[Ord. 6/20/1979; as amended by Ord. 91-2000, 11/20/2000,
§ 1; by Ord. 125-2004, 12/20/2004, § 1; and by
Ord. 173-2011, 7/5/2011, § 1]
A sign, as defined in Part 2, shall include banners, streamers,
whirling or lighting devices, or any other type of attention-attracting
device, and may be single-face, double-face or a "V" type structure.
A sign which directs attention to a business or profession
or to a commodity, service or entertainment sold or offered upon the
premises where such sign is located.
A sign, containing no advertising other than a name, either
temporary or permanent, which serves as a convenience to the public
to show direction to a place or activity.
A sign which is in addition and subordinate to any other
sign permitted on the premises.
A sign which contains a commercial message and which directs
attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted,
sold or offered at a location other than the premises on which the
sign is located.
A sign erected for a relatively short period of time, which
period shall be terminated by completion of work, sale of premises,
or product advertised, or occurrence of the event to which it refers.
[Ord. 6/20/1979; as amended by Ord. 125-2004, 12/20/2004,
§ 1; and by Ord. 173-2011, 7/5/2011, § 1]
1.
Except as otherwise provided in § 27-1405, the following signs may be erected in any Residential District, subject to the following:
A.
One unlighted or indirectly illuminated name plate, not exceeding
four square feet in area, announcing the name and address of the occupants
of a residence.
B.
One bulletin board, not exceeding a sign area of 24 square feet for
a church, school, hospital or other public or semi-public institution.
Any illumination shall be non-flashing, uncolored, diffused or indirect,
and such sign shall be set back at least one-third the distance of
any required setback from any property line.
C.
One unlighted real estate "for sale" or "for rent" sign, not exceeding
six square feet in sign area. Corner lots may have two such signs,
one for each frontage.
D.
"No trespassing" signs, and signs indicating private ownership of
roadways or other property not exceeding 1 1/2 square feet in
sign area.
E.
For advertising on the premises the sale or development of property
within a subdivision, the record plat of which contains less than
10 lots, one sign for the entire subdivision not more than 15 square
feet in sign area; where the record plat of which contains more than
10 lots, two signs for the entire subdivision, each of which having
not more than 15 square feet in sign area.
F.
An incidental sign is permitted in all single-family residential
areas and multi-family dwellings in which a permitted business, office
or farm other than a home occupation is located. Such unlighted shall
have a sign area of not more than six square feet.
G.
Temporary signs of contractors, mechanics, painters and artisans,
erected and maintained on the premises during the period of work,
one such sign per trade, each of which having an area of not more
than 12 square feet, and provided that each such sign shall be removed
promptly upon completion of the work for which it is applicable.
[Ord. 6/20/1979; as amended by Ord. 125-2004, 12/20/2004,
§ 1; and by Ord. 173-2011, 7/5/2011, § 1]
1.
Except as otherwise provided in § 27-1404, the following signs may be erected in any Commercial District, subject to the following:
A.
Any sign permitted in Residential Districts.
B.
Business Signs. No other sign shall be permitted except one which
refers to the use of property where such sign is erected or maintained,
provided that:
(1)
The number of signs shall not exceed two.
(2)
The maximum sign area of all signs shall not exceed an area
equal to one square foot for every one lineal foot of building frontage
up to 100 square feet, whichever is less. Such signs shall be attached
to a building wall or roof, and the top of the sign shall not project
more than two feet above the cornice line of the building.
(3)
Temporary window signs shall not be considered in computing
the allowable sign area, provided that such interior window signs
do not cover more than 20% of the total window area, up to a maximum
size of eight square feet. Corner lot or buildings shall be considered
as separate frontages.
(4)
In the case of a shopping center, one additional ground sign
shall be permitted containing not more than 24 square feet in sign
area and extending not more than 18 feet in height.
[Ord. 6/20/1979; as amended by Ord. 125-2004, § 12/20/2004,
§ 1; and by Ord. 173-2011, 7/5/2011, § 1]
1.
Except as otherwise provided in § 27-1405, the following signs may be erected in any Industrial District, subject to the following:
A.
Any sign permitted in any other District, provided that the use to
which it refers is permitted in the particular Industrial District.
B.
For any other permitted use, a sign to display the name of the owner
of the premises and the activity conducted thereon or product produced
thereon, on the same lot therewith, such sign not to exceed 10 feet
in height and 20 feet in length.
[Ord. 6/20/1979; as amended by Ord. 91-2000, 11/20/2000,
§ 5; by Ord. 125-2004, 12/20/2004, § 1; by Ord.
154-2009, 7/6/2009, § 1; by Ord. 173-2011, 7/5/2011, § 1;
and by Ord. 181-2013, 11/4/2013, § 1]
1.
