The regulations contained within Article 4 shall apply to all uses within the Township.
A.
Access drives shall conform to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance access drive requirements, as amended, currently § 435-41 of Chapter 435, Subdivision and Land Development. All means of access to a property shall be classified as either a street, access drive, shared driveway or driveway. Access drives shall be required to provide access from a street to a parking facility via the parking facilities aisles or to any nonresidential use except agriculture. Access drives shall be stubbed to adjoining property lines and encumbered with a cross-access easement agreement in order to provide access to adjoining property and minimize the number of intersections along existing streets. Similarly, when an access drive has been stubbed to a property, the access drive shall be extended into the property for access.
B.
Prohibited uses of access drives. Access drives are for the sole purpose of accommodating the passenger vehicles of persons associated with the use which requires them. Access drives shall not be used for the following:
A.
Decks.
(1)
The deck shall not be located any closer to the street or access right-of-way than the front of the principle building (as determined by the Zoning Officer). Decks shall observe a ten-foot rear and side yard setback and not encroach within any easements.
(2)
Concrete pads, pavers, and unattached decks constructed to sit on the ground without foundations and are flush with the surrounding grade shall be placed a minimum of three feet from a property line and not be located within any easements.
B.
Fences and walls.
(1)
Fences and walls (including retaining walls) may be erected, altered and maintained within the yards, provided that such fence or wall shall not exceed four feet in height in the required front yard; 6.5 feet in height in the rear or side yards.
(2)
No wall, fence, sign or other structure shall be erected or altered, and no hedge, trees, shrubs or other growth shall be maintained or permitted which may cause danger to traffic or a street or public road by obscuring the view.
(3)
Fences, walls and retaining walls are prohibited within the right-of-way of any street, unless constructed by the Township, state or other governmental entity or agent thereof as a part of a public infrastructure project. Fences, walls and retaining walls are prohibited within the clear sight triangle, drainage, sewer and any other public easement or right-of-way when a fence, wall or retaining wall conflicts with the purpose or content of the easement or right-of-way. Fences within existing or proposed landscape screens and adjacent to public street right-of-way shall be set back at least 15 feet from the public street right-of-way, unless designed integrally with the landscape screen during the subdivision and land development process and approved by the Township.
(4)
A fence may be erected higher than four feet, but shall not exceed eight feet in the following instances:
(a)
A fence up to eight feet in height is permitted to enclose a swimming pool, provided such fence and pool are located within the rear yard and a minimum of 10 feet from any property line.
(b)
A fence up to eight feet in height is permitted to enclose a patio ,provided such fence and patio are located within the rear yard and a minimum of 10 feet from any property line.
(c)
Fences for nonresidential uses, which are located outside of the required setbacks, shall be permitted up to eight feet in height.
(5)
A fence may be erected to a height in excess of that otherwise permitted only by special exception.
(6)
Retaining walls may be required to have a fence-limiting access.
(8)
Fences consisting of barbed, razor, and/or concertina wire are prohibited except for commercial uses, industrial uses, or agricultural operations.
C.
Lighting. Outdoor lighting shall be required for safety and personal security for uses that operate during hours of darkness where there is public assembly and/or traverse; including, but not limited to, multiple-family dwelling, commercial, industrial, public recreational, and institutional uses and shall comply with the following:
(1)
Intensity of illumination shall be based on intensities and uniformity ratios in accordance with the current recommended practices of the "Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) Lighting Handbook," latest edition.
(2)
For Commercial Zones or uses, Industrial Zones or uses, with the exception of uses that include dispensing of vehicle fuel, the intensity of illumination is limited to five footcandles at all areas of the site. For uses that include dispensing of vehicle fuel, the intensity of illumination for all areas of the site is limited to eight footcandles at all areas of the site. The average illumination intensity in the area directly below the canopy shall not exceed thirty footcandles and the maximum intensity shall not exceed thirty-five footcandles. Also, the maximum intensity shall not exceed fifteen footcandles within 10 feet of the perimeter of the canopy. Within 20 feet of any fuel tank storage area the intensity of illumination is limited to fifteen footcandles.
(3)
All lighting fixtures shall be arranged to prevent objectionable glare on adjoining property or roadways and the night sky from stray light from poorly aimed, placed, applied or shielded light sources.
(a)
All outdoor lighting, whether or not required by this chapter, on private, residential, commercial, industrial, municipal, recreational or institutional property, 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 (disabling glare), and so as not to create a nuisance by projecting or reflecting objectionable light onto a neighboring use or property (light trespass and nuisance glare).
(b)
All lighting shall be directed downward and inward towards the site and all lenses or bulbs shall be fully recessed or shielded with no light emitted above 90°.
(c)
Undercanopy lighting, for such applications as a gas/service station, hotel/theater marquee, fast food/bank/drugstore drive-through, shall be completely recessed full cutoff fixtures aimed straight down and shielded in such a manner that the lowest opaque edge of the fixture shall be below the light source.
(d)
Floodlights or spotlights, when permitted, shall be so installed and aimed that they do not project their output into the window of a neighboring residence, an adjacent use, skyward or onto a roadway.
(e)
The maximum illumination off-site shall be one footcandle at grade level, except at driveways or access drives connecting to a street where the illumination shall not exceed five footcandles.
[1]
The amount of illumination projected onto a residential use from another property shall not exceed 0.1 vertical footcandle measured line-of-sight from any point on the adjacent residential property.
(f)
Vegetation screens shall not be employed to serve as the primary means for controlling glare. Rather, glare control shall be achieved primarily through the use of such means as full cutoff fixtures, shields and baffles, and appropriate application of mounting height, wattage, aiming angle, fixture placement, etc.
(g)
Dusk-to-dawn lighting that has a color temperature of more than 3,600 Kelvins is not permitted in residential or rural zones and permitted in industrial, commercial and mixed-use zones only as part of an overall lighting plan demonstrating compliance with IESNA standards for facility lighting.
(4)
An accurate and fully legible photometric plan drawn to scale by a professional engineer, or otherwise experienced and qualified lighting professional, may be required for modifications to existing lighting when the Zoning Officer determines that the proposal may not meet the requirements herein. The photometric plan shall show on-site illumination levels along with off-site illumination within 50 feet of the property lines.
(5)
Damaged, destroyed or inoperable fixtures shall be replaced with the same, or substantially the same (as determined by the Zoning Officer), lighting fixture components in a timely manner, not to exceed 60 consecutive calendar days.
(6)
Lighting (including streetlights owned by private entities) shall be maintained in good working order in a manner consistent with the originally approved lighting plan.
(7)
If the approved lighting plan is found through field measurements by the Township to not perform in accordance with levels of illumination predicted within the photometric plan, then the lighting shall be field-adjusted to be consistent with the illumination levels of the approved photometric plan. All field adjustments of lighting shall be reviewed and approved by the Township.
(8)
Within the Commercial Zone, all internally illuminated signs shall have a maximum luminance (L) of 100 candelas/square foot. In all other zones, internally illuminated signs shall have a maximum luminance of 70 candelas/square foot. The calculation for luminance in candelas/square foot of a sign shall be performed as follows:
 |
| L | = | luminance (cd/ft2) |
| t | = | transmittance of the medium |
| (From manufacturer's literature or measurement of the glass or plastic) | ||
| lm | = | lumen output per lamp |
| l | = | length of lamp (ft) |
| d | = | lamp spacing (ft) |
(9)
Controls shall be provided on all nonresidential lighting that shall automatically extinguish all outdoor lighting when sufficient daylight is available using a control device or system such as a photoelectric switch, astronomic time switch or equivalent functions from a programmable lighting controller, building automation system or lighting energy management system.
(a)
Automatic lighting controls are not required for lighting under canopies, lighting for tunnels, parking garages, garage entrances, steps, walkways, building entrances and similar conditions.
(b)
Automatic lighting reduction shall be considered in the lighting design. Total outdoor lighting lumens shall be reduced by at least 30% or extinguished, where practicable and permitted under IESNA standards, as activity levels decline.
(10)
When flags are to be illuminated all night, only the U.S. and state flags shall be permitted to be illuminated from dusk until dawn, and each flagpole shall be illuminated by a single source with a beam spread no greater than necessary to illuminate the flag(s). Flag-lighting sources shall not exceed 20,000 lumens per flagpole.
D.
Swimming pools. A single private outdoor swimming pool may be permitted on the same lot with a residence, subject to the following conditions:
(1)
The pool shall not be located any closer to the street or access right-of-way than the front of the principle building (as determined by the Zoning Officer). Pools shall observe a ten-foot rear and the side yard setback. The setbacks shall include the deck, pad, or apron around the pool.
(2)
Any such pool with a surface area of 150 square feet or more or a depth in excess of two feet shall be completely surrounded by a fence or wall that is not less than four feet in height. All gates or doors opening through said fence shall be erected maintained and provided with a self-closing, self-locking gate to prevent unauthorized use of the pool and to prevent accidents. However, if said pool is located more than 3 1/2 feet above the ground level, then a fence is not required, provided that all points of access to said pool are adequately protected by a self-closing, self-locking gate.
E.
