Name, address and telephone number of applicant.

[2] Location of building, structure, or lot to which or upon which the sign is to be attached or located.

[3] Position of sign in relation to nearby buildings or structures.

[4] Name of the person, firm, corporation, or associations erecting the sign.

[5] Written consent of the owner of the building, structure, or land to which, or on which the sign is to be located.

[6] Such other information as the Zoning Officer shall require to show full compliance with this and all other codes and ordinances of the Borough of Littlestown.

(c) Issuance of permit. The Zoning Officer shall examine the application and accompanying information and the premises upon which the sign is to be erected, and if it shall appear that the proposed sign is in compliance with all the requirements of this chapter, and any other applicable ordinance, the Zoning Officer shall then issue a permit. Such permit shall be valid for a period of six months, and all work for which the permit has been issued shall be completed within that period of time. If work has not been commenced or been completed within the six-month period, the applicant shall apply for another permit, as if no permit had been issued.

(d) Permit fee. The Borough Council of The Borough of Littlestown shall establish an application few for sign permits by resolution. Said fee is initially herewith established at $10.

(e) Revocation of permit. The Zoning Officer is hereby authorized and empowered to revoke any sign permit issued upon failure of the applicant to comply with any provision of this chapter.

(f) Unsafe and unlawful signs. If the Zoning Officer shall find that any sign, or part thereof, is unsafe, insecure, a menace to the public, not in good condition or repair, or has been constructed or located in violation of the provisions of this chapter, the Zoning Officer shall notify the applicant thereof to comply with the provisions of this chapter within 15 days of receipt of notice. Upon failure of the applicant to comply with such notice within the prescribed period, the Zoning Officer is hereby authorized to remove, or to take whatever action is necessary to bring the sign into compliance with this chapter, and to collect the cost of such removal or corrective action from the applicant in a manner prescribed by law.

[1] The Zoning Officer shall refuse to issue any sign permit to any applicant who refuses to pay any costs so assessed.

[2] The Zoning Officer or Code Enforcement Officer may cause any sign, or part thereof, which is an immediate danger to persons or property, to be removed summarily and without notice.

(g) Removal of certain signs. Any sign which no longer advertises an existing business or product sold on the premises, shall be removed by the owner of the sign or premises upon which such sign is located. The Zoning Officer, upon determining that all business operations have ceased, and noting that a sign exists, shall notify the owner of the premises in writing to remove said sign within 30 days after the date of such notice. Upon failure of the owner of the premises to comply with such notice within the prescribed period, the Zoning Officer is hereby authorized to remove or cause the removal of such sign, and to collect the cost of such removal, in the manner prescribed by law.

(2) The following types of signs are exempted from the requirements of Subsection B(1), provided the sign meets all other applicable sections of this section.

(a) Official street and traffic signs and any other signs required by law.

(b) No-trespassing signs, signs indicating private ownership of roads and/or property, and similar signs, provided that such signs are spaced at intervals of no less than 100 feet and do not exceed two square feet in area.

(c) Temporary, unlighted real estate signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which they are erected, provided that the maximum area on any side of the sign shall not exceed six square feet, that the total area of the sign shall not exceed 12 square feet, that not more than two signs are placed on a property under single ownership, and that such signs are removed not more than five business days following the sale or rental of the premises.

(d) Temporary, unlighted signs of contractors, painters, or similar artisans, erected on the premises where the work is being performed, provided that the maximum area of any one side of the sign shall not exceed eight square feet, that the total area of the sign shall not exceed 16 square feet, that not more than one such sign shall be erected on any property under single ownership, and that the sign shall be removed within one day of completion of the work.

(e) Temporary, unlighted signs of developers, erected on the premises being developed, provided that the maximum area of any one sign shall not exceed 32 square feet, that the total area of the sign shall not exceed 64 square feet, that no more than one sign shall be erected along any street or highway bordering the development.

(f) Temporary, unlighted yard or garage sale signs, provided that such signs shall not be displayed for more than 48 hours of each calendar month, that the total are of such signs shall not exceed four square feet, and that not more than two signs shall be displayed for any sales event. No such sign shall be attached to any utility pole or street sign.

(g) Political signs; provided, however that political signs shall be subject to the following requirements:

[Amended 7-22-2008 by Ord. No. 625]

[1] Any political sign shall not exceed the maximum size limitation for signs of any other nature specified in the present chapter within the zoning district within which the political sign is located; provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing, that, regardless of the size limitations for other signs within the particular zoning district, political signs of up to 18 square feet shall be allowed;

[2] All political signs shall be placed or posted no closer than five feet back from any sidewalk or public street or road right-of-way line, whichever is closer to the property line of the property on which the political sign is placed or posted; and

[3] No political sign shall be placed or posted in any manner or at any location which constitutes a danger to the public health, safety and welfare, particularly with regard to traffic and pedestrian safety [see, for example: § 500-18, Subsections B(4), (5) and (6) and C; and § 500-19A].

(h) Freestanding signs designating the "entrances" and "exits" to commercial and industrial establishments, provided that the signs be illuminated only by indirect lighting and that each side of the sign shall not exceed four square feet unless otherwise regulated by this chapter, and that the total area of the signs shall not exceed eight square feet unless otherwise regulated by this chapter.

(i) Signs displaying the name and street number of the occupant of a residence, provided that the total area of the sign shall not exceed two square feet.

(j) Temporary, unlighted signs advertising the opening of a new business, provided that the maximum area of any one side of the sign shall not exceed 25 square feet, that the total area of the sign shall not exceed 50 square feet, that no more than one sign advertising the opening of a new business be displayed, and that the sign shall be displayed for a period not to exceed three months.

(k) Temporary, unlighted signs advertising a special event being sponsored by a recreational, civic, religious, charitable, or similar organization, provided that such signs shall not be displayed more than 14 days prior to the event and that such signs shall be removed no more than three days following the end of the event.

[Added 3-27-2001 by Ord. No. 541]

(3) Off-premises directional signs are permitted in all districts by conditional use. The Borough Council may authorize the use of an off-premises directional sign if it conforms, at a minimum, to the stated standards and criteria. The Borough Council may apply additional standards to specific projects where relevant, to protect the historic and architectural integrity of the Borough of Littlestown, and in the interests of public health, safety, and welfare.

(a) The maximum area of any one side of a sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.

(b) The total area of the sign shall not exceed 40 square feet.

(c) The maximum height of the sign shall not exceed 10 feet.

(d) Within the Town Center Mixed-Use (TCMU) and Town Center Residential (TCR) Districts, the sign shall only be illuminated by shielded lighting. To meet the requirements of this section, the light source shall be hidden from vehicular and/or pedestrian view by a vegetative screen or a fixture surrounding the light source which directs the light to the sign face.

(e) If three or more off-premises directional signs are proposed on the same property, the Borough may require the consolidation of the individual signs on a single off-premises directional sign. Compatibly designed business logos will be required. In addition, the following size requirements shall be required:

[1] The maximum area of one side of a consolidated off-premises directional sign shall not exceed six square feet for each advertised use.

[2] The total area of a consolidated off-premises directional sign shall not exceed 12 square feet for each advertised use.

(f) An electronic message center, meeting the requirements of § 500-18B(11), may be incorporated as a component of an off-premises directional sign. The electronic message center component of an off-premises directional sign shall be exempt from the illumination requirements of § 500-18B(3)(d).

[Added 4-26-2016 by Ord. No. 678]

(g) Operation of the electronic message center component of an off-premises directional sign shall be limited to the hours from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

[Added 4-26-2016 by Ord. No. 678]

(4) No sign shall be permitted that replicates or resembles a traffic signal or a traffic control sign.

[Amended 7-22-2008 by Ord. No. 625]

(5) No sign shall be located so as to interfere with the clear sight distance regulations of Chapter 415, Subdivision and Land Development.

(6) Signs may be illuminated, unless otherwise prohibited herein, only to the extent necessary to be seen and read at night at a distance not to exceed 250 feet for signs of 10 square feet or more in area, and at a distance not to exceed 125 feet for signs of less than 10 square feet in area.

(7) Calculation of area of signs. The following standards shall be used to calculate sign area and sign height:

[Added 3-27-2001 by Ord. No. 541]

(a) Computation of area of individual signs. The area of a sign with only one side shall be computed by encompassing the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, with the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof. The area of the sign shall be calculated by calculating the size of the geometric forms referenced above.

(b) Computation of area of signs with more than one side: the area of a sign with more than one side shall be computed by following the procedure prescribed in Subsection B(7)(a) above for each side of the sign.

(c) Computation of sign height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall be the lower of:

[1] The existing grade prior to construction; or

[2] The newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign.

(8) Window signs. Window signs may be used for nonresidential uses located within the Town Center Mixed-Use (TCMU), the Highway Oriented Commercial (C-3), and Commercial-Employment (C-E) Districts, provided that the following standards are met:

[Added 3-27-2001 by Ord. No. 541]

(a) Window signs shall cover no more than 50% of the total window area on any side of a structure facing a public street.

(b) No limit on the number of window signs shall established, provided that the sign area requirement of Subsection B(8)(a) above is maintained.

(c) An electronic message center sign may be permitted to be installed as a part of the overall window sign allocation for a use, provided the following standards are met:

[Added 4-26-2016 by Ord. No. 678[1]]

[1] The electronic message center window sign shall comply with the provisions of § 500-18B(11).

[2] The maximum area of any electronic message center window sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.

[3] Operation for electronic message center window signs shall be limited to the hours from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

[1] Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the redesignation of former Subsection B(8)(c) as Subsection B(8)(d).

(d) A sign permit (which shall be exempt from the otherwise applicable sign permit fee) shall be issued by the Zoning Officer prior to the use of window signs on a property. The permit shall establish the total window area of each side of a structure facing a public street, and the total window sign area permitted based on the total window area for each side of the structure. A sign permit for each individual window sign shall not be required, provided that compliance with the requirements of Subsection B(8). is maintained.

(9) Institutional signs. Signs for schools, colleges, churches, hospitals, municipal uses, emergency services uses, or other institutions of a similar public or semipublic nature may be erected in any zoning district, provided that the following standards are met:

[Added 1-28-2003 by Ord. No. 559]

(a) The maximum area of any one side of the sign shall not exceed 32 square feet.

(b) The maximum area of all sides of the sign shall not exceed 64 square feet.

(c) Not more than two such signs shall be erected on a property, unless such property fronts on more than one street, in which event two signs may be erected on each frontage. When two signs are proposed, one sign must be a wall sign, and one sign shall be a freestanding sign.

(d) The sign may only be illuminated by an indirect light source. Such light source shall be hidden from vehicular view by a vegetative screen or a fixture surrounding the light source which directs the light to the external sign face. In no case shall indirect lighting be permitted that either directly or indirectly produces a glare noticeable from any adjoining residential properties or from any adjoining street.

(10) Community welcome sign. Signs erected by municipal, civic or community organizations, and designed to welcome visitors to the Littlestown Community and notify the public of community events, may be erected in any zoning district, provided that the following standards are met:

[Added 1-28-2003 by Ord. No. 559]

(a) The maximum area of any one side of the sign shall not exceed 50 square feet.

(b) The maximum area of all sides of the sign shall not exceed 100 square feet.

(c) Any community welcome sign shall be separated from all other community welcome signs by a distance of no less than 1,000 feet.

(d) The sign may only be illuminated by an indirect light source. Such light source which directs the light to the external sign face. In no case shall indirect lighting be permitted that either directly or indirectly produces a glare noticeable from any adjoining residential properties or from any adjoining street.

(e) All applications for community welcome signs shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission, who shall provide a recommendation regarding approval or disapproval to the Zoning Officer.

