Hatfield Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXIII
Signs
§ 282-176 Scope and applicability.
In all zoning districts within the Township of Hatfield, signs may be erected, altered, maintained, used, or moved, but only when in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
§ 282-177 Engineering design and standards for all signs.
[Amended 10-23-2024 by Ord. No. 706]
All signs shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the requirements of all applicable codes and standards of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Hatfield Township.
§ 282-178 General sign regulations for all districts.
[Amended 6-27-2007 by Ord. No. 561; 10-23-2024 by Ord. No. 706]
A.
Prohibitions. The following types of signs will not be permitted in Hatfield Township:
B.
Obstructions. No signs shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic on a street by obscuring a clear view, or by confusion with local street signs, or signals, by virtue of position or color. A clear sight triangle of 25 feet inward from the edge of the paving, in the case of a private exit, and in the case of a public road or highway, a clear sight triangle of 25 feet inward from the right-of-way of both intersecting streets is required. In addition, no sign shall be so located or arranged so that it interferes with traffic through glare, through blocking of reasonable sight lines for streets, sidewalks, or driveways, confusion with traffic control devices by reason of color, location, shape, or other characteristics, or through any other means.
C.
Public right-of-way.
(1)
No sign, other than official street signs, shall be erected, or maintained, within the street right-of-way of any public road in Hatfield Township.
(2)
No sign shall project more than 48 inches over a public walkway, and the lower edge of such a projecting sign shall not be less than 10 feet above the walk level.
D.
Maintenance. All signs must be constructed of durable materials and must be kept in good condition and repair.
E.
Vehicular signs. Any vehicle to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the sign is no longer incidental to the vehicle's primary purpose, but becomes a primary purpose in itself, shall be considered a freestanding sign, and as such, shall be subject to the provisions regarding freestanding signs in the district in which the vehicle is located.
F.
Changeable-copy signs.
(1)
For the purposes of this section, the term changeable-copy sign shall refer to an internally illuminated portion of a permitted sign in which plasma technology or LED technology, or other electronic technology is utilized to present a message regarding the use on the property where such sign is located or a public service announcement, all in accordance with the regulations set forth in this section.
(2)
Changeable-copy signs shall be permitted by right only within the LI-Light Industrial District, SC-Shopping Center District, and the C-Commercial District.
(4)
If a property used for one of the above listed purposes receives a special exception for the use of a changeable-copy sign and the use of that property thereafter changes to a use which is not listed above, the new use shall not be permitted or entitled to continue the use of any changeable-copy sign on the property and the changeable-copy sign shall be removed.
(5)
No display on a changeable-copy sign shall be permitted to move, scroll, flash, revolve, rotate, oscillate, fade, or display animated text or video.
(6)
The copy on a changeable-copy sign may change at a rate not greater than once every 10 seconds. Each change shall be instantaneous. All images shall remain static.
(7)
No more than one double faced, changeable-copy sign shall be permitted on any property.
(8)
The changeable-copy portion of any sign shall be no larger than 20 square feet in area.
G.
The intensity of illumination of all signs shall be subject to the periodic review of the Code Enforcement Officer, and adjustments shall be made at his/her direction.
H.
Flags are permitted when representing governmental units, shall fly no more than 20 feet in height, and must be set back from property lines a distance equal to the height of the flagpole.
§ 282-179 Removal of signs.
The Building Department of Hatfield Township shall have the authority to require the removal and/or demolition of signs under the following circumstances:
A.
When it is determined by the Zoning Officer of Hatfield Township that a sign has deteriorated to the point of becoming a danger to the public.
B.
When a sign does not comply with the provisions as outlined by this article.
C.
When an owner or lessee vacates a building or premises for a period of over 45 days.
§ 282-180 Signs in all residential districts and Limited Professional Office Districts.
[Amended 10-23-2024 by Ord. No. 706]
A.
General provisions. Freestanding signs shall not exceed six feet in height.
B.
Residential district provisions: ER, RA-1, RA-2, RA-3 B, BA, and BB Residential Districts.
(1)
On-premises signs. In the above indicated residential zones, no on-premises sign shall be permitted except as follows:
(a)
One nonilluminated, or indirectly illuminated sign, for home occupations or accessory offices indicating only names of persons and their occupations, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed two square feet.
(b)
One nonilluminated, or indirectly illuminated, sign in connection with a lawfully maintained nonconforming use, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed six square feet.
(c)
One nonilluminated sign advertising the sale or rental of the premises on which the sign has been erected, or one sign indicating the said premises has been sold or rented providing that the area of any such sign shall not exceed six square feet and such sign shall be removed within 20 days after the agreement of sale or rental has been entered into.
(d)
One temporary, nonilluminated sign erected in connection with the development or proposed development of a premises by a builder, contractor, or developer, or other persons interested in such sale or development provided the area of any such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet and that the sign shall be removed within 20 days after the last structure has been initially occupied or upon expiration of the building permit, whichever is sooner.
(e)
Temporary, nonilluminated signs of mechanics or artisans may be erected and maintained during the period such persons are performing work on the premises on which the signs are erected, providing that the total area of all such signs shall not exceed 24 feet.