Ornamental ponds. Ornamental ponds may be permitted in any zone, subject to the following:
(1)
Such impoundments shall comply with all accessory use setbacks;
(2)
No such impoundment shall contain more than 1,000 gallons. All impoundments exceeding the requirements of this section shall be considered as man-made lakes, dams and impoundments, and are subject to the criteria listed in this article of the chapter;
(3)
No such impoundment shall have a maximum depth exceeding three feet;
(4)
All such impoundments shall be maintained so as to not pose a nuisance by reason of odor, or the harboring of insects;
(5)
No such impoundments shall be used for the commercial hatching of fish or other species; and
(6)
No such impoundments shall be used for swimming, wading, or bathing.
F.
Man-made lakes, ponds, dams, and impoundments. All lakes, ponds, dams, and impoundments designed to contain water on a permanent basis, other than swimming pools and ornamental ponds, may be permitted in any zone, and shall meet the requirements of Chapter 428, Stormwater Management, and or any and all state or federal laws or regulations, and the property owner shall follow USDA NRCS recommendations for construction of ponds and demonstrate that she/he has complied with those recommendations.
G.
Garage/yard sales. Within any zone, an owner and/or occupant may conduct up to four garage/yard sales per year. No garage or yard sale shall be conducted for a period longer than three consecutive days. Such sales may offer for sale personal possessions; no import or stocking of inventory shall be permitted. In no case shall any aspect of the garage/yard sale obscure sight distances for roadways or driveways. The conduct of garage sales beyond the extent described herein represents a commercial business and requires appropriate zoning authorization.
H.
Accessory repair of personal motor vehicles. The routine maintenance, repair and servicing of personal motor vehicles, owned and/or leased by the person performing such services when performed outside of a completely enclosed building within the AC, RA, RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, or MU-1 Zones is permitted by an occupant of the residence, but only in compliance with the following:
(1)
All vehicles shall be maintained with proper licensure and registration;
(2)
All work shall be performed on the vehicle owner's (leasee's) property of residence;
(3)
All by-product or waste fuels, lubricants, chemicals, and other products shall be properly disposed of;
(4)
All such activities shall be conducted during daylight hours and so as not to disturb adjoining properties;
(5)
All exterior repair, maintenance and servicing activities shall be completed within three consecutive calendar days; and
(6)
No more than one vehicle shall be under repair (including waiting for parts, or the like) at the same time.
I.
Accessory buildings and structures. If less than or equal to 200 square feet, the accessory building or structure must be setback from all property lines, except the front, a minimum of 10 feet. Buildings and structures greater than 200 square feet must meet the required principal setback for the zone.
The Township recognizes that applying some basic architectural design standards to commercial buildings is appealing to both consumers and residents. With this in mind, it is the intent of Carroll Township to establish a voluntary incentive based program to encourage commercial development to incorporate some basic architectural design standards into the design of structures.
A.
An applicant must demonstrate to the Township that the plans for the proposed nonresidential use meet all of the following requirements:
(1)
The finish building material for a facade must consist of brick, stone or stucco. Concrete block with an architectural finish, such as split face, may constitute up to 20% of a facade.
(2)
The color of the building shall be approved by the Board of Supervisors.
(3)
Glass windows that allow light to pass to the interior of the building shall comprise 30% (by area including all parts of the building elevation) of the facade which contains the main entrance.
(4)
Roofs steeper than one inch in twelve-inch pitch that are visible from a street shall be made of architectural grade shingle, slate or raised seam metal roofing.
(5)
A note must be added to the land development plans stating that the applicant is participating in the incentive program and is entitled to certain relaxed standards. These relaxed standards must be shown on the plan.
C.
If an applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Township that they have complied with the above referenced criteria, then they may qualify for the following relaxed standards relative to the specific property where the building is located:
(1)
A maximum of a 25% reduction in the number of parking spaces provided. The applicant must demonstrate the reduction will provide ample parking for the proposed use by using the standards of the PAS Report 510/511 Parking Standards, or ITE Parking Generation.
(2)
Increase the lot coverage limit by 15%.
(3)
Reduce the required front landscape buffer from 30 feet to 20 feet.
(4)
Reduce the parking stall length from 20 feet to 18 feet.
A.
Obstruction of vision at street intersections. At all street intersections, no obstructions to vision between 30 inches and 72 inches in height above curb level shall be erected or maintained on any lot within the clear sight triangle as defined within Chapter 435, Subdivision and Land Development, or as shown on the approved subdivision or land development plan.
B.
Setbacks on corner lots. On a corner lot, front yards are required on all street frontages and the other yards shall be deemed to be rear yards.
A.
Applicability. This section applies to the operation of every heavy-duty diesel-powered motor vehicle within land development plans approved and zoning permits issued subsequent to the adoption of this zoning regulation.
B.
General.
(1)
No entity, owner or operator shall cause or allow the engine of any heavy-duty diesel-powered motor vehicle subject to this section to idle prior to, during layover between, at the destination of, or at the conclusion of, any trip or route or in performance of work for more than five consecutive minutes, unless the Exemption section below applies.
(2)
No driver shall cause or allow the engine of any heavy-duty diesel-powered motor vehicle subject to this section to be accelerated while idling, unless such action is taken in order to operate vehicle -mounted accessory or service equipment.
(3)
Should alternative power units or idle reduction technologies be available and unoccupied, diesel-powered motor vehicles must turn off their engines and use these options for power, heating, and air conditioning.
C.
Exemptions. School buses shall not be exempt from any provision of this section. Otherwise, this section does not apply for the period or periods during which idling is necessary for:
(1)
Traffic conditions.
(3)
Queuing. When a vehicle, situated in a queue of other vehicles, must intermittently move forward to perform work or a service, and when shutting the vehicle engine off would impede the progress of the queue and be impracticable.
(4)
Turbo-charged diesel engine cool down or warm up. When the manufacturer's specifications require more time than the five minute limitation above, to cool down or warm up a turbo-charged diesel engine, up to a maximum of 10 minutes.
(5)
Cold/hot weather.
(a)
If the outside temperature is less than 40° F., then idling is allowed for a period or periods aggregating not more than 15 minutes in any 60 minute period.
(b)
If the outside temperature is greater than 75° F. and a vehicle is equipped with air conditioning, then idling is allowed for a period or periods aggregating not more than 15 minutes in any sixty-minute period.
(d)
The Township may, upon request, approve alternate limits for warm-up of buses stored outdoors when the temperature is below 40° F. Such plan shall include enforceable time limits that minimize bus idling.
(6)
Sleeping and mandated rest periods. When idling is necessary to power a heater, air conditioner, or any ancillary equipment during sleeping and resting in a truck cab or sleeper berth.
(7)
Safety and emergencies.
(a)
To verify that the vehicle is in safe operating condition and equipped as required by all provisions of law, and all equipment is in good working order, either as part of the driver's daily vehicle inspection, or as otherwise needed;
(b)
To operate defrosters, or other equipment to ensure the safe operation of the vehicle, or as otherwise required by federal or state motor carrier safety regulations, or other local requirements;
(c)
Use of vehicle as an emergency vehicle; or
(d)
Armored vehicle in active service.
A.
Driveways must not intersect with a public or private street within 40 feet of the right-of-way lines of any other intersecting or adjacent street and in no case less than 10 feet from the point of tangency when the intersecting street lines are joined by a curve.
B.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Highway occupancy permit is required if the driveway or access drive intersects with a state-owned road.
C.
Driveways must be a minimum of 10 feet wide and a maximum of 20 feet wide, within the public right-of-way.
D.
Driveways must be constructed to be consistent with the design, maintenance, and drainage of the intersecting street or swale. Proposed driveways must meet current design standards for maintenance, design, and drainage.
F.
Driveways must meet PaDOT Title 67, Chapter 441, sight distance requirements.
G.
Driveways shall be located in safe relationship to sight distance and barriers to vision and shall not be steeper than 10% within 20 feet of the edge of the street.
H.
Not be within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, catch basin or drain inlet.
I.
Not be within 40 feet (center line to center line) of another driveway, except when duplex or townhouse units are proposed. When multiple duplexes or townhouses are proposed on a single lot, and maintenance/reconstruction of driveways is provided for as part of a planned residential community (i.e., condominium), a driveway may be located adjacent to another driveway without separation provided the total width does not exceed 24 feet; and provided the driveways together are separated by a minimum distance of 20 feet (from edge to edge) from any other driveway. Otherwise, when multiple duplexes or townhouses are proposed on a single lot, or when a single duplex or townhouse is proposed on an individual lot, individual driveways shall be separated by a minimum of six feet (from edge to edge), and the maximum driveway width shall be 12 feet when within 10 feet of the curb.
J.
Not be within three feet of a property line.
A.
Within any zone, temporary waste/recycling/reuse dumpsters (dumpsters) are permitted as an accessory use while a building permit is active for the premises and shall meet the following conditions:
(1)
Dumpsters shall be emptied within 48 hours of being completed filled.
(2)
Dumpsters shall be located outside of the street right-of-way wherever practical (as determined by the Township).
(3)
Dumpster locations shall be shown on building permit applications.
(4)
Dumpsters shall be removed prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
B.
