Kingwood Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE V
Graphics
[Amended 9-22-1988 by Ord. No. 6-13-88; 11-4-1992 by Ord. No. 8-11-92; 7-26-1993 by Ord. No. 8-13-93; 8-16-1999 by Ord. No. 10-13-99]
§ 132-70 Purpose; intent.
The purpose of this article is:
A.
To control the size, location, character, lighting, number and other pertinent features of all exterior on-premises graphics.
B.
To promote street graphics which are:
(1)
Compatible with surroundings, expressive of the identity of individual proprietors and of a community character.
(2)
Orderly, readable and appropriate to the activity to which they pertain.
(3)
Nondistracting to motorists so as not to contribute to traffic accidents.
(4)
Safe from hazard.
(5)
Aesthetically pleasing.
(6)
Inoffensive.
§ 132-71 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, except as the context may otherwise require, certain words and phrases used herein are defined as follows:
ACTIVITY
The type of business or use conducted upon the parcel of land.
ADVERTISING GRAPHICS
Graphics which direct attention to an individual, business, product, commodity or service conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than on the premises where the sign is located (for example, a billboard).
ANIMATED GRAPHICS
A.
The movement of a sign body or any segment thereof, such as rotating, revolving, moving up or down or any other type of action involving a change of position of a sign body or segment thereof, whether caused by mechanical, illusional or other means.
B.
A lighted sign on an intermittent or flashing circuit or the movement of any light used in connection with any sign, such as blinking, traveling, flaring or changing degree of intensity.
ARCHITECTURAL GRAPHICS
Letters, symbols, shapes or words incorporated into any portion of a building and which can be recognized as such.
ATTRACTION BOARD
A street graphic so constructed that all items of information are presented in print or electronic form and can be readily interchanged.
BANNERS and PENNANTS
Advertising devices affixed to poles, wires or ropes and made of cloth or plastic materials. Governmental flags are excluded from this definition.
CANOPIES and AWNINGS
Forms of permanent, temporary or portable roof-like coverings for entrances, window, etc.
CUT-OUT LETTER
Any figure cut in the shape of a letter and supported independently on an awning or directly on a wall of a building. Any frame, artificial background or background support enclosing any letters excludes a letter from the classification of "cut-out."
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN
A sign on which the items of information are presented in print or electronic form and may be easily changed, either manually or electronically.
DIRECTIONAL GRAPHIC
An advertising graphic located within the Township giving information and direction to an individual, business, products, commodity or service conducted, sold or offered at a location within the Township of Kingwood but not on the roadway along which the directional graphic is located.
EAVES
The projecting overhang at the lower edge of a roof.
FRONT or FRONTAGE
Surfaces of any building or facility that present themselves to a public right-of-way giving immediate access to the premises.
GRAPHICS
Any device used for visual communication, including signs.
GROUND GRAPHICS
A freestanding sign detached from any building.
INDIRECT LIGHTING
The use of fluorescent and other vapor light or incandescent lighting set apart from but directed towards the surface of the street graphic.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
The use of fluorescent and other vapor light or incandescent lighting to illuminate a street graphic from behind the lettering or from inside the graphic structure.
ITEMS OF INFORMATION
A syllable, abbreviation, number, symbol, any geometric shape or broken plane. In computing items of information, the following lettering is not to be included:
A.
Lettering less than three inches in height if it is contained in a wall graphic.
B.
Letters less than 19 inches in height carved into or securely attached in such a way that they are an architectural detail of a building.
LANDSCAPE GRAPHICS
Signs created through the use of plant materials, ground forms, rocks and other natural materials.
NEIGHBORHOOD IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A graphic identifying the entrance to a particular subdivision or other housing project which is recognized by a given name.
ON-PREMISES DIRECTIONAL AND CONTROL GRAPHICS
Signs erected on private property for the purpose of directing or controlling on-premises pedestrian or vehicular movement.
PERMANENT WINDOW GRAPHICS
Any window graphic which is displayed in a window for more than 14 consecutive days.
