[Ord. No. 2018-5, 12/12/2018]
The purpose and intent of this Part is to implement an overall
plan and program for public safety, economic and community development
and the general welfare of Kingston Township. This Part shall control
and promote the erection of signs which preserve the wholesome, attractive
character of the Township; preserve and protect property values; preserve
the architectural character and environment of the Township; avoid
the uncontrolled proliferation of signs; encourage and support business
activity through reasonable standards for advertising signs; and avoid
undue concentrations of signs, which distract and endanger traffic
safety.
[Ord. No. 2018-5, 12/12/2018]
Words and terms used in this Part shall have the meanings given
herein. Unless expressly stated otherwise, any pertinent word or term
not part of this listing, but vital to the interpretation of this
Part, shall be construed to have its legal definition, or in absence
of a legal definition, its meaning as commonly accepted by practitioners,
including civil engineers, surveyors, architects, landscape architects,
and planners.
ABANDONED SIGN
A sign which has not identified or advertised a current business,
service, owner, product, or activity for a period of at least 180
days, in the case of off-premises signs, or at least 360 days in the
case of on-premises signs.
ADDRESS SIGN
A sign that designates the street number and/or street name
for identification purposes, as designated by the United States Postal
Service (also known as "nameplate sign").
ANIMATED SIGN
A sign depicting action, motion, or light or color changes
through electrical or mechanical means.
AWNING
A cloth, plastic, or other nonstructural covering that projects
from a wall for the purpose of shielding a doorway or window. An awning
is either permanently attached to a building or can be raised or retracted
to a position against the building when not in use.
AWNING SIGN
Any sign painted on, or applied to, an awning.
BALLOON SIGN
A lighter-than-air, gas-filled balloon, tethered in a fixed
location, which contains an advertisement message on its surface or
attached to the balloon in any manner.
BANNER
Any cloth, bunting, plastic, paper, or similar nonrigid material
attached to any structure, staff, pole, rope, wire, or framing which
is anchored on two or more edges or at all four corners. Banners are
temporary in nature and do not include flags.
BEACON LIGHTING
Any source of electric light, whether portable or fixed,
the primary purpose of which is to cast a concentrated beam of light
generally skyward as a means of attracting attention to its location
rather than to illuminate any particular sign, structure, or other
object.
BUILDING FRONTAGE
The maximum linear width of a building measured in a single
straight line parallel, or essentially parallel, with the abutting
public street or parking lot.
CANOPY
A structure other than an awning made of fabric, metal or
other material that is supported by columns or posts affixed to the
ground and may also be connected to a building.
CANOPY SIGN
Any sign that is part of, or attached to, a canopy.
CHANGEABLE-COPY SIGN
A sign or portion thereof on which the copy or symbols change
either automatically through electrical or electronic means, or manually
through placement of letters or symbols on a panel mounted in or on
a track system. The two types of changeable-copy signs are manual
changeable copy signs and electronic changeable copy signs, which
include: message center signs, digital displays, and Tri-Vision boards.
CHANNEL-LETTER SIGN
A sign consisting of fabricated or formed three-dimensional
letters, individually applied to a wall, which may accommodate a light
source.
CLEARANCE
The distance above the walkway, or other surface if specified,
to the bottom edges of a sign. This term can also refer to a horizontal
distance between two objects.
DIGITAL DISPLAY
The portion of a sign message made up of internally illuminated
components capable of changing the message periodically. Digital displays
may include but are not limited to LCD, LED, or plasma displays.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
Signs designed to provide direction to pedestrian and vehicular
traffic into and out of, or within, a site.
EXTERNAL ILLUMINATION
Artificial light, located away from the sign, which lights
the sign, the source of which may or may not be visible to persons
viewing the sign from any street, sidewalk, or adjacent property.
FESTOON LIGHTING
A type of illumination comprised of either:
A.
A group of incandescent light bulbs hung or strung overhead
or on a building or other structure; or
B.
Light bulbs not shaded or hooded or otherwise screened to prevent
direct rays of light from shining on adjacent properties or rights-of-way.
