Harborcreek Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XX
Signs
§ 490-112 Application.
Signs may be erected and maintained only in compliance with the provisions of this section, other sections of this chapter and any and all regulations of Harborcreek Township relating in any way to the erection, location, size, height, use, number, lighting, operation, alteration or maintenance of signs, billboards, banners and other similar advertising devices as defined.
§ 490-113 General intent.
The sign regulations with the provisions set forth in this chapter are made in accordance with an overall plan and program for the public safety, area development, preservation of property values, and the general welfare of Harborcreek Township and are intended to aid in traffic control and traffic safety; preserve and protect property values; lessen congestion of land and air space; provide against undue concentrations of signs which distract and endanger traffic safety and traffic flow; establish reasonable standards for commercial and other advertising through the use of signs in order to maintain and encourage business activity and area development; avoid uncontrolled proliferation of signs; recognize the rights of the public in roads, streets, highways, and the areas adjacent to those roads, streets and highways; preserve the wholesome and attractive character of Harborcreek Township and to recognize that the general welfare includes a community plan that shall be beautiful as well as healthy, spacious as well as clean, and well balanced in its growth and development.
§ 490-114 Signs permitted in all districts.
(Unless where otherwise restricted) - Signs listed in this section are permitted in all districts and shall not require a zoning permit except where specifically required and shall not be counted when calculating the number of signs on a premises. However, such signs shall conform to the general regulations for signs enumerated in the remainder of this section. Any deviation from the standards set forth in this section shall require a variance.
B.
Real estate lot signs. "For sale" or "for rent" signs may be permitted on the property to be sold or to be rented, limited in number to two per street frontage of the premises to be sold or rented and in size to a maximum of six square feet in all A and R Zones and 25 square feet in all B and I Zones and said signs are to be removed promptly upon the sale or rental of said property. Such signs shall not be illuminated.
C.
Real estate development signs. Signs advertising the sale and development of the premises upon which they are erected may be erected and maintained in connection with the development of the premises by a builder, contractor, developer or other person interested in such sale or development, provided:
(1)
The size of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet in area and shall be located not less than 20 feet from the right-of-way line of any street, and 15 feet from any side property line.
(2)
No such sign may be illuminated or shall exceed six feet in total height above ground level.
(3)
Not more than two signs may be placed upon any property held in single and separate ownership.
D.
Temporary holiday decorations and lights, unless determined by the sign inspector to constitute a hazard to public safety.
E.
"No trespassing" signs or other such signs regulating the use of a property, such as "no hunting," "no fishing," etc., of no more than two square feet in sign area in residential zones and five square feet in all commercial and industrial zones.
F.
Garage and yard sale. Signs indicating the location and occurrence of a garage or yard sale shall be permitted during the time period of said sale, the size of which shall not be in excess of six square feet, with no more than two signs permitted on the property where the sale is occurring, and said signs are to be removed promptly after the completion of said sale.
G.
Auction sale. Signs indicating the location and occurrence of an auction sale shall be permitted during and seven days prior to the time period of said sale, the size of which shall not be in excess of six square feet, with no more than two signs permitted on the property where the sale is occurring, and said signs are to be removed promptly after the completion of said sale.
H.
Signs regulating on-premises traffic, parking or other functional areas, such as lavatory facilities, telephone, signs denoting other sections of a building such as lubrication, office, etc., when less than five square feet in area and bearing no commercial advertising whatsoever. Such signs shall be limited to the words "entrance," "in," "exit," "out," "parking," and may also have arrows or other appropriate directional indicators.
I.
Political signs and ideological signs. Political signs and ideological signs, as well as all other signs, except those erected by a government body, are not permitted on utility poles or trees within the road right-of-way or on public property; and those erected thereon shall be removed and the cost of removal shall be charged to the person(s) responsible for the placement of said signs.
J.
Contractor signs not more than 12 square feet in area naming the contractor, mechanic or painter engaged in the construction on the premises where the sign is located but only during such period in which actual construction is taking place.