POLITICAL GRAPHICS
Graphics advertising candidates for political office or involving a ballot issue.
PROJECTING GRAPHICS
A graphic attached to a building or other structure and extending from the building wall or structure, including canopies and awnings which contain items of information.
READER BOARD
A graphic displaying movable or changing characters, whether in print or electronic, for presentation of a message displayed for less than five continuous minutes.
RESIDENTIAL NAMEPLATE
A graphic permitted for the sole purpose of identifying the inhabitants residing therein, the house name or the address.
ROOFLINE
Highest continuous horizontal line of a roof. On a sloping roof, the roofline is the principal ridge line or the highest line common to one or more principal slopes of the roof. On a flat roof, the roofline is the highest continuous line of the roof or parapet, whichever is higher.
SIGNS
Any device employing letters, words, symbols, etc., used or intended to attract the attention of the public from streets, sidewalks or other outside public areas. (See "street graphics.")
SIGNABLE WALL AREA
The area of the facade of a building up to the roofline which is free of doors, windows or major architectural details and can be enclosed by an imaginary rectangle.
SPINNERS or PROPELLERS
Plastic, wood or metal objects attached to a wire and which spin in the wind.
STREAMERS
Long, narrow, ribbon-like pieces of fabric or plastic less than one-foot wide, which flutter or blow in the wind.
STREET GRAPHICS
Every sign, bulletin board, projecting graphic, attraction board, ground graphic, wall graphic, reader board, window graphic, illuminated sign, projecting sign, official sign, including any item of information, letter, word, number, logo, symbol or combination thereof; model, mural, decoration, banner, flag, pennant, clock, thermometer, insignia, light or combination of lights, used or placed as an announcement or declaration to identify, advertise or promote the interest of any person, place, product or corporation when the same is placed in view of the general public from outside the structure (including interior window signs) on which it is placed.
TEMPORARY WINDOW GRAPHICS
Any window graphic which is displayed in a window for not more than 14 consecutive days.
WALL GRAPHICS
A sign attached to, painted on or erected against a wall or flat vertical surface of a structure with the exposed face of the sign on a plane parallel to the face of said vertical surface.
WINDOW GRAPHICS
All signs attached to or applied directly onto the internal or external surface or set back less than four feet from the interior surface of any window in view of the general public from outside the structure.
§ 132-72 Permits; nonconforming street graphics; damaged, abandoned and illegal graphics.
A.
Permits.
(1)
Except as provided in Subsection A(2) below, no person shall erect, construct, alter, move, place, maintain or locate any street graphic without Planning Board approval.
(2)
Planning Board approval shall not be required for the following graphics or actions, provided that such graphics shall be subject to all other provisions of this chapter:
(a)
Repainting and repair of graphics without changing wording, composition or colors.
(b)
Relocation of graphics as required by the municipality.
(c)
Specific temporary graphics permitted elsewhere in this article, including temporary window graphics.
(d)
All exempt graphics.
B.
Planning Board applications. Applications for sign approvals may be obtained from the Planning Board Secretary. All applications must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the Planning Board meeting at which they will be considered.
C.
Fees. The fee for permits under this article is $75 per sign. Payment shall be collected by the Planning Board Secretary. In addition, should the Planning Board require professional assistance in making its determination, any costs incurred for professional review of signs or their placement shall be borne by the applicant.
[Amended 7-6-2004 by Ord. No. 12-7-2004]
D.
Application requirements. Applications for street graphic permits should be made upon forms provided by the Planning Board and should have attached thereto at least the following information pertaining to the proposed graphic:
(1)
Name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
(2)
Location of building or structure and lot and block number to which or upon which the graphic is to be attached.
(3)
Position of the graphic in relation to nearby buildings, structures, signs, banners, etc.
(4)
Seven copies of plans drawn to scale and specifications, including size, color of the graphic and its various parts, materials of which the graphic is to be constructed, style of lettering, information to be displayed and method of attachment to the buildings or into the ground.