(11) Electronic message centers, provided such sign is authorized within the zoning district where the sign is proposed, and in accordance with the following standards:

[Added 4-26-2016 by Ord. No. 678]

(a) A maximum of one two-sided Electronic Message Center, regardless of the type or location of said sign, shall be permitted for any principal use of property.

(b) No Electronic Message Center sign shall be located closer than 50 feet to any property in the R-1, R-2, R-3, and TCR Districts. Residential properties or zoning districts on the opposite side of a street from the property where an Electronic Message Center sign is proposed shall not be considered to be adjoining properties or zoning districts.

(c) Any text message displayed on the sign shall have a minimum hold time of eight seconds. No image or message involving blinking, flashing, scrolling, rotating, change in illumination intensity, or any other graphic effect shall be authorized. The display shall be static.

(d) The transition time from one text message to another shall be one second or less. No animated transitions involving blinking, flashing, scrolling, rotating, or change in illumination intensity shall be permitted. Transitions using dissolves or fades shall be authorized.

(e) All Electronic Message Centers shall be constructed as an integral part of a permitted permanent sign constructed on the site. The inclusion of an Electronic Message Center as a component of a nonconforming sign is prohibited.

(f) The portion of an Electric Message Center devoted to the changeable message display shall not exceed 50% of the total sign area of the permitted sign of which the Electronic Message Center is a part. Portable Electronic Message Center signs shall not be authorized.

(g) The Electronic Message Center shall be equipped with a default mechanism that will freeze the message when a malfunction in the electronic programming occurs.

(h) Each text message displayed by an Electronic Message Center shall be a complete text message. No messages that scroll or continue from one frame to another shall be permitted.

(i) Electronic Message Centers shall not exceed a maximum illumination of 5,000 nits (candelas per square meter) during daylight hours and a maximum of 500 nits (candelas per square meter) between dusk and dawn. The sign shall be equipped with an automatic dimmer control that produces a distinct illumination change from the higher allowed illumination level to the lower allowed illumination level for the time period between a half hour before sunset and a half hour before sunrise.

(j) Audio speakers on Electronic Message Centers are prohibited.

(k) All Electronic Message Center signs shall be made available for public emergency notifications upon request of the Littlestown Borough Police Chief, the Alpha Fire Company Chief, the Littlestown Borough Emergency Management Coordinator, or similar emergency management official.

C. Prohibited signs. The following types of signs and/or sign design features are prohibited in all districts.

(1) Flashing signs and/or flashing and/or rotating lights.

(2) Revolving, rotating, or otherwise moving signs.

(3) Animated signs.

(4) [2]Portable signs, with the following exceptions:

[Amended 3-27-2001 by Ord. No. 541; 1-28-2003 by Ord. No. 559; 11-25-2003 by Ord. No. 566; 7-22-2008 by Ord. No. 625]

(a) Temporary signs, as regulated by Subsection B(2)(c) through (g) and Subsection B(2)(j) and (k) herein.

(b) Sandwich board signs, as regulated by Subsection F(3) herein.

(c) Temporary banners, as regulated by Subsection E(3) herein.

(d) Political signs, as regulated by Subsection B(2)(g) herein.

[2] Editor’s Note: Former Subsection C(4), regarding changeable copy signs, was repealed 4-26-2016 by Ord. No. 678. This ordinance also provided for the renumbering of former Subsection C(5) as Subsection C(4), and, pursuant to this ordinance, former Subsection C(6) was renumbered as Subsection C(5).

(5) Signs with pornographic or obscene content. Signs shall be prohibited where the content of such sign is consistent with either the definition of the term "pornography," or the term "obscenities," as established in Chapter 329, Pornography and Obscenity, or its successor.

[Added 5-27-2003 by Ord. No. 562]

D. Signs permitted within residential districts. Within the Low-Density (R-1), Medium-Density (R-2), High-Density (R-3), and Town Center Residential (TCR) Districts, the following sign regulations shall apply:

[Amended 9-27-2005 by Ord. No. 598]

(1) Signs advertising a home occupation are permitted, provided that the following requirements are met.

(a) The maximum area of any one side of the sign shall not exceed four square feet.

(b) The total area of the sign shall not exceed eight square feet.

(c) The sign shall only be illuminated by shielding light. To meet the requirements of this section, the light source shall be hidden from vehicular and/or pedestrian view by a vegetative screen or a fixture surrounding the light source which directs the light to the sign face. In no case shall lighting be permitted that either directly or indirectly produces glare affecting neighboring residential properties.

(d) The maximum height of the sign shall not exceed six feet, unless a wall sign or projecting sign is used.

(2) Signs identifying the name and entrances of a residential development are permitted, provided that the following requirements are met.

(a) One freestanding sign may be located at the main entrance to the residential development. Such sign shall not exceed 25 square feet in total area or six feet in height.

(b) One freestanding sign may be located at each secondary entrance to the residential development. Such sign shall not exceed six square feet in area or five feet in height.

(c) All signs associated with a residential development shall be located in a landscaped setting. Acceptable landscaping materials include grass, mulch, shrubs, and trees. A landscaping sketch shall accompany the sign permit application.

(d) Signs may only be illuminated by shielding light. To meet the requirements of this section, the light source shall be hidden from vehicular and/or pedestrian view by a vegetative screen or a fixture surrounding the light source which directs the light to the sign face. In no case shall lighting be permitted that either directly or indirectly produces glare affecting neighboring residential properties.

(3) Signs advertising a preexisting nonconforming use are permitted, provided the following requirements are met:

(a) Signs shall comply with the requirements of Subsection F(1).

(b) Where the preexisting nonconforming use is located at the intersection of two streets, additional signs may be permitted in accordance with Subsection F(2).

(4) Signs exempted under the provisions of Subsection B(2) are permitted in this zoning district.

[Added 7-22-2008 by Ord. No. 625]

E. Signs permitted within commercial districts. Within the Highway-Oriented Commercial (C-3) and Commercial/Employment (C/E) Districts, the following sign regulations shall apply:

[Amended 3-27-2001 by Ord. No. 541]

(1) Up to two signs, not including window signs as may be permitted by Subsection B(8) of this chapter, or temporary banners, as may be permitted by Subsection E(3) of this chapter, shall be permitted on the same lot as a single business to which the signs refer, provided that the following requirements are met:

[Amended 11-25-2003 by Ord. No. 567]

(a) When two signs are proposed, one sign shall be a freestanding sign and the second sign shall either be a wall sign or a canopy sign.

(b) The maximum area of any one side of a freestanding sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.

(c) The total area of all sides of a freestanding sign shall not exceed 40 square feet.

(d) The maximum height of any freestanding sign shall not exceed 25 feet.

(e) Any freestanding sign shall be located in a landscaped setting. Landscaping materials shall include grass, mulch, and shrubs. A landscaping sketch shall accompany the sign permit application.

(f) The maximum area of a wall sign or canopy sign shall be calculated as one square foot of sign area per two linear feet of building.

(g) The maximum area of a wall sign may be increased by 25% of the maximum area as determined by Subsection E(1)(f) above, provided that the building wall is located at least 200 feet from the road right-of-way line most closely parallel to the building wall. In no event, however, shall the maximum area of a wall sign exceed 100 square feet.

(2) Signs within a shopping center shall meet the following requirements.

(a) A freestanding sign may be erected to identify the name and entrance to the shopping center, provided that the following requirements are met:

[1] The maximum area of any one side of the freestanding sign shall not exceed 75 square feet.

[2] The maximum area of all sides of the freestanding sign shall not exceed 150 square feet.

[3] The freestanding sign shall be located within 20 feet of the adjoining road right-of-way.

[4] The sign shall be incorporated into the landscaping required by § 500-22D of this chapter.

[5] The maximum height of the freestanding sign shall be 25 feet.

(b) A single wall sign or canopy sign may be erected for each individual establishment located within the shopping center, provided that the following requirements are met:

[1] The maximum area of a wall sign or canopy sign shall be calculated as one square foot of sign area per two linear feet of the main storefront of each individual establishment.

[2] The maximum area of a wall sign may be increased by 25% of the maximum area as determined by Subsection E(2)(b)[1] above, provided that the building wall is located at least 200 feet from the road right-of-way line most closely parallel to the building wall. In no event, however, shall the maximum area of a wall sign exceed 100 square feet.

[3] The anchor store or tenant within a shopping center, should such a store or tenant exist, shall be permitted up to two additional accessory wall signs, provided that the area of each accessory wall sign constitutes no more than 25% of the sign area of the primary wall sign ordinarily permitted for the anchor store or tenant. In no event, however, shall the total sign area for all anchor store or tenant signs exceed 150 square feet.

(c) Window signs shall be permitted in accordance with Subsection B(8).

(3) Temporary banners may be used for nonresidential uses located in the Highway Commercial (C-3) and Commercial/Employment (C/E) Districts, provided that the following standards are met:

[Added 11-25-2003 by Ord. No. 567]

(a) No more than two temporary banners shall be permitted at any one time.

(b) All temporary banners shall be affixed to a permanent wall or other permanent fixtures on the site of the nonresidential use.

(c) The maximum combined sign area of all temporary banners shall be no more than 25% of the maximum area of the wall sign for the nonresidential use, as authorized by Subsection E(1)(f) and (g).

(d) Temporary banners shall be displayed for no more than 14 days during any calendar-month period.

(e) A sign permit shall be issued by the Zoning Officer prior to the use of temporary banners on any nonresidential property or use in the C-3 or C-E districts. The permit shall establish the total temporary banner sign area permitted for the property or use. A sign permit for each individual banner sign shall not be required, provided that compliance with the requirements of this Subsection E(3) is maintained.

(f) Once a sign permit is issued for a specific property or use, the applicant shall notify the Zoning Officer as to when temporary banners are to be displayed, and when such banners will be removed. Failure to comply with this notification requirement, or to remove such temporary banners on or before the day indicated, shall result in the revocation of the sign permit authorizing the use of such temporary banners. If the sign permit is revoked, no sign permit authorizing the use of temporary banners for the property or use in question shall be issued for a period of one year from the date of revocation.

(4) Signs exempted under the provisions of Subsection B(2) are permitted in this zoning district.

[Added 7-22-2008 by Ord. No. 625]

(5) Electronic message centers, in accordance with § 500-18B(11).

[Added 4-26-2016 by Ord. No. 678]

F. Signs permitted within the Town Center Mixed-Use District. Within the TCMU District, the following sign regulations shall apply:

[Amended 3-27-2001 by Ord. No. 541]

(1) A maximum of two signs, not including window signs as may be permitted by Subsection B(8) or sandwich board signs as may be permitted by Subsection F(3), shall be permitted for each nonresidential use of a structure. When two signs are used, one sign shall be either a wall sign or canopy sign, and one sign shall be either a freestanding or projecting sign. Where a structure contains three or more nonresidential uses, a maximum of two signs shall be used to identify all nonresidential uses of a structure. In addition, the following requirements shall be met:

(a) The maximum area of any one side of a freestanding sign shall not exceed 12 square feet. The maximum area of any one side of a projecting sign shall not exceed 16 square feet.

(b) The total area of all sides of a freestanding sign shall not exceed 24 square feet. The total area of all sides of a projecting sign shall not exceed 32 square feet.

(c) The total area of a wall sign or a canopy sign shall not exceed 12 square feet.

(d) Projecting signs above public sidewalks, driveways, or walkways shall be located so as to provide for eight feet of clearance beneath the sign. Such projecting signs shall not exceed 12 feet in height measured from the ground to top of the sign.

(e) All signs shall be constructed of a durable material, and designed in such a way to complement the historic village character of the Borough of Littlestown.