Prohibited and Nonconforming Signs.
A.
No flashing sign shall be permitted in any District and any existing
one shall not be altered or changed in any way.
B.
Nonconforming Signs. Every lawful nonconforming sign shall be discontinued
and removed, or changed to a conforming sign, within a period of two
years from the effective date of this chapter, provided that signs
which, at the effective date of this chapter, are maintained in connection
with and upon the same lot as a lawful nonconforming use may be maintained
or repaired or replaced with signs similar in size and character so
long as such lawful nonconforming use continues, but may not be enlarged
or otherwise substantially altered (nor may the illustration or lack
of illumination thereof be changed) except in accordance with the
regulations applicable to the District in which such lot is located.
C.
Signs containing illuminated or moving text, video, graphic or animated
displays, including light emitting diode (LED) displays, color or
monochrome electronic scrolling text message displays, digital displays,
and graphic or video displays are prohibited. Nothing herein shall
prohibit the illumination of signs otherwise permitted pursuant to
Subsection 13C of this section.
2.
Signs Within Public Street Rights-of-Way.
A.
Any sign, marking, banner, or advertising matter placed within any
public street right-of-way, including any temporary sign placed illegally
within a PennDOT right-of-way, other than those noted below in Subsection
2B, shall be deemed a public nuisance and may be removed or otherwise
abated by the Township with or without notice to the person responsible
for such placement or to the owner of such sign.
B.
Exceptions. The following signs and markings and no others shall
be exempt from the preceding Subsection 2A, provided, however, such
signs shall not be placed such that they impede the vision of motorists
or pedestrian or otherwise pose a hazard to public safety.
(1)
Traffic, informational, and warning signs (either temporary
or permanent) placed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation,
the Township, or another governmental agency having jurisdiction over
the public street right-of-way in the Township.
(2)
Warning signs placed by a public utility, pipeline company,
or contractor doing work within the right-of-way as permitted by such
utility, pipeline company, PennDOT, or the Township.
(3)
Signs (including advertising) placed on bus shelters, provided
that the shelter has been designed to accommodate such signs, and
further provided that said signs do not extend beyond the end wall
of the shelter.
(4)
Religious symbols and seasonal decorations within the appropriate
holiday season.
(5)
Election Signs. Election signs may be displayed not more than
30 days prior to the scheduled election day and must be removed within
two days of election day. Signs which are not removed within the time
limit may be impounded by the Township.
(6)
Garage, Yard Sale and Event Signs. Signs advertising activity
such as a garage sale, yard sale, auction, bridal shower, birthday
party, reception, private celebration or private sale may be placed
no more than 10 days before the event and shall be removed within
two days of the end of the event. Signs not removed within the time
limit may be impounded by the Township:
(7)
Open House Signs. Signs designating an open house for the sale
a residential real estate may be displayed no more than three days
in advance of the open house and shall be removed within two hours
of the end of the open house. Signs which are not removed within the
time limits may be impounded by the Township.
(8)
Real Estate "For Sale" or "For Rent" Signs. Such real estate
signs shall be removed within two days of the completion of the activity
which they advertise Signs which are not removed within the time limits
may be impounded by the Township.
(9)
Special Event Signs. Special event signs shall comply with any
generally applicable rules, regulations, or policies of the Township
and, if a special event has a specific date, signs for that event
may be displayed no more than 14 days in advance. All special event
signs shall be removed within two days of the end of the event. Signs
which are not removed within the time limits may be impounded by the
Township.
(10)
Security System and Warning Signs. Signs indicating the existence
of a security system, warning of the presence of a dog, no soliciting,
and the like, shall not exceed one in number, and shall be no larger
than one square foot.
(11)
Private Drive Signs. On-premises private drive signs shall be
limited to one per driveway entrance, not exceeding two square feet
in area, with language limited to the words "private drive" and the
addresses of any residences using the private driveway.
(12)
Non-profit Organization Signs. Non-profit organization signs
not exceeding four square feet may be placed in street rights-of-way
with the approval of the Township. The Township may require that they
be placed at designated entrances to the community or on common display
panels.
C.
Enforcement.
(1)
Signs, markings, banners, and advertising matter found in violation
of this Part shall be removed by or at the direction of the Township.
Such removal shall not require notice to any party including, but
not limited to, the owner of the materials removed.
(2)
Where the owner of the removed materials can be determined,
the Township shall have the right to commence such action against
said owner as necessary to recoup all costs incurred by the Township
for such removal.
(3)
Removed materials shall be stored by the Township for not less
than five business days and shall be returned to the owner upon the
owner's request within such period and payment of any costs incurred
by the Township by the owner. Where no request is received, or if
the owner fails to retrieve the said materials within five business
days of their request, the materials may be disposed of at the discretion
of the Township and without notice to any party.