Within the C, I, MU-1, MU-2 and RS-3 Zones, or any existing nonresidential use or nonresidential use approved by the Zoning Hearing Board, waste/recycling/reuse dumpsters (dumpsters) are permitted as an accessory use subject to the following requirements:
(1)
All dumpsters shall have a masonry enclosure constructed to be consistent with the building facade and completely screened from view.
(2)
All dumpsters shall be located at the rear of buildings.
(3)
Accurate, legible, detail drawings to scale of the enclosure shall be provided for proposed dumpsters.
(4)
Dumpsters shall be set back 50 feet from residential zone or use, unless a larger setback is required elsewhere in this chapter. Dumpsters placement shall observe building setback requirements.
(5)
Dumpsters shall have a self-closing lid(s). Dumpsters shall not be loaded above their enclosed height.
(6)
Trash, garbage, recyclables, and other items intended to be collected in the dumpster shall not be placed or stored within the masonry enclosure but outside the dumpster.
(7)
All dumpsters are subject to MS4 requirements pertaining to stormwater runoff and illicit discharges.
(8)
All dumpsters shall be maintained as to not to pose a nuisance by reason of odor or for the harboring of vermin.
More than one principal use may be erected on a single lot, provided that all density, lot and yard requirements, standards, and other requirements of this chapter shall be met for each structure, as though it were on an individual lot. In addition, such proposals may be required to gain approval for a land development plan and shall provide individually approved methods of sewage disposal and water supply.
A.
Geothermal heat pump systems are permitted in all zones, subject to setback requirements in this chapter.
B.
Installation, operation and isolation distances shall comply with PA DEP requirements.
C.
Open-loop geothermal systems that withdraw groundwater from a supply well, passes the groundwater through a heat pump, and discharges the temperature-altered water back to the ground in a discharge (return) well or surface discharge or streambed discharge of water are strictly prohibited.
The height regulations do not apply to the following structures or projections, provided such structures or projections are set back a horizontal distance at least equal to their height from any property line:
A.
Water towers, antennas (other than communications antennas and towers), utility poles, chimneys, agricultural buildings, farm silos, flagpoles, or other similar structures; and
B.
Rooftop structures for the housing of elevators, stairways, water storage tanks, ventilating fans, and other mechanical appurtenances.
Landscaping of all proposed developments and of all projects for which a zoning permit is required is required and shall conform to the landscaping requirements of § 435-52 of Chapter 435, Subdivision and Land Development. Furthermore, the following requirements apply:
A.
When a commercial use or zone adjoins a residential use or zone a twenty-foot minimum landscape screen is required. Said screen shall not be required along the streetscape of a TND.
B.
A minimum of thirty-foot landscape buffer is required along front lot lines for all uses within the Commercial, Industrial, and Mixed-Use 1 and Mixed-Use 2 Zones.
C.
Parking lots (including contiguous access drives) shall be surrounded by a minimum of a fifteen-foot landscape buffer in addition to any required interior landscaping. Said landscape buffer shall be superseded by required building front landscaping and may be combined with any perimeter lot landscape buffers or screens, provided the parking lot and said landscape buffer or screen is contiguous.
D.
Commercial buildings shall provide landscaping along the length of the building front between the sidewalk or access drive and the building front. This landscaping shall be a mixture of shrubs, hedges, perennials, ground cover and trees. The number of landscaping elements shall be equivalent to those required for a twenty-foot landscape buffer, but the placement location and width of the buffer may vary based on the design of the front of the commercial use.
E.
Required landscape buffers and screens may occupy the yard area created by setbacks.
F.
A minimum of a twenty-foot landscape buffer is required along all side and rear lot lines (unless a larger landscape buffer is required elsewhere in this chapter) within the Commercial, Industrial, Mixed-Use 1, and Mixed-Use 2 Zones.
G.
Properties that are developed as of the date of this chapter and subsequently apply for a zoning permit shall meet the landscaping requirements to the maximum extent feasible as determined by the Zoning Officer.
H.
Landscaping must be maintained in accordance with the approved landscape plan.
I.
Parking lots, buildings, and overhead utilities shall not encroach into landscape screens and buffers. Access drives, driveways, and aisles shall not be located longitudinally within a landscape screen or buffer; however, they may traverse landscape screens and buffers when providing access between adjoining properties, or when providing access to the property from a street. Sidewalk shall not be located longitudinally within a landscape screen or buffer.
A.
Off-street loading shall be required in accordance with this section prior to the occupancy of any building or use, so as to alleviate traffic congestion on streets. These facilities shall be provided whenever:
B.
These facilities shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the following:
(1)
Each required loading and unloading berth shall be at least 12 feet wide, 33 feet long, and 14 feet high and shall be of sufficient dimension to accommodate the vehicles that are loading or unloading.
(2)
Each loading and unloading berth shall be marked in the field through pavement markings, signage or both.
(3)
Access to loading and unloading berths may be combined with access to a parking lot.
(4)
All permitted or required loading berths shall be on the same lot as the use to which they are accessory, unless the applicant can prove that one or more such uses will be generating a demand for loading spaces primarily when the other use is not, or is not in operation. In which case, the applicant may count the number of shared spaces for each use toward the total number of spaces required.
(5)
All loading and unloading areas shall be landscaped and screened to obscure the view of the loading and unloading vehicles and platforms from any public street and adjacent residential zones or uses.
(6)
No area allocated to loading and unloading facilities may be used to satisfy the requirements for off-street parking or transportable containers.
(7)
All loading and unloading facilities shall be located and designed so that the vehicles intended to use them can maneuver safely and conveniently to and from a public right-of-way and complete loading and unloading operations without obstructing, encroaching, or interfering with any public right-of-way, parking lot, parking aisle, or access drive.
C.
Site plan approval.
(1)
Each application for a building permit (for use for which off-street loading spaces are required) shall include a drawing (site plan) showing the proposed layout of the loading area. The drawing shall clearly indicate the design elements required herein.
(2)
No building permit shall be issued for any use for which a loading area is required unless the site plan has been approved or necessary variances have been approved.
(3)
All off-street loading spaces shall be located so that no vehicle shall need to maneuver on, or back up onto, a public street.
D.
Off-street loading spaces required. The loading and unloading area shall be of sufficient size to accommodate the numbers of vehicles that are anticipated to use the facility, but shall not be less than the following:
(1)
For a public library, museum, or similar quasi-public institution, or governmental building, community center, hospital or sanitarium, nursing or convalescent home, institution for children or the aged, or school with floor area of 10,000 square feet, one berth; for each additional 25,000 square feet or fraction thereof, one additional berth.
(2)
For buildings with professional, governmental, or business offices, or laboratory establishments, with floor area of 10,000 square feet to 25,000 square feet, one berth; for each additional 25,000 square feet or fraction thereof up to 100,000 square feet, one additional berth; for each additional 50,000 square feet or fraction thereof, one additional berth.
(3)
For buildings with offices and retail sales and service establishments, one berth for 8,000 square feet to 25,000 square feet of floor area, and one additional berth for each additional 25,000 square feet of floor area or fraction thereof so used.
(4)
For undertakers and funeral homes, one berth for each chapel. (Such berths shall be at least 10 feet wide, 20 feet long, and 14 feet high.)
(5)
For hotels and motels and resorts, one berth for each 25,000 square feet of floor area.
(6)
For manufacturing, wholesale, and storage uses, and for dry-cleaning and rug-cleaning establishments and laundries, one berth for 5,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet of floor area in such use, and one additional berth for each additional 20,000 square feet of floor area or fraction thereof so used.
The minimum livable floor area of a dwelling unit, or any building or structure hereafter erected or used for living purposes, shall be 700 square feet. In case of apartment houses and conversion apartments, the minimum livable floor area shall be not less than 400 square feet per apartment.
A.
Purpose. This section is intended to promote public health, safety and welfare and to safeguard the health, comfort, living conditions, property values, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Township of Carroll by regulating the air pollution and fire hazard of burning by use of outdoor wood-fired boilers.
B.
Outdoor wood-fired boilers. Outdoor wood-fired boilers ("boilers") are permitted only in the Agricultural-Conservation (AC) and the Rural Agricultural (RA) Zoning Districts subject to the following conditions and requirements and only after the issuance of a zoning permit from Carroll Township:
(1)
Only dry, clean wood may be burned.
(2)
Boilers may only be utilized on lots or parcels of land two acres or larger in size.
(3)
Boilers must be set back at least 200 feet from the front lot line and 75 feet from the side and rear lot lines and 200 feet from the nearest residential structure not on the lot where the boiler is located.
(4)
Boilers must be equipped with a properly functioning spark arrestor.
(5)
The boiler furnace may not be used as a waste incinerator.
(6)
Lighter fluids, gasoline and chemicals to start the boiler are prohibited.
(7)
Installation, use and operation must comply with all applicable county, state and/or federal laws, regulations and guidelines as well as applicable building and other codes of the Township.
(8)
Stack height shall be in accordance with the boiler manufacturer's specifications.
(9)
The use of the boiler shall not cause a nuisance, as determined by the Zoning Officer, to neighboring or other property.
C.
Existing wood-fired boilers. Any outdoor wood-fired boiler existing as of the effective date of this section shall not be required to comply with § 450-415B(2) or (3), above.