(f) All signs shall be visually compatible, in terms of color, with the front facade of the structure to which the sign is attached. Dark backgrounds with light-colored lettering and/or designs are preferred.

(g) Internally lit signs may be proposed, provided that such internally lit signs do not produce a glare noticeable from any adjoining residential property or from any adjoining street.

(h) If an indirect light source is proposed, the light source shall be hidden from vehicular view by a vegetative screen or a fixture surrounding the light source which directs the light to the sign face. In no case shall indirect lighting be permitted that either directly or indirectly produces a glare noticeable from any adjoining residential properties or from any adjoining street.

(2) Where the structure is located at the intersection of two public streets, the Zoning Officer may authorize one wall sign and one projecting or freestanding sign along each side of the structure facing a public street, provided that all signs meet the regulations of Subsection F(1).

(3) In addition to the signs permitted by Subsection F(1) and (2) above, each nonresidential use shall be permitted to use one sandwich board sign along each public street upon which the nonresidential use fronts, provided that the following standards are met:

(a) The maximum area of any one side of a sandwich board sign shall not exceed 16 square feet.

(b) The total area of a sandwich board sign shall not exceed 32 square feet.

(c) The maximum height of a sandwich board sign shall not exceed four feet.

(d) Sandwich board signs may be placed within public sidewalks. However, sandwich board signs may not be placed in such a location that limits, obstructs or prevents public use of the sidewalk. A minimum of five feet of sidewalk width shall be retained to allow for wheelchair and/or handicapped accessible access.

(e) Sandwich board signs shall be placed no earlier than the start of the business day, and shall be removed at the end of the business day. In no event may sandwich board signs be permitted to remain situated 24 hours per day.

(4) Window signs shall be permitted in accordance with Subsection B(8).

(5) Signs exempted under the provisions of Subsection B(2) are permitted in this zoning district.

[Added 7-22-2008 by Ord. No. 625]

(6) Electronic message centers may be authorized by conditional use, in accordance with § 500-18.B(11), and in accordance with the following:

[Added 4-26-2016 by Ord. No. 678]

(a) Operation for electronic message center signs shall be limited to the hours from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

(b) In addition to the customary public notice requirements for conditional use applications, all property owners and tenants within 50 feet of the property where the electronic message center is proposed shall be provided, by first class mail, notice of the time, place, date, and subject matter of the conditional use hearing.

G. Signs permitted within the Industrial/Employment (I/E) District. Within the I/E District, the following sign regulations shall apply:

[Amended 3-27-2001 by Ord. No. 541]

(1) A maximum of one sign shall be permitted that displays the owner/occupant of the premises and the activity conducted thereon, provided that the following requirements are met:

(a) The maximum area of any one side of a sign, including a wall sign, shall not exceed 100 square feet.

(b) The total area of all sides of a freestanding or projecting sign shall not exceed 200 square feet.

(2) A maximum of one freestanding sign may be erected at each entrance and/or exit to or from a public road that identifies the owner/occupant of the premises and the entrance and/or exit, provided that the following requirements are met:

(a) The maximum area of any one side of the freestanding sign shall not exceed 10 square feet.

(b) The total area of all sides of the freestanding sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.

(c) The maximum height of the freestanding sign shall not exceed six feet.

(3) On parcels containing multiple activities, a single sign shall be permitted for each individual activity, provided that the following requirements are met:

(a) The maximum area of any one side of the sign, including a wall sign, shall not exceed 75 square feet.

(b) The total area of all sides of a freestanding or projecting sign shall not exceed 150 square feet.

(4) The maximum height of any freestanding sign, except for those signs regulated by Subsection G(2), shall not exceed 25 feet. The maximum height of any wall sign or projecting sign shall not exceed a height equal to 75% of the height of the wall upon which the wall sign or projecting sign is located.

(5) Billboards are permitted by special exception, provided the following standards are met:

(a) The maximum area of any one side of a billboard sign shall not exceed 150 square feet.

(b) The total area of all sides of a billboard sign shall not exceed 300 square feet.

(c) The maximum height of a billboard sign shall not exceed 25 feet.

(d) No billboard sign shall be located within 200 feet from any residential or institutional property, or any property within the TCMU, TCR, R-1, R-2, or R-3 districts.

(6) Signs exempted under the provisions of Subsection B(2) are permitted in this zoning district.

[Added 7-22-2008 by Ord. No. 625]

(7) Electronic message centers in accordance with § 500-18B(11).

[Added 4-26-2016 by Ord. No. 678]

§ 500-19 General regulations.

A. Visibility at intersections. On the corner lot or any point of entry on public road, nothing shall be erected, placed, planted, or allowed to grow in such a manner which obscures the vision above the height of 2 1/2 feet and below 10 feet, measured from the center line grade of the intersecting streets or driveways and within the area bounded by the street lines of such corner lots and a line joining points on these street lines 75 feet from their intersection along the lot lines.

B. Swimming pools.

(1) Open private swimming pools and related bathhouses are considered "structures" for the purpose of permits and regulations of other ordinances. For the purpose of this chapter, they are not counted as floor area in computing the lot coverage but shall not be located in any required setback area.

(2) No building, swimming place or swimming pool or artificial body of water or any other structure intended to be used for bathing or swimming purposes in which water may collect in excess of a depth of two feet and/or with a surface area of more than 50 square feet shall be constructed, altered, added to or operated within 100 feet of any property line of the property on which it is located, unless such swimming pool or place is surrounded by a fence around the entire property line of the property on which it is located, or unless such swimming pool or place is surrounded by a fence around the entire perimeter, in which case the swimming pool shall be at least 15 feet from any property line.

(3) The type, quality and method of construction of said fence shall be such as shall be approved by the Zoning Officer with the intent that it shall act as a safeguard and protection to children. Such fence shall be at least four feet in height, but not in excess of six feet, nonremovable and shall have a self-locking type gate and shall be such as to prevent children and stray animals from going through it; provided that existing nonconforming fences may be approved by the Borough Zoning Officer.

(4) Where the side of an aboveground swimming pool exceeds four feet in height, the fence installation requirement may be waived, provided that the following conditions are complied with:

[Amended 10-28-2008 by Ord. No. 630]

(a) Any ladder or steps providing access to the swimming pool shall be capable of being secured, locked, or removed to prevent access; or

(b) The ladder or steps providing access to the swimming pool shall be enclosed with a fence that complies with the requirements of Subsection B(2) and (3).

(5) No swimming pool shall be constructed in the Borough except in accordance with a permit therefore previously secured from the Zoning Officer of the Borough, upon written application accompanied by a plan showing the size, shape and location of the swimming pool and its enclosure and such other information as may be necessary for the Zoning Officer to determine whether the pool complies with the requirements and specifications of this chapter.

[Added 10-28-2008 by Ord. No. 630]

C. Stripping of topsoil. The following shall apply in all districts:

(1) Topsoil or sod may be removed only under the following conditions:

(a) As a part of the construction or alteration of a building or the grading incidental to such building;

(b) In connection with normal lawn preparation and maintenance;

(c) In connection with the construction or alteration of a street or utility;

(d) In farming operations where such use is permitted, provided sound soil conservation practices are observed.

D. Exception to height limitations. The height limitations of this chapter shall not apply to church spires, belfries, domes, monuments, observation towers, windmills, chimneys, smokestacks, flag poles, masts and aerials, barns and silos, elevators, tanks and other projections neither intended nor used for human occupancy.

E. Outdoor storage. Outdoor storage of any type shall not be permitted unless such storage is a part of the normal operations conducted on the premises subject to design and performance standards for the prevailing zoning district. Junkyards as defined by this chapter are expressly prohibited.

F. Customary home occupations.

[Amended 5-27-1997 by Ord. No. 487]

(1) Intent. The purpose of these provisions is to allow for customary home occupations which are compatible with the neighborhoods in which they are allowed.

(2) Uses permitted. A home occupation may include art studios; arts and crafts studios; home-based mail-order businesses; barber shops and beauty salons containing a maximum of two chairs; day-care facilities for no more than six children or four adults; instructional services limited to two pupils at a time; professional offices for a physician, dentist, lawyer, accountant, real estate agent, architect, or similar professional; taxidermist; or other activities of a similar nature.

[Amended 1-28-2003 by Ord. No. 559]

(3) Use restrictions.

(a) The home occupation shall be conducted entirely within the dwelling unit or accessory structure.

(b) The occupation must be clearly incidental and secondary to the principal use of the dwelling.

(c) The establishment and conduct of the home occupation shall not change the principal character or use of the dwelling unit involved.

(d) Where a home occupation is proposed to be located within a residence, the home occupation shall occupy no more than 30% of the total floor area of the residence. Where a home occupation is proposed to be located within an accessory building, the home occupation shall occupy no more than 500 square feet of an accessory building.

[Amended 3-27-2018 by Ord. No. 685]

(e) No more than one person other than members of the immediate family residing in the dwelling shall be employed in the home occupation.

(f) No storage or display of materials, goods, supplies or equipment related to the operation of the home occupation shall be visible from the outside of any structure located on the premises.

(g) The residential character of the dwelling unit shall not be altered to indicate the presence of the home occupation.

(h) The home occupation shall not generate noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors or electrical interference beyond what normally occurs in the applicable zoning district.

(i) Off-street parking shall be required if the home occupation involves contact with the public or employment of a nonresident as authorized by Subsection F(3)(e) above. One space shall be provided for each client or customer accommodated for more than 15 minutes at one time, plus one space any nonresident employee. These spaces shall be in addition to the parking spaces required for the residential use as required by § 500-19I(2). Parking areas shall meet applicable design standards of § 500-19I(4).

[Amended 3-27-2018 by Ord. No. 685]

(j) No advertising other than signs permitted in the applicable zoning district by sign regulations, § 500-18D, of this chapter shall be permitted. (One sign not to exceed four square feet.)

(k) [1]Home occupations are subject to compliance with all commonwealth and federal requirements applicable to the specific occupation.

[Added 1-28-2003 by Ord. No. 559]

[1] Editor’s Note: Former Subsection B(4), which immediately followed, was repealed 3-27-2018 by Ord. No. 685.

G. Planting or buffer strips. Where required by this chapter, a planting or buffer strip shall be composed of plants and trees arranged to form both a low-level and high-level screen. The high-level screen shall consist of evergreen trees planted with specimens no younger than three years in age, and planted at intervals of not more than 10 feet. The low-level screen shall consist of evergreen shrubs and hedges planted with specimens no younger that three years in age and spaced at intervals of not more than five feet. The low-level screen shall be placed in alternating rows to produce a more effective planting barrier. All plants not surviving three years after planting must be replaced.

H. Prohibited uses. The following uses are prohibited in every district:

(1) Automobile graveyards.

(2) An unoccupied, unlicensed mobile home shall not be parked on a lot unless such trailer is parked so as not to be visible from a street or other property line, or is suitably screened.

(3) Privately operated sanitary landfill or trash dump operations.

(4) Outdoor wood-fired boilers; provided, however, that this prohibition does not apply to charcoal grills, fire pits, or other burning conducted in accordance with applicable Borough requirements.

[Added 1-12-2012 by Ord. No. 642]

I. Off-street parking regulations.

[Amended 6-23-1998 by Ord. No. 496]

(1) Statement of legislative intent. Off-street parking and loading facilities shall be provided to lessen congestion, to enhance safety, and to decrease the parking burden on and within public rights-of-way. The facilities required herein shall be available for the residents, occupants, patrons, or employees of the particular business or use for which such facilities are provided.