(f)
Signs announcing "no trespassing" indicating the private nature of a road, driveway, or premises, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed four square feet.
(2)
Off-premises signs. No off-premises signs are permitted in the above mentioned residential districts except as follows:
(a)
Signs necessary for the direction, regulation, and control of traffic, street name signs, legal notices, warnings at railroad crossing, and other official signs which are singularly authorized or erected by duly constituted governmental bodies.
(b)
Temporary, nonilluminated signs directing persons to temporary exhibits, shows, or events may be erected subject to the following requirements:
[1]
Signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area.
[2]
Signs shall not be posted earlier than seven days before the occurrence of the event to which they relate and must be removed within seven days after the date of the exhibit, show, or event, or sale.
[3]
Temporary signs for any one exhibit, show, event, or use shall be limited to two events per year. Each event shall be no more than 15 days in duration.
[4]
Nonilluminated signs used for directing patrons, members, or an audience to service clubs, churches, or other nonprofit organizations, providing that signs indicate only the name of the organization and place, date and time of meeting and shall not exceed four square feet in area.
C.
Provisions for Garden Apartment, Townhouse, Multifamily - Elderly, Transportation, and Mobile Home Development Districts.
(1)
On-premises signs. On-premises signs in the above mentioned residential districts shall not be permitted except as follows:
(a)
Signs displayed for the direction, safety, or convenience of the public provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed four square feet.
(b)
(Reserved)
(c)
One nonilluminated sign or indirectly illuminated sign, displaying only the name and address of the premises, or complex, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(d)
One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated sign, bulletin board, or announcement board, or an identification sign for a permitted building or use provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed 20 square feet.
(e)
One temporary, nonilluminated sign erected in connection with the development or proposed development of the premises by a builder, contractor or developer, or other persons interested in such sale or development, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed 24 square feet, and that the sign shall be removed within 20 days after the last structure has been initially occupied or upon the expiration of the building permit, whichever is sooner.
(2)
Off-premises signs. Off-premises signs in the above designated residential districts are not permitted except as follows:
(a)
Signs necessary for the direction, regulation, and control of traffic, street name signs, legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings and other official signs which are similarly authorized or erected by a duly constituted governmental body.
(b)
Temporary nonilluminated signs directing persons to temporary exhibits, shows or events may be erected subject to the following requirements:
D.
Signs in Limited Professional Office Districts.
(1)
On-premises signs. In Limited Professional Office Districts, no on-premises signs shall be permitted except as follows and in no case shall more than one permanent freestanding sign be permitted on each property:
(a)
All on-premises signs permitted in Subsection B(1) and provided that in no case shall more than one temporary sign be permitted on each property.
(b)
Freestanding business signs, provided that:
[1]
Only one such sign shall be permitted on each property which sign may be directly or indirectly illuminated, provided that no sign shall be lighted after office hours.
[2]
The area of such sign shall not exceed eight square feet.
[3]
The maximum height of such sign shall not exceed six feet.
[4]
Signs shall only contain the name of the professional occupying the premises, or his firm or studio name and his professional occupation, and educational degrees.
§ 282-181 Signs in Shopping Center, Limited Commercial, Commercial, and Institutional Districts.
[Amended 11-24-2003 by Ord. No. 513; 6-27-2007 by Ord. No. 561; 10-23-2024 by Ord. No. 706]
A.
On-premises signs. No on-premises signs shall be permitted in the above captioned district except as follows:
(1)
All on-premises signs permitted in § 282-180B(1) and C(1), except as otherwise provided in this section.
(2)
Parallel and projecting business signs.
(a)
The total area of all parallel and projecting signs for each establishment shall not exceed 1 1/2 square feet for each foot of length of the front building wall or length of that portion of such wall which is devoted to such establishment. In no case shall the total sign area for a single establishment exceed 60 square feet.
(b)
If such establishment does not occupy any floor area on the ground floor level of the building other than an entryway, the maximum area per foot of length of the front building wall, or portion thereof, shall be only one square foot.
(c)
Signs painted on or affixed to the inside or outside of windows shall be included in this computation if their combined area exceeds 25% of the area of the window which they occupy.
(d)
In no case, however, may the total area of parallel and projecting signs, and any signs affixed to the inside or outside of windows, exceed 10% of the area of the wall, including windows and door areas and cornices, to which they are attached.
(3)
Freestanding business signs.
(a)
Only one such sign shall be permitted on each property for each street frontage.
(b)
The area of any one such sign shall not exceed 1/2 square foot for each one foot of lot frontage or 100 square feet, whichever is smaller.
(c)
The maximum height of freestanding business signs shall not exceed 14 feet.
B.
Off-premises signs. All off-premises signs permitted in this district shall comply with the standards herein prescribed for off-premises signs in § 282-180B(2) and C(2).
§ 282-182 Signs in industrial districts.
[Amended 11-24-2003 by Ord. No. 513; 6-27-2007 by Ord. No. 561; 10-23-2024 by Ord. No. 706]
A.