FLAG
Any sign printed or painted on cloth, plastic, canvas, or
other like material, with distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols,
attached to a pole or staff and anchored along only one edge or supported
or anchored at only two corners.
FLASHING SIGN
A sign whose artificial illumination is not kept constant
in intensity at all time when in use and which exhibits changes in
light, color, direction, or animation. This definition does not include
electronic message center signs or digital displays that meet the
requirements set forth herein.
FOOT-LAMBERT
A unit of emitted light (from a surface) stated in lumens
per square foot and measurable with an illuminance meter, also known
as a footcandle or light meter. One foot-lambert is equal to one lumen
per square foot.
FOOTCANDLE
A unit of incident light (on a surface) stated in lumens
per square foot and measurable with an illuminance meter, also known
as a footcandle or light meter. One footcandle is equal to one lumen
per square foot.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign supported by structures or supports that are placed
on, or anchored in, the ground and that is independent and detached
from any building or other structure. The following are subtypes of
freestanding signs:
A.
GROUND SIGNA sign permanently affixed to the ground at its base, supported entirely by a base structure, and not mounted on a pole or attached to any part of a building (also known as "monument sign").
B.
POLE SIGNA freestanding sign that is permanently supported in a fixed location by a structure of one or more poles, posts, uprights, or braces from the ground and not supported by a building or a base structure.
GAS STATION CANOPY
A freestanding, open-air structure constructed for the purpose
of shielding service station islands from the elements.
GAS STATION CANOPY SIGN
Any sign that is part of, or attached to, the vertical sides
of the gas station canopy roof structure. For the purposes of this
Part, gas station canopy signs shall be considered wall signs.
GOVERNMENT/REGULATORY SIGN
Any sign for the control of traffic or for identification
purposes, street signs, warning signs, railroad crossing signs, and
signs of public service companies indicating danger or construction,
which are erected by or at the order of a public officer, employee
or agent thereof in the discharge of official duties.
HALO ILLUMINATION
A sign using a three-dimensional message, logo, etc., which
is lit in such a way as to produce a halo effect (also known as "backlit
illumination").
HISTORIC DISTRICT
A district or zone designated by a local, state, or federal
government, within which buildings, structures, and/or appurtenances
are deemed important because of their association with history, or
because of their unique architectural style and scale.
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
Signs or displays, including lighting, which are a nonpermanent
installation celebrating national, state, and local holidays, religious
or cultural holidays, or other holiday seasons (also known as "seasonal
decorations").
ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign with electrical equipment installed for illumination,
either internally illuminated through its sign face by a light source
contained inside the sign or externally illuminated by a light source
aimed at its surface.
ILLUMINATION
A source of any artificial or reflected light, either directly
from a source of light incorporated in, or indirectly from, an artificial
source.
INCIDENTAL SIGN
A sign that displays general site information, instructions,
directives, or restrictions that are primarily oriented to pedestrians
and motor vehicle operators who have entered a property from a public
street. These signs shall not contain any commercial advertising.
INCIDENTAL WINDOW SIGN
Signs displayed in the window displaying information such
as the business's hours of operation, credit institutions accepted,
commercial and civic affiliations, and similar information. These
signs shall be informational only and shall not contain a commercial
message.
INFLATABLE SIGN
A sign that is an air-inflated object, which may be of various
shapes, made of flexible fabric, resting on the ground or structure
and equipped with a portable blower motor that provides a constant
flow of air into the device.
INTERACTIVE SIGN
An electronic or animated sign that reacts to the behavior
or electronic signals of motor vehicle drivers.
INTERNAL ILLUMINATION
A light source that is concealed or contained within the
sign and becomes visible in darkness through a translucent surface.
Message center signs, digital displays, and signs incorporating neon
lighting shall not be considered internal illumination for the purposes
of this Part.
LEGIBILITY
The physical attributes of a sign that allow for an observer's
differentiation of its letters, words, numbers, or graphics.