K.
Signs erected by a government body, or under the direction of such body, and bearing no commercial advertising, such as traffic signs, a railroad crossing sign, safety signs, signs identifying public schools and playgrounds, special event signs and the like.
L.
Memorial signs or tablets and signs denoting the date of erection of buildings.
M.
The flag, pennant or insignia of any government or of any religious, charitable, or fraternal organization.
N.
Permanent residential development signs at major entrances designed to identify a residential subdivision and containing no commercial advertising. Maximum face area: 20 square feet. Said sign shall not be internally illuminated.
O.
Non-profit organization's fundraising sales. Temporary signs indicating the location and occurrence of a non-profit organization's fund raising sale or event shall be permitted during and 30 days prior to the time period for such sale. All signs pertaining to said sale or event shall be removed within two weeks after the end of the sale or event.
P.
Temporary produce sale signs. Signs advertising the sale of farm and/or garden products grown on the premises within the Agricultural and Low Density Districts are permitted as temporary signs for the duration that such products are available. Such signs shall not exceed five square feet in area, shall be limited to four signs per premises and shall not be located within the road right-of-way.
Q.
Nameplate signs indicating the name and address of the occupant of the premises may be erected and maintained, provided:
R.
An identification sign located on the premises or building which serves only to tell the name or use of any public or semi-public building or recreational place, fire department, lodge, club, church, apartment building, farm or estate, school, hospital, sanitariums, or other institution of a similar approved nature may be erected and maintained, provided:
§ 490-115 Signs prohibited in all districts.
The following signs shall not be permitted, erected or maintained in any district, notwithstanding anything else contained in this chapter or elsewhere.
A.
Hanging signs which simply swing in the wind and clocks and time and temperature signs and barber poles may be exempted provided they comply with all other provisions of this chapter. Time, date and temperature signs may include devices indicating digital time and temperature.
B.
Light sources, which cast light on signs, shall be shielded by opaque material so that the bulbs, floodlights or tubes are not visible off the property on which the signs are located.
C.
Any sign or sign structure which constitutes a hazard to public safety or health.
D.
Signs which by reason of size, location, content, coloring, or manner of illumination, obstruct the vision of drivers or obstruct or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device on public streets and roads.
E.
Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a fire escape, door, window or other required exit way.
F.
Signs which make use of words such as "stop," "look," "one-way," "danger," "yield," or any similar words, phrases, symbols, lights, or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
G.
Any obsolete sign, which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted, or a product sold. In any case, 60 days shall be allowed for removal of an obsolete sign.
H.
Signs on public property or public rights-of-way, unless erected by a governmental body, or unless required to be so located by order of a governmental body. No sign located on public property or a public right-of-way shall bear any political, ideological, commercial, advertising, or announcement message or combination thereof.
I.
Off-premises advertising signs and billboards which advertise a business, service, industry, commodity, product or entertainment which is not available on the premises where the sign is located.
J.
Signs painted on, attached to, or supported by a tree, stone, cliff, or other natural object, except signs permitted under yard sales, garage sales, non-profit fundraising, "no trespassing" and temporary produce sale signs.
K.
String lights or bare bulb illumination, other than temporary holiday decorations, which are unshielded from off the property on which they are located.
L.
Flame as a source of illumination.
M.
Searchlights are not permitted. Pennants, banners, spinners, streamers or balloons are not permitted except for occasions such as grand openings and then only with special written permission of the Zoning Administrator. Use shall be limited to a 15-day period and shall not be erected again for a period of 30 days thereafter.
N.
Roof signs.
§ 490-116 Sign regulations for commercial and industrial districts.
A.
Number of signs per premises. Notwithstanding anything else in this chapter or elsewhere, no more than five signs may be erected or maintained on any premises at any one time; except that when a premises is located on a corner lot and has public entrances on two or more public ways, or where a building has both a front and a rear public entrance, one additional sign may be erected as long as it is no larger than the original sign. In calculating the total number of signs on a premises, both permanent and temporary signs shall be combined in the total. A double-faced sign shall count as a single sign. "Signs permitted in all districts" shall not be counted in calculating the total. This limitation on the number of signs shall not apply to political signs or ideological signs as defined herein.