[Amended 5-6-2021 by Ord. No. 21-11-2021]
(5)
Color sketch of the graphic and building(s) as they would appear in relation to each other.
(6)
Method of illumination and intensity of the light.
(7)
Name, address and telephone number of person erecting the graphic.
(8)
Written consent of the owner of the building, structure and/or land to which or upon which the graphic is to be erected.
(9)
For any ground graphics with a surface area of more than 32 square feet or the bottom of which is situated five feet or more above the ground, a copy of stress sheets and calculations showing that the structure is designed for dead load and wind pressure in any direction in the amount required by the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code.
(10)
Proposed landscaping, if applicable.
(11)
Determination of street graphic fee.
(12)
Determination of whether or not the application requires site plan review.
(13)
Sign permit applications must be notarized.
(14)
Such other information pertaining to the proposed street graphic as may be reasonably required by the Planning Board.
E.
Nonconforming street graphics.
(1)
An otherwise lawful nonconforming street graphic which existed on the effective date of this chapter may be continued until such time as there is a change in use or a change in ownership for the lot or building which the street graphic serves or, in the case of an advertising graphic, a change in the information which the graphic contains. At that time, the street graphic shall be brought into accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(2)
An otherwise lawful nonconforming street graphic may be restored whenever it is damaged in any manner whatsoever, except that any nonconforming street graphic damaged, destroyed or deteriorated to the extent of more than 50% of its replacement value shall be demolished or reconstructed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and thereafter used only in such a manner as to conform to all the provisions of this chapter.
F.
Removal of damaged graphics. Any street graphic damaged, destroyed or deteriorated in any manner whatsoever shall be demolished or reconstructed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter within 60 days.
G.
Abandoned graphics. Any person, firm or corporation who owns a street graphic shall remove said street graphic within 60 days after the business, person, corporation or activity it advertises is no longer conducted in or upon the premises.
H.
Illegal street graphics. Any street graphic erected or maintained in violation of this section shall be removed by the owner within 30 days after receipt of written notification from the Zoning Officer. A property owner who fails to remove such graphic after notice shall be subject to the penalty provisions of this chapter, and each day that such graphic is not removed shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
§ 132-73 General requirements.
A.
Conformance with construction code. All street graphics shall conform to the requirements of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-119 et seq.
B.
Maintenance.
(1)
All street graphics, including official signs, together with all their supports, braces, hooks, guys and anchors, shall be of substantial and sturdy construction, shall be kept in good repair and shall be painted or cleaned as often as necessary to maintain a clean, neat, safe and orderly appearance.
(2)
The area surrounding ground graphics shall be kept neat, clean and landscaped. The owner of the property upon which the ground graphic is located shall be responsible for maintaining the condition of the area.
C.
Obstruction to doors, windows or fire escapes. No street graphic shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign, other than warning signs, shall be attached to a fire escape or standpipe.
D.
Obstruction of architectural features. No street graphic shall be erected, relocated or maintained in such a manner as to cover or intrude upon any architectural features of a building such as windows, columns, moldings or any major decoration or structural feature.
E.
Obstruction of sidewalks. In no event shall ground signs, including temporary signs, obstruct any sidewalk or other pedestrian thoroughfare.
F.
Graphics not to constitute traffic hazards. In order to secure and maintain reasonable traffic safety, no street graphic shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision or to distract the attention of the driver of any vehicle by reason of the position, shape, color, reflection, illumination, etc., thereof.
G.
Lighting of graphics.
(1)
Indirect or interior lighting may be used to illuminate any street graphic, provided that the source of light shall concentrate the illumination upon the area of the street graphic so as to prevent glare upon the street or adjacent property or any residences contained on the property on which the graphic is located.
(2)
No street graphic of any kind shall be left illuminated during the period from 12:01 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. unless the business premises is open to the public during those times or unless the Planning Board determines that an illuminated wall graphic is necessary for the protection of the property from theft or vandalism. Such determination will be made a part of the graphic permit.
