No owner, occupant or operator shall use or allow to be used any land or structure in a way that results or threatens to result in any of the following conditions:
A. 
A physical hazard to the public, including a physical hazard that could be an attractive nuisance accessible by children.
B. 
Pollution to the groundwaters or surface waters of the Township.
C. 
Risks to public health and safety, such as, but not limited to, explosion and fire.
D. 
Interference with the reasonable use and enjoyment of property by a neighboring landowner of ordinary sensitivities.
A. 
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no principal or accessory use shall generate a sound level exceeding the limits established below when measured at a lot line:
Hours/Days
Maximum Sound level dBA
(A-weighted decibels)
12:00 noon - 6:00 p.m. Sundays and federal holidays
50 dBA
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. all other days
55 dBA
B. 
These standards shall not apply to:
(1) 
Sound needed to alert individuals about an emergency.
(2) 
Repair or installation of utilities and streets.
(3) 
Construction of structures between the hours of noon and 6:00 p.m. on Sundays and federal holidays and 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on all other days.
(4) 
Lawn mowers, snow blowers, leaf blowers and household power tools, when in use for their intended purposes, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. or during periods of emergency.
(5) 
Normal agricultural operations.
(6) 
Public celebrations and special events specifically authorized by the Township or other governmental entity.
(7) 
Unamplified human voices.
(8) 
Routine ringing of bells and chimes by a place of worship.
(9) 
Vehicles operating on a public street and aircraft.
(10) 
Vehicular reverse movement warning.
C. 
Wherever a use generates or has the capacity of generating noise exceeding 10 decibels above the ambient noise level measured at the lot line of the lot on which the use is located, the owner/operator of such use shall either:
[Amended 9-3-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-05]
(1) 
Establish by means of a report prepared by a professional acoustical engineer that the use will employ sound-control measures that will prevent such elevated noise levels at the lot line by means of sound-proofing of the enclosure of the source of the noise or alterative of the use operations; or
(2) 
Construct a wall, earthen berm or other solid constructed feature that will prevent the elevated noise levels at the lot line.
No principal or accessory use of land or structure shall generate smoke, dust, particulates or odors that are offensive to persons of average sensitivities beyond the lot lines. This section does not apply to normal agricultural operations.
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to:
(1) 
Provide for and control lighting in outdoor public places where public health, safety and general welfare are potential concerns;
(2) 
Protect drivers and pedestrians from the glare of nonvehicular light sources that interfere with safe movement;
(3) 
Protect neighbors and the night sky from nuisance glare and light trespass from improperly selected, placed, directed, applied or maintained light sources;
(4) 
Promote energy-efficient lighting design and operation; and
(5) 
Protect and retain the visual character of the Township.
B. 
Applicability. This section applies exterior lighting of all uses, including signs, but excluding:
(1) 
Publicly owned streetlighting;
(2) 
Emergency lighting as may be required by any public agency or volunteer fire company or ambulance corps while engaged in the performance of their duties;
(3) 
Temporary seasonal lighting during the period October 15 through January 30;
(4) 
Lighting of the flag of the United States, so long as the placement, direction and output of the light source is no greater than that necessary to illuminate the flag; and
(5) 
Normal agricultural operations, so long as fixed and permanent light fixtures do not project glare onto an adjacent lot improved with a dwelling or public or private street.
C. 
Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
FOOTCANDLE
A unit of incident light quantity measurable with an illuminance meter.
FULL-CUTOFF
Attribute of a light fixture from which no light is emitted at or above a horizontal plane drawn through the bottom of the fixture and no more than 10% of the lamp's intensity is emitted at or above an angle 10° below that horizontal plane, at all lateral angles around the fixture.
FULLY SHIELDED
Attribute of a light fixture from which no light is emitted at or above a horizontal plane drawn through the lowest light-emitting portion of the light fixture.
GLARE
The sensation produced by excessive direct or reflected light that causes annoyance, discomfort or loss in visual performance and visibility.
LIGHT TRESPASS
Light emitted by a light fixture which is cast beyond the boundaries of the lot on which the light fixture is sited.
LUMEN
The light-output rating of a lamp (light bulb).
D. 
Design criteria.
(1) 
Illumination levels. Unless otherwise provided by this chapter, or by decision of the Board of Supervisors or Zoning Hearing Board by lawful condition of approval of an application, lighting shall have intensities, uniformities and glare control in accordance with the recommended practices of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
(2) 
Lighting fixture design. Fixtures shall be of a type and design appropriate to the lighting application.
(3) 
Height of lights. Except as permitted for certain recreational use lighting, no light fixture shall be mounted at a height exceeding 15 feet above finished grade. This limitation shall not apply to lights needed for air traffic safety or lights intended solely to illuminate an architectural feature of a building.
(4) 
Shielding. All light sources, including signs, shall be shielded around the light source and placed and directed so as to not create a nuisance or visual obstruction.