3.
No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress
or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign shall be attached
to a stand-pipe or fire escape.
4.
No business sign may be located nearer to a residence or a Residential
District lot line than permitted for other business or commercial
structures. If located nearer than 50 feet and facing into a residence
or a Residential District, it shall be so designed as not to shine
or reflect light upon such residence or District.
5.
No sign shall be erected at the intersection of streets so as to
obstruct free and clear vision.
6.
Signs may be affixed flat against the walls of buildings or may project
therefrom not more than 42 inches. Any sign affixed flat against the
wall of a building and not more than 12 inches in thickness shall
not be deemed a projecting sign. Projecting signs may extend not more
than 42 inches beyond the building line over public property, and
shall be at least 10 feet above the finished grade of the sidewalk.
Wall signs shall not extend more than 12 inches over public property.
7.
Directional Signs.
A.
Directional signs for institutional uses, not exceeding four square
feet in area, shall be permitted. Such signs may be illuminated but
any illumination thereof shall be non-flashing, uncolored or diffused,
and confined to the face of the sign, or they may be of the beaded
reflector type. No advertising matter shall be contained on signs
of this type which may be used for the purpose of indicating the name
or location of a town, village, hospital, community center, private
or public school, college, church or other place of worship; or the
name or place of meeting of an official, civic or service body.
B.
Directional signs, not exceeding two square feet in area, referring
to sample homes or new subdivisions or land developments located within
Charlestown Township shall be permitted in any District and off the
premises of the development, provided that such signs shall be kept
within a radius of one mile of such development, and spaced at locations
only where a change in direction is involved.
8.
In any district, on any lot, one temporary sign of a realtor advertising
the sale or development of 10 or more acres of property, held in single
and separate ownership, may be maintained on such lot and having a
total sign area of not more than 24 square feet.
9.
Whenever a sign becomes structurally unsafe or endangers the safety
of a building or premises, or the general public, written notice shall
be given the owner of the premises on which such sign is located,
that such sign be made safe or removed within five days.
10.
Except in Residential Districts as set forth in § 27-1402, Subsection 1G., temporary signs for contractors, mechanics, painters and artisans, may be erected and maintained on the premises during the period of their respective work, provided that the area of any one side of any such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet and provided that not more than one sign per contractor shall be erected on the premises, and further provided that such signs shall be removed promptly upon completion of the work for which it is applicable.
11.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any permitted sign,
building or structure, in any District, may be illuminated, subject
to the following regulations:
A.
There shall be no illumination of a flashing, intermittent or moving
type.
B.
Flood-lighting shall be so shielded that the source of light shall
not be visible from any point off the lot on which the sign, building
or structure being illuminated is erected, and so that only the sign,
building or structure is directly illuminated thereby.
12.
Temporary signs, on the premises, used for openings, special sales
or product productions, require a thirty-day temporary permit.
13.
Outdoor advertising billboards are subject to the following criteria
and regulations in addition to all other applicable regulations set
forth in this Part. The applicant for a conditional use permit shall
have the burden of proving compliance with all of the following criteria
and regulations. Documents and plans necessary to establish compliance
shall be submitted to the Township with the conditional use permit
application.
A.
Outdoor advertising billboards shall be a maximum of 300 square feet
in size on each sign face. Outdoor advertising billboards may be single-faced,
double-faced or "V" shaped. Outdoor advertising billboards shall have
a maximum height to the top of the sign and structure, including lights,
of 25 feet above the road surface of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. A
maximum of one outdoor advertising billboard shall be permitted per
lot.
B.
Outdoor advertising billboards shall be placed only along the east-west
travel lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike on properties zoned Limited-Industrial
two that abut the Pennsylvania Turnpike right-of-way situated between
the Township's southern boundary with Tredyffrin Township and
the eastern right-of-way line of Morehall Road. Outdoor advertising
billboards shall be located only a minimum of five feet and a maximum
of 30 feet from the Turnpike east-west travel lanes right-of-way.
C.
Any lighting of or on outdoor advertising billboards shall comply
with the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America's
("ISNEA") recommended practices and criteria contained In the ISNEA
Lighting Handbook, including, but not limited to, criteria for "full
cutoff" fixtures. Fixtures shall be equipped with or be capable of
being back-fitted with light directing devices such as shields, visors
or hoods when necessary to redirect offending light distribution.
All fixtures shall be mounted at the top of the billboard and aimed
downward. All lighting shall be aimed, located, designed, fitted and
maintained so as not to present a hazard to drivers or pedestrians
by impairing their ability to safely traverse, and so as not to project
or reflect light onto a neighboring use or property.
D.
Outdoor advertising billboards are subject to an annual inspection
by the Township Building Inspector or his designee to assure structural
integrity and proper maintenance.