H.
Display of permit number. Each sign for which a permit has been issued by the Planning Board pursuant to this chapter shall permanently display the number of the permit under which display of such sign was authorized in the lower right hand corner of that sign.
§ 132-74 Prohibitions.
No street graphic shall be constructed, reconstructed, erected or maintained which:
A.
Bears or contains statements, words or pictures of an obscene, indecent or immoral character, which will offend public morals or decency.
B.
Purports to be, or is an imitation of, or resembles an official traffic sign or signal or which bears the words STOP, GO SLOW, CAUTION, DANGER, WARNING or similar words other than those contained in the name of the business, unless located upon the property to control internal traffic circulation.
C.
By reason of its size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination, may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device or which hides from view any traffic or street sign or signal.
D.
Advertises or publicizes any activity, business, product or service not conducted on the premises upon which such graphics are maintained, except in accordance with § 132-88F.
E.
Is a computerized or electronic sign or is in any way animated, capable of rapid change of the items of information other than through manual manipulation of the sign, emits smoke, sparks, visible vapors, particles, sound or odor.
[Amended 11-2-2004 by Ord. No. 12-16-2004]
F.
Is located in a public right-of-way or approved sight easement (if sign is taller than 24 inches) except those owned and operated by a duly constituted governmental agency.
G.
Consists of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs (except that this prohibition shall not apply to seasonal decorations at residential properties) and spinners.
H.
Is portable, fixed on a movable stand, self-supporting without being firmly embedded in the ground, supported by other objects, mounted on wheels or a movable vehicle or made easily movable in any other manner unless a temporary changeable copy sign granted through special permit, pursuant to § 132-82.
I.
Is located (painted, affixed, etc.) on a water tower, storage tank, smokestack, utility pole or other similar structure.
J.
Is located (painted, stapled, affixed, etc.) on trees, rocks or other natural features.
K.
Is attached to or placed upon the roof of a building or structure.
L.
Is, consists of or incorporates a roof graphic, projecting graphic, a reader board or, except as permitted pursuant to § 132-82, a changeable copy sign.
§ 132-75 Specification requirements.
A.
Table of Area Requirements. A Table of Area Requirements for street graphics is attached to and made a part of this article. No street graphic may be erected, displayed, substantially altered or reconstructed, except in conformance with the Table of Area Requirements and the specific provisions of this chapter governing the type of graphic. For signs which are two-sided, only one side of the sign shall be counted for purposes of determining whether the sign complies with the maximum sign area limitation of this ordinance. For example, for purposes of determining whether the sign complies with the maximum sign area limitation, a two sided sign that measures three feet by six feet would be deemed to have a sign area of only 18 square feet. Signs posting property as "private property" or "no hunting" or similar signs or warning signs are permitted and are not to be considered in calculating sign area.
[Amended 7-6-2004 by Ord. No. 12-7-2004; 11-2-2004 by Ord. No. 12-16-2004]
Table of Area Requirements | |
|---|---|
VR-1, VR-2 and PO/R Zones Permitted Graphics | |
Area | Height |
WALL | |
4 square feet | 6 feet |
GROUND | |
4 square feet | 6 feet |
AR-2 ZONE | |
|---|---|
Permitted Graphics Residential, Family Day Care Homes and Community Residences | |
Area | Height |
WALL | |
4 square feet | 6 feet |
GROUND | |
4 square feet | 6 feet |
FARM MARKET | ||
|---|---|---|
Area | Height | |
WALL | ||
Property fronting on a state or county highway | 32 square feet (one sign) 24 square feet (additional signs) | 4 feet |
Property fronting on a municipal road | 24 square feet (one sign) 18 square feet (additional signs) | 4 feet |
GROUND | ||
Property fronting state or county highway | 24 square feet | 6 feet |
Property fronting municipal road | 18 square feet | 6 feet |
Churches, Cemeteries, Public Playgrounds, Conservation Areas, Parks, Public Purpose Uses, Golf Courses, Firehouses, Rescue Squad Facilities, and Government Buildings | ||
|---|---|---|
Area | Height | |
WALL | ||
Property fronting on a state or county highway | 24 square feet | 4 feet |
Property fronting on a municipal road | 12 square feet | 4 feet |
GROUND | ||
Property fronting on a state or county highway | 24 square feet | 6 feet |
Property fronting on a municipal road | 18 square feet | 6 feet |
VC-1, VC-2, HC and BP Zones | |
|---|---|
Permitted Graphics | |
Area | Height |
WALL | |
40% | See § 132-77 |
GROUND | |
32 square feet | 10 feet |
B.