B.
Freestanding signs. In addition to the general provisions of this chapter, the following regulations shall apply to all freestanding signs.
(1)
Every freestanding sign and all parts, braces, and supports thereof shall be located entirely behind the public right-of-way, and no closer than 10 feet to the side property line.
(2)
The total sign area of a freestanding sign shall not exceed 75% of the building width or 144 square feet, whichever is less, per side for signs in any B-1 B-2, commercial districts and the Industrial District. However, such signs may be increased to 300 square feet per side for signs in any B-2, only if intended to be read from interstate I-90. Each freestanding sign may have two faces.
(a)
Shopping centers may identify individual businesses below the shopping center identification sign. However, the individual business signs shall not exceed 12 sq. ft. each.
(b)
However, shopping centers in commercial districts may have one additional shopping center identification sign located along each street frontage that has an entrance to the shopping center.
(3)
A premises may erect and maintain one projecting sign or one freestanding sign, but not both. However, no individual business or other enterprise within a shopping center may erect or maintain a freestanding sign. No premises may contain more than one freestanding sign except when a premises (or property) is located on a corner lot, or it has public access to two or more public thoroughfares. Then, one freestanding sign may be erected for and toward each public thoroughfare.
C.
Sign height. No sign, or any part thereof, including braces, supports, or lights shall exceed a height of 20 feet. Height shall be measured from grade level directly below the face of the sign to the highest part of the sign. However, pedestal (pole) signs intended to be read from I-90 shall have a maximum height of 50 feet above the nearest surface of the interstate roadway. Reasonable requests (up to 10 additional feet) to the height limitation may be granted by the Zoning Administrator where the characteristics of the specific site on which the sign is to be located are incompatible with the 50-foot height. Site characteristics requiring variation may include the topography and vegetation of the area, the distance at which the sign becomes visible and the resultant legibility of the sign and compatibility with the character of the site.
D.
Sign area for wall signs. The total sign area per premises, including both permanent and temporary signs, shall not exceed 1.5 times the unit width, exclusive of any permitted freestanding sign.
E.
Wall signs. In addition to the general provisions of this chapter, the following regulations shall apply to all wall signs.
(1)
No wall sign shall extend above the top of the wall upon which it is placed unless it is an integral roof system.
(2)
No wall sign, or any part thereof, shall project more than 12 inches from the wall upon which it is mounted.
(3)
The length of a wall sign shall not exceed 80% of the width of the building or unit to which it is attached.
F.
Projecting signs. In addition to the general provisions of this chapter, the following regulations shall apply to all projecting signs.
(1)
No projecting sign shall project more than five feet beyond the face of the building, nor shall any portion of the projecting sign be closer than two feet to the face of the street curb or curb line.
(2)
No portion of any projecting sign shall be less than 10 feet above grade level.
(3)
No single face of a projecting sign shall exceed 15 square feet in sign area.
(4)
No projecting sign shall have a vertical dimension greater than six feet.
(5)
There shall be no more than one projecting sign for any premises unless the premises is located on a corner lot or has public entrances on two or more public ways, in which case one projecting sign may be erected for and toward each public way.
G.
Portable signs. In addition to the general provisions of this chapter, the following regulations shall apply to all portable signs.
(1)
Portable signs used to convey information relative to the sale of a product(s) or service(s) or to promote a special event on the premises where such sign is located shall be considered as temporary signs.
(2)
Such signs shall not be placed on the premises more than two weeks in advance of such sale or event and shall be removed within five days after the completion of said sale or event.
(3)
Each sale or event shall constitute a separate use of a portable sign, and the maximum duration of use (time period) for a portable sign is 30 days for each sale or event. The sign may not be re-established within 60 days after removal.