(5) 
Under-canopy lighting. For canopies associated with uses such as a gas station, marquee, or drive-through, under-canopy lighting shall be accomplished using flat-lens full-cutoff fixtures aimed straight down and shielded in such a manner that the lowest edge of the fixture shall be below the light source at all lateral angles. The average illumination in the area directly below the canopy shall not exceed 20 footcandles and the maximum shall not exceed 30 footcandles.
(6) 
Steady illumination. Rotating, flickering, flashing, pulsing, and oscillating light sources, strobe lights, lasers, beacons, and searchlights are prohibited.
(7) 
Spillover. Exterior lighting of a lot used for commercial, industrial, institutional or recreational uses shall not cause a spillover of light onto an adjacent lot that exceeds 0.1 horizontal footcandle at the lot line of the adjacent lot.
(8) 
Horizontal surface lighting (e.g., parking lots, walkways, storage and sales areas, and similar horizontal development elements). All lights shall be aimed downward and shall meet IESNA full cutoff criteria.
(9) 
Nonhorizontal surface lighting (e.g., facades, signs, displays and similar nonhorizontal development elements). Light fixtures shall be fully shielded and shall be installed and directed so as to not project their output beyond the object being illuminated skyward, onto a public street, into passing vehicles, into windows of structures on adjacent lots, onto the curtilage of adjacent lots.
(10) 
Signs, including billboards. In addition to the other requirements of this chapter, externally illuminated signs, including billboards, shall be illuminated by fixtures mounted at the top of the sign or billboard, aimed downward and fully shielded. Illumination on the face of the sign or billboard shall not exceed 30 vertical footcandles. The aggregate output of the light sources of internally illuminated signs shall not exceed 400 initial lumens per square foot of sign face per side. The illumination of any billboard located within 500 feet of a lot improved with a dwelling or a residential zoning district is prohibited.
E. 
Control of glare.
(1) 
All lighting shall be aimed, located, designed, fitted and maintained so as to not present a hazard to drivers or pedestrians by impairing their ability to safe movement and so as to not create a nuisance by projecting or reflecting objectionable light onto a neighboring use or lot.
(2) 
Directional fixtures such as floodlights and spotlights shall be shielded, placed and directed so as to not project their output beyond the object illuminated, into the windows of dwellings on adjacent lots, skyward, or onto a public or private street.
(3) 
Dusk-to-dawn lights, including motion-sensor actuated lights, shall be shielded.
(4) 
Glare control shall be achieved through the use of cut-off features, shields and baffles and mounting height, placement, aiming angle and wattage.
F. 
Timing of illumination.
(1) 
Except for safety and security lighting, commercial, industrial, recreational and institutional use lighting shall be automatically extinguished no later than 1/2 hour after the close of business or facility operation.
(2) 
Safety or security lighting for commercial, industrial, recreational and institutional uses shall not exceed 25% of the number of fixtures or the illumination level required or permitted for illumination of such uses during normal hours.
(3) 
The illumination of on- and off-premises signs, including billboards, between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. is prohibited, except signs relating to uses open or operating after such time, but only until 1/2 hour after the use closes or operations cease. An illuminated sign installed after the adoption of this chapter shall be fitted with a programmable controller with Daylight Saving Time and power-outage reset features.
G. 
Installation.
(1) 
Electrical feeds for pole-mounted lights and lighting of freestanding signs shall be placed underground. Electrical feeds for all other lights shall be enclosed in conduit or building walls.
(2) 
Poles upon which lights are mounted shall be located a minimum of five feet outside paved parking areas or placed on concrete pedestals at least 30 inches high above the pavement (which additional height shall not be added to the maximum height requirements), or suitably protected by other Township-approved means.
(3) 
Poles and brackets for supporting lighting fixtures shall be those specifically manufactured for that purpose, designed and rated for the weights and wind loads involved and installed in a manner consistent with local soil conditions.
H. 
Maintenance. Lighting fixtures and ancillary structures and equipment shall be maintained to always meet the requirement of this chapter.
I. 
Nonresidential development.
(1) 
Nonresidential developments shall install streetlighting at:
(a) 
Entranceways to the development;
(b) 
Intersections of public and/or private roads within the development;
(c) 
The apex of a curve on a public and/or private road within the development having a radius of 300 feet or less;
(d) 
Defined pedestrian crossings within the development; and
(e) 
Common parking areas of six or more parking spaces.
J. 
Residential development.
(1) 
Residential developments exceeding a total buildout of 25 units or lots shall install streetlighting at:
(a) 
Entrance roads to the residential development;
(b) 
Intersections of public and/or private roads within the residential development;
(c) 
The apex of a curve on a public and/or private road within the development having a radius of 300 feet or less;
(d) 
Cul-de-sac bulbs;
(e) 
Defined pedestrian crossings within the development; and
(f) 
Common parking areas of six or more parking spaces.
K. 