E.
The owner or lessee of the outdoor advertising billboard shall be
responsible for maintenance, cleaning, inspection, and all necessary
repairs of the outdoor advertising billboard including the structure,
lighting, advertising copy and landscaping. The structure shall be
made of materials with permanent finishes requiring minimal maintenance.
All maintenance, cleaning and repair, including repair of torn or
worn advertising copy and removal of graffiti shall be done promptly.
In the event the Township notifies the owner or lessee of any damage,
vandalism, graffiti or offensive advertising to or on the outdoor
advertising billboard, the owner or lessee shall repair or correct
the problem within 48 hours of such notification. If repairs and corrections
are not made in a timely manner, the Township shall have the right,
but not the obligation, to make repairs or corrections and be reimbursed
the cost thereof from the financial security required by Subsection
1G herein below.
F.
All location, construction, installation, maintenance and operation
of outdoor advertising billboards and their foundations shall comply
with this chapter and all applicable federal, state and local statutory
and regulatory law. In the event of a conflict, the requirements of
this section shall apply. The outdoor advertising billboard support
structure shall be a single stanchion; the stanchion, sign frame,
and structural components of the outdoor advertising billboard shall
be constructed of galvanized steel or other weather and vandalism-resistant
materials approved by the Township.
G.
The owner or lessee of the outdoor advertising billboard, prior to
the issuance of a building permit, shall post financial security in
an amount mutually determined by the Township and the owner/lessee
necessary to ensure proper maintenance, repair and removal of the
outdoor advertising billboard. A financial security agreement shall
be signed by the owner/lessee in form and substance satisfactory to
the Township.
H.
The outdoor advertising billboard, foundation, and all structural
components shall be dismantled, removed from the site and the site
restored if the lease or other agreement that authorizes the placement
of the outdoor advertising billboard expires or the use is abandoned.
The use shall be presumed abandoned if there is no advertising copy
on the outdoor advertising billboard, or the advertising copy is illegible,
deteriorated, or out-of-date, for a period of 180 consecutive days.
I.
The advertising copy sold or displayed shall be of such a nature
that it is not normally objectionable to members of the public. In
the event the Township determines advertising displays to be offensive
or objectionable, the owner or lessee shall remove the same within
48 hours of written notice thereof from the Township. Advertising
of alcohol, tobacco products, motion pictures and videos with NC-17
or X ratings, and sexually oriented businesses is prohibited.
J.
Outdoor advertising billboards shall be screened to allow only traffic
on limited access highways to view the outdoor advertising billboard
structure and advertising copy. The screening shall consist of coniferous
trees 10 feet high when planted, and planted to provide screening
of sufficient height and density to substantially conceal from view
the outdoor advertising billboard structure from all points except
the traffic on the limited access highway. When the use of trees is
not feasible due to topography or other conditions, alternative methods
of screening, such as structural barriers, shall be utilized.
[Ord. 6/20/1979; as amended by Ord. 125-2004, 12/20/2004,
§ 1; and by Ord. 173-2011, 7/5/2011, § 1]
1.
Permits. A sign permit shall be required for all signs exceeding
four square feet in area, and such signs shall be subject to annual
inspection, unless otherwise provided. All illuminated signs shall,
in addition, be in accordance with the National Electrical Code. Applications
for sign permits shall be filed in duplicate and on forms furnished
by the Township and shall be accompanied by detailed plans and specifications
and such other information deemed necessary by the Zoning Officer
to determine the location and details of construction of such sign.
2.
No permit shall be issued until a license and a bond or liability
insurance policy as herein provided, and the owner's consent
and signature, have been filed.
3.
Bond or Liability Insurance Policy. Before any permit will be issued
for any sign requiring a permit or any sign projecting over public
property, a liability insurance policy or an indemnity bond in the
amount of $5,000 payable to Charlestown Township, in a form satisfactory
to the Township Solicitor, shall be posted. Only one such bond or
liability policy need be posted for the sign erector or owner of the
sign.
4.
Permit Fees. No permit to erect shall be issued until a fee, as provided
herein, has been paid in the amount established by resolution of the
Board of Supervisors.
5.
Exemptions. The following exemptions permitted in this section shall
apply only to the requirement for a permit and fee, and shall not
be construed as relieving the owner of the sign from the responsibility
for its erection and maintenance in a good and safe condition:
A.
Signs as permitted in Residential Districts, four square feet or
less in area.
B.
Official federal, state or municipal signs.
C.
Directional signs of an institutional nature, not exceeding four
square feet in area.
D.
A ground sign advertising either sale or rental of the premises upon
which it is maintained when such sign does not exceed six square feet
of display surface in Residential Districts and 12 square feet in
all other Districts.