LIGHT TRESPASS
Light emitted by a lighting installation which extends beyond
the boundaries of the property on which the installation is sited.
LIMITED-DURATION SIGN
A nonpermanent sign that is displayed on private property
for more than 30 days, but not intended to be displayed for an indefinite
period.
LUMINANCE
An objective measurement of the brightness of illumination,
including illumination emitted by an electronic sign, measured in
candles per square foot (cd/ft2).
MANUAL CHANGEABLE-COPY SIGN
A sign or portion thereof on which the copy or symbols are
changed manually through placement or drawing of letters or symbols
on a sign face.
MARQUEE
A permanent structure, other than a roof or canopy, attached
to, supported by, and projecting from a building and providing protection
from the elements.
MARQUEE SIGN
Any sign attached to a marquee for the purpose of identifying
a use or product. If attached to a theater, performing arts center,
cinema, or other similar use, it may also advertise films or productions.
MECHANICAL MOVEMENT SIGN
A sign having parts that physically move rather than merely
appear to move as might be found in a digital display. The physical
movement may be activated electronically or by another means, but
shall not include wind-activated movement such as used for banners
or flags. Mechanical movement signs do not include digital signs that
have changeable, programmable displays.
MEMORIAL SIGN
A memorial plaque or tablet, including grave markers or other
remembrances of persons or events, which is not used for a commercial
message.
MENU SIGN
A permanent sign for displaying the bill of fare available
at a restaurant, or other use serving food or beverages.
MESSAGE CENTER SIGN
A type of illuminated, changeable-copy sign that consists
of electronically changing alphanumeric text, often used for gas price
display signs and athletic scoreboards.
MULTI-TENANT SIGN
A freestanding sign used to advertise businesses that occupy
a shopping center or complex with multiple tenants.
MURAL (OR MURAL SIGN)
A large picture/image (including, but not limited to, painted
art) which is painted, constructed, or affixed directly onto a vertical
building wall, which may or may not contain text, logos, and/or symbols.
NEON SIGN
A sign illuminated by a neon tube, or other visible light-emanating
gas tube, that is bent to form letters, symbols, or other graphics.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
A sign that was legally erected and maintained at the effective
date of this Part, or amendment thereto, that does not currently comply
with sign regulations of the district in which it is located.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
An outdoor sign whose message directs attention to a specific
business, product, service, event or activity, or other commercial
or noncommercial activity, or contains a noncommercial message about
something that is not sold, produced, manufactured, furnished, or
conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located (also known
as a "third-party sign," "billboard," or "outdoor advertising").
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC SIGN
Official highway route number signs, street name signs, directional
signs, and other traffic signs erected and maintained on public highways
and roads in the interest of public safety or for the regulation of
traffic.
ON-PREMISES SIGN
A sign whose message and design relate to an individual business,
profession, product, service, event, point of view, or other commercial
or noncommercial activity sold, offered, or conducted on the same
property where the sign is located.
PENNANT
A triangular or irregular piece of fabric or other material,
commonly attached in strings or strands, or supported on small poles,
intended to flap in the wind.
PERMANENT SIGN
A sign attached or affixed to a building, window, or structure,
or to the ground, in a manner that enables the sign to resist environmental
loads, such as wind, and that precludes ready removal or movement
of the sign and whose intended use appears to be indefinite.
PERSONAL EXPRESSION SIGN
An on-premises sign that expresses an opinion, interest,
position, or other noncommercial message.
PORTABLE SIGN
A sign designed to be transported or moved and not permanently
attached to the ground, a building, or other structure.
PRIVATE DRIVE SIGN
A sign indicating a street or drive which is not publicly
owned and maintained and used only for access by the occupants of
the development and their guests.
PROJECTING SIGN
A building-mounted double-sided sign with the two faces generally
perpendicular to the building wall, not to include signs located on
a canopy, awning, or marquee (also known as "blade sign").
PUBLIC SIGN
A sign erected or required by government agencies or utilities,
including traffic, utility, safety, railroad crossing and identification
signs for public facilities.