(2) Required facilities. Unless otherwise regulated in this article or elsewhere in this chapter, the following parking facilities are required. Any structure or building hereafter erected, converted, or enlarged for any of the following uses, or any open area hereafter developed for commercial, residential, or similar purposes, shall be provided with not less than the minimum off-street parking spaces, as set forth below, unless an alternative minimum number of parking spaces is authorized by the Zoning Officer in accordance with § 500-19I(5) or (6) of this chapter. All spaces shall be readily accessible, with proper access from a street, alley, or driveway, to the uses served thereby. In computing the number of parking spaces required, if the computation shall result in a fraction, a space shall be required for each such fractional amount.

[Amended 6-23-2009 by Ord. No. 637; 4-23-2019 by Ord. No. 692; 10-8-2019 by Ord. No. 693]

Use	Number of Parking Spaces Required
Single-family detached, single-family semidetached (twins), and two-family (duplex) dwellings	2 parking spaces for each dwelling unit
Garden apartments, apartment buildings, townhouses, infill townhouses, conversion apartments	1.5 spaces for each dwelling unit
Hotels and motels	1 parking space for every guest room, 1 parking space for every employee on the busiest shift, and the required number of spaces to serve a restaurant, if one exists on the premises
Bed-and-breakfast operations	1 parking space for every guest room, plus 2 parking spaces for permanent residents
Commercial day-care facilities, kindergartens, preschools, day nursery schools and group homes	1 parking space for every employee and 1 parking space for every 5 persons serviced by the facility
Churches or other place or house of worship	Within the TCMU and TCR Districts: 1 parking space for every 5 patron seats
	Within all other zoning districts: 1 parking space for every 3 patron seats
Professional offices/professional office complex	Within the TCMU and TCR Districts: 1 parking space for every employee and 1 additional parking space for each professional
	Within all other zoning districts: 1 parking space for every employee and 2 additional parking spaces for each professional
Personal service shops	Within the TCMU and TCR Districts: 1 parking space for every employee and 1 additional parking space for every work station
	Within all other zoning districts: 1 parking space for every employee and 2 parking spaces for every work station
Schools	1 parking space for every employee on the largest shift and, for high schools, 1 parking space for every 3 students
Government offices/municipal services/emergency services	1 parking space for every employee and 1 visitor space for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area
Specialty retail shops	Within the TCMU and TCR Districts: 1 parking space for every 500 square feet of gross floor area and 1 space for every 3 employees
	Within all other zoning districts: 1 parking space for every 200 square feet of gross floor area and 1 space for every 2 employees
Retail shops	Within the TCMU and TCR Districts: 1 parking space for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area and 1 space for every 3 employees
	Within all other zoning districts: 1 parking space for every 4,500 square feet of gross floor area and 1 space for every 2 employees on the largest shift
Banks/financial institutions	Within the TCMU and TCR Districts: 1 parking space for every 500 square feet of gross floor area in public banking areas (excluding vault)
	Within all other cts: 1 parking space for every 200 square feet of gross floor area in public bankizoning distring areas (excluding vault)
Vehicle sales businesses	1 parking space for every 500 square feet of vehicle display area
Nurseries, garden materials stores, contractor supply stores, and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning stores	1 parking space for every 300 square feet of gross floor area
Convenience stores, gasoline service stations	1 parking space for every 150 square feet of gross floor area
Automobile repair shops	1 parking space for every 250 square feet of gross floor area
Movie theaters	1 parking space for every 5 patron seats
Commercial recreation facilities and health and recreation clubs	1 parking space for every 200 square feet of gross floor area
Car washes	3 parking spaces for every car washing stall
Liquor stores	1 parking space for every 200 square feet of gross floor area
Manufacturing, industrial and fabrication establishments	1 parking space for every 1.5 employees working during the largest shift
Corporate headquarters, scientific and commercial testing laboratories, research and development	1 parking space for every 175 square feet of gross floor area
Warehousing and wholesaling operations	4 parking spaces for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area
Private clubs, social clubs, and fraternal organizations	1 parking space for every 4 persons of the rated capacity of the establishment
Mixed-use property	The number of parking spaces required shall be equal to the total number of spaces required by each individual use within the mixed-use property
Recreation facilities	1 parking space for every 5 visitors at maximum utilization of the facilities
Philanthropic and institutional uses, community facilities, libraries, museums, galleries, studios [Amended 6-24-2014 by Ord. No. 668]	1 space for every 500 feet of gross floor area
Nursing homes, rest homes, hospitals, medical centers or clinics, or homes for the aged [Added 5-24-2011 by Ord. No. 650]	1 parking space for every 4 beds intended for patient or residential use, and 1 space for each employee on the largest shift
Business administrative offices	In the TCMU and TCR Districts: 3 parking spaces for every 1,500 square feet of gross floor area
	In all other zoning districts: 3 parking spaces for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area
Restaurants/eating establishments	In the TCMU and TCR Districts: 1 parking space for every 300 square feet of floor area for customer use
	In all other zoning districts: Without drive-through service, 1 parking space for every 150 square feet of gross floor area. With drive-through service, 1 parking space for every 100 square feet of floor area for customer use
Shopping centers	4 parking spaces for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area
Rental storage, exterior	Where an on-site rental office is present, 1 for every 400 square feet of office floor area; otherwise, 2 spaces
Rental storage, interior	Where an on-site rental office is present, 1 for every 400 square feet of office floor area; otherwise, 2 spaces.

(3) Public right-of-way excluded. In no case shall parking within public rights-of-way be used to calculate the required parking needed by any applicant for any use.

(4) Design standards. All off-street parking areas shall be designed to meet the following standards.

[Amended 6-23-2009 by Ord. No. 637]

(a) General standards. All parking lots shall be designed in accordance with the following standards:

[1] Every parking space, outdoors or in a garage, shall consist of not less than 200 square feet of usable area for each motor vehicle. The minimum dimensions of required parking spaces shall be 10 feet wide and 20 feet deep. The required parking area shall be measured exclusive of interior driveway or maneuvering areas.

[2] Where three or more parking spaces are required under Subsection I(2) or elsewhere in this chapter, such parking spaces shall be considered a parking lot.

[3] All off-street lots shall be paved so as to provide a durable and dust-free surface. Acceptable paving materials include concrete and asphalt. All entrance and exit drives shall be paved in accordance with PennDOT 408 specifications.

[4] All off-street parking lots shall be graded to provide for the adequate drainage of stormwater from the parking lot. The Borough Engineer shall be afforded the opportunity to review and comment on the grading plan for any parking lot.

[5] Circulation control shall be designed to provide one-way directional travel whenever possible. No parking shall be provided or permitted along any circulation drive or along an entrance or exit drives. Drives shall be uniform in width and provide for ninety-degree intersections whenever possible.

[6] Customers and service traffic shall be separated whenever possible. Loading and unloading areas shall be located so as not to interfere with customer or employee parking areas.

[7] Every parking lot shall be subject to the following requirements:

[a] In the case of a parking lot which is accessory to a permitted use and which accommodates five or more automobiles, any parking lot edge that faces or abuts a residential district or a lot used for residential purposes shall be screened or buffered from the adjacent property. Such screening and buffering shall be accomplished within a buffer planning strip of not less than five feet and planted in accordance with Subsection G. Alternatively, such screening and buffering may be accomplished by installing an ornamental fence in compliance with the requirements of Subsection N.

[b] In the case of a parking lot which is a principal use, such lot shall be enclosed, except for entrances or exits, by an ornamental fence or wall or by a compact evergreen hedge.

[8] All parking lots shall be provided with wheel/bumper guards or bollards so located and arranged that no part of any parked vehicle will extend beyond the boundaries of the parking lot to protect adjacent structures and landscaped areas, and to prevent vehicles from encroaching on designated pedestrian areas.

[9] All parking spaces shall be delineated with a durable delineation material and shall be maintained so that all parking spaces are clearly marked.

[10] No parking aisle drive or parking lot circulation drive shall have traffic lanes less than 10 feet for one-way directional travel or 20 feet for two-way directional travel.

(b) Additional design standards for parking lots in the C-3, C/E, and I/E Districts. All parking lots within the C-3, C/E and I/E Districts shall comply with the following additional requirements:

[1] For parking lots of more than 50 cars, the interior circulation of traffic shall be designated so that no driveway or parking aisle may be used as a through street.

[2] If parking spaces are indicated by lines with angles other than 90 degrees to the center line of the parking aisle from which such spaces are accessed, parking aisle traffic shall be restricted to one-way flow with head-in parking.

[3] Customer parking spaces and/or short-term visitor parking spaces shall be differentiated from employee and/or long-term parking spaces by suitable markings.

[4] All accessways to any public street or highway shall be located either directly opposite of or at least 120 feet from the intersection of any two street lines. Said accessways shall be designed in a manner conducive to safe ingress and egress as determined by the Zoning Officer following recommendation by the Planning Commission. Parking lot entrances and exits shall be located on the lowest classification of street available.

[5] No design shall be approved which is likely to create substantial traffic hazards endangering the public safety. Safety requirements which may be imposed in such a review shall include traffic control devices, acceleration and deceleration lanes, turning lanes, traffic and lane markings, and signs. The developer shall be responsible for the construction of any such traffic control devices.

[6] For parking lots of more than 25 parking spaces, internal parking lot landscaping shall be provided. A terminal island shall be provided at both ends of all rows of parking spaces. Each terminal island shall measure at least five feet in depth and 15 feet in width. Each terminal island shall include at least one tree, with the remaining area landscaped with appropriate vegetative ground cover or grass.

[7] For parking lots of more than 25 parking spaces, landscaping around the perimeter of the parking lot shall be provided in accordance with the following requirements:

[a] A landscaping strip shall be provided around the perimeter of the parking lot, except for the side of the parking lot bounded by the principal structure of the lot.

[b] The minimum width of the perimeter landscaping strip shall be 10 feet, measured outward from the edge of the parking lot.

[c] At least one tree shall be provided for every 200 square feet of the perimeter landscaping strip.

(5) Parking held in reserve. Because of the relatively dense, built-up environment characteristic of the Town Center Mixed-Use (TCMU) and the Town Center Residential (TCR) Districts, the excessive provision of off-street parking areas may be detrimental to the aesthetic and historic character of the area. Thus, if the number of spaces required by Subsection I(2) is substantially larger than the anticipated demand for spaces by the applicant, the concept of parking held in reserve can be used by the applicant to avoid unnecessary parking while reserving adequate parking areas for potential parking demand. For an applicant to use the parking held in reserve concept, the following requirements shall be met:

[Amended 6-23-2009 by Ord. No. 637]

(a) The concept of parking held in reserve shall only be applied to those uses permitted by right in the TCMU and TCR Districts.

(b) There must exist, on the site, a suitable area available to accommodate 100% of the parking spaces required by Subsection I(2) as well as the landscaping requirements of Subsection I(4).

(c) The number of spaces to be initially paved may, upon review and recommendation by the Borough's Planning Commission, be reduced by Zoning Officer by up to 50% of the spaces typically required for a given land use.

(d) A suitable area shall be reserved for the total number of spaces required by Subsection I(2). Reserved parking areas shall be improved for parking by the applicant when and if deemed necessary by the Zoning Officer, upon review and recommendation by the Borough Planning Commission. The Zoning Officer may require the improvement of reserved parking areas under the following conditions:

[1] Evidence that parking associated with the use in question is overflowing onto adjoining properties, or onto adjoining street.

[2] Reevaluation of necessary parking capacity upon a change in status of use, ownership, number of employees, and/or size of the building or land area used.

(e) A financial guarantee shall be provided by the applicant to cover the cost of installation of the parking spaces held in reserve, for a period of one year following the installation of the initially constructed parking spaces. The type and dollar value of the guarantee must be approved by the Zoning Officer upon review and recommendation by the Borough Engineer and Borough Solicitor.