(4)
Such signs shall be limited in size to 40 square feet per sign face with a maximum of 80 square feet for both faces—each sign may have two faces.
(5)
Only one portable sign is permitted for each premises.
(6)
No portable sign shall be located within a public right-of-way or be located in a clear sight triangle.
(7)
Portable signs shall require a permit.
(8)
Portable sign lights shall not flash.
H.
Advertising sign boards may be erected and maintained in commercial and industrial districts, only when such signs relate directly to the use conducted on the property or carried on within such building.
§ 490-117 Sign regulations for Village and Lakefront Districts.
A.
All signs are prohibited in residential zones except home occupation signs and those signs enumerated in § 490-114.
B.
Illuminated signs are prohibited in R Zones except for name of occupant and street address signs, signs indicating doctor of medicine, signs indicating places of worship, institutional signs and signs necessary for public safety.
C.
Wall sign. The total sign area of a wall sign shall not exceed 80% of the building width.
D.
Freestanding sign. The total sign area of a freestanding sign shall not exceed 50% of the building width.
E.
Sign height. Freestanding sign height shall be more than 10 feet.
§ 490-118 Additional regulations for all districts.
A.
If a building has visibility from more than two sides, the Zoning Administrator can approve an increase in total sign area by 20%.
B.
Signs may be erected and maintained as herein permitted, provided such signs are located in accordance with the following minimum sight visibility requirements:
(1)
Sight visibility at public street or highway intersections:
(a)
No sign, structure, wall or other obstruction to sight view shall be erected or maintained within the clear sight triangle above a height of three feet in elevation above the grade level.
(b)
A clear sight triangle shall be maintained at all street intersections or other established or proposed points of entry onto a public road or street.
C.
No sign shall be illuminated in any way that confuses, blinds, distracts or hinders the view of pedestrians and operators of motor vehicles on the highways or streets adjacent to such signs.
(1)
No artificial light or reflecting device shall be used as a part of a sign where such light or device interferes with, competes for attention with, or may be mistaken for a traffic signal.
(2)
Flood lighting shall be arranged so that the sources of light are not visible from any point off the lot and that only the sign is directly illuminated by such lighting.
(3)
The sign may be illuminated internally, provided the source of reflected light is not directly visible or glaring.
(4)
No sign may be illuminated by red, green or yellow light, or any combination thereof, if such sign and/or lighting will interfere with the effective visibility of a traffic signal or is to be located adjacent to a roadway so as to give the appearance of impression of a traffic signal.
(5)
All illumination involving flashing is expressly prohibited.
D.
In addition to the other requirements of this chapter, every sign referred to in this article must be constructed of durable materials, must be kept in good condition and repair, and not allowed to become dilapidated.
§ 490-119 Sign permits and fees.
A.
All permanent signs except those enumerated in § 490-114, Signs permitted in all districts, must be issued a permit.
B.
Application for a permit for a permanent sign and certain "temporary" signs shall be made on a form provided by the Zoning Administrator. The following shall be submitted to the Zoning Department along with the application:
(1)
Name, address and telephone number of applicant.
(2)
A map or site plan showing the location of the building, structure, or lot to which the sign is to be attached or erected, and showing the position of the sign in relation to nearby buildings and thoroughfares. Such a map or site plan must be to scale.
(3)
A plan showing the design of the sign, materials used, and method of construction and means of attachment to the building or the ground; such plans must be to scale.
(4)
Name of person, firm, corporation or association erecting, altering or moving said sign.
(5)
Any electrical or building permit required and issued for said sign under other Township ordinances.
(6)
Any other information as the Zoning Administrator shall require in order to show full compliance with this and all other applicable laws of the Township.
C.
Permits for permanent signs are valid indefinitely unless substantially improved, altered, moved or replaced. For the purpose of this section, substantial improvement or alteration is considered as a repair, reconstruction, improvement or alteration of a sign and/or its supporting structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the sign and/or supporting structure either:
D.