Window graphics are permitted for all uses except industrial and residential activities. Temporary window graphics may not exceed 25% of the area of the window in which they are displayed. Permanent window graphics may not exceed 20% of the area of the window in which they are displayed. Window graphics are not debited against the items of information allowance. Off-premises cultural event posters are excluded from total allowable area for temporary window signs.
C.
Items of information.
(1)
Each land use is entitled to display street graphics containing up to 10 items of information along each street or highway to which it has access. However, if the name of the proprietor occupying the building and its premises contains more than 10 items of information, the name may be displayed once on each street frontage on any allowable street graphic, provided that no other graphic is displayed on the portion of the building or its premises exposed to that frontage.
(2)
Provided that the items of information allowance authorized by this section is not exceeded, street graphics may be displayed as ground graphics, wall graphics or projecting graphics, within the limitation and restrictions as further provided by this chapter.
D.
Lighting requirements. The following types of illumination are permitted:
(1)
Colored light: white is the only color of light which is permitted:
(a)
In areas designated as institutional or residential or within 500 feet of such areas; or
(b)
For institutional and residential activities.
(2)
Indirect illumination: i.e., a light source not seen directly.
(3)
Floodlight illumination; provided that the floodlight or spotlight is positioned so that no light shines onto an adjoining property or in the eyes of motorists or pedestrians.
(4)
Flame: as a source of light is permitted for eating and drinking places and for hotels and lodging places.
§ 132-76 Ground graphics.
A.
Any commercial or business lot, including any farm market use, may display one and only one ground graphic on each side of the lot with street frontage and which are of the area and height indicated in the Table of Area Requirements, provided that:
[Amended 7-6-2004 by Ord. No. 12-7-2004]
(1)
The activity is accessible by automobile and has off-street parking on the premises;
(2)
For commercial or business uses other than farm markets, the facade of the building or structure in which the activity is conducted is set back at least 35 feet from the right-of-way line of the adjacent street or highway. The height of a ground graphic shall be measured from the grade at the edge of the right-of-way line; and
(3)
The ground graphic is not located closer than the following distances to street rights-of-way in the following zones;
Area of Graphics | Minimum Distance (feet) |
|---|---|
VR-1 | 10 |
AR-2 | 10 |
HC; VR-2 | 30 |
BP | 30 |
VC-1; VC-2; PO/R | 30 |
B.
Ground graphics are also subject to the following additional limitations:
(1)
A ground graphic which is six square feet or more in area may be displayed only on a frontage of 100 feet or more and may not be closer than 100 feet to any other ground graphic which is six square feet or more in size.
(2)
An activity may have both ground and projecting graphics if only one of these graphics is six square feet or more in size.
§ 132-77 Wall graphics.
A.
Except as otherwise expressly provided by this chapter and subject to the requirements of the Table of Area Requirements, any commercial or business lot may display one and only one wall graphic on each side of the lot with street frontage. Wall graphics may be attached flat to or pinned away from the wall and may not project from the wall by more than 18 inches. Farm markets may display two wall graphics which are capable of being viewed from the public road on which the lot being devoted to such use fronts. In the event that a farm market use elects not to erect a ground graphic, that farm market shall be entitled to erect a third wall graphic conforming to the requirements set forth in § 132-75.
[Amended 7-6-2004 by Ord. No. 12-7-2004]
B.