(6) Off-street limited parking waiver. Because of the relatively dense, built-up environment characteristic of some areas of the Town Center Mixed-Use (TCMU) and the Town Center Residential (TCR) Districts, there exist properties which can not meet any of the above standards for off-street parking, including parking held in reserve. In such areas where provision of the required off-street parking is impossible because of existing lot size or building coverage, the Zoning Officer may, upon review and recommendation by the Borough Planning Commission, waive the above off-street parking requirements to the extent necessary to allow utilization of a property for a use permitted by right in the TCMU and TCR Districts. For an applicant to receive such a waiver, the following requirements shall be met.

[Amended 6-23-2009 by Ord. No. 637]

(a) A detailed plan must be submitted showing lot size, building coverage, setbacks, lot coverage, adjoining properties and all existing streets, alleys and driveways.

(b) The plan must show any off-street parking that can be located on-site and show what and where parking would be available off-site to accommodate the use proposed.

(c) The number of spaces to be waived, upon review and recommendation by the Borough Planning Commission, will be determined by the Zoning Officer.

(7) Requirements for parking lots designed as a principal use. All off-street parking lots intended to function as the principal use of a property rather than as an accessory use shall be designed and located in accordance with the following requirements:

(a) Parking lots shall only be developed to provide off-street parking for surrounding business or other permitted uses. Parking lots shall not be developed as a business in and of themselves.

(b) Parking lots shall be designed as principal uses shall be designed in accordance with the standards of Subsection I(4).

[Amended 6-23-2009 by Ord. No. 637]

(c) Parking lots shall be designed such that patrons will not be required to "back up" into a public street or alley to exit the parking lot.

(d) Parking lots in the Town Center Mixed-Use (TCMU) District shall adhere to the following requirements:

[1] Parking lots may be operated by a public or semipublic agency or organization, including the Borough of Littlestown, or one or more private businesses.

[2] Parking garages may be operated by the Borough of Littlestown, or by an agency created by the Borough, such as parking authority.

[3] Parking lots shall be created for the express purpose of providing off-street parking for business of other uses located within the block where the parking lot is proposed.

[4] Parking lots shall not be located at the intersection of two public streets.

[5] To the maximum extent feasible, parking lots should not be served with access drives from either King Street or Queen Street. Access to parking lots should be provided from secondary streets or alleys whenever possible.

[6] Parking lots shall be enclosed by an ornamental wall. Construction materials and design of the ornamental wall shall reflect those used in surrounding buildings.

(e) Parking lots in the Highway-Oriented Commercial (C-3) District and the Commercial/Employment (C/E) District shall adhere to the following requirements:

[1] Parking lots may be operated by one or more private businesses.

[2] Parking lots shall be created for the express purpose of providing off-street parking for business or other uses located on adjoining lots.

J. Off-street loading and unloading regulations.

(1) Standards.

(a) Off-street loading and unloading space(s) with proper and safe access from street or alley shall be provided on each lot where it is deemed that such facilities are necessary to adequately serve the uses within the district. Each loading and unloading space:

[1] Shall be at least 14 feet wide, 60 feet long and shall have at least fifteen-foot vertical clearance;

[2] Shall have a sixty-foot maneuvering area;

[3] Shall have an all-weather surface to provide safe and convenient access during all seasons;

[4] Shall not be constructed between the street right-of-way line and the building setback line.

(b) Required off-street parking space (including aisles) shall not be used for loading and unloading purposes except during hours when business operations are suspended.

(c) Loading and unloading facilities shall be designed so that trucks need not back in or out, or park in, any public right-of-way.

(d) No truck shall be allowed to stand in:

[1] A right-of-way;

[2] Automobile parking area (including aisles); or

[3] In any way block the effective flow of persons or vehicles.

(2) Requirements. At least one off-street loading space shall be provided for all commercial and industrial concerns in excess of 3,500 square feet of floor area. The number of loading and unloading spaces shall be left to the discretion of the developer; however, the standards of this section shall be maintained, and the number of proposed spaces approved by the Planning Commission.

K. Special regulations relating to setbacks on major highways. In all development subsequent to the adoption of this chapter, the setback shall not be less than 50 feet from the street right-of-way line in all districts for lots facing on the following highways:

(1) Route 194.

(2) Route 140.

L. Location of cesspools and septic tanks.

(1) No cesspool or septic tank tile field, or any part thereof shall be placed closer to any property line than 50 feet or closer to any well on the premises or on adjoining premises than 100 feet. And no well shall be placed closer to any side or rear property line than 25 feet.

(2) On-site sewage disposal shall be permitted when public sewer is unavailable by approval of Borough Council when the applicant can substantiate by means of approved percolation tests that the soil on the property concerned is suitable for this use, and that the lot size is large enough so that this use will have no adverse effect upon neighboring uses or upon the community ground water supply. Such on-site sewage disposal must be abandoned when public sewer becomes available.

M. Mobile homes. Mobile homes shall be permitted only in mobile home parks. Mobile homes located within any identified floodplain area must comply with all applicable provisions of Chapter 235 of this Code, entitled "Floodplain Management," specifically § 235-26 thereof, entitled "Special requirements for manufactured homes."

[Amended 6-23-2020 by Ord. No. 696]

N. Fences.

[Amended 4-26-2004 by Ord. No. 573]

(1) Maximum height for fences located within front yards for all zoning districts shall be four feet. For corner lot properties which have two front yards and two side yards (as outlined in § 500-2C, Definitions), the front yard shall be designated for the yard which has the structure's primary means of ingress/egress. The other front yard shall be considered a side yard.

[Amended 8-23-2005 by Ord. No. 597]

(2) Maximum height for fences located within side and rear yards in all zoning districts shall be eight feet.

(3) No fence shall be located in a manner that obstructs vision at street intersections. Clear sight triangles shall be provided at all street intersections. Within such triangles, no fence shall be permitted which obscures vision above the height of 30 inches and below 10 feet measured from the center-line grade of intersecting streets. Such triangles shall be established as follows:

(a) One hundred twenty-five feet clear sight triangles shall be provided for any street intersections involving one or more major streets.

(b) Seventy-five feet clear sight triangles shall be provided for all other street intersections.[2]

[2] Editor's Note: Original Subsection D, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 11-23-2004 by Ord. No. 583.

(4) All fences shall be constructed such that fence posts or supports, including lateral supports, are located on the inside of the fence, unless such posts or supports constitute an integral component of the vertical plane created by the fence.

(5) Metal or wire mesh fences, with the exception of ornamental fences made of wrought iron or similar metal material, shall only be permitted in the I/E, C/E, and C-3 Zoning Districts of the Borough. Such ornamental fences shall be permitted for residential application in all of the Borough's residential zoning districts, provided that manufacturer's brochures or advertising is supplied indicating the suitability of such ornamental fence design for residential application.

[Amended 10-28-2008 by Ord. No. 630]

(6) Fences that include barbed wire or razor wire shall be prohibited. Electrified fences shall be prohibited.

(7) Fences shall be kept in an appropriate state or repair by the property owner at all times. Fences with broken or missing slats, supports, wire mesh, or other components shall be immediately repaired or replaced, as appropriate, by the property owner.

O. No-impact home-based business.

[Added 1-28-2003 by Ord. No. 559]

(1) The business activity shall be compatible with the residential use of the property and surrounding residential uses.

(2) The business shall employ no employees other than family members residing in the dwelling.

(3) There shall be no display or sale of retail goods and no stockpiling or inventory of a substantial nature.

(4) There shall be no outside appearance of a business use, including but not limited to, parking, signs, or lights.

(5) The business activity may not use any equipment or process which creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical or electronic interference, including interference with radio or television reception, which is detectable in the neighborhood.

(6) The business activity may not generate any solid waste or sewage discharge, in volume or type, which is not normally associated with residential use in the neighborhood.

(7) The business activity shall be conducted only within the dwelling and may not occupy more than 25% of the habitable floor area.

(8) The business may not involve any illegal activity.

§ 500-20 Cluster development controls.

A. Specific intent. In addition to the general goals stated in the Preamble and in the statement of intent for the applicable section, the purpose of this section is:

(1) To permit a more varied, efficient, attractive, and economical development pattern.

(2) To increase flexibility in the location and arrangement of homes.

(3) To provide a more usable pattern of open space.

B. Designation of area. A parcel of land under single ownership with existing or proposed off-site sewers, zoned as residential which permits cluster development as a matter of right, with a minimum of 10 acres may be designated as subject to the regulations of this section. The Planning Commission shall maintain a record of the legal descriptions of all properties under these regulations.

C. Procedure.

(1) Any single owner of a minimum of 10 acres of land zoned as residential which permits cluster development as a matter of right any request the Planning Commission to have the regulations of this section apply to such property. The application shall include:

(a) A legal description of the property to be included;

(b) A sketch plan showing the overall development plan;

(c) A description of the means by which the open space requirements shall be applied.

(2) The Planning Commission shall have a period of 30 days to accept or reject any applications. If the application is rejected, the written reasons for such rejection shall be made available. Approval of all applications shall be based on the conformance of the plan to the stated objections of this section.

(3) The decision of the Planning Commission may be appealed by the applicant or a group of Borough residents, whose number shall exceed 30 persons of voting age, to the Borough Council. All appeals must be requested within 10 days of the decision of the Planning Commission. Applications under this subsection shall be limited to single-family residences.

D. Area and bulk regulations.

(1) The building lot may be reduced no more than 1/2, so that when an amount of land reserved under requirements of open space regulations is added to it, the two will be equal to the lot size requirements of the district in which it is located. Unless specified to the contrary by the residential zoning district requirements, the other area and bulk regulations shall be adjusted in cluster developments as follows:

(a) Minimum lot width at street line and maximum building height shall remain identical to the restrictions imposed by the residential zoning district;

(b) Minimum distances for lot width at building setback line, setback, side yards and rear yards may be reduced by one-third;

(c) In determining the percentage of lot coverage, a lot shall include the actual building lot and the proportion of land reserved for that lot in open space.

(2) The minimum size of building lots with on-site sewer facilities shall be subject to the discretion of the Planning Commission, who shall evaluate the suitability of each proposed building lot for on-site sewage disposal.

E. Open space regulations. An area sufficient to conform to the density requirements of the zoning district of this chapter where such land is located shall be reserved for park, woodland, conservation, playground, golf course, lake or other suitable recreational purpose. Such reservation shall be made by any of the following procedures:

(1) The acceptance of the deed to such land by the Borough;

(2) The sale, lease or other disposition of such property to a private or nonprofit corporation chartered under the laws of Pennsylvania to administer and maintain the facilities subject to an acceptable deed restriction limiting eventual disposition of said property for the purpose stated in the Articles of Incorporation;

(3) The inclusion of a portion of said property in the deed descriptions of the individual purchasers of subdivisions subject to an acceptable deed restriction limiting eventual disposition of that portion to be used for the purposes outlined in the plan submitted to the Borough Planning Commission. Access rights for all residents within the development shall be guaranteed.

§ 500-21 Performance standards for commercial and industrial districts.

The following regulations shall be observed in commercial and industrial districts:

A. Fire and explosive hazards. All activities and all storage of flammable and explosive material at any point shall be provided with adequate safety devices against hazards of fire and explosion and adequate firefighting and fire-suppression equipment and devices as detailed and specified by the Department of Labor and Industry and the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

B. Radioactivity or electrical disturbances. There shall be no activities which emit radioactivity at any point. There shall be no electrical disturbance adversely affecting the operation at any point of any equipment other than that of the creator of the disturbance.