D.
Conflict with codes. In the event of any conflict between any provisions of this section and the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, International Mechanical Code and the International Fire Code, the more stringent and/or more protective provision shall apply and control.
A.
Off-street parking requirements. Off-street parking shall be required in accordance with the provisions of this section prior to the occupancy of any building or use. These facilities shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Chapter 435, Subdivision and Land Development, and provided whenever:
(1)
A building is constructed or a new use is established;
(2)
The use of an existing building is changed to a use requiring more parking facilities;
(3)
An existing building or use is altered or enlarged so as to increase the amount of parking space required; and
(4)
A nonresidential parking lot is proposed greater than 5,000 square feet in size.
B.
Site plan approval.
(1)
Each application for a building or zoning permit (for a use for which parking spaces are required) shall include a legible, accurate, scaled site plan showing the proposed layout of the lot. The drawing shall clearly indicate all of the design elements required by this chapter; and
(2)
No permit shall be issued for any use for which parking spaces are required unless the site plan has been approved or necessary variances have been obtained.
C.
Areas computed as parking spaces. Areas which may be computed as open or enclosed off-street parking spaces include any private garage, carport, or other area available for parking, other than a street or driveway. However, a driveway within a required front yard for a one-family or two-family residence may count as one parking space other than a corner lot as provided in this chapter.
D.
Size of spaces. Minimum parking stall width shall be 10 feet, minimum length shall be 20 feet. Handicap accessible spaces shall meet ADA requirements.
E.
Schedule of required parking spaces. The following lists required numbers of parking spaces by use type. Any use involving a combination of several uses shall provide the total number of spaces required for each individual use. For uses that do not have a specific number of required off-street parking spaces referenced within the following schedule, the Zoning Officer shall use that standard which best approximates the needed number of required off-street parking spaces.
| Parking Schedule | |
|---|---|
| Use Description | Minimum of One Parking Space for Each |
| Adult entertainment facility | 100 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 space per employee on the largest shift |
| Airport and/or heliport | 4 air vehicles stored outside |
| Amusement arcade | 100 square feet of gross floor area, plus the required number of spaces for all accessory uses (e.g., snack bar, tavern, etc.) as listed elsewhere within this schedule |
| Animal hospital, animal clinic, and/or animal sport training facility (with or without kenneling) | 400 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 space per employee |
| Auction house | Customer seat or 200 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is larger |
| Automobile filling station (including minor incidental repair) | 1 fuel pump, plus 1 space per employee on the largest shift (plus 1 space for each 400 square feet of gross floor area devoted to repair and service facilities if minor incidental repair) |
| Bank or similar financial institution | 200 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 space per employee |
| Banquet hall | 60 square feet of public floor area, plus 1 space per employee |
| Barber, beauty, tanning, and/or health salon and/or spa | 150 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 space per employee |
| Bed-and-breakfast | 1 guest room, plus 1 space per employee |
| Boardinghouse | 1 guest room, plus 1 space per employee or 1/2 dwelling unit (i.e., 2 spaces per dwelling unit), whichever is greater |
| Campground | In addition to those required in Article 4, plus 1 space per employee, plus 50% of the required number of spaces normally required for all accessory uses as listed elsewhere within this schedule |
| Car wash (automatic) | Employee (drying, vacuuming, detailing, and other such areas shall not count toward required parking minimums) |
| Car wash (self-serve) | 1/2 car wash, i.e., 2 parking spaces. |
| Cemetery | Employee |
| Church or other religious institution | 3 seats or 200 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is larger |
| Commercial convenience center | 100 square feet of gross floor area plus 1 space per employee on the 2 largest shifts |
| Communications antennas, towers, and equipment | 1 ground-based equipment structure |
| Contractor's office or shop | Business vehicle, plus 1 space for each 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, or 1 space per employee, whichever is larger. |
| Convenience store | 100 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 space per employee on the 2 largest shifts |
| Convention center | 100 square feet of gross floor area for public use, but not less than 1 space for each 2 seats |
| Day-care facility, commercial or adult | 1 space per 6 clients, plus 1 space per employee |
| Day-care facility, family | 2 spaces total, plus the parking required for the residential dwelling unit |
| Dry cleaner and/or laundry facility | 400 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 space per employee |
| Essential services | 1 employee on the 2 largest shifts, or in the case of unmanned facilities, 1 space per maximum number of employees on-site at one time. |
| Farmers market and/or flea market | 200 square feet of retail sales area |
| Funeral home | 100 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 space per each employee, plus 1 space per piece of facility vehicles, such as hearses and limousines |
| Furniture sales | 500 square feet of gross floor area |
| Golf course | 1/8 hole (i.e., 8 spaces per hole), plus 1 space per employee, plus 50% of the required number of spaces normally required for all accessory uses as listed elsewhere within this schedule |
| Golf driving range | 1 tee, plus 1 space per employee |
| Greenhouse and/or nursery | 1,000 square feet of retail sales area |
| Group home | 1 guest room, plus 1 per employee |
| Health and fitness club | 100 square feet of gross floor area |
| Health care campus, nursing home, and/or hospital | 1 1/2 accommodations (i.e., 2 spaces per 3 beds), plus 1 space per other employee |
| Home improvement and building supply store | 200 square feet of interior retail sales area, plus 1 space for each 500 square feet of exterior retail sales area |
| Home occupation | Employee, plus 3 spaces for customer parking |
| Hotel, motel, or similar lodging facility | 1 guest room, plus 1 space per employee on 2 largest shifts, plus the required number of spaces for all accessory uses (e.g., snack bar, tavern, etc.) as listed elsewhere within this schedule |
| Intensive animal operation | 1 employee |
| Junkyard | 1/2 acre, plus 1 space per employee |
| Laboratory for scientific and/or industrial research and development and/or testing | 500 square feet of floor area |
| Laundromat | 2 washing machines, plus 1 space per each employee on the largest shift |
| Manufactured home | 1/2 dwelling unit (i.e., 2 spaces per dwelling unit) |
| Manufacturing, storage, and/or wholesaling operation of light industrial products | 1 employee on each of the 2 largest shifts, or 1 per employee and at least 1 space per each 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is the greatest number |
| Marijuana dispensary | 150 square feet of gross floor area up to 800 total parking spaces, then 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area thereafter, plus 1 per employee on the 2 largest shifts |
| Marijuana growing and/or processing facility | 1 employee on each of the 2 largest shifts, or 1 per employee and at least 1 space per each 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is the greatest number |
| Medical clinic | 1/6 physician, dentist and/or therapist (i.e., 6 spaces per physician, dentist and/or therapist) |
| Medical residential campus | 1 1/2 accommodations (i.e., 2 spaces per 3 beds), plus 6 spaces per doctor or therapist, plus 1 space per other employee |
| Methadone treatment facility | 1/6 physician, dentist and/or therapist (i.e., 6 spaces per physician, dentist and/or therapist) |
| Mini warehouse | 25 units, plus 1 space per 250 square feet of office space, plus 2 spaces per resident manager |
| Motor vehicle sales facility | 2,500 square feet of gross indoor and outdoor display areas, plus spaces required herein for other uses |
| Motor vehicle service facility | 200 square feet of gross floor and ground area devoted to repair and service facilities, plus 1 space per employee on major shift |
| Multiple-family dwelling | 1/3 dwelling unit (i.e., 3 spaces per dwelling unit). Such parking spaces can take the form of private driveways or garages and/or common parking lots, both of which must be within 150 feet of the unit served. |
| Multiple townhouses on a single lot | 1/2 dwelling unit, plus an additional 1 off-street parking space per dwelling unit located within 300 feet of each unit. Off-street parking facilities with 12 or fewer spaces may be designed as dead-end facilities. |
| Nightclub or tavern | 100 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 space per employee on the largest shift; or 1 space per 2 customer seats, whichever is greater. |
| Offtrack betting parlor | 65 square feet of gross floor area |
| Other commercial building | 200 square feet of gross floor area |
| Personal care facility or CCRC nursing home | 3 accommodations (beds), plus 1 space for each employee |
| Personal care home | 2 spaces total, plus the parking required for the residential dwelling unit |
| Private club | 100 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 space per employee on the largest shift; or 1 space per 2 customer seats, whichever is greater |
| Professional office | 200 square feet of gross floor area |
| Public park and/or playground | 1/2 acre (i.e., 2 spaces per acre) and existing parking may fulfill the requirements |
| Public transportation depot | 4 seats for waiting passengers, plus 1 space per employee on the largest shirt |
| Public uses and public utilities structures | Structure |
| Quarries or other extraction-related operation | 1 employee on the largest shift |
| Recreation facilities - athletic fields | 4 seats of spectator seating; or 8 per acre, whichever is greater. |
| Recreation facilities - bowling alleys and billiard rooms | 1 quarter lane (i.e., 4 spaces per lane) or each one table, plus 1 space per employee |
| Recreation facility - miniature golf course | 1/2 hole (i.e., 2 spaces per hole), plus 1 space per employee |
| Recreation facility - picnic area | 1/2 table (i.e., 2 spaces per table) |
| Recreation facility - skating rink | 2 persons of legal occupancy |