The permitted area of wall graphics is shown in the Table of Area Requirements which indicates the percentage of the signable area of the building or structure which may be utilized for wall graphics. "Signable area" of the building means an area of the facade of the building up to the roof which is free of windows and doors or major architectural detail. The person displaying the wall graphic may determine the signable area by choosing one such area on the building facade below the height limits for wall graphics established by Subsection D of this section and by then calculating the number of square feet which are enclosed by an imaginary rectangle or square drawn around this area.
C.
In calculating the signable wall area of a building which may be used for wall graphics, the following provisions also apply:
(1)
If the graphic is enclosed by a box or outline, the total area of the graphic, including the background, is counted as part of the signable area. If the graphic consists of individual letters, then an imaginary box shall be drawn to enclose the letters, and the total area of the graphic, including the imaginary box, is counted as part of the signable area.
[Amended 3-7-2019 by Ord. No. 20-04-2019]
(2)
If individual letters or a box graphic is placed between window spandrels, the height of the letters or box may not exceed 2/3 of the height of the spandrel.
(3)
A graphic may not cover or interrupt major architectural features.
D.
Wall graphics are subject to the following:
(1)
Area of graphic: See Table of Area Requirements.
(2)
Height: not to exceed 2/3 of the distance between the top of a window and the sill of the window above or major architectural details related thereto. No graphic may extend beyond the eaves.
(3)
Only window graphics are permitted for activities located on the second or higher floors.
(4)
Width of graphic may not exceed the width of the building occupied by the activity.
§ 132-79 Special situations.
A.
Buildings in joint occupancy or multiple use. When a building is occupied by a single occupant who conducts more than one activity within the building or by different occupants who conduct one or more activities, all of the regulations of this article shall apply, but with the following modifications:
(1)
One and only one ground graphic on each street frontage containing a maximum of 10 items of information per activity will be permitted.
(2)
Each activity may have one and only one wall or projecting graphic on each street frontage, and the graphic must not exceed the space on the building occupied by the activity.
(3)
All graphics must be harmonious to the whole site and coordinated with one another.
(4)
An upstairs activity may post a sign at the stairway entrance and in the window of space occupied by the activity in accordance with window graphic regulations.
(5)
All signs at all stair entrances on the building must be of uniform width.
B.
Advertising at rear entrances. Activities with parking beside or behind the structure may erect wall graphics on the facade of the structure facing the parking area. This surface shall not be calculated as part of the total signable area for other surfaces or facades of the structure. The area of graphic must not exceed 1/2 the area of signs on the front of the building.
C.
Multiple frontages. If a building has frontage on or access to two or more streets, highways or expressways, ground and wall graphics shall be permitted on each side of the building exposed to frontage and each side of the building is to be separately considered for purposes of determining compliance with the provisions of this chapter and the Table of Design Elements. Area allowances for graphics may be utilized only on the side of the building from which they are calculated. Graphics on one facade shall be coordinated with graphics on other facades of the same building.
D.
Attraction boards are permissible only for theaters and places of entertainment with a seating capacity of 100 persons or more.
§ 132-80 Shopping centers, industrial parks and multistructure uses.
A.
Shopping centers, industrial parks and multistructure uses, because of their coordinated nature, require street graphic regulations which will ensure that all street graphics used within the development will enhance each other and not detract from the overall unified appearance of the complex.
B.
Each said development requiring more than one sign shall submit a graphics plan to the Planning Board for approval. Said graphics plan shall include details as to letter style, lighting, color, construction and materials, height of graphics, height above grade or below roofline, locations and specifications.
C.
The graphics plan shall be based on an integrated design theme to include all of the elements above. These elements shall be of a harmonious and consistent design in keeping with the architecture and materials of principal structures as well as the landscape plan for the site. The Planning Board shall determine if a proposed graphics plan meets the goals and objectives of this section.
D.