On-premises signs. In industrial districts, no on-premises signs shall be permitted, except as follows:
(1)
All on-premises signs permitted in § 282-180B(1) and C(1) and § 282-181A, and the standards prescribed therein.
(2)
Parallel business signs subject to the following provisions:
(a)
The total area of any parallel signs shall not exceed two square feet for each foot of length of the front building wall or length of that portion of such wall which is devoted to such establishment, or 100 square feet, whichever is less.
(b)
No parallel sign shall be painted on or affixed to the inside or outside of windows in such districts.
B.
Off-premises signs. All off-premises signs permitted in §§ 282-180B(2) and C(2) and 282-181B, above, pursuant to the standards prescribed herein are permitted in the LI Light Industrial District and the LIRC Light Industrial Restricted Commercial District. Additional off-premises signs will be permitted in the LI Light Industrial District only in accordance with the provisions of Subsection D, below.
C.
Industrial parks. In addition to the signs permitted above for individual establishments, there shall be permitted one sign indicating the name of the industrial park, provided that such sign shall not exceed five feet in height or a total area of 60 square feet.
D.
Off-premises signs in the LI Light Industrial District by special exception. Off-premises signs are permitted in the LI Light Industrial District by special exception, provided all of the following criteria are satisfied, in addition to any other applicable criteria set forth elsewhere in this chapter:
(1)
No portion, foundation, and/or support for any such sign shall be placed on, in, or over any private property without written consent of the property owner.
(2)
No such sign shall exceed 150 square feet in area.
(3)
All such signs shall be constructed in accordance with industry-wide standards established by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America and the Institute of Outdoor Advertising.
(4)
No such sign shall be located within 1/2 mile of any other such sign on the same street, road, highway, or alley, as measured along the center line of the abutting cartway.
(5)
No such sign shall be located within 1,000 feet of any interchange, overpass, underpass, bridge, street intersection, residential use, or residential zoning district.
(6)
No such sign shall be located within 250 feet of any other freestanding sign.
(7)
No such sign shall be located less than six and/or more than 40 feet from any street right-of-way line.
(8)
The maximum height of any such sign shall be 20 feet.
(9)
Illumination of such signs shall be by external illumination only. No flashing, intermittent, rotating, and/or oscillating lights are permitted. No direct light shall extend beyond the face of the sign. Such signs shall not be illuminated in any manner beyond the hours of dusk till 12:00 midnight.
(10)
The rear side of such signs shall be of one neutral color.
(11)
All such signs shall be identified on the structure with the name and address of the owner of such sign. Such signs within any area regulated by Title 67, Chapter 445, of the Pennsylvania Code shall be further identified with a permit number or tag issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
(12)
All such signs shall conform with any and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
§ 282-183 Signs in open recreation areas.
Signs shall be permitted in recreational areas only when authorized by the Board of Commissioners and regulated as follows:
A.
One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated on-premises sign, which names and gives pertinent information pertaining to the recreation facility, and other official signs which are similarly authorized or erected by a duly constituted governmental body.
B.
Temporary parallel advertising will be permitted on the backfield fences facing the backstop in baseball fields in open recreation areas. Such signs shall not extend above the fences to which they are attached and shall be erected no sooner than one week prior to the initial municipally sanctioned league baseball game of the season, and shall be removed no later than one week after the final such game of the season.
§ 282-184 Illumination of permitted signs in residential districts.
A.
In all residential districts, the following permitted signs may be directly illuminated and no other:
(1)
Professional sign of a physician, dentist, healer, justice of the peace and such other persons whose services in emergency situations are customarily considered essential to the public health, safety, and welfare, provided that the illumination is white light only, and provided further that the total illumination for any such sign shall not exceed the equivalent of that given by a 25 watt incandescent light source.
(2)
Signs of a school, church, hospital, sanitarium, club, or other institution of similar nature, or municipal building, provided that the illumination is white light only, and provided further that the total illumination for any such sign shall not exceed the equivalent of that given by a 60 watt incandescent light source.
(3)
Signs for regulation of traffic, marking of hazards and the like.
§ 282-185 Sign permits, requirements and fees.
A.
Sign permits. It shall be unlawful to erect, construct, or alter any sign which exceeds eight square feet in area in the Township of Hatfield without first filing with the Zoning Department of Hatfield Township an application in writing in order to obtain a formal permit.
B.
Application form. An application for a permit for the erection, construction, or alteration of a sign in the Township of Hatfield shall be submitted on such forms as prescribed by the Zoning Department of Hatfield Township. The application shall contain the affidavit of the owner of the premises authorizing the application and the work described herein.
C.
Plans to accompany application. Applications for permits for the erection, construction or alteration of signs shall be accompanied by a site plan, drawings of the proposed work, zoning district in which the sign is located, and structural details of the sign, all of which are to be drawn to scale and any such other details as may be required by the Zoning Department of Hatfield Township.
D.
Fees. All applications for permits for the erection, construction, or alteration of signs shall, at the time of making application, be paid to the Building Department of Hatfield Township, in accordance with the respective fee schedule to be established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Hatfield Township.[1] In addition thereto, any engineering fees incurred by the applicant must also be paid in accordance with the fee schedule to be established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.