Prior to any structural alterations, movements or replacement of a sign, a new permit shall be obtained from the Zoning Administrator. Such permit shall be issued only when the Zoning Administrator is satisfied that such sign will, in every respect, comply with all the applicable provisions of this chapter.
E.
Permits for temporary signs, where required, are valid only for the duration of the sale or event for which they are issued.
F.
Every applicant shall pay the sign application fee to the Township Zoning Office. The sign permit fee shall be established by resolution of the Township and may be subsequently revised by resolution to accurately reflect review and inspection costs.
G.
Every application shall secure a sign permit with the Building Code Department. Fees are established based on the Building Code Official's fee schedule.
H.
Permit exceptions. The following operations shall not be considered as creating a sign and shall not require a permit.
(1)
Replacing copy. The changing of the advertising copy of message on an approved painted sign or on a theater marquee and similar approved signs which are specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy. This would include the replacement of translucent panels only with no box of electric alterations. This provision shall not apply to painted lettering, symbols, etc., which utilize a building for the sign surface. Any such signs may only be repainted in accordance with § 490-119, "Sign permits and fees," of this chapter and shall be considered a new sign.
(2)
Maintenance. Cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or a sign structure unless a structural change is made.
(3)
No signs shall be erected containing information which implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance.
§ 490-120 Non-conforming signs.
A.
All signs that have been in the same location since before June 1, 1959, and are non-conforming with respect to this chapter shall be allowed to continue and be permitted as a non-conforming sign.
B.
Non-conforming signs that are or have been moved, replaced, repainted or structurally altered without the required permit shall be removed by order of the Zoning Administrator.
C.
Non-conforming signs that are proposed to be replaced, moved, repainted (except where otherwise permitted) or structurally altered shall be considered new signs and must conform in every respect to provisions of this chapter.
(1)
Damage or destruction. In the event that any non-conforming sign is damaged and the repair cost exceeds 25% of the sign's value (sign face and supporting structure), as calculated at the time of damage or destruction, such sign shall not be restored or replaced and shall be ordered removed by the Zoning Administrator.
D.
Any non-conforming sign or billboard which is discontinued or not used for three months shall not be permitted to be reused; and if any such billboard is removed, it shall not be reconstructed unless it complies with the provisions of this chapter. In the latter case, it shall be considered as a new sign.
E.
Permit for non-conforming signs. All signs which are in existence at the adoption of this chapter, or amendment thereto, but which do not conform to one or more applicable provisions of this chapter, shall be eligible for a sign permit, except: (1) those signs denoted with an asterisk (*) in § 490-115, "Signs prohibited in all districts;" and (2) signs which have been (in an unauthorized manner) moved, replaced, structurally altered or repainted, except where otherwise permitted.
§ 490-121 Erection; maintenance code.
A.
All signs shall be designed and constructed to meet Uniform Construction Code requirements.
B.
All signs together with all of their supports, braces, guys and anchors shall be kept in good repair and in a proper state of preservation; and all ground in the immediate vicinity of any sign shall be kept clean and sanitary and free of obnoxious substances/materials and unsightly conditions. All signs shall be maintained in good condition, so as to present a neat and orderly appearance. Neglected or dilapidated signs include the following: rust or holes on or in the sign or sign structure or broken, missing, loose or bent parts, faded or flaking paint, non-operative or partially non-operative illuminating or mechanical devices or missing letters in sign copy.
§ 490-122 Penalties.
A.
A sign permit shall be issued for all signs requiring a permit, and there shall be a sign inspection; and all signs not constructed, erected or maintained according to provisions of this chapter, the sign permit, or Section 2212 shall be repaired within 15 days of notification or said signs shall be removed at the owner's expense.
B.
The erection or placement of a sign without a permit as required by this chapter or the failure to remove a sign as required by this chapter and/or the Zoning Administrator shall constitute a violation of this chapter. Fines and penalties shall be in accordance with Articles 24 and 26 of this chapter.
C.
Each sign shall constitute a separate offense, and each day that each sign is erected in violation of this chapter shall also be considered as a separate offense.