One ground graphic of dimensions in accordance with the Table of Area Requirements will be permitted for shopping centers. The Planning Board may authorize an additional ground graphic if the property has frontage on more than one public road.
E.
On-premises directional and control graphics.
(1)
On-premises directional and control graphics shall meet the following requirements:
(a)
Area of graphic: two square feet maximum (larger if determined to be necessary by the Planning Board).
(b)
Height of graphic: either 30 inches or nine feet.
(c)
Minimum clearance above ground for a nine-foot graphic: seven feet.
(2)
The graphic must be on premises and be used for directional purposes only.
(3)
Graphics must conform to applicable state, county or local regulations.
§ 132-81 Off-premises directional graphic.
Except as specifically permitted pursuant to § 132-88F, off-premises directional graphics are prohibited within the Township.
§ 132-82 Temporary changeable copy sign.
Temporary changeable copy signs are the only permitted portable signs. Signs may be no larger than five feet by 10 feet and may be displayed for no more than 30 days. The 30 days shall be divided as follows: 25 days before the event, the day of the event and four days after the event. A changeable copy sign may not be displayed again for 60 days after the date on which it was last displayed. Changeable copy signs may be used by civic, service or religious groups only. Said signs shall be permitted only where they do not create a hazard, destroy landscaping, must be displayed level and meet all the requirements of §§ 132-73 and 132-74.
§ 132-83 Temporary directional graphics.
Temporary directional graphics which direct the public to subdivisions, buildings, activities or the like may be erected with the approval of the Zoning Officer. The size, location, period of display and necessity for the graphic shall be evaluated. Public safety and traffic flow maintenance shall be the primary reason for granting a permit. Such graphics may be illuminated if found necessary by the Zoning Officer.
§ 132-84 Temporary graphics.
Except as noted, the following temporary graphics shall not require a graphics permit, provided that they comply with the stated regulations.
A.
Construction of project graphics shall not exceed four square feet on a residential lot in the VR, VC and PO/R Zones and eight square feet in rural areas where lots are zoned for four acres or 32 square feet in area and eight feet in height in the Highway Commercial and Business Park Zones. Such signs are not to be illuminated. There may be one graphic for each street frontage. A sign shall be removed upon completion of the project.
B.
Real estate signs temporarily advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises or portion thereof shall be, if not attached to the building, set back at least 10 horizontal feet from all curblines or, in the absence thereof, the edge of the paved surface. Such signs shall not exceed four square feet on a residential lot in the VR, VC and PO/R Zones and eight square feet in rural areas where lots are zoned for four acres. Signs shall not exceed eight square feet on nonresidential lots and shall be removed at the expense of the advertiser within 15 days after the termination or completion of the matter or business being advertised. "Sold" signs shall be permitted between the signing of the contract of sale and the date of the legal closing. One sign shall be permitted per lot frontage.
C.
Graphics advertising the opening of a new business, a change in the name of the business or a change in the ownership control of an existing business, provided that the following criteria are met:
[Added 11-4-2003 by Ord. No. 12-13-2003]
(1)
The temporary sign may only contain:
(a)
The name of the business; and
(b)
The phrase "Grand Opening" or the phrase "Under New Management."
(2)
The sign may be any style sign permitted as a street graphic, a banner or a sandwich board.
(3)
Temporary signs permitted under this section and which are banners or sandwich board signs may be displayed for not more than 14 days.
(4)
Temporary signs permitted under this section and which are not banners or sandwich boards may be displayed for not more than 90 days.
(5)
All temporary signs permitted under this section must comply with all size, area, lighting and height restrictions applicable to permanent signs of the same type (i.e., wall or street graphics).
D.
Buntings, ribbons and streamers may temporarily be displayed in connection with the opening of a new business, a change in the name of the business or a change in the ownership control of an existing business, provided that such decorations may be displayed for not more than 14 days.
[Added 11-4-2003 by Ord. No. 12-13-2003]
§ 132-85 Political graphics.
[Amended 4-3-2025 by Ord. No. 2-2025]
Applicants for political graphics shall comply with the following requirements:
A.