C. Smoke. There shall be no emission at any point from the chimney or otherwise that would not meet the current applicable standards of the Pennsylvania Air Pollution Control Commission.

D. Smoke, ash, dust, fume, vapor, gases and other forms of air pollution. No emission shall be made which can cause damage to health, to animals, or to vegetation or to other forms of property or which can cause any detrimental soiling at any point outside the operations. Table 1, Chapter V, Industrial Hygiene Standards, Maximum Allowable Concentrations, Air Pollution Abatement Manual, Manufacturing Chemists Assoc., 1951, Washington, D.C., shall be used as a guide in determining what is a toxic gas.

E. Liquid and solid wastes. There shall be no discharge at any point into any private sewerage system or stream or into the ground of any materials in such a way or of such a nature or temperature as can contaminate or otherwise cause the emission of hazardous materials except in accord with the standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

F. Glare. No direct or sky-reflecting glare, whether from floodlights of from high-temperature process shall be visible from adjoining public streets or adjacent lots when viewed by a person standing in ground level.

G. Noise and vibration. At no point on or beyond the boundary of a residential or commercial district shall the sound pressure level of any operation exceed the maximum of that permitted.

	Sound Levels
		Maximum Permitted Sound Level (decibels)
	Octave Ban in Cycles per Second	Along Residential District Boundaries (Re: 0.0002 microbars)	At Any Other Point on Lot Boundary (Re: 0.0002 microbars)
	0 to 75	72	79
	75 to 150	67	74
	150 to 300	59	66
	300 to 600	52	59
	600 to 1,200	46	53
	1,200 to 2,400	40	47
	2,400 to 4,800	34	41
	Above 4,800	32	39

H. Odor. There shall be no emission of odorous gases or other odorous matter in such quantities as to be offensive on or beyond the lot line or which exceeds the standards of Table III (odor threshold) Chapter V, Industrial Hygiene Standards, Maximum Allowable Concentrations, Air Pollution Abatement Manual, Manufacturing Chemists Assoc., 1951, Washington, D.C. Any process which may involve the creation or emission of any odors shall be provided with a secondary safeguard system, so that control will be maintained if the primary safeguard system should fail.

I. Operations. All primary operations shall be conducted entirely within closed buildings.

J. Conformity to federal, state, regional and local standards. Any use permitted under the provisions of this chapter shall conform to appropriate federal, state, regional and local standards relative to water or air pollution, particle emission, noise, electrical disturbances, waste disposal, light, glare, heat, vibration, radioactivity and outdoor storage of materials.

§ 500-22 Design standards for commercial and industrial districts.

A. Off-street parking design standards.[1]

(1) Parking spaces shall be clearly delineated by painted lines or markers.

(2) Stalls shall be provided with bumper guards or wheel stops when necessary for safety or protection of adjacent structures or landscaped areas.

(3) Surface drainage shall be connected to the existing or proposed drainage system.

(4) All vehicular entrances and exits to parking areas shall be clearly designated for all conditions.

(5) Short-term visitor parking spaces shall be differentiated from long-term employee spaces by suitable markings.

(6) If spaces are used during evening hours, appropriate lighting shall be provided.

[1] Editor's Note: Original Subsection 705.1, which immediately preceded this subsection, was repealed 6-23-2009 by Ord. No. 637.

B. Screening.

(1) A planted visual barrier, or landscaped screen, shall be provided and maintained by the owner or lessee of a property between any district and contiguous residentially zoned districts, except where natural or physical man-made barrier exists. This screen shall be planted and maintained in accordance with the requirements of § 500-19G.

(2) All visual barriers, or landscaped screen, shall be in accordance with the following minimum widths:

(a) In all commercial districts: 20 feet.

(b) In all industrial districts: 20 feet.

(3) Any existing business affected by these regulations at the time of passage of this chapter shall not be required to comply with the above screening requirements except in case of enlargement or major alteration of such business. Similarly, for any zoning district boundary change after passage of this chapter initiated by a residential developer abutting a commercially or industrially zoned property for which these regulations apply, these screening requirements shall not be imposed upon such commercial or industrial property.

C. Storage. Any article or material stored temporarily outside an enclosed building as an incidental part of the primary operation shall be so screened by opaque ornamental fencing, walls or evergreen planting that it cannot be seen from adjoining public streets or adjacent lots when viewed by a person standing on the ground level. All organic rubbish or storage shall be contained in airtight, verminproof containers which shall also be screened from public view.

D. Landscaping.

(1) Any part or portion of the site which is not used for buildings, other structures, loading or parking spaces and aisles, sidewalks and designated storage areas, shall be planted with an all-season ground cover and shall be landscaped with trees and shrubs in accordance with an overall landscape plan and shall be in keeping with natural surroundings. A replacement program for non-surviving plants should be included.

(2) The plot plan must show a satisfactory method of irrigating all planted areas. This may be either by a permanent water system or by hose. Any single parking area with 50 or more spaces shall utilize at least 5% of its area in landscaping, which shall be in addition to open area requirements of the district.

E. Shopping cart storage. Any establishment which furnishes carts or mobile baskets as an adjunct to shopping shall provide definite areas within the required parking space areas for storage of said carts. Each designated storage area shall be clearly marked for storage of shopping carts.

F. Lighting.

[Amended 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. 620]

(1) All nonresidential parking areas, driveways, and loading areas shall be provided with a lighting system that achieves the following requirements.

(2) The lighting system shall maintain a uniformity ration of 15:1 or better.

(3) Locations with a higher level of night activity (such as automatic teller machines and gasoline pumping stations) may require luminance levels greater than those indicated in this section. Where higher luminance levels are requested by a developer, the design may be approved by the Zoning Officer, upon recommendation by the Planning Commission, provided the lighting system complies with all other requirements of this section.

(4) Pole-mounted lighting fixtures shall be located in coordination with the landscaping plan, existing trees, and future tree growth so as to minimize shadowing.

(5) Lighting fixtures shall be selected to minimize upward light that contributes to sky glow and wastes energy. Outdoor lighting fixture shall be a full-cutoff-fixture type, in accordance with American National Standards Institute/Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (ANSI/IESNA) Classification, with the exception of floodlights as allowed by variance. Floodlights are permitted to be used to illuminate landscape features or building facades, as long as such floodlights are shielded and aimed so that the light is directed toward the functional area being illuminated and in a manner that direct glare on adjoining properties does not result.

(6) These lighting requirements provide appropriate standards to ensure adequate nighttime safety and security while minimizing the spillover of light and glare on operators of motor vehicles, along pedestrians and land uses near the light source. However, it is the safety, welfare, nuisance and hazardous aspects of lighting that form the basis of these regulations.

(7) Requirements. Exterior lighting shall be provided in residential developments, parking areas, pedestrian sidewalks and walkways and nonresidential driveway intersections in accordance with the following standards. Lighting used for security purposes shall also conform to the following standards. These regulations permit an option of providing a lower light post for luminaries with a non-cutoff classification or a higher pole, up to 60 feet, for luminaries with full-cutoff classification. The maximum height light post permitted shall be dependent upon the amount of cutoff provided. Exterior lighting shall meet one of the following standards:

(a) When establishing a new development, it shall be the responsibility of the developer to provide lighting in the development. The lighting shall meet the requirements of the criteria listed herein and shall illuminate both the sidewalk area and the adjoining roadway.

[1] When the light source or luminaire has no cutoff as defined in § 500-2C. These fixtures may only be used in residential development type areas or downtown areas where they will be aesthetically pleasing in residential areas. The luminaire will illuminate the pedestrian sidewalk as well as the adjoining road. In any installation, a variance must be grated by the Zoning Hearing Board, but will be contingent upon the recommendation of the Borough Engineer.

		Range of Permitted Average Illuminance (footcandles)	Maximum Permitted Height of Luminaire (feet)
	Residential	0.05 to 0.2	10
	Nonresidential	0.1 to 0.3	12

[2] When a luminaire is classified as semi-cutoff as defined in § 500-2C, the range of permitted average illuminance and the maximum permitted luminaire height shall be:

	Zoning District	Range of Permitted Average Illuminance (footcandles)	Maximum Permitted Height at Illumination (feet)
	Residential District — Low-Density (R-1)	0.2 to 0.5	20
	Residential District — Medium-Density (R-2)	0.3 to 0.75	25
	Residential District — High-Density (R-3)	0.3 to 0.75	25
	Commercial/ Employment (C/E)	1.0 to 1.5	25
	Highway-Oriented Commercial (C-3)	1.0 to 1.5	35
	Industrial/ Employment (I/E)	1.50 to 2.0	40
	Town Center Residential (TCR)	1.0 to 1.5	20
	Town Center Mixed-Use (TCMU)	1.0 to 1.5	20

[3] When a luminaire is classified as full cutoff as defined in § 500-2C and is located so that the bare light bulb, lamp, or light source is completely shielded from the direct view of an observer five feet above the ground at the point where the cutoff angle intersects the ground, then the range of permitted average illuminance and the maximum permitted luminaire height shall be:

	Zoning District	Range of Permitted Average Illuminance (footcandles)	Maximum Permitted Height of Luminaire (feet)
	Residential District — Low-Density (R-1)	0.5 to 1.0	25
	Residential District Medium-Density (R-2)	0.75 to 1.5	30
	Residential District High-Density (R-3)	0.75 to 1.5	35
	Commercial/ Employment (C/E)	1.5 to 2.0	30
	Highway-Oriented Commercial (C-3)	2.0 to 3.0	40
	Industrial/ Employment (I/E)	3.0 to 5.0	60
	Town Center Residential (TCR)	2.0 to 3.0	30
	Town Center Mixed-Use (TCMU)	2.0 to 3.0	30

(8) Exemption for specified uses.

(a) Because of their unique requirements for nighttime visibility and their limited hours of operation, public and private recreational uses such as ball diamonds, playing fields, tennis courts and volleyball courts are exempt from the above requirements.

(b) Outdoor public and private recreational uses specified above shall not exceed a maximum permitted post height of 100 feet.

(c) Outdoor public and private recreational uses may exceed a total cutoff angle of 90 degrees, provided that the luminaire is shielded to prevent light and glare spillover to adjacent residential uses.

(d) Low-level pedestrian lighting (bollards) for sidewalks should be provided but will not be required, provided that the lighting levels are consistent with the criteria listed above and listed in this subsection. The lighting shall be provided for safety and security up to the entrance/exit of the nonresidential building. Low-level sidewalk illumination for nonresidential uses shall be between 0.3 to 0.5 footcandle. Low-level sidewalk illumination for residential uses shall be between 0.2 to 0.3 footcandle.

(9) Additional requirements.

(a) Flickering or flashing lights shall not be permitted.

(b) Light sources or luminaires shall not be located within buffer yard areas except for pedestrian walkways.

(10) Any lighting plan submitted for review shall contain at a minimum the following information:

(a) Fixture details, including. manufacturer with part number pole height, lamp wattage, etc.

(b) Fixture schedule that includes all fixture types and mounting arrangements.

(c) Statistical table, including: maximum/minimum ratio, average/minimum ratio, average value, maximum value, minimum value.

(d) Photometric plan, including: footcandle values at the property line and footcandle values in the parking, driving and walking areas.

(11) Exterior lighting, except for overhead streetlighting and warning, emergency, or traffic signals, shall be installed in accordance with § 500-22F, in such a manner that the light source will be sufficiently obscured to prevent glare on public streets and walkways or into any residential area. The installation or erection of any lighting which may be confused with warning signals. Emergency signals or traffic signals shall be unlawful. No lighting installation shall cause illumination in excess of 0.5 footcandle measured at the property line.