Recreational facilities. The nighttime illumination of outdoor recreational facilities, such as, but not limited to, a soccer or football field, tennis court, swimming pool, miniature or standard golf course, regardless of ownership of such facility, shall be the minimum necessary to illuminate the facility for the recreational activity and protect nearby residents from unacceptable levels of light trespass and glare.
(1) 
No illumination source may be placed within 500 feet of the lot line of a lot improved with a dwelling or an unimproved lot in a residential zoning district.
(2) 
Illumination of the outdoor recreational facility shall cease no later than one hour after the use of that facility has ceased but in any event no later than 10:00 p.m.
(3) 
Maximum mounting heights for illumination of outdoor recreational facilities shall not exceed 20 feet, except as follows:
(a) 
Football, soccer, baseball, softball fields: 70 feet.
L. 
Lighting plan. Where site lighting is proposed or required by this chapter, a lighting (visual impact) plan shall be submitted for review and approval for any subdivision plan, land development plan, conditional use, special exception or zoning permit for a recreational facility and shall contain the following:
(1) 
Plan of the site showing the layout of the proposed development and all existing and proposed external light fixtures, adjacent lots with information as to the zoning district and current uses, and all dwellings within 500 feet of the site. Such plan, if not prepared by and sealed by a registered engineer, shall state the name and title/position of the lighting professional who prepared the plan.
(2) 
Elevations of each type of light fixture proposed, including mounting heights and horizontal and vertical aiming angles.
(3) 
Description of the proposed equipment, including fixture catalog cuts, photometrics, lamps, control devices, Daylight Saving Time and power outage reset features, and shields.
(4) 
Photometric plan, overlaid on site plan, plotted out to 0.0 footcandle, which demonstrates compliance with the requirements of this chapter. This plan may require the inclusion of vertical footcandle values at specific off-site views, such as bedroom windows of adjacent dwellings.
(5) 
Narrative describing the frequency of the use of the recreational facility during hours of darkness, proposed illumination, and measures providing for compliance with the illumination and glare control requirements of this chapter. The name and title/position of the preparer of the narrative shall be provided.
See also Chapter 77, Solid Waste, of the Code of the Township of Mount Joy.
A. 
Requirement for collection and storage.
(1) 
All solid waste generated by the use(s) of a lot shall be collected and stored for ultimate disposal by such means and in such manner to ensure that no solid waste is dispersed on the lot or on adjacent streets, access drives or driveways, on adjacent and neighboring lots, or into the waters of the commonwealth.
(2) 
An owner, operator and occupant of the lot on which solid waste has been stored and collected in violation of this section shall be jointly liable for the violation.
B. 
Collection and storage management.
(1) 
The type and capacity of the container used for solid waste storage, and the frequency that it is to be emptied or collected shall be sufficient to ensure that all solid waste generated by the use can be collected and stored for ultimate disposal inside the container without solid waste materials being placed on, or allowed to accumulate on, the ground.
(2) 
A solid waste container, other than a dumpster, shall be maintained in good repair and kept a minimum of 20 feet from the lot line. Appropriate means shall be taken to keep the solid waste inside the container, e.g., a lid, secured bags, etc. Storage of solid waste in a loose or uncontained manner is a violation of this chapter.
(3) 
Any newly placed solid waste dumpster shall be screened on three sides. Such screening shall consist of masonry or solid weather-resistant wood fencing. The fourth side shall be a functioning access that is kept closed at all times other than during disposal or collection of the solid waste.
(4) 
This requirement does not apply to dumpsters temporarily placed during active periods of construction, demolition or property cleanup.
A. 
No use of land or structure shall be allowed without a means of water supply and sewage disposal adequate and appropriate for the proposed use.
(1) 
In any event that a single dwelling unit is occupied within a calendar year by multiple families (concurrently, serially or intermittently), upon written request by the Zoning Officer, the owner of the property shall, within 15 business days of the date of the request, provide a written and signed narrative providing the following information for a two-year period beginning January 1 of the prior calendar year and ending with December 31 of the current calendar year:
(a) 
A description of each family (see definition of "family") occupying the dwelling unit;
(b) 
Each period of occupancy by start and end date;
(c) 
The number of bedrooms;
(d) 
The form of rental agreement;
(e) 
The following statement:
The statements made in this writing are true and correct to the best of the knowledge, information and belief of the undersigned signatory, and made with the understanding that any false statement is subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 4904, relating to "Unsworn Falsification to Authorities." I understand that false information provided on this application may result in a revocation of the zoning permit.
(f) 
The printed name and signature of the owner of the property.
(2) 
The narrative also shall include a written statement of the Township Sewage Enforcement Officer that he/she has determined that the existing on-lot septic system is adequate for the use of the property.
B. 
For any use demanding groundwater or springwater usage exceeding 3,000 gallons per day, the application for a zoning permit shall include a water study for the purposes and meeting the requirements of § 86-28J(1), (5) and (6) of Chapter 86, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Code of the Township of Mount Joy.