(Reserved)
B.
Each sign shall not exceed eight square feet in area.
C.
The signs shall not be located closer together than 500 feet.
D.
Such signs shall not be nailed or otherwise fastened to trees, fence posts or public utility poles, and may only be located in the right-of-way upon the issuance of a graphics permit by the Zoning Officer upon a showing that the erection and/or installation of such sign(s) shall not be inimical to public health, safety, and welfare. All political graphics shall be removed within 10 days after the election date.
§ 132-86 Miscellaneous temporary graphics.
Included are graphics for yards, garage sales, etc., open house and grand openings. Such graphics shall be on the premises and shall not exceed six square feet in area and shall be displayed only for the dates of the event and one day after. In no case shall such graphics remain in place for more than two weeks. Such graphics may not be placed within the public right-of-way and shall not be placed on utility poles, natural features, etc. Only one such graphic shall be placed on the property on which the activity or use in question takes place. Off-premises signs of this type are not permitted.
§ 132-87 Neighborhood identification signs.
Neighborhood identification signs shall be permitted only in the AR-2 Zone and shall be subject to the following conditions:
A.
All neighborhood identification signs shall be submitted to the Planning Board for approval at the time of the application for preliminary subdivision approval.
B.
Neighborhood identification signs shall be permitted to remain in place at a subdivision until a certificate of occupancy has been issued for a dwelling on each lot within the subdivision.
C.
When a neighborhood identification sign is approved by the Planning Board as part of the application for preliminary subdivision approval, such approval shall contain a condition requiring the applicant to post a cash bond of $200 to cover the costs of removal of such sign in the event that the applicant fails to do so as required by Subsection B above.
§ 132-88 Exempt graphics.
The following street graphics are exempt from all provisions of this chapter, except for § 132-73, and provided that each meets the stated additional requirements:
A.
Graphics of public noncommercial nature, including safety signs, danger signs, "no trespassing" signs, signs indicating scenic or historical points of interest and any official sign, provided that it is erected by a public officer in the performance of a public duty.
B.
Memorial signs and tablets. Nonilluminated memorial signs or tablets indicating the name of a building or date of erection, not exceeding two square feet in surface area, which are part of the building construction or attached as wall signs.
C.
Nameplates and directories (nonresidential). Nonilluminated nameplates and building directories relating only to the use or occupancy of the building to which attached. Such graphics shall not exceed 16 square feet in surface area and may be part of the building construction or attached as a wall graphic.
D.
Nameplates (residential). One nonilluminated or shielded illuminated (not to exceed 75 watts) nameplate, not exceeding two square feet in surface area, shall be permitted for each single-family residence or home occupation.
E.
Grave markers.
F.
Graphics utilized by farmers or other persons offering for sale only those products which they have grown on their own property located within the Township of Kingwood. Such graphics shall be of a temporary nature and can be located on or off site and shall be removed within 21 days of the end of the growing season for the particular products offered for sale. Such graphics shall be limited to ground graphics as defined herein, the size of which shall not exceed eight square feet.
§ 132-89 Architectural graphics.
Such graphics are subject to design review and permitting by the Planning Board. The Board shall determine if the proposal meets the goals and objectives of this chapter.
§ 132-90 Landscape graphics.
Such graphics are subject to design review and permitting by the Planning Board. The Board shall determine if the proposal meets the goals and objectives of this chapter. The Planning Board may make requirements to ensure the health and maintenance of plant materials that may be a part of such graphic displays.
§ 132-91 (Reserved) [1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 132-91, Ground sign style standards, was repealed 3-7-2019 by Ord. No. 20-04-2019.
§ 132-92 Violations and penalties.
[Amended 11-4-2021 by Ord. No. 21-20-2021]
Any person who shall violate any provisions of this article or any rule, regulation or order made under the authority of this article shall be subject to the penalty provisions in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article II, General Penalties, of the Township Code, and in cases of continuing violations, each day that such violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.