(12) Measurement. Lighting levels shall be measured in footcandles. Measurement shall be taken with a direct reading portable light meter or by light-reading equipment as recommended by the Borough Engineer.

(13) Method. Readings shall be taken by qualified personnel so that the light-reading meter has been exposed long enough to provide a constant reading. Measurements shall be made after dark with the light sources in question on, then with the same sources off. The difference between the tow readings shall be compared to the maximum permitted illumination at the property line at ground level. This procedure eliminates the effects of moonlight and other ambient light.

G. Interior circulation, access and traffic control.

(1) The interior circulation of traffic shall be designed so that no driveway or street providing parking spaces shall be used as a through street. If parking spaces are indicated by lines with angles other than 90 degrees, then traffic lanes shall be restricted to one-way permitting head-in parking. No driveway or street used for interior circulation shall have traffic lanes less than 10 feet in width.

(2) Areas provided for loading and unloading of delivery trucks and other vehicles, and for the servicing of shops by refuse collection, fuel and other service vehicles, shall be adequate in size and shall be so arranged that they may be used without blockage or interference with the use of accessways or automobile parking facilities.

(3) All access ways to any public street or highway shall be located at least 200 feet from the intersection of any two street lines, and shall be designed in a manner conducive to safe ingress and egress as determined by the Planning Commission and the Borough Council. Where practical, exits shall be located on minor, rather than major, streets or highways.

(4) No design shall be approved which is likely to create substantial traffic hazards endangering the public safety. Safety requirements which may be imposed in such review shall include traffic control devices, acceleration or deceleration lanes, turning lanes, traffic and lane markings, and signs. The developer shall be responsible for the construction of any such traffic control devices.

H. Building design. Buildings shall be designed to take advantage of the natural terrain and shall not be physically located to unnecessarily concentrate activity in one portion of the lot. At least one entranceway shall be maintained at ground level. All pedestrian entrances shall be paved with an all-weather surface. A curbing shall be provided to separate parking areas, streets, and driveways.

I. Vehicles. Any movable structure, trailer, automobile, truck or parts of these items or any other items of similar nature, allowed to remain on the premises a longer time than that required to load, unload, or otherwise discharge its normal functions, shall be considered subject to all regulations set forth in this chapter for buildings and structures as defined herein.

§ 500-23 Site plan review.

A. Requirements.

(1) In order to assure the satisfactory development of sites within the commercial and industrial districts, it shall be required that prior to the use or occupancy of any lot, building site, parcel or property, a suitable site plan shall be submitted to the Littlestown Borough Planning Commission.

(2) It is the purpose of this section to benefit the applicant by providing such information and guidance as might be required before the applicant shall have entered into any binding commitments or incurred any substantial expense in the preparation of plans, surveys and other date.

B. Application.

(1) The applicant shall be the owner of the site, or if more than one owner, all owners shall act jointly. The applicant shall confer with the Planning Commission in connection with the preparation of the application and prior to the submission of the application.

(2) The application shall contain the following:

(a) Facts concerning the proposed facilities and the provisions made for maintenance of the land and premises;

(b) Overall development plans showing the kind, location, height, bulk, and use of all structures;

(c) A site plan showing and identifying streets and all other means of vehicular and pedestrian circulation, provisions for parking and loading and the mount thereof, a general landscape plan, the position of all utilities, the provision for storage and screening of waste materials;

(d) Phasing and timing of construction (if applicable);

(e) Other such data that the Planning Commission and/or Littlestown Borough Council shall prescribe.

C. Final approval. No building permits shall be issued until after the site plan and other required elements of the application shall have been formally approved by the Planning Commission.

§ 500-24 Age-qualified housing.

[Added 9-25-2007 by Ord. No. 612]

A. Intent. The purpose of these provisions is to establish specific standards for age-qualified housing developments as defined and as may be permitted in this chapter.

B. Standards. Age-qualified housing developments shall be subject to the following standards.

(1) Minimum lot area. The minimum lot area upon which an age-qualified housing development may be proposed shall be five acres.

(2) Relationship to community amenities.

(a) Age-qualified housing development shall be located in close proximity (as defined in this chapter) to all of the following community amenities:

[Amended 4-23-2019 by Ord. No. 692]

[1] Health-care services.

[2] Commercial and personal services.

[3] Places of worship.

(b) If a specific community amenity is not located in close proximity to an age-qualified housing development, the specific community amenity shall be provided within, and integrated with, the age-qualified housing development. The required community amenity(ies) shall be provided within an integrated community center, which may also include other amenities specifically provided for the benefit and use of the residents of the development. The community center may, if provided, also include sales and administrative offices for the development, professional offices, limited retail shops limited to a maximum of 1,000 square feet of floor area, and limited personal service shops limited to a maximum of 1,000 square feet of floor area.

(3) Permitted residential uses. The following type of residential uses may be permitted within an age-qualified housing development.

(a) Single-family detached dwellings.

(b) Single-family attached dwellings.

(c) Apartment buildings.

[Amended 4-23-2019 by Ord. No. 692]

(4) Area and bulk regulations. The following regulations shall be observed for age-qualified housing developments:

(a) Single-family detached dwellings.

[1] Minimum lot area: 7,500 square feet.

[2] Minimum lot width: 75 feet.

[3] Minimum front setback: 20 feet.

[4] Minimum side setback: 10 feet.

[5] Minimum rear setback: 20 feet.

(b) Single-family attached dwellings.

[1] Minimum lot area per unit: 2,500 square feet; 3,500 square feet for an end unit.

[2] Minimum lot width per unit: 25 feet.

[3] Minimum front setback: 15 feet.

[4] Minimum side setback (each end unit): 10 feet.

[5] Minimum rear setback: 20 feet.

[6] Maximum number of units in a single building: four.

(c) Apartment buildings.

[Amended 4-23-2019 by Ord. No. 692]

[1] Minimum lot area per dwelling unit: 3,000 square feet.

[2] Minimum lot width: 100 feet.

[3] Minimum front setback: 25 feet.

[4] Minimum side setback: 20 feet.

[5] Minimum rear setback: 25 feet.

[6] Minimum building separation distance: 50 feet.

(d) Nonresidential uses:

[1] Minimum lot area per unit: none.

[2] Minimum lot width: 75 feet.

[3] Minimum front setback: 10 feet.

[4] Minimum side setback: 10 feet.

[5] Minimum rear setback: 25 feet.

[6] Maximum percentage of site area. A maximum of 10% of the total lot area of an age-qualified development may be devoted to a community center, within which authorized nonresidential units may be developed.

(e) Coverage. Maximum lot coverage for the age-qualified housing development shall be 35%. Maximum impervious lot coverage for the age-qualified housing development shall be 50%.[1]

[1] Editor’s Note: Former Subsection B(4)(f), Maximum development density, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 4-23-2019 by Ord. No. 692. This ordinance also redesignated former Subsection B(4)(g) and (h) as Subsection B(4)(f) and (g), respectively.

(f) Minimum open space: 35%.

(g) Maximum building height: 45 feet.

[Amended 4-23-2019 by Ord. No. 692]

(5) Design standards. An age-qualified housing development shall be subject to the following design standards.

(a) Dwelling unit standards. The following standards shall be applied to all dwelling units within an age-qualified housing development.

[1] Dwelling unit mix. Age-qualified housing developments may be proposed using any mix of dwelling unit types authorized in Subsection B(3), provided that the maximum development density established in Subsection B(4)(f) is complied with.

[2] Single-floor dwellings. A minimum of 50% of the dwelling units within an age-qualified housing development shall provide a single-story living arrangement. For the purpose of this section, an apartment unit on a second or third floor shall not be considered to have a single-story living arrangement.

[3] Accessible dwellings. A minimum of 25% of the dwelling units within an age-qualified housing development shall be designed to be accessible to disabled or handicapped residents.

(b) Single-family attached dwellings. All single-family attached dwellings shall meet the design requirements established in § 500-17E(4)(a)[5] through [9].

(c) Apartment buildings. All apartment buildings shall meet the following design requirements.

[Amended 4-23-2019 by Ord. No. 692]

[1] Courtyard layout. Building elements shall surround a central courtyard on at least three sides. The courtyard shall contain elements that encourage the congregation of residents of the community. The courtyard may contribute to the open space area required by Subsection B(4)(g).

[2] Dwelling unit access to outdoors. Each dwelling unit within an apartment building shall have direct access to the outdoors, either through a ground-floor doorway or by a private balcony.

[3] Windows and doors. Windows and doors shall constitute a minimum of 30% of the total area of every external wall.

[4] Roof pitch. Roof pitch shall be consistent with that of surrounding established neighborhoods in the Borough of Littlestown. Documentation shall be submitted demonstrating that the proposed roof pitch is consistent with that found in surrounding residential neighborhoods.

[5] Architectural details. All apartment buildings shall be consistent in terms of scale and architectural features to surrounding established neighborhoods in the Borough of Littlestown. Documentation shall be submitted demonstrating that the proposed scale and architectural features are consistent with that found in surrounding residential neighborhoods.

(d) Parking. Required off-street parking within an age-qualified housing development shall comply with the following requirements, in addition to the requirements of § 500-19I of this chapter.

[1] Location. A maximum of 50% of the parking for single-family attached and Apartment Building dwellings, as well as for any community center area, may be located between such buildings and the adjoining public street right-of-way. The remaining parking shall be located to the side or rear of such buildings.

[Amended 4-23-2019 by Ord. No. 692]

[2] Separation distances. Common parking areas shall be separated from buildings by a minimum of 10 feet. All parking areas shall be set back from the perimeter property line of an age-qualified housing development a minimum of 25 feet.

[3] Pedestrian accommodation: Where parking is located between the buildings and adjoining public street right-of-way in accordance with Subsection B(5)(d)[l], the parking area shall be designed in a manner that enables pedestrians to travel between the buildings and the public street sidewalk without having to walk through parking spaces or along parking aisles. Said pedestrian walkways shall be part of the pedestrian facilities required in Subsection B(5)(e).

[Added 4-23-2019 by Ord. No. 692]

(e) Pedestrian facilities. A pedestrian network shall be provided within the age-qualified housing development to connect all dwelling units with all activity centers, designated open space, and the community center (if provided). The pedestrian network shall be comprised of sidewalks and/or asphalt walkways constructed to a minimum width of five feet. The pedestrian network shall include benches and shelters at minimum intervals of 500 feet. The pedestrian network within an age-qualified housing development shall be connected to the existing pedestrian network and facilities surrounding the development site to allow for convenient pedestrian access to services and amenities in close proximity to the development site.

(f) Landscaping. A landscaping plan shall be developed for the entire age-qualified housing development site. Three planting units shall be provided for every dwelling unit within an age-qualified housing development. Selected plants shall be native to Pennsylvania. The landscaping plan shall be prepared by a landscape architect licensed to practice in Pennsylvania. Precise placement of plant elements is not required. However, the landscaping plan shall relate to the need to soften views of parking areas, garbage dumpster sites, and mechanical and utility equipment sites, and shall facilitate attractive outdoor recreation spaces.

(g) Open space/common areas. The administration, management, and ownership of open space and common areas and facilities shall be provided by the developer or a homeowners' association in accordance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Condominium Act, as amended,[2] or the Uniform Planned Community Act, as amended.[3] The developer shall provide a draft copy of the declaration, as well as draft association bylaws and/or covenants to the Borough prior to final plan approval in accordance with Chapter 415, Subdivision and Land Development. Final versions of said documents shall be provided to the Borough prior to their recordation.

[2] Editor's Note: See 68 Pa.C.S.A. § 3101 et seq.

[3] Editor's Note: See 68 Pa.C.S.A. § 5101 et seq.