REFLECTIVE SIGN
A sign containing any material or device which has the effect
of intensifying reflected light.
REVOLVING SIGN
A sign which revolves in a circular motion, rather than remaining
stationary on its supporting structure.
ROOF SIGN
A building-mounted sign erected upon, against, or over the
roof of a building.
SANDWICH-BOARD SIGN
A type of freestanding, portable, temporary sign consisting
of two faces connected and hinged at the top and whose message is
targeted to pedestrians (also known as "A-frame sign").
SCOREBOARD
A sign contained within an athletic venue and intended solely
to provide information to the attendees of an athletic event.
SECURITY SIGN
An on-premises sign regulating the use of the premises, such
as a "no trespassing," "no hunting" or "no soliciting" sign (also
known as "warning sign").
SHIELDED
The description of a luminaire from which no direct glare
is visible at normal viewing angles, by virtue of its being properly
aimed, oriented, and located and properly fitted with such devices
a shields, barn doors, baffles, louvers, skirts, or visors.
SIGN
Any device, structure, fixture, painting, emblem, or visual
that uses words, graphic, colors, illumination, symbols, numbers,
or letters for the purpose of communicating a message. Sign includes
the sign faces as well as any sign supporting structure.
SIGN AREA
The total dimensions of a sign surface used to display information,
messages, advertising, logos or symbols. See § 106, Subsection
4, for standards for measuring sign area.
SIGN FACE
The part of the sign that is or can be used for the sign
area. The sign area could be smaller than the sign face.
SIGN HEIGHT
The vertical dimension of a sign as measured using the standards
in § 106, Subsection 5.
SNIPE SIGN
A sign tacked, nailed, posted, glued, or otherwise attached
to trees, poles, stakes, fences, public benches, streetlights, or
other objects or placed on any public property or in the public right-of-way
or on any private property without the permission of the property
owner (also known as "bandit sign").
STOREFRONT
The exterior facade of a building housing a commercial use
visible from a street, sidewalk or other pedestrianway accessible
to the public and containing the primary entrance to the commercial
establishment.
STREAMERS
A display made of lightweight, flexible materials, consisting
of long, narrow, wavy strips hung individually or in a series, with
or without a logo or advertising message printed or painted on them
and typically designed to move in the wind.
STREET FRONTAGE
The side or sides of a lot abutting on a public street or
right-of-way.
STREET POLE BANNER
A banner suspended above a public sidewalk and attached to
a single street pole. These signs shall not contain any commercial
advertising.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A type of nonpermanent sign that is located on private property
that can be displayed for no more than 30 consecutive days at one
time.
TRI-VISION BOARDS
An outdoor unit with a slatted face that allows three different
copy messages to revolve at intermittent intervals.
VEHICULAR SIGN
A sign affixed to a vehicle in such a manner that the sign
is used primarily as a stationary advertisement for the business on
which the vehicle sits or is otherwise not incidental to the vehicle's
primary purpose.
VENDING MACHINE SIGN
A sign displayed on a vending machine indicating the name
of the product being sold and/or the price of such product.
WALL SIGN
A building-mounted sign which is either attached to, displayed
on, or painted on an exterior wall in a manner parallel with the wall
surface. A sign installed on a false or mansard roof is also considered
a wall sign (also known as "fascia sign," "parallel wall sign" or
"band sign").
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign that is applied, painted or affixed to a window
or placed inside a window, within three feet of the glass, facing
the outside of the building, and easily seen from the outside. Customary
displays of merchandise or objects and material without lettering
behind a store window are not considered signs.
[Ord. No. 2018-5, 12/12/2018]
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the Board of Supervisors
of the Township of Kingston that the chapters, parts, sections, paragraphs,
sentences, clauses or phrases of this Part are severable. If any section,
paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Part is declared unconstitutional,
illegal or otherwise invalid by the judgment or decree of a court
of competent jurisdiction, that invalidity shall not affect any of
the remaining chapters, parts, sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses
or phrases of this codification.