| Recreation facility - swimming pool (other than 1 accessory to a residential development) | 2 persons of legal occupancy |
| Recreation facility - tennis or racquetball club | 1 quarter Court (i.e. 4 spaces per Court) 1 space per employee plus 50% of the spaces normally required for accessory uses |
| Recycling dropoff facility | 1 employee on the largest shift |
| Recycling processing facility | 1 employee on the 2 largest shifts |
| Repair of small goods service | 600 square feet of gross floor area |
| Residential real estate sales trailer, temporary | Minimum of 8 on-site spaces |
| Restaurant | 2 seats, plus 1 space per employee on the 2 largest shifts |
| Restaurant, drive-through | 2 seats, plus 1 space per employee on the 2 largest shifts (if no seating, 1 space for 60 square feet of gross floor area with a minimum of 10 spaces) |
| Retail sales or rental business, excluding adult-related uses | 150 square feet of gross floor area up to 800 total parking spaces, then 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area thereafter, plus one per employee on the 2 largest shifts |
| Retail service business | 200 square feet of gross floor area of display area or retail sales area, plus 1 per every 2 employees |
| Riding stable | 2 stalls, plus 1 space per 2 seats of spectator seating |
| Roadside stand | Minimum 3 spaces required |
| Sawmill or firewood processing facility | 1 employee on the largest shift |
| School, private or public (<10th grade, including kindergarten) | 6 students enrolled, plus 1 space per teacher |
| School, private or public (>=10th grade, including colleges) | 3 students enrolled, plus 1 space per teacher |
| School, vocational/mechanical trade and adult education facilities | 1 1/2 students enrolled |
| Septage compost processing operation | 1 employee on the largest shift |
| Shooting range, indoor | 1/2 shooting station or target aisle (i.e., 2 spaces per shooting or target area), but not less than 1 space for each 4 seats |
| Shooting range, outdoor | Minimum of 10 unpaved gravel spaces |
| Single-family detached dwelling | 1/3 dwelling unit (i.e., 3 spaces per dwelling unit) |
| Slaughtering, processing, rendering, and packaging of food products and their by-products which are produced from remains of animals | 1 employee on the 2 largest shifts |
| Stockyard and/or feedlot | 1 employee on the largest shift |
| Theater | 4 seats, but half of which may be met by convenient parking shared with other business uses through shared parking, and not routinely open after 9:00 p.m., plus 1 space for each employee |
| Townhouse on separate lots | 1/2 dwelling unit (i.e., 2 spaces per dwelling unit). Such parking spaces can take the form of private driveways (outside of ROW) or garages and/or common parking lots, both of which must be within 150 feet of the unit served. An additional 1 off-street parking space per dwelling unit located within 300 feet of each unit. Off-street parking facilities with 12 or fewer spaces may be designed as dead-end facilities. |
| Truck stop or motor freight terminal | 1,000 square feet of area, or 1 space per employee on the 2 largest shifts |
| Two-family conversion | 1/2 dwelling unit (i.e., 2 spaces per dwelling unit) in addition to the existing DU required spaces |
| Two-family side-by-side dwelling | 1/2 dwelling unit (i.e., 2 spaces per dwelling unit) |
| Veterinarian's office | 2 spaces per treatment room, plus 1 space per employee |
| Warehousing and wholesale trade establishment | 1 employee on each of the 2 largest shifts |
| Waste handling facility, principal | 1 employee on largest shift, or 1 space per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, whichever is larger |
| Wholesale produce | 400 square feet of floor area, plus 1 space per employee on the largest shift |
G.
Access. Unobstructed access to and from a street shall be provided. Such access shall meet the requirements of § 435-41, Access drives, in Chapter 435, Subdivision and Land Development. No entrance or exit for any off-street parking area serving a commercial or industrial use shall be located within 100 feet of any street intersection, or in instances where 100 feet is not achievable due to a lot that existed prior to adoption of this chapter lacking sufficient width, the access drive shall be located as far from the right-of-way as possible while maintaining a three-foot separation between the access drives and property lines.
H.
Drainage and surfacing. All open parking areas shall be properly drained and all such areas shall be paved (bituminous or concrete) in accordance with Chapter 435, Subdivision and Land Development, except for parking spaces accessory to a one-family or two-family dwelling.
I.
Joint facilities. Required parking spaces, open or enclosed, may be provided in spaces designed to serve jointly two or more establishments whether or not located on the same lot, provided that the number of required spaces in such joint facilities shall not be less than the total required for all such establishments.
J.
Combined spaces. When any lot contains two or more uses having different parking requirements, the parking requirements for each use shall apply to the extent of that use. Where it can be conclusively demonstrated that one or more such uses will be generating a demand for parking spaces primarily during periods when the other use or uses is not or are not in operation, the Zoning Officer may reduce the total parking spaces required for that use with the least requirement.
K.
Multiple uses in single structure. When two or more uses that require off-street parking spaces are located in a single structure, the separate parking requirements for each use shall be applied.
L.
Location and ownership. Required accessory parking spaces, open or enclosed, shall be provided upon the same lot as the use to which they are accessory or elsewhere, provided all spaces therein are located within 200 feet walking distance of such lot. In all cases such parking spaces shall conform to all the regulations of the district in which the parking spaces are located; and in no event shall such parking spaces be located in any residential district unless the use to which the spaces are accessory are permitted in such residential districts or upon approval by the Zoning Officer and Planning Commission. Such spaces shall be in the same ownership as the use to which they are accessory and shall be subject to deed restriction, approved by the Zoning Officer and Planning Commission binding the owner and his heirs and assigns to maintain the required number of spaces available either:
M.
On lots divided by district boundaries. When a parking lot is located partly in one district and partly in another district, the regulations for the district requiring the greater number of parking spaces shall apply to all of the lot. Parking spaces on such a lot may be located without regard to district lines, provided that no such parking spaces shall be located in any residential district, unless the use to which they are accessory is permitted in such district, or upon approval of the Planning Commission.
N.
Prohibited uses of a parking lot. Automobile parking lots are for the sole purposes of accommodating the passenger vehicles of persons associated with the use which requires them. Parking lots shall not be used for the following:
(1)
The sale, display or storage of automobiles or other merchandise;
(2)
Performing services (including services to vehicles);
(3)
Required off-street parking space shall not be used for loading and unloading purposes, except during hours when business operations are suspended; and
(4)
Except in specifically designated areas, the parking of trucks in excess of 9,000 pounds GVW, or "recreational vehicles" as defined herein. This regulation shall be conspicuously posted at each entrance to parking lots for commercial or mixed uses with more than 100 spaces.
A.
Playhouses shall not be located any closer to the street or access right-of-way, or the front lot line, than the front of the principal structure, unless set back 150 feet from the street or access right-of-way, or front lot line. The front of the principal structure shall be the wall(s) facing the street or access drive right-of-way. For the purposes of this section, every lot shall have at least one front lot line, and every principal building shall have at least one front. Both the front of the principal structure and the front lot line shall be determined by the Zoning Officer, whose determination may consider information shown on plans of record, but shall not necessarily be bound thereby.
B.
The maximum height of the tallest part of any playhouse shall be 15 feet.
C.
Playhouses up to 10 feet tall shall meet the side and rear setback requirements for accessory structures. Playhouses over 10 feet tall shall be set back a minimum of 25 feet from side and rear property lines, or shall be set back the minimum accessory structure setback from side and rear property lines, whichever is greater.
Rooftop-mounted HVAC equipment shall be screened on all sides with the same material as the facade of the building that contains the main building entrance.
The setback regulations do not apply to accessory or appurtenant structures as follows:
A.
Bus shelters, cornices, eaves, chimneys, steps, canopies, and similar extensions, but do apply to porches and patios whether covered or not.
B.
Fences, hedges and retaining walls.
C.
The side or rear of a building when abutting an active railroad right-of-way.
D.
No side yard shall be required when two or more commercial uses adjoin side to side, provided that a mutual agreement, in writing, by the two or more adjoining property owners is recorded at the Recorder's office of York County.
A.
As of the effective date of this chapter, all future uses that rely upon on-lot sewage disposal systems shall be required to specifically test for and secure one disposal site (field, bed, or trench) and another alternate disposal site. Both disposal sites shall be approved by the sewage enforcement officer. Furthermore, the alternate disposal site shall be perpetually protected from excavation, construction, and other activities that would result in disturbance of the soil's ability to renovate sewage effluent, until such time as the alternate field is activated due to malfunction of the initial disposal site. Regardless of any maximum lot area requirements listed elsewhere in this chapter, the minimum required lot size may be increased to ensure an acceptable level of nitrate-nitrogen in the groundwater. Every use relying upon on-lot sewage disposal systems shall be required to properly maintain and repair such systems.
B.
No part of any on-site sewage system shall be located within any identified floodplain area, except in strict compliance with all state and local regulations for such systems. If any such system is permitted, it shall be located so as to avoid impairment to it, or contamination from it, during a flood.
A.
Purpose and intent.