§ 500-25 Communications, antennas, equipment buildings and towers on Borough property.

[Added 10-28-2008 by Ord. No. 631]

Communications antennas, communications equipment buildings, communications towers, and related equipment may be located and erected in and upon property owned or leased by the Borough of Littlestown or the Littlestown Borough Authority as a use by right within any and all zoning districts of the Borough; subject, however, to the approval of such facilities by the Littlestown Borough Council and/or the Littlestown Borough Authority, as the case may be.

§ 500-26 Power-generation facilities.

[Added 1-12-2012 by Ord. No. 642]

Power-generation facilities shall be permitted as an accessory use in all zoning districts in accordance with the following standards.

A. Solar panels, roof-mounted. Roof-mounted solar panels shall be permitted in accordance with the following standards.

(1) Roof-mounted solar panels shall comply with the maximum building height requirements of the zoning district in which the installation of the solar panel is proposed.

(2) On pitched roofs, roof-mounted solar panels shall be installed as close to parallel as possible to the pitch of the roof while not sacrificing the efficiency of the solar panel.

(3) On flat roofs, roof-mounted solar panels may be installed at an angle to improve the efficiency of the solar panel with regard to the predominant sun angle, provided that the solar panel is placed in a manner to minimize its visibility from street level. In no case may solar panels extend more than five feet above the top of a flat roof.

B. Solar panels, ground-mounted. Ground-mounted solar panels shall be permitted in accordance with the following standards.

[Amended 5-25-2021 by Ord. No. 698]

(1) Ground-mounted solar panels shall only be permitted within the C-3, C/E, and I/E Districts. Ground-mounted solar panels shall not be permitted within the R-1, R-2, R-3, TCR, and TCMU Districts.

(2) Ground-mounted solar panels shall comply with the setback requirements of the zoning district in which the installation of the solar panel is proposed.

(3) Ground-mounted solar panels shall not be permitted by right in front of any principal building.

(4) Ground-mounted solar panels shall not exceed a height of 10 feet.

(5) Glare from ground-mounted solar panels shall be directed away from adjoining properties or street rights-of-way. Fences or vegetative screens may be utilized to prevent glare from impacting adjoining properties or street rights-of-way.

(6) Ground-mounted solar panels shall be enclosed by a fence that complies with the requirements of § 500-19N.

(7) A planting or buffer strip that complies with the requirements of § 500-19G shall be installed around the outer perimeter of the fence required by § 500-26B(6).

C. Wind turbines. Wind turbines shall not be permitted.

[Amended 5-25-2021 by Ord. No. 698]

D. General requirements. The following requirements shall apply to all power-generation facilities.

(1) Building permit required. The installation of solar panels and/or wind-generation facilities shall be subject any permitting and inspections with regard to applicable provisions of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC)[1] in addition to any permitting required to demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

[1] Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 7210.101 et seq.

(2) Purpose of facility. The primary purpose of a power-generation facility shall be to provide power for the principal use of the property on/within which the installation of said power-generation facility is proposed. The primary purpose of the facility shall not be for the generation of power for commercial purposes, although this provision shall not be interpreted so as to prohibit the sale of excess power generated from time to time.

(3) Removal. Power-generation facilities shall be completely decommissioned by the facility owner within 12 months after the end of the useful life of the facility or if the facility has not produced power for the previous 12 months. Decommissioning shall include removal of the entire power-generation facility, including buildings, cabling, electrical components, foundations, pilings, and any other associated feature. Failures of the property owner to decommission a power-generation facility in accordance with this section shall constitute a violation of the Zoning Ordinance and shall be subject to the enforcement remedies established in Article VIII.

[Added 5-25-2021 by Ord. No. 698]

§ 500-27 Continuing care retirement community (CCRC).

[Added 5-24-2011 by Ord. No. 650]

A. Intent. The purpose of these provisions is to establish specific standards for a CCRC as defined and as may be permitted in this chapter.

B. Standards. CCRCs shall be subject to the following standards:

(1) Permitted uses. The following types of uses shall be authorized to be included within a CCRC:

(a) Residential uses. At least two forms of residential arrangements shall be provided within a CCRC. Authorized residential arrangements include independent living, assisted living, and nursing or skilled units, and may be provided in accordance with the following:

[1] Independent living units may be of the single-family detached, single-family semidetached, or multifamily dwelling unit types.

[2] Assisted-living units may be of the multifamily dwelling unit type.

[3] Nursing or skilled units shall be located within a licensed facility providing medical care and related services.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Original Subsection B.1.a.(4), which requires one of the two residential arrangements at a CCRC to be a nursing or skilled unit, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 4-23-2013 by Ord. No. 659.

(b) Common uses. The following common uses shall be permitted to be located within a CCRC:

[1] Dining facilities, including central kitchens and dining areas for on-site preparation and serving of meals. Such dining facilities may provide service to the general public in addition to residents of the CCRC.

[2] Recreation facilities, including, but not limited to, activity rooms, auditoriums, lounges, and libraries.

[3] Health care facilities, including, but not limited to, physical therapy facilities and services, exercise room with equipment, swimming pools.

[4] Retail sales uses intended to serve the residents and employees of the CCRC, provided that such retail sales uses do not exceed 10% of the total floor area within the CCRC.

[5] Personal service uses intended to serve the residents of the CCRC, provided that such personal service uses do not exceed 5% of the total floor area within the CCRC.

[6] Professional office uses intended to serve the residents of the CCRC, provided that such professional office uses do not exceed 10% of the total floor area within the CCRC. Floor area devoted to medical or care services offered directly within a nursing or skilled care facility shall not be included in calculating this percentage.

[7] Chapels.

(2) Bulk and area regulations. The following regulations shall be observed for CCRC developments:

(a) Maximum development density. The maximum residential density of a CCRC development shall be 10 dwelling units per gross acre. The following weighting factors shall be employed when calculating project density:

[1] Each independent living unit shall be counted as one dwelling unit.

[2] Each assisted-living unit shall be counted as 0.75 of a dwelling unit.

[3] Each nursing or skilled unit shall be counted as 0.50 of a dwelling unit.

(b) Minimum lot size. The minimum lot size upon which a CCRC development may be proposed shall be 10 acres.

(c) Coverage. Maximum lot coverage for a CCRC development shall be 50%. Maximum impervious lot coverage for a CCRC development shall be 65%.

(d) Maximum building height. Forty-five feet for nursing or skilled unit buildings. Twenty-eight feet for all other buildings within the CCRC.

(e) Building placement. A CCRC development shall be designed as a campus-like setting. Dimensional requirements are not established for individual residential or nonresidential use types, provided that the overall project density requirements established for CCRC developments are achieved and that the following dimensional requirements for the CCRC development are applied to the CCRC parcel as a whole:

[1] Minimum front setback: 25 feet.

[2] Minimum side setback: 10 feet.

[3] Minimum rear setback: 25 feet.

[4] Minimum lot width: 200 feet.

[5] Minimum building separation. The following minimum building separation distances shall be applied to all buildings within the CCRC development:

[a] Front to front: 50 feet.

[b] Front to side: 25 feet.

[c] Side to side: 15 feet.

[d] Side to rear: 25 feet.

[e] Rear to rear: 50 feet.

(3) Design requirements. A CCRC development shall be subject to the following design standards:

(a) Dwelling unit standards. The following standards shall be applied to all dwelling units within a CCRC development:

[1] Single-floor dwellings. A minimum of 50% of the dwelling units within a CCRC development shall provide a single-story living arrangement. For the purpose of this section, an apartment unit on a second or third floor shall not be considered to have a single-story living arrangement unless elevator service is provided. Nursing or skilled units shall not be included in this calculation.

[2] Accessible dwellings. A minimum of 25% of the dwelling units within a CCRC development shall be designed to be accessible to disabled or handicapped residents.

[3] Single-family attached dwellings. All single-family attached dwellings shall meet the design requirements established in § 500-17E(4)(a)[5] through [9], inclusive.

[4] Apartment dwellings and nursing or skilled unit buildings. All apartment dwellings shall meet the design requirements established in § 500-24B(5)(c), exclusive of the open space area requirement of Subsection B(1). Nursing or skilled unit buildings shall meet the design requirements established in § 500-24B(5)(c), exclusive of Subsection B(2) and the open space area requirement of Subsection B(1).

(b) Nonresidential use standards. The following standards shall be applied to all nonresidential uses within a CCRC development:

[1] All nonresidential uses within a CCRC development shall be located in a central location within the CCRC. The location of the nonresidential uses shall be connected to the pedestrian system within the CCRC development and shall be easily accessible for all residents.

[2] Nonresidential uses may be integrated into buildings devoted to assisted-living units and/or nursing or skilled units.

[3] Where nonresidential uses are located in a building or buildings separate from residential buildings, the building(s) with the nonresidential uses shall have an architectural design that is consistent with and reflective of the architectural character of the residential buildings within the CCRC. Architectural renderings shall be submitted to document such required consistency.

(c) Parking.

[1] Off-street parking shall be provided in accordance with the following schedule:

[a] Independent living unit: one space.

[b] Assisted-living unit: one space for every two units.

[c] Nursing or skilled care unit: one space for every four beds, plus one space for every employee on the largest shift.

[d] Common facilities: see schedule in § 500-19I(2).

[e] Guest parking: one space for every five living units.

[2] In addition, off-street parking for multifamily dwellings and nonresidential uses shall be provided in a common parking lot located to the side of or the rear of the use to which said parking is associated. Parking lots shall meet the design requirements of § 500-19I(4).

(d) Pedestrian facilities. A pedestrian network shall be provided within the CCRC development to connect all dwelling units with all activity centers, designated open space, and any common facilities. The pedestrian network shall be comprised of sidewalks and/or asphalt walkways constructed to a minimum width of five feet. The pedestrian network shall include benches and shelters at minimum intervals of 500 feet. The pedestrian network within a CCRC development shall be connected to the existing pedestrian network and facilities surrounding the development site to allow for convenient pedestrian access to services and amenities in close proximity to the development site.

(e) A landscaping plan shall be developed for the entire CCRC development site. Three planting units shall be provided for every dwelling unit within a CCRC development. Selected plants shall be native to Pennsylvania. The landscaping plan shall be prepared by a landscape architect licensed to practice in Pennsylvania. Precise placement of plant elements is not required; however, the landscaping plan shall relate to the need to soften views of parking areas, garbage dumpster sites, and mechanical and utility equipment sites, and shall facilitate attractive outdoor recreation spaces.

§ 500-27.1 Use of storage containers as accessory buildings.

[Added 5-25-2021 by Ord. No. 698]

A. The use of a storage container as an accessory storage building shall only be permitted in the I/E District. The use of a storage container as an accessory storage building shall not be permitted in the R-1, R-2, R-3, TCR, TCMU, C-3, or C/E Districts, or upon any residential property regardless of the zoning district.

B. A storage container used as an accessory storage building shall be subject to dimensional standards, including but not limited to setback and lot coverage standards, of the underlying zoning district.

C. Stacking of storage containers for accessory storage building purposes shall not be permitted.

D. Storage containers used for accessory storage building purposes may only be located to the side or rear of the principal building. Storage containers shall not be permitted to be placed in front of any principal building.

E. Storage containers used for accessory storage building purposes shall be placed on a flat, improved surface. Such surfaces include paved surfaces or a gravel foundation. In no case may a storage container be placed directly on a bare earth or vegetated surface.

F. Storage containers used for accessory storage building purposes shall not be placed in an area previously designed for on-lot parking spaces or for loading spaces. Such storage containers shall not be placed in a manner that blocks or in any way hinders access to on-lot parking spaces or loading spaces.