Township of Charlestown, PA Part 14 SIGNS

§ 27-1401 Types and Area of Signs.

[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.

BUSINESS SIGN

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.

DIRECTIONAL SIGN

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.

INCIDENTAL SIGN

A sign which is in addition and subordinate to any other sign permitted on the premises.

OUTDOOR ADVERTISING BILLBOARD

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.

TEMPORARY SIGN

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.

§ 27-1402 Signs in Residential Districts.

[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.

§ 27-1403 Signs in Commercial Districts.

[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.

§ 27-1404 Signs in Industrial Districts.

[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.

C. Outdoor advertising billboard in the LI-2 Zoning District only, subject to the regulations of § 27-1405, Subsection 13.

§ 27-1405 General Sign Regulations.

[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.

(13) All signs described in § 27-1401.

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.

C. All illumination shall comply with the Charlestown Township Lighting Regulations (§ 22-517).

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.

§ 27-1406 Sign Permits, Bond and License.

[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.