(1)
It is the purpose of this section to regulate the location, size, placement, and certain features of signs necessary to enable the public to locate goods, services, and facilities without difficulty and confusion, to encourage the general attractiveness of the community and to protect the property values therein. Nothing in this sign section should be interpreted as an attempt to regulate based on content. The interpretation should be content neutral, which is consistent with Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 135 S. Ct. 2218 (2015). Therefore, it is the intention of this section to establish regulations governing the display of signs which will:
(a)
Promote and protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
(b)
Enhance the economy and the business and industry in the Township by promoting the reasonable, orderly and effective display of signs, and thereby encourage efficient communication with the public; to ensure children are protected from obscenity and maintain the character of the community to the maximum allowed as defined by the Supreme Court of the United States.
(c)
Restrict signs and lights which overload the public's capacity to receive information or which increase the probability of traffic congestion and accidents by distracting attention or obstructing vision. In addition, all lighting shall be consistent with requirements in this chapter and also Chapter 435, Subdivision and Land Development.
(d)
Promote signs which are compatible with their surroundings.
(2)
Any sign and/or outdoor advertising device hereafter erected, placed, constructed, altered, and/or maintained within the Township shall conform with the provisions of this chapter.
B. AWNING SIGN BANNER BILLBOARD DIRECTIONAL SIGN FLAG FLASHING, BEACON, STROBE, OR ANIMATED/MOVING SIGN FREESTANDING SIGN GROUND SIGN INFLATABLE SIGN INFORMATION SIGN LAMPPOST FLAG MULTI-USE IDENTIFICATION SIGN PERMANENT WINDOW SIGN POLE SIGN PORTABLE SIGN PROHIBITION SIGN PROJECTING SIGN RESIDENTIAL SMALL SIGN ROOF SIGN SIGN AREA SIGN HEIGHT STREAMER TEMPORARY DIRECTIONAL SIGN TEMPORARY SIGN TEMPORARY WINDOW SIGN VEHICLE SIGN WALL SIGN
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A sign on a fixed or retractable fabric shelter that is supported entirely from the exterior wall of an enclosed building.
A sign intended to be hung, either with or without a frame, which sign is made of cloth or similarly flexible material, but excluding flags.
A sign having a sign face in excess of 150 square feet and a vertical sign face dimension in excess of three feet.
A sign providing necessary information to facilitate safe and efficient traffic flow and is located on a site other than the site of the facility or event to which the sign directs. The sign must direct to a facility or event located within Carroll Township, or adjacent municipality.
A sign made of cloth, vinyl or a similar pliant material that is attached on one side to a flagpole and is designed to flow in the wind, such as those symbolizing the United States, armed forces, POW, historic U.S. flags, such as Betsy Ross' flag, or a celebration and/or the recognition of a season, holiday, theme, or event, sports team flags or logo flag.
A sign with any visible moving or rotating parts, flashing or intermittent illumination, or color changes caused by electrical, mechanical, or other means. Search lights are included in this definition.
A sign not more than eight feet in height, which is not attached to any building but is supported in poles, frames, or similar structures.
A freestanding sign located on, or close to the ground, the height of which is not more than four feet above the ground.
A device using air or gas to expand or float in the air, including tethered balloons, that is or contains art, logos or words to convey meaning or gain attention.
An on-premises sign conveying instructions or directions with respect to the use of the premises, such as parking, entrance-exit signs, signs noting the availability of restrooms, telephones or other public conveniences on the property where the use occurs.
Flag is attached to a lamppost supporting privately owned lighting fixtures.
A sign used on a site which is occupied by separate entities on a single parcel of land which sign is used to inform about more than one entity.
Signs affixed directly on or behind a translucent surface, including windows and doors, that are visible from the exterior.
A freestanding sign greater than eight feet, but not more than 25 feet, in height supported on poles, frames or similar structures.
Any sign which is movable and not permanently affixed to a building, structure or the ground, such as, but not limited to, sidewalk signs and sandwich boards.
A sign erected on a property to protect or preserve said property pursuant to Pennsylvania state law, such as a "no trespassing," "no dumping," or "no hunting" sign.
A sign mounted on a wall perpendicular to the building surface or projecting more than 12 inches from the wall.
Sign up to four square feet per face located on residential private property.
A sign erected over or partially over or on the roof or any part of the roof as projected toward the sign, or wholly or partially dependent upon the roof of any building or structure for support, or attached to the roof in any way.
That area enclosed by one continuous line, connecting the extreme points or edges of a sign. The area shall be determined using the largest sign area or silhouette visible at any time from any point. This area does not include the main sign support structure, but all other ornamental elements, inner connecting links, trim, etc., which are not part of the main supports of the sign are to be included in determining sign area. When attached to or painted on a surface, a building, canopy, awning, wall or window, the sign area is that of a polygon with the smallest circumference that still encompasses all of the letters, symbols, and or ornamental elements. All visible faces of a multifaced sign shall be counted separately and then totaled in calculating sign area.
The maximum height of a freestanding sign shall be measured from the elevation of the shoulder of the road to the highest point of the sign structure. In the case where there is a sidewalk, the height of the sign shall be measured from the elevation of the sidewalk.
A long, narrow, ribbon-like strip of cloth or fabric, colored paper, etc., hanging loose at one end, suspended from, or attached to, a rope, wire, string or pole, grouped in series, and normally designed to move in the wind.
Directional signs deemed necessary to facilitate safe and efficient traffic flow.
Any sign displayed not more than 30 calendar days in any given year and not exceeding four square feet per face and 30 inches in height.
Signs affixed directly on or behind a translucent surface, including windows and doors that are visible from the exterior, and which are displayed for not more than 30 days.
A permanent or temporary sign affixed, painted on, or placed in or upon any parked vehicle, parked trailer, or other parked device capable of being towed, which is displayed in public view under such circumstances as to location, time of day, duration, and availability of other parking space, which circumstances indicate that the primary purpose of said display is as a sign, such as to attract the attention of the public. The display of signs within or upon a vehicle advertising its sale of said vehicle shall not be considered to be a sign for the purpose of this definition.
A sign that is painted or mounted parallel to a building wall and projects not more than 12 inches from the wall.
C.
Permit required. Except for signs exempted under § 450-421D and F of this chapter, no person, firm, entity, corporation or partnership shall erect, place, alter, construct, or cause to be erected, placed, altered, or constructed, any sign on any property within the Township until a permit for the same has been granted by the Township when required by this chapter. Property owners who authorize or allow any sign on their property shall ensure that all provisions of this chapter are adhered to and will be held responsible for any violations. In cases where a sign is erected by others without the property owner's permission and the property owner is unable or unwilling to remove said sign, the Township may remove the sign.
(1)
Application for a permit shall be made on an authorized Township zoning permit application available at the Township Building and shall be accompanied by the following documents:
(a)
A completely legible detailed scale drawing at a scale no smaller than 1/2 inch equals one foot showing the sign size and proposed lettering, symbols, and any and all other proposed details of the sign.
(b)
A completely legible detailed scale drawing at a scale no smaller than one inch equals 40 feet showing the proposed sign location.
(c)
A description of its construction, lighting, power supply, including a materials description, lumen and direction of light, and colors of sign and supporting structure.
(d)
Written authorization of the owner of the property to construct the sign if other than the applicant.
(2)
After a permit to erect, place, alter, or construct a sign has been obtained and work has been completed as specified in the application, the owner of the sign shall notify the Township which will then inspect the sign.
(3)
Permit fees shall be as established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
(4)
The permit fee shall be paid at the time of permit application.
D.
Signs and activities permitted in all districts and permit exceptions. The following signs or activities are permitted in all zoning districts but shall not require a sign permit.
(1)
The display of flags, such as the United States flag; association of nations; political subdivisions; military flags of forces of the United States of America and forces of nations with which diplomatic relations are conducted with the United States of America; nonprofit organizations; educational organizations accredited by the State of Pennsylvania; corporations; and flags memorializing a national defense event or situation past or present. Federal and state law should be consulted regarding proper lighting and display.
(2)
Memorial tablets (as are typically placed in cemeteries).
(3)
Markers erected by the State of Pennsylvania, Carroll Township or its designee.
(4)
Signs which display address numbers only with a face 60 square inches or less. This is necessary for public safety for fire, police and ambulance service.
(5)
Residential seasonal displays and decorations which do not advertise a product or service.
(6)
Normal maintenance, upgrading and repair of a conforming or existing nonconforming sign exclusive of any alteration.
(7)
All signs within a building that are not visible from outside the building.
(9)
Temporary window signs.
(10)
Temporary signs on gasoline dispensing pumps, including price registers, gallonage registers, pump identification numbers, instruction signs pursuant to the use of pumps and those signs required by law to be displayed on the pump, but not including the gasoline brand names, unless the lettering or symbol is one square foot or less in area and is limited to one such identification on a maximum of two sides of each pump.
(11)
Signs indicating direction of door movement if such signs are less than one square foot in area and have no advertising value.
(12)
Traffic control signs, such as "stop," "one-way", "do not enter," and "no parking."
E.
Prohibited signs. The following signs are prohibited at any location in Carroll Township:
(1)
Signs which are attached or otherwise affixed to trees (except prohibition signs) or other vegetation, rocks, streetlights, utility poles, other than official traffic signs.
(2)
Signs which imitate traffic control devices.
(3)
Banners, except as permitted in § 450-421F(1)(a), spinners, streamers, valances and similar attention attracting devices.
(4)
Any sign which is structurally unsafe, unsafely installed, or otherwise hazardous to physical safety. Any sign that is not maintained in good condition.
(5)
Inflatable signs.
(6)
Roof signs.
(7)
Flashing, beacon, strobe, or animated/moving signs, emergency responders are exempt if being used for emergency circumstances, except for those signs of a constituted governmental body; portable signs, except for those signs necessary to be used as warning signs to bring attention to construction activity, temporary road hazard or the like.
(8)
Vehicle signs.
(9)
Billboards, unless authorized by the grant of conditional use by the Board of Supervisors.
(10)
Any sign erected in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision on any street or driveway intersection, clear sight triangle or obstruct the view of any traffic sign or signal.
(11)
Any sign which is erected within any street right-of-way, public utility right-of-way, or railroad right-of-way, except official traffic, government, utility, or railroad signs, except temporary signs (displayed not more than 30 calendar days in any given year) and directional signs.
(12)
Any sign that interferes with the view of, or is confused with, any traffic control sign or device and any sign that misleads or confuses traffic flow. A sign's position, size, shape, color and illumination, but not content, shall be considered when making such a determination.
(13)
Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a fire escape, door, window, or other means of ingress or egress.
(14)
Any sign painted or affixed to any outdoor bench, chair, parking or access drive light pole or similar article.
(15)
Any sign with obscenities, as defined by federal court precedent.
(16)
Signs erected so as to have the back or nonmessage side of the sign face, if greater than eight square feet, visible from any adjacent street frontage, other than alleys.
(17)
Any sign located on private property against the wishes of the property owner.
F.
Circumstances not requiring a sign permit and regulations pertaining to signs.
(1)
The following signs are exempted from requiring a permit by § 450-421D but are subject to the following provisions:
(a)
Banners.
[1]
Banners may be erected on the property where the facility which is having a grand opening is located.
[2]
Such grand opening banners may be displayed for a maximum period of time of four weeks.
[3]
Such grand opening banners shall be displayed no longer than two weeks before the commencement of the grand opening event, nor shall any grand opening banner be displayed later than two weeks after the commencement of the grand opening event.
(b)
Directional signs. Signs meeting the definition of a "directional sign" may be erected subject to the following:
[1]
Four signs may be erected per approved final land development plan or final subdivision plan.
[2]
The area of one side of any such sign shall not exceed eight square feet.
[3]
The maximum height shall be six feet.
[4]
All signs shall be removed prior to issuance of any certificate of occupancy upon completion of the project.
(c)
Flags. Flags shall not be more than twice the height of the tallest building located on the same site as the flag when a ground- or wall-mounted flagpole is used.
(d)
Residential small signs:
[Amended 1-9-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-252]
[1]
Sign shall be erected on residential private property.
[2]
The area of any such sign shall not exceed four square feet per side.
[3]
The height shall not exceed six feet.
[4]
Only two such signs may be erected on any property, unless the property fronts on two streets, in which case two signs are authorized on each street frontage.
(e)
Prohibition signs. May be erected subject to the following provisions:
[1]
One sign may be erected for each 100 feet of street property perimeter.
[2]
The area of any such sign shall not exceed four square feet per side.
[3]
Sign shall not exceed six feet in height.
[4]
No trespassing purple paint is authorized per state law for marking property lines per statute 18 Pa.C.S.A § 3503.
(2)
Specific sign regulations. The tables on the following pages list requirements imposed upon permanent signs as permitted by the Township:
(a)
Permanent sign requirements.
| Sign Type | Maximum Permitted Number* | Maximum Sign Area per Face (square feet) | Maximum Height (feet) | Permitted Zones | Other Requirements | Permit Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awning sign | 1 | 4 | 12 | C, MU-1, MU-2, I | 7-foot clearance under awning, 12-inch maximum letter/symbol height | Yes |
| Billboard | 1 | 300 | 20 | C, I | Permitted by conditional use | Yes |
| Flag | 3 | 60 | 40 | All | Maximum permitted number is per dwelling or nonresidential entity; Setback required per § 450-411 | No |
| Directional sign | 1** | 2 | 8 | All | Sign shall be for guidance or direction for public safety | Yes |
| Freestanding sign | 1 | 32 | 8 | C, MU-1, MU-2, I | If pole sign is erected, freestanding sign is prohibited. | Yes |
| Ground sign | 1 per street frontage | 24 | 4 | C, MU-1, MU-2, I, RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RA | Maximum sign face of 12 feet measured horizontally; in RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RA and AC Districts, ground sign limited to identifying name of the location | Yes |
| Information sign | 4 | 4 | 8 | All | Yes | |
| Lamppost flag | 2 per lamppost | 15 | 16 | C, MU-1, MU-2, I | 12-foot minimum clearance to pavement, 8-foot minimum clearance to other ground areas | No |
| Multi-use identification sign | 1 | Varies, see area table[1] | 25 | C, MU-1, MU-2, I | Prohibited if pole sign or freestanding sign is erected on property | Yes |
| Permanent window sign | No limit | Varies | None | C, MU-1, MU-2, I | May occupy a maximum of 15% of each window or each door area | Yes |
| Pole sign | 1 | 120 | 25 | C, MU-1, MU-2, I | Minimum clearance to the ground at the base of the sign is 8 feet, maximum sign face of 12 feet measured vertically, 12 feet measured horizontally, prohibited if freestanding sign is erected | Yes |
| Projecting sign | 1 | 12 | Varies | C, MU-1, MU-2, I | Maximum height is the lesser of the upper building face and the lowest part of the roof; sign must not encroach on windows; minimum clearance to the ground under the sign is 8 feet; maximum extension from building is the lesser of 6 feet or 1/3 of sidewalk width; maximum sign face of 3 feet measured vertically | Yes |
| Wall sign | 2 per principal use | 40 | C, MU-1, MU-2, I | Maximum height is the height of the upper building face, the lowest part of the roof; sign must not encroach on windows; maximum sign face of 30 inches measured vertically | Yes |
| NOTES: | |
|---|---|
| * | The information in this column does not supersede and is subordinate to the requirements of § 450-421F(2)(d) of this chapter. |
| ** | One sign allowed for any given use or property. |
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 450-421F(2)(b).
(b)
Area table: multi-use identification sign.
| Number of Entities | Maximum Sign Face Area (square feet) | Maximum Height (feet) | Maximum Sign Face Dimension (feet) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical | Horizontal | |||
| 2 | 125 | 25 | 12 | 12 |
| 3 | 130 | 25 | 12 | 12 |
| 4 | 135 | 25 | 12 | 12 |
| 5 | 140 | 25 | 12 | 12 |
| 6 | 145 | 25 | 13 | 12 |
| 7 or more | 150 | 25 | 14 | 12 |
(c)
Total allowable sign area.
[1]
The total allowable sign area for all applicable signs shall not exceed a total of 200 square feet. All signs, except for those exempted for permits in § 450-421D and F, information signs, and directional signs shall be counted in calculating the allowable sign area. Wall signs on those properties abutting a public street or public streets other than alleys, for a closest distance in excess of 300 feet as measured to the ROW line shall not be counted in calculating total allowable sign area.
[2]
On multistreet frontage locations, the total allowable sign area for all applicable signs on each additional street frontage other than the principal street frontage shall be located only on that street frontage and shall not exceed a total of 100 square feet. All signs, except for those exempted from permit requirements in § 450-421D and F, information signs, and directional signs shall be counted in calculating the total allowable sign area. Wall signs on those properties abutting a public street or public streets other than alleys, for a closest distance in excess of 300 feet as measured to the ROW line, shall not be counted in calculating total allowable sign area.
[3]
The Zoning Hearing Board may grant a special exception to allow larger signs or greater than the prescribed total allowable sign area per street frontage where unique conditions exist on the property or in the immediate area which would cause signs of the normally prescribed areas to be of lower communication value than that which would exist on another property in the same zoning district where such unique conditions do not exist. In granting such special exception, the Zoning Hearing Board shall find that, in addition to the unique conditions aforementioned, the proposed departure from sign area shall not:
(d)
Number and types of signs allowed.
[1]
The allowable number of signs shall not exceed two per street frontage and four signs per property. All signs, except for those exempted for permit in § 450-421D and F and information signs shall be counted in calculating the number of allowable signs. Wall signs on those properties abutting a public street or public streets other than alleys, for a closest distance in excess of 300 feet as measured to the ROW line, shall not be counted in calculating total allowable signs.
[2]
There shall be no more than three types of signs allowed per property. All signs, except for those exempted for permits in § 450-421D and F information signs, and directional signs, shall be counted in calculating the types of signs allowed. Wall signs on those properties abutting a public street or public streets other than alleys, for a closest distance in excess of 300 feet, shall also not be counted in calculating the types of signs allowed.
(e)
Location of signs. No sign shall be located within two feet of a property line as defined and required in this chapter unless specifically authorized by this chapter.
(f)
Materials, illumination, color and shape.
[1]
Signs shall not use reflectorized background or letters or figures, except for directional signs.
[2]
Signs and supporting structures shall be constructed of wood, metal, brick, concrete, carbon fiber, fiberglass, composite, stone, plastic, or glass, or a combination of these materials.
[3]
Sign and supporting structure materials and colors shall be compatible with the buildings and other signs on the premises.
[4]
Sign supporting structures shall be a maximum of two colors.
[5]
Signs shall be illuminated only by a white or amber, steady, internal or external stationary light of reasonable intensity directed at the sign, without causing glare for motorist, pedestrians or neighboring properties. Colored neon signs may be utilized if such signs are located inside a window or door.
(g)
Nonconforming signs. Except for changes to bring an existing nonconforming sign into full conformance with this chapter, a nonconforming sign in any sign district cannot be enlarged, extended, relocated, structurally reconstructed, or altered.
A.
Purpose and intent:
(1)
Protect the public health, safety and welfare by limiting the construction, location, brightness and operational characteristics of electronic variable message signs.
(2)
Allow electronic variable message signs to provide a guide to the physical environment and serve the community through public service announcements and emergency situations.
(3)
Permit signs with limitations to prevent driver distraction and encourage traffic safety.
B. FOOTCANDLE MESSAGE SEQUENCING SCROLL SIGN, ELECTRONIC VARIABLE MESSAGE (1) (2) (3)
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A measure of illumination produced by one candle, at a distance of one foot on a one-square-foot area.
A series of related text and/or images that involve two or more message displays. Message sequencing does not include scrolling.
A mode of message transition where the message is changed by the apparent vertical or horizontal movement of the letters or graphic elements of the message.
A sign or portion thereof that displays electronic, images, graphics and/or text information, defined by a small number of matrix elements using different combinations of light emitting diodes (LEDs), fiber optics, light bulbs or other illumination devices within the display area where the message change sequence is accomplished immediately or by means of fade or repixalization. Electronic variable message signs include, but are not limited to, computer-programmable, microprocessor-controlled electronic or digital displays. These signs include the following types:
SIGN, ELECTRONIC ANIMATEDA sign that changes its message or background by motion or pictorial imagery. This may or may not include text and displays action or a special effect to imitate movement. This includes, but is not limited to moving objects, moving patterns, scrolling or bands of light or changing shapes.
SIGN, ELECTRONIC CHANGEABLE IMAGEA sign or portion thereof that displays static electronic images with or without text. The display is depicted by a small number of elements using light emitting diodes (LED), fiber optics, light bulbs or other illumination devices. The message change is accomplished by immediate or gradual fade to a new image.
SIGN, ELECTRONIC CHANGEABLE TEXTA sign or portion thereof that displays electronic text information. Each alphanumeric character is depicted by a small number of elements using light emitting diodes (LED), fiber optics, light bulbs or other illumination devices. The message change can be accomplished by scrolling, immediate or gradual fade to a new message.
D.
General requirements.
(1)
All signs must comply with standards and requirements set forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(2)
No sign shall be permitted which attempts or appears to attempt to direct the movement of traffic or which interferes with, imitates, or resembles any official traffic sign, signal or device.
(3)
One electronic variable message sign is permitted per lot.
(4)
The face of the electronic variable message sign shall have only one advertising message per duration of the display.
(5)
Electronic variable message signs shall meet all applicable sign requirements in this chapter.
(6)
Clocks, hanging signs which move by action of normal wind currents, time and temperature signs and barber poles are exempt from the requirements in this section.
(7)
Electronic variable message signs shall be available for public emergency use. Examples of this usage include, but are not limited to, Amber Alerts, emergency evacuations and road closures.
(8)
Message display.
(a)
Minimum duration of display is required to be 20 seconds.
(b)
Any message transition shall be no more than two seconds.
(c)
The minimum height of any number or letter displayed on an electronic sign shall be 12 inches.
(d)
In the event of a malfunction, an electronic variable message sign (as defined herein) shall turn to a dark screen. The dark screen shall remain until the malfunction is corrected.
(e)
Brightness.
[1]
Brightness levels shall be automatically adjusted to be 0.3 footcandles above ambient light levels.
[a]
This shall be measured at five feet above grade, using all white settings, or the solid color for single-color signs.
[2]
Automatic dimmers to maintain brightness measurements are required.
[3]
Light levels shall be confirmed by the applicant and submitted to the municipality, in writing, prior to approval of any electronic variable message sign.
(f)
Signs which message sequence, flash, strobe, make noise or show pyrotechnics are not permitted.
E.
Requirements for sign types.
(1)
(2)
Electronic changeable image sign.
(a)
May be located on premises, or off premises with written landowner consent.
(b)
Setbacks:
[1]
One hundred fifty feet from any other zoning district(s) or an intersection of two streets or roads.
[2]
The face of such sign shall not be visible within 150 feet of any residential or agricultural zoning district(s).
[3]
One hundred fifty feet from any other electronic variable message sign as defined herein.
(3)
Electronic animated signs are not permitted.
A.
In areas zoned AC, RA, RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, and for uses adjoining these zones or a residential use, the following slope restrictions apply.
B.
Where the slope of the ground within 10 feet of a property line (except a right-of-way line) exists as less than 15%, the existing slope of the ground shall not be altered within 10 feet of an existing property line (except a right-of-way line) to create a slope of more than 15%. If the slope of the ground within 10 feet of a property line exists as more than 15%, the existing slope of the ground shall not be altered within 10 feet of the property line (except a right-of-way line). In all cases slopes shall be as determined by a qualified professional subject to approval by the Township Engineer. The construction of grass-lined drainage swales in accordance with Chapter 428, Stormwater Management, shall be exempt from this requirement. To the extent that other Township ordinances have more restrictive slope requirements, the more restrictive requirements shall apply.
No persons or family shall be permitted to permanently reside within any tent, travel trailer, bus, boat, camper, or motor home. However, temporary occupancy of a tent, travel trailer, camper, or motor home shall be permitted within an approved campground or for periods of up to 14 days in any calendar year on one's own property or with the permission of the property owner.
Trailers used for the sole purpose of storage are prohibited within any zoning district.
A.
Vehicular storage. All areas used for the storage of vehicles shall be maintained so as to keep vegetation properly trimmed and debris or litter disposed of regularly. All vehicles shall be maintained to prevent the leakage of fuels and/or lubricants into the ground. Other than a junkyard, no unlicensed, uninspected or unregistered vehicles, boats or trailers shall be stored outside an enclosed building. Within the AC, RA, RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, and MU-1 Zones, trucks with a gross weight in excess of 9,000 pounds, recreational vehicles, boats, or trailers shall:
(1)
No vehicle, combination or trailer greater than 30 feet in length may be stored anywhere within 10 feet of a property line;
(2)
Parking or outside storage of a recreational vehicle is limited to one unit per lot;
(3)
On-street parking of unlicensed, unregistered, or uninspected automobiles, trucks with a gross weight in excess of 9,000 pounds, recreational vehicles, or utility trailers is prohibited; and
(4)
Notwithstanding the provisions cited above, a unit may be parked anywhere on the lot during active loading, unloading, or servicing of the unit for a period of time not in excess of 36 hours.
B.
Accessory outdoor storage. In all zones, no accessory outdoor storage is permitted between any building front (as determined by the Zoning Officer) and any street or access right-of-way line.
C.
Outdoor stockpiling. In all zones, no outdoor stockpiling of any material (except firewood) is permitted between any building front (as determined by the Zoning Officer) and any street or access right-of-way line.
D.
Trash, garbage, or refuse. Except as provided in Article 3 of this chapter, the outdoor accumulation of trash, garbage, or refuse for a period exceeding 15 days is prohibited.
E.
Domestic composts. The placement of framed enclosure composts, not to exceed a dimension of 10 feet in width or length, and a height of four feet, as an accessory residential use is permitted. Only waste materials from the residential site shall be deposited within the compost and in no case shall meat, or meat by-products, be composted. All composts shall be properly maintained so as not to become a nuisance to nearby properties.
Every lot hereafter created shall be adjacent to and gain direct access from:
A.
Required information. All commercial, industrial, institutional, and health-care-related uses shall be required to continuously maintain the following information regarding materials and waste handling, including:
(1)
Listing of all materials to be used and/or produced on the site;
(2)
Listing of all wastes generated on the site; and
(3)
Written evidence that the storage, treatment, processing, transfer, and disposal of all materials and wastes shall be accomplished in a manner that complies with all applicable federal, state, county, and municipal requirements, including, but not limited to, the following:
B.
Material safety data (MSDS) sheets. All commercial, industrial, institutional, and health-care-related uses shall be required to furnish material safety data (MSDS) sheets to the Township within 30 days of receipt of any required MSDS update.
A.
EPA and DEP regulations that protect public drinking water systems do not apply to privately owned wells. As a result, owners of private wells are responsible for ensuring that their water is safe from contaminants.
B.
Prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the applicant shall draw a raw water sample and, as a minimum, have a certified lab test for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. All testing reports shall state the name of the individual performing the test, procedures used for sampling, time and date of sampling and the location from which the sample was taken.
C.
The data sheet and summary of test results, together with the recommendations as to the suitability of the well or wells for the intended uses shall be provided to the property owner, first occupant and to the Township. The copy for the Township is for record only.
